Issue 12th October, 2012

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

OCTOBER 12, 2012

VOLUME 106, No. 41

The NDP staged regular protests in front of the Parliament building in the early part of 2011.

by HAYDN HUGGINS BURTON WILLIAMS, Central Committee member of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) told the court on Tuesday, he played the role of restraining the crowd and ensuring that persons were not hurt, after a commotion developed in front the parliament precincts’ main gate during a January 28, 2011 NDP led protest.

He also denied that a

police officer, who he claimed pointed a gun at him, did so because he (Williams) was “the ring leader and was inciting the crowd to storm parliament.”

Williams made the denial in response to that suggestion from Crown Counsel Colin John, under cross-examination at his trial before the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court.

Continued on Page 3.

www.thevincentian.com

Defendant Burton Williams (left) in conversation with his lawyer Andreas Coombs (right), in the company of Venold Coombs who sources say could be one of the two defence witnesses to be called next week.

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2. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. 3.

News 3 Burton, Aggressor or peacemaker?

CONTINUED FROM FRONTPAGE

An NDP protest in January 2011 almost turned into a far-reaching clash between protestors and the constabulary.

Jacobs, Williams assured under further crossexamination.

The charges of Sergeant Ornan behaving in a manner in Jacobs of the Special which a breach of peace Services Unit (SSU) had was likely to be testified on September 25 occasioned, and of that, while on duty in the attempting to damage vicinity of parliament on property stemmed from the day of protest, he an NDP led march and heard Williams, via a rally in Kingstown to Public Address (PA) protest proposed system, encouraging the amendments to the crowd to “storm Criminal Procedure Code parliament” and “stop and the Representation the proceedings,” of the People Act (RPA). following which Williams and other persons No animosity proceeded to strike the main gate to parliament Williams also denied with a steel bar. By that that he was “ramming time, according to the gate to parliament Sergeant Jacobs, most of when the police officer the police officers had pointed the gun at him,” removed themselves from but affirmed that it was the gate, and on realizing Sergeant Jacobs, his that the policemen in the cousin, who pointed the area could have been gun. injured, he drew his gun, There was no pointed it at the animosity before or since aggressors and ordered the incident between them to stop. himself and Sergeant However, Williams

told the Court, October 2, “There were a lot of people in front of the gate carrying on. I saw a couple of guys coming with a steel bar and I held onto it in an effort to dissuade them from going forward, because in front the gate there was a large crowd.”

He recalled that he let go of the bar and went to the gate when, “I saw a group of policemen coming towards the gate, at which point a policeman drew his pistol and pointed it at me. ”

IT WAS NOT TOO LONG AGO when consumers would await the arrival of the fishing boats at the Kingstown fisherman’s wharf, to make purchase, on the spot it seemed, of fresh fish.

The practice of selling/buying fish on the Kingstown wharf has since been prohibited by the Fisheries Department. But not so long ago, what is

depicted in the photograph was a common feature of city life. Literally hundreds of Vincentians bought their fresh fish as they were landed; there were no restrictions and market regulations.

Persons would begin to congregate at about 4:00pm, and indulge in the latest gossip as they awaited the arrival of the boats, all of which seemed, somehow, to arrive within a small pocket of time, one behind the other.

Each consumer had his/her favourite fisherman or boat, but business was fast and furious at most times, with an inexplicable exchange of cash and fish from hand to hand, from the back to the front of the mass of people gathered on the wharf.

These were times of simple commerce, an uncomplicated manner of transacting business that satisfied buyer and seller.

Today, there is hardly any contact between the fisherman and the consumer. Middle men and women have separated then and a new and modern Fishing Complex in Kingstown has all but rid Kingstown of its reflection of the simplicity of Vincentian life.

And bet there was then, a good chance that you got a free fish now and again. Dare to expect that now!

Who calmed the crowd?

Under crossexamination last Tuesday, October 9, Williams said that, based on his recollection, he would say he was successful in restraining the crowd from ‘ramming’ the gate.

“So, Mr Williams, you had influence over the

crowd?” Crown Counsel John asked.

“To a certain degree,” the defendant responded, and indicated that some

of them followed his instructions and some didn’t, explaining further, “you had to keep persuading and controlling the crowd”.

“And after that, the police pointed the pistol at you?” the Crown Counsel questioned.

“There was a commotion in front of the gate, so I went forward to talk to them (crowd) to avoid injury to anyone. It was at that point that the gun was raised at me,” the NDP politician explained, adding further that the persons had already put down the barricade when the police pointed the firearm at him.

“You know of any reason why Sergeant Jacobs would come here and lie on you, Mr. Williams?” John asked.

“I don’t know of any reason,” the former Health Minister replied.

“And what sergeant Jacobs said in court was true?” the Crown Counsel further questioned.

“I cannot determine that,” Williams responded.

“Was it you who quieted the crowd Mr. Williams?” John asked.

“I played a role in pacifying what was going on in front of the gate,” Williams assured.

“Was it you or Mr.

Leacock who quieted the crowd in front of the gate?” John further asked.

“I do not know,” Williams said.

Sergeant Jacobs had testified that it was after NDP member of parliament, St. Clair Leacock spoke to the crowd “they then calmed down, placed the bar on the ground and walked away.”

When Williams was re-examined by his lawyer Andreas Coombs, the defendant said the degree of influence he spoke about under crossexamination was that persons cooperated with him by putting down the steel bar, and those in front of the gate began dispersing.

He also explained, “When I saw the police coming towards the gate, I was concerned about the safety of the protestors because if they kept going forward any further, the police might have taken action to stop them.”

According to Williams, “To the best of my knowledge, I cannot recall the gate being rammed.”

The trial continues next Monday, October 15. Coombs has informed the court that the defence intends to call two witnesses.

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4. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Feature

by GLORIAH… IT IS FAIR TO SAY that the incidence of breast cancer diagnosis here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is on the rise. No longer can we point fingers and predict that this deadly disease will attack only the elder folk in our communities. Breast cancer has been shown to affect age groups previously thought of as being outside its grasp, and too many among us are now succumbing to its ever-present onslaughts on our bodies.

THE VINCENTIAN took to the streets of Kingstown to find out from women, the gender most at risk, about their views on the incidence of these silent attacks.

and more sensitive. Women should not just wait until there is a lump in the breast to go the doctor.

I think, too, that enough is not being done about breast cancer here in SVG. It is not really mentioned on the television or in the newspapers unless it is the breast cancer month, when all the things are being said about it, then it goes dead for the next eleven months before it comes back again.

KIMALLA CAMBRIDGE

I personally didn’t think too much about breast cancer prior to the recent BEVERLY BARNWELL incidence of my very good friend I have known coming down quite a number of with the persons who have disease, even come down with knowing that this disease, and many years ago, I think that the my aunt had it. numbers are One of the increasing. The things I would thing is, have done while my awareness friend was in hospital among women in was to do a lot of general is not reading on the subject. I enough. had come to realise that there was not enough I had a friend awareness about it in St. Vincent and the once who, by the Grenadines, so I felt that I had to initiate my time she went to the interest myself. I wanted to see if I could provide doctor, had cancer in my friend with tips and moral support. both breasts. She acted Believe it or not, this has helped me to too late. To me, what she understand that I should have a mammogram by needed to look for she didn’t, and by the time she the age of 35 years and every year after that until became aware, the disease had progressed too far. my doctor tells me to do it less frequently.

I believe that women should always find out what I think we should do more here in SVG. One day, their status is. They should get second opinions while visiting my friend in the hospital, I realized even after they are diagnosed. It is recommended that my childhood babysitter was diagnosed and that women do a medical check each year. It is that her disease had gone real far. She had never always good to do it around their birthdays, so that had a mammogram. She had been complaining of they could always remember. If this is done heaviness and constant pain in the breast, yet she regularly, it will make women, even those without a still did not go to the doctor initially. It was so sad. trace of cancer in their families, become more aware We need to build awareness. There should be a

Breast Cancer Awareness group where persons can go and talk out. At the workplace, people are not knowledgeable about it, and in my friend’s case, the co-workers simply separated themselves. Was it a case of not knowing how to speak to her, or was it just shunning her altogether? There is an apparent fear of the unknown that I see in people’s eyes.

There is need for education. Do you believe that one person felt that coming into contact with a victim of this disease could mean contracting it?

CASSANDRA WILLIAMS I had heard about breast cancer since I was a child in primary school, but I never really felt the negative of it until it reached a close family member.

One of my first cousins in Dominica died from it. That was when I started to feel the full impact.

I think it is a very serious disease, but I don’t think that we put enough emphasis on it. As far as my thinking goes, I think this should be taught in school, so it could reach into the homes because children, especially girls, have a tendency to go home and ask about things.

Lately, my understanding is that it does not affect only women, but men also. I don’t think that men acknowledge that. I believe also, that there are negatives that could happen in your youthful days that we may not consider, but other things could come out of it.

We women really don’t know enough, especially the younger folks. A young lady might think that it is too negative to walk into a doctor’s office and enquire about it. Each one should teach one.

Phillips releases fourth book

by KENVILLE HORNE HERLON PHILLIPS, a native of the Grenadine isle of Bequia, has released his fourth book entitled ‘The History of Bequia’.

Phillips describes it as “a small handheld book which gives a brief historical sketch of Port Elizabeth, Bequia’s capital, outlines the cultural aspect of the Bequia society, such as Boat building, whaling and Easter regatta, and highlights the poet laureate of Bequia, Silma Duncan, who was recognized by St. James Palace in England for one of her poems honoring the late Princess Diana, Princess of Wales.”

Phillips’ latest publication follows on his first, a selection of essays and concepts on the mundane and the exquisite which covers ‘Historical Sites in SVG’; his second ‘Cradle of

Caribbean Civilization’, and third, ‘Renaissance of Hairoun’, a profile of past and present leaders from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

In speaking with THE VINCENTIAN, Phillips explained that he became interested in writing while he was a student at the Emmanuel High School, in Mesopotamia.

However, it was during his tenure as a sailor on one of the Royal Caribbean cruise liners that he found inspiration and became determined to address the void in literary work in SVG. “We need to document information, so that the younger persons can see how we evolved as a people,” he told THE VINCENTIAN. And as to the response to his work, he noted that he has received favorable responses and many of his books have been sold overseas. He has

also donated some to educational institutions in SVG. He is not unduly put out by the extent of immediate responses since, as he puts it, “Sometimes books might not be popular soon after they are written, but as time goes by and persons want to look for information , they become quite useful.”

The book, ‘History of Bequia’, is currently available at the Gaymes Book Center and JuJuBe Book Store, at the cost of EC$ 40.

Herlon Phillips sees the greatest value of books in their longevity.

V T&T Opposition Leader threatened

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. 5.

Regional

THE GOVERNMENT OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO has confirmed that that country’s Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Keith Rowley, has received a death threat.

Austin ‘Jack’ Warner, Minister of Security, gave the confirmation while speaking at a community meeting in

Trou Macaque, Laventille, on Tuesday, October 2.

Warner said he was advised that Dr Rowley had “recently received a threat against his life,” which police are actively investigating, the Trinidad Express newspaper reported.

He apparently went on to say that

LIAT partners with Children’s foundation WHAT SOME COMMENTATORS are describing as an “unlikely” partnership was formalized last week Monday, October 1, in Barbados.

Regional airline LIAT and the Foundation for the Development of Caribbean Children (FDCC) have come together in a union to support some the “the region’s most vulnerable children.”

According to a Memorandum of Understanding signed by both parties, the aim of the partnership is to raise some US$25,000.

The signing was done during the official launch of ‘The Sky is the Limit’ fundraising campaign.

The funds are earmarked for use, among other things, ‘to increase the number of children who benefit from The Roving Caregivers Home Visitation project currently on in

Grenada, St Vincent, Dominica and St Lucia’, according to the MOU. Susan Branker, consultant director of the FDCC, described the partnership as “critical” to helping the region’s children to gain access to early childhood development (ECD).

Branker pointed to a situation in the Caribbean in which, she says, about 50 per cent of rural families Susan Branker, consultant had no information director of FCC, describes about how to mentally the partnership as critical stimulate their in the effort to assist children.

Caribbean children.

“Research shows that thirty per cent of Grenadines. ‘The Sky is our children have not the Limit’ is one of first acquired the basic skills major fund-raising to benefit from primary projects of the FDCC school education,” since its launch.

Branker said at the No details as to how signing. the funds are to be The FDCC was raised were available up launched in late 2011 in to press time, St Vincent and the Wednesday.

as a Member of Parliament, “such threats ought not to deter any MP from doing his or her national duties,” and referred to threats made against the Attorney General and himself, which he said “will not cower us.”

The latest threat follows threatening letters which Dr Rowley had received last year.

At that time, police investigating the reports questioned several persons, including members of the Jamaat-alMuslimeen. No one was held in connection with the threats.

However, the public pronouncement of the latest threat has been met with some resentment by the Opposition Peoples National Movement (PNM), of which Dr. Rowley is leader.

The Trinidad Express reported that PNM Public Relations Officer, Senator Faris Al Rawi, had questioned why Warner would make the current threat to Rowley public, and also questioned Warner’s motive(s) for doing so.

“I think that this is probably a matter best for the police, and I question the role of the Minister of National Security in making something like this public when clearly Dr Rowley has not done so himself. To me, it is within Dr Rowley’s right and remit to speak on such matters that concern him and his security, and since this matter is properly within the domain of the police presently, I am not quite certain of the minister’s motive in revealing this information,” the Trinidad Express reported Al Rawi as saying.

There was no disclosure about the nature of the threat, but police confirmed that the matter was now in their hands and receiving its due attention.

Dr. Keith Rowley, Leader of the Opposition in the T&T House of Parliament, has been the target of threats before.

Austin ‘Jack’ Warner may have trivialized the matter, according to some observers.

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6. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Education

BOSVG invests in the future Stories by KARISSA CLARKE

The Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (BOSVG) continued the outreach programme of its predecessor, the National Commercial Bank, when it awarded scholarships to fifteen students here.

Scholarships were awarded in the following categories and to the following persons: the Staff children scholarships Tiffany Durrant, Sachi Sutherland; Education Assistance - Raycarter Williams, Drewvorni Charles, Aaron Jackson; Mortgage Scholarships - Kennie Isles, Kaylah Leigertwood-Ollivierre; Hard Area Scholarships Renaldo Lavia (North Windward), Deshia Murray (North Leeward), Tishana Friday (Northern Grenadines), Britney John (Southern Grenadines); and A’Level Scholarships - Cherrianne Davis, Khandi Janique Gordon, Shafel Mc Dowall and Pedrique Pompey.

At a handing over ceremony held at the Bank’s Halifax Street headquarters on Thursday 4th October, Derry Williams, Managing Director/BOSVG, told a gathering of scholarship recipients, their parents, friends and directors, management and staff of the Bank, that since the programme started in the 1980s with five scholarships,

that number had grown to 200.

He expressed the bank’s delight in having “contributed significantly to the human resource stock of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Errol Allen, Chairman of the Board of Directors, in brief remarks intended to encourage the scholarship winners, said, “The less education a person receives, the more difficult it is to find employment. While education doesn’t guarantee employment, the higher, the more competitive you’ll be in the job market.”

