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FRIDAY,

DECEMBER 20, 2013

VOLUME 107, No.51

www.thevincentian.com

Patrons turned out in their numbers to the Nine Mornings celebrations which commenced on Monday 16th.

EC$1.50

2. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

V News 3 Fish for life region gathered at the Methodist Church Hall last week Wednesday for a workshop on FAD Fishery management.

The goal of the workshop was to provide a forum for participating countries and agencies to review and share research results and best practices in the construction, use and management of Fish Aggregated Device (FAD) as tools for sustainable development, management and conservation of large pelagic resources in the Raymond Ryan, Permanent Secretary in Caribbean.

FAD is a man-made the Ministry of object used to attract Agriculture and Fisheries, endorses the ocean going pelagic fish such as marlin, tuna and use of FAD. mahi-mahi (dolphin fish).

National Fisheries Authorities from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, St Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and host country St. Vincent and the Grenadines participated.

Senior representatives from key regional and international fisheries related organizations and Okiko Oda Minami, JICA initiatives involved in Chief Representative for (FAD) fisheries the Caribbean Regional management activities such as Caribbean Office in Santo Regional Fisheries Domingo.

Mechanism (CRFM), Caribbean Network of

by KENVILLE HORNE fisheries of Fisheries KEY STAKEHOLDERS in the Organisation (CNFO), Japan International fisheries sector across the

Cooperation Agency, The French Institute for Ocean Research (IFREMER), UnFood and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and University of Florida, were also present.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Raymond Ryan endorsed the use of FAD, but cautioned against unregulated practice.

According to Ryan “the diversification of coastal fisheries using FAD has great potential and can be used as a tool to involve fishers and their organization in the sustainable use of large scale fishing resources.”

He warned that unregulated numbers of FAD may cause over exploitation of large scale fishing, which could reduce the economic advantage of having such devices. Ryan told the gathering that properly managed and regulated use of FAD was a basic requirement for its introduction in the region.

Ryan, a former Chief Fisheries Officer, stated that Fisheries resources were important in securing local food consumption and the production of lucrative commercial commodities for the people of the Caribbean. He said that the fishing sector in SVG accounted for the employment of 2,500

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

Asection of the partcipants at the FAD workshop. persons, some six percent of the workforce, while two million persons in the Caribbean region were employed in the fishing industry. The Agriculture PS also told the participants at the workshop that the government of SVG, with assistance from FAO, had embarked on a program to realize zero hunger in SVG, and the fishing sector would play an important role in this program.

Director of IFREMER for the Antilles, Emmanuel Thouard expounded on the need for regional fisheries officials and countries to work together to solve problems that confront the region, since the issues can be similar. He declared the workshop as a good opportunity for countries to link and cooperate.

Japanese Akiko Oda Minami, Chief Representative, Caribbean Regional Office in Santo Domingo, expressed

gratitude to the government and people of SVG for hosting the event, and the participants for attending. Minami said fisheries played an important role in the Caribbean region. He cited it as the third largest employment sector, trailing Tourism and Agriculture. Japan plays a major role in the fishing industry in the region and, according to Minami in response to the request from the CRFM member countries, the Government of Japan through JICA implemented a technical cooperation project on “Formulation of Master Plan on Sustainable use of Fisheries Resources for Coastal Community Development in the Caribbean” from 2009 to 2012.

Baseline Surveys were conducted in 13 countries from May to December 2009 to understand the situation and issues that the fisheries sector was facing. Minami explained

“the final report of the master plan proposed to establish practical comanagement models for sustainable use and management of the fisheries sector, to promote participatory resource management, and development toward comanagement and to formulate and strengthen the regional network by sharing the local expertise and lessons learned in each country.”

In March 2013, the CRFM and JICA jointly organized the FAD Fishery Management Workshops as a follow-up to the Crfm-JICA Master Plan FAD pilot activities, at which best practices in the construction, use and management of FADs were discussed. The Caribbean Fisheries Comanagement Project (CARFICO) - a joint Collaboration between the CRFN countries and JICA- was initiated May 1, 2013 and it will run for approximately five years.

Who will be the Best?

THE 2013 NINE MORNINGS series of activities will wind up with the announcement of the winners December 24. The National Nine Mornings Committee commences judging of Nine Mornings communities this weekend. The competitions will include: the Vinlec Community Lighting Competition; Best Lit Garden; Best Lit Private House; National Lotteries Authority Best Nine Mornings Community, and Best Christmas Community.

The National Nine Mornings Committee, having chosen to celebrate the 100th year of the existence of Nine Mornings, whipped up interest in the festival nearly three months ago. A total of thirty-five communities, scattered throughout the country, launched their programmes Monday 16.

Particular themes were chosen to reflect the overall theme of, “Celebrating 100

Years of a Unique Vincentian Tradition.”

Among the most prominent communities are: Kingstown, Troumaca, Rose Hall, Rose Bank, Spring Village, Coull’s Hill, Chateaubelair, Barrouallie, Vermont, Questelles, Green Hill, Dorsetshire Hill, Owia, Sandy Bay, Point Village, Park Hill, New Grounds, Carriere, Stubbs, and Dauphine.

These do not include smaller activities which take place among groups of neighbours, and at individual homes and gardens.

When THE VINCENTIAN visited the festivities at Heritage Square in Kingstown

Some early morning fun! (Photos courtesy Richard Nedd) Monday 16, it was packed to capacity.

Persons from all walks of life and of different ages were among the crowd. The atmosphere was one of jubilation.

It has been found to be true, that different communities manifest different layers of our culture, and this is becoming

evident during Nine Mornings.

In Kingstown, it is the norm to begin the activity with prayers.

The crowd has been tailored to display no lewd behavior and to co-operate with the facilitators — that does not mean that they will not show dissent when they find it necessary, but it is done in order. Besides scheduled entertainment, there are competitions which involve the crowd, not only as participants but also as judges.

Communities like Stubbs

and Rose Bank are traditional, and incorporate folk forms in their activities. Point Village in Sandy Bay, while maintaining aspects of our heritage, also seeks to be innovative and explode with bountiful talent at every showing.

If there was a single time when Vincentians remain in the rain, using umbrellas and hooded jackets to stave off the showers, it is during Nine Mornings.

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4. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Courts

Betrayal of trust

authorities, and assured that give credit to his client Prison Officer Charles told provisions would be put in THE VINCENTIAN that he for cooperating, and A PRISONER who was brought place to ensure that incidents was not aware of that. requested that he back into custody last week of this nature do not recur. reprimanded and Connell told the court that Monday, three days after Charles stressed that discharged. after Lowman left the Belle escaping the Belle Isle completion of the Belle Isle Isle facility, he took public But the Chief Correctional Facility, may have Facility was crucial to proper transport to Georgetown. He Magistrate stressed that betrayed the trust placed in him. rehabilitation and security. He knew he had to seek medical Lowman went to the Chief Prison Officer had no knowledge as to when attention, but had to lie low mountains instead of Brenton Charles revealed that the facility would be finished. for a while, and went to the seeking medical the inmate Colly Lowman was According to the facts attention. She noted mountains. But he became trusted by prison officers. presented in court last that he had serious aware that the police were Charles was speaking to Tuesday, sometime after 9 antecedents, including looking for him. reporters after the 41-year-old a.m., December 6, Lowman wounding with intent Connell said Lowman’s Georgetown farmer was left the prison compound at family contacted him Head of with a firearm, and sentenced to one year in Belle Isle along with other robbery. the Criminal Investigation prison after pleading guilty to inmates under the supervision Department (CID) Assistant Turning to Lowman, escaping lawful custody. of prison officer Daniel. They Superintendent Sydney James the Chief Magistrate The sentence, handed down went to the prison farm said, “Colly, when I was also contacted.

by Chief Magistrate Sonya located about 200 yards away.

ASP James cooperated by heard it was you I was Young at the Serious Offences While there, Lowman asked to allowing two of his officers to really shocked, you Court, will run consecutively use the washroom. He was go with him (Connell) to know. What was going with a 25-year term Lowman allowed to do so but did not on in your mind? I have collect Lowman at his is serving for robbery and return. The area was dealt with you before.”

Georgetown home. wounding with intent. searched, but he was not seen.

According to Connell, there The Magistrate said Charles said it was strange The police sent out a bulletin she considered that was no public announcement that Lowman made the dash, that he was missing, and last of Lowman’s escape, but on Lowman came back of Chief Prison Officer Brenton since the inmate was week Monday, Lowman was Monday evening after he was his own free will, but Charles. accustomed working on the returned to custody by his back in custody, SVGTV added that she had to prison farm at Belle Isle on a lawyer. also consider his carried a news item saying raised by Connell, and if there daily basis, and while serving However, his attorney that he had escaped. antecedents and that he was one, to tell the prison previous sentences, he worked Grant Connell told the court Connell said the state had a escaped. authorities to have it outside of the prisons and in that his client was allowed to Young asked Senior duty to inform the public when addressed. the bakery at Her Majesty’s use the bathroom unattended a prisoner escaped, no matter Prosecution Adolphus Escaping lawful custody Prison, Kingstown. and he walked away.

Delpesche to make inquiries the calibre of the prisoner. carries a maximum penalty of Charles explained that Connell said Lowman had regarding the medical issue Connell asked the court to three years imprisonment.

Lowman was among a group medical issues that of inmates working on the he wanted to prison farm for some time: “so address, and those you developed a measure of issues were brought trust in those persons.” to the Prison CHIEF MAGISTRATE some way, I think that Majesty’s Prison Charles, however, viewed authorities from time Sonya Young considers has been glossed over,” Kingstown sometime the matter as a learning to time. that the prison officers the Chief Magistrate during the daylight experience for the prison However, Chief are culpable in some said. hours of November 21, way for the escape of “I just do not 2011.

Colly Lowman from the understand, I don’t know A tribunal appointed Belle Isle Correctional if they (prison officers) by the Public Service Facility December 6. felt sufficiently secured Commission (PSC) found Young’s comment with him going (to the that two prison officers came on Tuesday at the washroom) on his own,” who were the subjects of Serious Offences Court the Chief Magistrate those proceedings, were We have various lots of land and properties for before sentencing the 41- wondered. not responsible for year-old Georgetown Lowman is the second Moses’ escape. sale in many different locations. farmer to one year in inmate to have escaped Moses was shot and We also have used Japanese vehicles for sale. prison for escaping in recent times. killed by police at Happy For more details contact us at: lawful custody.

Murder accused Hill, Layou December Chief Magistrate Sonya “I consider the prison Godwin Moses had 11, 2011 while on the 495-3450/457-2714/533-2716 Young officers are culpable in escaped from Her run.

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

Prison officers may be culpable

ASL Real Estate Inc.

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

Regional truth, justice, and reconciliation for the victims and their descendants who continue to suffer harm as a consequence of these crimes.

