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FRIDAY,

AUGUST 28, 2015

VOLUME 109, No.35

www.thevincentian.com

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FIRE TRUCKS NOT YET HANDED OVER company Oshkosh in the United States, have not yet been handed over by THREE FIRE TRUCKS, the company. bought by the state for the The fire chief Argyle International explained that this was Airport, could not be used based on an agreement to contain and extinguish between the company a fire which destroyed and the state, due to the three unoccupied buildings fact that the in the Halifax International Airport is Street/Egmont Street not yet operational. area, Kingstown last Browne represented Sunday. the state in the Superintendent Isaiah discussions with the Browne, head of the Fire company, following Department of the Royal which the agreement was St. Vincent and the reached.

Grenadines Police Force “They (Company) are (RSVGPF), made that still responsible for them clear, while speaking to (fire trucks), basically, so THE VINCENTIAN on that is why they could Wednesday. not be used”, the fire Browne said that chief said. He gave no those fire-trucks, which details of the discussions. were bought from the Browne’s comments

by HAYDN HUGGINS and DAYLE DA SILVA

The inferno that engulfed yet another building in Kingstown last Sunday.

The Fire trucks airmarked for use at the Argyle International Airport have not yet been handed over by the company, according to Fire Chief Superintendent Isaiah Browne. came in response to questions raised in some circles as to why those firetrucks were not used.

The trucks, according to the senior officer, are housed at the E.T.

Joshua Airport, Arnos Vale to ensure that they are properly secured.

They had arrived in the state last November.

Browne also reiterated that all the operating fire trucks are always filled with water, refuting claims in some circles that fire appliances turn up at fire scenes without water and that they sometimes appear to be leaking, and he is inviting members of the public to come and inspect the trucks for themselves.

“If they don’t have water it is an indictment on the Fire Department, and the person in charge would have to take the responsibility”, he said.

In an interview with THE VINCENTIAN last week, deputy Fire Chief, Assistant Superintendent Joel James said, “All our fire

trucks are always filled with water, even before they return to base”.

According to James, “There is a system in place in the tanks, which is called an overflow, so when the tanks are filled, the water will flow over, and that is the water you would see from time to time flowing from the truck to the ground”.

The story, headlined ‘Fire officer: Our tanks always filled’, was carried on page 6 of last Friday’s publication of THE VINCENTIAN. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said at Tuesday’s session in Parliament, that the fire trucks were yet to be commissioned, and could not be used.

He responded to a question raised by the Leader of the Opposition,

Head of the Fire Department of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, Superintendent Isaiah Browne.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has made it clear that the trucks could not be used.

Arnhim Eustace, to explain to the country why the fire department is continuing to attempt Continued on Page 3.

See Story on Page 7.

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2. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Digicel to establish call centre

The application process begins.

Left: Digicel personnel addressing the gathering on Wednesday.

ONE OF THE BOLD promises made by Digicel, before launching into the monopoly controlled Caribbean telecommunications market, was to greatly improve the customer service experience of subscribers. They fulfilled that promise by establishing a 24/7 customer service line delivered through a Call Center when the company launched.

Digicel continues to deliver on its promises, with the establishment of a 50 seat Call Centre which should greatly improve the quality of service being offered here in SVG. The advertising for positions took place over a twoweek period which ended on August 21. A selection was made from a pool of 300 persons who were then screened via telephone.

In a two-day Job Fair hosted August 26 and 27, more than 160 persons who responded to newspaper, radio and social media advertising, began testing for competence in working at a Call Centre. To offer support for the event, several persons with Call Centre experience were brought in to assist with the selection process, and this was led by Ms. Kate Bell, Head of Digicel Group H.R. The Team supporting the recruitment fair included Monifa Hayden, the Recruitment Manager for Jamaica’s Call Centre, who has experience in Mass

Recruitment; Colletta McDonald, Call Centre Manager from St Lucia, and some of her Team Leaders, as well as support from Antigua.

Along with being tested, the applicants were introduced to the ‘Digicel way’ via corporate videos in which Chairman Denis O’Brien shared how Digicel came into being, and his vision for the company. They also saw the huge community involvement of Digicel, both in the Caribbean and Pacific, and Digicel’s sponsorship of personalities like Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world.

The SVG Call Centre will serve St. Vincent & The Grenadines by handling local and regional outbound and incoming calls.

“This is a phenomenal opportunity for Digicel’s customers and the new employees,” says country manager John Gidharry.

“We see the establishment of this entity, not only as an extension of Digicel’s focus on enhanced customer service experience, and even more importantly, as a boost of local employment. This call centre demonstrates our continued commitment to the Vincentian community and our customers alike.”

The Centre is scheduled to commence operations in its location in Kingstown on October 1, 2015.

V News 3 Library gets Colombian gift

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY USERS OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY can get a taste of Colombian novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s work. Camillo Gonsalves, this country’s Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Commerce and Information Technology Minister, handed over a number of Marquez’s publications to Michelle KingCampbell, Director of National Libraries last Wednesday. The editions include ‘No one writes to the Colonel,’ ‘Leaf Storm,’ ‘The General in his Labyrinth,’ ‘One hundred years of solitude,’ ‘Chronicle of Death foretold,’ ‘The Autumn of the Patriarch,’

and ‘The story of a shipwrecked sailor.’

Marquez, born Aracataca, veered into a path of journalism, having begun studies in law at the National University of Colombia.

His works have achieved critical acclaim and widespread commercial success. He was the 1982 Nobel Prize Literature winner, which came as a vindication of his estrangement in his native country.

Marquez’s life was a testimony of the true Latin American revolutionary. His perception of life drew him in conflict with some circles. He

Fire trucks not yet handed over Continued from Front page. to fight fires with the existing fire trucks, when the three which have been purchased to be stationed at the International Airport were sitting idle.

“I understand that we had the same problem with the fire truck not functioning as it should,” Eustace said.

This prompted him to raise the question, and he said that he was asking the government why are the trucks not being used.

“Why should we have water leaking out of hoses, hindering our ability to deal with fires?

“What happen to the trucks here awaiting the opening of the airport? They should be

used in the meantime, and I am asking that question now for the government to answer,” Eustace said.

But while the prime minister said that the query made by the leader of the opposition was a legitimate one, he (Gonsalves) congratulated the fire fighters who prevented the fire from spreading to the building in which the Registry is now housed.

He further explained that if there was a fire which occurred at the E.T. Joshua Airport, and required the use of one of the new trucks, then the International Airport Development Company (IADC) has granted permission for the truck(s) to be used.

fled Colombia in 1981 having been deemed something of an activist because of his independent and nationalist outlook. His close relationship with Fidel Castro placed him on the prohibited column.

The Colombian government planned to arrest him after a trip to Cuba, and charge him with financially supporting the M-19, an in Colombia.

Mexico granted him asylum, and the French Government awarded him the Legion of Honour.

He was labelled as a subversive, and denied visa by the United States Immigration Authorities.

President Bill Clinton lifted the ban on Marquez, and endorsed his works as a writer. Marquez is credited for the visual and graphic manner that his language produced.

On his death April 17, 2014, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos described Marquez as “the greatest Colombian who ever lived.”

Senator Gonsalves thanked

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. 3.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Commerce and Information Technology, Camillo Gonsalves (left) presents a copy of ‘One hundred years of solitude’ by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, to Director of National Libraries Michelle KingCampbell. the government and people of Colombia for their donation of the copies. Sixty-three of the books are in English, and for

those with a Spanish background or inclination, there are 15 copies.

PM responds to allegations of causing fire PRIME MINISTER Dr Ralph Gonsalves has responded to critics on social media who accused him of being involved in causing the fire which destroyed government buildings in Kingstown that formerly housed a number of ministries and departments.

“They say that Ralph set the fire – what is the reason why Ralph set the fire?

According to them, because I want to declare a state of emergency, and I want to have the elections postponed,” Gonsalves said during the meeting of Parliament last Tuesday.

But the fact of the matter was that the former electoral office had nothing to do with the general elections.

The ballot boxes and other

facilities used are kept at the new office which was relocated to a building on Bay Street.

“All it requires one internet crazy to write something like that and others follow them blindly over the hill of infamy and falsehood,” Gonsalves said.

Further deliberation required

by DAYLE DA SILVA CABINET WAS EXPECTED to receive another report when it met last Wednesday on the matter as it related to issue between residents and some entrepreneurs who operate food and entertainment spots along the main road at Arnos Vale.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves told THE VINCENTIAN that the matter has now involved area representative Cecil McKie and Minister of Agriculture, Saboto Caesar.

The other parties, including the department of health and planning, are still engaged, as they ought to under law, are still involved in the matter, the prime minister added.

But while the objective is to try not to shut anyone down, Gonsalves said that they have been advised by the Attorney General, and the business owners need to operate within the guidelines of the planning and health laws.

“And this is the last chance for them (entrepreneurs) to deal with the issue, to say to

them that a case will be prepared,” he said.

According to Gonsalves, the idea was for the entrepreneurs to conduct their business in a fashion that it does not have a negative effect on the residents in the area.

The issue was highlighted in the August 14 publication of THE VINCENTIAN, where some residents in the area complained about problems relating to loud music, smoke, traffic, rodents and dust.

Residents along the main road, often referred to as a strip, have been affected by three establishments offering

food that is cooked on an open grill, and by the noise.

One resident complained about the smoke, saying that she was forced to keep her windows closed; while another resident complained about music, smoke and traffic, saying that he is inconvenienced by patrons who frequent one of the three spots, by having to wait for lengthy periods of time in trying to return to his home.

Ian Trotman, one of the three business men, said that he was going to pay heed to the complaints and make the

One of the areas in Arnos Vale where an issue was raised between residents and entrepreneurs in the area, as highlighted in the August 14th, 2015 edition of THE VINCENTIAN. necessary adjustments.

A committee has been formed, headed by Minister of Housing, Montgomery Daniel, and a meeting held bringing residents and the

business owners together, but had no result.

The matter was subsequently taken to Cabinet for further deliberation.

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4. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Another raging fire in Kingstown! moved in ‘rapidly’ to provide necessary sustenance for fire fighters and other persons engaged in putting out the fire out. This came by way of bottled water, coffee, tea, hot dogs and so on. As reported to THE VINCENTIAN, they would normally respond to situations like these to provide that service. The previous Sunday, they had also turned up to give The fire consumed the building which was assistance when the Coreas Food Mart burned down. This formerly occupied by the Ministry of week, they stated that they were Mobilization, and spread to the previous not called, but saw the billowing Department of Audit and Treasury. smoke from the Arnos Vale Playing Field area where they

by GLORIAH… were engaged in sporting activities.

Also, the disaster brought together ANOTHER INFERNAL DISASTER has workers and volunteers who pitched in occurred in capital Kingstown on a as a team with the singular goal of fateful Sunday afternoon. Last Sunday, putting out the fire and limiting the 23rd August, ferocious flames, accompanied by high- reaching billows of extent of ruin, especially to neighbouring buildings. As a result, smoke, could be seen coming from the the High Court Registry and abandoned building on Egmont Street Ministerial Buildings were left which once housed the Electoral Office unscathed. Persons actively engaged on the ground floor. It then spread up and over to the adjoining building which in the exercise included officers from formerly was occupied by the Ministry of the Special Services Unit, firefighters, other police officers and workers from National Mobilization, and ending at the St. Vincent Electricity Services. what was, for many years, the Several civil servants also made Departments of Audit and Treasury. themselves available.

Fire!

The bad news!

Only one week ago, on Sunday, 19th August, the Coreas Hazells Inc. Food Mart was gutted after what could easily have been called a raging fire.

A raging inferno consuming any building is serious business, whether or not the building is occupied or abandoned, and while this last fire consumed only abandoned buildings, others nearby like the Registry of the High Court and the Ministerial Building housing the SVG Post, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, and the offices of the Service Commissions, came under serious threat.

The fire, which is rumoured to have started shortly after five o’clock, by seven o’clock, still proved to be a daunting enemy to the ardent firefighters. The area of the Audit and Treasury Department was almost completely extinguished, but the former Electoral Office building challenged them to prove their mettle.

In several instances, it could be seen that temporary cessation of water from the fire tenders was followed by extremely huge flames reaching into serious heights far above the roof of the building. These flames were seen trumping the billowing smoke, but by this time that had become the way the fire was responding. By midday Monday, firefighters were still on the scene.

Upon investigation, it was noted that the pitch pine flooring that formed the basis of these buildings which have been around long before the 1950s, could have been partly responsible for the continuous blaze. Additionally, the thousands of records said to have been stored in some of the buildings could surely have helped the continuation of the fire.

The good news The Rapid Relief Team had

Many curious spectators had also gathered to witness the fire, some of them having been witnesses to the previous one the Sunday before.

Casual conversations among them unearthed several curious questions: “Is this an accident or is it a pattern?”

“Who could have done a thing like this?” “Are there any important records remaining in those buildings, the lack of which could create problems in the future?” And there were many more. As to the cause of the fire, one woman was bold enough to put forward her own hypothesis, “Is a crack-head!” Though funny, the incidence of vagrants and other individuals making use of such buildings as sleeping quarters, was thrown into question.

Additionally, it appeared to bystanders that the firefighting equipment was inadequate. Many were enraged, but the firefighters surely made the best of what they had.

There are many other negatives that could have come out of the incident. It may now be time to accelerate the development of the area, seeing that, according to Senator Julian Francis as he spoke on SVGTV this week, the fire had accelerated the process of planned renovation to these buildings.

The Rapid Relief Team ensured that water and food items were distributed to the hard workers battling the fire.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. 5.

News

Oil prices fall again

general election, the oilbased economy of that CARICOM member is threatened by once again falling oil prices.

Oil prices fell late last week to a fresh six-year low — US40.80 a barrel — the lowest since the tumble of March 2, 2009.

The current price (US$40.80) falls well below the US$45 a barrel price on which the national budget of T&T is pegged. As expected, this has given rise to concerns about how the T&T Finance Minister Larry Howai is resulting sharp drop in revenue from oil will optimistic in light of a projected affect T&T’s economy. increase in oil prices.

One organization to AS TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO express concern was the HEADS into a September 7 Energy Chamber of T&T,

which has called for a plan of adjustment to suit the price fall.