Guest Speaker, Mr. Andrew Cummings QC, exhorted the youngsters to progress and persevere.

Expressing his fascination with the fact that so many young people had reached such a high level of education, he recalled his days in 6th Form when there was a class of 15.

“It’s a different world today. There has been a revolution. Our progress as a nation depends on the progress of education, so take in all you can!” Cummings said.

“Each of you are somebody with talent, skills and ability.

Today is a day of opportunity for you, take it, relish it, pass it on,” he advised.

In particular reference to the age of technology, the

Queen’s Counsel urged the recipients to persevere and tackle subjects that are often neglected and deemed too difficult, like mathematics and Andrew Cummings QC (inset) urged the science.

“This should be a scholarship recipients to progress and persevere. nation of creative people, an oasis of Board and the Bank on behalf culture,” he declared. of the scholarship recipients, Cherrianne Davis, top and assured that they will CSEC performer, thanked the continue to work hard.

First Timmy Richards schols awarded THE FIRST SET OF AWARDS under the Bertram ‘Timmy’ Richards Memorial Scholarship Fund has been made.

Last Tuesday, October 9, at the old Intermediate High School location in Kingstown, six former students were awarded scholarships to assist with tertiary level studies.

The six recipients were: Akeem Cadougan (Sion Hill), Kingsley Tannis (Largo Height) and Kimberly Ferdinand (Edinboro) from the SVGCC Technical Division; Ariel St. Hill (Fitz Hughes) and Cameisha Foster (Green Hill) of the SVGCC Division of Arts Science and General Studies; and Raynelle Samuel University of Trinidad. who is currently attending the Keisha Phillips, Chairperson, in welcoming the gathering of past and present students, parents, staff and directors of the Fund, described the occasion as “a day of rejoicing,” and expressed pleasure “to be able to hand cheques to students.”

She underscored the rich legacy which Bertram Richards had left.

Cuthbert Knights, a former teacher and currently this country’s Director of Trade, also delivered an address to those gathered.

He reminded the recipients and the students present about the importance of having a sound education.

“Education is a national civic duty,

Five of the scholarship recipients were on hand to receive their awards: (L-R) Ariel St. Hill, Kingsley Tannis, Cameisha Foster, Kimberly Ferdinand and Akeem Cadougan. not a privilege,” he said, and told the awardees, “You’re about to receive a scholarship.

This country needs every one of you. You all have to go out and equip yourself to come back.”

Knights shared anecdotes of his own time studying abroad, beseeching them never to give up, no matter the circumstance.

Hermia Scott, Chairman I.H.S Board of Governors and a former Principal of the school, then presented the students with their official certificates and awards.

The Intermediate High School first opened its doors to students in the year 1926. At that time there were only two other Secondary Schools on the island. Intermediate High School was founded by the late Dr. J.P. Eustacce who was only 18 years at the time.

The school was managed by Mr. Richards until his death in 1989.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. 7.

Arts

New Theatre Arts Company challenged

presentations.

“What we want is a truly local production,” Peters stated.

He challenged the new group to “bring young people into the art.” He pointed out that persons tended to drift away from artistic productions when they reached aged thirty, got married or started working.

Peters advised the new body to take their Michael Peters, Cultural production outside of St. Vincent and the Officer and Dramatist, Grenadines. challenged the new “All we hear about is group to use indigenous people coming in. How cultural expressions in many Vincentians leave their productions.

St.Vincent and the Grenadines and go overseas?” he pondered.

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

Endorsement

CULTURAL OFFICER Michael Peters congratulated the members on the formation of the Legacy Theatre Arts Company but expressed a hope that the new group was “not breaking down to build up.”

Peters was at the time addressing the launching ceremony, of Legacy Theatre Arts Company last Wednesday, at the Peace Memorial Hall.

He was concerned that the group’s membership comprised persons from two cultural outfits, Urban Expressions and Krazy Komedy Krew.

For Peters, the proof of the pudding will be in three years time. “Will you be still standing?”

Peters queried.

However the tales unfold, Peters wants to see an emphasis on indigenous production.

He lamented the absence of new folk songs. He was also upset with the absence of live music in any of the productions in the recent drama festival.

He is hoping that the Legacy Theatre Arts Company make efforts to ensure that local culture are engrained in their

Deborah Dalrymple, Head of the University of the West Indies Open Campus in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was on hand to give endorsement to the new Arts Company, whose formation grew out of those who pursued the inaugural Certificate in Theatre Arts Class 2012 of the University of the West Indies Open Campus, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“We will be proud to be part of your efforts,” Dalrymple said.

Former Minister of Culture Rene Baptiste was pleasantly surprised at having been invited to endorse the proceedings.

She expressed dissatisfaction with the standard of theatre, and remarked that “what passes for theatre is comedy.”

Baptiste is hoping that the Legacy Arts Theatre Company can develop traits of creativity and passion within their productions, stressed the need for local content and appealed generally for the preservation of indigenous art and culture.

The Legacy Theatre Arts Company began August 7, 2012. Its Board of Directors includes Gloria Williams, Sean Frederick, Yohance Gibson and LeClerc Members of the Legacy Theatre Arts Company gave a demonstration of their Bartholomew. skills.

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8. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. 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

Learning from the Chávez experience HUGO CHÁVEZ SCORED a comfortable though not an overwhelming victory in Venezuela’s presidential election, Sunday, October 7. Not overwhelming because, compared to his previous two victories, his margin of victory has seen a decrease from as much as 26% (in 2006) to this round’s low of 10%.

He will begin officially in January 2013 another six-year term as president, which would mean, barring any misfortunate (health related concerns not the least among the ‘probables’ here), that the retired lieutenant colonel would consolidate his control over the Venezuelan economy for a total of twenty years.

This control over the economy could well mean a continued if not intensified wave of nationalizations, which have become one of the hallmarks of his socialist revolution. These new nationalizations, stable and high oil prices permitting, could well extend to banking, food and heath industries, to follow on the takeovers in telecommunications, electricity and oil.

Outside of Venezuela, this victory could also mean continued support by Venezuela and Chávez for left wing allies in Latin America and elsewhere.

But whatever, notwithstanding what some might deem a contradiction, Chávez’s victory is one for democracy in what his critics have otherwise judged to be an autocratic system.

The people of Venezuela, demonstrated by their 80% percent turnout at the polls, may well have silenced these critics but not suffocated them.

And it is hoped that those who have studied President Chávez’s career, even benefited from his tenure and generosity, would learn from this lessening in the share of the popular vote.

Questions and reflection among his allies, including those in the OECS, should not be avoided. For example, should they not ask: Could it be that his slip in the share of the popular vote was an indication that, barring all his socialist revolution has done for the poor and marginalized of his country, that he had not adequately attended to those same social ills, like crime and corruption, that plague small island states like ours?

Could President Chávez’s post-election promise to be “more focused” in his new term, be acknowledgement that he has not dealt effectively with these social challenges and more?

If the answers to these questions (and more) are in the affirmative, then credit Hugo Chávez with being a man, prepared to admit to the incompleteness of his socialist revolution, and let those who herald his brand of socialism do likewise and make manly and forthright admissions of failure.

And there is more from which we can learn from the recent election experience in Venezuela.

Reports are that in the build —up to election day, Chávez handed out homes and pensions financed with state funds.

This could be said to mirror much of what transpires in our island states; but while we have certain unions to protect us, like a common central bank which oversees a common currency in the OECS, Chávez’s free-wheeling with state finances could well have weakened his country’s finances, and could well force a currency devaluation and inflation.

The developments in this regard we must monitor, since President Chávez has proposed, to his ALBA colleagues and others in the Americas, that they should be moving towards establishing an alternate common currency to that of the US dollar. This might sound like a plausible suggestion, but its motivation must not be dismissed as irrelevant.

In addition, any weakening of Venezuela’s financial situation could spell ‘disaster’ for those arrangements agreed as part of the Petro-Caribe Memorandum of Understanding and other bi-lateral understandings of assistance, SVG international airport not least among these understandings.

In the long run, though, take nothing away from Hugo Chávez’s latest victory. He recorded another victory, this time against a formidable opponent, buoyed by increased institutional and more covert US support.

He has become Latin America’s main anti-US agitator, criticising Washington while getting close to its adversaries, including Cuba, Syria and Iran. And the US has responded in like fashion, declaring him their principal target in the Western Hemisphere. Yet, Venezuelan oil has never stopped flowing into the US market.

That they say, is how the game is played out in the ‘big man’s world.’ Our challenge is not to fall prey, like planktons, in a sea infested with sharks.

Our Cultural Heritage: Relevance to Educatioin in the Caribbean THE “MIGHTY CHALKDUST was scheduled to have delivered the above lecture last night (Thursday) D.V, to mark our thirty-third year of Independence.

I make bold to piggy-back Chalkdust’s lecture by anticipating that its delivery would have been but a grand elaboration of themes published in this column over the past thirty years.

From “Carnival, Cultural or Commercial” June 2004 “There can be little doubt that our biggest annual social event that is aptly billed, Our National Cultural Festival, is heading for trouble.

In fact, there is a sense in which it can be said that we are at the crossroads and must take one direction or the other.

Last year, calypsonian Lexi diagnosed a severe illness that called for urgent attention if not emergency surgery. He intoned: “Carnival Dying.”

A few years earlier, a more seasoned Kaisoman ‘Scakes’ had simply implied that carnival was writhing on its deathbed, and implored that we “Revive Carnival,” partly by going back to roots.

To date, it would appear that many of the shortcomings of Carnival largely stem from an overriding concern with its commercial aspect at the expense of its folk-cultural content. How far is it a tourist-oriented marketable commodity up for sale, how far as collective expression of our nation’s soul?”

From “ Carnival, the Baby and the Bath-water,” June 1991 “You have to believe in Pan, as an article of faith. It is our most signal contribution to the world of music. As ‘Informer’ once declared: “Carnival without pan is like a man with one hand.” But pan is expensive and would only be subsidized if we have a particular concept of carnival that is not unduly weighed down by financial considerations. Panorama must be kept at all costs, and incentives offered to panists to play on the streets, particularly on J’Ouvert, to ensure mass participation. Essentially, carnival is not a spectator sport.

Whatever its origins, Carnival today is not a pagan festival. Just as Christmas celebrated on twenty-fifth December is not for that reason a Pagan festival.

In fact, Carnival has evolved to be our National Cultural Festival. It is the very soul of the nation.

There is nothing inherently devilish or satanic about it.

A nation’s culture gives it confidence and resilience to survive, even in the absence of military capability and material well being. That is why our colonial masters always tried first to attack the host culture, to deculturate the natives, and make them over in the distorted image of the conqueror.

The African drum was a banned instrument in our colonial setting. And Carnival went through hell before its social acceptance in mid twentieth century, only to attract a new onslaught from the forces of religious fundamentalism today.

Calypso had to fight a royal battle for their fair share of airplay. For a time, they could not be heard in Lent, for forty days beginning on the day after Shrove Tuesday. And even when Becket came out with his classic ‘Calypso Noel’, there were the bigoted Pharisees who thought that calypso was an inappropriate medium for anything sacred.

That is what we all have to do. Accept the essential goodness of carnival, but trim off the evil which has grown around it. In other words, strive always to keep the citadel intact though we may at times have to surrender or change up the outworks. In other words: “Throw away the bath water, but save the baby!

Today the main problem has been politicisation of carnival, like everything else. The calypsonians have put up stout resistance to unwelcome interlopers. We are to join the General Carnival Defence Force, to ensure

all around success.”

At this point, we enlist the support of a kindred soul, Candy Edwards, who in one of his radio commentaries in mid 2003 bared his soul on the role of calypsonians.

He declared “I don’t think that it is vitally necessary for me to remind anyone about the role that calypso and calypsonians have played in the development of the Caribbean. Long before people like Dr. Ralph Gonsalves came on the scene, calypsonians have been on an unending quest for the ennoblement of our Caribbean civilisation, particularly its Vincentian component. It must be noted that since the emergence of the art form, despite the many changes, calypsonians have never departed from their core mission. Therefore, any attempt by thin-skinned persons in authority to smother the creativity and expressions of these respected bards must be utterly and completely crushed. ... As a man of European descent, it appears as if Dr. Gonsalves has somehow missed the point. I think that this is the same gentleman that often reminds his listeners over and over that, among other things, we are the “rhythms of Africa” underlining the “home grown lyrics” of the Caribbean people. Does the Gentleman realize that he speaks of calypso? Why then, does Dr Gonsalves along with his sycophants and acolytes now berate our calypsonians?

Calypsonians continue to highlight the difficult conditions under which people live. Nothing is sacred and no one escapes the critical scrutiny of Caribbean calypsonians. Even Her Majesty’s bedroom and what goes on therein came in for exposure from the Mighty Sparrow in Phillip My Dear.

Perhaps the most curious response of all has come from Dr. Gonsalves himself. And, once again we see the duplicity of the man. Publicly, the Prime Minister gives the impression that he has no problem with the critique offered by some of the calypsos. While he, like many other persons, disagree with some of the lyrics, the Good Doctor also tells the country that the bard ought to have “poetic licence”. Some persons are justifiably suspicious of this pronouncement, for privately and actively, the Prime Minister is singing a totally different tune.

This calypso season has served to show how duplicitous is Dr. Gonsalves. He champions the cause of free expression. Yet, he seeks to silence those who speak out. He publicly applauds the calypsonian and privately seeks to destroy some of them… I wish to remind the ULP administration in the words of the Sunbeam, the son of Sunblaze that calypsonians: “...sing for the voiceless, the abused and hopeless” and they even “sing for you’.”

The immediate foregoing was expressed in 2003 when the present regime was barely two years old.

It demonstrates that from morning, Gonsalves had set out to build a monolith, never a plural society with freedom of thought. Some ten years later, the battles are still being fought in earnest: the struggle continues, though “Candy Edwards” may be missing in action.

Of course I expect that Chalkdust, who has roots in SVG, would have delivered a master piece whose subject is right up his street. Not only that, Chalkie is every inch a teacher and educationist.

He must have suggested that we had to be truly educated on the positive role of the calypsonian if the so-called education revolution is to be realised.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. 9.

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Another NDP blunder THE MATTER of lack of support from the NDP for its member Burton Williams must not be allowed to slip quickly into the back of our minds. To simply write it off as just another ‘thing’ in our politics, is to allow our politicians to continue to get away with the attitude that they can do as they feel, without regard for what the people think.

The NDP must realize that they gained some 44% or more of the popular vote at the last general elections. He might not have won his seat, but Burton Williams accounted for a

portion of that popular vote, much more than some of the others. He deserves recognition by the party for the part he played. There can be no excuse, therefore, for a situation in which not one member of the leadership of the party found it fit to show some support for Burton, when his case was first called.

And to think that the charges stemmed from an activity which was organized by the party, the NDP, makes the absence of Eustace, Friday, Leacock (when the case started), Dr. Lewis, and others of the

leadership, all the more disgraceful.

There can be no good excuse for having thrown a colleague to the wolves — first during the protest, and now in the court. No amount of ‘Leacock eventually turning up’ can undo the damage, for the damage has already been done.

