Vinpages 27 09 13 e reader

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

VOLUME 107, No.39

www.thevincentian.com

GIRLFRIEND WILL CHERISH LAST MOMENTS

by HAYDN HUGGINS

IONA EDWARDS will always remember and cherish the last moments she and her boyfriend, Ricardo ‘Smokey’ Roberts, shared together shortly before his death.

Ricardo was reportedly taken out by gunmen, movie style, about 600 yards from his Kingstown Park home, around 7:30 p.m. last week Thursday, September 19.

Reports are that the 28-year-old CD vendor was speaking with others at a gap along the Kingstown Park public road when a vehicle with four men pulled up next to him. Three of them wearing masks jumped out of the vehicle and opened fire on Roberts, killing him on the spot. He died from multiple bullet wounds. The men quietly went back into the vehicle and drove away.

About six hours before Ricardo was gunned down, Iona had spoken to him

in the area of ACE business place, where he plied his trade.

“We spoke as usual. He was always concerned about me hustling. I was late that day to take my daughter to school. We kissed and he said, “’Don’t stress’ and I left,” Iona told THE VINCENTIAN in tears.

Iona, who declined to disclose where she lives, or to be photographed, recalled hearing the sound of gunshots that night.

“I rushed to my window and I saw nothing. About an hour after, his (Ricardo) sister came to my house. I asked her, “Where is Rick? I called him Rick. She didn’t answer me,” Iona recalled. At that point sherealised that her lover was killed.

She admitted it would be very painful knowing that she would never see him again.

EC$1.50

Ricardo Roberts leaves behind a girlfriend who promises to cherish the last moments they had together.

Elric and Gloria Roberts, parents of the deceased, were obviously distraught.

Continued on Page 3.

PSU president locked out

by KENVILLE HORNE

Cools Vanloo claims his Presidency of the PSU is still in effect.

Joel Poyer, a member of the Interim Committee, says Vanloo is a dictator.

COOLS VANLOO has no immediate intention of giving up the Presidency of the Public Service Union (PSU).

In fact, Vanloo turned up at the McKie’s headquarters of the Union on Thursday 19th September, to chair an Executive Meeting, but met the doors to the meeting room locked.

There was only one other member of the Vanloo-led Executive present.

The meeting obviously never materialized, but what did was a heated argument among workers at the Union’s office.

All of this follows a September 10th meeting of a group of former executive members, union members, trustees of the Union, and four members of the Vanloo

executive, including the General Secretary, at which an Interim Committee was elected, with the objective of calling a general election to form a new executive.

This move Vanloo considers to be unconstitutional since, as he said, “there are another six months before general elections are constitutionally due.”

Continued on Page 3.

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2. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Feature

On diabetes, amputations and compliance

foot care and lower extremity amputations, in relation to patient noncompliance, health beliefs, diet, physical activity and demographics. I conducted a survey with diabetic patients at 6 clinics across the nation, including Sandy Bay, Chateaubelair, Stubbs, Campden Park, Kingstown, and Port Elizabeth- Bequia.

I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO the notice of While giving the survey, I sat with each readers the growing prevalence of diabetes individual and spoke to them about and lower-extremity amputations in St. proper foot care.

Vincent and the Grenadines. Diabetes A practice that seems to be very amputation rates on the neighboring island useful, but only demonstrated at some of Barbados are among the highest in the clinics, is a short informational session world. A study conducted in Barbados given by the nurse before she starts showed that inadequate footwear seeing patients. I observed this first independently tripled the risk of hand at the Sandy Bay Clinic, where in amputation. a clear, easy-to-understand manner, the I am currently pursuing my Master’s nurse talked to the patients about in Public Health at Nova Southeastern dealing with stress and how it can affect University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. As a your health; the topics are changed Vincentian by descent, I had the desire daily. to do my internship in St. Vincent and An area of concern is the patientthe Grenadines with the Ministry of doctor relationship and how much time Health, Wellness and the Environment. I is spent on preventative strategies. For chose to focus my project on diabetes, example, at the Port Elizabeth Health EDITOR’S NOTE: We are pleased to share these preliminary observations of Ms. Simone King on a matter that continues to be a major concern in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and look forward to sharing Ms. King’s final results on this relevant undertaking.

Simone King (3rd from left) received good support from the staff at the Chateaubelair Health Centre.

Centre in Bequia, nearly every patient answered on the survey that the doctor never checked their feet during regular visits. Diabetic patients should routinely take off their shoes and socks so that the doctor/nurse can examine their feet. It takes less than 3 minutes to give a proper foot exam, which can in turn help to prevent amputations.

I was fairly satisfied that a significant number of patients knew how to check their own feet for cuts, numbness, etc.

Another area of concern is the amount of persons with diabetes who walk down the road or in their yard barefoot, which can be very risky. The affordability and availability of certain healthy foods/snacks and proper foot wear, were among the complaints from patients and even some nursing staff.

In the weeks to come, I will be analyzing the results from my survey, and giving a comprehensive report to the Ministry of Health, Wellness & the Environment. I will give an update with my results to THE VINCENTIAN

Simone King also conducted a survey at the Stubbs Polyclinic, with the kind support of the nursing staff (pictured) there. newspaper as well.

Special thanks to Dr. Roger Duncan for his support throughout my project. I also appreciate the nurses, community health aides, health care professionals, diabetic patients, along with my friends and family for their cooperation during my stay in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Simone A. King simoneking26@gmail.com

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. 3.

News 3

PSU president locked out general body that removed Margaret London in similar fashion.

Vanloo, who has been at the helm of He explained that the PSU the Union for 6 years, is contending constitution is silent on removing the that he is unaware he has lost the president, “and where it is silent, the union members’ support. general body has to make decisions, “I don’t know if I have lost support which they did at a legally constituted in the PSU; I don’t think there is meeting.” anything to evidence that,” he said.

As far as Poyer is concerned, Vanloo According to him, he was elected is fighting to hold on when “the overwhelmingly at the last general general body doesn’t need him. meeting in 2012.

“The man is abusive to the people in When pressed about the low turnout his office, they are afraid of him,” of executive members to the meeting Poyer blurted. of September 19, Vanloo said he gave He said his involvement in the notice to the executive for them to matter is not a biased one. “I accepted continue the weekly meeting as my defeat, because I could have mandated by the constitution. “I challenged the result, but I said to him served notice to the executive by (Vanloo) before, the organization is email, and only one member from the bigger than us,” Poyer explained. executive turned up, but they were all In defending his decision not to notified. The office confirmed that open the meeting room, Poyer asserted they received a notice.” that Vanloo “is not a part of the Interim Committee, and the Interim The other side Committee is in charge. As a member, he can come and ask and I would give Vanloo accused Joel Poyer, a him; but he come as president making One of the doors to the Meeting Room at the PSU Headquarters, which Vanloo met closed when he turned up for a meeting he had called. member of the interim committee, of demands.” withholding the keys to the meeting doesn’t listen to no one.” door is closed on him. But the room.

Another view The former executive member did, embattled president is not giving up so But Poyer, who contested and lost however, credit Vanloo with doing easily. the position for Grievance Officer of A former executive member of the some good things for the organization.

According to him, “the interim the Union on two occasions, countered PSU, speaking on condition of Asked if he believes that Vanloo has committee has no control, for the by accusing Vanloo of being a dictator, anonymity, said that the manner in the support of his executive, he simple reason that the constitution is who had gerrymandered the last which the Interim Committee was responded, “It’s not about believing, I quite clear in terms of how an general election. established, was unconstitutional, but know he don’t have the support of the executive is removed from office. Of According to Poyer, when Vanloo like Poyer, the member accused the executive.” course, at the end of the day, the points accusation of the Interim union’s president of being a dictator.

With Vanloo’s 1st vice president, member can use whatever Committee being unconstitutional, he “ I am not happy with what was 2nd vice president, treasurer and constitutional or statutory instruments must be reminded that precedent is done, it’s unconstitutional , but he general secretary supporting the move that are available. My Presidency is set, since he (Vanloo) was part of the (Vanloo) caused that on himself. He to ‘evict’ him from office, it appears still in effect.” that the Continued from Frontpage.

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

N E W S

Free marijuana giveaways

by GLORIAH… THE BOULDER COUNTY in Colorado, USA, has been worst hit by ‘heavy rains’ and ‘catastrophic flooding’ occurring from around September 9th, 2013. This was caused by a “slow-moving cold front stalled over Colorado, clashing with warm humid monsoonal air from the south.”

As a result of this disaster, the town has been shut down, with the lives of tens of persons have being lost. Now residents are endeavouring to get the affairs of the county back to normal. The funny thing about Boulder County is that the smoking of ‘ganja’ is one of these normalcies. Going against the grain of what the residents of Boulder want, in A man checks out his joint as pro cannabis supporters handout free marijuana during a rally at November, 2013, they will be asked to vote to Denver Civic Center Park, September 09, 2013. approve a 15% marijuana sales tax.

According to the Daily Camera, a group of quipped, “I wish I could have gotten a bigger one individuals organized a marijuana giveaway event because there were blunts in there. I got probably for “medical marijuana patients and stressed-out the smallest one. But it’s okay. It’s free.” recreational users who may have lost their stashes The event was also organized as a protest against in the flooding.” This took place at Boulder’s the marijuana sales tax ballot. According to the bustling Pearl Street Mall. The organizers are noted as saying that persons have been “victimized” Denver Post, “despite long lines and a police presence, there were no arrests.” Flood relief by the floods and are in need of “flood relief”. One donations were accepted at the event.

27-year-old recreational user, Janet Osborn

Girlfriend will cherish last moments At this point in the interview, Iona broke down and retired to a bedroom of the house where she was.

Parents trying to cope Ricardo’s father and mother, Elric and Gloria Roberts, with whom Ricardo lived at Kingstown Park from birth, were trying to cope when THE VINCENTIAN visited their home on Wednesday.

Elric had spoken to his son in the public road at Kingstown Park about 20 minutes before he was killed. After speaking to his father, Ricardo went home, but according to Elric, “he came back out.

“I heard the shots, and somebody tell me is my son get shot. When I went up the road, he was lying on the ground, his lips and his eyes were still moving. I bend down over him and I close his eyes and his mouth. After I realised they were not moving anymore, I realized he was dead. It’s sad, we are shocked,” he related.

Elric said Ricardo was the 12th of his 16 children, four with his wife.

Ricardo leaves three children behind, two boys ages 8 and 2, and a girl 7.

At press time Wednesday, police were continuing their investigations into Ricardo’s death.

Twenty-three (23) homicides have been recorded, to date, for the year.

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4. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Drug sample envelope raises concerns said the police seal was placed on the envelope containing the MYSTERY surrounds the positioning of sample prior to it going to the laboratory. the seals on an envelope containing Crown Counsel Kareem the sample that was taken to be tested, in a drug related matter at the Nelson, leading the case for the prosecution, told the court Serious Offences Court.

The case involves Campden Park that from his observation, the labourer Raphique Baptiste, who is seal from the laboratory was transparent and that some charged with possession of 1,108 Defence Attorney, Crown Counsel words typed on the envelope grams of cocaine with intent to Kareem Nelson, Grant Connell, could be seen under the seal. supply. closed the case raised concern After examining the Upon examination of the for the about the envelope, Chief Magistrate envelope, during his crossprosecution after placement of seals Sonya Young requested the examination of Police Constable calling four on the evidence presence of the analyst, Fitzborne Chambers on Monday, witnesses.

Antoinette Fraser. She turned envelope.

Baptiste’s lawyer, Grant Connell, up about 20 minutes later and informed the Court that the police seal seemed to be over the evidence was summoned to the witness through. tape that was placed by the analyst stand.

Under cross-examination by at the St. Vincent and the Connell, Fraser said she could not Analyst testifies Grenadines Forensic Drug recall if the police seal was there Laboratory. when she received the sample.

Fraser, a certified forensic THE VINCENTIAN understands Under further cross-examination, scientist, attached to the SVG that the police are supposed to Fraser said the analysis usually Forensic Drug Laboratory, told the takes about two weeks, but it has to place their seals on the envelopes court that she collected samples containing the samples prior to be reviewed by another analyst of them going to the laboratory. When from Chambers, January 25, 2013, the same or higher qualification. to be tested. She said she analysed they get to the facility, one end of When Connell inquired as to the samples and returned them to the police seal is removed to take when the drug was analysed, the police. out the sample. After the drug is Fraser could not say, but she Responding to questions from the indicated that the date May 2, 2013 tested, it is put back into the prosecutor, Fraser said the tape envelope and the analyst then on the certificate was when it was from the laboratory was places tape on the envelope, which issued. is supposed to be the final tape used translucent, and when the Asked by Connell whether there prosecutor asked what she meant, to seal the envelope. was any documentation to show she explained that it could be seen P.C. Chambers, in his evidence, that procedure had been followed and the substance that was analysed was reviewed in accordance with procedure, Fraser said, “No.”

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

The circumstances P.C. Chambers had testified that on November 19, 2012, acting on information received, he headed a party of drug squad personnel to Arnos Vale where he met Baptiste and another man outside a business place.

They identified themselves as police in plain clothes and requested a search.

Nothing illegal was found on their persons. The officers then went to a vehicle, which Baptiste indicated was driven by him, and a black plastic bag containing a substance resembling that of cocaine was found on the left passenger seat in front. Baptiste denied knowledge of the bag.

Under crossexamination Chambers said the vehicle was unlocked, and agreed that it could have been accessed by anyone.

The prosecution closed its case following the testimonies of four witnesses, including three police officers and the analyst.

Connell is expected to make a submission, in writing, by October 7, to which the prosecution will respond by October 14.

The Chief Magistrate will give her decision, October 23.

Ex-cop: ‘Gays in the police force’ A FORMER MEMBER of the local constabulary told the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, “There are gays in the police force.”

Andy Richards, facing charges of assault, indecent language, possession of an offensive weapon, and damage to property, levelled the allegation while Crown Counsel Kareem Nelson was crossexamining him in relation to aspects of his evidence in Ex-cop Andy connection with an incident Richards needled the at Heritage Square, May local constabulary as 12, 2012. having gays within its “What is your position on ranks. homosexuality? Are you homophobic or pro gay?” the Crown Counsel asked.

“What homophobic means?” Richards inquired.

“It is when you have a hatred for homosexuals,” Nelson explained.

“There are gays in the police force, I had to work with them,” the former police constable said. Nelson then told Richards he was not answering the question. Richards replied, “I like them, I don’t love them.”

