Vinpages 14 06 13

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

JUNE 14, 2013

VOLUME 107, No.21

time he/she was taken into custody, and admitted that A PRISONER TOLD THE the statement was taken 48 SERIOUS OFFENCES Court on hours after Woodley was Tuesday that the police forced detained, and the accused him to give a statement was subsequently charged.

January 30, 2013, while he When Marks asked was in custody in connection whether Woodley was taken with a report of escaping to Court on February 1, lawful custody.

2013 on the escaping lawful Wilford Woodley, a man custody charge, Forde in his twenties of Green Hill, replied, “I can’t recall the made the allegation during a date”.

Voirdire (trial within a trial) Marks suggested, “Let me held to determine whether tell you that you and James the statement was given forced the defendant to give voluntarily. the statement.” Forde Woodley is charged with denied this. escaping lawful custody at “You know that Woodley the High Court, February was a vegetarian and you 19, 2010, when he was were depriving him of reportedly among a number vegetarian food,” Marks told of prisoners who had been Forde who replied, “No, taken before the Judge by Office under cross please your honour.” three prison officers, for bail examination Marks suggested that application hearings.

Forde made promises to The Voirdire was Under cross-examination, provide vegetarian food for embarked on after Woodley’s PC Forde admitted that no Woodley if he gave the attorney, Ronald Marks, Justice of the Peace (JP) was statement. informed the Court that, present when the statement “I am suggesting to you based on instructions he had was taken. He said police that you forced and enticed received in relation to the from St. Lucia brought him to give the statement,” conduct of two police Woodley to the Central Marks reiterated,but the officers, he was concerned as Police Station, January 28, investigator insisted that to whether the statement 2013, and the statement was the statement was given was a voluntary one. taken on January 30 at 5 voluntarily.

During the Voirdire, the p.m.

The officer agreed that he investigator, Police The detective said he had only six months Constable Adrian Forde, made efforts to have a JP experience at CID when he who took the statement from present, but none was took the statement.

Woodley, told the Court it available at the time.

Constable Dwight James was taken at the Criminal Forde agreed that a also testified during the Investigations Department person had to be charged Voirdire that Woodley gave (CID), in the presence of within 48 hours from the the statement voluntarily.

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Wilford Woodley insisted that he gave a statement to the police after being forced to do so.

Ronald Marks, Wilford Woodley’s attorney , suggested to PC Adrian Forde that he (Forde) enticed Woodley into giving a statement.

The course of this matter will be determined after Chief Magistrate Sonya Young makes her ruling on the Voirdire.

www.thevincentian.com

Constable Dwight James.

PC Forde said that at the beginning of an interview, he informed Woodley of the report and cautioned him.

According to Forde, Woodley volunteered a statement and elected him to write it.

Forde added that after the statement was written, it was read back to Woodley who agreed that it was true and correct, and signed it.

Forde signed as recording officer, and PC James signed as the person who witnessed the statement. Forde said that neither he nor James had beaten, threatened or promised the accused anything to give the statement.

EC$1.50

Accused testifies Woodley told the Court that after he was brought to St. Vincent by St. Lucian police, he was taken to the CID at the Central Police Station before being placed in a cell.

“I was taken back to CID about two days later,” Woodley recalled.

He indicated that he was a vegetarian, but vegetarian food was not provided at the Central Police Station during the time he was there.

“They (police) told me they could not get anything from outside and I have to do with what they give me, and they were quite frank with that,” Woodley said. He added that PC Forde escorted him to the CID general office and told him to sit down.

“He (Forde) asked me what happened on the 19th February, 2010. I told him I can’t recall. He told me I have to give a statement. I told him if I can’t recall, I can’t give a statement,” Woodley said. He added that he was then taken to the Interview room where Forde insisted that he give a statement.

Continued on Page 3.

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2. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

News

ÂPrivate Promoters building Vincy MasÊ

Some of the promoters at the press conference: Karen Veira (left) and Alex Barnwell (right) of Stickman Entertainment, and Herrick Horne of Island Network Entertainment. by KARISSA CLARKE

ASHFORD WOOD, Executive Director of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) is happy

to see private promoters of shows “picking up the slack where CDC leaves off, and filling the spaces, so that patrons have a full calendar of events to attend.”

Wood expressed the sentiment during a press conference hosted by the CDC, Wednesday 5th June, to confirm shows to be staged by private promotions, as part of the official calendar of events for Vincy Mas 2013.

Carnival City

Ashford Wood, ED/CDC, says the private promoters are taking up the slack in the carnival calendar.

once again, the billed act of internationally acclaimed soca artiste, Machel Montano, at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex.

The next day, June 30, party people will cool down, if it’s possible, at Rawacou, where they will indulge in ‘Soca On The Beach’, a promotion of Island Network Entertainment that bills Destra and Allison Hinds as the star acts.

The action returns to Arnos Vale, this time to the Arnos Vale Playing Field Two, on July 4, for ‘Stush’.

The fete action continues July 5, at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex, with ‘Sunrise’, the breakfast fete, which will feature not only foam, fog and powder as an all-inclusive fete, but also an array of local acts along with Benjai, Blax, Roy Cape and Super Blue of Trinidad and Tobago.

‘Sunrise’ is produced

by Stickman Entertainment in collaboration with Island Network Entertainment.

Other Fetes In the words of the And the CDC will take CDC’s Wood, “There is a team of private its endorsement away from Victoria Park to the promoters in SVG who are raising the standards Arnos Sports Complex of our carnival with a for the LIME HOT FM H20, considered the most number of highly anticipated private anticipated carnivalshows.” related fete.

Its June 29 date will accommodate, Among the shows endorsed by the CDC is ‘BLACK RAVE - Rise of the Phantom’, a show produced by Stickman Entertainment, whose principals are Gamal ‘Skinny Fabulous’ Doyle and Karen Veira. The June 15th show will feature the Trinidad and Tobago acts Bunji Garlin and Fayann Lyons.

Next on the cards is the overwhelmingly popular ‘Uncle Skinny’s Kids Carnival’, set for June 22. The children can look forward to a variety of activity booths, and even Go Kart racing, at this Stick Entertainment production.

Both events are to be staged at Carnival City, Victoria Park.

Come July 3, Victoria Park will again be the venue for another fete, this time it will host a new event, ‘Dirty Sexy Soca’, a $200.00 all inclusive fete that is a LIME, HOT 97 collaboration.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. 3.

News 3

LIMEÊs new rates are anything but sour fixed line numbers.

“We’re not waiting on the DESPITE THE CURRENT NTRC (National IMPASSE in negotiations Telecommunications between the two mobile network Regulatory Commission), we’re operators over the local Mobile not waiting on ECTEL Termination Rate, LIME SVG has (Eastern Caribbean ploughed full steam ahead to Telecommunications), neither bring significant savings to its are we waiting on Digicel to customers, by lowering its call negotiate lower mobile rates. termination rates for us to As of midnight tonight, deliver lower rates to the LIME will charge its consumer,” said Leslie Jack, customers one flat rate of 60 LIME Country Manager. cents per minute to make local “We’re doing it now, and regional calls to same regardless!” network, cross network and Jack said that whatever the

“It really has simplified the way that you make a call now.”

Jack also revealed that there will be an “aggressive” campaign to promote the company’s new rates.

“We thought we needed to do something compelling to let Vincentians know it’s really one provider of choice they should be with, and it’s LIME,” he asserted. “The rate change exemplifies that.”

Between 4 and 5 pm today, the public will be offered the following deals at LIME stores: Blackberry data activation and re-activation for 60 cents (normal price $15); selected mobile handsets (including Blackberry) for 60 cents, once you sign up for a post-paid mobile plan; SIM card with $5 credit for 60 cents; trade in your Digicel mobile handset (with SIM card and in good working order) for a LIME handset with $10 credit for 60 cents; sign up for LIME broadband internet service and receive the modem for 60 cents; sign up for LIME fixed line service and receive the fixed line handset for 60 cents; Get an H2O pack for $60, which includes a ticket to Hot 97.1’s H2O Wet Fete, waterproof pouch, various YESTERDAY, Thursday June 13th LIME-branded goodies, and 2013, a Police Officer on guard at the 100 minutes of credit to call St. Vincent and the Grenadines Post locally or within the region Office was attacked and shot by a (normal price $75); with every masked robber. top-up of $6, receive a ticket It is alleged that a yet unknown for Hot 97.1’s Dirty Sexy Soca individual, attempted to rob a woman event about to make a bank deposit and the Additionally, tomorrow, officer was shot while attempting to June 15, LIME will be running assist the woman. a motorcade on the Windward Eyewitnesses say the attacker had side of the island, offering free just alighted from a car and after SIM packs, mobile handsets Other police officers among the people who went to shooting the officer, fled the scene in for $60, trade-ins for 60 cents, Jack’s aid after he was shot. the direction of the St. Vincent H2O Wet Fete packs for $75, Grammar School and Thompson Home, Carnival Monday band packs abdomen and was transported to the Milton near the Post Office. for $30, and two tickets for Cato Memorial Hospital. Up to press time his The officer, unofficially identified as Dirty Sexy Soca when Julanie Jack, sustained gunshot wounds to his condition was unknown.

by JAMILA SOSO-VINCENT

outcome of the stalemate between LIME and Digicel, he wants to assure Vincentians that his company is committed to offering lower rates for all.

In comparison, Digicel charges its customers 86 cents per minute for same network calls, 89 cents per minute for cross network calls, and 98 cents per minute for regional calls.

“There’s no more off-peak, no more peak, no more weekends, no more Caribbean rate. Just one rate that covers all of those,” Jack explained.

Robbery gone awry

Police officer shot

Leslie Jack, LIME Country Manager, says his company is committed to offering lower rates for all. customers top up $15 credit.

Jack acknowledged that it is possible that Digicel may raise the competitive stakes by lowering its call rates as well, but that would not faze LIME in the least if it happened.

“Vincentians need to understand that LIME had the vision... and went ahead to do it in advance of them [Digicel], knowing what is going on in the country today as far as the economy is concerned.”

He insisted that the new calling rate is here to stay, and hinted that, should LIME and Digicel be successful in renegotiating the Mobile Termination Rate (MTR), charges may drop even further.

Jack explained that a significant reduction in the MTR would not only bring savings on call rates, but would also allow the company to re-direct finances toward further improving broadband internet and fixed line services.

MTR refers to the wholesale fee that mobile network operators charge other networks to connect incoming calls, and is set using the Long Run Incremental Costing (LRIC) model put forward by ECTEL. (Article provided by LIME.)

Accused says statement taken by force Continued from Page 1.

“I told him I am represented by Mr. Marks, and he told me he don’t care about that. He told me I should try to help out the situation by giving a statement. He told me that if I give the statement, he would not make me go back to prison; they would make certain reservations for me,” Woodley said.

“Did he say to you that you had a choice whether you can give a statement or not?” Marks asked.

“No”, Woodley replied.

Woodlley said Forde told him that he (Woodley) had to put his initials to the statement, and he (Woodley) did so after a prolonged period.

“He told me that I have to sign it, and if I don’t, I will see what he will do to me, and I will face more charges,” Woodley explained.

Under cross-examination by prosecutor Tammika McKenzie, attached to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Woodley admitted that he signed the statement three different places, but indicated that he was forced to do so. He said PC

Forde asked him questions and made jottings on a paper. “Some of what PC Forde read back to me was true,” Woodley admitted.

McKenzie suggested to Woodley that he gave the statement of his own free will, and that none of the police officers enticed him. But Woodley insisted that he was forced to give the statement.

Marks is to file submissions on the Voirdire by June 14, while the prosecution is to file its response by June 18. Chief Magistrate Sonya Young will give her ruling on June 19.

Three prison officer have so far testified in the substantive matter which had commenced some weeks ago.

In addition to the escaping lawful custody charge, Woodley is on remand on a number of robbery charges.

Woodley had created a stir in Kingstown, January 26, 2010, when he was apprehended at an abandoned property at Sally Spring following a chase by the police. He had made the dash around midday after allegedly robbing a woman of a sum of money.

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4. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Eustace asserts right to question 26%. claimed.

Eustace proceeded He suggested that OPPOSITION LEADER, Arnhim Eustace, to declare that there the debt would have has asserted the right of his party to were “areas where we risen to one billion with question any aspect of the airport are lacking, that ain’t the new measures development at Argyle. going to be solved by undertaken by the “We have a right to question any the airport.” government. project,” Eustace indicated, when he He described the “It is as if nothing addressed a sitting of Parliament, last airport as “not an end else matters,” week Thursday, during the debate on all, neither was it a according to Eustace, Supplementary Appropriations No 4 of panacea,” and and suggested that, 2013. promised, “we will Arnhim Eustace, leader of “There are lots of other The Bill sought approval for continue to comment.” the Opposition pointed to an priorities.” government to borrow EC$204 million, increase in the 2013 Budget.

Those priorities, most of which would be assigned for Other priorities according to the use in the ongoing international airport development project at Argyle.

The Opposition Leader pondered as Opposition Leader, included firms laying off people, and qualified “Every time we speak on this to the significance of the Budget teachers not being appointed. airport is a problem. We are supposed session held six months ago since, as He referred to the 1.5 percent in to shut up,” the Opposition Leader he put it, the budget was increased by

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

Suspense in the Agassi murder trial

Connell: ÂI have been paidÊ

by HAYDN HUGGINS

by HAYDN HUGGINS

PERSONS keenly following the trial involving the kidnapping and murder of an 18year-old student almost four years ago, were left in suspense on Monday after Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Colin John, was granted an adjournment to research certain aspects of the The case involving Odinga law.

Foster was adjourned to allow Odinga Foster, Colin John, Assistant Director 27, a former loans of Public Prosecutions, officer at the (pictured) time research certain Kingstown aspects of the law.

Cooperative Credit Union (KCCU), is charged with the kidnapping and murder of his cousin, Agassi Fraser, a student of the St. Vincent Community College at the time of his death, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. He is alleged to have committed the offences between September and October 2009.

The Assistant DPP had requested the adjournment following the testimony of one prosecution witness during a Voirdire (trial within a trial) held in the absence of the Jury.

The Voirdire was embarked upon at the request of Foster’s attorney, Kay Bacchus-Browne, to deal with certain aspects of the prosecution’s evidence.

The Voirdire was adjourned until Wednesday, but presiding Judge Frederick Bruce-Lyle subsequently indicated that he would not be sitting on Wednesday, and a further adjournment was granted to yesterday (Thursday).

Several witnesses have already testified for the prosecution in the substantive matter which commenced last week Monday, June 3. They include star-witness Brando Lockhart, Agassi’s mother Barbara Fraser, his girlfriend — Shemeika Chance, Asha Audain and George Daniel.

Agassi’s battered body was discovered lying in bushes in the area of Highway Trading business place at Arnos Vale October 10, 2009. Foster was arrested and charged in August 2010 after several months of investigations.

salaries to Civil Servants, and contended. “Things are difficult,” which he assessed was “brought on in part by your (Dr. Gonsalves’) own mismanagement.”

Eustace wondered how many people in Canouan will be able to buy land.

‘It touches people in an emotional way,” he said.

“We can’t do it for the airport alone,” Eustace added, and repeated that there were competing needs, and recommended that “that strategy needs to be re-examined.

“We are on a one track course,” according to Eustace, and he cautioned that the airport alone will not breast the tape.

WHILE DEFENCE lawyer Kay Bacchus-Browne is calling on the authorities to pay long outstanding monies owed to her for state assigned cases, her colleague, Grant Connell, says he had been paid.

Connell and Bacchus-Browne have worked together on a number of high profile cases, including the trial involving the murder of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves’ former Press Secretary, Glenn Jackson.

When contacted on Tuesday, Connell, who has worked on state assigned matters at the Criminal Assizes, told THE VINCENTIAN, “I have no issue with payment. I have been paid.”