“The fall in oil prices is obviously a major concern for the industry, and should be a major concern for all of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. The oil and gas industry is the driving force of our economy and represents the major source of Government revenue and of foreign currency,” the Energy Chamber said in a public release.

Finance Minister Larry Howai assured the nation that his Government has been monitoring the matter very closely, and was optimistic based on the fact that, “the overall fiscal position has been better than expected for the first nine months of the financial year….”

caution by political leaders Howai pointed to the Futures market as reflecting and careful management.

“Policy makers will need to a potential recovery in the carefully decide on coming months to about expenditure cutting strategies US$50, and said that and avenues to increase government was “not sanguine about this and have revenue flows in the non-oil sector,” he said. been using much more conservative numbers in preparing next year’s national budget.”

Meanwhile, Dr Roger Hosein, Senior Economics Lecturer at UWI, St. Augustine, added his voice in support of the concern, and suggested Energy Chamber of T&T is calling for that there measures to deal with the current lowest was need for price of oil since 2002

Jamaican in Booker Prize race MARLON JAMES IS THE FIRST Jamaicanborn novelist nominated for the prestigious Man

Booker Prize.

The Booker Prize is a literary prize awarded each year, since 1969, for

the best original novel, written in the English language and published in the UK. In addition to

the profile boost that winning the awards brings, it also carries a prize of £50,000.

James’s nomination to the’ longlist’ of nominees is for his latest historical novel, ‘A Brief History of Seven Killings’, which uses the true story of an attempt on the life of Bob Marley to explore the turbulent politics of Jamaica in the 1970s.

According to the BBC, ‘the book contains everything from CIA men fearful of a Communist takeover to an American music journalist desperate to interview the reggae superstar (Bob Marley) of the world’.

James was born in 1970 and says the “the story (Seven Killings) starts in a time I can just about recall. Even so, there was a whole lot of research involved. But probably I couldn’t write about Jamaica as it is today: it’s changed in the years I’ve been in America.

“But the Jamaica of the 1970s was a place I needed to get down on paper. There was a hell of a lot going on.”

James now teaches English at Macalester College in St Paul, Minnesota. ‘Seven Killings’ is his third novel and has had excellent reviews, both for its audacious structure and for its insight into a part of the world which seldom features on bestseller

The attempt on Bob Marley’s life forms a major reference point for the book.

lists.

The author will discover on 15 September if the book has made it to this year’s Man Booker shortlist.

The winner will be announced a month after that.

The big talking point of Seven Killings has been the elements James borrowed from the life of Bob Marley - specifically the incident in December 1976 when a group of would-be killers shot and wounded him, his wife Rita and his manager, Don Taylor.

Interestingly, in the book, Marley is referred to only as The Singer.

Marley was shot at in 1976.

Common opinion was that the attack was politically-motivated.

Marley was about to take part in a concert in support of Prime Minister Michael

Marlon James, Jamaican born, has delved into the turbulent 1970s of his homeland, in his latest publication for which he is nominated for the Man Booker Prize.

Manley. The 1970s saw lethal clashes between Manley supporters and gangs linked to the opposition Jamaica Labour Party, led by Edward Seaga.

No one died, but Bob Marley quit Jamaica and spent the next two years in Britain.

The only Caribbeanborn writer to have won the Man Booker Prize is V. S. Naipualk, in 1971, for his short story, ‘In a Free State’.

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6. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Field officers get more Black Sigatoka training The workshop will be seeking to today some are returning. confidence, we have to show farmers build capacity among teams in the And although the sector has been that it can be managed,” he said.

Ministry of Agriculture and banana plagued with the dreaded Black The course, for some, entails and plantain organisations, extension Sigatoka disease since 2009, farmers material that would have previously officers and farmers. are coming back, and the disease is been covered; however Vanloo said Participants will be involved in a under control. that some new measures were combination of classroom, laboratory Sylvester Vanloo, the Banana included, especially seeing that and field sessions, and will focus on Services Unit Coordinator, explained authorities here were open to new the pathological cycle of the disease, that local authorities have adopted an methods of dealing with the disease. epidemiology, integrated disease integrated approach to controlling the Coordinator of the two week management, climatic forecasting disease, unlike what he saw in training workshop, Sharon Jones methods and measuring disease Colombia back in 1987 when the explained that aspects of the workshop intensity, with the view towards authorities there used chemicals. will enable participants to understand developing and sustaining and But even as levels are down the crop, and they will be taught to detecting strategies for the country. regarding the Black Sigatoka, Vanloo understand the disease.

The workshop is one of three said that some farmers still lacked “It empowers them to understand actions taking place under the confidence. the enemy; it’s a very important CARDI/CDB funded project.

“In order that we regain this programme,” she said.

Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar explained that the banana industry, since the end of preferential Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar treatment in 1992 has been arguments put THE LEADER of the problematic.

Stories by DAYLE DA SILVA Opposition has defended his forward by the According to Caesar, prime minister between 1990 and 2001, some party’s decision not to A TWO-WEEK TRAINING WORKSHOP during the debate attend the meetings of the 4,000 farmers left the banana aimed at strengthening the capacity to on the Bill which select committee to discuss industry and have since end deal with the Black Sigatoka Disease, the Geothermal Bill, saying took place in the of preferential markets, but was held here on Monday.

House earlier this that Prime Minister Dr Ralph month.

Gonsalves Gonsalves and his announced earlier team never attended any select that the Opposition New Democratic committee Party (NDP) was meetings during not present at any his (Gonsalves) time in opposition. of the five select committee meetings “We have gone that were held to almost all, and Opposition Leader Arnhim before the Bill was made our Eustace has made it clear that the debated. contribution,” opposition’s actions have merit.

But Eustace said Eustace said on that he stated reasons why the opposition, the foreign Monday on the companies brought in to the opposition was not in New Times radio support of the Bill that will assist in the project have program. invested up to 75 percent. give way for the “I just want to He further contended remind him, and I construction of a that the interest rate would geothermal plant here. repeat it here, he be decided by the investor “We attempted to show never used to come why we did not support the company, and that the state to any select geothermal bill, not that we would become heavily committee are against geothermal, but indebted to and dependent meetings when he on these two investor the way the bill was was in opposition. designed, we didn’t think it companies.

“We have “And I am saying to the was in the best interest of supported bills the people of St Vincent and people, we have to watch more than any this exercise as it the Grenadines, and we other political progresses, because we party in opposition voted against it,” Eustace could be in danger of losing said. in the past. And VINLEC in the same way He had previously when we oppose, we lost the National announced that he would we oppose for a not support the Bill because Commercial Bank, and I reason,” Eustace he was not pleased with the want to add, under no explained. circumstances am I financing arrangement of He continued, supporting this project,” the project. saying that he According to the leader of Eustace emphasized. listened to the

We oppose for a reason

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. 7.

News

The search is on for the next set of Queen’s Young Leaders their skills to transform lives. Winners of this prestigious Award will receive a YOUNG PEOPLE between the ages of 18- unique package of training, mentoring and networking, including a one-week 29 who are using their skills to assist their communities, are being encouraged residential programme in the UK, during which they will collect their to apply for the prestigious Award from Her Majesty The Queen.

Commonwealth Queen’s Young Leaders With this support, Award winners will Award. be expected to continue and develop The 2015 Queen’s Young Leaders Award winner, Kenville Horne, said he the amazing work they are already doing in their communities. would love to see someone from As well as awarding inspirational St.Vincent and the Grenadines winning the award again. Horne made young people, Queen’s Young Leaders History earlier this year when he was Grants will be made to organisations in selected Commonwealth countries selected as one of 60 young persons from within the commonwealth region that can show they are improving the lives of young people. The vision is to to win the award in its first year. He provide opportunities for young people was the only person from St. Vincent to learn new skills, enter employment, and the Grenadines, and one of eight and give them a voice in their youths from the Caribbean to do so.

The Queen’s Young Leaders Award communities.

Horne, a Reporter with THE recognizes and celebrates exceptional VINCENTIAN newspaper, won the people, aged 18-29 from across the award for starting a sports-based Commonwealth, who are taking the programme, the Kenville Horne Sports lead in their communities and using Academy, for at risk and

by KENVILLE HORNE

DPP appeals Chief MagistrateÊs decision

by HAYDN HUGGINS THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has appealed Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias’ decision to uphold a no case submission by attorney Ronald Marks in a matter involving an alleged drug seizure at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Postal Corporation, November 11, 2014.

DPP Colin Williams made the confirmation when contacted by THE VINCENTIAN this week.

The matter involved Michelle Davis, 45, of Harmony Hall, who was charged with possession of 1,465 grams of marijuana for the purpose of drug trafficking, possession of the drug with intent to supply, and attempting to export the drug.

Davis was cleared of the charges at the Serious Offences Court last Friday, August 21, after the Chief Magistrate upheld the submission.

The DPP told THE VINCENTIAN that for now, the only ground of appeal is that, “The learned Magistrate misdirected herself in law, and erred in upholding the submission”.

Williams explained that this ground would be elaborated on at the appeal hearing.

However, Marks told THE VINCENTIAN, when contacted, “I think that the Magistrate made the right decision in law. I don’t think that the appeal would be successful”, Marks had submitted on July 20 this year, that the prosecution did not make out all the ingredients of the offences with regard to possession; they failed to establish custody and control; and with regard to trafficking and attempting to export, they failed to make out the essential elements of knowledge. The matter was adjourned for Senior Prosecutor Adolphus

Delpleche to respond.

In his response last Friday, Delpleche pointed out, “The ingredients for possession have two elements — the mental element and the physical element.

The mental element has to do with knowledge, and the physical DPP Colin element is control Williams or custody”.

Delpleche noted that Davis had given a caution statement to the police, tendered in evidence, in which she said somebody had given her a package to drop off at the Postal Corporation, and she did so, not knowing what was in the package.

“While knowledge is not something you could touch or feel, you could draw an inference from a set of facts and circumstances”, the prosecutor argued.

Delpleche pointed out that in this case, the evidence is that a note pad was found at a house where Davis was occupying, and that note pad which Davis admitted belonged to her, had the address which was written on the package found at the Post Office, containing the marijuana.

Delpleche argued, “A jury properly directed, can convict on those set of facts and circumstances.

“One cannot relinquish possession overnight because of the requirement in law to constitute possession”.

Davis had been jointly charged with Michael Cozier, 30, also of Harmony Hall; but Cozier was cleared on the no case submission July 20. The Senior Prosecutor had conceded that he had no case to answer.

disadvantaged youths in the community of Rose Hall. Horne is currently undergoing a one-year online scholarship from the prestigious University of Cambridge in England.

In June, he travelled to the UK for a one week residential programme, where he and the other Young Leaders visited Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street, visited Twitter UK headquarters and the BBC World Service. Additionally, he had the rare opportunity of visiting Buckingham Palace, where he collected his Award from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Horne said the award has offered him an insight into youth development and leadership that he could have never imagined. He said he has been working on building his network, based on the important contacts he has made while in England, and the generous businesses that have been showing an interest to help with the develop of the youths. He said he would like to see his program grow to include more youths. “It is imperative that young people become involved in community development, because the community is where we need to start if we are to create meaningful change among our youths,” declared Horne.

He expressed thanks to the Queen Diamond Jubilee Trust, Comic Relief,

Kenville Horne meets Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on his visit to Buckingham Palace in June. the Royal Commonwealth Society and all those who made the Queen’s Young Leaders programme a reality.

As he appeals for persons to apply, the Queen’s Young Leader said that they need to have proven experience in working to improve their communities locally, regionally or at a national level, and be able to show evidence of their achievements. Applicants must be aged between 18 and 29 throughout 2016; and their date of birth must fall within 1st January 1987 — 1st January 1998. For more information, visit www.queensyoungleaders.com or hagtag #thesearchison.

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8. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 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

Two issues IT SEEMS THAT THE LATEST CEO of LIAT is not afraid of singlehandedly taking on the public, unlike his predecessor (Brunton), who had the chairmen of both the airline’s owners and directors to defend him.

Given our new CEO’s courage, we’ll blow kudos his way. David Evans, by the way, comes highly recommended as having overseen the restructuring of a few airlines, which have since seen the end of their days.

But that is another story… nothing further at this time.

So, during the last month or so, we have had two major developments in the ongoing saga of our ‘favourite airline’ — i.e. the challenge, as our Prime Minister would remind us, ‘of keeping LIAT in the air’.

Issue One: CEO Evans confirmed that at least one LIAT aircraft has been relocated to Barbados, in keeping with the airline’s strategic plan aimed at effecting administrative and operational adjustments.

This move comes even as Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, had voiced concern about the move to relocate two LIAT aircraft from Antigua, LIAT’s aircraft base and administrative headquarters, to Barbados.

This plan, readers will recall, was reported as being received as second hand information by PM Browne.

In the absence of any word to the contrary, we are to assume that Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Chairman of the owners (governments), has had his way with PM Browne, whom he (Gonsalves) had warned that nothing and nobody were going to change the decision taken to de-emphasise LIAT operations out of Antigua and Barbuda, in favour of Barbados and Trinidad.

The expected fallout of this relocation, worker retrenchment, is addressed, or so Mr. Evans disclosed, by the offer of and acceptance by workers, of voluntary separation packages.

Mr. Evans could not or did not think himself obligated to provide answers when quizzed about the contents of the packages, and/or the number of employees who had accepted the separation packages.

Are we, shareholders of this company, not to be made privy to such settlements? Are we not to know the degree (cash or kind) to which we are committing ourselves to these workers, deserving as they are?

How is LIAT able to afford these packages? Are we to expect a further injection of cash from hard-hit economies like SVG? Have we not used, within all reasons, the resources of our cash cows (NIS, etc.) to keep LIAT ‘in the air’?

Issue Two: CEO David Evans confirmed that LIAT has leased two of the ATR (French) aircraft it sold recently. The move, in Evans’ words, was “a routine manoeuvre in the aviation industry.” He ought to know.

Some of us were simply unaware that LIAT had previously sold some of its newly acquired aircraft.

What this means is that of the nine ATR aircraft that comprise its fleet, LIAT is now leasing six and effectively owns only three.

