VINPAGES- 01-03-13

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

MARCH 1, 2013

VOLUME 107, No.9

EUSTACE SEEKING LEGAL REDRESS

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

Right: Arnhim Eustace, Opposition Leader, had decided that he has put up with defamatory statements against his person, and it is time to take action.

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

“… I HAVE INSTRUCTED my lawyers to write to the Prime Minister in relation to him and the defamation of my character in his statement on Sunday, the 17th February.”

These were the words of Opposition Leader Arhnim Eustace as he Left: Dr. Ralph Gonsalves could well find himself having to defend a law suit against him.

indicated the beginning of the process of instigating possible legal action against Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

Eustace, who has in the past shied away from taking legal action against persons who he claims might have defamed him, made the announcement on his New Democratic Party’s ‘New Times’ programme on Nice Radio, on Monday, in the continuing spin off of what is interpreted here as a bribery allegation

reportedly involving Dr. Gonsalves and British investor Dave Ames.

Eustace’s claim Eustace, a former prime minister, is claiming that Dr. Gonsalves defamed him while calling into a local radio programme, February 17, to relay information about an encounter with two journalists from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), while

Youths shot in Middle Street Up to press time Wednesday, police were investigating the shooting of two young men in the area of Bambi’s Bar in Middle Street, Kingstown, last Friday February 22.

Reports are that Curtis Small was shot on the right wrist, and Raphael Welcome on the right

middle finger. Both men were said to be 23 years old and from Ottley Hall.

The incident is said to have occurred around 2:30 pm.

Shortly after the shots rang out, Paul Greaves, a 57-year-old man of Choppins who operated a

vending business in the area, reportedly collapsed.

He was rushed to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where he subsequently died. An autopsy was conducted on Monday, but information is that the results are yet to be determined.

attempting to disembark an aircraft at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados.

“They will write to him demanding an apology, and a certain sum of money. If that is not done within a specified period of time, then further action will be taken by me against the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. I want to make that absolutely clear,” a very serious sounding Eustace said.

And to emphasise what appears to be waning tolerance, he made it clear that the time had come to put a halt to the assassination of his character.

“Very often, I don’t

pay much attention to these things, but this time I am not letting it pass. All sorts of things are being said about people. But this time, the Prime Minister must answer – and answer in a court of law – if he does not agree to the terms sent to him in a letter by my lawyers,” Eustace further stated.

A check by THE VINCENTIAN revealed that Equity Chambers has been charged with the responsibility of preparing and dispatching the letter, but up to press time, were still in the process of “working on it,” and were expected to complete the task “soon.”

Continued on Page 3.

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2. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Environment

The Common Black Hawk : Not so common in SVG today scientific name) which is about the largest ‘land’ bird spotted in the interior of St. Vincent. Having my camera handy, I took the opportunity to capture this interesting bird in its natural habitat.

Easy prey for hunters

The Common Black Hawk is in danger of disappearing from our forest if hunters do not change their attitude.

RECENTLY I EXPERIENCED A ‘FINER MOMENT’ IN MY LIFE WHEN I WITNESSED a rare sighting of the Common Black Hawk, (buteogallus anthrocinus –

Early in this piece, I wish to appeal to hunters to give the Common Black Hawk a chance, as it is a bird that is not so common in St. Vincent any more.

Because they are large birds, they seldom escape our accurate hunters that literally strip our interior of fauna during the hunting season, sometimes shooting them just for the fun of it. I guess down the road, ‘Avian Eyes’ working with the Forestry Division will encourage legislation to disallow hunting in designated areas, and from hunting certain species in ‘allowable’ areas, just as no fishing is allowed in our marine park, the Tobago Cays.

I was in the Congo Valley recently and had the good opportunity to get a fairly close look at a very interesting large bird, with a wingspan of over four feet, that lives in close proximity to rivers, as its main diet is crabs, crayfish and sometimes frogs and insects, depending on what is available or abundant at the time. The beauty of the bird is seen when it is in gliding motion, for it is then that the pattern of the feathers can be observed best.

Reproduction

clutch size is relatively small ranging from 1 — 3 eggs. Incubation lasts between 33 — 39 days, both parents sharing nesting duties.” (Johnsgard 1990; Ridgely 1989) More information about this bird can be found in the following link: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Bu teogallus_anthracinus/ (Article and photos submitted by: Donald De Riggs)

The Black hawk in flight is a sight we should want to cherish and safeguard.

Before writing this piece, I decided to go on line and learn some more about this hawk, and what I read was confirmed by my observation of this “flying dream of the forest”. I was fortunate to witness the mating ritual, and the description that follows is exactly what I observed, in terms of the height above ground where the nest was being constructed, the proximity of the nest to a river and mating The Black Hawk in its nesting/feeding area. location.

“The Black Hawk breeding season runs from late February to late May. Copulation occurs about 15 to 90 meters away from the nest on a branch or rock. The male may swoop down and land directly on the female or may perch besides her for a time before mounting. The nests of this species are usually built within 120 meters of permanent flowing waters and are typically constructed 15 to 60 meters The mating ritual in progress. above ground. The

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. 3.

News 3 ÂPut the money back in,Ê appeals PM Francis, withdrew some EC$1 million from an account, on October 1, PERSONS WHO 2012.

WITHDREW their savings That transaction from the Building and Loan became a topic of Association have been nationwide debate when asked “to put it back.” it was revealed following The appeal came from a Luke Browne article on this country’s Prime the state of the Minister and Minister of Association, that was Finance when he carried in THE addressed the media last VINCENTIAN of Monday.

January 18, 2013.

Dr. Gonsalves declared Browne, who contested that his appeal extended the 2010 general to his two brothers who, elections on the ruling as beneficiaries of an Unity Labour Party account belonging to ticket, failed in his bid to their mother Theresa unseat Opposition

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

Leader Arnhim Eustace.

There was mixed reaction to Browne and THE VINCENTIAN for having exposed the situation at the Building and Loan Association.

Dr. Gonsalves, on Monday, reiterated his Government’s commitment to “not permit the Building and Loan Association to go under.”

The Vincentian leader spoke of efforts to prop up the beleaguered institution, highlighting his government’s provision of EC$21M to

Government has no intention of seeing the Building and Loan Association go under.

Building and Loan: $15 million as a cash input raised through a loan from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) and the reinvestment of $6 million owed as per interest levy by the Association to government.

In rehashing the

Youth Business SVG set for training

by JP SCHWMON AS YOUTH BUSINESS SVG prepared for the second workshop in its 2013 series for new and developing investors, held this week, the staff welcomed youth entrepreneurship development expert Dr. Marcia Brandon, Cofounder and Regional Director of the Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Youth Entrepreneurship.

The Barbados based Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Youth Entrepreneurship acts as an umbrella body and a quality assurance partner for the Caribbean Youth Business Trusts, of which Youth Business SVG is an affiliate.

Dr. Brandon told THE VINCENTIAN she expected to conduct training sessions with both the staff and Board Members of Youth Business SVG, to ensure that both parties understand their respective roles in the organisation as well as their adherence to the Caribbean Group of Youth Business Trusts standards.

“My mission this time around would really focus on the staff to make sure they understand the ‘how to’ of all five programmes offered here. So we’d look at what needs to happen from the moment a person walks through the doors through to identifying whether that person would need our business mentoring, business

start-up, training and development or networking services up to the actual delivery of said services. I’d also be liaising with the strategic partners on the ground here to make sure all lines of communication remain open and free.”

The 15 year veteran in non-traditional youth entrepreneurship development was also expected to look at capacity development and quality control issues L-R: Mr. Kenrick Quashie, Managing with YBSVG. Director Youth Business SVG and Dr. A consultant for the Marcia Brandon, Regional Director of the Caribbean Development Bank, USAID, CARICOM Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Youth Entrepreneurship. and UNDP, Dr. Brandon is confident that St. who’d brainstorm for solutions for Vincent and the Grenadines is stalled ventures.” “poised for youth Mrs Brandon was joined by entrepreneurship development Regional Financial Specialist simply because it’s creative, high Karlene Gordon who reviewed on unemployment with a very Youth Business SVG’s financial large youth population and has governance and provided training very fertile agricultural lands.” on financial management issues She added: “It’s important to note that there really are no failed for the staff.

Both sessions would be held at entrepreneurs … what I would the Ministry of Housing ask is ‘what lessons have you Conference Room located in the learnt, what critical factors can Methodist Church Building and you take into the next level of are being conducted under the your life? I’d encourage Accelerating Young entrepreneurs with businesses Entrepreneurs Project — an that are stalled or have failed to enterprise being backed by the make use of our Get Well Clinics which really is a panel of experts Canadian Fund for Local Initiative (CFLI). in the particular field of interest

situation in which the Association had found itself, Dr. Gonsalves disclosed that there were some 220 mortgages with the Association for which owners had not paid any money for over one year, and highlighted that there was an instance where no payment was made on a loan for 11 years.

The Prime Minister also referred to the role of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in this period of returning the Association to a degree of normalcy and ensuring best banking practices, and was in high praise of the FSA’s Executive Director Sharda Bollers

and Eleanor Astaphan for their presentations on a recent Agency for Public Information (API) radio/television programme. He called for the programme to be repeated. alves repeated his call for persons to put back into the Association money they had withdrawn, and encouraged others to join the institution.

Dr. Gonsalves deposited $21,000 early in February when the fiasco hit ‘the streets’.

“I (am) trying to see if I can raise more money to put in myself,” Dr. Gonsalves said.

Eustace seeking legal redress Continued from Page 1.

Harlequin at the centre Gonsalves indicated in his reports by way of telephone that two BBC journalists had “accosted him on the aircraft” when they asked him about an allegation that Ames had gone to the Office of the Prime Minister ( in the Financial Complex) with a briefcase of money and left without it.

A local report said that both Gonsalves and Ames have in separate statements denied the allegation, which Eustace said he learnt of during an interview with the BBC. Eustace said that he did not comment on the allegation, but told the interviewer that if the allegation is proven to be true, “Gonsalves would have to demit office.”

The controversial multi-million dollar Buccament project has reportedly attracted the attention of investigators at the UK Fraud Office and the Financial Authorities as well.

Ames, who has been granted St Vincent citizenship, has reportedly faced accusations in the Caribbean, Thailand and the UK about Harlequin, the firm, which, according to reports, has sold more off-plan holiday homes and villas since 2005, than it has built. This includes homes at Buccament Bay.

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4. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

European drug mule jailed in SVG

by HAYDN HUGGINS According to the facts “I DON’T KNOW what is presented by prosecutor happening. Foreigners just Inspector Adolphus seem to think they can Delplesche, a police officer come into St Vincent and attached to the Narcotics the Grenadines and do as Unit, acting on they like.” information received, Those were the words of intercepted Bukontas at a seemingly irate Chief the ET Joshua Airport Magistrate Sonya Young February 15. He had at the Kingstown already cleared Magistrate’s Court on immigration and security, Monday, before jailing a and was awaiting a LIAT European man who flight to Barbados, where attempted to leave SVG, he was expected to take a February 15, after connecting flight to swallowing a quantity of London. cocaine intended for When the officer asked export. him whether he speaks Gytis Bukontas, 23, of English, Bukontas replied Lithuania, a country in in the affirmative. His Northern Europe, was person and luggage were sentenced to four years in searched, but nothing prison for possession of illegal was found.

670 grams of cocaine with He was then taken to intent to supply, three the Narcotics Base at years for having 443 Arnos Vale where he grams of cocaine with disclosed the name of the intent to supply, and three apartment in Villa, where years for attempting to he stayed. The officers export 443 grams of obtained a search warrant cocaine. Bukontas will and took Bukontas to the spend, in effect, four years apartment where he behind bars, as the showed the lawmen the sentences will run room he had occupied. A concurrently. search was conducted and two plastic bags were Interception discovered in the clothes

closet. When opened, several packages containing cocaine were found.

payers to maintain and be deported forthwith after paying the appropriate Attorney enters case upon fine. He is Lithuania’s problem, not ours. Send request him back, let them deal Laxative aids passing with him.”

The Chief Magistrate asked attorney Grant When questioned, Connell to assist Bukontas No leniency Bukontas replied “I who was not represented understand I am in big by a lawyer. Connell told trouble.” The search A heated exchange the Court that Bukontas continued and several followed between the was a photographer who transparent plastic bags lawyer and the Chief traveled around the world Magistrate. containing pellets (capsules) of cocaine were taking photographs. He “It is unfortunate that asked the Magistrate to found. He was further someone from Lithuania questioned, and admitted impose a fine, noting that had to visit our shores in Bukontas pleaded guilty, that he swallowed 35 these circumstances,” had not wasted the Court’s Connell said. pellets of cocaine.

Bukontas was taken to the time, cooperated with “Unfortunate? It is police, was remorseful Milton Cato Memorial scary that he has left and a virgin to the law.

Hospital where an XRay Lithania to come to St. Connell said that, was conducted showing Vincent to swallow according to his several images in his cocaine. It is scary to me,” instructions, Bukontas’ stomach. He was given a Young stated and family was threatened in laxative to assist in commended the police for Lithuania, forcing him to ‘passing them out’. They their vigilance. “Not St be used as a drug mule. were found to contain Vincent. Not now, not He expressed the view cocaine when cut open by ever, wrong place, wrong that Bukontas’ inability to time, Mr. Connell. This the police. swallow the entire amount court shall show no mercy.

Bukontas was of cocaine was an discharged from the If I go to Lithuania indication that “he is a Hospital on February 23. swallowing cocaine, you virgin to that type of The cocaine found at may never see me again” activity,” and suggested, the apartment amounted she blurted. “he should be fined and to 670 grams, while that “They may have given the money placed in the which he passed out you the option of paying a coffers so that he does not fine,” Connell responded. amounted to 443 grams. become a cost for tax The police said the drugs The magistrate had an estimated street value of EC $21,000.

Gytis Bukontas began a four-year jail term on Monday. contended that this country’s freedom was not for sale. “When I have Vincentians before me for that amount of (cocaine), I put them in prison. They are Vincentians.

He[Bukontas] has no reason to come to beautiful St. Vincent and do what he attempted to do,” Young lamented.

Bukontas had arrived in SVG legally February 9, 2013 and was scheduled to leave February 15. He will be deported upon completion of his sentence.

V DLP again!

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. 5.

Regional

SEVERAL MINISTERS in the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Administration lost their seats at the Fenruary 21, 2013 general elections in Barbados, but the party held on to the reins of government by the slender margin of 16 seats to 14 seats, with recounts possible in some constituencies.

Notables among those losing their seats were former Minister of Labour and Social Security, Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo, and former Minister of International Business and International Transport, George Hutson.

The results defied some opinion polls that had predicted that the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), led by former Prime Minister Owen Arthur, would have won at least 20 seats.

The prediction was predicated on what was perceived as the bad state of the economy and the high cost of living, among other factors.

This seemed not so far-

fetched as even returned Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart, admitted, post his party’s victory that, “We are not governing in easy circumstances.

We had to govern within the context of Owen Arthur led the the worst BLP into its second recession which consecutive defeat, the world had and many are now ever seen, and speculating about his Freundel Stuart was returned those who stood future.

Prime Minister, and admitted that in judgement over us and who his BLP will not be governing in Arthur. chose to ignore that fact, easy circumstances.