Asked whether he would accept any further state assigned jobs, Connell smiled and declined to comment.

One legal source, who preferred not to be identified by name, told THE Attorney Grant Connell, VINCENTIAN that, while lawyers are all smiles, has been paid eventually paid for state assigned cases, for services rendered on there has always been a delay in payment. behalf of the state.

The source, however, admitted that within the past two years that delay has intensified. He believes the reason for this is that there has been an increase in state assigned matters, while the money allocated for payment remains the same.

Payments are usually made through the High Court Registry.

During an interview with THE VINCENTIAN

by HAYDN HUGGINS last week, and carried in a story headlined ‘Bacchus-Browne wants her money’ on page 7 of last A 52-YEAR-OLD MAN of Rose Place, Kingstown Friday’s publication, Bacchus-Browne called on the who struck a woman at the back of her head with authorities to pay long outstanding monies owed to a cup last Sunday, June 9, causing a laceration, her for state assigned cases. was ordered to pay compensation to the victim, She showed THE VINCENTIAN a letter she had when he appeared at the Serious Offences Court written to High Court Registrar Tamara Gibsonon Tuesday.

Marks and copied to Finance Minister Dr. Ralph Chief Magistrate Sonya Young ordered Adlai Gonsalves, since March 2013, in which she listed a Quashie to pay $500 compensation to Heather number of matters for which the state had not paid Robinson for unlawfully and maliciously wounding her, and asked that a special warrant be requested her. The compensation is to be paid in two to pay off all outstanding bills for all assigned cases. months, with an alternative of two months in She told THE VINCENTIAN then that the prison. Quashie was also bonded for six months in Registry responded to her letter saying they had no the sum of $2,500. In breach of the bond, he will money. go to prison for two months.

The facts showed that Quashie and Robinson lived in separate apartments in the same yard at Rose Place.

Around 3:30 p.m. on September 1st, Quashie was making noise in the yard after he discovered that his cellular was missing. He went away and when he returned, struck Robinson at the back of her head with the cup, causing a laceration that had to be closed by stitches.

Quashie said he used the cellular phone to call his relatives abroad. He told the Chief Magistrate he was sorry for his action, and asked that he be allowed time in which to compensate the victim.

Man ordered to compensate woman

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. 5.

Regional

Dominican priest accused of abuse

IF CITIZENS of the Englishspeaking Caribbean thought that their ‘side of Paradise’ was immune from the debacle of sexual molestation ripping through the Catholic Church, in North America and Europe in particular, they have to think again.

A source in Dominica

has relayed to THE VINCENTIAN, news about a catholic priest there being accused of abuse by a woman. The act (of abuse) is said to have taken place some 19 years ago.

The complaint was apparently made in writing to the head of the

Grenada will join LIAT, but….

LIAT must show itself to be serious and cost-effective.

This is the condition under which Grenada might be willing to partner in the development and success of the regional airline.

So said Dr. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of that CARICOM/OECS member territory, at the summit of leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Dr. Keith Mitchel (OECS) held in Antigua last has laid down a week. firm condition for “We’re prepared to make Grenada’s sacrifices, but we will not be partnership in able to support a business if it cannot demonstrate that it LIAT’s development plan.’ can get its act together and provide what we believe is necessary; much cheaper transport and much more efficient transport to the OECS and the Caribbean region as a whole,” Prime Minister Mitchell said.

Dr. Mitchell and his New National Party (NNP) were returned to office after one term in opposition, in the February 2013 general elections.

He said he accepts complaints from the general public that regional governments were implementing various taxes and forcing airfares of LIAT to be extremely high.

“We cannot tax ourselves out of a serious issue of affordable transport,” Prime Minister Mitchell said, adding, “we can drop the cost …and reduce taxes, what we’re going to find out is that LIAT may be a much more successful enterprise.

“More people will travel, the governments are going to get much more revenue by multiplying the amount of people that will be travelling,” he added.

LIAT is currently pursuing a programme of refleeting. It is expected to solicit from the Caribbean Development Bank, a loan of between US$60 and US$70 million, towards a re-fleeting cost that is estimated at US$100 million.

This comes at a time when the airline has unveiled a new business plan that is anticipated to set LIAT on a path of profit.

LIAT disclosed that it recorded a loss of EC$43 million in 2011.

LIAT declared a loss in 2011 but is expected to show a small profit in 2013.

Dominica Catholic Church, Bishop Gabriel Malzaire.

The reports said that the priest was sent on administrative leave, pending an investigation by the church.

However, the source indicated that members of the parish which the accused priest served, had voiced their intention to take protest action in support of their priest.

Speaking with the source on Monday, the word was that, instead of participating in last Sunday’s service, members of the parish gathered outside of the parish church, to show their support for their priest, this in the face of the Bishop turning up to preside over the Sunday service.

A representative of the parishioners is said to have reported to the persons gathered that the Bishop had met with

had agreed that it needed more time for the Bishop Gabriel Malzaire investigations to be of Dominica may well be carried out, and that the the first Roman Catholic priest would return to bishop to be drawn into his substantive post by the molestation scandal month end or sometime later. that has rocked the This, the source said, Church worldwide. did not go down well with the parishioners a delegation (from the who vowed to carry on parish) to discuss the their protest, and called matter. for their priest’s The parishioners immediate re-assignment learned that the meeting to the parish.

St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral Roseau, Dominica.

(Photo: John Hains)

Up to press time, there was no indication as to whether there was a change of heart on the Bishop’s part or the parishioners’, only that the affairs of the parish will be run by the parish church committee, while the priest is on leave.

According to the 2011 census, Dominica has a population of some 71, 293 persons, of which 80% is Roman Catholics.

Fast ferry service: A private sector concern THE HOPE FOR A FAST FERRY service in the Caribbean may lie in the hands of the private sector.

This seemed to be the message being relayed by Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who has the responsibility for transportation among the Heads of Government of CARICOM. Dr. Gonsalves was quoted in late May, after the 43rd special meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic

Development (COTED) held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as saying that the implementation of a fast ferry service to serve the southern Caribbean “is a risk the private sector must take, with government assistance.”

The Prime Minister admitted that the undertaking was a difficult one, and this was the fact the reason it had not yet materialized.

However, Dr. Gonsalves added, the regional governments can help private investors by offering

them concessions.

“These are easy things for us to do. We do that in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” he said, adding that ferries registered and operating here are imported taxfree, pay no tax on their earnings, and there is no value-added tax on the service.

He explained that when a ferry operator imports a vessel, they are only required to pay a four per cent Customs Service charge.

“So when (businesspeople) talk about a fast ferry service, … I say by all means, register the vessel in St. Vincent and you get all these concessions and we can work out with all the other countries to get these concessions.

And we can This fast ferry provides service between Port of Spain provide the (Trinidad) and Scarborough (Tobago). port

Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, chief CARICOM Heads spokesman on transportation, says that governments must offer concessions to the private sector for investment in a fast ferry service. facilities,” he said, adding “and I use this platform to invite investors who want to get involved to do it”.

Dr. Gonsalves reiterated that, “If it is a financial proposition for the private sector, let us give them all the concessions. I don’t see why we can’t give them all the concessions; and I believe governments will give them all the concessions, certainly my government will be doing it, and I will encourage others to do the same….

But you have to take the risk.”

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6. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Francis urges use of Rabacca ÂstuffÊ at the Terminal Building at Argyle.

SENATOR JULIAN FRANCIS, While admitting that it will Transport and Works Minister, is cost more to transport the encouraging persons doing ‘aggregate’ to certain sites, he construction, to use material from suggested that it will be more Rabacca, commonly referred to as economical in the long run, and Rabacca ‘stuff’, instead of sand its preferred use will help to from beaches. curb beach erosion that sets in He made the suggestion with the removal of sand. during last Wednesday’s sitting Francis used the opportunity of Parliament. to appeal to persons occupying As far as Senator Francis shops at ‘Little Tokyo’ to pay was concerned, the “aggregate” their rent. He indicated that from the operation at Rabacca (some) persons owed 15 months’ was “better for construction,” rent. He urged tenants to “help pointing to the fact that the us to help Town Board. material was already washed.

“I am asking for the He also referred to the cooperation and consideration of Taiwanese’s use of the material the public,” Francis pleaded.

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

He also pointed to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where persons treated and discharged owed up to $3,000.

Francis took issue with Senator Julian Francis (inset) has appealed for the use of the Opposition’s absence aggregate from Rabacca instead of beach sand for construction from the Sitting, and purposes.(Rabacca photo source: LUCIEN C) pondered how they were present for the the Community College at Glen, to build one mile of road. That Supplementary Appropriation prompted the Prime Minister to electricity bills at the Milton No 4 Bill which dealt with the remind motorists to pay their Cato Memorial Hospital and allocation of $204 m, while the three Supplementary Bills that payment for drugs there as well. drivers’ licences and insurance.

“If you can’t pay it, don’t take Some $1.2 M has been day amounted to less. a chance,” Dr. Gonsalves allocated to Buildings Roads As far as use of the moBills and General Services Authority advised. was concerned, Prime Minister The next sitting of the House (Bragsa) and Senator Francis and Minister of Finance, Dr. is set for June 27. reminded the House that it Ralph Gonsalves, enumerated costs nearly two million dollars payments for the expansion at

BNTF making a difference exposed to garment making, which has since blossomed into a full A NUMBER OF garment-making PERSONS in the new operation.

Grounds, New Adelphi, The operation has and Chapmans area have secured orders from come together to improve institutions in their their standard of living. neighbourhood, and their They have formed a emergence has come as a Cooperative called source of inspiration.

NACALCOG. Cleopatra Jackson is a NACALCOG — the New driving force behind the Grounds, Adelphi cooperative. She outlined Chapmans Adult Literacy the history of the body last Coordinating Group - was Tuesday morning at registered April 2012. It is Sunset Shores. That was a result of efforts which at the opening session of a started with an adult Basic Need Trust Fund learning drive. The (BNTF) Seventh Project. component expanded to Jackson acknowledged include skills training in the contribution of the which participants were BNTF in the fulfilment of

by WILLIAM KOJAH ANTHONY

her venture.

Her story came as evidence of the impact of the Fund in the Vincentian society.

The latest BNTF initiative Set up in 1979, the BNTF is aimed at reducing poverty through an implementation programme managed by the Caribbean Development Bank.

The CDB will be getting closer to communities in their new approach. Some EC$12.7M has been earmarked by the Bank to be spent in education, roads and drains, water and sanitation.

(L –R): Minister Saboto Saesar, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and CDB’s Carla Bennett at the launch of the BNTF Seventh Programme Project.

Inset: Cleopatra Jackson of NACALCOG highlighted the BNTF’s impact on her co-operatives operations.

Agriculture, Rural Transformation, Forestry, Fisheries and Industry The project is scheduled Minister, Saboto Caesar. to run until December 31, Vice President of 2016.

Last Tuesday’s launch heard from Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and

Operations Caribbean Development Bank, Carla Bennett, also attended the function.

Theology Conference for SVG THE 16TH CONFERENCE on Catholic Theology in the Caribbean Today will be held at the Roman Catholic Pastoral Centre, Kingstown, St. Vincent & the Grenadines from June 17-21, 2013.

Catholic theologians, catechists and pastoral workers from the Caribbean and the USA will gather for a week of study, reflection and discussion on the status of the Church in the region, 50 years after the Second Vatican Council.

The theme of the conference is, ‘Vatican II and the Church in the Caribbean’.

The public is invited to three conference events: (i) the Opening Mass at the Cathedral on Monday June 17 at 5.00 p.m.; (ii) A Round-table discussion with participants on ‘The Future of the Caribbean Church, 50years after Vatican II’ on Tuesday 18 June; and (iii) A public lecture by Sr. Annette

Sr. Annette Chow SJC, who holds a BA (Lond), BA Theology (UWI), MEd (Wales) and taught for 15 years before venturing into pastoral ministry, will be one of the presenters at the Conference.

Chow SJC, well-known for her monthly photomeditations in the Catholic News of Trinidad & Tobago (2005-2012), on ‘Creation Spirituality: What’s in it for the Caribbean’, on Wednesday 19 June.

Both the round-table and the public lecture will be held at the RC Pastoral Centre.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. 7.

Carnival Beat

Lystra is first Miss St. George

SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD LYSTRA BURGIN WAS CROWNED the first ever Ms. St. George at a pageant put on by the St. George Rural Carnival Committee. The event was held at Tito’s Restaurant and Bar in Arnos Vale.

Lystra won convincingly from a field of six contestants, drawn from the two St. George constituencies (East and West) which formerly held separate shows.

The full slate of contestants was: Shanta Ellis, Ms. Ashburton; Lystra Burgin, Ms. Belair; Mya Fraser, Ms. Diamond; Sasha Joseph, Ms. Choppins; Shannon Morgan, Ms. Glen; and Ashaka Woods, Ms. Dauphine.

Through the Swimwear, Talent, Evening Wear, and Interview segments, Lystra glided elegantly, bringing to the competition all the experience that she had

gained from her stint in the illustrious Ms. Heritage pageant in 2011. She was a clear favourite. Her simple smile and confident demeanour worked in her favour.

For her talent, she lustily sang Alaine’s ‘You Are Me’ to win this segment. Later, in a lovely lace and satin, red and black gown, she sashayed and strutted across the stage, her face lighting up to complete her ensemble, and won Best Evening Wear.

Lystra expressed satisfaction with her performance, and happiness with the outcome. She is looking forward to capture the Ms. SVG crown in 2015.

The other winners were as follows: Best Swimwear — Sasha Joseph; Best

Lystra Burgin, Ms. St.George 2013 in her winning evening wear.

Interview — Ashaka Woods; 1st runner-up — Sasha Joseph; and 2nd runner-up — Ashaka Woods.

The St. George Rural Carnival Committee called the joint pageant a success, and it could well have been by virtue of the large turnout and the absence of violent acts.

Sasha Joseph, 1st runner-up, in her winning swimwear.

Ashaka Woods, 2nd runner-up, was adjudged to have had the best interview.

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8. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 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 Carnival: The new and the old CONGRATULATIONS to the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) and promters of private shows/fetes for eventually seeing the wisdom and concretizing an understanding that speaks to broadening the official programme of carnival.

Not that the fetes and shows are featured in the ‘officially’ distributed programme of the events for this year; the understanding referred, coming too late to facilitate that. However, we can expect to see their inclusion next year, all things being even, on all promotional material for Vincy Mas. For it would be folly, barring some tragic circumstance(s), not to list them after endorsing them.

Change, they say, is the only constant in the Universe, and the CDC has recognized, eventually, that it needed to embrace the changes that had begun to influence the manner in which carnival is expressed, rather than to stand in competition with, if not opposition to, the ‘new’ reality.

No serious person ever thought that there was any profound difference between what private promoters and what the CDC wanted for the people at Carnival time. The misunderstandings that characterized the relations between the two, the cloud of mistrust fueled by unnecessary, trivial public comment, encouraged by one side or the other, was damaging the overall acceptance of the ‘package’ for carnival.

It was just a matter of time before the imaginary line of separation was removed, and kudos to all those involved for coming to the table now rather than later; for to have perpetuated what smelled like a boyish rivalry was to continue to short change the people for whom carnival was ‘created’ and those who make the carnival.

Suffice it to say, the hope is that the CDC can ‘get’ something out of this ‘fresh’ collaboration, that would set it on a viable financial footing, a footing that then could be used to ensure that the traditional components of our carnival, that which makes it art, culture, can be developed, enhanced, so that it remains integrally part of the expression.

Carnival, it must be noted, is played out not only on the streets and fete venues of SVG; it is played out now on the world stage.

That is why it is crucial that the Carnival must be informed by a collaborative undertaking by the government, private sector/business, private promoters, and even educational institutions, as we endeavour to broadcast Carnival, our culture, to the world.