The Commission has Sweden’s hired the British Ambassador to the law firm, Leigh Caribbean, Claes Day to spearhead Hammar. (File Photo) the legal battles.

July has called on The firm waged the former slavea successful fight for owning nations of Europe to compensation for hundreds of engage Caribbean Kenyans who were tortured by governments on the matter of the British colonial reparation. government as they fought for It has identified six areas, the liberation of their country including public health, during the Mau Mau rebellion education, cultural of the 1950s and 1960s. deprivation, psychological Hammar, who is Sweden’s trauma and scientific ambassador to several backwardness as aspects of Caribbean countries, said that the Caribbean condition that once he is accredited as are the direct result slavery. ambassador to CARICOM, the “Former slave owning reparations matter would nations should issue definitely be among the statements of formal apologies priority agenda items. and commit to a reparatory He said Sweden was process that includes, among “certainly open to looking at other actions, the facilitation possibilities,” but added “the of a repatriation program,” the question is what sort of Commission said in a compensation could be offered. statement last week.

There are no survivors from The statement mentioned in that period, only their particular Britain, France, descendants.”

Spain, Portugal, the He said assistance for Netherlands, Norway, Sweden education or other social and Denmark, saying that as welfare programmes were a benefit of slavery, these possible options open for countries were uniquely placed discussions. to advance the global cause of The Swedish diplomat said

Sweden Âlooking forwardÊ to reparations claim by: Marvin Hokstam SWEDEN’S AMBASSADOR to the Caribbean, Claes Hammar says his country is looking forward to receiving an indication of demands from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Slavery Reparations Committee, as the region seeks reparation for the slave trade.

“We only recently heard that we were mentioned among the European countries that the reparations committee is looking at filing a claim for compensation to.

We’ll look at the claim when we receive it,” Hammar told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

He said Sweden was open to looking at possibilities and not likely to be influenced by other European countries’ stance on reparations.

“I don’t think Sweden will be influenced. Usually we are careful to follow domestic Swedish law on international matters,” he said.

Hammar told a Swedish journalist that he was not surprised Sweden had been included in the list.

“Sweden did after all have a colony in the Caribbean —St. Barths- so it’s not wrong for us to be a part of the discussion,” he was quoted as saying.

“This is a serious matter and we have to have respect for the process.”

But in a telephone interview with CMC from Stockholm on Tuesday, the diplomat stressed that, while the country had taken a formal stance against “Afro phobia” and supports international antidiscrimination efforts, it has not yet taken a position on the issue of reparations.

“We have not seen an actual demand (from the Reparations Commission) yet,” he said.

The CARICOM Reparations Commission that was established by CARICOM leaders following their summit in Trinidad and Tobago in

the matter would also be reviewed by the foreign ministry’s human rights division.

Since CARICOM has made reparations a joint regional effort, Hammar has been the only European official to indicate that his country was open to discussing the matter.

The Netherlands, the former coloniser of Suriname, has referred an initiative by the local reparations committee to a statement by its Minister of Social Affairs Lodewijk Asscher at a Slavery Abolitions memorial in Amsterdam on July 1.

Asscher had then said that people today cannot be held responsible for what their forefathers did, and that the Dutch government views the “stain of shame on its history with deep regret.”

Hammar said that when Sweden does receive the claim from the reparations committee, its position would probably not be influenced by how other European countries view the matter.

Sweden owned St. Barthélemy (St. Barths) from 1784, when it purchased the island from Britain. Gustavia, the capital was established by the Swedes as a free port and slavery was also practiced on the island until 1847.

Sweden’s colonial presence ended in 1877 when the island was handed over to France.

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6. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Farewell Justice James Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS A FEELING of sadness pervaded the High Court last Tuesday, during the close of the Criminal Assizes, when it was announced that it may be Justice Wesley James’ last sitting here.

James, a retired Judge of

to earth and accommodative to Justice James declared that Jamaica, was on contract to Grenadines, for dispensing assist in dealing with the justice and serving the people me and my colleagues both in his stay here had been very backlog of criminal matters in of SVG. and out of court,” John added. pleasurable. But the humorous Judge added that, “during the the High Court.

“When you came here, you Defence lawyer Duane James was initially said you came to break the Daniel thanked the Judge on time I have been here, I lived contracted for one year, but ‘back of the log’, and you have behalf of the Bar Association. in a house, but a house is not his tenure was extended to done that in a very efficient “We have learnt a a home; so when I leave here I two years. manner,” the Assistant DPP tremendous amount from your am going home.”

Justice Frederick Brucetold James. generosity,” Daniel said. He James thanked everybody Lyle commended and thanked “We have learnt a lot from added that James had been a and declared: “If we don’t meet Justice James for a job well you formally as well as source of immense again on earth, we will meet done. informally. You are very down entertainment. in heaven.”

“We have achieved some level of success, and most of the old matters have been disposed of,” BruceLyle said.

Assistant Director of Public LEROY HAYNES, a 31- following a social Prosecutions Colin year-old Largo Height inquiry report on John thanked the labourer convicted of Haynes and a Judge on behalf of murder at the Criminal mitigation plea the DPP’s office, Assizes October 28, 2013, from his lawyer jurors, the is into the first week of a Jomo Thomas.

Commissioner of twelve year jail term.

A 12-member Police, members of mixed jury found Justice Frederick the police force and Bruce-Lyle handed down Haynes guilty of the people of St. the penalty last Monday the murder of Vincent and the Basil Ellis, 37, of Redemption Sharpes, originally of Chateaubelair.

Ellis died after being stabbed in the stomach with a knife August 6, 2011.

According to evidence presented by the prosecution, Haynes and Ellis were friends, and Ellis owed him $50. Around 3 p.m. on the date in question, Haynes met Ellis and Leroy Haynes being escorted from the Court after being asked him for his handed a 12-year sentence by Justice Bruce-Lyle. money. Ellis told Haynes he would attempts to stab him. criminal. The report give him the money the Ellis who was drinking a added that Haynes following Monday.

Guinness, hurled the appeared to be a good Haynes insisted that he pint at Haynes, but it did prospect for should be paid the same not catch him. Haynes rehabilitation. day, threatened to kill then ran up to Ellis and Thomas pleaded with Ellis, and walked away. stabbed him in the the court to “temper Around 7:30 that stomach. Ellis fell to the justice with mercy.” night, he met Ellis at the ground and his intestines In handing down the exit of the Windward started protruding. He penalty, Justice BruceBus Terminal and again was taken to the Milton Lyle told Haynes he demanded his money.

Cato Memorial Hospital should have made a Haynes was armed with where he died. report to the police a knife. Ellis walked Haynes opted not to instead of taking the law away and his girlfriend give evidence at the trial. into his own hands. asked him why he was The social inquiry “If you had gone to the turning his back while report concluded that police, all of this would Haynes was armed with Haynes seemed not to not have happened,” a knife. Haynes followed possess the inclination of Bruce-Lyle said.

Ellis, and made two graduating into a serial

Labourer gets 12 years for murder

Justice Wesley James

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

News

Kingstown Cruise Terminal comes alive

by GLORIAH… SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT of the 2013-2014 tourist season, the Kingstown Cruise Terminal has been trying to woo cruise passengers.

When THE VINCENTIAN visited the Terminal Monday, December 9, a heightened atmosphere was evident, as the musical band “Solutions” provided non-stop music for the travelling patrons, hungry for the Caribbean musical flavours,S coupled with what the bars and restaurants had to offer. The ship Ventura, with about 2,300 passengers was docked.

Administrative Officer of the Terminal, Nichole Hazell recalled

that independent was provided for passengers, who do not passengers who arrive go on tours, usually on Sundays, holidays journey into Kingstown and for the larger but return quite early. ships, but with not “It was organized for many Sundays being them to enjoy included in this themselves,” she said. season, other days “We want them to go were incorporated. back to their ship, only According to Hazell, after they’ve had a the Kingstown Cruise good experience in St. Terminal will Vincent and the endeavor to continue Grenadines,” she said. the exercise.

Hazell noted that all passengers who leave ship are required to fill out surveys about their experience at the destination. “We want them to be able to give favourable responses,” she said.

She pointed out that live The liming section. entertainment

Passengers enjoying the entertainment.

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8. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 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 Barbados experience gives further warning PARLIAMENT has gone into Christmas recess following the presentation of the Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the fiscal year 2014. The traditional Christmas season therefore serves as a welcome break between the debates on those Estimates and the anticipated heat of the 2014 Budget to be presented in January.

Whatever the political spin on both sides of the House, it is clear that there is a sombre recognition of the gravity of the economic situation facing us all. Each of the contending parties will do their best to give us ordinary citizens their version of the nature of the crisis, who is to be blamed for it and what should be done to rescue us; but the inescapable reality is before us. These are not good times, and salvation is not around the corner.

It is easy to resort to cheap politicking, but sooner or later we must face the truth. With elections beginning to loom on the horizon, the temptation is there to persist in one’s own version of our economic reality, and to try and convince the population that either a renewed mandate for the party in office or a change of government is THE answer; but that is only part of the equation.

Our hardships are not unique to the Caribbean. Indeed, if truth be told, by all available statistics, our country, while not doing well by any stretch of the imagination, is not in the very dire straits of many of its neighbours. The looming shadow of the dreaded economic recovery programme of the International Monetary Fund has already been cast over several of our sister states, as big as Jamaica and as small as Grenada. Others are desperately trying to ward off this intervention which, from experience, impinges on the exercise of national sovereignty as it impacts negatively on social spending by governments.

The experience of our neighbour to the east, Barbados, can be very instructive for us. Long considered to be a model of economic sobriety and fiscal prudence, Barbados has been held up as a model for small island development.

Many have failed to read between the lines, to recognize the pressures on its open economy, its bare avoidance of the IMF clutch and possible devaluation two decades ago. The ongoing crisis of global capitalism, all of five years duration and continuing, has had its toll.

Only last week, after a lot of political juggling, Barbados’ Finance Minister Chris Sinckler was forced to admit to government that some 3000 public service jobs are to be cut. Not too long ago, his Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart, denied that any such decision had been taken. Sinckler himself was at the side of former Prime Minister Erskine Sandiford as he struggled to ward off the IMF in the early nineties. As a leading NGO activist before his elevation to ministerial status, he was very critical of regional governments and their approaches to economic development in the region. Now, he is in the position of literally ‘doling’ out the medicine.

As to be expected, he and his government have come under fire from the Opposition. And, locally, our own Opposition has been quick to warn of the possibility of a repetition of the Barbados experience here. Neither the criticism nor the warning should be ignored. The debt burden is one weighing heavily on all Caribbean countries.

In some countries, the debt to Gross Domestic Product ratio surpasses 100%, with Jamaica, Grenada, St Kitts/Nevis and Antigua/Barbuda leading the way.

