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LOWMANS YOUTH KILLED
FRIDAY,
MAY 9, 2014
by KENVILLE HORNE
ANOTHER MOTHER IS LEFT to mourn the loss of her son to gun violence. On Tuesday around 9:10 pm, Mavis Hamilton had already set her mind to watch the TV drama ‘Bold and the Beautiful’, but instead she was forced to contend with the death of her son, 20- year-old Kyle Phillips. Kyle was only about 40meters away from his home in the small Lowmans Leeward area of Spring, when he was cornered by two gunmen and shot. He managed to run for about 2 minutes to Buddy Gutter, where he fell in a resident’s yard. Residents summoned the ambulance which transported him to the Milton
VOLUME 108, No.17
www.thevincentian.com
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Mavis Hamilton, Kyle’s mother, was close to the scene of the shooting but did not realize it involved her son.
Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), where he died.
Recounting the episode When THE VINCENTIAN spoke with the mother of the deceased on Wednesday, amidst her obvious grief, she recounted the episode as she remembered it. She was just about settling down to viewing ‘Bold and beautiful; when she heard three shots. “When I heard the shots, I burst the door. When ah look ah see them (the gun-men) bending down and running,” recalled Mavis.
Kyle Phillips is the latest young man to die by the bullet. He is said to have sustained gunshot wounds to his stomach and left hand.
Continued on Page 3
Foul play suspected in baby’s death she and Romano retired to bed together last Friday night, but she began feeling POLICE SUSPECT FOUL PLAY in last Saturday’s dehydrated. She got up shortly after destruction of a house at Rose Place by fire, midnight and went to a nearby shop, which claimed the life of a 2-year-old boy. ‘Yanky’s’, to purchase candles and foodstuff, A reliable source made the confirmation leaving Romano alone at home. She said to THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday. she pushed in the door but did not look. The charred body of the toddler, Romano The mother of four recalled that ‘Yanky’s’ Cupid, was found in the debris by fire was “rushy” when she got there, resulting department personnel, who responded to a in her having to wait longer than she had call relaying information that the house anticipated before she was served. was on fire, early Saturday morning. Petrian said that while she was Romano and his mother, Petrian John, returning from the shop, someone told her had lived together alone in the small that a fire had destroyed her house, but she wooden one-room structure. The house was did not believe. located in a yard in which other houses “I say my shanty can’t burn, and he said, were located, and in which several persons ‘Yes, your house burn and your child dead’,” lived. she recounted. Petrian, originally from New Adelphi, “Although I didn’t believe, I started told THE VINCENTIAN Tuesday that, crying, and a girl came and told me the prior to the incident, she had been receiving same thing,” Petrian related. threats from someone, and she had made several reports to the police. Continued on Page 3 The charred remains of the wooden house in which the burnt The 38-year-old domestic recalled that body of Romano Cupid (inset) was found. by HAYDN HUGGINS
2. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. 3.
News 3
Neighbours want justice for toddler can’t go so, dread. That is a described his mother as “a good lady.” small youth, that is NEIGHBOURS ARE CALLING for wickedness, Romano didn’t Ava Charles said Romano justice for 2-year-old Romano deserve that,” Heather would be sadly missed by Cupid who perished in a fire at Robinson told THE everybody in the yard. Rose Place last Saturday “The youth used to be VINCENTIAN on Tuesday. morning. Gloria Nanton said Romano around us. He does come and Some persons who occupy was the pet of everybody in play with my baby. We used other houses in the yard, the yard. to hold him for his mother. He believe that the fire which “I feel very sad because the was a loving youth, he didn’t destroyed the small wooden little boy used to be around us; deserved that,” Charles said. house, occupied by Romano he was like a son to me.” Other persons in the yard and his mother, Petrian John, “All like now he would be expressed similar sentiments, was set to kill the mother. running up and down the but preferred not to be John had gone to a nearby identified by name or to be yard. He was so sweet, and shop, leaving Romano alone at who do this to him will have to photographed. home shortly after midnight, pay,” Nanton said. She Friday when the fire broke out, gutting Romano Cupip’s neighbours (l-r) Gloria Nanton, Ava Charles the said Mavis on Wednesday, as a quite person, and she and Heather Robinson voiced openly their demand for justice dwelling. as she tried to show a is puzzled by the manner in the death of the toddler. “This steady countenance. in which someone would She had last spoken take a life. “I can’t see with her son about an how somebody would a hour before he was shot, really want to kill him in Mavis is convinced that that way. Even though her son’s death was you and this person may inspired by an incident have something, I can’t that took place in the see why you would wanna village last week. One of kill somebody in cold the persons of interest to blood. And look at the the police in connection area where they come, is with Kyle’s death, was home,” said Verne attacked. Her son was Nigel Hamilton, an “chase down” by someone older brother of Kyle said A younger brother, recently but escaped he was obviously Sherwin Hamilton, had to unscratched, “because saddened by the loss of be consoled. they can’t beat him. He his brother. Continued from Front is a strong boy, they can’t A younger brother, page beat him hand to hand Sherwin Hamilton, who ,that is why they came apparently was close to She said she then saw with the guns last night,” Kyle, was more emotional Petrian John at the Central Police Station, in the company of her son Kyle, whom she did not Mavis contended. and and had to be Kenron John (right), her sister Jasmine John (2nd from right) and her aunt know had been shot, consoled repeatedly when Bernice Wilson. running through a small Mixed reaction THE VINCENTIAN track leading to Buddy visited the bereaved home Continued from Front page deserve it,” she sighed. Cutter, an area Kyle’s death is met . She admitted that it would not be overlooking Lowmans Facing up to the truth easy for her to wake up at mornings with mix reaction in the “Me na like how Kyle Bay. to the reality that Romano is not community. His life dead dey boy,” cried the It was then she realized they were around. Mavis cautioned her appeared to be that of a younger brother. speaking the truth. She opted not to “When I wake up and say good one daughter who lives troubled youth, and his As expected, the family go on the scene, and stood in the morning, he used to kiss me. He was with her, not to go mother admitted that she wants “justice for our area of the nearby Milton Cato so full of joy, sometimes he will wake outside. The daughter had spoken to him about loved one,” voiced Mavis. Memorial Hospital, where she was up first and kiss me up,” the visibly disobeyed the caution and “avoiding the public road. Police investigations consoled by some onlookers. traumatized mother explained. proceeded to her sister’s I always tell him to keep into the incident are said “After, I cried and I cried, I Her eldest child, 18-year-old son home just a walking off the road, so he don’t go to be ongoing and on started to feel real weak,” Petrian Kenroy John, told THE distance from hers. There on the main road. He Wednesday Rodney continued. VINCENTIAN, “My brother cannot they telephoned the police would hang out by an Roberts and Jason henry, She said she knew the police even talk for himself, he ain’t even to inform them of what unfinished house in the both of Lowmans would have wanted her for see life yet, but he gone.” had transpired (shots village, that belonged to Leeward, were named as questioning and she voluntarily went Petrian’s aunt, Bernice Wilson, heard) and within 10 my sister who is dead,” persons of interest to to the Criminal, Investigation declared that, “if we don’t get justice minutes of doing that, the Mavis explained. their investigation. (See Department. She was kept in custody from the law, we are sure will get it sad news hit home. He attended the CW back page.) for questioning, but was from God.” The news of that it was Prescod Primary School Kyle death brings the subsequently released. Up to press time Wednesday, her son Kyle who was and the Bethel Secondary number of homicides this Petrian said the way Romano met police were continuing their shot, was relayed by school. year to 14. his death would always linger in her investigations. phone to Mavis. His aunt Verne mind. “..It na make sense yo Hamilton described him “He got a horrible death, he didn’t sit down and cry and cry” by HAYDN HUGGINS
Lowmans youth killed
Foul play suspected in baby’s
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4. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN
Culture
Tamisha, Syxx, I-Come take new song glory
by KENVILLE HORNE Vincy Mas 2014 was launched Saturday 3rd May, at the Solidarity Inc. Car Park, Kingstown, with its usual precursor of street parades. By the time the trucks carrying large sound systems and thronged by seeming unexhausted party goers, a large crowd had gathered at the launch venue. The official proceedings, off to a late start, heard the usual addresses by the Minister of Culture, Cecil Mc Kie, and the Chairman of the Carnival Development Corporation, Dennis Ambrose. The contestants in this year’s Miss SVG Pageant, introduced themselves for the first time to the Vincentian public. They were generally well received, and heightened expectations for the show,
New Song winners (L-R): Vivian ‘I-Come’ Miller (Calypso), Tamisha Nichols (Ragga Soca) and Olando ‘Syxx Krazzi’ Foster (Soca). Left: As usual, the crowd greeted the soca categories of the New Song Competition with a rapturous welcome.
issues. That out of the way, it was time for the first category in the New Song scheduled for May 31. Eight girls are competitions. vying for the title of Miss SVG2014. The usual number of five calypsonians Minister of Culture donned his competed in the New Song Calypso J’Ouvert cap and introduced glimpses of category. After what appeared to be a what can be expected from his J’Ouvert relatively subdued competition, Vivian ‘I Fanatics, in a presentation entitled Come’ Miller, with his slightly jocular ‘Laugh Out Loud’, which featured typical treatment of the prevalence of limb ‘J’Ouvert’ intrepretations of amputations here, was adjudged winner international and local themes and with a number entitled, ‘Body Parts’. Noel ‘Defoe’ Costello with ‘Thanks’, and former New Song Calypso winner Glenroy ‘Sulle’ Caesar, with ‘Facts of life’ ,tied for the second spot. Alexis ‘Lexi’ Joseph, ‘Sunday evening Bassa Bassa’, and Alpheus ‘Oberver’ Duncan, ‘If Calypso is dying’, were the other contenders. The New Song Ragga Soca category threw up a new winner when Tamisha Nicholls, with her track called ‘What you Drinking?’ ran away with the title. A regular finalist in the National Ragga Soca and Soca monarch competitions, this was the first time she had copped a The 2014 Miss SVG Pageant contestants made their first public appearance at title of any national proportions.
the launch. (Photo Credit: Robert Clouden)
Tamisha told THE VINCENTIAN she was “excited by the result,” but expressed disappointment with her third place in the power soca category. “I actually think I did better at the power soca , than the Ragga soca,” she intimated. Green Hill resident Travis ‘Wizskid’ Lynch, with ‘Fettologist’ was second, while Kahalia ‘Queen B’ Beache was third with ‘Mello Hype’. A now charged crowd welcomed the announcement of the Soca category with loud and varying expressions. ‘Queen B’ and Godwin ‘GAO’ Oliver got the crowd rocking, but it was Olando ‘Syxx Krazzi’ Foster who seemed to have had his hand on the real pulse of the crowd, and moved them with his ‘Crazy’, on his way to claiming his first title as New Song Soca category winner. Newcomer Cleo ‘Cleo Patra’ Hendrickson with ‘Nah go home’ was second, while Tamisha Nicholls was third with ‘Come to the stage’. To paraphrase the words of Dennis Ambrose, CDC Chairman: This launch …was the big kick start to Carnival.
Bowman wins N.Y. New Song Competition “I was very happy to see that the crowd (was) enjoying the song and my performance,” continued the ex-lead vocalist with the bands Energy (five DENNIS BOWMAN beat years), Blaksand (11 12 challengers, including years) and X-tract (three defending monarch John years). Dougan, to capture the ”This has given me Vincy New Song Calypso more confidence for the Competition title at the upcoming shows,” said Matrix Lounge in Bowman, who placed third Brooklyn, New York last in the Calypso Final in Saturday night, May 3, Vincy Mas 2013, with 2014. ‘Chatoyer’. “I feel great, and I win He said he was also it,” Bowman, 48, a “honored to be the proud Kingstown Park native, holder” of the Soca Devil told THE VINCENTIAN Trophy 2014, bestowed on in a post-show interview, the winner of the New after entering the York New Song competition for the first Competition. The Soca time. Devil Trophy is named “I am very excited after Cyril Lewis, a late, about winning the New former Vincy New York Song Competition, Soca Monarch, who especially being (that) it carried the calypso was a last-minute decision sobriquet ‘Soca Devil’. to enter,” added Bowman, Bowman’s rendition, who last won a significant was entitled ‘To Build title, Soca Monarch in Airport’, featuring and Vincy Mas, in 1997, with depicting “herculean” ‘Voom Voom’. efforts made by Prime Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; neloking@msn.com US CORRESPONDENT
Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves and others. In the competition in which calypsonians were judged on lyrics, melody, rendition, presentation, originality and crowd response, Bowman beat Tronto-based David ‘Chang-I’ Morgan with his ‘Who is my Friend’, into second place, and Curtis ‘Curtis-C’ Vincent with ‘In My Arms’, into third place. Other competitors and the title of their songs were: John Dougan (‘Only One Time); Honey Boy Bells — Dennis Jackson (‘Bells Coming’); Groovy D — Vincent Kennedy (‘Love, Love, Love’); Phil Patch — Phil Baptiste (‘Jump’); Gomery — Montgomery Frazier (‘Whine up on Me’); Bob MC — Mervin Bobb (‘Go Back in Dey’);
Section of audience with judges (L-R): Curtis ‘Willie D’ Williams; Roxanne Chambers and Hudson Primus seated in the forefront. Left: Dennis Bowman rendering his number, ‘To Build Airport’.