When contacted on Tuesday, Acting Commissioner of Police Michael Charles told THE VINCENTIAN that during his 32 years in the local constabulary, he had no knowledge of homosexuality in the force. He added however, “I don’t go about asking people their sexual preferences.”

Richards was accused of committing the offences, May 12, 2012 when he was a serving police officer.

THE VINCENTIAN understands that Richards was dismissed from the constabulary.

Woman, son charged after court fracas A WOMAN and her son appeared in court on Tuesday in connection with a fracas outside the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Susan Samuel Raffique Raffique was granted Samuel was Samuel of bail. remanded.

Redemption Sharpes is charged with resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer, threats to kill Kamal King of Redemption Sharpes and attempting to interfere with Kamal King, a witness in a judicial proceeding, after he had given evidence.

Raffique’s mother, Susan Samuel, also of Redemption Sharpes, has been charged with assaulting and obstructing a police officer.

When the mother appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, her matters were transferred to the Serious Offences Court. She was released on $500 bail with one surety, but her son was remanded when he appeared at the Serious Offences Court.

The prosecution had objected to bail for the son, on the grounds that Kamal King, who is living in the same area with the accused persons, is fearful for his life.

The matters were adjourned to December 13.

Attorney Jomo Thomas is representing the Samuels.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. 5.

Regional

Call to legalise ganja heightens

A LEADING CARIBBEAN jurist is the latest to join in calling for the decriminalisation of the use of inconsequential amounts of marijuana.

Chief Justice Ivor Archie has The Trinidad and Tobago added his voice in support of Chief Justice Ivor Archie made partial decriminalization of the call during his speech at the ganja. opening of that country’s law term on Monday 16th September.

As far as Chief Justice Archie is concerned, a move in this direction will help to unclog the criminal justice system in Trinidad and Tobago where the backlog of cases has been a major bother to the country’s judiciary for many years now.

The issue of decriminalization of marijuana as it relates to its use for medicinal purposes, was broached recently by Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar Gonsalves, who called for has once again acquiesced to “serious discussion”’ of the issue am initiative by her colleague at the CARICOM Heads of Head, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

Government level, and had

written to sitting Chairperson of CARICOM Heads, Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar of Trinidad and Tobago, urging same.

This initiative by Dr. Gonsalves appears to have received due consideration. PM Persad-Bissessar confirmed, following the 27th meeting of the bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Community, held in Port-ofSpain on Tuesday 17th September, that CARICOM leaders agreed to engage each other on this hot topic, and has promised

by February 2014 to make available

Governments-Public Sector Unions to meet IN WHAT SOME OBSERVERS have described as an unprecedented action, Governments of the Eastern Caribbean Monetary Council are to meet with representatives of the public sector trade unions, to discuss the subregion’s delicate fiscal position and the implications of wage and pensions negotiations in the future.

According to St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony, who chairs the Monetary Council, “With wages and pensions forming such a large part of government’s

Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat and Anguilla are members of the Eastern Caribbean Monetary Council.

expenditure, it is now vital that there is common ground on those issues.”

He continued: “We will also need to be very frank and open with the Trade Unions and Public Associations across the region to help them understand even better the real challenges and issues that we face because the nature of the adjustments that are required as we move forward are serious and will require understanding among and between all parties involved.” .

Anthony said while governments agree to embark on various initiatives to stabilise and grow the region’s economies, the true success was based on the understanding and appreciation of the particular initiatives by citizens and sector which would be impacted.

“Never before do we require as much understanding of the challenges and the issues as we require at this time,” he added.

Interestingly, Dr. Anthony’s initiative comes amidst expressed concerns about the number of jobs being lost in St. Lucia.

The National Workers Union (NWU) in St. Lucia, the largest on the island,

research data on decriminalising the use of small amounts of marijuana.

The recent Conference of Heads of Government of the Community involved sitting Chairperson of CARICOM PM Kamala Persad-Bissessar, incoming Chair (2014) of CARICOM PM Dr. Ralph

Gonsalves, Barbados PM Freundel Stuart and CARICOM Secretary General Irbin LaRocque. Immediate past chairman of the conference, Haiti’s president Michel Martelly, joined the discussion via video conferencing.

(Source: Caribbean News Now)

Action suggested include full clearance of travelers only at the initial port of entry.

Right: Dr Loraine Nicholas, Programme Officer in the OECS Secretariat’s Economic Affairs Division, said that the workshop focused on providing definitive advice to the relevant ministerial councils.

sharing; and harmonisation of standard operating procedures and improvements to service quality at OECS borders.

Some of the changes proposed at the workshop include the reconfiguration of AGAINST A BACKDROP of recent infrastructure and facilities at airports. increased complaints about the service provided by LIAT, Immigration Officers In addition to immigration checkpoints, in the OECS are going ahead with fine- there should also be separate gates or channels for intra-regional travelers to tuning an action plan aimed at facilitating ease of travel within the sub- distinguish them from other categories of visitors. It was also suggested that the region. regulations for immigration and customs Chief Immigration Officers and should be harmonised due to variations Comptrollers of Customs met in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, September that currently exist across the region relating to areas such as accompanied 11-12, 2013, in a workshop which, baggage allowances and maximum according to Dr Loraine Nicholas, currency allowances.

Programme Officer in the OECS The OECS Secretariat also committed Secretariat’s Economic Affairs Division, focused on providing definitive advice to to coordinating a regional training the relevant ministerial councils, on any programme for border control officers in changes necessary, whether in respect of the final quarter of this year. The training will cover areas such as legislation, regulations, administrative customer service, good practices and practice, infrastructure or otherwise, to standard operating procedures. It is operationalise the actions that have intended that this training would been agreed at the technical level or provide a basis for the development of a political level. training manual for border control The workshop follows on a January officers in the OECS. Meeting at which the OECS Council of Support from the European Union in Tourism Ministers approved action facilitating ease of travel across OECS areas to facilitate ease of travel within the OECS, which include: full clearance member states is being provided under the project Economic Integration and of travelers only at the initial port of Trade of the OECS Region. (Source: entry; harmonisation of procedures to Caribbean News Now) collect departure taxes; enhanced compatibility of software for information

Easing travel in the OECS Dr. Kenny Anthony has recognised the need for common ground between Public Sector workers and their Governments. says it is extremely unfortunate that St.Lucia has failed to grasp timely opportunities to structure a plan aimed at job security and economic stabilization.

The Union, however, recognizing the need to avoid confrontation in the trying economic times, says stakeholders … must come together and devise a plan to arrest the crisis before it gets any worse.

The move by the Governments of the Eastern Caribbean Monetary Council may be one step in this direction.

(Source: Caribbean 360 News)

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6. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

News

An artist’s impression of the proposed Wildlife Conservation and Education Centre.

Vincy Parrot in focus

SVG, in this case Germany.

MINISTER OF Caesar told the AGRICULTURE, Saboto audience that since then, Caesar, has hailed the his ministry has had an relationship between the excellent working relation Government and people of with ACTP, so much so, St. Vincent and the he said he would continue Grenadines and the to recommend the Association for the relationship with ACTP, Conservation of Threatened especially since, in the Parrots (ACTP) as an event of a large scale excellent one. natural disaster, there is Caesar’s praise of the a place to go “where there non-profit organization is a population of natural came during a press birds from which we can conference and a repatriate to SVG.” handing-over ceremony of ACTP representative three 4WD vehicles, at to SVG, Jurgen Dienst, the Forestry Division said that since the Headquarters, Campden agreement was signed in Park, Monday 23rd 2011, “we have been able September. to form 15 parrots which are scientifically good for Breeding loan agreement breeding, and that is a good start to do what we The ACTP, based in wanted to do, to have Germany, is dedicated to more birds available for preserving endangered bringing back whenever birds and their habitats the plans call for it.” worldwide, by using rare He said ATCP believes parrot species as there is a necessity to flagships. increase the numbers Since the early 1980s, “because that gives us the the Forestry Division and potential to get more the Ministry of stocks and to get more Agriculture have been parrots.” facing the challenge of sustaining any Friends indeed meaningful conservation efforts geared towards The ACTP generosity ensuring that the to the government and population of SVG’s people of SVG is Parrot, Amazona unquestionable. Recently Guildingii, remain viable. the sum of $150,000 was This challenge did not allocated by the ACTP for go unnoticed, and in 2006 the formulation and the government of SVG conceptualization of a approved a proposal national helping hands presented by ACTOP, for programme to assist a technical partnership to farmers to purchase conserve the national fertilizers. And the bird, both within and Ministry of Agriculture is outside its natural expected to receive a habitat. contribution of 100,000 What followed (in highbred banana plants 2011) was a breeding loan from Israel, compliments agreement for the the ACTP. purpose of developing a In addition, $42,000 captured stock outside of will be allocated for the

by KENVILLE HORNE

Saboto Caesar, Minister of Agriculture, spoke of the assurance of having a ‘source of parrots’ from which the stock here can be replenished, in the event of a disaster. purchasing of equipment for the Forestry Division.

Caesar noted that $406,000 have already been allocated by the ACTP for the construction of a Wildlife Conservation and Education Centre at the Botanic Gardens.

Monday’s gathering got a view of an artist’s impression of the state of the art facility.

The three jeeps, to be use by the Forestry Division in its conservation efforts, are estimated at a value of $210,000.

Meanwhile, four persons from the media will travel to Berlin, Germany, to see where the parrots are being housed, and to get a firsthand impression of what is being done at the breeding facility. The trip is being funded by the ACTP. Statistics from the Forestry Division show that there are approximately 850 parrots currently in the wild here. This is an improvement from around 400 in the mid 1980s.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. 7.

News

Teachers ensuring property protection property.

This is also the age of technology, and Lewis is promoting the use of enhanced security measures for protecting one’s earnings.

worthy one. “I support it,” he outlined.

IF YOU ARE IN St. Vincent and He spoke of the 24-hour the Grenadines and security of monitoring service that his your property is a concern, the company offers.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines “We could monitor all the Teachers Cooperative Credit systems that we sell. We could Union will end your worries. also trigger an alarm before They will provide a loan for you. the persons enters,” he pointed Ezekiel Richards, SVG Security services on out.

TCCU’s Marketing and He promoted his services as show Alex Williams, Senior Engineer at Development Manager, “preventative” security.

Williams Electronics, oversees his stressed the point that the A number of Roger Adams, Managing firm’s electronic surveillance system Teachers Cooperative Credit security service Director of Adams Brothers display.

Union was open to all, when providers took part in Engineering Limited, located he addressed the launch of a members, once the demand the exhibition. at Arnos Vale, is happy that Home and Security Exhibition, was there.

Francis G Providence, Chief the Teachers Cooperative at the Teachers Cooperative Members can borrow up to Executive Officer of Credit Union has latched onto Credit Union Business $10,000, but more money is Providence Electronic the need to encourage Complex, last Wednesday. available if the member Solutions, one of the providers enhanced security for home Richards pointed out that qualifies. represented, said, “We provide owners. members could buy land, build Her comments came after everything in security.”

His firm specialises in gates a home and ensure that the Teachers Credit Union His booth showed electronic no matter how large. Anything investment was fully secured. President Dwight Lewis, who security devices, burglar made from wrought iron can Nekeisha Adams, Loans described the intention of alarms, cameras, intercom and be had from ABEL. They have Manager and Acting Chief bringing stakeholders in the electromagnetic locks. been in operation for the past Executive Officer at the security business together as Jules Williams of Williams 35 years.

Teachers Cooperative Credit being one to ensure maximum Electronic Services found the Also on show at the Union, announced that her benefits for members. venture by the Teachers Teachers Credit Union institution was “ready and He stressed the importance Cooperative Credit Union a Exhibition was Third Eye willing” to provide loans to of persons securing their

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

Ezekiel Richards, SVG TCCU’s Marketing and Development Manager, said that his Credit Union was moving to ensure their members’ investments (home) were secured.

Security System SVG. Office Manager Shevonne Deshong described the services they provide and highlighted their security measures.

Deshong highlighted their GPRS (General packet radio service) vehicular tracking device.

She endorsed the Teachers Cooperative Credit Union’s venture and described it as “brilliant.”

Other exhibitors were Brackin Welding Services, Shepherds Trading, Culture Man, Unique Alliance, Guardsman SVG Ltd, and Coreas Hazells Incorporated.

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8. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 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

Of a Code of Ethics THE CONCERNS of Parnel Campbell Q.C., as carried in brief in THE VINCENTIAN’S issue of September 20, attracted the type of reaction that was anticipated, especially from members of the legal profession.

Sadly, many of those who commented, sigled out Mr. Campbell’s comments for attack and/or support, and may have lost sight of the more telling appeal: that of Justice Gertel Thom who called for priority consideration to be given to the enactment of the Legal Profession Act. Campbell’s concerns, in essence, were ‘details’ in support of why the learned Justice’s call should be heeded sooner than later.

If shark jump out of the sea and say barracuda no longer has teeth, are we not going to give some weight to that ‘news’? Those whom the cap fits will obviously feel a pinch of conscience by the ‘concerns’ expressed by Mr. Campbell.

What is pellucid in all of this, Justice Thom and Mr. Campbell’s pronouncements, is that they both point to something that needs ‘fixing’.

Public perception of lawyers is often not a commendable one, and if we are to discontinue believing that perception is ninety percent of the truth, the onus is on those at whom fingers are being pointed, on the honourable legal fraternity, to convince us otherwise.

What it boils down to, whether it is a Legal Profession Act or some other appellation, is that, like all other professions, the legal profession here is in need of a strict Code of Ethics, if it doesn’t already have one.

Codes of Ethics are as old as antiquity. Religions and cultures have codes on which they are founded. The Ten Commandments provide the basis on which Judaism, Christianity and Islam are founded.

Codes carry general obligations and admonitions, but they also encourage a culture of excellence. Why, therefore, would a profession as old as the legal profession not want to enact on itself something that dictates behavior and conduct, yes, but which, one and at the same time encourages pride, productivity and high standards?

A Code of Ethics, simply put, is a set of principles of conduct within an organization that guides decision-making and behavior. The purpose of the code is to offer guidelines to help inform members of a certain profession to make ethical choices. (Those who subscribe to the axiom that there is no morality in the law, may be wont to say this is an oxymoron.) But professional integrity is and will always be the foundation of credibility.