While our country has not fared as badly as its sister OECS members, there is no room for complacency We too are in trouble and in dire need for measures to take us out of harm’s way. But it is not a situation that the supposed ‘magic wand’ of a Gonsalves or Eustace can easily cure. It calls for a collective effort on the part of all, a pooling of our human resources, a broad consensus on the part of government, the private and non-governmental sectors, and above all a commitment to sacrifice, hard-work and initiative. Are we willing to take this route, or do we want to continue to fool ourselves that donning political cloaks will save us?

The season of peace and goodwill; au revoir Nelson Mandela SO NELSON MANDELA has gone the way of all flesh; but his send- off was tremendous. His ten days of official mourning were the most celebrated ever in terms of T.V coverage, attendance by Governments Left and Right, and the emotional involvement of the people the world-over, particularly those of Southern Africa.

Already, the general word is that Nelson’s funeral has been the most splendid so far in history and is unlikely to be bested or equalled any time soon, or ever.

The simple conclusion is that the man of whom I write has been one of the greatest persons who have graced this planet, marrying God-like features to a very self-less, pragmatic and conciliatory human nature. Long may his legacy live on.

To come back down to earth and deal nearer home, last week, I called in on a New Times radio programme to remind listeners that we of the Educational Forum of the People had in 1970 hosted a visit to our shores of Joseph Assinini, an emissary of the ANC. At the time, the ANC was going through some of its worst days, having been declared or accepted as a “terrorist organisation” by several Western Powers as well as a few White nations.

Our colonial Governments of the day simply carried out the orders of their Masters’ voice.

So when Assinini landed here in 1970, he had to run for cover, with the EFP and Brother Griffith in particular always sheltering the ANC comrade who was hounded by the security police. Arnhim did not know the details, for both he and I were then abroad in Canada and England respectively.

But as soon as I put the receiver down, the phone rang. The caller from New York, Vibert Codougan, a Vincentian member of the EFP endorsed my enquiry. He related that Eddie Griffith and he had the devil slipping the police in Eddie’s car, driving Assinini about. He recalls especially when they shook the policemen off their trail to attend a private session at Kerwyn Morris’ at Edinboro.

Could it be coincidence that later that year, there was a dawn-raid by the police on the homes of John Cato, Parnel Campbell and Kerwyn Morris, ostensibly in search of arms and prohibited communist literature?

There is a pleasant sequel to this episode: Parnel Campbell named one of his daughters, “Mandella” who was recently interviewed by IKTV and related how she had been so barracked for carrying that hated name at the GHS, that she promised herself to change it as soon as she attained adulthood.

Instead, Lawyer Mandella Campbell proudly bears the name of one of the greatest personages that ever touched our world, her own father P.R and the EFP being vindicated in the process.

Bassy’s forgivable sin

Every once-in ablue-moon, I find it necessary to pull-up Bassy for mis-pitching grossly in mis-applying one of his favourite Aesop’s fables as it relates to local political happenings.

Bassy should have been the last man in the world to end up in, as it were in Mitchell’s corner, while shadow-boxing with Arnhim.

You see, Bassy had his own unfortunate experience, in a way, with Sir James who had appointed him chairman of a flag committee to choose a new Independence flag for SVG. The Committee had selected their own flag as requested, which Mitchell did not like and, in the long and short of it, out of the window went flag, Bassy and all!

The analogies do not stand on all fours because, truth to tell, the Prime Minister has residual rights. He appoints, and disappoints where he cannot stomach the product, and producer refuses to budge.

That is not the same with a successor Prime Minister of your own party, even if you are the founding- father one does not appoint a successor, which is done according to party rules. When you resign the leadership, you are expected to leave for good, unless you can use the same party rules to get back in for a second bite of the cherry.

But Sir James apparently intended to run the show by remote control or otherwise backseat drive his political vehicle. This shows total disrespect for the current leader who is undeserving of such treatment.

Now Bassy likens the potential conflict to fight between Brer Lion and Brer Bear over a pot of mutton, to the point of total exhaustion, that allows Brer Fox to walk away with the booty. Bassy is begging for trouble.

It ceases to be a laughing matter. This fight is not between two legitimate claimants, like the leaders of two rival parties, but between the current leader and past leader of the same party who is ex, passé and belongs now to history.

Consciously or not, Bassy is putting words in the ULP’s mouth. They would continue to encourage inter-necine skirmishes, civil war on NDP territory, and let Ralph strut off with the prize without having to fire a single shot!

Bassy missed a golden opportunity to use his analogy in the six-six one situation set up by the 1972 elections in which Mitchell was the beneficiary with the two rivals, Joshua and Cato having fought to death to gain 6 seats each.

In the present case, Bassy’s attempt at cleverness falls flat, and can even be interpreted as a sorry case of disingenuousness.

Such “bickering” should be put behind us at this season of love, forgiveness and reconciliation. We can enjoy the improved Nine Mornings, whether we are celebrating its 100th year, or not.

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

10. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

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

Views

A Great Gift: Adoration Thinking about God “We are all making a crown for Jesus out of these daily lives of ours, either a crown of golden, divine love, studded with gems of sacrifice and adoration, or a thorny crown, filled with the cruel briars of unbelief, or selfishness, and sin. . . .” - Aimee Semple Mcpherson (1890–1944) US religious leader and evangelist THE CHRISTMAS SEASON has arrived!

Many individuals think of Christmas as the season for carolling and merriment.

With the recent proliferation of FM radio stations, we are exposed to a multitude of Christmas music of varying types.

Many enjoy the traditional Christmas carols, while others prefer the local and regional calypso and parang; the popular folk music originating from Trinidad and Tobago that was brought to that nation by Venezuelan migrants who were primarily of Amerindian and African heritage and now commonly heard throughout the CARICOM region.

Over the years, Christmas has also become associated with the giving and receiving of gifts. Family members, especially children, experience a heightened sense of excitement as efforts are made to anticipate the items they may receive. And as we lead up to Christmas Day, the giftgivers may be equally nervous as they trust that their gifts will be appreciated.

Each year, it appears as though more effort is exerted in lighting homes, workplaces, and neighbourhoods — and this is commendable. It appears that little attention may be paid to the cost of such lighting structures and the electricity that they will consume.

After all, it is considered insignificant when we think of the purpose of the celebration; the commemoration of the first coming of the Christ Child ... and remembering the star that guided the wise men to the place where the Christ Child lay.

However, Christmas is more than carol singing, gift-giving, giftreceiving, and lights. And while each of these has its their, value we must not lose sight of the real purpose and meaning of Christmas. This is the time of year that we set aside to remember His coming to earth some 2,000 years ago. The wise men followed the star. The angels declared the good news to the shepherds. These flock-keepers ran to see the baby Jesus as He lay in the manger (because there was no room for Him in the inn). And that same Jesus Christ, who Isaiah the prophet had prophesied would come, graced us with His presence and made it possible for mankind to be cleansed from sin. There was, and is, no other way for sins to be forgiven. And so, as we celebrate His coming, let us

pause to adore Him for doing so. Had it not been for this same Jesus Christ of Nazareth, mankind would be totally lost. We adore Him as a Christ Child, but more so we adore Him as the Saviour and King who made redemption possible. We adore Him! As Christmas approaches and we make our homes ready by cleaning, painting, changing curtains, changing carpets and rugs, and all the other good things that we traditionally do at Christmas, let us exert the effort and energy to also do some “inner cleaning”: ridding ourselves of feelings of resentment, bitterness, envy, greed, malice, and so on. All of us are prone to harbour such negative feelings. We sometimes hold on to them for so long that we no longer notice that they exist ... until we do the introspection and personal cleaning exercise. Such a cleaning exercise is absolutely essential if we are to present our Lord with a clean gift of adoration.

So, come let us adore Him! Let us adore Christ the King with pure hearts and clean hands! He came so that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life. What a gift! This realisation should usher us into ever greater feelings of admiration and adoration. His gift of peace and reconciliation to mankind (reconciling mankind back to God) reminds us that we should also be instruments of peace and reconciliation — especially as we celebrate His coming. Strained family relationships can be mended.

Broken friendships can be repaired.

He can make all of these possible ... so come let us adore Him, Christ the King.

Charles Wesley (1707-1788) the English evangelist and co-founder of Methodism with his brother John, was a prolific hymn and chorus writer. He penned the words to the Christmas carol “Hark! the heraldangels sing” in 1743. The lyrics in that well known Christmas carol remind us of the need to adore Christ, the everlasting Lord; and to hail the incarnate Deity and heaven-born Prince of Peace.

Amidst all the hustle and bustle, we should pause to adore Him. Amidst the various trials and tests of life, we should pause to adore Him. Amidst the sickness and loss, we should pause to adore Him. Amidst the feelings of failure and self-pity, we should pause to adore Him. As we celebrate our various victories/successes, let us pause to adore Him. He is wonderful ... and it is all because of Him that we can have hope in the now and the hereafter. Oh, come let us adore Him!

CHRISTMAS TIME IS here again.

It’s time to test our souls and take our spiritual temperature. For some of us, the season affords an opportunity to reconnect with our religious heritage. For others, myself included, it’s a time to shake our heads over the sad state of our national conversation about God, and wish there were a better, less combative and people friendly way.

The recent discussions on the death penalty and the invocation of God’s name to justify this barbarity ought to remind readers of my concerns.

For a nation of talkers and selfconfessors, we are terrible when it comes to talking about God. The discourse has been co-opted by those claiming to be true believers and interpreters of the bible. The rest of us struggle to make sense following the clashing of swords and settling of the dust.

The rest of us are those who believe in a higher order of things earthly and heavenly, but may not be aligned to any organized religion. Those (agnostics) who say they have no knowledge on which to definitively assert that there is a God or that there is no God, are a distinct minority. They cower in silence, for fear of being ostracized by a bullying majority.

Talking about the tyranny of the majority, one perceptive writer once said ‘criticism of religion is the beginning of all criticism.’ Another writer said ‘the hallmark of a true religion is its ability to let persons poke fun at it.’ Don’t look for such a religion in our parts anytime soon.

Those of us who stay clear of organized religion are by no means running from God. The vast majority profess belief in a higher power.

Researchers have offered theories as to why so many people stay a safe distance from organized religion.

David Campbell of the University of Notre Dame and Robert Putnam of Harvard think politics is to blame.

Their idea is that we’ve mixed politics and religion so completely that many simply opt out of both; apparently reluctant to claim a religious affiliation because they don’t want the political one that comes along with it.

Reflect on the last elections cycle and the rush of politicians to audition before church goers. Or the public stance of religious figures regarding one or the other political party.

We are more religiously polarized than ever. Small wonder that we so often hear the refrain that neither politics nor religion should be talked about in polite company. Both are polarizing by themselves. When taken together, they are simply toxic.

