Vinpages 08 11 13 e reader

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

NOVEMBER 8, 2013

VOLUME 107, No.45

by HAYDN HUGGINS DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS (DPP) Colin Williams has appealed Chief Magistrate Sonya Young’s decision to dismiss criminal charges against two police officers, in connection with the shooting of one of their colleagues at Rose Place, Kingstown, last December 5.

According to information reaching THE VINCENTIAN, the DPP has appealed the Chief Magistrate’s decision to uphold no case submissions on charges of wounding, negligence and conspiracy against Sergeant Julius Morgan, and on charges of negligence and conspiracy against Constable Orlando Collins. The DPP has also appealed the Chief Magistrate’s decision to dismiss charges of unlawful discharge of firearm and excessive force in relation to Morgan, and wounding, unlawful discharge of firearm and excessive force in respect of Collins.

The no case submissions were made in writing by Attorney Ronald Marks, representing Morgan, and Duane Daniel, defending Collins, following the Left: THE VINCENTIAN understands that DPP Colin Williams will claim that the Chief Magistrate erred in fact and in law.

www.thevincentian.com

close of the prosecution’s case June 25. The Chief Magistrate ruled October 25 that she had dismissed the other charges after considering all the evidence. She had reserved her decision on those charges following closing written submissions by the DPP and the defence.

THE VINCENTIAN understands that the DPP has appealed on the ground that the Chief Magistrate erred in fact and in law in arriving at her decision.

The appeal was filed October 31.

EC$1.50

Sergeant Julius Morgan, one of the two police officers whose fate still hangs in the balance.

No appeal against Forde’s acquittal Morgan and Collins, both of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), had been charged jointly with Constable Adrian Forde, also of the CID, on the conspiracy matter, but Forde was acquitted at the close of the prosecution’s case June 25. The Chief Magistrate had concluded there was no evidence to support the charge against Forde, after she upheld his lawyer Kay Bacchus-Browne’s objection to a report Forde had given to the police, being admitted into evidence.

The DPP has not appealed this decision. He had agreed, at the trial, that, once the report was not in evidence, the case against Forde would fall.

Sonya Young, Chief Magistrate, had reserved her decision on the matter after receiving written submission from both sides.

Forde had given the report shortly after the incident.

Bacchus-Browne objected to its admission on the basis that witness statements are not put into evidence.

Continued on Page 3.

2. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. 3.

News 3 Christian Council has new chairman

Rev. Adrian Odle, Superintendent Methodist Minister of the KingstownChateaubelair Circuit, assumed the Chairmanship on June 03, 2013.

He will have as his deputy, Monsignor Michael Stewart of the Roman Catholic Church, and Godfrey Samuel will continue as the Council’s Secretary/Treasurer.

The assumption of offices followed a Strategic Retreat held on May 23, 2013 and conducted by Dr. Jules Ferdinand, during which the Council re-committed to its mission of service Rev. Adrian Odle assumes the chair of to the society at large.

The Retreat was deemed necessary the SVG Christian Council as it seeks as the Council sought to energise to re-establish itself in the ‘public itself, having experienced a period of domain’. perceived inactivity.

THE ST. VINCENT and the Grenadines The deliberations identified areas Christian Council has a new chairman. for immediate attention and pointed to

U N - H E A D L I N E D

ways in which the Council can be proactive in fulfilling its mandate.

Towards this end, two of the standing commissions of the Council have been reactivated, namely the Communications and the Social Action Commissions.

According to Rev. Odle, the period going forward should be one of transformation as “the Council grapples with the challenges of the last dispensation” and “makes an assertive effort to be in the public domain.”

The Council recognizes that the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines expect the “Council to speak” on issues of a social and economic nature, and admits to having been irregular in this regard.

The Council also recognizes its

N E W S

Healed by a ghost A WOMAN believes she was healed by a ghostly apparition known as the White Lady as she visited a church during a family summer holiday.

Diane Berthelot had been unwell for months after having her gall bladder removed, and was taking antibiotics for an infection when she went into Worstead village church in The photograph showing a lady clad in white sitting behind Norfolk, to rest and escape the Diane Berthelot in the Church in Norfolk, UK. heat.

While she sat on a pew close eventually engulfed the whole of me. It was a to the font and prayed for a full recovery, her pleasant, comforting feeling.” Her husband husband Peter and son David wandered around added: “I had been walking around the church the empty church taking photographs. looking at various things.

Mrs Berthelot remembers vividly tingling all “I came back, saw Diane sitting there and took over and feeling “warm and comfortable” while the photo. I couldn’t see anyone behind her but sitting on the wooden bench with her eyes closed it’s so clear on the image. It’s incredible.” and head bowed.

The following summer they went back to St When she felt better, the family left the church Mary’s Church in Worstead and showed the slide and did not think about the incident until six to the vicar, who told them about a local legend months later when the camera film was that the White Lady was a healer who appeared developed, and they held a slide show of their when there was sickness. holiday snaps for their lodger at their home in And for decades after that first encounter on Chelmsford, Essex.

One photo clearly showed a woman wearing a Saturday, August 2, 1975 she experienced the same tingling sensation every time she looked at bonnet and dressed in light-coloured, oldfashioned clothes, sitting facing Mrs Berthelot on the photo. She explained: “I always felt it was a blessing because my whole life seemed to change a bench directly behind her. There was no sign after we realised the White Lady had sat behind the spectral figure behind Diane when her me. It inspired me to write poetry. husband took the photograph [PETER “I can remember the sensation that engulfed BERTHELOT] me sitting on that pew as if it was yesterday.”

She said: “When we saw the white figure Mr Berthelot, 82, said: “Every time we have sitting behind me on the projector screen, we just been back to the church, it has been a very stood there with our mouths open. calming experience. I definitely believe in ghosts.”

“My feet started to tingle. This sensation (Source: Express, UK)

responsibility attendant to its recognition by government, allowing it representation on a number of national committees and boards of institutions.

Rev. Odle, on behalf of the Council, reassures the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines that the Council is aware of the significant role it is called upon to play in “being the conscience of the society,” and commits itself to upholding that mandate in accordance with and in the spirit of the highest Christian values.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Christian Council is comprised of the Heads of the Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic and Salvation Army Churches and three representatives of the constituent churches, with at least two of those three being lay members.

DPP appeals decision in policemen’s case Continued from Page 1.

The charges against the three detectives stemmed from a police operation last December 5 during which Corporal Milford Edwards of the Narcotics Unit was shot in the right upper arm.

Not privy to appeal document When contacted on Wednesday, Morgan’s lawyer Ronald Marks told THE VINCENTIAN that he had not yet seen the appeal document; he only heard that the DPP had appealed the Chief Magistrate’s decision to dismiss the charges against Morgan and Collins.

“I have not seen the grounds, and I wait with great interest to see what these grounds could possibly be.”

Marks said that he and Collins’ lawyer, Duane Daniel, are continuing their efforts to have their clients reinstated. Forde had returned to work following his acquittal in June.

The three police officers were suspended on half month’s pay pending the outcome of the matter. Up to press time Wednesday, Morgan and Collins were not back to work.

After Morgan and Collins walked away free from the Serious Offences Court October 25, Marks told THE VINCENTIAN, “I expected the Magistrate to find them not guilty. From the facts, it was clear that it was an accident. There was a report that a drug transaction was taking place on a beach at Rose Place, and the CID officers responded, not realizing that the Narcotics Unit was already dispatched; nobody communicated that to them. It was dark, they saw a man turn around with a rifle and thought it was someone involved in the alleged drug transaction”.

Marks described the incident as “very unfortunate”, and said he was happy that the officer who was shot was not killed.

The prosecution’s case was that the CID officers acted recklessly during the operation.

V

4. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Courts

Mormons spearhead clean-up exercise Elder Quorum President, A contented team of Church of the Latter-day Saints of Jesus Alrick Moses, (pictured here Christ (Mormons) who were involved in the clean-up exercise. with his wife), described the exercise as “humbling”. examples in being charitable and reaching out to the public.”

As far as what the team encountered, Moses, who is also a Scout Master, pointed to a proliferation of “plastic containers and bottles ….that can harbor mosquitoes, rats and things coming from the area.” He, however, considered the outing “a humbling experience,” for persons of different backgrounds and occupations, and was encouraged by the response from persons, especially at the

Leeward Bus stop area.

“They were encouraging us and saying it’s a good project,” he said, pointing out that they took the opportunity to encourage the vendors at the Bus Stop to desist from littering.

He hinted at plans for another clean up exercise in the area, and thanked those who supported the initiative.

Among the other areas that received attention were the Cannash Beach and the Georgetown waterfront.

the activity was organized primarily to bring families together.

“Family life is important,” he was happy to explain, “seeing that There was time to involve the children in food attracts some challenging board games. people and Gloria Williams, Official of the Department of Culture and that there Performing Artists, enthralled the audience with a storytelling is a mixture of nationalities

by GLORIAH… approach to presentthe history of SVG. among our congregation, we THE GLEN BAPTIST Church, chose to introduce the Food segment of the Festival.” situated at Villa, held an And Pastor King was Independence Storytelling and delighted to report that there Food and Family Festival at were greater numbers present the grounds of the church, ready to listen to the story Monday, 28th October. about St. Vincent and the According to Pastor of the Grenadines’ journey from prechurch, Rev. Sylvester King, colonization to independence.

Among the food at the After savouring the tasty culinary delights, it was time Festival were National Dishes to ‘wash in all down’ with from Venezuela, Cuba, Brazil, some local juice.

Nigeria, Guyana, Trinidad and

Tobago, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. There was tasting of the food from other countries. A clothes sale also took place.

The history lesson was done in storytelling format. Official from the Department of Culture, Ms. Gloria Williams, took the audience on a journey from existence of the indigenous Caribs, to the arrival of the Europeans (Columbus), then the ceding of St. Vincent to the British that allowed for colonization. Both children and adults alike were rapt at attention, many confessing afterwards that they had gleaned a wealth of knowledge from the exercise.

The Glen Baptist Church has recently embarked on a programme to encourage Christian fellowship, with a weekly ‘Friday Evening Lime’ at the church compound. It is the opinion of Pastor King that persons will be better off coming to the church grounds to hang out than going to Heritage Square on Friday evenings.

Volunteers removing litter from the area of the Solidarity Car Park.

by KENVILLE HORNE THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRISt of Latter-day Saints, commonly refered to as the Mormon Church, is appealing to Vincentians to dispose of their garbage properly.

And the church is not just ‘talking the talk’, but is also ‘walking the walk’.

This was demonstrated

when the church spearheaded massive clean-up exercises in Kingstown, Calliaqua and Georgetown on Saturday 2nd November.

Elders Quorum President, Alrick Moses, said the cleaning exercise was also conducted around the world where the church has establishments, under a

programme dubbed ‘Helping Hands’.

The Kingstown clean-up, which THE VINCENTIAN witnessed, was concentrated in the waterfront area, from the Financial Complex to the Leeward Bus Stop.

Moses described the volunteers, primarily church members, as “energetic and ready to work,” and expressed the hope that the exercise would bring recognition to the church “knowing that we are here to help, we are here to follow Jesus Christ and his

Glen Baptists highlight Local History

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. 5.

Regional

BishopÊs remains still on the agenda THIRTY YEARS after it invaded Grenada, and after numerous collaborative efforts to relocate the remains of slain Grenada Revolutionary Government Prime Minister, Maurice Bishop, the USA government remains open to assisting in a new search for Bishop’s remains.

US Ambassador to Barbados and the OECS Larry Palmer disclosed this disposition last week in Grenada, as that country, for the first time in 30 years, officially marked the execution of Bishop and the invasion

by US troops.

Ambassador Palmer acknowledged that the US government had cooperated with Grenada on “multiple occasions” in previous unsuccessful attempts to locate the bodies of Bishop and the other Grenadians, and said that his government is prepared to assist in a further search, on condition that a formal request is made by the current Grenadian

administration led by Dr. Keith Mitchell.

“I just want to say to the Prime Minister if asked, if requested, we stand willing to continue to work, to cooperate, with you to try and work this out,” Caribbean 360 News reports Palmer as saying.

There have been a myriad of claims and ‘stories’ about the whereabouts of Bishop’s remains.

One undisputed claim though, is that at some point the remains were in the custody of US Army Graves Registration personnel.

Consequent claims that the remains were buried in the St. George’s Cemetery were put to waste after investigations conducted by secondary school students of the Presentation Brothers’ College and a so-called “Recovery Project” embarked upon by the Conference of Churches in Grenada (CCG).

The CCG purports to be still carrying a debt of

Opposition to Chinese fishers US Ambassador Larry Palmer confirmed his government’s readiness to assist with another search for Maurice Bishop’s remains.

US$21,000 for the project that involved a team of forensic anthropologists from the University of Maine, whose report clearly pointed to “no remains being found” at the site of the claimed burial.

Of added significance to this year’s celebration was the eventual recognition, after 30 years, of the 13 Grenadian soldiers who

IN THE FACE of recent instructions to the Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors (GATOSP) to limit their fleets in order to protect species and prevent Maurice Bishop led an over-fishing, news of armed revolt in 1983 to plans in Guyana to issue remove despotic Prime fishing licences to Minister Eric Gairy.

Chinese vessels has obviously not gone down well.

The Stabroek died during the 1983 Newspaper of November invasion by US. They were remembered with a 2, 2103, reports that the Michael McCormack, President of the GHRA, Guyana Human Rights headstone that was delivered a strong Association “has unveiled last week.

This ceremony put the expressed concern about statement opposing the move to grant licences reports that the rest years of clamoring to Chinese fishing government may be for the 13 to be vessels. considering licensing of remembered after Chinese fishing vessels elaborate ceremonies were held years previous in this country’s waters.”

The paper published a statement by the GHRA to remember the 19 US in which it said that if the reports are true, and soldiers killed during they have not been officially denied, then the act is their invasion of the “yet another example of Guyana’s natural resources Caribbean country. being bartered away to Chinese interests, without any reference to the people most directly affected, or the environmental effects.”

The GHRA stated categorically that if the “current limits imposed on the the CCJ, this number of trawlers allowed to fish in must be less Guyanese waters is to be lifted, than four Guyanese fishermen ought then to be months,” the first to benefit.”