Fabulous T winning — Tyrone Pierre (‘Jump Up and Catch It’); Stryker — Francis Brown (‘Tweark’); Jakie — Kenroy Jack (‘Plant Fire’); and Storm — Dansel Scott (Cyar Vex’). Calypsonians ‘Lively’ and Cyril ‘Scorcher’ Thomas made guest appearances. Ainsley Primus — founder and chairman of the New Song Competition, as well as president of the Brooklynbased Dynamite Calypso Tent, the lone Vincentian calypso tent in New York, — told THE VINCENTIAN
he was very pleased with the high level of competition and the crowd support. “The show was wellattended,” he said. “Everybody was pleased with the result. “For the first time, all three judges agreed on the winner,” he added. The judges were former popular National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) announcer Curtis ‘Willie D’ Williams; promoter Roxanne Chambers; and Washington, D.C.-based
David ‘Chang-I’ Morgan, second place, was a semi-finalist in the 2013 national calypso Monarch competition. Hudson Primus, of Mesopotamia. The grand opening of the Dynamite Calypso Tent is set for May 16, at the Matrix Lounge, and the preliminary judging for Vincy Mas 2014, on Jun. 7, at Café Omar, on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn.
V St. JohnÊs, Antigua, gets CCTV
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. 5.
Regional
ANTIGUANS ARE BRACING themselves for the commissioning of Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) in their capital, St. John’s. News from that OECS territory indicate that the first phase of installation of CCTV cameras in St. John’s, was completed by Wednesday of last week, April 30, when 22 of the expected 28 cameras were installed. According to the Observer Newspaper, Digicel’s Business Solutions Manager Clement Samuel, who is the project manager, assured on Wednesday of last week that,
“In the next day or two, all 28 cameras will be powered, and we will start our testing and start relaying our live video signal to the control room at the parliament building.” The cameras are located in 12 different areas of the capital, and most of them are visible. Samuel confirms, however, that “there will be some that will not be visible.” This phase, according to the Government, is part of a US$2.1 million CCTV project funded in partnership with telecommunications service provider Digicel. The Terms of Agreement
Prominent T&T attorney shot and killed
Forensic personnel at the scene of the crime. Ms Seetahal’s vehicle is pictured. PROMINENT TRINIDADIAN attorney, Dana Seetahal SC, was shot dead in the wee hours of last Sunday morning while, reports say, on her way home. Police reported that Ms. Seetahal was driving herself when she was blocked by two vehicles. Gunmen from one of the vehicles opened rapid fire on her vehicle. She is said to have died, on the spot, as a result of multiple gunshots. Ms. Dana Seetahal SC is a former President of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago. She also served as a Magistrate, State Prosecutor, Independent Senator and Defence Attorney. Persons from the region would know her as a long standing Criminal Law Lecturer at the Hugh Wooding Law School, UWI, St. Augustine. The Trinidad Express reports that Police suspect that it was a “hit” arising out of the Senior Counsel’s involvement in the case of CEO of Naipaul Xtra Foods, Vindra Naipaul-Coolman. Ms Seetahal was a member of the Prosecutions team in the case in which twelve persons are answering for the murder of Naipaul-Coolman. Responses to Ms. Seetahal’s death have been quick and many. Here are but a few: Prime Minister Kamla
Dana Seetahal SC, was described as fearless and independent. Persad-Bissessar in an official statement declared, “There is an abyss of loss and sadness for this brutal removal of a sister, friend, legal luminary and fearless, independent thinker on national issues…… Dana’s tragic passing brings to an end the work and life of a legal and academic giant whose contributions to our nation were far from complete.” Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley said, “Seetahal’s killing represents a new low in what we are experiencing. She was a national asset functioning in the criminal justice system. This should scare every single citizen in the country.” The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago described Ms. Seetahal SC as epitomizing “fearlessness, integrity and independence,” and “ a champion of reform of the criminal justice system.” A $1 million reward is being offered by Crime Stoppers for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in the murder of attorney Dana Seetahal. Ms Seetahal was 58 years old.
(TOA) between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and Digicel allows for the installation of a total of 110 cameras with the final Downtown St. John’s will now be under installation surveillance by cameras. scheduled for completion by Barbuda.” September. He cautioned that, The TOA also names the “Introducing the CCTV local police force as the sole system is not a solution but monitor of the cameras. will go a long way in Digicel will play no part in the providing the response that is monitoring. needed to detect and survey The CCTV project was the environment as far as it launched on February 14, relates to curbing crime. 2014, with Prime Minister Reports are that while Baldwin Spencer stating then, there are some citizens who “Security is critical to the view the introduction of the development of Antigua and cameras as an infringement Barbuda and the security of on their privacy, Antiguans our people. The government is are generally welcoming of demonstrating how the measure, and seemed determined and committed we prepared to put up with are in doing everything that is whatever, if any, convenience possible in ensuring that we in the interest of the bigger have a safe and secure picture, i.e. fighting crime. environment in Antigua and
CCTV camera installed in St. John’s, Antigua.
Clement Samuel, Digicel’s Business Solutions Manager/Project Manager emphasized that Digicel role ends with the installation and commissioning of the cameras.
Uruguayans will be allowed to grow ganga IN THE FACE OF UN opposition to its legalization of the production and sale marijuana, Uruguay is forging ahead with detailing the conditions that will inform this practice. Last week, the government disclosed that a Bill/Legislation will allow for the sale of marijuana by licensed pharmacies which will be expected to sell the drug for less that US$1.00 a gramme, with consumers allowed 40g (1.4 oz) a month. Diego Canepa, the Presidential Secretary, told reporters on Friday that the gramme of marijuana would cost between 20 pesos (US$0.85) and 22 pesos (US$0.95). He also said that the government is expected to launch the licensing process for companies interested in growing the drug, within the next 15 days. “Towards the end of November, early December, the sale of marijuana will already be available in the country through pharmacies,” Mr Canepa also said. The Bill makes provision for each household to grow up
Each household in Uruguay will be allowed to grow six cannabis plants. to six cannabis plants. As far as where the marijuana may be used, consumers will be allowed to ‘light up’ in the same places they would ‘light up’ their cigarettes and cigars, those places being in their homes and public spaces, but definitely not at the workplace. Drivers caught “smokedriving” (under the influence of marijuana) will be subject to the same penalties as those under the influence of alcohol. Last year, Uruguay became
Diego Canepa, the Presidential Secretary, assured that marijuana will be sold for less than US $1.00 a gramme. the first country in the world to make it legal to grow, sell and consume marijuana. The government estimates the current marijuana demand in Uruguay at between 18 and 22 tonnes, which would equate to about 10 hectares of cannabis plantations. Uruguay’s government hopes the bill will help tackle drug cartels, but critics say it will expose more people to drugs. A recent UN report criticised the legalisation of drugs, saying it posed a health danger. (Source: News Americas)
V Labourer Temporary judges charged with attempted assigned to SVG murder 6. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN
Court
and the Grenadines Bar Association (SVGBA), Rene Baptiste, and dated May 6, 2014, stated that the TWO TEMPORARY High Court Judges have been Judges are Attorney at Law Rajiv Persad, who assigned to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. would act as High Court Judge of the Eastern A release issued by President of the St. Vincent Caribbean Supreme Court from May 9 to July 31, 2014, and Her Ladyship Justice Esco Henry whose assignment runs from May 2 to July 31, 2014. According to the release, the Bar Association was notified of Persad’s A BARROUALLIE man was taken before the Kingstown appointment through the office of the Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, charged on three Secretary of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme counts, in connection with an incident in that Central Court Judicial and Legal Services Leeward town, June 24 last year. Commission, March 20, 2014, while it was Appearing before Magistrate Rechanne Brownenotified on April 25 that Justice Henry was to Matthias, Ruben Soloman pleaded not guilty to be sworn in on May 2 during a brief ceremony possession of a firearm without licence, make and serial at Government House. number unknown, wounding Greta Rosein of Barrouallie, and using threatening language to Rosein. The release stated that, “the SVG Bar Soloman was granted bail in the sum of $15,000 with Association remains hopeful that the Judicial one surety, on condition that he report to the and Legal Services Commission will assign Barrouallie Police Station on Mondays between 6 a.m. three full-time Judges to this Jurisdiction by and 6 p.m., and surrender his travel document. He was September 2014.” also ordered not to establish contact with the virtual The document added that the Bar complainant. Association was also informed that resident The matter was adjourned to July 30 and transferred to the Serious Offences Court. Senior High Court Judge Frederick BruceLyle would be available to hear urgent applications, during the long August holidays. At the close of the Criminal Assizes April 14, Baptiste said she had made representation to the relevant authorities for three full-time High Court Judges to be assigned here. Justice Bruce-Lyle is the only High Court Judge currently dealing with criminal matters here, while Justice Cynthis Combie Martyr is the sole Civil Judge. Justice Bruce-Lyle proceeded on 249 days of vacation leave from May 2. At the close of the Assizes, Bruce-Lyle stressed the need for four permanent Judges, two to preside over criminal matters simultaneously, and two to handle civil cases simultaneously. He underscored that, “It is becoming humanly impossible for one Judge to do criminal and one Judge to do civil, in light of what is happening to the development of the society in this day and age.” Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS
Bagga man on gun, ammo charges
JUST OVER a month after Nigel ‘Third World’ Regisford was shot in one of his legs, one of his villagers has been charged in connection with the incident. Wynard Mapp, a labourer, appeared before Magistrate Rechanne BrowneMatthias at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Mapp has been charged with the attempted murder of Nigel ‘Third World’ Regisford, wounding Regisford was shot in his Regisford, unlawful leg. discharge of a firearm, and the use of a firearm in the aid of the commission of an offence. He was not required to plea to the charges. Mapp was granted bail in the sum of $30,000 with one surety, on condition that he report to the Central Police Station every Monday and Friday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., and surrender his travel documents. He was also ordered not to make contact with the virtual complainant. The matter was adjourned to July 30 and transferred to the Serious Offences Court. Regisford was shot during an incident at Calder on March 23.
Son charged with father’s death A 24-year-old carpenter/mason of Biabou is scheduled to appear at the Serious Offences Court, July 30, in connection with the death of his father. Calvin ‘Vert’ Johnson has been charged with the murder of Calvin Jacobs. Johnson was not required to plea when he was taken before Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday. He Calvin Johnson is was remanded, and the charged with murdering matter was transferred his father. to the Serious Offences Court. Reports are that Jacobs, 56, received a chop wound to the neck during an incident around 8 p.m., May 1, at the home where he and Johnson lived at Biabou. Johnson’s body was discovered in a shallow grave in the yard around 5 p.m. the following day.
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. 7.
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8. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. 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
Legalising ganja? More than a simple yes or no. AS WE IN CARICOM move towards legalizing marijuana/cannabis, or so it appears, it is well that we reflect on the fact that it is one thing, the simpler thing, for a country to decide to lift the prohibition on marijuana; but it is another thing, the more difficult, to figure out how best to regulate the marijuana market. We can, as we move towards legalizing marijuana, learn from the Uruguay ‘experiment’ (see page 5) that is currently unfolding. Uruguay became the first country this side of the world to legalise the drug. It did so in 2013, and is currently grappling with establishing legislation that will govern the production, distribution and use of the drug. If the truth be told, our governments and government agencies, in whose hands the responsibility of working out the detail lies, have little to go on: as far as how to regulate what will become a legal market, after years of prohibition and interdiction; how to determine the number of growers and who will be allowed to grow the herb; who will distribute; who will be allowed to retail; and the criteria for licensing qualification. The ongoing developments in Uruguay will be instructive. But, even as we await judgement on the effectiveness of measures instituted in that country, we can perhaps take a leaf out of the alcohol and tobacco industries of North America, and how the prohibition laws were relaxed, adjusted, to make those industries legal. What is certain is that CARICOM cannot go about devising measures to regulate the marijuana market unless it first sets clear objectives and goals. For example, how the market is open is just as important as the simple decision to legalise. Objectives, therefore, have to focus on public health, public safety, personal freedom, restorative justice, maximizing revenue or some combination of all of these. Let’s take one of those objectives. Let us assume that those who support legalization and those who oppose it share a common ground: public health concerns. These concerns might be to minimize: access, availability and use by young persons; ‘drugged driving (like drunk driving); dependence and addiction; consumption of products with contaminants and unspecified potency; and the simultaneous use of alcohol and marijuana. Concern for these public health issues (above) can be addressed by familiarizing ourselves with the experiences of regulating alcohol and tobacco use in North America, and in the long term, by the Uruguay experiment. One of the ways we might address these concerns is to control cultivation, some say production. We may want to consider small holdings as against large and even greenhouse cultivation. Of little or no consideration should be the imposition of a government monopoly on cultivation/production, especially given the existing reality of an illegal cultivation that already includes small areas and growers from a particular social-economic class. The legalization of marijuana must not displace those already involved, but must move to include them in the process. To displace them is to cause unnecessary social dislocation, and to nurture an already developing inequality among those involved in the illegal trade, making it more difficult to safeguard public health. In time, there will have to be production or product requirements: requirements such as product test (e.g. for potency, added ingredients) and labeling, which would protect the consumer from unwanted contaminants. Just like with alcohol and cigarettes, product labeling must carry the extent of potency. This will help protect the consumer from developing an addiction And then there is the issues of promotion and marketing of the product. Are we going to ban or restrict public advertising, especially as it relates to enticing young users? The above controls will ensure implementation of a net that will include the widest possible sweep of those involved in the industry, as we consider the imposition of an excise tax. In the final analysis, as we consider the legalization of marijuana, the trade in which has contributed significantly, albeit informally, to the socio-economic development of places like this country, it is important to keep in mind that any initial policy is likely to be just a first step; flexibility will need to be built in as knowledge is gained about the real (versus perceived) risks of these products and markets. We should keep our eyes focused on Uruguay for unfolding lessons before we jump into something for which, if the truth be told, we might just not be prepared.
