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The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

SEPTEMBER 20, 2013

VOLUME 107, No.38

Left: Livingston Bunny Wailer brought a special aura to last Sunday’s historic gathering. (Photo: Robert Clouden) Below: The crowd lapped up the information provided and arguments advanced by Professor Shepherd, with undivided attention.

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by KENVILLE HORNE PROFESSOR VERENE SHEPHERD of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, says Europe has a case to answer.

She made the declaration during her feature address at the opening of the historic Regional Reparation Conference hosted by this country.

Last Sunday’s opening, held at Victoria Park, was the first in three days of deliberations on the issue of reparations for slavery and genocide of indigenous peoples of the Caribbean.

Professor Shepherd, taking a lead from the writings of Professor Hilary Beckles, said that, despite political intimidation by the West, the majority of Caribbean citizens believe that there is a reparation case to be answered by Europeans, in respect of crimes against humanity during slavery, and centuries of racial apartheid that followed.

Continued on Page 3.

Professor Verene Shepherd made a profound and passionate case for reparation.

(Photo: Robert Clouden)

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves should not be envied if he felt a certain sense of accomplishment for having seen his initiative take root. (Photo: Robert Clouden)

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2. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Voices on the Reparation Conference on Sunday, but more came to hear issues of reparations and history being delivered.

There was tremendous energy unleashed on Monday. Lawyers gave their views on the way forward at Tuesday’s closed session.

A Caribbean-wide Reparations Commission will work with a Caricom Sub-Committee made up Joe Delves: Member CARICOM Heads of National Reparations Governments. The Committee Grenadines initiative is driven by Dr. It has been an excellent Ralph Gonsalves….

Reparations cannot make conference. A lot of people came to hear Bunny Wailer progress without State intervention.

Priest Kailash: Ambassador: Ethiopian Africa Black International Congress (EABIC) It is imperative that the process is not rushed. We are aware that Caribbean

not part of CARICOM, we have gone through the same slavery by the colonisers. We have been restricted to Observer status where we are succumbing to barriers as Africans in the Caribbean.

This is a good start nevertheless. There must be some repair to descendants of victims Terrence Nelson: United of African holocaust.

Nations have become States Virgin Islands world powers (on Senator account of our blood and sweat). It is important It is an important discussion. Even though to be part of the discussion. the Virgin Islands are

governments are in dire need of assistance financially. Rastafari have been the torchbearers. We do not want to be put aside.

Our role is to get Rastafari representation on the Caricom Commission

Priest Wesmore: EABIC Jamaica We give thanks for all sons and daughters that turned up. We stand for freedom and redemption and international repatriation. We are talking about reparation

which should have been paid since 1838. At this seminar, there were some great points. But there are others that need to be looked into.

Our Congress has a four point document for repatriation and due compensation at the United Nations. These have to be championed by a member of the UN. We presented our case at Caricom.

This is a learning exercise. We need to link as a family. You can’t deal with reparation alone. We have to educate the nation. This has to be done with Africa.

legal options if dialogue fails.

We need to repair the damage caused to people in this region. We The conference went well. have to look at what structures are There were about fifty persons required to take this process from overseas. There were 28 forward. A Chairman must be Member States, organisations and placed, a secretariat set and individuals. Bunny Wailer and his finance put in place to get things band of twelve were there. done.

Tuesday’s session looked at the Ellsworth John: Vincentian diplomat

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. 3.

News 3

Thomas declares Conference a success

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

concerns and ideas.

JOMO THOMAS, chairman of the local Delegates Reparations Committee, has described the from North, three day conference on Reparations as South and “exceedingly successful.”

Central Thomas dubbed the opening ceremony America, and The conference attracted participation from the Americas and the Caribbean. at Freedom Park last Sunday afternoon the Caribbean as “outstanding.” took part in the Left: Jomo Thomas, Chairman of the SVG National Reparations Committee, The session took place at Victoria activities. expects the momentum of the reparations efforts to pick up.

Park in Kingstown, St. Vincent. But in The Conference has light of the purpose and focus of the agreed on the formation of a Regional Senator in SVG, Jomo Thomas, who will lead the mobilization and co-ordination exercise, the venue was rechristened Reparations Commission to be chaired have responsibility for inter-government within CARICOM. Freedom Park, to symbolise the path on by Hilary Beckles, Pro Vice Chancellor of relations; Jamaican Professor Verene Thomas is anticipating that the which the journey was embarking. the UWI. Shepherd, who will lead the process will pick up as the foundation Thomas noted with high regard the The Commission will have three Commission’s research effort; and continues to be laid. presentations made by Professor Verene deputy chairpersons: newly appointed Surinamese Amand Zounda, who will Shepherd; Barbados’ Culture, Sports and Youth Minister Stephen Lashley, and Vincentian Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

Thomas praised the performance of Continued from Frontpage.

She assured the Vincentian calypsonian Glenroy ‘Sulle’ gathering on Sunday that Caesar. Sulle rendered one of his As for the crimes, the Jamaican the reparations movement compositions, ‘Reparation’, which when academic pointed to evidence in the will take its place alongside first released did not create an impact Caribbean and its Diaspora. “The pain the defining moment of with the Vincentian public. But with the and the memory of enslavement and the Caribbean post colonial new dispensation, the number has engine of this injustice continue to haunt history. become a rallying cry for the reparation all citizens of the Caribbean and affect Referring to Victoria cause. the way in which we experience our Park as ‘Freedom Park’, Thomas noted that the crowd swelled citizenship, and I might add our Shepherd said “For here we for the segment during which founding independence, and in our international are, gathered in ‘Freedom member of the Wailers Group, relations.”

Park’ in this year to Livingston Bunny Wailer, performed.

For her, the legacy was there “for all honour those who have But he accepted that there was a “good who have eyes to see and even those who gone before, so that others crowd” for the preceding package. oppose the movement and those who can follow, and to chart a The action shifted to the Methodist would deny that they arrived here on a way forward to seek Church Hall for the following two days. slave boat without visas and passports.” redress for those who Thomas was satisfied that delegates Glenroy ‘Sulle’ Caesar was perhaps never more suffered brutality at the made their presentations in profound Reparation movement here to stay hands of Europeans during convincing with his song ‘Reparations, delivered ways, and that persons shared their the period of conquest, with the accompaniment of the Resistance during the reign of terror Heartbeat Drummers. on indigenous people, much so, that in her estimation, “..no during colonization, the transatlantic justification for reparation can be trade in captured Africans, African compiled without including the live enslavement and post slavery experiences of Caribbean women who indentureship and other regimes, put the Great into Great Britain”, which were used to recreate the slave adding further “as much as we are not relations of production.” advocating physical war, we have to see the reparation struggle as war, if no Contributions in the past MONEY can be a real pain in the butt.

The impromptu peaceful means can be found to settle Christie Black , 43, is accused of vomiting didn’t the case.”

According to the University stealing $5,000 from her boyfriend, throw Gulley off then hiding the cold, hard cash inside the scent, though.

Lecturer, those in the past have called Other programme items her rectum, WBIR reports. for reparatory justice, by way of He continued to The boyfriend, 46-year-old Bobby conferences, seminars, books , music, question Black Following Shepherd’s address, the Gulley, told the cops he suspected declarations, etc , hence reparation about the missing Black had been stealing from him, so audience was treated to a short, yet must become part of the development cash until, the on Aug. 26, he “set a trap” to find out extraordinary performance by Jamaican discourse, emphasizing that “the if he was right, according to the Times report states, “she Christie Black Caribbean underdevelopment has been Reggae Icon, Livingston Bunny Wailer, admitted to him News. the only surviving member of the a consequence of the exploiting of our found a rather The “trap” consisted of two that she had legendary Wailers band. resources by European development.” ‘creative’ hiding envelopes – one containing $4,000 wrapped it up He instantly connected with the She highlighted some Caribbean place for her loot. and one containing $1,000, both in and stuck it in intellects who have made outstanding crowd, bringing a certain spirituality, hundred-dollar bills – in a bag that he her rectum.” according to one observer, to Sunday’s cases for reparation, including some then placed on a football table in the proceedings. researchers from the Universality Gulley says she then tried to get the couple’s Bulls Gap, Tenn. home.

Sunday’s opening also heard college of London who have made cash out “with a toilet brush and He went to bed, and when he got up evidence of the crimes incontrovertible. addresses from: Jomo Thomas, tongs,” but to no avail. at around 1 a.m., he found that Chairman of the SVG National But she has special recognition for Bleeding severely, she was taken to the cash was missing from the bag, reparations Committee; Hon. Stephen the Rastafari Movement which she a local hospital where the wad of according to a Hawkins County Lashley, Minister of Family, Sports, said kept talks of reparation at the money was removed and collected as Sheriff’s report obtained by The forefront of civic discussion. According Youth and Culture in Barbados; and Smoking Gun. evidence, according to the report.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. to her, “It was Rastafari who stoked When he confronted Black about it, Black was charged with theft.

There was also a riveting rendition of the embers of the fire of reparation, he said she “became sick and threw up Thieves will stop at nothing, eh? his song ‘Reparations’ by local started by our ancestors.” a saran wrapped baggy of partially (Source: Huff News) And there was acknowledgement of calypsonian Glenroy ‘Sulle’ Caesar, and dissolved pills,” the report states. drumming by the Resistance Heartbeat the role of women in the struggle, so Drummers.

Reparation: Europe has a case to answer

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

Messing around with the dough

N E W S

V Mother escapes jail sentence 4. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

A STERLING mitigation plea by attorney Carlos James may have saved a 25-year-old mother of two, including a baby, from a

prison sentence on Monday.

The case, which had commenced April 16, 2013, took a sharp twist on Monday at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, when Shanique

Lawyer wants separation of roles ATTORNEY Nicole Sylvester thinks the time has come, in the administration of justice, for the separation of the roles of the President and Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

Sylvester made the call while speaking at a special High Court sitting on Tuesday, to mark the opening of the new law year.

The former president of the local Attorney Nicole Sylvester wants to see the matters bar and the OECS Bar pointed out that of administration and adjudication as separate true independence roles within the Eastern and separation of Caribbean Supreme Court powers would be achieved by having a jurisdiction. segregation of the Administrative Office of the Chief Justice, whose office interfaces with the political directorate, and that of the President of the Court, who is head of the judiciary and the leading judicial officer.

“It is imperative that in this era, we see those roles separate, so that justice is not only done but manifestly appears to be done,” Sylvester explained. She hopes that the OECS Bar Association and all other constituent bar associations, including the local bar, support the call for the separation of the administrative function of the Chief Justice from that of the President of the Court.

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN following the proceedings, Sylvester explained that the President of the Court and the Chief Justice are one, and one of the roles of the Chief Justice is securing funds from the governments of the OECS for the court to function. “So the Chief Justice and the support staffs have to interface with the governments of the day to get funding, and that very justice, when the governments are sued, is expected to preside over those matters, if they are appealed.

“The time has come when the administrative aspects of the court should be carried out by the Chief Justice, and the matters requiring adjudication be determined by the President of the Court”, she pointed out.

Sylvester was recently honoured by the OECS Bar Association for the role she played while she was secretary and president of the OECS Bar, and for conceptualizing the OECS law fair, while she was president of the local bar. The law fair has grown during the past ten years and has become one of the legal educational continuing programmes for the OECS. The honouring took place at a dinner held in the British Virgin Islands last Saturday.

Hooper of Troumaca changed her plea on 23 charges of theft from not guilty to guilty, following the testimonies of four witnesses.

Hooper was ordered to pay compensation in the sum of $10,157 to the proprietor of Lady J’s Giftorium and Snacket.

She is allowed until November 1 to compensate the complainant, with an alternative of nine months in prison.

Hooper was also bonded for two years. If she breaches the bond, she would have to pay the court $5,000 or go to prison for one year.

Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Mathias handed down the penalties.

Hooper was accused of stealing monies amounting to $10,157 on various occasions between November 2010 and July 2011 from the lotto machine at Lady J where she was employed.

She was initially slapped with 251 charges of theft in connection with the money stolen from Lady J, but the

prosecution withdrew 228 of them at the commencement of the trial.

The matter was adjourned from last Friday to Monday after Browne-Mathias overruled James’ objection to a caution statement his client had given to the police, in which she admitted stealing the money. The lawyer had objected on the grounds that the statement was unfairly obtained.

In mitigation, James took the Magistrate through the sentencing principles laid down by former chief justice of the OECS, now president of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). James referred to the Court of Appeal case of Desmond Baptiste. The lawyer argued that the discount for a guilty plea should not be applied to the maximum sentence possible under the act, but rather to a notional sentence the magistrate might have given, had Hooper not pleaded guilty. He noted that his

Attorney Carlos James presented a convincing mitigation plea on behalf of his client, Shanique Hooper (left). client was 25, was the mother of a 5-year-old and a 1-month-old baby, and stressed the general undesirability of imprisoning first time offenders. He urged the court to consider the prospects of rehabilitation, and noted that his client had no previous convictions. James requested compensation in addition to a suspended sentence.

However, Crown Counsel Ayanna Baptiste-Dabreo argued that in the circumstances of the case there should be no discount. She noted that Hooper was initially facing over 200 charges, but the prosecution withdrew most of them

in the interest of expediency. BaptisteDabreo contended that the proprietor of Lady J would have to pay back $72,000 to the National Lotteries Authority. She also pointed to the time lapse before Hooper changed her plea.

But James rebutted that the submissions from the prosecutor were incorrect, and that the Magistrate ought to consider the guilty plea as a discount at the particular stage of the proceedings, that the Magistrate should consider the charges that are before the court and not those which are withdrawn. BrowneMathias agreed.

Judge: ‘Time for Legal Profession Act’ SOME NINE YEARS after then president of the local Bar Association Nicole Sylvester made the clarion call for the enactment of the Legal Profession Bill, High Court Judge Gertel Thom has echoed that call.

The Bill seeks to deal with issues such as discipline for lawyers, lawyers having insurance, standards of conduct for all members of the bar, how to keep accounts for clients and otherwise, continuing legal education and the issuing of a practising legal profession certificate. To list someone as a lawyer in good standing means that he/she has continuing legal education and is a financial member of their association.

Addressing a special High Court sitting on Tuesday to mark the opening of the new law year, Justice Thom declared, “The time has come, the time is right for the Legal Profession Act.” Justice Thom pointed out that if the Administration of Justice is to play a meaningful role, the Legal Profession Act must be in place. She contended that it would foster the public’s confidence in members of the profession and therefore, must be done expeditiously.

Justice Thom commended Attorney General Judith Jones-Morgan in relation to other legislations to assist

in the administration of Justice. But the Judge emphasized, “The Legal Profession Act must be given priority.”

Justice Thom’s comments came shortly after Sylvester renewed her call for the Bill to be enacted, while delivering remarks at the special sitting. Sylvester renewed the call in order to foster the free movement of legal services throughout the region.

“We have reached a juncture in our legal development that requires free movement of professional services, and one such service is that of legal services,” the experienced lawyer underscored. But she explained that in order to create the platform to have the free movement of legal professional services, there is a dire need for the enactment of the Legal Profession Bill.