Some of us embrace the 19th century age of enlightenment as a good thing. We refuse to return to an age of raw superstition. Others of us are rationalists who fail to accept that there are limits to logic. The real test of belief comes when biology creeps up on us, making us feeble or weak, handicapped or worse, dying.

The foregoing made for compelling theatre when related to the dying days of Christopher Hitchens, renowned atheist and best selling author of the book ‘God is not great.’

Hitchens died on December 15th.

Asked after being diagnosed with cancer, whether it is conceivable that he could have a religious conversion and admit to the existence of God, Hitchens said ‘the entity making such a ridiculous remark might be a raving terrified person whose cancer has spread to his brain, but no one recognizable as myself would ever make such a remark.’

Some of us want to believe, but don’t know what to believe. Many refuse to be caught up with the unending question as to whether a religion is ‘true.’ Some simply subscribe to William James’s notion that “truth is what works.” More people simply agree to live clean and let their works be seen.

If the practice makes them better persons, then by necessity it is good, and by extension true.

Many people say aloud that they see no good religion. Some are put off by a God who the bible said is loving and caring, but at the same time commands his people to fight wars of destruction in which not even innocent babies are spared. God of the bible, like his modern day followers, are always judging and smiting.

Does God ever laugh, or smile even? Only a few of our religious leaders laugh. They prefer to shout.

But as Eric Weiner, author of Man Seeks God: My Flirtations with the Divine says ‘God is not an exclamation point, though. He is, at his best, a semicolon, connecting people, and generating human grace.’ Most religious people, especially the leaders, seem to have lost sight of this.

Religion and politics, though often spoken about in the same breath, are, of course, fundamentally different. Politics is a public activity.

Though religion contains large public components, it is at core a personal affair. It is the relationship we have with ourselves or, as the British philosopher Alfred North Whitehead said, “What the individual does with his solitariness.” There lies the problem: how to talk about the private nature of religion publicly.

What is to be done? The answer, I think, lies in a view expressed by Karen Armstrong in the History of God: ‘We may have to forget or gave up religion in order to find God.’ If we choose to continue our embrace of religion, we definitely need to discover a new way of talking about God, or even better a new way of being religious. This new religiousness must be straightforward, unencumbered, intuitive and most important, it should be highly interactive. This religious space must celebrate doubt and encourage experimentation. It must be serious and disciplined, yet effortless. Its goal must be to include all of us, even the Christopher Hutchins of our world.

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12. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Farmers have been let down by the ULP regime

The ULP regime has neglected farmers and devastated the agriculture industry in SVG. We often see the minister for agriculture in the media, but what has actually been done to rejuvenate SVG’s agriculture industry? Too little!

The Leader of SVG Green Party, Mr Ivan O’Neal, comes from an agricultural background. As a young man, Ivan O’Neal was a farmer in livestock and vegetables, and his parents and grandparents were farmers. Mr Ivan O’Neal is deeply concerned at the downgrading and destruction of the agriculture industry under the ULP regime, often in favour of tourism.

Selling our prime agricultural land, such as at Buccament, to build tourist resorts was very shortsighted of the incompetent ULP regime; so was building a jail on prime agricultural land at Belle Isle. These were acts of madness. We must think about our nation’s food security in the long-term, or else there will be no land left for agriculture, and

this aim and bring prosperity to our farmers.

A Green government will also help farmers set up farming co-ops. In a food growing co-op, with as SVG will become a food aid state. many producers as possible working together, The ULP’s policy of $6 million dollars for a farmers can more easily diversify into different farmers’ bank in the 2014 budget estimates is a slap vegetable crops and gain access to foreign markets in the face to our hard-working farmers, when by guaranteeing a constant weekly source of compared to the hundreds of millions of dollars products. Farmers would then be better able to given to Taiwan and the super-rich of Mustique and obtain large contracts to supply hotels and Canouan in immoral tax exemptions. supermarkets abroad.

We must get our priorities right. Farmers have A Green government will revive the rural contributed significantly to the SVG economy, and economy. There are hundreds of millions of dollars have provided food security and jobs for our people of revenue that can be harnessed from agriculture. for decades. However, under the ULP regime, SVG could do organic farming and build factories to agriculture is in ruins. In 2011, SVG imported $207 process and export tea, baby food, coffee, fruit juices million dollars of food, yet we have fertile land and and other agro-products, to the diaspora in Europe, capable farmers who can grow the food we import.

Canada and the USA. These measures will provide We need to create jobs in agriculture in SVG, not thousands of new jobs for our people. abroad, and we can do this by growing what we eat A Green government will create a farmers’ credit and not importing so much food. Locally, there union, and offer farmers secured, short-term credit should be guaranteed markets for farmers for their facilities to enable farmers to branch out into produce. Bringing back the marketing corporation organic short-term crops and organic greenhouse and import substitution of food would help achieve crops. Farmers need financial assistance to buy equipment to diversify their crops and support in rejuvenating their farms.

We thank all our farmers for their critical and Part II sustainable contribution in feeding our people over the years. We are very dismayed that the ULP it’. regime has failed them and let them down.

Under the Act to make provision for the restructuring of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines SVG Green Party Banana Industry, the National Fairtrade www.svggreenparty.org Organization has a list of powers under which they could expand and grow the initiative; but both the leadership and the membership must be willing and able to live up to this challenge. If you don’t grow and expand, you will lose relevance. It is a business imperative to create such an environment that after twelve years, farmers should want to be a part of Fairtrade. Nobody should be begging them to join the organization.

The challenges to production and the many changes in market requirements, call for new and bigger ideas and more relevant approaches in the PLEASE PERMIT a space in your column in order agriculture sector. Fairtrade is still a niche that has that I can express my views about the current West room for expansion and improvement in bananas Indies cricket team. and other crops. As farmers, we should not allow Watching the West Indies cricket team systems and situations to overwhelm us; we should competing recently is nothing more than very do everything possible to make them work for us.

All organizations are perfectly aligned to get the dismal. Former skipper Clive Lloyd recently result they get. It is my hope that the National regarded them as a bunch of drunks playing cricket.

Fairtrade Organization will lift their game and take I must admit I agree with him totally, after its work to another level in 2014. watching the team playing in India, and now New Zealand. The way the team is playing cricket, they Wilberforce Emmanuel surely have their forebears who have died, turning over in their graves.

One cannot assume any changes very soon, because the West Indies Cricket Board is going to need time in order to IF UP TO THREE and four o’clock in them, is seriously negated, when they come up with some sort the morning, the residents of Arnos so blatantly exhibit their incapacity of new solutions to get Vale are kept awake by the extremely to effect order and discipline in such away from the crisis. loud music coming from the an elementary and straightforward The bowling area is entertainment houses in the area, it issue. very weak, at the must be that, our police force is Among the residents in the area of moment; only having a party.

Arnos Vale, are several persons who Traditionally, it has been the have given faithful and patriotic Shillingford is really reasonable expectation of law abiding service to our country, and had showing some class; but citizens that our policemen would not expected to enjoy the rest of their the batsmen should have stand idly by while the rights of days in peace; but this noise has been been able to do much citizens to the peace and enjoyment making life less than enjoyable for better by applying better of their environment are openly, them. techniques in footwork boldly and flagrantly violated by We are here appealing to the and other adjustments. vagrants, who have the privilege of Commissioner of Police to address sleeping all day. this situation. Do not let the lawThe glory time of While it is a good thing, and abiding citizens and taxpayers have West Indies Cricket appreciated, to have our lawmen to say, “No sleep for us tonight dominance is long over, come on the radio, and they seem to because Police having their Party”. but not forgotten. enjoy it also, their impact on and the

LetÊs talk agriculture THE AGRICULTURE sector will never be the same again, especially for banana. Things have changed, and we need to change the way we do things, to meet the times. There is little doubt that the Fairtrade system was the way to go at the turn of the century. For that matter, one can easily say that if the Windward Islands had not made this move that was then promoted by WINFA, the islands may have been out of the UK market a long time ago.

This system was developed to ensure farmers received a price not less than the cost of production and a premium meeting environmental, labour and other social standards. Additionally, there is a premium paid on top of the price that is used for production enhancement and social project.

Most of the critics of this system seem to mix-up a trade started with a German alternative organisation called BanaFair for second grade banana out of St. Vincent, with that of Fairtrade Banana. At the time, the SVG Banana Act did not allow the sale of top- grade banana except through WIBDECO. Most farmers know the Act, so it is untrue to say Fairtrade ever was about reject bananas. The fact is that Fairtrade Banana has always been and still is about quality fruit, from the condition under which the fruit is grown to the cosmetic look of the fruit to meet supermarket standards.

In spite of all the setbacks over the years, and there were quite a few, Fairtrade in St. Vincent has brought in approximately $8.5 million to this country in premium funds alone. This is in addition to the price paid to the farmers, and would not have been achieved had it not been for the system under which the bananas are sold. Many rural schools, clinics, community centers and other community facilities and programmes benefited from this premium. Farmers got farm road improvement, disaster relief support, farm inputs, farm enhancement, health benefits support etc. from the fund. The suspension of the shipment of Fairtrade bananas, following the passage of Hurricane Tomas and the outbreak of Black Sigatoka, has therefore meant both a loss of income to farmers and premium support to the communities.

This is not to say the system was or is perfect. I do believe that a system is only as good as the people who manage it, and there is no doubt that more could have been done to promote the label and expand certification onto other products. Stephen Covey in his book “The 8th Habits from Effectiveness to Greatness” wrote: ‘Leadership is creating an environment in which people want to be part of the organization, not just work for the organization. Leadership creates an environment that makes people want to, rather than have to do

“Complete mayhem” in W.I. cricket

No sleep for us tonight, Police having party

faith and confidence of the society in

LeRoy Providence

A cricket lover

V

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

Opinion

Be kind to each other this Excerpts from the Hon. Arnhim Eustace’s Address at the NDP’s Christmas 37th Annual Convention

The Issue

OVER THE NEXT THREE days or so, Vincentians will be involved in a hive of activity, as they prepare to celebrate Christmas, the season of goodwill, and that period when we mark the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The commercial sector will do a thriving business. There will be bargains and discounts as businesses try to entice the public to purchase their goods. Some persons will adjust their spending around this time, so as to leave some money in the bank for January 2014, traditionally regarded as a “hard month.”

Whatever the situation, we must never forget the true meaning of Christmas, the joy of giving, the spirit of “peace on earth and goodwill to all mankind”. We must never forget that, even while we possess the monetary and physical resources to spend a good Christmas, there are those, particularly on the international scene, who are worse off than us, and will not spend a good Christmas this year.

Much to say thanks for Indeed there is a lot that we in St.Vincent and the Grenadines should be thankful for as we near the end of 2013. Despite the financial and economic battering, we have been able to hold our own and in some areas, make small advances. It was the guest speaker at the recent convention, Luzette King, a former supporter of the ULP, who told her audience that “we are weathering the storm”. As Vincentians, even those who support the NDP, we can confirm that this is so. The facts are there, and we have been assured by the leadership of the ULP, that in fact we are not badly off.