Golding said.

The Association also expressed the Golding is fear that Chinese factory ships will reported to clutter the off-shore areas of Guyana have said that waters and fed from the catches from his government the Chinese trawlers. The factory ships had no doubt are equipped to clean, fillet, freeze and about the package fish while at sea. readiness of Recalling some thirty years ago when Barbados to factory ships servicing the US market comply with carried out exactly the same strategy, the judgement and captains of Guyanese trawlers promptly. would sell half of their catch to these Senator Mark Under the factory boats, then bring the rest ashore Golding, Jamaica’s terms of the in Guyana, the GHRA warned that the Minister of Justice, Treaty of re-introduction of this practice will has no fear that Chaguaramas, encourage over-fishing on a “grand Barbados will be Barbados has scale,’ since the appetite of these factory an obligation to prompt in the payment of ship is “voracious.” comply with all settlement for Stabroek News also reported that the the judgements Shanique Myrie.

President of GATOSP was having of the Court (Internet photo) difficulty getting an audience with promptly and Minister of Agriculture who, reportedly, as far as “is generating contradictory messages Golding, given this obligation, it was about what has already been agreed.” unfair for his government to speculate Only recently the Caribbean on the matter.

Community Climate Change Centre, The Shanique Myrie matter was headquartered in Belize, warned about the first of its kind to have been the depleting fish stock and the damage brought before the CCJ which is to breeding grounds in the region authorized to interpret and rule on occasioned by climate change, and matters predicated on a breach of the urged wiser use and protection of the articles of Treaty of Chaguaramas. region’s sea resources for the benefit of (Source: Jamaica Observer) the region’s people.

Myrie has to wait for settlement SHANIQUE MYRIE may well have to wait up to four months before she receives settlement from the government of Barbados.

Myrie was awarded pecuniary

A typical Chinese trawler that could well become legal fishers in Guyana waters.

damages in the sum of BDS$2,240 and non-pecuniary damages to the tune of BDS$75,000 by the Caribbean Court Of Justice (CCJ) earlier in October, after it upheld her claims that Barbados had breached her right to enter the country under article 5 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, and that she was discriminated against because of her nationality when she arrived in Barbados on March 14, 2011.

The 25-year-old also said she was subjected to a dehumanising body-cavity search and placed in an unsanitary cell before being deported the next day to Jamaica.

According to Jamaica’s Minister of Justice, Senator Mark Golding, who was responding in that country’s senate to questions tabled by the Opposition, there is very little guidance, generally, as to the exact meaning of “prompt compliance”. However, he said that it is generally taken to mean “without delay”, or “within a reasonable time”.

The Government says that a four-month wait could be considered the outer limit for Jamaican Shanique Myrie to receive the estimated J$3.6 million that the CCJ awarded Shanique Myrie’s settlement is assured, her. but she may have a little wait before she “Based on the jurisprudence of ‘feels’ it in her hands. (Barbadostoday.bb)

V

6. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Men plead guilty to accountant’s murder

by HAYDN HUGGINS TWO MEN who have been behind bars since 2002, charged with the murder of accountant Ronald Lewis of Murray’s Village, pleaded guilty to the charge at the Criminal Assizes on Tuesday.

Ken Charles, who was 22 at the time of the incident, and Leonard O’Garro, who was 34, both of Barrouallie, will be sentenced December 6 following a social inquiry report.

Both men were awaiting retrials for Lewis’s murder when they decided to change their pleas.

Lewis died after being shot in the stomach during an incident at Mt Wynne in the Central Leeward area April 12, 2002.

Charles and O’Garro were sentenced to death in 2003 for Lewis’ murder, but the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal had ordered a retrial for O’Garro.

Charles’’s efforts at the region’s Court of Appeal failed, and he took his matter to the Privy Council where a retrial was also ordered for him.

The Privy Council had ordered that both men be tried together and that they be tried before a judge, other than the one who had tried them previously.

Attorney Ronald Marks is representing O’Garro, while Ken Charles is represented by Nicole Sylvester.

Vincentian tipped for Magistrate post in Tortola Attorney General’s Chambers. She then A YOUNG Vincentian moved to the DPP’s office woman may soon take up where she was appointed duties as a magistrate in Crown Counsel, the Tortola. position she currently THE VINCENTIAN holds. has been reliably A product of the informed that Ayanna Richland Park Baptiste-Da Breo, Crown community, Baptiste-Da Counsel in the office of Breo received her early the Director of Public education at the Prosecutions (DPP), was Richland Park offered the position in Government School the latter part of this before attending the year, and she is likely to Girls’ High School and accept the offer. the St. Vincent and the When THE Grenadines Community VINCENTIAN contacted College. She taught at Baptiste-DaBreo on the Caribbean Technical Tuesday, she declined to comment.

The 30-year-old 2002 National Scholarship recipient was admitted to the local bar October 23, 2008, following which she was attached to the

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Academy in Kingstown from 2002 to 2003 before pursuing studies in law at the Cave Hill University in Barbados. She did her Bar Vocational Training in Trinidad and Tobago.

If Baptiste-Da Breo takes up duties as Magistrate in Tortola, she would join the list of young Vincentian women to be placed in prominent positions at home and abroad.

Crown Counsel Ayanna Baptiste-Da Breo could well be heading to Tortola to take up an appointment as magistrate.

LIAT’s flights were disrupted, with many aircraft grounded, after pilots didn’t turn up for work beginning Tuesday.

LIAT’s services disrupted again THIS WEEK, like most weeks since the opening of the 2013 summer schedule, has not been a good one for the regional airline LIAT. On Tuesday 5th November, pilots scheduled to fly that morning, did not report for duty, sending the airline into another frenzy, with obvious flight disruptions which affected the airline’s schedule across the region for that day.

According to a release from the airline’s headquarters in Antigua, the company had not received any prior notification of “industrial action as required under its agreement with the pilots.”

In response to the inconvenience of disruptions to passengers’ travel, LIAT notified its customers that those affected will be allowed to rebook free of charge for a period of a week from the date of their originally scheduled travel.

Passengers who are unable to travel as planned due to the work stoppage, will be issued a full credit for future travel at their request.

Terms and conditions apply.

Up to press time, Wednesday, efforts to reach a representative of Leeward Islands Airline Pilot Association (LIALPA), the union which represents LIAT pilots, proved unsuccessful.

However, THE VINCENTIAN understands that LIAT management and representatives of the pilots association were to meet on Wednesday to address what LIAT said were “legitimate issues” and that it (LIAT) anticipated that LIAT planes would be back in the sky by Wednesday.

Word from Antigua, though, was that there seemed to have been no improvement in LIAT service, and that the many passengers who had turned up at the V.C. Bird International Airport were met with notifications of cancelled flights. This follows a situation on Tuesday which saw most flights being grounded.

This latest ‘wild cat’ action by LIAT pilots came in support of LIALPA President Carl Burke, who was suspended after he sought to defend another pilot who was earlier suspended.

It also comes on the heels of a warning by the LIALP President, Carl Burke, that LIAT was definitely not out of the aftershock of a disastrous summer, and indications from other sources of possible industrial action, not from pilots but from the engineering staff.

Up to press time, there was no word on whether the current impasse was resolved.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. 7.

People

Ray Williams: A Vincentian of distinction

by KENVILLE HORNE

RAY WILLIAMS IS A Vincentian born businessman, technologist and software distributor.

In 2012, Ray received international recognition when he was awarded a Technical Grammy Award for his work with the Melodyne programme, a groundbreaking industry standard auto pitch modification tool similar to Auto tune. This feat propelled Ray into Vincentian history, making him the only Vincentian to have received a Grammy Award.

Ray was born in the North Leeward town of Chateaubelair to former police officer Claude Williams and Head Mistress Margaret Williams.

Given the nature of his parents’ jobs, he recalls changing residence often, and remembers his time in places like Rose Hall, Redemption Sharpes, and Langley Park.

Ray attended the St.Vincent Grammar School and worked at THE VINCENTIAN newspaper as a Cartoonist, before migrating to Canada in 1980.

His exposure to music began at an early age.

His father was a member of the SVG Police Band.

He introduced Ray to the piano and bought him a guitar at the age of ten.

The accomplished Vincentian last visited his homeland in 2007, but was home recently on vacation, and was persuaded by Director of Special Projects in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Jerrol Thompson, to engage in a few consultative exercises.

On Wednesday 30th October, Ray delivered a lecture to persons involved in the music industry here and the following day conducted a workshop for the same stakeholders. He gave

detailed insight into how to use Melodyne and highlighted the opportunities and challenges that exist in the music industry, Ray was the ‘toast of the town’ on Friday 1st, when Dr. Jerrol Thompson hosted a family reunion in his honour, at the Beach Front Restaurant in Fitz Hughes.

THE VINCENTIAN’s Kenville Horne sat down with Ray last week Tuesday for an interview. Here is an excerpt from that interview.

KH: Tell me a little more about Ray Williams.

RW: Well besides what you know, I am a business man; I owned a company called Steinberg Canada Music Software in 1991. I also worked with Celemony Software Company to develop the Melodyne programme and continue to promote its use. We are in the business of bringing musical equipment and tools to musicians, people who are producing music, singers, and songwriters.

This is what I do.

KH: What does the Technical Grammy stand for and what does it mean for you?

RW: a Technical Grammy Award recognizes a contribution of outstanding technical significance to the recording field. It’s a great achievement. It’s a great experience for me to be on a Grammy stage receiving a Grammy Award, the same time as Dianna Ross, and everybody knows who Dianna Ross is. It’s a thrill that I could never forget. We (Celemony) worked hard for this Grammy. This is something that requires a lot of dedication and hard work. What our company does is to make singers sound better, just like photoshop makes people look better. So if you record your vocals, it’s just a product that

would make you sound better, and people want that, it gives you a lot of control so you could make it sound a lot better or a little bit better.

KH: Who are some of the people that you have made sound better?

RW: (broad smile). I can assure you that most people you hear have been touched. I can tell you from people that have admitted it. The last Michael Jackson album, a lot of Melodyne has been used on it. I know Justin Bieber used it; Britney Spears has admitted using it.

KH: Can you briefly explain the Melodyne programme?

RW: It is a pitch modification product that offers a wide range of audio tools to creatively and correctively adjust audio facets. Basically, you take a recording already done, and you massage it. Notes that are a little bit longer, you massage it to the level of perfection you want. So you can make it very precise or you can just make it more precise.

The end result is when you look at (listen to) this product, it doesn’t sound like anybody touched it.

KH: Do you ever get home sick?

RW: Yea, I love St. Vincent. It is the most beautiful place in the world.

KH: What are some of the changes that you have recognize since leaving St. Vincent?

RW: There are more houses, more cars, more traffic and more people…lots of improvement.

KH: What advice would you give to producers or aspiring musicians?

RW: The best thing is to become very good at something. The idea that you are going to be Jack of all trades and master of none; that is not going to cut it. You have to be a specialist in

one area; you can’t be a Ray Williams (right) has the undivided attention of Soca specialist in five Monarch Skinny Fabulous as he makes a point during the areas. You have workshop for music industry stakeholders. Williams’ to be as good as Grammy Award is also displayed. or better than you have to spend a lot of that I have been received anybody else in the so well here, and time experimenting or whole world, not just thankful for all the learning. There is no people in St.Vincent, or recognition; but for me, short cut. the people in the KH: Any final words? tomorrow I start working Caribbean. That means RW: I am just happy again.

V

8. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Managing Editor: Desiree Richards Editor: Cyprian Neehall Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129 Website: www.thevincentian.com Email: vinpub@thevincentian.com Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Editorial

SVG Christian Council Facing up to the challenge

Independence Episodes

THE ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Christian Council has been the focus of attention, moreso for its lack of activity than for its activity.

It has, over the time since its inception in the early 1970s, carved a place for itself in the psyche of Vincentians, resulting in the people’s expectations being heightened by their own perception of the role of the Council, i.e. as upholder of the moral fiber of society; guardian of the common good.

That we have had indications from the Council that it acknowledges it’s the challenges that may have caused a certain waning in fulfilling its role, is worthy of recognition and enough to warrant support for the Council as it grapples to regain the confidence of the people as a whole.

In accepting to come together in the first place, the member churches of the Council have put aside various dogma, found common theological footing, and acquiesced to the axiom that there are inseparable links between the spiritual, moral and political aspects of society, notwithstanding the reality that those links are at once complex as they are profound.

In assuming its role, the Council sets itself apart from the influences of political and cultural machinations, so that it can respond to that which threatens its duty to proclaim and live the Christian Gospel, and to set out the implications for human society that those threats pose.

In doing so, it acts as a safeguard against wanton moral tendencies that creep into our political and cultural expressions and act contrary to encouraging harmony of the society and the use of the resources of this land to the benefit of all.

By virtue of its ‘independence’, the Council acts as a safeguard for the right of every Vincentian, a creation of God, to basic amenities and a life encumbered by victimization, favouritism, disregard for freedom of choice, and the like.

That is why when the Council remains ‘quiet’ in the face of tendencies in society, whether by community organizations, national organizations, the police, government or even parliament, which threaten the Christian values and basic human rights on which this society is founded, the people moan and beckon that they wake up and rescue them… take them out, so to speak, of the land of bondage as an inspired Moses led his people to freedom.

But, even as we advance the role of the Council into the everyday life of this nation, we must be mindful that the leaders of the member Churches have to be careful not to step outside the limits of their own competence, nor to infringe the proper autonomy of lay people.

The decision is not an easy one, but the Council, steeped in knowledge of its members’ own teaching on social issues, and their own theological and biblical foundations, will be guided accordingly and must be courageous enough to make the hard decisions if it is that consensus demands it.

It is, however, not in the purview of the Council to tell people how to vote. Instead, clergy and laity of member churches need to work together to convey an impartial, balanced, informed position that will not influence but inform the wider decision in this regard.

The people must understand this, and respect the Council’s need to be impartial on certain issues.

The premise from which the Churches, the Council can speak is a sound and proven one. The Council members already have a deep involvement in the public life of this country, with a great range of institutions (e.g. pre-school, primary and secondary schools) directly or indirectly working for the betterment of individuals and society.

The Council members have a major stake in welfare and educational provision, equivalent to an investment of many hundreds of dollars and the time and energy of cadres of dedicated people.