These behind the scenes business decisions were eventually relayed to the regional public with the assurance that the airline had received the approval from its creditors, the Caribbean Development Bank, to enter into this sell-leaseback arrangement.

It was, readers will recall, the CDB which financed LIAT’s re-fleeting exercise about two years ago, with loans guaranteed by owner governments.

CEO Evans is correct that the sell and leaseback practice is not uncommon among airlines. In the Caribbean, we can refer to a similar arrangement under which the T&T-owned CAL operates.

Evans purports that the sale and leaseback arrangement has allowed LIAT “to raise some capital for the business.”

Tell us, Mr. Evans, how does this work, and how much capital has LIAT raised or envisions it can raise?

Further, what are the new arrangements with the ATR manufacturers and/or suppliers? We take it, in our ignorance, that this leaseback arrangement will mean a whole new contractual arrangement. Wouldn’t it be instructive if we were informed thus?

We understand that we will retain responsibility for maintenance of the aircraft — leased and owned. This is a major undertaking that would have obtained in the original purchase contract. How then are we benefiting from the new arrangements? How are we cutting costs other than by retrenchment? Enlighten us, please.

And further, are there any adjustments in the loan arrangements with the CDB? Unlikely, since a loan is a loan, until such time as it is written off.

And therein lies the reality of the situation, for every citizen of each Caribbean country that ‘owns’ LIAT — the loans remains, and we are obligated to service it, sell or leaseback; same old khaki pants.

Oil prices are down. Are airfares down?

How the NDP treated the “ULP” Public Servants (Pt 2) IN THE BOILERROOMS of the service itself, persons have been readily promoted without thought of their party affiliation, provided they met the objective criteria of competence, committedness and integrity.

Amazingly, this policy has been more or less followed, even where their personnel all but wore party labels on their sleeves, and despite the constant leakage of confidential matters to Mr. Beache via one of his “little white angels”.

It needs to be added that none of these people ever brought their party allegiance (if any) to bear on the work they were called on to perform. We are dealing with perception and image, not actuality or reality.

Personages such as Evelyn Jackson and Carmen Jack might have moved in Labour circles, but that did not stop them from earning the respect of PM Mitchell, or gaining elevation respectively to the posts of Accountant-General and Budget Director, where they drew praise for their distinguished service.

Nor did the political orientation of their husbands in any way adversely affect the promotional prospects of Aberdine Browne (Principal Nursing Officer), Laura Browne (Deputy-Chief Education Officer), or Lynette Glasgow (Director of Sports).

In like manner, the impressive Tyrone Burke was appointed our youngest Primary School Principal, when it was known by all and sundry that he was a political protégé of Dr. Gonsalves.

Headmaster Hugh Wyllie was granted study leave at precisely the moment that his name publicly appeared as being under consideration for ULP candidacy in North Leeward.

There was, of course, the celebrated case of Mrs Pam Browne, wife of Marriaqua Labour strongman Ken Browne resigning as Assistant Secretary to tend family business interest, only to be later taken back on board in the berth she had left.

In the last years, Winfield Williams, a former secretary of the Labour Party, and editor of its organ, was appointed Headmaster of the Grammar School.

Even when Labour launched its candidate at the Victoria Park in November 1997, the organisers could include in their programme of entertainment an item by Martin Quashie, a civil servant working in the Department of Culture.

Such a climate of political freedom never obtained in Labour’s days; yet persons have already begun to take their liberty for granted.

The Godwin Daniel Story Godwin Daniel, a strong supporter of the ULP, had successfully applied to be

transferred from Agricultural Planner to a parallel but more exciting post as secretary of the Agriculture Development Corporation of which the Chairman was a defeated NDP candidate Juan George.

It so happened that Daniel hit it off with his hard-working minister Marcus De Freitas, who took along Daniel with him to attend a series of conferences without the knowledge of George who had grown jealous of Daniel.

The upshot was that Daniel was dismissed from the ADC. As Chairman of the PSC, I informed Daniel that the Commission was not about to confirm his dismissal from the service, for which there was not sufficient ground, and advised him of our decision to accommodate him in his substantive post as Agricultural Planner at the same salary as Secretary to the ADC. Daniel refused our offer for as long as six months, claiming instead that substantial compensation was due for his unlawful dismissal from the ADC. Whether it was pique, hatred of the NDP, or the fact that just about this time, Daniel had bought some fertile banana lands from Mc Longheed and wished to concentrate as a planter rather than as an Administrator, he persisted in his folly.

Daniel lost the legal dispute. As a matter of interest on the Government side, were the Attorney General Parnel Campbell and Judith Morgan, the current Attorney General.

The sad fact is that Prime Minster Mitchell and Minister Marcus De Freitas, so far from dismissing Daniel for his politics, were actually saddened by the steps he had taken.

Any future NDP administration would behave in the same way as the Mitchell regime did. Fair is Fair.

An honest Godwin Daniel would admit that throughout his tryst, he remained always on good terms with Mitchell, De Freitas and me. It was different with the Chairman of the ADC. The game was played wrongly, and Daniel suffered as a result; but this was not a case of political victimisation by a long stretch.

An even worse scenario appeared in the allegation that the PSC had frowned on the applications of Dr. Malcolm Samuel and Dr. Malcolm Grant for post-grads schools because their respective fathers were antiNDP. In fact, their applications had been forwarded by the PSC to the awardgranting territories, and turned down by them, not the PSC which merely reported them, The records are there in support of what took place. But the wanton victimisation of the doctors formed a plank on the platform of anti-NDP propaganda for elections of 1998 and 2001!

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. 9.

Letters

Have we already crossed the line?

THERE ARE a few Middle Eastern and African cultures today, less well disposed to rationality, that support and encourage female mutilation (female circumcision). I doubt that practice would get much traction in St. Vincent, nor would polygamy, also affirmed and legally supported by the same dozens of African and Middle Eastern countries; nor would those same country’s laws that restrict or prohibit any form of Christian Evangelism.

new notion; Roman Republican Law reflected the same thing. Goth, Christian, Illyrian, Greek, Black, slave or free, you were equal before Roman law as a human being. It may have been easier as a Roman Patrician to win a case against a female slave; but in the eyes of Roman law, they approached the court as equals, as human beings, having certain basic rights.

All that got lost in the dark ages, with the collapse of learning and the rise of Church Law and superstition. Witches and heretics got executed, women were commanded to serve their husbands, and the law became whatever the are not Kalinagu or Galinagu, that are then ruling tyrant trying to divide us for their own (and/or the Church) devious purposes. decreed.

If we the Kalinagu and Galinagu But didn’t all that end people are having problems, it should with the rise of be left to us to settle our differences rationality, the triumph among ourselves. History has shown that when the people from outside get involved in our business, it is only to divide and conquer us. We must never allow ourselves to fall for that trap.

WOE TO YOU EVIL shepherds, woe to you evil The fact is that many of these outsiders look down upon us and treat pastors. You teach Yahweh people lie. You us like strangers and second class citizens in our own country. My people won’t even teach them the true Sabbath. You tell Kalinagu and Galinagu are one of the same, and there cannot be one without them, “Any day will do”, but I ask you this the other. Love Among Ourselves question. What was good Always!!!!!! enough for the Creator, is it good enough for you? So Wellington C Ramos run little sheep, and run little lambs.

Editor’s Note: Perhaps Mr. Ramos Those full of Yahweh’s could have been more specific about anointing, run from the what he means by ‘Outsiders’.

Church of Babylon, so they do not cave in on you.

So Yahweh can fill you with Yahweh fire of the Holy Spirit. For the churches of Babylon say one religion is the same as another. They tell you that God is just love, one world; religion is the next step to the anti-Christ.

Oh, it is true Yahweh has a few churches. Oh, but so very few are full of Yahweh’s holy spirit.

Yahweh speaks to the people in them. Now go to your pastors and tell them the truth. Remind them of the Ten Commandments Yahweh has given you, and remind them that the Sabbath was set up from creation. When Yahweh formed this world, then that pastor will be held

Those codes and sanctions would be anathema to most Vincentians.

Yet, those are the same countries that St. Vincent has chosen to ally itself with, when it insists on proscribing same-sex activity, or enthusiastically, through intellectual incapacity rooted in tribal convictions and superstition, moves toward the election of a divinely anointed national leader. Does this not divorce St. Vincent from its roots

with the European Enlightenment which provided this country with the basic freedoms and democracy it has a template for today?

The founders of modern democracy asserted that there are basic human rights, applicable to all humanity, regardless of ethnicity, race, sex, skin color, nationality, religion, etc. that may not be abrogated simply by the will or whim of a majority of an electorate.

That was not a radical

Garifuna nation is the best last hope for all Garifuna people AS A GARIFUNA person, I can assure everyone that we as Garifuna people see the Kalinagu people as one people.

We derived from the Kalinagu people, and without them, we would not have existed as the people now known as Garifuna.

For us, the word ‘Garinagu’ includes all of our people who came from the same ethnic stock. The Kalinagu numbers decreased due to the amount of them that died fighting against Spanish, French and British rule.

When I visited Saint Vincent & The Grenadines recently, I went to the community of Sandy Bay. I saw many of my people from the Kalinagu stock there. I also saw some of the people from the Galinagu stock as well. The relationship between these two groups was normal to me.

In fact, I sat down in a grocery store and spoke to members of both groups.

We had a very constructive conversation, and they welcomed me like theirs. It is only some people, who

of reason and the elimination of Divine Right to rule–-with the success of democratic principles and the acknowledgement of the equality of all individuals? Well, not in St. Vincent it didn’t.

On the one hand, we still have within an existing political party, those mindlessly in support of the anointing of a God-King, divinely chosen to rule, and pass on power to his progeny.

On the other hand, we have a nascent political party insisting on the God-mandated prosecution and punishment of people with a different sexual orientation. Toynbee was right; a demoralized people first lose faith in their society and then turn to the spiritual: superstition and myth, which leads us back into ignorance and the abandonment of

principled behavior.

So what was so wrong with the Inquisition, genital mutilation or, for that matter, police detention without charge or trial? Once you cross one line, it’s easy to cross another…and haven’t we already? I can smell the future already, and it stinks. Who am I to blow against the wind?

Jeremiah

Flee children for the Church of Babylon accountable, whether he teaches the congregation the truth. Yahweh looks in these churches of Babylon, and Yahweh sees nothing but dried up bones.

Yahweh looks on whose satanic throne carries a sceptre and wears a crown, issues his command, is worshipped by millions worldwide, and yet Yahweh’s Holy Spirit not inside. Instead, the anti-messiah spirit resides. There’s no Christ within.

Babylonian religions despise the true Sabbath for this man-made Sabbath. Yahweh’s true children must go to your pastors and warn them, and if they will not listen, then flee, for you will have proven that the Holy Spirit has truly spoken through these children for the churches of Babylon for they come crashing down.

The crystal cathedrals are a stench to Yahweh’s nostrils. Jeremiah 23:1 — ‘Woe to the shepherds that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture’, says Yahweh. Therefore, thus say Yahweh, the Elohim is Israel, against the

shepherd that feeds my people, you have scattered my flock, and driven them away, it will visit upon you the evil of your doing, says Yahweh.

Yahweh descendant

* Can we expect another round of distribution of lands before the general elections? * Why is the East Kingstown NDP constituency office still in Red and Yellow? Is this an indication of a real ‘Together Now’ policy that the NDP hopes to carry it through to victory; or is the NDP waiting for the ULP to repaint it? * Has there been an appreciable movement of money out of this country by nationals and corporations alike? * Anybody else notice how the ‘street vending issue’ is a dead issue in an election year?

Which one of the parties brave enough to make a statement and/or promise on this issue?

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10. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Geothermal development…. Economic game changer in the works THIS WEEK, WE BEGIN a three part series on the plans by the ULP administration, to development the geothermal sector in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We begin with a selection from the 2015 budget address delivered by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, which provides some Revolution has since successfully background to geothermal development completed her UNU studies and is here. currently working at the Energy Unit.

Another child of the Education Letter of Intent Revolution, a young man who Mr. Speaker, in January 2013, the successfully pursued a degree in Government of St. Vincent and the Mechanical Engineering, is currently at Grenadines signed a “Letter of Intent” a university in Mexico pursuing with Reykjavik Geothermal (RG) of graduate studies in the field of Iceland and Light and Power Holdings geothermal energy. It is the intention (LPH) owned by Emera of Canada, to of our government to send other pursue the development of a candidates for training in Geothermal geothermal project in St. Vincent and Engineering; currently we are holding the Grenadines. On May 21, 2013, the discussions on this very subject with three partners to the Letter of Intent universities in Australia and New held a “kick-off” meeting, which Zealand. We are determined to build included other relevant stakeholders. our nation’s capacity in this field of Following this meeting, a desktop study geothermal energy. was completed in June 2013 which included a review of previous Technical analysis geothermal feasibility reports, and a Mr. Speaker, the analysis of the 34 further analysis of VINLEC’s growth MT and TEM data occurred during projection and load profile. The January and February 2014. desktop study suggested that “La Simultaneously, RG and LPH were Soufriere” hosted a high temperature undertaking a series of technical geothermal reservoir of commercial activities to determine the size and size, and hence had the potential of feasibility of the geothermal source. generating 10-15 MW in Phase I of the Preliminary results were delivered in project. However, additional technical March 2014. In addition to these data and business information were activities, a baseline Environmental required to make a preliminary Analysis was completed in March 2014 investment decision. Clearly, the by a Vincentian, Dr. Reynold Murray. challenges to the project also had to be This consultancy was funded by the assessed including the costs associated Government of St. Vincent and the with the infrastructural improvements Grenadines, through a UNDP seed required due to the difficult terrain and fund. A further environmental and climate risks. All the technical work social impact analysis would be thus far on the project has had a required as the project develops. substantial cost which has been borne Mr. Speaker, further negotiations by the consortium of Reykjavik between our Government and the Geothermal and Light and Power consortium (RG and LPH) occurred in Holdings.