Lawyers, like any other grouping of professionals, must not be afraid to embrace a Code of Ethics that encourages dedication to ethical behavour and standards of practice.

That is why an appropriately designed code is considered to be a form of legislation, with specific sanctions for violation of the code. If such sanctions are absent, the code is just a list of pieties, pie in the sky, not worth the paper on which it is written. And those sanctions, if there is not going to be any doubt about their purpose, must extend to the severest level — dismissal from the clan… excommunication as church law would label it.

But we must hasten to add that a distinction exists between law and ethics. Obeying the law is the minimum level of ethical conduct expected by each member of society; but ethical behavior includes more than simply legal behavior, as any lawyer would know.

From young, the noble code enforced on us is that it is naughty, bad, unethical, (a sin in some religions) to lie. But interestingly, lying is against the law, only under certain limited circumstances: lying under oath is perjury. The challenge for the legal profession is one that speaks to whether or not it is prepared to go beyond strict legality and demand a ‘higher’ standard.

When all is said and done, a Code of Ethics is a formal document (one with teeth) rather than merely an ‘understanding’, or just an aspect of ‘corporate culture’, as the business fraternity might refer to it.

The seriousness of the Code is borne out in some organizations by the stipulation that their members sign a statement to the effect that they have read, understood it, and accept it in its entirety.

Would a profession like the legal profession enforce such strict standards on itself?

And, as we like to say, if the truth be told, all of the fore-mentioned bear relevance to all other professions, including the noble one of journalism.

The Ganja Saga: A moral dilemma (A re-print of 27/11/ 98)

I could always depend on political associate, business-man Eddy Griffith, to stand bail for my clients. Eddie would simply enquire the nature of the crime: “Ganja, yes; theft, No!” The reason was that Eddie read a lot, including scientific journals, and concluded that the cases concerning the dangers as a habit-forming and mindblowing drug, were based on sand. Eddie informed that alcohol and cigarette were worse than drugs, and that ganja had fallen victim to ignorance, prejudice and trickery.

In those days, Brother Griffith was seen as a harmless crank or something of a mad scientist!

The Forum was split on the matter.

Parnel Campbell, for instance, subscribed to the anti-ganja school. I recall that in a letter to the press, Parnel sealed the argument with a simple statement: if he saw a pilot about to take-off having a drink or two, he would wink at it; but if he saw him drawing on a spliff, he would cancel his flight.

Suddenly, evidence of the medicinal potency of the marijuana plant hit me straight in the eye. Vincentian Ophthalmologist Dr. Albert Lockhart, a contemporary of the Grammar School and the University of the West Indies, had discovered Canasol - an antidote to glaucoma in an eye-drop using marijuana as a base.

My own eyes opened and I began to read widely. I suspect that a Churchillian saying applied to my own ingrained bigotry. Its essence reads that man sometimes stumbles on the truth, but invariably he picks himself up and scampers away. In other words, I was not about to accept any teaching that went against the grain of my early brainwashing.

My mechanical defenses collapsed only three years ago with a visit to the city of Amsterdam in Holland.- There, people could buy ganja over the counter in coffee shops. Indeed in a horticulture shop, I saw marijuana seeds in transparent plastic bags marked with instructions “how to grow your own cannabis”.

Yet Amsterdam displays far fewer junkies, proportionately speaking, than there are in straight- laced cities with stiff upper lips. And independent evidence suggests that marijuana smoking does not necessarily pave the way to hard drugs.

THIS ARTICLE BEGINS as a personal tract. In September 1960, I went to Jamaica to study at the Mona Campus of the U.C.W.I. At that time, I was completely ignorant of the existence of marijuana, ganja, weed, Indian Hemp or whatever.

Kingston, Jamaica was then like an armed camp owing to the antics of Reverend Claudius Henry whose followers, mostly Rasta, threatened insurrection after he failed to keep his promised date of 5th October 1960 to take them back to Africa.

Thereafter, the Rasta movement surged in the people’s consciousness, generating fear in particular concerning their looks, attitude and the use of the ganja plant, which their religion teaches to be the herb in Genesis that imparts wisdom to its users.

It was generally known, even at that time, that ganja was considered a panacea in folk medicine.

My own landlord, Eric Smith, experienced the time of his life on Friday afternoons when he evaded the police to bring home a pound or two of marijuana, strictly for medicinal purpose. Mr. Smith swore by marijuana tea which, for him, was the sole cure for his ulcerated stomach which expert physicians has failed to heal.

I returned to St Vincent in 1964 to find that among the youth, Rastafarianism had begun to raise its dread-locks head, and that marijuana was being cultivated to supply the sacred herb needed in Rasta worship.

Naturally, legal proscription of the plant stimulated an artificial demand that in turn enhanced its commercial value, so a few began to derive earnings from its cultivation.

Another sojourn abroad, 1967-1971 - to the U.K on this occasion —and my return home to witness that the Rasta Movement had indeed taken root, and ganja was grown in commercial quantities, while the marijuana cases abounded in the Court.

Not only that, reports began to surface to the extent that most mental cases could be attributed to the use of the “drug”, and that the Government and the Court had embarked on a hard line against the offenders.

I never smoked marijuana, cigarettes or anything else in my entire life. But owing to political connections relating to the Black Power Movement, I did find myself in Court defending alleged Ganja pushers and smokers in the 1970s, including Junior “Spirit” Cottle.

Continued on Page 12.

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Dishonest Judgement Abuse WHEN WE abuse government services, we suffer from more Income Tax to pay for the abuses.

We abuse government vehicles, government toilets, government telephones, government gas, government offices, government lights, and government money. Can I say government allows these abuses for too long, and it is time something be done rather than tax us? Governments will always get ‘dem hans’ in Dodo because of their will to stay in power.

Crime in SVG Well, Mr. Jeremy G (USA) (See THE VINCENTIAN of August 9, 2013) I have read your suggestions for tackling crimes in SVG. That suggestion is far from our problem with crime in SVG. The judicial system in SVG for years was a problem — questionable practitioners, cases before the court for over ten years, not enough punishment for persons who have favourite lawyers - no social and community programmes will stop crimes when the U.S keeps handing out all kinds of manual. They started out by sending us a manual to take the strap out of schools. One of the big manuals was human rights. The worst of the manuals handed out is same sex marriage. Can I say the same sex manual is an aim to curb the world population when everything tried before fail?

The other manual was to stop weed cultivation in our region, while they came up with the idea to plant for medicinal purposes. How come they did not buy weed from us? I say they will not buy from us because they want to plant bigger fields for medicinal purposes.

Can’t we send them a manual to tract the sale of guns? Am I right to say we will have to write our own manuals which will allow us to plant our weed for export only, and jail those who are caught smoking? (Ha, ha, perfect idea).

LIAT

Senator Jomo Thomas I WANT TO OFFER my congratulations to the three new government senators. I also want to say that, while Camillo Gonsalves and Luke Browne were foregone conclusions, I was honestly surprised by Jomo Thomas’s appointment.

Not long ago, it appeared to me that Jomo was setting himself up as some sort of alternative to the ULP and the NDP. He had with him some persons of integrity, like Oscar Allen and Ronnie Daniel, who is younger than I am, but from what I understand, is a young man of true worth. I was all ready to support that effort.

You will understand therefore, how surprised I was then, when Jomo accepted to be made a government senator. I suppose he had little choice since he could not get in as an opposition senator, and there is nothing in our system for Independent Senators.

The lesson for me in all this is that Dr. Gonsalves has an uncanny ability to eventually win over anyone who seems to give him a run for his money. Jomo will now have to sing from the same song sheet as Dr. Gonsalves, regardless of how much he (Jomo) sings out of tune.

I wonder if Jomo would be brave enough to call for Integrity legislation.

Garnet, N.Y.

No to ganja ALLOW ME the space in your newspaper to air my views on this call to legalise marijuana. I am a young man of eighteen years old, and I think I should have my say.

From the start, I want to say that I disagree with the call to legalise marijuana under any conditions whatsoever.

I must ask: Did our Prime Minister think before he made his statement? Doesn’t he know his people, who if you give them an inch, they would take a mile?

If marijuana is allowed even for use as medicine, do you think it would ease up the problem of abuse in any way?

Since this talk of legalization, I have heard many youths my age and even younger saying how they can’t wait for this legalization.

Somehow, the call to

I can’t agree more with Jane P about LIAT. LIAT for years operated like a passenger van style around the Caribbean. I have seen people running to the aircraft with their hands full of bags. I have seen people running into the control tower to flag down LIAT. I have seen people sleeping on each other at airports to catch LIAT. I have seen people sleeping naked because LIAT left their clothes. I have seen over weight passengers thrown off because the aircraft was too heavy.

We Caribbean people always travel with too many problems. We are always late for the flight. It is not easy for LIAT to juggle all these ‘miss comings’ on our part. I have to give the clergyman some credit; he saw the need to keep LIAT in the sky; if not we would have been on a ram goat vessels travelling around the Caribbean.

LIAT is always trying to accommodate us with the passenger van style: accommodating who are late for their meeting; stopping to pick up those who flag them down; SLAVERY of Africans was an historic delaying to catch those wrong — there is no doubt about that. coming on international It ranks high, if not the highest, among evil acts of the past. flights; delaying to Regardless of what is done, satisfy those pilots who enslavement of Africans can never be always want more repaired. money. Look at our As it stands, the slaves are dead, passenger van style: their first offspring are dead. In that Can’t we see LIAT is sense, this is morally different from doing its best? say, reparations for the Jews for the treatment they suffered at the hands Spy

legalise marijuana, even as a medicine, seems to be relaying the impression that it is ok to use marijuana.

Marijuana abuse is a real problem among the youths here. It is the first step to use of harder drugs. I have seen that happening in my community. And the trade is caught up in a lot of criminality. To call for legalization is to give the impression that we have given up on this problem and are giving in to the criminals.

So you see, Mr. Editor, I am afraid that, even if we give in on this matter a little bit, we will be giving into the criminals who live off of the sweat of others.

Mr. Prime Minister, please re-think your position.

(Name withheld by request)

The ‘value’ of reparations of the Bazis. The reparations for the Jews could have and were paid to actual individuals who had suffered.

The question: How can you ever come up with an amount, a value, so to speak, that could be agreed for suffering inflicted on Africans? In that sense, the past of slavery could never be corrected.

Raymond J.

* Is the computer game ‘CANDY CRUCH’ the most popular one among Civil Servants during their working hours? * Which one was started first, the Cumberland Playing Field or the Park Hill Playing Field?

Which one was completed first? * Is there any drug testing in place for our sportsmen and sportswomen here? * Now that we have a test to check what we’re paying for phone calls, when are we going to test to see if the internet service we are getting is really what the providers advertise?

Marijuana, alcohol and more WHEN OUR Prime Minister raised the issue of decriminalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes, there was much consternation. Some agreed and others wanted to know if our Prime Minister had gone mad.

I wonder what those who opposed the Prime Minister are saying now that a man of high standing, the Chief Justice in Trinidad and Tobago, has come out in support of our Prime Minister’s initiative.

For those who still find arguments against what our Prime Minister has advanced, if they want something to really talk about, they should go after alcohol, cigarettes and all the junk food. All of these cause much more damage to the population, and cost the country, our country, much more in dollars and cents than marijuana.

And, by the way, while I am on the issue of alcohol, perhaps our Prime Minister could think of imposing that special alcohol tax on ‘strong rum’.

Short and Sweet

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Refreshing the Unity Labour Party The issue ON THURSDAY, September 19th, 2013, at the meeting of the House of Assembly, the ULP administration continued the process of refreshing the party in preparation for work leading up to, and beyond the next general election, constitutionally due by 2015.

It is a process that all serious political parties have to undertake; to adapt and change, if they are to avoid becoming a dinosaur. The ULP, therefore, is cognizant of this factor.

The voters in St.Vincent and the Grenadines are also cognizant of this factor. They are looking at the way political parties like the ULP, that is looking for a fourth term in office, adapts and changes, thus refreshing itself, while maintaining the bedrock principle of “people centred development”.

The process of refreshing is also a response to the issues and problems which arise, or may arise, in the environment in which the political party operates. In the case of the ULP administration, it has to address the current global economic and fiscal situation and the way it is impacting on the economic conditions here.

And so the leadership of the ULP has to pay attention to the domestic scene, as well as the regional and the international environment. That is why the process of refreshing is important and critical. It does not matter if other political parties change, or do not want to change. It is crucial that the ULP itself adapt and engage in a process of refreshing.

Thomas and Browne.

NDP has increased its negative and nasty propaganda against Senator Jomo Thomas, perhaps because they consider him the most skilful debater of the three senators. Only time will tell, but expect all three senators to give a good account of themselves in the House of Assembly.

Further refreshing

So far, a number of new appointments have been made in the Public Service, as the ULP administration continues the process of refreshing. A new Cabinet Secretary is in place, as well as a new Chief Personnel Officer. There is also a new appointee as Permanent Secretary, and a new Ambassador to the United Nations.

All this as the government gets ready to embark on another stage of its robust public sector programme.

Next month, the ULP administration will sign the contract for the rehabilitation of the Leeward Highway, from the Hospital Road area to Buccament. The Banana Accompanying Measures project has moved another step closer to implementation, bringing benefits to banana farmers and the industry as a whole. The Langley Park bridge is being repaired, and the government is getting ready to implement a number Three new Senators of other infrastructure projects.

The Argyle International Airport After much speculation, three project is moving full steam ahead. senators on the government side of the House of Assembly were sworn in. Last week, the IADC began laying the Senator Camillo Gonsalves is now the base for the paving of the runway. In Parliament recently, the government Minister responsible for Foreign secured approval for a loan from the Affairs, Foreign Trade, Consumer Affairs and IT. Senator Luke Browne Bank of Nova Scotia, for the purchase is the Parliamentary Secretary in the of three fire engines for the airport.

Over the next nine months or so, Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture; and Senator Jomo Thomas, is there will be a hive of activity at the project site at Argyle, as the intensity the Deputy Speaker of the House of of the work increases.

Assembly.