The Council’s presence in the country, therefore, is to be seen first of all through the countless individuals who bring their vision to bear in their secular work.

There is a role for the Council, both in advancement of the spiritual good of those directly under its care (congregations) and beyond the walls of the places of worship where the temptations are greatest for Vincentians to turn away from that which is pure or be influenced so to do.

THE VINCENTIAN welcomes the commitment of the SVG Christian Council to a period of revitalization, and calls upon all Vincentians to give it their fullest support.

REPORTS OF THE FLAG-RAISING ceremony thirty-four years ago brought back treasured personal memories. The father-in-law of David Haywood, the “Soldier” who did the honours and provided relevant photos, is James Pompey, my life-long friend from boyhood days.

I vividly recall that we were in the fifth form at the Grammar School, poised to take the Senior Cambridge exam, when my father passed away, leaving me shattered by the event.

I was then 15years old and failed to attain Mr. Lopey’s standard in the pre-Cambridge, so that I was told under protest that my father’s death had clearly affected me, and that I was fairly young and could take the exam the following year. I was devastated.

To my utter surprise, James Pompey, then my best friend, who had qualified in the Test, informed Mr. Lopey that he thought he would do better the following year and so would duck 1953 in favour of 1954.

We both did well; Pompey got As in Maths and Latin, and I secured an Internal Exhibition of two years granted to good performers under 17. I went on to the sixth form while, given his circumstances, James began a brilliant career in the public service.

I went on to the UWI, and when I returned as Extra-Mural Resident Tutor, James had attained the higher reaches of the public service, and soon did an in-service public administration course at the very UWI. James and I remained good friends, but our politics differed. He did not become a member of the Flambeau group, for instance, nor the Forum, nor the DFM which ultimately formed part of the UPM in 1979.

James remained a conservative (with a common “c”), a committed supporter of the SVLP, and particularly of Hudson Tannis, whom I ran against in 1974 and 1979 in West Kingstown, my home base.

I relate this story to contrast with the contemporary events of divisive, partisan politics which is destroying SVG. James and I were always on close intimate terms when he was promoted from Chief Personnel Officer to Cabinet Secretary during Milton Cato’s administration.

When the NDP won in 1984, Prime Minister Mitchell explained to me how Pompey had positively conducted himself as a model public servant. I naturally supported Mitchell’s gesture-unheard of in our type of politics - in honouring a Cato’s promise to send Pompey on promotion to the US in a senior diplomatic posting. I visited Pompey there, and actually sat at the UN beside him at the SVG desk. I was sent for by an embassy car driven by a brother of Herbie Young, Ambassador to the UN. To go back to the story of the flags, in 1979, up went our flag, and down came the Statehood flag with its miniature union Jack cotched in a corner! I think countries like New Zealand incorporated the Union Jack on their own independence flag; but SVG has probably

been the only Black Country to have done so at our attainment of Statehood, portraying Internal SelfGovernment, in 1969.

The NDP, which won power for the first time in 1984, did not waste time in changing the “Labour” Independence flag on which the breadfruit leaf, Labour Party’s emblem. was emblazoned.

The flag was deficient and defective in several ways, and a new flag instituted in 1985 which naturally, Labourites called “Mitchell’s” flag with the three diamonds supposedly representing Mitchell’s three daughters! We were saved a system of rotating national flags, only by the chanced event of NDP winning the next three elections on the trot, and so spared the shame of being known as the nation which changed its flag depending on party election results!

Another issue which cropped over this Independence season is the simple allegation that the P.M, who is known for his globetrotting ways, somehow avoids Canada in his busy itinerary.

After all, Canada is a Commonwealth country, probably reputed to be the most genuine of our traditional friends, who in the past was generous, after a fashion, in taking our domestic servants and fruit pickers, and granted many scholarships via CIDA and whatnot.

Moreover, all of our past heads of Government boasted some sort of identification or association with Canada in whose Army Cato fought during the Second World War. Eddie Griffith was fond of saying, all Cato had to do was display his “war buttons,” and Canadian aid was forthcoming.

“Son” Mitchell was partially educated in Canada from which he took a bride. He went so far as to welcome the Canadian Prime Minister to his home state during a Commonwealth meeting for which he spoke, held in his university city several years ago.

Of course, Arnhim also enjoyed a Canadian university education, where he experienced some Black discrimination that sponsored the Black Power Movement of Alfie Roberts and Rosie Douglas, among others.

So, why the no-visit campaign by our P.M who has promised to strengthen traditional ties, even while he commendably seeks to broaden his wide sweep of making new friends?

If it is true that he does fight shy of a visit to Canada, it is indeed passing strange persisting even when Canada introduced Visa requirement for our people. Things appear to be so bad that at one of his regular visits to the USA recently, Vincentians had to be bussed down to cross the border, simply to hear their beloved P.M speak on American soil.

Something tells me that it is sheer political tactics and chicanery. Before next elections, Ralph will carry his cavalcade to Canada and so expose and explode the propaganda myth.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. 9.

Views

Dishonest judgment WHEN ARE we going to set honest judgment in this country?

The banks The banks in SVG created hardship in this country for the people. They first started to merge, then they set a scheme to lay off workers, and then another (scheme) to change their names.

Their head offices were never satisfied with the money they were making, so they began a rat race among themselves, to see who could lend the most money. So the bank managers started lending left and right, not knowing how the loans will be repaid, not knowing who have jobs, not knowing who could buy groceries when they finished paying bills, not knowing who will come in the country with a million dollar bounce cheque and run out the country with the money, not knowing who could buy gas for their big jeeps.

They enticed us to borrow money to buy everything, without a long term study as to how they will get back their money. Soon the banks will have no other choice than to have a yard sale. Am I right to say the banks will be the only buyers present at these yard sales?

So the banks have cut back on the number of persons they employ. Can you see these long lines?

Where are the bank tellers? Why must I suffer because of their greed? Who is looking out for us?

Look at what happened to our own Building and Loan Association. They started lending monies to all the shareholders. They put a limit on the small shareholders, but the board gave unlimited amounts to wealthy shareholders, not knowing they were unlimited borrowers who will get them in trouble.

Luke is a man of the bible, and he saw the dishonest movement of the operators who were supposed to be watching the cheese to make sure the cats do not enter the building and eat it all up.

Am I right to say that the watchers fell asleep on their watch?

Spy

Where are the doers?

MR. EDITOR, have you noticed how much we like to talk in this country? Everybody has something to say, and everybody is an expert with their mouth.

When is not some government minister, is some public servant running off their mouth at some seminar or workshop. This country must be have the most workshops and seminars in the world, and is pure talk. We should rename workshop ‘talkshop’.

And when it’s not the government people, we have a whole load of talk show hosts and callers talking, talking and talking even more. All of them are experts - experts in talk if you ask me.

I tell you, Mr. Editor, what we need in this country is ‘doers’ and not talkers. We could talk from now until ‘thy kingdom come’, it will not improve things for us unless we get up and ‘do’ something about it.

Rome was not built in a day, and even if it took a generation, it was done because the Romans were ‘doers’ not ‘talkers’.

So, my people, let us in our 35th year of independence take an oath to be doers for our own benefit.

The NDP and the next election FOR THE LAST TWO months or so, the NDP has been calling in its weekly column for the ULP to call early elections. Every week, they make the call for this early election; so, according to them, they could assume government and take the people out of hard times.

I have no problem with that, purely on the grounds that that is what we should expect from an opposition party, especially in a situation where the ruling party has a slender majority of one seat in the House of Parliament.

But tell me: Is the NDP really serious when they call for an early election? Have they not learned that Dr. Ralph Gonsalves will never be one to say that he didn’t run his course? He is a man for the course, and if the course is five years long, he is going to stay the course or as close to its finish line as possible.

This he has shown in the two elections that he has had the authority to call.

So, as much as I enjoy a good election campaign with all the spending and so forth, the NDP should be taking the time between now and the next election, not before 2015, to take a good look at some of its candidates. They should

Some peace and quiet, please EVERY YEAR at this time, I have to put up with the ‘bamboo joints’. And every year they seem to get louder. Worse, the young men who indulge in this practice seem not to have any regard for the pleas of us senior and ailing citizens, and choose to carry out their blasting where it should not be.

Now I know your paper carried an article on the ‘bamboo joint’ practice, in which the practice was advanced as part of the culture. I have no problem with your newspaper, but it can’t be culture when the practice interferes with the peace and quiet of citizens who are in their twilight years and simply want to have some peace and quiet.

And of late, we have seen the return of bombs that, I understand, are being sold to primary school children. Is that right?

Given all that is happening with guns and so forth, maybe it is time to consider banning all these things. Oh for the want of some peace and quiet at this time.

Long time reader

GJ

be reminded that it is easier to lose one seat than to win an extra one.

And talking about winning an extra seat, I am with what was said in one of your issues, Mr. Editor, i.e. that they cannot count on Senator Lewis to bring home that extra seat. The man is a loser now and forever.

And God forbid if he should win; the man’s chest is already protruding; think of what might happen to him if he should win. That chest might just be pushing down some people.

And we still have to learn about those new NDP candidates. All the more reason the NDP should take its time and prepare for the long course. I will be the most surprised man if Dr. Gonsalves was to call an election before 2015.

And by the way, let’s just say the NDP wins the next election. Is it going to complete the airport if it is not complete before the election bell rings? Is it going to be scraping around for a cabinet?

Will it introduce Integrity Legislation?

Will it bring electricity rates down? Will the NDP revive agriculture in this country? And I can go on and on.

But I must end, and in doing so repeat to the NDP that it should spend the next twelve or so months coming up with a real strategy to win the election. Calling for an election is no strategy. And the NDP must be reminded that, even as it considers The next election will strategies to win the certainly be an exciting election, Dr. Gonsalves one nonetheless. and the ULP are also developing strategies to John, P. remain in power.

WhatÊs happening with the reparations issue?

I WAS TRULY proud to be a Vincentian when as small as we are, we hosted the first ever Regional Reparations Conference. What was a little talk here and there turned into, thanks to Prime Minister Gonsalves, a serious issue for the world to take note.

However, since that Conference and all the action plan that was agreed, nothing * If the substantial has been heard on the efforts, save traffic police are and except some aware that the references I read in this area between newspaper.

Metrocint Building What has happened to and the Lotto that Regional Commission headed by the eminent Dr. Building is now a Hilary Beckles? What has bus stop? happened to our own * Have the National Reparations traffic police not Commission? Am I to noticed that very assume that the Reparations issue has now few vans coming become the purview of a from Sharpes and selected bunch of so forth don’t go intellectuals? beyond this area?

As I see it, the * Am I to Reparations issue is a people’s issue, and we assume that the deserve to be kept abreast traffic police about what happens from sleeping or are here on. taken up with Are we awaiting other matters like another Heads of clamping some CARICOM meeting before we act? CARICOM heads people and not meet maybe twice a year. clamping others, Their next meeting I take and flashing on it, is in 2014. What their bikes? happens between now and * No wonder the then?

The last thing that people are saying should happen is that the that they miss Reparations issue is made ‘Gold Teeth’ in a distant issue from the traffic, eh? people. I sense that I am * And, by the being left out, and I wonder how many other way, Mr. thinking people feel the Commissioner, why same. was ‘Gold Teeth’ taken out of traffic?

H. Roberts Kingstown

V

10. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Titles at last…

The Issue ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4th, 2013, some 185 residents of the village of Glebe in Barrouallie, were presented with letters pursuant to them purchasing their plots of land, and being full owners, with title deeds to their property. This is a historic moment for the people in this constituency, people who lived on these plots for up to 100 years without a title deed.

Many of them built houses on these plots of land, in some cases investing thousands of dollars in houses, shops and other buildings. Yet they had no title to their plots, they did not own the land on which their houses and business places were located, and so in effect it was a case of these residents being in possession of “dead capital”.

There are many cases like these where the ULP administration provided relief, turning dead capital into live capital. The truth be told, the NDP administration had no love for poor people in this country. Poverty alleviation was not part of the public policy of the NDP, neither under Sir James Mitchell nor Arnhim Eustace.

It was the ULP administration under Comrade Ralph, who coined the strategy “turning dead capital into live capital”. The philosophy is so simple, yet it defines the scientific, relevant, and creative thinking of the leadership of the ULP administration.

The philosophy is based around the fact that there are a number of Vincentians who occupy plots of land, either through squatting, or through the occupation of land owned by other persons. In the case of the squatters, the government has arranged to regularize their situation by offering letters of sale, at ridiculously low prices. The ULP has also fashioned the Possessory Title Act, which came into law in 2005, to allow persons who were in adverse possession of land for a period of twelve years or more; to go to the court to obtain possession and title.

The lands at Glebe Hill The original owners of the land, the Anglican Church, intended that the lands at Glebe Hill should go to parishioners of St. Patrick.

Unfortunately they did not have the funds to effect the transfer of titles.

During the period 1982 to 1983, the church freely transferred the ownership of the land to the Christian Council. Indeed the title deed was registered in the court house in 1983.

It is important to note that during the seventeen years of the reign of the NDP, that party could not provide the people of the area with titles to their plots of land. Again it was a question of their regard for poor people, and their ability to move away from their ossified and anachronistic thinking process, so as to find creative solutions to this issue.

It is public knowledge that the ULP administration purchased the land from the Christian Council (612,450 square feet) at a cost of fifty cents per square foot. It is public knowledge that the ULP administration caused the land to be surveyed so as to determine the clear boundaries of the plots of land. And it is public knowledge that the ULP administration offered letters of sale to 185 residents of Glebe Hill, at the

extraordinary price of ten cents a square foot.

It was early Christmas for the people of Glebe Hill. A number of them have already journeyed into Kingstown to pay for their plot of land, and soon they will be the proud owner of a title deed. What does this mean? Suddenly the 185 residents of Glebe Hill have increased their wealth in a significant way. They can now take their title deed to any financial institution in the country, and seek loans for a number of purposes, including for business, to educate their children, to expand their properties further, and to meet any unforeseen expenses.

Overnight, the 185 persons and their families have become rich, with resources at their disposal to make significant changes to their circumstances. This strategy by the ULP administration has created a new level of independence among these Vincentians. This is what turning dead capital into live capital is all about.