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN after, Sylvester said, “I am deeply gratified that the Honourable Gertel Thom has called for the enactment of the Legal Profession Bill, and I do believe that the fact that she made the call, it should bear fruit this time around.”

Sylvester noted that she had given the Attorney General a draft of the Bill as far back as 2004 while she was Justice Gretel Thom president of the local Bar and declared openly that the secretary of the OECS Bar. Legal Profession Act must be given priority.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. 5.

Regional

Travel advisories threaten T&T tourism IT APPEARS that Trinidad and Tobago will fall short of its target of 500,000 visitors in 2013.

This is likely, according to observers and at least one Member of Parliament, Joanne Thomas, because of the travel advisories for Trinidad and Tobago put out by the USA, Canada and the UK. The advisories, while varying in language and references, all speak to violent crime remaining high on both islands and affecting local and expatriate communities alike.

The US advisory, says violent crimes, including assault, kidnapping for ransom, sexual assault, have involved expatriate, residents and tourists.

And what is most disheartening, the perpetrators of many of these crimes have not been arrested.

Referring to particular places and incidents, the advisories warn against travelling after dark from Trinidad’s Piarco

Airport, as incidents have happened in the past involving armed robbers.

The advisories also spoke of the danger of taking taxis which caused “serious traffic accidents” as they attempted to pick up or drop off passengers, and of the need to be vigilant in tourist sites like Fort George, the world famous La Brea Pitch Lake and Las Cuevas beach.

According to MP Joanne Thomas, the advisories were troubling,and Government needed to work on fixing the issues raised in them quickly, because the issues “have the potential to negatively impact the local tourism industry.”

As far as Thomas was concerned, the advisories and the already decreased number of cruise ship calls to the twin island republic, pointed to Trinidad and Tobago not realizing its expectations for the year.

While all of this

remains current and pertinent, Trinidad and Tobago will welcome two new airline services, JetBlue and Apollo airlines, and should see the opening of a Radisson Hotel of the world renowned hotel chain, later this year.

Visits to the world famous Pitch Lake of T&T has come in for some cautionary advice.

Joanne Thomas, Opposition Member of Parliament, has called for urgent attention to addressing the concerns raised in certain travel advisories.

Dr. Douglas still under attack SOME NINE MONTHS after a motion of no confidence in the Denzil Douglas-led administration was submitted to the Speaker of the House of Parliament in St. Kitts and Nevis, there has been no move to have the motion debated.

Now, after lots of drama, including court

action and street protests, Opposition leader Mark Brantley is convinced that the motion will never be brought before parliament.

“I confess that I don’t have any hopes that the motion will be heard. I feel that the prime minister has played for time. He enlisted the aid

OECS looking to monitor cement trade EASTERN CARIBBEAN STATES (OECS)are primary importers of cement, but are often plagued by frequent shortages in supplies.

The shortages have obvious serious negative impact on the construction industry.

Now, the OECS is looking to do something about that setback.

The OECS Secretariat’s Trade Policy Unit (TPU) is facilitating talks among Member States in order to develop a The OECS imports all the cement used in its construction position on the industry. supply and demand for Inset: Virginia Paul, Head of the OECS Trade Policy Unit. cement, within mechanism is required development in the OECS, it was the Caribbean in order to ensure that necessary for Member States to Community agree on the data that would be consumers are (CARICOM). adequately supplied by required to monitor trade in Virginia the regional cement within the region,” she Paul, Head of manufacturer. said. the OECS Paul also confirmed that “Cement is an Trade Policy recommendations from OECS important commodity Unit says the have already been presented to a used in construction Council for meeting of CARICOM officials for Trade and Economic Development and given the importance of the consideration. construction sector to economic (COTED) agreed that such a

of the speaker to play for time, and they have done so successfully for the past nine months,” Brantley is reported by Caribbean 360 News to have said.

At this point, St. Kitts and Nevis is thought to be on the verge of a general election. After some effort to have them changed, news is that the original 11 constituencies will be retained.

All of this has not prevented some harsh criticism of Prime Minister Douglas, his regime and the Speaker over the fact that the motion of no confidence has never been debated.

Kittitian economist Vernon Harris calls it a crying shame that the motion has effectively been stifled.

“What Dr Douglas has done with the concurrence of his partners in CARICOM — CARICOM political leaders — is to thumb his nose at the democratic process,” Harris told a local news agency.

“He knows he can get away with it, but as far as the democratic process is concerned, it’s a disgrace,” the economist, a known critic of the government, said.

Operation Rescue’s Dwyer Astaphan, a former government minister, is reported to have said that Dr. Douglas needs to develop a conscience because of the manner in which he has handled that matter.

Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas has been accused of thumbing his nose at the democratic process.

Opposition leader Mark Brantley does not think the no confidence motion will be debated before general elections.

“What is happening in St Kitts and Nevis is an utter abomination, it’s a disgrace. My message to Dr Douglas is that he should try to find a conscience,” Astaphan said.

Former senior government minister Sam Condor has meanwhile expressed concerns about what he describes as an erosion of the democratic process.

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6. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Professor Beckles looking for closure

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY HILARY BECKLES is Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies. He is also a distinguished academic and has done extensive research into aspects of slavery as it relates to Africans.

Professor Beckles was in Kingstown to attend and address the first ever Regional Reparations Conference.

He was happy that “we are taking the lead,” and reminded his audience on Monday’s session of the Conference that “it is here that the process started.” He was referring to Columbus’ imposition that led to the dehumanisation of the African people.

It is our responsibility “to take this thing to closure,” Beckles added.

As far as the Pro-Vice

Left: Hilary Beckles, Pro Vice Chancellor of the University, said, that there was no turning back in the quest for reparation.

Chancellor was concerned, those who added, and instigated the slavery operation created insisted that a wound which he pointed was “begging ways had to be David Commissiong, for healing.” found within Beckles cited Africans as the only the legal political activist and ones who never reject their offspring. He framework to Pan Africanist assessed that it was not a weakness, and ensure that resident in Barbados, classified it as “our historic the matter is was among those responsibility.” For Beckles, “Africa is driven making a contribution the home of humanity; the whole world forward. at the Conference. is an African diaspora.”

Beckles The UWI Pro Vice Chancellor made it paid tribute to plain that “this project is designed to the Rastafari community for keeping the heal a wound that has been opened up in question of reparation and repatriation civilisations,” pointing to the economic, on the frontline for over 100 years. social, psychological and spiritual He cautioned that “this is not the damage inflicted by slavery. stage for us to be wobbling,” and advised He deduced that remedying this issue that the effort be focussed. warranted urgent attention. The colour This was not a juncture, he urged, to of one’s skin was of no significance to buckle, backtrack, be thrown off target Beckles, and he showed more interest in or deflected. character.

He was satisfied that the “conversation” on reparation had matured to a point where action had to be taken, and called for more people to become involved in the exercise.

Research, he admitted, had to be deepened and the information made available to the The Rastafari movement was recognized for keeping the population, he issue of reparation on the agenda for the last 100 years.

AG supports reparation effort St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

ATTORNEY GENERAL She concluded with Judith Jones-Morgan has excerpts from a sermon urged members of the delivered by the former legal fraternity to let their Archbishop of Canterbury, voices be heard in support Dr. Rowan Williams, at of the movement for the Westminster Abbey in reparations from slavery London on March 27, and native genocide.

2007, to mark the The AG made the call bicentennial of the while addressing a special Abolition of the Slave sitting of the High Court Trade. on Tuesday to mark the Dr. Williams had opening of the law year. stated, “Slavery was “The question of taken for granted by reparation will challenge Christians, nonthe finest legal minds in Christians and irreligious the Caribbean, and I people for centuries if not implore you to engage in millennia, yet the spirit this conversation, as the that spoke in Jesus was a Caribbean region forges spirit contemporary and ahead on this journey,” alive for those who, two the AG intimated. hundred years ago, and Jones-Morgan noted more, refused to take it that two members of the for granted because they Utter Bar are involved in saw something of the the local Reparations truth about God and Committee. They are Jomo humanity.

Thomas, the committee’s “Is that spirit chairman, and Mandella contemporary and alive in Campbell. us today? If so, we shall The AG’s remarks came have the courage to face while the first Regional the legacies of slavery. We Reparations Conference shall have the courage to entered its second day in turn to each other and ask

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Attorney General Judith Jones-Morgan added a theological flavour to her support for the reparation effort. how together we are to make each other more free and more human.

“May the spirit be upon us and in us in our struggles”.

V LIME enhancing Public Speaking

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. 7.

News

THE SCHOOL WINNING the 2013 LIME Lions Club South Inter-Secondary Schools Public Speaking Competition is guaranteed sponsorship by LIME for the ensuing twelve months. That will be in addition to the S1500 cheque that the individual student will receive.

LIME’s general manager, Leslie Jack, made the announcement last Tuesday morning at a press launching of the Competition.

Jack also announced prizes for teachers of the winning schools: $1000 for the winning school; $700 for the second place; and $400 for the third place.

A new dimension of the telecommunications giant’s support comes by way of their sponsorship of workshops before the preliminary round of the Competition which begins October 1. The workshops are aimed at exposing both teachers and students to the fundamentals of public speaking.

Besides the prestige of winning the Public Speaking contest, the finalists will become part of the LIME Scholarship Foundation. They will form part of LIME’s image, and they will be encouraged to partake in LIME’s Outreach activities.

In all, LIME expects to expend some $25,000 in sponsorship of the prestigious competition, which also provides for

ensuring transportation to the grand finale.

Lion’s Club South President, Ronald Christopher, described the Public Speaking exercise as a “remarkable product,” despite some “ups and downs.”

Christopher praised LIME for their commitment to the venture, and he agreed that the competition served as a building block for students and teachers alike.

Tuesday’s activity saw the presentation of cheques to: last year’s winner Lexie Selman, formerly of the Bishop’s College Kingstown and currently a student at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College; Niasha Mofford, the former Girls’ High School student who placed third last year; and finalists Dnain Johnson who represented Mespo Emmanuel High School; Sylvorn Lavia formerly of the North Union Secondary School, and Delight Ollivierre of the Mountain View Academy.

Kyle James of the Boys Grammar School who placed second last year, received his prize before.

The Public Speaking Competition, which is now a fixture in the activities to mark the annual Independence observations, will be streamed live via the internet, courtesy LIME.

Ronald Christopher, Lions Club South President, presents the trophy for the best 2012 Impromptu Speech to Niasha Mofford.

Leslie Jack, LIME’s General Manager, presents 2012 winner Lexie Selman with her winner’s cheque.

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8. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial Or Reparation and Senators WHAT A WEEK or so it has been for SVG! Playing host to the first ever Regional Conference on Reparation? What bigger ‘head’ could we get as a nation?

Persons from far and wide international and regional academicians, Pan Africanists, Rastafarians, Garifuna, other professionals, ordinary folk , and more - gathered for a three-day exercise to work out the support mechanisms that would bolster the legitimate call for reparations for the evils of the trans-Atlantic slavery, the sins of chattel slavery in the Caribbean, and genocide of indigenous peoples.

It was an occasion that, put simply, spoke to, reverberated like, and connoted a genuine sense of, unity that no Caribbean Heads Summit could ever lay claim to.

That in itself carries a wider message: That the true unity of the people of seemingly far-flung Caribbean islands, lies with the coming together of the salt of those islands, i.e. the real people — not just people who boast this and that credentials, but persons who have toiled, whether in the lifestyles they have chosen, or the conduits (music) they chose to propagate the message, in the vineyard of the doubtful, and among those who are comfortable with the status quo.

What is important from here on in, is that the politicians must resign themselves to a role of waging the battle on the diplomatic front, in the chambers of international agencies, while the real thrust finds increased momentum from and among the people. The voice of the people, they say, is the voice of God. The voice of the politicians is not.

There must be no hijacking, in one direction or the other, of the cause for any selfish political gain.

There must be no undue hastening of the fight to satisfy anyone’s and any one agenda.

Rather, we should be guided by what the roots reggae exponent Protoje says elsewhere in this edition: “Patience… that time will come.”

And interspersed in the historic occasion of the Reparation Conference was the announcement of three new Government senators.

We welcome the three men to the fold of Legislators — Senators Camillo Gonsalves, Luke Browne and Jomo Thomas.

If the truth be told, the ‘final pronouncement’ was hardly a surprise. School children, we know, are seldom wrong, and the gentlemen were all but named by them, bar the shouting at the ceremonial swearing in.

Some could well be disappointed with the continued male dominance on the Government side of Her Majesty’s Parliament, but they should find fortification in this,

especially the women, for the ongoing struggle to ensure a change in the scheme of things.

What is significant about the appointments is that they are subliminally accompanied by a finger pointing from within the Unity Labour Party, into the future.

The appointments have an air of succession about them.

The younger Gonsalves, Browne, Thomas, and MPs Caesar and Mc Kie could well be in a chamber where they are currently being ‘oiled’ to assume leadership of the party.

Thomas, it appears, will be called upon more exactly, to continue to espouse the ideology of the party and its leader, since he stands out as being prepared for this undertaking. He can blame none but himself if he loses the label ‘independent thinker’.

All of that amounts to a good thing; it speaks to the maturity of a party’s organization amidst successive examples of political parties losing a sense of direction, the result of failing to address the question of succession.

Dr. Gonsalves is well aware of the history of political leaders ‘overstaying’ their time, and he must be credited for addressing the issue of succession, even if he does not so admit, before the clouds of political power turn a darker shade of grey.

The ‘browneness’ of the appearance, though, lies in the proximity of the newly appointed Senator Gonsalves to political leader Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

Can anyone be faulted for deducing an air of nepotism about the appointment of the younger Gonsalves?

It is one thing, a good and honourable thing, to allow the next of kin to work himself/herself into the confidence of the people — as in the cases of the Manleys in Jamaica and the Adamses in Barbados. It is not a worthy thing, as in the case of the Birds in Antigua, to have a successor, as carefully cultivated as he/she might me, bestowed upon the people.

A Beache once replaced a Beache as a ‘Parliamentary Representative of the people,’ only for that replacement to realize, mid stream, that this ultimate service, service to his people, was not his calling.

(Slap in the face?)

So, while we welcome the freshness of the recent senatorial appointment, we caution against any plan to ‘enforce’ progression to the throne.

And while we are at it: How prepared is the Opposition for this new wave of youthfulness, both within and without Parliament?

That is another story, eh? And what a week it was!

Three ULP Senators appointed IT TAKES DR. GONSALVES, a man steeped in the game of political histrionics, to so manipulate a situation, that a song and dance is made of the simple process of a Government naming three persons to fill the vacancies as ULP Senators- Camillo Gonsalves, Luke Browne and Jomo Thomas.

Originally, Senators literally denoted elder persons to stay the reckless hands of young Ministers, who could run amok, but for the advice and wisdom of the older folk in the senate.

But, over time, Senators and Representatives have been drawn from the same category of persons in terms of age, capacity and experience.

Indeed, the real change introduced by the ULP is the rapid changeover of “senators” and “representatives”. ULP has been in power approaching thirteen years now, and we have experienced to date some 12 “Senators”, a record number, a “historic” figure: Julian Francis, Juliet George Andrea Young, Richard Williams, Ronnie Marks, Rochelle Forde, Michelle Fife, Douglas Slater, David Browne, Camillo Gonsalves, Luke Browne and Jomo Thomas. All told, one ULP senator for each of the twelve years that the ULP has been in power. Only Julian, has remained fixed to the mast.

