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FRIDAY,

OCTOBER 16, 2015

by DAYLE DA SILVA OSWALD ROBINSON, President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union (SVGTU), remained confident that he and the rest of the members of his organisation achieved

VOLUME 109, No.42

what they set out to do, by staying away from the classroom on Tuesday, October 13.

“I am satisfied within myself…I only went ahead with what decisions were made,” he told THE VINCENTIAN. The union’s membership, along with civil servants represented by the Public Service Union (PSU), took a decision to stage a one-day strike Tuesday, as both unions sought to pressure the government to pay a one month tax free salary, in lieu of the fact that they had not received a salary increase in four years.

However, most schools throughout the country reported having full or nearly full capacity of staff and students on Tuesday.

Institutions such as the Belmont Government School reported 11 out of 13 staff present; Cane End Government reported 9 of 10; South Left: Elroy Boucher, President of the PSU, is reportedly missing in action.

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

Oswald Robinson (right), seen here in the company of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves during an Education Conference, November 2013, says his union is open to negotiations with the government.

Rivers Methodist reported full turnout of staff; and the Spring Village Methodist reported full staff, with a few students absent.

On the flip side, the Owia and Fitz Hughes Government Schools were heavily impacted by Tuesday’s strike, this according to reports relayed to THE VINCENTIAN via telephone. Owia reported that 5 teachers had not turned out, and less than 50 percent of the students were absent. At Fitz Hughes, the principal reported that less than half of the teachers and students were present.

Union’s count According to Robinson, about 40 percent of the total teacher complement did not attend school – this based on the numbers provided by the SVGTU’s office.

Those who attended, operated on a work

to rule, or did nothing, the President said.

The union’s president maintained that those who went to work, did so out of fear.

He said that for his school, the Gomea Methodist Primary School, the student population was less than half.

“So we did create an impact, despite the propaganda that was being circulated,” Robinson said.

Looking ahead Within recent times, the leadership of the SVGTU has been accused of getting too close to government.

But Robinson said that he does not get involved in politics, and that he was proud to have stood up and executed a mandate that was given to him.

Continued on Page 3.

V Digicel kicks in with MOTIV8

2. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Martin Garvey, COO and one of the coaches working with Digicel St. Vincent & The Grenadines Team, leads participants through a session of MOTIV8.

THE STAFF OF DIGICEL were treated to the company-sponsored MOTIV8 session on

Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at Buccament Bay Resort.

Over one hundred

participants, including the newly recruited call centre staff ,were treated to a full day focusing on personal and professional well-being.

Explaining the rationale behind MOTIV8, Michelle Thomas, Human Resources Administrator for Digicel St. Vincent & The Grenadines said, “Today, many organisations are implementing key initiatives in personal energy management and wellness at work, in an effort to sustain peak performance and increase morale, motivation and productivity. Health and wellness programmes positively impact the culture at work; employees become much more motivated and productive when they know that their employer cares about their total quality of life.”

She added, “As Digicel grows in size and complexity, we want to enable employees to manage their energy and performance to peak effectiveness. The overall objective is to implement a 12-month sustainable programme, using internal champions and local suppliers to ensure that the initiatives are sustained over the forthcoming year. This initiative certainly puts Digicel at the forefront in driving positive

company wellness and employee engagement.”

Team Motiv8 specialises in high performance team development, resilience, mental toughness, high performance coaching and energy for high performance.

“If your physical wellbeing is not being managed, you are unlikely to achieve your potential in any aspect of your life,” said Martin Garvey, COO and one of the coaches working with Digicel St. Vincent & The Grenadines Team.

“We have worked with teams such as Microsoft, Intel, and myself & the entire Motiv8 team are extremely grateful for the strong input & support during our time in SVG with the DigiFam. It was without doubt one of the most enjoyable & humbling experiences we have had in a Digicel market,” he ended.

Motiv8 has worked with teams across many performance crucibles, and has created a process and a system that enable a team to move from being average to high performing.

From their experience, they know that building a high performance team is not an art form but a science. They brought their scientific approach to Digicel St. Vincent & The Grenadines to significantly shift the needle in the team’s performance.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. 3.

News 3 BLA clears the air The St. Vincent Building and Loan Association has moved to address the claims of nonapproval of withdrawal applications and its payment to government.

2013, withdrawal THE ST VINCENT BUILDING and Loan and deposits Association (SVBLA) has denied claims were put on by shareholders that they were denied hold. access to their funds.

“However This denial was contained in a all requests for withdrawals were release, dated October 12, 2015, by the evaluated, resulting in some SVBLA, in which the claims were requests being approved for stated as “untrue and misleading.” medical and other emergencies,” The release comes days after Leader the release stated. of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace It went on to explain that, following called on the Prime Minister to make the approval of the recapitalisation public, whether or not the government plan at the August 2013 Annual had applied to receive EC$6 million General Meeting, the Board of from the financial institution.

Directors and Management Eustace said that, while many have implemented a mandatory issuance of had to wait months to access their permanent shares to members from shares at the SVBLA, the government their existing deposits, with the had gone ahead and received $6 remaining balances placed in fixed million. deposit accounts with specific maturity A number of individuals on various dates. radio programmes called in to say that Jeremy Jackson, President of the their applications for withdrawals SVBLA, went on to explain that the from the SVBLA were denied. past Boards of Directors and But the release explained that Management failed to honour their during the Financial Services statutory obligation by making Authority’s (FSA) intervention back in Interest Levy payments to the

by DAYLE DA SILVA

Government.

“This resulted in the Association being indebted to the government for over $17 million due for interest levy and interest and fines on same, as at September 30th 2015.”

And despite the membership mandating the then Board of Directors (prior to 2013) to address the issue of the escalating interest levy liability that was owed, nothing was ever done, Jackson explained.

The Board was mandated in 2013 to address the outstanding interest levy, and a subsequent meeting between the President and the Director General of Finance, Maurice Edwards, was convened, and an offer suggested for the capitalisation of the total debt, with the option for the SVBLA to

Fuel Surcharge decreased over 13-month period THE FUEL SURCHARGE RATE on electricity bills in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has plunged by 48% in the last thirteen months, falling from 52.05 cents per unit in October 2014 to 27.16 cents per unit in October 2015.

The Company has released the rate applicable on bills for October, and this figure (27.16 cents) has

declined by 1.86 cents per unit from last month’s figure.

This is the third time in the past six years that the Fuel Surcharge Rate has been in the range of twenty plus cents per unit, the other months being March and September 2015.

Over the past year, the Fuel Surcharge on VINLEC’s electricity bills has been on the decline primarily because of the

downward trend in fuel prices on the international market. As a consequence, VINLEC has been passing on the savings to its customers, who have generally seen lower electricity bills.

This decrease in the Fuel Surcharge Rate comes despite the fact that hydro production has remained below average over the past months. In addition, one of the Company’s three

VINLEC’s fuel consumption is confined to the Cane Hall and Lowmans Bay (pictured) generating plants.

hydro stations has been out of operation since November 2013.

While there are other variables that influence the Fuel Surcharge Rate locally, VINLEC wishes to emphasize that the Fuel Surcharge Rate applied on electricity bills, is a reflection of the price of fuel on the international market.

The Company also wishes to highlight that the Fuel Surcharge Rate varies from month to month, depending on the price of fuel that VINLEC buys to produce electricity.

VINLEC will continue to improve the efficiencies of the Company’s operations, in keeping with our mission to satisfy the interest of customers and improve the quality of life for our people.

The Company continues to urge customers to conserve electricity, as the final bill amount depends on how much energy is utilized. (Submitted

by VINLEC)

repurchase those shares at a later date.

This meant that if accepted; ‘the government would, for some time, become the largest permanent shareholder’.

The offer was not accepted as per an AGM held in August 2o15.

In September 2015, the SVBLA Board met with Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonaslves and Maurice Edwards, seeking relief from the debt.

This meeting approved the following: that the SVBLA will pay a lump sum of EC$6m; that the government would waive EC$3m of the total outstanding levy, and all interest/fines accrued of EC$8.

In total, the relief granted amounted to EC$11m and as such, therefore, the SVBLA has repaid its debt to government.

Mixed reactions by members but... Union head is happy Continued from Front page.

Now, Robinson said, he and his membership were going to re-group as they look to the future.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who is also this country’s Finance Minister, had pleaded with the workers to re-think their plans to withdraw their services, and had purportedly offered to consider an increase in the coming fiscal year, beginning January 2016.

When quizzed on this proposal, Robinson admitted that the Prime Minister may have announced this, but he would have done so “a little too late.”

Confirming that his union and government were unable to negotiate salary increases, the union head said further that if the Prime Minister now wants to do that, then he must set up a negotiating team, and the unions will do likewise.

A meeting was expected to be held yesterday involving the Public Service Union (PSU), the Teachers Union and the Commercial Technical and Allied Workers Union (CTAWU), to further discuss the way forward.

Interestingly, when THE VINCENTIAN tried to contact Mr. Elroy Boucher, President of the PSU, on Wednesday, for a comment, the PSU office informed the publication that the President was out of state. (More on Page 17)

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4. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Verdict expected in Rock Gutter inquest Racquel Ashton, all of Fancy.

They perished after a minibus in A VERDICT in the Coroner’s Inquest which they were travelling, from into the January 12, 2015 Rock Fancy, in the direction of Gutter tragedy, in which five Georgetown, overturned at Rock students perished, is expected to be Gutter, an area between Owia delivered on November 3. and Fancy, on the North Following a visit to the locus in Windward coast, around 6:50 a.m. quo on Wednesday, the matter The bus, registration No was adjourned to November 3, HL636, was owned by the when Coroner Rickie Burnett will Apostolic Faith Mission Church give his summation, after which and driven by Ravanan Nanton of the five-member jury will Fancy. deliberate.

Up to press time Wednesday, The Inquest, held at the students Shanstacia Stay and Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, is Simonique Ballantyne of Fancy, conducted to determine the who were also in the vehicle at circumstances surrounding the the time of the incident, were still deaths of Glenroy Michael, missing. Several others sustained Jamalie Edwards, Jamal injuries.

Edwards, Anique Alexander and Thirty witnesses testified at Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

the Inquest, including relatives of the deceased, the driver and conductor of the vehicle.

The matter was heard from October 5-8 and on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

The coroner was assisted by Superintendent Richard Browne and Sergeant Verrol Massiah.

Rickie Burnett, Coroner, is expected to deliver his summation by November 3.

Female leads investigations STATION Sergeant Sherol James of the Criminal Investigation Department, has been mandated to spearhead

investigations into the death of 35-year-old Omari Williams.

Williams was shot in the vicinity of the

popular night spot Huffles Ranch, September 30, during an exchange of gunfire with police officers.

An autopsy revealed that Williams died from exsanguinations due to multiple gunshot injuries.

Exsanguination is the process of blood loss to a degree sufficient to cause death.

Police reports are that Williams shot at the lawmen who were chasing him in connection with another shooting incident. They returned fire, following which Williams’ body was discovered next to a .357 magnum revolver.

Station Sergeant James is currently attached to the Calliaqua Police Station.

Accused Human TraffickerÊs driverÊs licence returned ADRIAN DEANE, the man who created history here last week when he became the first person to be charged under the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2011, had his driver’s licence returned to him on Monday.

When Deane, a baker, appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on October 5, charged on three counts of Adrian Deane had some relief engaging in trafficking in when his persons, he was ordered, as driver’s licence part of his bail conditions, to surrender his travel documents, was returned to him. including his driver’s licence.

The 61-year-old businessman of Brighton, who allegedly committed the offences between May 11 and September 30 this year at Brighton, was not required to plead to the charges, and the matter was transferred to the Serious Offences Court.

When Deane re-appeared in Court on Monday last, his lawyer, Grant Connell, made an application for his bail conditions to be varied, in relation to his driver’s licence.

Connell told the Court that his client is now unable to drive since he would need to have his driver’s licence at all times, while driving.

The lawyer noted that Deane could be charged if the police stops him, while driving, and he doesn’t have his driver’s licence on him.

Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Colin John did not object to Connell’s application and it was upheld by Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias.

The charges against Deane stems from an allegation that he enticed three Jamaicans, two males and one female, then resident in the Cayman Islands, to come to St. Vincent and the Grenadines to work for him, but did not pay them for their labour.

Deane, out on $80,000 bail with one surety, will return to Court, January 11, 2016, when a Preliminary Inquiry is slated to commence.

Woman fined for breaching prison regulations TERESA GAYMES, a 29-year-old Layou woman who attempted to smuggle marijuana and a cellular phone sim card into Her Majesty’s Prison, Kingstown, on February 27 this year, received her penalty on Wednesday.

Gaymes was charged with attempting to introduce prohibited articles into the prison, and possession of one gram of marijuana.

For breaching the prison regulations, she was fined $1000, of which she was ordered to pay $400 forthwith or two months in prison, and the balance by November 6 or six months in prison.

For possession of the marijuana, she was fined $50 to be paid immediately or one month in prison.

Gaymes had pleaded not guilty to the charges when she initially appeared in Court, but changed her pleas to guilty when she returned to the Serious Offences Court on Wednesday.

The facts revealed that around 12:55 p.m. February 27, Gaymes went to the prison to carry fruits for her boyfriend. When she arrived at the check point at the gate, she handed over a bag with fruits to the prison officer on duty. The officer checked it, and noticed there was another bag inside with peanuts. A search revealed a marijuana cigarette and cellular phone sim card concealed between the peanuts. The police were called in, and Gaymes was arrested and charged.