The NDP’s response As is their wont, the NDP has tried unsuccessfully to downplay the importance of this development, by trying to create some confusion. They claim the people of Glebe Hill should not have to pay for their plots, because the Anglican Church intended that the land should be free.

This by itself is disingenuous, and Arnhim Eustace and the NDP must be aware of the facts.

Nevertheless this will never tarnish or diminish the proud record of the ULP administration in providing lands for the people of this country.

The ULP has already distributed over two thousand plots in fifty-five locations in the state, including the Grenadines, and more lands will be provided.

For example, in Central Leeward, there are plans to distribute lands in the areas of Keartons, Three Acres, Reversion and Bottle and Glass.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has already made a promise to the people of this constituency in terms of the surveying of the lands, prior to distribution.

The land policy is allied to the successful Housing Revolution implemented by the ULP administration, where over 650 low, middle, and “no” income houses have been constructed, and are now in the hands of Vincentians. There are plans to build more houses in the Green Hill and Clare Valley areas, and the country is eagerly awaiting the housing and commercial development to be undertaken by the NIS and GECCU, on 57 acres of land at Keartons.

It is clear that the ULP administration has done a marvelous job in providing land for the landless.

It has done an equally marvelous job in putting roofs over the heads of our citizens. That is why the people will return the ULP administration to office, for a fourth successive term in office, whenever “the Comrade” rings the bell.

Polls and Peter Wickham ON 2ND NOVEMBER, 2013, I Witness News carried a news item which headlined, “Last month ULP was favoured for a 4th term in office — poll.” The story went on and stated: “If general elections were called in October, the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) would have maintained the eight seats it holds and could have won between two and four more, according to a poll conducted last month.”

The poll was conducted by regional pollster, Peter W. Wickham. Wickham heads the Caribbean Development Research Services, Inc. (CADRES), a Barbados-based consulting firm specializing in public opinion polling.

His polling predictions have often caused controversy and have been wrong in predicting elections results in a number of Caribbean islands.

Mr. Peter Wickham has been under close scrutiny by some political leaders and their supporters in recent years, because of the continuous inaccuracy of his predictions of general elections and his close relationship with some leaders of the region. Those factors have created doubts in the minds of the electorate and have caused them to question his predictions whenever they are made.

And it is for those reasons why most Vincentians are disturbed with Mr. Wickham’s recent predictions.

For instance, Mr. Wickham was wrong in 2006 when he predicted that the St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) would have won the general elections there. Then, to everyone’s surprise, Sir John Compton’s United Workers Party (UWP) won eleven (11) of the seventeen (17) seats. Those elections results sent shock waves throughout the Caribbean because Mr. Wickham’s poll had the SLP to win those elections. In addition, in 2008, Mr. Peter Wickham went to Grenada, conducted his poll and reported that the New National Party (NNP) was on its way to victory. When the elections results were announced, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), headed

by Tillman Thomas, won the general elections. The results of the elections prompted one observer to comment about the inaccuracy of Peter Wickham’s poll. He declared that every sensible Grenadian knew that Keith Mitchell was heading for defeat.

Mr. Wickham alone did not know.

More recently, in the general elections in Barbados of this year, Mr. Peter Wickham of CADRES had it all wrong again. He forecast a victory for the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), but it was not to be; the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) remained in government. Again, Mr. Peter Wickham received “a lot of sticks” for his poor performance. Mr. R.E. Guyson Mayers wrote in the Advocate Newspaper following the general elections in Barbados, “There were a number of casualties of the last election, but one of the biggest casualties was the integrity of Peter Wickham and his CADRES organisation. It would be challenging to see any entity trusting his conclusions on anything after his showing in this election.” Can Vincentians trust Mr. Wickham’s conclusions on the last poll he conducted here?

As a result, most observers and the electorate have labelled Mr. Wickham as a push pollster. According to Wikipedia: “A push poll is an

interactive marketing technique, most commonly employed during political campaigning, in which an individual or organisation attempts to influence or alter the view of respondents under the guise of conducting a poll. In a push poll, large numbers of respondents are contacted and little or no effort is made to collect and analyze response data. Instead, the push poll is a form of telemarketingbased propaganda and rumour mongering, masquerading as a poll.

Push polls may rely on innuendo or knowledge gleaned from opposition research on an opponent. They are generally viewed as a form of negative campaigning. This tactic is commonly considered to undermine the democratic process as false or misleading information is provided about candidates.”

However, it would appear that the ULP still has confidence in Mr. Wickham and brought him to conduct its poll. The NDP response is simple: call the general elections now because your pollster has predicted a victory for you.

Unemployment One of the ULP’s main promises during the 2001 general elections was to provide quality jobs for the youths of this country. Twelve years later, the youths are still waiting for those jobs.

There is no doubt that the unemployment figure in this country is well over 50%. This is so because of the mismanagement of the economy and the ULP government does not have the solution to fix it.

On a daily basis, the members of the NDP hear the cry of the unemployed; it is heartbreaking to listen to their stories. For instance, one young lady graduated from the Community College six (6) years ago.

She sent out a number of applications, only to be told there were no vacancies. Also, there is this other individual who graduated from university in 2010 and is yet to find a job. Today, these young ladies are so frustrated that they do not want to leave their houses. The question is being asked: How many young persons are at home in similar situations?

So, there are no jobs for children of the poor and working class whose parents have toiled tirelessly to send them to colleges and universities; but there are jobs for the ULP’s “bigwigs”.

There are ULP members who are in their 70s and 80s and are still receiving a pay cheque from the government, while most young people are at home, frustrated and suffering.

Yet the ULP hierarchy continues to call the young people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines lazy. If jobs are created, the young people will work.

The ULP administration has failed the youths. It has failed to provide the quality jobs for the young people that were promised during the general elections campaign. Therefore, the electorate of St. Vincent and the Grenadines must go out and vote for the NDP when the next general elections are called.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. 11.

Views

Courage, resolve and Peter Wickham’s poll and people’s concerns tenacity

“Achievement requires more than a vision - it takes courage, resolve and tenacity.” — Neil Eskelin - author of The 24-hour Turn-Around THERE HAVE BEEN MANY individuals who have paused to provide insights related to what is required for outstanding achievement. Is there a recipe, a formula, that enhances our chances of achieving wealth, outstanding academic achievement, mastery of a skill, and so on? Is there a template, a map, a blueprint, that we can follow that will assist us in achieving our noble goals? We respond with a resounding “yes”. It is necessary for us to have a vision of where we want to go. And it is equally important to consider how we plan to get there.

Some will even venture to suggest that we consider having possible alternate routes so that if one plan fails we could proceed with along an alternate route.

There is wisdom in such an approach.

We would be naive to assume that the path that we have selected to pursue en route to fulfilling our desire would be easy. Most noble dreams and ambitions will stretch us to the core. The student who anticipates graduating with top grades must understand and appreciate that he will be required to so discipline himself that, while his peers may be out partying and having a “nice time”, he will be required to be studying. He must be prepared to sacrifice the “nice time” in the now for a “nicer time” in the future. That often requires courage, resolve, and tenacity. He must be strong-willed enough to understand and appreciate that the sacrifices made in the present will be considered a tremendous investment in the future. He must understand that the heckles that may emanate from his peers are insignificant in the whole scheme of things. He must forever consider the greater good, and be prepared to make sacrifices en route to his noble accomplishments.

We sometimes wrongfully conclude that peer pressure only occurs during adolescent years. And while it is intensified during that period when the individual is transiting childhood en route to becoming an adult, peer pressure will emerge at every stage of our development. For example, negative peer pressure can create tension within a department when a group of employees decide that it is okay to remain at home on the day immediately following a public holiday. They may see nothing wrong with calling in “sick” and triggering casual absence. “After all,” they may rationalize, “the labour laws allow for such days off.” Or they may conclude that their job does not provide them with an adequate number of vacation days, and seek to justify taking their “rightful number of days” via this type of behaviour. However, regardless of how such individuals seek to justify such actions, especially when lies are added (i.e. calling in sick when this is not the case), we

must identify their “flawed logic” and speak out against such activities.

However, situations like these call for courage, resolve, and tenacity. Be assured that, while the individuals who take such positions may temporarily be maligned and/or ridiculed, they will be respected for doing what is right and just. Wrong actions should not be pursued and embraced merely because others are doing it (and getting away). It does not matter whether the majority is engaged in such behaviours. We are required to do what is right; what is fair; what is honest.

Many of the noble causes that you and I will pursue will periodically result in our feeling mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually drained. We sometimes get to that stage where we feel bruised and battered, and may even wonder whether it is worth it all. This is especially so if we are engaged in activities that are aimed at relieving the plight of others and they (the very same persons that we are bending over backwards for) appear to be unappreciative. However, these are especially the times when we need to whip up that inner reserve of courage, resolve, and tenacity. It may not be easy … but it is the right thing to do.

We become stronger as a result of the heavier weight that we are expected to carry. We become stronger as a result of the pressures that such situations create. We fortify our resolve, knowing that a winner does not quit, and a quitter does no win.

In the end, we win through. We win!

So what new noble cause will you and I now pursue? What cause did we prematurely abandon but will now revisit and rekindle? Who have we observed struggling along life’s difficult terrain that we will now encourage to retain their focus and to do so with gusto, courage, resolve, and tenacity? We are forever grateful for those persons who, over the years, have been like winds beneath our wings. They seemed to have come out of the woodwork just at the right time to lift us up to new heights of success.

Some may have written a little note of encouragement. Others may have telephoned or sent an e-mail. In other cases, there were no words — just a smile or the blink of an eye, or a thumbs-up sign. Some of them have worn such labels as friends, relatives, pastors, co-workers, journalists, authors, singers, and teachers. We pause to thank them for encouraging us to keep hope alive; for reminding us that achievement requires more than a vision; for challenging us to embrace courage, resolve, and tenacity … even against great odds.

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

RATHER THAN OVER analyzing the findings of the poll done by Peter Wickham and his CADRES team, should we not be looking behind the numbers for issues and concerns that pre-occupy the people? From the poll, the issues of concern seem to be unemployment and the burning desire of citizens for jobs; rising crime; cost of living and the economy. We should, but there is hardly any serious conversation about these matters.

Instead, the chatter is around the disclosure that PM Gonsalves is favoured by many more Vincentians than opposition leader Arnhim Eustace, and there might have been a 2 percentage swing in favour of the ULP. Wickham did, however, say that the poll was not designed to predict the outcome of an election.

Those who support the ULP welcomed the result. Those opposed to the government question Wickham’s credibility, even though he has correctly called the last three elections in SVG. They said that the poll must be flawed, and demanded to know the methodology, sample size and other fine points of the statistical science of polling. For all the bravado about a sweeping NDP victory come next elections, this dismissive tendency on the part of opposition supporters displays a degree of nervousness. Why be concerned about the poll if you are convinced of victory?

We are approaching the end of year three of the ULP’s 3rd term. Elections are at least 18 months away, yet opposition voices are skittish about elections and electoral results. The claims among opposition strategist or hangers-on that elections are fast approaching demonstrate a profound lack of understanding of the political cycle in our elective democracy.

Each government can legally serve a 5-year term. This government has not even served 3 full years. Its signature project, the Argyle International Airport, is more than a year from completion. What then will be the incentive for the ULP leadership to call a snap poll? It is true that there might be some discord among the opposition. The leadership of the party is estranged from James Mitchell, the NDP founding Father.

But is this sufficient for the ULP to give up two full years of its 3rd term for the hope of winning a new 5-year mandate when there is a 1 seat, 8 to 7, division of parliament? The answer is evidently no.

Therefore, the real conversation in SVG should not be about the next elections. The discussion should be around the biggest issues raised in Mr. Wickham’s poll. The issue of jobs, and cost of living are mainly economic in nature.

No serious observer in SVG can deny that the economy is under serious stress. The issue for debate is the extent to which the government is to be blamed for the lack lustre state of the economy. It is to the opposition’s advantage to place all economic woes at the feet of the ULP administration. We can do it better they claim. In the meantime, we need to trade ideas on possible solutions to the economic problems facing our

people.

Because the economic issues are occupying people’s time, it is for the ULP and its activists to work even harder to show that the problems in the economy are in the main externally driven. These activists must show that in 2006 and 2007, before the crisis in the international economic and financial system of 2008, the economy grew steadily.

It is for them to convince citizens that the government has limited fiscal or monetary leverages that it can use to inject needed capital into the economy. It is for the ULP supporters to inform nationals that, even in these difficult times, SVG, unlike many other CARICOM countries, has been able to stay out of the clutches of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The ULP must strive to convince Vincentians that, all things considered, its leaders have done well in the circumstances.

With the IMF and other international agencies predicting that the world economy may not turn around until about 2016, an informative conversation as to what can be done economically to tide us over until better economic times, may prove instructive to voters.

If the NDP convince voters that rising crime is as a result of the failed economic policies of the ULP, voters may demonstrate with their fingers come elections time. However, it is for ULP team to convince people why they must stay the course. The airport is scheduled to be opened late next year. The airport has the potential to invite more foreign direct investment in tourism and other areas of the economy.

Whatever else is said about the Gonsalves administration, it must be given credit for embarking on the construction of the Argyle International Airport, the largest and most expensive infrastructural developmental project in the history of our country. Some of the sacrifices made to complete this project may pay good dividends as businesses and other transformative activity take place in and around the airport.

Crime is an issue that political parties should not wrap themselves around. It may all come back to haunt them. Even where there is a high corelation between arrest and conviction, as is always the case in all societies, this is not proof that there is or will be less crime. It may simply mean that an increasing number of crimes are being committed and even more persons are being arrested, tried and convicted.

These are the kind of conversations that should be taking place. There will be time for electioneering. Let us collectively look for solutions to our many problems. Our leaders and the political parties do not have all of the answers.

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

V

12. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Opinion

Shame on the ULP regime SVG has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in the Caribbean.

SVG also has the third highest rate of rape per capita in the world. These are statistics of shame, and under Gonsalves, our country has been dragged down to a murky and deplorable level.

Gonsalves has failed the girls and women of SVG. According to a UNICEF report in 2006, in SVG, at least 12 girls aged 10 to 14 give birth each year, and girls aged 15 to 19 accounted for approximately 20% of all births.