What is definitely new is the appointment initially of the young Camillo and Luke, who are known prospective candidates for the Leadership of the Party. In democratic countries, the normal expectation is to see the leadership of the party emerge from among the electives who by dint of hard work, impress the followers who ultimately give him the crown, as it were.

Especially, for a party which prides itself on its socialist agenda and belief in its rank-and-file, the importation of its leadership by co-optation is definitely not the way to go.

Where Luke is concerned, I have dealt with him in the past thus: “This young brilliant Vincentian is very much in the news at the moment. He is barely 24 years, a Rhodes Scholar at

the high-brow Oxford University who has apparently taken time off to contest the next election.

“My first warning is that Luke is courting enormous risks, not worth it. Parnel Campbell, with more years under his belt, had done something similar in 1979 when he took leave of his PhD in law, at the equally prestigious University of Cambridge, to run on behalf of the UPM in the Central Leeward constituency.

“Parnel not only lost in that election, but also lost interest in further pursuit of his academic goals. Or rather, he decided to put down his bucket where he was, which is to be commended. It is my personal view, however, that both P.R and Luke would have served themselves and St Vincent better if they had taken the chance for higher academic achievements and more meaningful contribution thereafter.”

Moreover “Luke had been thrown up against Eustace, the leader of the opposition who has won his seat repeatedly, the only NDPite to have held his home-base on mainland SVG in the last four outings.”

In other words, it is clear that Eustace’s star is in the ascendant. With Ralph’s “charisma” on the wane after a dozen years at the top, and the country seeking change to escape victimisation, corruption and one-manism, so it was grossly unfair to take a novice to enter him in such an unequal race.

Two questions are pertinent. Firstly, is Luke being pushed because of or despite his whistle-blowing role in the Building and Loan affair? Secondly, one must stop mentioning him as a Rhodes Scholar unless and until he (post-) graduates under their prestigious banner.

As to Jomo, I am basically in sympathy with him.

Obviously capable and well meaning, he seems unable to make the grade except through Ralph who will not

tolerate Jomo’s declaration of independence except in critical times, for a short burst, so their honeymoon will be short-lived.

Jomo relishes his appointment to the chairmanship of the Reparation Committee in whose aims he has his heart, and to which, by its internationalist nature, Ralph cannot dictate. Jomo’s only problems are that, by not being Portuguese he cannot understand “money”, and may be too black to be seen by his European counter-parts and colleagues.

But Jomo can probably live with that!

In short I applaud his appointment, but wonder about the future state of the PMC! Is his group being slowly but surely swallowed up by the ULP juggernaut?

We shall watch and see how things proceed and develop.

In Memoriam Last Week Wednesday, the body of Austin Davy was laid to rest. Not many people seemed to remember him. He was the third son of dispenser Davy who lived at the Quarry. Austin had endured a long illness during which he lived alone and lonely, cut off and locked away from the general public for the past fifteen or so years. But it has not always been so. He was, among other things, a star batsman in the 1957 Grammar School Cricket team which I led to capture the Narvo Shield.

Austin was pictured standing near the extreme right between Jack Dear and Douglas Cambridge, who also died several years ago. Those persons, three score and ten plus, can enjoy themselves picking out the rest of the team.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. 9.

Letters

Open Letter to Karib Cable:

Give the ÂherbÊ a chance

„Children peeping in Karib Cable commercials‰ Dear Sir:

WHEN I look at how things are happening here, I can’t help but support the call for the legalization of ganja, ‘the herb’.

Let’s not fool ourselves. This country produces a whole lot of ‘herb’, and from what I understand, some very good quality too. So, when I look at how much this country imports like food, clothes and even ‘souvenir items’ and how little we are exporting, time for use to look at what ‘the herb’ can contribute, and in fact, take stock of how much it has contributed.

Families have been able to provide for themselves with the basic items of food, clothes and shelter, because of ‘the herb’. A lot of businesses, especially in rural areas, are kept going because of money earned the hard way from ganja.

And you know, the same country that holds us to ransom, the USA, who tells us to keep ‘the herb’ illegal, and who provides us with the arms to take out the farmers and traders, is the same country where a number of states have made the use of ‘the herb’ legal, even if it is for medicinal purposes.

And that is another point. Why can’t we stand up, like how the PM like to boast that we are our own country, no one tells us what to do, and back the call for the legalization of ‘the herb’, so that it can be put to good, medical use?

And, Mr. Editor, I wonder if anyone notice how ‘the herb’ is used in public all over the place. Smoking ‘the herb’ seems to have become as popular as taking a drink or having a smoke, i.e. of a cigarette. So who we fooling?

Time to legalise ‘the herb’ and forget about what the Yankees think.

We have to find ways to earn some money as a country. Just bringing in things and government collecting VAT is not making real money. It is when we produce, sell that produce and earn some foreign money that we make real money.

Give ‘the herb’ a chance, man.

For some time, your company has been running numerous commercials on different TV channels. First, we are not particularly enchanted when watching International News - (which are basically absent on SVG TV) - to be regularly interrupted by your company’s childish commercials, like the one not exactly complimentary to our educational system.

Our main point is this: In one particular commercial about whatever High-Speed offer, you are encouraging juveniles to intrude into people’s privacy. Kids are being shown peeping through a gentleman’s garden window, first by what appears to be a young workman, subsequently followed by a throng of juveniles and even children.

Garfield To use children for commercial purposes is debatable and should be handled with care; but to virtually lead them on MR. EDITOR, I thought, to acts of trespassing, is given the current debate highly questionable.

There is much talk about about medical marijuana in your abuse of Women and Children in our fair land, country and the Caribbean region as a which obviously is whole, that I should getting overbearing. share a reference for Leading on kids to peep your readers. at people on their I want to draw your private properties is one readers’ attention to a form of Abuse, even report by the American when arguing it’s not Medical Association’s real, just a commercial.

Council on Scientific Aren’t the sales gained Affairs. The report is out of this not real? How headed: ‘Marijuana: Its far are we really going Health Hazards and for the sake of Therapeutic Potential’, commerce? and though it came out My questions: What as long ago as 1981, its are we implementing? content is very much What do we expect from relevant today. such influence? Don’t we The report gives have better messages to evidence of marijuana’s get across to our potential harms, but it kids? And do we not have distinguishes this concern from the already enough peeping, legitimate issue of trespassing, burglarising marijuana’s important for the sake of easy medical benefits, a gains? critical difference that is Our kind request to all too often lost in the you, Sir: Please rethink hysteria of the public the use of such commercials as described debate over marijuana’s social abuse. above. Karib Cable can I am a firm believer surely do better. in the use of marijuana With Thanks. as a medicant. I believe that licensed physicians Otmar Schaedle

‘Bigging up’ the CWSA SOMETIME AGO, the Editorial in THE VINCENTIAN focused on the ‘CRAB MENTALITY’.

That was a most appropriate topic.

But I will like to take the opposite road to that mentality and big up a certain institution here.

When the landslide occurred in Belmont recently, it was reported that well over 150 feet of pipe line were destroyed, and the CWSA said that they would have to relocate those lines. They also said that to relocate meant that they would have to lay much more pipe than was destroyed.

Water supply to homes was lost, but the CWSA stepped up immediately to fill the gap by providing tanks and having their truck move through the community. This was certainly showing that at least one corporation here was thinking of its customers. I can’t say the same thing about others.

That was quick action on the part of the CWSA, and they must be congratulated.

But the CWSA must be given even VBGGER congratulations for their repair work.

I heard a statement that said that water supply was returned to the affected areas within four days of the landslide. If that is not an exceptional job, I don’t know what is.

All the workers, especially the field workers, those labourers and pipe fitters must be given recognition for their effort. This is not to take away from the engineers and supervisors who would have toiled just as hard.

All in all, this is an accomplishment of which we should all be proud, knowing that there are still people in this country who truly put country first.

This is not time for pulling down one another like the “crab mentality”, this is a time to big up our people.

Congratulations and thanks to the CWSA. Paul

Defensive driving

In support of medical marijuana are competent to employ Vincentians. marijuana, and patients With thanks. have a right to obtain marijuana legally, under Paul Eghill, USA medical supervision, from a regulated source.

Given that more and more physicians are identifying marijuana as a useful addition to * When can their list of we expect a review of pharmaceutical the VAT list of goods? treatments, it is time * Are we looking in that we introduce the the right places for legislation that will stop those moneythe physicians from launderers? having to choose * With all the between their ethical heightened interest responsibilities to their in local craft, why are patients and their legal we still importing liabilities. In this ‘souvenir items’, from modern age, that is an those far away countries? injustice to the licensed * Can Invest SVG physicians. not do something I am heartened by the about exposing our step taken by Prime craft overseas?

Minister Dr. Ralph * Did the PM Gonsalves, and would really believe the want to encourage NDP would have continued serious debate fallen for that Deputy on the issue of medical Speaker trap? marijuana, given * Can’t the especially, that his Anglican Church country is a primary authorities clean up producer of the herb, and fence the which has had, albeit unsightly bushy areas around the pan illegal, tremendous yard on the Bishop’s positive economic impact College grounds? on the lives of many

THERE HAVE been some serious accidents on our roads over the past months. At least one, I can remember, was fatal.

Now, the truth is that we have more vehicles on the road than we ever dreamed about. And we have a lot more young drivers also.

I don’t know how things happen now, but it seems to me that, unlike when I went for my driver’s licence, it is easy to get one these days. I had to do my driving test three times before I got mine. Now it seems all you have to do is show that you can steer the vehicle, since most of them are automatic.

I want to appeal to whoever is responsible. I don’t know if it is the Minister of Transport, the Commissioner of Police or somebody else.

My appeal is that before anybody is given a driver’s licence, they be made to do a Defensive Driving course. I think this will help to decrease the number of road offences as well as accidents.

You only have to look at how disrespectful certain drivers are of other road users to understand why this is important. When I learned to drive, I was encouraged to ‘drive for the other person’. I was taught to have regard for the other driver.

We have to start somewhere to make our roads safer. Learning about Defensive Driving is a start.

A Smith

V The Reparation Conference; 10. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

charting the way forward The Issue SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2013 will go down as a critical date in the history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It will be seen as the day when this country gave the region the impetus that was required, to really begin the march towards reparations for native genocide and slavery.

legal case is constructed. The issue of reparation crosses all boundaries, including politics. Indeed it is an issue The official opening ceremony was for all Caribbean people, regardless of everything that was expected and class, race, creed and political more. The addresses delivered by persuasion.

Jomo Thomas; Prime Minister, Dr. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Ralph Gonsalves, the feature speaker, in his address at the opening of the Professor Verene Shepherd, and conference, captures this idea very well Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart of when he says: “The historic wrongs of Barbados (delivered by his Minister of native genocide and African slavery, Culture, Hon. Stephen Lashley),all and their continuing contemporary lived up to expectations and more. consequences, must be righted, must be The musical performance by Bunny repaired, in the interest of our people’s Wailer was more than was expected humanisation. The European nations

by Vincentians, and the four thousand must partner in a focussed, especial way persons who flocked to Victoria Park with us, to execute this repairing. (or Freedom Park) wanted more of the Thus, the demand for reparations is the Grammy artiste. responsibility not only of the Professor Verene Shepherd must be descendants in today’s Caribbean of the singled out for special mention. Her Callinago, the Garifuna, the address provided the audience with an Amerindians, and Africans. It is insight of the major issues which must undoubtedly an agenda for all of us to be considered in support of the advance, to promote, to concretise, and argument for reparation. Her historical to execute. references were strong and powerful, and were very important for those who The Way Forward had very little knowledge about slavery and native genocide.

There will undoubtedly be a collation This is how she described the opening of the views expressed and the key of the conference: “This is a historic decisions taken at this conference. moment in Caribbean development.

There will be early plans to take the Indeed, there have been several defining process forward, including key meetings moments in Caribbean post-colonial and consultations to be undertaken. history, and this occasion will now take Already there is an indication that its place alongside them. For here we CARICOM leaders and foreign are, gathered in this space, in this year, ministers, who attend the UN general to honour those who have gone before so assembly this year, will make references that others could follow; and to chart a to reparation in their addresses. way forward to seek redress for those The conference documents will point who suffered brutality at the hands of out the need to build support across Europeans during the period of national and ethnic lines, as well as the conquest, the reign of terror on desirability of building a structural indigenous peoples, colonization, the interface with our brothers and sisters transatlantic trade in captured Africans, in African states. Overall, this activity African enslavement and the postmust proceed along four structural slavery racist regimes used to recreate lines; the slave relations of production after (i) The continued advocacy for emancipation”. reparations in all international fora.

This issue must be a center-piece of our The Conference region’s foreign and domestic policies. (ii) The continued education of our The actual conference on reparation Caribbean people, at home and in the for native genocide and slavery, Diaspora, and lift their awareness of the provided a rich background into the reparations issue. This must be a work that is being done in the various focussed, huge, on-going educational Caribbean islands, the USA and campaign.

Europe, and in particular the Garifuna (iii) The establishment of structured and Rastafari movement, in relation to links with other populations who seek this process. Over a two-day period, it or have sought reparations, including was clear that much work was being the Maoris, the descendants of African done, but it emerged that more coslaves internationally, indigenous ordination was needed to create more of populations globally, Jews and an impact.

Palestinians.

It further emerged that this move by (iv) The assembling of a competent CARICOM is timely, correct, and very and committed body of experts important, since it brought together a (historians, economists, statisticians, number of key stakeholders to chart the lawyers, and other professionals) to way forward. prepare the case, including the sums of Never before in the history of the money and other initiatives required as reparation movement in the CARICOM reparations in areas such as the group, was an assessment of the work economy, education, health, housing, being done by regional organizations poverty reduction, infrastructural and key individuals, on reparations. development, technology transfer, rural Never before has there been a transformation, air and sea transport, documentation of the various viewpoints and culture and tangible memorials. in relation to this issue. Never before There will be opposition, either have there been such a drive and zeal, created by European governments and a commitment to continue the opposed to reparation, or by political process of reparations for native and civic leaders in the Caribbean and genocide and slavery. the Diaspora who wish to pursue their Now it is over, the CARICOM own agenda, for narrow political and governments will be required to give the selfish reasons. As a region, we must process more teeth. Regional stand firm in this noble quest for institutions, like the UWI, will continue reparations. It is a just cause that we to play their part, providing further fight. documentation and research, as the

The New Senators THREE NEW SENATORS WERE named by the Prime Minister, and it is believed, by most Vincentians, that from these senators we will see the future leaders of the ULP. For instance, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves’s son, Camillo is tipped to be the leader of the ULP when Dr. Gonsalves resigns from active politics.

And Jomo Thomas is seen as the ‘dark horse’ in the race to be the deputy leader of the ULP. How will the members of the ULP react? Already, there are grumblings and talk of resignations, jumping ship, and it appears that the cracks in the ULP are getting wider.