Arthur, it allowed their stingy prejudices to get the better was, who Henry, perhaps most stepped down from of them. I always knew succinctly summed up leadership of the BLP that the right thinking Arthur’s situation when following its 20 -10 defeat Barbadians would offer a he quipped, “…if Arthur is rebuff to this. The general in the 2008 elections. Mia unable to get 16 seats Mottley, his attorney election is over and we today, it would be difficult general, was elected have to embark on the to see him holding power leader of the BLP. process of governing Arthur returned to oust in the future.” again.”

Arthur, for his part, Mia Mottley and was And while Barbadians refused comment on his settle into the new reality, reinstalled as leader, only future in the party. to lead the BLP into many are now questioning (Source: Caribbean 360) another defeat. the future of Owen Political analyst Harley

Guarding the guards in Grenada GRENADA’S PRIME MINISTER Dr. Keith Mitchell has assured his people that they can rely on specific institutions that will keep the government in check.

He assured Grenadians of this when he addressed a celebration rally held at the National Stadium, last week Friday.

His New National Party (NNP) was celebrating its demolition of the incumbent National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the February 19, 2013 poll, which saw the NNP winning all of the fifteen seats up for grabs.

It was the second time the Mitchell-led NNP was taking all seats, having first accomplished the The Keith Mitchell-led NNP celebration rally held at the National Stadium, last feat in1999.

Mitchell was week Friday. inaugurated at the Trade Centre in Grand Anse on Inset: Dr. Keith Mitchell, recently installed Prime Minister of Grenada, has February 20, one day said that there are institutions in place in Grenada that will keep government after the February 19 in check. polls, in a ceremony that lasted about thirty Representative. light on the question which has minutes.

However, reference was made to arisen among Grenadians.

In direct reference to institutions Section 62 (2) of the Grenada Joseph explained that in the which could help to keep the constitution, which gives the Grenada situation, in which there government in check, Dr. Mitchell are two legislative or parliamentary governor general the authority to pointed to the Public Accounts act in his own judgement and chambers, the House of Committee (PAC) which has ”the appoint three senators to fill the Representatives with 15 elected authority to scrutinize state owned members, and a Senate, with 13 space of the opposition senators, entities and the government’s without the advice of a leader of the appointed members, an opposition financial statements,” Mitchell said. leader is required to nominate three opposition and if a leader of the While making no reference to opposition cannot be appointed. senators to the Senate and to opposition representation in the Grenadians await the outcome of spearhead the working of the PAC. Parliament, it was left to former this impasse. (Source: Caribbean Joseph admitted that this is not attorney general and Speaker of the easily attainable with one party News Now and Baltimore House, Lawrence Joseph, to shed winning all 15 seats in the House of Post-Examiner)

(L-R): Machel Montano and Kernal Roberts leaving the Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court on January 16, 2013, the day their sentencing was deferred.

(Internet photo)

Machel escapes jail term MACHEL MONTANO, 2013 Groovy Soca and joint Power Soca Monarch in Trinidad and Tobago, has avoided confinement, for beating four persons and using obscene language.

Montano was ordered to pay fines and compensation totaling $30,100, an order pronounced

by Magistrate Maureen Baboolal-Gafoor in the Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court.

His sentencing had been deferred to February 25, so as to allow the soca artiste the opportunity to fulfill his performing contracts for Trinidad and Tobago 2013 Carnival.

The Trinidad Express reported Magistrate GafoorBaboolal as saying that she had taken into account Montano’s good character, and that he had made a valuable contribution to the country.

She admitted, however, that the two offences of assault occasioning bodily harm were “very serious and the court had to send a message that such behaviour would not be tolerated.” Montano’s lawyers had made a case for community service.

Montano has until March 4 to settle the fines and compensation, failing which he could serve as many as two years behind bars.

On December 10 last year, Montano was found guilty by the magistrate of assaulting Brandis Browne, Russell Pollonais, Janelle Lee Chee and Gerard Bowrin, and using obscene language outside the Zen nightclub on the morning of April 26, 2007.

Entertainer and producer, Kernal Roberts, the son of the legendary calypsonian Aldwyn ‘Lord Kitchener’ Roberts and who was charged along with Montano, was found guilty of assaulting Pollonais and Browne.

He was ordered to pay fines and compensation totaling $24,000 for assaulting the two persons.

The State was represented by attorney George Busby, while Dana Seetahal SC and Keith Scotland represented Montano and Roberts respectively.

(Source: Trinidad Express)

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6. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

De Freitas holds pleasant conversation with PM do that, but our progamme will continue to champion the cause of democracy and social justice.”

A thanksgiving was held and aired on Nice Radio last Wednesday from 6 am to 6 pm to give thanks to God and the people who contributed to the ‘Save Nice Radio’ fund.

He said that he contacted the other AFTER MANAGING TO PAY OFF receiver, Trevor THE JUDGEMENT DEBT IN ONE Edwards, to inquire MATTER OF DEFAMING Prime as to whether Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Alexander ever Douglas De Freitas, Managing “touched base” with Director of BDS Ltd, owners of him, and Edwards ‘Nice Radio’, was expected to said no. “I was not write to the Prime Minister last prepared to speak to Wednesday night asking him not No cooperation with him (Alexander) by to pursue the other matters Alexander himself, and there involving BDS Ltd. was no need to speak Speaking with THE De Freitas disclosed that he to him because all the VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, had signed to a sworn affidavit money was almost De Freitas said , “I had a on Wednesday that all the raised and spiritual encounter which money was paid, and an arrangements were in prompted me to write to application was made to the place that if we can’t Gonsalves asking him not to Court to have Peter Alexander pay it on Friday, we pursue the other matters, and officially removed as receiver. would pay it on the same spiritual encounter He confirmed, however, that Monday.” De Freitas prompted me to call him and since the judgment was paid, added. speak to him.”

Alexander was not seen at the On Monday De Freitas said that on radio station. morning, BDS Ltd Wednesday morning he called De Freitas intimated that paid $168,880 to the PM but he was at a Cabinet the money paid to Dr. Gonsalves through his meeting. “He called me back Gonsalves was raised by the Pleasant conversations or not between Dr. Ralph Gonsalves (left) and lawyer Grahame after 5 pm and we had a Radiothons, and he personally Bollers. Another Douglas De Freitas, there doesn’t seem to be any intention of making pleasant conversation. We deposited $5000 to make up the $36,262.47 was paid other matters against BDS Ltd. disappear. discussed things we agreed and amount. later that day. disagreed on. I told him about De Freitas also responded to Gonsalves told a the letter and why I was comments in some circles that news conference on Monday writing the letter to him.”

Alexander had gone to ‘Nice there were other judgments Asked whether BDS Ltd Radio’ last Saturday and there involving BDS Ltd and he told intends to change its was lack of cooperation. him lawyers to pursue them.

TWO MEN EMPLOYED on a year-old driver of Mc Carthy, programming thrusts now that “The court had appointed And while the PM intends to sales truck were robbed at and Elton Ross, a 22-year-old it has paid off the Judgment in joint receivership in this donate some of the money Ottley Hall last Friday, sales clerk of Arnos Vale ,were one of these matters, De Freitas matter. He, (Alexander), turned collected in this Judgment to February 22 while conducting held at gun point by three said, “I have always made up on Saturday so I did not charity, he said those collected sales in the area. masked men, relieved EC $25 requests of all persons on radio cooperate with him,” De Freitas in the other judgments will go Reports are that around and US$50 in Cash. programmes not to defame explained. towards his retirement fund.

2:00 pm, Oneil Browne, a 36Police are investigating. anyone and we will continue to

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Salesmen robbed

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. 7.

News

High Voltage pays tribute to Mas Icons

by KENVILLE HORNE HIGH VOLTAGE MAS TENT WILL LAUNCH their 2013 Vincy Mas presentation today, Friday 22nd March.

The band, entitled ‘Tribute Fifty ‘ and which pays tribute to a number of outstanding mas band producers over the last fifty years of the Band of the Year competition here, is comprised of ten sections, conceptualized by band leader Kingsley Collis and designed by Oswald ‘Ossie’ Constance.

The band expects to compete in all competitions for mas bands.

In an interview with THE VINCENTIAN, band leader Kingsley Collis said his band offers a costume “to play Vincy mas.,” and advised, “If you want a costume, come to High Voltage. If you want to have fun, come to High Voltage. If you just want to play mas and be in a bath suit, go elsewhere “, declared Collis. Children Costumes cost $150.00, while the adults cost $ $300, inclusive of food and drinks on Mardi Gras.

Collis thinks that even in the current economic downturn, his band’s costumes are affordable.

He is thankful to all those who have played mas with High Voltage and the sponsors of the band, which include Metrocint General Insurance Co. Ltd. Set to take place at the Mas tent on Bay Street opposite Gibson’s Building Supplies, the launch of the band’s 2013 presentations coincides with its 10th anniversary, and will take the form of a whole day barbeque, starting at 11:00 am. Patrons of the launch will be entertained by music provided by popular DJ, Jude D Cool Dude.

While Collis appeals for the public support, he also calls for a “peaceful and enjoyable Carnival 2013.

Paying tribute to Winston ‘Sammo’ Samuel.

Tribue to Eddison ‘Sheggy’ John of Bad Lads and Lasse.

Rememebering Kenneth ‘Vibrating Scakes’ Alleyene of Back Street Boys.

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8. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. 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

Back to the earth WE’LL TAKE A BREAK from the subject of the Building and Loan Association and all that that calamity has thrown up, and we’ll even stay some distance from the aspersions and innuendos emanating from the recent behavior of BBC personnel ‘in the face of our Prime Minister’.

While all of this abounds, a young, seemingly energetic and sincere agriculture minister is doing his ‘best’ to keep his portfolio in the national mix.

Suffice it to say, he faces an uphill task, especially as all seem otherwise be falling around him.

Given the extent of media coverage Minister Saboto Caesar’s endeavours attract, it is difficult to refute that he is a busy man.

The Minister, the ‘Energizer Bunny’ that he appears to be, and in keeping with his good-natured style of keeping his feet on the soil, made two field visits within the space of eight days.

One might be tempted to conclude that the Minister makes more visits to the (agricultural) fields than his Extension Officers (if they still exist); but that is another story.

For certain, the Minister is well aware that agriculture, once the major contributor of the Vincentian economy, has slipped badly in the peaking order; that there should be no boast about the export of 3,000 boxes of bananas when he knows that this country is a distance away from any level of comfort with our banana production, shipment and the much heralded ‘Plant Back’ campaign.

However, whether agriculture has slipped or not, it remains highly correlated to the growth and development of this economy.

That is why, out of concern and support for any genuine effort to return agriculture to its pivotal role, the Minister of Agriculture must be reminded (note reminded and not educated) about certain realities that characterize this vital sector.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ agriculture is, in the main, small-scale farming, but it holds out great hope for it remains in high-potential areas; notwithstanding the move to re-zone areas for housing and other services.

This small scale agriculture accounts for the greater percentage of output and marketed produce.

Here are some considerations (far from being exhausting) for the Ministry of Agriculture as we move to return agriculture to some semblance as a major contributor of GDP here: 1. Rainfall: The changing and unpredictable raining season, occasioned some say by climate change, has greatly affected the ability of farmers to plan their activities. Indications are that some areas that once received adequate rainfall, now receive insufficient rain, thereby reducing the land that can support agriculture. Time, therefore, to step-up and increase support for the exploitation of irrigation farming. The professionals say that increased efforts in irrigation can increase agricultural production fourfold and, depending on the crops, incomes by ten times.

2. Extension Services: There is ample evidence that agricultural extension services play a major role in disseminating knowledge, technology and information, and just as important, link farmers to other stakeholders in the economy. It is the extension services that will ensure that agriculture is transformed from one of subsistence farming to a modern, commercial agriculture culture.

The question is: Are the existing extension services adequate? What is the ratio of extension officers to farmers?

Given the state of farming and farming practices, it is safe to say that there is need for increased recruitment and deployment of extension staff, and a meaningful involvement of NGOs so as to increase access of this service to farmers.

3. Infrastructure: Poor rural roads and other key physical infrastructure (reception depots, storage facilities) have led to high transportation costs for agricultural inputs and products, not to mention the unreliability of the transportation means. It also leads to spoilage of perishable commodities during transportation. This causes high losses to farmers. Satisfying these requisites, proper rural roads, etc., must be highly prioritized on the action plan if farmers are to be assured of a gainful return on their backbreaking, painstaking efforts.

4. Pest and Diseases: Pests and diseases have continued to plague agricultural production here and cause losses to farmers, not to mention the diminishing of zeal among the farming community. Much in this regard has to do with the lack of information by the farmers on how to control these diseases. Extension services and the prompt and sustained availability of corrective, combative materials can be instrumental in helping to reduce the threat and/or control of pests and diseases, and prevent pre and post harvest losses.

There are more that we can offer, but for the time being, these are enough ‘tasties’ for the Minister and his staff to chew on. They are served up as genuine support for combating the ‘indigestion’ that now plagues this once highly agriculturally diversified Caribbean country.

Norma Keizer How comes it that my three sons, Adrian, Anthony and Andrew became great friends of the Keizer family, to the extent of my dreaming to be a father- in —law which was not to be. Andrew, my last son, was taken on Mrs. Keizer’s staff to teach science as soon as he had completed his “A” Levels.

The John family offers their collective condolences to the Keizer family on the passing of their mother, which can be seen, in school terms, as a promotion to a higher plane of existence to which we all aspire.

Death Around The Corner

I SAID MY GOOD BYE last week. There was one omission. I had taken out one of my cherished photographs with Norma on the occasion of her celebrating her retirement as headmistress, GHS, in 1990. I love it, and I think Norma loved it too.

I publish this photograph of two of us which says it all. From about age five, I first got to know Norma at the Wesley Hall Primary School, Fraser School. Among our fellow students, still alive, are Isola Forbes Phillips, a Bottom Town neighbour who took me to and from school in my infant days.

Also I can recall the still living Yvonne Francis Gibson, Cynthia Hunte, and Jean Barrington-Walker, Maurice Lee, Leslie ‘Monk’ Waldron, and Cecil Scott. Mrs Doris Adams Mc Kie and the evergreen Mrs. Viola John ranked among the young staff.

Those were the days!

When I returned to SVG as first Vincentian resident tutor U.W.I , 1964-67, Norma and I picked up back where we had left off. We formed the Kingstown Literary Society and published Flambeau, whose motto was, ‘Instead of cursing the darkness, one lights a Flambeau’.

I recall her producing two excellent articles that were right up her street: ‘An Educational Problem’ and ‘A Short History of Education in St Vincent’.

Scores of people, mostly ex- students who had sat at the feet of this gentle giant, have, since her death, produced reams of testaments in praise of this simple, selfless and dedicated teacher.

Family-wise, my own children took to Norma and her own as if they understood the chemistry that ran between us. At times ,I wondered if it was by accident that our first two daughters bear the name Andrea.

Heaven save me from morbidity, but I had it really hard over the last three months or so. First came the death of my cousin Alfie Jack in his mid-eighties. Now his sisters Renetta, the last of the Jacks, has died in her nineties, completing the circle when she was interred this weekend Sunday.

In between, Alfie and now, the nation lost Morris Slater who was brother to my two nephews and a niece but, like them, insisted on calling me “Uncle Kenneth”.

My wise aunt Edna Hadaway breathed her last in late November, while her cousin Daryl Wiseman gave up on living several weeks later.