In October 2013, a United Nations (UN) report highlighted the high rates of teenage pregnancies in developing countries — 7.3 million every year — and called on governments to help girls achieve their full potential through education and adequate health services.

The UN says that too often, society blames only the girl for getting pregnant. The reality is that adolescent pregnancy is most often not

the result of a deliberate choice, but rather the absence of choices, and of circumstances beyond a girl’s control.

It is a consequence of little or no access to school, employment, quality information and health care.

SVG Green Party has been saying for the longest while, that we must invest heavily in education to enable all children to reach their potential.

This includes providing free internet to every household, and cutting the price of electricity substantially so every house has electricity. This way, children of the poor can get a good education.

UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon echoes SVG Green Party’s thoughts. In 2012, he said education is a priority, and he launched the Global Education First Initiative which aims to put every child in school and improve the quality of learning.

The UN says that the exclusion of girls from the education system carries too high a cost to girls themselves,

their families and the wider society to be ignored. The UN says that early pregnancy takes a toll on a girl’s health, education and rights, as it prevents her from realizing her potential and adversely impacts the baby.

The UN has called for swift action to eliminate barriers to girls’ education. A Green government would take swift action by abolishing the tax exemptions given to Taiwan and the white super-rich of Mustique and Canouan, and bring free internet and our own science and technology university. This will help girls achieve their full potential.

“Education can transform the lives of girls and strengthen their communities,” said Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director.

“Innovation can help us reach every girl by transforming education.”

UNICEF says it is important to boost

girls’ skills and job readiness in nontraditional jobs, such as engineering and science.

It appears that teenage mothers are more likely to be living in poverty in SVG, and that teenage pregnancy is often associated with poor economic and social conditions. Teenage pregnancy is a big problem, and as a nation, we should be proactive in dealing with this.

A Green Government will tackle teenage pregnancy by focusing on innovation and education, adopting a knowledge-based economy and urgently build our own science and technology university. This will also create thousands of new jobs and revenue for the country.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org

Professor Verene Shepherd was a disappointment AN OPINION:

Luke Browne is a Government Senator in the SVG House of Assembly.

by R. T. LUKE V. BROWNE PROFESSOR Verene Shepherd delivered the

UWI Open Campus Independence Anniversary Lecture last Tuesday night. She gave a fair account of herself during the prepared presentation, but her responses to a few pertinent questions in the open forum left a lot to be desired. Professor Shepherd said that she was speaking as the Chair of the United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent. The topic was “CARICOM and the Decade for People of African Descent: A Post Colonial Imperative.”

I don’t know what is so imperative about a UN declaration of a

decade for people of African descent. We should always be addressing the issues which affect African descendants with or without such a proclamation.

Proclamation or not, a decade, or however many years, spent fighting for reparations is time devoted to our black brothers. There is also the danger that an international agenda for the proposed decade would be too broad and too drawn out for anything meaningful to be achieved.

The visiting lecturer nonetheless found it “ironic” that Caribbean leaders spoke about

reparations in their recent UN General Assembly speeches, but made no reference to her push for notional tenyear recognition. But did the esteemed academic even bring the matter, in a forceful and persuasive way, to the attention of the public and our leaders in the first place?

What is really ironic is the fact that Verene Shepherd had the gall to criticize CARICOM for what she described as a slow response to the recent constitutional ruling in the Dominican Republic, which would result in Haitian descendents becoming stateless in the land of their birth, when her Working Group has done absolutely nothing about the matter. The Group’s most recent press release on any subject was issued on September third!

At least CARICOM has responded; and the response was actually relatively timely if not sufficiently strong. On the other hand, Professor Shepherd’s Working Group of Experts has been silent on the issue and has apparently been unable to do anything yet because the five members of the Group have not met since the

Santo Domingo developments. It must be extremely difficult for a handful of experts to coordinate a response to a matter that strikes at the heart of their work outside the context of a meeting. Professor Professor Verene Shepherd Shepherd for some delivered the feature address strange reason at the opening of the Regional refused to identify Reparations Conference held the other members here in September. of her Working who must know that Group. I wonder if she marijuana possession actually knows them. and use are responsible She was also silent on for so many black people the possible legal liability of the UN for the becoming categorized as criminals, seem so introduction of a deadly strain of cholera to Haiti. selfish? As the Chair of the United Nations The most disappointing thing was Working Group of Experts on People of perhaps Professor African Descent, does she Shepherd’s flippant only plan to address her response when she was asked for her opinion on personal concerns? Is this why she was so the legalization and disgusted by the fact that decriminalization of regional Prime Ministers marijuana. She glibly dared to talk about said that she didn’t smoke and was therefore reparations without mentioning her pet not too concerned. The project? answer had no realistic Verene Shepherd connection to the appears to be afraid or question posed. How could this lady, who is so unwilling to tackle the tough issues that interested in black people’s welfare, and who seriously affect the lamented the fact that a future of Afro-Caribbean nationals. Is her heart disproportionately high really in the struggle? number of black people are incarcerated, and lukebrowne@yahoo.com

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. 13.

Diaspora

Vincy judge urges: “Take in national pride”

Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; neloking@msn.com US CORRESPONDENT LABORATING ON THE THEME of this year’s independence anniversary celebrations, a Vincentian judge in New York has urged nationals to “take in” national pride, saying that St. Vincent and the Grenadines has come a “long way” over the past 34 years.

In delivering the keynote address on Sunday 27th October, during a gala luncheon in Brooklyn, New York, commemorating the nation’s 34th Independence Anniversary, Kings County (Brooklyn) Supreme Court Justice Sylvia G. Ash, whose late father was Rudolph “Fire” Ash, of Kingstown Hill, the pioneer of the annual Vincy Get-Together in Brooklyn, on Labor Day Sunday, in the 1970s and 80s, noted that national pride is “a feeling of pride for being a citizen of your own country.

“In its most positive light, pride is defined as a satisfied sense of attachment to a group of people marked by a fulfilled feeling of belonging,” said Justice Ash at the sell-out event, at Tropical Paradise Ballroom, on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn, organized by the Brooklynbased umbrella group in the United States, Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Organizations, U.S.A., Inc. (COSAGO), in collaboration with the New York Consulate General.

“Nationhood and national pride imply that we see each other and treat each other with respect and dignity, irrespective of our race, gender, (and) religious, social (and) economic status, or political affiliation,” said Judge Ash, whose extended family was very prominent at the ceremony.

She said an essential factor in the development and building of a sense of national pride in one’s country is “an understanding of the cultural, economic and social history of that country,” stating that national pride is synonymous with patriotism.

“Thirty-four years ago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines broke the chains of bondage from the British Empire and gained its independence,” Judge Ash said.

“Today, our nation is comprised of over 118,000 diverse citizens, bonded together by one common thread: love and pride for their beloved SVG (St. Vincent and the Grenadines),” she added. “This love and pride are shared throughout the Vincentian Diaspora world-wide.”

Ash said Vincy love and pride are evidenced by the “large gathering here today to celebrate our independence, and by the numerous active clubs and organizations right here in Brooklyn.

“These clubs and organizations, working together and individually, exist to promote and enhance the national pride of St. Vincent and the

E

Grenadines,” she said.

“Their members are to be commended for their love and devotion to their motherland, and their unselfish and tireless voluntary work,” added Judge Ash, urging nationals at the event to “pledge their commitment to become an active member and participant in one of these clubs.

“For, by doing so, you will be working together to promote and enhance SVG’s national pride,” she continued. “It is undisputed that one person can truly make a difference.”

Action we must take But Ash said it is not enough to verbally profess one’s love for St. Vincent and the Grenadines and pride in being a Vincentian, stating that “action speaks louder than words.

“You must become actively involved in promoting, fostering, nurturing, stimulating, aiding, supporting and advocating for the advancement and continued independence of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” she said.

The judge noted that the multiisland state has made “great strides in the areas of health care, agriculture, education, transportation and tourism,” adding that construction of the Argyle International Airport is “a testament of how far” the country has come.

She said completion of the airport would “undoubtedly enhance the economic development and independence” of the country.

She urged nationals to adopt the popular African proverb, “Each One Teach One”, “which originated during slavery when slaves were denied an education, including learning how to read. When a slave did learn to read, it became his [or her] duty to teach another slave how to read, hence the phrase.

“We, as Vincentians, should adopt that proverb and work together to enhance our national pride,” Ash said.

“We should continue to build a society that reflects every aspect of our culture.

“We must prepare our youths for the future,” she added. “We must invest in the infrastructure, and collectively support and promote our beloved SVG; and, most importantly,

we must not forget from whence we came.”

Prior to her election to the Brooklyn Supreme Court, Justice Ash was the first Caribbean-American woman to be elected as a Civil Court Judge in New York City.

She was a practicing attorney for over 20 years and in this capacity, she was the general counsel for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Social Service Chapter in

Supreme Court Justice Sylvia G. Ash delivering the feature address at the gala luncheon in Brooklyn, New York, commemorating SVG’s 34th Independence Anniversary.

Inset: Members of the noted Ash family (pictured) were among the sellout attendance at the gala.

New York City, where she provided pro bono legal services to chapter members. The NAACP is the largest and oldest civil rights organization in the US.

14. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. 15.

TRIBUTE TO GERALD ‘SQUARE’ PRIMUS GERALD PRIMUS: A PILLAR OF SUPPORT EACH OF US HAS A MOMENT that represents a critical juncture in our careers that can determine success or failure.

Gerald Primus, beyond a shadow of a doubt, was a dream enabler who at the infancy of my leadership of THE VINCENTIAN gave his unequivocal, enthusiastic support of my vision for THE VINCENTIAN even at this very vulnerable time.

In the history of THE VINCENTIAN under my leadership, Gerald Primus will always be remembered for his unyielding support. His colourful personality and charisma will leave a lasting memory on all of us at THE VINCENTIAN and to our colleagues at Metrocint.

He fought a good fight, strong and bold in the challenges of his sickness, never complaining, remaining hopeful and proud.

He was a tower of strength. He will be sadly missed by us all.

Desiree Richards Managing Director THE VINCENTIAN Publishing Co.

PRIMUS: ALWAYS THERE

GERALD PRIMUS, affectionately referred to as ‘Primus’, passed away on Saturday 2rd November, 2013, at his residence in Clare Valley.

He had been confined to a wheelchair, the result of loss of mobility because of physical impairments, the result of acute diabetes.

‘Primus’ was employed with THE VINCENTIAN newspaper and held the position of senior reporter up to the time he was forced to terminate his services.

He had joined THE VINCENTIAN following a stint with Cross Country Media on his return to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, after a period of duty as a police officer in Anguilla.

Primus was of invaluable service to THE VINCENTIAN over and beyond his substantive duties as a full time reporter. He often times had to assist in the ‘dark room’, with the printing press and the collation of the weekly newspaper, during the days when THE VINCETIAN did its own printing.

Because he straddled the two eras of the modern VINCENTIAN newspaper, he became an obvious invaluable resource, ever ready and willing to help guide the

process into the new dispensation, especially upon the passing of its owner, Egerton ‘Uncle Metro’ Richards.

Primus especially endeared himself to his fellow reporters, as he recalled with encyclopaedic detail dates and specifics of past events and activities, proving particularly helpful before the days of digital archiving.

Within the family of THE VINCENTIAN, he will be remembered with respect and admiration for the extensive research he did on the history and journey of this country’s political Independence from Great Britain, most of which was published in the Special Independence Supplements of THE VINCENTIAN. Primus had no children of his own, but fellow workers, relatives and friends recall with utter respect, the compassionate and caring attitude which he extended to their children. It was as though he was father to none yet fathered many.

THE VINCENTIAN, its management and staff past and present, will forever have fond memories of their friend Primus, and extend profound sympathy to his mother, other relatives and friends.

May his soul rest in peace in the bosom of his Lord.

IN THE MID-1980s, I entered the Marriaqua Secondary School to complete my last year of secondary education. I was fortunate to join an existing fraternity of brothers namely, Bernell ‘Glasses’ Bascombe, Shawn ‘Wood-Eye’ Simon, Fridol ‘Roti’ Richardson, Desburn ‘Neppi’ Neptune, Stanford ‘Happo’ Hopson and the late Gerald ‘Square’ Primus. As is often the case, I had no idea that friendships would be formed that would stand the test of time.

I love all the brothers; however, Gerald and I shared a special bond, perhaps because we enjoyed challenging each other and had many spirited debates.

‘Square’ had many gifts but, in my opinion, the one that truly exemplified who he was as a person was his gift of not being jealous of the gifts of others but, rather to embrace you for your gifts. He constantly looked for ways to combine your gifts with his own to make a positive impact on some situation or person.

As fate would have it, ‘Square’, ‘Neppi’, ‘Wood-Eye’ and I went to the Police Training Centre in Barbados together in 1988. After training, I came back to SVG while my brothers all went on to serve in Anguilla.

In the years that followed, all except ‘Wood-Eye’ got out of law enforcement and went on to different things.

‘Square’, I think, found his true calling when he found employment with THE VINCENTIAN Newspaper. I admit some bias, but I thought he did a great job as a journalist. I would often call him to engage in friendly debate over something he would have written.

Over the last few years, Gerald’s health started failing him; yet his spirit remained strong to the end. I visited him this past July when I was back home, and called him a couple weeks before he passed. As I said to Jacintha James, our former teacher who joined me on that visit, “At least he knows there are many of us who love him and will always make time for him”.

In the end, there are a number of things I hope everyone remembers about my dear friend; among them: his commitment to use his gifts for the betterment of his fellow man; his understanding that you are only truly limited if you doubt your own abilities, fail to try, or are too proud to join forces with others to make a difference.

Gerald has left behind many of us who feel fortunate to have crossed paths with him, a man who pushed others to be their best, and who delighted in the success of others.

My deepest condolences to his mother Naomi, his brothers and sisters, friends and relatives and all those who knew and loved him.

Haydn ‘Skully’ Thomas “Vincy Forever” …

Just living in America!

See Page 19 for more.

V

16. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Tourism

Tourism Month begins

by GLORIAH…

The gathering at the Church service to mark the beginning of Tourism Month certainly paid attention to what Pastor Claudius Morgan had to say.