The appointmenst of Camillo Gonsalves and Jomo Thomas also serve other purposes. One is to maintain the communist ideology in the ULP, and the only person who the Comrade believes can keep his communist ideology and philosophy alive in the party is Jomo Thomas.

Camillo is to maintain the dynasty that has been created by the ULP. The person who suffers most from the new appointments is Saboto Caesar. That’s why he has been so quiet in parliament for the last three sittings. He has stopped acting like Dr. Gonsalves. Why has the Comrade done that to you, Mr. Caesar? During the last general elections, you were called “my son”. Is it because you have failed miserably as Minister of Agriculture and parliamentary representative for South Central Windward?

The Dynasty

as Minister of Agriculture than Mr. Daniel, but that is not to be. From what we have seen so far, Mr.Caesar is the worst Minister of Agriculture since independence in St Vincent and the Grenadines. He has presided over the death of the banana industry.

Imagine, Mr. Caesar is encouraging farmers to plant bananas and he, as a farmer, is not planting a single hole of banana. He is planting arrowroot.

How can you motivate the banana farmers when you as Minister of Agriculture and a farmer, are not planting bananas? After all, your predecessor in that ministry, himself a farmer, planted and still plants bananas.

Mr. Caesar, under your watch as Minister of Agriculture, we have seen where St. Vincent exported a meagre 180 tons of bananas for the first thirty-two (32) weeks of this year, compared to St. Lucia who exported 7632 tons for the same period. St. Lucia, like St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was affected by Moko disease, hurricane Tomas and the Back Sigatoka. But the government of St. Lucia has agriculture and farmers at heart, injected millions of dollars into the banana industry, and implemented meaningful policies and programmes that benefitted the farmers. Today, they are reaping the rewards.

Also in these hard economic times, banana farmers are complaining about the late payment for their harvest. One farmer who called the New Times programme on Monday, lamented the fact that she was not paid for her bananas for fourteen (14) weeks after they were sold, and she was not the only farmer. How do you expect the banana farmers to survive?

What are you doing to ease the plight of the banana farmers, Mr. Caesar?

Going into the banana fields and posing for the camera will not help the farmers in any way. By the way, what has become of the chicken project in South Central Windward?

It is necessary for Vincentians to be reminded of the dynasty which the ULP has created, and it sends a message to the poor and working class who are members of the ULP that it is difficult for them to get to the top. As early as 2001, it was Williams the senator, the son of former Labour Party stalwart, and Thompson, the candidate for North Leeward, another son of a Labour Party bigwig. Then in 2005, it was Glenn Beache, son of Sir Vincent Beache, former leader of the ULP. In 2013, it’s Camillo Gonsalves, the son of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. Today, we still have the cousin of the Prime Minister, Julian Francis, as the longest serving senator Conclusion in the ULP administration.

All of a sudden, the Prime Minister has begun to speak about inclusion, Jomo Thomas because his back is against the wall.

He has now realised that the ULP Most supporters of the ULP have cannot win the next general elections. already begun their silent protest It is clear that the NDP will win the against Mr. Jomo Thomas. They are saying that they can’t trust Jomo, and next general elections. He has been cornered, so he offered Dr. Friday the Mr. Thomas also has, at the back of post of Deputy Speaker before his mind, the treatment that was consulting with the leader of the NDP. handed down to him by the Labour The Honourable Arnhim Eustace did Party in the late seventies and early eighties. However, Mr. Jomo Thomas the correct thing and sent a strong message to the Prime Minister and will have to answer a number of others, to remind them that Mr. questions from the electorate of this Arnhim Ulric Eustace is the leader of country. For example, Mr. Thomas, the NDP. will you resign as chairman of the We can only conclude that the reparations committee? Bearing in Prime Minister, Dr. Gonsalves, is not mind, that you are a strong advocate comfortable with the men around, so of integrity legislation, will you push he cannot make one of them the the ULP government to introduce Deputy Speaker. Even though Jomo integrity legislation? And what has Thomas is now the Deputy Speaker, become of your political party? he was not the Prime Minister’s first choice. Vincentians are fed up of the Bananas ULP regime and all they are asking you, Prime Minister, is to call the We were told that Mr. Saboto general elections so they can vote the Caesar would have done a better job NDP into office.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. 11.

Views

Hearing the unheard and seeing the unseen

“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” – Samuel Langhorne Clements (1835-1910), better known as Mark Twain; American author and humorist. He wrote “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”.

Innovation and entrepreneurship are two words that have become increasingly common at tertiary education facilities throughout the Caribbean. This is especially so at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business, University of the West Indies, Trinidad, and the recently established University of Trinidad and Tobago. Both institutions have established centres for innovation and entrepreneurial studies. There is good reason for this. Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) has been blessed by the abundance of natural gas. The dramatic increases in global oil prices during the 1970s and 1980s had a positive influence on T&T’s entire economic landscape. The country saw massive increases in foreign exchange earnings and government revenues. The relatively cheap source of energy spurned a variety of manufacturing activities (e.g. steel, manufacturing, food processing, etc.). It is therefore understandable that the government would have encouraged its citizens to seize opportunities for employment in those areas and to ensure that its education system prepared its nationals to succeed in these areas. Within recent years, the government and tertiary institutions have realised that it is strategic to use their successes to propel their nationals to pursue careers within and beyond the energy sector.

Visionary and responsible leaders in business, government, and education must continue to develop skills in “hearing the unheard and seeing the unseen”. This is essential if we are to develop policies, programmes, systems, and structures that will enable citizens to prepare themselves to grasp the opportunities that will emerge. The leaders in government, business and education in Brazil, India and China (for example) provide perfect examples of how this should be done. They read the economic landscape and prepared the platform from which their respective countries created and sustained their competative advantage that make them the economic power houses that they now are. Several Caribbean nations are preparing “mini versons” of these preparedness activities — seeking to ensure that their natonals are positioned to maximize the benefits from the new waves of economic activities that will emerge.

The University of the West Indies must be commended for the recent initiatives it has embarked on to make sure that it regularly updates its curricula to meet the ever changing demands of its constituents. This approach is visible throughout its various campuses, and is especially reflected at its business schools in Barbados (Cave Hill School of Business), Jamaica (Mona School of Business), and Trinidad and Tobago

Reparations Conference, a big success (Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business). At Lok Jack, for example, the Board of Directors, faculty, and staff continue to anticipate how the local, regional, and international business environment will evolve, and plan programmes to ensure that it continues to adequately prepare participants to excel, not merely survive, as the various tectonic shocks emerge. They evolve to meet the changing demands of its clients and now offer specialised Master,s Degree Programmes in areas such as Port Management.

The UWI business schools continue to encourage participants to engage in strategic thinking, implementation (being proactive), and being performance driven. The programmes encourage participants to be focused on the development of competencies and skills in design and maintenance of organisation structures capable of delivering exceptional internal and external customer satisfaction. They make every effort to unearth and enhance the talents and abilities of its constituents. To this end, expansion of its leadership training and the provision of best practices in relation to entrepreneurship, innovation, and mergers and acquisitions (to mention a few areas).

We are encouraged by the efforts being made by the UWI (in general) and the business schools (in particular) as the planners, faculty, and staff continue to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation throughout the establishment. This approach is critical as efforts are made to enhance competitiveness and to encourage sustainable economic activities throughout the region. The UWI’s visionary leaders realise that entrepreneurship and innovation are central to the region’s developmental process. The focus continues to be on developing innovative people and enabling competitive businesses.

Facilitators and participants examine best practice in creating and managing competitive businesses within a globalised world economy. To this end, the UWI continues to play a critical role in encouraging the region’s brightest to hear the unheard and see the unseen.

But, in addition to this, individuals are encouraged to become more proactive in charting new courses for local and regional development.

Where are we in relation to our ability to hear the unheard and see the unseen? As a people, how developed is our imgination? How proactive are we?

We, you and I, have a critical role to play in advancing the development of our people and communities. Supported by institutions of higher learning and visionary leaders in business, government, and society, we must continue the process of developing systems and structurse that will propel and encourage excellence in the arts and sciences. It is not beyond us to do so (even amidst the challenges and constraints that beset us). We must embrace the practice of hearing the unheard and seeing the unseen ... and being proactive enough to maximise the benefits from the insights gained.

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

THE FIRST REGIONAL reparations conference was a remarkable success. The Caricom heads of government and Vincentian Prime Minister Gonsalves could feel justly proud of the effort. The local reparations committee was tested in the battle of fire, and performed with flying colours.

For those of us in the local reparations committee, after initial butterflies in the stomach, we knew the opening was going to be good as we witnessed the steady flow of interested Vincentians into the Freedom Park. The cultural presentation of the legendary Reggae giant, Bunny Wailer was electrifying.

Many came to see and hear him perform. They were not disappointed.

Bunny Wailer put to shame all persons, young and old, who are burdened with the pain from achy knees, hips and ankles as well as protruding stomachs because they refuse to watch what they eat, or exercise. The 66-year-old reggae master danced and shuffled, twisted and turned to the delight of the throngs.

Sulle Caesar’s rendition of Reparations, the song that allowed him to claim the monarchy in 2005, was vintage, masterly and for the ages. Sulle is a true cultural ambassador. On Sunday, he proved in lyrics and presentation that culture is a vital weapon in the fight for the liberation of the people.

The speakers made the case for reparations. The speeches represented were a public display of Caricom’s support for the reparations cause. At the end of the opening evening of the reparations conference, any un-biased observer must have concluded that the British and the other colonial powers have a case to answer. And they must be made to answer.

The broad and deep representation demonstrated that the cause and interest in reparations are truly international. Delegates came in from the length of the Americas. From New York and New Jersey, Jamaica and US Virgin Islands in the north to Guyana and Suriname on the South American mainland. In between there were delegates from Trinidad, Grenada, Barbados, St Lucia, Dominica, Guadeloupe and Martinique, Antigua and St Kitts.

Representation from the Caricom secretariat as well as a delegation from England and the Netherlands were in attendance. SVG official delegation was strongly supported by scores of nationals whose interest in the conference commanded them to be at the Methodist Church Hall.

The conference selected a Regional Reparations Commission, which is made up of the chairs of all national reparations committees. The reparations commission then selected Dr Hilary Beckles to chair its work; sessions. It also selected 3 deputy chairs in Jamaican Prof. Vereen Sheppard whose responsibility is to co-ordinate the research work, Suriname’s Amand Zunder in charge of Mobilization and co-ordination, and Jomo Thomas as deputy chair for inter-governmental relations.

The conference also developed and adopted a terms of reference which Chairman Beckles and his deputies will take to the Caricom government oversight committee led by Barbadian

chairman Freundel Stuart. The terms, among other things, call on the reparations commission to do everything necessary to have the governments engage all sections of their local populations in the discussions on reparations, to encourage a dialogue with the former European enslavers and to pursue a legal strategy to have the colonial powers answer before an international court.

It was made clear to the conference that the legal hurdle presents major challenges for the reparations case.

However, the panel of international lawyers presented a case which not only looked at the difficulties that confront litigants intent on bringing a claim in courts, but also displayed a road map that allows for a case with the greatest chance for sustainability and possible success.

The conference agreed that for the claim to be successful, the reparations cause must attract the finest legal, economic, psychological, anthropological and political experts.

The basic understanding of the conference was that, although law was one of the vital battle grounds upon which the reparations cause will be fought, it must be remembered that law is in essence, conservative and pro-status quo arena.

Out of this understanding, the conference delegates agreed that the market place of public opinion is the most crucial battleground in this fight for reparations. A diplomatic and moral offense is therefore essential. In this sense, the conference made clear its understanding that reparations is fundamentally a battle for power.

An interesting point was sounded at the conference. Some felt that in a case that seeks compensation for the African Holocaust known as slavery, Black/African lawyers must lead the legal team. The conference agreed that while there should be a prominent African legal presence in all aspects of the case, from preparation to presentation, the legal team should include a battery of attorneys that was expert and experienced.

From the local response to the conference, there could be no doubt that interest in reparations is broad and deep. The support for reparations cut across all social strata. The conference also demonstrated that interest in reparations goes beyond SVG, and that that interest is regional and even reaches the African Diaspora in Europe and the United States.

This broad support evidences that the reparations movement will not easily be slowed, detained, diverted or derailed. As local Rasta Izarus correctly intoned on Monday “those who have objections to the current reparation drive must not only object, they must come forward with a bigger and better plan to take the reparations fight forward.”

A successful conference was easy.

Now comes the really hard work.

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

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12. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Young people and small business development

to run their own business, and free internet will expose them to ideas and innovations happening all over the world. The more examples of THE UNITED NATIONS has said country wallowing in self-pity, and universities! innovation our children see, the easier supporting young entrepreneurs is turning again to begging. The call for Young Ethiopians who want to it will become for them to innovate. essential to tackling the world’s most reparation, rather than innovation and become entrepreneurs are encouraged At the UN Conference on pressing challenges. The UN says that quality education, will see our country to organize themselves in groups in Sustainable Development, Rio+20, young people “are often best placed to become more destitute in the next few order to access microfinance. They are countries recognised that governments take the first crucial steps towards years. then trained by the state-run Federal alone would not be able to achieve all breaking the cycle of poverty in their SVG has shamefully built a new jail Micro and Small Enterprises commitments on sustainable developsurroundings”. and not a university, and this Development Agency in business start- ment, and that the contribution of the The UN sentiments echo what SVG contributes nothing to the prosperity up and management skills. The agency private sector was crucial to innovaGreen Party has been saying about of our young people. As the UN says, also gives financial support to youth tion. creating a Green economy in SVG, and we must foster enabling business starting small and medium-size Reviving the SVG economy and making small businesses and environments to help achieve enterprises in areas such as textiles, providing quality jobs is vital. We innovation the beating heart of a sustainable development. leather, agriculture, trading, wood and must stop selling-off our land to strong SVG economy.

Under a Green Government, part of steel. foreigners, and focus on our young A Green Government will focus on the catalyst for successful innovation This illustrates what SVG Green people and small business helping young people develop small and small business development will Party has been advocating. SVG must development. businesses and help them see that, in be an economic and social focus on educating our children and this time of massive youth transformation, and the introduction give them free internet. The education SVG Green Party unemployment, taking matters into under a Green Government of free will help them get the skills they need www.svggreenparty.org their own hands and creating their wireless internet access to everyone in own business, may be their best route SVG. A Green government will provide to prosperity. credit schemes to small business startA Green Government will identify ups the challenges faced by young business The Ethiopian government is start-ups, and provide an environment encouraging young people to start for small business growth, by cutting small businesses in order to reduce the operating costs and overheads — rate of youth unemployment, officially IT IS REALLY shameful that including cutting the price of estimated at more than 50%. With 90 many business places still do not electricity for business start-ups. million people, the country is the provide the public with WiFi Young people can have no faith in second most populous in Africa, the incompetent ULP regime. After 33 producing over 150,000 graduates each service. On previous occasions, I used this medium to appeal to years of independence, we find our year. They have their own all banks, and institutions like KFC, Western Union, VINLEC, CSWA, Licensing Dept.

Customs, and other service providers to install WiFi hot spots at Heritage Square, tourism sites like Fort Charlotte, provide WiFi for their customers?