Additionally, events have confirmed what we already know, that we in St.Vincent and the Grenadines are doing better economically and financially, than our neighbours. The recent announcement that the government of Barbados will send home 3,000 public sector workers next year, is a sobering thought for all of us. It is news like this that allows us to appreciate the government that we have, and the leadership of the ULP administration led by Comrade Ralph.

This is what we voted for in December 2010, a government which mixes prudence and enterprise, and we are thankful. We recognize the achievements of the ULP administration, in the fact that no public servants have been made redundant; that salaries have been paid on time; that none of the major strategies of the ULP administration have been adjusted, including the education revolution, the housing revolution, and the international airport project at Argyle.

We recognize too the distribution of land to the people of Glebe in Barrouallie. We recognize the provision of new and improved facilities for our tertiary level students at the Community College.

We recognize the new housing units

“Energy - part 2” being constructed at Clare Valley and Green Hill. And we recognize too the new road projects set to take off in 2014, bringing more jobs for our people.

Above all, the ULP has kept its promises, to the public servants who received their back pay this year, minus any taxes; to the students who received their EC$500, following their performances at CXC and CAPE; to the families who look forward to their duty free barrels every year, and to the thousands of workers who were involved in the road cleaning exercise.

The truth is that as a country, we have much to be thankful for. We are holding our own, or as the NDP found out, we are “weathering the storm”.

But, as the Prime Minister says, we are not out of the woods as yet.

Be kind to each other At this time of the year, we must continue to be kind to each other, particularly the poor and the indigent.

We have made outstanding strides in reducing the level of “dirt poor poverty” from 25.7 percent of the population in 1997 under the NDP, to the current level of 2.9 percent.

Regional and international bodies have found that the level of undernourishment in the country has dropped from 21 percent of the population in 1995, to under five percent in 2012.

Still, there are indigent people in our midst who will not enjoy a good Christmas this year. As Christians, we must look out for these people, who are poor, indigent and marginalized. If we say that we love the Lord Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate at this time, then we must ensure that others are in a position to celebrate this event. We must love our neighbours at this time. We must put aside petty jealousies based on politics, intolerance, hatred and backbiting, and use this Christmas season to live better with our neighbours.

Above all, we must prepare ourselves for hard work in 2014. The ULP administration has already laid out its estimates for the new year, and this will be fleshed out further, when the Budget session commences on January 20th, 2014.

We have to continue to get the small things right, and our public servants need to up their game, and perform at an even higher level, to deliver a better service to the taxpayers of this country.

In the tradition of a true Vincy Christmas, we should all enjoy ourselves, but we must do so in moderation. We should enjoy our family gatherings, the food and the drink, and the music, but there is no need to be excessive.

Above all, we must thank Almighty God for sparing our lives to see another Christmas, and ask for his blessing on our country, as we embark on a new year, 2014

DRILLING A GEOTHERMAL well is like drilling for oil. A geothermal well is a deep hole drilled into the ground to explore for geothermal energy, or to produce geothermal energy.

Exploratory wells are 4 to 6 inches in diameter and typically thousands of feet deep. Production wells are 8 inches or more in diameter and go down to the required depth. In Dominica, three exploratory wells were drilled, one of these went down as far as 4,800 feet, and the exploratory drilling phase of the project took two years to complete.

Fact: no drilling is taking place at this time. What is happening now is that the Reykjavik Geothermal people are doing surface-based investigations that will attempt to produce a preliminary map of potential underground geothermal assets. These preliminary investigations will not definitively answer the question of what is the true extent and quality of our geothermal resource. That question can only be answered by drilling, which is expensive, risky and timeconsuming. This brings us to the point. Is this being financed by Emera? It is certainly not being financed by government or VINLEC. And as you ask that question, remember what Gonsalves himself said. He said: “Now, no one seriously believes that Emera will come to St. Vincent to put in the facilities to generate only 10 megawatts of power.

They have their eye on a larger prize” Let me repeat, he said, “No one seriously believes that Emera will come to St. Vincent to put in the facilities to generate only 10 megawatts of power. They have their eye on a larger prize”. Now, consider that Emera is the owner of the electricity company in Barbados, they acquired majority shares 2 ½ years ago. So the question now is: what is Emera going to get for spending all the money and taking all the risk up front? What is this “larger prize” that Gonsalves is talking about? Do not underestimate that question. What is the larger prize that Emera has their eyes on? And why should Ralph Gonsalves, the Prime Minister of a sovereign state, be interested in the larger prize to be acquired by a private company?

Let us look at some other facts.

Let’s look at how Dominica went about their geothermal energy project.

And bear in mind that Dominica and St Vincent are very similar in terms of our energy sectors. Our electricity price is about the same, we both have hydro; we both have geothermal potential, and we are both members of Petro Caribe.

In 2007, Dominica applied for grant funds from the European Union (EU) to finance the exploration phase of their geothermal project and the exploration phase commenced in April 2008. So what Reykjavik Geothermal is doing now up at Soufriere — that happened in Dominica more than five years ago! And remember, when Dominica was moving ahead with vision, purpose and focus all of these are things Gonsalves likes to talk

glibly about. Gonsalves was signing a Memorandum of Understanding with some fly-by-night fellow named Croghan who did nothing, delivered nothing, produced nothing, and had his contract extended, before he eventually disappeared into the night.

Since 2008, Dominica has completed the entire exploration phase of their project, and they have fully proven the location, extent and quality of their geothermal resource.

They are now ready to move on to the construction phase of their project, to design and build a geothermal power station. In doing so, they spent over 32 million EC dollars, and this is the important point; all of that money was public money. They got grant funds from the European Union (EU) and they added local counterpart funds, they have proven the geothermal resource and now, the rights to the geothermal resource belong to the state and people of Dominica.

What is happening in St Vincent is the opposite. Apart from the fact that St Vincent is five years behind Dominica in actually getting a project off the ground. What is happening here is that Ralph Gonsalves, as the minister responsible for energy, has passed the geothermal project over to private investors from the very start.

Emera and Reykjavik Geothermal are here now, and they are spending their own money to explore for geothermal energy in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In Dominica, $30 million was spent. Suppose Emera and Reykjavik Geothermal have to spend $30 million here, even before any geothermal energy is proven to exist? What will happen if and when they prove that the geothermal resources exist? They will be the ones who have taken the risk up front, they are the ones who would have spent the money up front, so naturally, they will be looking for a return on their risk and investment, and they will be the ones calling the shots later on.

This is simply the nature of geothermal energy development. It requires high-risk investment of capital up front, and the people, who are investing that capital and taking the high risk, must get their return. It is our contention that this up-front risky investment should not be made by private investors, because they will have their eyes on a bigger prize. But this is what the Prime Minister has already told us is happening! What is the bigger prize? Is it VINLEC? After Emera has made all of these investments, will we be called upon to ‘repay’ them by selling VINLEC to them? Remember they recently bought out Barbados Light and Power. Or will they charge us exorbitant amounts for the geothermal energy under our soil, but which they invested in, instead of us? It is our contention that, far from being a leader in this area, Ralph Gonsalves is simply a follower, five (5) years late, and he is following the wrong example.

V

14. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Onions for example He used the occasion to encourage farmers to keep close contact with the MINISTER of Agriculture Saboto Caesar Tissue Lab so as to make sure that is keen on seeing what crops will be on they are prepared to use up the the production line from 2014. planting material engineered at that One item he has in mind is onions. institution.

Caesar will look at areas where Caesar was alongside Taiwanese onions have been produced, and revive Ambassador Weber Shih. A efforts at production.

Horticultural Cooperation started He made his projections known last three years ago was formally handed week Friday at his Ministry in over to the Ministry.

Kingstown. Caesar pointed to garlic as Shih noted that the Tissue Lab was another branch of the diversification well managed, and he cited it as a campaign. trend setter in the Caribbean.

He is counting on the operation of The Ambassador dismissed any the tissue culture lab to boost the thought that handing over the agricultural sector. equipment and facilities suggested Stories by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

that Taiwan was pulling up anchor here. A Small Ruminant Artificial Insemination venture, Soil Analysis and Advanced Production and Marketing Training in Taiwan for vegetable farmers will continue in Taiwanese Ambassador Weber Shih hands over Orange 2014.

The Taiwanese Hill Horticultural Project to Minister of Agriculture Saboto will also continue Caesar. their cooperation farmers’ productivity through the in Fruit and Vegetable production. setting up of cooperatives.

Efforts will persist in strengthening

Salvation Army: An ever-present fortress THIS country’s Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne has commended the Salvation Army for fulfilling the needs of many Vincentians. The institution has a School Feeding programme going on. They run a Day Care and Pre School.

A Children’s Home is in operation at Buccament. The organisation has supplied Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne (left) hands over a food package to one of the persons with food and recipients. clothing in times of emergency.

It was with that background that Sir Frederick paid tribute last Monday. He was at the annual Salvation THREE teachers who resigned in November 2010 Army Christmas will have their case against the government heard Distribution ceremony. in court next year. The ruling was handed down Persons filled the recently by Justice Gerthel Thom. Arguments on pews downstairs the the matter were made earlier this year. The small building on teachers are Elvis Daniel, Addison Thomas and Melville Street in capital Kenroy Johnson. city Kingstown. Others Daniel has been enlisted by the St. Martins milled around the door Secondary School. Thomas is employed as Research Officer with the New Democratic Party. awaiting the supplies.

President of the local Teachers Union Oswald Sir Frederick handed over packages containing Robinson regards the outcome as a victory for the Union. food supplies as well as Robinson made it clear that the focus as far as other items useful in the Thomas and Johnson were concerned was household. entitlement to their benefits. He disclosed that The gifts were bought the Union was not arguing for reinstatement. with money from the This issue has evoked some intrigue. The three Salvation Army Kettle teachers contested the 2010 general elections for Appeal. Commanding the opposition New Democratic Party.

The Unity Labour Party retained the reins of Officer Pierre Antoine is government 8:7 following the December 13 poll, still hopeful that the despite surrendering four seats to the opposition. $100,000 targeted at the Thomas failed to unseat Montgomery Daniel in start of the campaign earlier this month will be North Leeward. Johnson contested the North Central Windward constituency held by Prime raised.

Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. Thomas was Even then, the defeated in South Central Windward by Saboto Salvation Army is Caesar. progressing with their The new parliamentarians for the NDP were distribution. Close to St. Clair Leacock: Central Kingstown, Daniel 1,000 packages have Cummings: West Kingstown, Nigel Stephenson: South Leeward and Roland Matthews: North been handed over Leeward. already.