NDP, your supporters and even those from the other side have seen a demonstration of an uncaring attitude on your part. You have now to correct that, if you can.

Knowing Burton, he was the true diplomat in

responding to observations made about the NDP leadership’s absence from his side.

He remained loyal to his leader and his party. If there is one man who remains loyal to his party it is Burton. Don’t you think he could have gone elsewhere after what the party did to him?

Maybe he hasn’t learned his lesson. But then again maybe he has: he knows what loyalty is, unlike what this latest blunder by the NDP leadership demonstrates.

Talk about stonewalling YOU KNOW, Mr. Editor, I honestly wondered where you were going with last week’s editorial when, lo and behold, the report on a certain incident brought your message as directly home

* Is it possible that red ants killed a patient at the MCMH two weeks ago? * What percent of the laptops given to our students are still functional? Would the NDP laptop project have had any different results? Why are they mum on the issue? * Why was the Head of the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit not at that Diaspora Conference held in New York last weekend? * Why was the Football Federation unable to convene a general meeting that was scheduled? Are all their books in order? * In 2001, the remnants of the defeated NDP declared itself the New NDP (NNDP).

We have heard that since the last defeat, the current leader has not spoken to the founder, Sir James, Yet of late, we have been hearing of the “glory days” of the NDP. So which party will voters be asked to vote for next election, NDP or NNDP?

as it could ever be.

Here’s the story from which I found true meaning to your editorial.

Reports from Sri Lanka on Thursday last week, spoke of “an incident involving the West indies cricket team.

Indicators are that three women, British nationals, believed to be guests of the West Indies team, were held at the hotel where our boys were staying. The women were eventually

released and the W. I. team manager said, “the matter was now closed.”

When pressed, Philip Spooner, the West Indies team media manager (yes, these days a touring team has a manager for all sorts of tasks) is quoted by ESPNcricinfo as saying, “The matter had been dealt with. As far as the West Indies team is concerned there was an incident that was handled by the police. It is being reported as a Chris Gayle issue. It is

not a Chris Gayle issue.

The matter was dealt with by the police and it is now closed. Our focus is strictly on cricket, and our next assignment is the semi-finals on Friday.”

My God!!! Talk about stonewalling!!!

Nice one, Bro Editor.

From here on, I’ll keep a sharp ear out for all the great ‘stonewallers’ in our midst.

Franklyn

All is not well I AM BRINGING these matters to all affiliated clubs, teams and also the general public.

I have seen the good, the bad and the difficult times of football, the sport that we all support and love so much. Right now is a critical time in SVG with a new president and new executive. Some people have the opinion that I have something against the president of the Football Federation, but let me say that I have no axe to grind with him. However, I must say that from my observations, he makes members unhappy and he disrespectfully uses all kinds of names on persons. He is distasteful in the way he goes about doing things without prior notice to the executive. Them, when he messes up, he expects members to be quiet about it.

On the 25th June, 2012, we had a prize giving ceremony for the teams that won a variety of prizes in a tournament. The night of the prize giving, the executive was shocked to know that teams did not collect their full prize; this was big embarrassment to the rest of the executive.

I am challenging executive members: Don’t make the stipend sell you out. Stand up for what is right! I know some of you have good value and principles. Show the football public the sport must always be the winner. I am not doing this to tell people how good I am; I’m trying to set an example. Don’t forget that I support the sport 100%.

Our society is in serious need of much

NDP, time to get your house in order, if you are to be taken seriously.

Sitting on the Fence PS: Mr. Editor, I must commend you and your court reporter, Mr. Haydn Huggins, for the outstanding and detailed coverage of the Burton Williams case. Keep up the good work.

When our status changes There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, “If I could only see the world, I will marry you.”

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her.

When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.

He asked her, “Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?” The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn’t expected that; the thought of looking at them (his eyes) the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.

Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying, “Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, there were mine.”

This is how the human brain often works, when our status changes. Only a few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life is a gift, today, before you say an unkind word — think of someone who can’t speak. Before you complain about the taste of your food — think of someone who has nothing to eat. Before you complain about your husband or wife — think of someone who’s crying out to God for a companion.

Today, before you complain about life — think of someone who went too early to heaven. Before whining about the distance you drive — think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And, when you are tired and complain about your job — think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

And, when depressing thoughts seem to get you down — put a smile on your face and think: You’re alive and still around.

respect and behaviour. I often tell people we should be ashamed to speak because they are supporting wrong doing. They themselves need to stay in the back and keep out, because if they are guilty of wrong doing, they will tend to support his habit.

We would like to get a full financial statement when we attend the next meeting (tomorrow, Saturday). The statement must include reference to all bank accounts. And by the way, is it that there is a problem Leroy Jackson getting bank statements?

Affiliates, you have the power; you have the right and authority to find out everything about the business of football.

And a special word to the referees: You need to stand up for what is right. Don’t make anyone force you to change decisions that you have made on the field. Certain persons want to have a say, even though they don’t have calling with some of the areas concerned, like refereeing. Do the job with pride.

Question: What has become of the Goal Project money? What about the accounting for certain operations during the interleague tournament in Georgetown? Who is the Football Federation’s lawyer?

I love football - ‘the game of the people’.

Guy Lowe

V

10. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

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Two issues of governance: Fiscal and housing

Vincentians, do not be distracted!

The fiscal condition

Over the past three months, the Unity Labour Party has been trying its best, through its back, front and side doors, to spin its way out of being primarily responsible for the decline of this country – for having made Saint Vincent and the Grenadines into a distressed and beleaguered nation.

Given the backfire to the ULP government’s ‘activist foreign policy’ (visa restrictions) and the ULP leader’s recent rants to Vincies in America about Vincies in Canada, the ULP is on a desperation course of survival while trying to distract the general public.

THE FISCAL OPERATIONS of the Central Government during the first eight months of this year (January to August, 2012) improved when compared to the corresponding period in 2011. This improvement is reflected in the reduction in both the current and overall deficits; a 5.9 percent increase in current revenue and a 5.3 percent decline in current expenditure.

However, our fiscal condition is still very challenged. Our current revenue collections, though higher than in 2011, are less than what we expected to collect; and in current spending though less than last year, and less than what was budgeted, still needs to be contained, especially in certain areas, without in any way diminishing, significantly or at all, the delivery of public goods and services. Better prioritising, lifting efficiency, and reducing/eliminating waste in public expenditure will no doubt assist in such expenditure containment.

Let us look at some of the details of the foregoing summary assessment.

On the current revenue side, revenue collections for the first eight months of 2012 amounted to $305.25 million, an increase of $16.9 million or 5.9 percent over the comparable period for 2011.

However, this is $20.6 million or 6.3 percent less than what was budgeted for the first eight months of 2012.

Revenue receipts from income tax, corporation tax, and withholding tax showed commendable increases.

Revenue from “Taxes on International Trade” increased modestly by 3.7 percent on a base of a 7 percent rise in the value of merchandise imports during the period under review. Taxes on domestic trade increased by a commendable 18.3 percent during the January — August 2012 period when compared with the same months in 2011. Strong performers in the “domestic trade taxes” category were Stamp Duty (23.9 percent increase), Excise Duty (27 percent increase) and VAT (19.4 percent increase). The higher tax receipts from both international and domestic trade are reflective of improved tax administration and a mild growth in the level of domestic economic activity as intimated by the above-mentioned increase in merchandise imports and vatable trade during the period under review. Revenue from Non-Tax sources declined significantly by 24.4 percent: For example, declines were recorded in collections from Merchant Shipping (International) fees and absence of inflows of monies for disaster relief and budget support, as there was in 2011.

On the current expenditure side, there was a decline in spending of 5.3 percent or $17.7 million compared with the same eight months in 2011. It is noteworthy that despite the nonpayment of the 3 percent due to public servants, personal emoluments (salaries) increased by 2.7 percent largely because of the in-built increases of “increments”. Interestingly, too, expenditure outlays on the interest paid on the public debt fell by 5.6 percent, mainly due an 8.8 percent fall in the domestic component of the debt, resulting chiefly from the reduction of the overdraft limit to $35 million along with more favourable interest rates for Treasury Bills issued by our government on the Regional Government Securities Market (RGSM). Declines in spending on Utilities (23.6 percent decline), Maintenance Services (9.6 percent decline) and Supplies and Materials (3 percent decline) were among the spending curbs which included, too, transfers and subsidies which were better targeted in their delivery.

So, for the first eight months of 2012, the current deficit fell from $46.78 million (January to August 2011) to $12.04 million, a commendable effort. But we are still not out of the woods yet!

On the capital side, capital revenue and grants fell from $32.27 million to $9.3 million largely due to a huge fall in capital grants (from $23.8 million to $4.53 million). Capital Spending by the Central Government for the first eight months of 2012 totalled $19.21 million or 33.9 percent less than for the same period in 2012. Of course, additional public sector investment continued through state enterprises; these are outside the Central Government’s numbers. Overall, the total deficit (capital and current) for the first eight months of 2012 amounted to $21.9 million, or $21.6 million less of an overall deficit than the $43.56 for the first eight months of 2011.

The on-going global economic crisis, the fall-out from the CLICO-BAICO debacle, the sluggishness of the regional economies, and the damage/loss as a consequence of natural disasters and Black Sigatoka, have stalled domestic economic growth and thus hampered better revenue performance. Things economic are tentatively improving but continuing challenges abound. Continued prudence and enterprise are required.

Housing and Lands Currently, enterprise and stimulus are on offer in the on-going housing and lands programme of the government. At this very moment, three new initiatives are underway: Accelerated distribution of housing lots; the repair/rebuilding of 150 homes as part of the continuing programme in the post-Tomas, post-April 2011 flood period; and the further construction of low-income homes at Green Hill and Clare Valley.

About 140 housing lots have been recently sold at highly-subsidised cost to low-and lower-middle income persons in North Windward. A similar distribution of over 50 lots in North Central Windward, 100 or so lots in Barrouallie, and 350 lots in North Leeward is shortly to take place.

Others are in the offing as the Land Surveyors conclude their work.

The General Manager of the Housing and Land Development Corporation (HLDC), Mr. Morris Slater, has advised me that the 150housing repair programme has started; and so, too, the construction of 20 houses at Green Hill and 20 at Clare Valley. He has advised, too, that when those programmes are at full throttle,

by Christmas 2012, some 1,000 persons would be employed. Already 70 workers are at Green Hill; 112 are being recruited immediately for Clare Valley; and 120 workers, so far, have been engaged on the housing repair programme.

Further, the CIBC-FCIB has reduced its mortgage lending rate for housing construction to 5.99 percent; Scotia Bank is at 6.99 percent; Royal Bank is at 7 percent. I had called for lower lending rates; I am still calling for even lower rates from the Banks.

Meanwhile, the Credit Unions and other domestic financial institutions are actively lending in increased sums for housing, consumption, and investment.

Distraction and ridicule On cue, the attacks on Arnhim Eustace have come fast and furious.

These, plus the recycling of old television talk shows and the use of their spin doctors and their foot soldiers to manufacture some discontent, are nothing short of an effort to shift move attention away from the government’s failings, and focus on Arnhim Eustace.

The ULP has been pretty good at glossing over the reality of who their leader is and just how fragile their leadership is at the moment. Who are they trying to protect? They held a ‘rape rally’ to support Ralph Gonsalves and the discontinuation of court proceedings resulting from an accusation of rape by a (female) police officer.

Gonsalves has divided this country, unlike any leader before him. He has described Vincentians as ‘chattering nabobs’, told us that anyone who does not support the mandate of the ULP is unpatriotic.

Some suggest he even holds his ever silent parliamentary colleagues to ransom. They say almost nothing in Parliament, and we hear only from two or three of the twelve.

His ridicule of Vincentians is not targeted solely at those who sit on the Opposition benches in Parliament.

He has selected former supporters and social commentators like Bassy for special ridicule.

Moreover, he has produced papers light on substance and heavy on rhetoric, which he wants us to take as policy...and today we live the reality of his failure.

Foreign policy or personal position His foreign policy positioning of this country as a fringe non-aligned, despot-loving activist state which will take money from whereever and from whomever it can, his personal (not just diplomatic) relationships with zealots, some dead and others on their way out (Ahmadinejad, Gadhaffi, Chavez in Venezuela), have seen us cooling in our connection with countries from whom Vincentians truly benefit.

(It seems like the coffers of Cuba have not recently been available to us...and you remember that the great Fidel Castro was to come to visit, along with some of the other ALBA DEVOTEES. So far nothing.)

Ralph Gonsalves lives on a plane.

So tired and dispirited is he that he fell asleep at the United Nations. This was not a mischievous photograph organized by the NDP or created by photoshop; he was so obviously asleep that a photographer from REUTERS News agency, who knew nothing of him, other than the fact that he was a delegate, took the photograph, and it was picked up by YAHOO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, where the caption simply said, DELEGATE ASLEEP AT THE CONFERENCE. Gonsalves has no mission for this country. NONE. He may have plans

for his own legacy, and some will suggest that his effort to endow Camillo with international experience at the UN is a preamble to vaulting him into party leadership. Whether this is true or not, Camillo put into the Searchlight Newspaper the mandatory denial.

Eustace is not the person the media has painted him to be, and the NDP is a party secure in its plan, happy with its mission and determined to take Vincentians forward...as we recover from this disaster that has been the ULP and government.

The NDP is a far more capable and younger team of professionals and sensible competent people led by Arnhim Eustace, whose capacity as a proven economist can never be questioned.

Eustace is the person who, in an effort begun in 2101, successfully consolidated the New Democratic Party as the party for all Vincentians, and increased its membership. The NDP is not about backbiting and backward politics, but a party ready to govern in the interest of everyone.

Our leader has exposed the deficit budgets for the fantasies that they were, exposed the ineptitude and incompetence of the ULP, and has been a prophet on how Hurricane Ralph (apt description three or four budgets ago) would destroy every sector of our economy in every sector and that the portly Comrade would not be able to fix it. Is it not the fact that all Eustace has predicted has come to pass?

Eustace not only has the skills, he has the support of the people and a strong parliamentary caucus who represents the people more in parliament on every issue more than the government side. He is on the ground, as are members of his executive. He has spoken and continues to speak to farmers, teachers, shop-keepers, the unemployed, the poor, the young.

Every Monday without fail, he is available to the general public for direct feedback.

So, we implore you, do not be distracted by the spin that is out there...The NDP IS READY TO LEAD, and the ULP sees this...feels it every time we go to the parliament, every time they see us in whatever configuration on the ground, and none of their efforts can change the reality of NDP’s competence, capacity and energy. They are asleep, and we are ready to roll...just wake Gonsalves and ask him!

What is Vincentian reality today?

EXACTLY as Eustace has called it.

He has led the NDP and the public in more protests and pickets than ever in the party’s political history, and just yesterday, announced another mass protest to come, given the failure of our government to move this country forward.

Those who are sitting and watching in the peanut gallery can talk...they have their mouths.

We who are in the trenches waging the war see the battle for what it is.

Every member of the NDP executive and ground forces currently doing their work will continue, you can arrest us, you can travel everywhere except Canada to discredit Vincentians, but the JIG IS UP, Comrade.