Natural resources are not finite, agricultural crops and tourism plants are prone to destruction by both manmade and natural phenomena; but culture, Carnival inclusive, is forever. It is the embodiment of our very being that no political regime, no religion, will want to be recorded in history as having destroyed or tried to influence for selfish gain. Order yes, control no.

It is from this perspective that a caution is directed at the CDC and those entrusted with guarding our culture: Do not get ‘carried away’ with the ‘new wave’ at the expense of the traditional.

The same effort to embrace and give a defined place to the ‘new’ expressions, must be made to restore and preserve the traditional expression(s) of our carnival that seemed to have been abandoned, and those contemporary expressions (mas, pan, calypso) that appear to be pauperized offspring begging for sustenance.

This is important, if only for the reason of ensuring the diversity that is carnival; for it’s in restoring our past, embellishing the present, that the future will be assured.

In a sense, because of that diversity, carnival needs, one at the same time, to be forward looking as much as it needs to be traditional. It needs to embrace the mas, (for example) as much as it needs to embrace the seemingly wild expressions of the streets and fetes fed by a new and intensified rhythm.

Yes, carnival must satisfy those whose desires are fueled by new technologies; but it must also replay the past and those distinguished traditions.

Only if Carnival is promoted as a sum total of all the expressions, traditional, contemporary, new, can it be considered an authentic effort. To do so means a greater likelihood of attracting not only domestic support but also foreign recognition.

The extent of the embrace of private promoters by our Carnival guardians, and the extent of the respect given equally to the traditional and contemporary art forms that inform our carnival, will determine how good a product our Carnival is or can be.

And by the way: Has the question of copyright as it relates to carnival related activities been made inapplicable for the Carnival season? The world of copyright is a wide one, and this could well be the next big challenge for the CDC, as it grapples with responding to change.

The West Indies Regiment I GET NOSTALGIA over what most people will consider very simple things, like retracing my family roots, the old Rose Place of the 40s and the 50s, the 1951 Adult Suffrage generation and, especially, the birth of the first West Indian Nation in 1958.

As a teenager, I was caught up with all the arguments for and against the Federal principle during the entire gestation period, and happened to be present in Port-ofSpain, Trinidad at the opening of the first West Indies parliament in 1958.

It was therefore in an ecstatic mood that I set off to the University College of the West Indies in 1960, hopefully to range among the first West Indian graduates to greet and help build, establish and sustain our new fledgling nation.

There were then two fore-running agencies to give us a little of a head-start, the West Indies cricket team showed promise from the 1930s, and the U.C.W.I from 1948. Now to accompany the fullflowering of the West Indies Federation, we had the West Indies Regiment headquartered in Jamaica as from 1959.

By 1961, I had set up my own modest home with a new-brand wife of Vincentian birth established near Matilda’s Corner, mid-way between the Mona Campus and the Regiment’s headquarters.

At that time, all Jamaicans living in the corporate area loved their West Indian brethren, and both the student body and the soldiery were treated accordingly.

Numbered among our contingent were: Nana Durrant, Ital Providence, Teddy Cato, Victor Hadley, Larry Spence, George Lewis, George Duncan, Ronald Jack and St Elmo Providence, as far as my failing memory records.

Robert “Nana” Durrant had been a student whom I taught at the Intermediate High School in 1958. He was known in SVG as probably the best cyclist we ever had, except perhaps Mathew “Fanno” Gonsalves who emigrated to Trinidad in the early 40’s and started the Elite Shirt Factory.

The seventh of a family of eight boys, Nana enlisted in the West Indies Regiment where he proved himself a crack shot and the man to beat in several drills, a model soldier who strolled off with the most prizes in all competitions .

Victor Hadley was another student at the Boys Grammar School where I taught in 1959-1960. I knew him as a cricketer whom I captained in Green House Juniors and Seniors in the school’s first X1, and again for a brief time in the Hairoun team.

Victor was a young prodigy at the game, a vicious and guileful right-arm leg spin bowler, who in the current time would have walked straight on to the West Indies team.

He had a real opportunity to do so while in the Regiment in Jamaica.

Victor had been recommended by Franky

Thomas of SVG/ Barbados to Frank Worrell of Barbados/ Jamaica, who had been coaching the West Indies side at the time. But Victor unfortunately fell ill at the time that Trials were held.

Victor had also been in the Boys Grammar School Cadet Force, of which I had been 2nd Lieutenant in charge. Neither Victor nor his master could be considered good material for the military! But he joined the West Indies Regiment nonetheless, where he acquitted himself creditably.

I could hardly recognize him when he came down from the heights of Newcastle where the regiment conducted their initial weeks of training. Victor, who owing to his fat was known as “Rollo” at school, had become a trim and fit figure.

David Dopwell, who belonged to the officer-class, with training at Sandhurst, does not recall that at ages four-to-five, he, Errol Agard and I romped the grounds near to his home at Cocksheath for fruits, where Errie’s uncle, a Mr. Inniss, carried on the business of leather tannery. I have to check for confirmation of this from the folkhistorian, George Howard who lives nearby.

In any event, David’s father, Ainsley Dopwell, was my God-father.

There used to be two Grenadian officers who were close to me, and whom I visited at Camp regularly, Nestor O’Gilvie and Mignon who I am told is very ill at the moment.

In fraternising with the group, I came cross one SVG born Pat James who is now a Trinidadian citizen. He was born at Rose Hall and is related to the Lampkins, a daughter of whom was married to Otmar De Vlught of the famed dance band the Dutchy Brothers, who in turn are the great nephews of my mother - small world indeed!

We were all enthused at the idea that we had been in the process of creating a wider nation. As was said of France on the eve of her Revolution “great was it to be alive that day, but to be young was very heaven”.

Then it all descended with a heavy thud: political tribalism; in-bred selfishness; the Jamaica Referendum; Sparrow’s reproach. And another case of shattered dreams for all, forever?

The West Indian regiment has defiantly refused to die. They carry on the Federal Principle in their noble hearts. But, really, it is a life of make-believe, long may it remain so.

For an idea come of age, never dies. Like “a thing of beauty it last forever”. West Indies integration is an example of such, and the West Indian Regiment are the fated purveyors of this truth.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. 9.

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Some things to chew on Mr. Editor, you must hear this one.

I visited a police station, some time ago, in a neighbouring Caribbean state. You see, I am supposed to be a person of ‘good character’, and I have travelled the length and breadth of the Caribbean, and in most islands, I have good, good relations with the police.

Now, I am not saying

that that is the criterion for my being a ‘good character’, i.e. that I have good relations with the police in the islands.

But back to the story: Boy, did I get a laugh when I noticed a sign up in the police station administration office, you know, where you go to collect police records and so forth. The sign or notice read: “MAKE SURE YOU RECEIVE A

RECEIPT FOR ANY MONIES GIVEN”.

Tell me Mr. Editor, what is a sign like that doing in a POLICE station?

Here’s another: Long ago, when a man ‘put his hand on’ a woman, the woman used to wait until he fall asleep, boil a pot of water and throw it on him.

That used to work wonders, for you know the outcome: That man never raised his hands

against that woman again.

Long ago too, there was s story that I heard.

There was this man who used to beat the daylights out of his woman… for tea, breakfast and dinner.

The man beat the woman all through the growing up years of two sons.

The boys grew up, obviously, and one time, the final time, when the man raise his hand to throw a blow on the

woman, the boys take a turn on he, rest some good blows on him, chase him outside the house, rain more blows on him in front of other villagers, ‘til he run straight out of the village, never to be seen there again.

Rough justice, yes, but justice that worked on behalf of all abused women.

Traveller

A restrictive sense of justice Argyle airport and Cross-country Road The justice system is operating from laws and principles which are found in God’s words, the Holy Bible. The Bible contains God’s thoughts and ideas. These He wants us to know, to respect and to abide by, for He is a jealous God. He doesn’t want His worship to be shared with any other, and He is very jealous for good works.

The system that is supposed to be free from all outside influences, and whose watchword should be “Justice”, is not at times operating in this regard, but instead, is so blatant in going the opposite way, that even the dull and ignorant (who are entitled to have their say) do not fail to notice this.

Too many of our citizens are singing more or less the same song. They are appalled at the blatant disregard where justice is concerned. It appears as though this should only be had by a fortunate few, yet it is a system that is supposed to benefit all.

Corruption is rampant. This leads many to throw their hands up in despair, but they will never look to the root of the problem.

In many cases, the main culprits are set free, while the followers bear the brunt of the law; no wonder the correctional system is teaming with juveniles who could have been elsewhere making something of their lives. Persons like me, my hardearned taxes have to be used to keep them confined.

There is need for major (re)shuffles in many of our governmental institutions, to ensure that reliable heads are placed to take our nation’s concerns as serious as they are.

These heads ought to be persons who will not be lenient to outside interference, and (who will) carry out their duties without fair or favour.

These heads must not be persons who are so threatened and are so fearful of losing their positions that they will stoop to preserve it; neither must they be persons who couldn’t care less about their Creator and creations, and who would use any means to push persons who they think are a threat to preserve what they think they are entitled to.

There needs to be a massive exposure of the unsuitable. The (sense of) the justice system is too fenced in.

Saddened

This is a Christian democratic view of the Argyle Int’l Airport and the Cross-country Road.

Luke 14:28-30 says “… don’t begin building until you count the cost. For who will construct a building without first getting estimates and checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills? Otherwise you might complete only the foundation (when you run) out of funds. And then how everyone would laugh at you! They would say, ‘There is the person who started that building and ran out of money before it is finished’.” New Living Translation Bible.

Here are instructive words from King Jesus to King Ralph Gonsalves “… what king would ever dream of going to war without first sitting down with his counsellors and discussing whether his army of ten thousand is strong enough to defeat the twenty thousand soldiers who are marching against him? If he is not able, then while the enemy is still far away, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace.”

So, Dr. Gonsalves, you need to read these words from Jesus and see how wise you are; no planning, no direction.

In your 2001 campaign, you promised us a cross-country road and a stadium at Diamond to be financed by Libya.

You met approximately EC$100 million for the extension of the E.T. Joshua Airport which you successfully re-assigned to the

Dishonest judgment - Part 5 When are we going to see honest judgment?

What about Fisherman’s Day? Who is responsible for the promotion of that day?

Where is the television promotion of what to look forward to on that Day? Where are the paper fliers around the country?

Who is going to say to the fishermen, you must reduce the fish price on that day or you will be only showing VINLEC how to make money? Soon only the vendors will be around to see the size of fish caught.

Can I say the Department is sleeping and only watching their pay day? Is this another Carnival stunt to ‘Rumaval’? Can’t we see Fisherman’s Day will soon change to ‘Chicken Eat Day’ when the importers of chicken will be at Calliaqua selling chicken?

What about cell phone promotions? Who is going to say to cell phone promoters, please give a crash course to the personnel at the Fisheries Department about how to put up cell phone bill board in homes,

shops, on street corners, (the only place left out is the cemetery, because jumbie cannot buy cell phone credit)? Who is going to say to these cell phone companies enough is enough, you have enough big bill boards around the country; stop this madness, leave the children at the day care centres without cell phones?

Who is watching our backs? Can’t we see technology is growing too fast? Although technology may be good on one hand, it is causing trouble on the employment hand?

The hand that we use to work with to feed us is no longer needed. They brag of the billions made day by day pushing all types of gadgets on us. If no one comes forward to watch our backs, what is going to happen?

Well, I can see what will happen; billions of dollars in one bank for technology and zero in the employment banks. Which country is going to say at top this technology madness, can’t you see no one is employed?

Spy

construction of the cross-country road, but used it to re-construct a piece of road in the back of Byera (leading to South Rivers) which ends by your father’s land in the same location, and piece in Rose Hall and named it ‘Construction of the Cross-country Road’. Lo and behold, years after 2001, you cannot find a way to link the cross-country road from Byera to Rose Hall, so you came with the Argyle Int’l Airport project.

If you had positive planning for airport development in SVG, no doubt, you would have used that money left by the NDP for that

purpose.

You came to us and declared, in not as many words, that not a cent of our national dollar would be spent to construct the airportCoalition of the Willing will do it.

This is the largest project in the life of our nation. You, Sir, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, disrespected the Moral State Enterprise by not presenting that mammoth project to our parliament, hence evading the scrutiny of the Public Accounts Committee.

Jesus’ words say, Doc, you did not count the cost nor allow the advice of the wise parliament, so we are laughing at you.

Where is the Coalition of the Willing?

Why are you now raping the nation Josiah Bobb - SVG 2013. financially to finish your airport?

Has anybody seen my girl A special gem gone from my world?

Christian Democrat Her irresistible face you can’t miss A whole embodiment of loveliness.

She’s gone and left me here She’s gone I don’t know where.

Return my love

Our love was so real no fantasy This sudden unfounded turn baffled me Haven’t I been always good to you How come you treat me like you do?

I feel so empty and all alone If you see her tell her, come home.

Love me, I’m still loveable Hate me if I cause you trouble If not come on over don’t wait Don’t rush to wipe me off the slate The tender love we shared together Can be rekindled if you come over.

Return my love together, let’s turn the tide Return my love, let’s heal our wounded pride Please tell me where did I go wrong Please tell me and I’ll understand Wasn’t you who said we’ll never part?

How come you’re trying to break my heart?

Remember you said you were mine for life Now you’ve caused confusion and strife I’ve got this feeling we aren’t over yet We can still find love to replace regret Return my love, answer to my plea Return my love, come back to me.

Return my love, I’ll make it up to you, true Heaven knows I’ve tried, what about you?

Remember our vows and you did promise The love we shared will never diminish Don’t leave me here like Alice in Wonderland Return my love, you’re still my number one.

* Is anybody in a high office here considering buying an island off Canouan? * If they could ban political calypsos, how come they wouldn’t ban that song about the pastors? * Is there a Rent Control Board in this country? If there is, who are its members? * Has anyone counted the number of businesses all over the country that have closed down in the last year or so? * How many persons from the area working on the Colonaire bridge project? * MAN-ABOUTTOWN has noticed the patching work being done around Kingstown. Thanks to the persons responsible for the work to date.

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10. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

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Re-defining the debate on the International Airport project The issue On his birthday, August 8, 2005, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves delivered a focused and comprehensive policy statement on the ULP government’s plans to build an international airport at Argyle. In a masterful address before a packed audience at the Methodist Church Hall, the Prime Minister analysed the following ten issues of relevance to the construction of the international airport: 1. Why do we need an international airport?

2. Why improve the E.T. Joshua Airport if we are going to build an international airport at Argyle?

3. What institutional arrangements have been put in place for the international airport?

4. A history of airport studies in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

5. Why not Arnos Vale?

6. Why choose Argyle?

7. The Crosswind at Argyle.

8. The cost of an international airport at Argyle.

9. Financing the international airport project.

10. Time Lines and some Practical issues There ensued a period of intense debate in the country as to the viability of an international airport, and whether or not the ULP administration under Comrade Ralph, could find the resources to finance the project.

The skeptics, most of them supporters of the NDP, began their negative work. There were doubts about the capability of the ULP administration to manage the construction process, through the International Airport Development Company. There were doubts about the ability of the IADC to finish the project itself. The ULP administration and the IADC engaged in an education programme aimed at creating awareness among Vincentians, about the importance of the project.

The historical timeline will show that the equipment from Venezuela arrived, families were relocated, that earthworks and other construction began, the terminal building was started, and the project began to take shape in a fulsome way.

In the course of all this work, there was a shift in the thinking by Vincentians about the project. Now there is support for the project, even among persons who are aligned to the NDP. Now Vincentians in the Diaspora are involved in activities to find resources for the international airport. Now Vincentians at home are beginning to think about how they can position themselves, to take advantage of the many investment opportunities that will accrue, from the airport.

It is this shift in the tide of public opinion that has the Opposition NDP very worried, and has led to a panic situation in that party.

largest project ever attempted by any government in the history of the country. The NDP knows that their supporters are now behind the project; that young Vincentians want the airport; that generally, there is a very positive shift in the debate; and that all their opposition to the international airport is now in vain.