January — May 2014 on the terms of Consequent upon this further engagement going forward since the assessment report, and with the positive scientific report sparked a assistance of the Clinton Climate heightened interest from the Initiative, the original Letter of Intent consortium. This has necessitated more was amended and extended for a funding from the consortium. The further six months. All the terms of additional requisite funding occasioned this amendment were negotiated by all a further amendment to the Letter of the parties thereto at the Proskauer Intent; this amendment required, too, Law firm in New York. Following this, certain specific government obligations. the consortium was engaged in These negotiations created a delay in scientific surface exploration in the project schedule due to the identified areas so as to better delineate importance of a bundle of relevant the outer boundaries of the geothermal issues, particularly the determination, resource and identify a potential broadly, of a targeted domestic tariff geothermal plant site. The surface rate and the proposed corporate exploration phase ended in December structure. With the assistance of the 2013 and included 34 Magnetotellurgic negotiating team of experienced (MT) and Transient Electromagnetic “Proskauer” lawyers and the esteemed (TEM) sounding sites. All collected Mr. Ira Magaziner of the Clinton data were analysed in Iceland.

Climate Initiative, the terms of a new “Letter of Intent” was agreed by all Visit to Reykjavik and further training parties and signed on May 13, 2014.

In December 2013, the Director of This “Letter of Intent” evidenced a Energy, Mr. Ellsworth Dacon, who has mutual intention to proceed with all been admirably the central good faith negotiations designed to administrative driver of this project for develop the geothermal project in a the Government, visited Reykjavik manner outlined in the agreement.

Geothermal’s head office and several Although the terms of this new geothermal plants in Iceland to gather agreement cannot be publicly detailed firsthand knowledge of some of the because of a “confidentiality clause”, it relevant issues, including was agreed that an indicative business environmental concerns, associated plan for the Project will be submitted with geothermal development. On this

by RG and LPH to our government no visit Mr. Dacon also met officials at the later than March 30, 2015, and agreed United Nations University (UNU) to upon by all parties no later than May discuss training for eligible Vincentians 22, 2015. This vital Business Plan will as possible candidates for geothermal form the basis of the preliminary studies. The candidacy at this investment decision and shall contain University is globally competitive and detailed estimates of capital and candidate-selection is usually small. I operating costs, target tariffs, rates of am pleased to report that a young lady, return, and rates of taxation/royalties. from rural St. Vincent, a recent Given the project milestones and the graduate in Physics from UWI who is consortium’s approval for additional also pursuing a MSc degree in funding, further exploration was done geothermal studies, was selected for a of an additional 20MT/TEM sounding six-month course in Reservoir Analysis stations to fill the missing gaps of the at UNU. This child of the Education previous resistivity model.

The NDP and Energy BASED ON THE CURRENT discussion on geothermal energy, it is imperative that we remind Vincentians what the Honourable Arnhim Eustace said about energy in his Address at the NDP’s Convention in 2013.

“Reducing the cost of energy is a super priority of the New Democratic Party. It impacts everything:- cost of living for all the members of our population particularly the poor, and it is equally critical to the cost of doing business and therefore creating jobs.

Whether it be commercial or industrial businesses, or your home, energy must be used, and in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, energy is costly. We have to find mechanisms to reduce the cost of energy for the benefit of our population, and to improve the competitiveness of businesses.

I cannot say it enough. As you are aware, hundreds of people in SVG are at this moment without electricity because they have been cut off by VINLEC, and this causes much hardship for the poor and the not so poor. For the last twelve years, Gonsalves has been talking about alternative energy, and cheaper energy, and has accomplished nothing.

Gonsalves and his people have no credibility whatsoever on energy matters — and they are now taking us into dangerous waters.

First, let’s go back to 2005 when Petro Caribe was launched by Venezuela. In Jan 2006, Gonsalves touted the benefits of Petro Caribe, and he and all of his people told Vincentians that we would see reduced electricity prices. He said (from his 2006 budget presentation): ‘When the Petro Caribe arrangements are fully established, we would be sharing this increasing benefit with the consumer by offsetting a portion of the fuel price at the pump and in the fuel surcharge.’ Well, we have had absolutely no benefit. Remember at that time, that I had indicated that Gonsalves should have unsigned that agreement? The reality is that, when Gonsalves took office in 2001, a unit of electricity cost about 68 cents. Today, electricity is $1.05 cents a unit — almost double what it was!

Second, let’s look at the ways to reduce energy cost. One of the ways to reduce the cost is to develop our renewable energy sources, so we reduce the amount of expensive imported diesel fuel used to produce electricity. What has Gonsalves done over 12 years to develop renewable energy? Nothing!”

Therefore, we will reiterate that the NDP supports geothermal energy, but did not support the bill that was brought to parliament recently. The power plant will essentially be owned by the investors, where government will only have 25 percent share. As the Honourable Arnhim Eustace pointed out in his debate on the bill, “We will find ourselves dealing with persons who really control the funds that are available, and when we have energy to sell to our utility, they can determine those prices based on a rate of return that has to be agreed with those investors who are involved in the project.” The question that is being asked, under this agreement, will electricity be cheaper?

Now is also as good a time to remind Vincentians of the NDP’s plan for energy in this country; a plan that will ultimately bring long-term benefits to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Vision The new vision will focus on an action-oriented programme of development of our indigenous

sustainable energy sources, with emphasis on geothermal energy, wind and solar energy, as well as a commitment to energy efficiency — the efficient utilization of all of our energy which will positively impact on the lives of every Vincentian.

Geothermal Energy The NDP will pursue an aggressive agenda for development of our country’s geothermal energy resources by working with capable, proven private sector entities with the necessary track record in geothermal energy development. The objective for geothermal energy in St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be to: immediately commence a thorough investigation of the geothermal resource on mainland St. Vincent, and if the resource is proven, proceed to develop 20 — 50 MW geothermal base load power capacity on the mainland.

This capacity will: - dramatically reduce foreign exchange expenditure on imported fossil fuels; drastically cut national greenhouse gas emissions; and eliminate the fuel surcharge from customers’ electricity bills.

Wind Energy Preliminary wind regime measurements in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have indicated that wind energy is a readily-available resource that is going to waste. The new NDP administration will use regional bestpractices as a model for developing wind farms, using existing technology to provide affordable, environmentally sustainable electricity for businesses, institutions and homes in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Solar Energy Solar energy use at present in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is very limited in all sectors and will be expanded through the application of a coherent programme of tax and financial incentives. Hotels, businesses and households will get a tax write-off on the purchase of solar water heaters in the year of acquisition, and a NDP government will encourage local lending institutions to access EU low interest funding available for solar energy development. The NDP will undertake a pilot project to air condition a government building using solar energy, as part of a wider programme of developing an indigenous solar-cooling manufacturing and assembly industry, which will be able to produce solar cooling equipment for the CARICOM market.

Energy Efficiency Whatever the source of our energy, it needs to be used more efficiently. The NDP’s vision is to move the nation towards adopting a culture of energy efficiency. This will be led by example from government level, and will involve a comprehensive programme targeted at the transport, household, business and government sectors.

To improve the efficiency in the provision of energy on a multi island state such as ours, the NDP will work through our public utility, St. Vincent Electricity Services Ltd, to undertake a technical and economic feasibility study of the development of an interconnected national power grid, which will ultimately be powered in the medium term by a minimum of 90% renewable energy.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. 11.

Views

Caribbean Business Leadership

“Some in the Caribbean believe that the age of charismatic leadership is over.

Others believe it will not be elected representatives or institutions that will create the future, but individuals, business leaders from major companies. And open-minded academics that are now best placed to engineer a change in thinking, create a new regional consensus, and influence a new generation entering politics.” — David Jessop, “Who will lead the Caribbean?” page 12 of the Daily Express, Saturday 16 May 2015.

CARIBBEAN NATIONALS have contributed significantly to the creation of knowledge in every profession. Our citizens can be found all over the world (except in places like Antarctica and Greenland where the weather appears to be unkind to inhabitants). Caribbean residents have enhanced the field of music, science, the arts, the teaching profession, and business (to mention a few). Our leaders have also gained world recognition. Many of our leaders of yesteryear stand out as icons that have influenced the development of the Caribbean in so many positive ways.

Others have moved beyond our shores to build and lead communities that are physically far removed from our own.

However, while we could celebrate many of their accomplishments, we must be objective enough to understand and appreciate that they were not perfect.

They each had their Achilles Heels. As we focus on today’s leaders, we observe several positive traits, but discern that several have a variety of shortcomings, and some have dropped the baton. But it really is not too late for the rekindling of the leadership skills and abilities that make our societies strong.

Dr. Kwame R. Charles, an outstanding Caribbean researcher, conducted some useful research in relation to the leadership skills that are evident (or lacking) in our Caribbean business leaders. Dr. Charles shared some of his findings at the Caribbean International Leadership Summit that was organised by the Cave Hill School of Business, University of the West Indies, and held at the Barbados Hilton in November, 2007. He noted that his research commenced in 2000. He surveyed over 30,000 employees in the English-speaking and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. This included over 50 businesses and organisations. Dr. Charles’ research focused on three main areas: strategy (direction, communication, and buy-in), leadership and management (leading by example, trust, confidence in decision-making, good leadership, and employee participation), and management/employee relations (fair and ethical treatment of employees, interest in employee welfare and satisfaction, relationships, and respect).

The findings were staggering. In relation to strategy, 60% of the employees surveyed, concluded that their leaders lacked a clear sense of direction. In addition, 59% concluded that their leaders were not good at communicating their goals and objectives.

Their assessment of the leadership and management of their enterprises also left a lot to be desired. Only 48% of the participants were satisfied with the leadership and management skills displayed in their respective organisations. Trust (or lack of trust) was a major concern. Only 39% of the respondents trusted their leaders or managers. And a similar percentage felt that their leaders or managers were leading by example. In general, only 49% of the respondents felt that the individuals that they reported to provided good leadership.

The data related to management/employee relationships also revealed that a lot was to be done in this regard. Only 47% of those surveyed were satisfied with relationships between management and employees. Half of those surveyed were

dissatisfied with the level of respect between the two groups. A mere 47% felt that leaders and managers were interested in the welfare of their employees. And 44% concluded that employees received fair and ethical treatment.

In 2014, Dr. Charles’ company, Quality Consultants Limited, compiled an Employee Benchmark Survey Report.

The findings were revealing. The executive summary noted that, “In a survey of over 2,000 employees from a sample of eighteen companies in five countries, less than half of the employees gave their leaders favourable ratings. Specifically, only 30% of employees say that their top managers build trust by keeping promises and admitting mistakes, while almost 40% say that they don’t keep their promises or admit mistakes. Only 43% say they believe what their senior management says, while quarter say they don’t believe what they say. Less than half have confidence in the decisions that their senior management makes, while almost quarter have no such confidence.

And only a little over half (52%) think that their senior management provides good leadership for their company.”

Dr. Kwame Charles’ research also points out that many of our Caribbean leaders embrace the “command and control” approach to leading organisations. And while there are some organisations where such behaviours appear to be necessary (e.g. the military and in some aspects of medicine) we need to make a more concerted effort to encourage more positive leadership styles and approaches. Professor Betty-Jane Punnett, in an article published in the Journal of Eastern Caribbean Studies (Punnett, B. J. (2000). “David and Goliath: Smallness in a Global Business Environment - Suggestions for the Eastern Caribbean.” Journal of Eastern Caribbean Studies 24(3): 1-14.) says it so well when she reminds us that, “Businesses in the Eastern Caribbean need to put behind them the obsolete management practices of the colonial and plantation past, and develop and implement appropriate modern management approaches which focus resources to exploit international opportunities for which smallness is an advantage.” Caribbean businesses must embrace these new management and leadership practices that focus on developing people management skills that would engender greater trust, enhanced communication among all employees, mutual respect, and so on.

Dr. Kwame Charles’ research beckons Caribbean business leaders to be more focused on principle-centred leadership; leading from the inside out. In so doing, our leaders will embrace the challenge to be continual learners, service oriented, radiating positive energy, living balanced lives, believing in others, and seeking synergy with and among the entire work force. He advocates that our measurement of a leader’s success should also include the level of their social and corporate responsibility, ethical behaviour, trust, sustainability, people development, team leadership, and empowerment. Dr. Charles concludes that Caribbean leaders must chart a course of building from the inside out; embracing ethical principles; empowering and engaging employees; building human, intellectual and social capital. It is not beyond the Caribbean business leaders to chart this new and improved route to greater efficiency and effectiveness in our respective organisations.

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

MandelaÊs legacy a threat IT IS DIFFICULT to disagree with or criticise the legacy of Nelson Mandela without opening up yourself to all kinds of insult. The minute people detect that “Oh, that’s anti-Mandela”, they often lose all rationality and go on an insulting tirade. He is after all the “father” of the nation. Reality is that there is a growing resistance towards this transformation of Mandela’s legacy into some form of “religious” practice.

There is truth to the claim that Mandela’s legacy, in particular his legacy post his 27 years in prison, is an obstruction to the economic upliftment of black people. It should be worrying that racism and nonracism proponents alike can confidently feel that they are custodians of this legacy. We are made to believe that this is the case because this legacy is truly that of reconciliation and integration of these two forces. This claim lacks truth.

The Mandela who went to Robben Island (radical, pro-black, nonracialism advocate) is different from the Mandela who was sworn in as the first black president of South Africa (a pacifist, half pro-black, reconciliation proponent). As a result, people choose to conveniently embrace this latter legacy of Mandela, one that is devoid of claims for nationalisation and other radical utterances that are “a threat’ to white capital.

What Mandela preached in 1994 going forward was reconciliation without placing focus on the real causes of racism in South Africa.

Racism in its conception is about the economy. You cannot focus on reconciling the oppressor and the oppressed without dealing with the cause of oppression, which is segregation to alienate one race from living equally with the other race.

In 1970, Steve Biko wrote, “Let me hasten to say that I am not claiming that segregation is necessarily the natural order; however, given the facts of the situation where a group experiences privilege at the expense of others, then it becomes obvious that a hastily arranged integration cannot be the solution to the problem.” The legacy of Mandela that we celebrate today is one of “hastily arranged integration,” and it poses a serious threat. It is this legacy that made the white community feel that it had no obligation to pay some form of reparations to the black community for decades of colonialism and afterwards equally brutal decades of apartheid.

Today, the Democratic Alliance embraces Mandela because his post 1994 legacy is in line with their liberal dream for South Africa, which advocates “an equal-opportunity society”. Why do they not embrace the legacy of Robert Sobukwe who was also a proponent on non-racism? The truth is that the liberal legacy of Mandela and the Africanist legacy of Sobukwe present different routes to the same desired destiny of a free and non-racial society.