“TOURISM IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS: Live it, Love it, Embrace it”. That is the theme under which the Tourism Month

Pastor Claudius Morgan

told the gathering that of activities will be tourism is about beauty, celebrated this year. The and God is beautiful. activities are being coordinated by the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture.

The activities got going last Monday, 4th November, with a church service at the Kingstown Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Addressing the service was Senator Luke Browne, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism.

He commended the Ministry for the planning, and expressed his expectation for good execution of the month of activities.

Senator Browne recognized the abundance of potential for tourism expansion, and tickled the fancies of the gathering with ideas about expanding sports, marine and eco-tourism.

Highlight The highlight of the service was the exhortation by Pastor of the Kingstown Seventh Day Adventist Church and Overseer for the Region, Pastor Claudius Morgan.

He admitted to be baffled by the theme, he being very unfamiliar with the content of tourism. This, however, did not hinder his delivery of an ‘address’ which was tastefully graphic and loaded with great doses of ‘Monday morning humour’ that not only broke the ice, but also pointed the thoughts of the gathering directly to the fact that, “Tourism is about beauty, and God is beautiful.”

Pastor Morgan revisited the creation story, and showed how it was extremely important for all stakeholders to think about God while they thought about tourism. He gave relevant tips, coming from God’s word, that would take SVG far, once there was adherence to good tourism practices, showing how all could live it, love it and embrace it. He was received with overwhelming applause.

The Month’s Activities

Use your phone like you’re at home.

DIGICELSVG.COM Rates apply to all Caribbean and Central America countries in which Digicel operates. Digicel terms & conditions apply.

The month of activities continued on Tuesday 5th with a media familiarization activity.

Students are not left out.Yesterday, Thursday, students of Bequia Anglican School began a ‘Children’s Tourism Chit Chat’ that continued into today.

A Human Resource Training Workshop for students and workers in the hospitality industry, with a ‘Tourism Talk Programme’ on WE FM, were also down for today.

On Monday 11th and Thursday 21st November, the Royal SVG Police Band will conduct welcome activities at the Kingstown Cruise Terminal for cruise ship visitors.

Tuesday, 12th and Monday 18th will see a number of ‘Know Your Island Tours’ conducted by the SVG Hotel and Tourism Association, and an Open Day at the Bequia Tourism Association.

A brand new venture, called the ‘Tourism Youth Colloquium,’ which targets students of the secondary and tertiary levels, will be held on Thursday 14th. The focus on students continues with a ‘Tourism Youth Congress’ on Tuesday, 19th, at the NIS Training Room; the much anticipated ‘Tourism Choral Speech Competition’ on Tuesday, 26th; and the ‘Bequia Primary Schools’ Debate’ on Wednesday, 27th.

Thursday 21st will see a ‘Culture Welcome’ in Bequia; Wednesday 27th a fun Walk to Fort Charlotte, and Saturday, 23rd a ‘Street 20/20 Cricket Tournament’.

A grand Tourism Exhibition is all set for Friday, 29th at Heritage Square. The Tourism Awards, scheduled for Saturday 30th and hosted by the SVG Hotel and Tourism Association, will bring the month of activities to a close.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. 17.

News

Aubrey Burgin heads the Interim Committee that was elected when the PSU membership deemed Cools Vanloo unfit to continue as president. by: WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY THE PUBLIC SERVICE UNION, a body which represents government paid workers among others, has found itself embroiled in a legal wrangle.

Hearing of an injunction filed by ousted President Cools Vanloo, in which he claims, inter alia, that his removal was unconstitutional, was scheduled for last Wednesday but was adjourned for November 25.

Vanloo, into his third term as president, found himself at odds with his membership.

An Interim Committee, installed thereafter, has incurred Vanloo’s wrath.

That Committee, including Aubrey Burgin, a former PSU President,

PSU in abeyance

Elroy the PSU having to go to court. He Boucher, a expressed confidence that the “Union former General Secretary, and Elizabeth Williams, assembled at the PSU on Monday, to update the public on the current state of affairs.

The Elroy Boucher members of considers it a “sad the Interim day” for the Union Committee when it is dragged highlighted before the court. the circumstances giving rise its coming into being, and explained that a meeting scheduled to accommodate the staging of new elections had to be put off owing to the injunction.

The Interim Committee was given one month to hold the elections, by the union’s membership.

Boucher expressed disgust with the present dilemma in which the union has been dragged. He was disappointed that members were unable to get benefits for medical relief owing to the state of uncertainty surrounding PSU matters.

For Boucher, the decision to take the Union to court is “unprecedented.”

As far as Boucher was concerned, the Union was being held to ransom.

It was “a sad day,” for Boucher with

Geothermal energy study enters new phase phase in this country’s ongoing effort to explore the feasibility of generating geothermal energy.

Gunnarsson traced the progress of the venture so far, and outlined plans to go to the Soufriere Mountain “checking for possible resource,” and submitted that Icelander Gunnar Gunnarsson, information Chief Operation Officer of the collected will take Iceland based Reykjavik months to Geothermal, spoke of his analyse. country’s successful The Icelander exploitation of its geothermal outlined his experience in this resources. type of operation,

BY MARCH 2014, there and vouched for the use will be adequate data to of the geothermal determine the next stage product. He indicated of the Geothermal that one third of the Energy exploration here. houses in his homeland Gunnar Gunnarsson, were powered by his Chief Operation Officer company’s refinement. of the Iceland based He assured that the Reykjavik Geothermal, geothermal innovation made the disclosure last can transform the week Friday. He was at nation.

Cabinet room for the Jan Hartke, Global launch of the testing Director of the Clinton

Climate Initiative Clean Energy, the source of assistance for the research, echoed the Clinton Foundation’s interest in matters related to small island states like St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“We are rallying around this effort,” Hartke stated.

He praised the Vincentian government for starting the process, and promised “We are not in this temporally.

We are in it until it’s done.”

Vincentian Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves pointed to the impact of geothermal energy on heavy industries, hotels, factories, and restaurants.

Peter Williams, attached to the Barbados office of Emera, an energy and services company, also addressed the gathering.

Officials from Reykjavik Geothermal spearheaded discussions at Sandy Bay last Sunday and at Chateaubelair on Monday.

will be the winner,” and its members will be able to access their benefits.

18. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

V Remembering Gerald Primus

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. 19.

Tribute

Primus and I enjoyed two enthralling incursions to the WHEN NEIGHBOURS in the Asian Sub-continent: China in Housing Estate at Clare Valley 2003 and Taiwan the following went to Gerald Primus’s year. We developed a close residence last Sunday morning, bond, and he would project me there was no response from him. as the focus when he wanted He had entertained those very to justify his version of events neighbours the night before. in either of those trips.

Since he had fallen ill, his We had to go to Barbados physical condition had for the USA visa and Trinidad deteriorated, but there was no for the Chinese visa. I slackening of his vibrancy. remember approaching the Primus was 46, and died immigration officer in virtually with his boots on. A Trinidad without the journalist by profession, telephone number for the matters turned dismal for him persons with whom we about five years ago. intended to say.

That removed him from It was Primus’s wit and our front line duties, but he collective survival instincts remained committed to the that took us through that quest for equal rights and ordeal. Matters worked out justice to the end. admirably as soon as we He mixed with royalty yet located a directory and found never lost the common touch. the number of the person we His niece Shirlyn reflects on were looking for. Thereafter, it his generosity, and she played was smooth sailing. the caretaker role as he hit Primus enjoyed that the twilight. episode. We soldiered on from SVG; Barbados, USA where Going East we had to overnight. We had the pleasure of absorbing some

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

Labour Day activities in 2003 before making our departure from the John F Kennedy Airport.

We manoeuvred through the traffic adjustment and had to use the train to get back to the hotel. Arrangements in the USA were made by Primus’s boss and she also took care of me. On the return, her family took us to dinner at a Jamaican Restaurant.

The China trip was an earth-shattering experience.

We gained some insights into the handling of some international matters. At that time, the Olympic Games were five years away, but the hype had taken over the country.

A trip to Xiamen to the South brought us close to a Caribbean type setting as possible and also highlighted the proximity to the Taiwanese region.

The Chinese officials treated the 21 Caribbean delegates with equal respect whether the country had links with Taiwan or not.

Primus understood the nature of diplomatic relations and was instrumental in fulfilling the Taiwanese adventure.

The visit to Taiwan enhanced our resume in the journalistic sphere. This was an intense period of training and Primus upgraded his standing on this trip. We used those experiences as pillars of our careers.

Primus made the best of what life threw at him. From the area of Hopewell in the Marriaqua Valley, he moved through primary and secondary schools in his neighbourhood. He enlisted in the Anguilla Police Force where he nurtured his passion for investigative journalism.

Once in the field of news reporting, Primus showed foresight. He was a genuine citizen and made his contribution to national development. He knew the importance of links. It was through that network that he accomplished such successes.

He bore no grudges. He was knowledgeable on regional and international affairs, and particularly strong on local politics. He had a knack for remembering events, and that personal engagement entitled him to make logical pronouncements.

I would consolidate the bond with Primus when in 2007 I joined the staff at the THE VINCENTIAN. It was his recommendation that helped me to secure the post.

Need I say more?

V

20. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Get rid of the Viagra about his sexual dysfunction. Give him the support that he will need. One way to support him is to I READ YOUR answer to that woman who said she was suggest going with him to seek help. A psychologist and or a medical practitioner will be able to point drugging her husband so that he won’t bother her in him in the right direction. the bedroom. Well, I have to admit that I have been At some stage in all of this, he may require your giving my husband a Viagra pill, once in a while, when I want him to satisfy my expectations in the bedroom.

He does not know that he is taking it. I told him it is a new vitamin pill for men that I want him to try, and I got it from the States. Of course he believed me!

He has been taking this Viagra on and off for the the call.

Dear George past 4 months, and I have had no complaints with I cannot stand this his sexual performance. I am not going to burst his MY MOTHER THINKS any longer, and I want bubble and tell him that he is on Viagra because he to move out, but I she has the right to thinks that it is all him. Is there anything wrong cannot afford to go it on control my life, and no with me keeping him in the dark? If it is not my own because I am matter what I tell her, broken, why try to fix it? Right now he is not not working. I will be she is not easing up. broken at all because he is giving me what I want! twenty-five years old in She has all these ridiculous rules such as, 2 months, and I want to Night ‘Nurse’ I have to be in the house have a birthday party to celebrate my birthday; before 11pm and I Dear Night ‘Nurse’, but my mother said not cannot bring any male over her dead body is friends in the house I will keep repeating the point that for any she going to allow me to whatsoever. No male relationship to be healthy, there needs to be total have any such thing. friends can call for me honesty and open communication. If there is a on the house telephone, Please advise me before sexual dysfunction as far as your husband is and I do not have a cell I strangle my mother! concerned, then the way to address it is not to put phone, so I know we are on the Viagra cloak. Rather, discuss the problem going to have a problem Tired with him so that he can be helped. there. When my You are not being honest with him, letting him Dear Tired, boyfriend calls for me, think that his performance in the bedroom is not she would yank the aided.

You may need to get chord out from the You need to stop giving him (the pill) the help of a counselor telephone jack and end immediately and use the next opportunity to talk

Dear George,

effort and skill to help nurse him back to a satisfactory level of sexual health.

George

Living with House Rules to assist you both in getting each other to listen a bit more and to come to some workable living arrangement.

You have to realize, however, that it is your mother’s house and no matter how ridiculous the rules are, they are her rules. You are an adult now, and in that regard, living with your mother is now considered a privilege and not a right. She has the right to dictate how she wants things to be in her house.

Unfortunately, you will either have to try and reason out some

amicable arrangement with her or find a place of your own.

Maybe a counselor can help to see where your mother is coming from and the context of these draconian rules, and in the end get her to relax some of them a bit to help you to breathe easier. In the meantime, get going with your plans of getting some independence. The uneasy situation at home should be enough motivation for you to get up and get out!

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Involvement in groups will be favorable and lead to valuable information. You are apt to meet someone special on your journey. Protect your interests legally if necessary. Put financial speculation with family members or friends on the back burner for now.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Discrimination will be in order. Control your temper when dealing with your emotional partner. You should not be concerned with coworkers who insist on spreading rumors. Disappointments are likely if your mate embarrasses you in front of friends. Don’t let your health suffer because of worry. Talk to someone you trust.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Take your time be fore making personal decisions. You will be well looked upon due to your compassionate and giving nature. Be careful when dealing with female members of your family.

Your personal secrets may be revealed if you let coworkers in on your family dilemmas.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Make changes around your house and plan to do some entertaining. Your high energy will help you through this rather hectic day. Make some notes regarding the changes that you should make.

Compromise if you have to, to avoid verbal battles.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Travel opportunities must be taken advantage of. Do things you enjoy instead of being a chameleon.

Opportunities for advancement at work are apparent. Take time to help a friend who hasn’t been feeling well.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Make the necessary changes that will enable you to advance financially. Be careful not to hurt the ones you love. A residential move may be necessary to get a better job. Look into joining groups that can give you hands-on advice about business.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Sit back and observe, regardless of how hard that might be. You need to look into new philosophies. Stay mellow.

Your family may not be pleased with your decisions.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Lack of cash might be partly to blame for the problems at home. Don’t reveal any personal details. There’s lots to be done and if you meet your deadline you’ll be in your boss’s good books.

This is a good day to check out your investments.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Don’t push your luck with authority figures. Avoid lovers who already have a relation ship, even if it is a bad one.

Your mate could get on your nerves if he or she backs you into an emotional comer or puts restrictions on your time.

Your high energy will help you through this rather hectic day.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You need to keep everyone on your domestic scene too busy to complain.

Avoid conflicts with in-laws or other family members. Plan a nice evening for two. Family responsibilities are mounting.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Losses could occur if you haven’t been careful when dealing with joint financial ventures. Opportunities to get involved in self improvement projects will be rewarding. Don’t be too quick to judge your position or surroundings at work.

Some relatives will be extremely perplexing.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Your creative talent may well be recognized by others this week Home improvement projects will go well if you delegate work to all your family members. You will meet exciting new people through interest groups or functions that you attend with your children. This day was meant for love. Make creative changes to your residence.