The passage of the Supplementary Bill is a sign that the US$80 million required to complete the project, has been identified and acquired by Comrade Ralph. Hitherto, Arnhim Eustace felt that the ULP administration could not find the funds to finish the project. Their only defense is to create spurious arguments that the ULP is only focused on the airport project, and that the other sectors of the economy have been abandoned.

This of course is a foolish position, as Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves pointed out during his wind-up debate on the Bill. But it is the nature of the NDP to oppose anything implemented by the ULP administration, even where it is clear that the project will provide economic and social benefits for all Vincentians.

In the next three weeks, the ULP will publish a major document which will detail the financing of the airport, and will look at other projects being undertaken by the government.

Argyle International Airport While the NDP supports the construction of the Argyle International Airport, it has always been concerned about the financing of the project.

In 2005, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves outlined his government’s plan for the construction of the Argyle International Airport.

He declared then, that the airport would cost EC$480 million to construct. Since then, the cost of construction of the airport has increased to EC$652 million. This latest figure falls woefully short of the professional estimate commissioned by the NDP. The more realistic cost to build the airport is EC $1.1 billion.

Below is a table which shows an estimated cost for the construction of the Argyle International Airport.

Into the future

Now that the funding for the remaining construction work on the airport project is secured, there will be a hive of activity at the Argyle site.

More Vincentians will be employed, with more money being injected into the economy at a critical time, in terms of wages and salaries, and the purchasing of material, and the payment for additional services.

Already the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Authority are leading the efforts to ensure that major airlines out of the UK, the USA, Canada and the Caribbean region, fly in and out of the Argyle International Airport.

Our people are being urged to fine tune their investment efforts to take advantage of this opportunity.

Vincentians will need to leverage the airport into opportunities to provide services for the additional visitors who will now come to our country, and the new services that will be required by the airport, and the airlines.

At the same time, our farmers and fisher folk will need to get their industries organized to take advantage of the faster and better access to markets abroad, notably in Miami, New York and London. All this will be part of the new discussion The Supplementary Appropriation Bill No 4. on the airport project at Argyle.

Of 2013 Finally, we must continue to The debate in the House of applaud the leadership provided by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves Assembly on the Supplementary Appropriation Bill No 4. of 2013 was a in the drive to construct the international airport. When others very revealing exercise. It wavered, when others said “find it demonstrated to the country that where”, he used his leadership, his despite the lip service support intelligence, his love for poor people provided by the NDP, in relation to the airport project, the reality is that and his discipline and capacity for hard work, to find the resources for they are deathly afraid. this all important project.

The NDP knows that this is the

Vincentians were told by the ULP regime that the Argyle International Airport would be financed by the ‘Coalition of the Willing’, which included Venezuela, Iran, Libya, Mexico, Austria and Trinidad and Tobago, and (that) it would not be a burden to the taxpayers of this country. It would appear that the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ is no longer willing, and now the taxpayers of this country are faced with the burden of financing, in a major way, the construction of Argyle International Airport.

For instance, the ULP administration told Vincentians that the government of Venezuela would pay the Cubans who work at the airport. Subsequently, we found out, through a question in parliament by the Leader of the Opposition, that the Cuban workers were paid by the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and it cost the taxpayers EC$370,000. per month. In addition, on Thursday 6th June, 2013, the ULP government brought Supplementary Estimates to parliament to allocate EC$204 Million to continue work on the construction of the Argyle International Airport.

It is obvious that the ULP government is bent on realizing the construction of the Argyle International Airport, while the poor and working class in the country are

suffering.

Our economy is in shambles, and crime, poverty and unemployment continue to increase. The ULP government continues to ignore the plight of our people, incessantly giving the impression that the airport will be the panacea to all the economic and social problems that confront the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The NDP’s message to the ULP administration is simple. We propose that some of the EC$204 million, be used to assist the ailing sectors in the country. For instance, we firmly believe that the banana industry should have been the beneficiary of some of those funds, to revitalize the industry, and to provide income support to our hard-working farmers. The amount of money allocated for goods and services in the 2013 Estimates was reduced significantly, yet no funds for goods and services. What about the roads?

Our roads are in deplorable conditions but no money to repair them. The government owes the private sector EC$60.Million; no money for them, no money for the Health sector, and no money to stimulate the economy.

Every single cent is channeled to the airport.

The NDP has been at the forefront of airport development in this country.

The NDP built airports in Bequia, Canouan and Union Island, and commissioned the study into the development of an international airport for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. So to say that the NDP is against the Argyle International Airport is just not true.

The NDP reiterates its commitment to the construction of the Argyle International Airport, but will approach the financing of the project in a different manner that will not be a burden to the taxpayers of this country. It must be known that the NDP has the support of a major international construction group capable of undertaking large-scale infrastructure projects. They will partner with the NDP administration to finally get the airport into a state of readiness. Therefore, Vincentians need to elect the NDP into office, whenever the next general elections is called, not only to implement its plan for the airport but also to fix this country’s economy.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. 11.

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And so it was... and so it is “Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.” - Napoleon Hill (1883-1970) - American author of Think and Grow Rich, the classic of all motivational literature

the industry enabled so many of our staff members to take their performances to a higher level. He THE DESIRE TO WRITE this article never charged for providing these emerged after reading a most “extra services”. And so it was... he inspirational e-mail from my dear 85year-old friend, Aldwyn LeQuay. He had freely contributed to the development of the staff and the industry. just read two of my more recent I always looked forward to having newspaper articles (“There was a time” LeQuay spend time at my home while and “We were wired for struggle”), and he awaited his flight back to Trinidad. wanted to share some insights that We often sat on the porch and relax emerged from that exercise. I was over a warm beverage and a sandwich encouraged. But then again, LeQuay or some snacks. It was then that he always had that impact on me. He is would share his experiences in such an encourager. relation to rearing and racing pigeons, I first met Aldwyn just about two as a gardener, a parent, and so on. decades ago. I was working at East Caribbean Feeds Limited at the time. And so it was that, as I “sat at his feet”, I was able to learn so much Aldwyn, an accomplished civil from this accomplished Englishengineer based in Trinidad and Tobago, was commissioned to inspect trained regional icon.

As he nears his 86th birthday, he the boiler that generated the steam at does not travel through the region as the mill. He saved the company often as he did during his early “mega bucks” back then. I vividly career. But it is always a joy to get recall hosting a Canadian engineer together with him and several of his who had visited the mill and dear friends and associates whenever recommended that the subsequent our schedules could facilitate a year’s budget should make provision reunion. This recipient of the for a replacement boiler. He had concluded that our boiler had done its Trinidad and Tobago National Humming Bird Gold Medal (HBM) for time. As destiny would have it, service to Engineering Education Aldwyn visited the mill a few weeks (1991) still displays so much humility. later. I told LeQuay about the Canadian’s suggestion that we budget He is still so passionate about sharing for a replacement boiler (then valued knowledge. LeQuay continues to teach short courses in High Voltage at several hundred thousand US dollars). LeQuay merely stated, “My (33kV) Cable Splicing and Termination, Power Plant Operations, friend, this boiler will outlive both of Diesel Engine Maintenance, Boiler us.” He and members of the Operators, Oil/Gas Platform Maintenance Department donned Operations, Steam Injection Boilers their safety gear and proceeded to work on cleaning the tubes, repairing in the Petroleum Industry Operation, and the Maintenance of the Fire Eye, and adjusting the various gauges. And so it was ...that Switchgear (Air, Oil, Gas, and Vacuum). And so it is ... he continues boiler worked like a Rolls Royce. As to inspire so many participants to far as I know, it is still working well perfect their skills as engineering today. technicians. But equally important, Conversing with LeQuay while he he encourages participants to worked on the boiler soon made me maximize their level of efficiency; realise that he embodied so many positive work habits. He was always constantly seeking to better their best efforts; always seeking to improve on ready and willing to teach as he previous performances. Like worked. He did not see knowledge Napoleon Hill, he reminds them that and skills as “things to be hoarded”. patience, persistence and perspiration He never once practised or make an unbeatable combination for encouraged the “hiding of trade success. secrets”. He shared freely. He was We can learn so much from also quite liberal with his positive treasured regional icons like Aldwyn comments and commendations LeQuay. They have charted whenever they were due. He was pathways far beyond the boundaries especially interested in teaching and of their professions; far beyond their practising about health and safety home bases. They have enriched our issues — knowing that even the Caribbean cultures in so many ways. trained and accomplished engineers would periodically seek to take “short They leave legacies carved in the lives and memories of grateful citizens. cuts” and endanger themselves and others in the process. The temptation They have paused to influence similar positive traits in the next generation. to “bend a safety rule” becomes And so it is, they become ideal models especially evident when individuals and mentors who aid in enriching our are overworked and/or tired. After a regional space. few of his visits, we agreed that he would conduct some informal training Send comments, criticisms & of our maintenance staff and those suggestions to involved in operations. He was julesferdinand@gmail.com excellent. His simple teaching style, his attention to detail, and his love for

Every year it’s the same thing EVERY YEAR is the same thing. We are a complaining lot. We want to improve a product that has reached its zenith. When we held our carnival the same time with Trinidad, many said we were being stifled. So we moved to June/July. And we improved. We got breathing space until Barbados, Grenada, St Lucia, and Antigua moved their carnivals.

It may be that the eighties to the early nineties might have been the high mark in our festivities. We still refer to the music of that period as classic. Then Roy Ralph and the other giants still ruled the streets with High Mas, Touch controlled the roads, and Starlift was consolidating itself as monarchs of pan.

Since then, there seems to be a steady decline. A big slice of Carnival is about nakedness and seduction.

There is nothing vulgar, unhealthy or unnatural about the mesmerizing expressions we see and hear during carnival. The thing that separates us from animals is sexual privacy, but there is really nothing private about dancing in an expressive fashion. In fact, what we see in the 10 days of mas and music is as spiritual and graceful as the moves we applaud from La Gracia Dancers.

Carnival is about jump and wave, but Becket warned that his hand was tired. Most of us must be totally and completely fed up with ‘wave yo flag, show me yo rag.’ The refrain demonstrates the lyrical weakness and lack of creative discipline of most of our artistes. Some of the most wildly popular ones don’t even bother to sing or write an entire song. Soca especially is becoming a dramatic performance. It is a triumph of athleticism over brain, energy over wit, and matter over mind.

Regrettably, the Carnival ‘Development’ Corporation appears most impressed with this degeneration, and promotes it more than the really high mas and culture.

There is always talk about what will the children ‘wine’ to on stage? There were lots of songs: ‘doh loose, me tie me tighter’ is sweet and jumpy; Jamesy P’s ‘No prisoners’ could keep the children chipping.

Even Luther’s celebration of our big bottom women could have helped the children celebrate their mothers, who mostly insisted on the young ones getting into the culture early.

Therefore, the larger question seems to be the confusion in adults’ minds as to what should be heard on radio around carnival time. This amounts to a certain kind of hypocrisy because if we can’t play the song all year round, it means it serves no useful cultural purpose and should never be permitted on the public airways. Compounding this problem is what we are prepared to allow in our society. It is a known fact that many of the songs which are played in SVG are not allowed in Jamaica or the US where they are made.

We have a political problem in that any attempt to clean up the airways will be labeled censorship by whichever party is in opposition or some in the ‘commentariat’. Another problem is that owners of radio stations are convinced that by obtaining a licence to run a radio station, they own the airwaves on which the sound is transmitted. If we

start telling them that the airways belong to the people, they may all become more responsible. Some owners may also be shocked to know that because of the public ownership of the airwaves, they are engaging in illegal acts when they blacklist the songs of persons with whom they have a quarrel. Having said all of that though, many of the songs should be kept off the public airways, if only to get the writers to become more disciplined in their writing. We are forced to wonder where all the good writers gone.

But the problem with smutty sounds has been around for all times, and may continue well into the future. Women have all borne the brunt of the bards’ tongue, almost understandably. Women are the real seducers. In earlier times, calypsonians were required to sing a fast song and a slower, social commentary if they wanted to make it into the big yard or to gain play time for road march. King Brooklyn’s ‘Largo Height is wey dem busy dey’ in 1977 might have been his response to his woman leaving him, but by 1981 Lord Hawke’s ‘Pull them’ did not translate pull dem on the road.

Neither did Becket’s ‘Tone’, just to cite a few songs.

Some commentators, the most vocal among them being 2 Cool Chris, complain that carnival is going to the dogs. I wonder what he will do to take carnival back onto the high road. I wonder what the Trinis or Brazilians have done. I am of the settled view that, while we can tinker here and there with carnival, there is not much else that can be done.

Traditionally, carnival was mas, calypso and pan. Pan and calypso are not being promoted and is forced to beg Soca to have mercy. Raga Soca is coming on, and what does the CDC do? It brings in a big name artiste, ‘Busy Signal’ to ensure that the show is a hit. Note as well that raga Soca, an admixture of gospel, soul, reggae and Soca, now opens the official ten day carnival festivities as calypso, one of the foundation of mas, is pushed off into the country. I have no opposition to the decentralization of carnival activities; I point only to the fact that Raga Soca is assisted with a top regional artiste. Calypso is pushed to a slow death because it is not profitable. CDC officials say calypso has no potential to bring foreign exchange to the country, but Soca does, as can be seen with the exploits of Kevin Little and Skinny Fabulous.

I remain convinced that carnival is more than a fete, but unless we fight to keep the culture, especially pan, (the creative use of our hands and mind) and social commentary of calypso in carnival, our biggest festival will continue its noisy decline into becoming nothing but a fete.

This piece first appeared on June 30, 2011.

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

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12. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Opinion

Jobs is the priority, not an airport for tourists On Thursday 30 May 2013, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves brought to the SVG Parliament, a Supplementary Appropriation Bill for the approval of loans totalling EC$ 208 million. Most of the money will be used on the Argyle airport.

The priority for our country is jobs for our people, not an airport for tourists. SVG suffers from high unemployment, lots of crime and serious poverty.

Our people need jobs, not an airport for tourists.

If our country needs EC$ 208 million, why must it be provided by way of a Supplementary Appropriation Bill? In the name of justice and fairness, parliament should amend the Mustique Company Act 48 of 2002, to get the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan to pay appropriate tax and customs duty.

SVG is already heavily in debt, and it would be very risky to borrow EC$ 208 million more. The economy is on the verge of collapse. We must tax Taiwan and the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan. Our people cannot pay more tax to repay this extra EC$ 208 million. We already suffer under VAT and high water and electricity bills.

SVG Green Party is concerned that Dr. Gonsalves is seeking the approval of Parliament for a Supplement Appropriation Bill for loan of EC$ 208 million without disclosing the final orientation of the runway to parliament and the people of SVG. Dr. Gonsalves, what is the final orientation of the Argyle airport runway?

The new bypass road was built on the assumption that the runway orientation would be (02/20).

Changing the orientation anti-clockwise will result in the bypass road being re-routed, probably the

Peruvian Vale Primary School being relocated and some houses in the Peruvian Vale area having to be dismantled and relocated at additional cost.

Spain’s Agency for Air Security found that Castellon’s runway is too narrow for airplanes to turn around, and too short to allow airplanes to safely land, taxi and take off. Castellon airport’s runway is 2,700 metres long and 45 metres wide.

The Argyle airport runway is 2,743 metres long and 45 metres wide.

Common sense says abort Argyle airport now, as it, too, will fail to secure a civil aviation licence to operate flights. The Argyle runway site has very dangerous crosswinds which are a serious flight safety hazard.

Public services in SVG are already under-funded.

SVG cannot afford the cost of throwing hundreds of millions of dollars more down the drain on an airport that is destined to be a ‘no fly zone’.

With so many young people leaving school and unable to find jobs, it is crucial that SVG build a strong, Green multi-sector, science-based economy.