Apartheid deliberately subjugated the majority (black people) in this country, so that all the economic wealth of this country could be developed and enjoyed by the white

community. In order for the realisation of freedom to be real, the restructuring of the economy and redistribution of wealth would have to take centre stage. The legacy of Mandela that we celebrate today does not allow for this.

We are made to believe that, today black and white are equal, simply because they can now all vote and choose their government. Yet, when you discuss the calamitous state of education in Limpopo whereby textbooks were not delivered for six months, you are dealing with the lives of black children. Then you hear suggestions that these deprived learners should have used libraries, and then one must deal with the reality that about 70%-75% of public schools are without libraries, and the bulk of them are in settlements where you find black people. When you look at unemployment statistics, the contrast of the unemployed blacks versus that of unemployed whites is telling. This means that, even in the free South Africa, the lives of black people have still not changed.

This snail pace to change can easily be attributed to the democratic government for its inadequacies, growing corruption and lack of commitment to good governance. If we accept this, we must also accept that Mandela himself led an administration that gave birth to some of today’s problems. Of course, the white racists among us will begin their blame from Mbeki’s tenure, and some blacks will blame everything on apartheid and not hold the black government accountable. There is unwritten consensus that the fiveyear period of Mandela’s presidency cannot be interrogated. This is the cause of today’s structural failures.

The bridge (ie Mandela) that was meant to transit South Africa from a painful and horrendous past to a prosperous future, was not wellequipped to handle the traffic of complexities. As a result, Mandela’s focus became narrowly focused on reconciliation of the “elite” through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission chaired by Desmond Tutu. This worked because the elite of the National Party and the ANC even agreed to a merger of the two parties, by the NP collapsing some of its members into the ANC. What project did Mandela start to bring about reconciliation of the ordinary masses? What closure did the black masses that were forced to live in slums and rural places; in destitution and economic deprivation get? That project remains deferred, and people refer you to Mandela’s legacy when you bring it up. It is for this reason that I cannot celebrate Mandela’s legacy. I can only acknowledge it. Racism is not dead in South Africa, Mandela’s legacy is a threat.

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

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12. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Ivan O’Neal – competent and qualified to be the SVG Minister of Finance THE CORE PROBLEM facing St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the lack of competent management of the public accounts. The situation is so serious that, the 1979 constitutionally-appointed Director of Audit failed the SVG Minister of Finance, Gonsalves, on the audit of public accounts for 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Gonsalves is not a university graduate in finance; he has shown he is hopeless in the management of the public accounts, mismanaging the SVG public accounts with fiscal deficits for the years 2005 to 2015.

The Leader of SVG Green Party, Mr Ivan O’Neal is more competent and qualified to be SVG’s next Minister of Finance.

SVG Green Party Leader, Mr Ivan O’Neal, obtained a BSc Honours degree in Accounting and Finance from Oxford Brookes University, England. He learned the accounting and financial skills needed to give our country competent financial leadership.

SVG Green Party Leader, Mr Ivan O’Neal, obtained a Master’s degree in Macro-Economic Budgeting, Planning and Policy from Bradford University, England. He learned the macroeconomic skills needed to give our

country competent economic leadership, and to create revenue and economic growth.

SVG Green Party Leader, Mr Ivan O’Neal, obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Leicester University, England. He learned the business and private sector skills needed to give our country the leadership needed to create a strong and thriving private sector in which entrepreneurs and businesses can flourish.

Mr Ivan O’Neal is solid as a leader, and highly disciplined, with a calm disposition. He has significant knowledge of the strengths, gross weaknesses, opportunities and threats that are directly associated with the SVG weak economy. More importantly, Ivan O’Neal is not handcuffed to any individual or organisation. He is not open to corruption; he is honest, trustworthy and reliable.

Mr Ivan O’Neal is a retired Warrant Officer from the British Royal Air Force, having served as an engineer.

He held a high position as a military instructor in the Armed Forces of His Highness the Sultan of Brunei. Mr Ivan O’Neal has worked in Singapore, and is fully conscious that high quality education and trade, not aid, are the

driving force to create a strong and sustainable SVG economy.

Singapore has done it, and China is doing it, through competent financial management.

Ivan O’Neal can be highly trusted as the next SVG Minister of Finance.

He was awarded the Most Blessed Order of Brunei. Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal won the Royal Air Force Certificate of Merit on 17 August 1989, for initiative and inventiveness towards the improvement of the engineering services of the Royal Air Force. He is an innovator who can solve SVG’s economic and financial troubles.

Mr Ivan O’Neal is a visionary leader, and has the inventiveness to create economic growth in SVG. Mr Ivan O’Neal is listed at the Science Library in Holborn London, England, as an inventor. He strongly believes SVG needs to invest at least $300 million every year in high-quality education, to lift the SVG economy to prosperity.

As SVG Minister of Finance, Mr Ivan O’Neal will abolish the Mustique Act 2002. A fair tax system will prevail. He will cut ties with Taiwan, and take back our fish licence. Taiwan has made a massive fortune from the

use of SVG’s fish licence and the flying of SVG national flag on its fleet of fishing vessels. Taiwan is a parasite, giving SVG peanuts in return.

Mr Ivan O’Neal will open ties with China, and adopt structural change, using high quality education and our own science and technology university as the engine for the creation of thousands of new jobs and revenue, and focus on expanding the SVG yearly budget to $4 billion.

Ivan O’Neal will abolish the $25 fixed charge on your water bills, and cut the price of electricity by 50%.

Our goal is prosperity, revenue creation and job creation. At the next general election, vote Green for accountability, transparency and competence in the management of SVG’s public accounts. Vote for jobs and money in your pocket. Put your X next to the Telephone.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org

Beware of the love of the love vine THE UNITY LABOUR PARTY have on display at their headquarters a bold sign which declares “Labour loves you”; but when one considers the realities of the last fifteen years, it is reasonable to ask “Who is, or who are the ‘you’ being addressed, and when did this loving begin”?

Of course, it cannot be the farmers, for certainly the banana farmers will remember that in the electioneering campaign of 2000-2001, the ULP promised that they were going to revitalize the Banana Industry. It was generally felt then, that the Mitchell government had not been doing enough to secure the industry, and this was reflected in the serious deterioration of the vital “feeder roads” in the state. The neglect was certainly widespread, and the promises of the ULP ignited the lamp of hope for, the relief to the farmers.

There was even a declaration from an individual claiming to be an influential player in Britain, who assured the listeners that, as soon as the ULP was installed as the government in SVG, the banana trade would be secure. The gentleman spoke on the ULP platform.

To date, we have not seen any improvement in the banana industry. While there were a few banana consultations during the first term of the ULP in government, they ultimately have proved to be shallow unscientific cosmetic exercises which were not grounded in a serious desire to rescue the industry. The steady decline of the economic strength and well being of the farming community is testimony to tha,t and the growing popular perception now, is that Dr. Gonsalves never had the sincere desire to fortify the industry, and the mischief was crystalized around the issue of the “Black Sigatoka” fiasco.

The shoddiness of the management of those matters has been well documented. One of the highlights of it is that Dr. Gonsalves and his men refused to act on a report in 2009, that the dreaded disease was affecting us, and despite the fact that the Government had undertaken the responsibility for pests and disease control, it took them two years to stir themselves to act. Of course, by then, it was too late for effective containment. That is the main reason for the death of the banana trade today.

St. Lucia and Dominica are still earning significant incomes from their banana trade today.

Barefacedly, blame for the neglect in the provision of the resources for the addressing of the measures to control Black Sigatoka in SVG, was placed on some clerk in the Ministry of Agriculture; but the farmers have not been fooled, they know the truth.

Today, the perception is, that the crippling of the banana industry, was arranged to thwart the seeming independent inclinations of the farming community. Reluctantly, I am forced to agree, especially so, when I look at the way the Banana Growers’ Association has been crippled, thus weakening the farmers who are enjoying no benefit from the assets worth millions of dollars and the acquisition of which, they had contributed to over several decades.

I would say also, that this crippling of our agriculture industry in general, has been seemingly supported, as per some of his pronouncements, by Sir Dwight Venner, Governor of the ECCB, though we would want to say at the same time, that he would not be expected, given his continued presence/position as an important decision maker in our sub-region, to advance any position that is inimical to the interests and welfare of the agricultural community of SVG. The omission of agriculture from the much talked about Eight Point Stabilization and Growth Plan of 2008-2009 is ample testimony of this. From all indications, the Plan has clearly not produced the projected fruit. There was no growth in the area targeted with substantial inputs of financing.

We are still awaiting a report on a comprehensive evaluation of that plan. I consider it necessary, so that we can better determine the way forward.

The farmers of this land hardly need to be reminded how they have fared and feared under the authority of this administration. Yet, I am reminding them that the plants that fall prey to the embraces of the treacherous love vine will not be able to bear fruit.

LeRoy Providence

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. 13.

News

Participants of the LIME Internet Summer School 2015 pose with certificates and tokens at the closing ceremony.

LIME Internet Summer School 2015 a Success!

NO RAIN COULD KEEP the many students from attending this year’s closing ceremony for the 2015 LIME Internet Summer School. The event was held at the LIME compound located in Arnos Vale, and was well attended.

LIME Country Manager — Wayne Hull delivered remarks to the beaming students, and pointed out this is LIME’s 11th year for internet summer school.

“We have in the past extended this opportunity to several communities in the rural parts of St Vincent and the Grenadines. You have our commitment to not only continue this programme next year, but extend our reach again the rural communities.”

Tutor for this year, Ms K. Hamilton, was welcomed with much enthusiasm by the children, and commented on her first time experience of tutoring so many children in this age group. “It was indeed a challenge, but it was very rewarding, especially when at the end of the week, students were quizzed and I realized they were really learning,” she observed.

This year, 8 students were given a special gift from LIME, for being the most outstanding students in their class.

They were: Zabdiel Searles, Shelton Knights,

Precious O’garro, Ricky Patterson, T-Roy Peters, Paul Jr O’garro, Fayth Cambridge and Jonte Smith.

LIME Marketing & Corporate Communication Manager — Nikala Williams said, “Hearing how ecstatic the kids are about the class, makes me want to be a kid again! Thanks again to our partners Unicomer SVG Ltd and Frank B Armstrong/Better Brands for their continued support.”

Willaims also mentioned that the video made by the kids will be available for viewing on the LIME facebook page.

Internet Summer School is among the many activities performed by LIME, in their corporate support of education and the development of our youths here in St Vincent and the Grenadines. LIME will host its very first “Back to School Fair” this coming Monday, August 31st at the LIME location in Kingstown, starting from 8am.

LIME Patrons’ kids will be treated to free haircuts and hairstyles, free back to school supplies, including the popular LIME school bag, free medical checks to include eye, ear, hygiene, nutrition and BMI, free sampling and more. LIME invites all to come out and enjoy the day with them.

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14. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Teachers must learn to add value A TWO DAY SESSION for teachers at the Bethel High School aimed at adding

quality value to their students’ education experience ended here

yesterday.

The training workshop referred to as the

‘Effective Schools’ workshop focused on equipping the staff at the

Chief Education Officer Lou-Anne school to effectively deal Gilchrist. with the students under their care.

Lou-Anne Gilchrist, Chief Education Officer, explained that it was one thing to deliver a sound education to a student, but the value that is added to the individual was of even greater importance.

“Students are not assessed alone on the number of subjects that they passed at CSEC… that is not the only metric used in evaluating a student,” she said.

The overall attitude and their contribution to national development were also important.

According to Gilchrist, she often heard teachers complain about students, however she reminded them that they would not have been able to achieve their goals if their teachers had developed the same attitude.

“Think of the people who gave you the opportunity to become the best,” she said.

The chief education officer encouraged the participants not to approach their job with

fatigue or a sense of doom, but rather that they were in a position to positively impact on their students’ lives.

The staging of the two day workshop marked the beginning of the third phase of the project which got underway back in 2012.

It was introduced in 13 primary schools and the program’s success led to the extension of the project to another 21 primary schools across the country.

During this phase the Bethel High School was selected to host the pilot program, however participants from the Buccament Secondary School, the Intermediate High School, the Dr J.P Eustace Memorial Secondary, St Clair Dacon Secondary and the Bequia Anglican High School.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. 15.

News

Vinsave Summer programme a success

THE VINSAVE SUMMER Programme came to a close last Friday 21st August, 2015, with a Concert by the children and an exhibition of their work.

The 6 week programme was held under the theme “I Can Create Things,” and catered for children ages 4-14 years. Participants were engaged in a number of activities including Arts & Craft, Nutrition, Language activities, Dance and Drama. They were also taken on Field Trips and Nature Walks.

Feature Speaker at the Ceremony — Mrs. Celoy Nichols, Health Educator, encouraged the children to apply what they have learnt when they go back to school, and to remember the watch words of respect, love, obedience, commitment and listening. The children and facilitators also gave reflections of their experiences of the programme.

The Executive Director of Vinsave also spoke of the benefits the children have derived from their attendance at the programme, and noted the contribution of the children in their evaluation which will be taken into consideration in the planning of 2016 programme. She also commended staff and volunteers for their commitment to the programme.

Certificates were awarded to the children for their participation.

Some of the products from the Arts and Craft aspect of the programme.

SVGHTA holds another successful training workshop

Participants at the recently concluded workshop with facilitator Francelia Marksman (3rd from left, front row).

ON TUESDAY 25TH AUGUST, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Hotel and Tourism Association conducted a one-day workshop for frontline personnel in the services sector, entitled “Out Front — Front Office Operations — Procedures & Functions”. Nineteen (19) participants attended the workshop which was facilitated by Francelia Marksman.

“Beyond my expectation”, “Very interesting”, “Even though I’ve been working awhile, I gained so much more”, were just some of the comments made by the participants.

The next workshop in this year’s programme will take place in the month of September and will cover “Customer Service”.

Participants of the Vinsave Summer Programme.

Left: The students on one of the weekly feild trips organised by the Vinsave Summer Programme.

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16. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Mas Productions Unlimited lures ÂInternational TreasuresÊ

VINCENTIAN about the production.