Party Politics and Elections by Clem Iton (from the Forum, March 1972) ST. VINCENT HAS SEEN a new party in control of the Government from mid 1967- St. Vincent Labour Party under its political leader, Milton Cato. It is obvious that some Vincentians have benefited materially from this term of office, but a critical examination of the whole situation reveals that Vincentians’ attitudes have not been improved–the power struggle has continued. Defection and Patronage Elected members of the Assembly have crossed the floor over-night without the slightest prick of conscience of the feeblest condemnation of the public; posts in the Civil Service and other branches of the Public Service have gone to the favoured “dead-wood” rather than to the efficient and qualified; contracts have gone to the ardent party supporters without concern of the interest of the public; Government committees and statutory bodies have been crowded with party members who know little of the subject matter, in preference to capable and honest Vincentians who really make a contribution. Perhaps the redeeming feature is that a Black Vincentian — a one-time member of the Labour Party and later of the People’s Liberal Movement-was appointed Governor. Are Elections Free? Does “the consent of the Governed” in St. Vincent mean that political leaders are chosen in free elections where there is honest competition for votes, when big merchants stand ready with truck-loads of food and rum to bribe a hungry electorate? Does it mean that a man is punished legally or extra-legally when he works for the political cause of his choice when in fact people are dismissed from their jobs peremptorily because they hold particular political views?
every sphere of life. Civil Servants must stop seeking elevation, out of their turn, by eating some of their black brothers and sisters alike and licking the boots of others! Merchants must stop laying claim over their counterparts to monopolistic and unfair trade concessions, purely on the grounds of having been ardent party campaigners–people whose vision is so blurred and who are so irresponsible that in these days when the British Empire has long ceased to be, they shout “Black Power” in one ear of their political leader, and in his other ear they utter earnest supplications for recommendations for the award of the C.B.E, M.B.E, O.B.E, and all the other dressings of their imperial masters. Political Feuding In recent years, St Vincent has come to know her worst, with political strife all aroundhusbands against wives, brothers against sisters, parents against children, intimate friends turned bitter enemies–all because of the almighty scramble for power and self aggrandisement. In his “Political Kaleidoscope of St Vincent” published in the July 1966 issue of Flambeau, Kenneth John (now Dr. Kenneth John) came up with this finding:-“ The most frightening thing about the artificial division of supporters of the two parties is that people living in squalor, suffering the same stark hunger and economic distress, will tear each other to pieces and sacrifice each other on the altar of an ephemeral party difference.” Only The Moneyed Interest Wins
Kenneth pointed out that, while all this factionising was going on, “the vested interests in the community back-seat-drive and play the parties off against each other like marionettes dangling on a thread. The trouble is that the Irresponsible Government reactionary element from which both parties derive their sustenance is able to force them Can Government be said to be responsible away from the masses spiritually and get them to when politicians are over-concerned about toe the line of the conservative interest.” He went feathering their own nests, and become so on to state: “... when this phenomenon has haughty that they consider their actions beyond developed into a fine art–and it is fast becoming question by the people whose destinies they one–we will have reached a political blind-alley; shape? Granted that at election time every “sothere will be no move to effect social and hep” descends from his high horse unto a stable economic reconstruction, but manifestoes will of humility, but politicians should not only wait continue to parade all sorts of grandiose projects, until election time for “hail-fellow-well-met”. and all sorts of glittering promises will be made (and believed), but the more things vary, the Servants of the People more they will remain the same. Politics will still be of the gutter variety dominated by mudEverybody knows that the poor and under slinging, acts of naked treachery, corruption and —paid government employee must accept the posturing, and political strife will continue to be principle that he is servant of the people and that fought out in a veritable jungle”. Kenneth ended he must therefore toil unswervingly to support his dissertation on a Hobbesian note:-“Political her majesty’s Government of the day. On the life will be poor, nasty, solitary, brutish, if not other hand, the political leaders give loud vocal short as it is now; unless there occurs some expression at election time of the view that they dramatic turn in the current trend of events.” are servants of the people; thereafter when they are given the oath of office as ministers, they are Conclusion lords and masters of all. Vincentians can judge how Kenneth’s findings The Responsibility Of The People of 1966 fit the situation today. Some may come up with the verdict that squalor and suffering If government had not been responsible- and have gone merely because posh beach properties the answer is clear- then no six ministers of now decorate some parts of the coast. The truth government, no single Premier, however powerful stands out, nevertheless, and herein lies the unto himself, can boast of this accomplishment. If challenge–the task to achieve a dramatic turn in government has not been responsible, this has the trend of events, the task of turning been the act of the very Vincentian man, woman impropriety into propriety. It is a challenge not to and child. A government of the people and by the a few office seekers, but a challenge to every people cannot reflect responsibility if the people citizen of the State. thrive on irresponsibility. According to the great Nkrumah:- “There is no force, however formidable, that a united people What Is To Be Done cannot overcome.” In the same context, there is no challenge that the people of St Vincent, Vincentians must be prepared to play fair in undivided by party politics, cannot overcome.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. 9.
Letters
Naming the airport THERE IS NO stopping the Argyle International Airport, regardless of how much noise people like Ivan O’Neal want to make. It may not be ready by the end of this year, but it will be completed in due course. Like every other project of this size, we can expect a few setbacks. This is no ordinary project, like building a house. This is serious business, and we must get it right. So if we have to delay in order to get the job done properly, then so be it. I also think that this is as good a time as any to look at naming the airport. I think it is only fitting that we honour the man who had the vision and the courage to pursue this project. That person is no other than Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Standing firmly, our Prime Minister. Steadily walking in Dr. Gonsalves may faith, Courage, grace and love, have said that he does not wish to have the For these are what God airport named after him, wants. but he should respect We need to pray and the wishes of the people thank God for his if they support this mercies, suggestion. Every day we need, It is interesting to To trust and believe, note that most of the For He will be coming airports in the back. Caribbean are named The time is now after former Prime Do not procrastinate Ministers who had the The seed you sow today guts to make their will develop fruits dream of an tomorrow international airport for So as the hymn writer their people, a reality. wrote: So, let us begin a ‘Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to survey to see if the majority of people in war, SVG and the diaspora With the cross of Jesus agree with my going on before. suggestion that the Christ, the royal airport should be Master, leads against named, THE DR. the foe; RALPH GONSALVES Forward into battle see INTERNATIONAL his banners go! AIRPORT. Yannic Sayers Sylvester SVG – 2-14
God’s armour
Thanks to Ainsley Primus BY NOW, you would have heard that Dennis Bowman won the New Song Calypso Competition of Vincy Mas 2K14 launch up here in New York. Congrats to Dennis. He remains one of the few persons who can cross over from real calypso to soca with ease. And it is good that he continues to be active in calypso. With all that’s happening, including the push for soca over real calypso, who could blame the young artistes for gravitating towards the soca. Kudos to Dennis for remaining in the arena. But, Mr, Editor, as much as this is about Dennis, I want to offer my congrats and support to Ainsley Primus. Ainsley, who is not even an acquaintance of mine, has had his ups and downs, but there has not been any one person up here in this dog-eatdog place they call New York, who has gone out of his way to promote Vincy calypso and Vincy Mas to the extent that Ainsley has done through the years. I suspect that oftentimes he is out-of-pocket at the end of the day. He has once again organized the launch of Vincy Mas, and catered to a host of calypsonians. There are those who will continue to beat up on the man, but I have the greatest respect for Ainsley. I will never question his commitment to SVG. And you know, Mr. Editor, I wonder what kind of support, if any, he gets from the CDC back home? Want to honour somebody who goes beyond the call? Don’t forget Ainsley Primus. Garnet, N.Y.
Parenting...learning from the eagle WHAT is parenting? Parenting is the preparing or upbringing of our offspring, from the cradle to the adult age. Then they continue on their own into adulthood to the grave. It is every parent’s (father and mother) desire to see or provide a better life for their children, than what they had for themselves as children. But this is wrong. It is not what you want for your children, but what God wants from them or what He has planned for them. In every human life there is a midnight, during which time you become drowsy or disenchanted. These are the moments when the best of you comes out and makes or break you for life. Those are the moments God enters you to make you what He wants you to be. So whenever a child is in his midnight, and you as a parent are jumping in to give him what you think he/she needs, you
are not giving him any time to spend his midnight with his/her creator. That makes God void in his life cycle. You have failed your child. Stories abound of persons who met hard times in their youths, but who came to be better citizens and were respected in their communities, all because of that midnight God made for them. Do not rob your children of that God given fellowship. Let us look at the Bald Eagle and how nature has taught it to train her offspring. First, she builds a nest of thorns, then she lines the inside with feathers (hers), then lays her eggs. When the chicks are born, they get a soft nest or bed to lie on. Soon they get feathers and start to flap their wings. Mama eagle watches them strive, then she kicks them out of the nest. But while they are falling, she watches them with a
mother’s eye, as they flap their wings and try to fly. As they are about to crash into the ground, she flies down and rescues them. She returns them to the nest, but this time she removes the feathers from the nest, leaving the thorns exposed to prick the chicks. This makes them stay on the edge of the nest. The mother repeats the same process, until they can fly on their own. So, parents (father and mother) must prepare their children for adulthood just as the eagles prepare their young ones to fly in the open sky. They (children) must learn how to achieve the things they need in life to make them comfortable, after you, the parents, have done your part for them. They have to work, just as parents would have worked hard. A father of 22
Deal directly with crime I DON’T WANT to sound like an alarmist; but I must state that this country has sunk to a level that I could not ever believe that it could reach.
Youths don’t’ live your lives one day at a time And we will love you for doing that.
The amount of crime, especially among our youth, is not something that we should brush aside as a sign of the times. What irks me most is that the rise of crime among our youth comes at a time in our development when the most money and resources are spent on education. There have never been more schools, and more opportunities for higher education, than what we have today. But we continue to lose too many of our young men, especially, to a life of crime. Are we to believe that the thinking that if we educate our young people, that we will decrease crime, is nothing but rubbish? The way I see it is that if the way of education is not working, then we will have to devise new and maybe more direct ways of dealing with the crime wave. One thing is sure, everyone should adopt a zero-tolerance approach to crime. If we know or see something happening in our neighbourhood, we should report it to the police, and the police must be prepared and supported to take action. It is unfair to have ordinary citizens upholding the law when there are a few who, it seems, are allowed to disregard the law. And the quicker we, all of us, including our leaders, stop glorifying these criminals, the better. I want to live in a safe place like any other law-abiding citizens.
PC823 Thompson (SVG - 2014)
Johnson E. (Kingstown)
The youths THE YOUTHS of today and tomorrow Bring shame, disgrace and sorrow, Even though they are taught the correct way They are influenced to go astray. Happy, intelligent, smart and young This is the character that should abound, Yet to have a fool to turn you around To do something that you should not have done. Marijuana, cocaine, crack Could you believe someone’s child is using that? They know the dangers and the impact Of marijuana, cocaine, crack. It will destroy your life and send you insane Stop using it, before it’s too late, Marijuana, cocaine, crack It will mash up your brain and that’s a fact.
* Whether the Miss SVG Pageant is a show of who could make the best use of false hair? * When will somebody or group decide to reintroduce a show like Miss Ebony, in which the contestants had to show off their natural selves? * If anybody from the CDC notice the stream of people who entered the car park launch after the calypsonians were finished? * Can’t they take note of this and, just as a letter writer said, have a big soca show and finish with that? Wouldn’t they make more money this way and help pull themselves out of the red? * And by the way, there was a time the CDC use, to say how much money it took in at the gates after every show. Any plans to return to doing this? * Other than competing in the last two other Pageants, what else did Miss SVG 2013 do, during her reign?
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10. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN
Views
The South Leeward highway… The agricultural sector needs effective management jobs, benefits and sacrifice The issue CONSTRUCTION work on the South Leeward project, from Hospital Road to Layou, will commence in June this year. This is after several years of preparation, including meetings between the Caribbean Development Bank and the government. Many persons are not aware of the intricacies of negotiating funding from agencies like the CDB, the European Union and the World Bank. The paper work is tremendous and the state agencies and the public servants have to spend long hours providing the information required, in the loan application process. The South Leeward Highway project is a case in point. This project was included in the 2010 manifesto of the Unity Labour Party; in fact it is on page 58 of that document. That’s four years ago. During this period, the state officials have to finalise costs and valuations with the CDB, along with the terms and conditions of the loan agreement. Then there has to be a tendering process to select a contractor for the project. This by itself is another tedious process, since the state officials have to be very careful in how the selection process is conducted, in keeping with the rules of the CDB, and to ensure that there is transparency. At the end of it all, the firm of DIPCON Engineering Services was selected, and a contract in the sum of EC$25.15 million dollars was signed last month. During this month, DIPCON will begin mobilising its resources to commence the actual construction work in June this year. They have already located their head office in the Pembroke area, and they are ready for business, come June.
Jobs and benefits Already, a number of Vincentians in that part of the country have been making enquiries about jobs, once the project gets underway. During the estimated 21 months of work, DIPCON has said that it will employ just around 160 persons, mainly carpenters, masons and labourers. Additionally, some small construction companies will get some work, since DIPCON may sub-contract some of the work to be done. There will be enhancement to a number of areas along the way. Some roadway areas will be improved, with the construction of a number of retaining walls, drains and sidewalks, particularly for the children attending the Lowmans Anglican Primary School. In some areas, the road will be widened, particularly in and around Campden Park, to take care of the container traffic that will be passing through this area. The construction work will see some improvement to the highway, in terms of its width, and the protection offered against slippages and earth movements. To be sure, this is a major piece of construction work, and the ULP will keep a close watch, to ensure that the construction work along the seven mile highway will be done in a first class manner.