After his passing followed, in December 2012, the strange death of Anesta Hoyte, whose family had been drawn to me ever since they lost their father by drowning about forty years ago. Another death of another client occurred about two weeks ago, suddenly, mysteriously in the car park of the Milton Cato Hospital from which the deceased had been dismissed under protest.

I first read of the death of Noreen Harris, who was scheduled to visit my Chambers next week over a legal matter.

I hailed originally from a large Family of Ten of which I was the last. I arranged with my sister Rita, who lives in New York, to spend last Christmas together, “passing ward” on two of our siblings in T &T who were not doing too well. We were rejoicing on Christmas Day in Trinidad when we heard that our sister, Inez Patrick in New York who had been ailing, had quietly passed away at 95 years.

We spent the vacation as joyously and reflectively as we could, leaving Ermine Hall resting comfortably at 93. Back in our respective homes of New York and SVG, we received the news in mid-February 2013 that Ermine too had called it a day. Who or what next? Heaven only knows.

Indeed, as this article goes to press at 4: 00 pm , Wednesday, February 27, I got more shocking news telling me of the passing in Trinidad of my brother, Eric John, 87 years old.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. 9.

Letters

I have two complaints

MR. EDITOR, I HAVE TWO COMPLAINTS WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO AIR REGARDLESS about how much certain people in this country think that we complain too much. (It’s as though everything in this country good, so there is nothing to complain about. Think again!!)

My first complaint is about the police and government vehicles in general. Why is it that police vehicles, sometimes going nowhere in a hurry, feel they must put on their sirens to avoid traffic?

And why is it that those vehicles with ‘G’ licence plates feel they can stop or park anywhere, anytime?

It seems all these police and government vehicles feel they have

the same self-bestowed privilege like the PM’s motorcade which with a siren-blasting traffic cop at the front, zip in and out of traffic and take up parking where ordinary drivers are not allowed to park.My other complaint has to do with the customer service in this country. We know how bad it is in some government departments, like the Kingstown Magistrates Court office where every man Jack who goes there is treated like some common criminal. You could leave all the manners your mother teach you outside when you go to do business at the Kingstown Magistrates Court.So that bad, but it seems business places ‘ain’t no

better’. What about a case where I joined a line at the cashier at a supermarket only to have the line brought to a halt. Mind you, there were only two of us in the line. Guess why the line stopped? To wait on another supermarket worker who had no goods on the counter, but for whom the cashier had to hold us up so that other worker could get preference. What a country!!And don’t even think of telling some of those store workers morning. They will think you talking some foreign language.

You still think we have nothing to complaint about. Think again, man.

Complainer

Letter to the NLC (SVG) THE PUBLIC SERVICE UNION (PSU) IS SEEKING ANSWERS to the following issues in regard to the functioning and operations of the National Labour Congress (NLC) 1. The current registration status of the NLC as a legal entity.

2. The general failure to comply with the provisions of the NLC constitution in respect of : i. The convening of annual meetings of the congress. ii. The convening of the various meetings of the Executive Council and General Council in keeping with your functions. iii. The submission of minutes of Executive Council meetings to affiliates iv. The submission of minutes of meeting(s) related to the incorporation of SOLIDARITY Inc

v. The submission of the General Secretary’s Annual Reports to affiliates. vi. The convening of special meetings of the congress as requested by the PSU, CTAWU and SVGTU. vii. The Submission of Audited Accounts and Budgets approved by the Executive Council to affiliates.

We also note that there is no mechanism in place for the NLC representatives on the Board of the National Insurances Services to report to the body on issues and developments affecting workers in the State.

Regards Cools Vanloo President SVG Public Service Union

In the PM’s corner WHO DO THESE BBC fellows think they are?

They might represent a worldwide media house, but that does not give them the right to impose on people the way two of their reporters imposed themselves on our Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

It’s funny, but I doubt whether any of our media people would have even been allowed to get that close to the prime minister of Britain. If they did, bet your bottom dollar they would have been whisked away by some close by bodyguard.

And to think that these men were accusing our Prime Minister of being dishonest.I appreciate the need for news people to get to the truth, but there got to be better and more decent ways of doing that. To have accosted our prime minister for all to see and many to hear was nothing but an insult to person and office.

I haven’t always supported Dr. Gonslaves on a lot of things, but this time around, I am in his corner. Shame on the BBC!!

Garnet, N.Y.

Waste not; Want not!

To waste is to fail to use, to fail to use fully, to fail to use for the right purpose.

In these turbulent economic waters, a little leak can sink a great ship; so we, as individuals as communities, as a Nation must work on our little weaknesses.

Do we utilize fully the following assets?

The sea and its creatures, the river and the river creatures, the land and its wild life, the plants, trees, forests, our fruits and vegetables.

Let’s not forget the sunlight, the wind, the rains, the moonlight, the natural attractions.

What about our history, our culture, freedom and monuments?

We can waste our youth, our finances and time and our oppurtunities.

Watch the way we use our abilities, skills, initivative, inventiveness, training and education, and ensure that they are used by a high purpose.

Note — the under use and misuse of public property, e.g. buildings, vehicles and materials.

Man power is not properly employed and there are too many square pegs in round holes in the public and private sectors.

What becomes of the hundreds of persons leaving secondary and tertiary institutions yearly?

Aprart from the contribution at their work place, where are the works and voices of hundreds of university graduates?

Perhaps they could form groups for public education and enlightenment.

“Willful waste brings woeful want” Think about the vast amount of funds wasted on those unnecessary appointments in the government service through nepotism.

Think about the tons of millions of dollars paid to students, etc, in 2009 as an ‘indepedence’ gift.

Waste no! Want not!

B.E.M

Watchman, what of the night?

All you watchmen who are placed here on earth, Be careful how you watch.

For the enemy is near at hand, Ready to launch an attack.

For so long I have been watching, I heard someone say.

And up to now I can’t see a thing, So I will take a rest today.

Be watching for that evil one, Who is always lurking around.

Waiting for that unguarded moment, Just to pull you down.

Be steadfast in your watch, Be watching unto prayer.

For it could be in your time of rest, The Savior may appear.

Please don’t watch at the things on earth, Which thieves and moths can destroy.

Instead, keep watching the things in Heaven, This will bring you everlasting joy.

So watch in the darkest moment, Watch in the broad day light.

For someone among you is asking, Watchman, what of the night?

Sydney K. Morgan © 1987

* Did the police know about that dastardly crime committed by their colleague before, according to school children, he skipped the country? * When last did the health authorities visit the old Lyric cinema (Cinemax) building? Is it being taken over by undesirable animals? * Have local entertainers withdrawn their services from a certain resort here? * Was there a mixup in the timing of the implementation of the new excise tax on liquor? Did one government department overrule another in this regard? * Why are school children saying that some business men had Golden Card status long before the official move by the Customs?

Welcoming dialysis to SVG I must confess that I am not a subscriber to your newspaper’s online site, but I recently had the pleasure of viewing it at a friend’s home. I must say how impressed I was, barring a few setbacks with last week’s edition.

It is a welcomed addition to the desire to read news and opinions from home.

But back to last week’s edition. The story about the dialysis to service was like music my ears.

Whoever the principals of Health Solutions are, I must congratulate them for taking this bold but necessary step. I recall how government after government shot down any call for this service, and I recall how many people suffered because there was no service available locally.Dialysis is close to my heart since I had a relative who needed the service.

Thank God he was living in the US where the service was available.

God alone knows what would have become of him if he had to remain at home.

With the service now available at home, those non-resident Vincentians who rely on it can now make plans to visit their homeland. Those at home might not realize how important this is.

Imagine for a moment not being able to visit with your family and friends just because you fear for your life.

Dialysis is, as the article points out, a lifesaving service. It was long overdue.

I call on the authorities and all Vincentians to give this dialysis centre their support.

Kyron, New York N.Y.

V

10. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Excerpt from the 2013 Budget Address

NDP’s plan for agriculture

The Mixed Economy

THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY recognizes the central role of agriculture to the economy of St Vincent and the Grenadines and to the livelihood and well-being of all Vincentians. The economy is based on agriculture and has to rely on it. The role of an NDP government will therefore, be to facilitate and support the local production sufficient. and marketing processes that will advance * Improved food availability; the country’s agriculture. * Improved food intake; * Higher resistance; Support will be in the areas of: * Less disease; * Technology generation, technology * Improve health. development and technology transfer for both production and marketing; Strategies for Food Security * The promotion of an Agricultural Trust Fund, under the management and * Focus on ecological conservation control of the farmers, agro-processors, and the use of bio-diversity; marketers and traders, to ensure their * Increased production to satisfy access to credit and other resources to advance their production and marketing domestic consumption; * Relevant infrastructure systems and, consequently, those of the development; country as a whole; * Appropriate research and * The provision of rural roads, development programmes; bridges and other infrastructure to * Encouraging household/kitchen advance the agricultural production and gardening; marketing system; * Subsidies for local Agro-producers, * The provision of incentives to the production and marketing sectors, while processors and marketers; * Effective land distribution and respecting global international rules. utilization; The overall goal of the NDP’s * Reduced dependency on imports.

National Agriculture Policy is to optimize and maximize our capacity to provide for our food needs. This will be Rural Development done through increasing production of a In recent years, the international range of crops and livestock species as community has increasingly emphasized well as fish and related by products, the importance of agriculture to rural thus ensuring a sustainable food development and how it will contribute security system for all.

Agriculture has a pivotal role to play to the overall national development goals. This is reflected in the central in diversifying the economy of St importance of agriculture to the World Vincent and the Grenadines. Through this process, we will reduce inequalities Trade Organisation negotiations in the by increasing incomes and employment Doha Development Agenda.

We must therefore develop the opportunities for the poor. It is also a mechanism that will utilize our natural appropriate strategies and actions that resources to earn foreign exchange. Our will demonstrate our appreciation of this situation. We will therefore seek National Agricultural Renewal to: Programme is fundamental towards 1. Involve the farmers in planning improving the quality of life in our rural and implementation to promote shared communities. responsibility, an increased sense of ownership, and community confidence.

Key Objectives 2. Organize farmers into effective organizations to improve their * Develop mechanisms that would support the sustainability of the Banana production, market, and bargaining powers, as well as to preserve sector in the Global Environment; * Ensure a profitable and sustainable traditional knowledge and share Agricultural Production and Marketing resources.

3. Provide farmers with the required System; training in good agricultural practices, * Increase agricultural productivity by the optimum utilization of the factors food security and marketing.

4. Combine new and traditional of production and the use of appropriate knowledge to help build local research technology; capacity for long-term rural * Improve the competitiveness of development. agricultural commodities in the 5. Carefully adapt technological domestic and external markets; products from developing and developed * Establish an agricultural regime countries, such as machines, new that would ensure that all agricultural species of plants or new breeds of production adhere to international animals to conform to the unique standards; environmental conditions of individual * Ensure environmental protection rural areas. Also modernize farming through environmentally friendly through appropriate technology and new agricultural practices; farming techniques. * Establish Agro-Processing and 6. Balance the need to protect the Agro-Based Industries by promoting the environment with economic growth, backward and forward linkages within community development, and the the agricultural sector; * The National Agricultural Renewal expansion of agricultural production.

7. Recognize that women contribute programme will provide the platform up to 80% of expertise, time, and labour for our Food Security Programme; to agricultural production in most * Ensure that we are able to substantially meet the food needs of the developing countries, and involve them along with youth-in both project tourism sector in all its forms; * Meet the international demand and planning and implementation. find new niche markets for all crops and * Consultation for sustainability; livestock, especially Bananas and * Community groups; Arrowroot; * Importance of women and youth; * Re-organize, expand and efficiently * New and traditional knowledge; manage the Irrigation System; * Technology products; * Reduce the food import bill by * Balancing needs with developing a national ‘buy local’ sustainability. campaign; * Put measures in place to advance the Fishing Industry to be a major Land Development Plan employer, source of foreign exchange and mechanism of diversification; * Collect all data to identify and * Ensure a Better Quality of Living for the Rural Community, by increasing locate the total amount of arable lands that have not been cultivated to date; the Purchasing Power of Farmers. * Create an incentive scheme for traditional farmers to increase the Food Security and Safety production of root crops, pulses, The quality of life of St. Vincent and condiments and vegetables; * Provide for farmers, through a rethe Grenadines can be improved at all organized and motivated extension levels if our country increases its services of the Ministry of Agriculture, capacity to provide for its food needs. requisite training in Good Agricultural As such, Food Security is an issue of priority with the New Democratic Party. Practices (GAP), Food Security and Marketing Strategies etc.

Widespread incidents of natural * Ensure that uneconomic disasters and uncertainty of the global agricultural holdings are efficiently environment within recent times have made Food Security a major issue. The utilized to become income-generating holdings. only way our nation can safeguard our food supply is to become more self-

MR. SPEAKER, the stance of our government has been straightforward: The private business sector, the cooperative sector and the State have complementary roles as part of a “mixed economy”. The practical policy sign-posts are determined by the common sense criteria of efficiency, fairness, sustainability, and appropriateness in a small, vulnerable economy.

Historically, the State has been a force for good in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and ought not to retreat from any necessary and desirable role in sharing, guiding or shaping the ownership, control, influence, facilitation, or regulation of the economy or parts of it. This means encroaching on the functioning of a pristine, unregulated, free market. It ensures, too, an efficacious criss-crossing through, and within, the boundaries of the State, the market, and the society.

In the society the role of the social institutions, including the family and the church, and the activities of nongovernmental organisations are critical.

Indeed, challenges in the society which connect intimately with the condition of people’s lives such as unemployment, poverty, crime, social alienation, noncommunicable diseases, an insufficiency of marketable skills, and distorted consumption patterns, demand an appropriate interfacing and connectedness between the State, the market, and civil society.

It requires, too, optimal individual or personal responsibility and productive effort which properly balance work and leisure. These considerations, and more, have been at the centre of our government’s compelling developmental narrative, practical policies, and programmes over the past twelve or so years.

Own the Government Mr. Speaker, I have repeatedly urged that the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines own their government not merely in theory, but in daily practice.

This exercise of ownership carries rights and duties, reasonable expectations and obligations. A civil participatory political culture has to be built not merely to criticise, grumble, or pursue personal or vanity agendas. An insistence on rights and expectations or entitlements with no matching duties and obligations is not ownership of government but a parasitic exploitation of it.

The State, the market and the society must lend their collective, corrective endeavour, for the better. Our government has worked assiduously for good governance and its achievements have been most commendable. To be sure, perfect governance has not been accomplished; indeed perfection is not achievable in this earthly city. We ought, never to permit imperfections to cause us to grumble in a way which prompts us to make perfection the enemy of the good.

Mr. Speaker, the conduct of public affairs is serious business for serious people; it is not a branch of the entertainment industry. Accordingly, I remain hopeful that the debate on the Appropriation Bill 2013, in this Honourable House over the next few days would be devoid of an excess of cant, sophistry, facile posturings, falsehoods, hypocrisy, grand-standing, opportunism or personal abuse. We ought to be focussed on improving the lot of our people, especially those who are marginalised and disadvantaged.

Let us be true and honest about the real issues at hand and credible solutions, for the better.

Sticking to the Facts Mr. Speaker, I urge that we note what is happening around us in the CARICOM member-countries, including those in the ECCU, and assess what is being done in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Let us look at the facts, not the falsehoods or distortions pedaled by our government’s critics. A few

indicators would help.