With the annual participation of the Belizean New York community, Millington said “International THERE MAY NOT BE ANY specific reason, Treasures” comprises four sections — but the Brooklyn-based Vincentian mas three girls and one boy — with about 15 band Mas Productions Unlimited is luring masqueraders in each section.

“International Treasures” for this year’s The girls sections are: Pacific West Indian American Day Carnival Pearls, Spanish Splendor and Parade on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, Southwest Treasurers. Oriental Onyx New York. is the lone boy section.

“There is no special reason; it’s “We expect the kids to come out and something we came up with,” Band have fun, and enjoy the carnival,” said leader Wesley Millington, who hails Millington, as he worked on a section from Sion Hill, told THE at the mas camp, located in the Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net US CORRESPONDENT

basement of David’s Bakery on Avenue H in Brooklyn. “That’s what it’s all about.”

Millington said he was very grateful to the owner of David’s Bakery, Don McBarnett, a Calliaqua native, for giving the mas camp the space to build costumes free of charge.

“We had a hard time finding camp space, and Don offered this, which we decided to go with,” he said, disclosing that McBarnett had given him the space for free on two previous occasions, adding that McBarnett usually rents the basement for social events.

“We hope some of the people who come to us

can give him (McBarnett) some business,” Millington added.

As he and a handful of band members and volunteers worked Ajani Liverpool portrays feverishly on “Oriental Onyx” costumes, Millington, who has been participating in the West Indian American Day Carnival Parade for the past 23 years, said Mas Productions will be ready for Labor Day. But he could not withhold his emotions, saying he was “feeling tired,” adding: “This is a lot of work” and a labor of love.

DJ Whiz Kid will supply soca music for the masqueraders.

Candace Adia Brooks Samuel portrays portrays “Spanish “Pacific Pearl” Splendor”

Chelsea Smith portrays “Southwest Treasure”

Vincies in N.Y. can file objections to names being removed from voters’ list IN PREPARATION FOR general elections, constitutionally due by March next year, members of the Vincentian community in New York are being urged to file objections to their names possibly being struck from the electoral list of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consulate General in New York said it is working with the Supervisor of Elections in allowing Vincentians in New York to lodge their objections at the consulate.

Beginning on Aug. 18 through Aug. 31, 2015, copies of the full list of names to be removed from the voters’ list will be displayed at a number of locations in New York, the New York Consulate General said.

To allow for ease of access to the public, the consulate said some of the Brooklyn locations where the list is displayed include Square Deal Shippers and Movers, Standard Shippers and the Friends of Crown Heights

Educational Centers.

“During this period, anyone desirous of filing an objection to their name being removed can do so by submitting a letter addressed to the Supervisor of Elections stating why their name should not be removed from the voters’ list and present the necessary documents to support the reason for the objection, to the office of the Consulate to be forwarded to the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” the statement said.

“Persons wishing to submit their objections directly to the Office of the Supervisor of Elections will still be able to do so, using the same method of submission,” it added.

The Consulate General urged Vincentians in New York to “make full use of this opportunity to ensure that their voter registration is regularized, and pledges to continue the excellent working relationship with the members of the Vincentian community in New York”.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. 17.

News

Port Authority awards scholarships students currently enrolled in the programme, inclusive of the three this year, with 5 of those at THREE STUDENTS have received the tertiary level. the Clarence Keizer scholarship Human Resource Manager at SVGPA, from the St. Vincent and the Charmaine Tappin- John, congratulated the Grenadines Port Authority. members of the education committee who meet During a luncheon at the every year to review the applications and make Methodist Church Hall on the recommendations for the scholarships. This Thursday 20th, the SVGPA committee is made up of members of staff at presented three scholarships to SVGPA as well as members of the National students who wrote the CPEA Workers Movement (NWM).The NWM, over the exams. The scholarships are years, has been influential in negotiating the offered to employees children terms and conditions for the scholarships. who scored over 60% in the President of the (NWM Noel Jackson said he CPEA exam. takes pleasure in being at the event, since the President of the The 2015 NWM was instrumental in ensuring the process National Workers ULP candidate for West scholarship Awardees was democratic. He implored the students to Movement Noel Kingstown, Debra Charles are: Kristine Branch, ensure that the effort of the Port Authority is Jackson. encouraged the youths to Denisha Parsons and appreciated, and that they study their books, show discipline, dedication Josh Williams. At “and you ensure that you have good grades, because pursue their and determination. present, there are 21 that is going to guarantee you at some point in time, education. “It’s a scholarship where you very important that we can leave this country Scholarship recipient, Denisha educate our and come back as a Parsons accepts her cheque from young people, doctor, a lawyer, an Kimalla Cambridge, Manager of engineer, or some kind of because an Finance and Accounting. educated professional,” said country is one that shows advancement, and that’s Jackson. what we need for our youths,” said Charles.

Feature Speaker, She encouraged the youths to show discipline, Debra Charles, the Unity Labour Party candidate dedication and determination, and they must have a goal, despite it might change as they grow. The ULP for West Kingstown, hopeful encouraged the recipients to work hard. complimented the SVGPA for embarking on “Before you go to sleep, plan the day ahead”. She the programme of giving also told the parents to ensure that their children get the necessary tools to succeed, and where scholarships to young Students receiving Book Vouchers, and scholarships, along with Julian necessary, “enforce curfews.” people so that they can Jack (far left) and Cecil Charles (in the back).

Stories by KENVILLE HORNE

SVGTCCU awards scholarships and bursaries

THE ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Teachers Coorperative Credit Union (SVGTCCU) has awarded 56 students scholarship and book vouchers, during a presentation ceremony, at Frenches House, on Tuesday 18th.

Isacc Baynes, Arenna Grant, Joval O’Garro and Darrell Young-Mitchell received scholarships, while 52 others received book vouchers. The names of 57 applicants were sent to the Ministry of Education, with 26 being boys and 31 girls; however 56 were successful, with one male filing to meet the criteria.

Dixton Findlay, a member of the Education Committee, described the awarding of the scholarships and vouchers, as an important occasion, noting that the credit union in an effort to satisfy its members, has increased the assistance.

CEO of SVGTCCU, Julian Jack said that this year, the credit union decided to increase the number of scholarships and the amount the recipients would be receiving. Additionally, Jack explained that the duration of five years, which was the length of time the scholarship lasted for, will increase to seven years, meaning that a scholarship recipient will receive support right up to the college level.

Contributing for the increase in SVGTCCU support, was their decision to award more scholarships to students in the Grenadines, and an emphasis on communities with schools where the credit union has a presence. The CEO explained that the Credit Union for the first time gave a scholarship to a student from Bequia last year, and this year a student from the Southern Grenadines will receive one. Additionally, the credit union will be providing more assistance

to schools in communities where it has an office, or a great presence.

Jack also expressed happiness in terms of the number of male recipients this year, which he said was an indication that the boys are improving.

President of SVGTCCU, Cecil Charles said the credit union values its members, and is constantly seeking ways of giving back.

“When other institutions take your interest, we have yours at heart,” Charles told the members present.

According to him, the SVGTCCU credit union pays the highest dividends for any credit union in the country.

He spoke directly to the recipients, telling them to take a small percentage from the support they have received and become a junior saver, so that they can contribute to their own education in the future. He also appealed to them to join the credit union youth group, while advising them to be disciplined and focused, if they are to succeed at school.

“Anyone who tried to prevent you from achieving your goal in life, is not worthy to be kept close to. If you find yourself with persons who are positive, who encourage you and share your dreams, run with them,” advised Charles. He further encouraged them to ensure that they give back to the credit union in terms of time, service, knowledge and support, whenever they accomplished good things.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Chairman of the Education Committee, Philbert John, while Arenna Grant and Suzette Baynes expressed thanks to the Credit Union, on behalf of the recipients and parents respectively.

SVGTCCU has been awarding scholarships since 1984.

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18. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Youth

250 plus children receive school supplies THE PRICILLA JAMES Foundation, under the auspices of the Peters family of Rillan Hill, was

successful in giving backpacks with school supplies to the less than fortunate. Two hundred

and fifty (250) plus children in five (5) villages received much needed school supplies and

toiletries. The children were selected under strict guidelines set by the family. It was determined that only the absolutely needy children with no other means of purchasing a backpack were selected.

On August 7th, the village of Vermont was the first stop for the family. In that village, forty (40) children were selected by a community member who attended the Spiritual Baptist Church in François. The children were encouraged to strive for excellence in everything that they do, and to believe that they can achieve anything that they put their mind to.

The next stop for the family on the same day was the Apostolic Faith Church in Lowmans.

The children sang songs about the goodness of God, and were lectured

by Ms. Cherry Gumbs.

She encouraged the children to strive for excellence at all costs and to pursue their academic goals. They were commissioned to be attentive in class, complete assigned homework, and focus on their goals. In addition, they were blessed by a

Praise Dance group from the Penniston Church of the Nazarene. The group was tremendous in expressing themselves and praising God for all his goodness. A total of twenty-eight (28) children in that village were gifted with backpack, toiletries and snacks. All of the children along with the coordinator thank the family profusely for giving back to the community. The family was humbled by the outpouring of love shown to them, and to know that the seed sown by their grandmother in that church is harvesting fruits. The family grandmother’s picture hung proudly in that church as one of the founding pillars in the church.

The third stop for the group was the village of Questelles on August 8th. This event was held at the Learning Resource Centre. The Seventh Day Adventist and the Evangelical Church came together to make this event a success. The children attended were selected by the two churches to have received the school supplies. Pastor Carter

from the Evangelical Church encouraged the children to strive for excellence by completing daily assignments, review daily teaching, and explore the outdoors.

At this location, eighty (80) children received backpacks and snacks.

The fourth and final stop on August 16th was the Rillan Hill Church of the Nazarene. At this location, over 112 children from the villages of Penniston and Rillan Hill received the aforementioned supplies.

Three guest speakers spoke to the children about striving for excellence, and the importance of choosing the right friends who will be able to enhance their goals. In addition to the supplies, the children were treated to snacks and drinks as parting gifts.

The Peters Family stated that they have already begun the planning process for next year’s events, and look forward to adding additional villages to their venture.

The family thank their many sponsors and Standard Shippers INC for making this event a success.

Children from the Lowmans Hill Apostolatic Faith Church with Sim Peters Lasisi (furthest left) and Andrea Coombs (furthest right).

Lions donate School Supplies THIRTY-SIX STUDENTS were on and for taking the pressure off their Tuesday, August 17th, the proud parents to source these items. recipients of book bags filled with This project was made possible school supplies, courtesy of the Lions through donations from Jax Club of Kingstown SVG, at the Lions Enterprises, Nightingale Book Shop, Den in Kingstown.

Fullworth Boutique and Mrs. Motilal The project in its fourth year, in Trinidad and Tobago. seeks to identify some less fortunate but well deserving youngsters, and providing them with school bags, books and stationery for the new school year.

Several bold students were proud enough to stand up and thank the Lions for this initiative, Lions with the proud recipients of school supplies.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. 19.

V Is it still cheating?

20. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

may have to ask me to get her pregnant. We all laughed at the remark.

PLEASE TRY to hear me After the visit was over out on this problem. My and they were leaving, wife`s friend has been married to this guy for over she pulled me aside and three years now, and they looked me seriously in the eye and said she was do not have children. not joking about what One day, they were she said, and that she visiting at our house, wants me to try to get and the talk came up her pregnant. She told and the story came out me neither my wife nor that they had been her husband needed to trying to have children know. George, this since they got married, woman is a knockout to no avail. They said when it comes to looks, they both went to have fertility checks done, and and I won’t mind doing her the favour or have they were ok in that regard. My wife`s friend fun trying. I am just thinking about how to jokingly said that she

Dear George,

My husband is so religious Dear George,

begin. Is this cheating on my wife, seeing that she asked me officially to do this?

Not sure Dear Not Sure, I think you do know that any action of sexual relations with another person outside of the

knowledge of your partner can be considered as cheating.

You should also be aware that getting involved sexually with this woman outside of the knowledge of her husband and your wife will cause complications for your marriage and theirs as well. What happens if you do get her pregnant, and the knowledge of it all comes out in the open etc.?

Can your marriage withstand such repercussions? You need to stay clear of this request, and gently let this woman know that this is not a good idea, and she needs to further explore other options of impregnation, or even adoption if it comes down to that.

George

MY HUSBAND is a Pastor of a local church, and he is a good one too, and also a great husband. I have one problem with him, however, and it is eating away at my happiness in ways that he does not understand. We have a dull sex life. He thinks it is great, but I think it is a big ZERO. My husband is so religious that he does not want to do the things that I would like for him to do to me in bed. He wants me to just lie there on my back with minimum movements during sex. If I begin to move too much, he tells me I am behaving ungodly. He does not believe in oral sex, although I tell him that I need to have that. He does not want me to speak the language of sex, and wants me to make expressions like `’Thank you Jesus`’ and ‘Oh yes Jesus’ etc. I cannot take any more of this. I want to have a real sex life. I am a young woman, and I need to experience a great sex life. The way things are now, I am prepared to leave this man if he continues to be so `Christian-like`.

Bored Dear Bored, Your husband seems to be taking things a touch too far, and he needs to maybe have a new awakening to be cognisant of your concerns.

Sit him down and let him know that there is a time and place for everything under the sun, and he needs to start putting things into the right perspective. I am not sure as to what degree of pre-marital counselling both of you had, but this would have been one topic that should have been openly discussed, so that you both knew what page you were on. It is not too late to seek such counselling, and for your own happiness, the sooner the better.

George

When the shoe is on the other foot Dear George,

Women!!

A FEW OF US guys were joking around and looking at pictures of naked women in our cell phones, when one of them showed me a picture of my wife.

Somehow it should not have been amongst the others, as he thought he had deleted it. This guy who I thought was my friend, was all the time dealing with my wife in secret. I was horrified, and almost did something to him I would have regretted. He tried to apologize to me, but I just walked away, and right now I am waiting for my wife to return to St. Vincent to confront her about it. I have so much doubts right now, that I am even thinking she is doing the same thing where she is at the moment. I cannot trust her again. I have already packed my things, but just want her to see me moving them from the house. I am willing to at least grant her that privilege.