The Milton Cato Memorial Hospital
During the life of this project, some attention will be paid to the drainage problem that exists at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. The intention is to prepare the drainage area around the hospital, to cope with any rainfall, similar to the levels experienced during the Christmas Eve 2013 event. This resulted in extensive flooding at this medical facility. The work in this area will entail the installation of two 1.5 metre culverts to channel the flow of water into the North River. This was a serious flaw that was not attended to, when the NDP re-constructed the hospital in the 1990s. Now the ULP administration will correct this flaw.
Disruptions The word is now out, that there will be disruptions to the traffic flowing into and away from the South Leeward area, during the rehabilitation work. Already appeals have come from the Minister of Works, Julian Francis, and officials from his ministry, and also DIPCON, that the flow of traffic will not be smooth during this period. Minister Francis has appealed to residents in the affected areas, to begin thinking about leaving home as much as one hour earlier for work, or if they are doing business in Kingstown and beyond. Already a decision has been taken to hire a community liaison officer to provide information to the general public, in terms of the work to be done, and the disruptions which will occur. DIPCON and the Ministry of Works have already assured the general public that all efforts will be made to minimise the delays and to facilitate the travelling public. But this construction work will require a greater level of cooperation from commuters. DIPCON has also committed to acting responsibly and with consideration, and as far as possible, to reduce the level of inconvenience, even as they try to complete the highway in the quickest possible time. The truth of the matter is that the ULP administration has repaired, rebuilt and constructed far more miles of roads in the history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This includes main roads and highways, village and community roads and feeder roads for the important agriculture sector. The mountainous terrain of our beloved country, coupled with heavy rainfall due to climate change, and the poor construction practices implemented by the former NDP administration, together create technical and financial challenges for the government, but the ULP administration has found, and will continue to find solutions to some of these problems. This is a challenge that the ULP administration will meet head on, since it is critical for a more efficient economy, and the functioning of an increasingly sophisticated society.
The recent discovery of the Pink Mealy Bug infestation of agricultural produce from St. Vincent and the Grenadines by the relevant authorities in Trinidad and Tobago, is a major cause for concern. Since the discovery of the Pink Mealy Bug, we have seen a significant number of boxes of bananas and plantains being sent back to our shores from Trinidad. All this is taking place at a time when our agriculture is under stress, and the morale of farmers is at its lowest; coupled with the dismal performance of the economy under the Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration. This will have serious implications for the farmers, traffickers, other stakeholders in the industry, and the economy as a whole. Although the Ministry of Agriculture has admitted that the Pink Mealy Bug is present in our country, it would appear that there is doubt in some people’s mind as to the reason why the produce was sent back. So an officer from the Ministry of Agriculture was sent to Trinidad to observe the operations there. But the questions that most people are asking are: Is the Ministry of Agriculture doing enough to control the Pink Mealy Bug? Where is the Minister of Agriculture in all this? We note, regarding the latter question, that the Minister has not uttered a word since the recent development. We can recall vividly what took place when the Black Sigatoka was discovered here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The government refused to spray the bananas in the early stages and, even when the spraying began, the number of cycles that were necessary for the effective control of the Black Sigatoka was not maintained. Instead, the blame was cast upon a public servant for the government’s failure. Are you going to blame another public servant? It is the duty of the government to manage pests and diseases that affect the agricultural sector, and this ULP administration has once again failed to fulfil its responsibility. Agriculture is one of the most important productive sectors in this country; its role is pivotal in the development of the country. Sadly, it has been demonstrated on numerous occasions that the ULP administration does not have what it takes to manage such a vital sector. This is noticeable when we see that the government has not been pumping enough finance into this critical area. For instance, the capital budget for agriculture twenty-six (26) years ago was $18 Million. In 2014, the capital budget remains at $18 Million. Is this government really serious about the development of agriculture? We can conclude that it is only lip service that is being offered to such an essential sector, especially by the Minister of Agriculture. The New Democratic Party (NDP) is concerned about the development of agriculture, and cares about the farmers. It will, a return of the NDP to office to revive the agricultural sector, so that farmers can regain the confidence that is needed to begin to produce and create opportunities for themselves.
The Diaspora It is an opportune time to remind Vincentians at home and abroad of
the NDP’s plan for the Diaspora. And to the Diaspora we say: the NDP appreciates the contribution that you are making to the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and will work closer with you when we return to office. The NDP will bring a new perspective to the significance of that large body of Vincentians residing abroad. In pursuance of good governance, it is imperative that a government works diligently to give, in practical ways, a meaningful voice to the Vincentian Diaspora in the management of St. Vincent and the Grenadines affairs, and remove the unnecessary divide or bias that now exists between the government and the Diaspora. There are a number of Vincentians abroad who are qualified and who lecture in information technology, medicine, engineering and other areas. Their expertise is welcomed by the NDP as we seek to create a knowledge based economy. We look forward to the Diaspora playing a major role in training, teaching and investing in information technology and its development as a sector. We welcome the investment of the Diaspora in local business which will improve trade between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Diaspora. We also see the Diaspora having an impact in areas such as health care and trade. In an effort to amplify and underscore the importance of the Diaspora to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the NDP will establish a permanent consultative body comprised of representatives from the wider Diaspora, (USA, Canada and the United Kingdom and other centres) and representatives from within SVG. The body will receive suggestions, hear and resolve problems, and bring to the attention of the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines issues that may be affecting the Diaspora, wih a view to constantly enhancing relations between those at home and those abroad. This body will be responsible for disseminating information on Diaspora matters across the Diaspora and tailoring how Diaspora can positively impact and contribute locally. Our New York Mission, our High Commissions in the United Kingdom and Canada, our Washington Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will facilitate communication among Diaspora representatives and the office of Diaspora Affairs. It is expected that the enhanced relationship will promote a programme of education aimed primarily at the youth in both spheres, so that they will be at one in appreciating each other’s problems and obligations to their communities, facilitate informal cultural exchange, foster collaboration in sporting activities including exchanges, training in the several disciplines and encouraging changes in the attitude of sports person, informally support and assist the respective Diplomatic and Consular offices in ways that are mutually beneficial, and utilize our human resources to the benefit of all.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. 11.
Views
The Planting Seeds
Wishing for SVG to fail
“Seeds may be viable for hundreds and even thousands of years. The oldest carbon-14dated seed that has grown into a viable plant was a Judean date palm seed about 2,000 years old, recovered from excavations at Herod the Great’s palace in Israel.” — John Roach, National Geographic News, November 22, 2005
I CANNOT HELP BUT conclude that some nationals go to bed at night wishing, hoping, even praying that when they wake up in the morning, the first news flash to hit their ears would be :SVG has been declared a failed state. It matters not that such a declaration may mean serious hardship for those of us who call this side of paradise home. There is no serious observer of Vincentian reality who can watch you with a straight face and say that things are not difficult in SVG. We know that many persons who want to work have found it increasingly difficult to find work. From the government to the private sector to the ordinary man on the street, the cry is the same; things are slow, very slow economically. But what is the cause of the slow down? Is it the ineptitude and bad economic management of the government, as claimed by the opposition and some commentators, or is the tough and difficult economic conditions more properly explained by the prevailing harsh economic conditions which maintain a deathhold on the world economy following the economic and financial crash in 2008? One can understand, but may not agree with the opposition, that things are slow because it is Ralph Gonsalves and his ULP government’s fault. After all, the job of the opposition is to oppose, propose and be prepared to depose. But there are limits to this argument, because these are not the times when nationals relied on a single radio station for all their news. The entry of cable television and the internet has created a big hole in the play book of the mindless propagandist. On BBC or CNN, two of the most popular news channels, nationals get to hear of the economic meltdown in Greece, Iceland and Ireland, and the economic downturn in the Euro-zone, especially in Spain, Portugal and Italy. They hear from family and friends of the tough times and experiences they are forced to endure in Canada, England and the USA. They look at the local evening news and see first hand what is happening in the rest of the Caribbean. Many persons, including Plain Talk, have been calling for an enlightened discourse where we can analyze difficulties and come up with possible solutions to some of our problems. We have had very little luck with this call. Some think and declare that there is no difference between policy and politics. Others say to talk about policy without politics is to give the governing party a free ride. Nothing could be further from the truth. A policy debate that searches for what works will assist any government, or government in waiting; but don’t tell that to those who are trying desperately to get in. As we see in Jamaica, Grenada, St Lucia and may soon witness in Trinidad, if we simply oppose without thinking and planning about solutions to problems, the people who were lured into voting for you will soon come to the realization that you were just an ‘empty bag ah chat’, and can’t wait to turn you into a one term government. Here’s what I mean. Those of us who listened to the debate on the supplementary budget will recall the red alert sounded by the leader of the opposition, when he declared that the credit rating firm Moody had downgraded our country in 2011. A credit downgrade pointed to jitters
of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) in World War II, several botanists starved to death rather than eat the collected seeds at the world’s oldest seed bank there. They chose to die of starvation rather than to eat the stored seed. Among other things, this highlights their commitment and dedication to preserving the valuable planting seed. Their tremendous sacrifice may one day safeguard the lives of millions yet unborn. The ancient Chinese remind us that “the seeds of today are tomorrow’s flowers and fruits”. We are cautioned to plant these seeds wisely; we are to sow them in fertile soil and care for them. In doing so, we are likely to reap the benefits derived from good yields. Those planting seeds will multiply themselves many times over. Reflect with me for a moment — when you and I plant a pea, how many pea grains will the grown plant produce in its lifetime? Yes, the yield is likely to be in the hundreds; maybe even in the thousands. There is so much potential trapped in that single, solitary, grain. The foregoing paragraphs have highlighted the value of protecting the planting seeds. We see the wisdom of doing so. And we readily appreciate that there is folly in eating the planting seeds. We, you and I, have to be so very careful not to eat our “planting seed”. We have to avoid the temptation to spend moneys that should be invested (or reinvested) in business ventures and/or professional development. To spend such funds on unnecessary items or services could retard personal and professional growth. So many small business owners (and some large ones too) make the mistake of splurging on products and/or services that do not add value. So many fall prey to the temptation to seek to impress others (including family members) and proceed to “eat the hen that lays the golden eggs”. It takes discipline, patience, and wisdom to avoid such pitfalls — to avoid eating the planting seed. And it also takes wisdom, courage, and foresight to embark on the planting exercise when the planting season has arrived — to invest wisely that which was put in storage for the opportune time. This article may have prompted some readers to “hold strain” and to avoid eating the planting seed. It may also be beckoning others to go forth and plant those seeds that were stored for such a time as this; commencing or expanding that business venture, pursuing a course of study, learning a new skill — whatever it is, we are encouraged to be proactive and prudent as we follow that noble path. Maybe, just maybe, it is now time to sow the planting seed.
MANY OF THE OLDER FARMERS developed the art and habit of retaining some of the better quality seeds to be used in replanting the subsequent crop. The peanut farmers would put aside some of the bigger grains and use these for replanting; the others were sold or consumed. We also observe a similar farming practice among the ginger and eddoe farmers; using the better quality tubers for re-planting stock. The wisdom in such a practice is quite obvious. This writer, as an amateur farmer, would do the same in relation to propagating lime plants. The immature or smaller seeds are never used in my germination programme; only the larger seeds, better quality seeds, have the privilege of carrying on the genetic history of the strain. The ancient Egyptians had developed a wise practice of setting aside the better quality grains for replanting. They also developed techniques in grain storage that still baffle today’s scientists and agronomists. They were prudent enough to look beyond their present food requirements to ensure the availability of quality planting seeds for generations yet unborn. But they were not the only ancient civilization that developed this wise agricultural practice. The Chinese and Indians, to mention two other societies, also encouraged such wise agricultural practices. They have done this for centuries in relation to the selection of a variety of the strains of their rice. And not to be left out of the list of “best seed storage practices”, we observe this also being done among the grain producers in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, England, Israel, and Uruguay. Many of these nations now have sophisticated vaults (seed banks) that have been specifically designed to store seeds for thousands of years. It is estimated that there are 1,300 gene banks throughout the world. They store billions of seeds. In some cases, they store thousands of varieties of the same species. The more popular seed banks are located in West Sussex, near London in England; the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen (812 miles from the North Pole); at Mount Annan in Australia; at St. Petersburg in Russia; and at the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation at Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America. These seeds become a source for planting in case seed reserves elsewhere are destroyed. We could well understand and appreciate the wisdom of storing seeds - they become a “food security insurance” against catastrophic events such as natural disasters, outbreaks of disease, Send comments, criticisms & or war. History records that during suggestions to the 28-month siege of the German city julesferdinand@gmail.com
with your economic performance, which could mean difficulties in raising financing. Eustace, after citing Moody, pointed to what he said was the cause of the down grade: the Mismanagement of the economy by the ULP government. Taken in isolation, one may say that this was a reasonable and logical deduction, but as Camillo Gonsalves so brilliantly demonstrated in his presentation on the supplementary budget debate, Moody’s downgrade of SVG was not a sign that SVG was doing badly due to mismanagement. The down grade was as a result of the pressures flowing from the crisis in the international economy. Camillo showed that in the same period in which Moody downgraded SVG’s economic health, it and other credit rating agencies, such as Standard and Poor’s and Fitch Group, had downgraded Antigua , Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, and St Kitts in the Caribbean and the economic power houses of England and the USA. The same persons trumpeted the bad news about our country’s attempt to explain away news that tends to show we might be turning a dark corner and may see a little economic light. How many times did those who see policy conversations in purely political terms remind us that SVG had experienced 4 years of negative growth? How many times did they say that to invoke the current international economic crisis was a cop out and over used excuse for mismanagement and failure? But some run from what they celebrate. On April 24, 2014, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), in an economic forecast of the Americas, estimated that SVG’s 2014 growth will be 6th in CARICOM, 2nd in the OECS and above the Caribbean average. In fact, SVG came in behind Suriname, Guyana, Haiti, St Kitts and Bahamas and ahead of Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, Belize, St Lucia, Grenada, Jamaica, Dominica and Barbados. We are now told that Gross National Product (GDP) IS not A proper indicator of anything, even though the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank use IT as a yard stick for progress. Plain Talk is no big fan of GDP and per capita income as a real measure of people’s well-being, but those who are now arguing against the ECLAC forecast were the same ones who last year told us that SVG was ranked at the very bottom of economic performance in all of the Americas. They cherry pick their arguments. They make stylized comments of a political nature, disregard the crisis in international capitalism that continues to wreak havoc in the world, in a vain attempt to hoodwink the unsuspecting. Those of us who know better owe it to ourselves and the nation to engage in a conversation which will help to bring clarity, understanding and less confusion in our daily lives. To do anything less is to abdicate our responsibility to the country and people we claim to love. Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to wefirst@aol.com
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12. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN
Views
Vincentians living under apartheid in Mustique APARTHEID – a system of racial segregation under which the rights of the black inhabitants were curtailed - ended in South Africa in 1994. Unfortunately, this vile and repugnant system lives on in Mustique. It has recently come to the attention of the Leader of SVG Green Party, Mr Ivan O’Neal, that the super-rich colonials in Mustique are imposing more harsh rules upon Vincentians living there. The super-rich have significantly reduced the primary school hours in Mustique from 8am to 3pm to 8am to 1pm. The reduction in school hours is having a serious negative impact on the
children’s primary (school) education. Depriving these children of a good education will have a negative impact on their ability to get employment when they leave school, and will likely mean these children will be destined to a life of poverty. This oppression is immoral and must stop. Conditions and rules in Mustique hold back the ability of Vincentians living there to obtain economic freedom. Without economic freedom, one is suppressed. Vincentians in Mustique are not allowed to take out a mortgage on their property in Mustique.