Your spin has been exposed for the pathetic BS that it is.....

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. 11.

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Useful U-turns

“Chronic remorse, as all the moralists are agreed, is a most undesirable sentiment.

If you have behaved badly, repent, make what amends you can and address yourself to the task of behaving better next time.

On no account brood over your wrongdoing. Rolling in the muck is not the best way of getting clean.” Aldous Leonard Huxley (1894– 1963) English writer & critic, educated at Oxford THE LIFE AND WRITINGS of the Apostle Paul continue to fascinate and inspire me. Within recent times, I have also been stimulated by the writings of Peter and James as they sought to guide early Christians in relation to what was required to live victorious Christian lives; showing how they can maximize their blessings while simultaneously being a blessing to others. Those writings by the early saints continue to bear fruit today; thousands of years after being scribed.

A recent reading of one of Dennis Fisher’s daily devotional essays in Our Daily Bread reminded me of Paul’s humility and how important that was in setting the stage for a “reunion” with John Mark, one of his estranged brothers in the Lord. The incident is captured in Fisher’s essay for October 8, 2012 entitled “Helping With Hurdles” (http://odb.org/2012/10/08/helpingwith-hurdles/). Fisher reminded readers that John Mark had originally joined Paul on his first missionary journey but opted to turn back just when things started to get tough. Mark quit. We later discover that Mark was eager to accompany Paul on his second journey. However, Paul was adamant that Mark should not be part of the team. Barnabas, the peace maker, tried desperately to have Paul agree to take the young Mark with them but Paul refused; Barnabas was unable to convince Paul to give Mark a second chance.

And so, Barnabas took Mark with him on his journey (Acts 15:36-39).

But Fisher’s recollection of the event does not end there. He proceeds to remind us of a most useful passage in the Bible when Paul, having seen growth in the maturing Mark, requests that John Mark should visit with him because he “is useful to me for ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). They had “bridged the divide” and the Apostle Paul had made a U-turn.

The life of the Apostle Peter also had a most useful U-turn. The records in the New Testament describe how eager he was to learn from the Lord Jesus Christ and how faithfully he followed the Lord. Peter observed many of the miracles that Jesus Christ performed and was committed to the process of discipleship. Jesus Christ identified

Peter to be the “rock” of the assembly of believers. Yes, Peter was given this place of prominence and prestige.

And we reflect on that famous “last supper” when Jesus broke bread with his beloved disciples. We read about Jesus Christ predicting that one of them would betray Him — and Judas did (Matthew 26). The Lord Jesus also predicted that Peter would deny Him three times “before the cock crows”. The event comes to pass and Peter remembered his Saviour’s prediction and his own cowardice. He must have wondered, “How could I have done that? How could I have denied that I was with the Lord?

After all that He did for me and after all that I saw Him do for others, how could I have said that I did not know Him?” But Peter did not stay there.

He repented. He made a U-turn.

And God used him to build the foundation of the early church. This same Peter, repentant, renewed and re-energized went forward with passion and commitment to do great things for the Lord.

Some readers may be able to identify with these two biblical examples and be challenged to introspect. Is it possible that we, like Paul, need to make a U-turn and bridge a divide in our home, church assembly, workplace or community?

Is it possible that we, like Peter, need to repent of some deed that we have committed and seek that renewal so that we can be instruments of blessings to others? Introspection is good — but not good enough. We must go beyond that useful starting point and accept the challenge to be proactive in implementing the corrective behaviour that is required; to turn away from whatever is holding us back and turn towards a future that is bright with promise and purpose. May we have the courage, the fortitude, to go beyond being mere spectators and analysts to become implementers — doers. You and I have now come to the U-turn sign. We must lay aside the stubbornness, ego and pride that beckon us to keep heading straight ahead (continue doing what we have been doing). There is that little (evil) voice that tells us that making the turn is futile and fruitless; that we may be laughed at or mocked; that we may be rejected or ridiculed. But we are stronger than that. We are wiser than that. We are more mature than that. We turn ... to build a better self and a better world.

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

Chávez again BATTLING AGAINST the combined forces of 30 opposition parties and the hidden hand of the American Intelligence Agencies, President Hugo Chávez convincingly won reelection for a fourth term. Campaigning under the supposedly dead banner of a ‘21st century socialism,’ President Chávez whipped the opposition by more than 10 percentage points for a 55 to 45 electoral victory.

The Chávez victory is proof perfect that for a revolutionary transformation to take place, then take root, the consciousness of the broad masses must be given urgent attention. And so President Chavez and his party, especially before he was stricken by cancer, spent long days and endless nights educating, organizing and mobilizing the Venezuelan people for the arduous task constructing and defending the Bolivarian Revolution.

In the end, that effort bore fruits, and millions of Venezuelans went to the polls and voted their interest.

They wanted to ensure that the benefits which the democratic revolution had brought them continued. And what a transformation it has been!

Venezuela is a very rich country. It sits on the world’s largest reserves of oil. But before President Chávez came to power, the resources of the country were usurped by a small circle of corrupt politicians and an elite band from the moneyed class.

In 1998, the overwhelming majority of Venezuelans lived in poverty. Today, poverty has been cut in half from a high of 80 percent. The conditions of those who lived in dirt poor conditions were reduced by more than 70 percent.

The Venezuelan government has built more than 30 universities which provide tertiary education to the children of families who could not afford to send their children to school.

More than three million students are now getting an education to assist with the development of the country.

Unemployment has been cut drastically from a high of more than 30 percent and is now about 7 percent. More people can feed their children and send them to school.

These children can now perform much better, as they are able to concentrate on their education rather than be distracted by the music makers in their stomach.

The Venezuelan Government has also spent lots of money on the infrastructure, roads, bridges, sea and land ports. The health of the Venezuelan people has also gotten a big boost, as scores of hospitals and clinics have been built in all parts of the country. The infant mortality rate has been drastically reduced, and the lives of the old and infirm have been transformed for the better.

Before President Chávez emerged as president, Venezuela rivaled Brazil for its huge slums. Desperate for places to live, the masses virtually lived on top of each other in squalid conditions. There are still slums in Caracas and other parts of the country, but the government has made a concerted effort to impact on the people’s lives in tangible ways. In 14 years, the government built and delivered more than 3 million homes for the Venezuelan people.

One of the hallmarks of all revolutionary transformation is international solidarity. Venezuela under President Chávez has followed

in that tradition. The Government initiated the Petro Caribe Agreement at a time when oil prices were spiraling out of control, and offered much needed relief to all of Caricom.

Some of our students are currently benefiting from Venezuelan generosity with full scholarships. It cancelled the Haitian debt to Venezuela which was more than US$1 billion, and offers a helping hand to Latin America and the Caribbean.

Some talk negatively about the assistance Venezuela provides to Cuba in terms of oil concessions. They however fail to mention that Cuba has sent more than 40,000 professionals to Venezuela to help in the transformation of the country.

Cuban assistance in the areas of health and education is especially important because it is in these two areas that the people of Venezuela have witnessed real improvements in their lives. Illiteracy has been given a warning to depart, and illnesses which mostly impact the poor because they cannot afford have been received urgent attention.

Nothing said so far is intended to give the impression that Venezuela is heaven on earth. Far from it. There are still enormous problems. There are still problems related to efficiency and effective use of state resources.

Inflation runs at 20 percent, and there is the persistent problem of corruption. Crime remains a big challenge. The provision of a basic service like reliable electricity still bedevils the bureaucrats and engineers responsible delivering this important service.

President Chávez has conceded that there is still a lot of work to do in Venezuela. He has reached out to the opposition and called on its leadership to join him in working for the development of all Venezuelans. He has admitted that he has not always been at his tactical and strategic best, and has promised to be an even better leader in his fourth term.

These early statements from the Venezuela president will have a positive impact on the country. There are few leaders in the world that would be so contrite, introspective and embracing after winning an election by 10 percentage points.

But President Chavez is a different kind of leader. Venezuela, Latin America and the Caribbean have benefited from his courage and his generosity. He has a country to build, and the people of Venezuela deserve a leader who looks out for their interest.

As President Chávez embarks on his new term, we know that he has many battles ahead. Chief among them is his personal health. After he whipped the opposition so convincingly, their singular hope is for him to fall victim to the cancer and die.

We, coming from a different tradition, invoke and transfer the positive energy of all of our African ancestors to this people’s giant. We wish President Hugo Chávez Trias long life and good health.

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

V

12. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Opinion

The value of mathematics and science SVG has suffered negative economic growth and a big fiscal deficit over the last four years. Under Gonsalves’ incompetent leadership, SVG’s economy has rapidly gone downhill and now is dangerously weak.

A major problem is that Gonsalves has chosen to waste taxpayers’ money on a jail, rather than sensibly invest in mathematics and science, by building our own science and technology university. Gonsalves has chosen stagnation over innovation, and this is destroying our country and economy.

SVG should invest in mathematics and science. Mathematics is invaluable to a country and can stimulate economic growth, create new products and thousands of new jobs. Gonsalves’ policy of begging and borrowing is killing the SVG economy.

Innovation that leads to increased productivity is seen as the most important way to generate economic wealth and jobs. Without scientific and mathematical discoveries, we would not have mobile phones, computers, modern medicine, electrical power, TV

or a transport system. The mathematical sciences are a part of our daily life.

Every day, billions of pounds-worth of business is done over the internet, and it has transformed our lives.

However, without science and mathematics none of this would be possible.

Google, one of the world’s biggest companies, used daily by billions of people, was founded by two maths/computer science PhD students, and is based on mathematical ideas that would have been considered very pure and abstract until recently.

SVG must invest in educating our children to a high level of mathematics and science. One great idea can bring hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue to SVG. The Belle Isle jail brings no revenue to our country.

It is vital to SVG’s future prosperity and security that we focus on research and development; science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education; and policies that encourage innovation. A sound, strong, and

forward-looking innovation strategy is crucial to ensure longterm economic growth.

Future innovation requires substantial and sustained investment in STEM education and a commitment to long-term research.

Research can result in new products and job opportunities in SVG. Longterm investment in innovation is the path to a brighter economic future.

Science and technology has made the USA strong by creating millions of high-skilled, high-paid jobs and enhancing the American quality of life–longer, healthier, and more productive lives. Science and technology has made the U.S. the world’s recognised economic and innovation leader.

In SVG, we must urgently turnaround our education system and give priority to mathematics and science in all of our schools, and offer our children the opportunity of science and mathematics in our own SVG

university. It is mindboggling that Gonsalves has invested in a jail before a university.

Innovation is built upon research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Fundamental advances in these fields bring new marketable products, enable technologies and stimulate economic expansion. A trained workforce with strong mathematics and science skills is critical to this process.

SVG Green Party strongly believes that we must use mathematics to build economic growth, jobs and revenue creation, so that we can fully utilise our indigenous resources and the potential of our human capital.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org

Bits and Pieces

By Frank E da Silva FIRST ON THE AGENDA for this week is the Union Island/Venezuela killings about which tongues have been wagging. It is a known secret that certain unauthorized trading has been taking place between some South American countries and even some French islands in the Grenadines. During the NDP administration, the Grenadines never had a milk shortage. I cannot recall any killings.

When this story broke, the information relayed by the police was totally confusing. It prompted one journalist to pen a piece: If I did Police PR….

Based on the information made public, I opined that I could not see that the men could be charged with anything but smuggling. Some people are being led by their feelings about “somebody Venezuelan” when they vent at the decision of the DPP. Here is Mr Whyte’s son in Searchlight, June 8: According to Abdon, his father also known as “Money Man” …he was also friendly with a number of foreign seamen and even advocated for “oil boats” [smugglers] from Venezuela…

because at one point, they had stopped coming and he was one of the guys who pushed for them to come.

Also in June 8 story, “It was not until the trawler returned to the dock that it was realized that Whyte was not on board.” Did they say that “two men” were the original boarders? You make your up your minds about what further investigation might unearth.

Vynette v Burton Ms Luzette King in a convoluted piece, “Tangled web of perjury…”, appeared on page 20 September 28, referencing charges of perjury against Vynette Frederick.

“The 36-year-old Frederick was arrested and slapped with three counts of perjury.

Linked to these charges is a May 12, 2012 OECS Court Appeal judgment that involves post 2010 general election claim that Dr Ralph Gonsalves slandered Ms Frederick’s ‘good’ name…In support of this claim, Ms Frederick submitted an affidavit which the court found to be untrue…Noteworthy also is the fact that Ms Frederick applied for leave to appeal the decision at the London based Privy Council.”

The court found that the affidavit was false and dismissed her claim. What therefore was Ms Frederick appealing? Were Ms Frederick and her lawyers implying that the affidavit was not falsified?

Ms King then links the charge against Ms Frederick to a number of unpunished occurrences as if to suggest that since others were let off, so should Ms Frederick. I wonder if anyone should then ever again be charged with anything since some slip through?

Here is a link Ms King you may want to write about — Burton Williams. An NDP candidate in the last election — same as Ms Frederick — he was at the forefront of pickets called by the NDP to protest the impending passage of two bills. At that picket he is accused of making calls to others “likely to disturb the peace”. He is charged and hauled before the same court as Ms Frederick who the court has adjudged to have filed an “untrue” affidavit. You compare the two charges, Ms King. The leader of the NDP was on air calling on supporters to come out in support of Ms Frederick, but Mr Williams was not so lucky.

What say you, Ms King, which of them is more worthy of your support?

Re-enter PR We note that the call for Arnhim Ulrick Eustace as leader of the opposition NDP to vacate the premises is growing. The latest being Chester Connell and Stephen Joachim “two born with goldspoons”, the label from the pitbull with the “fresh pair of legs”, a morning show October 1, 2012. Later that same day, a caller to the Newtimes program suggested to Arnhim he was not indispensible.

Arnhim did not take kindly to him. I have the tape.

Many agree but wonder to be replaced by whom?

Leacock, the only man in SVG who has training? Dinky Balcombe did not have ten percent of his capacity. Folks

say, “No.” How about Friday?

In the edition of Searchlight, September 28, page 13, “Gonsalves rather take money and put it in hands of [Grenadians] civil servants to stimulate their economy than for us to do it here…rather go buy something from Jamaica for a little less, perhaps, than… buy it here … where the money circulate.” Does Friday see a similarity between having to find three percent pay increase and a onetime shipment from Jamaica? Is it good economics to borrow money to pay salaries or a raise?

Frankly speaking, the NDP cupboard is bare, but fortunately PR Campbell is still about. And that is a tease, I say no more. Now over to you.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. 13.

Nationhood

National Parade for Independence celebrations

Right: Chevon Stewart Chairperson of the National Parade Committee, outlining the content of the Parade.

THE ST. VINCENT GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL (GHS) is for the second year, taking the lead in organizing and staging a Heritage Parade.

The school will partner with the Ministry of Culture in staging the activity.

The parade, which debuted last year as part of the independence anniversary celebrations, will again be an official item on the calendar of events to mark the anniversary of independence, this year being the 33rd.

Chairperson of the National Parade Committee, Chevon Stewart, at a launch of the activity at the GHS last Tuesday, said that the parade is scheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday, October 24,

and will take a route from the Kingstown Netball Centre, New Montrose, along Back Street and culminate at Heritage Square, where a concert will be staged.