Botanic Gardens and all airports, Shame on you VINLEC! including Union Island.

To those institutions, like BOSVG, We are living in the 21st century, LIME, Bickles and a few others, and it is incomprehensible that in which are leading the way by this modern day and age, this basic providing free WiFi, I commend you service is not available. Every personally and on behalf of the Vincentian ‘yuppie’ (young upwardly Vincentian community. In particular, mobile person) and almost every I recognize Karib Cable and LIME for returning national owns a smart the free WiFi service provided at the phone or a WiFi ready device, which E. T. Joshua airport. I hope that the relies on a wireless service to provide service can be provided at all access to the worldwide web (www). domestic airports and from Karib We conduct business regularly at all Cable’s main office at Frenches gate. of these places, and yet no WiFi To those corporate entities who service. continue to sit on their laurels, I say It is a shame that multi-million it is your corporate responsibility to dollar franchises like KFC and Pizza provide this service to the general Hut cannot even provide this basic public; you have been waiting too long service to its many customers in SVG. to get off the mark.

Shame on you!!! Likewise, shame on It is maybe instructive to look at CSWA, VINLEC, Western Union, this service from a security Moneygram, for not providing free standpoint. Consider this scenario: WiFi to your numerous customers.

A robbery is taking place at a bank or The biggest shame is on all the at your business, and a precocious kid banks, except BOSVG, who have used with a smart phone records the heist Vincentians’ money for over 50 years while remaining incognito. However, and can’t even provide a service that he does not have phone credit. If he would barely cost them EC$ 150 a month (for broadband internet). They had access to WiFi service, he could still make contact with the police use our money to make huge profits crime unit and share the pictures via and “wrinchin” to give a pen or ‘whatsapp’, skype or email to make it calendar at the end of the year to its easier for law enforcement to valued customers, but shirk their apprehend the culprits. responsibility by not providing this There are several (other) benefits basic service ...WiFi. All the fore-mentioned institutions for both the provider of the service and the user; so what are the WiFi run profitable operations, but we defaulters waiting on? Shame on you! have to force their hands to let go some of our own money. VINLEC issues electronic bills, why can’t they Don De Riggs

Local businesses and their corporate responsibility

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. 13.

Diaspora

Fundraiser for Penn Relays staged in N.Y.

For the past three years, the Thomas Saunders Secondary School (TSSS) has been the only secondary IMPRESSED with the school in the representation of St. nation that Architect of Vincent and the Grenadines participated in the SVG’s A section of patrons in the prestigious Penn Penn Relays. participation in Relays in Philadelphia, “I’m very happy Cuffy-Murray; and Penn Relays Pennsylvania, four “deeply for the turn-out,” the Attributes of James Cordice, patriotic” Vincentians have Thomas-Butler Christ Ministries’ of Clare Valley. collaborated with the told THE Praise Team, whose umbrella Vincentian group VINCENTIAN Ardent SVG founder was the in the United States, the about the Prayer Penn Relays wide variety late Brother William Brooklyn, New York-based Breakfast at the supporter and of Muckett, of Frenches, Council of St. Vincent and Friends of Crown Vincentian co-ordinator of Kingstown. the Grenadines’ Heights Prayer Breakfast delicacies, Speaking on the topic, Organizations, U.S.A. Inc. Educational including Claudette “The Best is yet to Come,” (COSAGO), in staging a Center in roast Thomas-Butler.

Layou-born Minister major fundraising Prayer Brooklyn. “It was breadfruit, Edward Jeffers, of Breakfast last Saturday very successful. boiled corn Brooklyn’s Evangel morning.

I’m very pleased.” and coconut dumplings, Temple, said it was “good, Kingstown natives She said many fried bakes, doughboy, as Vincentians, to Claudette Thomas-Butler, Vincentian and salt fish cakes, salt fish, the Murray Village-born Caribbean nationals smoke herring, black fish support their own.”

James Cordice, the sister of newly-appointed donated food, time, and tri-tri. Tri-tri was Clare Valley-born Government Senator money and talent in donated by real estate coordinator of St. Vincent Jomo Thomas, and Old making the event agent Don Providence. and the Grenadines’ Montrose sisters Yvette successful.

The event featured a participation in the Penn Laborde, Rosita Stokes “I did not even have to number of BrooklynRelays, who journeyed and Evelyn DeShong call people for tickets,” based gospel artistes, said they were compelled Thomas-Butler said. including Campden Park- from Philadelphia for the Prayer Breakfast, said it to assist Vincentian “They were calling me. I born Anndean Charles; was “a step in the right athletes in participating think it (fundraiser) was Redemption Sharpes, direction.” in arguably the most very good for the first Kingstown native “I’m very pleased,” he popular collegiate track time.”

Monique Palmer; extold THE VINCENTIAN. and field event in the US. Patrons feasted on a netballer Judith ‘Baffy’ Stories and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; neloking@msn.com US CORRESPONDENT

at the Prayer Breakfast.

“This thing (fundraiser) came out of a few people’s heads. It’s a good start.

The choice of food wasn’t bad, too.”

A dream fulfilled TSSS’ participation in the Penn Relays Carnival is “a dream come true” for Cordice, the mastermind behind St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ representation.

“When all our preliminary work finished, and Penn (Relays) gave TSSS the word that we are in, I sat and cried, because I knew that our Vincentian children now have a path to the possibilities that the Penn Relays provide,” he said in an earlier THE VINCENTIAN interview.

“I was so proud of the

vigor that Jamaica brought to Penn, and I wanted, with all my heart, to see St. Vincent and the Grenadines celebrated at Penn the same way; plus the academic possibilities for St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ youth, once we are on the Penn Relays tracks,” he added.

“Thus, the Penn Relays is dream for many, a reality for few,” Cordice continued. “My St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ team made my dream come true, when TSSS became one of the few.”

In the initial year, 2011, TSSS hosted a boys’ team at the Penn Relays, then a boys’ and girls’ team in the succeeding years.

VincyCares conducts school supply drive THE FAST-RISING, Internetbased group, VincyCares, says its latest school supply drive for St. Vincent and the Grenadines was the most successful so far financially.

“The turnout was great, with supporters from Virginia, Philadelphia, Maryland, Canada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines visiting New York for Labor Day, coming by and supporting a worthy cause,” said Franklyn ‘Supadex’ Richards, VincyCares president, about the Taswya Cambridge 4th Annual School Supply Drive, in a VINCENTIAN interview.

The school supply drive is named after the late Cambridge, a former VincyCares director, of New Montrose, Kingstown, who died three years ago.

“There was a wide variety of local dishes — from souse, roast breadfruit, saltfish, a variety of fishes, chicken, pork, macaroni pie, cow heel soup, corn soup and chi-chi, along with mauby, ginger beer and local Hairoun drinks,” added Richards, a Calder native about the event that took place, over the Labor Day weekend in early September, at Standard Shippers on Clarendon Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.

Richards, a graphic artist by profession, said Standard Shippers, owned by Vincentian Gideon ‘Fessy’ Yorke, has become the “adopted home” for the group’s school supply drive since its inception four years ago.

“There was a constant flow of supporters all day long, bringing supplies, and eating and drinking and socializing with friends old and new,” said Richards, disclosing that a “special donation of school supplies” was handed over to VincyCares by Rose Place, Kingstown native Atiba Williams, president of the Brooklyn-based Bishop’s College Alumni Association, U.S.A. “The reason why we did this is because we recognize the work they (VincyCares) are doing to assist the less fortunate children in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, especially in the critical area of education,” Williams told THE VINCENTIAN. Richards said Gems Progressive Organization, in town for the Off-Broadway debut of the play, ‘Truth B Told’, also presented school supplies to VincyCares.

Reaching every school Former President and co-founder Kenley “Shortmus” John said VincyCares was formed, in the last quarter of 2009, after a “chance encounter” Franklyn ‘Supadex’ between Dahlia-Ann Richards, Howard-Lewis, VincyCares another co-founder, president, and Victoria considered the effort Sutherland, a then an overwhelming 11-year-girl from the success. rural village of Sandy Bay, who was funds at its annual selling sorrel in Dinner and Awards Atiba Williams (centre), president of the Kingstown, early one Brooklyn-based Bishop’s College Alumni Ceremony in early Friday morning.

December.

Association, U.S.A, making a special donation.

Soon afterwards, Last December, it he said VincyCares bestowed its Lifetime them to be better equipped at began appealing to the public learning,” he said, adding that, Achievement Award on the late for help in providing supplies to date, seven secondary school musical virtuoso par excellent for primary school children in Pat Prescod, and also honored students have also received St. Vincent and the scholarships from VincyCares. musical arranger Grenadines. extraordinaire Frankie School supplies collected at Richards said every primary the group’s drives include pens, McIntosh and pre-eminent school in St. Vincent and the netball icon Stella Boyeapencils, pencil crayons, wax Grenadines has received school crayons, markers, drawing Ashby. supplies collected at drives in In addition, the group books, erasers, rulers, loose New York. presented Vision Awards to leaves, printing paper, “Our goal is to ensure that sharpeners, note books (bonded Yvonne and Romeo Prince, every primary school child in and spiral), chalk, school glue, Goula Hamilton, Grace St. Vincent and the Grenadines dusters, library books, and Bonadie, and Elizabeth and Ali is equipped with school Robertson. white board markers. supplies, which would enable VincyCares also raises

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. 15.

14. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

µ6NDUS\RQ¶ )URP µ6NDUS\RQ¶ )URP GLVDSSRLQWPHQW GLVDSSRLQWPHQW WR JORU\ WR JORU\

Diadem Dancers find true love b y GL ORIAH… by GLORIAH… THE DIADEM DANCERS from the Faith Temple Church in New Montrose put on a spectacular show called, ‘Finding True Love’, at the Peace Memorial Hall, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September. produc‘Finding True Love’ was a riveting dance production that incorporated the art forms of theatre, song – entersolo and choir – that enthralled as much as it entertained.

And especially poignant about the production was the use of sign language that had eyes glued on the fingers and arms of the ‘speaker’. perforThe production was a craftily put together performance to home to the ordinary man, the gospel of the love of God – true love.

It unraveled a story of two young people, Jake and Jamie, who had fallen in love with each other. They were so smitten that they decided to take it one step further and get married.

The performance tale showed that the love Jake actually felt for Jamie, became somewhat displaced and had him mistreating and abusing her.

The audience was never allowed to simply take in

b y WILLIAM ‘K OJAH’ by ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY SHERNELLE ‘SKARPY YO ON’ ‘SKARPYON’ WILLIAMS, the 20 13 2013 Calypso Monarc h, Monarch, attribut es his victory victory to to attributes divine int ervention. intervention.

Skarpyon took the crown with his renditions ‘Until,’ and ‘Song of Hope’.

For him, it was a case of plunging headlong, with nothing to lose and no fear. After all, he had entered the final of the Calypso Monarch Compe Compe-tition as a late replace replace-ment for an originally selected finalist, Ronald ‘Ron B’ Browne, after the June 21 semi-final.

Shernelle Williams ‘Skarpyon’ W illiams performing ‘Hammer and Conch’ at the 2013 MonRagga gg Soca Mon arch finals.

Williams Shernelle ‘Skarpyon’ W illiams on his way to winning the 2013 Calypso Monarch title.

beautithe story without the beautifully interspersed segments of literal Bible episodes that subtly extracted the true essence of the principal tale.

And what better way to bring the word of God, than in a way that could be understood and related to by all?

Besides the dance, the drama and the catchy story line, ‘Finding True Love’ would have been less in its impact, were it not for the beautifully painted set, the carefully chosen costumes and selecthe awesome musical selections, both for performances and for fillers.

It was a performance worthy of the ever-so-talked-about 'Broadway'.

‘FindAccording to the production's editor, ‘Finding True Love’ is scheduled to showcase in Tobago soon.

It was written and produced by Jemelia Pope and directed by Michael Peters. The dance choreographers were Jemelia Pope, Christine Martin and Janel Jarvis.

Jake and Jamie find ‘True Love’.

Williams Left: Shernelle ‘Skarpyon’ W illiams in the company ‘Scorcher’’ Thomas (left) and of calypso icons Cyril ‘Scorcher Alston ‘Becket’ Cyrus (right).

Ronald ‘Ron B’ Browne had to fulfill an overseas assign assign-ment, which meant that he was unable to take part in the Dimanche Gras showdown, July 7.

He hinted on feeling disappoint disappoint-ed on being omitted from the original semi-final slate. But he took this disappoint disappoint-ment in stride, and when the call came for him to be among the finalists, admit-he admit ted: “You have nothing to lose.”

One mor more re step upwards ds The 2013 Calypso monarch entered the Calypso final considconsidering himself on a high.

He

looked at his performance competiin the Ragga Soca competition the previous night as satisfactory.

He contended that the presenpatrons enjoyed his presentation, and for him: “That (Conch and Hammer) is a winner.”

He placed second in the Ragga Soca competition, and the next night, sat on the throne of calypso royalty.

He recalls going “blank” during his performance in the Calypso final of 2012, going home that night and penning the lyrics to the number ‘Song of Hope’.

That number, perhaps, swayed the balance when he came up in the 2013 final. He admitted that he gave it full commitment, and outlined: “No situation formed by man could deter your momentum.”

The reigning monarch praised his arranger Joffre Venner, whom he credited with nurturing him through his musical career.

He dedicated this crown to Venner, who acknowledged that it was the first time that one of his arranged numbers was hitting royalty.

The number ‘Song of Hope’ saw former calypso monarch Oslen Peters doing the musical arrangearrangement. Skarpyon was

pleased with two arrangers in his corner.

The beginning Shernelle ‘Skarpyon’ Williams has been actively entertain-involved in the entertain ment industry ever since he was recruited from the Junior Calypso circles, into the National Youth Band in the 1990s.

He won Ragga Soca titles in 2004 and 2011, shared the Road March honour with Jamsey P in 2006, and placed second in the Calypso Monarch Competition 2011.

The young man takes his business seriously, and he concedes that he is motivated to doing his best “every time I go on stage.”

Additionally, Skarpyon attributed his renditions as coming from the heart.

For him, calypso represents a special aspect of the music industry, and he pays tribute to its profundity.

He acknowledged the root of the calypso genre, and accepted the crown as the one “that resonates a sense of pride,” one that may well have been nurtured many years ago when he was a student at the Evesham Methodist (Primary) School. He

expressed gratitude to teachers there and the rest of the community.

There is a family orientoriented musical ensemble, and his wife Natara is his designer.

She forms an integral part of the Stinga Events Team and, according to Skarpyon, great things are in store for next year, when he marks his 25th anniveranniversary in the musical arena.

There are still some in the world that are looking for ‘True ‘True Love’.

Left: Search on land, under the sea, in outer space, Furthest left: The epitome of ‘True ‘True Love’: The love of Jesus Christ who died and rose for our sins.

Cake Dancing: A Union Island tradition

by KENVILLE HORNE JAWS DROPPED AND MOUTHS OPENED as Vernalyn Blencowe, from the Union Island Cake Dancers group, gave a taste of the ingredients that make up the Cake Dance, a rich aspect of Union Island cultural traditions.