They are held back from buying property elsewhere, and so they are economically oppressed. In Mustique, black Vincentians are segregated and cannot live with the white super-rich. Vincentians working there are forced to live in a designated enclave known as Lovell Village. It is outrageous that foreigners are telling Vincentians how to live and where to live. Our people are being treated like second-class citizens in their own country. Vincentians cannot sell their property in Mustique on the open market. They are forced to sell only to:
(a) Persons resident in Mustique before 1969 and continuously resident since that date; (b) Nationals of St. Vincent permanently living and continuously working in Mustique from 1st January 1988; (c) Persons born in Mustique. These restrictive selling rules clearly impact the ability to sell a property, and inhibit the increase in the value of the property. The harsh rules and regulations imposed upon Vincentians in Mustique are like laws used under apartheid in South, such as the Glen Grey Act 1984, which subjugated the black South Africans. Both the
ULP and NDP regimes have allowed Vincentians to be treated in this immoral manner by the super-rich of Mustique. Both ULP and NDP governments have allowed the super-rich in Mustique to have blanket tax and customs duty exemptions, while Vincentians suffer under high taxes, and can be arrested and sent to jail for not paying property tax. The amount of money our country gains from people being employed in Mustique, is substantially less than the amount of money our country loses under the tax exemptions. It is conservatively estimated that for every $50 million dollars the super-rich in Mustique receive in tax exemptions, SVG
receives only $2 million dollars in employment wages. Our country loses out significantly. The tax and customs duty exemptions are outrageous and immoral. A Green government will abolish the Mustique Act No. 48 of 2002. Vincentians living in Mustique must be liberated from the apartheid rules and regulations, so that they have the opportunity to obtain true prosperity. The children living in Mustique must be freed to get a good education. Under a Green government, the superrich of Mustique will have to pay tax or be deported. SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org
The Police Department is vitally important WHEN, at one o’clock last Sunday morning, I couldn’t go back to sleep because of the loud booming music with vulgar lyrics coming from an entertainment house located a few hundred yards from my home, my mind ran on the Police Department in general and on the Commissioner in particular, and I said to myself, “Poor Commissioner!” I reflected on the chaotic situation we are in, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as far as law and order are concerned. I remembered also the Commissioner’s recent utterances with respect to the security at the Belle Isle Prison, and what I sensed was an appeal from him to the public for support, when he spoke at Randy’s function at the Police Canteen, now located at the Kingstown Vegetable Market. The Commissioner’s unfortunate statement in which he indicated that he was quite satisfied
with the quality of security at Belle Isle at a time when the whole community had been alarmed by the escape of prisoners, at least two, over a relatively short period. Commissioner Charles may well have significantly discredited himself to be entrusted much further with the management of this organization, so critical to the smooth functioning of this society. While it may be true to say that all the social services have declined markedly over the last twenty years or so, we cannot afford to be indifferent to the need to have competence in personnel and adequacy of resources for the proper maintenance of law and order in our land. The public has not forgotten that there were cases of serious breaches by officers, and the perception is that they have not been appropriately dealt with to the degree that convinces the public that the authorities are serious
about discipline.
All is not well in our land
of those who planned them, and the quality of work and commitment and pride of the artisans of ages gone. On the other hand, the current condition of the buildings, roads and drains is an intimate reflection of the character of the current stewards. The almost chaotic social situation in our land today dictates that we set about almost immediately with plans to improve our police department, as its elemental constrict allows it to be used to deliver some services which are now very critical to the smooth functioning of the society. A question which is being asked is: Why is there such a scarcity of uniformed law officers in the streets of our capital today? The population of vagrants is growing, and one almost gets the impression that the police have surrendered to them, as it relates to the spreading of garbage. While the necessary refitting is being done in the police department, all other agencies in the various sectors of the society must devise systems geared towards development and peaceful order. We must not be indifferent or afraid to face the realities. While it may be true to say that the radio program “On the Beat” may have “touched” on many of the important issues, the citizens need to be convinced that the police have, “a handle on things”. Recently, we were appropriately admonished by Brother Desmond Faisal of the Arnos Vale Baptiste Church on his Monday morning programme on 705 Radio. Using Proverbs 14 as his reference, he observed that today, evil is now called good, and those who should be promoting good are now promoting evil.
It is more than obvious that all is not well with our society today. The evidence is all around us: the loud and vulgar music coming from vehicles, entertainment houses and even our radio stations; the aggressive behaviour and language, even on our playing fields; the mode of dress; the garbage everywhere; the collapsing drains, sidewalks and retaining walls; the lack of concern for the comfort and safety on so many of our public transport vehicles; the uncouthness of service providers, even in the public service; the neglect seen in our public buildings, for example the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, the Kingstown Post Office and the Central Police Station. Amidst all of this, the police institution is too important an element to the overall welfare of the state to be allowed to appear as though it is not being adequately attended to. I am told by someone who is knowledgeable, that our Central Police Station is one of the most impressive of its kind in the region, but for some time now it has been clearly evident that it is in need of urgent repairs. It is almost an exhibition of a lack of pride and that is unfortunately documented in the pictures that our visitors take. Years ago the sentry at our Central Police Station used to be able to do some impressive smart “about turns”, right there at his post. If that is tried today, there would be the risk of injury to his ankles, because the pavement right there where he has to stand is shelling off. We could do better than that! The architecture of old cities tells LeRoy Providence something of the quality of the minds
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. 13.
News
LIME ‘STIRS’ up the social media pot THE TEAM BEHIND the coveted Miss Heritage pageant is partnering with telecommunications provider LIME, to bring the Vincy Mas experience to the fingertips of carnival lovers. STIR MEDIA directors Calvert Jones and Miles Boyea say that persons who would have something to say about any of the major shows taking L-R: Calvert Jones and Miles Boyea. place during carnival this year, would have on what took place in the shows, so we the opportunity to share it to the world, are going to give them the chance to do by way of the LIME Vincy Mas Viewers so through LIME,” Boyea added. Choice Awards Facebook page, that was The package is part of LIME’s launched on Wednesday. sponsorship deal with the Carnival “You know every year persons always Development Corporation, as a Super have all kinds of things to say, both Platinum sponsor of the ‘Hottest positive and negative about the shows. Carnival in the Caribbean’ this year. “In every major show, we will have a LIME will also be providing all prizes social media component where persons to be won by contributors to the page. will get to vote for their favourite Persons sending the most texts every performer or artiste, and comment on week, those answering quiz questions, as the shows and performances,” Jones well as other areas, stand to win free said. services, 4G handsets, free credit, …… “There are a lot of people outside of St tickets for the hottest shows in Vincy Vincent and the Grenadines who don’t Mas, and lots of other prizes, according have the opportunity to give their input to LIME.
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. 15.
14. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN
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16. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN
Grenadines
Mayreau Regatta 2014 – A wonderful experience Caught in a good wind, these boats are in full flow in the open sea.
Boats beached awaiting the start of the races.
‘Man jus’ arriving’. There was an increase in the number of patrons from neighbouring Grenadine islands.
Food and more food. This barbeque grill ensured that the patrons had their fill and more.
Members of the Organising Committee getting their due recognition.
evening, an “All White” party was held, which kept the party crew on their toes close to day break. Sunday, May 4th was the Grand Finale which attracted visitors mainly from Canouan, Carriacou, Union Island, Bequia, Petit Martinique (PM) and Petit St. Vincent (PSV). This was also the final day of racing, with “Eclipse” being The band ‘Togetherness’ from Carriacou provided the overall winner in live music, much to the satisfaction of those who Class A, with a crew of chose to party. six. In Class B, IT IS A COMMON SAYING that good “Camille” won every race on each day things are hard to find, and that certainly of racing. In Class C, “Ark Royal” rings true about Magical, Mystical and was overall winner from the three Marvelous – Mayreau. It is one of days of racing , while Class D winners, several inhabited Grenadine islands that “Bad Feelings”, with a crew of three, can only be accessed by boat or by had good reason to feel good, having helicopter, but we don’t have a defended the title for eight helicopter service, so the only way to get consecutive years !! there is by boat, and that is what This year, a live band, regattas are all about … BOATS !!! and “Togetherness, from Carriacou, had a boat racing. crowd of patrons spellbound with The Mayreau Regatta is a blend of almost non-stop music. This band is a on-shore and racing activities. This mix of traditional instruments like year the Mayreau Regatta began on banjo and steel pan along with May 1st and ran until May 4th. The electronic key board, bass and guitar. main feature of the opening day was Another highlight of the Mayreau the Lion Fish Derby with an regatta was the launch of a Sea Moss accompanying Lion Fish cooking project spearheaded by Philmon contest along with a fishing Ollivierre. Samples of seamoss competition. On Friday May 2nd , the beverages, ice cream, fudge and snow main activity was on shore with a cones were well received by the Talent Show and Games Night, curious visitors with all the seamoss followed with by an after party, DJ “Q” products being sold. providing the sounds that had patrons Apart from one or two skirmishes dancing into the wee hours of the by youngsters who might have morning. consumed too much alcohol, all the Then followed two days of racing in Regatta activities were well supported, four classes, A - D. While the young including the final day. men were busy proving their dexterity The Mayreau Regatta Committee as champion sailors, the kids flew wishes to thank all sponsors, patrons kites, and there were also punch and media for their continuing support boards and ring tosses to keep the on and publicity. (More to come next shore crowd entertained. Later that week)
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. 17.
News
North Stars gets donation of pans THE DECEMBER 23, 2013 floods took no prisoners, or so one resident of Rose Bank described the wrath of the water that was unleashed on residents of North Leeward, by an unexpected weather system. Among those affected were the members of the North Stars Steel Orchestra, who lost most of their pans (instruments) to the raging water. Now, as the members seek to re-build in time to participate in this year’s Pan Fest for Vincy Mas 2014, the orchestra has been the benefactor of a donation of pans. Last Friday, May 02, the band’s
(L-R): Francis ‘Pess’ Llewellyn, Everal Ince and Patrick ‘Grey’ Baptiste at the handing over of the bass pans.
Works continues unabated on the base of the tower.
Control tower at Argyle well on the way by BEN HARRISON International Correspondent CONSTRUCTION of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower at the Argyle International airport is into an advanced stage of construction. The tower, located at the highest point of land on the perimeter of the Argyle International Airport site, is being built in two stages: a 10.7 meter (35.1 feet) base which is scheduled for completion in mid-July, 2014, to be followed by the ‘cabin’, with its traditional sloping windows. It will provide, in keeping with international expectations, a towering view of the entire Argyle airport runways, tarmac, grounds and the skies surrounding it. The ATC tower is expected to be manned by a group of highly trained ground-based controllers, who direct aircraft on the ground and through controlled airspace. ATC is an essential airport management service. The primary purposes of ATC, are to prevent collisions, organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and provide information and other support for pilots. ATC controllers coordinate the movements of all aircraft, keeping them at a safe distance from each other, directing them in the skies within their control zone, during takeoff and landing, and directing them around bad weather. For those driving along the windward highway past Argyle, or visiting the popular Rawacou Park, pull off the edge of the roadway and take a look, or a snapshot of this structure which will certainly be a permanent St. Vincent landmark.
manager, Everal Ince, took possession of a set of tenor bass pans (four pans), from stalwart pan builder Patrick ‘Grey’ Baptiste and pan tuner extraordinaire Francis ‘Pess’ Llewellyn. According to Ince, “’Grey’ was quick to say he would assist after hearing about the plight of the band. We are thankful to him; he built the pans, and ‘Pess’, who tuned the pans. “The donation is a timely one and will go a long way in our preparations for Pan Fest this year,” Ince told THE
VINCENTIAN. Ince also acknowledged Semorin Industries of Glen and South Sun Sales who donated the drums from which the pans were made. He also recognized Mr. Alvin Lewis of Prospect who kindly and without cost, transported the pans to North Leeward. North Stars Steel Orchestra is a product of the Pan Against Crime programme. It was founded “four years ago and now has a membership of 24, comprising young persons from 10 to 18 years old,” said Ince.