Shattered Dear Shattered, Very unfortunate indeed for you to have seen that. It is also unfortunate that grown men would indulge in sharing pictures of naked women with each other as a form of humour.

Maybe this experience will also teach you to respect the privacy of others and not to indulge in such infantile behaviour. Seeing that your mind is already made up about leaving, I would encourage you, go and speak to someone who can help you deal with your emotions, as you can easily get to the point where they can overcome you and force you to do what is not within your nature to do. Speak to a professional before your wife gets back, and be guided as to the best approach to take.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Don't push your opinions on others this week or you may find yourself in the doghouse. Overindulgence could cause problems for you with your loved ones.

Accept the inevitable. Try not to take everything so seriously.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You may be overly emotional when dealing with your mate. You will enjoy travel and getting together with peers.

You can spend a passionate evening with someone you cherish if you make your plans early. Overindulgent people will cause disruptions in your life.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You may want to talk to your boss about your future goals. Don't be taken advantage of by any fast talking salesperson trying to part you from your cash. Romance will unfold through business trips. Go over your finances and figure out a solid budget.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) You will find that joint ventures could easily turn out to be dead end projects.

Go with the flow and don't let the unsettled atmosphere get on your nerves. Spend some time with the one you love. Pleasure trips will be satisfying. You can have quite the romantic ad venture if you take time to get to know your mate all over again.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Attend to things that you should have done yesterday. Control your temper by getting immersed in your work. Be aware that you might be at fault as well.

Go out with friends.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Attend seminars that will bring you in contact with the right people. Do not borrow or lend money or belongings to friends or relatives if you wish to avoid any hassles. Opportunities to show your worth will enhance your reputation and

bring possible advancement. You will enjoy travel and getting together with peers.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You can win points with children if you take the time to show interest in their accomplishments. Hold on; your time will come. Keep your feelings to yourself if you want to avoid embarrassment.

Partnerships with creative people could lead to financial gains.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Your love will not be willing to listen to your criticism. Spend time with friends or family. Friendships will be ruined if you let too many people get involved in any disputes. You might not accomplish all that you want to at home this week.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Your best efforts will come through hard work. You can make wonderful contributions to any organization that you join. Enlist co-workers in order to get the job done on time. You will have to face each issue separately and in person.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You're ready to take action and take over. You'll only hurt your lover if you don't. The emotional state of peers may cause a problem for you. Be cautious while traveling; minor accidents are evident.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) You will accomplish the most in the work environment this week. Visit friends or relatives you rarely see. Your best efforts will come through hard work.

Make a point of working on yourself.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Make amends if you can. Try to be as mellow as possible. Do not trust others with important information. Don't let your partner start any arguments. Passion should be redirected positively.

ACROSS 1.”__Love You” (2 wds.)

4. Sculpt 9. Uses a loom 12. Drive forward 13. Most loving 14. Jungle sounds 15. Amtrak et al. (abbr.)

16. Commented 18. Panasonic rival 19. Egyptian deity 21. Dig up 24. Satan 26. __ measure 27. Lack-of-pep cause 29. Choir conductor 33. Large mass of ice 35. Stage play 36. Avoidance 39. Infirm 40. Summertime drink 41. Brewers’ products 43. Actor Majors 44. Computer game format (hyph.)

47. Journals

49. Tony the __ 50. Shins’ neighbors 51. Those with future visions 52. Pluralizing letter DOWN 1.Musing 2. Joyless 3. Currier’s partner 4. __ Lancelot 5. PPO alternative 6. Separated 7. Food fish 8. Movie lioness 9. Impair 10. Son of Isaac 11. Act frugally 13. Artist Kahlo 17. “Let’s Make a __” 20. “The Lion King” lion 22. Emulated 23. Rises on hind legs 25. False statements 28. Diva’s offering 30. Most newspapers 31. Hosts

We apologize for the incorrect answer to our 14th August, 2015 Crossword Puzzle.

Please find correct answer at right.

32. Garden tools 34. __ Meir 36. Carrie Fisher’s dad 37. Edge 38. No, to a frau 40. Vaudeville attractions 42. Purpose 45. Above, in poems 46. __ Fields cookies 48. “Kidnapped” Author’s inits.

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. 21.

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22. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

GECCU hosts Youth leadership Symposium continuing and new scholarship holders, THE GENERAL EMPLOYEES along with employees and members of the CO-OPERATIVE Credit Board of Directors at Union (GECCU) Limited hosted their annual Youth GECCU, in attendance.

Leadership Symposium on The symposium took place under the theme: August 19th and 20th for “Shaping your world”. their scholarship holders, Senior Marketing Officer at the Anglican Pastoral at GECCU, Danny-Lee Center in New Montrose.

Francis said the objective Wednesday 19th of the Symposium is to witnessed the opening ensure continuity in the ceremony, with over 40

by KENVILLE HORNE

Credit Union. She said that currently, sixty students are scholarship recipients from GECCU, “There are the new ones that we just had from the CPEA, and then the continuing ones,” said Francis.

She said that the credit union seeks to engage the kids by outlining the credit union them about the core principles, and teaching

values of the credit union, since it is important that the recipients understand the purpose of the credit union.

Mineva Glasgow, Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee, in her brief remarks, spoke to the students about the importance of advancement. She implored them to take advantage of the opportunities that come with challenges. Glasgow said that another “stepping stone” to shaping their world is, to let go of their past and focus on the future.

“Everything around you may seem to suggest that you will never amount to anything, maybe some may say secondary education is all that you will ever achieve …… but you must not accept or believe this,” said Glasgow. She also spoke about the importance of self-confidence, selfworth, and God. Ronnie Daniel, Director of GECCU, congratulated the recipients. He said GECCU represents several generations of Vincentians’ sacrifice, vision and hope. “We are in fact the recipients of the legacy,” Daniel told the students. Offering a backdrop on how the credit union was established over 50 years ago, Daniel said it was as a result of the concerns of several persons who were mainly working with the government at the time, during the colonial days.

He said that persons were frustrated because they could not get access to credit. “They could not go to a bank and borrow $10,000 or $20,000, because they wanted to do x y z, that was very difficult in the 60s,” said Daniel. “You had to be from a certain class, a certain stage of influence in society at that time.

Thank God that some of

Participants in the Youth Leadership Symposium hosted by GECCU. Senior Marketing Officer at GECCU, Danny-Lee Francis is pictured furthest left in the front row. that has changed,” said the credit union Director.

“We still have some of that residue, but most of it has gone,” he further added.

Daniel said that the founders of the credit union sacrificed their time and resources to make GECCU a reality, and over the years the credit union has spent millions of dollars to help young people. “GECCU has matured into a very fine indigenous institution,” proclaimed Daniel.

Feature Speaker, and 2003 GECCU Scholarship recipient, Jerand Phills told the scholarship holders that to shape their world, they must understand who they are. “We find our value in knowing that we are created by God,” Phills said, while using the anecdote of a rat informing other animals that there was a rat trap in a house, but the animals were uninterested. He pointed out that the rat was seen as insignificant, and he told those present that God wants them to consider the persons that are not seen as important. “Oftentimes, we see persons as annoyances or less than us, we shun them, we ridicule them, but God wants us to value each other,” said the former scholarship recipient.

This year, 13 persons were awarded scholarships from GECCU, 11 from the mainland and 2 from the Grenadines. The scholarship covers the students’ education, up to the college level.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. 23.

Coach Ollivierre nurturing the future

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT TRACK COACH, MICHAEL “Mercy” Ollivierre is confident that the future of track and field in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is bright and has the potential to unleash quality ATHLETES athletes on the world stage, once the systems are in place and the right personnel are employed to work with the young athletes.

He was speaking to THE VINCENTIAN at the end of another session of his Summer Athletics Programme at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, where close to 40 young athletes attend the sessions on a daily basis.

He said that the programme geared

Coach Ollivierre making a point

at a session at Arnos Vale. towards not only improving the ability of the athletes on track, but to assist with their general personal development.

“And we have been moving to this by bringing in certain persons to talk to them on various topics, with a view to helping them learn from the experience of these persons”, he said.

Ollivierre said that his main

objective in putting on such a programme is not to prey on young athletes to build on his ITDAT Club complement of athletes, but to contribute to the development of the sport. He said that the atmosphere is more of a family gathering where “respect, honesty and discipline” are the tenets of the operations. He said the parents and guardians are not left

Williams to represent at Commonwealth Games

races at the games, which will run from the 5th to the 13th September.

“Things have been going well with my training so far. This period usually be my off season, but due to this upcoming event, I am training every day, focusing mainly on my speed and endurance,” Williams said.

“I am looking forward to do my best at this meet, by mentally and physically prepared for what I see as a challenge in weather conditions and better athletes.” Williams stressed. “Previously I did Shantel Williams will compete my personal best in in the 100 and 200 meters.

Columbia, 25.29 seconds in the 200 meters, and SHANTEL WILLIAMS will this I believe will serve as a represent this country at the motivational factor for me; Commonwealth Somao but I will have to lift my Games next week in game because there will be Australia, as she continues good athletes.” to excel in the short distance Williams’ coach, Pamenos races.

Ballantyne said he is very Williams will compete in happy to see that she got the 200 and 400 meters

another opportunity to display her ability among some of the best athletes in her age group in the world.

She continues to do well because she has been training hard and getting the exposure around the world, which can only do well for her after two years since she began training.

Her attitude, commitment and dedication have paid dividends, and he looks forward for her to continue

to excel.

“Shantel is having a very good year season, and I am confident that she will do her best and achieve a personal best at the Commonwealth Games against the other athletes at this international meet,” Ballantyne remarked.

Shantel leaves the island on Sunday, August 30th for the Games.

out of the system, since regular contact is made with them to get information or to pass on relevant information. ”We welcome everyone, but you must be prepared to be part of the rules of this camp and then we are good to go…If you are not a disciplined person, then you will find it difficult to achieve success; and yes, I know some people would be quick to point out some top sportsmen who were illdisciplined and reached the top: but they never saw when they prematurely returned to ground level,” Ollivierre pointed out.

He said the summer camp has athletes from as far as North Leeward and South Rivers, and where possible, they are given some assistance with transportation, and fruits are provided on a daily basis.

His greatest desire is to see all the coaches developing a working relationship that would move in the best interest of the athletes since, according to him, infighting by the coaches could only see the athletes and the sport being the victims.

“I have nothing against any coach, and will work with anybody, once their work ethics and practices are in the best interest of the advancement of the sport”.

He said his philosophy has always been “the athlete…. Then whatever else;” but it is very important for athletes to be exposed to proper coaching at a very young age, so that their development would be smooth and systematic.

I.B.A.ALLEN

A-LUM-BRE-RA Sweepers Mustique Champions A-LUM-BRE-RA Sweepers defeated Hybrid Alliance by 4 wickets on Sunday, to capture the Mustique Twenty/20 Cricket Championship at the Mustique Playing Field Hybrid Alliance batted first and made156 for 8 from their 20-overs. Benjamin Charles top scored with 49, Lennon Cain 38. Roy Baptiste captured 4 for 34 and Harris Edwards 2 for 19.

A-LUM-BRE-RA Sweepers replied with 160 for six off 8.5 overs: Sebastian Caesar led with 41, Davian Baptiste 35 not out, Eziekel Welcome 24 not out. Lennon Cain took 2 for 25.

Shem Browne of SU-RANGA Tama Hawks scored the most runs 298. He was also named the Most Valuable Player of the Championship.

Felix Greaves of CO-CO LOBA Star Groove took the most wickets 23; the Most Promising Player Award went to Anthony Hazell of Rock Masters.

Six teams took part in this year’s Championship. SU-RAN-GA Tama Hawks won last year’s title.

I.B.A.ALLEN

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24. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Dominica easily retains Windwards title

offspin at 205.

Shillingford finished with 3/64 from DEFENDING CHAMPIONS DOMINICA, as 30 overs with seven maidens, and Kevin expected, won the 2015 Senior Windward James 2/51 from 13 overs with three Islands Cricket title after outplaying host maidens.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines over two The match was called off shortly days at the main Arnos Vale Playing Field. after.

The match ended in a draw, with SVG Dominica, who won the toss and being dismissed for 205 just before tea elected to bat on the opening day, batted on the rain-affected second day on in a very focussed manner like a team Wednesday, replying to Dominica’s 232. bent on making sure that they did not Resuming on 88/3, with Gidron Pope relinquish their title easily. After falling on 10 and Romel Currency on nine, and into some early trouble to be 49/3, they with the title a receding shimmering dot were taken to a zone of relative comfort in the distance, the hometeam were by captain Liam Sebastien (86) in an never allowed to settle. The pair had innings of maturity and command. seen the total to 104, before Pope (21) Arriving at the wicket with his team was trapped in front by Shane 2/17, he took control of the innings until Shillingford. Two runs later, captain he was seventh out at 192, caught close Lindon James (5) went the same way, to give the bowler his third wicket-all by the LBW route.

In between the showers, Cottoy and Currency, who suggestions say could be

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY at the end of his SVG career, added 29 for the sixth wicket when Cottoy who Robertson’s Surveying Future Legends’ has failed to replicate anything close to 195 for 6 from 20 overs, beat Carlos his record-breaking 150* against James Peto Stars by three runs, to Grenada, went for 15. move to the top of the 2015 Vinlec Currency, whose 31 had come in three North Leeward Cricket championship. minutes short of two hours, was caught Future Legends recovered from 30 for at the wicket off Kevin James at 143/7.

4, thanks to a fifth wicket stand of 91 Alston Bobb (31) then added crucial runs between Elmore Robertson 64 not out with the tail, but was involved in the and Benniton Stapleton 46. runout of both Dawnley Grant (17) and Winston Samuel 29, sustained the Kenneth Dember (10). And after seeing momentum with a 66 run sixth wicket the total past the 200 mark, Bobb was stand. Ronique LaBorde 2 for 24 and given out LBW to Tyrone Theophile’s

Dominica’s captain Liam Sebastien driving in his innings of 86.

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

SVG’s vice-captain getting some attention to his bowling hand. to the wicket. He struck 12 fours, faced 147 balls and batted 196 minutes. Theophile got 39, while Cottoy took 4/40, and Dember 2/44 Dominica ended the tournament with 41 points and SVG 33.