V It’s up to the police, Former Antiguan says PM Browne diplomat arrested

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. 5.

Regional

Dr. John Ashe, who also served as President of the United Nations General Assembly at its 68th session September 2013 to September 2014, was arrested in New York by US authorities.

THE U.S. AUTHORITIES have arrested former Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador to the United Nations, Dr. John Ashe.

Reuters reported that the Dr. Ashe arrest was executed on or about October 6, 2015.

According to reports, Dr. Ashe was arrested for engaging in a wideranging corruption scheme involving a billionaire Macau real estate developer and four other defendants.

A complaint filed in New York by an FBI Special Agent, accused Ashe of accepting more than US$500,000 in bribes from Ng Lap Seng, who wanted to build a multibillion-dollar U.N.-sponsored conference centre in Macau.

The former diplomat is reported to have told U.N. secretary general Ban Ki-moon that the centre needed to be built.

Dr. Ashe’s arrest followed that of Ng and his assistant, Jeff Yin, last

month, on separate charges.

The complaint apparently did not stop there. It went on to accuse the former diplomat of pocketing more than US$800,000 in bribes from Chinese businessmen, to support their interests within the U.N. and Antigua and Barbuda.

News reports said that he ‘kicked’ some of the money to Antigua’s prime minister at the time’.

Dr. John Ashe seemed to have convinced the Investigations into UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, that the Ashe’s escapades centre in Macau was necessary. revealed, according to reports, that he deposited transferred some to his wife’s bank more than $3 million from foreign accounts and spent other sums on his governments and officials in accounts home mortgage in Dobbs Ferry, New at two major American banks.

York; BMW lease payments, and The complaints also said he Rolex watches.

Spencer implicated in UN bribery scandal BALDWIN SPENCER, a Spencer is reported to former Prime Minister of have received two separate Antigua & Barbuda, has payments of US$170,000 been cited as having and US$100,000, from Dr received portions of the Ashe. bribes paid to ex-diplomat The United Progressive Dr. John Ashe, who is Party (UPP), which embroiled in a recently Spencer once headed, and announced UN bribery in whose administration he scandal. served as Prime Minister of Dr John Ashe, Antigua Antigua and Barbuda, & Barbuda’s former acknowledged receiving Permanent Representative monies that had been (Ambassador) to the United donated by former Nations (UN), was arrested ambassador Dr John Ashe. in New York, last week, on However, in a release on charges related to a longOctober 8, 2015, the party running corruption scheme, denied ever knowingly headed by a Chinese accepting “such as the developer. proceeds of any crime”.

These claims come The release also denied directly from a criminal that portion of the report complaint form/charge which purports that the sheet, signed by monies received were to representatives of both the facilitate access by United States Magistrate potential investors to Court and the Federal government ministers, Bureau of Investigations including the then prime (FBI). minister, saying, “this is According to the contrary to the UPP investigative report, Dr administration’s business Ashe received US $800, 000 culture”. from “various Chinese businessmen”, and Dr. John in return “supported these Ashe served businessmen’s at the United interests within Nations at the the United Nations behest of an and with senior Antigua and Antiguan Barbuda government government officials, including headed by the country’s then- Baldwin Prime Minister, Spencer.

Baldwin Spencer.

Since then, Spencer has spoken publically on the issue, saying he had no reason not to trust Dr. Ashe when he made donations to the party, describing the diplomat as “a senior, seasoned and highly respected diplomat of more than 20 years good standing”.

Spencer said that Dr. Ashe had “gravely misrepresented the United Progressive Party by implying that bribe money was necessary to gain an audience with me or my colleague ministers.

That was never the case during the ten years of our administration.”

There have been mixed reaction to Spencer’s alleged involvement with Dr. Ashe, including calls for him to resign or be removed as Leader of the Opposition in the parliament of Antigua and Barbuda.

Former prime minister Baldwin Spencer is said to have accepted a ‘kick back’ from Dr. Ache’s illgotten gains.

THE MATTER of whether or not Antigua and Barbuda would launch an independent probe into local officials implicated in the UN bribery scandal involving that country’s former ambassador to the United Nations (UN), rests squarely in the court and the officers of the Royal Police Force.

This is according to Prime Minister Gaston Browne as he made a Prime Minister nationwide televised Gaston browne says address last Sunday, there will be no witch following the arrest of hunt led by his party, Dr. John Ashe, who and that the matter of served as that country a probe is entirely in Permanent the hands of the law Representative to the officers.

UN, under the former United Progressive Party (UPP) administration, headed by Baldwin Spencer as Prime Minister.

“Should the law enforcement agencies, in their own independent – and I emphasise this – in their own independent determination, make a decision to take some form of action, that is their prerogative,” the Antigua Observer reported PM Browne as saying.

“I make it clear now, that should they do so, it will be no political witch hunt by my government or the political party that I lead,” he added.

PM Browne highlighted an observation carried in the official complaint filed by a US FBI Special Agent, which accused Dr. Ashe of tax evasion, and five other defendants of conspiring to bribe and paying bribes to Ashe.

The document also implicated former prime minister Baldwin Spencer, citing him for having received near to US$300,000 of the US$1.3 million in bribes that Ashe allegedly had taken.

According to Browne, the complaint also stated that officials were aware that “bribery of a public official is illegal in Antigua under the Prevention of Corruption Act which was enacted by the Antiguan Parliament.”

As far as PM Browne was concerned, this made it quite obvious that “the eyes of the international community are focused upon our jurisdiction, to see what this country’s law enforcement agencies do, in relation to this matter,” and committed his government to full cooperation with the international community.

Spencer admitted to receiving the money, which he said was used for election campaign financing.

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6. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Coreas Hazells Inc. assists Trinity’s Breast Cancer 5K COREAS HAZELLS INC., through its Pharmacy, a department of its City Store, has come forward to assist the students of the Trinity School of Medicine, in their pursuit to raise funds to aid breast cancer patients here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Last week Tuesday, October 6, Mr. Granfel Francis, Senior Pharmacist at Coreas Pharmacy, handed over a cheque in the amount of $1,000 to representatives of Trinity, Alyssa Heinrich and Megan Appleby.

The handing over was witnessed by Mrs. Jean Johnny-Findlay, Manager of Coreas Pharmacy and Food Express, and Dr. Frances Jack, Associate Dean of Students at Trinity.

The donation goes towards the purchase of t-shirts for re-sale for persons participating in the second Annual Breast Cancer 5K Walk/Run, a collaboration between Trinity School of Medicine and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Medical Association. The

5K will be held on Sunday, 18th October.

All funds raised will be donated to the SVG Medical Association, which will identify persons for assistance.

Dr. Frances Jack of Trinity expressed her gratitude to Coreas Hazells Inc. “We’re really ecstatic about this because a lot of persons have been coming on board and supporting us with donations, but this has been the greatest amount so far,” she stated.

According to Mrs. Johnny-Findlay, because of her company’s interest in bringing the issue of breast cancer and the support for survivors to the forefront, she felt the donation was a meaningful gesture. “Coreas is always willing to assist where possible,” she said. “We thought it is a worthy cause where these young people from Trinity are making an effort to continue to draw attention to breast cancer.”

In addition to its donation, Corea’s

(L-R): Alyssa Heinrich, Dr. Frances Jack, Megan Appleby, Granfel Francis and Jean Johnny-Findlay at the handing over ceremony.

City Store will stage a ‘Pharmacy Day’ on October 21st , when persons may visit for free blood sugar and blood pressure checks, and to receive information on managing breast cancer. Breast cancer patients and survivors will be given the opportunity to receive discount on medication

purchased.

The second Annual Breast Cancer 5K Walk/Run will commence at the entrance of the Arnos Vale Playing Field at 6:30 am on Sunday 18th, and end at the Grassroots Tennis Courts on Murray Road.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. 7.

Diaspora

Vincy cultural group conducts successful exposition

by NELSON A. KINg naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT THE UNDISPUTED OLDEST and largest Vincentian cultural and educational group in the United States conducted what organizers say was a very successful biennial exposition, at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center in Brooklyn, New York, October 3.

Executives from the Brooklyn-based Club St. Vincent, Inc. said the 2015 cultural exposition, held under the auspices of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consulate General, was an “event for the entire family.”

“It was very, very good,” said the group’s president, Grafton “Breen” Greaves, of Frenches, Kingstown in a VINCENTIAN interview.

“It’s good for the family, for the community and for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“We get to show our talents and skills, so the younger generation can see what we’re doing — that they can follow in our footsteps,” he added. “I hope we can carry [continue] this thing a little longer and bigger, and that more Vincentians can participate in our endeavors.”

Besides Vincentians, other Caribbean nationals participated in the showcase that featured, among other things, cultural performances, a children’s village; a food court; fashion show; local arts, crafts and agro products; a health corner and a resource area.

Fourteen members of the Philadelphia-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organization of Pennsylvania (SVGOP) attended the event “to show support and to vend,” according to Lower Middle Street, Kingstown native Yvonne O’Garro, the group’s public

Section of the crowd.

relations officer.

The SVGOP crew, which included President Lorenzo DeCaul, of Biabou, and ex-president Arlette Dopwell-James, of Richmond Hill, Kingstown, said they were promoting their group as well.

Members of SVGOP sold pelau, dukuna, and peanut (ground nut) and coconut sugar cake, among other things.

DeCaul also displayed his “imaginative, acrylic painting,” dubbed ‘Beachscape of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’.

“I do it [paint] just to relieve stress,” he said. “I don’t really sell them (paintings), I just display them.

“We just come here to support the culture,” DeCaul continued. “If you want the culture to develop, you have to do that. I’m enjoying myself.”

Nearby, Ynolde ‘Nollie’ Walkin, of Sion Hill, Kingstown, displayed a wide variety of locallymade products, including pepper sauce, coconut oil, soap, seasoning, body scrub, bracelets, ash trays, coconut oil, farine and plantain chips.

Lana Harper, of Georgetown, Guyana, attended the event for the second time, displaying her “self-made jewelry”, blended oils and soaps.

“I enjoy doing this because I get to display my work and get to mingle with people from the Caribbean,” she said.

Calypso maestro, Alston ‘Becket’ Cyrus, renowned as the “ABC of Calypso”, used the occasion to promote his new calypso album.

“It’s good,” he said, referring to the exposition.

“I came [from St. Vincent and the Grenadines] just for this.

“I want people to get the new album [‘Remakes & New Takes’],” he added, flanked by former disc jockey Dennis Nanton, of

New Montrose, Kingstown, and Sandra Millington, ex-Club St. Vincent president, of Sion Hill. “The remake is better than the original,” Becket assured.

Stage side, Pnutylah Layne gave the ‘Spoken Word’; Owusu Slater drummed; Zulema George, owner of the Brooklynbased AK Couture Boutique & Bar, conducted a fashion show; and Roger G. mimed.

In addition, a number of local artistes impressed the crowd with their respective numbers. They included calypsonians/soca artistes Caldric Forbes, Oscar James, Cyril ‘Scorcher’ Thomas and Winston Soso. Isaac Saith sang reggae.

“We feel that events such as this are important, as they provide an opportunity for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and elders to teach the children about their Vincentian heritage, and also [to] remind us of our culture,” said Verna Arthur, the exposition’s coordinator, in her welcome remarks.

“It is the hope of Club St. Vincent, Inc. that this event will serve as the beginning of this effort,” added the Paul’s Avenue, Kingstown native and former president of Club St. Vincent, Inc.

Exposition coordinator Verna Arhur greets patrons.

Left: Milton Harry, of Rose Place, Kingstown, purchases a CD from Alston ‘Becket’ Cyrus, alongside Dennis Nanton of New Montrose and a Starlift Steel Orchestra ‘original’.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines ExNurses Association of New York displays a table (L-R): Dionne Bailey, President Olga Husbands, Phyllis Payne-Dublin and Judith Lewis.

Claudette Thomas-Butler (R) displays antique items and poses with Percival Dublin, of Kingstown Park, and Yvette LaBorde.

Left:Ynolde ‘Nollie’ Walkin stands at her stall featuring a variety of local products.

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8. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 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

Of this that and the other The visit SO PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO cancelled his visit to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, just so!

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves sprung the news of the visit on his return from a recent trip to New York.

It the truth be told, we would have been hard-pressed to have thrown anything of a typical Vincy welcome for the Venezuelan President, given the short notice, and we would have had to have been satisfied with a hastily put together partisan one.

Questions abound: Did we, in fact, have ample notice of a planned visit by President Maduro? If so, why was it kept a secret until the 11th hour?

President Maduro has been making it his business recently, to make these seemingly ‘unscheduled’ visits to the islands. This may have something to do with the ongoing dispute between his country and CARICOM member Guyana.

Are these visits meant to remind us how obligated we are for the assistance received under PetroCaribe and through ALBA? Are these (visits) aimed at winning friends against Guyana? Never!!!!

The people of this country should never be made to drop all that they have to do, to welcome any leader without due notice.

There’s no stopping anyone from making a private visit to this country, but this was no private visit. The Venezuelan air force supply aircraft that preceded Mr. Maduro’s visit dispels any indication of privacy.

Come, Mr. PM, deal a better hand to your people. And while we are at it: Did Mr. Maduro suggest an alternate date for his visit?

Minibuses reverse Not for the first time, a call for ‘withdrawal of service from a major service sector fell to the ground, with what some people describe as a deafening thud.