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18. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN
News
Jaden Sun Fast Ferry: An update On that day, the Jaden Sun made its maiden voyage from St. Vincent to Bequia in just ON SATURDAY, August 21, over 20 minutes. 2010, the dreams of Late last year, the Captain Elvis Gooding to early fulfillment of those establish the Jaden Sun dreams was brought to Fast Ferry, a 105 foot, 218 an abrupt halt, with the passenger Norweigan breakdown of one of the ferry, as the preferred ferry’s two powerful means of cost-effective, engines. Service was speedy, comfortable suspended indefinitely. passenger travel between An expensive mainland St. Vincent and replacement engine had the Grenadine islands, to be ordered from became a reality. overseas, but the cost by BEN HARRISON International Correspondent
Work continues on installing the new engine of the Jaden Sun.
and financing of a new engine precluded Gooding from proceeding. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, recognizing the importance of the Fast Ferry to the economic and tourism development of the country, arranged a US$100,000 loan, at 4 per cent interest per annum over 10 years, to purchase a replacement
for the damaged engine. At the same time, the Prime Minister announced concessions on fuel for all passenger ferries operating within St. Vincent and the Grenadines. During an exclusive interview with THE VINCENTIAN, Gooding praised the initiative of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and the government in facilitating the loan, without which repairs
could not begin. The new engine was ordered and, following shipping delays, finally arrived in St. Vincent during the last week of April. Further delays ensued as SVG Customs, not recognizing the duty concessions that had been granted, refused to release the engine until
the end of last week. On Monday, May 6th, Elvis Goodings advised THE VINCENTIAN that he had received the engine and was in the middle of replacing it in time for thorough testing later this week, and the resumption of service soon thereafter.
UWI launches Survey on Climate Change and Livelihoods THE SIR ARTHUR LEWIS INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC STUDIES (SALISES) of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago, in collaboration with the Centro EuroMediterraneo per i Cambiamenti Climatici (CMCC), Venice, Italy, and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), Professor Patrick Belize, has launched a Watson, Director of survey to determine the SALISES, says that potential impact of the results of the climate change. The survey is intended survey will have much importance for to collect information individuals and their with respect to climate families. change’s impact on the supply of and demand for freshwater, and on the exposure, sensitivity and vulnerability of the livelihoods of communities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The project, called CASCADE (Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for Water Resources and Human Livelihoods in the Coastal Zones of Small Island Developing States), commenced on April 25, 2014. Professor Patrick Watson, Director of SALISES at the St. Augustine Campus, said the project aims to understand household views on environmental issues affecting the community, and the survey results will provide guidance for future public awareness programmes and policy development. He added that the knowledge obtained will also allow government agencies, NGOs and community groups to take appropriate measures to adapt to and, hopefully, minimize the negative impacts identified, which will be to the benefit of all the citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The local community is advised that Research Administrators, with visibly-displayed name badges, will be visiting households in all areas of St. Vincent and the Northern Grenadines from April 28th — June 8th 2014. The questionnaire will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Professor Watson said “We believe that the results of this exercise will be of critical importance to individuals and their families, and responses will be treated in the strictest confidence. We do sincerely appreciate the help of community members in participating in this survey.”
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. 19.
Health
Understanding Endometriosis - Part 11 THE FIRST EVER AWARENESS campaign on Endometriosis in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is nearing completion. Soroptimist International St. Vincent and the Grenadines is very encouraged by the high level of interest generated among the public as a result of the campaign. It is hoped that the information would have reached the majority of young girls and women through the various methods used so far to disseminate the information. Soroptimist also hopes that those who received this critical information about Endometriosis would share the insights gained with others who may not have had the benefit of such information. This article is a followup to a previous one published on March 21st 2014 in THE VINCENTIAN. The information published in this week’s EDITION is intended to reinforce the content of the previous article, as well as provide some new information on the subject of Endometriosis, which affects the lives of so many women and girls.
What is Endometriosis Endometriosis is a condition which arises from an abnormal location of the endometrium tissue which usually lines the inner part of the uterus to other locations in the body. When this happens, the woman experiences certain
problems.
Presentation of the Condition
challenging. Treatment options will depend on: the severity of the condition; the age of the woman; the desire to have children; experiences with previous treatment and the side effects of drugs In the final analysis, surgery may have to be considered as an option.
Endometriosis can be of two types: Internal Endometriosis and External Endometriosis. Conclusion Internal Endometriosis is found If a woman believes inside the muscle of the she is suffering from uterus instead of the lining of the uterus, as should normally be the case. External Endometriosis or “true endometriosis’ is the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. The manner in which a woman presents with Endometriosis can be varied. This depends on the extent of bleeding within the walls of the uterus which can result in progressive enlargement of the uterus, sometimes confused with fibroids. In addition, multiple pockets of accumulation of bloody fluid, referred to as cysts, can be found in the uterine wall. When enlargement of the uterus occurs, the size of the abdomen increases. Also, the woman could experience severe menstrual pain, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, heavy menstrual flow and painful sexual intercourse.
Treatment In light of the complexity of endometriosis and the difficulty in arriving at an accurate diagnosis, treatment of the condition can be very
Endometriosis, she is strongly encouraged to consult a physician/doctor so that the best options to manage her particular situation could be determined. Finally, Soroptimist International St. Vincent and the Grenadines expresses appreciation to all those
Left: Endometriosis could result in an increase in the size of the abdomen, what some people refer to as a “fat belly’.
Endometriosis persons and corporations who helped to make 2014 Awareness Campaign a success.
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20. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN
Advice
Making ends met through sex continue to take the chance not My advice to you is to pack it in to. I am afraid if I go to the police and return to being a regular my secret life will be exposed. student, without the weight of MY MOTHER does not know that I Help me, George. juggling your schedule to fit your am sleeping with men for money secret life. Try to work towards which I use to keep me in school. I Scared securing a scholarship to take am very attractive, and get men to care of your University plans, and pay me up to three hundred dollars in the meantime, try to involve Dear Scared, for a few hours with me. If they Dear George, your mother by collectively have a wife, the price goes up. You You have chosen a potentially looking at ways to address your will be surprised at the kind of men dangerous lifestyle in more ways family’s financial situation. It YOUR ADVICE helped me the last time, but I find who throw their money at me! than one. The possibility exists will be good if you can get your myself in another rough spot. I got married to my I really want to do well at that one of those men can very mother to see someone at Marion boyfriend, and it was your advice that helped me to school and, one day, go on to House to explore her incomethat point. The marriage started off well, and he University. However, I know my well carry out his threat on your life and also, you risk contracting earning potential. mother cannot afford it. There did indeed change his way of living, and has been STDs that can compromise your are many days when she has no faithful to me all that time. I was amazed at his George money to provide for me, for lunch health to the point where your turn around. and transportation; but I am able life-span could be shortened as a The problem now is that I find myself in the to go because of the extra money I result. same situation we were in just before we am earning from doing what I am got married. I cheated on him, and now I doing. The money also helps out believe I am pregnant. sometimes with our rent. When Why I am writing to you is because I she inquires, I give my mother a had been going regularly, and the Dear George, heard him say some time back, that he fabricated story as to how I came neighbors are inventing false stories thinks he has a problem with low sperm by the money, and she always about her. I am now wondering what count. He said he went to check himself MY NEIGHBOURS are telling me believes me. that my 13-year-old daughter has not to do next about this situation. out, and was told that because of his I have an account set aside for been attending school on a regular condition, he would find it difficult to my University schooling when the basis. One of them even said she saw Concerned Mom impregnate anyone. How do I tell him that time comes, but this is not known her on the beach with a boy; but I the child I am carrying may not be his? to my mother. So far, I have Dear Concerned Mom, wondered how true that information saved a sum of eight thousand was, since that same neighbor once Worried dollars. This is a secret between You should have already met with told me that I should be ashamed to me and the bank. your daughter’s class (form) teacher have my children for different men, Dear Worried, I am writing to you because and principal to see if the stories and that she would live long enough some of the men I have been with to see me and my children “meet it.” checked out. Regular meetings have threatened my life more The only way to tell is to tell him! There I know how malicious people could with your child’s class teacher is a than once, if I do not do what they be, and I do not want to accuse my is no perfect marriage or relationship, but good practice to adopt. Waiting for ask me to do in terms of sexual what counts is your desire to improve in scheduled parents/teachers meeting daughter wrongfully. I asked her requests. I do not know if I every aspect, and the acknowledgment of about school, and she told me that she may not be the best way to go, should report it to the police, or to especially when there is cause for your weaknesses and your push for concern. It is a good thing to be honesty. Tell your husband the truth, and in constant communication with let him know that this hurdle, once you get your child’s teachers; that way it past it, can only make the marriage limits the room for hanky-panky stronger, if it is given that chance. on your child’s part. It may well turn out that the child may If it so happens that your be his, in which case it will give the neighbors were correct, it would relationship a much needed booster shot, be a good neighbourly gesture to i.e. by him knowing that his sperm count thank them for looking out for problem is behind him. Use this opporyour child, and this can set the tunity to re-establish the importance for stage for better relations between honesty and effective communication in the you and them. marriage.
Dear George,
Pregnant but worried
Should I listen to my neighbours?
George
George
Leisure
Aries (Mar. 21- April 20) Now is the time for completing hobbies that you’ve been working on for a long time. Job changes are in order. Go for interviews or send out resumes. Don’t forget family obligations. Taurus (Apr. 21- May 21) You may need a good friend to lean on. Don’t agree to make any of those cosmetic alterations you’ve been considering. You can dazzle members of the opposite sex with your quick wit and aggressive charm. Gemini (May 22-June 21) Your charm will be captivating. Think before you act if you wish to avoid friction. Your outgoing charm and obvious talent will be admired. Do a little investigating if there is someone at work you don’t trust. Cancer (June 22-July 22) Unexpected bills will leave you a little short. Opportunities to travel will be favorable in terms of moneymaking connections. Minor fevers or infections will develop if you’re over-stressed. Leo (July 23-Aug 22) Pamper yourself; the self-esteem it brings you will be most gratifying. Changes in your home are apparent, and you must be willing to bend if you don’t want to find yourself alone. If you’re preoccupied, be careful while operating a vehicle. Virgo (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You must make sure that all your personal documents are in order. Family members may feel anxious if you make promises you don’t deliver. Children may be on your mind.
Libra (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You can make new connections if you play your cards right. Check into art objects or precious stones. You can do well in group endeavors. Attend seminars that will bring you in contact with the right people. Don’t bend to the pressure. Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) This is a great day to start that new health regimen you’ve been talking about. The advice you get this week may be based on false information. Any intimate relationships with colleagues will lead to gossip that could easily affect your position. Sagittarius (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Get down to business and do the work yourself. Don’t be shy; show your abilities! Talk to someone with experience about budgets or consolidating debts. Get out and have some fun. Capricorn (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Recognition can be yours if you present your ideas and stand behind your beliefs. Overindulgence will mean poor health. Your partner will be emotionally unable to cope. Find ways to make extra cash. Aquarius (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Educational pursuits should help you develop your hobbies. You have the stamina and determination to succeed. You may be tired of working for someone else. Get together with friends who like to participate in indoor sports. Pisces (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Take a close look at contracts and agreements that have been offered to you. Sudden good fortune will help you cover your debts. Don’t hesitate to voice your opinions when it comes to matters pertaining to work.
ACROSS
wds.) 38. Romps 1. _ waist 40. _ Lanka 5. Dress 41. Stat for juncture Barry 9. Gore and Bonds Biden, e.g. 44. Bonn “one” (abbr.) 45. District in 12. Toast London topper 47. Restaurant 13. Jalopy check 14. Suffer poor 48. School health subj. 15. Invitation 49. Actress inits. Moran 16. Alumnus, 50. Icicle place for short 51. Golfer 17. Grassy area Trevino 18. Me (Fr.) 52. Contradict 19. Company 53. No ifs, _, exec (abbr.) or buts 11. 20. Buffing 19. board DOWN material 22. Durocher 1. Early bird’s 21. and Tolstoy prize 24. Needed a 2. Likewise 23. bandage 3. Certain 24. 25. Swaying citrus fruit 25. tropical (2 wds.) trees 4. Firecracker 27. At bat sound 26. 30. Short stride 5. Wise ones 31. Linger 6. Currency 27. 32. Developer’s unit in 28. unit France 33. Carpenter’s 7. _ moment’s tote (2 notice (2 29. wds.) wds.) 35. Worship 8. Early Ford spot car (2 wds.) 31. 36. Trouble the 9. June speech waters giver 34. 37. “_ Tired” (2 10. Wharf
Kill. Comic Bill’s nickname Iron and Zinc Hire help _ Dipper California’s time (abbr.) From _ Z (2wds.) Chapeau ‘30s relief agency (abbr.) Berlin’s land (abbr.) Diamond girl _ and made up
35. French friend 37. Sardonic literacy style 38. Banana discard 39. It connects the dots 40. Leg part
LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. 21.