SVG must replace oil-produced electricity with renewable energy, ensure that education is absolutely free from preschool to university for all our children, create thousands of new jobs, build our own university and create a vibrant agriculture sector.

The loans of EC$208 million should be spent on creating jobs and prosperity for our people. The priority for our country is jobs for our people, not an airport for tourists.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org

LetÊs give luck a chance convince all the governments in the world, especially in our On June 8th, 2012, in an region, that they must article entitled ‘Let’s give pay attention to online lotteries. luck a chance’ and The globalization of carried in THE markets, the VINCENTIAN, I restructuring of the emphasized the Eastern European bloc importance of online lotteries to the economies into independent market driven economies, the of all nations. Now, dissolution of the Soviet again, I am trying to Union into independent states, the worldwide trend toward economic cooperation, and enhanced global competition make it important that market potential be viewed in the context of regions of the world, rather than country by country.

Formal economic cooperation agreements, such as the European Union (EU), are the most notable examples of multinational market groups, but many new coalitions are being formed, old ones are being re-energized, and the possibility of many new cooperative arrangements is on the horizon, the CSME being such a case in point. It is against this background that the issue of online lotteries should be grounded.

Let us take the EU and apply the issue.

Many of the nations that comprise the EU are in debt crisis, e.g. Italy, Greece, Spain and most recently, Cyprus. They are in need of hundreds of billions of dollars to get them (back) on the right path. If the nations of the EU can come together and set (peg) an online lottery of, say, 100 million Euros, with each nation providing an equal amount, to be played among all its citizens, and the revenue is shared equally among the nations, would there

Lotteries and governments

be austerity problems in Greece?

The citizens of the EU, by themselves, can solve the problem of indebtedness in this region rather than relying on the hardstrapped cash from the world’s financial institutions. These governments have the necessary competence to implement and manage such a lottery. For instance, they would set the price of a ticket in relation to the price of other existing lotteries, in such a way that only a maximum number of persons, say 4 or 5 tickets, can win at any given time, making it attractive to play. The same process will apply to all the nations of African or South America, etc.

Now, consider our Caribbean region, CARICOM. We have recently established headquarters for a Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ. In this same light, a CARICOM ICT headquarters is also necessary. Our ICT competence may not be as high as in the EU, but we have to achieve that same level. We should still be able to implement and manage an online lottery based on the same procedures outlined for the EU. In our case, we may set our lottery at say EC$50 million. When the revenue is shared equally among our islands, how much better off would our economies be?

Here in SVG, we have seen how our own National Lotteries Authority has been assisting our country in so many areas. Yet, our Lotto and Super6 are not bought online. What would be the effect if these can be bought

– Phase II

online? Would profits increase twofold, threefold or 7-fold?

We know that in the world today, there are many private lotteries.

The Cash for Life Lottery in the USA is an example. Of course, there are businesses in our region that can collaborate to provide lotteries. But if our governments are in control, everyone gains, and everyone wins; same for the rest of the regions in the world.

So far, only regional lotteries have been examined. How about cross-regional lotteries?

In my article on June 8th 2012, I claimed that an online lottery played among the citizens in China, India and Japan will generate the most revenue that any enterprise or venture could ever realize in a lifetime. Furthermore, if in their bilateral trade and agreements, China and the USA can create an online lottery between them, would the USA be so indebted to China?

Suppose CARICOM could create such a deal with South America?

I am just a lonely voice in the wilderness asking for someone in authority to start a flame. Let governments know that regional and cross-regional lotteries are the most effective measures to deal with the world’s economic problems. In reality, the world will start to look like a scene from the James Bond sci-fi movie, ‘Thunder-ball’, where some people using highly computerized systems were trying to destroy the world, only this time they would be trying to save it. Adios!

Julian C. ‘Rockstar’ Williams

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY,JUNE 14, 2013. 13.

Gov’t

Mc Kie pleased with Caribbean Week in NY Story and photos by NELSON A. KING NAKING@VERIZON.NET; NELOKING@MSN.COM US CORRESPONDENT ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ TOURISM, CULTURE AND SPORTS MINISTER Cecil ‘Ces’ Mc Kie says he was very pleased with his country’s promotion during last week’s Caribbean Week in New York.

Mc Kie told THE VINCENTIAN, in an exclusive interview last Saturday, at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center in Brooklyn, New York, that St. Vincent and the Grenadines stands to benefit significantly from bilateral discussions he had with other regional countries, as well as discussions with other tourism stakeholders, such as tour operators, agencies, and hotel and tourism executives.

In addition, he said the multi-island state was further promoted in various workshops, seminars, conferences, discussions, debates and presentations, among others, under the auspices of the Barbadosheadquartered Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), organizer of Caribbean Week in New York.

“These gave us an opportunity to network with agencies and organizations, and also gave us an opportunity to promote the tourism product in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Mc Kie said. “It was very successful.”

He said he was successful in promoting the country as a “very varied” destination, pointing to products in ecotourism, agro-tourism, sailing and diving, Vincy cuisine; and other tourist attractions, such as the Botanical Gardens, the “oldest and best” in the Western Hemisphere.

Mc Kie also pointed to the tourism ministry’s ‘Do 32 Campaign’, which allows visitors to “have 32 experiences in one destination.

“We have 32 islands and cays,” he said. “We have it all.”

The tourism minister said the ministry is working towards implementing a ‘Water Week’ in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and that he participated in workshops and seminars on Water Sports during Caribbean Week.

Additionally, he said the Vincentian delegation, which also comprised Chief

Above: The VINCENTIAN’s Nelson King (r) interviewing Tourism Minister Cecil ‘Ces’ Kie at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Left: Promoting Destination SVG at Caribbean Media Market Place, duriing Caribbean Week,at the New Yorker Hotel in midtown Manhattan, L-R: Celia Ross, Director of Sales, U.S.A., SVG Tourism Authority; Kathique Haynes, Marketing Officer, SVG Tourism Authority; and Jennifer Reisfeld, representative, SVG Tourism Authority public relations firm, New York-based Spring O’Brien Consulting.

Executive Officer of the Tourism Authority, Glen Beache, used Caribbean Week to hold discussions with officials of three United States airlines and one Canadian airline, as potential carriers when the Argyle International Airport comes on stream next year.

While declining to identify the airlines, Mc Kie said the executives stressed the importance of having “regulations and standards in place across the tourism sector.”

Mc Kie said he, his Caribbean counterparts and CTO officials also held discussions with executives at the Miami-based Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, aimed at increasing visits to the region, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Overall, the discussions were encouraging, and the way forward has been made clearer in terms of strengthening the operations of the CTO,” he said.

Among other things, Caribbean

Week in New York featured a gospel concert; celebrity chef program; art exhibition; student colloquium (won by defending champions Bronxbased Monroe College on the Garifuna culture and heritage in St. Vincent

and the Grenadines); Caribbean Fashion Tourism; OneCaribbean Vacation Mart and Romance Pavilion; Rum & Rhythm Benefit and Auction; and Caribbean Media Marketplace.

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14. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Tourism brought to the schools STUDENTS OF ST. VINCENT and the Grenadines will be exposed to a whole new means of learning about their Heritage, Culture and its relation to Tourism, through a brand new booklet and DVD titled ‘Vincy Friendly’.

An initiative of the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the ‘Vincy Friendly’ DVD, which the media was given a preview of, is a fun and interactive programme to help children learn about their homeland.

Senator Elvis Charles, Junior Minister in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture, was the first to express his joy on the launch of the DVD on Tuesday 11th June, at the Ministry headquarters, Kingstown.

He congratulated Kathleen Jeffers — Education Officer with responsibility for career guidance; Albena Samuel-

Jack — Education Officer for Literacy, and Jay Belmar — Communications Manager Ministry of Tourism, and explained that the idea and implementation of this project were very important as “complaints are often made that our children do not know enough about SVG, and this publication will help them to learn more.”

Jeffers and SamuelJack both expressed the Ministry of Education’s pride in the production, and their hope for it to be used well and appreciated in schools.

The European Union, which provided funding for the production of the DVD, was recognized for its continuing support for tourism-related efforts here.

The DVD’s story line which features a playful Iguana character who cohosts the ‘plot’ alongside

(L-R): Senator Elvis Charles, Albena Samuel-Jack and Kathleen Jeffers take hold of the ‘Vincy Friendly’ DVD and workbook.

Storm Halbich and Lindsay Dowers, is anticipated to be a classroom favourite.

Reggae Artist Abuza is also featured, encouraging the youngsters to have a sense of pride in their country through song that includes lyrics like, “We are so beautiful in SVG, people come from

far to see you and to see me.”

The ‘Vincy Friendly’ workbook, which accompanies the DVD and was put together by Xpress Media of Trinidad and Tobago, is described as a manifestation of Vincentian children’s joys and happiness.

The DVD and workbook publication will be made available primarily to students, in the first instance.

Archbishop Frank overcomes obstacles THE SAINT MICHAEL Spiritual Baptist Archdiocese of SVG held a special ordination on Sunday 19th May, at the Marriaqua Community Centre.

The occasion of significance was the ordination of Bishop Lester C. W. Frank as Archbishop.

A number of persons were also ordained as ministers.

Conducting the ordinations was Patriarch Manswell of Archbishop Lester Toronto, Canada, who, it is Frank says that he reported, might not have had had to made the trip, had overcome Archbishop Frank himself resistance from not intervened in the matter. many in his quest Archbishop Frank to serve God and intimated that there were his people. some “who tried to prevent such an occasion,” and he reminded those persons that “the newly ordained Archbishop Lester C.W. Frank is nobody’s fool, and only depends upon God for his guidance and survival. The newly ordained Archbishop is not a Baptist, but a spiritual Baptist.”

In a release this week to the media, the newly installed Archbishop declared: “Today I am glad that we are affiliated with the Spiritual Baptist Faith of Canada Denomination Inc.,” and extended “thanks to Patriarch Manswell, who came from Canada to push us through. I pray that God continues to bless him, that he can continue doing God’s work.”

He added: “All the monies and big talks just couldn’t prevent us from getting what God wanted me to be. I am a prayer warrior. Praise God for his mercy, and thanks to all who helped to make the ordination a success. I will try to do the best for God, no matter what obstacles come my way. The battle now start, I will be a conqueror, for God is my deliverer.”

Mustique Trust joins anti-trafficking drive THE MUSTIQUE Charitable Trust is ensuring that trafficking of persons does not take root here.

Basil Charles and Lavina Gunn handed over a lap top computer, a power point The party at the handing over of equipment (L-R): Lavinia projector and Gunn, Basil Charles, ACP Michael Charles, ASP Ruth Ann a printer to Jacobs, ACO Frankie Joseph and Sgt. Junior Simmons. the Royal St. Vincent and Gunn expressed public awareness the Grenadines Police solidarity with the Police programme.”

Force last Friday.

ACP Charles justified in the move towards Assistant the formation of the investigating and Commissioner of Police Anti-Trafficking in Michael Charles received prosecuting “possible Persons Unit, and traced trafficking cases under the equipment on behalf the work in fulfilling its existing relevant of the constabulary. mandate. legislation, until Officers of the AntiHe regarded the comprehensive Trafficking in Persons Mustique Charitable trafficking law is in Unit, including Assistant Trust’s intervention as place.” As far as Gunn Commissioner Frankie commendable and was concerned, “A Joseph, Assistant timely. It complemented critical component is to Superintendent of Police the institution’s efforts educate the public about Ruth Ann Jacobs, and forced labour and forced towards reaching out to Sergeant Junior the nation from the Simmons, witnessed the prostitution, by youth to the elderly. conducting a high profile presentation.

(WKA)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. 15.

News

Taiwan offering medical scholarship FROM THIS YEAR, Vincentians will be able to study medicine in Taiwan. To further enhance the medical service and cooperation, for the first time, the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has decided to provide Vincentians with scholarships to purse a fouryear postgraduate medical degree in Taiwan, since the inception of its scholarship program in 2004.

However, awardees of the Scholarship, upon completion of the study, are obligated to return Just to provide medical service in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The medical degree program will be offered in English by the I-Shou University, commencing 2013 academic year. Since it is a postgraduate program, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree and take examinations in English, Biology and Chemistry at the venue designated by the Embassy, on July 15, 2013. Besides, applicants will also be given an oral examination by the University via Skype or telephone from July 16 through July 18.

The Scholarship Program covers airfare, dormitory, tuition fee, credit fees, book costs and monthly

a glimpse of I-Shou University. allowance. The Embassy welcomes Vincentian Youths seeking a medical degree in Taiwan to apply for it.

Applicants must complete the online applications at both http://www.icdf.org.tw/TSP/welcome.as px and http://enroll.isu.edu.tw//enroll//DP by July 1, 2013, print the completed forms, and submit them to the Embassy by July 4, 2013 together with proof of nationality, Bachelor’s degree diploma, complete grade transcript, two recommendation letters and TaiwanICDF Medical Report.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. 17.

16. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013 THE VINCENTIAN

Hurricane Safety Tips Checklist - Be Prepared How to Prepare for the Annual Hurricane Season:

After the Storm:

* Listen to the forecast. Pay attention to any warnings and determine whether to evacuate or ride out the storm.

* Vigorous boiling for 3 - 5 minutes will kill any disease causing micro-organisms present in water.

The flat taste of boiled water can be improved by pouring back and forth from one container to another, by allowing it to stand for a few hours, or by adding a small pinch of salt for each quart of water boiled.

* If you choose not to evacuate, find a safe shelter to stay in that is adequately outfitted with emergency supplies. * Ensure your family knows when to go to the shelter and how best to get there. * Install storm shutters on your home, or cover windows with plywood to keep them from breaking. * Purchase supplies such as non-perishable food, water, flashlights, a portable radio, batteries, and a first-aid kit. * Have rain gear and extra clothing stored in your shelter and easily accessible.

* Common household bleach contains a compound that will disinfect water. The procedure to be followed is usually written on the label. When the necessary procedure is not given, add ten drops per gallon of water. The treated water should be mixed thoroughly and allowed to stand for 30 minutes. * Check for any loose sheetings or loose nails on your roof. Make sure the gutters are tightly hinged and that they drain freely. Check the storm drains for any clogging.

* Drive only when and where necessary - do not drive just to assess the area or to sight-see.

* Loose items should be removed or secured inside the craft.

* Drive with care - there is likely to be debris scattered on roads that can damage your tires.

Boats Stored on Land:

* Be cautious, the area might be congested with construction traffic, emergency vehicles, residents, etc, * Stay clear of all downed power lines. * Visually inspect all fences, building or downed trees to ensure no electrical wires are present. * Take care when removing large debris such as boards, siding or plywood - you could be disturbing the temporary residence of snakes, animals or insects driven there by the storm (particularly after flooding). * Upon entering your home, open all the doors and windows to help ventilate and dry the area.

Weathering the Storm at Home: * Secure all windows and doors with plywood.

* After flooding, do not attempt to turn on your breaker. Call an electrician for assistance.

* Keep updated on the storm’s status by listening to advisory from NEMO and the Met Office.

* Keep grills and cooking stoves outdoors in a well-ventilated area.

* Gather animals in a safe place.

* Open your home as a refuge to friends or family members whose homes may not provide adequate protection.

* Fill your gas tank to ensure you can evacuate the area if necessary.

* Remove all loose items from your yard.

* Use your telephone as little as possible. Telephone lines are needed for emergency communications and must be kept open. Call one relative and ask that he or she update other family members and friends of your status.

What to do when a Hurricane Warning is issued by the National Weather Service: * Get a hold of family members to determine their whereabouts and enact your safety plan.

* Follow the directions of local authorities and listen to local weather reports. * Don’t wait until the last minute to evacuate. If you wait, exit routes may be at a standstill or completely closed. * Move forward with securing your home, closing shutters and covering windows. * Ensure everything that can be blown around and cause harm is tied down securely.

* Keep flashlights handy. * Have your Emergency Supply Kits near at hand.