But with all the reverberations, the call by the National Omnibus Association (NOBA) may just have cornered the authorities into action.

Some are wont to cry disgrace on the President of NOBA and its members for its robust threat, and then its simmering into the dust, so to speak, when it withdrew that threat. But are we not to conclude, given the haste with which some protracted issues affecting the minibus service here were dealt with, that, in fact, the threat of withdrawal worked?

Not so long ago, the minibus operators in Sharpes and surrounding areas (primarily those operating in the opposition held Central Kingstown) threatened the same action, and in a flash, the road network in the constituency was attended to in a weekend, not normal working days. What could not happen in a ‘lifetime’, happened over two days. Where did the resources come from? Were they sitting idly by all that time?

A government of the people should never have to be coerced into fulfilling its duty to the people. But it appears that this government is not one to do a bit here and there before the situation gets worse. This is a government, it seems, of grand projects that call for grand openings.

The little things matter; those little things that can be attended to in an ongoing, cost effective manner. Why must we always be made to wait for the big catch?

Public Servants blowout It wasn’t so long ago that the teachers and civil servants in this country joined with ‘other forces’ to bring a government to its already wobbling knees.

Our history will show that these two sectors, since adult suffrage, have played pivotal roles in determining who forms government, a political role if ever there was one. So, what else is new?

Teachers and civil servants may have a grouse — as a matter of fact, the grouse can well be labelled as one hanging on since 2000.

Fifteen years is a long time to have endured. Our teachers and civil servants must be men and women of strong constitution to have carried that burden. Or is it that they were in fact, well taken care of during the period, and may just have got overly anxious for a little dessert?

That one month tax free salary has a whiff of being a dessert rather than a main course, and if the statistics on the ground are anything to go by, the so called one-day strike might just have been a stroke played long after the ball had passed the bat.

All in all, our public servants seemed rather unprepared if not unschooled in the rudiments of tested industrial relations tactics and fair play.

They will regroup, and who knows, perhaps like the West Indies cricket team, we might just see a leadership change here and there.

Put this one down to a battle lost.

What a week!

OVER THE PAST weekend, there was a flurry of activity that indicated that the election race had begun in earnest. I will focus on two or three events that show that the pace of the contest has picked up speed and we are on the home-stretch, which should end, as I predicted several weeks ago, in early December.

A big show was the ULP launching of Luke Browne last Saturday evening at the Sion Hill junction, as their candidate to oppose Arnhim Eustace in East Kingstown, in what some billed a David and Goliath encounter.

Arnhim is the undisputed leader of the NDP, save in ULP circles. He has won the seat with increasing majorities in a by-election in 1999, and in national elections of 2001, 2005 and 2010, and is slated to repeat his victory in 2015, which may well make him the Prime Minister of an incoming NDP administration.

Against him, the ULP has entered their youngest candidate. Luke Browne at 30 years old, who suffered defeat at 25 years old in 2010, is quite bright academically, and the fight has many lessons to register, with the oldest facing the youngest at the polls.

The Prime Minister has placed much faith in Luke who is a ‘Rhodes Scholar’.

This ‘Rhodes Scholar’ thing is old hat, given Caribbean currency that is passé now. In 1965, I got an upper second with contemporary Jamaican Roderick Rainford who picked up a Rhodes Scholar, with which he gained a Master’s, and for some years was Secretary General of CARICOM. I was appointed SVG’s first local Resident Tutor, won a Ford Foundation School, and returned home a Ph.D (Manchester) like Ralph.

This ‘Rhodes’ thing is grossly overdone .

The next thing is that the ULP slate of candidates is a Dream Team, and could actually end up a dreadful nightmare.

For one thing, judging by their academic record, the ULP’s slate has to bow to the NDP’s in any comparative analysis.

I believe that it is truly a record, certainly for any territory of the so-called third world, to enter a team of fifteen, headed by three Ph.Ds - Ferdinand, Friday and Lewis, followed by three Master’s Degree - Eustace, Leacock and Cummings, and several Bachelor’s to boot.

In the 1950s, Dr. Arthur Lewis declared that the Prime Ministers of the three larger territories of the Caribbean Federation were all Rhodes Scholars — Norman Manley, Grantley Adams and Eric Williams - enjoying an education that was “the envy of mankind”!

As a rule, I am not het up about degrees, but it is the ULP that advertised Luke’s brains; but one ought to put emphasis on experience and management, financial and other, and that is where the NDP is strong beyond compare.

What I find disingenuous is the fact that the NDP will not allow Sir James to rest his weary head. They keep treating him as the true and respected leader of the NDP. Yet, somehow, Luke claims that there are basic grammatical errors in Sir James’ autobiography.

Also, the ULP targeted Sir James for wrong doing in the Ottley Hall enquiry, then refused to pay up the heavy costs that the Privy Council, overruling three appellate courts in the Caribbean, had awarded Sir James.

In fact, confusion is worst confounded when the ULP blows hot-and-cold about the aging Sir James, prompting Eustace to be respectful to him, at a safe distance!

The occasion that spoke loudest and was most colourful, was last Sunday’s get-together of the NDP extended family that converged on Bequia to launch Godwin Friday as their Northern Grenadines candidate. All in all, the atmosphere oozed confidence like a victory celebration, though Arnhim Eustace was absent, at home in Ratho Mill, understandably suffering from exhaustion.

Then Jomo’s launching for the ULP followed. I seem to have a soft spot for Jomo, who is the wrong party, enabling ‘Nature’ to run its course, especially in the Vermont valley whose residents have hardly got over the rampage of several years ago, when two of their youths, in the company of a Bajan murderer on the run, were gunned down pleading for their lives.

At Vermont, the PM took the opportunity to give his view of the threatened Public Service and Teachers Union strike. As far as I am concerned, it reminds one of two periods of industrial action, one forty years ago, neither of which the ULP should be proud.

Firstly, there was yester-year’s “Roadblock Revolution”, master-minded by some folks, still around — Ralph, cousin Straker and Rene. Secondly, there was “Tear-gas Friday” when the Labour Party drove a nail in the coffin of industrial relations, and by extension, freedom in SVG. The old heroes still alive are: Mike Browne, Yvonne Francis-Gibson, Joye Browne, Ferdinand Toney, Cecil Jack, Jemmot Campbell, and Kenneth John, legal adviser to the SVUT.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. 9.

Letters

Will the poor always be with us?

THE GOVERNMENT has said it is increasing benefits for the poor. It may be politically incorrect to call the indigent incompetent, unemployable, or unfit. But that, for the most part (excepting the disabled and elderly),is exactly what they are. Who for the last 14 years has had the power to improve their condition?

Fourteen years is half a generation. Here are people who were not yet in school, people who were in school, and people who were coming out of school; people who were ready for extra-curricular learning and training opportunities, or just at the onset of their education 14 years ago: where are they now? How many of the now indigent could have been transformed into employed heads of households? How many could now be selfsufficient, paying taxes, and being consumers, contributing to our national economy rather than sucking from your pockets and mine?

Sure, increase or expand the coverage for the indigent, but wouldn’t it be better for them, and all of us, to put an implementable economic plan in place that eliminates that category? Or will the poor always be with us, so we can simply dismiss solutions and perpetuate the current administration’s mismanagement by corroborating at the polls God’s choice, an anointed presager of dynastic rule, hallelujah!

HJA

Welcome to SVG, Gem of the Caribbean STANDING on a mountain top it’s beautiful scene SVG my homeland of a thousand dreams, Take a stroll in the valley, what do you see?

Lush vegetation and lots of greenery Follow the winding rivers down to the sea naturally Bathe in every river bed down by the sea SVG land of beauty here to be seen Seems to stay everlasting green.

Welcome to SVG, island of your dream, Welcome to St. Vincent and the lovely Grenadines Welcome to SV, lets’ share your dream Welcome to my island, Gem of the Caribbean You can be assured it’s no fantasy, Your natural eyes unfold everything in reality Come one and all, please come Come to this most beautiful island in the sun.

St. Vincent and its people will befriend you, Island beauties all around you We’ll help you have some fun And the many ways to settle down, Enjoy the exotic food, the beach and the sun, Being here with us is sheer fun.

No matter where you’ve been, It’s right here you’ll find your dreams.

Enjoy our warm hospitality, Join us in our island annual Independence festivity.

Hope you enjoy the time you spend, Please come again and bring a friend.

You’re the island many come to adore, God bless all those who come to our shores SVG may be small in dimension, but truly makes it up to size culturally, Come to our island and you’ll agree SVG is the nicest place to be.

Retake a stroll in the valley, Bathe in every riverbed down by the sea.

The beauty of life is to have fun, Recapture your dreams in the morning sun.

Come now my people, let’s celebrate those fantastic scenes Here is beautiful SVG, Gem of the Caribbean.

Josiah Bobb -St. Vincent and the Grenadines -2005

ItÊs political!

MR. EDITOR, I wonder if you will agree with me when I say that this country is simply full of laughs. It’s like we have more comedians here than anywhere else.

The latest joke I got is from the Teachers Union president. The man went out of his way, in a period of political campaign for an imminent general

elections here, to convince us that there is nothing political about his union’s current demands of government.

Mr. President, your Union has a history of being political. Where were you after the 1998 general elections?

Where were you when every time your Union raised its head against the ULP that your

leadership bent their heads and accepted whatever the Comrade had to say.

I wish you and your Union well; but please, let’s not try to be funny about the fight you have with government. It is a political one in the broadest sense of the word.

Charles

Betrayed with a kiss!

THOSE WITH spiritual ears to hear will listen; all others remain deaf and dumb. Remember Samson and Delilah?

Yahweh’s enemies seek to take your strength which is your faith in Yahweh.

Yahweh’s enemies seek to take your freedom, finances and life.

Yahweh’s enemies seek to destroy your souls, handing them over to Satan as a sacrifice.

They threaten you, intimidate you, persecute you, and multitudes will lay down their life for not surrendering their faith.

* Why did a female YES Programme worker have to scamper out of the office of a certain highranking government officer? * Is it true that the PBX at Police Headquarters has not been functioning properly for many years now, causing many a citizen to go without help in times of emergency? * Is it true that a certain education official and others were rewarded with ‘joy rides’ to Taiwan? * Is Sir Dwight Venner on his way out (retirement) as Governor of the East Caribbean Central Bank? If that is true, has a replacement been already identified? * Whom must we thank for the attention that is being paid to the road in Cane Garden, in the vicinity of Attorney Emery Robertson’s residence?

Blessed Yahweh calls you and will reward those who diligently strive to obey His laws.

Did Delilah betray Samson with a sword?

No, but with a kiss and in the name of love she betrayed him, after finding his source of strength (Judges 16: 1820). Did Judas betray Yahweh’s son with a sword? No, but with a kiss (Matthew 26:48).

The enemies of Yahweh’s gospel say they believe, yet they have no idea of who Yahweh is.

Yahweh is someone they read about, not someone they live for. Yahweh is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Yahweh changes not for any man or woman or child (Matthew 25:3234). Yahweh knows the names and hearts of

those who come and came as friends claiming to be a blessing, then turn away, their masks falling off in the process, and like Judas, they are exposed.

Woe be unto the Judases who seek to join or seek the destruction of this Ministry, and seek to discourage the mouth of this prophetess by silencing her or grieving the Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) with her.

You see only the woman, Yahweh can see the Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) within, and knows the heart of this prophetess.

Yahweh is calling on his people to repent, turn from your wicked ways before there is no time for repentance.

Yahweh descendant

SVG/Cuba friendship society statement: REMEMBERING Cubana airlines victims and Che Guevara.

Even as the St Vincent and the Grenadines/ Cuba Friendship Society welcomes the reestablishment of diplomatic and civilised relations between the Republic of Cuba and the United States of America, and express our gratitude for the role played by His Holiness Pope Francis, we are conscious that there still remain dark moments in the relations between both countries.

This first week of October, we recall the tragic and criminal act of terrorism in the bombing of Cubana airlines flight CU # 455 on October 6, 1976, over Caribbean waters. All 73 persons aboard, 55 Cubans, 11 Guyanese and 7 Koreans lost their lives in that fatal incident. To date, the perpetrators, forerunners of similar terrorist acts such as

that of September 11, 2001 on US soil, remain unpunished and sheltered by the very government which has committed itself to lead the global war against terrorism.

Not only are there allegations of the involvement of elements of the US intelligence services in the crime off Barbados in 1976, but there remain accusations of similar American intelligence involvement in the murder of one of the leaders of the Cuban Revolution, Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, captured in Bolivia on October 9, 1967, and summarily executed without judicial trial.

The SVG/Cuba Friendship Society remembers these tragic incidents which still cry out for justice for the relatives of the deceased.

We believe that the wheels of justice still need to be turned in

The cry WHY DO I CRY? No food to eat And plenty mouths to feed, But why do I cry?

I often sit and wonder What my life would become.

Unemployed! No jobs to be found Why do I cry?

Only one bread winner Feeling the pressure.

Sugar, rice and even chicken back price sky high, Why do I cry?

Education revolution, where has it gone, When I still see plenty young people occupying idle hall?

Young child on the corner begging for ‘ah dolla’, Oh Lord! Why do I cry?

Roads can’t get fixed, buses raise their fare, Amidst the noise, the squeeze, and the short drop.

When will all this end and where will it begin?

And if you are so blind an can’t see, please don’t ask me, Why do you cry?