42. Address abbr. 43. French islands 46. Mineral source 47. “Who Want to _ Millionaire” (2 wds.)
22. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. 23.
Saints, Peters flying high Daron Greaves launches one Kenroy Peters bowling to Daron Greaves. who were shot of his five sixes. Roger Gibson is the non-striker. out for 37 in their second Firm, who were Speaking after the match, innings, to lose by an innings asked to bat first, put in yet manager Foster Huggins and 74 runs, with Peters another substandard batting commended the team for the taking 7/14. performance to be all out for way in which they played this SCORES: ASCO 97 & 37, 97, with only opener Daron year, and expressed the hope Saints 208/9. Greaves (64) making any score that they will be champions. ASCO began their second of note. He struck five fours “Guys, we had a good innings with a shortfall of 111, and five sixes in a belligerent tournament and we can only and found Peters in knock. wait and see what irrepressible form. He Currency 3/31, Peters 2/14 happens……but even if we do removed the first two wickets and Ray Charles 2/18 shared not pull it off this year, we can without a run on the board, the wickets for Guardian feel happy with our setting the tone for an early General Saints, who did all performances,” he said, amid afternoon finish. His figures at that they had to do to line up smiles and congratulations on one stage read 6-2-4-6. He their first ever national his role from his charges. finished with 7/14 from nine Premier Division. overs with three Romel Currency caresses a ball through the covers. maidens. Ray Charles took 2/16. by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT taking the title. Earlier, Guardian On the other hand, if GUARDIAN GENERAL SAINTS are Victors ONE take first innings General Saints had declared their first sitting on edge as they await the points in a drawn match and outcome of next weekend’s limit Team Rivals to less than innings on 208/9, with Romel Currency (May 17&18) match between five bonus points, Guardian joint defending champions, General Saints will take their continuing his rich vein of form to hit a Victors One, and Team Rivals at first ever Premier Division confident 64, filled with the main Arnos Vale Playing title. Field. “We are hoping that Victors exquisite drives and vicious pulls. He struck Guardian General Saints, ONE can do us a big favour Windward Islands left arm ten fours. He was after completing their fixtures and help us to celebrate this seamer Kenroy Peters has joined dismissed hit wicket in the national Premier title….we truly would deserve the illustrious club of West Indies Division, lead the standings it,” Guardian General Saints when he stepped on his cricketers to take a hat-trick at stumps after being hit with 120 points, with Team captain Kenroy ‘Bionic Arm’ Kenroy Peters, the latest to join the regional first class level. on the side of the jaw Rivals nine points adrift on Peters told THE the Hat-Tricks Club, shows how Peters achieved the feet against from a lifting ball by the 111. VINCENTIAN on Sunday. Jamaica in the finals of the West he held one of the balls that impressive Darius First innings points in their Peters was speaking earned him a wicket in his hatIndies four day tournament Martin (3/78). Javorn final match will guarantee minutes after doing another trick against the Jamaicans. played at the Beausejour Cricket ‘Chubby’ John got 40, Team Rivals the title, while demolition job on a batting Ground in St Lucia. in the first innings, and it just with Desron Maloney conceding first innings but team. This time, the Peters took his scalps when he paid off,” Peters explained. finishing with 3/52. still getting at least six bonus unfortunate unit was Carl trapped left-hand opening “I always wanted a hat-trick at Carl Joseph Law points can still see them Joseph Law Chambers ASCO batsman John Campbell legthis level, and now I can say I did before wicket, Andre McCarthy it at every level I have played caught at second slip by Johnson after by previous achievements in Charles, and Dave Bernard Jr. club cricket and in England,” caught behind by wicket keeper Peters confessed. NATIONAL Jack, who has already served her twoSunil Ambris. Ian Allen, the current Windward PLAYERS match ban for an incident last year while Peters became the third Islands senior team coach, had Samantha on tour with the national team, stroked her Windward Islands player and his hat-trick of David Lynch and first half century 68 not out in only her Vincentian to take a hat-trick at Mohammed, Gus Logie and Cordel Jack second match, as United Survivors reached this level, following fast bowlers Narine Bidhesi against Trinidad made light 201 for 1 off 30 overs. Ian Allen and Deighton Butler. and Tobago at the Guaracara work of Rising Vinisha King was the lone wicket taker “It’s a good feeling, and I am very Park in 1991. Butler’s Stars bowling for Rising Stars with figures of 1 for 43. excited being among some of the achievement came through as they both Rising Stars in reply never got their top players in the regional with Sylvester Joseph, Wilden recorded half innings going, and were eventually this achievement at this level, Cornwall and Ridley Jacobs, in a centuries, and dismissed for 72 in 20 overs. Vinisha King especially my fellow countrymen Windward Islands-Leeward helped United was the only player to show some Ian Allen and Deighton Butler,” Islands encounter at Queen’s Survivors to a resistance with 36 not out. Peters said. Park, Grenada, in 2005. 129-run win in Samantha Lynch backed up her top score “The first wicket of Campbell, I The other hat-trick takers in the RBTT of 75 to finish with the best figures of 4 for realized the ball was keeping low, regional cricket are: Sylvester National 10. Cordel Jack took 2 for 10 and Kimone so I decided to bowl him close and Clarke, Malcolm Marshall, Samantha Lynch hit 75 Women 40 Homer 2 for 18. got one to nip back, and struck not out. Sulieman Benn, Roddy Estwick, Overs In the other match played at the Park him in front. McCarthy was Ryan Hinds and Pedro Collins of Competition. Hill Playing Field, Garifuna Stars beat coming forward early in the first Barbados; Andy Roberts, Justin The match was played at Arnos Vale 2 Northern Girls Combine by 10 wickets. innings, so I figured if I got the Athanaze from the Leeward playing field on the weekend. Northern Girls Combine batted first and ball to bounce more, it would at Islands; Marlan Black and Willie Lynch, who was left out of the SVG could only reach 37. Garifuna Stars replied least touch the gloves to second Rodriquez of Trinidad and squad for the West Indies Women’s with 41 without loss. Juliana Nero topslip, which it did. I realized that Tobago; and Franklyn Rose, tournament last year, continued her scored with 28. Bernard Jr., who was promoted prolific run in the local competition with a The second round of matches is expected in the order, was struggling, so I Jamaica, and Chris Woakes from England. top score of 75 not out. In the process, she to bowl off this weekend. decided to bowl the same length now ranks top of the runs table, with 160, that Mervin Mathew got him out I.B.A.ALLEN at the end of the first round of matches. I.B.A.ALLEN
Peters describes how he did it
Lynch, Jack roll over Rising Stars
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24. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN
Sports
ÂCRIC-FUSIONÊ unveiled at Sion Hill Playing Field by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT
Kenneth Dembar plays through the onside.
THE EXECUTIVE of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association could be in for a few busy weeks as it purrs over umpire reports, complaints and protests, following what some may term a chaotic premier division match between joint defending champions, Victors ONE, and former champions, LIME Radcliffe, at the Sion Hill Playing Field. The match, which appeared to have been a draw, based on the scorebook, could end up before a hearing, following concerns raised by Victors ONE who claimed that the scorebook had been manipulated to show a different total than the one it initially had when the LIME Radcliffe second innings came to a close, after they had faced a deficit of 97.
Keiron Cottoy sweeps offspinner Richie Richards to the long leg boundary.
In addition, Victors ONE is also claiming that LIME Radcliffe fielded an illegible player in the match. Both scorebooks, which were manned by the batting team (LIME Radcliffe) showed a different total at the close of the innings. The LIME Radcliffe book, despite showing a total of 100, threw up, upon re- examination checks, a total of 94 runs. The ‘other book ’ belonging to Victors ONE had a total of 93. LIME Radcliffe’s vice-captain Dyke Cato then took both books and, in the presence of Umpires Ivan ‘Eddie’ Williams and Colbert McDowald along with president of the SVG Cricket Association who operates as LIME Radcliffe’s manager, proceeded to work over the figures to eventually get it to 100. This, however, was not accepted by the Victors ONE players who claimed that the total should be what the scorebooks had at the end of the innings, and requested that the umpires declare them as the winners by an innings. The umpires up until the players dispersed, never made that decision. The scores in the match were: LIME Radcliffe 203 & 100, Victors ONE 300. LIME Radcliffe, who had seen Victors ONE recover from 103/7 to 300, were asked to bat out 33 overs, but folded under pressure, through a combination of good bowling and top class catching by Victors ONE. Only Jomo Toney who made an unbeaten 27, showed any desire to tough it out and put away the bad balls. Keiron Cottoy finished with 4/36 and Alston Bob 2/19. Earlier, Victors ONE were indebted to their lower order for pulling them from a precarious position to one of authority, after Cottoy (91) and Kenneth Dembar (84) had shared in a 113 eighth wicket partnership. Batting with cool heads, both batsmen defended stoutly but were quick to capitalise on the many poor deliveries served up by a wayward LIME Radcliffe attack. Cottoy, the more accomplished of the two, struck nine fours in his fourth half century of the season. Dembar found the boundary eight times and went over it twice. Atticus Browne had made 56 at the top of the innings. Delorn Johnson 2/37, Lindon James 2/40 and
Adams and Durrant extend hold on cycling events BOTH Cammie Adams and Peter Durrant notched up their seventh win on the trot for 2014, as they sped away with their respective categories of the 61-mile road race held last Sunday, by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cycling Union. Adams, clearly the man of the moment in local cycling circles, registered 3 hours 40 seconds to take the Under-40 category. Durrant continued to boss the over-40’s as he clocked 3 hours eleven minutes 20 seconds, which earned him an overall fourth place. Second to Adams in the Under40’s was Zefal Bailey in 3 hours eleven minutes six seconds, and a close third place was filled by Randy Wilkinson, who was just about a frame behind him in 3 hours eleven minutes fourteen seconds . Fifth overall and second in the over-40’s was Orel George in a
time of 3 hours thirty one minutes thirty eight seconds. Behind George was Steve Ollivierre in 3 hours thirty-two minutes thirty four seconds. Next to finish was Curtis Lewis in 3 hours thirty three minutes thirty eight seconds, while Rookie cyclist, Desmond Cox, was the eighth and final competitor to complete the course, in 3 hours fifty three minutes thirty five seconds. Lucky Antrobus and Peter Durrant Cammie Adams Martin Bollers did not complete the race which Diamond and took the cyclists from Calliaqua to returned to the finish line at the Georgetown in the first instance . Sion Hill intersection. From Georgetown, they rode to The top three finishers in both Sans Souci then back to categories all received cash Georgetown, from where they rewards from Travel and Tours headed to the Round About in and IBS. Arnos Vale, then cycled to
Andrew Thomas 2/45 shared the wickets. LIME Radcliffe had posted 203 in good batting conditions on the opening day, with Wayne Harper 43 being the topscore, as Dembar 3/47, Cottoy 3/53 and Bobb 3/56 combined Atticus Browne shapes to to restrict them. drive. The outcome of the match is still to be decided, according to an official of the Cricket Association.
Cain shines in regional tennis tournament ANTONIO CAIN, representing the Grassroot Tennis Club (GTC) and, by extension, St Vincent and the Grenadines, played unbeaten to win the boys Under12 singles title in the second staging of the Caribbean Junior Tennis tournament, which ended in Antigua last Monday. Matches were Antonio Cain into one of played at the Rex his many winning shots in Resorts in Antigua. Dickenson Bay. Cain stamped his superiority in his division by disposing of St Lucia’s Max Williams in the final. He beat his opponent in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, and avenged a defeat which Williams inflicted on him a few weeks ago, when both met on Williams’ home court. Cain, who hails from Byera Hill, was dominant throughout the tournament as he won his group matches. In the preliminary round, he took care of Aiden Fuller of Antigua 4-0, 4-0, Luca Reich of Tortola 4-0, 4-1, and Seth Joseph of Antigua 4-2, 4-2. In the quarter final, he made light work of Kyle Kerri, beating him 4-2, 4-0. There was similar treatment for Heinraj Resaul of Guyana in the semi- finals. Cain disposed of him with scores of 4-2, 4-1. Cain added to his list of accolades by being named the most improved player and the player who showed exemplary sportsmanship. The other half of the GTC’s pair of players, Akeil De Roche, faltered in the quarter final, going under to Justin Marcano of Antigua 5-3, 53. De Roche had emerged top of his group, following triumphs over Marcano 4-1,1-4, and 1311 in the tie breaker, and Aaron Fields of Antigua 5-3, 4-1. “Words cannot express how I feel for the achievements brought to the Grassroot Tennis Club and to St Vincent and the Grenadines”, said Grant Connell, Director of GTC . “The boys have done the club proud, and kudos must go to the various sponsors of our junior tennis tournaments, who have invested in these youngsters, and this is testimony that their hardearned dollars are bringing in social dividends,” Connell added. Connell noted again that the club will be unable to host its annual summer camp this year, from which talent like Cain and de Roche has been unearthed.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. 25.