First, as the FAO Study shows, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines undernourishment in the population has decreased quite sharply over the past ten years to such an extent that only three countries in CARICOM have marginally better scores of nourishment levels than St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Secondly, the level of indigence in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the lowest in the OECS and among the lowest in CARICOM; so, too, the level of inequality which has moved from the highest in the region in the year 1996 to among the lowest today.

Thirdly, the salary of public servants, and their benefits, are now among the highest in the Windward Islands and our cost of living is the lowest. Indeed, between 2009 and 2012 when most public servants in the rest of the region had percentage increases close to zero, here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines salary increases were accorded to public servants as follows: 4 percent in 2009; 5 percent in 2010; and 1 ½ percent in December 2012 backdated to January 2011. These increases were on top of the significant increases and bonuses in the five years previously, including the enhancements arising from the reclassification exercise.

Good Economic Performance Further, while several countries in the ECCU are unable to pay their public servants’ salaries on time, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has never once defaulted in this regard. And we have not gone to the NIS, as some other regional countries have done, to pay public servants’ salaries and pensions.

Additionally, we have not laid off public servants in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as has happened elsewhere; indeed, we have employed more, particularly nurses, teachers, police officers, and other strategically-placed persons in the public service. These are some of the comparative “people” indices of relevance.

Mr. Speaker, on an assessment based on a core of macro-economic indicators, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has done better than almost all other Caribbean countries. The public debtto-GDP ratio is the smallest in the CARICOM region, except Trinidad and Tobago, with its oil and natural gas.

Our current account deficit and overall deficit on the central government accounts are among the lowest in CARICOM. Between 2009 and 2012, inclusive, the real annual GDP growth rate in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is better for every year than the ECCU average.

Indeed, in 2011 and 2012, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the only membercountry in the ECCU which has recorded positive economic growth 0.41 percent and 1.53 percent respectively in each of those two years. The data from the ECCB make all this plain. Still, I reiterate that our recovery is slow and we are still not yet out of the woods.

Mr. Speaker, the tendency of the government’s critics is to park aside the government’s on-going accomplishments, develop collective amnesia about them, isolate a few limitations or weaknesses and blow them completely out of proportion.

Thus the daily diet of negativism from them. Meanwhile, they offer no credible alternatives for the better, only demagoguery, infantile distractions, bile, and inconsequential musings.

The critics, by and large, distort or stylise the facts in a vain search for a theory of explanation. It is their shifting sand of nothingness upon which credible policies cannot be built. In the end, they find themselves in the position of a blind man standing still in a dark alley searching for a moving object.

V The Customs and Excise

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. 11.

Views

Department’s Gold Card Initiative “The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Customs and Excise Department focuses on the three major areas of compliance, transparency and partnership.” — Grenville John, Comptroller of Customs, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

MANY INTERNATIONAL RESEARCHERS, consultants and academics at institutions of higher learning have highlighted the significant benefits that can be derived from partnerships between the private and public sectors. Within recent years, the visionary leaders in several Caribbean territories have sought to encourage regular meetings of various stakeholders in the private sector, public sector, and labour. The value of such relationships between the private sector and the public sector is also visible at regional meetings such as the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) where national delegations often comprise strong government representation with able support from private sector organisations and senior company executives. It is evident that such collaborative efforts can have a significant influence on the growth and development of a company, a segment of the economy, a country, and the region.

As indicated in the introductory paragraph, public sector and private sector partnerships at the local level can result in positive benefits to a variety of stakeholders. This was evident when the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SVGCIC) and the local Customs and Excise Department met on Wednesday, February 20th, 2013 to discuss the latter’s Gold Card Initiative. The session was conducted at the SVGCIC’s conference room in Kingstown. Eight (8) senior Customs Officers and approximately sixty (60) private sector representatives attended the three-hour meeting. Ms. Ann Marie Quow, Assistant Comptroller (Ag.), chaired the proceedings. During her welcome and introductory remarks, she highlighted the importance of public sector and private sector partnerships, and stressed her department’s commitment to forging such useful links with the various stakeholders, and the department continues to focus on providing quality service. She also highlighted her department’s role in facilitating trade and the economic benefits generated.

During his opening remarks, Mr. Andrew Woodroffe, President of the SVGCIC, reinforced Ms. Quow’s emphasis on partnerships and the Chamber’s role in lobbying for private sector and national interests. He expressed great satisfaction with the relatively high attendance at the midweek event, and noted that this was an indication of the level of interest members showed in relation to fostering greater cooperation between themselves and the Customs and Excise Department.

Speaking on behalf of the Customs and Excise Department, Mr. Grenville John, Comptroller of Customs, remarked that the Chamber was his department’s “partner of choice”. He informed the attentive audience that his department focuses on the three major areas: compliance, transparency and partnership. He continued by indicating that it is with this in mind that his department and the SVGCIC will re-introduce the quarterly meetings to facilitate a closer working relationship between these two bodies.

The Comptroller proceeded to provide the participants with insights into the “Gold Card Initiative” and the role that this would play in facilitating trade. He indicated that the management at the Customs Department considered offering the prestigious Gold Card to importers who demonstrate high levels of compliance and honesty. Such a programme will facilitate the release of goods in the quickest possible time. He explained that Gold Card holders must be a legal entity; must be registered in the Customs ASYCUDA System and must have updated records for at least 3 years; must be a member of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Chamber of Industry and Commerce or a member of a similar organisation or trade association which is certified and has a reliable financial status; must be VAT registered; and must allow the Customs to conduct a preliminary systems review of his/her business. After providing details in relation to how the system would work, he commented that “There has been a lot of talk. It is now time for action. This is a Customs initiative that demonstrates our commitment to go forward.”

Mr. Clairmonte Lynch, ASYCUDA Coordinator at the Customs and Excise Department, then provided the attendees with insights into the developments in information technology within his department. He noted that the Customs’ website should become operational by April, 2013 and would provide for greater interaction between the Customs and Excise Department and its various stakeholders. He noted that details related to the Gold Card Initiative will be uploaded to the website, and asserted that the programme should reduce the time spent clearing goods from Customs; thereby enhancing the efficiency and productivity levels at the ports of entry.

He noted that consideration has been given to provide a link on the SVGCIC’s website to facilitate the dissemination of information to the Chamber’s members and other visitors to their website. Mr. Lynch then used the opportunity to inform the audience that the department will shortly be introducing ASYCUDA World (an “upgrade” to ASYCUDA ++) and that his department will soon send notices to traders informing them of when the department will conduct training in the use of this new system.

Mrs. Alicia Dick-Brazel and Mr. Kennie Dennie, Senior Customs Officers, then provided the private sector representatives with insights into the post clearance audits that are performed by the members of their department, and the types of audits conducted.

The floor was then opened for discussion. Numerous questions were asked as the audience sought to obtain additional details in relation to the Gold Card Initiative. Ms. Quow then thanked the Chamber and its members for hosting the event, and noted that the Customs Department is committed to continuing the dialogue with the private sector.

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

The Wages of Celibacy THE RESIGNATION of Britain’s most senior Roman Catholic clergyman, accused of unwanted advances toward younger priests, will ratchet up the usual talk about lies, double lives and hypocrisy, and rightly so.

The church’s leaders preach a purity that its own clerics can’t maintain. They cast stones, and are so far from blameless.

But before we range across that sadly familiar terrain, let’s give a moment’s thought to loneliness and longing. And this: the pledge of celibacy that the church requires of its servants is an often cruel and corrosive thing. It runs counter to human nature. It asks too much.

Just so we’re clear: I’m not excusing priests who’ve sexually abused minors, or even talking principally about them. The British clergyman, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, isn’t charged with any such crime.

He’s charged with failing to obey the moral absolutes he pronounces. And if true, the allegations represent more than yet another peek behind a curtain of fraudulent righteousness.

They’re a suggestion of celibacy’s foolishness, even its recklessness: of the way it warps the culture of the priesthood; of the unreasonable standard it sets.

Last week, just before the allegations came to light, Cardinal O’Brien raised questions about the wisdom of the church’s tradition, for the last 900 years, of consigning clerics to a single, unmarried, ostensibly sexless life. He told the BBC that the next pope should consider dropping the celibacy rule, on account of how isolated clergymen can be.

“Many priests have found it very difficult to cope with celibacy as they lived out their priesthood and felt the need of a companion,” said Cardinal O’Brien, 74, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland. By companion, he specified a woman, and he mentioned marriage, which is technically what celibacy forbids.

Chastity is a byproduct of that, since the church doesn’t condone sex outside the bounds of matrimony.

Did he find it difficult to cope? The accusations against him appeared in a British newspaper, The Observer, which reported that three priests and one former priest had recently complained to Pope Benedict XVI’s diplomatic representative in Britain of “inappropriate contact,” an “inappropriate approach” and other such behavior, some of it from decades ago. The cardinal has vaguely contested these charges.

According to The Observer, they were received by Benedict’s representative in the week immediately preceding the pope’s announcement that he would retire.

Vatican observers will invariably try to connect those dots, just as they’ve theorized a bridge between Benedict’s retirement and a rumored dossier that he supposedly got about Vatican

officials who’d consorted with male hustlers. It’s surely possible that a seemingly ceaseless tide of scandals contributed to his yearning for an exit.

But such speculation diverts attention from a more important truth that arches over these various tales. Celibacy is a bad idea with painful consequences. It not only renders the priesthood less attractive, contributing to a shortage of priests, but also influences which men pursue ordination and how they fare.

It’s a trap, falsely promising some men a refuge from sexual desires that worry them. That’s one explanation for what many church experts believe is a disproportionate percentage of gay men in the priesthood. In a world that has often convinced these men that they’ll be outcasts, the all-male priesthood can seem like a safe haven, and the vow of celibacy an opportunity to tuck one’s sexuality away on a shelf.

The promise of celibacy most likely factored into the church’s child sexual abuse crisis. Some mental health professionals believe that men trying to vanquish a sexual attraction to children might well drift toward the priesthood in the hope that extra prayer and an intention of chastity would make everything right. One Catholic archbishop, Daniel Sheehan, who has since died said: “It could well be that a person with this kind of a hidden psychosexual problem could escape to the seminary and the like, thinking in some way that this would be a way of sublimating this problem.”

No matter what a person’s sexual orientation, the celibate culture runs the risk of stunting its development and turning sexual impulses into furtive, tortured gestures. It downplays a fundamental and maybe irresistible human connection. Is it any wonder that some priests try to make that connection nonetheless, in surreptitious, imprudent and occasionally destructive ways?

If the stories about Cardinal O’Brien are true, you can look at him as the latest in a long line of Catholic hypocrites, his deeds in conflict with his words. That’s fair enough. But you can also look at him as someone whose needs couldn’t conform to a needless commitment to aloneness.

And you can reserve your harshest judgment for the institution that puts him and so many others in that bind.

Frank Bruni of the New York Times published this excellent piece and I wanted to expose local readers to great writing on a pertinent topic.

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

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12. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

BLA: The FSA Âfire truckÊ sends a bad message

protected by simply updating the 1941 Building Society Act to require that financial institutions change their external auditors and GONSALVES’ could have been avoided, early as 2002, to mitigate president at least every MANAGEMENT of SVG’s but more importantly, any wrongdoing. three years. finances is arrogant and would have been avoided Investors’ and savers’ Gonsalves spent highly incompetent. It is if our country had a money in the SVBLA many years in opposition no surprise that Gonsalves minister of finance who could have been and 12 years in office,failed the 2008 audit of is a university graduate protected by simply and has had plenty of the public accounts in finance, and has good updating the 1941 time to update the 1941 carried out by the knowledge of financial Building Society Act to Building Society Act. constitutionally appointed planning. require that all loans are Gonsalves’ lack of Director of Audit of Public Mr Ivan O’Neal, secured. It is believed financial knowledge and Accounts. One wonders Leader of SVG Green that millions of dollars lack of financial whether this was not the Party, has a BSc(Hons) have been lent by the qualifications, has led to first time in SVG’s history in Accounts and Finance SVBLA as unsecured this incompetence that that a government had from Oxford Brookes loans. According to Mr has put people’s money failed a public accounts University, England. In Ivan O’Neal, a loan at risk. audit. his professional opinion, without security is Sending in the FSA as The financial problems the 1941 Building technically a gift. a ‘fire truck’ to put the at the St. Vincent Society Act should have Also, investors’ and flames out after the fire Building and Loan been amended by the savers’ money in the has started is remedial Association (SVBLA) ULP Government as SVBLA could have been

thinking. The fire at the SVBLA could have been avoided. Gonsalves conveys to members of the public that the SVBLA’s assets are under threat.

In the minutes of SVBLA Annual General Meeting on 21st May 2009, the President of the SVBLA ‘gave the assurance that the SVBLA was in a stronger position when compared to 2008’.

The same minutes state, ‘According to the President… the organisation had received a clean bill of health from the auditors’. This illustrates

a clear case for the need to change auditors and presidents regularly. The table below shows this.

It is mind-boggling that the president of the SVBLA and the auditors got it so badly wrong.

There is a correlation shown between Gonsalves’ financial incompetence and the destruction of SVG’s economy. If the people of SVG want jobs and prosperity and a better future for their children, then they must call for change; they must call for Gonsalves to resign.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org

Garifuna to celebrate fifth annual heritage month observance of the 216th anniversary of the exile of the Garifuna people from mainland St. Vincent and their settlement in Central America.

“During GarifunaAmerican Heritage Month, we will celebrate the great contributions of GarifunaAmericans to the fabric of the New York State and New York City, and we will pay tribute to the common culture and bonds of friendship that unite the United States and the Garifuna countries of origin — Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” it said in a statement.

The Garifuna Coalition, USA, Inc. also said that, this year, it celebrates the 190th anniversary of the “Drama of King Shotaway,” authored and staged by Vincentian-born William Henry Brown in 1823.

The group said the “Drama of King Shotaway” The 218th anniversary of Chatoyer’s death will is recognized as the first also be marked during the month-long black drama of the American programme of activities.

Theatre, having as its subject the 1795 Black

by NELSON A. KING Caribs (Garifuna) defense of St. Vincent naking@verizon.net; neloking@msn.com against colonization led by the US CORRESPONDENT Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer.

“However, despite 190 years of the THE BRONX, New York-based Garifuna Garifuna intangible cultural heritage’s Coalition, USA, Inc. says that the group contribution to New York City’s vibrant will celebrate its fifth annual heritage cultural life, the community was month from Mar. 11 — April 12. virtually obscured in New York until the The group said that the event is in Happy Land Social Club fire on March

The Happy Land Social Club fire on March 25, 1990, will also be recalled as a galvanizing, though tragic, event in the lives of Garifuna in the USA. 25, 1990, where the majority of the 87 victims were of Garifuna descent,” the coalition said.

It said Garinagu in New York have “risen from obscurity to the pinnacle of recognition and honored the legacy of Thomas Vincent ‘TV’ Ramos,” Ramos, in 1941, wrote: “If a Moses could have led his people from obscurity to the pinnacle of fame and recognition, I am confident that, given an opportunity and necessary cooperation, I could, with the years of my experience and preparation for this task, pull my people from their slumber and the pitfall into which they had sunken through the ages of neglect and lack of intelligent leaders.

“I could restore them to the chivalry of our forebear and lay down such a solid

foundation that generations to follow would be able to build upon it for their own prosperity and advancement,” he added.