Nadine Gibson St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2015 these cases and, as we continue to support the normalisation of relations between the USA and Cuba, we consider that the most fitting tribute to the memory of the Cubana victims and Che, would be for an end to be brought to the unjust continuing embargo against Cuba, repeatedly demanded by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Renwick Rose President, SVG/Cuba Friendship Society.

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10. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

The NDP… a clear and present danger to St. Vincent and the Grenadines The Issue THE TERM “a clear and present danger” is a doctrine that has been with us for some time, and indicates a situation that is dangerous to the overall social situation in a country. Originally applied to matters related to free speech in the United States, it has been upgraded to describe national matters, particularly where this relates to security and economic development.

So that when the term is used, that somebody and something is a “clear and present danger”, it means that a grave situation has developed, that warrants drastic action of some form or the other. It is in this light that government senator, Jomo Thomas, referred to the opposition NDP, during his address at the recent political meeting at Retreat in the Vermont area.

Thomas was basically stating that the NDP, as presently constituted, with its poor leadership, and lack of a philosophy and compelling narrative, is a clear and present danger to the people of St.Vincent and the Grenadines. This means that any thought of electing the NDP to office, should be avoided at all costs, and that all energies must be concentrated on ensuring that the ULP administration, led by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, is re-elected for a fourth term in office. It is also a recognition, that the ULP is a force for good, in terms of the socio economic development of country.

number of educational opportunities provided under the ULP, will diminish. A number of social programmes will disappear. The “Lives to Live” programme will be one of these, as well as the “Home Help for the Elderly”. Expect the NDP to disband the YES programme, as Arnhim Eustace balances the books, and unbalances the country.

Internal struggles

Expect a number of internal struggles to emerge from the NDP. Arnhim Eustace as Leader of the Opposition, has already shown that he cannot control his colleagues, notably St.Clair Leacock and Linton Lewis.

Leacock has an agenda of getting even with those persons who ran afoul of him, so he will have a personal agenda. Linton Lewis will embark on a course of action, to position himself to be the next Prime Minister of the country.

With all this turmoil, how will Arnhim Eustace, already exhibiting ill health, focus on the development of the country? He has already shown lapses of memory, and his judgment is clearly faulty, as demonstrated by his contribution to debates in the House of Assembly. When it comes to the issue of foreign relations, the NDP The clear danger has no strategy except to assert “What will America say”.

There can be no doubt that the Our country will flounder under the NDP will turn back the tremendous NDP, rudderless, without any development that has taken place in development plan, and no clear the country, over the last 14 years, direction as to where we are going. under the ULP administration. The first casualty will be the international Arnhim Eustace will provide no leadership, and all the gains of the 14 airport project at Argyle. The NDP years of good governance by the ULP, has never supported the project, and they have exhibited their objection in will be rolled back. a number of ways. They have said that they will complete the airport, if Conclusion they are elected to office. What this The truth of the matter is that the means is that they will conduct a NDP has wasted its 14 years in study as to the direction to be taken opposition, and never prepared itself in terms of the way forward, then for governance of this country. It is make a decision.

While this is happening, equipment bankrupt of ideas, and opposes everything that will benefit the poor will be left idle, the Cuban workers will return home, and the project will and the working class in this country.

The NDP trades daily in the currency be left in a state of disrepair, while the NDP dithers over what should be of lies and half-truths, and that party done, and the country will suffer as a does not care who it hurts, in its quest for power. result. The Argyle International The case of the Community College irport, the driver for future economic is a case in point. Despite evidence to development, will come to nothing the contrary, Arnhim Eustace and the under the NDP. NDP still embarked on a campaign to Then there are the austerity frighten the parents and the students measures that Eustace and his gang of the country, in relation to the will implement. Arnhim Eustace has associate degree programme. The already said that the current salary issue of the Building and Loan bill for public servants, teachers, police men and women and nurses, is interest levy relief, as provided by the too high. This means that salaries will government, is another case of the NDP trading in lies and half truths. be cut or frozen, and some public The situation is quite clear. The servants will be laid off. Arnhim nation cannot afford any monumental Eustace supported the Freundel gamble with the NDP. As Senator Stuart administration in Barbados, Jomo Thomas says, the NDP is a where some 3000 plus workers were “clear and present danger” to laid off. This will happen in our St.Vincent and the Grenadines, and beloved country.

There will be some social unrest as our country will go backwards, if we as Vincentians do not heed the danger a result of these austerity measures by the NDP. The education revolution signs, and return the ULP to office for a fourth term. Four in a row! will become a casualty, and the

The SVGTU and government THE ST. VINCENT and the Grenadines Teacher Union (SVGTU) was at the forefront of the ‘Road Block Revolution’ in 2000, which shortened the life of the then New Democratic Party (NDP) administration. Subsequently, the Unity Labour Party (ULP) was voted into power.

But, the teachers continued to struggle, and have been treated with contempt and utter disdain by the ULP administration. The period 2001 to 2015 can be classified as the worst for industrial relations between the SVGTU and any government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

From the onset of the ULP administration, attempts were made to dismantle the SVGTU. Some executive members of the union paid more attention to their party instead of developing the union into a stronger entity. Others were also promoted to senior positions and turned their backs on the union. As a result, most of the members lost confidence in their union. Indeed, it was a deliberate ploy by the government to destroy the SVGTU which has been the most militant trade union in the country.

It has indeed been a difficult period for the SVGTU under the ULP regime, with no salary increase coming the teachers’ way between 2012 — 2015. What a shame!

Because of the failure of the government to grant the salary increase, the union asked for an extra month’s salary. The government has failed to comply, and the union took industrial action on Tuesday 13th ctober, 2015. We await the union’s evaluation of the strike and the way forward. However, it appears that the government has no intention of paying the workers.

It must be noted also that the SVGTU has not been able to negotiate a collective agreement with this ULP regime since 2005. Is this love? Is this the labour love - ‘Labour loves you’?

And a number of articles in the 2005 collective agreement has been violated by the government. For instance, Article 16 of the agreement says a member of the union of at least three years standing, shall, on application, be granted leave of absence to contest national, general and local elections. The leave shall be no-pay leave for a period not exceeding six months. If that member does not win the election, he or she shall return to his or her original post or one of equivalent status, all benefits intact. Based on that agreement, three teachers, Kenroy Johnson, Elvis Daniel and Addison ‘Bash’ Thomas contested the 2010 general elections for the NDP, and are yet to be reinstated. The matter is before the court and will be heard shortly.

What are the benefits that teachers have gained under the ULP government? We would like the Prime Minister to list at least three benefits that the teachers have had under his administration. He constantly makes reference to salary increase of teachers, yet the teachers did not receive any salary increase for four consecutive years. What are the benefits? We want to know. It is the responsibility of the government to increase salary, and that should be done annually. But this vindictive ULP administration has failed to do

so. Therefore, the teachers have a right to strike! For the seventeen years of the NDP administration, teachers and other public sector workers got salary increases every year. And salaries were negotiated, not legislated as you have been doing, Mr. Prime Minister.

Reference is being made continuously to the Bachelor’s Degrees that principals of primary schools have achieved. The impression is given that the government paid the full cost for those programmes. That is far from the truth. Some principals paid all their expenses during their period of study, while the European Union financed the programme for those teachers who studied at the University of West England (UWE).

The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines did not contribute a cent to that programme. Why is that impression given to the public?

All the benefits that the teachers of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are enjoying today, were given to them by the former NDP government. It was the NDP administration that recognized the SVGTU as the bargaining agent for teachers, after years of struggle with the former Labour Party administration for that right. Immediately following the recognition of the union, the first collective agreement was signed between the government and the union. It was hailed as a tremendous achievement for both parties. That achievement undoubtedly laid the foundation for the great relationship between the SVGTU and the NDP government.

One of the burning issues of the teachers was that of the Coutts agreement. When teachers got pregnant, they had to resign, and that agreement was abolished by the NDP when it took office in 1984. Teachers were granted maternity leave with pay by the NDP. Also paternity leave was given to teachers; allowing fathers to spend a period of time with their wives or girl friends, after the birth of their children. In recognition of the invaluable contribution that teachers have been making to education, they were given a duty allowance, i.e. a one off payment that has been given to teachers every December. Sadly, the ULP government is threatening to remove benefits, including Long Leave which the teachers had fought long and hard for.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves used the teachers union during the 2000 ‘Road Block Revolution’ to gain power in this country. Today, the union continues to struggle for salary increases and other benefits. Gonsalves and the ULP do not love the teachers of this country, and very soon, Ralph Gonsalves and the ULP will be taught a serious lesson by the same teachers.

The NDP reminds all eligible Vincentians to get registered. Ensure that your name is on the voters list, and on Election Day, go early to the polls and vote solidly for the NDP, whose symbol is the key. WE READY!

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. 11.

Views

Winning at all costs? - Part 2

“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.” Abraham Lincoln (18091865) 16th President of the United States of America THERE ARE SO MANY positive stories about America’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. Many historians capture moments that remind us of his honesty and integrity. He is used as a model of best behaviour in politics and government.

Although he never set foot in any country outside the United States, his influence has gone beyond borders to influence many cultures. His legacy is not bound by geographic space. His influence lives on long after his “untimely death”. It is therefore not surprising that he is quoted at the commencement of this week’s article.

Last week’s essay in this column highlighted the lives of four athletes who had been so addicted to winning, that they sought to influence the outcomes in their various disciplines by engaging in illicit activities — by cheating. Although they were considered talented and outstanding, their images are now so badly tarnished by their indiscretions, that their respective legacies generate negative emotions whenever their names are mentioned: Lance Edward Armstrong in cycling, Ben Johnson in track and field, Tonya Harding in figure skating, and Deigo Maridona in soccer.

The world of sport is not the only arena where individuals and teams may seek to “turn the odds in their favour” by cheating. We see this also taking place in business and politics. Leaders who have lost their moral compass or have chosen to win at all costs, have sometimes engaged in falsifying documents and “stealing the advantage” through some very ingenious means.

However, thanks to a host of organisations and groups that poke and probe into the dark, shadowy dealings of the unscrupulous leaders in society, many of these deeds have been (and continue to be) exposed. Society is now assisted by the new technologies, forensic auditors, and groups like Transparency International that can track down and expose the deceits and high-level theft occurring among the rich, famous, and powerful who bask in the glory of a variety of business and government operations; wrongfully assuming that their activities are undetected and/or that they will avoid the gaze of the general public.

There are so many glaring examples of business leaders who sought to win at all costs. Many of them, addicted to greed and personal power, sought to influence business outcomes through bribery and/or other forms of dishonesty. Others were involved in serious conflict of interest situations, having formed phantom companies to syphon off large sums of money.

Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac, based in the USA, stand out head and shoulder above all other firms in relation to the level of corruption that involved their senior executives and board members. Time and space will not allow us to examine this example in detail. However, the document entitled “Reckless Endangerment”, published in 2011, provides a useful snapshot of what took place: “Under the direction of James A. Johnson, Fannie Mae’s calculating and politically connected chief executive, the company capitalized on its government ties, building itself into the largest and most powerful

financial institution in the world. In 2008, however, the colossus would fail, requiring hundreds of billions in taxpayer backing to keep it afloat.

Fannie Mae became the quintessential example of a company whose risk taking allowed its executives to amass great wealth. But when those gambles went awry, the taxpayers had to foot the bill.”

Page 247 of the publication (Reckless Endangerment) noted that the rank cronyism, deceptive accounting systems, and outright financial fraud contributed to the financial crisis in the USA and played a significant role in wrecking the economy.

The publication further noted that, beginning in the late 1990s, executive pay at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac became tied almost entirely to earnings growth. They introduced an incentive programme that was designed and assessed by senior executives and members of the board of directors — the ultimate beneficiaries of the incentive scheme. This “incestuous reward system”, with its inherent lack of accountability and transparency, encouraged top management at the firms to cook the books in order to make it appear that the company was producing enough earnings to trigger maximum payouts for themselves.

These greedy executives were determined to generate personal winnings at all cost - even if it meant the ultimate destruction of the company and the national economy.

Caribbean people have a saying, “Moon does run ‘til day catch um”. In other words, and in this example, it is just a matter of time before such infractions are discovered and exposed.

The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) eventually detected and exposed the high level corruption. The OFHEO’s report on the activities at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac confirmed, “Senior management manipulated accounting; reaped maximum, undeserved bonuses; and prevented the rest of the world from knowing.” At the time when the fraudulent activities were uncovered, the enterprise was the second largest borrower in the world, only behind the U.S. government. As such, Fannie Mae has a special mandate and position of public trust. The previous management team violated that trust and did serious harm to Fannie Mae.” (OFHEO Report: “Fannie Mae Facade,” 23rd May 2006).

Greed, and the desire for personal gain at all costs, can easily result in senior executives endangering their respective enterprises. The desire for personal gain at all costs can lead to indiscretions and immoral acts that can destroy individuals, firms, and countries. It is therefore prudent that our leaders in business, government, and society be aware and beware the lure of the lusts of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life. If not kept at bay, these strong negative desires have the potential to lure the innocent, greedy, and unsuspecting to gain personal wealth and/or power by any means possible (including dishonesty). The desire to “win at all costs” must be balanced by “all that is honest and noble”.

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

The Media, elections and workers THE MEDIA in SVG is very much intoxicated by the politics of the country. The News and its editors make no attempt to hide its anti ULP stance.

Some have described the Searchlight as the Star, a throwback to the old organ of the SVG Labour Party, while others speak of the Vincentian as a newspaper that has seen better days.