The parade will feature a number of floats, dancers, drummers, and steel orchestras, and Heritage Square will be transformed into a ‘Cultural Village’ where local food, craft and paintings will be displayed.

Reigning Calypso Monarch Fyah Empress and First Independence Calypso Monarch Vibrating Scakes will take centre stage at the concert.

Support for the parade, themed ‘Vincy Pride’, comes from The

Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (BOSVG), The St. Vincent Cooperative Bank and KFC. Deputy Principal of the Girls’ High School, Mrs. Michele Beache, recognized the corporate sponsorship, and expressed confidence that this year’s parade, given the level of corporate support, will be “bigger and better.”

Representatives of the sponsors were united in their delight to be associated with the parade and the efforts of the GHS. They reiterated their companies’ support for cultural development in particular and nationbuilding in general.

Chairperson of the Heritage Committee and

TGHF celebrates Independence Garifuna style THE GARIFUNA HERITAGE FOUNDATION (TGHF) will be marking the 33rd anniversary of this country’s Independence by focusing on further embracing and expanding Vincentians’ knowledge about the country’s indigenous people.

This was outlined at the Alliance Francais on Tuesday October 9th 2012, by members of the organization.

As part of the Independence celebrations TGHF is slated to host a seminar at the Peace Memorial Hall, Kingstown, on October 25-26th under the theme ‘Garifuna: Land, David ‘Darkie ’Williams, President of TGHF, Reparation and Social Justice’. displays a copy of the book which will be According to the Foundation, launched as part of the Foundation’s the conference is intended to Independence anniversary programme. “further provide information to the Vincentian public on the history of land ownership between the traditional Garifuna communities within St. Vincent and the Europeans and the indigenous Grenadines.

Kalinago and Garifuna peoples.”

Seven community groups from the David “Darkie” Williams, President Windward and Leeward sides of the of TGHF, explained that, as part of island, comprising approximately 250 the seminar, there will also be a formal launch of the book, ‘The Black persons, will meet at the Rose Hall Government School on October 20th Carib Wars: Freedom, Survival and 2012, under the theme “Strengthening the Making of the Garifuna’, written the Garifuna Heritage and Culture

by Christopher Taylor. Mr. Taylor through Business Development’, to will be travelling to St. Vincent and the Grenadines from the UK, to speak share knowledge about the Garifuna Culture and to discuss ideas and about his book. formulate strategies for the promotion The activities will also include a of the Garifuna Culture and Heritage. gathering of groups from the

head Coordinator Latoya DeRoche-John issued a call to all ‘Vincies’, “to come out in national

colours as we’re proud of whom we are and where we’re from,” and

reminded that “this is a day for us to celebrate.”

V

14. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Youth

COURTS backs reading initiative Cable, who will provide the winner with one free Local furniture and year of internet service; appliance power house the General Employees COURTS (St. Vincent) Ltd., Cooperative Credit the major sponsor of the Union (GECCU) which National Primary School will give each finalist a Reading Competition, will savings account; along be going all out to ensure with , JuJuBe Bookstore, that the 4th edition of the Dental Care SVG and competition demonstrates the Searchlight an improved literary ability newspaper. of the nation’s youths.

The winner is also This is the word from expected to get an Alexis John, Marketing opportunity to read a Officer of Courts St. news item on the Vincent Ltd. National Broadcasting John told Corporation (NBC) THEVINCENTIAN that Radio. his company wants to The winner will ensure that “the best represent this country in readers are selected for the Regional finals the final,” so as to scheduled for Dominica position SVG to have “a on November 15. A cash good chance of winning prize of EC$5000 awaits the regional the winner. competition.”

Meanwhile John John explained that announced the seven the first place prize of finalists for the local leg EC$2,000 “must go of the competition to be towards a literacy project held at the Frenches within the guidelines of House, Tuesday, October the Ministry of 23.

Education, so the entire The finalists are school will benefit.”

K’eresa Lai (Kingstown Also on board for the Preparatory), Jerona 4th edition of the Mapp (Stubbs Primary), competition are: Karib Kemmi Ann Roberts

by KENVILLE HORNE

(Fancy Government), Xenique Daize (St.Mary’s RC), Bethany Trimmingham (Mustique), Jemelia Thomas (Petersville Primary) and Laron Jones (Questelles Primary).

Some 49 students participated in the preliminary round of the competition.

And as he reflected on his Company’s involvement in the activity, John declared: “We at COURTS understand the importance of a country’s level of literacy and social and academic development. As a results we are playing a very important role in ensuring that we

challenge illiteracy in SVG.” Solange Compton from the Kingstown Preparatory was the 2011 winner.

Alexis John, Marketing Officer at COURTS, says his Company is going all out to encourage an improved standard of reading in SVG.

Hadaway is Young Dems speaking champ BRYANNA HADAWAY, representing the constituency of East Kingstown, is this year’s Young Democrats Public Speaking Champion.

The young lady beat out five other finalists, winning the main speech and selected topic categories.

The main topic was ‘The Politics of Division is necessary for a political party to remain in Government’, while Bryanna’s choice of selected topic was ‘The benefits that can be derived from belonging to a service organization’.

Following Bryanna in second and third places respectively were Kayla Stephens (Central Kingstown) and Shanel Duncan-

Pierre (Northern Grenadines).

Shanel also won the best impromptu category in which she spoke on her chosen topic, ‘When current goes…’.

The other finalists were Rickeisha Caine-Hutchinson (South Windward), Shaquille Lewis (West Kingstown), and Akeem Romeo (North Central Windward).

The judges, Ms. Maia Eustace, Mr. John Horne and chief judge Ms. Sylvia Sutherland, in commenting on the overall performance, highlighted the selected topics as being well presented, but cautioned against reading the speeches, which takes away from eye contact with the audience.

They also mentioned that quite a few of the participants had a good rapport with the audience however, they lost points due to grammatical errors and poor pronunciation.

Interesting, Bryanna is the grand-daughter of the late Edward Griffith, former NDP Stalwart and minister of government in the NDP administration, 1984. He was elected to the House of Assembly in 1984 as the representative for East Kingstown (albeit differently configured then), the constituency which Bryanna represented in the Speech Contest and which is now represented by Leader of the NDP, Arnhim Eustace.

V CH˘VEZ once again!

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. 15.

Feature

HUGO CHÁVEZ is once again President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

He, according to some observers, defied all doubters to win a fourth 6year term, after what was described as the closest race so far in his political life.

The National Electoral Council (NEC) announced on Sunday, the day of the elections, that Chávez had secured 54.4% of the votes, while his rival, Henrique Capriles, trailed with 44.9%.

Some votes were still to be counted when the announcement was made, but the NEC said the result was not in doubt.

President Chávez, against a backdrop of fireworks, declared to thousands gathered to celebrate with him at the presidential palace in Caracas, that, “The revolution has triumphed!”

He vowed to continue in his efforts to alleviate poverty, one of the

cornerstone programmes of his Bolivarian Socialist Revolution.

During the campaign, President Chávez had vowed that if re-elected, he “would use the next six years to correct past mistakes, to continue to build a socialist alternative to the capitalist model, and to continue using the country’s vast oil revenues to redistribute wealth, promote the revolution overseas and to bolster ideological allies such as Cuba and Nicaragua.”

Capriles conceded defeat but found solace in the fact that he had secured more votes than any other previous challenger to Chávez.

“In order to win, one must know how to lose.

For me, the people’s voices are sacred. For those who feel sad, I tell them, ‘we started to build a road and there it is’. We have 6 million people who want a new road,” Captiles is reported to have said in

THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, held on Sunday 7th October, is a manifestation of how convincing the Venezuelan democratic system is, and the desire for peace and coexistence of Venezuelans. It is yet another demonstration which strengthens the process of integration of all Latin America and Caribbean people, in the common purpose of defending our independence, sovereignty and social welfare.

The Venezuelan people, through their republican institutions, gave a demonstration of democratic maturity as borne out in an overwhelming participation, as never before, in the organization and conduct of the electoral elections; integrating policies at all polling stations, serving as witnesses of the two main coalitions and voting for candidates of their choice, with a consistency that amounted to 80% of an unprecedented number of participants in the national political history. This is significant, given that the vote is not obligatory, but a duty that every citizen exercises according to by his/her conscience.

We feel very proud at the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Although only four Venezuelan citizens were registered to vote, two of them attended the poll on Sunday to cast their votes and, even though removed from home for some time, were able to freely express their political preference and support the democratic process of our nation today.

The statement by the National Electoral Council (CNE), on the election

A triumphant President Hugo Chávez celebrates his victory.

Henrique Capriles was President Chávez’s closest rival in the elections. his acknowledgment of defeat.

The heightened interest among Venezuelans in the elections was demonstrated by a record 80.4% turnout of the 19 million persons eligible to vote.

President Chávez, though, will be concerned that his 10% margin of victory this time around indicates a drop from 26% in 2006 and 16% in 1988.

results, barely two hours after the voting closed across the country, confirmed the efficiency of the automated system applied in this election. All Venezuelans and the world were able to obtain the results of the elections in quick manner; results that indicated irrefutably, the victory of the incumbent President, Commander Hugo Chávez Frias, with 55.25% of the vote against the main opposition candidate, lawyer and former governor of Miranda state, Henrique Capriles, with the 44.14%, leaving five other candidates with less than 1% figures.

The immediate public declaration by Mr. Henrique Capriles, the main opposition candidate, as carried in the press, and on radio and television broadcasts by international stations, recognized the victory of Commander Hugo Chávez Frias, and his call to respect such results and work together for the welfare of the Venezuelan people confirmed the transparency of the elections held on Sunday October 7th, and the willingness to overcome differences expressed in the past, to continue building a democratic and prosperous Venezuela that all Venezuelans want. These are sentiments welcomed by President Chávez who has recognized the democratic behavior of the opposition candidate and most sectors that supported him, and called on the Union to a debate of ideas and to work to build a great country in service of all Venezuelans.

These elections, contrary to what was reported by the media and across communications networks, were

monitored and observed by hundreds of representatives of electoral bodies in Latin America and the Caribbean, special guests, as well as dozens of accredited foreign journalists, who were able to move freely throughout the country, interviewing ordinary citizens and representatives of political parties and state institutions responsible for the electoral process. At the end of election day, it could be said, without a doubt, that except for some minor and isolated incidents, the Venezuelan elections were fully democratic and participatory, and their results credible, secure and unquestionable.

The final results of this process, allowing the continuation in the office of Commander Hugo Chávez Republic for the period 2013-2018, confirm the will of the majority of the Venezuelan people to continue the process of change towards genuine sovereignty and independence, self development and social justice for the Venezuelan people, in a process of transition to democratic and Bolivarian socialism of the 21st century, which also has as one of its strategic objectives, increasing friendship, respect, solidarity and cooperation with all countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

This democratic manifestation of the Venezuelan people is a message for the governments in the main centers of imperial world power, in particular the government of the United States of America. The message is that the Venezuelan people have constructed in these thirteen years, a true participatory democracy, which accepts no intrusion in its internal affairs, and rejects any foreign effort to impose a difference in

the freedom available to its citizens through free elections. It is this freedom to elect its leader that has won for Venezuela, support of the peoples, political and social leaders and governments of the Americas. They consider the peaceful and democratic revolution in Venezuela a definitive contribution to the independence of our peoples from the domination, oppression and exploitation of foreign powers.

On behalf of the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez Frías, we are thankful for the expressions of affection and solidarity received from the Hon. Prime Minister of the State Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, and other prominent personalities and Vincentians. We say to the people that they can count on the love, friendship and solidarity of Commander Chávez’s government, who defended in his election campaign, the right and responsibility of our people to contribute, within its capabilities, to the development and welfare of our brothers and sisters of Latin America and the Caribbean. After all, Latin America are part and parcel of the unit of the Americas, founded on a pursuit of the Supreme Dream, along with liberator Simon Bolivar, to defeat colonialism, slavery and theft of the wealth of our peoples.

YOEL PEREZ MARCANO Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

V

16. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

People

RevÊd George Frederick receives doctorate have received this designation.

PASTOR George Raymond In his doctoral Frederick, long standing address, Dr. Frederick Pastor of the Hill Top quoted from Charles Tabernacle in Golden Dicken’s ‘A Tale of Two Vale/Glen and co-anchor Cities’, to wit, ‘It was the of the weekly television best of times, it was the programme ‘Encounter’, worst of times’, to will now be known as Rev. highlight the times in Dr. George Raymond which we currently find Frederick. ourselves.

This, after the He reflected that designation of Doctor of Dickens “probably had a Ministry was conferred prophetic vision of what on him at the graduation will happen in SVG.” ceremony of the St. With the times being so Vincent and the diverse, Dr. Frederick Grenadines Institute of reminded the other Theological Education graduates that their and the Miami witness must be their International Seminary identity. “We must not (SVGITE MINTS), held have fragments without at the Hope for Life fire,” he said. “We must Restoration Church, reflect the wisdom of God Arnos Vale. and walk in the light!”

The function was held Posing the question to under the theme the audience, tongue in ‘Preparing Christian cheek, Dr. Frederick Leaders for Excellent asked, “But, did Dickens Ministry’. really taken our It was an even more generation into significant moment for consideration?” the Rev. Dr. Frederick as We have grown, he he was announced as intimated, stepped up in being the very first technology, given student in the English ourselves the ability to speaking Caribbean to move subtly or overtly

by GLORIAH…

away from the tenets of our faith. Then, with rejoicing in his voice he announced, “But SVGITE MINTS has come to the Kingdom at a time like this. SVGITE MINTS is putting content into the container!”

The good Doctor went on to give a brief synopsis of the school’s existence in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, its beginnings being the result of the determination of two Christian stalwarts, Dr. Walford Thompson and Dr. Isaac Soleyn. Dr. Paul Duncan currently “overlooks the works of this prestigious vision.”

When interviewed by THE VINCENTIAN, the Reverend Doctor said of his achievement, “The truth is, it was not a challenge. All my life I have given myself to the study of the Word, but have not been formalizing it. With the coming of SVGITE MINTS in 2003, I chose to make it formal.”

His formal pursuit

began with a Correspondence Course with the ICI University, located then in Brussels, then an Associate Degree through distance at IONA in Jamaica. From there, he, pursued Bachelors and Master’s Degrees and now his Doctoral studies.

Dr. Frederick currently lectures at the Seminary in the following areas of Eschatology, Doctrine of Last Things, Old Testament Theology, New Testament Theology and Leadership. He also trains persons to offer professional counselling.

It was moment of a lifetime when Rev. Dr. George Raymond Frederick (left) received his certificate from Dr. Walford Thompson. Dr. Paul Duncan is also pictured.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. 17.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. 21.