All three possess a wealth of The NDP has nothing to offer intelligence that is the envy of most persons. Two of them, Camillo In the face of this refreshing by the Gonsalves and Jomo Thomas have ULP, the NDP has nothing to offer legal backgrounds, while Luke Browne is grounded in economics and but dirty propaganda and backward thinking. Their founding father, Sir statistics. All three are committed to James Mitchell, has urged them to rethe development of the people of think, refresh, and get new St.Vincent and the Grenadines. All leadership. Not so Arnhim Eustace. three are grounded in the belief that He continues to lead his party in the ULP administration has done the same old tired way. The people of more than any other party, to develop SVG have a clear choice to make: this country. And all three senators Genuine creativity, boldness and will bring their education and progress offered by the ULP or analytical skills, as well as their intellectual lethargy, fear, and successful community work, to bear stagnation by the NDP. on the development process, on the When all the negative campaign by strategies and decisions to be taken the NDP and its white colonialist by the ULP administration, as the advisers are over, when their pullingULP continues the process of “people down of decent people is done, when centred development”. their anti-Ralph bashing bears no The debate in the House of result, what really does the NDP have Assembly will be sharp, robust and on offer for the people of SVG? The interesting. Already the three answer: Literally little or nothing! senators have demonstrated sharp That is why the people of this intellect and wit, during their initial country are applauding the ULP presentations in the House. This will get better, and the Opposition NDP is administration on the choice of the three new senators. It is the ULP that not relishing the thought of locking is the party of change in St. Vincent horns with Senators Gonsalves, and the Grenadines.

The ULP’s empty promises DURING the 2001 general elections campaign, the ULP made a number of promises to the electorate of this country. Some of those promises were: to be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime; moving resolutely against corruption in government; and making job creation especially quality jobs and sustainable economic development their main priorities. Today, after twelve years, Vincentians are still waiting for the ULP to deliver on those promises.

Foremost among the questions Vincentians are asking is: Where are the jobs that were promised by the ULP? Instead of providing jobs for Vincentians, when they got into power, they dismissed over six hundred (600) poor and working class Vincentians who were perceived to be supporters of the NDP. Those workers were mainly cleaners of schools and watchmen.

Presently, there are thousands of young people who have graduated from various educational institutions and are at home unemployed, still waiting for the quality jobs.

And the private sector is not in any position to create employment. This is because the government owes the private sector over $60 million, coupled with the fact that there isn’t any meaningful economic development in the country to stimulate economic growth. The ULP has mismanaged the country’s economy and has failed to provide the quality jobs that were promised, and it is time for the Prime Minister to call general elections, so that Vincentians will have the opportunity to elect the NDP to govern this country.

Also, the ULP promised to be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime, but we have seen the opposite.

It would appear that the ULP administration does not have any solution to the crime situation in this country. Crime has increased significantly since the ULP came to power. And the only solution the ULP offered was to construct a new prison on prime agricultural land, to house those who break the law. The government in its twelve (12) years in power has not presented to this nation a programme of substance that would effectively reduce criminal activities.

The ULP must take the blame and responsibility for the increase of crime in this country because when the NDP was in office, the ULP blamed the NDP for the increase of crime.

One of the main functions of government is to provide adequate security for its citizens. This government has failed to do just that.

Research has shown that there is a correlation between crime, poverty and unemployment. Today, unemployment is at its highest in living memory in this country, so too is poverty.

In addition, the ULP promised to move resolutely against corruption in government. In its 2001 manifest the ULP declares, “The ULP is committed to waging a war against corruption in government, and the ULP will make government clean and transparent.”

Have we seen any war on corruption?

Is there any transparency in the ULP administration? What we have had so far from the ULP is corruption and more corruption. The Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, is yet to answer a question that was asked in parliament by the Honourable Arnhim Eustace in relation to the US$1

million that was deposited at the then National Commercial Bank, now Bank of St. Vincent. There were also accusations of misconduct by senior civil servants in the Ministries of Health and Agriculture, and other wrongdoings in other government departments. Were any investigations or disciplinary actions taken against any senior employee of the government? Instead, they were either transferred or promoted.

Vincentians were also promised by the ULP that they would have introduced integrity legislation. One senior member of the ULP said that if integrity legislation was not introduced in one hundred (100) days, don’t look for him. Where is that individual today? We are still waiting on the introduction of integrity legislation in parliament. Why is the ULP government afraid to present integrity legislation to this country’s Parliament?

Crime Most Vincentians consider crime and the fear of crime as one of their major concerns in the country. The NDP shares the nation’s concern. We are determined to do all we can to protect citizens from crime and the fear of crime. `The NDP believes that wellplanned crime prevention strategies will not only prevent crime, but will also contribute to the social and economic well being of our country.

The safety and security of our citizens and their families is one of our main priorities. Fighting crime must start at the community level. It is only when each one of us contributes to the process that we can have effective and lasting solutions. Stake holders’ participation is one of the central pillars in the NDP’s policy of zero tolerance on crime.

The NDP’s policy on zero tolerance on crime will identify and promote innovative ways of reducing and preventing crime. This plan will be supported by strategic research, practical policies and community participation. This will greatly enhance the national capacity for crime prevention.

The NDP believes that government’s first responsibility is to protect its citizens by building a strong, safe community. Therefore, our elected leaders must send the strongest message to people who commit crimes, that they will be caught, prosecuted and appropriately punished. And the law abiding majority needs to believe that they can live their lives free from fear, knowing that the Criminal Justice System works for them.

The next NDP government will reform our Criminal Justice System, the AG’s Chambers, the Judicial System and the Prisons. Our priorities are clear: better prevention and detection of crime, more effective prosecution of criminals and enhance rehabilitation to reduce the revolving doors offenders. We will deliver tough action on drug dealing and crimes of violence, and will strike a balance between punishment and rehabilitation, and give our police and prosecutors the manpower, tools and financial resources they need to make St. Vincent and the Grenadines a safe and liveable country.

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Uncompromising principles Why I became a ULP Senator “If we work upon marble, it will perish; If we work upon brass, time will efface it; If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust; But if we work upon men’s immoral minds and imbue them with high principles, with the just fear of God and love of their fellow man; we engrave on those tablets something which no time can efface, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity.” Daniel Webster (1782–1852) American lawyer & statesman, US senator, secretary of state, orator Speech at Faneuil Hall, Boston, in 1852 The genesis of this article’s title originally emerged as I contemplated the regularity with which so many leaders and “respectable individuals” appear to compromise their principles for personal enjoyment or gain. The newspapers capture stories of individuals in “high places” who lie, cheat, steal, and engage in illicit sexual activities and so on to get ahead. And yet, while they may appear to use these avenues for temporary gain, the truth of the matter is that they constantly sink in the quicksand of moral sewerage; a graphic description of moral and societal degradation.

However, this article is intended to show another way; to illuminate a nobler path; to invite our leaders and followers to champion the cause of walking along the narrow path to high moral practices and uncompromising principles. Such behaviours take individuals, and society, to a cleaner, more productive existence. We then move to a higher plane of sparkling, righteous living - providing hope for this and successive generations.

There are some who will argue that this is a most unrealistic expectation.

They readily dispute that the world will always be filled with immoral persons who will prey on the unsuspecting, lie to the gullible, rape the innocent, and so on. However, we do not have to live lives that reflect the acceptance of such degeneration of self and/or society. We can make a positive difference. We can embrace “the power of one” and appreciate that when we take a stand for uncompromising principles, we are well on the way to improving our lives, homes, workplaces, and communities. We do not have to engage in unprincipled activities because others are doing them and seemingly getting away. We do not have to embrace immoral acts simply because they appear to help us to get ahead a little faster. We must insist that principles remain inflexible; we must not relent; we must not give in; we must hold ourselves and our society accountable for high moral and ethical practices.

Many institutions of higher learning (including the University of the West Indies) now provide students with courses in ethics. And while some argue that these courses do very little in changing the minds of those who pass through these “halls of learning”, I am convinced that every effort must be made to influence participants to engage in activities that are morally uplifting (and

simultaneously avoid those that are morally degrading). Each mind that is intercepted will add value to our communities. But those who are privileged to design and facilitate such courses must be prepared to demonstrate such uncompromising principles. Each leader in business, government, and society must endeavour to “walk the talk” when seeking to influence direct reports.

We are called on to be true mentors.

As I key in these words, I cannot help but reflect on the origin, the derivation, of this word “mentor”: In Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, Mentor was entrusted with the care of Odysseus’ house while the great warrior was away fighting in the Trojan War. Over the years, Mentor became the trusted advisor and tutor to Odysseus’ son, Telemachus. His task, among other things, was to teach Telemachus what was in books as well as the “acceptable behaviours of the world”.

The instructions and guidance provided were aimed at coaching the youngster to acquire great knowledge and develop strong character.

Odysseus therefore expected Mentor to be a perfect model to Telemachus.

In summary, Mentor was expected to assist Tememachus’ academic and social development, but he was especially required to model, to demonstrate, to showcase, the uncompromising principles that would develop strong character.

Demonstrating “proper attitudes and behaviours” will always be the best way to teach uncompromising principles. Merely saying what needs to be done or how it should be done will never be sufficient. As true mentors, we must demonstrate the behaviours that we wish to have others display. As the old people would say, “Action speaks louder than words”. And so, this article comes as a timely reminder to those of us who lead in homes, offices, schools, churches, and the society at large. As we coach and mentor those around us to success, we must not send mixed signals or sound uncommon trumpets.

We cannot speak from both sides of our mouths. We must not preach one thing and practise another. We, you and I, must forever endeavour to say like the 16th President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln, “Principles must be inflexible”. We must teach it ... and live it. And, in doing so, we engrave in the next generation something which no time can efface, and which will brighten to all eternity. What an awesome privilege! What an awesome responsibility! What a powerful legacy we leave when we preach and live uncompromising principles!

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

MY DECISION to become a ULP senator has created an enormous buzz. Politically, it played just as most of us have come to expect.

Those who support the ULP are, in the main, elated. Opposition leaders and supporters have been working hard to play down the decision or to offer criticisms that are in many cases beyond the pale.

The sad thing about St Vincent is that if I had lined up with the NDP, ULP supporters and leaders would have condemned and consigned me to hell’s gate, and those now berating me would have lifted me to the high heavens.

This is the sad reality in SVG. This sad state of affair is what I hope my little voice will help to push back. The solitary hope is that we can construct a polity that respects the rights, opinions and political choices of citizens even as we vigorously debate issues and demand answers from those in government, parliament and the rest of society. This society can become more transparent and more accountable. My voice will always be counted with all those who project a national vision. A voice that will forever stand against division and unreason.

There are many persons who were taken aback by my decision to become a ULP senator. Many of those persons respect the ways in which I spoke forcefully against positions, attitudes, statements and actions of the leaders and parties. My decision to step away from fierce independence need not create a void. The decision to become a senator may provide the green light for others, young and bright, to come forward and be the conscience of the nation.

For me ,the time when one stood on the banks as the river of power and authority flowed by had come to an end. There are clear limits to that approach. People like myself screamed at the top of our voices and effectuate few if ever any positive changes. Politicians and policymakers read or listen to us, but in the end, they neglect or disregard what we have to say.

Politics is not new to me. I gained consciousness early. I was the leader of Vanguard Youth, YULIMO and UPM. I love and enjoy politics and many persons encouraged me to get more integrally involved in the day to day politics of our country.

But why join the ULP? Why not link up with the NDP. The short answer is that there are hardly any points of ideological, political, policy or programmatic convergence between the NDP and I. I have been a radical leftist all my life. My world view aligns me with projects that are intended to transform society. I believe that radical change is not only possible, but necessary. For the world to survive that kind of change is inevitable. But I know that the world belongs to those who struggle for it.

The NDP was formed by the right of centre politician, James Mitchell.

Over the years, the party has drifted further and further to the right. It holds on to positions, austerity in economic matters is a good example, that has become discredited internationally. Worse, its leaders for the most part, fail to write consistently on policy prescriptions that will assist in the sustainable development of the country. Its methods and strategy are aimed at winning power by default. Wait until

people get tired of Ralph. It is this very policy which caused it to lose the last election.

The story of the ULP and I is well known. I have never been afraid to criticize its leaders or their views and actions. I did not like the way in which the party dealt with the referendum, or how it dealt with Otto Sam or the teachers’ collective bargaining agreement that adversely affected Messrs Daniel, Johnson and Thomas. I still believe that the government handled those matters improperly.

I still hold out the hope that the party that found a room for me can develop creative vehicles for making itself more inclusive and less reactive.

We have a country to govern and elections to win. We cannot overreact to events that could/might hurt us electorally or damage the country internationally. More importantly, we have to practice the maxim that once elections are done, those who hold the reins of power must govern in the interest of all the people.

But I have never had major domestic or foreign policy differences with the ULP. I admired the party's attempts to provide education, especially tertiary education to hundreds of persons, who, except for the policy of the government, might not have been educated today. Efforts to build homes for poorer people, the provision of a 100 percent mortgage for civil servants, to fashion relations in keeping with a multi-polar world, provision of services to persons afflicted to HIV/AIDS, the construction of schools are very attractive. There are many more propeople policies than there are blemishes.

This is not a perfect record or score card, but it is a creditable one. In the end, I decided to answer the call of national service because I believe that those who occupy the seats of power are in the best position to implement changes in the economy and society, that could impact and transform the lives of people.

Of the two parties, I remain convinced that the ULP is much more transformative. Some were surprised when I said in parliament that I believe that the ULP has done more than any other government since adult suffrage. One might disagree with that call. But this much is true.

It was not the first time I said it. I believe it and is prepared to prove it.

The simple truth is that the party has done more with less.

Finally, I made the decision to become a ULP senator because I am not a political weather man. I don't stop to gauge which way the political wind is blowing before making a choice. Some may perceive this choice to be against the flow. But my choices are always grounded in conscience and principle. Whereas people spend time looking at Eustace and Gonsalves, my eyes are firmly set on the future of SVG. I hope more of us will join me on this journey.

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

V Ban alcohol television advertisements 12. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Opinion

SVG GREEN PARTY is deeply concerned about the daily bombardment of TV adverts of alcohol on young people in SVG. Evidence shows that when children are exposed to adverts, they tend to drink at an earlier age, to drink more, and are more likely to end up developing a problem with alcohol in later life.

The TV ads on alcohol are specifically attractive to young people, and are a long-term threat to our society, in terms of alcohol related crime and bad health.

In the UK, an alliance of more than 30 leading medical bodies and charities said action is required to protect children. In the UK, alcohol has become the leading cause of death among young men, responsible for 27% of fatalities among those aged 16 to 24 and costs almost 15,000 lives a year.