In kicking off Garifuna Heritage Month, the Garifuna Coalition, USA, Inc. said it has planned a series of events in cooperation with other New York-based community and civic organizations.

These include the Garifuna-American Heritage Month Resolution, to be presented by New York State Senator Ruben Diaz and State Assemblymen Marcos Crespo and Luis Sepulveda, in Albany, the capital of New York State, on Mar. 12; and recognition of the 218th anniversary of Chatoyer’s death two days later.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. 13.

Diaspora

Veteran journalist gets ‘Leader in Excellence in Journalism’ award A LEADING GUYANESE medical mission group in the United States has conferred on veteran Vincentian-born, Caribbean journalist Nelson A. King its prestigious “Leader in Excellence in Journalism” award.

King, the Brooklyn, New York-based United States Correspondent for THE VINCENTIAN newspaper, was honored on Feb. 17 by the Brooklyn-headquartered APC (Action, Performance, Commitment) Community Services, Inc. during its annual Black History Month/ Valentine Award Ceremony at the banquet hall at Grace Church of God in Brooklyn.

The group, which conducts annual medical missions to Guyana, singled out King — who is also the US Correspondent for the Barbados-based Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) and senior writer King displaying proclamation from Brooklyn Borough President.

for the Brooklyn-based Caribbean Life newspaper — for his “dedicated service and outstanding contributions as a journalist.”

APC Community Services, Inc. also said King, a Chateaubelair native, who wears many hats — including public health manager, college professor and certified United Methodist Church lay speaker (local preacher) — was honored for his “commitment to promoting the contributions of Caribbean people in the United States and around the world.”

In addition, the distinguished group, which comprises medical doctors, nurses and other health care professionals, said King, also a law graduate, political scientist and public

administrator, was “unselfish” in improving “the lives of families and for being a role model to the seniors and youths in our community.

“We honor you as a ‘Leader of Excellence on Black History Month,’” said the group in the inscription on the extraordinarily large plaque.

Citation of a selfless person

King receiving “Excellence in Journalism” award, flanked by APC Community Services, Inc. President Dr. Janice Emanuel-Bunn (R) and Board Member Illoise Tucker.

“He has demonstrated a unique quality of capturing the contributions of Caribbean people and the impact they have made on these United States,” she added. “We applaud him for being fair and balanced in his writing.”

Among those present at the ceremony to support King were his wife Dofflyn, a registered nurse, who hails from Troumaca; his closest sister, Clarice; his classmate at the Grammar School, Chateaubelair native Ian Gordon, an ex-police officer, and his wife, Erica, both of whom represented the Rev. Dr. Glyger Beach, who had to conduct a funeral service at the same time; and Roxie Irish, president of the United Vincie Cultural Group of Brooklyn, and her sister Dailene.

Others in attendance offering support included: Arnold “Lydon” Charles, a certified public accountant and former president of the Brooklyn-based Vincentian umbrella group, Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Organizations, U.S.A. Inc. (COSAGO); Joslyn Burnett, Mrs. King’s close friend and former teaching colleague at the former Richmond Hill Government School; Desiree Blake, Mrs. King’s Guyanese-born friend and co-worker with the Visiting Nurses Association of New York; and Doreen Thomas, a Jamaica-born registered nurse and King’s church sister and colleague in the Central Brooklyn Lions club.

In a citation, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, “saluted and commended the esteemed Nelson A. King” as “a true son of Brooklyn, by way of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as a respected public health manager, a college professor and a preeminent Caribbean journalist with over three decades of experience, among so many distinctions.”

Markowitz said he congratulated the versatile and humble King “as he is justifiably recognized by his peers and loved ones, and I thank him and all those present for helping him to make the world a better place to live, work and raise one’s family.”

Dr. Janice EmanuelBunn, the Guyanese-born president of APC Community Services, Inc. said her group was pleased to honor King because of his humility, penchant for excellence and sheer dedication to the Caribbean community.

“We specially chose to honor Mr. King because of his selfless service and his commitment to APC Community Services, Inc. and the Caribbean community at King humbled large,” she said.

King said he was “very humbled for the honor, especially coming from a group outside” his native Vincentian community.

He thanked his late parents, Jack and Beryl King, of Chateaubelair, for making “grave sacrifices” so he could attend the St. Vincent Grammar School, where he said the foundation for academic excellence was laid.

He was also very high in praise for his wife for supporting him “wholeheartedly through thick and thin” in his achievements, as well as his other relatives and friends and the wider community, including Rodney Adams, his elementary school teacher at the Chateaubelair Methodist School, and Leroy Mulraine, his cousin, originally from Troumaca.

King said, among others, Adams, a Methodist Church local preacher, former elementary school head teacher and supervisor of elections, and Mulraine, ex-deputy Grammar School headmaster,

education officer and current proof reader at THE VINCENTIAN, helped him “tremendously” in improving his English, and encouraged him to always strive for excellence. King’s late mother was born in Troumaca.

“I certainly could not have achieved this without everyone’s unconditional love and support, especially my late parents and my wife, but, most important, Almighty God,” King told the honor ceremony.

“Through Him, everything is possible.

“I thank APC Community Services, Inc. for recognizing my work and for bestowing this special honor on me,” he added. “Journalism is my greatest passion. I do what I do, not for great rewards or awards, but because of my deep commitment and devotion to the community; and so, I humbly accept this award. I certainly could not have done it on my own. Thank you so much, and may God continue to richly bless us all.”

14. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. 15.

News

Students showcase talent in Poster Contest

Stories by KARISSA CLARKE

Storm Halbich urged young persons to be proud of their culture.

Winners in the Ministry of Tourism-Karib Cable Botanical Gardens Poster Contest for secondary schools collected their prizes during a function held at the Botanical Gardens, last Tuesday.

Some twenty-four entries were received for the two category competition from three schools: St. Vincent

Grammar School, Girls’ High School and St. Joseph’s Convent Kingstown.

Gloria Williams of the Department of Culture expressed that, “The contest was created to sensitize students on issues affecting the Botanical Gardens by depicting scenes from the Gardens in bright colours and (varying) fonts. “ In the Junior Division, Roberto Archibald emerged winner, with Miguel Francis in second place. Both are from the St. Vincent Grammar School.

In the Senior Division, Kiara Bailey of the GHS was adjudged the winner, with her schoolmate Arielle Roberts in second place and Cody Jack of the St. Vincent Grammar School in third.

Other students selected as being outstanding were Minesha Davis, Gabrielle Pierre , Deowayne Keil, Nickolas Sylvesster, Brian Pearson, Halle Jackson, Adjaye Adms, Mikhail Browne, Odinga Daniel, Antonio Providence, Leron Doyle, Shanique Alleyne and Sujcth Nedd.

All prizes, including a

kindle, IPods and goody bags were provided by Karib Cable, this country’s sole triple television and telecommunications (cable television, internet and fixed telephony) service provider.

Storm Halbich, Grammar School student, author and Poster Competition Coordinator, shared some sentiments with his fellow students.

The Tourism Youth Winners of the Ministry of Tourism-Karib Cable Botanical Gardens Congress 2012 winner Poster Contest pose with Minister Cecil Mc Kie (right) and Ed Riley expressed that he was of Karib Cable. proud of the contributions made by Jankie Glass, wife of Kelly founding of the Gardens, “will the students and reiterated Glass, Managing Director of be a big celebration - a week, a the importance of youngsters Kelcom International/Karib month of activities and events being proud of their culture, Cable, assured the gathering to celebrate.” especially the Botanical that Karib Cable will continue Cecil Mc Kie, Minister of Gardens, the oldest in the to work along with the Tourism, Sports and Culture, Western World.

Ministry of Tourism and the was undeniably impressed Ed Riley, Karib Cable National Parks, Rivers and with the work done by the General Manager, shared that Beaches Authority (NPA) to youngsters. He congratulated “the Botanical Gardens has see to it that the Gardens them and also the Friends of captured a special place in the Restoration Project is the best the Botanical Gardens for “all ‘Glasses heart’, hence the it can be. they’re doing to bring the reason for the countless She declared that in 2015, restoration project to fruition donations to garden the 250th anniversary of the in 2015.” development and upkeep by the Company.

Mc Kie gives update on planned activities McKie described this as “a ,” as ESPN and other sports channels will have to come into SVG to cover the competition.

In keeping with football, the Minister advised that discussions will continue with FIFA with respect to that international body assisting with infra-structural development to advance the development of the sport here.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of the month of March, now known as National Heroes and Heritage Month. A programme of activities for the month was outlined

by Cultural Officer Anthony Theobalds.

Cecil Mc Kie, Minister of Tourism, Hayden Billingy of the National Sports and Culture led the disclosure about activities planned Parks, Rivers and Beaches by his Ministry for 2013.

Commission, was invited to give an update on the Mangrove Awareness and Conservation Project which is MINISTER OF TOURISM, SPORTS expected to commence soon in six AND CULTURE, Cecil Mc Kie last primary schools in the St. George Monday addressed the media at a press briefing at the Curator’s House, Parish.

Those schools are: Sion Hill at the Botanical Gardens.

Primary, Fair Hall Primary, Sugar The Minister gave an insight into Mill Academy, Belair Primary, activities in which his Minsitry will be Brighton Methodist Primary, involved for 2013.

Calliaqua Anglican Primary.

Among the highlights is the hosting A series of Street Theatre of the regional finals of the Guinness presentations will also be staged in Street Football’s tournament, the St. George Parish as part of the scheduled for the Arnos Vale Hard Mangrove Awareness and Court.

Conservation Project.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. 17.

16. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Ministry M Min inistr nistry r of of Agriculture Agric gric ricult culture ure re Windward W Win indw ndward wa w arrd d tour tto ou urr

Right: Right Ri htt: t Agriculture Minister Minis ster Saboto Caesar assists sts in loading assis banana trans-banana slips for trans port to t Richland Park.

by b y KENVILLE HORNE

THE MINIS TRY OF AGRICULTURE AGRICU UL LTTURE continued its MINISTRY field visits with a tour, tour, on TTuesday uesday 19th F ebruary, to to the inner regi ons and Windw ard February, regions Windward side of mainland S t. Vincent.

Vincent.

St. The delegation, led by y Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesa ar, was expected to Caesar, make a similar tour of th he island the the following Tuesday.

Stopping first in Meso opotamia the opotamia, Mesopotamia, delegation visited a farm m under root crop cultivation, including da sheen, eddoes and dasheen, tannias. The cultivation n was indicative, r, of the diversifica according to the Minister Minister, diversifica-tion from bananas, since since,, as he explained, the field was once domin nated by banana dominated cultivation.

The banana field was destroyed by Hurricane Tomas (2010) (2010),, and also suffered from the ravages of the Moko M and Black Sigatoka diseases.

cash cassh flow issues.”

However, following a meeting meetiing with Minister received Min nister Caesar, the group re eceived assistance, asssistance, and it has paid off. offf. They were werre able to increase production; productiion; younger you unger persons started to show show interest inte erest in farming, and those e farmers who return-who were discouraged, are now w return ing g to the fields.

David Barnwell, a memberr of the group, gro oup said he has decided to “get oup, “get back into o banana,” because it is the e best crop.

“Me e use to have cheque upon cheque,” said d Barnwell.

The locations of the GRPS farm, with its panoramic view of the landscape land dscape of the e South Central Windward region which Agro-which holds much potential for fo or Agro tourism, occasion Minis-tou urism, presented the occasio on for Minis ter Caesar to disclose that an Agro-tourism desk dessk would soon be established establishe ed at his ministry. min nistry.

Farming g and Agrog i potential i l tourism Moving on to Greiggs,, the delegation visited the e y 20-acre farm operated by the Greiggs Rastafarian Progressive Society (GRPS).

The farm was a picture picturre of a variety of root and vegetable crops.

Ajit Duncan, Vice President of the group, explained that in the past, production levels fluctuated as a conse conse-quence of “fertilizer and Hillside cultivation in G Greiggs.

Some of tthe being Rabacca eo he varieties of dasheen be ing propagated at the Rab acca Farms.

Tourists Touriists to SVG must “get a wholesome wholesome appreciation apprecia ation of the Vincentian culture, culture, particularly particula arly the aspect of agriculture,” agricultu ure,” Minister Mi i t r Caesar C declared. d l d Karii Da Silva, who holds a Bac Bachelor chelor of Science e Degree in Tourism and Hospitality Ho ospitality Studiess from the University of the e West esk.

Indies, Cave Hill, will head the de desk.

L de elegation In Lowmans Windward, the delegation witth met with d John, Richard who is also involve ed in involved dive ersifithe diversifie cation efforts Right: Cocoa plants,, at Orange e Hill, ready for f distrib ution distribution to farm mers. farmers.

spearheaded spearhead ded by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Agricultu ure.

John is i into dasheen dash heen and pine e apple cultivation, cultivatiion, and shared shared that the e “pine apple ap pple is very beneficial beneficiial … persons perso ons come and an nd buy.”

North Windward North Windw ward – research and propagapropa agation The delega delegation ation moved on to the North h area Wi d Windward d ar ea and d made d its it first fi t stop t at at the Rabacca Farms.

F There, per rsons view ed the livestock persons viewed section which h breeds pig, sheep and catt tle cattle for on-breedin ng pu rposes. on-breeding purposes.

The Minist try off Agriculture is currently curren ntly Ministry undertaking a livestock head count in SV VG. SVG. fa arm The test farm o also consists of o propagation of cassava and varieties fifteen varieties of dasheen. en is The dashee dasheen earmarked forr use Mesopotamiia in Mesopotamia and Greiggs, Drr. according to Dr. Gregory Robin,, represe enCARDI representative in SVG.

A dasheen farm in Mesopotamia that was once under banana cultivation.

Cattle at the Rabacca Farms will be used for bre breeding. eeding.

CARDI oversees the farm.

Dr. Robin, noting that the cassava goes to the Arrowroot Factory in Orange Hill for processprocessing, explained that the high yieldyielding variety of cassava, while giving higher weight, returns and weight, “is not necessarily the bestt for processth b f proces sing.”

TaiwanAt the Taiwanese- run Technical e Mission at Orange contingen nt Hill, the contingent tw wo took note of the two cocoa nurseries ch located there, whic which Andrew Hadley, o General Manager of the SVG Cocoa Company, said currently house 40,000 plants, 100 “which is about 100 acres of cocoa cultivation. d plants in the “We will start distributing farme ers who are ready, whose next week to farmers p and suitable,” lands are already prepared y promised.

Hadley e Mission also provides The banana slips, slips and during the banana th he delegation was there, time the P a farmer from Errol Porter, Richla and Park, was collecting Richland s 1000 slips.

Porrter opined that banana Porter so oon re-take its rightful will soon s place since, in his estimation, e-planting process has re “the re-planting begun very well.”

Mov ving on to Sandy Bay, the Moving delega ation visited with arrowarrowdelegation fa armer Venold Brackin, Brackin root farmer w leading a team in who was manua ally reaping one acre of manually arrowrroot. His farm was the arrowroot. t be harvested for the third to year.

Som me 62 acres of arrowroot Some sch heduled to be reaped this are scheduled f processing into starch, year, for at the Owia factory.