Everyone, media editors included, have their biases. However, one would have thought that in the second decade of the 21st century, journalism will not so crudely reflect the political make up of our country. But alas, that is not to be in SVG. Rarely is there an attempt at objectivity. Everything is bent towards our political taste.

One wonders sometimes if the editors of the News ever stop to consider how they present their news. Most stories emanating from the opposition are featured prominently. The editorials are mostly of a political nature, and jabs at the government for one issue or the other.

The Vincentian coverage is very tame, to the point that it takes an effort to read. It must be said, though, that the Vincentian carries the most independent and unbiased coverage of what happens in SVG. It is not surprising that the paper of record in SVG, the Vincentian, which has been around for more than a century, has the smallest circulation. People seem to go for sensationalism.

Even though the Searchlight has a permanent ULP editorial gaze, its attempts at objectivity is commendable.

Reporting on opposition activities are reported consistently and the positioning of stories are much more balanced as opposed to those in the NEWS. SVGBC, the lone local TV station is rapidly sinking into bias reporting.

Take the coverage of political events over the weekend by the major political parties. NDP held a political meeting in Bequia while the ULP had a rally in Retreat, Vermont on Sunday, which thousands attended.

The coverage of the events was amazing. SVGTV showed Dr Friday, the parliamentary representative for the Northern Grenadines, addressing the crowd. The camera panned the audience and offered a glimpse of those present.

However, there was not even a one second snippet of the crowd at Vermont, even though the crowd at the ULP rally was larger than that at the NDP meeting. Some said that this was the largest political event ever held at this spot. Talk about slanted coverage!

Kenton Chance’s Eye Witness News gets him into trouble with both sides of the political fence. However, by virtue of the fact that the ULP is in power, more light is directed at the PM and his government. More darts logically are directed at Kenton from what is perceived to be his selective and slanted coverage in favour of the opposition.

Elections 2015 Election season 2015 is upon us in earnest. The parties are busily making the rounds. Meetings are being held all over the country. If the crowds are any indication of what is going to happen on elections day, the ULP appears to have the edge.

However, while we understand the psychological effect of large crowds, it must be remembered that crowds don’t win elections. Important considerations for the electorate are issues such as the party with the better message, vision, leadership, plans for the future and record of accomplishments.

It must also be remembered that the bell has not yet rung. Many voters have

not publicly declared their political views. In the final analysis, elections are won by the party with the superior get out the vote plan, as well as a wellfinanced and organized political machine.

One will be hard pressed to refute the view that the ULP has a stronger leadership, a clearer vision, a more cogent and persuasive narrative, more detailed plans and an impressive record of accomplishments. Candidate for candidate, the ULP is also younger, and its speakers are far more compelling.

The ULP also offers an impressive combination of youth and experience.

The ULP also carries a more attractive message about and to youth and women.

The opposition ND,P by contrast, is wobbly on many issues; its leadership message of doom and gloom takes it only so far. It is backward looking, and its narrative is not sharp, clear or progressive.

The opposition seems to think that it will win government by betting that people will get fed up of Gonsalves and the ULP. It mocks Gonsalves’ successful attempts to refresh his slate of candidates rather than try to match those efforts. Its slate of candidates is old and stale.

The NDP compounds its problems by aggressively going after James Mitchell, the founding father of the party, rather than try to mend fences with him. The fact that Dougie DeFreitas’ insulting remarks that Mitchell must shut up and keep his old ass in Bequia, without rebuke from Eustace, is proof that the party lacks political and tactical heft.

The NDP leadership lurches from one issue to the other without engaging in due diligence, only to look on helplessly as the issue blows up in its face causing much political damage.

Teachers and Public workers I have had a long history supporting the workers movement in this country. I am in sympathy with the workers whose main interest is to better their own conditions as well as improve their livelihood and income.

Teachers and public workers have not had a salary increase since 2011.

Cost of living continues to rise. Public employees have numerous obligations to meet, so their demands are legitimate and must not be scoffed.

However, in the negotiations, PM Gonsalves has been open and transparent as to the state of the finances in the country. Further, Gonsalves, if he wanted to play politics a few months from national elections, could have gone on the financial markets and borrowed an additional $25 million and paid these workers.

Therefore, it is rather commendable that Gonsalves placed the nation’s fiscal health before narrow partisan concerns.

Those who say that the government should simply borrow money and pay, do not understand how difficult it is to get loans to pay addition salaries.

I want the unions to become militant and strong. I want them to win more members. I am not sure that the strike on Tuesday advanced the workers’ cause.

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

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12. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Gross incompetence has killed SVG economy IN SVG, we are experiencing the worst period in living memory, of gross incompetence in the management of the public accounts.

Gonsalves’ and Eustace’s gross incompetence in managing the public accounts has virtually killed the SVG economy, and is causing much pain, hardship and suffering for our people.

Many businesses have been forced to close, and this is pushing up the level of unemployment and crime in our country.

It is time for Gonsalves and Eustace to resign and go home, on permanent leave.

Gonsalves is not a university graduate in accounting and finance, and has shown that he is hopeless and seriously out of his depth as the SVG Minister of Finance. He has been useless in managing the public accounts. The Director of Audit failed Gonsalves on the audit of public accounts for 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Eustace, also, is not a university graduate in accounting and finance, and has shown that he is hopeless and seriously out of his depth as the Leader of the Opposition. As Leader of the Opposition, Eustace is meant to run the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and scrutinise government spending. He is meant to be holding the government to account, and making sure that the public accounts are managed properly.

Eustace has failed to run the PAC, and failed to properly scrutinise

government spending. His failure has meant that the ULP regime has been free to poorly manage the public accounts, and be wasteful with taxpayers’ money.

In terms of managing the public accounts, we have a unique situation in our country: a case of the blind is leading the blind in our Parliament.

There is gross financial incompetence on both sides of the House of Assembly, and the consequence is our economy being devastated.

The only difference between the ULP regime and the NDP regime is the colour of their T-shirt. In terms of managing the SVG economy, Gonsalves and Eustace are beggars. All Gonsalves and Eustace have to offer our country is the old-style approach, with the focus on tourism.

The Leader of SVG Green Party, Mr Ivan O’Neal, has a BSc (Hons.) degree in Accounting and Finance from Oxford Brookes University, England; a Master of Science degree in Macro Economics, Policy and Planning from Bradford University, England, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Leicester University, England.

Mr Ivan O’Neal believes that for our country to move forward and create a strong economy and thousands of new jobs, we need a high level of financial competence. We have to design a new economic model for SVG, with a high level of competence in the management

of our country’s indigenous resources and our country’s finances.

Public funds must be used properly, and invested in projects that bring a good financial returns for the SVG Treasury. No more wastage of taxpayers’ money on dead projects.

Firstly, we have to profile the SVG economy to truly establish its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and then modernise the economy in a way that enhances its strengths and areas of opportunities, and neutralises the weaknesses and threats.

We should focus on the areas that offer a high yield in revenue and job creation, such as a billion dollar tunafishing and canning industry. This industry will give a high yield on the capital invested, create thousands of new

jobs and a large amount of revenue for the SVG Treasury.

We need to modernise our infrastructure, and build our own science and technology university, and set up a national, free wireless internet service. We should prioritise high quality education and technology.

Gonsalves and Eustace are financially incompetent, and have nothing new to offer our people. They preach tourism, but this generally provides seasonal, low pay work. A Green government will bring sustainable, long-term, higher-pay jobs. Our economic model will create revenue and thousands of new jobs and increase exports. Vote Green Party.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org

Why you should join a Credit Union, today!

CREDIT UNIONS are Financial Cooperatives, democratically owned and governed by a Board of Directors, elected by its Members. The “Members first” philosophy of Credit Unions ensures that all of the services offered are based on solid Co-operative Principles; making Credit Unions We give back to our Community different from other Financial Credit Unions, in keeping with their Institutions. Consequently, this sense of corporate responsibility, give “Members first” approach translates back in many ways to the society. This into a Member-driven affordability of giving back could take the form of cash services offered. donations, event sponsorship, medical assistance and scholarships, to name a A voice in your Credit Union’s Operations few.

As a Member-Owner of your Credit And to encourage thrift and a sense Union, you are entitled to exercise your voting rights on all business relating to of saving among our young people, the Cooperative Sector has adopted a your Credit Union, including electing Boards and Committee members. Each majority of the schools participating in the school’s co-op program. Credit member is entitled to one vote Unions facilitate the students’ regardless of one’s holdings in the development and education, as far as Credit Union. co-operatives are concerned, by making You can also serve as volunteers on school visits and hosting workshops and these Boards and Committees. By volunteering your service/expertise, you seminars.

Credit Unions and Cooperatives can and will have a direct influence in the forward thrust of your credit union. nationwide partner with the CoCredit Unions, therefore, are run by operative Department to recognize the contributions of the students and and for Members. teacher guides, at the Annual Schools Cooperative Awards Ceremony, held We are here to help, not to maximize profits Credit Unions, unlike other Financial during Credit Union week in October.

Institutions, do not set their policies based on profit generally. Instead, their Where you can join Vincentians desirous of becoming operations are primarily focused on members of Credit Unions have a choice meeting the needs of Ordinary from among four established Credit Members who are sidelined or Unions: SVG Police Cooperative Credit otherwise can’t afford to do business Union (SVGPCCU), SVG Teachers with other institutions. Members sit, always at the top of the Organizational Cooperative Credit Union (SVGTCCU), General Employees Cooperative Credit Chart.

Union (GECCU), and Kingstown Although not in business to maximize profits, all Credit Unions are Cooperative Credit Union (KCCU).

Each of the fore-mentioned has its obligated to redistribute among its headquarters in capital Kingstown. membership, any surplus that may accrue. This (redistribution) could be as There are various sub-branches throughout the mainland and the dividends, interest rebates and higher Grenadines, so conducting business interest on savings, to name a few. should not be a hassle.

We are all Family The Cooperative movement operates Join a credit union today!

Presented by Dilshorn Peters, on as a family. In this “family”, you are greeted as ‘brother’ or ‘sister’. Whenever behalf of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Cooperative Credit you call or visit the offices, you are Union Ltd (SVG PCCU Ltd) as part of always welcomed by friendly members the activities commemorating Financial of staff, who are eager to satisfy your Information Month, October 2015. needs.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. 13.

News

LIME ViewerÊs choice winners awarded

“THE LIME VINCY MAS Viewer’s facebook page grew in popularity this year by leap and bounds.” stated Nikala Williams – Marketing Manager of LIME. The page was introduced for Vincy Mas 2014 in an effort to further promote Vincy Mas not only in St Vincent and the Grenadines, but throughout the Diaspora.

The Stir Media team led by Calvert Jones, not only birthed this idea, but also was solely responsible for the execution and maintenance of the page for a second year. This unique page gave viewers and active participants the opportunity to view videos and photos within 24 hours of each event.

These persons also got

the opportunity to vote for their favorite Vincymas participant and win prizes for themselves.

The following persons were awarded an entertainment pack which included a Fugoo digital speaker or 4G Tablet,1 year free data, 1 year free credit and 1 year free Deezer Subscription. The prize for Miss SVG favorite went to Miss LIME Anika Robinson, who also captured 2nd runner up in the Miss SVG Pageant. Hottest Soca Track was won by Wiz Skid for his song “Pumping” and Hottest Masquerader title was captured by Rayshawn Adams. There was also a Samsung Galaxy S6 up for grabs for the person

National Floral Exhibition THE DATES, 24th and 25th October, 2015, for the SVG Botanical Gardens and the SVG Horticultural Society National Floral Exhibition, St. Vincent and the Grenadines are swiftly creeping up on us.

This affair promises to be one of splendour and unimaginable beauty, and all Vincentians are invited to be part of this experience — a once in a lifetime display of plants, flowers and related items.

For those of you who are exhibiting, make sure that plants are healthy, pleasing to look at, free from pests and in suitable containers.

Remember, the soil around the plants must be moist but not over-watered and all displays appropriately labelled.

Presented by the SVG Horticultural Society.

sending the most text messages, and that went to Casley Primus.

LIME looks forward to

VIncy Mas 2016 and the re-launch of the Viewer’s Choice Awards page which is yet another

avenue to spread awareness of our nation’s biggest festival and encourage more persons

to our shores to experience “The hottest Carnival in the Caribbean”.

V Bequia gets new Health Complex 14. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

The Port Elizabeth Health Complex was refurbished at a cost of EC$1.3m.

And while the facility awaits some equipment to make it complete, Reanna THE NORTHERN GRENADINE Ollivierre, a resident of island of Bequia now boasts Bequia, was more than a refurbished Health happy to join with Complex. parliamentary and other Officially renamed the officials, to cut the ribbon Port Elizabeth Health to declare the facility Complex, the facility, officially open, last week upgraded at a cost of Thursday.

EC$1.3m, is a 16-bed Addressing the refacility with a separate opening ceremony, Accident and Emergency parliamentary department, maternity representative for the and paediatric wards, area, Dr. Godwin Friday, consultation offices, a was delighted. He noted pharmacy and dental delays and frustration clinic, and is served by a that prefaced the rewater storage capacity of opening, but looked 48,000 imperial gallons, forward to the institution which with collection from delivering better health the adjoining Health care.

Centre, brings the total to Dr. Friday confessed to 85,000 gallons. having a long attachment

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

with the hospital where his mother worked as a cleaner and cook.

He reminded the gathering that it was a public facility, and urged them to take care of it. He also urged workers at the facility to recommit to ensuring proper care of and service delivery from the facility.