Future Legends clip Peto Stars Rangel Small 2 for 32 were the best bowlers for Peto Stars.

The hometown team lost wickets regularly and at crucial intervals, and the last pair couldn’t find the eight needed of the final over to complete the chase.

LaBorde 72, Vidal Edwards 29 and Maxwell Edwards 25 made contributions to the total. The Peto Stars batsmen were kept in check by Ewaldo and Veonson Stapleton 2 for 22 each and Shanghi John 2 for 30.

That victory put Future Legends to

The other match at the Sion Hill Playing Field ended in a draw, following afternoon rain.

SCORES: GRENADA 98 & 108/4; St. Lucia 196/9 dec. the top of their zone, having played three unbeaten matches. Peto Stars are also on nine points with three victories.

They rebounded last Sunday with a 13 run win over Ajuba.

Peto Stars reached 167 for 4 from 16 overs, with Rangel Small 73 and Vidal Edwards 30 sharing a 126-run second wicket stand. Gemel Jeffrey 2 for 13 and Kimali Williams 2 for 23 were the best bowlers for Ajuba.

Kenny Stapleton 80 blazed away at the top of the order and threatened to take his team over the line. He and Edson Williams 16 put on 99 runs for the first wicket. Ronneil Jeffrey made 29 not out.

Grassroot Tennis Club awards first scholarship THE GRASSROOT TENNIS CLUB has served its first Tennis Scholarship to its top Junior male player of Byera, Antonio Cain.

Director of the Grassroot Tennis Club Grant Connell said the scholarship will now be awarded annually to a Junior from the club, based on their performance on Court during the year.

The Scholarship will cover school supplies and uniform.

Cain, who captured the Under twelve (12) Junior Championship in Antigua last year and won the consolation draw in the recently held COTECC Under 14 Tournament in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was unable to travel to

Antonio Cain.

Tobago for that leg of the Tournament due to his being involved in a motor vehicle accident on his way home from the ITF Tournament here.

Connell said this year, head coach Trevor Sam will work on a few points that have to be addressed in his game, and time on court would be increased to at least three times a week, in Antonio’s preparation for next year’s ITF tournaments, which will include

Barbados, Trinidad, St. Lucia and Tobago.

Vasilca Cain, mother of Antonio, expressed her thanks to the club for introducing him to the game, allowing him to travel to tournaments, and now assisting him in this way to ease the pressure off court. She said Connell’s support and head Coach Trevor Sam’s dedication to the children at the club must be commended.

Connell said, “It’s the club’s five-year plan to explore the possibility of granting a scholarship to a child from a village where GTC develops a court.”

This development, he says would start with Petit Bordel at the end of September. He added that this would be in keeping with the spirit of the club, in helping another man to grow, thereby moving forward as a people through sport.

Flow Football App scores big with Caribbean Football Fans App Ranks Higher Than Instagram And Facebook In Regional Apple Stores SINCE THE START of the Barclays Premier League (BPL) season earlier this month, Caribbean fans have been downloading the new Flow Football App to access audio streaming of matches, commentaries and other football news live and direct at their convenience.

In its first week, the app ranked among the top 5 apps to be downloaded, above the likes of Instagram and Facebook in the Apple store rankings across several markets in the region, including Barbados and Jamaica.

This innovative new way to access BPL matches is catching on, and quickly making inroads, as more and more football fans around the region discover the app and its many features. The Flow Football App has been receiving rave reviews, scoring

four out of five stars from more than 90% of its users.

Features of the app include the ability to select the Barclays Premier League match of choice, listen to match commentaries, tune in to football segments which provide in depth coverage of breaking football news, live scores, results and tables of the teams, all while “on the go.” On another novel note, the app also includes an exciting feature known as the “app predictor,” which gives fans a chance to win £1m every single week.

“We are excited and encouraged by the popularity of the Flow Football App, as evidenced by the great reviews from our customers.

Caribbean football fans are choosing new ways of accessing football content, choosing apps and are becoming more technologically savvy,

taking advantage of the latest football updates at their fingertips,” said James McElvanna, VP Products, Consumer Group, C&W. The result of C&W’s recently brokered partnership with talkSPORT — the official global audio provider of the BPL — the Flow Football app is the new, free-todownload mobile app offering access to what is arguably the mostpreferred football league in the world.

With 380 games between now and May 2016, this exciting, functional new app provides Caribbean BPL fans the best way to follow their favourite teams as the season unfolds.

To download the app for Android, go to: http://bit.ly/FlowFootballAndroid.

Apple users can log on to download at: http://apple.co/1M1Mxjz.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. 25.

Sports

More coaches must get involved

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Heading off conflict through sport In September, focus will be on qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be vying for one of six spots in the third round. The stakes get higher and higher as the elimination progresses.

The games featuring Vincy Heat and Aruba will be their most crucial since their last escapade for the Brazil showdown. It will be remembered that the Vincentians did not rise to the occasion. The have an opportunity to correct the misdeeds in this episode.

It is a pity that some distractions are taking away from the significance of the game. Those surround friendly fire within the executive itself.

One hopes that a measure of decorum is brought to the proceedings, and that everyone is fixed on their role in helping to ensure that the environment is conducive to the positive and progressive journey of the sport here.

Football has served as a platform for finding solutions to many a conflict. FIFA is serving as a mediator in the ongoing Israeli/Palestinian affair.

A FIFA Monitoring Committee Israeli-Palestine was formed, following efforts undertaken by President Sepp Blatter, and endorsed by the 65th Congress.

FIFA has pledged to bring both member associations together to reach a solution for the benefit of football.

It is commendable that it has taken such a position. World leaders, occupied with other concerns, have shied away from the Israeli/Palestinian issue for 67 years and have allowed it to fester into a wound that galls the rest of the international community.

The persistent bombardment of the Palestinian people goes without comment from world leaders and Israel has been allowed to carry on its actions of atrocity with complicity from a mostly hypocritical international arena.

The FIFA initiative seems unlikely to bring an end to the turmoil, as far as the allocation of lands is concerned; but the two federations acting in concert must send a message to their own authorities.

I do not expect Israel to stop its acts of aggression on the besieged Palestinians, but they must be pricked into some sense of contrition when it appears that their football association is stretching a hand of accord with its archenemy.

The Israeli representative is seeking “fair conditions” for both countries. The Palestinian representative “is happy to start the process towards finding solutions.”

It will be a breakthrough if an agreement can be arrived, at so that the two nations could take part in normal competitions as genuine entities.

That will be an accomplishment of huge proportions, and a lesson in diplomatic relations to most countries of the world.

This will be a difficult assignment, and I will not be naïve to believe that a hasty conclusion looms. On the contrary, there may be an outbreak of hostilities before any headway is made on the sporting front.

It seems an intractable conflict, and Israeli is intent of decimating the Palestinian population now and forever. The football initiative seems a last straw on which the conscience of the world can gain some tenure. How can they keep that lifeline, and indeed rescue the world from potential carnage, will be a matter on which the authorities of Israel and Palestine can indeed engender some international solidarity.

AS HE CONTINUES his efforts to revitalize the community aspect of basketball in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, certified Level 2 basketball coach, Darwin Vanloo is calling on other basketball coaches to get involved.

“I know there are a lot of certified coaches here”, Vanloo told THE VINCENTIAN during an interview on Tuesday.

Vanloo successfully coordinated an inaugural ‘Community Grassroot Basketball Camp’ at South Rivers August 1520, under the auspices of the local Basketball Federation, and with assistance from St. Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee, as well as local and international basketball star Adonal Foyle.

The camp, which drew 33 participants, ages ranging from 7-44, was dubbed ‘4We’s Camp’ 2015, and held under the theme, “We learn: We play: We compete: We have Fun”.

Vanloo said the participants indicated their desire to continue to learn and play the sport.

The 5-day activity followed a successful International Coaching Enrichment Certification Programme (ICECP) in which South Rivers was the recipient of a pilot project for the study of a participatory initiative to build a community grassroot basketball model.

Vanloo, who was selected by the Basketball Federation to coordinate the local segment of the programme, recently returned from

Participants of the Community Grassroot Basketball Camp with coach Vanloo (extreme right back).

Switzerland, where he was presented with an International Coaching Enrichment Certificate, for a successful project, based on the impact it had on the local community and basketball fraternity.

That programme involved 33 participants from 23 countries around the world, and 15 disciplines.

The participants had to travel to Switzerland to do presentations of their respective projects before a panel of judges, and were presented with various award,s based on overall evaluations.

Vanloo pointed out that, based on the success of the local segment of that programme, he wanted to give back something to the community, hence the Inaugural Grassroot Basketball Camp.

“Due to the overwhelming impact of the project on the community and basketball fraternity, it made South Rivers the ideal place to start the camp”, he explained.

Vanloo described the camp, first of its kind to be held here, as a learning experience.

“The children enjoyed it; it met the expectations, and opened a gateway through which the Federation could channel resources to help develop the sport in the communities, and these communities could act as a feeder system to get more people exposed tobasketball”, Vanloo said.

“We need to bring the community aspect back.

Our objective is to get players back on the court playing basketball, and we have to start with the young people”, he explained.

“I enjoy teaching children; it is fun, and to me, it is a rewarding experience to see them having fun while learning a skill.

“Every opportunity I get to work with children, I feel good. There is too much negative influence these days, and sports is an avenue for children to express themselves”.

Vanloo hopes to hold similar camps in other communities next year.

He is currently conducting minor basketball clinics in North Leeward and Kingstown.

But the certified level

Double delight for Samuel the best figures for Rangers.

They were wrecked by Zemron Providence 5 for 16, and RONIQUE SAMUEL, a crumbled for 90 from 13.3 right handed batsman for overs. Kentish John 2 for 15 the Carlos James and Donald Delpesche 2 for 21 Troumaca Starlight, helped made early inroads to the his team to back to back Ranger’s batting. victories in last weekend’s Samuel spanked 66 the version of the Vinlec North previous day. Starlights Leeward T/20 scored 202 for 2 in response to championship. Samuel Sharpes United’s 197 for 5. slammed 82 to propel Samuel and Donald Delpesche Starlight to 250 for 4 from 78 not out shared a second Ronique Samuel wicket partnership of 88 after 20 overs against Coulls Rangers last Sunday. He an opening stand of 64 with was supported by J’ronie Haywood 17.

Haywood with whom he shared a 122Sharpes recovered from 48 for 4, run opening stand. thanks to a 125-run fifth wicket stand Leeshawn Lewis 62 and Tilson between Christopher Howe 76 not out Harry 38 not out added 117 for the and Augustus Cato 49. third wicket. Devon Mars 2 for 26 had

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

2 coach thinks there’s need for more initiative of this nature, and for other coaches to get involved.

The recently concluded inaugural summer camp included basketball skill development, old time ring games, literacy and art, motivational speakers on various topics to enhance personal development, a tour to Fort Charlotte, and the presentation of awards.

The coaching staff comprised Vanloo as coordinator, Avian Mayers -certified Fiba level 2 coach, Bondel Lewis - volunteer coach, and Christine Ralph Physical Education teacher.

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26. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

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S A L E

FRIDAY,

AUGUST 28, 2015

VOLUME 109, No.35

read.

Caesar, the South Central Windward THIS COUNTRY’S HOUSE of representative for the Assembly has struck a ruling Unity Labour chord of agreement. There Party, spoke of plans for has been support across putting more local food the border for a Resolution in the School Feeding calling for more progress Programmes, as one of on the task of reducing the means by which the hunger and malnutrition. question of food security Saboto Caesar, can gain a footing.

Minister of Agriculture, Caesar pointed to this Forestry, Fisheries, measure as stimulating Rural Transformation more economic activities and Industry, moved a in the farming Motion for the communities. establishment of a He also projected to parliamentary Front “transparent ongoing against Hunger and analyses and Malnutrition in St. assessment” as part of Vincent and the the venture.

Grenadines. It was Matthews rose in seconded by Roland immediate support, and Matthews, for a moment, one might representative for North have been led to believe Leeward. That signalled that this was not the a different atmosphere in House of Parliament. the House last Tuesday Matthews had “no when the motion was problem in supporting

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HOUSE APPROVES HUNGER REDUCTION

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

Ross Castle Building Lots $8.00 - $15.00 p.s.f. - CALL

Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar moved a motion for hunger reduction.

food.” If Thomas gets his way, some things used in crop cultivation ought to be banned altogether.

“We have to take a more holistic view of food security,” Thomas stated. the establishment of “overnight,” but that The Senator such an initiative.” “with hard work, the speculated that “Maybe He viewed it as numbers could be it is a good thing for our something that was right lessened.” biodiversity that we don’t for the country, and Senator Jomo Thomas have as much bananas demanded his party’s took a philosophical as we used to have support. Matthews approach in his before.” disclosed that he had presentation. He urged Thomas is not happy received some the House to look closer with some material used “literature” from Caesar, at education. He in plastic and cans to and thanked him for it. contended that, with package food items.

Matthews expressed improvements and Thomas’s comments the hope that the greater spending power, drew a response from exercise would not be a persons were still Caesar who confirmed talk show. According to affected by health that, owing to the cost of figures, there are about problems. certain weedicides here, 5,000 persons who are For Thomas, it was cheaper for categorised as in the “gluttony” was a cardinal farmers to buy them. He hunger bracket. sin. He stressed the disclosed however, plans Matthews contends that importance of fasting for to “seriously address the number of hungry nutritional and spiritual measures to protect people is not alarming; cleansing. citizens.” he regards it as “too The manner in which The names of the much for this little food is produced here is persons on the country.” of concern to Thomas. He Parliamentary Front Matthews believes lashed out on the against Poverty and that the mission can be overreliance of chemicals Undernutrition were accomplished. He does and other inputs which named. They are Saboto not expect that the task he outlined “are Caesar, Frederick will be accomplished essentially poisoning the

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Government senator Jomo Thomas is concerned about food security.

Opposition Parliamentary representative Roland Matthews supported Caesar.

Stephenson, Montgomery Daniel, Camillo Gonsalves, Jomo Thomas and Luke Browne, as well as Terrance Ollivierre, Nigel Stephenson, Daniel Cummings, and Roland Matthews.

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