ACROSS

57. Sought retribution 1.Porker 62. Agreements 4. Pointed tools 66. High pair 8. Mobil’s winged 67. Tuscany’s Horse, for one location 12. On 70. Siamese, 14. Belt supportnow ers 71. Ready a 16. Bard’s river patient 17. Nicholas or 72. Private Alexander teacher 18. “Little 73. Retained Orphan__” 74. Rotation 19. Diner’s card 75. Sunday 20. Angelic headservice pieces seats 22. Arctic water 76. Links peg hazards 24. Fashionable DOWN 26. Barely make do 1.Hiker’s way 27. Romp 2. “__ deal!”

30. Scornful (2 wds.) sound 3. Objective 34. Diva’s scarf 4. __ king 35. Blockheads (2 wds.)

38. Courtroom 5. Placed first proceeding 6. Anderson of 40. “Rule “Nurses” Britannia” 7. Cloves or composer cinnamon 42. Certain tides 8. Limping 44. One opposed 9. “Roll __ 45. Coffee option Beethoven” 47. Open land 10. Flat bell area 11. Load 49. Feature of 13. Product Letterman’s endorsement smile 15. Searches for 50. Grate, as 21. Peddled cabbage 23. Inclined 52. Guitarist 25. “Runaround Montoya Sue” singer 54. Oil-drilling 27. Golfers’ equipment warnings 56. Life’s story, for 28. Dressing short variety

29. Musical marking 31. “Are you a man __ mouse?”

(2 wds.)

32. Starr of the Beatles 33. London goodbyes (2 wds.)

34. Harmful 36. Mai __ (cocktail) 37.Specification, for short 39. Cup edge 41. Listening locale 43. Chunk 46. Leafy plant 48. Coffee-making method 51. Finger, e.g.

53. Extremely reluctant

55. Outfit, informally 57. Completely absorbed 58. Tan shade 59. Change course 60. Sports lover’s cable choice

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. 21.

61. Specified time 63. Guitarist Atkins 64. Narrative 65. Flank 68. Transmission gear 69. Decade segments (abbr.)

V

22. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Garraway is LIME survey winner

Business

RUBIS rewards first set of winners

Esron Rodgers, the first ultimate prize winner in the ‘Fuel Up Tour Life’ promotion, accepts his prize voucher from RUBIS’ Elroy Edwards.

PETROLEUM COMPANY RUBIS has selected the first set of winners for their ‘Fuel Up Your Life’, which was launched on Monday, October 14, and is set to run until the December 9, 2013.

This week’s draw saw a total of 12 lucky winners. The 12 customers, whose entry vouchers were selected, won prizes such as $100 Fuel Vouchers, $100 Super J food Vouchers and RUBIS Cooking Gas.

However, it was Esron Rodgers of Langley Park who walked away with the promotion’s first of five ultimate prizes, a weekend for two at Mariners Hotel.

“I was very surprised when I received the call and was told that I won the first of the five grand prizes, a weekend for two at Mariners Hotel,” Rodgers said. “I could not

believe it. I had to ask, is it true?” he continued.

Rodgers thanked RUBIS for his reward and expressed his satisfaction with the company’s service since its launch here.

“I will continue to buy my gas at RUBIS,” he promised.

Elroy Edwards, RUBIS’ Retail, Commercial and Industrial Account Executive, congratulated the winners and described the response to the ‘Fuel Up Your Life’ promotion as “exceptionally great.”

He assured the winners and all RUBIS customers that “We truly value your patronage, and so we at Rubis are always looking for exciting ways to reward our customers’ loyalty and keep them driving longer and smoother.”

In the upcoming weeks, RUBIS customers will get a chance to win one blackberry Q10 handset, a Set of 4 tyres, $5000 LIAT Travel Credit, $10,000 Courts Shopping Spree, Fuel vouchers, Food vouchers and Rubigas cylinders.

Giving feedback on social media is something that people do on a daily basis; but when LIME customer Delroy Garraway gave his ‘two cents’ on the LIME Facebook page (LIME St. Vincent & The Grenadines), he wasn’t expecting to be rewarded.

Garraway, a resident of Fairbairne Pasture, commented on the impressive service he received during his encounter with a LIME agent, and was randomly selected Delroy Garraway (right) is to receive a Sony another happy, satisfied Ericsson W890 and rewarded LIME handset for his subscriber. participation in the survey.

Pointing out that he has been a LIME customer for as long as he can remember, with no intentions to switch, Garraway said that he was surprised to get the call, because he really wasn’t expecting to win anything.

He went on to shower LIME with praises for the quality service provided, and also commended the telecommunications provider for the best new rates now in market.

Corporate Communications and Marketing Lead, Nikala Williams, indicated that apart from phone rates, customers like Garraway can also take advantage of the new low rates being offered by LIME, through the revamped prices on the data packages, where they can receive more data for less money, and can activate the plan of their choice on their handsets, by dialling *129#.

She said that one lucky customer would be chosen every month to receive a prize, just for taking part in the survey.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. 23.

National T20 Semi-finals spots decided DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Team Rivals are through to the semi-finals of the 2013 NLA/Neil Williams National Male T20 Cricket Competition.

They are joined by Radcliffe Too, newcomers Triumph United Cricket Club and former champions Victors 1.

Team Rivals earned their semi-final place when they defeated Ishallz Byam’s Physical Therapy in a low scoring encounter at Stubbs.

Team Rivals made 98 for 5 off 14 overs, with Harley Skeritt leading with 36. Ishallz Byam’s Physical Therapy replied

with 70 for 7 off 11 overs, in a reduced encounter due to rain. Akeem Shallow hit 26. Casmond Walter, Olanzo Jackson and Deighton Butler had 2 wickets each for Rivals.

Victors 1 defeated Guardian General Saints at Stubbs by 4 wickets. Guardian

General Saints posted 127 for 6 off 18 overs.

Sunil Ambris led with 63. Norlan Williams captured 4 for 17 to be Victors’ best bowler.

Victors 1 replied with 128 for 6 off 17 overs, Alston Bobb top scoring with 37 not out. (See feature story on this

Alston Bobb’s 37 was vital in Victors 1’s victory chase.

Sunil Ambris hit 63 for Saints, but it was all in vain.

page.)

At Park Hill, Triumph United Cricket Club made light work of Carl Joseph Law Chambers ASCO, beating them by 56 runs.

Triumph United Cricket Club made 145 for 7 off 20 overs. Rohan Ash led with 31. Desron Maloney

took 3 for 34. Carl Joseph Law Chambers ASCO were rattled from the ‘get go’ and managed only 89. Renrick Williams and Kelshun DaSilva hit 23 apiece.

Vangel Small took 3 for 4.

LIME Radcliffe defeated Police 2 at Park Hill by 7 wickets on a faster scoring rate after rain brought play to a premature end. Police 2 made 141 for 5 in 20 overs. Salvan Browne top scored with 47 and McLeon Williams had 32.

LIME Radcliffe made 97 for 3 in 11.2 overs. Jomo Toney made 20 and Romario Bibby took 2 for 20.

The semi-finals will be contested this weekend when Team Rivals take on Triumph United Cricket Club at 10am at Park Hill on Saturday, and later that day, Victors 1 battle with LIME Radcliffe at 2pm.

The winners from the semifinals with contest the finals on Sunday 10th at Park Hill from 130pm.

Victors One bears down on back to back T20 titles

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Victors ONE will battle LIME Radcliffe this weekend in one of two semi-final matches as they attempt to win back-to-back titles in the Neil Williams T20 cricket championship.

Victors ONE secured their berth in the semifinals with a four-wicket victory over Guardian General Saints in a match reduced to 18 overs at the Stubbs Playing Field last weekend, exacting a measure of revenge in the process on the team which had beaten them in the Super40 competition earlier this year.

SCORES: Guardian General Saints 127-6 (18 overs), Victors ONE 1316 (16.5 overs).

Winning the toss and asking their opponents to bat first, Victors ONE appeared set to have an early afternoon after reducing them to 14-3 inside the first five overs, as pacer Norlan Williams (4-18) took advantage of a slightly damp strip to wreak havoc among the top order.

However, it was the talented but sometimes absent- minded Sunil Ambris who played another masterful innings to hit a topscore

of 63 and help his team to a competitive total.

Walking to the wicket to face the fourth ball of the first over, Ambris looked on as mayhem reigned at the other end.

He found an able partner in captain Kenroy Peters (13) in raising 45 for the fourth wicket, as they took the score to 59 before the latter was caught by Donwell Hector off the legspinner Keiron Cottoy as he sought to accelerate the rate.

A further 66 was added between Ambris and Rolando Wright (24) as Guardian Saints took advantage of what appeared to be a falloff in concentration from the champs.

The partnership was broken when Wright, who struck three fours in his 23-ball knock, was caught at the wicket by Seon Sweene attempting a big shot off Williams, who had returned at the end of the innings.

Ambris was the last wicket to fall, caught off Williams as he attempted to add crucial runs.

In all, he faced 53 balls and struck five sixes and three fours in another innings which may encourage questions as to the reason for his omission from the St. Lucia Zouks, as a young player in the recently held Caribbean Premier

League-CPL. Set a target to get of just about seven runs per over, Victors ONE got off to the worst start possible when the inform Atticus Browne had his castle disturbed by the first ball of the innings sent down by Peters.

His opening partner and captain, Miles Bascombe (26), then added 41 with Hector (21) before the latter lost his middle stump with one that kept low. Hector struck four fours in his fourteen- ball stay.

Bascombe was then joined by Bobb and the pair added 26 before Bascombe was removed

by Peters with another one that kept on the low side.

Despite losing regular wickets, Victors ONE were taken over the line

by Bobb, who remained unbeaten on 36 when victory was achieved.

Bobb faced 32 balls and struck three fours and one six.

Peters took 2-12 from three overs and Ray Charles 2-40 from three.

In their match, Lime Radcliffe defeated Police TWO by way of the D/L System.

The semi-finals will see Team Rivals face off with Triumph United Cricket Club at 10am at Park Hill this Saturday, and from 2pm Victors ONE meet LIME

Lydon James, LIME Radcliffe (left), and Miles Bascombe, Victors 1, will lead their respective teams in a face-off this weekend.

Radcliffe.

A final will take place

on Sunday at Park Hill from 1:30pm.

I.B.A.ALLEN

V Football Affiliates to attend rare AGM 24. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

SVGFF Committee Members Earl Bennett (right) and Bert Francois (centre) in conversation with ex-Committee member Guy Lowe.

2011 and 2012 for some time “We are yet to receive from once again took umbrage with organisation’s finances. A delay in the auditors now and they have failed to our auditors the Audited those whom he accused of producing the relevant honour this promise, despite Report and Financial wanting to sully the name of documents was said to have repeated attempts to hold Statements; and because of football and indulging in contributed to a prior them to these promises,” this, which we have labelled mischief. postponement of the AGM. Coombs said on NICE Radio as a major setback to us He said that his reason for According to reports, the last Sunday. having the AGM; we would no being on radio was to auditors have raised queries The meeting was postponed longer be having the AGM as apologise to the Affiliates “who about the financial from last Saturday after was scheduled. have been waiting far too long management of the Coombs said that they were “A draft copy is currently for the meeting,” adding, “I Federation’s accounts with informed that the statements with the SVGFF, and the think it is only fair that I regard to the disbursement of were not ready.

Auditors promised that the come to the Affiliates to make funds and the general A release issued by the completed version of the this apology because they have operations of some bank SVGFF on the postponement Reports would be soon sent. been extremely patient ….but accounts. of the meeting read in part: The new set date is now this delay is through no fault President Coombs, however, “Please be advised that the scheduled for Saturday 09th of ours because we were has dismissed the queries, Executive of the SVG Football September 2013 (November); always ready to meet it; was citing tardiness on the Federation regrettably was and Affiliates would be given just the auditors who were the auditors’ part for the delay in forced to postpone our Annual copies of the Reports for their problem and at this time still the updating and completion General Meeting (AGM) which perusal before the AGM.” are.” of the statements. was set for Saturday 02nd A very ‘We have requested of the auditors those statements for November 2013 at the SVGFF defiant Office.

Coombs

Affiliates of the SVG Football Federation are expected to drill the Executive on matters related to the management of the Federation’s finances.

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT AFFILIATES OF THE SVG Football Federation will have what some say is the rarity of an Annual General Meeting (AGM) this Saturday.

The meeting, which according to some reports is overdue by more than a year, will take place at the headquarters of the Federation just yards from the Victoria Park — once considered the home of the sport.

President Venold Coombs and his executive are expected to come under fire, given the comments made by way of the media over the past few weeks by some close to the sport.

Among the main ‘bones” of contention is the state of the

CWSA takes domino title

CENTRAL WATER AND Sewerage Authority are the 2013 Champions of the Hairoun/Government Printery Sports and Cultural Club hosted domino competition.

The water men, a late entry in this year’s competition, beat Transport and Works, 25 — 23, in an exciting final played at the venue on the precincts of the Thomas Saunders Secondary School, last Friday, November 2.

CWSA was an unlikely winner

Preston Skerrit, President of the Government Printery Sports Club, is satisfied with the running and outcome of the Competition.

going into the semi-finals, having finished fourth at the end of seven rounds of preliminary matches. But they gave indication of their intent when they disposed of RSVG Police Force in the semi-final. The lawmen had been odds on favourites Intense concentration in one of the tables of the to take the title, finals between CWSA (short side) and having played Transport and Works. unbeaten look forward to the Club’s next throughout the preliminary activity, a Moonlight Walk from round.

Peace Memorial Hall, Kingstown, Preston Skerrit, in his first to Villa, scheduled for November term as president of the Government Printery Sports and 16.

Preston also gave indication of Cultural Club, told THE his Club’s intention to host an VINCENTIAN that he was inaugural Firms 20/20 Softball “satisfied with the level of play Cricket Competition in February and extent of support during the 2014. competition,” and expressed the Eight teams participated in hope that “this year’s success this year’s Domino Competition, would encourage more teams to with each team fielding four pairs participate in next year’s of players. competition.”

A prize giving ceremony for the He and his executive are 2013 Competition will be held this encouraged by this success and month, on a date to be announced.

Rewards for Vinlec North Leeward champions

RUDY’S ELECTRICAL Cricket Team received their just recognition for their 2013 success in the Vinlec North Leeward Cricket last Sunday, when Captain Ian Allen lifted the competition’s Challenge trophy on his team’s behalf.