Judgement in Teachers’ favour

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

16. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Your temper could get the better of you if you confront personal situations. You will do well if you mingle with the brass this week. You probably aren't getting straight answers to your questions. You need to keep busy doing things that you both enjoy.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You must try to help. Get busy on those home improvement projects that you've been procrastinating about.

Things at home may be somewhat rocky. Opportunities to get together with friends will be enlightening and entertaining.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Emotionally you won't see things accurately. You may have difficulties with family members if you get involved in petty arguments. You will get bored quickly, so make sure that you have scheduled enough activity to hold your interest. Don't let your work and your personal life interfere with each other.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Travel could be in order. Curb or cut out that bad habit you've been meaning to do something about. Romantic opportunities will develop through friends or relatives. Call someone you haven't seen in a long time.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Your emotions may be hard to control if your mate is forcing you to undergo drastic alterations in your relationship.

You can easily impress others with your generous nature. A need to be in love may fool you. Be careful of the groups you join or the people you associate with.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Be sure to spend time helping children with projects that are too difficult for them to accomplish alone. Your confidence is growing and advancement is apparent. They will not be in the right frame of mind to put up with tactless comments. You need a break from

your daily routine.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Travel and communications will not run as smoothly as you had hoped.

Romantic opportunities will be plentiful if you get out and mingle. Changes to your self image will be to your benefit as long as you don't over pay. Rest and relaxation may be required; minor health problems will prevail if you don't watch your diet.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Now is a good time to ask for favors.

Your honesty will not only win you points but also respect. You may need to make a choice. Opposition is present and you should be prepared to counteract it as best you can.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Problems with peers is apparent. You can look into new jobs but don't count on getting help from someone who may have promised you assistance. You can make money through solid investment plans. It might be best not to spend your money on luxuries this week.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) People who try to persuade you to do things their way will annoy you.

Someone you work with may be trying to make you look bad. Extend an invitation to clients you enjoy spending time with. Tempers will mount if you are too pushy at work.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Sudden romantic connections may be short lived. Better still, take your mate and let them foot the bill. You are likely to reveal information unintentionally.

Feeling under the weather may be a result of overindulgence.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Be sure to take care of the needs of your immediate loved ones first. Your partner may make you feel jealous and unloved. Do not invest in ventures that only appear to be lucrative. You may experience financial loss if you don't use good judgment.

ACROSS

48. Meager 51. More salty 1.Wallet bill 54. Not well 4. So-so grades 55. Involve 8. Frat house 58. Stubbly letter pieces 11. Univ. military 60. Toothpaste group form 13. Wanderers 61. In repose 15. “__ the 62. Sand Walrus” 63. Numerals (2 wds.) (abbr.)

16. Nobleman 64. Boot fronts 17. Earhart of 65. It preceded the air the CIA 18. Back talk, slangily DOWN 19. Weighing more 1.Native 21. Deli pickles mineral 23. Mean 2. Actor Berry 24. Expand 3. To be (Fr.) 25. Drive a hard 4. Sky streaker bargain 5. None 28. Claws of an omitted eagle 6. Slippery fish 31. Does nothing 7. __ Lanka 32. In flames 8. Vitamin 34. Ram’s comtablet panion 9. Welcome 36. Hightailed it 10. Rascals 37. Throat 12. Resounded, infection as a 38. Morally trolley bell wrong 13. Lift up 39. Novelist 14. “Back in the Fleming __ 40. EighteenAgain” wheelers 20. Kilmer and 41. Small songothers birds 22. Bride’s 42. Publishes phrase 44. Juice up (2 wds.)

45. Munich 24. Senior citi“one” zens’ org.

46. __ and pains 25. Stereo’s rel-

ative (hyph.)

26. Stevenson who ran against Eisenhower 27. Valleys 28. Father’s Day gifts 29. “__ Too Late” 30. Playground item 32. Bank machines (abbr.)

33. After Thurs.

35. Different 37. Witnessed 38. Rubbing out 40. Sets of rooms 41. Reporter’s query 43. Member of

Congress (abbr.)

44. Chef Julia 46. Lessen 47. Shouts 48. __ language 49. Egyptian queen, Informally 50. Know-it-__

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

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

52. Coin of Italy 53. Sluggers’ successes (abbr.)

56. Snare 57. Eastern “truth” 59. Main and Sesame (abbr.)

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18. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Does he deserve to know?

Dear George,

WE ARE OWING nine hundred dollars on our light bill and twelve hundred dollars back rent, with our landlord threatening eviction.

I told my husband we would have to do something about this

situation and very soon.

He kept on asking me what do I want him to do, and would leave the house in vexation. My husband is not working, and was laid off some months back. I found a way to pay the bills although I am not working, and he is mad

now with me because I refuse to let him know how I got the money. He did not say it, but I know he has it in his mind that I got the money from lying on my back.

We argue every day because of this. Tell me,

George, does he deserve to know how the bills were paid, seeing how he had this terrible don’tcare attitude from the beginning?

Questioning Dear Questioning, The communication level between you two definitely needs to be raised to new and improved levels. The fact that your husband is not working and is buried in bills could be enough to induce frustration, and his seemingly don’t-care attitude could be his way of surrendering to the situation. There needs to be a sitting down between both of you, and a charting of the way forward. It would be good to seek the counsel of a financial advisor to help you find your way out. Not telling your husband where the money came from to pay the bills that were owing, would only put elements of doubt in his mind and do further damage to your already troubled relationship. Letting him in on your plans before execution would have been the way to go.

It is never good to fight fire with fire in this case.

George

Would he run off with a 25-year-old?

Dear George, MY HUSBAND said something to me that has me worried. We were discussing the concept of aging, and he said that he would rather have a 25-year-old woman at his side when he is over 70 years old, because of her young and tender body and much firmer body parts. I got so offended, and he does not seem to understand why. What would happen when I am with him and he is 75 years old? Would he run off with a 25-year-old and leave me hanging? His response to me when I put those questions to him was that I cannot blame him for wanting younger at that age. He considers himself as lucky to have such luxury! We are both in our mid-fifties. Maybe I should make my exit now before he gets his old age wish.

Worried Wife Dear Worried Wife, Your husband’s thinking could very well be linked to possible midlife crisis. My guess is when you are both 75 years old, you would have found new reasons to love and appreciate each other. I would not think too much of the remark he made, and would not let it interfere with your life at this stage. Of course, if he repeatedly talks about this, and is actively thinking about it, then you may need to get some counselling and address the issue in that setting. Meanwhile, try not to lose sleep on anything that has not and may never happen.

George

Longing for more Dear George, WHEN MY HUSBAND and I were dating, we used to talk a lot about sex and how good it was going to be between us, once we got married. He was telling me what he would do and would not do to me and with me. He really had me excited! Today, after 3 months of marriage, the opposite has been my experience. He has never been able to bring me to an orgasm, and has not stayed ‘up’ long enough to satisfy my desires. I am thinking, would I have to go through the rest of my life with longing for more? I cannot help but thinking how much he has fooled me into thinking that by marrying him, all my sexual needs would be met. To date, I have nothing to report!

DRY Dear DRY, I am not sure if it is fair game to blame your husband for your inability so far to reach an orgasm, as there is a small percentage of women who fit into this bracket for reasons that have nothing to do with the man they are with. In time, you will learn that reaching an orgasm is not and should not be the sole goal of your sexual experience. Your marriage is in early days yet, and it is a good time to get some marital/sexual counseling. This could help to straighten out some of the dents that presently exist.

George

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

Business

Five win big with Digicel

Bascombe smiling for Christmas

by KENVILLE HORNE

by KENVILLE HORNE DIGICEL CONTINUES to spread Christmas joy to its customers, as the telecommunication company handed out EC$10,000 to five lucky customers, as part of their 2013 Christmas promotion called “Brighten Someone’s Christmas”.

This week, five more persons collected the cash prize of EC$2000 just by topping up their Digicel cellular phone EC$15 or more, becoming part of the Digicel family (by purchasing a handset or SIM card), paying your postpaid bill

by December 20th, activating a data plan or activating the international

bundle plan.

“Brighten Someone’s Christmas rewards one customer every day until December 24,” said Marketing Manager at Digicel Juno DeRoche (pictured above with a winner).

She added that this is one of many ways Digicel gives back to its customers.

Sunday LIME THE LIME SUNDAY shopping experience comes alive again this Sunday, the final shopping weekend before Christmas.

Last Sunday, hundreds of persons packed the telecommunications provider’s main location in Kingstown, and took advantage of the deals and treats on the inside and outside.

Shoppers made use of the Share the Cheer promotions taking place at LIME, where they purchased smart phones with savings; up to 75% in some cases. Some persons walked away with android handsets for $99 and received free gifts.

Other customers were entered in the weekly draws for Samsung Galaxy Tabs or hams, by topping up their handsets with $15 or more, or paying their bills in full and on time.

Shoppers also sampled various goodies.

Chicken ham, produced and prepared by Aletha Garraway and Carlton Ottley were available for tasting and sale, and the Quantum broadband package was also sampled by customers, who wanted to experience the super speed broadband service.

Customers put themselves in a position to win hams from LIME by giving a dollar in the Give a Gift campaign, where orphans and less fortunate children will be presented with a gift for Christmas.

At the entrance of the store, a jolly Ol’ Saint Nick, AKA Santa Claus, was on hand to greet the children and shower them with gifts, and take photos.

On the outside, the promenade was buzzing with activity, as young and old participated in outdoor games, like the ring toss and tried their voices in the karaoke show.

LIME Corporate Sales and Marketing Lead Nikala Williams pointed out that the Sunday shopping experience at LIME was not only about giving the most and best deals on the Land line, broadband and mobile services, but it also offered families a chance to take time out from the hustle and bustle of Christmas to have fun, and give to others in the process.

Customers enjoying the quantum experience.

Inset: This adorable girl is all smiles as she gets a hug from Santa.

ALINCON BASCOMBE has more reasons to smile this Christmas.

Bascombe is Digicel’s November ‘Text to Win’ promotion winner. He took home EC$3000 and a DL 600 cellular device.

He was beaming with smiles as he collecting his winnings last Tuesday at Digicel’s Corporate Offices located in the Lewis Building on James Street. The lucky Digicel Customer said that he was happy to win the money as it will come in handy, seeing that it is the Christmas season.

Alincon Bascombe collecting his Bascombe won by texting ‘CASH’ to winnings from Digicel’s Customer 7171.

Care Assistant Keira Inniss.

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20. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Diaspora

VincyCares bestows special honors on outstanding nationals

Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; neloking@msn.com US CORRESPONDENT

five outstanding nationals and an organization during its Fourth Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational THE INTERNET-BASED group VincyCares, Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Inc. on Dec. 7 bestowed special honors on The group — only four years old — presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to woman’s right and community activist Nelcia Marshall-Robinson.