Herman Belmar, Deputy Director of Grenadines Affairs, traced the history of the building from its original construction on the site of an abandoned Sugar Mill.

In outlining the stages towards completion of the modern facility, Belmar referred to the doses of scorn and scepticism that

Right: Reanna Ollivierre (2nd from right), in the company of (from left) Dr. Godwin Friday, Minister Clayton Burgin and Herman Belmar, cuts the ribbon to official open the Complex. characterised the period, Fisheries Ministry. and cautioned that Douglas read a speech “criticism never built on Ryan’s behalf. structures for us.”

Ryan was not the only Belmar expressed person for whom apologies gratitude for the were offered. Prime contribution made which Minister Dr. Ralph led to the renovation, and Gonsalves was forced to praised the committee abandon the exercise, and which supervised the so too Minister of process.

Agriculture, Rural “We must build back an Transformation, Forestry, attitude of gratitude,” Fisheries and Industry, Belmar advised, and Saboto Caesar. called for the return of Darran Newmanthat “community spirit.”

Belgrave, BNTF Portfolio Health and Manager, Caribbean Environment Minister Development Bank (CDB) Clayton Burgin echoed his pointed to the Bequia government’s commitment Health Complex as a to modernising the Health “major part of a wider Sector. using the occasion journey for health to highlight some improvement.” She noted buildings which his that the nation’s health administration was refurbishing.

Kenneth Douglas, The Port Project Manager with the Basic Needs Trust Elizabeth Health Fund (BNTF), Complex is apologised for the equipped absence of Raymond with 16 Ryan, Permanent Secretary in the beds.

Agriculture and

needs got better as a result of the Bequia enhancement.

Newman-Belgrave appreciated the “participatory approach of the citizens”, and contended that this was “one of the most inclusive projects undertaken.”

She described the Complex as an “environmentally friendly structure,” one that aligned itself with measures to enhance water and sanitation concerns.

The new Complex is designed to accommodate, in the future, an operating theatre, recovery room and a laboratory.

GECCU invests in education THREE GENERAL Employees Cooperative Credit Union (GECCU) members have been given assistance with their tertiary education. They are Nicole Bowman, Zel Charles and Jenny Sandy.

The trio received $3,000 each last Wednesday, in this regard.

Chairman of GECCU Scholarship Committee, Mineva Glasgow was delighted that GECCU could make the gesture, fulfilling the philosophy of “people helping people.”

She described the assistance as an investment, and noted the value of a good education, while cautioning that good grades were not all that matter.

“Character building is an essential part of education,” she stressed.

“A smart person without good character and sound values, will not go far in life,” Glasgow added.

Glasgow reminded the new recipients that “Every small act of kindness and service will add up, and you could be

better for serving,” and urged them to “adapt to the reality of a competitive environment.”

GECCU’s President Kelvin Pompey regarded the event as “tangible demonstration of GECU’s commitment to education.”

Camille Lakram, Senior Administrative Assistant at the University of the West Indies Open Campus, was pleased that the recipients were enrolled with the UWI. Yvette Antoine, Acting Senior Education Officer, said that GECCU’s contributions ought to be “highly commended.”

Lennox Bowman, GECCU’s General Manager, pledged that their involvement in tertiary education “is going to be expanded gradually.”

Nicole Bowman expressed gratitude on behavlf of the bursary recipients, acknowledging that the money is “helping us to get one step closer to achieving our goals.” (WKA)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. 15.

News

The musical handpan introduced in SVG

by GLORIAH… AN ANXIOUS AUDIENCE gathered at the Beachcombers Hotel Wednesday, 30th September, to witness a musical performance, given by Israeli musician Liron Man, on the newly invented instrument, the handpan.

The activity was hosted by the Embassy of Israel to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Commerce and Information Technology in SVG. Among the audience were His Excellency Mr. Mordehai Amihai Bivas, Ambassador of Israel to SVG, and Minster of Tourism, Sports and Culture, Hon. Cecil McKie. Expectations were heightened even further as the audience viewed, on entering the room set aside for the recital, four handpans arranged on a dais.

Closer examination revealed the instrument to be of unusual appearance and construction, i.e. a steel orb, with outer indentations resembling a flying saucer, serving to heightened enthusiasm even more.

H. E. Mr. Mordehai Amihai Bivas thanked all for coming to the very first Israeli cultural activity in SVG. He said that music is a language which everyone understands, and the aim of the occasion, apart from conventional

diplomacy, was to engage the people of SVG. “The people may look at Israel from a number of perspectives, political, religious and so on, but tonight you see us in a different light — the very intensive, very deep cultural life in Israel,” he said.

Hon. Cecil McKie described the function as a very special moment for tourism, foreign affairs, culture and of strengthening ties between SVG and Israel.

“St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the most diverse destination in the Caribbean,” he told the Ambassador.

“Everything you are looking for could be found here.”

He went on to invite him to make a return visit, this time with a delegation to savour what we have to offer, adding reference to the role the steel orchestras play in Vincentian culture, and citing that the handpan closely resembles the Caribbean steel pan.

It was then the turn of Mr. Liron Man to demystify the handpan with his performance. He proceeded to give renditions of Israeli, Indian, Moroccan, Spanish, Arabic, Jewish, and Iranian music among several others.

Learning4Living introduces NexGen students might exist among the secondary AN ORGANIZATION here school enrollment, has taken on the task of Williams spoke of a group assisting young persons of persons in need of with enhancing their special assistance. “These technical and career skills, include those young in readiness for their persons who have applied entry into the job market for college, but are not and/or institutions of successful, and are higher learning. unemployed,” Williams Learning4Living, said. established some four “There are those who years ago, has assumed have finished college and this task, under an they want to go to outreach programme they university as their next dubbed ‘NexGen’. step. They send out According to Kimesha applications all over ……

Williams, Manager of but they are doing Learning4Living, NexGen nothing; they are just provides evening courses in English Fundamentals, Basic Mathematics, Computing Essentials, Marketing, Graphic Design, Web Design, Computer Programming 1 and 2, Job Readiness, and Entrepreneurship.

And while the captive pool of

by KENVILLE HORNE

waiting for a next opportunity,” Williams explained, reiterating that the NexGen programme is designed to help these persons.

Persons wishing to utilize the service of Learning4Living can visit therir office on the 2nd floor, Sprott Brothers Building, Bay Street, Kingstown, or contact them via email: Learning4living@gmail. com or telephone number: 457-8698 or 454-8698.

Classes start on 9th November.

The core membership of Learning4Living (L-R): Romancia Gaymes, Omar Edwards, Kimesha Williams (founder), Kyle James and Melinda Bacchus.

Liron Man working his way through a musical recital of pieces from various ethnic groups across the globe.

Left: The handpan bears a close resemblance to the steel pan.

The initial percussion of fingers on steel put many in the audience at their ease after recognizing the accustomed drumlike rhythms, but the handpan did not stay there. Mr. Man went on to draw out soothing, appealing tones that were most therapeutic; delicate harmonies with rich resonance; fulsome overtones, mesmerizing echoes, all expressed through frenetic fingers eliciting percussive melodies, reminiscent of an orchestra of instruments. It was unbelievable yet captivating.

In giving some details about the instrument, the musician explained its origins as developed in 2001 by Swiss scientists, Felix Rohner and Sabina

Schärer. It was originally patterned from the Trinidadian steel pan, and while it incorporates elements of the steel pan, it is also influenced by the Indian ghatam, made out of clay, and the Asian gong, with a low bass sound.

Each meticulously crafted note is tuned into the top half of the instrument, arranged in a circle according to tone. It is hollow with an opening at the bottom, the ‘Gu’, which allows for its particular resonance. It was initially called the “Hang”.

Collaborations between steel pan musicians here in SVG and handpan musician, Mr. Liron Man, have been suggested. Who knows what could be possible in the future.

16. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. 17.

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18. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

‘I was provoked,’ says Bacchus PRESIDENT of the National Omnibus Association (NOBA) Anthony ‘Code Red’ Bacchus says that he was provoked, resulting in him taking “appropriate’ action against the individuals.

Bacchus told THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, that his reaction came after he was verbally attacked by another minibus operator.

According to NOBA’s president, he was accosted by the individual on Monday in the Casson Hill area where and when, Bacchus said, the individual referred to him as being a coward.

Bacchus further explained that he subsequently saw the individual and informed him that he was no coward, and that he had no right to be referring to him (Bacchus) in that manner.

He said that he was being criticized because he

did not go ahead with the decision for strike action planned for October 12.

But, Bacchus said the man followed him into the bus terminal and came to his window and continued to refer to him as a coward, and went on to threaten him.

The minibus association’s top man said that another individual, Kendal ‘Kenlyn’ Neverson, joined in and also issued threats.

“I said, anyone of you touch me here, I killing you,” Bacchus said.

He explained that his reaction was such because he felt as though his life was in danger, as both men were just outside his vehicle’s window with him seated inside.

However, before THE VINCENTIAN’s

conversation with Bacchus, Neverson had already called into one of this country’s popular morning shows on Wednesday, saying that while he was sitting in his shop on Tuesday, he saw Bacchus looking in his direction and making hand and mouth gestures.

Anthony ‘Code Red’ He said that he decided Bacchus claims he to step outside to get a was provoked into better understanding of reacting in a what Bacchus was trying to threatening manner. say to him, and when he did so, Bacchus said that he was going to kill him.

Neverson went on to say that sometime in the afternoon, he heard another disturbance in the area of the bus terminal, and when he looked out, he saw Bacchus again threatening another individual.

Both men have since said that they reported the matter to the police. (DDD)

NOBA will move forward to assist in regulating and improving the bus service here, regardless of the size of its membership.

NOBA pressing forward THE EXECUTIVE of the National Omnibus Association (NOBA) will be pressing forward with its quest to improve operations here, with or without the membership of all minibus owners or operators.

President of NOBA, Anthony ‘Code Red’ Bacchus, made the comment following a point raised by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

According to Gonsalves, he was unable to move a motion for Parliament to pass a law compelling every minibus operator to become a member of NOBA. “There is a freedom of association provision in the constitution. .. A person is free to associate, or free not to,” Gonsalves said then.

Bacchus responded, saying that the NOBA membership numbers were increasing.

There was a proposal with some terms and conditions that had been submitted earlier this year and, according to the NOBA top man, the executive will be working with existing members to try to improve on the service.

“We can’t always put pressure, we have to work together and be patient and try to build up membership,” Bacchus told THE VINCENTIAN. Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport and Works, Senator Julian Francis acknowledged that a proposal aimed at regularising the minibus service here was before the Transport Board for deliberation, and that it (the Board) was expected to be submitting the document for consideration of some matter at the Cabinet level. However, according to Francis, “There are some legislative changes required if we are to agree on some of the matters that they have in their proposal,” Francis said. (DDD)

V Procedure not followed

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. 19.

Feature

TUESDAY’S STRIKE by this nation’s teachers has been hailed a success by the top man in the Teachers’ Union, but one member has spoken out against the said action.

The educator, who requested not to be named, stated that due process leading up to the strike was not observed.

The person told THE VINCENTIAN that it was the norm for decisions to take industrial action to be discussed, and that the general membership unanimously agree before any action is taken, especially while negotiations are ongoing.

“An executive cannot take it upon themselves to strike, even if they thinking about it; they have to get the views [of the membership],” the educator opined.

The individual went on to say that the teachers had the right to strike or not to strike; but before doing so, in the current circumstances, the union should have negotiated with the government for a 5

percent increase, and ask for it in 2, 1 and 2 percent increments over a three year period.

“It works well for all of us; NIS and pension is your best three years, so it works best for your pension,” the person argued.

The educator said that they (teachers) were informally notified about the industrial action through the popular social media sites, Facebook and Whatsapp.

“When you are doing these things, you have to mobilize; you have to look for public sympathy.

You are supposed to be bombarding It was quiet the airwaves. day on Tuesday at The issue was this institution, but not well sold,” classes were said to the individual have proceeded as concluded. best as usual.

(DDD)

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20. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Hairs getting in the way

this does not seem to bother her whatsoever.

It has been three weeks since we MY WIFE is the most stubborn woman have not touched each other I’ve ever met, and she is becoming intimately, and I am beginning to unbearable. She has started to grow a moustache, and no matter how I ask her wonder if she is only too happy with to shave it, she refuses, saying she is not this situation. a man to be shaving. I said to her that Confused M. she may as well begin to shave like a man because she is already looking like Dear Confused M, one.

The hairs on her face are affecting It is amazing how sometimes we me. When I kiss her, I feel like I’m kissing a man. To solve the problem, I can allow little sparks to quickly go have stopped kissing her, and have, in out of control and cause forest fires.

Maybe you can examine the way fact, stopped sleeping with her, but

Dear George,

you approached your wife about her unwelcome facial hairs, and see whether you came on too strong and let your emotions get in the way of what should have been a loving reference to those hairs, and an equally loving suggestion to have them removed.

You wife may be only reacting to

the way you went about addressing the issue, and not necessarily the way the hairs made her look. Do not let a few hairs get between an otherwise good marriage.

George

Trapped!!!

Dear George,

Depressed

PLEASE help me! I am 15 years old and live with my stepmother. My father is in New York and he is in the process of sending for me. He married my stepmother after my mom died.

She is not good for him. He is in New York thinking that she is waiting for him, but she has a man she is seeing, and he sometimes sleeps over.