The awards presentation took place at the Petit Bordel Playing Field, the same venue where Rudy Electrical secured their triumph early September.

Other awards handed out included the Man of the Match in the final, Andre Hunte of Rudy’s Electrical being the recipient.

Ronique Laborde, from Peto Stars, was the Most Valuable Player of the series. He was the top wicket-taker and also featured highly among the run-getters. Omar Tucker with 291 runs was the leading runs scorer.

Tucker, who took his team Winterset into the quarterfinals, was one of

four century makers who were rewarded for their exploits. The others were Kenny Stapleton and Casmond Walters from Ajuba, and Orlando Charles from Somerset.

Carlos James Troumaca Starlight took second for the second year in succession. Their captain Dorson Cottle collected his team’s rewards. Four of Cottle’s mates were recognised for their performances: Donald Delpesche - Most Promising Fast Bowler; Niclon Alexander - Most Catches; Sylvester Pitt — Most Promising Wicketkeeper; and Kentish John - Emerging Spin Bowler.

The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police was adjudged the Most Disciplined outfit.

Ten teams in two zones took part in the 2013 edition of the competition played in the Twenty over format.

The competition has served as a platform for cricketers in the community and across the state.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. 25.

Sports

Test cricket, have we lost the art?

BY TODAY, the first Test in a current series featuring the West Indies and India would have taken a turn towards completion. The hype was on Sachine Tendulkar. Except for a spirited bowling performance and some profound batting in the second innings, the match would have been close to over.

Barring the turn in fortunes, India seemed destined for victory. When you are dismissed on the first day of a five day affair for 234 runs, the onus is on you to salvage something out of the ordinary.

The West Indies batsmen have to learn the art of survival. They have to adjust and remember that shot making is important but certainly not carelessly.

Test cricket requires a different mind-set from the 20 over affair or the rapidly changing 50 over version.

With the proliferation of T/20 Cricket and One Day Internationals, it seems that players have lost the art Test cricket demands.

We go for style with no substance. There is no excuse for professionals failing to appreciate their requirements.

India is a country anxious to correct the wrongs, and the days when they were a thoroughfare for West Indies fast bowlers are over. Things have come the full circle, and West Indies batsmen are finding themselves with inadequate skills and technique to cope with Indian speedsters.

While we have lost ground to handling and producing genuine fast bowlers, we have not mastered spin bowling either with bat or ball.

We persist with mediocre performances. We seem more intent on going after each other’s throat instead of handling the real enemy.

Subconsciously, we become victims of our misfortune and tend to self-destruct.

We have some distance to go towards recapturing the ground that has seen us at the pinnacle of world cricket.

Some of the malaise in regional cricket cannot be blamed on the administration. Players have a responsibility of taking care of themselves in and out of season. They can’t rely on a system of imposition. They have to take on the task of their own improvements.

Players tend to relapse when they are involved in big time competition. Therefore, when the burden comes on them as a consequence of their relentless programme, they are quick to fall into a state of mental overload, and their performances suffer.

Information about cricketers are available more than ever before. To what extent we in the West Indies use the resources is a matter to be analysed.

Judging from the way in which we appear blank in the face of the slightest challenge, there are reasons to assume that we don’t size up our opponents in the same manner that they apply to us.

Our problem is endemic, and wherever in the Caribbean is our base, we follow that pattern of ebb rather than flow. We still have this feeling that persons from the smaller territories of the Caribbean are inferior to those from the larger nations.

This belief has left us with a false sense of ourselves. It is only when we are faced with the reality, that we appreciate that we are one and there are things that are common among us.

We believe that all is well with other nations and that they don’t have problems. It is when we harness our resources that we see the benefits of our collective endeavour.

We have a unique flavour of Caribbean authenticity. We have to find the positive impact of our experience and shed the load that continues to weigh us down.

Destiny lifts ‘Secky’s” bails

By E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT HE MAY NOT have attained the heights of International umpires GT Browne and Cleophus Paynter, who both preceded him to the “Great Beyond”, but Randolph “Secky’ Medica could be said to have contributed just as much to the game of cricket as an umpire.

This is the view of many who paid tribute to the Georgetown resident who passed away at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital two weeks ago.

Medica began umpiring in the late 1980s. He developed into a competent umpire, despite never taking the local exams, according Selwyn Allen, executive member of the SVG Umpires Association.

Allen said that Medica “was truly committed to the game,” and gave everything to ensure that matches were played.

‘You just had to say where the game was, and you could have been certain that ‘Secky” would be there…..he just loved the game and was serious about his work,” he said.

Allen said he believed that Medica may have had some challenges, hence the reason why he never took the examinations, “but despite this, he did an excellent officiating” ’.

Former SVG captain Stanley ‘Gunny” Hinds, who said that Medica “was like a brother” to him, also spoke highly about his work around the game, especially on the weekend matches and on the school circuit.

Fellow umpires, including Selwyn Allen (right) raise the finger in deserving recognition of a fallen colleague, Randolph “Secky’ Medica. “ ‘Secky’ was always willing to go the extra mile to see cricket played. It did not matter which day or what time of the day, he was ready,” Hinds said on radio on the weekend.

President of the SVG Umpires Association, Goalan Greaves, also paid tribute to Medica and also underlined his contribution.

The 59-year-old Medica also contributed in other areas in sports, but primarily as a ‘doorman’ at regional and international matches.

The SVG Cricket Association in highlighting his passing, issued a release which read: “The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our stalwart umpires, Mr. Randolph ‘Secky’ Medica.

“Mr. Medica’s resounding services go back many years, over which period he has officiated at matches at different levels of cricket: primary, secondary and senior.

“He was also a very reliable official at our gates at our international matches, conducting proceedings in his particular astute manner.

“Secky” was a man with a great sense of humour, and a very popular umpire amongst the players. He will surely be missed.”

Edwards, Vanloo ensure a Sion Hill win HALF CENTURIES by former national players Bill Edwards and Sylvester Vanloo propelled Sion Hill Masters to a massive 100-run win over Rudy’s Electrical Barrouallie Combined Masters, in the National Masters 20/20 Cricket Competition on the weekend.

Sion Hill Masters made 171 for 2 off 20 overs, with Edwards hitting 76 and Vanloo 51. Rudy’s Electrical Barrouallie Combined Masters were reduced to 71 all out off 15.3 overs.

Bryan Davis and Andrew Bramble had 3 wickets each.

At Sion Hill, in an extremely low scoring match, Arnos Vale Masters defeated Kirk Da Silva’s La Croix Masters by 9 wickets.

Scores: Kirk Da Silva’s La Croix Masters 32 all out off 12.2; Arnos Vale: 38 for 1 off 8.4 overs, Elvis Charles 20 not out.

Also at Sion Hill, Joyette’s Auto Slater Development Pastures defeated LOG Enterprises Kingstown Masters on a faster scoring rate, the match being decided on five

Bill Edwards led for Sion Hill with 76. overs a side. Log Enterprises Kingstown Masters made 133 for 2 off 17 overs, Joseph Carrington getting 53 not out, but were 19 for 1 after 5 overs. Pastures Masters were 21 for 3 after 5 overs.

At ParkHill, Computec Belfongo Masters beat Cato’s Heavy Equipment Glamorgan Masters by 7 wickets. Scores: Glamorgan Masters 120 for 5 off 15 overs, Clyde Mofford 52; Belfongo Masters 122 for 3 off 11 overs, Agustine Burgin 53 not out.

Stanley Browne’s

Sylvester Vanloo stroked a vital 51 for Sion Hill.

Stubbs Masters, playing at home, inflicted a 20run defeat on St. Vincent Cooperative Bank P’tani Masters. Scores: Stubbs Masters 128 for 2 off 15 overs, Dawnley Joseph 39, Leon Samuel 35; P’tani Masters 108 all out off 14.4 overs, Basil Andrews 4 for 19.

At Buccament, Rudy’s Electrical Barrouallie Combined Masters made RSGG Police Masters pay when they recorded victory by 19 runs.

Rudy’s Electrical Barrouallie Combined Masters 95 in 18.2 overs.

Joseph Carrington, 53 not out, was not enough to save Kingstown Masters.

RSVG Police Masters 75 in 14.5 overs.

Two games will be played this weekend to end the preliminary round. On Saturday from 1.30 p.m at Sion Hill, St.Vincent Cooperative Bank Ptani Masters will play Arnos Vale Masters. On Sunday at 1.30 p.m at Buccament,Log Enterprises Kingstown Masters face North Leeward Masters.

I.B.A.ALLEN

26. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013. 27.

Classifieds

Injectors, All Stars in winner’s row DR. THOMAS INJECTORS and Bank of SVG All-Stars recorded easy victories in the National Lotteries Authority TBPO Softball Cricket competition last weekend.

Dr. Thomas Injectors defeated Out Ah Trouble by 51 runs after they put on 136 for 7 in 15 overs, to which their opponents replied with 85 for 5 in 15 overs. For Injectors, Kesron Ashton led the batting with 53 and Kellique Peters had 38.

Sachski James top scored for Out Ah Trouble with 47 and Damien Allen 17. Mickel Mapp took 3 for 33 bowling for Out Ah Trouble.

Bank of SVG All Stars beat Shot Callers by 43 runs. All Stars posted 129 runs for 7 wickets in 15 overs, Hugh Toby top scoring with 33. Shot Callers’ Danny Daniel took 3 for 22. Shot Callers in reply mustered 86 for 8 in 15 overs, Troy Bullock contributing 36. Earl Pope had figures of 3 for 3 for All Stars.

In another weekend result, Nar Fren Dem had an 18-run win over Older Boys. Mark Durrant’s 26 helped Bar Fren Dem to 106 runs for 7 in 15 overs, with Junior Bacchus accounting for three of those wickets. Older Boys edged to 88 for 7 in 15 overs, Curtis King top scoring with 36. Kimron Baptiste and Brent Lavia had 2 wickets each.

Gairy Construction Simple Boys beat Glen United by 10 wickets. In a disastrous batting display, Simple Boys closed for 34 for 7 in 10 overs, Desron Maloney took 3 for 5. Gairy Construction Simple Boys then raced to 40 without loss in 2. 3 overs, Stein Joseph making 19.

CGM Novice won General Hardware Supplies Richmond Hill United by default.

Matches continue this weekend at the Daphne Playing Field.

I.B.A.ALLEN

FOR SALE 1 Toyota Hiace Van 593-6660/454-0551

F O R

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

A.I. REAL ESTATE Ruthland Vale 4 bedrm Property on 16,205 sq.ft - Open to offers - H496 Golden Vale 14,991 sq.ft @ $15.00 p.s.f. - $224,865.00 - BB480

S A L E

FRIDAY,

NOVEMBER 8, 2013

VOLUME 107, No.45

Calder 4 bedrm Property on 11,272 sq.ft. - $450,000.00 - H534 Magum 3 bedrm Property on 4,093sq.ft. - $127,575.00 - H528 Other listings are available Phone: 457-2087 Fax: 457-1382 Toll Free (USA): 866-978-0951 718-732-0545 Email: donp@vincysurf.com Website: www.aisvg.com

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

FIRE-TRUCK ARRIVED WITHOUT WATER did not know if the fire-truck came to the scene without water. “When I got there, A PROSECUTION WITNESS in a murder retrial the fire appliance was putting out the fire,” involving two persons whose bodies were she insisted. discovered in a burnt out house at Surgical Pathologist Dr. Ronald Child Villa/Fountain road almost eight years ago, performed the autopsy on Gill, while family told the Court on Monday that the fire-truck physician Dr. Franklyn James did the arrived on the scene without water. autopsy on Llewellyn.

Grafton Bullock, a self-employed welder Under cross-examination, both doctors of Fountain, was testifying at the Criminal said they did not perform any test for Assizes in the retrial involving ex-police levels of carboxy haemoglobin. When constable Ericson Harris, who is charged Bacchus-Browne asked Dr. James what with the murder of Volney ‘Crimo’ was the chief cause of death of someone Llewellyn, 31, of New Montrose and burnt in a fire, he said, “If there is no other Jennine ‘Lucy’ Gill, 21, whose bodies were injury, you would imagine that the chief found in a burnt out small concrete house cause of death is asphyxiation.” where Gill lived at Villa/Fountain road.

The case was expected to continue Autopsies showed they died from blunt yesterday, Thursday. trauma to the head. Gill also received This is the second time Harris is being several stab wounds and thermal injury. tried, having endured a first trial in 2008 Bullock testified that he was in charge of when the jury failed to reach a verdict on the house which had belonged to his the matter. brother who resides in Canada. Gill was renting the house.

Bullock, who lived within walking distance of the house, said he went there in the early morning hours of December 15, 2005 after he was informed that the house was on fire. It took him about six minutes to get there and the fire-truck arrived, without water, about 15 to 20 minutes after he got there.

Under cross-examination by Harris’s lawyer Kay Bacchus-Browne, Bullock said FOUR MEN are behind bars awaiting a the firemen asked a neighbour for a water March 2014 Preliminary Inquiry into last hose, but the neighbour had none. He said weekend’s hacking death of a 29-year-old the fire-truck left and returned within an Redemption Sharpes resident, on the hour after, but by that time the house was Grenadine island of Canouan. already engulfed in flames.

Donrick Richards, 25, of Richland Police Corporal Sharon John, who was Park, Imo Miller,22, of Barroullie, along at the time stationed at the Calliaqua with brothers Keyshawn, 25, and Chad Police Station, testified that she received a Ellis, 18, of Lowmans Windward, are call around 5:10 am on the day in question charged with the murder of Horsand and another call about five minutes later.

Glasgow who died after reportedly being She then proceeded to Villa/Fountain road chopped several times about his body, with other police officers. around 11 pm November 1.

“On my arrival, I saw one dwelling The quartet were not required to plea house engulfed in fire. The fire-truck was when they appeared before Chief putting out the fire. I remained there,” Magistrate Sonya Young Wednesday, and John recalled. were remanded.

The witness said that after the fire was A Preliminary Inquiry (PI) is slated for put out, she saw two charred bodies lying March 4 and 5, 2014. in one of the rooms.

Under cross-examination, John said she Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

Four charged with Canouan murder

Ex-police constable Ericson Harris is charged with the murders.

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

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.