It also honored calypso maestro Alson “Becket” Cyrus and the United Vincie Cultural Group of Brooklyn (UVCGB), and presented Vision Awards to fashion designer and entrepreneur Zulema N. George; certified personal trainer, massage therapist and entrepreneur Tizana Goodluck-Hedge; and internationally-acclaimed playwright and producer Jerol Huggins-Jackson.

The Brooklyn-based Vincentian band, Solid, donated the awards to VincyCares, Inc. and performed, free of charge, at the gala event, according to VincyCares, Inc. Winston Soso holds award aloft, on behalf of president Franklyn "Becket", after receiving it from Gillian Arthur, “Supadex” Richards.

VincyCares' Vice President.

United Nations

Nelcia Marshall-Robinson receives award from Franklyn "Supadex" Richards.

Ulric Jones, Jr., aka "Soca Jones", accepts award on behalf of Jerol Huggins-Jackson from VincyCares' Vice President Gillian Arthur.

Ambassador I. Rhonda King, US Consul General Selmon Walters and his deputy, Edson Augustus, also attended the ceremony.

“To all the honorees, I extend congratulations because it is hard work

and dedication that makes a difference in the lives of many,” said Richards, a graphic artist, who hails from Calder, in his introductory remarks.

“Alston ‘Becket’ Cyrus has dedicated his life to provide good music and to give Vincentians a reason to be proud,” he added. “United Vincie Cultural Group has kept our culture alive and allows us Continued on Page 21

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013. 21.

Diaspora cont’d

VincyCares bestows special honors on outstanding nationals In thanking VincyCares, Inc. for “giving me this award to show our children — it means a lot to me” — aspects of our rich Vincentian Goodluck-Hedge also quoted heritage. Mrs. Nelcia Mandela.

Marshall-Robinson is a tower “I learned that courage was of strength and inspiration to not the absence of fear but the women at home and abroad. triumph over it,” said the “The Vision Award Biabou-born owner of Tizana’s recipients, in their own way, Body Renewal on Eastern are trailblazers and will Parkway in Brooklyn. “The continue to inspire us in our brave man is not he chosen field, as we continue to who does not feel aspire to be better men and afraid but he who women,” Richards continued. conquers that fear.

“Thank you Tizana Goodluck“I want you all to Hedge, Zulema George and know that I used to Jerol Huggins-Jackson.” be fearful,” she Marshall-Robinson said she added. “Fearful of was “extremely honored” to my potential; afraid receive the award, inviting of knowing what I some members of the audience can achieve. to share it with her.

“But God “I invited a number of granted me the persons because, without the courage to step out support of people at different on faith and levels, I would not have allowed me to have accomplished [many things],” the belief that I am she said. a conqueror,” “I am deeply honored to Goodluck-Hedge receive this award from people continued. “In the who understand the struggle absence of fear, I for change,” Marshallhave been able to Robinson added. “Keep change lives reaching out, VincyCares, keep through exercise.” on caring.

In addition to “Blessed are you, people of thanking vision, rooted deep, standing VincyCares, Inc., tall, touching all you reach, George — the only transforming the heart of the child of economist land you call home — and accountant Yorumein, Hairoun, St. Auton “Frankie” Vincent and the Grenadines,” George, of New she continued.

Montrose, and Winston Soso, renowned registered nurse as the “Rolls Royce of Edna George, of Calypso,” who accepted the Belair — was award for the absent “Becket”, grateful “first and said: “On behalf of the great foremost [to] my Alston ‘Becket’ [Cyrus], give a parents. round of applause.” Patrons at “They’ve been the sell-out event obliged. fully supportive of Dr. Roxie Irish, UVCGB’s what I do, what I Vermont-born founder and say,” said the president, was also absent younger George, “due to other engagements,” owner of AK according to Sonia Alexis, the Couture Boutique group’s secretary. & Beauty Bar in In giving UVCGB’s the East Flatbush acceptance speech, Alexis section of Brooklyn. congratulated VincyCares for “I’ll like to thank “the excellent work you are all my divas who doing in providing support me daily, opportunities for children and weekly, monthly young people to access and throughout the educational opportunities in year. I thank my St. Vincent and the supporters and Grenadines.” friends.”

“Education is the most George told THE powerful weapon which you VINCENTIAN can use to change the world,” afterwards that, she said, quoting the late when she received South African President and notification about Nobel Peace Prize laureate the honor, she was Nelson Mandela. “overwhelmed with “I want to remind you that emotion. you are working on a very “In my mind, to noble cause, so continue to be recognized by an progress in this area that is organization such critical to the attainment of as VincyCares, Inc. national development goals,” puts me in a class she added. of people who strive Continued from Page 20

for excellence and [for] the betterment of our people,” she said.

In a texted message Tizana Goodluck-Hedge receives Zulema George receives to VincyCares, Inc. and award from Franklyn "Supadex" to THE VINCENTIAN, award from Gillian Arthur, Richards, VincyCares' president Huggins-Jackson said he VincyCares' vice president was unable to personally accept the award since he Radio personality Ulric the proceedings with Hailes was “stuck in London due to a Jones, Jr., popularly known as Castello, accepted the award cancelled flight.”

“Soca Jones,” who co-MC-ed on behalf of Huggins-Jones.

22. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

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

Alliance take North Leeward Football title

Boyz’ favour at the interval. There was a hushed atmosphere, but the tension was broken on the resumption, with Alliance equalising and taking the lead.

Stag Boys passed the ball around in efforts to create scoring chances, even with the score at 4:2. By Stag Boys put up a good fight.

Alliance Football Club emerged winners in the end. then, they had That was in the 21st minute. right side of ALLIANCE FOOTBALL CLUB are Chavel Cunningham and one been outnumbered.

Lead goal scorer Chavel They started with Stag Boys equalised the attack. the 2014 North Leeward each from Olex Anderson and Cunningham The ball Football Champions. They Julian Delpesche drove Alliance through a Dennis Prescott ten men, but saw flick from a right side cross six floated to the delighted their home fans with a to their victory. two of their players goal keeper’s right and he 5: 2 win over Stag Boys last It wasn’t smooth sailing for minutes after. Prescott found red carded, while Alliance must have thought it was Sunday at the Petit Bordel Alliance however. They opened the net again with a drive suffered a single expulsion. from about 35 metres on the going outside.

Playing Field. Three goals by the scoring with a penalty.

The match ended When it shook the nets, he prematurely, with Stag Boys was as surprised as the showing reluctance to continue majority of the crowd. after the conversion of the It was two - nil in Stag fifth goal.

Ollivierre: Penn Relays have benefits

SVG, Double Windwards Champions

Athletics Coach Michael Ollivierre.

“The whole objective for the Penn Relays is to create NATIONAL ATHLETICS coach opportunities for athletes, and Michael Ollivierre believes there that’s why the Jamaican are opportunities to be gained athletes have been going by young athletes taking part in there with the will to do well the Penn Relays, an annual because of their desire to get event held in the United States scholarships,” Ollivierre said. over decades ago.

He believes that this has Ollivierre, one of the most created a platform for a good successful Penn Relays surge of top athletes who coaches during his stint in have made it onto the world Jamaica at the St Elizabeth stage over the years in Technical High School, said Jamaica. he took teams to 13 Penn “In my 13 years at the Relays from 1987. He has institution in Jamaica, I have successes in 4x800 distance been able to assist in getting Medley 4x100 in the boys and 98 girls and guys on girls. scholarships from He boasted of having participating at the Penn secured 21 titles in the 13 Relays, which is the objective years coaching Penn Relay as well as to help develop the teams. Ollivierre described athletes,” Ollivierre stressed. himself as the “most Ollivierre said it was nice successful high school boys to see a team from SVG (The coach in the history of Penn Thomas Saunders Secondary Relays in Jamaica.” He also School) attend the Penn pointed to the record winning Relays. He believes the the distance medley four Schools here are at a times in the Girls and Boys disadvantage because the divisions. students don’t do ‘A’ Levels in Ollivierre outlined that high school, but is optimistic opportunities for scholarships there are athletes in other were available, once persons institutions who can benefit. did well at the Penn Relays.

Stories by I.B.A.ALLEN

The reality is that any team from SVG who attend the Penn Relays may just make it to the heats, unless they prepare well with specific training and a change of attitude in an effort to make it into the top ten or fifteen, according to Ollivierre.

Athletes from the College system could be another option with athletes coming from all different schools who will then compete against universities as part of their preparation, he added. This initiative must be supported by the Schools and the Government. Once this is done, he is sure that they will be competitive and get attention for scholarships.

Ollivierre is willing to work along with anyone as well as schools to help develop athletes in the State.

WINLOTT 20/20 title earlier in the tournament.

SVG posted 233 from their allotted 90 overs. Miles Bascombe 61, Romel Currency 53, and Alston Bobb 32 not out were among the runs. Dennis George was the most successful bowler from Lindon James Grenada with 6 for captain of SVG 73. Grenada were cricket team dismissed for 147 from 62.1 overs.

THIS COUNTRY Hicosi St Hillaire HAS emerged double champions of 26, and Keone the 2013 Windward George 32, were the leading run getters.

Islands WINLOTT Fast bowler Delorn and the two-day cricket competitions Johnson 4 for 24 which were held in and off spinner Grenada last week. Kenneth Dember 4 for 50 did the St Vincent and the Grenadines beat damage for SVG. SVG, batting a Grenada on first second time, innings in the final round of matches to reached 123 for 1 from 21 overs. determine the championship after Salvan Browne led they retained their the batting with 60 and Donwell Hector

50.

The match between Dominica and St Lucia was affected by rain.

Dominica took first innings in that encounter.

Dominica made 154 from 63.1 overs.

Grayson Pacquette 39 and Gian Benjamin 32 were the main batsmen.

Gary Mathurin 5 for 43, and Xavier Gabriel 3 for 38, were the St. Lucian strike bowlers. St Lucia were dismissed for 82 from 24.2 overs, wrecked by Liam Sebastien 4 for 9, Ray Casimir 3 for 15, and Mervin Matthew 3 for 21.

Taryck Gabriel top. scored with 43.

SVG finished first, followed by Grenada second Dominica third and St Lucia at the cellar position.

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24. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

„Phantom Report‰ haunts SVG players

By E. Glenford Prescott QUESTIONS ARE BEING asked over the omission of SVG’s batsman Donwell Hector from a 24 man party selected by the Windward Islands panel following the conclusion of the Windward Islands T20 and Two-day competitions in Grenada last weekend.

The 25-year old Hector was unable to find favour with the selection panel led by Donwell Hector (left) and Miles Bascombe affected Dominica’s Charles Walters accompanied by by “Report.”

SVG’s representative do a check with officials Elvis Browne said that Lance John and St. to see if his copy was Hector who scored half Lucia’s Keith Chalery. missent by mistake. centuries in both the T20 A source told THE A few hours later and two-day VINCENTIAN that Crick, who is also vicetournaments played well.