* Before you begin cleaning the area, take photos and video footage of the damage of your home and property. Keep receipts for repairs - you will need these for insurance purposes.

* Stay away from windows or any glass-covered openings during the storm. Go to the lowest floor of your home. Find a room that is structurally reinforced - a bathroom or closet - and wait there until the storm passes.

* For removal of large debris, call the Solid Waste Management Unit (784-456-2946).

* If the power goes out, turn off your water heater, air conditioner and heater to reduce the chance of damage.

* Wear protective eyewear, long pants, long-sleeved shirt, rubber boots, gloves and a hat when removing debris or repairing your home. * Don’t pick up anything you can’t identify.

Family Plan of Action: * Determine where you and your family will go (to a relative, a friend, an emergency shelter) in the event you have to evacuate or you think that you may not be safe at your own house. * On a map, outline the quickest and safest route needed to get to your destination. Remember, low-lying areas may be unsafe for travel during a storm.

* If flooding occurs, turn off all electricity at the main breaker box.

* Never lift anything too heavy or cumbersome without assistance.

* Do not use your computer or any electrical device during the storm.

* When lifting heavy items, use your legs, not your back.

* Do not leave your house until it has been confirmed that it is safe to do so. It may seem as if the storm has passed, yet you could be in the calm eye of the hurricane.

* Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

* Make sure your car has a full tank of gas.

* Adhere to all safety warnings, and read directions before using saws and other dangerous machinery.

* Withdraw money beforehand - the storm may knock out power at ATMs.

* Only hire reputable contractors for repairs.

If you have to Evacuate:

* Make sure you have all required building permits before attempting any repairs.

* Review your insurance policies and coverage. * Take photos and/or video footage of your property.

Store this information with your important papers.

Make copies of the documents and photographs, and leave them with someone you trust. * Visually inspect your home and property. Make any repairs necessary: check the roof for loose sheeting/nails; clear the gutters and drains to ensure proper drainage; cut loose all overhanging branches; check the ground for debris or items such as furniture that could blow away. * Purchase plywood, rope, extra nails and tarpaulins for protecting windows and doors.

Before the Storm:

* Do not burn your trash.

* Take Evacuation Kits. * Gather your important documents: insurance papers with the name and phone number of your agent, medical records, driver’s licence, property photos, inventory check list, etc.

* Report any suspicious dumping or draining of large quantities of liquids. * Report damage to your local disaster committee or NEMO. Keeping your boat afloat - At the Port:

* Turn off water, gas and electricity. * Lock all windows and doors.

* Check all cleats, ropes, chocks and winches for strength. Double the rigging lines fore and aft.

* Remove and store the outboard motor, battery and electronic units. * Deflate the trailer tires. Tie down the boat and trailer. * Small boats may be filled with water to add weight. * If possible, move the boat to a garage.

Don’t Let a Hurricane Put Your Business in the Red: Countless businesses have been wiped out, both physically and monetarily due to hurricanes.

Here are some ways to protect your business during the storm:

* Call friends and relatives to inform them of your destination. When you arrive, call again to let them know you are safe.

* Ensure lines are high enough on pilings to allow for extreme ebb and flow of the ocean during storm surges.

* Fill clean plastic or glass containers with water.

Store the bottled water in a cool, dark area.

* Leave the area, but not the region. Roads may be congested, and the more time spent on the road, the greater your chance of being stranded by the storm.

* Cover ropes where they rub against the boat, and tie points with leather or rubber (old inner tubes or garden hoses work well). This will protect your boat and rigging lines.

* Any water you have stored in clean containers before the storm should be safe to drink for at least 2 weeks.

It is still advisable to boil all drinking water during that period. * If you have a swimming pool, fill it and stock the water with chlorine. Cover the pool tightly with a pool cover.

Returning Home after a Hurricane: * Make sure batteries for bilge pumps are fresh. * Continue to monitor your radio for updates and instructions. * Keep your identification handy - you may be asked to provide proof of residence.

* Use canvas tape to cover any cracks or openings on the craft. * Tie old tires around the boat to protect it from being pushed into other docked boats, piers, pilings, etc.

* Food for 3 days. * Drinking water necessary) * Baby Bab by ffood ood d (i (iff necessar y))

* Create a Disaster Plan.

Evacuation Kit (Things to carry if going to a Shelter): ): * Post a copy of the Evacuation Routes on each floor of the building. * Sleeping bags and/or blankets for each member of * Fax a copy of the Evacuation Routes to clients, the family. customers and vendors. * Air or foam mattresses. * Designate a meeting area in the event telephone * Identification cards for everyone. lines are down. * Important documents secured in water tight contain* Practise evacuation/fire drills annually with employntainers. ees. * Medicines and prescription drugs. * Have your building inspected annually by a certified * Extra clothes, shoes, etc. building inspector. * Books, games, playing cards, etc., (this may be an * If a hurricane poses a threat, secure your windows extended stay). and doors. * Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, * Back up all data files and store them in another rant, toilet paper, feminine products, paper towels, etc. location. * Cash * Make provisions to work without electricity, water, sewerage and telephone service for up to 2 weeks. * Contact clients, customers and vendors when you return to your place of business after the storm. Update them on your company’s status. * Have your business appraised every 4 years.

What exactly is a Hurricane: * Keep a current inventory of all your office machines and supplies.

Hurricanes are tropical cyclones - storms that rotate counter - clockwise, with wind speeds in excess of 74 mph (kmh). * Photograph all of your office equipment.

Most hurricanes form over warm seas near the equator. They are created when the sun heats the ocean surface, causing * Have copies of your insurance papers handy. heated water vapor to rise, condense and form clouds. These clouds begin to spiral as the earth rotates. More air is * You may purchase business interruption pulled underneath and a large vortex is formed. insurance, valuable paperwork insurance, even income destruction insurance. Some acts of Stages of a Hurricane: nature may require separate coverage. Talk to your agent.

A tropical cyclone is a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical * Keep a record of companies that provide waters and has a closed low-level circulation. disaster recovery services such as clean up and Cyclones with wind speeds that exceed 74 mph (64 knots) and circulate (counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere debris removal. and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere) are referred to as hurricanes in the Atlantic, and typhoons in the Eastern and Central Pacific Oceans. The classifications for all tropical cyclones are: Ensuring Your Pet’s Safety & Livestock - Find a * Tropical Disturbance: A rotary circulation in the upper atmosphere that produces little to no effect on the Safe Place Ahead of Time: surface. They are fairly common occurrences in the tropics. * Tropical Depression: A low-pressure area that produces some rotary circulation on the ocean’s surface. Tropical * Ask if friends or relatives would be able to depressions have sustained wind speeds of less than 39 mph. shelter you and your animals, or just your * Tropical Storm: A low area with a distinct rotary circulation. Tropical Storms have wind speeds of 39 to 73 animals, if necessary. mph. * Make a list of veterinary offices that might * Hurricane: a low-pressure area with a pronounced rotary circulation. Hurricane wind speeds are at least 74 shelter animals in emergencies; include 24 hour mph and can reach over 200 mph in strong Category 5 hurricanes. Many hurricanes measure 300 telephone numbers. miles across, but they have been known to span a 600 mile diameter.

General Information – Hurricane urricane

Supply Checklist for Pets:

Categorizing a Hurricane’s Strength:

* Medications and medical records stored in a watertight container. * Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers to transport pet’s safety. * Current photos and descriptions for your pets. * Food and water for at least 3 days for each pet bowl, cat litter and a litter box, and a manual can opener.

The Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale is used internationally to determine a hurricane’s strength, and predict the amount of damage it might cause.

At-Home Kit: * Fill your bathtub and sinks with water. To keep water from leaking, cover the drain with a clean sheet of plastic before filling.

supply of over-the-counter medicines: aspirins, stomomach antacids, anti-diarrhea medicine, iodine, hydrogen rogen peroxide, antibacterial ointment, bandage, insect repellent, scissors, tape, etc. Check your first aid book for a list of important items. * A Tarpaulin * Towels (bath) * Camera and film (video camera and blank video tape), digital camera. * Kitchen utensils, spoons, knives, forks, hand-operaterated can opener, bottle opener, cooking pans, etc. * A whistle * A cell phone (fully charged) * Drinking water in plastic containers (minimum one gallon of water per person per day for 14 days). * A water purifying kit, water purifying tablets (please please e follow directions on packet) * Non-perishable food in cans or sealed containerss (enough for 7 days). Don’t forget the pets. * A box of large, plastic trash bags.

* 2 Flashlights * A battery-operated radio * 6 - 8 Extra sets of batteries * A cooler/ice box * Matches and a lighter * A camping stove, coal pot, charcoal and kerosene. * Fire extinguisher (and a box of baking soda or sand to extinguish a fire). * If anyone in your family is taking prescription medicines, keep a 2-week supply on hand. * If you have an infant, stock up a 2-week supply of diapers, baby formula, bottles pacifiers, etc. * A first aid kit with a first aid book, a 2-week

Category Winds Category 1 Wind Speed: Category 2 Wind Speed: Category 3 Wind Speed: Category 4 Wind Speed: Category 5 Wind Speed:

Sustained Winds (MPH)

Types of Damage Due to Hurricane Winds

074 - 095 mph

Very dangerous winds will produce some damage

096 - 110 mph

Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage

111 - 129 mph

Devastating damage will occur

130 - 156 mph

Catastrophic damage will occur

>156mph

Catastrophic damage will occur

Advisories Advisories warn us of impending danger from tropical cyclones. Here are the advisories to note during hurricane season. * Tropical Storm Watch: Sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are possible within the specified area within 48 hours. * Tropical Storm Warning: Sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are expected within the specified area within 36 hours. * Hurricane Watch: Sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are expected within the specified area within 48 hours. * Hurricane Warning: Sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are expected within the specified area within 36 hours

18. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. 19.

People

:

V New look Country Relatives well received 20. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Entertainment

The Country Relatives, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ only acclaimed country music band, showed up at the Octagon Entertainment Centre, Friday 30th May, putting spend to any fear of a ‘no show’.

A very moderate but appreciative crowd, who turned out to welcome them back to the mainland after an extended absence, got a pleasant surprise by the band’s new appearance featuring new members and an enhanced repertoire of new songs.

With half of its original membership replaced, the band has practically reinvented itself.

The new additions to the band are Wayne Gooding as lead guitarist, Ray Leslie as drummer and vocalist, and Delbert Sam as bass guitarist.

Replaced are Kelrain Leslie, Donford ‘Don’ Leslie and Carl King.

The new composition seemed to add zest to the band’s performance. Increased use of

the banjo was noticeable and welcome, and band leader Avondale Leslie indicated that the banjo will feature more regularly in the band’s repertoire.

Country Music lovers were treated to over five hours of nonstop country music ranging from blue grass classic to songs from some of today’s country music icons like Garth Brooks and Vince Gill.

The performance was preceded by a musical Tribute to George Jones.

President of SVG Country Music Festival Arden Tannis also launched the I LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC Fan Club.

Twenty country music fans were awarded free membership to the club. The aim of the Club is to provide a social support base and quality country music entertainment to members.

The event marked the first in a series of country music events dubbed ‘On the Road to SVG Country Music Fest 2015’, that

will culminate in 2015 with the first annual ‘SVG Country Music Festival’, a weekend when country music artistes from within the Caribbean region are expected to converge on the shores of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for a weekend of country music, supported by their international counterparts.

‘On the Road to SVG Country Music Fest 2015’ is yet to attract a major sponsor, according to Tannis, President of the newly formed ‘I Love Country Music Club’ and the Avondale ‘Avie’ Leslie, leader Caribbean Country Music of the Country Relatives, Association. promises an enhanced Tannis is hopeful that the repertoire from his band. next local event, scheduled for September 27 and 28, 2013, artiste out of Antigua and a would attract support from a leading local singer of love local beer distributor. That songs now retired, SVG. weekend show is expected to feature a country music

Arden Tannis has been taking the lead to ensure that the tradition of Country Music in SVG is alive and well.

Noveecha is the karaoke star

NOVEECHA JAMESTONEY is the 2013 winner of the Digicel Singing WithThe Stars (DSWTS) Island Karaoke Tour.

The young lady, winner of the round held at Jar Plum Bar, Richland Park, set aside seven other competitors in the grand finale, last Saturday, June 8, at the Octagon Restaurant and Bar, Diamond.

In the process, Noveecha took home $1000.00 in cash, a trophy, other prizes amounting to $1000.00 and an all expenses paid trip to St. Lucia, where she is expected to participate in a karaoke competition in that island.

The karaoke enthusiasts who braved

Georgietha Nanton, Coordinator of DSWTS, was pleased with the talent she saw on display at the Finals.

the inclement weather to take in, first hand, the grand finale, were also entertained by a number of guest artistes, including past winners Rohan and Mavo Morgan, adult category, and Sharrel Williams and Halia Telesford- King, children category.

“I was very happy to see the hidden talent that came out on the night of the show,” said Noveecha James Toney Georgeitha Nanton, Co-ordinator of DSWTS sang her way to the top of the karaoke performers Island Karaoke Tour, adding, “I can say with ladder of acclaim here in SVG. confidence that karaoke is alive and well in St. Vincent and the Grenadines”.

Nanton was appreciative of all the support she received for the effort.

“And I must thank all the sponsors, the Vincy Karaoke Association, THE VINCENTIAN newspaper, the MCs, the cameraman, the participants , Michael Charles, management of the karaoke houses, the Assistant various venues, and the Commissioner of many, many karaoke Police, was a favourite supporters. We look going into the finals. forward for their continued support,” she Douglas (Tree House Bar, said.

Arnos Vale); Kijah Garni Other finalists in this (Maggies Bar, Layou); year’s competition were: Neroy Sam (The Chill, Shebada Baptiste Sion Hill); and Michael Millers Bar (Sandy Bay); Charles and Stacey Kelly Kesroy Young ) Jasmins (Boat Club, Villa).

Bar, Georgetown); Aljay

Leisure

Aries (Mar. 20-Apr. 19) You are probably involved in one mayhem situation after another through May and June. If you are called upon to speak before others, it will be best to write out what you want to say, in order to insure that you get to the point. Parts of your mind are scattered into so many corners that it is hard to pull everything together.

Taurus (Apr. 20-May 19) You may be involved in a drama triangle. If so, do not consider the other parties your friends. You may become the victim here. On another track, you have experience to share and you may be invited to teach others what you have come to know.

Gemini (May 20-June 20) You may be as happy as the Goose who Laid a Golden Egg. The positive results will continue through time.

Financial resources are improving.

This is a good time to study, speak or write about any material because your thoughts are flowing rapidly.

Cancer (June 21-July 21) Your maternal instincts are front and center during this period. Whether male or female, you are a Mother Bear protecting those who cannot help themselves. For those into romance, now is the time to make yourself available.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 21) You are traveling through a high flying time. You have your eye on the big picture and it looks grand indeed. A word of caution: your optimistic attitude and belief that you are right could cause you to become arrogant.

Virgo (Aug 22-Sep. 22) Given that Mercury is your ruling planet, prepare for life to begin a slowdown now. Whatever you begin will likely take longer than you expect to complete. Pace yourself and don’t expect miracles.

Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 22) You may have conflicting views with others during this period and feel compelled to say your piece. If you do, prepare to be essentially alone. The

power is with others right now and it may feel like you are pushing a big rock uphill. Financial resources likely will improve, but they will head out the backdoor as soon as they enter. Hold on. This won’t be forever.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) News is favorable concerning the law, travel, the internet, church concerns, education, publishing and your children or grandchildren. Identify any situation in which you are playing a triangulated role. You may be the punisher, the victim, or the rescuer. It’s big drama. Do you really want it?

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 20) You are completing a year’s cycle of strength in the relationship department, possible new partnership(s), and improvement in your public relations.

Love life is good. You may be traveling (for fun, not business), or at least making plans for the next big venture.