Foreign Affairs

Statement on the Presidential VENVIFA’s Statement on the October 07, 2012 Venezuelan elections in Venezuela further six-year term as President provides additional opportunities for the strengthening of the already strong bonds of solidarity which exist between THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE of the Governments and Peoples of St. St. Vincent and the Grenadines share Vincent and the Grenadines and the immense joy of the Government Venezuela. Both our countries are and People of the Bolivarian Republic partners in the Petro-Caribe of Venezuela on the conduct and Agreement and are members of the outcome of the keenly-contested ALBA - the Bolivarian Alternative for Presidential Election which was held Our America. Venezuela and St. on October 07, 2012. We congratulate Vincent and the Grenadines are also His Excellency Hugo Chávez Frias on members in good-standing of the his re-election, for his fourth Community of States of Latin America consecutive term, as President of the and the Caribbean (CELAC), the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Organisation of America States (OAS), It is noteworthy that an array of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and independent election observers, the United Nations (UN). internationally, has commended the I am personally delighted at the reGovernment of Venezuela under the election of my friend and brother, Hugo leadership of President Chávez for Chávez. holding yet another free and fair I shall be writing President Chávez election, a major characteristic of a personally about his landslide victory competitive democracy. Indeed, the and its immense significance for the conduct of the election has been hailed people of Latin America, the Caribbean, as one of the most transparent, free and the world beyond. and fair not only in the Western Meanwhile, let us all continue to Hemisphere but globally. This is ample pray for the good health and long life of supportive testimony of the democratic President Chávez. May Almighty God credentials of President Chávez, continue to bless him and guide him. despite the hostile propaganda to the contrary against him inside and outside DR. THE HON. RALPH E. GONSALVES of Venezuela.

Prime Minister President Chávez’s re-election for a October 08, 2012

BY DR. THE HON. RALPH E. GONSALVES Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Election THE VENEZUELANVincentian Friendship Association (VENVIFA) extends congratulations to President Hugo Chávez Frias on his victory at the polls in yesterday’s election in Venezuela.

According to reports, President Chavez won the election with 54.84% or 7,860,982 of the voting population to the 44.55% or 6, 386, 155 for the opposition candidate, Henrique Capriles Radonski.

VENVIFA also congratulates the Venezuelan population for its participation in yesterday’s democratic exercise. Of note are the very high percentage turnout at the polls and the statements from both candidates (Chavez and Radonski) that they will accept the results of the election. Losing candidate Radonski has offered his congratulations to Chávez,

noting that the two parties represent two visions, and called on Chávez to work towards the union of these two visions.

This augurs well for the positive, peaceful and constructive way forward.

Significantly, President Chávez can continue his democratic socialist programme which has brought enormous benefits to the people, especially the poor, of Venezuela. The accomplishments under this programme in the fields of education, health, housing, and infrastructure (among other areas) are phenomenal. This democratic socialist agenda is expected to be pursued during the next 6-year term-of-office.

The VenezuelanVincentian Friendship Association will continue to promote the most extensive and mutually beneficial relationships of

friendship, co-operation, solidarity and support among the peoples of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the context of unity and integration of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean. Our other objectives are: a. To conduct pubic educational work on the two countries (including its peoples and their lives) b. To facilitate exchange of persons between countries c. To twin institutions and organizations between the two countries d. To provide information on workopportunities in both countries e. To encourage relevant research into the history of the relations between both countries.

MIKE BROWNE President- VENVIFA October 8, 2012

22. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. 23.

Opinion

Food comes first

-

Part two

gets, is a part of our colonial heritage and legacy which I think not even time and price would change.

Certainly I do agree that our brothers and sisters in Editor’s Note: World Food Day will be the Grenadines can teach us how to make our own commemorated this year, across the Globe, on salted and dried fish. They are the best at that.

October 16. This article is in keeping with THE Granted that we have to monitor our salt intake VINCENTIAN’s commitment to highlight the issue carefully and avoid any excess. It still holds true of food and our own food security as we move that everything must be done in moderation. My towards marking another World Food Day. mother never came home from the market on a Saturday without one or two.

Farine, coconut oil and more “Bequia corned fish”. I can still smell the aroma, Vincentians know about hard work and industry. of the “corned fish boil-in” with the “Bequia corn” Most people complain that eating farine gives dumplings, as it wafted up through the air and distressing question, as is obvious from last year’s them indigestion and that it “rides” them, especially down the hill, boiling gently on the coal pot.

World Food Day theme -“Food Prices — From crisis if they eat it at nights. Because it is such a high to Stability”, and this Year’s Theme “Agricultural fibre food, it readily absorbs and reacts with the Different culture Cooperatives — key to feeding the World”, which is available water in the body for digestion and an attempt to address the need for improved food elimination, so it is necessary to drink lots of water Let us just think about the “amazing” discovery security. The ability to afford food is of major after a meal of farine. This is critical. Water is now of all the health benefits that can be gained concern to all, worldwide. The FAO cites many one of the most important nutrients. Water is from eating beans and peas, foods we have been factors for escalating food prices. Some of these are eating throughout our lifetime and which our fore fuel and transport costs, inputs and labour costs. In parents ate as they toiled on the estates. This addition to all of these, we in St Vincent experience should most certainly make us think that we were way ahead of the game and somebody is now trying lack of income or insufficient income which in some situations limit our accessibility and affordability to to catch up with us. I still remember a Catholic the quality and quantity of food required for Nun, stationed in the Mesopotamia parish saying, optimum nutrition. when a group of young women, which she founded, offered her a dish of rice and peas, “I do not like this United in our action ugly, grayish rice and peas”. Someone else might have been highly offended, but it only made me There must be more united and proactive reflect thoughtfully, she probably is right. It does government efforts. The Ministries of Agriculture, lack eye appeal. The colour combination was not Education, Health, Community Development and good and it would not pass a food presentation test Justice have to continue to work together to according to what we learnt in Nutrition classes. introduce programs to eliminate poverty and Was that not interesting? This is our “special generate income through good livelihoods and occasion” meal. This is the dish we all enjoy community and rural development. There must be immensely and a celebration is no celebration capacity building projects that are community without rice and peas. This is what we grew up driven and community led to build self sufficiency. on. What a huge cultural difference? That Sister Local and small rural agri-business and groups was Irish, so she must have grown up on white or should be supported and given the opportunity to Irish potatoes. For most festive occasions, such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, Caucasians must have generate long term income generation projects to enable communities to lift themselves economically mashed potatoes and gravy. Their celebration Coconut oil was once a staple in most homes in dinner is not complete without mashed potatoes and and build their resilience against natural disasters and diseases. There must be ongoing training for SVG. gravy. So I accepted her thinking. I was also aware of the new Food Movement with the big push farmers in the use of ecologically sound and modern precious and is needed in large quantities for and the arguments against white rice, white pasta, agricultural methods, with good soil conservation practices. Research and development must be optimum health. Water serves many functions in white flour and most white foods. Sister was also ongoing so that indigenous varieties of crops can be the human body such as maintaining optimum someone I had a great deal of respect and protected and preserved for future generations. body temperature, protecting and cushioning body admiration for. She was very liberal and Some other major problems which cannot be organs and tissues, preventing constipation and progressive in her thinking. She had good ideas, overlooked and must not be overlooked are our moving waste through the system, carrying meant well, loved and cared for people. After all, nutrients and oxygen to the body’s cells, lubricating why did she leave her beloved homeland to live and changed and changing lifestyles, (less physical activity, obesity, more pollution, to name a few), joints and helping to dissolve minerals and other work in Africa and the Caribbean? values and our food culture. Like they say, the nutrients to make them available to the body.

How interesting is it that Black people are not world has now become a Global Village and more crazy about white food such as pasta and mashed Local industry potatoes, and Caucasians do not care for dark food? people travel abroad more often and we have access I think the only white food most black people like is to more television, internet and other social media The women above the Rabacca (Dry River) make “boil-in” with dumplings, and most times they would which influence our behaviour, tastes and appetites. We have become more sophisticated, but the best “Extra Virgin Coconut oil”. Please let us have to be mixed with cornmeal, coconut, cassava captive, consumers especially when it comes to not lose that talent and technique. Improve it? (farine) or carrots.

I remember most Vincentian Yes, but do not lose it! men would often say jokingly, for them to eat white advertising; and before you know it we are hooked I must at this time let you in on one of my best rice or pasta, they would have to put on sunglasses. and we begin to forget the old and take up the new.

We must continue to grow and eat food for good kept secrets. During my first pregnancy, one of my health. We must grow what we eat and eat what we cravings was coconut oil and raw “salt fish”. My Food availability and affordability grow. Above all, let us get back to good, honest, healthy home cooking. This provides the best Anything and everything grows in St Vincent. opportunity for good family bonding and great Thanks to our very fertile, volcanic soil, great fellowship. rainfall and excellent sunshine. Our impeccable soil conservation methods are still highly recognized by our Caribbean as well as International Agricultural Specialists and Experts. We are still a very resourceful, well recognized and well respected people, regionally and internationally.

There is no shortage of food in St Vincent. Everything and anything is available on any day of the week.

Gone are those days when we had to Drying and salting fish was a way of life for wait until Friday, Saturday or even persons in the Grenadines.

Sunday to buy certain items. It is very impressive to see that there is mother would make me fresh coconut oil with just fresh produce every day. So is there one or two coconuts and I was good to go. Of course food availability? Yes, but is there There is no shortage of fresh produce in SVG. our love of “salt fish”, no matter how expensive it food affordability? That is the

By Margaret Sullivan of the Margaret & Nelcia Foundation for the Advancement of Young Women

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Don't put all your cash in one place.

You are able to make changes in your home that will be favorable to all involved. Be cautious while traveling; minor accidents are evident. Put all your energy into moneymaking ventures.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Hassles with in-laws could put a damper on your day. Take things slowly, especially for the sake of those you love.

Your home environment may be hectic, which could result in emotional upset if you aren't well organized. Jealous attitudes may lead you astray.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Problems on the home front might be a little disconcerting. You are best not to confide in anyone right now. Move forward if you want to turn your life around. Make alternate plans just in case you need to make a career shift.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Travel will initiate new friendships or love connections. You can make money if you put your mind to it. Traffic will be busier than you anticipated, so try to get a head start if you have made plans to travel. Don't push your luck with authority figures.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Opportunities for romance may develop through dealing with groups that have a purpose. Social evenings at your place will be highly successful. Brunch, a long walk, or a quiet dinner will secure your position in the relationship. Don't let your health suffer because of abuse.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Try to curb your bad habits, and compromise if your partner gives you an ultimatum. Help elders in your family. Get together with friends who like to participate in indoor sports. Join humanitarian groups and let your leadership ability take over.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) You are ready to blow up and your stress level has gone into over drive.

Resist any idle chatter. You can learn from those who have had similar experiences. Sign up for tours or courses that will enlighten you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Don't let peers distract you or push their work your way. Try to spend some time on your own. If you're looking to do something worthwhile, consider volunteer work. You will have original ideas for ways to make extra money.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Enjoy some socializing this week.

Changes in your residence may be financially favorable. Put some energy into getting back into shape. Listen to reason. You will have to help family members sort out unfortunate difficulties.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Do not make rash decisions about your personal life. Do yourself a favor and leave your plastic at home. Work at home if at all possible. Spend a quiet day with the one you love. Property investments will payoff.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Deal with the needs of children and get into groups that deal with self awareness. Broaden your horizons and look into programs that will teach you awareness and relaxation. Keep your thoughts to yourself for the time being.

Enlist the aid of family members and consider the feelings of your mate.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You can make sound financial investments if you act fast. Your philanthropic contributions will bring you praise. Finish projects that have been hanging over your head. You can get ahead if you play your cards right.

ACROSS

44. Claims “not guilty” 46. Spring 1. Melville shrub Captain 49. Medical gp.

5. Certain Boxing wins 50. Panhandle 51. Bank (abbr.) machines 8. Pea contain(abbr.) er 53. Burn 11. Meddling 57. Width of 12. Mild Shaq’s cussword shoes 13. Ballantine 58. Eliminates product 59. Waffle 14. Negotiate brand 15. Draft status 60. Snaky (hyph.) letter 16. Vim 17. Sothern of 61. Affirmative 62. Diving bird “Maisie” 19. Finally (2 DOWN wds.)

21. Furrowed 1. Besides 24. Teacher’s 2. Clod breakgroup er (abbr.)

3. Gentle __ 25. Aunt or lamb (2 uncle wds.) (abbr.)

26. Courtroom 4. “Down __” (1988 film, figures 2 wds.) (abbr.)

28. Cinnamon 5. Barbie’s ex 6. Atlantic) or 7. Enjoys the ginger rink 32. Tel __ 8. Mama’s 34. Sis, e.g. spouse 36. Gradual 9. Spanish 37. Dug for cheers silver 39. Easter egg 10. Co. section 12. Civics, e.g. coloring 41. Understand 18. Beatty of “Superman” 42. Aggravate

20. Track Circuits 21. London baby buggy 22. Jeansmaker Strauss 23. Lena of “Alias” 27. Comic Caesar 29. Ingrid’s “Casablanca” role 30. Kind of dorm 31. Woolly mamas 33. Bride’s cover 35. Detour

38. Cheerless 40. Shade tree 43. Actress Holmes 45. Artist’s stand 46. Busy as __ (2 wds.)

47. Zorro’s marks

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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24. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

48. Eras 52. Welby and Kildare (abbr.)

54. Selfimportance 55. In the past 56. Director Howard

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. 25.

Advice

A prisoner in my own home

If I take a shower on the weekend, she would ask, “Are you going I DO NOT LIKE the way my wife questions somewhere?” I cannot even take a shower in peace without her me. She treats me like if I am her son. interrogating me. I feel like a prisoner I am a working man; my hours of in my own home and marriage. work are from 8am-4:30pm. If I get She tells me she has the right to home anytime after 6pm (it takes me know my whereabouts, and I should about 1 hour to get from work to home), she questions me about where I not be objecting to her asking. My went to and what time I left work. In point is she is all over me, and I feel suffocated! If I leave the house to go other words, as far as she feels, I to the supermarket, I have to go should be there as soon as I am done work. We have no children, and there straight there and back. I cannot pass in anywhere on my way to and from is usually nothing pressing that the supermarket. If I do that, she requires me to be home at a special concludes that I lied to her. What’s up time.

Dear George,

with her?

Unhappy H Dear Unhappy H,

Sometimes when one partner is insecure or has reasons not to trust the other, they embark on a mission to stalk and ‘mother’ (in your case) their partner. Begin a practice to talk to each other about the little and seemingly insignificant events of your time away from each other. This will help to build and develop the confidence that is needed in your relationship. When the communication improves, it eliminates the need for indiscriminate questioning.

The communication system between a couple should not be forced, rather it should flow naturally. It is important, at the very beginning of a relationship, to establish clear lines of communications. Let her know how her questioning makes you feel, and assure her that she would be the first to know if there is a significant change in plans relative to your schedule.

George

My wife is sleeping around Dear George, I KNOW my wife has been sleeping with her boss. I found out about it some 3 months ago.

But I have not approached her with the information as yet.

This man is married to a beautiful woman, and pretends to be so self-righteous. I have seen them together in compromising positions,

and I am just waiting on the right time to deal with him and her. If I have to make an example of both of them, I will.

It is time that managers of companies and bosses of any kind stop this nasty practice of sleeping around with other people’s wives. I hope that every man who is reading this and knows he has another man’s woman messing

around with, he will think again before continuing.