The UK’s TV and radio advertising rules contain strict controls about the placement and content of alcohol

advertising. Alcohol ads are banned from appearing in and around programmes commissioned for or principally targeted at audiences below the age of 18, as well as programmes likely to appeal particularly to audiences below the age of 18.

We must take a serious look at alcohol advertising in SVG and consider a ban on TV advertising of alcohol or having no adverts before 10pm.

In Hong Kong, alcohol advertising is not allowed to be shown during family viewing hour programmes. In Sri Lanka, public advertising on alcohol has been banned totally since 2006. Last year, Russia banned alcohol advertising on television, radio, the internet, public transport and billboards, and in print media from the start of 2013, in an attempt to tackle the country’s drink problem.

Many countries have recognised the serious

threat that alcohol poses to their society. The State has a responsibility to protect our young people from a daily bombardment of alcohol adverts.

Aside from alcohol’s effect on young people, we must consider too, the effect upon the general public and the link between alcohol and crime.

In South Africa, alcohol is the third leading risk factor for deaths and disabilities and was responsible for 130 deaths every day in South Africa. There is a bill before the Parliament of South Africa to ban TV advertisement of alcohol and sponsorship associated with alcohol.

According to the 2011/12 Crime Survey for England and Wales, there were 917,000 violent incidents where the victim believed the offender(s) to be under the influence of alcohol, accounting for 47% of violent offences committed that year.

In the USA, 40% of

prisoners convicted of violent crimes were under the influence of alcohol at the time of their offence, and about 3 million violent crimes occur each year in which victims perceive the offender to have been drinking.

Based on victim reports in the USA, alcohol use by the

Indeed, the explanation for the apparent progression is that on discovering the lies told about marijuana, youngsters sometimes believe that the warnings on hard drugs are equally false - to their eternal peril.

So I began to reflect seriously and honestly. For instance, I recalled that an old Indian Matriarch of the clan of Deanes in Akers had once told me that her family unit regularly smoked ganja in a chisum (a sort of elongated peace pipe) which was passed around the folk gathered in the yard after a hard day’s work.

Apparently this pastime was done as a communal ritual and, in the absence of nocturnal social activities, served mainly as an inducer to a good night’s rest.

And I remember entertainer Stilly Fraser claiming that the young rasta type hardly patronized his bar: a pepsi costing one dollar was bought and nursed to accompany a spliff which, priced at another dollar, provided “the high” that was necessary for the evening’s enjoyment. In short, ganja offered kicks on the cheap.

Indeed, the versatility of the plant knows no bounds. When Kantrin Norris wrote her powerful booklet on Jamaica’s Search for an Identity in 1960, she noted

that it was small wonder that Rastas attributed magico-religious qualities to ganja, for it generally kept them happy and relatively healthy, despite their aggressively hostile environment.

To a lesser but still real extent, marijuana performs a similar role among the disprivileged folk in St. Vincent. But a major attraction nowadays is as a money-earner in a depressed economy.

Simply stated, St Vincent is ideally suited for the growing and export of marijuana. The activity is illegal under the law of the land and a burning question surrounds the continuing criminalistion of the traffic in ganja.

Certainly, ganja is officially grown in the U.S.A. for medical purposes. In some States, such as California, the laws are liberal if not permissive. Violence and marijuana smoking have never positively correlated except in a circular argument. The mystery and illegality surrounding the plant led to an artificial high price, protection of turf, and violence to prevent detection and betrayal.

For whatever reason, however, the U.S does not want Caribbean ganja to enter its shores whither it is drawn by an insatiable market. It would invoke the Shipriders Agreement to shoot up fields in the islands which it cannot do on home territory. And

government asleep on this serious matter?

We should be proactive in dealing with alcohol related crime, and urgently ban alcohol adverts on TV in SVG. SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org

Focusing on older persons

THE ST. VINCENT & The Grenadines Network on Aging will hold a series of activities leading up to marking International Day of Older Persons — October 1.

Community consultations focusing on the promotion of the international effort to enact a UN Convention on Older Persons, will be held in Clare Valley and One is every ten persons Rose Hall. These will 60. also serve to build awareness on the needs. contributions of older The consultations people in the society, as follow an interwell as to assess their generational workshop that was held in Kingstown on September (A re-print of 5, to inform youth on the population trends, 27/11/ 98) stressing that because of improved circumstances, people are living longer and therefore, the image of older people must be one where there is respect and appreciation the U.S. itself forces Caribbean for their contribution to people to move to ganja by nation building. seeking to block our banana The consultations will European market. culminate in a Perhaps the time has come for Conference at the Cane some serious dialogue and the Grove Golden Age making of harsh and realistic Activity Centre, on 1st decisions. Increasingly, it appears October, 2013, when a as if there is a culture lag with Petition will be the law trailing decades behind presented by older social realities. The law has persons on the need for a urgently to do some catching-up UN Convention on by, at least, liberalizing and Aging. Participants will “easing the jib”- in the words of come from a wide the Prime Minister in another geographic area of St. context.

Vincent and the And one has to beware Grenadines. “scientific research”. Did not the According to the SVG Soya Bean lobby “scientifically network on Aging, older prove” that the coconuts contain people experience dangerous levels of cholesterol? In discrimination and the same vein, tobacconists could violation of their rights easily sponsor anti-marijuana at a family, community propaganda, to preserve their and institution level. dominance of a captured trillionOlder people remain dollar market! invisible in the We make a simple call for a implementation and freezing of the status quo, an monitoring of existing official policy of “benign neglect” human rights law. As a which winks at slight infractions, result, older people’s while we revisit the total situation rights are not being and take stock, before getting our sufficiently protected. act together, in our own interest.

The Network supports

The Ganja Saga: A moral dilemma Continued from Page 8.

offender was a factor in: 37% of rapes and sexual assaults; 15% of robberies; 27% of aggravated assaults; and 25% of simple assaults.

SVG is already overflowing with crime under the incompetent ULP regime. Is the ULP

in the Caribbean is over an international Convention that would provide: clarity about government responsibilities to protect older people’s rights; a system to hold governments to account; a definite, universal position that age discrimination is morally and legally unacceptable.

A Convention would also be a powerful advocacy tool and encourage a shift away from the perception of older people as recipients of welfare to rights holders with responsibilities, according to the SVG Network for Aging.

The activities planned are supported by a grant from Help Age International through its Caribbean Office in Jamaica.

The St. Vincent & The Grenadines Network on Aging was launched on February 19, 2013, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Raymond Yorke.

Other members of the Steering Committee are Mrs. Jestina Charles, Ms. Nelcia Robinson , Ms. Shorlon Simmons, and Mr. Gregory Marshall.

The Vision of the SVG Network on Aging is ‘to see older persons leading dignified, active, healthy and secure lives’.

(Contribution)

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. 13.

Diaspora/Arts

US debut of ÂTruth B ToldÊ, a Âhuge successÊ Americans were seen laughing with excitement throughout the play,” Huggins-Jackson said.

THE WRITER AND “This is an untapped PRODUCER of the play, market that must be ‘Truth B Told’, has explored,” he added. “I described as a “huge can see a light at the end success” the production’s of this tunnel.”

United States debut.

Huggins-Jackson said “The play was well ‘Truth B Told’ was the received, and it obtained only play selected among excellent reviews from 100-odd new ones for the theater goers from all opening of the 777 walks of life,” Jerol Theatre. The play, Huggins-Jackson told which quickly gained a THE VINCENTIAN massive audience at about the popular play’s home and within the historic run for six nights Caribbean, including Off-Broadway, at the 777 Dominica and Trinidad Theater in midtown and Tobago, comes on Manhattan, New York, the heels of another and a single night, at the successful play, ‘Tables Cramton Auditorium, Will Turn’.

Howard University, Washington, D.C. The play’s focus Huggins-Jackson, who is also the founder and Huggins-Jackson said managing director of ‘Truth B Told’ is touching Jems Theatre Company, on themes that are both said, although the comedic and taboo within Sunday production prior the Caribbean cultural to Labour Day holiday, context.

Monday, Sept. 2, was not He said it is a “mellow well attended, because of comedy drama” that tells a number of activities in a story of shame, the New York betrayal, and the real metropolitan area, the meaning of “never judge other days were “well a book by its cover.” attended.

The play has its “The final weekend of setting on a lush the play experienced Caribbean island with sold-out situations,” he birds, bees, radiant sun said, referring to Sept. 6- and sandy beaches, 8. where a tragic story “In fact, theater goers unfolds. who showed up without It’s a story of greed, advance tickets had to be sexuality, incest and turned away,” he added. betrayal; a husband with Huggins-Jackson said a checkered past; a he received several mother with riveting requests to move the secrets beyond one’s play from Off Broadway wildest imagination — to Brooklyn, where most secrets that took her Caribbean nationals in from her once luxurious the metropolitan area lifestyle in an affluent reside.

Caribbean neighborhood But he said, because of to the footholds of the scheduling conflicts, he underworld. was unable to honor the “As the story unfolds, requests. you’ll be the judge of who Huggins-Jackson said is wrong or who is right, he had invited popular who is good or who is American writer, actor, bad, or simply to the real producer, and director meaning of ‘never look Tyler Perry to view down on a man unless ‘Truth B Told’, but he you’re picking him up’ — was unable to attend. the real meaning of Instead, Perry sent ‘never judge a book by its two of his staffers to cover’,” Huggins-Jackson represent him. said.

“The two white

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

The cast of ‘Truth B Told’ (from left) La Fayette Johnson, Sylvia Gould, Stanley Johnson , Schwmon ‘JP’ Peters and Jerrol Huggin-Jackson.

Reactions and future performances ‘Truth B Told’ was played Off-Broadway on Aug. 30 and 31, and Sept. 1, 6, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. each day.

The play also premiered at Howard University on Sept. 14.

From its debut earlier this year, HugginsJackson said the exciting, yet introspective, play has received “wonderful reviews” from Theatregoers and critics alike.

“This is totally awesome, a remarkable job, well done, well crafted,” said Karen Mullins, who flew in from New Mexico to view the Off Broadway production. “This is a masterpiece.”

Dian Berkeley, who flew all the way from Miami, said: “This is unbelievable — finally, Caribbean theater on an international stage.”

The next scheduled stop for the play is Tortola, British Virgin Islands, on Oct. 5.

“Due to popular demand, plans are well on the way for a return to the United States this November,” he said.

“However, that time, the production would be moved from Off Broadway to the vastly populated West Indian neighborhood of Brooklyn,” he added.

Other performances are scheduled for Kingstown in December, Trinidad and Tobago in January, and St. Kitts in February, with proposed ones in Canada, England, Bermuda, and a host of other Caribbean islands.

The producer was high

Inset: Jerrol Huggins-Jackson, playwright and producer, is overwhelmed by the success of his latest production. in praise for his “incredible cast” — La Fayette Johnson, Sylvia Gould, Schwmon ‘JP’ Peters and Stanley Johnson - and supporting staff — Clifford Gould, Theresa Daniel, Daryl Williams and Mc Neal Duncan.

“I would like to extend my appreciation to the many fans, sponsors, partners and everyone who made this possible,” said Huggins-Jackson, disclosing that regional air carrier LIAT has been sponsoring the cast’s Caribbean air

travels.

He also said partial proceeds from the OffBroadway premiere will go towards construction of the Argyle International Airport in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. 15.

14. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Regional Reparations Commission mandated T FIRST EVER Regional Reparations Conference came to THE a close here on Tuesday 17th September, 2013.

The final day, a closed session, saw representattives of the various National Reparations Committees, legal experts and academics locked in m deliberations aimed at presenting a pathway d ffor future action.

One of the decisions taken and acted upon O was the setting up of a Regional Commisw ssion.

The following is an excerpt from the ccommuniqué of the Conference.

Professor Verene Verene e Shephe Shepherd, Jamaica, is a V ice Chair of the Vice Commission.

““Delegates agreed that the Commission would be led by a Chairman and three Vice w Chairs with responsibility for certain key C ttasks.

Professor Hilary Beckles was elected as P Chairperson of the CARICOM Regional C Reparations Commission. Vice Chairs are R Jomo Thomas, St. Vincent and the GrenaJ dines (responsible for inter-governmental d rrelations); Dr. Verene Shepherd, Jamaica ((research); and Armand Zunder, Suriname, ((mobilization).

The CARICOM Reparations Commission was T cconstituted to achieve the following aims and objectives: o 1.

1

2.

2

Jomo Thomas, Vincentian Vincentian lawyer, lawyer r, is also a Vice Vice Chairman.

5. Develop and recommend decisive political action at the national and regional levels through Parliamentary debates and resolutions, and national, regional and international popular mobilization; 6.

7.

Professor Hilary Beckles, Pro-Vice Pro-V ice Chancellor of the UWI, heads the Regional Reparations Commission.

Establish the moral, ethical and legal case for the payment of Reparations by the Governments of all the former colonial powers and the relevant institutions in those countries, to the nations and people of the Caribbean Community for the Crimes against Humanity of Native Genocide, the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and a racialised system of chattel Slavery; Advise and make recommendations for co-ordinated CARICOM action by the Prime Ministerial SubCommittee on Reparations; Coordinate and support the work of National Reparations Commissions and Task Forces, and encourage the development of Commissions in those countries that have not yet established national bodies;

3.

3

Receive reports from National Reparations Commissions;

4.

4

Develop and implement a regional strategy to pursue Reparations, including the following actions: * * * * *

Armand Zunder, Zunderr, Surinamese Surinam economist, fills another position of Vice Vice Chair.

Chair.

*

*

eminent spokespersons and champions for the cause of Reparations among artists, attorneys, scholars, indigenous peoples, Rastafarians, youth, women and politicians; Engage and partner with national and regional civil society organizations involved in the Reparations Movement, especially the Rastafarian and Pan Africanist formations of the Caribbean;

Coordinate and/or undertake relevant historical research at the national, regional and international levels; Coordinate and/or undertake legal research to inform case preparation and litigation strategies; Coordinate national and regional public education campaigns; Coordinate and/or conduct national and regional public consultations on Reparations; Develop and recommend diplomatic strategies to advance the case for Reparations in multi lateral institutions such as the United Nations, African Union, CELAC and with other supportive governments; Identify and recommend the appointment of

* *

Conduct consultations to develop proposals on appropriate forms of redress through reparative programmes and projects; Coordinate and/or undertake the preparation of a detailed brief on the cost of the damages and current manifestations of such damages on indigenous people and their descendants, and on enslaved Africans and their descendants, in the following and other relevant areas:

Economic (including land deprivation) Social, Cultural and Psychological * Spiritual and Religious * Demographic * Medical * Educational

8.