The occasion was the sponsors launch, of the Miss Heritage Pageant 2103, held at the Scotiabank headquarters, Kingstown, on Monday 2nd September, 2013.

The Cake Dance demonstration formed part of the afternoon’s programme.

As Ms. Blencowe explained, Cake Dancing is a traditional activity that makes up part of a marriage celebration.

She explained that on the day before the wedding day, the parents of the bride, other family members and close friends would gather gifts, a flag and a big wedding cake.

The cake is paraded on the eldest

family member’s head, after which “they would dance down to the boy’s (the groom’s) home,” Blencowe told the audience.

On reaching the bridegroom’s home, the bride’s party is welcomed by the groom’s family with a cake and flag of their own. Then, the dancing begins.

The dancers must ensure that the groom's cake and flag are always kept above the bride’s; this signifies the traditional dominance of the man in the home.

Following the Cake Dancing ritual, gifts are presented to the groom’s family, and only then do they enter the groom’s house.

The ritual is repeated the next morning, this time with the groom’s family parading to the bride’s home.

Music for the ritual is usually provided by string bands or steel bands. The dance routine could be described as a ‘little war’.

Blencowe admits, however, that “it (the Cake Dance) is a little watered down these days, and I grieve when I see that; but when older folks’ children get married, they practise what they know.”

The Cake Dance is an African ancestral practice, handed down through the generations Vernalyn Blenfrom the days of cowe gave a slavery. synopsis of the The Cake dance was place of the Cake part of this country’s Dance in the presentation at CARcultural tradions Vernalyn Blencowe and a member of the Union Island Cake IFESTA IV, held in of Union Island.

Dancers Group gave a demonstration of some of what is done Barbados in 1981. in the Cake dance ritual.

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16. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Counting down to 100th 9Mornings the SVG 9Mornings Committee, Mr. Michael Peters, the ‘100 Days “IT’S OUR NINE MORNINGS – our festival, a Countdown’ was initiated to “try to pre-dawn celebration. So, come one and produce as much interest, enthusiasm, all, let’s join in 100 years.” participation and general promotion of Those are some words of the chorus of the festival as possible, so that if it is the 2013 9Mornings 100th Anniversary exciting here, people in the Diaspora song coined by 9Mornings festival icons, should feel more inclined to come for the Lennox Bowman and Carlton “CP” Hall. festival”. The 100th day will be The song was presented at the launch of December, 24th. the ‘100 Days Countdown to 100 Years’ In building up to the National of the festival, which was held at the 9Mornings Festival, there will be Training Room of the National ‘Countdown Programmes’, featuring Insurance Services, last Monday, 16th 9Mornings-like activities, in six major September. communities, on each weekend during This year, 2013 marks the 100th year the months of October and November. of the celebration of 9Morningss The schedule for the “countdown festivities. According to Chairman of reads: 5th October — Richland Park, Stories by GLORIAH...

12th October — Park Hill, 26th October — Rose Bank, 8th November — Barrouallie, 15th November Carriere, and 23rd November — New Grounds.

The activities will begin at 7:00 pm nightly and will last for about two hours.

Last Monday’s event also saw the official launch

Lennox Bowman introduced the 9Mornings 100th Anniversary song and got the undivided attention of Minister Cecil Mc Kie (right) and Chairman of the SVG 9Mornings Committee, Michael Peters. of the ‘9Mornings Facebook Page’. The page was created by the SVG Tourism Authority.

The general public was urged to log on to the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/ninemorningsf estival. The 100th person to ‘Like’ the page was Ms. Karen Weekes of Green Hill. She was awarded a prize.

Minister of Tourism, Sports and Culture, Hon Cecil Mc Kie, expressed his delight with the launch. He was emphatic in stating that this year’s celebration will be spectacular. “It will be the grandest ever!” he said.

Minister Mc Kie also called on the corporate community to support the Festival. He noted its importance over the years and its contribution to various aspects of Vincentian life. He urged the participation of all.

Buccament students receive gifts ON THE SECOND DAY of the new school year, Tuesday, September 3rd, the students of the Buccament Government School received unexpected but extremely pleasant gifts. Each child received a school bag. The bag, a backpack, was packed with stationery supplies and a Webster Dictionary.

The gifts, a donation from ‘Giving Life A new Meaning’ GLAM), were presented by Mrs. Isabelle Lewis, the founder of GLAM. GLAM is a non-profit organization based in New Jersey. It receives donations from Vincentians at home and abroad. This year, the Straker and Bobb families of Dubois donated to GLAM, and in so doing, ensured that the Buccament Government School students were among the few who received bags.

The Buccament Government School is located in Dubois. It is well known for its athletics. Acting Principal of the school, Mrs. Youlande Jackson, and the teachers had kept the donation a complete secret, so students were elated on receiving the gifts. They expressed delight in different ways: some singing, some jumping for joy, others simply saying thanks.

The parents present very grateful, with one parent showing her appreciation by saying a prayer for Mrs. Lewis.

Acting Principal Jackson said that there was a need for people and organizations to give back to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She also stated that there was no better way to help a nation than to help its children, especially in these hard economic times.

Isabelle Lewis (left), founder of GLAM, was on hand to help distribute the gifts.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. 17.

News

Adult Education Week celebrated!

Culinary skills are enhanced through programmes organized by the A.C.E. THE ADULT AND CONTINUING Education Department (A.C.E.) of the Ministry of Education once again celebrated Adult Education Week beginning September 7.

The week is normally planned to coincide with UNESCO’S International Literacy Day which is commemorated annually on the 8th September.

UNESCO’S Theme this year was ‘ Literacy for the 21st Century’.

This year’s Week opened

Basketry is alive and well among rural folk in SVG.

with church services along with presentations of critical and social activity in some Zones.

On Monday and Tuesday, September 9 and 10, zonal arts and craft exhibitions and registration were held in all zones. There were also radio programes and news releases.

The Adult Education Department of the Ministry of Education has been exposing its clientele to numerous opportunities geared at empowering them to lead a

full life.

A.C.E has provided a dynamic Textile work from the persons who attend the Black Point Activity curriculum to cater Centre for senior citizens. for the diverse the pre-basic literacy level up grown to cater for the needs and demands of a 21st to CXC-CSEC, scaffolding contextual realities of its century environment. A them to access higher clientele. decentralized management education and skills training.

The Department has as its structure, with competent mantra “to provide access to guidance from the centre, has More and more these programmes are being Adult Learners wherever they enabled the department to evaluated for quality through wish to start their educational surpass its expectations internal and external agencies pursuit, providing a platform annually. ,although they may be homefor their empowerment.”

Today, A.C.E provides programmes for persons at

Adult Ed. - ZONE 2 graduates homemakers The work of the Adult and Continuing Education Department (A.C.E) continues unabated throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

A number of skills training programmes continue to be staged, and persons graduate with enhanced or new skills.

One of the recent graduation exercises arising out of an A.C.E. programme was held on Sunday 8th September, when thirty-five learners from Zone 2 graduated from a homemakers’ course.

The graduation took place at the South Central Windward Learning Resource Centre at Sans Souci.

Remarks were

Graduates of the Homemakers Course share a proud moment with Zone 2 Co-ordinator, Cleopatra Jackson ( front 2nd from right). delivered by the Cocoordinator of the zone, Miss Cleopatra Jackson, who congratulated the graduands and urged them to continue developing themselves.

Brief remarks also

CCSLC certificates were also distributed at the graduation ceremony.

came from Miss Koleen Thomas. She too congratulated the graduands and indicated that very soon Business Skills workshops will be organised for them and encouraged them to take advantage of these.

Mrs. Ruthlyn Alves, course facilitator, was in high praise of the participants. She thanked them for their cooperation, interest and commitment throughout the entire programme.

Also included in this graduation ceremony was the distribution of CCSLC certificates to 15 learners. (Contributed)

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18. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Business

COMFI clients in entrepreneurship training SMALL BUSINESS owners and operators attending a one-week workshop organised by the SVG Small Business and Micro-Finance Cooperative Ltd (COMFI) and the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc (CED) have been reminded that record keeping is crucial to the success of their businesses.

The reminder has come from COMFI’s Roxine Ragguette as she addressed the opening of the workshop on Monday evening at the Kingstown Cooperative Credit Union (KCCU) Conference Room.

Miss Ragguette noted that the twenty-eight participants are the second batch of COMFI loan recipients to be in the workshop since June, and expressed hope that they make the best of the training opportunity.

“We hope that after this training you will be better equipped in recordkeeping and keeping your financial records. As you know, record keeping is essential to the proper running of any business; it helps business owners to see whether they are making a profit or loss; and you of course will want to make a profit,” she stated.

Miss Ragguette further reaffirmed COMFI’s commitment to its clients and small business development in St

Roxine Ragguette impressed the importance of record keeping.

Vincent and the Grenadines.

“We will check on your businesses periodically to ensure that you keep your records correctly. Please feel free at any time to call on us if you are not sure of anything. We wish you and your businesses all the success as you provide a service to our people as we work together to develop our country,” she added.

The Community Training for Entrepreneurship Development (CPED) workshop was developed by CED to, among other things, facilitate the development of an enterprise culture in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, through the creation of viable micro and small enterprises, and in the growth and development of such existing businesses.

Participants will be enlightened and trained in areas such as Customer Service Excellence, Costing & Pricing Products, Record Keeping, Marketing, NIS for Small Businesses/Self Employment — Contributions and

A section of participants in the Workshop for small business owners and operators.

Benefits, and The Roles and Responsibilities of the SVG Bureau of Standards. The facilitator is

Accountant/Business Consultant Dougal James. (Contributed)

Stars galore for Arthur Guinness Day THE CARIBBEAN will once again celebrate the boldness, vision and legacy of Guinness® founder Sir Arthur Guinness, when it joins in the global celebration of the fifth Arthur Guinness Day

Arthur Guinness (1724 or 1725 – 23 January 1803) was an Irish brewer and the founder of the Guinness brewery business. He was also an entrepreneur, visionary and philanthropist.

(AGD).

On September 26, the world pays homage to the founder of the world’s number one stout, with a grand music celebration, featuring some of the world’s best performers across globalmusic genres.

In Kingston, Jamaica, some of the Caribbean’s best artistes from Reggae, Soca and Dancehall, including IOctane, Tarrus Riley, BunjiGarlin& Fay-Ann Lyons, Aidonia and Busy Signal, will converge at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

While the AGD concert will be held in Jamaica, there will be a live simulcast to approximately 1 million viewers across the Caribbean, giving consumers the opportunity to enjoy a remarkable event from their homes.

This will be available for viewing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines from 9pm at the Solidarity Car Park, Kingstown.

The SVG Leg

‘Skinny Fabulous’ is heading the cast for the SVG leg of celebrations to mark the Arthur Guinness Day.

As part of this year’s AGD celebration, and in addition to the live streaming, Guinness St. Vincent will host an event with musical performances from 1st Lady, Royale and SVG’s superstar, Skinny Fabulous.

Also performing would be the original Jamaican Bubblers who have been seen in videos for Konshens’ ‘gyal ah bubble’ and Vegas’ ‘Bruk it down’.

And that’s not all! The Caribbean’s best fire eaters will be on hand to show SVG who’s made of more. Top local DJ’s will also be contributing to the remarkable Guinness experience on September 26th in Kingstown.

Arthur Guinness Day is a global event with musical performances in 55 countries, including Ireland, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Malaysia, France, Spain, Italy, Australia as well as the Caribbean.

The day has been celebrated since 2009 to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the lease at the St. James’ Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland.

Guinness is brewed locally by the St. Vincent Brewery.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. 19.

Feature

known OJE OLLIVIERRE, kno wn in Protoje, musical circles as Prot oje, contemporary Reggae is a cont emporary R eggae songwriter singer and songwrit er born in Jamaica of a Jamaican mother,, Lorna Bennett, mother and Vincentian ffather, ather, Michael Mic hael ‘Mercy’ Ollivierre.

Both Bennett and Ollivierre have cut niches differ-for themselves in differ ent genres: Bennett in reggae and Ollivierre in calypso. there-Little wonder there fore, that Protoje, now a well founded 32-year old, would inherit some of those musical genes and L-R: Protoje and Ky-mani Marley collaborated on the make a name for himself. reggae hit, ‘Rasta Love’.

responsible for live entertainment.

An eleven-month of Europe followed the release of his second album even as his popularity soared.

The tour impressed, according to reports, in a way that artistes of the ‘roots reggae preference’ had done before his coming to Europe.

“I love the live shows,” VINCEN-Protoje told THE VINCEN up…al-TIAN. “It frees me up…al lowing me to do a wider interpre-range of reggae interpre tations… even dancehall.”

Now, as he spoke with THE VINCENTIAN, plans are well on the way for another tour of Europe in the coming year.

Discography to date

What makes the man

Boasting two full albums of his own musical creativity, Protoje was Kingsin Kingstown this week, to “ground” The video for ‘Kingston with his Wise’ was a be Wise’ father and smasher. smasher. take in some of the beauty and hospitality of ‘Vincy Land’ and its people; and from all reports, take in some of the ‘culture’ of his paternal roots.

He brings with him credentials that boast two full albums to date,

all of what he describes as being of the “roots reggae” type.

He is backed by one of the bigger names in reggae circles, Don Corlon of the internationally renowned ‘Don Corlon records’, with whom he recorded his first singles, ‘Dread’, ‘JA’ and ‘Roll’, in 2010. instantaThe impact was near to instantaneous, and by 2011, Protoje was back in the studio to dish out his debut album, ‘The Seven Year Itch’, which charted #2 in Canada, #3 in the USA and #4 in France.

Among the tracks was ‘Rasta Love’, a collaboration with Ky-mani Marley, one of the sons of Bob Marley. The song registered a #5 placing on the Billboard Reggae Charts and was #3 on the US ITunes listing.

His second album followed rather swiftly. By February 2012, Protoje had released ‘The 8 Year Affair’, which produced hits like ‘Who Dem A Program’, ‘This Is Not A Marijuana Song’ and ‘Kingston Be Wise’. The accompanying video for ‘Kingstown Be Wise’, on the day of its release, November 5, 2012, became the most viewed You Tube link among internet users in Jamaica.

TTaking a aking on the world

On the ‘Seven year Itch’ album tour.

With Jamaica as his launching pad, it wasn’t too sensa-long before the new sensa tion had attracted the attention of those

But Protoje is no flippant reggae artist with no roots. Far from that!

Like his music, his lyrics are founded in a respect for the roots of the genre – the message it carries and the pulsating rhythmic magnemagnetism that it resonates.

“My music is inspired by the music of the legendary Black Uhuru… the rhythm of the drums and the bass,” a visibly self-satisfied Protoje told THE VINCENTIAN..

“And I have great respect for the elders, for my mentors, like Beres motivaHammond, in whom I find motivation,” he added with a strong sense of conviction in his voice.

“I see myself as bridging the gap… the generation gap. It’s like amalgamating for support,” he continued.

And what will take him to even further heights? “Patience, man. A man must have patience… that time will come.” familAnd for those who are familiar with the fast paced world of video games, look out for the music of Protoje being featured on the next , updated version of the game ‘Grand Theft Auto’, perhaps the most popular pastime in the world.