Enjoy!

Capricorn ( Dec 21-Jan 19) You are likely caught up into some kind of triangulation at this time, even if it is only inside your argumentative mind.

You may be drawn into challenges with the community around you on behalf of a cause. If it somehow contributes to the good of the environment, then you are on the right path and others will join.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 17) You are on edge with the routine of life.

You both want and need to escape.

Plan now to take a break ASAP and do something fun and maybe even outrageous. Start with a fantasy and then see how far you might go to create a reality. Then you will have something beyond the norm for “escape”.

Pisces (Feb. 18-Mar. 19) You are almost done with multiple house/home/property concerns of the past 1 year. It is time to take a deep breath and let go of renewing, repairing, and replacing. In recent months you have had reason to be concerned for your health. You have improved your health habits in order to make improvements. Don’t backslide now.

ACROSS

mon 52. Gallery 1. Mix together offering 6. Did laps 53. Pekoe et al.

10. Quote 57. Actor 14. Cherished Douglas of 15. "I __ Song "Spartacus" Go Out of 58. Craze My Heart" 60. Foremost (2 wds.)

61. Actress 16. Swear Sommer 17. Century plant 62. Former 18. __ about beaus (approxi63. Senora mately, Peron 2 wds.)

64. Pioneer's 19. Forced direction 20. __ fide 65. Actor Beatty 21. Clever and 22. General tenothers dencies 66. Rot 24. Aykroyd et al.

26. Fishing spot DOWN 27. Plant science 30. "M*A*S*H" 1. Spill the Star beans (2 wds.)

2. Company's 34. Destroys symbol 35. "Runaround 3. Actress __ Sue" Rachel singer Wood 36. Feel sick 4. Residents of 37. Dancer Miller the Silver et al.

State 38. Twines 5. '50s initials 39. "Scram!"

6. Spills over 40. Hockey sur- 7. Left face 8. From __ Z 41. Garden (2 wds.) implements 9. UFO occu42. Davis of pants, "Hero" perhaps 43. Laments 10. Photo46. Ebay particigraphic pant equipment 47. Nighttime 11. "Terrible" hunters czar 48. __ colada 12. Mary __ (cocktail) Lincoln 49. Added cinna- 13. Woolly

mamas 21. Indefinite amount 23. Stimpy's cartoon companion 25. Question's opposite (abbr.)

26. Slogs along 27. Intertwined fabric 28. Small portion 29. Fork prongs 30. Buenos __, Argentina 31. Added liquor to 32. Actress Ladd 33. Worship table 35. Portals 38. Toddlers 39. Tending to soothe

42. Tonic's partner 44. Pool table feature 45. Impress greatly 46. Grabbed the bait 48. Printer's machine 49. Slant

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. 21.

50. Carpet nap 51. Maddens 52. Became ripe 54. Hockey's Lindros 55. Nick Charles's pet 56. Halt 59. Bunyan's tool 60. Nurtured

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22. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Another man’s baby??

Dear George, MY WIFE and I have been married for 3 years, and since that time, we have been trying for our first baby. My wife was convinced that it was I who had a problem, and she told me in no uncertain terms that she was getting frustrated.

George, I went to the doctor, unknowing to my wife, and got myself checked out. It was confirmed after several tests that I was unable to get anyone pregnant.

I did not share this information with my wife because I was afraid of how she would respond.

About two months after, my wife announced to me that she was finally pregnant, and began to kiss me, thanking me for finally getting her pregnant.

She even apologised to me for telling me the problem was with me.

George, I was in shock! How can a woman, the woman I love and married, be so

cruel and deceiving to me? I did not tell her anything, and I am not going to tell her anything. I am just going to wait until she has the child and then tell her to let the real father come and take care of her and the baby.

Does she deserve any other response from me?

A Valentine’s affair Dear George,

I WAS DOING some house cleaning, when I stumbled upon some stuff that I think was not intended for my eyes. I found a Valentine card in my wife’s bag. Actually, the card fell out of the bag when I moved it to clean the space where it was.

I read the card of course, and I thought: ‘How I would suggest that It is a good idea to seek could she not give this card to me?’ She did tell me when the baby arrives, some counselling at this she forgot to give me a card, and apologised for it. that you get a paternity point, and the sooner I read the card again and then read what she test done, just to clear this is done the better. wrote at the bottom. She wrote: ‘I always look the air. Based on the forward to spending Valentines with you honey, Hurt results, you will have to George and this one will be extra special.” George, I was decide the way forward. feeling good until I read further down which read, Dear Hurt, ‘I will be in New York as soon as I can, and finally we will get a chance to be Doing the alone. Happy Valentine to you my disappearing act is not darling.’ the way to go. Your wife Dear George, I got so angry that I wanted to tear needs to know now that the card up, but I did not. Now my you suspect the child she MY HUSBAND seemed to be married to his work, and I have question is, what do I do with my wife may be carrying is not told him, time and time again, that I am not going to be now? Do I leave this as it is and yours. competing with his job for attention. He spends about 15 hours pretend it did not happen, or do I deal I know you have a day on what is supposed to be an 8-4 job.

He is not paid with my wife and give her what she results of tests indicating overtime, and his boss has not ordered him to work extra time. deserves? I never saw myself as going that you cannot He just wants to “ help” him out, as he would tell me.

He wants to jail, but this is one time I will gladly impregnate her, but to impress his boss so much that he stays at work while the go and have no regrets about it. stranger things have other employees go home to their families. happened, and there He is neglecting me and my needs, and I have not said it to Deceived could still be a possibility him; but if he cannot be there to meet my needs, then another that the child could be man would have to substitute for him. I do not want to be Dear Deceived, yours. involved with another man, but I am seeing now why some You need to let your wives and women have to get involved, even though they have Violence is never the way to resolve wife know about your their husbands. I am giving him a long rope, but when time a problem. Put the cards on the table visit to the doctor and and ask your wife to explain it. Maybe the results you received. comes for reeling him in, I will do so without reservation. she has a magical explanation, who Lonely knows?

The question is, can your Dear Lonely, relationship survive infidelity, in this case, on the part of your wife?

Marriages that are flourishing today Your husband’s first order of the day is to attend to your needs as best would have survived many challenges, infidelity included, and yours is no he could. From what you have different. Other issues that may be described, it seems he has not been doing that. If your husband would not present could have caused your wife to listen to you when you ask him not to be looking outside the relationship for be so neglectful of your needs and his fulfillment, and this is a likelihood that should be looked at with the help of a other duties at home, then you may professional counsellor. I am not need to give him an ultimatum. He mentioning this to give her an excuse will have to choose whom he wants to for the card. be married to - his job or you. Let Discuss the matter with your wife, him know that you are not going to and you will be the one who has to settle for anything less than the decide if your marriage is worth attention you deserve. If he refuses to saving, or if you are going to allow this listen, then it is you who will have to incident to ruin what you have built decide the next move. up,over the period you have been married.

Neglecting duties at home

George

George

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. 23.

People

Lady Diya: take St. George kaiso title

JAVELLE FRANK, known in the calypso arena as ‘Lady Diya’, copped the first ever St. George Calypso Monarch title last Friday, 7th June, at an event organized by the St. George Rural Carnival Committee, and held at Tito’s Restaurant and Bar in Arnos Vale. The event also included the first ever Ms. St. George Beauty Pageant, and Soca Monarch show.

Lady Diya made her debut in calypso in 2011 with the P’Tani Tent, where she remains up to this year.

Her debut numbers were ‘Teach us About Africa’ and ‘Help Him’ which took her all the way to the finals of the national competition. Her ‘Chant Down Domestic Violence’ won her a place St George Monarch in the semi-finals of the 2012 national competition.

Lady Diya presented a She believes that she song called, ‘We Inherit has a good song in ‘We That’, composed by Alexis Inherit That’ — but that is ‘Lexi’ Joseph, her writer for not all. She told THE two years now. The song VINCENTIAN that, highlights some customs of “Calypso lovers could look old that have been slowly forward to another that fading away in the face of will prove to be different modernity and interaction and will be a compliment with technology, and begs for to the art form.” a return or a remembrance of what we formerly enjoyed.

Right: Javelle ‘Lady Diya’ The song has also earned her a place in the semi-finals Frank created history by of the 2013 National Calypso claiming the champion’s title of the inaugural St. Monarch competition.

George Calypso Monarch competition.

History

24. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

V SVGASPE donates to Early Childhood Centre

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. 25.

Community

made possible through a partnership involving THE EDINBORO EARLY SVGASPE and Brookfield Childhood Centre Johnson Controls (BJC), recently received a a Toronto-based generous donation of 35 organization that creates lunch bags and a and manages healthy, quantity of health snacks. productive and The donation was sustainable work made by the St. Vincent environments, to help and the Grenadines people and businesses Alliance for Sports and reach their full potential.

Physical Education During the handing (SVGASPE), and was over ceremony at the

by KENVILLE HORNE

Bequia to get Toastmasters Club

by Gloriah…

THE FIRST STEPS towards establishing a Toastmasters Club on the island of Bequia have been taken.

On Saturday 25th May, a number of Toastmasters from several clubs here on the mainland, traveled to Bequia where they met with prospective members of the Bequia Toastmasters Club.

According to Ms. Cheryl Toastmaster Johnson, proprietor of the Fig Gloria Williams Tree Hotel and Manager of the giving am Bequia Book Shop, there has impression of always been a need for such a speech delivery self-development organization methods on the island. Ms. Johnson has employed in the been, for some time, holding Toastmaster Club. discussions with Toastmasters in St. Vincent to look into the prospect of establishing a club on Bequia. She gave the proceedings her blessings, offering her hotel as the headquarters for the club.

Prior to Saturday’s Sample Meeting, a handout of information was circulated in an effort to solicit interest in the endeavour.

The Sample Meeting which ensued on May 25, exposed those present to the finer details of the aims, objectives and structure of the organization; the roles and responsibilities of members, and the methodology for conducting meetings.

All persons who attended the meeting were in high praise of what they experienced. Several persons admitted that they had not been able to access any information about the organization and had had pre-conceived notions that it involved making toasts after eating and drinking.

They confessed that they were absolutely impressed with the content, and recognized the potential for upliftment and change in the lives of persons on Bequia, especially those who become members of the organization.

Toastmasters from the mainland are expected to conduct several more sessions as the recruitment drive continues. After this, the next step will be to have the club chartered with a full slate of twenty members, allowing them to function as a legitimate entity within the international Toastmasters sphere.

Potential Toastmasters on Bequia taking in the session on the Club’s aims, objectives, etc.

Center in Edinboro, Tuesday 28th May, 2013, Chairman and Sports Administrator at SVGASPE, Ian Hypolite , said the donation was another demonstration of their sense of corporate governance, and preparedness to give back to communities.

He made mention of his organization’s Mission Statement, i.e. to develop Staff, students and Ian Hypolite (extreme right) at the handing over people and communities, ceremony. and urged the staff and expressed appreciation on donation) as the students at the Centre to proper nutrition.

Principal at the behalf of the institution, beginning of a practise healthy life Center, Syd Browne , declaring, “I see it (the partnership.” styles, using sports and

26. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. 27.

VICTORS ONE, RIVALS: Joint title holders were countless LBW appeals which were turned down.

“I FEEL A BIT DISAPPOINTED, Rivals had gone into the but all in all, I must give Victors match on 108 points — six the credit. They really fought ahead of Victors ONE on 102. hard as a champion team….I Rivals just needed to take think their batters really showed first innings in a drawn us what batting is like, and that match, and if behind on first is why they are a champion innings, get enough batting team,” Team Rivals captain and bowling bonus points to Orlanzo Jackson told THE outstrip the Victors advantage VINCENTIAN Sunday afternoon. of taking first innings points.

He was speaking at the end Victors ONE needed to take of the Premier Division match first innings or an outright between Team Rivals and win and limit Team Rivals Victors ONE at Arnos Vale to six points less than their TWO, which ended in a draw. tally.

SCORES: Team Rivals 96 & In the end, both teams did 42-3, Victors ONE 116-7. just enough to climb to the top The result meant that the rung of the “ladder of success”. two teams ended the The teams and officials had tournament with an identical engaged in a one minute tally of 113 points, occasioned silence for the late after batters on both teams groundsman, Cauldric ‘Peck’ had failed to come to terms Fergus who died recently, with a below par Arnos Vale before the start of the match, TWO pitch.

Batting first after losing the There were nine positive toss, Rivals were never LBW decisions made by allowed to relax, and found the umpires Goaland Greaves and going tough from early to be Selwyn Allen, along with what

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

Teams in one minute of silence for fallen groundsman, Cauldric ‘Peck” Fergus.

Inset above: Rivals captain Orlanzo Jackson.

Inset below: Victors ONE captain Miles Bascombe.

tottering on 47-5, with pacey Ray Jordan and an always threatening Norlan Williams causing serious discomfort.

Only Asif Hooper, who battled a painful sore back, showed any guts by hitting 43, batting at number four, before pulling a Keiron Cottoy ‘longhop” to Miles Bascombe at short midwicket.

His dismissal saw the innings quickly folding, with five runs added for the remaining two wickets.

Keiron Cottoy, 3-18, Norlan Williams, 2-21, Ray Jordan,213 and Kenneth Dember, 2-19, shared the wickets.

Victors ONE in their reply were quickly in trouble, opener Cottoy being LBW to

spinner Casman Walters with the first ball of the second over, with the score on four.

One run later, Victors ONE’s world was turned upside when champion batsman, Donwell Hector, was comfortably taken

by Hooper at short midwicket, without scoring.

They ended the day on 20-2 and looked to be coasting on the resumption when overnight pair of Miles Bascombe (37) and Atticus Browne (16) took the score to 52 before being separated.

With batting becoming increasingly difficult with uneven bounce and sharp turn, Victors ONE, helped by the lower order, staggered on to get

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT par performance to collapse for 57. down in that match (65.4 by the first innings Their plight could have been even Spartans and 66.5 by Rivals) were points, but could THE SION HILL Playing Field worse had it not been for a facethe most in any match of only two not avoid Rivals served up another Premier division innings, and very close to the top for saving 24 from Delorn Johnson in picking up the match last weekend which saw both an entire match overall. the lower order. solitary but ever so teams RSVG Police and Lime Radcliffe, 24-0 at one stage, lost Last Sunday, the aberration of crucial bowling Radcliffe falling for sub-100 totals, seven wickets for ten runs to be 34- point. This came two hundred totals and sixty plus in their drawn match. overs was not on the scene, instead 7, as Dromo Toney, Rodney when Alston Bobb SCORES: RSVG Police 77 & 134, what can be described as another Lawrence, Michael St. Hillaire and (13) was LBW to

Batsmen’s struggle continues at Sion Hill

Lime Radcliffe 57.

The Sion Hill Playing Field since its re-commissioning this year after four years of non-use, has seen more than ten totals of below one hundred, and two totals of below forty.

It was not all gloom though; some teams were able to get over the two hundred mark, with Rivals’ 255 against News Spartans being the highest for the season at the venue.

In fact, the 132.3 overs sent

Richie Richards all failed to trouble the scorer. Johnson’s face-saving innings saw them to 55-7, only for the remaining three wickets to fall for the addition of two runs.

Veteran Kenroy Martin, making full use of the uneven bounce, took 4-13, with Lenford Samuel and Rolando Wright supporting with 2-8 each.

Elated with a ‘never expected’ twenty-run lead, the lawmen were caught between setting a target and being contented with their first innings points, and were bowled out for 134. Elmore Alexander got 36 and Williams 27. Offspinners Dyke Cato finished with 449 and Richards 2-17.

Radcliffe, faced with the target of 155, were denied the opportunity to confound the critics or confirm their opinion, when a freak storm brought play to a premature The Sion Hill Playing Field was not a happy hunting ground for batsmen end just after 2:30pm.

this season.

batting debacle took place.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, RSVG Police were shot out for 77, with opener McClean Williams, 33, leading the lawmen’s batting, not for the first time this season.