Assume the responsibility for the preparation and presentation of the legal case for Reparations, and highlight the special case of Reparations for Haiti;

9.

Serve as a quick response mechanism, and develop a pro-active media campaign to raise public awareness and canvas support.

There were also presentations and discussions on legal strategies for a successful reparations claim. The legal presentation was done by the UK law firm of Leigh Day & Co., and it was evident that this effort would require a regional consortium of experts in law, research and academia. It was also emphasized that any legal effort must be coupled with the mobilization of our people and an intensification of the political and diplomatic outreach that has already begun.

It should also be noted that, in addition to the governmental deliberation and decisions, the representatives of civil society organizations held their own caucus and made the historic decision to establish a Pan-Caribbean Civil Society Reparations Network. The network was mandated to mobilize the Caribbean people in support of the quest for reparations, and to collaborate with and support the work of the National Reparations Committees and the Caricom Regional Commission.”

b yN elson A. A. King by Nelson naking@ verizon.net; nelok naking@verizon.net; nelok-ing@ms n.com ing@msn.com US COR RESPONDENT CORRESPONDENT

justice.”

Grateful for the opportunity opportunity

ISSU UE OF REPARATIONS AS THE ISSUE Avila said he was for the inhumanity of the Trans-Atgrateful to get the lantic slave trade, chattel slavery and opportunity to address genocide of indigenous peoples of the the Reparations Caribbean gains currency, the Bronx, opening conference “as New York-based Garifuna Coalition, the only representaUSA, Inc. says it wholeheartedly tive of the descensupports Prime Minister Ralph dants of our ancestors Gonsalves’ lead on the matter. whose lands were Jose Francisco Avila, the Hondu‘stolen’ by the British, ran-born chairman of the group’s committed genocide Board of Directors, told THE VINand forcibly exiled CENTIAN that he was “honored to be from St. Vincent and able to participate” in the historic the Grenadines in opening conference on the issue in St. 1797.

Vincent and the Grenadines, two “I was delighted to weekends ago. listen to the presentaIn addition, he said he looks tion by the St. Vincent forward to working with the Caribbeand the Grenadines an Community (CARICOM) ReparaReparation Committions Commission, along with Garifutee, which was based na representatives from the Diaspoon the genocide and ra, “in seeking justice for the crime of exile of our ancestors,” genocide committed against our he said.

Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of SVG (4th from right), ht), ancestors by the British.

In his opening seen here in the company of renowned reparationist Livingg“I also look forward to educating address, Gonsalves ston Bunny Wailer, is credited with initiating the first ever the Garifuna Diaspora and [enhancsaid the descendants Regional Reparations Conference. ing] their awareness of the reparaof the Callinago, the tions issue,” Avila said.

Garifuna, the AmerinRight: Jose Francisco Avila, Chairman of the group’s “There's probably no better time dians and the Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition, USA, Inc., than now for us to organize the Africans, have a said it was an honour to participate in the Reparations Garifuna Diaspora in Belize, Guatespecial obligation to Conference held recently in SVG. mala, Honduras, Nicaragua, St. fight for reparatory Vincent and the Grenadines, and the justice.

United States, into the Garifuna “After all, their forbears were ing for the well-being of the Garifuna Nation – that will look after the directly affected and, most imporpeople,” said Avila, noting his speech, interests of the Garifuna Nation and tantly, together, they constitute the 21 years ago, at the Second Garifuna will join forces with the St. Vincent majority population across our Summit Meeting in Los Angeles, and the Grenadines Reparations Caribbean,” he said.

California.

Committee and the Caribbean “One hundred and ninety-five Community‘s Reparations Commisyears ago, the Garifuna people were sion,” he added.

Establishing a Garifuna Nation torn from our native land of Yuru“While we have put the pieces of Vincen and the mein and scattered across the seas,” Nicaragua, St. Vincent ourselves back together and resurAvila said the Garifuna Coalition he said then. “Today the Garifuna U Grenadines, and the United States. rected the Garifuna culture in the first supported Gonsalves on the people are still divided, and some of “There’s no better time than now to image of its past glory – as demonissue in 2011. us have long neglected our historical finally establish such organization, strated by UNESCO’s (United “My participation in the Regional and cultural links with Yurumein as reparations has been bee classified as Nations Educational, Scientific and Reparations Conference brought me and other Garinagu. the issue of the 21st century,” he ce Cultural Organization) proclamation full circle in my long career advocat“But there's probably no better said. said of the Garifuna time than now for us to assume “This is an incredible, incredib historic language, music the inherently international role crime of genocide for which the w and dance as that this scattering across the British must pay appropriate recomappr recom‘Masterpieces of the earth has given us,” he added. “It pense to the nation of St. Vincent and Oral and Intangible is now our collective responsibiliincluding the the Grenadines, includ Heritage of ty to put the pieces of ourselves he descendants of the Garifuna,” Ga Humanity’ – it is back together. added. now our collective “We must help resurrect the “appropriate recomAvila said “appropr recomobligation to Garifuna culture in the image of too, for those pense” is required, too rebuild the Garifuits past glory by reclaiming our communities of Garifuna Garifu in Belize, na Nation,” Avila history for the sake of our Nicaragua, Honduras and GuatemaGuatemacontinued. future,” he continued. “It is our la “who la, who remain disadvantaged disadv up to He said it is responsibility to work to re-astoday.” paramount to semble Chatoyer's people.”

He noted that the British B had develop the politiAvila said that, over the past “exterminated from St St. Vincent, cal will, “and months, he has had dialogue with through genocide,” 5,1 5,167 Garifuna organize ourselves his “good friend,” Ruben Reyes, people, and forcibly de deported 2,026, to make sure that one of the delegates at the 1992 or roughly 80 percent of the Garifuna the British right Garifuna Summit, about the need nation on St. Vincent. the wrongs of the for a Garifuna Nation, “conhorrendous statistic for “This is a horrendo past, and fight for A section of the wide participation in Day 2 of the Conference, formed by representatives from which the British nation nati is culpable which allowed for presentations from the floor. reparatory Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and responsible,” Avila said.

V Health survey equipment displayed 16. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Health

implementation of effective strategies aimed THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH, at the reduction of these Wellness and the risk factors.

Environment will soon Last Friday, 20th conduct a ‘National Health September, members of and Nutrition Survey’ here in staff of the Ministry of St. Vincent and the Health, Wellness and the Grenadines.

Environment took the At the launch of the National Health and survey, on July 16th, Nutrition Survey one step Medical Officer of Health, further, when they set up Dr. Roger Duncan, told a ‘National Health and those gathered that the Nutrition Survey survey will attempt to Promotional Booth’ in ascertain information on front of the Kingstown the risk factors of chronic Vegetable Market, giving non-communicable members of the public diseases and the extent to first-hand details about which they contribute to what would be required the high burden of disease from them as participants among adults in SVG. (in the survey).

This information is On display, among expected to inform the other things, was the design and measurement equipment

by GLORIAH…

A sample of the aids on display at the National Health and Nutrition Booth.

that will be used in the conduct of they had consumed. the study.

Ms. Wendy According to Williams, Ms. Alana Community Williams, Nutrition Officer, Community explained that Dietitian in the smaller portions Nutrition Unit Members of the public interacted have been within the with Alana Williams (3rd from right) regularized to Ministry, the of the Ministry of Health. become parallel with survey will be the type of everyday conducted in three used to measure glucose, equipment which is found phases: the demographics cholesterol and ketone in households. This on health; the physical levels; the ‘digital scale’ for measure, she told THE measurements; and weight checks; the VINCENTIAN, was biochemical measurement. ‘stadiometer’ for undertaken by the Pan Including in each phase measurements of height; American Health will be the nutrition and the ‘sphygmometer’ component of the 24-hour for blood pressure checks. Organisation (PAHO).

Those who took time recall.

Important information out to view the display got The general public was for the survey will be an impression of the sensitized to equipment gained from participants’ ‘Household Measurement such as the ‘Cardo-Chek 24-hour recall of what Aids’ -in small bowls and Machine’ which will be

other such containers; and the ‘Portion Size Measurement Aids’, consisting of a variety of sizes of spoons and other smaller containers/vessels.

They were also exposed to the ‘Portable Digital Assistant’ (PDA) which is a small hand-held device that is used to record the initial stages of the survey.

The National Health and Nutrition Survey will begin in earnest in October, 2013 with results becoming ready in January, 2014. It is expected to solicit responses from up to 6,ooo persons across the 199 demarked districts.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. 17.

News

Stewart called to local Bar MR STEVE STEWART, who was recently called to the Bar of England and Wales, was admitted at a hearing last Tuesday, September 24, to the Bar of St. Vincent and the Grenadines by Justice Gertel Thom.

Steve Stewart (centre), flanked by his brother, Ashwa Stewart (left) and fellow ‘Unionite’ lawyer Raymond Cadette, after he was called to the local Bar.

Stewart’s application was presented by lawyer Paula David of Saunders and Huggins Chambers, and seconded by lawyer Roy Raymond-Cadette. His application was also supported by lawyers Mrs. Euchrista St. Hilaire Bruce-Lyle, Ms Sunel Fraser and Mr. Jomo Thomas.

Following the various submissions, Justice Gertel Tom accepted Stewart’s application which allows him to practise as a Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor in the State of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The learned Judge cautioned the young lawyer to be mindful always of his conduct as a barrister, and

challenged him to uphold the ideals of this noble profession. She also encouraged him to ensure that he reads widely on the various aspects of the law.

Stewart, a public servant attached to the Department of Labour, hails from Union Island. A former teacher, Stewart describes his admission to the local bar as “the end of the beginning of his legal practice,” and stated his intentions to be guided by the principles of humanity, reason and justice.

THE VINCENTIAN congratulates Steve Stewart on his recent achievement.

V

18. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Education

Students to get money lessons

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

This year marks the 12th Financial Information Month (FIM) spearheaded by the ECCB.

to build financial awareness and also bring them some real cash.

The activities are synched EVEN AFTER THE EASTERN in the 12th Annual Financial Caribbean Central Bank Information Month, a regional (ECCB) Financial Information financial, economic business Month (FIM) ends in October, and entrepreneurial education students will be exposed to campaign that is, this year, ventures which will continue observed under the theme

‘Reshaping our future, starting now’.

The emphasis will be on entrepreneurship education to stimulate micro and small business formation and strengthen existing ones, and during October, the public will be exposed to programmes aimed at teaching them to use their money wisely.

Students’ activities An Innovation Contest for students marked Wednesday’s launch of FIM and related activities.

Students and teachers were challenged to develop new business ideas to address social, business or economic problems within their communities. They were required to come up with a plan to support the measure.

Outstanding ventures stand a chance of winning cash prizes at the regional level.

Those suggestions must be submitted by November 29, 2013.

Youngsters between the ages of 14 and 19 can use their writing skills to earn $2,500, $1,500 or $1,000, depending on the quality of their essays on one of three topics: ‘How can the current Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Education System be restructured to prepare young people to fulfill their aspirations?’; ‘Young people’s consistent engagement with social media has the potential of advancing or stifling their advancement.

Discuss.’; ‘Developing the creative talents of the young people of the OECS is critical

Elritha Dick, local ECCB Rep., co-ordinates FIM activities here. to the advancement of the creative arts industry in the region. Discuss.’.

Essays must be between 750 and 1,000 words, types written and sent in by March 28, 2014.

Primary and secondary school students will also be exposed to issues related to good money management skills and entrepreneurship in October.

Other activities An Eastern Caribbean Central Unit ‘Train the Trainers Workshop on Business Planning and Innovation’ targeting teachers marked Wednesday’s prelude to the observances.

According to Elritha Dick, Resident Representative Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, the main objective of this is to “improve teachers’ technical and practical understanding of business issues that will redound to the benefit of students.”

A Business Symposium and Innovation Forum targeting chief executive officers, business executives, senior managers, board directors, business owners, entrepreneurs and academics will be staged at the ECCB Headquarters, October 22, 2013.

Video connections will be made to the other ECCU member countries.

Participants will hear about competitiveness, creative leadership, and strategic models for ECCU businesses that would allow for effective responses to present challenges and seizure of present and future opportunities.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. 19.

SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES NATIONAL INSURANCE SERVICES “Let’s reform for greater security!”

NIS TO EMBARK ON PARAMETRIC REFORM, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014 WHAT IS PARAMETRIC REFORM? Parametric reform involves changing one or more of the parameters of the pension system.

Parameters include contribution rate, pensionable age, rate of benefits etc.

3. ENHANCEMENT OF SURVIVORS’ BENEFIT

6. EARLY PENSIONABLE AGE

The age entitlement for a Survivors’ benefit for a child will increase from 16 to 18 years, and continuing until 21 if in full time education.

An individual may receive his/her pension as early as 60. The pension would be reduced by 6% for each year you retire before normal pensionable age.

WHY DO WE NEED TO REFORM?

4. CONTRIBUTION RATE

We need to reform in order to ensure SAFETY:

The contribution rate will be increased from 8% to 10% from January 1, 2014 • Employers will pay 5.5% • Employees will pay 4.5% • Self-employed will pay 9.5% • Voluntary contributors will pay 8.84%

• Security of benefits • Adequacy of benefits • Financial sustainability • Efficiency • Transparency • Yield

Pensions will be increased as follows: YEAR OF PENSION AWARD RATE OF INCREASE 1 Jan 2010 to 31 Dec 2010 1 Jan 2009 to 31 Dec 2009 31 Dec 2008 and before

1.5% 3.0% 4.5%

2. GRANT INCREASES CLAIM TYPE MATERNITY GRANT FUNERAL GRANT EMPLOYMENT INJURY FUNERAL GRANT NONCONTRIBUTORY FUNERAL GRANT

• Present to 31 Dec 2015

500

• 1 Jan 2016 to 31 Dec 2018

550

The normal pension age will be gradually increased from 60 to 65, over a 15-year period as follows:

• 1 Jan 2019 to 31 Dec 2021

600

• 1 Jan 2022 to 31 Dec 2024

650

• 1 Jan 2025 to 31 Dec 2027

700

• 1 Jan 2028 and onwards

750

• Present to 31 Dec 2015

60

• 1 Jan 2016 to 31 Dec 2018

61

• 1 Jan 2019 to 31 Dec 2021

62

• 1 Jan 2022 to 31 Dec 2024

63

• 1 Jan 2025 to 31 Dec 2027

64 65

8. REFERENCE WAGES (wages used to calculate pension) The reference earnings will be adjusted from the “best 3 year” average in the last 15 years to the “best 5 years” of earnings in the system.