I do not want to be married to my wife any more. She has wasted my 2 years with her, and I now believe she never loved me. I just have to do what I have to do now, which is to move on, but not before teaching her and him a lesson.

George, I know I can

Girl on girl kissing expose this list of names to all and sundry. I never saw this coming! She could act in Hollywood, believe me.

MY GIRLFRIEND has done the I remember she used to say to me unthinkable to me, and it has my head in knots. I never dreamt I would see my that she could not see how a woman girlfriend kissing another woman, but it could kiss and make love to another woman; and here she is, doing the exact happened. same thing. I want to see who can get We were all on the beach at Indian Bay having fun splashing around, when me to trust another woman again! this girl grabbed her. They started wrestling in the water in a playful way. Duped I just happened to witness this girl Dear Duped, holding on to her and started kissing her, and my girlfriend kissed her back.

Do not let this experience destroy They were kissing so intimately that I your faith and trust in women. Your had to interrupt the action, and asked girlfriend is not representative of all her what was happening. She just women, and you need to know that. looked at me and walked out of the Unfortunately for you, she has also water.

When we got home, I asked her again acquired a taste for members of the same sex, and getting even with her by to explain what happened earlier, and exposing her personal information, is not she told me not to bother her.

One day, when she was not at home, I the way to go. She is entitled to her searched her diary and found a list of all privacy, and you need to just walk away if you conclude that there is nothing the girls who she was messing around more in the relationship for you. with. There are at least 11 George names there! George, I am going to Dear George,

talk to you. I did not want to talk to anybody else because people have a way of not helping but rather making things worse with their gossip and bad mind. I feel so messed up right now! I am still wondering why the hell I got married to this woman, but only God alone knows.

HM Dear HM, I am guessing the reason you married her was because you saw

something in her that attracted you so strongly, that left you no choice but to close in on what you thought was a good deal.

Marriage has its challenges, and there are ways to handle these challenges. Counselling is available for those who get to the point where they feel overwhelmed and totally disillusioned with their relationship.

Right now, you are hurt, and justifiably so, but do

not let this hurt cloud your judgement to the point where you end up making decisions you would later regret.

I am pleased that you chose to talk to me. I urge you to find a counselling agency, e.g.

Marion House, where you can receive further help. Let your next move be to get some immediate counselling to guide how to proceed from where you are.

George

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26. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Finance

Entrepreneurship

Editor’s Note: The second in a series of articles to mark Financial Information Month, October, 2012.

Challenge Yourself- InnovateCompete-Succeed!

BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR is not an easy task, but you must challenge yourself, and as a quote by Bernice Johnson Reagon says: “Life’s challenges are not suppose to paralyze you,

they are supposed to help you discover who you are.”

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines an entrepreneur as someone who organizes a business venture and assumes the risk for it.

Entrepreneurship is the seed that produces other forms of business and creates finance. The job market is more and more condensed every day, and the era of globalization has increased competition

in the workforce. In order for individuals to remain competitive, they must think outside the box. In recent years, entrepreneurship has helped to boost several developing economies such as Brazil, Singapore and even our neighbour, Barbados.

What is society’s definition of success?

Society’s perception of success is someone who has attained millions, a

big house on the hill and technological convenience.

What is your definition? A true meaning of success is someone who has set goals and has worked honestly and continuously to achieve those goals. Don’t be afraid to fail as an entrepreneur; the first business might not have reached the mark you wanted. My advice to you: Don’t waste energy trying to cover failure. Learn from your failures and go

on to the next challenge. It’s ok to fail; if you do not fail, then you will not know growth.

The idea that we are waiting on the world to change needs to be eliminated. This is the time we can make a difference, and it begins today. Challenge yourself to be innovative. The world is at your finger tips; reach out and seize the moment. This is your chance to establish your freedom. Work for you; create a job for yourself, the one you always wanted. Challenge yourself to make your organisation competitive and by extension, make Saint Vincent and the Grenadines more competitive.

No matter what you have been through, no matter what small

business you are into, sometimes there is a struggle being an entrepreneur, but you have to persevere. It is said that the more effort that you put into your business, the more output you will attain. “The heights by great men reached and kept, were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.” Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth.

When you battle through the depths of defeat, the sweeter your success will be.

Submitted by Youth Business St. Vincent and the Grenadines

ECCB launches Contest for High School Students AS PART OF THE ACTIVITIES for Financial Information Month 2012, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) will host, for the first time, an ECCU Business Innovation Contest for High School students.

The theme for Financial Information Month (FIM) 2012, “Challenge Yourself: Innovate-CompeteSucceed!” recognises the importance of innovation in the current economic and financial environment, and challenges the citizens of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) to become competitive and endeavour to succeed. The ECCU Business Innovation Contest for High School Students, is part of this positive call to action.

The contest is open to students from the eight member countries of the ECCU. The key objective of the contest is to support the ECCB’s mandate to promote growth in the ECCU member countries by challenging the youth to be creative in developing business ideas which could contribute to the economic growth of their respective economies and by extension that of the entire ECCU. The students are required to conceive an innovative business idea which they must submit along with a supporting business plan. A panel of judges will assess each submission on comprehensiveness of the business plan, innovativeness and viability.

The first place regional winner will receive a cash prize of $3,000; second place $2,000 and third place $1,000.

The school with the most entries will be awarded a cash prize of $1,000 and the top entry from each country which does not place among the regional winners will receive a Meritorious Award of $500 The deadline for submission of entries for the ECCU Innovation Contest for High School students is 30 November 2012. The winners will be announced at the prize giving ceremony in January 2013.

LEARNING FROM BUSINESS FAILURE IF YOUR BUSINESS FAILS, see this as an opportunity to learn from your mistakes and move forward. In the words of Henry Ford, “Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.”

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. 27.

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28. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Airport project gets CDF loan The Argyle International Airport project has received another boost of financing.

It comes in the form of a loan from the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF), and is to be used towards the

‘procurement of equipment for paving works and laboratory testing’.

This was revealed in correspondence of October 3, 2012 received

by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, and

This July 2012 photograph shows work in progress on the second floor of the passenger terminal at the Argyle International Airport (Source: IADC 2012)

To Our Valued Customers

came in response to a The terminal building, currently in an ongoing, some 145,000 sq. ft. of request letter of July3, funded with assistance scheduled stage of floor space, expected to 2012 from the from the government and construction, is a three cater to 1.4 million International Airport people of Taiwan, and floor structure, covering passengers per year.

Development Company (IADC).

A date for the official signing of the loan agreement is yet to be fixed. only national This latest injection of The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Bureau of Standards standards capital comes at a time (SVGBS) joins with the rest of the body, and as a when the IADC has International Standards and Quality member of the confirmed that the Community in celebrating the 43rd International US240 million Airport World Standards Day on the 14 Standards and project is on target to October 2012 under the theme: Less Quality reach its 2013 opening.

Waste, Better Results: Standards community, The airport is being adopts and promotes international built on 290 acres of land Increase Efficiency.

World Standards Day (WSD) is harmonized standards. Further, the and is expected to celebrated each year on 14 October to SVGBS not only serves as an feature a 2,743m paved pay tribute to the efforts of thousands indispensable platform for the runway that can accommodate Boeing747- of experts worldwide that collaborate building and maintenance of a to develop and promote International National Quality Infrastructure, but 400s aircraft.

Standards that facilitate trade, spread also an efficacious conduit for knowledge and disseminate enhancing the Quality of Life for all technological advances.

Vincentians, as well as building International Standards create Confidence and promoting Quality confidence by being developed in an Competitiveness by ensuring that all environment of openness and Goods and Services produced and/or transparency, where every used in the SVG are of consistently stakeholder can contribute. acceptable Standards and Quality”.

Among the activities that the Additionally, International Standards facilitate and augment this confidence SVGBS will be engaged in to mark the WSD include the hosting of a globally, so as to connect the world mini-exhibition on Friday, October with international standards.

12th at the Heritage Square, from Accordingly, the SVGBS, as the 9.00 am to 3.00 pm.

Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ltd wishes to advise that the ground floor of its Bedford Street Branch will be under renovations from Monday, October 8, 2012 to Wednesday, October 31, 2012.

In this regard, teller operations will be downsized and our customer service personnel will be relocated to the 1st floor of the Bedford Street Branch.

Due to limited space during the renovations, customers are encouraged to use our other locations as well.

The management of the Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ltd. apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to your continued business.

Reigate, Granby Street | P.O. Box 880 , Kingstown | St. Vincent & the Grenadines TEL: +1 (784) 457 1844 | FAX: +1 (784) 456 2612

SVG celebrates WORLD STANDARDS DAY

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. 29.

INVITATIONS OF INTEREST REAL ESTATE FOR RENT Commercial Retail space or Mini Warehouse Storage TWO STORIED COMMERCIAL BUILDING IN MID-TOWN KINGSTOWN Consists of 1900 sq ft on each floor with independent access.

Interest can come from, Corporate Houses or Individuals (Doctors, Lawyers, etc) wishing to set up Commercial offices or those who need immediacy to scaled-down warehouse space.

Contact :Email:afzal@vincysurf.com

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30. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Franklyn King ruled among the high powered 4WD entrants.

Motor racing takes to Byrea Hill FOLLOWING THE SUCCESSFUL staging of a Drag Race event at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex two weekends ago, the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Automobile Association (SVGAA) and the Street Tuners Auto Club (STAC) collaborated once again to stage the anticipated Byera Hill

Sprint.

The Sprint, an open rally style event, was held last Sunday, October 7, and attracted a total of seven cars racing in two categories: one for 2WD and the other for 4WD. As expected, the event was well attended, and patrons were not disappointed as some of

Left: Shawndy St. Hillaire was just too much for the other competitors in the 2WD category.

cancellation of a third round, but this did not seem to cause any undue annoyance among the large crowd; they had had their fill of thrills and skills.

At the end of the official the country’s top drivers rounds, Shawndy St. matched skills against one Hillaire proved too much another and faced up to for the competition in the the challenge of the Hill 2WD category. He raced Climb. home, winner in a time of After two test runs, 47.1 seconds in his Honda which helped to heighten Civic. Renowned local and anticipation, the racers regional driver Steve took to the competition.

Ollivierre in his Hyundai A downpour after two Accent was second in 47.4 official runs caused a seconds, and Ali Clouden

Trimmingham targets youths ONE OF THIS COUNTRY’S FORMER top footballers has embarked on a general youth development initiative for young footballers, as he continues to make his contribution towards the development of the sport here.

Raymond ‘Birdie’ Trimiiningham took time out from his Saturday morning’s session to say to THE VINCENTIAN that “It is imperative that the youngsters today find an alternative to do things that are legal and are helpful for their overall development..”

He described his programme, which developed as part of the 40th anniversary activities of the Pastures United Football Club, as

one that focuses not only on teaching the rudiments of the game, but also imparts the value of dialogue, discipline, time management, camaraderie and respect for themselves and others.

He made reference to his own upbringing, which he said involved active participation in sports, ample time for school work and home work, as being motivation for his undertaking.

Trimmingham admitted that his main reason for targeting the under-13 age group was “to get them in a

Youngsters working on ball skills at Arnos Vale.

Inset: Raymond Trimmingham, football coach.

took third place honours in his Mitsubishi Mirage with a time of 48.9 seconds. Keron King rounded up the list in fourth place, with a time of 52.2 seconds, driving his Toyota Levin.

The 4WD category did not fail to provide excitement, grit, determination and skill.

This high powered category saw the fans’ favorite Franklyn King push his Mitsubishi Evolution IV to a record breaking time of 43.2 seconds, to take the crown.

Close behind in second place was another

Mitsubishi Evolution IV driven by Omrey Mayers.

He posted a very fast 44.9 second run. The everthreatening and entertaining Jason Moussa in his now well known Nissan Pulsar, clocked 48.8 seconds to be third.

The next event on the racing calendar is a twoday event planned as part of the Independence celebrations later this month. It is expected to see participation from drivers and cars from other Caribbean territories.

New York Masters to visit SVG

general state of readiness for under 15, 17 and under 20 competitions.”

He believes at this age that the youngsters are still excited by the game and are open to being disciplined.

The anticipation is that a progamme will begin soon for 6-9 and over age group.

Trimmingham is of the view that programmes similar to his should be established throughout the country, “but in a systematic way.”

He reminded THE VINCENTIAN about the importance of paying sustained attention to the chronological development of our footballers, and pointed to his own development, having graduated through a B Division, a first Division and a Premier Division to the National team, and along the way represented this country at the Under-17 and under-20 levels.

As far as the future is concerned, Trimmingham says, “My intention is to adopt two schools, the Thomas Saunders Secondary and the St. Mary’s RC. In addition to his Saturday morning sessions, he also conducts programmes on Mondays and Wednesdays.

THE NEW YORK MASTERS Cricketers, a team comprised primarily of former national (SVG) players, will visit St. Vincent and the Grenadines for their annual cricket tour, during the month of October.

The team’s itinerary is being billed as part of the activities to mark this country’s 33rd anniversary of independence.

While here, the New York Masters will engage the RSVG Police Masters at Arnos Vale One on Saturday 20th October, from 1.30pm.

The next day, they will match skills against a combined North Leeward-Barrouallie Masters team. This match is scheduled for the Petit Bordel playing field, from 1.30pm.

On Wednesday the 24th, the New Yorkers will oppose Kingstown Masters Combined at Arnos Vale One, at 1.30 p.m.

After a rest day on Thursday, action returns to Arnos Vale One on Friday 26th October when the Neil Williams Academy youth will look to master the elders from New York. Bowl off time is 1;30pn.

On Saturday 27th, it will be the turn of the Arnos Vale Masters Combined to ‘show off’ on their colleagues from the US. The visitors’ final game will be against the London Masters on Sunday 28th at London, from 1:00 p.m.

I.B.A.ALLEN

I.B.A.ALLEN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. 31.

Sports

Rural teams run the town TEAMS FROM RURAL St. Vincent dominated in last Sunday’s NACAC International Road Relay classics around Kingstown.

The Fitz Hughes Primary School, North Leeward, took both the male and female titles in the primary school category, the males clocking 36 minutes 52.63 seconds and the

females 40 minutes 22.96 seconds.

Second among the males was Du Bois Primary, South Leeward, in 37 minutes 35.51 seconds, with Fitz Hughes team two in third, in 41 minutes 0.70 seconds.

The Du Bois females emulated their male counterparts running second in a time of 43

Chatoyers, open male category champions.

minutes 17.73 seconds.

South Rivers Methodist was third in 48 minutes 01.99 seconds.

The Petit Bordel Secondary, North Leeward, took the male segment of the secondary schools’ race in 29 minutes 37.40 seconds, ahead of the St Vincent Grammar School Team One in 31 minutes 09.29 seconds, and the Central Leeward Secondary Team Three in a time of 32 minutes 30.40 seconds.

The Thomas Saunders Secondary won the female category in a time 40 minutes 14.82 seconds, ahead of the Central Leeward Secondary School in 41 minutes 00.74 seconds.