She lied and told me this man is a relative of hers, who needs a place to stay now and then. and that my father knows about him. I know she is lying.

What she does not want to believe is that every time this man sleeps at our house, he would find his way into my room and have sex with me. He has been doing this for a few months now, and each time he would threaten to kill me and my stepmother if I say anything. I told my best friend about it, and she advised me to go to the police, but I am afraid to do so.

This woman, my stepmother, does not love my father. I managed to call him once and began telling him about what was happening, but he thinks I’m just making up stories to get him to leave this woman.

I need help and need it now. I can’t take anymore of this, and sometimes I feel like ending my own life.

Dear Depressed, Your situation is a grave one and something needs to be done about it immediately. It is good that you have someone you can confide in (your friend), but this matter needs to be reported to the authorities. I advise that you ask your friend to accompany you. If you do not have the courage to go directly to the police, find your way to The Marion House and ask them to help you report the matter. You will begin to feel stronger and more empowered after your visit to The Marion House.

The threats issued by this man were just to keep you silent. Your father will get a good grip of the situation after the matter is out in the open, and this sad excuse of a man is eventually put away.

Ending your life will not help the situation.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Some relatives will be extremely perplexing. Your emotional attitude with respect to your status and direction in society may be unrealistic.

Try not to get into disputes that will lead to estrangements. You will find that friends or relatives may not understand your needs.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Do not lend money to friends, or contribute more than necessary to groups unworthy of your cash. Spend time with youngsters this week. Spend some quality time with the one you love. Your talents will shine at work. Be sure to double-check the house on your way out.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Social activities or travel should be in your plans. You may enjoy doing something musical for entertainment.

Get involved in groups that will help you meet established individuals. You may feel a need to make changes to your legal documents.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Arguments may flare up in your home.

Put your efforts into moneymaking ventures. You must act quickly. Your temper could get the better of you if you confront personal situations.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Be careful while traveling. You are best to ask questions if you aren't certain about issues that are confronting you.

Be cautious of making any residential changes this week. You will have a blow up this week if your partner does things that you feel are not above-board.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Joining organizations will provide you with stimulating romantic contacts.

Take advantage of your attributes and lure the mate of your choice. You should be getting into selfimprovement projects. Ferret out information that will hold them responsible.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Get together with friends and do something entertaining but not too expensive. You can set your goals and make a beeline for your target. You can make moves, but they won't be settling.

You can't always have your own way.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Extravagance and overindulgence are not a cure if you're feeling sorry for yourself. Be prepared to jump quickly if you wish to stay in the forefront of your industry this week. Moneymaking ventures may just turn your life around.

Your high energy will enable you to take the role of leader in group functions.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You may be ill-treated if you have to deal with institutional environments.

Focus on what's important rather than spreading yourself too thin and accomplishing little. Be supportive in order to avoid confrontations.

Difficulties at an emotional level may be likely.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) If you can, make phone calls instead of going out. If everyone wants to do their own thing, let them. Romance will be yours if you get out and do things in large groups. Do not hesitate to help elders with legal documents that are too confusing for them.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) You can make excellent investments if you are in the right place at the right time. You will have to check your cash flow before you decide to indulge in hobbies or entertainment that may be beyond your budget. You will need to do a lot of research if you wish to get to the bottom of things. You may find your mate somewhat perturbed.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You will find that money could slip through your fingers. The existing problems must be dealt with one way or another. If you haven't already, consider starting your own business. Too much talk will lead to disputes.

ACROSS

40. Mulled autumn 1.”Excuse me?” drinks 5. Public 41. Baseball television great Mel letters 42. Train systs.

8. Observed 43. Broil 12. German auto 46. Summer 13. Mender’s (Fr.) target 48. Singer 14. Additionally Turner 15. L.A. haze 52. Cooped 16. __hockey (up) 17. Strike callers, 53. Bang a for short gavel 18. “Managed 54. Blue-pencil care”inits.

55. Alan of 20. Author Anais “M*A*S*H” __ 56. Tippler 11. Numerals 22. Convent 57. Housecoat (abbr.) member 19. Male adults 25. Beetle DOWN 21. Like some 29. Frequently winter roads 30. “You there!” 1.Common verb 22. Spots 31. Of us 2. Ho-__ 23. Or else 32. Sharing a 3. Hubbub (2 wds.) secret (2wds.) 4. Turn a screw 24. Pebble 33. Conifer clockwise 26. Actress 34. Korbut of 5. Before Esther gymnastics 6. Pen-making 27. Boring tool 35. Chaney of name 28. Donkey films 7. Urich TV role sounds 36. Loud thud 8. Steam bath 30. That man 37. Tomcat’s 9. Graceful tree 33. Those who home 10. Psychic’s refuse food 38. Robs (from) skill (abbr.) 34. Aged one

36. Sandwich letters 37. Broadcast 39. Large artery 40. Crawled 43. Health resort 44. Slippery fish

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. 21.

45. In addition to 47. Truth, in China 49. Groom’s reply (2 wds.)

50. Quill tip 51. Dined

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22. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Call for renewed spirit of industry

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

VINCENTIANS have talent, creativity and energy, and those are ingredients for

the development of be transformed into businesses and business practical operations that ideas; but their ideas must will make money.

That’s the advice from Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Commerce and Information Technology Minister, Senator Camillo Gonsalves.

He was speaking at last Monday’s opening of a one-week Business Labs Workshop, focusing on IP Communications in Technology Management, Product Branding, and

Senator Camillo Gonsalves called for unlocking the ‘can do spirit’.

the Creative Industry in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Workshop was sponsored by Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation and the Young Americas Business Trust, and coordinated by the Centre for Enterprise Development (CED).

Senator Gonsalves indicated that there was a lot to learn from Israel.

He expressed faith in the young population, and echoed confidence that there was a platform for the nation to change.

But, aspects of our culture had to change, Gonsalves cautioned, especially since government cannot hire everybody.

With that in mind, he posited, “….we have to unlock a can do spirit.”

Towards this end, he presented technology as having “the potential to be transformative,” Gonsalves declared, and expressed optimism that the next great

entrepreneur can be from these shores.

For the Foreign Affairs Minister, “entrepreneurship is essential to the development of the nation,” and he called on the nation’s creative elements to emerge, and advised them not be afraid of failure.

He is aware that “government has work to do to create an enabling environment,” but even then, he is satisfied that the “future is boundless.”

The workshop sessions were led by Rina Yaffe, representing the Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Centre. She was assisted by her compatriot Sharon Gesthalter.

Yaffe encouraged trainees to work on changing their mind-set, and promised to do the best to make the ideas meaningful.

Over 20 potential trainers and mentors were expected to benefit from the one-week workshop.

Participants were expected, at the end of the workshop, to be better tooled to assist entrepreneurs.

Court order issued in Eustace’s matter Continued from Back page.

The law firm had also demanded that Eustace give a written undertaking to Nicholls that he would not publish those or any other defamatory statements against Nicholls, and that she be paid compensation in an amount to be agreed upon by their chambers.

The letters had stated that failure to meet any of these demands would result in legal proceedings against

Eustace, in the High Court.

Marks had told THE VINCENTIAN on November 17 last year that, “Mr. Eustace did not respond to the letters, and our client has instructed us to bring legal action against him”.

But, he added that Nicholls instructed the law firm not to bring legal action against Hot FM. The recent Court Order comes amid heightened political activity by both parties as they prepare for the upcoming general elections.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. 23.

guides No surprises in LOG Pope Challengers Enterprise Byera 5k to another win

THE USUAL FACES took the top places in most of the categories of the LOG Enterprise Byera 5K staged last Sunday, from Langley Park to Byera Hill.

Topping the open male was Chatoyer’s Pamenos Ballantyne in a winning time of 15 minutes 38. 28 seconds, with IT-DAT’s Meshach Dublin second in 15 minutes 57.21 seconds.

Rounding off the top three was Chatoyer’s Junior Ashton in 16 minutes 04.56 seconds.

Linda Mc Dowall won the open female ahead of Soreyna Miller to make it a first and second finish for IT-DAT. Mc Dowall’s time was 17 minutes 33.18 seconds and Miller’s 25 minutes 42.36 seconds.

The lone finisher in the female Under-19 was X- Ceed’s Kerina Hooper who stopped the clock at 21 minutes 15.04 seconds.

Taking the Under-15 female race was X- Ceed’s Odesha John in 23 minutes 21.75 seconds, with Akesha Best of the Intermediate High School second in 31 minutes 04.28 seconds.

Meanwhile, Newman Peters of the St Martin’s Secondary claimed the Under15 male segment in 18 minutes 13.61 seconds.

Peters beat Marc James of Melisiwe Track into second place. James’ timing was 21 minutes 14.25 seconds.

And, taking the third spot was

Roger Young – winner of the Male Over-40.

Newman Peters – Pamenos Ballantyne – winner of the open Male winner of the Under-15 Male. segment.

another St Martin’s Secondary School student, Hendrickson Campbell, in 22 minutes 58.53 seconds.

IT-DAT swept the top three places in the male Under-19, as Akani Slater, Ryan John and Akeem Benn, followed in that order, in 16 minutes 26.64 seconds; 16 minutes 42.46 seconds and 18 minutes 43.36 seconds, respectively.

Continuing IT-DAT’s podium finishes was Samantha Lynch who won the female Over-40’s in 28 minutes 02.18 seconds.

But a new winner emerged in the male over-40 when Roger Young rolled back the years to the time when he was a student of the St Vincent Grammar School back in the 1980s,to win in 20 minutes 59.25 seconds.

Joonyah Garrick clocked 22 minutes 55.78seconds to finish second. Both Young and Garrick competed unattached.

This Sunday will see the Central Leeward 5k which takes place from Pembroke to Layou, beginning at 3pm.

Stewart out for six months

by KENVILLE HORNE TALENTED VINCENTIAN midfielder, Cornelius Stewart, will be out of active football duty for six months, a situation that the Technical Director of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF), Keith Ollivierre, described as a great loss for the national team, which is gearing up for 2018 World Cup Qualifier against the USA, November 13 .

Stewart currently campaigns with second division Ps kemi Kings Football club on Finland. His club has topped their group, and will be playing in the first division next season.

Speaking to THE VINCENTIAN on Monday, Stewart said that he picked up the injury in an away game, one week ago. “I was taking on a player, when I felt a pop in my knee, I had to come off instantly,” he explained.

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test revealed that he had damaged a ligament in the knee,

Cornelius Stewart being stretchered off after his injury in a League match in Finland. prolific striker, Myron Samuel, who is playing professional Cornelius Stewart’s unavailability football with United for six months, is described as a Soccer League (USL) team, Seattle great loss for SVG’s Vincy Heat.

Sounders FC 2. The SVGFF Technical treatment for which includes Director confirmed that he replacement surgery. had spoken to Coach of the “I am very disappointed Seattle Sounders FC 2, because I have worked hard Vincentian Ezra whole year for an opportunity Hendrickson, who said that like this (Vincy Heat match Samuel is on the verge of against the USA; but it is recovery, and might be able God’s work so I ain’t to contribute sometime in the questioning it. I will be game against the USA next supporting the boys 150%,” month. said Stewart.

Ollivierre, in Stewart’s injury comes on acknowledging Stewart’s loss, the heels of an injury to assured, “We have a plan

where there are suitable replacements,” explaining that there are home-based players who were not in the original team, but who are now training for possible places in the team, and that there are some overseasbased players who are being looked at, for possible addition to an already record number of overseas players currently on contract with the SVGFF. Besides the USA game, Vincy Heat will be without the service of Stewart for their game against Guatemala, November 17.

The other team in Group C is Trinidad and Tobago.

NEWCOMERS RYB Challengers Masters flew in the faces of their critics when they recorded their second straight victory, in the fourth round of the SVG Masters 20/20 Overs Cricket Competition, on the weekend.

Hyped from their last weekend downing of Rudy’s Electrical, Challengers comfortably beat North Leeward Masters by 5 wickets, led by a match winning innings of 58 from captain Uzzah Pope. North Leeward Masters made 111 for 6 off 17 overs (overs reduced to 17 because of rain).

William Edwards topscored with 35.

Julian Cain took 2 for 7. RYB Challengers Masters replied with115 for 5 off 16.5 overs. Jamal Jeffrey took 3 for Uzzah Pope 18. stroked a matchOther repeat winning 58. winners were Cato’s Heavy Equipment Glamorgan Masters, St. Vincent Cooperative Bank P’tani Masters and RSVG Police Masters.

Glamorgan got the better of Kirk DaSilva’s La Croix Masters by 7 wickets.

La Croix Masters made a paltry 69 for 3 off 16 overs, to which Glamorgan replied with 70 for 3 off 9.5 overs.

P’tani Masters’ victory came over North East Masters, whom they beat by 8 wickets. North East posted 112 for 5 off 20 overs, with a top score of 34 not out coming from Olanzo Jackson. The Campbells, Westmore and Adolphous, accounted for 2 wickets each. P’tani eased to 113 for 2 in 17.2 overs, Cassius Welsom stroking 46.

RSVG Police Masters inflicted a second defeat in as many weekends on Rudy’s Electrical Barrouallie Masters. The lawmen won by 23 runs in a match reduced to 10 overs a side, when they put up 88 for 3 off 10 overs, to which Rudy’s replied with 65 for 6 off 10 overs. Gosnel Cupid and Parnel Browne both hit 31 for the Police, and Leroy Baker had 21 for the losers.