CURRENT AMOUNT

PROPOSED INCREASE

• 1 Jan 2028 and onwards

$630

$660

YEAR OF BIRTH

PENSIONABLE AGE

$4,330

$4,525

1955 and before

60

1956-1957

61

1958-1959

62

1960-1961

63

1962-1963

64

1964 and after

65

$4,330

$2,165

$4,525

$2,262.50

The minimum required weeks of contribution will be gradually increased from 500 weeks (10 years) to 750 weeks (15 years) as follows:

5. NORMAL PENSIONABLE AGE (age to receive your NIS pension)

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE NIS SYSTEM: 1. PENSION INCREASES

7. WEEKS REQUIRED FOR FULL PENSION ELIGIBILITY

9. ACCRUAL RATE (rate of pension entitlement for each year of service) The rates for full pension payment will still range between 30% and 60%. The following adjustment, however, will be made: A rate of 30% for the minimum qualifying contribution weeks plus 1.0% for every 50 contribution weeks over the minimum qualifying conditions, up to a maximum of 60%

NIS’ FOUNDATION

LET’S REFORM FOR GREATER SECURITY!

Promote & protect the interests of contributors & beneficiaries

NIS is celebrating 26 years of existence. This signifies that we are a maturing plan. It is therefore essential for us to assess our current pension system and make necessary changes so that we can continue to fulfill our mission to adequately provide social security for the citizens of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. So let’s reform for greater security!

Financial sustainability & actuarial soundness

Investments

Contributions & benefit coverage

RESOURCES: ICT & HUMAN RESOURCES

Contact us for more information KINGSTOWN OFFICE: Tel: 784-4561514 Fax: 784-4562604 Email: nis@nissvg.org Website: www.nissvg.org

UNION ISLAND OFFICE Tel:784-4858951 Fax: 784-4858952

This is a brief summary of the provisions. The actual benefits will be administered in accordance with the ACT/Regs.

V Why worry over a ring?

20. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Dear George, I JUST GOT back from a vacation in the United States, paid for by my husband. He could not make the trip but did agree that I go on my own. While I was there, I went shopping with my friend who asked me to accompany her to get a ring for her fiancé, whom she planned to marry in the coming months.

During the shopping outing, I took the opportunity to get my wedding band appraised.

I was disappointed when I learned that it has a value of $85.00. I never asked my husband how much he paid for it, but I always thought it valued more than that.

My friend suggested that I ask him to get me another ring, one that

had a higher value. She said the ring a man gives to you is a good indicator of how much he loves you. I am wondering now if there is any truth in that. I have never had an issue with my husband before, and I’m wondering if I should just let sleeping dogs lie.

Questions Dear Questions, The commitment your husband makes to you and the marriage is the best indicator of how much he loves you.

Unfortunately there are those who use the ring value as a measurement to determine how much love one partner has for the other. The ring is really only a symbol of the love he has for you,

Not giving up my man Dear George

MY VERY GOOD girlfriend informed that my husband is sleeping with another woman in the Grenadines, where he is currently working. He will which it was given, and and should not become be there for one year, and has four months left to an issue at this stage. no amount of money go.

The true value of that spent can match that.

I asked him about it and he denied it. ring given to you by your Another source close to me informed me that it husband lies in the George was actually my girlfriend who reported about him sincerity and spirit in sleeping around, that was the one who was sleeping with him, and I should not trust her. So I asked my girlfriend to get me a photograph with him and the woman he is sleeping around with or get me some kind of tangible Dear George, evidence, and then I will do something MY BOYFRIEND was deported from America, and I was happy about it. To this day, she has never gotten back to me! to have him close to me again, because he was getting nowhere I am not about to give my husband being in there illegally for all that time. away to this woman or any other He, however, came back with excess baggage. There is this woman!

I trust my husband, and I am girl who followed him back, and the word on the street is that not going to allow anyone to destroy she is his woman. I heard she plans to marry him and take him what I have so they could walk away back to the States. He spends all his time with her while I am with it and laugh at me. I told my at work, and he refuses to look for work since he came back. husband that he should just level with Whenever I try to discuss marriage with him, he dismisses me at all times, and he promised me the subject, saying that he will try to return to the US first that he will. That is good enough for before deciding to get married. I asked him how he planned to me. do that and he said, “Where there is a way.”

I love this man, George, but I now believe we are in two Committed different time zones. Something isn’t clicking here at all!

Face the facts, girl!

Dear Committed, Broken H. Good for you! One has to be careful about information that comes unsolicited, and question the motives of The sooner you face the facts, the those who come bringing it. sooner you will be able to move on The best way to approach this is to with the rest of your life. continue to trust your partner and keep Based on what you are saying, your the lines of communication open at all boyfriend does not have you as any times. If you have good reason(s) to part of his future, and you need to do believe he is cheating, then you need to what is best for you. If he does not discuss this with him openly, and move want to claim his baggage, then that towards repairing whatever damage should have nothing to do with you, that was done or make movements to seeing that you should be catching prevent possible damage. another plane.

The reality is, your relationship His return home is a blessing to should always be under maintenance you in disguise because you now get through discussion and exercised trust. to see the true picture and the fact that you are nowhere in it.

Dear Broken H,

George

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Hassles with in-laws could put a damper on your day. Travel will be in your best interest. Comfort is a necessity. Check your motives. Try to get out and socialize.

groups gratifying. Travel will be enjoyable but could be expensive. Socially, you need a fast paced form of entertainment. Money problems will get worse if your partner hasn't been playing by the rules.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Get on with your life. Helping children may be rewarding and challenging.

Your added discipline will help you complete the impossible at work. You may not be happy if members of your family are not pulling their weight.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) This is not the day to be extravagant.

You could be attracting individuals who are anything but good for you. Much knowledge can be obtained through the experiences you have. You can make major accomplishments while on short trips.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You will be highly entertaining when in contact with your lover. Sit back. Your intuition will be right on. Follow your feelings in matters pertaining to financial investments. Your attitudes are changing rapidly.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Business conducted in your own office will proceed smoothly. Get together with friends and do something entertaining but not too expensive. You may have more to do with children this week; keep an open mind. Creative endeavors will give you somewhat of an outlet.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Your childlike quality may get you into big trouble this week if you neglect your responsibilities. Difficulties at an emotional level may be likely. You will find travel and lectures most stimulating. You will be emotional when dealing with coworkers or employers.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Jealousy may get in the way of a good relationship. Listen to a good friend who is truly looking out for your best interests. Uncertainty regarding your direction is likely. Problems with female members of your family may play on your emotions.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You'll find travel or involvement in large

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Be aware that a female you work with may be trying to hold you back. Your ability to work with detail could help you achieve your goals. One of your female friends may try to disrupt your day.

Stand up for your rights. Travel could include delays and other minor problems.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You should consider submitting some of your written work for publication. You can expect opposition at work. Don't let your competition be privy to information that could be in criminating. You will be able to get your own way if you use your intellectual charm and know how.

Don't blow situations out of proportion.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Don't neglect these problems; deal with them once and for all, then move on to more pleasurable tasks. You need to keep busy doing things that you both enjoy. You can expect insincere gestures of friendliness this week. Rethink your motives and make the necessary changes to yourself.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Self-deception about relationships is a problem. Don't let your emotions interfere with your efficiency. Your lover will be annoyed with your participation. You will find that you can work progressively at improving yourself this week.

ACROSS 1.”Get out!”

5. Trucker’s locale 8. Surfer’s pal 12. Brownish purple 13. Poisonous 15. Name’s first letter (abbr.)

16. First four letters 17. “Broom __” 18. Navy bosses (abbr.)

19. __ Miguel 20. Significant life events 22. Horse’s “brakes” 24. Sail upward 25. As of the present (2wds.)

27. Short distance 29. Uppermost part 32. Go up 33. Romps 34. Shade 35. “__ It Romantic?”

36. Assign fault 37. Measure (out) 38. Eggy Yule drink 39. Riding whips 40. Cultivator 41. Explosive inits.

42. Rogers and Clark 43. Steamships

44. Draft status (hyph.)

46. Magna __ 47. Highway patrol setups (2 wds.)

50. Duo 53. Small rodent 54. Untied 55. Native of Bangkok 56. Wearing clothes 57. Alps song 58. Ringing device 59. Regan and Guidry 60. Piano part 61. Vessels like Noah’s

13. “To __ own self be true” (“Hamlet”) 14. Certain playing marble DOWN (hyph.)

20. Small 1.Health spots amount 2. Oscar winner 21. Dropper’s Gooding, Jr. word 3. As arranged 23. Bridge hand (3 wds.)

25. Tarnish 4. Baseball’s 26. Director Williams Welles 5. Bedspring 27. Wallops shapes 28. Scots’ caps 6. Wheel spindle 30. Not inner 7. Auction offers 31. Equals 8. Actress Rigg 33. Trick 9. III (3 wds.)

36. Widely 10. Darkens 37. __ Blanc 11. Aliens (abbr.)

39. North American Indian 40. Misters 43. Boutonniere’s place 45. Musts 46. Legendary engineer

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. 21.

Jones 47. Alone 48. Accepted 49. Was carried 51. Go on foot 52. Frying liquids 53. DVD player’s predecessor 55. Schedule abbr.

22. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. 23.

Azhino is top Shooter

Stories by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

WHENEVER THE WORDS ‘Son of Sam’ are uttered, it automatically sends people nervously glancing from side to side or taking a furtive look over their shoulder.

And if they happen to be sitting behind the steering wheel of a parked vehicle with a female companion after dusk, they are wont to hurriedly switch on the ignition with a view to beating a hasty retreat.

The reason is that the words will bring back memories of the infamous serial killer David Berkowitz who went by that alias, and terrorised New York City in the mid 1970s by using a .44 calibre handgun to shoot young females and their companions, who had ventured out most times for after dark romancing.

In St. Vincent the “Choppy Man’ was the closet Vincentians have come to experiencing such a phenomenon, but the words will still get the reaction set out above.

However, the name, while still associated with shooting here, relates to that on the football fields across the island, and is done by Azhino Solomon -the son of Andre Sam, a former national midfielder.

Eighteen-year-old Azhino was the leading marksman with thirteen goals in the National Club Football championship for which the presentation took place last Tuesday.

He was also the top shooter in the national Inter-League in which he ended with fourteen goals.

A younger Azhino Solomon (2nd from right) with his coach Ina Sardine (right), Harvey derrick (2nd from left) and reps of United Bank. his first love.

He identifies Ian Sardine, the director of System Three, the team for which he plays, as contributing Azhino Solomon dreams of snatching a professional a great deal in his career from an early football contract. period.

The young striker, who has “I started being around Mr. Sardine represented SVG at the Under 15, from about six or seven, and he has Under 17, Under 20 and senior levels, helped me a lot in many ways……I told THE VINCENTIAN that he has have to thank him for that,” he said picked up similar awards in both shortly after collecting his award. national and domestic competitions.

A tall long limbed striker, Azinho, who plays in the center-forward Nurturing position, identifies his strengths as being able to assess “the game and the Born at Rose Place, a stone’s throw” play,” as well as his passing accuracy. from the Victoria Park where grandfather ‘Tyee’ Sam, uncle Tony Internship and the future Sam and father Andre made their names, Azhino said football has been

He was one of two young footballers who in 2006 went on a two-week internship at Italian club Cagliari, compliments United Bank, an offshore bank which operated here. .

The other youngster was Harvey Derrick who reports say has taken a break from the sport.

Asked about what he learnt back then that is serving him today, Azhino said, “Being on time and trying to put in the hard work.”

He is hoping to play professionally, but admitted that his progress has been slow because he lacks “motivation at times.”

A former student of the St. Vincent Technical College where he did studies in Entrepreneurship, Azhino said that, failing to land a professional contract, he is hoping to go into business of some sort.

“..Good standard, but..,” says Haslam “REASONABLY GOOD STANDARD, but a bit more can be done with regards, to organisation from the Association’s standpoint,” according to Orville Haslam, the man charged with tournaments and technical matters on the recently elected executive of the SVG Table Tennis Association.

He was commenting on the re-introduced Scotiabank Business Houses Table Tennis Tournament.

Haslam said that the matches were very competitive, but he is hoping that more teams will take part in the 2014 edition of the tournament.

Eight teams contested the 2013 tournament which was held at the recently constructed West St.

George Secondary School.

He also commended Tournament Director, Sean Stanley, for what he said was a very good job in the running of the tournament.

Results Third Eye Security/ Computec won the teams’ title; Alonzo Primus the men’s singles and Davon Cato and Colin Cambridge the doubles title.

Third Eye Security/Computec made light work of Excel Media in the final, with a three luv beating: Harvey Graham beat Colin Cambridge 8-11, 12-14, 1715, 11-4, 11-5; Alonzo Primus beat Davon Cato 11-7, 11-9, 11-4 and Elvis Dublin beat Rodney Caruth 11-9, 13-11, 11-8.

Primus showed that his visits to the tennis hall four times a week for the last six years was not in vain by easily beating Cato in straight sets 11-7, 11-5, 118, in the men’s singles final.

In the doubles final, Cato and Cambridge beat Primus and Graham 12/10 11/5 8/11 11/7.

Primus was also named MVP of the tournament.

Rest of the year Haslam, a former Caribbean several times men’s singles champion, said the Association will continue its thrust with a coaching programme geared towards training teachers and coaches.

This, he said, will be done with the help of a

facilitator who should be coming out from Europe.

He said that following this, the Association will complete its 2013 Calendar with an Intersecondary schools tournament, an Independence Tournament and the Nationals in December.

Haslam believes that the sport has a place here, but work needs to be done by all who support the game, and this include past and present players and administrators.

‘It cannot be a one or two-man show. Things have to be done as a team, and this will encourage unity and a sound foundation for the development of the sport,” a forthright Haslam said.

Orville Haslam (left) commended Tournament Director, Sean Stanley (right.

V

24. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Three outrights wins in Masters games

Bascombe and Baptiste come good

THERE WERE three outright victories and one by default in last weekend’s round of matches in the National Masters 20/20 Cricket Tournament.