Ca auldric Browne, Manager Cauldric

Left: Arrowroot (rhizomes) (rhizom mes) reaped from Venold Brackin’s in Sandy Venold e Brackin’s farm f y Bay. Bay.

for o coverage coverage of the Leeward Leewa ard (Look out for ne exxt week’s we eek’s issue.) issue..) tour in next

F said that of the Owia Arrowroot Factory, fetch hed for the starch last year the price fetched c to 50 was increased from 35 cents cents, “but this year we are hoping to go beyond that.” a There are 61 active arrowroot farmers in SVG. e tour, The final stop on the jourrney to made on the return journey f at Kingstown, was at the farm b National Orange Hill, operated by naged by man Properties Ltd. and managed Michael James.

A range of tree cropss is grown gers, wax there, including five fin fingers, m sour sop apple, guava, coconut, mango, se erve as raw and breadfruit, which serve agro manufacturing an fact ring material for the agro-m agro-manufacturing Fresh h. enterprise, Vincy Fresh. complements one in This farm complements edicated to the de Peter’s Hope which is dedicated green house cultivation of vegetables. lared the tour Minister Caesar decl declared und dertaking another worthwhile undertaking h that helped to confirm his Ministry’s commitment to ng sustaining and advancin advancing agriculture in SVG.

Michael Mickey’ ‘Mickey’ ames, James, anager of Manager e National the roperties Properties arm at Farm Orange Hill, displays a five finger reaped from the farm.

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18. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

People

N ma K Norma Norm Keiz Keizer: i er: Laid L to restt butt no rgottten n nott fo forgotten Students and members of the Girl Guides Troop of the GHS lined the pathway into the cathedral.

by WILLIAM ‘K by ‘KOJAH’ OJAH’ ANTHONY NORMA KEIZER, born to to A gatha Seaton Seaton and George Agatha Ince, Ma 10, 1934, died Mayy 10, February F ebruary 19, 2013.

2013. She was wass St. buried at the S t. George’s Cathedral Kingstown, Cathedral, Kingstown, wn Tuesday Tuessday F ebruary 26.

February Ralph Prime Minister Dr. Ral lph Gonsalves, in his tribute, outlined that she should be b ‘revered,’ a significant highlight especially at thi thiss time when the process of selection of additional being national heroes is still bei ing conducted. among Dr. Gonsalves was amo ong severall persons who h commended the stalwart for f her contribution to the Vincenenhancement of the Vince entian, regional and internainterna ational landscape.

Breaking new ground as a teacher h Norma distinguished ng having herself as a teacher, havin entered the classroom in 1954 at the Georgetown Government School.

In 1960, she was trans trans--

ceremony.

Alexander, in a humorous presentation, extolled the virtues of his departed colleague, i recounting encounters at the Nation Newspaper in neighbouring Barbados.

In her genuine Caribbean fashion, Norma enhanced the p aspect of regional integration in practiccal fashion. A delegadelegapractical frrom that institution tion from d up to show their final turned respects respeccts to the departed stalwa art. stalwart.

Two workers from the Two n Newspaper have Nation becom me fixtures on the become Search hlight staff since their Searchlight interveention. ention intervention.

Butt Norma’s Caribbean crusade crusad de began at the Mona Campu us when she read for a Campus

n Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1957.

Also paying tribute wass Norma’s daughter Claire.

The Girls High School JeanSteel Orchestra and Jeannette France showed the appreciation which that i i i carries i for f institution Norma.

The Girls High School was Norma’s base from ran nge which she generated a range of activities that still echo across the multi-island nation.

Students, past and numpresent, came out in numbers in a demonstration off p princ p cirespect to the former principal. drumAccompanied by drumd mers from the C.W Prescod m School, they marched from th he the Girls High School to the St. George’s Cathedral, to pay tribute, with their overwhelming presence, too an nd the lady with the social and whiich cultural consciousness which she imparted with positivee impact as she fostered a impact, nationcommitment to nationbuilding among them.

tha at has earned impact that respecct and admiraadmiraher respect alm most every tion of almost w came under student who tutela age. her tutelage. addiition to her In addition y and linguistic versatility Norrma was the skills, Norma persoon to formally first person Wesst Indian teach West n St. Vincent and History in Grena adines. the Grenadines. seeemed to She seemed desstiny with have a destiny affairrs and set local affairs prrecedent in many a precedent endeavours. her endeavours. s quit When she classrooom, the classroom, em mbraced Clare Keizer (left front), frront), seen here Norma embraced th wider id social i l the with ith h her sister i t Andrea A drea Bowman, And B and it was eulogized her moth her with many sphere and mother attach hment with her attachment anecdotal referenc es. references.

Search hlight the Searchlight newspaper that th hat has h characcharacferred to the Girls’ High symbolized her remaineed at that School and remained ter. retireinstitution until herr retireHeadmistrress, in A regional co connection onnection ment, as Headmistress, 1990.

Sebastian n Alexan Alexan-By then, Norma had The privileged d pall bearers of Mrs. Norm Norma Keizer. carved out a reputa p ation as der,, another of the reputation dign nity of founding mem mbers of members the upholder of dignity newspa-the Searchlight Searchlig ght newspa rights of students. va aried and per, paid glowing glow wing tribute to Her work was varied c Norma at Tu uesday’s Tuesday’s profound, and she created an

Left: A lasting graphical tribute to a stalwart Vincentian.

Vincentian.

The G GHS student body formed the majo major part of the funeral procession.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. 19.

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20. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

News

PM to begin charitable donations soon letters, informing those to whom he would be making contributions.

PRIME MINISTER Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is On Monday, BDS Ltd paid expected to begin his distribution of Gonsalves, through his lawyer charitable donations by next week.

Graham Bollers, $206,142.47 of which The PM made the disclosure while $169,880 was paid in the morning and hosting an interactive programme on $36,262.47 later that day.

Star FM radio, last Tuesday night.

Gonsalves said that his lawyers He confirmed that he had received informed him that $20,000 was “the fruits” of a judgement handed outstanding as an award of cost down against former talk host Elwardo against Lynch at the Appeal Court.

‘EG’ Lynch and BDS Ltd owners of On June 21, 2011, the Eastern Nice Radio, for defaming him about 10 Caribbean Court of Appeal ordered years ago. Gonsalves has repeatedly Lynch and BDS Ltd to each pay said that the money collected in this Gonsalves $140,000 in damages as judgement would be donated to well as prescribed costs of $30,000 on charity. the claim. Lynch was also ordered Responding to a caller to the individually to pay Gonsalves $20,000 progamme, the Vincentian leader said, and both defendants were to pay five “I am drawing up a list of all the percent interest on the judgement debt entities I will divide the money among. from November 26th 2008 until full By next week I will begin the and final payment. distribution.”

Gonsalves said he would send Going for the money

by HAYDN HUGGINS

The Prime Minister told a news conference on Monday that he had suggested to Bollers to apply for a Court order to garnish the account at the RBTT Bank into which monies raised through the ‘Save Nice Radio Appeal’ were deposited.

Gonsalves said that last Friday he signed to a sworn affidavit to seize the account, and on Saturday the receiver appointed by the High Court for him, went to ‘Nice Radio.’

He indicated there were other judgements involving Nice Radio which he asked his lawyers to pursue.

The money collected in those judgements, according to the Vincentian Leader, would go towards his retirement years.

Attorney Kay Bacchus-Browne and community activist Junior Bacchus had been spearheading the Save Nice Radio appeal since October 2012, after Gonsalves applied for a Court order to have a receiver appointed so that he could receive “the fruits” of his judgement.

On February 30, Master V Georgis Taylor-Alexander ordered BDS Ltd to pay Gonsalves $138,000 in one day.

The Master also ordered that Peter Alexander be appointed receiver and manager regarding any sum remaining unpaid on the judgement debt, interest and costs, together with Trevor Edwards, and they were to

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is preparing to come good on his promise to donate some of the jdugement money to charity. discharge their obligations as joint receivers and managers.

No money was paid to Gonsalves until Monday when the entire judgement was paid.

Gonsalves had taken Lynch and BDS Ltd to Court in 2002 after Lynch had made certain remarks on the Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) ‘New Times’ programme, aired on Nice Radio.

Community ‘Open Field’ Animal Clinic In Edinboro THE VINCENTIAN SOCIETY for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (VSPCA) held its first joint Animal Clinic with the Veterinary Division of the Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday 20th February in Edinboro.

Four government veterinarians, including Chief Veterinarian Dr. Kathian HerbertHackshaw, comprised the team of experts.

VSPCA stalwarts, President Mary Barnard, Traudl Arthur and Chris Dotterill, accompanied the veterinary team.

Dogs may be the current concern of the VSPAC, but its mandate includes protection of all animals.

Some fifty-three (53) dogs and one (1) cat were presented for evaluation and treatment.

A follow-up clinic/.visit is scheduled in three weeks time.

According to a release from the VSPCA, the clinic “is an exciting new dimension to our work

that we hope to carry throughout mainland SVG and the Grenadines.”

VSPCA is grateful for the assistance of the team from the Veterinary Division, but continues to appeal for volunteers to ensure that its cause is realized.

V Confront her Deportee wants to make up

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. 21.

Advice

Dear George,

MY EX-BOYFRIEND WAS DEPORTED from Canada, and since he returned, he has been begging me to get back with him and to forgive him for what he did to me. He was in Canada without his papers but was working up on a plan to get married to this woman, who is a good friend of mine, in order to get his papers.

I did not agree with it at first, but they both convinced me that if he gets his papers, then he would send for me. I fell for it.

They got married and began filing for his papers. His 'wife', my friend, then began to tell me that she would not be divorcing him because she is truly in love with him, and they are not only living together, but are sleeping with each other. I almost went nuts!

My cousin, who still lives in Canada, went to the immigration with the information on them, and everything came to a halt. My cousin acted on my behalf because she did not like the way he was treating me.

Dear George,

Dear Worried,

Put an end to your sleepless nights and approach this woman.

Let her know that you saw her committing an illegal act. Give her the opportunity to sort herself out, and advise her to seek professional help at the same time. Follow up with her on her progress as a friend and church brother.

It should be her decision whether or not to disclose this to her husband. Your issue is with her and not with anyone else.

George

To cut a long story short, they sent him home. Now he is here begging me to forgive him, telling me how much he loves me and we can start over. I just told him that my present boyfriend would not agree with the idea of me having another man beside him. Now he is just walking the street like a crazy man.

all parties concerned would have learned from this fiasco.

Keep your focus, and use this new opportunity to build a respectable relationship with your new guy.

I CAUGHT MY CHURCH brother's wife shoplifting sometime ago and it has given me sleepless nights since. I have never confronted her with this. She does not know I saw her.

Should I say anything?

This couple is so exemplary that I am very ashamed to approach my brother with this information.

How should I go about this? I do not want to lose the friendship of either of them.

Game over

George

Worried

Dear Game over, I am pleased that in the end you got a chance to come to your senses and realize that you were connected to the wrong man. It is regrettable that it had to take this experience to find that out.

I am an advocate of taking the legal route in acquiring residence status in any country. I hope that

All she wants is money Dear George, I WENT 3 YEARS without a woman in my life, then a few months ago, I found this girl. Now, I am wondering if I have made the right choice.

On the first date we had, she asked me to lend her $300 to help pay her rent. I was so in love that I immediately handed it to her.

Since that time, she has asked me to pay for her airfare to Barbados so that she could keep an appointment for a USA visa.

Every time we meet, she would ask for some sort of money, and I, like some fool, keep giving it to her. She has made no effort to repay me what she had borrowed. I am wondering if she is with me just for my money, or if she is really in need and has no one else to turn to. I am feeling a bit used, but I do not have the guts to deal with it.

Her latest request was for money to go get an abortion. She says I got her pregnant and she is not yet ready for a child. I don’t want a child either, but I do not want her to abort my child. I told her to bring the child, and she is saying

she can’t and she needs the money urgently to get this abortion. George, you have to help me sort this one out.

Confused Dear Confused, You need to know that in life there are takers and givers, and your girlfriend seems like she qualifies as a taker.

Follow your instinct and do some reevaluation. A relationship cannot function or survive if one party is a TAKER. Let her know you are done dishing out money irresponsibly, and ask her what her game is. It should be clear to you, by now, what her game is though, I admit, some of us are slow to learn.

There is nothing to sort out here - you are a target, and she is hitting it every time she shoots! If she is in fact pregnant, she will abort the child if she really wants to. Let’s hope that she rethinks that decision, seeing that you are willing to father the child. If you are not happy and you have your doubts, then get out!

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) You may enjoy doing something musical for entertainment. Don't get involved in expensive entertainment that involves gambling. Daydreaming will be your downfall. Entertain those who can provide you with valuable information and knowledge.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Time is money and you must be ready to take action in order to reach your highest potential. You can get a lot done if you get your hands on the right equipment. You can come up with solutions to the problems responsible for inefficiencies at work. You will benefit by taking care of other people's concerns.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Overstatement will be your downfall.

Attempt to face key issues with lovers or problems could escalate. Take a look at yourself and prepare to make those changes you've been contemplating. You need some rest.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Travel for pleasure will be enticing.

Watch your tendency to live for the day and to spend too much on entertainment and children; it could set you back. You will have splendid suggestions for fund raising events. Try to take care of the needs of those you love.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Accept the inevitable and continue to do your job. Be prepared to take care of the issues at hand. Dream a little this week. You will have to be careful not to let infatuations with colleagues get out of hand.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Get involved in creative projects that will enhance your earning power. Real estate and joint financial ventures will be profitable. You will have the ability to capture the interest of others. Get busy on those home improvement projects that you've been procrastinating about.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Difficulties with older females in your family may turn out to be quit trivial after all. You may want to take a serious look at your goals and objectives. If you've been really busy, try to schedule some time to spend with loved ones. If you can include them in your plans, do so.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Avoid any intimate involvement's with coworkers or employers. You have to feel free to come and go as you please to achieve happiness. Take a look at yourself and prepare to make those changes you've been contemplating.

You need a change of pace.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You may want to make changes that will turn your entertainment room into a real family affair. You must strive to get the most important projects completed properly, rather than doling everything in a half baked way. You can make financial gains through investments and dealing with other people's money. Be sure to use your charm and diplomacy when dealing with potential new clients.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Rest and relaxation will be more favorable than you think. Find out all you can; secret enemies may lead you astray. Travel opportunities should be your first choice. Travel will promote new romantic en counters.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Don't expect the whole family to be overjoyed. Sudden romantic connections may be short lived. You will meet new friends and enjoy a multitude of new activities. Your ability to come up with original ideas will bring recognition from superiors.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Short trips to visit others will do the whole family a world of good. Try not to let relatives or friends cause any friction with your mate. You can accomplish a great deal. Unforeseen changes in your location are apparent.

ACROSS 1. Ref’s counterparts 5. Legendary stories 10. And 14. Hand cleaner 15. Cary Grant had one 16. Soothe 17. Greater 18. Stallone title role 19. Placed down 20. On the Baltic 21. Office-holders 22. Thunderhead 24. Keystone figures 26. Distort 27. Emphasize 30. Tablelands 34. Disagreeable job 35. Contended 36 Sand formation 37. Singer McGraw 38. Rebuked 41. Tumult 42. Shade trees 44. Greases 45. Farewell (Sp.) 47. “_ Are a Girl’s Best Friend” 49. Power of films 50. Uses a plus

sign 51. Forfeit 52. Trio’s number 54. Statute 55. Type of car 59. Enticement 60. Ed of the Reagan administration 62. Roosevelt coin 63. National park measure 64. Orange type 65. Entertainer Adams 66. Did farm work 67. Moves slightly 68. “Untouchable” T-man

11. Waikiki picnic 12. Skidded 13. Ancient 23. Rent 25. WashingDOWN ton bills Winter 1. Sch. for offi- 26. coasters cers 27. Performed 2. Lowing 28. Tex-Mex sounds dish 3. Peel 29. Punctu4. _ of the ation mark House 5. Written dia- 30. Vitamin tablets logue 31. TV sound 6. Arkin and 32. Labor _ King 33. Touch or 7. Emeralds. smell, e.g. e.g.