Sports
Peters, Smith: Top Windwards Business end performers
THE REAL BUSINESS of the FIFA 2014 World Cup is starting. Action swings open June 12 with the Brazil versus Croatia encounter. Mexico and Cameroon are the other two teams from that group. Spain, Netherlands, Chile and Australia will seek to outdo each other in Group B for a spot in the Second Round of 16. Group C features Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, and Japan. Group D features Uruguay, Costa Rica, England and Italy. Switzerland tops Group E with Ecuador, France, and Honduras anxious to defy the odds, and storm into the second Round. Group F will see Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria. Group G is Germany, Portugal, Ghana and the USA. Each of these teams will regard their advancement as a matter of course. Only two will. Group H includes Belgium, Algeria, Russia and Korea Republic. It will be fifteen days of rivalry before the list narrows by June 26. That’s when the going gets tough and it will be survival of the fittest. Quarter finals roll over in three days and, once the semi-finalists are decided, it will be a quick climax. This tournament threatens to throw open new scenarios. Some teams might be viewed as cannon fodder. There is no telling what can transpire in the course of a match. The drama will be swift and riveting. Those keen on a sense of destiny have not written off the African continent. It is time an African nation does the honour. But football is not won by wishful thinking. Moreover, there is a subtle application of football politics that seems to have engulfed the football hierarchy. It has very little to do with the skin colour. It is an already accepted fact that black people face the dirty end of the stick when it comes to anything. And especially when they represent an entire nation, there will be efforts to ridicule their efforts. More and more coloured players are turning up in the traditional white-oriented countries. So there is an added dimension to the race issue. Black people stand out in football. Whether they are encouraged to stick to the sports is another matter. The potential of sports as a vehicle for human development will be highlighted over the next football World Cup. Persons here will be juggling between the Second Round through quarter final, and semis. That will be a clash of cultures, with the nation’s premier cultural extravaganza rounding off July 8. There will be some time to recuperate from the festivity, to take in the final by July 13. By then, the battle lines would have been established and the speculations ended. There would have been lessons for us. Our qualification record continues to be borderline. We have tapered off as a football nation. There is the talent, the competence and the interest. But the cohesion and ability to convert continue to haunt us. There was a sample in the recent Windward Islands tournament. There could be consolation that St. Vincent and the Grenadines did not lose a match. That hardly counts, however, when opportunities to score are missed. Football is a numbers game, and it is the score that matters. Every team must know that.
LEFT ARM fast bowler Kenroy Peters and opening batsman Devon Smith topped the bowling and batting respectively, for the Windward Islands, in the just concluded 2014 Edition of the West Indies regional four day cricket tournament. Peters led the bowling with 40 wickets, the best in his career, earning him the title of top wicket-taker in the tournament, ahead of Barbadian left arm spinner Sulieman Benn with 37. Off spinner Ryan Austin of CCC and leg spinner Imran Khan of T&T followed with 33 apiece. Peters’ best innings figures were 7 for 36 against Trinidad and Tobago in the semi-finals. He finished with an average of 12.75 and an economy rate of 2.34. He had three five wickets haul as well as a hat-trick in the finals against Jamaica. Liam Sebastein, captain of the
team, with 24 wickets, was the second best bowler for the Kenroy Peters Windwards. Sunil Ambris topped the wicketDevon Smith Devon Smith takers table in this compiled 539, on 82. year’s Regional which included one century (111) They against Jamaica in the finals and went on to Four-day cricket tournament. three 50’s. from his 8 matches. their first Debutant Sunil Ambris was the finals, second highest runs getter for the against Jamaica, but finished Windward Islands and 5th second as the game ended in a overall. His total of 468, draw in the final hour on the final including two centuries - 114 day. against Guyana and 102 against Jamaica were declared winners Jamaica in the finals — was on a bonus points system compiled. finishing on 8 points while the The Windward Islands recoded Windward Islands finished on 5 their best tournament points, in the match played at the performance since the separation Beausejour Cricket Ground in St of the Combined Islands in 1982, Lucia. finishing third in the points system on 65 behind Trinidad and I.B.A.ALLEN Tobago on 80 and Barbados first
Police sting Strikers
Police revel in Daphne
TOP ORDER batsman Roderick John was in emphatic form as he stroked an entertaining century to help RSVG Police to a comfortable 95run win over Super Strikers, in the Digicel/Hairoun Laurders Cultural and Sports Club 20/20 softball cricket competition, being played at the Lauders playing field. RSVG Police won the Roderick John smashed 147, toss and batted first; they which included 20 sixes, to rushed to 182 for 2 in 15 ensure an easy victory for RSVG overs. Roderick John Police Force. singlehandedly took the Owia Young Strikers in reply match away from Strikers as raced to 25 for 2 in 1. 5 overs. he smashed a top score of Shem Browne led with 18 not 147, which included 20 sixes. out. Verrol Henry took 2 for Tydell Richards was Super 16. Strikers best bowler with Shaolin Eleven beat Ready figures of 2 for 20. Super Mix by 4 wickets. Ready Mix Strikers in reply were made 92 in 16.5 overs. reduced to 87 for 7 in 15 Roland Durrant top scored overs. Jaor Ashton top scored with 34. Myles Sutherland with 18 while Renford Jack grabbed 4 for 21 and Philroy took 3 for 7. Ashton 2 for 8. Shaolin In other results, Super Eleven replied with 94 for 6 Strikers suffered their second in 17 overs. Philroy Ashton weekend defeat to Bank of made 33. SVG All Stars. Super Fully Loaded Ballers lost Strikers won the toss and to Smashers by 7 wickets. made 97 all out in 14.3 overs. Fully Loaded Ballers made 54 Anthony John led the batting in 17.1 overs. Chavis Peters with 27 not out. Azzy took 5 for 6 runs and Quashie took 2 for 10. Bank Glenford Woodley 2 for 12. of SVG All Stars replied with Smashers replied with 58 for 98 for 2 in 6.4 overs, to win 3 in 9.4 overs. Dilano by eight wickets. Newbourne Woodley hit 19. Sunil Paul Joseph top scored with 47 took 2 for 11. and Ricardo Thomas hit 28. The Knockout round of the Owia Young Stirkers competition commences this defeated Panthers by 8 weekend. Sixteen teams are wickets. Panthers made a involved in this round. pitiful 22 in 8.1 overs. Denson Hoyte took 2 for 4 and I.B.A.ALLEN Daverson Lavia 2 for 13.
The RSVG Police Force has something to cheer about. They are the 2014 champions of the NLA-Government Printery Firms Softball Cricket Tournament. The custodians of law and order claimed their title when they swept past Cole Trucking Bombers in the finals of the competition, played last Sunday, at the Daphne Playing Field. Police took first knock and were dismissed in 17.2 overs for 120, with Rodrick John scoring 32 and Romano Sayers turning in a commendable 4 for 19, bowling for Bombers. In what turned out to be a disappointing chase, the Bombers were detonated for 60 in 13.4 overs. Rodrick John turned in a remarkable spell to claim 3 for 8, and together with his match top score, was deservedly named Man of the Finals. In the first of the two semi-finals played on Saturday, the favoured Media House went under to Cole Trucking Bombers. Scores: Bombers 166 in 19.4 overs, Kendal Payne top scoring with 46 and Travis Cumberbatch picking up 2 wickets for 2 off 3.4 overs for Media House; Media House 105 for 5 off 16 overs, Stein Joseph leading with 47 and Ovando O’Brian taking 3 for 18 for Bombers. In the other Semi-final, Police eased to victory over ECGC. Scores: Police 138 for 5 off 15 overs, Salman Browne 48, Elrich Morris 2 for 18; ECGC 80 in 8.5 overs, Renford Jack 4 for 35 bowling for Police. Media House faltered again when they went under to ECGC in the third place play-off. Scores: Media House 103 all out off 10.5, Stein John 45; ECGC 104 for 3 off 15.1 overs, Morrison Matthews 37. A date is to be announced for the presentation ceremony.
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26. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN
Sports
Coach Huggins looking for better things
by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES footballers will be hoping to use their second place finish at the just concluded Windward Islands football tournament as a springboard towards greater success in the upcoming Caribbean Football Union championship, according to national coach Cornelius ‘Jose’ Huggins. Speaking to THE VINCENTIAN upon the team’s return from Dominica, where they lost out to champions St. Lucia in the final match, Huggins said he was happy with the team’s performance, but still was concerned with the age-old problem of ‘finishing’. “We need to put away our opportunities when we get them…….we cannot miss so many chances and hope to win tournaments……good teams will make you pay,” he said. SVG needed to beat St. Lucia in the final match of the tournament to lay claim to the victory in revived tournament which is into its second year. That encounter, at the Windsor Park Stadium, ended in a 0-0 draw, to hand the St. Lucians the title. St Lucia ended the tournament with 7 points from two wins and one draw; St. Vincent 5 points with one
Coach Cornelius Huggins assessed the 2014 tournament to have exhibited a higher standard of play than last year.
win and two draws; Grenada 4 points from one win and one draw; and Dominica zero points from three losses. The fair play trophy went to Grenada and the M.V.P trophy went to Zackius Polius of St Lucia. SVG played to a 0-0 draw with defending champions Grenada, in their opening match, but went on to beat host Dominica 3-2 in their second match. They owed their victory to mercurial Oalex Anderson, who found the net twice, and Kevin Prince once. Huggins felt that the young players handled the pressure very well, but felt that they needed to avoid getting into situations which may result in senseless bookings. “You cannot let the players from the other team distract you when you are on the field……you must play your game……getting sent off will not help your team so have to try and remain on the field as much as possible”, he advised. Huggins said that the team is going through a rebuilding process, and appealed for the exercise patience. In retrospect, Huggins, a former national ace defender, assessed the tournament’s standard of play to be higher than last year’s. He applauded the Dominican Football Association for doing a very good job with all tournament-related matters. ‘We had proper accommodation, the food was good, and match venue was top class… .” The team was met on arrival at the ET Joshua Airport by SVGFF President Venold Coombs. Reports say the St. Lucia team was welcomed home at the George Charles Airport in Vigie, by Youth and Sports Minister Shawn Edward, along with other officials including Cabinet Secretary Darrel Montrope.
Goalscorers Kevin Prince (left) and Oalex Anderson.
V
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014. 27.
Classifieds
SYLVIA FRANCE (GUY) $ND ³6\OYLH´ RU ³0RWKHU´
LEMORE MCBETH Mayreau Pentecostal Wednesday 7th May, 2014 Service at 2:00 p.m.
NORMA SHIRLEY DE FREITAS 6W *HRUJH¶V Cathedral, Kingstown Monday 5th May, 2014 at 3.00 p.m
6W *HRUJH¶V Cathedral Kingstown Saturday 3rd May, 2014 Service at 3:00 p.m.
DOREEN AGATHA JACOBS BARBOUR Kingstown Methodist Church Tuesday 6th May, 2014 Service at 3:00 p.m.
SHARON SARETH MORGAN Faith Deliverance Church Redemption Sharpes Monday 5th May, 2014 Service at 3:00 p.m.
LAVERNE HINDS S.D. Adventist Church Fountain Sunday 4th May, 2014 Service at 2:30 p.m.
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F O R S A L E
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VOLUME 108, No.17
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(Left): Sharon Mercury is left to wonder whether racial profiling is alive and well in SVG, after her treatment at the Buccament Bar Resort. The Buccament Bay resort, this country’s only five-star accredited resort, has been the focus of much international attention.
BUCCAMENT BAY RESORT PATRON HUMILIATED
area, at least one security officer seemed to have difficulty with their SHARON MERCURY, English born of presence, and demanded to see their Vincentian heritage, is wondering if passes. apartheid exists here in St. Vincent and When the passes were produced, the Grenadines. the security officer, instead of Mercury complained of having been apologising, seemed more intent on snubbed at the Buccament Bay Resort questioning the complexion of the when she and two female relatives guests. attempted to take advantage of a Mercury contended that they were US$150 offer by the resort. Mercury treated as if they were not entitled to was among guests at the location, May be on the compound. 1. The entire episode smacks of “My sister took me there to use the discrimination, according to Mercury. spa and have an enjoyable day,” She was born in England, but she Mercury said. has been visiting St. Vincent and the But her experience has left a bitter Grenadines since she was eight years taste in her mouth, and she is not old. She has travelled extensively taking the treatment meted out to her worldwide and has been the only black quietly. She vowed to highlight the person at hotels in other parts of the issue. world, where black guests have been “I feel very humiliated,” Mercury few and far between. indicated. Mercury is upset that, having spent Mercury claimed that, even though good money, she was subjected to such the group had the required pass for degrading treatment. the day package, she was “challenged She has since returned to England. at every point.” Gailene Collins Crick, the Public The woman said that her sister, Relations Officer at the Buccament who was on medication, was expecting Bay Resort, promised to issue a to have been accommodated at the statement on the matter, when breakfast table. She was refused that contacted last Tuesday. This was not courtesy. forthcoming up to press time, When the group entered the pool Wednesday.
POLICE NOTICE WANTED
by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY
RODNEY ‘P-2’ ROBERTS D.O.B: 06.11.1989 Address: Lowmans Leeward Height: 5’ 10” Complexion: Dark
JASON ‘Two-B’ HENRY D.O.B: 16-09.1983 Address: Lowmans Leeward Height: 5’ 7” Complexion: Dark
The police are conducting investigations into the shooting death of Kyle Phillips of Lowmans Leeward, which occurred on May 6th, 2014, at Lowmans Leeward sometime after 9:00pm. Subjects’ names surfaced and are of interest to the investigations. They are considered armed and dangerous. They are asked to report to the Criminal Investigation Department by 5:00p.m on May 8th, 2014. If seen or whereabouts known, contact the Officer in Charge CID/CRO/MCU at 456-1810 or 457-1211 ext. 226, 227, 228, 222, 223, 224.
Published by The VINCENTIAN Publishing Co. Ltd, St. Vincent and the Grenadines;
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