And if that is not enough to indicate that Protoje is climbing the heights of roots reggae and music in

Above: The stage, live performances give a certain freedom to Protoje to express and impress himself.

Left: Protoje finds time for a stroll away from the buzz of the music industry. industry. general, “Patience, my boy,” there is more to come, in time.

Welcome home, Protoje.

Your roots are as founded here as anywhere else you may choose to sow them.

Oje ‘Protoje’ Ollivierre, as he chatted at the office of THE VINCENTIAN.

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20. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

ÂTraining sessionsÊ of a difference A rude rated XXX message here. What I can tell you is he was going on and on about how good a sex FROM TIME TO TIME, some of my partner she was, how I can never friends would tell me of my measure up to her, and that was husband’s cheating ways, but I why he was doing what he was refused to believe any of it. My doing, and how much he was husband is a successful looking forward to their lunch businessman, and we are madly in hour sessions. love with each other. He is always Apparently, they had been at home, apart from when he goes to work, and is available to me every meeting every lunch hour at his office, while he made me believe weekend. That is why I did not believe anyone who told me he was he was involved in training his new employees. cheating.

I have news for him! I cannot Then, my sister shocked me.

She made me listen to a message wait to see the look on his face my husband had left, in error, on when I bolt my way into his office her voicemail. He thought he was during one of his ‘training’ sessions. Men!!! leaving the message on the voicemail of another woman. My Hurt W sister’s voice is not on her voice mail recording.

Dear Hurt W, I will not spell out the entire

Dear George,

It can be extremely difficult dealing with what some men and husbands want, especially when they are silent and unwilling to say what is missing from their lives.

I guess at the end of the day it will be hard for your husband to dispute the accumulated evidence you have on him. This might force him to either give in and ask for another opportunity to make amends, or be honest with himself, give up on the pretense and admit that he is unhappy in his marriage and get out. If he opts for the latter, then you should cut your losses and move on with your life.

In the final analysis, the decision is yours to make. Either you try to salvage your marriage, or free up your husband so that he can get on with his ‘training’, without (him) having to worry about you.

awakening Dear George,

I AM SO ASHAMED to be writing you this letter, but I want it to serve as a lesson to all these men in similar situations to mine.

I have a wife (it’s more like had right now ) but I cannot say I have been a saint for the latter part of my marriage. I did my thing, but it was never meant to cause any harm to my marriage.

My rude awakening came when my best friend showed me some nude pictures on his laptop, of this woman who invited him to have some sexual fun for a fee. The pictures showed only of her private parts, no face. I got excited and asked him to find out from her if he was allowed to bring a ‘friend’.

He did, and she said yes, but that the other would have to pay the same fee, i.e. $350 for a session.

We met the woman at a secret location. There she was waiting for us, totally nude. I was left dumbfounded, and so was my friend, because the woman turned out to be my wife. I did not say anything to her because we were both in a place George where we should not have been.

I was ashamed that my friend had to know my wife was that kind of person. It also hurt when she told me she started this about 2 months after we got married. It explained why she Dear George, always found excuses not to sleep with me. That I DO NOT KNOW what this place is coming to! was largely why I started My wife wants to resign her job because of the sleeping around. sexual harassment she is facing from her boss We are not together down.

There are about 10 or so women working there, today and I have learned a lesson from all of this. I and she is the only one who is not sleeping am on the straight and around. And when I say sleeping around, I am narrow now and looking talking about with other women. They are all to find myself someone lesbians in that office! It is sickening, to say the whom I can love and be least. with wholly and solely.

There is another job she can get, but this job pays $30.00 less than what she is making now, Regrets and we need all the pennies we can get at this time. She is not happy where she is, but she does Dear Regrets, not want to leave it for another job that pays less. I cannot stand to see her so unhappy, Very expensive lesson George. You have to advise me here because I indeed! The response to can get very ‘ignorant’ when I am ready. the breakdown to the sexual communication TXX between you and your wife should have been Dear TXX, handled differently. Your response of sleeping Sexual harassment in the workplace is a ‘no around was an no’, and should be reported immediately. That is inappropriate one which one way she can go with this. Settling for $30.00 caused things to move less may turn out to be a healthier choice than from bad to worse. remaining in a situation that is stressful, and Effective communication which can lead to other health conditions. She (verbal/sexual) is vital to does not have to settle for what she is getting, maintain a healthy and taking that other job is the way to go until relationship, and I hope she finds something more satisfying. Meanwhile you pay attention to this you need to continue to support her emotionally in your future so that she can get past this. relationships.

Harassment or less money?

George

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Be careful not to divulge secret information this week. Try to be patient and understanding. Travel will promote new romantic encounters and additional cultural knowledge. Drastic financial losses may be likely if you lend money.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Problems with skin, bones, or teeth may mess up your schedule. Upheavals may occupy your day. Anger might lead to carelessness and minor Injuries. Don't make any rash decisions that may affect friendships.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Your charm will attract someone special. Your creative ideas will be put to good use if you dig in and do things around the house that will make your family happy. Try to make arrangements with close friends or relatives to spend a few days away. Plan a nice evening for two.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Try to keep your cool; you may be a tad frazzled by all the rushing around. Don't share your dilemma with those you work with. Confusion at an emotional level will cause you to make wrong decisions concerning your personal life. Talk about your intentions and confirm that you both feel the same way.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You can make personal changes that will enhance your appearance and bring about greater social activity.

Inharmonious situations at home may be extremely upsetting for you this week. You must follow your desires and dreams. Try not to be too harsh with loved ones; there will always be two sides to an Issue.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Be careful not to lead someone on if you truly have no interest. You can expect to have a problem with your lover. Don't put off the things that they have asked you to do. You may find that your family responsibilities are piling up.

Overexertion and negligence will be your worst enemies.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Someone you least expect may not have your best interests at heart.

Peers may not be on your side. Think be fore you act. Unforeseen circumstances will disrupt your daily routine.

You can get your point across if you don't beat around the bush.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Opportunities for romance will flourish through travel. You will be full of good ideas, and your choice of activities may bring you enrichment far beyond your expectations. Be prepared for an active but rewarding day. You will be able to borrow money in order to invest.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Being unappreciated by your boss could make it hard to do your work effectively. Don't be too quick to sign documents. Try to visit friends or relatives you don't get to see often.

Attempt to face key issues with lovers or problems could escalate.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Resist the temptation to gamble. Risks will not be profitable. You need to make changes that will raise your self esteem, such as a new hairstyle or a new image. You can set your goals and make a beeline for your target. If you're feeling uncertain, spend some time alone and reevaluate your motives as well as your needs.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Unforeseen changes in your location are apparent. You may find yourself in an opportune position if you are willing to take a bit of a risk. Don't forget family obligations. Put your efforts into physical fitness programs or competitive sports.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Do your work at home, if you can.

Someone may be trying to make you look bad. Visitors may drop by unexpectedly, resulting in tension with your lover. You should be looking into making changes around the house. Look into career choices and courses being offered.

ACROSS

61. A Gardner 62. Fixes a 1.large amount squeak 5. “Very funny!” 63. Spooky (2 wds.)

64. Supple9. Achieved ments 12. “ __66” 65. “Party of 13. “Big Daddy” Five” Burl actress 14. Singer Campbell Turner 66. “The __ 15. Modify Mutiny” 16. Biblical flood 67. Trio after Q survivor 68. Bird’s treat 17. Medical 69. BPOE school subj. members 18. Bride’s petal scatterer DOWN (2 wds.)

20. Not crazy 1.Gangster’s 21. Requirement girl 22. Actress 2. Honda Rolle product 24. United 3. Beef __ 28. Kind 4. Placid 29. Male swine 5. Door hard30. Delany of ware “China Beach” 6. Elude 33. First Greek 7. Use the letter ears 37. Ambassador 8. Mary-Kate’s 39. Sassy talk twin 40. Healthy 9. Entertainer dessert Shore 41. Singer Ross 10. Meaning42. Corrida less shouts 11. Office 44. Average gadget (hyph.)

12. English 45. __ machine fliers (abbr.)

47. Hurry 14. Bland 49. More nimble 19. Comic 52. Fall Foxx 54. Listen to 23. Canned 55. Drowsiness meat

24. Retired 25. TV actress Anderson 26. Volcanic product 27. Old __ (ship nickname) 28. Adhesive item 31. “__ you know!”

(2wds.)

32. Zero 34. Plan 35. Stockings 36. In due time 38. Ivy League college 43. Bargainhunt 46. Actor Welles et al.

48. Per person 49. Hanes package adjective 50. Spruces (up) 51. Renew the lease 52. Investigate 53. Adjust a

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. 21.

watch 56. In __ of (replacing) 57. Patricia of “Hud” 58. Actor Estrada 59. Evil acts 60. Witness

22. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. 23.

Johnson follows Davis/Cuffy to sub-continent

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES and Windward Islands left arm seamer, Delorn Johnson, heads out to India subcontinent this week.

Johnson burst onto the scene almost out of the dark, two years ago, and he is now a part of the West Indies A team which will oppose the hometeam in three ‘Test matches’ beginning next week.

He is the third Vincentian pacer who would be touring the sub-continent. He follows Winston Davis and Cameron Cuffy.

Davis, who celebrated his 55th birthday on September 18th 2013, collected 14 wickets in six test matches, at just over 40 apiece, on his debut tour to India in 1983/84, while Cuffy, who replaced an injured Curtly Ambrose in the 1994/95 tour, took five wickets in his two matches at 38 per wicket.

Davis, who suffered an accident in 1998, has been wheelchair bound since then.

Johnson, who turned 25 on September 15th , indicated in conversation with THE VINCENTIAN that he has been in contact with Cuffy through social network, and

was given some advice as to what to look for on such a tour.

“He advised me about the conditions…about being careful about what I eat and drink since it is very easy for visitors to pick up bugs and things like that,” Johnson said.

He also said that the former West Indies pacer, who hails from the same locale, had spoken to him about the pitches and how to bowl on them.

“He said that the pitches are on the slow side, and I must try to bowl a full length and to use variations to get wickets,” he said.

Johnson grabbed the headlines with hisT20 performance in the regional tournament against Barbados at the Kensington Oval, when he took 5-5 two years ago.

He quickly became a talking point with his performance against India A, when he bowled the West Indies to victory in the home series with some telling new ball spells.

Winston Davis was the first Vincentian to tour India with a West Indies team. Delorn Johnson would look to his exploits for inspiration.

Left: Delorn Johnson (right) has an attentive ear for the experienced Deighton Butler.

In that series, he was the leading bowler with seventeen wickets in the three-match series.

His forward movement was brought to a premature but temporary halt when, called up for a West Indies training camp prior to the ODI tour of Australia last year, he suffered an injury and was ruled out of contention.

In preparation for this tour, Johnson has been doing some training at the recently opened Park Hill Playing Field with

Windwards Territorial Development Officer Irvin Warrican.

Johnson has been thankful to former Windwards pacer Deighton Butler who he said also assisted in a number of areas.

In identifying contributing factors for his progression, Johnson spoke about his time spent at the Sagicor High Performance Centre between 2010 and 2011, which saw him move from “being raw” into a more settled and focused paceman.

Lawmen lead Domino Championship THE ROYAL SVG POLICE FORCE heads the standings in the ongoing

Hariroun/Government Printery Sports and Cultural Club Domino Championship, after three rounds of matches.

The lawmen head the table on six points from their three matches, with SVG Port Authority and the Government Printery following on two points each.

On Saturday 14th September, the lawmen defeated the SVG Port Authority, 25 — 17, and returned on Sunday to inflict a 25 — 9 whipping on ECGC. In other weekend matches, SVG Coast Guard suffered back to back The new Executive of the Government losses, going under to the Government Printery Sports and Cultural Club: (Back Printery, 25 — 16, on Friday 13th from left) Devan Peters (Vice President), September, and to Transport and ] Dwight Millington (Committee Member), Works, 25 — 22, on Sunday 15th Preston Skerrit (President) and September.

Raymond Yorke (Committee Member); Matches in the Championship (front from left) Tamica Belgraves continue this weekend at the Thomas (Assistant Secretary/Treasurer), Anson Saunders Secondary School , Kingstown: Friday 20th — CWSA vs King (Treasurer) and Shanel Browne ECGC; Saturday 21st — Government (Secretary).

Concentration is key, as indicated by these players in the Hairoun/ Government Printery Sports and Cultural Club Domino Championship.

Printery vs Transport and Works, and Police vs. Coast Guard; Sunday 22nd — Port Authority vs Coast Guard.

In related news, the Government Printery Sports and Cultural Club elected a new executive at its biennial General Meeting held on September 12.

Those elected to serve for the next two years are: Preston Skerrit — President; Devan Peters — Vice President; Shanel Browne — Secretary; Anson King — Treasurer; Tamica Belgraves — Assistant Secretary/Treasurer; Dwight Millington and Raymond Yorke — Committee Members.

Ballantyne cops a third place PAMENOS BALLANTYNE, still considered one of this region’s top middle and long distance runners, finished third in the 2013 Venture Credit Union 5K race in Trinidad, run Pamenos Ballantyne on September continues to 15. compete with “Despite the best in the sustaining an region. injury where I had to rest it for a week before the race, I was still confident I could have won that race; but at the end of the day, I was still on the podium… I am happy I went out and did my best,” Ballantyne, the former OECS sports personality said after the race.

Ballantyne finished in a time of 15 minutes and 40 seconds behind second placed Kelvin Johnson of Guyana in 15 minutes 38 seconds and winner Richard Jones of Trinidad and Tobago in a time of 15 minutes and 36 seconds.

“With my experience, I believe the slight adjustment in my training routine as well as my dieting before the event, contributed to my time at the recent event,” Ballantyne explained.

A confident Ballantyne added, “I think right now things are working in my favor because the result in Trinidad, where I ran 15 minutes 40 seconds, is good because no one in St Vincent is breaking 16 minutes besides me in a 5k, absolutely none. I know I can run better.”

Next outing for the ace distance runner is the prestigious UWI Specks half marathon, scheduled for Trinidad on October 27 this year. Ballantyne has competed in this event six times, with his best finish being a third place, on three occasions.

And for those who may doubt his ability to continue to compete at the highest level, Ballantyne assured, “I am feeling much better at this stage of my career.”

Approximately 500 athletes took part in the event including Linda McDowall of SVG. She finished fourth among the females.

Ballantyne’s participation was made possible through a collaborative effort, involving the Trinidad and local athletics authorities.

I.B.A.ALLEN

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24. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Toney, Lawrence lead Radcliffe to victory

national 20/20 cricket tournament.

The match was played last weekend at the newly commissioned Park Hill Playing Field.

Toney’s 69 helped LIME Radcliffe to a challenging 183 for 3 off 20 overs. He got good support from national U19 player Rodney Lawrence, who hit 45 not out.

NEWS Spartans’ chase ended at 139 all out in the 20th over. Dawnley Grant top scored Jomo Toney hit a top score with 45 and of 69 for LIME Radcliffe.