8. Andrews, for 35. Annuls 39. Blames one (abbr.)

40. Week’s 9. Military seven prison 10. Agreed to 43. Stung

46. _ china (porcelain) 48. Wordsworth poem 49. White-sale items 51. Sci-fi weapon 52. Tijuana treat

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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22. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

53. Engage 54. Jacob’s son 56. Candy striper 57. Fifi’s friends 58. Queen and drone 59. “_, humbug!”

61. Munch

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. 23.

Business

Affisha wins big with LIME

WEDNESDAY 27TH FEBRUARY, 2013 was a special day for Miss Affisha Edwards as she walked into the LIME store to collect her brand new Blackberry handset, with 1 year FREE Black Berry service.

Affisha was a participant in the LIME Talk Is King promotional hour on Hot 97FM Radio station, led by Shanubi.

“I was so excited when I got the call yesterday, I could not even talk,” said an excited Affisha.

“You know how long I wanted a LIME phone?” continued Affisha, “so I am Affisha Edwards, definitely happy with this clearly elated as she win and would be keeping it displays her new for myself.”

Blackberry Handset She was more than glad from LIME. to inform that her entire family uses LIME and now she can join them in style.

Several daily winners emerged from this promotion and were awarded with FREE credit, but only one person got the coveted New Blackberry Curve handset with FREE data.

This promotion was as a result of a release by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) confirming that in almost every category, LIME calling rates are lower than the competitor.

“Every day, customers are recognising the savings they get when they make calls from their LIME phones compared to others. We continue to provide our customers with exceptional service for great value. That’s why LIME talk is KING,” concluded LIME’s Marketing Manager - Nikala Williams.

s

Samuel revels in Karib CableÊs shopping spree “I AM A BIT OUT OF BREATH, but it’s definitely worth it,” said a delighted Peter Samuel of Gibson Corner as he completed his shopping spree at the C.K Greaves Supermarket in Pembroke.

Samuel won the opportunity to ‘go shopping mad’ for being a winner in Karib Cable’s recently concluded ‘12 gifts of Christmas Karib Cable, Gives to Me’ promotion. He became eligible when he signed up for Karib Cable Internet Service during the period of the promotion, November 19, 2012 to January 4, 2013.

“After receiving a call to inform me I won a shopping spree, I began working out which items I will be going for first and, with help of my family, (I) am satisfied with what I picked up. I cannot bring words to describe how I feel, but I want to say thank you to Karib Cable because these groceries will go a long way in helping out.” Samuel said on completing his ‘shopping spree’.

“I feel real happy for my father when he heard he won this prize.

He was so looking forward (to it) and to see his expression on his face afterwards was priceless,” said Kendra Samuel, daughter of Peter.

Other prize winners in the Karib Cable ‘12 Gifts of Christmas Karib Cable, Gives to me’

Peter Samuel (right) is joined by (from left) Lisa Browne, Kendra Samuel, Margaret Samuel, and KC’s Vance Garraway at the end of his ‘shopping spree’. promotion were Jean Stanley of Ratho Mill, who won the grand prize of a TV, and Cheryl Williams of Sion Hill, who took home a laptop computer.

Vance Garraway, Marketing Executive of Karib Cable,

expressed his company’s delight in bringing “value... to our customers,” and thanked the Management of C.K. Greaves Supermarket, Pembroke, for their collaboration in his company’s effort.

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24. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Tribute

Fitzroy Alfonzo Rogers Sunrise: 1st July, 1936

Sunset: 7th February, 2013

His second marriage to Gloria AkersRogers produced one (1) son, Albert.

BORN TO SYLVANUS and Beatrice Rogers Gloria worked along with him in the in Aruba on 1st June, 1936, Fitzroy business.

Alfonzo Rogers was the third of seven (7) In addition to his sons (including children; siblings Doreen, Adeline and stepson Adrien) and daughter, he Chester pre-deceased him. leaves to mourn sisters, Emelda and Fitzroy came to St. Vincent at the Ruby, a brother, Winston, many nieces tender age of four (4) years. He and nephews, other relatives and attended the Stubbs Primary School. friends.

On completing his primary education, he did tailoring for a short while with In demand Mr. Remy Horne. He held fond memories of the first suit he made for Gloria Rogers, wife of the late Western John’s nephew.

Fitzroy Rogers, said that there is He later migrated to England where hardly a home in St. Vincent and the he worked in various areas, but his Grenadines for whom her husband did real love was photography which he not provide photography services. studied at evening classes.

He has photographed Vincentians After seventeen (17) years in from all walks of life, including England, he returned home and political party figures, dignitaries from opened the first ever colour printing throughout the Eastern Caribbean, photo studio in St. Vincent and the and foreign government ministers.

Grenadines (Rogers Photo Studio), He also photographed countless which he operated for over forty (40) weddings and conferences, and years. produced many shots for commercial Fitzroy was first married to the purposes. late Sylvian Collins-Rogers whom he According to Gloria, one of his staff met in England. She was of members who had migrated to Canada Vincentian parentage. That union decided to return to St. Vincent to get bore two (2) sons, Ian and Andrew. He married; he requested master also had one (1) daughter, Maxine. photographer Fitzroy Rogers.

Eulogy delivered by Kingsley Roberts

As a matter of fact, many Sunday lunches were cut short because business men, amateur photographers, priests, and even a nun on one occasion, turned up at his residence to request his service.

Fitzroy Rogers was renowned for his high level of professionalism and quality of work.

Topping his class in England The master photographer told a story about his time at College in England.

The young energetic photographer was given an assignment to photograph places of interest, and to produce a number of colour prints.

Rogers said he bought a colour kit, turned his bathroom into a darkroom and went to work on the project. After working through the night, he managed to produce a number of colour prints for this class. When he turned his work in, the Professor inquired about where he printed his work. A young Rogers answered, “Sir, my bathroom.”

The Professor asked again: “Where did you print your work?” He smiled and repeated his answer, “My bathroom, Sir.” During the next assignment, the professor was invited to his apartment to see ‘the newest processing lab in town’. Fitzroy, as you might suspect, was top of his class.

While in England, he also worked at a factory for several years, and with a family to support he recalled having “to work long hours.” His weekends were, more often than not, given over to working on some photography assignment, and somehow he found the time to provide services to the West Indian community.

Return to SVG Fitzroy returned to St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 1973 and setup the Rogers Photo Studio on Back Street, in

the Sardine Building obliquely opposite the Richardson Photo Studio.

A few days after he setup shop, he received a letter from Mr. Richardson complaining that he had setup on the same street but did not have the courtesy to introduce himself. Later on they became very good friends.

Fitzroy recalled with pride the fact that he was the official photographer at the first Miss Carival Show in 1985.

He also made much of being the first photographer to reach the summit of La Soufriere during its eruption of 1979.

Many of his photographs of the eruption were published in the local newspaper and international magazines.

Fitzroy Rogers rightfully occupies a place of immense pride in the history of photography in this country.

May his soul rest in peace.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. 25.

Opinion

Dear St.Vincent Â5Ê DEAR ST. VINCENT, I have been diagnosed with an autoimmune illness caused by an overload of chronic stressors.

The body attacks its own organs, affecting cell metabolism and compromising the ability to perform basic tasks. There are days I cannot function well and I’ve been told the disease is progressive.

I can’t help but see a connection with a national condition that is similarly attacking itself from within.

It’s apparent our island is ailing. Its vital aspects are attacking each other rather than working cooperatively.

The virus of violence and abuse turns energies destructively inwards towards the vulnerable, whose gifts are crippled as a result. Protective community practices no longer hold up, and each cell fights for its own survival as the whole is depleted.

St. Vincent, as a sensitive being, I often wonder if my organism has absorbed your condition. Over two decades. I have empathised with your pain to transmute it into youthful creativity. I have wept as a witness to destruction of nature, of creativity, of love in a culture of lies. With many others, I have agonized over umpteen projects sabotaged, positive people self-exiled, children silenced in fear, friends burgled, raped and assaulted.

I have seen too many prematurely dead bodies.

Through illness, I have spent days unable to walk or see.

Could that be my body screaming “Enough!!”? No more seeing, no more

travelling up and down excavating creative heritage to later feel the pain of its strangulation. No more interfacing with those who feign concern whilst robbing others deserving of opportunities. When faced with excess, debilitation is the body’s rational response to conserve energy (or the wise One will force us to). It’s time to reflect.

My dear St. Vincent, I continue to act in the interests of our mutual health, recovery and community resuscitation.

Despite what doctors say, I have not given in to the notion that I have a degenerative disease, but prefer to embrace a ‘regenerative condition.’ The power to regenerate is immense, if we believe we have within what it takes to be well.

But our sickness must be our guide, we must befriend it, understand what it is saying to us, where it originated, and let it teach us about healing. Such lessons from examining, not denying, the suffering in our midst, form the foundation of wellness. The sooner we embrace

our national condition, the greater our chances of making a full recovery.

Effective healers start their protocol by asking questions and listening to those who are suffering so they can understand the specific internal and external environments in which the sickness proliferates. Far from being a miserable task, this first stage of healing is

sympathetic and reassures that benefits await us, once we attend to our condition responsibly. We are going on an adventure of immense discovery. The healer empowers the patient with tools to change not only their perception of their illness, but also the destructive practices that led to it. With willpower and faith, the ailing can transform their suffering into

wisdom to share with others and reclaim their productivity.

Can we face our illness with the healer’s vision of empowerment, hope and liberation? For the same person/nation that gets sick is not the same one that heals.

With love from one who knows in healing, the Spirit grows stronger.

Vonnie

26. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. 27.

Scotiabank, Swimming Association in new agreement Villette Howard-Browne, Treasurer of the Swimming Association, contends Youth development in our DNA that swimming contributes not just to education and discipline, but serves as WHEN IT COMES TO THE DEVELOPMENT a safety valve. of youths in St. Vincent and the Meanwhile the Scotiabank Grenadines or anywhere that they Invitational Swimming Championships operate, Scotiabank gets involved. took place at the Shrewsbury Pool Syran Clarke, Scotiabank’s Facility, Sunday 17th February.

Commercial Banking Manager, is The Competition afforded exciting pleased about the links her bank has competition in races over distances developed with the St. Vincent and the ranging from 25 metres to 400 metres, Grenadines Amateur Swimming as persons vied for spots in the squad Association (SVGASA). for the 27th Carifta Swimming “We have the development of youth Championship scheduled for Jamaica in our DNA,” Clarke outlined at March 29 to April3, 2013.

Olympic House recently.

Prior to that, Vincentian swimmers “When you say youth and competed in the Barbados Long Coast development, you say Scotia,” he Championship, February 12 — 17. assured.

Among the Vincentian swimmers Clarke was speaking at a function impressing were female swimmers at Olympic House, where Stephen Shne Joachim, who won a gold medal Joachim, President of the SVGASA, in the 50 metre Breaststroke, a silver announced a two-year contact between medal in the 100 Breaststroke and Scotiabank and his Association. bronze medals in the 200 Metre Clarke noted his bank’s support for Breaststroke, 50 metre Butterfly and children’s cricket, and outlined that 50 metre Freestyle; and Nikolas “the fact that they agreed to assist Sylvester, who won silver medals in swimming is confirmation that they the 50 metre, 100 metre and 200 metre see swimming as an excellent Breaststroke and a Bronze medal in development vehicle for the youth.” the 50 metre Freestyle.

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

(L-R): Syran Clarke – Scotiabank, Villette Howard-Browne, Stephen Joachim and Garcia Cato - Treasurer, President and General Secretary of the SVGASA respectively, at the function that introduced a two-year agreement between Scotiabank and the SVGASA. As far as the future is concerned, Joachim pointed to plans by his Association to stage activities at Rose Place in Kingstown and Layou on the Central Leeward coast, as a “Grassroots programme” deepens.

Joachim is also keen on seeing an Open Water Swimming series with

races over 100, 500, and 1000 metres categories, a form of swimming which is a growing phenomenon and which features at major championships.

Like other sports, swimming holds opportunities of scholarships for students with academic and swimming capabilities, Joachim reminded.

Local swimming needs wider pool IN ORDER FOR THE SPORT of swimming to develop and St Vincent and the Grenadines to produce top class swimmers, there must be a wider pool of swimmers to choose from, as well as a six lane swimming pool facility.

The Shrewsbury House facility does not allow for adequate lane space for the effective development of swimmers.

This recommendation has come from FINA certified swimming instructor, Rick Powers, who was here on a tenday development clinic working with local coaches and swimmers in classroom and practical sessions.

Powers has visited St Vincent and the Grenadines on three occasions on similar missions, and acknowledged that he has seen progress over the years. However, he believes the sport’s local administration is

swimming against the tide, as there is need for more persons to get into the pool.

With a resumé that included being coach of the national swimming teams of Ecuador, Venezuela, Brazil, Malaysia, Kuwait and Israel, Powers stated with authority that in order to get a swimmer to the top of his/her game, there must be at least 100 persons competing in each of the disciplines of the sport.

And he is urging the St Vincent and the Grenadines Amateur Swimming Association (SVGASA) to seek out more persons and get them involved.

Powers advised that

the administrators must vigorously pursue the schools and the communities to identify the talent and fine tune the most adept.

The FINA instructor, who has conducted courses in no fewer than 31 countries, in adding to his call, wants the SVGASA to work towards getting a sixlane pool, instead of an Olympic size 50-metre facility.

At present, the 24.5metre, three-lane pool located at Shrewsbury House at Ratho Mill, which was commissioned a year ago, is the sole facility for training swimmers.

While recognising that it is better than none, Powers warned that with the encouraging signs that more youngsters are gravitating to swimming, the Shrewsbury facility could soon become inadequate.

“You don’t want persons tripping over one another in the pool,”

Rick Powers, FINA certified swimming instructor, wants to see more persons in the current pool of local swimmers.

Powers said in reference to the existing pool.

He reasoned that with a six-lane pool, more swimmers will be able to go through their swim routines and ultimately get better at their craft.

Powers advised that it is important that the interest in the sport is maintained to avoid the swimmers becoming disenchanted and walking away, because of inadequate facilities.

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28. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

BSA president makes security call

PRESIDENT OF THE BARROUALLIE SPORTS ASSOCIATION (BSA), Lorson Lewis, wants the executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) to look seriously at the provision of security personnel during matches of the current Hairoun Beer National Inter- community League Competition.

Lewis’ concerns came following last Sunday night’s brawl among some members of the South Leeward and Barrouallie teams, at the Victoria Park.

“There is need at least for you to have securities in the playing field in any venue whether in marble pitching or football, so there is need for security and maybe they need to look at it seriously,” Lewis ordered.

Lewis wants, in particular, to see security measures being enforced in the rural areas, where spectators

become more passionate about their support for their teams, and are essentially at home.

“I am more concerned about the rural fields that are not fenced and secured from players to spectators,” Lewis said.