Offspinners Richie Richards 5-15, Dyke Cato 2-20 and seamer Westrick Straugh 2-25, did the damage.

Faced with a modest total and the possibility of joining Saints in the third spot, Lime Radcliffe even fell below some of their more below

Jackson, to leave the score 916,-a decision that both teams admitted was borderline.

The fall of the seventh wicket saw Victors ONE captain, Bascombe, calling a declaration in a bid to halt Rivals from a second bowling point and the 2013 title.

The match ended with Rivals, batting a second time with a deficit of 22, on 42-3, after a freak storm had players and covers on the ground soaking wet in a vain attempt to cover the pitch.

Jordan had 2-23.

“We put in a good team effort this year…..the season that (Donwell) Hector had with scoring runs really helped us….plus the allround effort of Bobb and the other bowlers…..Norlan (Williams) and Ray (Jordan) ensured that we picked up early wickets with the new ball, and this also contributed to our success,” said Victors’ captain Bascombe.

Hector finished with 473 runs with three centuries.

Tigress women’s 20/20 champs TIGRESS EMERGED new champions of women’s 20/20 cricket in SVG, when they defeated Rising Stars by 78 runs in the final match of the 2013 RBTT National Women’s 20/20 Cricket Competition.

Tigress posted 174 for 6 from 20 overs. They were led by an unbeaten 52 from national all-rounder, La Toya Providence. Giannie Marshall and Kayleen Garrick both hit 17.

Latoya Rising Stars were then dismissed Providence for 96, with Crystal John topscoring hit 52 not out with 23 and Venisha King contributing 17. Karen Browne took 4 to ensure victory for for 16 from 4 overs.

Tigress.

Defending champions United Survivors finished second, Rising Stars third, Garifuna Stars fourth and Ajuba Stars in the cellar position.

The teams now move into preparing for the National 50 overs tournament.

I.B.A.ALLEN

V

28. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Flagrant violation WHEN THIS ISSUE OF THE VINCENTIAN HITS THE STREETS, the West Indies Cricket team will already be locked in battle with the South Africans for a spot in the ICC Champions Trophy.

Sincere West Indian fans will be hoping for a victory for the home team. Another defeat will (re)open the Pandora’s Box. Those in St. Lucia will reflect on Darren Sammy’s omission in the opening encounter against Pakistan, in which the West Indies held on to a two-wicket win.

The win was welcomed, especially for new captain Dwayne Bravo.

The selection of the West Indies squad, however, raised not just eyebrows, but rekindled the sceptre of insularity that still lingers on the horizon.

The tendency to dismiss small islands seems to be a well-entrenched factor in the region.

Since Sammy was entrusted with the captaincy of the West Indies team, some persons in the bigger territories, and indeed some residents in the smaller islands, kicked hell.

Sammy appeared to have become an object of ridicule. He has been consistent for the West Indies, or at least has justified his inclusion in the squad, in any format of the game.

The fact that he is a player in the same mould as Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Smith, Andre Russell, should not have been a factor for his alienation. Sammy represented a secure factor for the West Indies Board.

The changing of the West Indies Cricket Board (WIBC) must have come as a signal for the new dispensation to tamper with the status quo. Having taken the team to the pinnacle of World T/20 Cricket, Sammy found himself as the villain for the first outing, post new WIBC directorship, on an international arena.

As fate would have it, Denish Ramdin, the man who has shown scant regard for at least one legend of West Indies cricket, found himself suspended for the team’s second encounter.

A place was found for Sammy. He proved that he merited an inclusion in the party.

It is a pity that signals of a return to the old guard seems to have surfaced.

Given the prevailing circumstances, how could reasonable people opt for a Ramnaresh Sarwan in place of Darren Sammy in any team?

Sarwan deflated those who put their faith in him, with an average of one run.

Sadly, the West Indies succumbed to India in their second match, despite Sammy’s bravado.

Cricket is more than an individual sport, even though each person must play his role.

I am happy that Sammy and his St. Lucian compatriot performed well. But I would have preferred a victory.

What the team selection exposed is the willingness of those in charge to operate on sentiments rather than logic.

Sarwan may turn out to be the champion he has shown before. At the moment, he has to regain his confidence.

He was been given the nod over Devon Smith who, after topping the batting at the regional level, must linger for a place in the final eleven.

I wouldn’t say it was a case of poetic justice that Sammy was recalled. Suffice it to describe it as a flagrant violation.

The selectors have disrupted the team’s chemistry.

Instead of us continuing to shrug off the stigma of being in the doldrums, we seem hell -bent on occupying the lower rounds of the cricket ladder for an ongoing period.

OÊGarroÊs blast stuns Warriors Electrical Unique Warriors’ first innings total of 208, in which Sylvester Vanloo top scored with 94, Augustine Bentick hit 50 and Reginald Jeffery 35, Buccament Bay Androids replied

89, which included seven sixes and eight fours.

Wesley Simmons continued his good form with a knock of 57 and Marcus McCoy hit 36.

Jemal Jeffery took 6 for 64 and Reginald Jeffery 3 for 54, bowling for Rudy’s.

In another weekend First Division encounter, Combined Youths gained first innings points over Radcliffe Too in their drawn game at the North Union Playing Field.

Combined Youths Joel Ogarro hit 89 and won the toss and elected took 5 for 60 to ensure to bat. They posted 165 first innings points for in 40 overs. Oneil Buccament over Rudy’s Endeavor topscored with Warriors.

59 and Vincent Cupid hit 30. Valroy Pompey took The evergreen Sylvanus A GOOD ALL ROUND 4 for 39 and Kensley Vanloo topscored with 94 Joseph 3 for 34.

PERFORMANCE BY for Rudy’s Warriors.

NUMBER ELEVEN Joel Radcliffe Too were ‘Congo’ O’Garro caught dismissed for 100, Rudy’s Electrical Unique conceding a 65-run lead with 252.

Warriors by surprise, and O’Garro snapped up 5 on first innings. Nickie helped push Buccament Antoine took 5 for 39 and Warriors wickets for 60 Bay Androids to first runs and O. McCoy took 13-year-old Shane innings points in a drawn Roberts 3 for 19.

3 for 39. weekend game of the First Combined Youths, Buccament’s total Division of the National was due in the main to a batting a second time, Cricket Competition, at were routed for paltry 84 last wicket stand of 109 the Stubbs Playing Field. in 26.1 overs. Nickie of which O’Garro Replying to Rudy’s Antoine was the only contributed a blistering

batsman among the runs with 26. Kensley Joseph was the pick of the bowlers, bagging 4 for 16.

Asked to make 150 for victory, Radcliffe Too were struggling on 58 for 5 when rain put an end to the proceedings.

Valroy Pompey was on 24 not out, while Nickie Antoine took 3 for 16.

In the other First Division match last weekend, Smashers won on first innings over Robertson’s Surveying Belmont United at Buccament Bay. Smashers made 172 in their first innings.

Darren Russell top scored with 40 and Ronald Scott 34.

Agustus Mofford took 3 for 51.

Robertson’s Surveying Belmont United replied with 64. Anthony Charles took 5 for 31 and Darren Russell 5 for 18.

Robertson’s Surveying Belmont United, were made to follow on were 37 for 2 when rain ended the game.

Bustas retain Women’s B’Ball title XPERT COMPUTER BUSTAS RETAINED THE FEMALE DIVISION of the National Lotteries Authority National Club Tournament at the New Montrose Basketball facility, last Saturday night.

Bustas, who have won all the female tournaments since its inception in 2000, outlasted Trotman’s Electronics Celebrity, 68-53.

But the victory margin may have belied the contest as Celebrity, instead of lying down and playing dead, threw some punches of their own, and at times had Bustas on the rope.

Both teams were level 8-8 at the end of the first 10 minutes.

Bustas, though, pulled away in the second quarter to lead 28-24

at the half way mark and 43 -37 at the end of the third quarter. And despite having key player Gailene Gordon fouled out, Busta registered 26 points in the final quarter to Celebrity’s 16.

In the process, Bustas revenged a defeat handed to them by Celebrity in the preliminary round of XPert Computer Bustas – 2013 Champions the competition. of women’s basketball in SVG. Before her ejection, Gailene Gordon had registered 31 The men’s division final takes points, with Anella Samuel place this Sunday, June 16, from contributing 14.

6:30 pm, when defending Top scorers for Celebrity were champions Aycees Calliaqua Avi-ann Myers-Spencer with 18 United meet Bequia All Stars. and Tamisha Toussaint with 10.

George ‘out-bikes’ Bailey

Oneil George put his all into an effort that saw him take last Sunday’s 48-mile cycle race.

ONEIL GEORGE SAVED HIS BEST EFFORT FOR THE ALLAN’S BAKERY national cycling championships last Sunday to take charge of the 48-mile event.

Riding in rainy conditions, George completed the eight laps, from Orange Hill to the filling station in Mount Young, in 2 hours 24 minutes 43.66 seconds.

Known for his prowess on the flatter surface, George outdid pre -race favourite Zefal Bailey, who clocked 2 hours 24 minutes 43.90 seconds, putting an end to Bailey’s streak of wins.

Peter Durrant, the man who set the pace for George’s triumph, , finished in 2 hours 24 minutes 45.11 seconds.

Taking the category two of the race was Curtis Lewis. He did the 30 miles in 1 hour 26 minutes 56.20 seconds, leaving Martin Bollers to settle for the second spot in 1 hour 27 minutes 04.10 seconds.

Kevin Bailey failed to live up to his nickname ‘Bullet’, as he laboured over the distance in 2 hours 03 minutes .33.22 seconds.

Steve Olllivierre champed the mountain bike category, which also

involved 30 miles.

Ollivierre won in a time of 1 hour 28 minutes 9.22 second, ahead of policeman Shawn Chandler in 1 hour 41 minutes 1.26 seconds and Jeff Lewis in 1 hour 42 minutes 15.12 seconds.

Niesha Alexander continued her dominance in the female segment, with Crystal Durrant, second. Alexander completed the 30 miles in a time of 1 hour 28 minutes 14 seconds, while Durrant finished in 2 hours 6 minutes 1 second.

The next race is set for Sunday 30th June.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. 29.

A Local Manufacturing Company is seeking to fill the post of

Field Sales Executive The successful Field Sales Executive must: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Have proven skills in this ield Demonstrate their ability to win new business Be fully pro icient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word Own a vehicle

SALARY: Salary will be commensurate with quali ications and experience.

Applications must be accompanied by proof of quali ications, at least two (2) testimonials and must be addressed to: Corporate Services Inc. P.O. Box 35 Kingstown St. Vincent and the Grenadines Field Sales Executive The deadline for submission of applications is June 25, 2013.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

30. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

F O R S A L E

3 bedroom house in Port Elizabeth, Bequia.

Walking distance to Everything! Beaches, Markets, Restaurants etc.

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V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013. 31.

Classifieds

OWEN JARDINE GREAVES ELIZABETH ROBERTS Canouan S.D.A Church Friday 7th June, 2013 1:00 p.m.

CURTIS BRIAN EDWARDS Sunrise: 21st September, 1962 - Sunset: 25th May, 2013 Chateaubelair Playing Field Friday 7th June, 2013 Service at 1:00 p.m.

Sunrise: December 11, 1946 - Sunset: May 30, 2013 Kingstown Gospel Hall Saturday 8th June, 2013 Service at 3:00 p.m.

ICILMA CHRISTINE JACK Age: 73 Years Mt. Coke Methodist Church Saturday 8th June, 2013 Service at 3:00 p.m.

MARGARET ANNETTA CULZAC St. Peter’s Spiritual Baptist Church Sunday 9th June, 2013 Service at 3:00 p.m.

JOVILLE MICHAEL FITZROY GLASGOW Sunrise: 4th August, 2007 Sunset: 22nd May, 2013 Layou Seventh Day Adventist Church 9th June, 2013 3:00 p.m.

F O R

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

A.I. REAL ESTATE Brighton 2 bedrm Property on 4,186 sq.ft. - $210,000.00 - H719 Belvedere 7,446 sq.ft @ $12.00 p.s.f. - $89,352.00 - BB465

S A L E

FRIDAY,

JUNE 14, 2013

VOLUME 107, No.21

‘Homie’

‘Mystery’

‘Ron B’

Ronald ‘Ron B’ Browne, and Gosnel ‘GC’ Cupid.

THE LIST OF PERSONS ELIGIBLE Graduates Calypso Tent saw for this year’s calypso crown have Zamfir ‘Man Zangie’ Adams, narrowed to 23. That includes Kingsley ‘Hero’ Roberts, defending monarch Lorna ‘Fya Glenroy ‘Homie’ Delpesche, Empress’ Nedd. Of the other 22, Glen ‘Bump I’ Richards, and 12 will be eliminated by Friday, Aurella ‘Queen B’ Beache June 21. That’s when the semimaking it through. final will be staged.

The P/Tani Calypso Tent is Carlos ‘Rejector’ Providence, represented by Javelle ‘Diya’ Paul ‘I-Madd’ Scrubb, David Frank, Elliot ‘Mystery’ Shallow ‘Chang I’ Morgan, John ‘D and Kirk ‘Ninja’ Knights.

Truth’ Dougan, and Dennis The On Tour Calypso Tent Bowman advanced from the has two former Calypso New York-based Dynamites monarchs Grantley ‘Ipa’ Calypso Tent.

Constance, and Kenneth The Upstage Experience ‘Vibrating Scakes’ Alleyne. boasts six selections in Glenford ‘Azara’ Charles is Shaunelle McKenzie, Shernelle into his sixth semi-finals and ‘Skarpyon’ Williams, Fitzroy fills the third slot for the On ‘Brother Ebony’ Joseph, Tour. His number is entitled Bridgette ‘Joy C’ Creese, ‘If.’

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

‘Hero’

‘Ninja’

‘Man Zangie’

Shaunelle Mc Kenzie

Two reserves are Nigel ‘Broom’ little and Junior ‘Marshie’ Marshall.

Musical accompaniment will be by the bands Rage and Access.

This year, some interest has been aroused, with the monarch driving home a Nissan Skyline.

Newcomers Kirk ‘Ninja’ Knights will render the number ‘Yes we can.’

This is his third year in the calypso arena. A teacher for 12 years at the Intermediate High School, Ninja found himself on the unemployed list in recent time. One with some experience in the rap and dub world, Ninja decided to immerse himself in

‘Chang-I’

Other listings are available Phone: 457-2087 Fax: 457-1382 Toll Free (USA): 866-978-0951 718-732-0545 Email: donp@vincysurf.com Website: www.aisvg.com

www.thevincentian.com

SEMIFINALISTS CHOSEN

‘Ipa’

Lowmans Windward 8,712 sq.ft @ $5.00 p.s.f. - $43,560.00 BB468

‘D Truth’

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

‘GC’

EC$1.50

‘Diya’

‘Bump I’

‘Azara’

‘Vibrating Scakes’ ‘Joy C’

‘Brother Ebony’

‘Skarpyon’

the calypso arena.

He paid tribute to Gerald ‘Rasum’ Shallow last year, and was disappointed that he did not make it to the semis. He feels “great” to be in this year’s mix, and is determined to go all the way.

The other newcomer to the calypso semi-finals is Glenroy ‘Homie’ Delpesche.

He is a seasoned musician, having played with the band X-A-dus for many years.

‘Homie’ is known for his excursions in the Soca arena. His breakthrough in

Dennis Bowman

‘I Madd’

‘Rejector’

Calypso is testimony to his versatility.

The semi-finals cast shows a mixture of experienced and emerging artistes.

In addition to Ipa and Scakes, two other former monarchs, ‘Rejector’ and ‘Joy-C’ will be going all out to grab the keys to the Skyline.

The other semi-finalists will also be excited with the prospects of driving home the automobile, so a keen showdown is anticipated.

‘Queen B’

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