In the male open race, Chatoyers, led by Pamenos Ballantyne, and including Cyron Lewis, Caswin Morris and Junior Ashton, were first to cross the finish line in 29 minutes 20.14 seconds. X-cel was second in 29 minutes 50.70 seconds and third

Stubbs win on Joseph’s effort Edwards 46. Pastures were Led by a half-century by reduced to 78 for 9 off 20 former Windward Islands overs. Bill Edwards Captain Darnley Joseph, returned figures of 3 for 7.

Stanley Browne’s Stubbs Log Enterprises Masters recorded a Kingstown defeated Cato’s comfortable 55-run win Heavy Equipment over St. Vincent Glamorgan by 142 runs. Log Cooperative Bank P’tani, Enterprises Kingstown in the national Masters posted 187 for 5 off 20 overs.

20/20 cricket competition.

Winsbert Springer top on the weekend at Arnos scored with 76, Jose Vale.

Carrington 53 and Brian In one of seven last Alexander 42. Glamorgan weekend matches, Stubbs replied with 43 off 14.2 made 169 for 4 off 20 overs. Ancil Hooper took 3 overs. Dawnley Joseph led for 11, Hollis John 2 for 6 with 58. Christopher Campbell hit 47 and Leon Darnley Joseph hit a and Joseph Medford 2 for vital 58 for Stubbs 12.

Samuel 35. Mickey Jack Bequia Masters staged a took 2 for 13. P’tani made Masters. big upset when they 114 for 7 off 20 overs with defeated C.K. Greaves Vintage Arnos a top score of 28 coming from Pats Williams. Micah Joseph took 3 for 19 Vale by 93 runs in Bequia. Bequia posted 146 off 18.4 overs. Herbert bowling for Stubbs, Computec Belfongo defeated Bickles Woodley led with 62 and Brian Henry 24 not out. Leroy Glasgow took 3 for Fun by 6 wickets. Bickles Fun 16 and Basil Weekes 3 for 24. C.K. Masters made 96 for 9 off 20 overs.

Greaves Vintage Arnos Vale were Samuel Richards scored 43. Rohan King took 3 for 6. Computec Belfongo dismissed for 53 off 16.2 overs.

Jefferson Richards took 4 for 7. eased to 97 for 4 off 14.1 overs. Peter This weekend, on Saturday, North Campbell made 28 and Tommy King Leeward Combined will face Sion Hill 22 not out.

North Leeward Combined defeated at Buccament from 1.30pm.

Sunday’s matches will feature RSVG Police by 8 wickets. Police made DaSilva La Croix against 73 in 19.1 overs, falling to the C.K.Greaves Vintage Arnos Vale from accuracy of Met Stapleton, 4 for 15, 10am, followed by Rudy’s Electrical and Federal Jeffrey, 3 for 3. The North Leeward Masters cruised to 75 Barrouallie against Cato’s Heavy Equipment Glamorgan from 1.30pm at for 2 off 15.2 overs. Reginald Jeffrey Buccament. Also on Sunday, Bequia led with 36. play St Vincent Cooperative Bank Sion Hill defeated Joyette’s Auto Ptani from 10 am at the Paget Farm Slater Development Pastures by 87 playing field. runs. Sion Hill took first knock and compiled 165 for 4 off 20 overs. Keyon I.B.A.ALLEN Jack made 53 not out and Bill

was Wings Warriors in 30 minutes 51.60 seconds.

IT Dat, with Daniella Gilbert, Tara Joseph, Linda Mac Dowall, Brittney Henson, was the top finisher among the females, clocking a time of 40 minutes 58.54 seconds. Females Combined placed second in 42 minutes 54.01 seconds and third was Wings Warriors in 43 minutes 55 seconds.

Grenada, represented

by Troy Paul, Brian Thomas, Bernard Joseph, Reon Radix, repeated their 2011 victory in the international category ahead of the St Vincent and the Grenadines team of Brandon Parris, Casique Olliver, Keron Cottoy, Keron Arthur.

The Grenadians clocked 26 minutes 57.51 seconds and the Vincentians 28 minutes 58.99 seconds.

St Lucia placed third in 29 minutes 15.19 seconds and Dominica was fourth in 31 minutes 22.33 seconds.

St Kitts and Nevis, the other team which had indicated its participation, did not make the trip.

Twelve teams contested the primary schools category.

Twenty-eight participated in the

The young athletes from the Fitz Hughes Primary School.

It Dat, open female champions. secondary schools’ races and seven in the senior open category.

Four contested the international category, in which cash prizes were: US$1000 for the first place; $700 for the second; $500 for the third place; and $300 for the fourth place.

The top three finishers in the other three categories received EC cash awards.

The road relay classics began the 2012 road racing season which continues on Sunday 21st October with the North Windward race.

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32. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

October 7 MOST CARIBBEAN people will remember October 7.

The majority would have been glued to some sort of live broadcast of the International Cricket Council T/20 final in Colombo Sri Lanka.

Some persons might have abandoned their normal religious activities to ensure that they witnessed the spectacle. Others might have delayed their duties in the kitchen or made alternative arrangements.

Their passion was justified, for what it turned out to be was performance of epic proportions. When the West Indies were reeling at 32 for 2 off ten Overs, some persons might have felt that their sacrifice was in vain.

But the West Indies produced a display of unbelievable fortitude, and the turnaround was comforting drama.

The camaraderie and sense of purpose by the outfit was testimony of a squad determined to conquer.

T/20 may be the shortest form of the game, and viewed in some quarters as a water down version of the more intricate aspect of Test Cricket.

There are some subtleties of this format that are perhaps as delicate as any form of Test Cricket.

The difference is that Test Cricket unfolds in sessions, perhaps hours and days. T/20 is a matter of seconds.

The West Indies had been touted as the team to beat during this tournament. But all the predictions almost to zero.

The squad entered the Super Eight by virtue of a higher run rate to Ireland.

It took the heroics of a direct hit by Dwayne Smith to keep the outfit in the hunt when New Zealand had us all but dead and buried.

From that Super Over, the West Indies embraced armour of invincibility, and the opponents were to feel the wrath.

The victory comes as a relief for the entire Caribbean so used to being ridiculed by teams from here, there and everywhere, and taunts by commentators and analysts who reveled in our perenniel misfortune. They seem to look at the anguish the frequent losses caused us as revenge for our period of dominance over the fifteen-year sojourn.

The capture of the ICC Cup in 2004 was a sobering moment enough to remind us of the possibility of returning to the helm.

But crack after crack played havoc towards achieving the unity of purpose which is crucial for any squad to be successful.

The impasse with Chris Gayle helped to widen those ruptures, and it was not until the matter was resolved.

The West Indies’ performance has improved, but there are some supporters who seem to revel in frolic.

The debate about Sammy’s and Otis Gibson’s role in the West Indies still rages. Some persons are not pleased with any form of accomplishment. Or perhaps that achievement should come when anyone else beside Darren Sammy is the captain.

If the squad can transpose that success into other forms of the game, that will be the total satisfaction.

What the triumph has shown is that the West Indies have the fire power to cope with any opponent.

The way the squad dealt with Australia was reminiscent of the rampant West India approach. It was like a storm.

Then the recovery from dismal depths to overcome those moments of diversity was another display of our all-round strength.

The West Indies Cricket team has lifted a psychological barrier. Many a time over previous years, the art of completion seemed to have evaded our thought process.

Whether it is an injection of renewed pride or an awakening of the value of cricket to the West Indian fan, the team displayed the killer instinct which had been evading their approach over the years.

It is not going to be smooth sailing ahead. But as long as the squad maintains that spirit of commitment to regional duties, their reward scale will be similar, and that will engender an aura of peace and tranquility between the West Indies Cricket Board and the West Indies Players Association.

Squad named for OECS swim championship A THIRTY-MEMBER squad has been named by the SVG Amateur Swimming Association to compete in this year’s OECS Swimming Championships.

The squad was named after the Asscoiation held its first OECS Time trial event at Shrewsbury Pool Facility at Ratho Mill.

The Championship is slated for November 9 — 11, in Antigua and Barbuda.

In addition to the host and SVG, the other countries expected to participate include St. Lucia (defending Champions), Grenada and BVI. The SVG squad reads: 8 & Under Boys Alexander Joachim; 8 & Under Girls - Isabella Bollers, Paige Cadogan, Tia Gun Munro ; 9 — 10 Boys - Shane Cadogan, Justin Sylvester; 9 — 10 Girls - Ria Adams, Kayla

Meet referee, David Farmer, about to start the time trials for 200m for boys 13 - 14 years.

Gibson, Shania McKenzie, Zoe Porter; 11 — 12 Boys - Raheem Gellizeau, Cruz Halbich, Chavez Joseph, Nikolas Sylvester; 11 — 12 Girls Leah Bollers, Shne Joachim, Kayla Ollivierre, Xaria Young;

13 — 14 Boys - Dorian Antrobus, DeVaughn Durham, Storm Halbich, Arthur LaBorde; 13 — 14 Girls — Adora Lawrence, China Primus; 15 — 17 Boys - Zefal Bailey; 18 & Over Male - Kyle Dougan, Steve Wallace;

18 & over Female Loren Gun Munro, Louise Mitchell-Joseph.

The team will be coached by Kyle Dougan.

He will be assisted by Rickydene Alexander.

Nicole Sylvester will manage the team.

Ajuba and Starlights in final clash THERE WILL BE A NEW VINLEC North Leeward cricket champion this year, when Ajuba, the Spring based outfit, takes on Carlos James Troumaca Starlights in the final set for Sunday, October 14, at the Petit Bordel Playing Field.

from the last over, but closed at 197 for 5 from 20 overs.

Sheldon Hooper, 108, laid the platform for the run chase. He was supported by Kishore Shallow, 25, in an opening stand of 112.

Hooper was named Man of the Match, a decision which evoked Out goes Troumaca query by Ajuba supporters.

United Donson Andrews 3 for Defending champions, 40 was the pick of the Carlos James Troumaca Ajuba bowling.

United, lost their chance Ajuba were 194 for 4 to repeat when they were when the final over was beaten, in a semifinal entrusted to McAllister match, by Ajuba, in a Doyle, given his first match played last bowl in the match. He weekend at the Petite took a hattrick and could Bordel Playing Field. have had a fourth in the Set 199 for victory, fourth ball.

Troumaca United The catch was put seemed set for victory down, yet McAllister with seven runs needed snarled another victim to

end with 4 for 2.

Ajuba’s innings was built around the father and son combination of Walliston Stapleton 75 and Ronniel Jeffrey 52.

Kenneth Dember 2 for 20 and Rangel Small 2 for 45 took earlier wickets for Troumaca.

McLean Williams 21 and Marcus John 20 got starts for Police.

Earlier, Starlights, 157 all out from 17.3 overs, beat Peto Stars by seven runs to earn their semifinal spot.

Peto Stars reached 150 from 16.3 overs, with Jeffron White 37 and Starlights aglow Jemuel Matthews 25.

Dorson Cottle 4 for 42 Carlos James supported by Man of the Starlights overcame Match Niclon Alexander, Police to earn their final 2 for 27, were among the berth. Man of the Match wickets for Starlights.

Donald Delpesche, 40 not Alexander, 52, and out, steered the team to Delpesche, 47, performed 136 for 3 from 17.5 a rescue act with a 77overs. Shelton Hooper, run fourth wicket 39, and Leshaun Lew, partnership. They came 25, laid the foundation. together at 32. Allison Police fell for 132 from Samuel 4 for 30, Shaun 17 .1 overs, set back by Lavia 3 for 26 and Vidal Zemron Providence, 4 for Edwards 2 for 38 17, and Delpesche, 2 for combined to dismiss the 18. Rolando Wright 33, Starlights team.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. 33.

34. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012. 35.

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S A L E

FRIDAY,

OCTOBER 12, 2012

VOLUME 106, No. 41

THE MENTALLY ILL This evidence, he explained, could be WHILE CROWN COUNSEL Colin John obtained from experts is aware that the police have who will basically say received some training in dealing that, based on the with mentally ill persons, he is of conduct of the person the view that it is inadequate. immediately preceding The former police officer, now the incident, during the Crown Counsel in the Office of incident and after the the Director of Public incident, that person Prosecutions (DPP), does not was suffering from an support a view by some police abnormality of mind. As officers that the police should not a result, he/she was intervene in matters involving unaware that what was mentally ill persons. being done at the time The prosecutor was speaking as was wrong. a panelist on the topic, ‘Does mental illness mean a death Attacks by the mentally sentence or permanent exclusion ill from society?’

The discussion was aired on Responding to a NBC Radio’s interactive caller inquiring as to programme views and issues last what someone should do Sunday morning, as part of for protection if attacked Mental Health Week. by a mentally ill person, “Part of the duty of a police John explained that the Crown Counsel Colin John wants the police to be more attentive to the mentally officer is the protection of life and constitution allows for ill. property, and that includes the the defence of self protection of persons from injury defence, and that also would not be generally regarded that may be caused by mentally applies to a person who is ill persons as well as injury to attacked by a mentally ill person. as self defence in law.”

He added that “If a person is mentally ill persons,” John said.

He, however, pointed out that being chased by another with a He is of the view that because in order to satisfy the defence of cutlass and cannot do anything to the duty of the police is to protect self defence, one must prove that escape, and the person who is and serve, they should use the the offence was imminent at the being chased takes up a stone and preventative aspect of policing time, and the force used to defend throws it at his attacker, that more frequently. oneself must be reasonable.

The Crown Counsel pointed out ‘For example,” John explained, could be regarded as self defence.”

The other panelists were that, according to Section 9 of the “if a person is being attacked with Psychiatrist Amrie MorrisCriminal Code, there is a a small piece of stick and that Patterson and Quitlyn Morgan, presumption of sanity until there person uses a cutlass to inflict Counsellor/Teacher at the is evidence to prove otherwise. chop wounds on his attacker, that Intermediate High School.

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Cops enhance skills THE LOCAL CONSTABULARY and prosecuting service are expected to benefit from enhanced skills and new techniques three police officers recently acquired at a one-month training course in Roswell New Mexico, United States, for prosecutors and criminal Inspector Adolphus investigators.

Delpleche looks forward to Inspector Adolphus Delpleche, applying newly acquired techniques to his Prosecutor at the undertaking as Prosecutor Serious Offences at the Serious Offences Court; Assistant Court.

Superintendent (ASP) Sydney James of the Major Crime Unit (MCU), and female Station Sergeant Thecla Andrews were among 30 participants from nine English-speaking Caribbean countries to attend the workshop, held at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA).

Prosecutor Delpleche, who resumed duties at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday after returning to the state last Sunday, described the exercise as, “very informative, edifying and enlightening.”

The trained lawyer told THE VINCENTIAN, “I learnt a lot, and I would say that my skills as a prosecutor have been sharpened and retooled. I have learnt a lot of new techniques which I would be applying to my practice here.”

The course dealt with transnational crimes including terrorism, money laundering and human trafficking. It also focused on leadership/management as well as criminal law and procedure.

Inspector Delpleche explained that the majority of the lecturers were PhD graduates from the United States, including ex-police chiefs who pursued higher learning in various fields, while they were serving , but are now retired and lecturing at the academy.

Delpleche, a police officer of 29 years, has been prosecuting for ten years. He holds a law degree from the University of Huddersfield in the United Kingdom.

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