In another weekend match, Bequia Cricket Association Masters defeated Park Hill United Masters by 26 runs. Scores: Bequia 95 for 5 off 15 overs (overs reduced to 15 because of rain); Park Hill United 69 all out off 19.2 overs North Leeward Masters redeemed themselves from their earlier defeat on Saturday by RYB Challengers Masters, to beat Pastures Masters by 6 wickets.

Pastures Masters made 128 for 4 off 20 overs. Lennox Samuel hit 31 and Winston Peters 21. North Leeward Masters reached 129 for 4 off 17.5 overs - David Ellis 23 and Jamal Jeffrey 22 not out.

I.B.A.ALLEN

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24. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Joy and sadness LEARNING to cope with the mixture of occurrences may be useful over this period at the cross roads. It is easy, for like the song writer uttered in one of his compositions, ‘they misprint my calypso’.

Giving thanks for every blessing remains the only option. That is the position we will adopt.

The joy is about life and its fulfilment of untold and unfolding mysteries.

The VINLEC North Leeward T/20 Championship is slated to end this Sunday at the Petit Bordel Playing Field.

This latest spectacle marks two and half months of incessant and sometimes intense activity at that venue. Thirteen teams divided into two Zones, started the journey.

Almost everything transpired over those preliminary rounds which boiled down to quarterfinals where the cream rose. The final curtains either rises or falls when they finalists contend.

This year’s competition will be nostalgic. The memories will be lasting for many and for different reasons. Sunday’s climax will add more accounts to the scenario.

Kentis John will not forget October 11. That is when his team missed out on a final berth. He will agonise that he was not able to take any further part in the semi-final game after crashing into the boundary wall, trying valiantly for a catch that was tantalising for him but inevitably out of reach.

His effort characterised the depth of his commitment. He was prepared to forego concerns for his safety, in order to contribute to his team’s success.

It so happened that he had to be helped off the arena, and the emotional turmoil may have affected the psyche of his teammates.

It would have been a fitting tribute if the rest of the squad could have completed the mission on his behalf. They almost did, in fading light. But that’s the nature of the beast, and in this dispensation, it’s tantamount to jungle warfare.

Starlight as a unit, has created an impact in every category, and Kentis John is one of the pivotal figures.

His wicket haul has served as a major plank in the squad’s stability. At the time of his injury, he was among the leading wicket takers in this year’s pilgrimage.

He is a youngster who has consistently stood out for the Starlight outfit. The five years that Starlight has been around have made him a veteran, given the experience he has acquired and has shared with his colleagues.

His batting ability has been an asset, and his sharp fielding, close to the wicket or on the boundary, has been an additional sources of value to the team.

He has proven his batting qualities when the squad was up against the odds. His courageous and sometimes audacious approach helped the team to rebound from potentially threatening situations.

He is also a father figure to younger players in the squad, and they look forward to his motivational qualities.

John has become an icon in a village where cricket has a rich tradition. That he has achieved this dominance, is testimony of his talent.

His role is profound, and the fact that Starlight played the competition without having to include players from outside the community, is another signature of the area’s heritage.

Everyone hopes John has a quick recovery, and that there are no lasting effects.

We accept what life offers, cognisant of the fact that we can do so much, no more.

Until that time when certain things make themselves manifest, we must learn from lessons life throws up, because that’s life, and it goes on.

Huggins: „Super40 title means a lot‰ LIFTING THE 2015 local Super40 title for the first time was a special feeling for Foster Huggins, the long standing Manager of the Guardian Saints Cricket Club.

Guardian Saints defeated LIME Radcliffe in the finals of the Super40, contested among the three top teams in the Premier Division - LIME Radcliffe, Team Rivals and Saints - and the team that gained promotion to the Premier Division for next season Rudy’s Electrical Unique Warriors.

“Winning the 2015 Super 40 competition means quite a lot to me personally, and means even more to the cricketers of Guardian General Saints,” Huggins said in an interview with THE VINCENTIAN. “It is the first trophy the team has won since winning the Sunday League several years ago and, to me, it’s testimony of an improved team.”

Describing the team as

comprised of very young players with excellent cricketing ability, Huggins said, “Our ultimate goal is to win the Premier Division title. This win is a stepping stone towards that goal, which we hope to achieve in the not too distant future.”

Looking back at his tenure as manager, Huggins recalled: “When the Neil Williams Academy started, Neil Williams approached me and asked me to manage the Saints cricket team.

During that season, the team was playing with 7 and 8 players every game. I took up the challenge the following year, and after a couple of seasons in the Premier Division, Saints was relegated to the First Division in 2009.”

Huggins admitted, “It was a devastating blow for me and the players, but what kept my hopes up high, and it was also the greatest moment of my managerial career, was that two

of my top players, Kenroy Peters and Sunil Ambris, Foster Huggins, decided to Manager of stay with the Guardian Saints, team to bring has seen his team it back to the through hard Premier work and on the Division. So way to success. said so done.

The following year, 2010, Saints was back in the Premier Division. Since then, the team has grown from strength to strength, and this has been proven by the results in the past 5 years.”

Huggins expressed his heartfelt thanks to Guardian General Insurance for its sponsorship, and recognized that the team has benefited tremendously from this partnership.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE) Cougars soccer team of 1975, featuring Patrick Horne (5th from left standing).

McBride, played in the NASL with the St. Louis Stars, and was one of the pioneers of the old North American Soccer League.

by PATRICK HORNE considered the best ever SIUE I graduated with a Bachelor’s soccer squad. After advancing to degree in Mass Communications, SATURDAY, Sept. 19, 2015, will the NCAA tournament the and achieved my Master’s in always be a special day in my life previous three years, my ’75 Education from Alfred University and in the lives of my immediate team, for the first time, won (NY). I continued my winning family, other family members and consecutive games in NCAA ways in the sport; after four years friends - it was the day that I, postseason play. We defeated as a professional in the old NASL this writer, along with my college Cleveland State University (3-2) (North American Soccer League) soccer teammates, was inducted in the first round, knocked off and over 25 years of coaching into the SIUE Soccer Hall of powerhouse St. Louis University college soccer, I started the first Fame during a wonderful Hall of (2-1) for the first time in ever women’s program at Fame Dinner. postseason play in the Brooklyn College in 2012, and In 1975, my senior year in quarterfinals, then proceeded to won the CUNY Conference in college and my third year as a beat defending NCAA national 2013 and ’14 and seeking a third member of the SIUE (Southern champion Howard University, 3-1, consecutive Conference title in Illinois University-Edwardsville) before falling to San Francisco in 2015.

Cougars soccer team, I played a the title game.

The Hall of Fame induction big role in helping the Cougars The team featured leading event was most memorable become the first SIUE squad in scorer Tim Twellman, whose son because the reunion was our first any sport to reach an NCAA Taylor is a former USA national in 40 years; it was good to see Division I national championship team player and former MLS teammates and old friends, to game. My Cougars team played leading scorer with the New meet their families, reminisce and the University of San Francisco England Revolution; Taylor is laugh about old times and to see for the 1975 NCAA Div. I title, at now a soccer analyst on many everyone healthy and well. I will Edwardsville, and lost, 4-0, to the broadcasts of USA national team forever remember my teammates eventual champions, the Dons, games. A number of my and treasure the memories for the which was rated as one of the best teammates went on to play in the rest of my life. ever college soccer teams.

NASL, including Twellman, Greg It’s a great feeling being an It was a fantastic run for our Makowski, John Stremlau and SIUE Hall of Famer! team, which was, and still is, myself. Our assistant coach, Pat

Horne in Hall of Fame

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. 25.

News

No relief in sight for Marriaqua road users TWO YEARS on, and there is still no definite word on when motorists who utilize the main toad to the Marriaqua Valley will get any relief.

Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Works Dr Ralph Gonsalves told members of the media on October 5, that the Chief Engineer, Brent Bailey, had advised against any “quick fix” solutions to the issue.

According to the Prime Minister, various ideas had been circulated as it related to solving the problem.

There was an elaborate Reconstruction of the section of the road that all design for the affected area, Gonsalves explained, but disappeared is no easy undertaking, which included cutting the government officials declared. bank, widening of the road when reconstruction work on the broken – which he said would require the piece of road on the Marriaqua route, acquisition of property, among other would commence. things.

Back in May, 2014, Senator Julian In relation to the financing aspect for Francis, the then Minister of Transport the project, the Prime Minister said that and Works, said that the solution to the he had already earmarked funds from financial institutions such as the World broken piece of road was not going to be immediate.

Bank, Caribbean Development Bank He pointed out then that work may (CDB), the European Union and friendly not have gotten underway until early countries like Taiwan and Mexico. this year, and that a contract had been He added that there was money entered into with a private earmarked for some of the other major engineer/surveyor for a study to be road works throughout the country. conducted for designs for a retaining But he did not give an exact date wall. (DDD)

JCI marks 100th anniversary

BY KENVILLE HORNE JCI ST. VINCENT and the Grenadines commemorated the organization’s 100th anniversary, by donating 100 food packages to disadvantaged individuals in 20 districts.

The distribution of the food packages took place during a brief handing over ceremony at the JCI Secretariat, Stoney Grounds, October 3, 2015.

Cametha John, Public Relations Officer of JCI, said that this year marks JCI International 100 years in existence. To mark the milestone, each JCI Chapter across the globe was requested to

plan and implement a special project. “We choose to make a gift bag donation to 100 people in need,” said John, in relation to JCI SVG. She explained that JCI members canvassed information on people in need in different areas across St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

John was pleased to report that persons receiving the food packages were very appreciative. “It’s not a lot, but it will go a long way,” she quipped.

President of JCI SVG Mandisa Stephens also addressed the handing over ceremony and

committed her organization to assist the disadvantaged.

Jennifer James, collecting on behalf of Edneth Delpesche, expressed gratitude to the organization. She said she was very happy that the organization was able to assist those in need, and she wished them the best in the future.

Jacqueline Quashie, collecting on behalf of her mother, Zena Quashie, was similarly grateful.

JCI is an international organization with an aim to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change.

JCI – SVG members and some of the recipients of gift bags.

26. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY,OCTOBER 16, 2015. 27.

Classifieds

DENNIS ERROL QUINTYNE Faith Temple Church New Montrose Tuesday 13th October, 2015 3:00 p.m

ALMA LOUISE HARRY

CLAUDETTE SIMMONS

Roman Catholic Church Monday 12th October, 2015 3:00 p.m

Port Elizabeth S.D.A Church Tuesday 13th October, 2015 2:30 p.m.

RONALD ST. CLAIR ROBERTSON

THOMAS BUTLER SAMPSON

6W 3DXO¶V Anglican Church Calliaqua Monday 12th October, 2015 3:00 p.m

Mt. Sinai Baptist Church Diamonds Sunday 11th October, 2015 3:00 p.m

ALEXANDER JAMES Layou S.D. Adventist Church Sunday 11th October, 2015 2:00 p.m

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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COURT ORDER ISSUED IN EUSTACE’S MATTER claimed that Eustace defamed her character.

WHETHER OR NOT New At a case management Democratic Party (NDP) hearing last week President Arnhim Eustace Wednesday, October 7, the becomes this country’s next Master, Raulston Glasgow, Prime Minister, he will have his ordered that the matter be day in Court. listed for early next year, As the opposition leader the date for the hearing to awaits the announcement of be set by the High Court the date for the upcoming Registrar. general elections, he will also Glasgow also ordered be looking forward to the that the parties involved disclosure of the date for the file, with the High Court, hearing of a defamation and serve on both sides, matter brought against him in by November 6 this year, the High Court. whatever documents The action was filed by the they are relying on to law firm of Marks and Marks prove their case. They on behalf of Eustace’s former were also ordered to file secretary, Rishatha Nicholls, witness statements by last October 18. Nicholls December 23.

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Rishatha Nicholls (centre) did not hide her political allegiance as can be seen by this photograph taken at a ULP function.

Left: Arnhim Eustace, political leader of the NDP, finds himself embroiled in a court matter, amidst heightened campaigning for a general election.

Eustace is represented by Queen’s Counsel Bertram Commissiong.

Glasgow’s directions came about one month after

BODY FOUND INVESTIGATIONS are on-going into the death of a young man, Barnet McKie. According to police, the body of McKie was discovered in the Brighton area yesterday morning.

No other detailed information was forthcoming up to press time.

Brighton was recently the scene of the shooting death of Rawlson Williams of Questelles.

Williams was shot and killed by police following an exchange of gunfire. (DDD) Barnet Mc Kie’s body was found yesterday morning.

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

attorney Ronald Marks had written to the High Court, requesting that the matter be set for case management directions.

Nicholls claims that Eustace made defamatory remarks about her, while speaking as a caller to the ‘AM MAYHEM’, broadcast on Hot FM radio and hosted by Christopher ‘2 Kool Chris’ Jones, on April 23 and 24 last year.

The former secretary claims that during the call on April 23, Eustace stated that he had paid her severance pay as ordered by the Appeals Tribunal of the Department of Labour, but he added, “The New Democratic Party administration will have no

tolerance for corruption and petty theft”.

According to Nicholls, during another call to the programme on April 24, Eustace stated, “Look, what happen is that she took money that she should not have taken, many times”.

In two letters to Eustace, both dated November 12, 2014, the law firm of Marks and Marks demanded, on Nicholl’s behalf, that Eustace issue public apologies on the same radio programme and in the local newspapers for the statements made; that he fully retract the statements and publicly admit they are untrue.

Continued on Page 22.

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