Hector was omitted president of the “I am really surprised owing to “a report” Windwards Cricket that he could not get into submitted by ‘the Board, was no closer to any of the squads….I management team’ at giving a positive answer find it hard to this year’s regional to what appears to many understand how a player tournament. However a to be a “phantom report’. like Hector cannot make check with local cricket “No one who I checked a 24-man squad….it is officials and CEO of the at the Board level has strange,” he said.

Windwards Board any information on this Browne also expressed Lennox John discovered report….I have never amazement that Miles that there were no heard of it before and I Bascombe, who was the records of any such definitely cannot say second highest run report. what it is all about,” scorer in the T20, could Vice-president of the Crick said. only end up in the SVG Cricket Association Crick said that if it is reserve in the squad Elson Crick was a a report from the selected for the regional puzzled administrator management, it had to Super50 tournament. when contacted about come before the Board, “Miles was hitting the the mentioned “report.” and if it was a ball so sweet….he is just Crick, exercising disciplinary matter, that really unlucky… …..yes caution, indicated that Committee would have he is unfortunate not to no such report was had to have dealt with it, be in the first squad,” tabled at a recent and that never Browne who is chairman Windwards Board happened. of the local selection meeting, and promised to SVG’s Team Manager panel said.

Windwards Super50 Team name

Darren Sammy, captain of the Windward Islands team THE WINDWARD ISLANDS Cricket Board of Control has announced a 14-man squad in a quest to retain the West Indies Super 50 title when the tournament bowls off in

January next year in Trinidad.

The team will see the return of the official captain Darren Sammy.

The full squad reads, Darren Sammy captain, Liam Sebastien vicecaptain, Devon Smith, Andre Fletcher, Keddy Lesporis, Johnson Charles, Dalton Polius, Delorn Johnson, Kenroy Peters, Romel Currency, Tyrone Theophile, Alston Bobb, Gary Mathurin and Mervin Mathew.

The three reserves are Miles Bascombe, Nelon Pascal and Ronald Etienne.

The Windward Islands will be pooled in the same group as

Jamaica, Guyana and the lone overseas team Ireland. The other group will feature Trinidad and Tobago, Leeward Islands, Barbados and Combine Campus and Colleges.

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

Sports

Action WHAT WE NEED from the West Indies cricketers is a winning performance on the field. That is the only way to show solidarity with Shane Shillingford. He has been suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) from bowling until he can prove that his arm is not past the 15 degree allowed.

I do not encourage flouting any rules under which cricket is played. We have seen enough to conclude that the West Indies have been given some harsh treatment over the years.

We have seen laws changed to hamper the effect of the West Indies style.

Other bowlers have been allowed to perform for their career. Some have been given contracts in various forms of cricket. West Indies have to harden their approach.

The Caribbean is still a puzzle to the rest of the world. They don’t understand our spontaneous reaction. Sometimes it is baffling even to local residents.

Commentators are in glee when the West Indies players stutter. They run it in as part of our underdevelopment. Some persons in the international arena project the image that they want to see the West Indies return to the glory days. There is the contradiction however. Many countries will not forget what happened to them at the hands of the rampant West Indies. They are happy to return the compliment.

We have to ensure that we do not provide any ammunition to unleash on us. That means producing the goods. We have to be serious. We have the resources to rise to the standard and be competitive at any level.

There has to be regional commitment. We cannot allow differences along the way to impede our progress. The rest of the world is finding ways to unite, individually to enhance their status and collectively to drive the West Indies further down the drain.

We in the West Indies believe that we can make it on our own.

Cricket is one of our most potent symbols of unity. We have to value its worth.

We have seen what benefits can be derived if we put the machinery in motion.

The Shane Shillingford scenario presents an opportunity for us to cast off the weight of injustice that has been set upon us. The strangulation placed on him is an assault to the region. The team has to respond and show in this match that they represent the pride for which the Caribbean is known.

We can’t afford to get weary. There is a task to build this area in a way appropriate to the natural beauty that engulfs us all year.

Record breaking TEAM Rivals-three titles.

Jordan favoured for cricket prize

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT WEST INDIES Under 19 speedster Ray Jordan seems heavily favoured to be nominated as this country’s Cricketer of the Year for the year 2013 when the SVG Cricket Association holds its Annual Prize-Giving Ceremony this evening at the Murray Heights Hotel.

Reports indicate that Jordan was the front runner for the prestigious award after raising eyebrows with his heady pace in his outing with the West Indies U19 team in its exchanges with their Bangladesh counterparts.

Jordan who plays for Victors ONE grabbed attention as a 12-yearold in the Digicel West Indies Cricket Camp which came to SVG a few years ago.

In the leg of the camp held here, West Indies batsman “Ronnie” Sarwan spoke highly of the young pacer and was surprised at the pace he generated.

Jordan, who had a creditable domestic season, was involved in controversy when he was no-balled by umpire Rodger Davis for a suspect arm action.

It was the second time in three seasons that Davis was calling the bowler from square-leg

for a questionable delivery action.

However he has encountered no such problem in the subregional, regional and international matches he has bowled in.

Jordan, who returned from the West Indies aborted U19 tour of Bangladesh this week, has been named in the Windwards 24-man training squad for the upcoming regional fourday competition.

In addition, he is expected to be among the Five Cricketers of the Year.

The Association will honour two stalwarts of the game, in Clarence “Paddy” Thomas and Cornelius “Boop” Davis for their outstanding contribution to the development of the sport.

The enigmatic Thomas is a former cricket administrator, national selector, and youth coach, while the loquacious Davis is a former national cricketer from the 1960s era, whose exploits at the domestic level, according to reports, were sadly never transferred to the national level.

President of the West Indies Cricket Board Wycliffe “Dave” Cameron will look at the topic “West Indies Cricket; opportunities for Vincentian cricketers,” in his feature presentation.

Other addresses will

Pacer Ray Jordan tipped for top award.

WICB President “Dave” Cameron to deliver the feature address. come from the President of the SVG CA, Julian Jack, and the Minister responsible for Sports, Cecil McKie. The event, which is held annually at the conclusion of the

domestic cricket season, is used to honour outstanding players and clubs during the season.

Among the outstanding performances this year are Victors ONE batsman Donwell Hector who struck three centuries in his almost five hundred runs, while Team Rivals, who were joint Premier Division champions, became the first team to win three domestic titles by collecting the inaugural Super40 and the Neil Williams T20 titles.

Windwards announce 24 for training The Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control has announced a 24-man training squad for continued training for the upcoming West Indies 2014 Regional 4 day Tournament which begins in February.

The players were selected following the WINLOTT 20/20 and the two-day Windward Islands tournament which were held in Grenada last week.

The squad reads, Liam Sebastien, Mervin Mathew, Ray Jordan, Lindon James, Dalton Polius, Tarrick Gabriel, Delorn Johnson, Gian Benjamin, Romel Currency, Devon Smith, Nelon Pascal, and Keddy Lesporis.

The squad also includes Kaveem Hodge, Alston Bobb, Dennis George, Tyrone Theophile, Kenneth Dember, Miles Bascombe, Andre Fletcher, Sunil Ambris, Gary Mathurin, Dawnley Grant, Kenroy Peters, and Xavier Gabriel.

I.B.A.ALLEN

26. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013. 27.

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SECOND CHANCE IN LIFE

by HAYDN HUGGINS HIGH COURT Judge Frederick Bruce-Lyle is of the view that the system failed 19year-old Machica Peters of Arnos Vale, who caused the death of her one-year-old son Mackealti, August 15, 2012.

Peters was originally charged with the child’s murder, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter October 22, 2013. The prosecution accepted the plea.

“To me, the system failed you,” Justice Bruce-Lyle told Peters on Monday before sentencing her to the time spent in custody, resulting in her release that day.

The judge also ordered that she be counselled for a period to be determined by the Family Affairs Division.

Referring to a social inquiry report on Peters, prepared and presented at the sentencing hearing by case worker Jacquelyn Howe of the Family Affairs Division, the Judge pointed to an interview in which the case worker said Peters told her she wanted to give the child up to “someone who would provide a better life for him.”

Howe told the court that Peters claimed that after she got pregnant at age 16, at the time a fifth-former of the Girls’ High School, she felt that her dream of attending the St. Vincent Community College would never be fulfilled. She also felt responsible for adding to her family’s financial burden.

The case worker said Peters intimated to her that she made several attempts to ‘give up’ the child for adoption.

According to Howe, Peters claimed she sought assistance from the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and the Family Services Division, but she was offered financial help instead.

Howe stated, “Miss Peters expressed that she was stressed, she

aspires to be a lawyer.

Howe added that during an interview, Deputy Principal of the Girls’ High School Michelle Beache told her: “I would not have expected Machica to do something like that.”

She said Beache indicated that the former student was respectful to authority, abided by the rules of the school and maintained good grades.

The case worker pointed out that from all appearances, Peters may not be considered a threat to the safety and security of the community. She therefore concluded that Peters should be a good prospect for rehabilitation and reform.

A Forensic Psychological Evaluation Report on Peters, prepared and presented by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Antia Watson-Adams, stated that, according to Peters’ report, she had no history of mental illness, except possible postpartum depression during the first four weeks after pregnancy and a dissociative state at the time of the offence.

Dr. Watson-Adams concluded that her findings suggest that “Peters A visibly relieved Machita Peters (centre) pictured here with her lawyer currently has appropriate cognitive Ronald Marks, was granted leniency by High Court Judge Frederick Bruceand emotional functioning, and thus is Lyle. deemed to have good mental health cried a lot, lost interest in things she “You have been given a second chance currently”. once enjoyed. She felt hopeless, and in life, don’t give up.”

The doctor said that maybe further worthless. She felt that her baby was Peters caused her child’s death by substantiated if necessary. suffering, and that she was not in a holding a pillow on his face. An Peters’ lawyer Ronald Marks told position to help him.” autopsy showed he died from the court, in mitigation, “It is almost Howe added that Peters expressed suffocation.

15 years since I have been practising love for the child and claimed that she Peters was 17 at the time of the here, and this is one of the saddest regretted the incident. incident. Her mother was unemployed stories I have ever heard.”

Justice Bruce-Lyle described the and her father failed to provide Marks added: “She was clearly in a case as “very sad.” He pointed out support financially or otherwise. dissociated state, completely out of “there are no aggravating Howe said Peters claimed that character.” He noted that his client circumstances; everything goes in finances had always been a problem pleaded guilty to manslaughter, had favour of mitigation.” for her family and they sometimes had not wasted the court’s time, and had The Judge expressed the view that nothing to eat. no previous convictions. poverty existed everywhere, and that According to her, Peters promised Peters left the High Court building Peters could not be blamed for her that if given a second chance, she a free woman, but in tears. She was socio-economic conditions. would attend the Community College embraced by her lawyer and mother.

Bruce-Lyle told the young lady: and complete her A Levels. She

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