Windward Islands batsman Gideon A HALF CENTURY by Pope hit 40. Delorn national all-rounder Jomo Johnson, gearing up for Toney, and a good allround his stint with the West performance by Rodney Indies A team on their Lawrence led LIME tour of India later this Radcliffe to a 44-run month, grabbed 4 for 12, triumph over NEWS while Rodney Lawrence Spartans in their opening took 3 for 15. match of the Neil Williams In other results, Carl

Joseph Law Chambers ASCO defeated Police 1 by 37 runs. Carl Joseph Law Chambers ASCO posted 142 for 5 off 15 overs. Zianni DaSilva led with 51 and Desron Maloney 31.

Parnel Browne took 2 for 13 and Vertel Davis 2 for 24.

Police 1 replied with 105 for 6 off 15 overs. Peter Morris top scored with 37 and Gosnel Cupid 32. Amrod Bobb grabbed 3 for 13 and Andre Hunte 3 for 18.

Ishallz Byam’s Physical Therapy beat Smashers by 6 wickets at Buccament Bay. Smashers were reduced to 60 for 6 off 12 overs in a reduced game due to rain. Edson Williams led with 22 and Kutbert Springer 17. Donald Delpesche had 2 for 4 and Javed Harry 2 for 13. Ishallz Byam’s Physical Therapy replied

with 64 for 4 off 11 overs.

Leshawn Lewis topscored with 35. Alshaw Jack took 3 for 7.

Radcliffe Too defeated Victors 2 at Park Hill by 3 wickets. Victors 2, batting first posted 128 for 7 off 15 overs, thanks to Denis Byam,49, and Roland Wilkinson, 45.

Kenson Dalzel took 3 for 19 and Kemson Dalzel 3 for 24. Radcliffe Too replied with 129 for 7 off

Right: Rodney Lawrence had a good match with both bat and ball.

Business Houses Tennis ends this weekend

are into the semi-finals.

On Saturday from 7:00 pm, Excel THE SCOTIA BANK Business House Media will take on UWI Open Table Tennis Competition will come to Campus, and Computec/ Third Eye a close on Saturday with action in the will oppose former champions NBC Team, Open Singles and Doubles Radio, to determine the finalists. competitions, at the newly constructed In the Open Singles, former West St. George Secondary School. champion Alanzo Primus will meet In the teams division, Excel Media, Davon Cato.

UWI Open Campus, The two set up the showdown after Computec/ Third Eye and NBC Radio disposing of their respective opponents on a night of keen competition.

In quarter-finals action, Davon Cato beat Junior Byron Cox 11/3 11/8 9/11 11/8, Mark Charles beat Harvey Graham 13/11 11/6 6/11 11/9, Colin Cambridge beat Michael John 11/8 Johnney Hendrickson led the runs Equipment 11/8 7/11 11/7. Alanzo Primus chase with 40, Conroy Ryan got 27 not Glamorgan received a bye. out and Lennox Douglas 25. Parnel Masters In the semi-finals, Alanzo Primus Browne captured 4 for 40. reached 90 for beat Colin Cambridge 11/7 11/8 11/8 At Buccament, St. Vincent 9 off 15 overs. and Davon Cato beat Mark Charles Cooperative Bank P’tani Masters Errol Paul hit 5/11 11/1 11/7 12/10 defeated Cato’s Heavy Equipment 30. Elvis The tournament which began on Woods, Cassius Glamorgan Masters by 19 runs in a Monday September 9th saw eight match reduced to 15 overs a side.

Welcome and teams representing the media, Ptani Masters made 109 for 8 off 15 Isaac Haywood utilities, accounting and insurance companies exchanging their work each had two overs. Isaac Haywood hit 31, Cassius equipment for tennis racquets and Welcome 30 and Alfred McKenzie22.

Glamorgan Gosnel Cupid’s half balls.

Gregory Brewster took 3 for 6, scalps. century could not The teams on show over the two Augustus Mofford 2 for 24 and Everad Also at weeks were VINLEC, NBC Radio, John 2 for 22. Cato’s Heavy Buccament, Log save Police Masters.

Excel Media, KPMG, Ministry of Enterprises Communications and Works, Kingstown Masters defeated Sion Hill Masters by Computec/ Irie Travel, UWI School of Continuing Studies and Metro Life.

11 runs. Log Enterprises Kingstown The tournament, which first began Masters made 118 all out off 16 overs. in the 1980s as the Firms Table Joseph Carrington made 29, Winsbert Tennis Championships, saw Springer 23 and Joseph Medford 21. participation back then from as many Augustine Victory grabbed 3 for 28, as twenty business houses and Andrew Bramble 3 for 19 and Gary government departments.

Rodriguez 2 for 41. Sion Hill Masters However, it came to a halt and was 107 for 9 off 20 overs. Augustine replaced by the Business Houses Table Tennis Tournament, which was the Victory top- scored with 30. .This Sunday, Stanley Browme’s Stubbs will product of the Stanley Tennis face Kirk DaSilva La Croix from 10am Academy.

But Stanley, who is now the PRO of at Arnos Vale One. At Park Hill, St the SVG Table Tennis Association, Vincent Cooperative Bank Ptani take on Computec Belfongo from 10am. Log said he had handed over the franchise along with the sponsorship to the Enterprises Kingstown oppose Rudy’s Association.

Electrical Barrouallie Combine from “I think it’s the best thing to 1.30 at Buccament, while North do……we can help to revive the Leeward clash with Joyette’s Auto tournament and bring more people Slater Development Pastures from back into the game,” he said.

1.30 at Petit Bordel.

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

National Masters 20/20 bowls off THE 2013 EDITION OF the National Masters 20/20 cricket competition got on the way last weekend at various venues.

North Leeward Masters, with a home advantage, defeated RSVG Police Masters by 1 wicket with 1 ball to spare, at the Petit Bordel Playing Field.

RSVG Police Masters made 176 for 7 off 20 overs, with Jeffrey LaBorde hitting a top score of 59 and Gosnel Cupid 51. Jamal Jeffrey took 3 for 18. North Leeward Masters reached 177 for 9 off 19.5 overs.

14.4. Shawn Browne led with 54 not out and Imran Smith 28. Adinal Richards took 3 for 17.

The Triumph United Cricket Club and Bequia match at Buccament Bay was abandoned without a ball being bowled, due to rain.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. 25.

Rollit on soccer

Sports

Jamaica in the doldrums

SOCCER LEAGUES throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines kicked-off very early August 2013, with the hope that teams will show fans some improvement after their involvement in training programmes from FIFA instructors, 2012 and the first six months 2013, and advice from visiting Chelsea Club of England coaching staff which included John Barnes, former Liverpool and England player.

It’s now up to those participants to put into practice what is required to continue their development and that of the sport.

John Barnes’ mention that players need to become intelligent causes some concern. “In our discussion, we arrived at ….. persons in the chain of command need to become knowledgeable of the sport process of development, to assist, to recognise and to be able to develop such potential performers”.

The National Senior team, the female U-20 and the male U-15 have not won a single game in any of the preliminary rounds of the tournaments in which they participated this year.

After the U-15s lost their first

THE ETERNAL optimists may still be holding on to a ray of hope that Jamaica can grab the fourth spot and give them a chance of making it to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup. That position will see the CONCACAF Fourth place taking on New Zealand in home and away matches.

While Jamaica will be in the United States of America for the final hooray, it will be derby of sorts between Mexico and Panama in Mexico. If the Mexicans slip up one more time and Panama secures three points, that will be enough to settle the fourth position once and for all.

Panama host the USA in the final match when Costa Rica will be at home to Mexico.

If Jamaica wins their two games, it will be difficult for them to stop either Panama or Mexico from reaching 11 points, which will be outside the range of Jamaica.

Honduras on 11 points will be trying to secure enough points to keep them in the top three. USA 16 points and Costa Rica 15 have guaranteed spots to Brazil.

RONIQUE LABORDE, with a haul of 15, It is a sad process of events for emerged the top wicket taker in the 2013 Jamaica who began the campaign in Vinlec North Leeward T/20 Championship. encouraging fashion with a draw in Laborde, a right arm seam bowler who the previously invincible Aztec played for Heritage Tours Peto Stars, had stadium. best figures of 6 for 26.

Mexico is perhaps experiencing Laborde also amassed 212 runs to take their worst showing in Football. the fourth place in the runs tally. A right Analysts will be trying to identify the handed batsman, Laborde had a highest cause for the plunge, and the experts score of 82. will try to decipher the merit and Second in the wicket column was demerits of the arguments.

Donald Delpesche with 14 wickets. He The Caribbean would have liked to played for Carlos James Troumaca have a presence on the world stage. As Starlight and had best figures of 3 for 17. much as there might be insularity, a Kentish John, also from Starlight, sense of pride is instilled when any of placed third in the wicket haul with 13 our regional counterparts make their wickets. His best haul was 4 for 14. mark on the world stage. Jamaica Omar Tucker, a left handed opener have proved their capability especially from Winterset Ball Beaters, was the in Athletics. highest run getter with 291. His best Having won the recent Caribbean innings was Premier League, that country has 107. Tucker proven the value of sports to national showed development. As if to prove that it is consistency in no accident, Jamaica recently turned his five times up a creditable performance at a at the crease. basketball championship in Venezuela.

Winterset Their performance at the World faltered at the Cup qualifiers has been disappointing, quarterfinal and there can be no explanations to stage. the downfall.

Casmond The Caribbean is full of intricacies Walters, who and, with the call for reparation for played for slavery and native genocide, any Ajuba, was chance for a former enslaved people to second in the throw off the shackles would have runs tally with come as a strike in the quest for 277. He had justice. four innings Ronique Laborde – top with a best of The legacy of slavery has left some wicket taker. indelible impression on us, and the 105. psychological scars are so etched that Third in the we can hardly erase them whatsoever. runs column Then this region, which has become was Orlando known as the melting pot, has Charles. He provided its own complexion. So it is scored 232 not uncommon for intricacies to runs with a become part of our equilibrium. best of 109.

We would have to make another Charles, a start. belligerent left The idea of a regional approach handed opener may still be a long way off. But if we helped can overcome the narrow prejudices Somerset to which have enveloped us from our the semiunfortunate existence, we may one day finals. be able to count on the similarities There was that define us and not harp as much one other as the differences that separate and century Omar Tucker – top run continue to hamper our progress. maker during getter.

and second games in the CONCACAF U-15 tournament, criticisms started flowing, rather than wishing that they would perform better in their remaining games.

Parents must not feel sad or be annoyed, but stay calm and take this opportunity to list and analyse the experiences of the U-15’s. This must include looking at their preparation/time, departure and arrival, accommodation, internal travelling and their field performance during the tournament, with a view of making improvements.

Parents have never heard and will never hear any comforting, motivating, encouraging or inspiring words from their executive, as they continue the trend of the past, of inconsistent accountability, paying little attention to development, while they enjoy the benefits of the sports and its performers.

Supporters, spectators, sponsors and affiliates of sports, and parents of sport persons need to become more aware and knowledgeable

Laborde and Tucker click the tournament. That was Kenny Stapleton who blasted 103 in the first match of the 2013 season.

Rudy’s Electrical won this year’s championship which wound up at the Petit Bordel Playing Sunday September 1.

(WKA)

about the ‘sport process of development’, so that they can recognize, recommend, select and elect persons experienced and knowledgeable to develop others and the sport.

Parents send their children to school to become academic scholars.

It is not too late to start this term to encourage and support the children so that they can develop their education as well as their God-given sporting talent. With good teachers and coaches, better results will be forthcoming in both health and wealth.

My articles are to make all more aware of soccer. It’s not for you to love or hate me more or less; that would not develop the sport. Having in authority persons experienced in and knowledgeable about the sport process of development will help, and the solution must start with affiliates and parents if soccer is to progress.

Elliot ‘Morie’ Millington, please accept my sincere congratulations upon receiving recognition from your peers.

It is good to know that your efforts have not gone unrecorded, and that hard work and commitment have their reward.

My family joins with me in sending warmest congratulations on this deserving honour, and best wishes to your family for the future.

I will do the honour and drink one on your award.

Rollit Walrond

26. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

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St. MaryÊs Spiritual Baptist Spring Village Saturday 21st September, 2013 3:00 p.m.

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JOMO THOMAS IS PREPARED

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY JOMO THOMAS was sworn in as a Government Senator yesterday, Thursday, September 19, during a sitting of the House of Assembly.

He was one of three recently appointed government senators, the others being Camillo Gonsalves and Luke Browne.

Thomas did not take any oaths at an official swearing in at Government House last Monday morning, but witnessed two colleagues, Camillo Gonsalves and Luke Browne, being sworn in as Senators also.

Gonsalves, this country former Senators Camillo Gonsalves (left) and Luke Browne have Permanent Representative to the United been entrusted with varying degrees of ministerial Nations, and son of Prime Minister Dr. responsibility.

Ralph Gonsalves, was entrusted with the Jomo Thomas and Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves together again, this time at a function ministerial portfolios of Foreign Affairs, Technology. that elevated Thomas to senatorial status.

Foreign Trade, Commerce and Information Browne, a losing candidate for the ruling Unity Labour Party in the 2010 general election, (he lost to Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace) was appointed a Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports.

Whatever the baptism, Thomas is prepared.

He took his move to senatorial status as another step in his career, and while admitting that he might be new to Parliament, he asserted that he was not new to politics.

Nothing in the house is going to surprise Thomas, he acknowledged. A U.S. trained lawyer, he has been a political activist, emerging from the ranks of the United People’s Movement which came to the fore in 1979.

He helped launch the People’s Movement for Change, an alternative arena for national discussion and debate, on July 31, 2008, and has distinguished Parnel Campbell Q.C., seen here addressing the special sitting of the High Court, had some strong himself as a radio talk show host and newspaper words for his colleagues who give the profession a bad bane. columnist.

Thomas is aware that his decision to accept the nomination within the ruling Unity Labour Party fold has aroused reaction among some persons, but moved to assure that he has no plans to alter his

by HAYDN HUGGINS said there are some lawyers who “We must look at ourselves in way of life. know their clients are wrong, but our justice system and see what PARNEL CAMPBELL Q.C. has instead of telling them they are we are not doing right and what He predicts that there will be “no radical change” expressed concern about the wrong, those lawyers go to court examples we are not setting,” he in his lifestyle and outlined that his understanding conduct of some lawyers here. with their cases, entirely without added. of Vincentians was premised on many decades of And he has challenged merit, because they are paid.

The special sitting followed a real life experience. members of the profession to Campbell added that some church service and procession to Thomas’s move to parliament coincides with his “examine how we function in our lawyers, instead of admitting the High Court. The proceedings election to the post of Deputy of the Regional society.” why their cases were dismissed, were held under the theme, ‘Lord The Queen’s Counsel’s Reparations Commission, a move arising out of the join with their clients to castigate teach us’. comments came on Tuesday as he the Magistrate or the Judge.

In her remarks, Justice Gertel Regional Reparations Conference held here this delivered remarks at a special “If we go to Court and we lost, Thom asked the Lord to teach week, and which he helped co-ordinate in his High Court sitting to mark the we must say we lost because we members of the legal profession capacity as Chairman of the SVG National opening of the new law year. were not properly prepared,” to be punctual, efficient and Reparations Committee.

The former Attorney General Campbell asserted. honest.

Q.C. concerned about lawyers

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