At Park Hill, St. Vincent Cooperative Bank P’tani Masters recorded a win against Computec Belfongo Masters by 34 runs. The P’tani Masters managed 127 in 19.5 overs, to set Belfongo a ‘gettable’ target. However, Belfongo faltered and were dismissed for 93 in 16.5overs. Good individual scores came from P’tani’s Isaac Haywood, 40, and Aubrey Burgin, 22 not out for Belfongo. Michael Jack grabbed 4 for 21 for P’tani to be the match’s standout bowler.

Log Enterprises Kingstown Masters compiled 157 for 7 in their 20 overs, a total that proved too much for Rudy’s Electrical Barrouallie Masters who were humbled for 68 runs.

Joseph Carrington hit 26 to top score for Logs, and Ian Allen had 19 as Rudy’s best individual innings. Noel Samuel and Bertram Stapleton had two wickets each for Rudy, and Cornelius Springer 2 for Logs.

Stanley Browne’s Stubbs Masters defeated Kirk DaSilva’s La Croix Masters by 3 wickets, after replying with 116 for 7 in 17 overs to La Croix’s 113 for 7 off 20 overs. Elmondo Shoy and Leon Samuel each had 27 to be top scorers for La Croix and Stubbs respectively. Samuel also took 2 wickets.

North Leeward Masters won by default from Joyette’s Auto Slater Development Pastures Masters who failed to show up.

MILES BASCOMBE and Lauron Baptiste were in fine form last weekend as they led Victors 1 to a resounding 63-run victory over Smashers, in the National Lotteries Authority National 20/20 Cricket Competition.

Bascombe scorched an unbeaten 90 and Baptiste contributed 52 to lead their team to 173 for 3 in their adjusted allotment of 18 overs, at the Park Hill Playing Field. Smashers were then held to 110 for 8 in their 18 overs with Ozeiko leading with 24 and Borlan Williams and Ray Jordan taking 3 for 12 and 2 for 16 respectively.

Victors 1 kept up their good showing to beat Police One by 9 wickets at Arnos Vale 1 in their second weekend match.

Police One made 88 all out in 19 overs. Ray Jordan took 3 for 15 and Atticus Browne 2 for 26.

Victors 1 made light work of the chase,

I.B.A ALLEN

Cricket training squad announced ROMEL CURRENCY, a former national captain who has returned home following the completion of his studies at UWI, is included in a 27member training squad from which this country’s senior cricekt team will be selected for participation in the Windward Islabds Tournament.

Currency, who represented the Combined Campuses and Colleges in recent regional torunments, is determined to reclaim his place in the national team.

The squad also includes two newcomers: allrounder Joel OGarro who represented Buccament Bay Androids in the First Division, and Windward Islands U19 fast bowler Darius Martin, who plays for Carl Joseph Law Chambers ASCO in the Premier Division.

The full squad comprises: Currency, Sunil Ambris, Alston Bobb, Atticus Browne, Shaquille Browne, Keron Cottoy, Romel Curremcy, Kenneth Dember, Dawnley Grant, Miles Bascombe, Darren Greaves, Donwell Hector, Asif Hooper, Lynden James, Roneil Jeffery, Delorn Johnson, Ray Jordan, Desron Malorney, Darius Martin, Joel Ogarro, Kenroy Peters, Godron Pope, Kishorne Shallow, Marvin Small, Cosman Walters, Keswick Williams and Rolando Wright.

closing at 89 for 1 off 11.3 overs, Atticus Browne contributing 35 and Lauron Francois 19.

Elsewhere in last weekend, there were mixed fortunes for Carl Joseph Law Chambers ASCO, who defeated The News Spartans by 18 runs but went under to Radcliffe Too. Scores in the Spartans/ASCO match: ASCO 108 in 19.2 overs, Desron Maloney 30, Micha Joseph 3 wickets for 3 runs, Spartans 90 in 18.3 overs, Maloney 4 for 14.

Maloney continued his good form against LIME Radcliffe Too, registering a top score of 59 in his team’s 150 for 6 off 20 overs. Dyke Carto returned figures of 4 for 33 for Radcliffe.

Radcliffe reached 151 for 4 in 18.3 overs, Rodney Lawrence 51 and Andre Hunte 2 for 10.

The other Radcliffe team in the competition, LIME Radcliffe Too, lost to Triumph United Cricket Club at Buccament. Scores: Lime Radcliffe Too 74 in 16.4, Imran Smith 26, Isaac Trimmingham 3 for 20; Triumph United Cricket Club 108 all out in 17.2 overs, Rangel Small made 28, Kensley Joseph had 3 for 17.

Lauron Francois also hit a half century for Victors 1.

Miles Bascombe hit a vital unbeaten 90 for Victors 1.

Triumph United Cricket Club faltered in their second weekend match, going under by 6 wickets to Team Rivals at Buccament.

Scores: Triumph United Cricket Club 106 for 5 in 20 overs, Rangel Small 47 not out, Deighton Butler took 2 for 22; Team Rivals 107 for 4 in 14 overs,. Kadir Nedd 41, Rohan Ash took 2 for 17.

Also at Buccament, Ishallz Byam’s Physical Therapy beat Police One by 8 runs.

Scores: Ishallz Byam’s Physical Therapy 137 in 18.2 overs, Imran Samuel 48, Vertil Davis 5 for 18; Police One 129 for 5 off 20 overs, Peter Morris hit 43, Courtney Joyette 2 for

26.

Guardian General Saints defeated Victors 2 by 10 runs at Arnos Vale 1. Scores: General Saints 111 for 7 off 20 overs, Sunil Ambris 22, Denson Hoyte 3 for 18 and Damal Phillips 3 for 20; Victors 2 101 for 9 off 20 overs, Hank Hall 18, Rolando Wright 2 for 17.

Across the waters in Bequia, Police 2 lost to Bequia by 4 wickets at Paget Farm. Scores: Police 2 140 for 8 in 18.2, Donson Andrew hit 54, Dean Browne 2 for 20; Bequia 144 for 8 off 15.3., Olanzo Billingy 93, Sarlon Pompey took 3 for 25.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Police maintain lead

Romel Currency returns determined to reclaim his place in the national cricket team.

This year’s Windwards tournament is expected to see a slight change to the format, with the prospect of a 3day and T20 tournaments.

I.B.A.ALLEN

HAVING TROUNCED their national security Colleague SBG Coast Guard 25 — 14 last Sunday, the Royal SVG Police Force maintained their position at the top of the standings of the Hairoun/Government Printery Sports and Cultural Club Domino Competition.

The Police sit on eight points from 4 matches, ahead of Port Authority and Transport and Works each on 4 points.

Port Authority and Transport and Works also recorded weekend victories, the former beating SVG Coast Guard, 25 — 17, and the latter edging Government Printery, 25 — 24.

Competition continues this weekend at the Thomas Saunders

One of the tables featuring the Police/Coast Guard clash – the police pair plays the long side.

Secondary School; Friday 27th Sept. — Port Authority versus Transport and Works; Saturday 28th Sept. — Government Printery versus Police, and St. Vincent Brewery versus CWSA; Sunday 29th

Sept. — ECGC versus Port Authority, and CWSA versus Government Printery.

The Competition is scheduled to close on October 28, to coincide with the Independence celebrations.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. 25.

Sports

Sensitive issue

THE FINALISTS for the 2014 Football World Cup scheduled for Brazil will be decided by November, and thereafter, preparations for the show, the final phase for those hoping to grab the prestigious symbol, will tweak.

The pundits have earmarked their favourites, but the winner will be something no one can predict.

Sporting results are achieved on the field, no matter to what extent those engaged in match fixing may have filtered through the prism.

It has become an international phenomenon, the way in which Clubs have attracted attention. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is no less part of that sacrilege, and some fans are more aligned to their respective Clubs than their national squad. No one can blame them. They love genuine football, and the national team does not provide enough opportunity for them to see their squad in action.

The players continue to make their appearance in, as one notable critic has pointed out, ‘99 Leagues’. The competitive edge will have been erased, and their exposure to untold danger wreaks havoc in the long run.

Football in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a sensitive issue. Vincentians have a passion for it, but there is a feeling that the cause has been meandering.

We seem to take the short way out, and are satisfied with the minimum, and are content with the immediate gains. Enough attention is not given to the bigger picture and the benefits to be derived from the long term.

So as long as the instant tastes are gratified, no efforts are prolonged to ensure that structures are in place to establish real ongoing productivity.

We have a carefree approach. We leave it to others and hope that they take care. We are quick to make not just judgements but also cast aspersions. It comes to a showdown for matters to be resolved. Whether it is election of officers or the choice of officials for any given unit, there is ire.

When the time comes for the next bout, a set of factors would surface, and in genuine survival mode, something will be arranged to cater for the scenario.

Then we must decide on the options available or the routes necessary to adjust to the existing tide.

That can be as uncertain as the conditions under which everyone operates.

What we need is consistency so that we keep a standard. It is not business as usual. Sports have become an industry. We have to harness our resources and refine them for maximum productivity.

The administration must justify their role. It will not be a solo effort. The partnership has to be sincere. The business circles must have confidence to work with the sport, and there has to be a collective spirit of dedication.

National politics has not been a welcome factor in sporting institutions. In the Caribbean there has to be flexibility. There can never be genuine progress unless the population embraces the cultural ties. There must be a way of finding the root across common ground.

Canouan Football League opens Right: A The 2013 Canouan Football League kicked section of the off on Sunday 22nd September, at the new teams involve recreational facility at Friendship, with the d in the usual parade. march Eight of the nine past. registered teams turned up for the march past. Club Nuevo All Stars Combine, the defending champions, won the best dress award.

Brief remarks were made by the president of the League, Mr. Glenroy Baptiste; Football officials from SVGFF, and Miss Maridonna Burgin, a representative from CCA, who also presented $800 on her company’s behalf towards the purchasing of the championship trophy.

Mr Baptiste stressed the importance of proper conduct on and off the field of play, and good sportsmanship. He warned that his Committee was going to be tough on players who display unsportsmanlike conduct towards any player, official or organizers.

The feature game saw Glasgow Construction Upsetters defeating Club Nuevo All Stars Combine, 5 — 3, on penalty kicks, after the score was leveled at 2 goals each at the end of regulation time.

Matches will be played on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and begin at 4:30 pm.

Teams participating are: Club Nuevo All Stars Combine, CCA Blue Stars, Corridon Construction, Glasgow Construction Gunners, Glasgow Construction Upsetters, Gumbolimbo Boys, Overcomers, Streetside Ballers and Warriors United Notably absent from this year’s competition is Derrick Construction.

(Contributed)

Club Nuevo All Stars Combine, winner of the best dress award.

26. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013. 27.

Classifieds

SAMUEL CASTEEN PATTERSON

ANITA PETERS

FRANK HERCULES

St. Theresa Spiritual Baptist Church Barrouallie Sunday 22nd September, 2013 3:00 p.m.

Age: 79 Years Mt. Coke Methodist Church Saturday 21st September, 2013 3:00 p.m.

Officiating: Rev. C. Stilson Cato

BERYL LOUISE DURRANT Seventh-Day Adventist Church New Grounds Sunday 22nd September, 2013 2:00 p.m

Sunrise: 6th August, 1965 - Sunset: 13th September, 2013 Layou Seventh-Day Adventist Church Sunday 22nd September, 2013 2:00 p.m.

GIDEON LEE DOUGLAS LAVIA Apostolic Faith Mission Campden Park Saturday 21st September, 2013 2:30 p.m.

Sandy Bay Gospel Chapel Saturday 21st September, 2013 2:00 p.m.

F O R

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

A.I. REAL ESTATE Ottley Hall 4 bedrm Property on 3,312 sq.ft. - $104,840.00 - H529 Questelles 3 bedrm Property on 7,977 sq.ft.

- $350,000.00 - H714

S A L E

FRIDAY,

SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

VOLUME 107, No.39

SENATOR CAMILLO GONSALVES, this country’s Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Commerce, and Information Technology Minister, is not interested in eating cherries. He is more focussed on serving the state.

Senator Gonsalves, the 41-year-old son of Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, was responding to remarks offered in the House of Assembly last week Thursday.

The younger Gonsalves pledged loyalty to Her Majesty the Queen, Her Heirs, and Successors, before he officially took his seat as a Government Senator, but made it plain that, while it was not a constitutional requirement, it was a legal one.

He expressed the view that there might soon be an oath that is more fitting.

Camillo scoffed at references that he

had three bites of the cherry, as made

by Central Kingstown’s representative St. Clair Leacock.

Senator Gonsalves acknowledged that some of the metaphors escaped him, but he did not let that of the cherry pass unnoticed.

Senators Jomo Thomas, elected Deputy Speaker of the House, and Luke Browne, Parliamentary Secretary in the Tourism, Youth and Sports Ministry, also embarked on their Parliamentary journeys.

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GONSALVES JR.: ÂHERE TO SERVEÊ

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Camillo Gonsalves on his way to the House of Assembly where he took his seat as a Government Senator for the first time.

the duties of Deputy Speaker.

As far as Lewis was concerned, Browne has a “herculean task” trying to unseat opposition leader Arnhim Eustace in East Kingstown.

As regards Senator Gonsalves, Lewis’s welcome Lewis pointed out that “politics is not Opposition Senator Linton Lewis, in as easy as it appears to be.”

Lewis read the biblical excerpt of welcoming the three senators, Abraham and the sacrifice of his son premised his congratulations on the Isaac. assumption that the Unity Labour Senator Gonsalves pointed out to Party was on its way out of office.

Lewis that the father and son lived The Opposition Senator was of the happily after a sacrifice. Lewis made opinion that Thomas will bring “some no reference of the lamb in his fairness and justice” to the House, presentation. when he gets the chance to perform

The three new senators share a light moment with PM Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and Parnel Campbell Q.C.

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A position of value There was no doubt that there was cynicism during the remarks. Some comments appeared to have been well meant, but there was underlying friction that the new senators had aroused.

The three new senators praised the ruling Unity Labour Party, even though in Senator Gonsalves’ opinion, the differences need not descend to “malice and rancour,” and, citing the common bond transcending ideologies across the floor, suggested that the House be “unified by love for St. Vincent and the Grenadines and a desire to do well.”

And in describing the role of Senators, he said the position “has to have value. We have to give it value,” he pointed out.

He would like to see more women in the House, and Opposition Senator Vynette Frederick absent, leaving elected parliamentarian Girlyn Miguel as the only female present, his comment was pertinent.

The House is slated to meet again on October 29.

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