In making reference to last Sunday night’s incidents, Lewis believes that the referee, Collingham Delves, had a hand in the flare-up of tempers, because of the manner in which he handled the match.

“I don’t think it was malice on his part because it was his general style of refereeing (and) not necessarily (that) he would have carried the game badly… I have heard he was a physical player so his preference to physical playing may have got the better of his refereeing, in a sense… He was basically carrying the game in the style that he likes, (an) aggressive

style, “ Lewis reasoned.

Delves, a FIFA accredited referee for a couple years now, is a former national midfielder, who represented St Vincent and the Grenadines from 2005 to 2007.

But on Sunday, Delves, who had some experience in the middle during last year in the Caribbean Football Cup, had to contend with two teams who played with aggression, which spilled over into physical blows, spoiling, otherwise, a night of competitive football action.

Barrouallie, the reigning senior division champions of Lorson Lewis, President of the BSA, is the inter community league championships, defeated South particularly concerned about the lack of security during matches played on the rural Leeward 3-1. fields.

Julian Hunte to make fourth term as WICB Boss According to sources, following on Hunte’s announcement that he would not be seeking the fourth term, the Directors had settled for a process of ‘passing the baton’, with 42-year-old Cameron being next in line to take over.

However, indications are that stung by Hunte’s change of heart, Cameron has decided to contest the position.

Reports say that Hunte will be a clear winner after being nominated by the Windwards and seconded

by Barbados.

The VINCENTIAN sources said that Hunte, in with the votes of Barbados and

Windwards, is expected to secure the support of Guyana and the Leeward JULIAN HUNTE is Islands, giving him a expected to be re-elected total of eight of the 12 for a fourth two-year votes up for grabs. term as president of the Indications are that West Indies Cricket Hunte, who previously Board (WICB), when the served as Vice-president, organisation holds its could even get the AGM on March 27th.

Trinidad votes to end Reports say that St. with 10 and a landslide.

Lucian Hunte, 72, who The Jamaica Cricket had indicated at the last Association (JCA) says it election that he would will back Cameron's bid not be seeking a fourth to unseat Hunte, and term, had a change of gave their reasons as to Julian Hunte had a change of heart Whycliffe Cameron had hoped to heart much to the why. about not seeking another term as have an easy passage to the top. consternation of his vice"As we seek to develop President of the WIBC. president, Whycliffe and redevelop the sport ‘Dave” Cameron of as a driving force for to achieve this mandate," president since Cricket Board (TTCB) Jamaica and the other economic activity for all the JCA said in a 2007, announced his but on Friday the TTCB, Directors who had stakeholders, we believe release. intention to contest the appeared to have had a committed to give the Cameron has the skills Cameron, a vicepost in a Jamaica change of heart.

Jamaican their support. required to lead a team Observer interview last Lloyd's previous week. attempts at a presidential shot were Lloyd loses ‘the toss’ blocked on the grounds that he did not meet the Legendary West residential requirement, ACTION CONTINUED in the National Community InterIn Sunday’s Zone A match Indies captain Clive since his home was SVG Hairoun National League Division got started at the involving Layou and North Community Inter-League 2013 Campden Park Playing Field on Leeward, Layou eeked a one —nil Lloyd failed in his bid to outside the West Indies enter the race, being at that time.

Competion on the weekend.

Saturday, with West Kingstown victory at the Campden Park unsuccessful in securing The Vice-president On Saturday 23, in a Zone C U17 taking on South Leeward plays field. position will be contested match played at the Chilli Playing U17. The game ended in a two all In the first of Sunday’s matches a country willing to by former West Indies Field, North Windward lost their draw. played at Victoria Park, Sion Hill, second his nomination.

Lloyd was nominated fast bowler, Joel ‘Big second game, going under to U17 games will be played on once a bastion of football played at by the GCB Thursday Bird’ ” Garner of Marriaqua three goals to nil.

Saturdays only , with a total of Victoria Park, took a blow to their ahead of Friday's Barbados and the Calliaqua redeemed some pride, ten (10) teams taking part. pride when they went under to deadline.

However, Windwards’ Emmanuel having lost their first game in Barrouallie U17 are the 2012 Central Kingstown by three goals under election rules, a Nanthan.

Zone B, by demolishing Arnos Champions of the tournament. to nil. presidential candidate However, according to Vale four goals to nil, at the Games continued on Sunday 24.

In Sunday’s other match, must also be nominated our sources, Garner is Victoria Park.

Georgetown came up against defending champions Barroullie expected to take that On the Leeward side in a Zone Stubbs at Chilli in a match that emerged winners by three goals to by a second regional board. position, since the A encounter, Buccament suffered ended one-one.In the B Zone, East 1 over South Leeward.

Reports say the former Directors may be wary of their third consecutive defeat, Kingstown journeyed to Bequia to Matches in the Competition West Indies captain was a ‘Windwards control at going down two — nil to West face the Bequia league and were continue this weekend at all expecting support from the top”.

Kingstown, at the Campden Park humiliated four to nil by their venues. the Trinidad and Tobago Playing Field. The Under-17 hosts.

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

Weekend football round-up

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. 29.

Sports

Dreamer IT’S NEARLY A DREAM. Almost unbelievable. I am talking about the goalless draw in Mexico that the Jamaicans achieved in their opening encounter of the hexagonal round.

That is the beginning, and it does not by any stretch of imagination guarantee them a place in the World Cup finals, Brazil 2014. But it surely has gone a long way. It is a confidence booster. But there must be no sense of complacency.

That is a motivating factor.

Persons might have construed that the odds were against Jamaica. Playing at the Azteca is not a welcomed gesture by any football squad. Caribbean teams have suffered invariably once they touch down in Mexico. Indeed the Central American zone, even for the power houses including Costa Rica and Honduras, have proven to be difficult assignments.

Pundits might have anticipated damage control and hope for better fortunes in the other clashes. The point on the road is a genuine boost for the Jamaicans, especially given their poor performance in the Caribbean in the warm-up to the World Cup qualifiers.

That they have rebounded in such an emphatic fashion is testimony to their resilience and commitment. They can’t rest on their laurels.

I might be tempted to say we. It is amazing how quick the region supports a fellow CARICOM nation when the need arises.

That was manifested in 1998 when Jamaica broke the jinx of English- speaking Caribbean countries advancing on the world stage.

When Trinidad and Tobago accomplished the feat in 2006, there was a similar outpouring of solidarity.

Individual territories made their bid, and the regional landscape changed, with Antigua/Barbuda and Guyana carrying new hopes of regional participation.

Antigua and Barbuda, in the same group with Jamaica, threatened to spoil Jamaica’s party. The Jamaicans prevailed and have approached the journey with assurance.

That is encouraging. Anything that produces stability will contribute to the economy.

When football is being played, there is a feeling of pride that envelops the nation, more so if there is success. Sports have an impact on the reduction of crime. The health benefits are obvious, not only on individuals, but the whole society. Opportunities in education are numerous as a consequence of sporting involvement, and all facets of the social fabric are improved.

Say there was a regional approach to the World Cup qualifiers, there will have been more resources to count on.

One might say the cricketers are not proving that integration is worth anything. The division is often exposed.

Someone has to bridge the gap. We may succeed in making a World Cup final as individual nations.

Jamaica can do it for 2014, and 2018. Other Caribbean countries can break through.

However, our quest should be building our bonds.

That is our sternest test.

It may never be in my lifetime, that of my children, or theirs. But it is alright to dream.

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WindwardsGuyana battles in focus

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

2002.

Tangerine Chanderpaul, Shiv Chanderpaul’s son, has some big shoes to fill.

Five-wicket hauls THE WINDWARD ISLANDS and Guyana are locked in battle at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, 28 years after the teams met in their initial first class encounter at the venue which was opened 13 years before.

The teams have played each other seven times, 1985, ‘90, ‘98, ‘99, 2000, 2002 and 2011 at the Arnos Vale Playing, with the Guyanese being in the positive columns on five occasions by way of three outright wins (‘98, ‘99, 2002) and two first innings, and the Windwards with one first innings (2000) and an outright win in 2011.

Guyana’s 395, made in 1985, stands as the highest team total while the 54, which the Windwards were shot out for in 1998, remains the lowest team total.

the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

The notable ‘wash outs’ were the opening first class fixture between the Windwards and New Zealand in 1972 and the 1981 England tour match against the Windwards.

Three players, Andrew Lyght (Guyana), Wesley Thomas and Neil Williams both of the Windwards, who took part in the Windwards/Guyana fixtures at Arnos Vale, have died.

Thomas, a nippy Grenadian pacer and hard hitting lower order batsman, died at the age of 29 in 1994 after a short battle with cancer.

Lyght, an electrifying opener who formed a fearsome partnership with Clayton Lambert, also died of cancer in Wash outs’, who’s gone 2001 at the age of 44.

Williams, who represented England at The current match, the test level, died the eighth between the suddenly in 2006 at the teams, which got going age of 43. on Wednesday, is listed Another player, as first class match former West Indies fast 54742 worldwide and the bowler Winston Davis is 49th match excluding wheelchair bound after washed out fixtures at suffering an accident in 1998, which left him paralysed from the waist Dawnley Joseph -134 down. the highest individual Among the many still score made in a alive, Butts is the West Windwards-Guyana Indies Chairman of match at Arnos Vale. selectors; Lockhart Sebastien, who struck a half century in the first match, is the Windwards Centurions team manager; while his opening partner Lance A total of five John is a member of the centuries have been Windwards selection scored, with Windwards panel chaired by former opener Dawnley Joseph’s captain Julian Charles.

134 being the highest Neil Williams Sebastien’s son, Liam individual score. (deceased), 5-70 in Sebastien, is now captain Ravindranauth Seeram 1990, is one of three of the Windwards team, of Guyana, 100 not out, Windwards bowlers to while Shiv was the first centurion in have taken a five-wicket Chanderpaul’s son, 1985. haul in WindwardsTangerine Chanderpaul, Windwards opener Guyana clashes at is at the top of the Devon Smith made 99 in Arnos Vale.

Bowlers have grabbed ten five-wicket or more hauls, with Guyanese seamer Garfield Charles’s 7-105, off a marathon 44.1 overs, being the best returns.

Charles, who also took 540 in 1990, and his compatriot, left-arm spinner Neil McGarrel, who took 5-31 (1998) and 5-21 (1999), are the only two who have achieved the feat twice. Another left arm spinner, Roy Marshall of the Windwards, with 6-32, has the second best returns. Fastbowlers Neil Williams, 5-70, and Nelon Pascal, 5-54, like Charles, are new ball bowlers who have dismissed half the opponents in an innings.

Leg spinners Mahendra Nagomootoo, 6-61 (2002), and Davendra Bishoo, 592 (2011), are the mystery men on the honours list, with offspinner Clyde Butts, 5-74 (1990), taking seat before them.

innings for the Guyanese.

The Windwards, currently at the top of the regional first class standings after securing outright victories over Trinidad and the CCC, will be looking to maintain their position, while the Guyanese, beaten by Barbados after taking first innings lead from the Leewards, will be looking to maintain their success rate at Arnos Vale, and also look to avenge their Super50 seven-wicket defeat on Sunday.

Liam Sebastien, son of Lockhart Sebastien, continues the Sebastien legacy in Windwards cricket.

30. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013. 31.

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FORMER MINISTER QUESTIONS DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

Below: John Horne, former banker and Minister in the NDP administration, has raised concerns about a possible breach of confidentiality in the BLA affair.

however obliquely it is, to persons other than JOHN HORNE, A FORMER employees?”

BANKER AND MINISTER IN Horne, speaking with THE NEW DEMOCRATIC the experience of having PARTY (NDP) worked with Barclays administration, has Banks for well over questioned the disclosure twenty-one years, said of information about that on the first of accounts at the Building & January every year, he Loan Association (BLA). was required, as an During a meeting of employee of the bank, to shareholders of BLA, on sign a declaration of Thursday 21st February, secrecy, “to keep secret at Methodist Church and inviolate the Hall in Kingstown, business of customers of Horne, to loud applause this institution.” from the gathering, On the issue of the queried, “What involvement of the authorizes the Building Financial Services & Loan to divulge Authority (FSA) in the information on people’s day to day operations of account to persons other the BLA, Horne rasied than employees?” concern about the He further questioned, independence and “What gives any experience of that body. financial institution the “In a sense, its authority to divulge experience is limited, but personal information, it’s also subject to higher

by KENVILLE HORNE

financial authority” Horne said, adding that “We need to tell the FSA that we are deeply concerned and that we should be fully advised of any precipitous action they may be inclined to take.”

Acknowledging, in the situation that currently obtains, that the FSA must be given some scope to operate within the circumstances of the Act that established it, he cautioned that “the FSA should inspire confidence in us to trust it in handling our business.”

He also sought information as to the amount of money that was withdrawn during a run on the institution in February.

BLA came ‘under stress’ after an article

written by Luke Browne appeared in THE VINCENTIAN newspaper on Jan. 18, in which Browne raised concerns about the management and financial state of the BLA. The FSA as a result of the fallout and information gathered with respect to the operations of the BLA, assumed responsibility for the day to day management of the operations of the BLA on February 1.

The FSA is the state agency that regulates the operations of nonbanking financial institutions.

Arising out of the meeting of shareholders, a committee was appointed too interfaced to interface.

BBC investigation throws up concerns

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES HAS BECOME EMBROILED IN A DRAMA that continues to unfold day by day. The Buccament Resort Bay Resorts, opened here April 2011, is at the centre of the unfolding drama which seems to be producing a new episode by the hour.

References to the matter escalated Sunday February 17 as this country’s Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves headed to Haiti for a Caricom Heads of government meeting. Dr. Gonsalves was accosted on the LIAT plane as he was taking his luggage from the overhead compartment. The confrontation involved Paul Kenyon and Matthew Hill from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Dr. Gonsalves accused the journalists of unprofessional conduct.

Caricom Heads issued a statement expressing “grave concern” with the manner in which a “sitting Caricom Head of government was reputedly confronted.”

The Vincentian leader has since dispatched a letter of complaint to Lord Chris Patten, Chairman of the BBC Trust. “Persons who want to treat me like any kind of harum scarum Third World Leader, they (are) barking up the wrong tree,” Dr. Gonsalves stated.

Dr. Gonsalves denied having done anything wrong, and vowed that “no colonial power can’t corner me.”

Kenyon and Hill arrived at the E.T. Joshua airport February 12. Dr. Gonsalves described them as having made a false declaration to immigration officers, and pointed out that they proceeded to work after having filled out their immigration forms as tourists. The BBC journalists

were investigating reports of a ‘ponzi-like scheme’ in which 3,000 Britons are said to be victims. The Buccament Bay Resort and David Ames, the man behind the Resort, are at the centre of the investigation. The BBC findings are expected to be aired early in March.

The Buccament Bay Resort has been a point of discussion from its inception. Farmers and other enterprises on lands surrounding the area made way Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister, declared that he was not going to be for the construction of the cornered on the BBC issue. venture. There have been complaints about the execution the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean of some aspects of the venture.

Contractual and industrial issues have States (OECS) met there last year.

Whatever transpires with the surfaced time and again. investigation into the financing of the Notwithstanding, the resort remains open for business, and received a boost resort, “construction at Buccama Bay Resort can’t be removed,” the Prime to its promotion when the Heads of Minister assured.

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Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.