Issue 26th October, 2012

FRIDAY,

OCTOBER 26 2012

VOLUME 106, No. 43

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

The body of Godwin Gumbs-Samuel was almost entirely covered with bushes.

POLICE SAY NO FOUL PLAY is suspected in the death of a 68-year-old Park Hill man, whose body was discovered lying in the San Souci cemetery last Wednesday.

The police were called in after the body of Godwin Gumbs-Samuel, was reportedly discovered by a villager around 8:15 a.m.

A well placed source told THE VINCENTIAN that the lower half of the body was nude and the corpse appeared to be scorched and blistered.

According to the source, a piece of twine was tied to one leg and what appeared to be blood was spotted next to the body.

Up to press time Wednesday, an autopsy was pending.

Police confirmed that the matter would still have to be investigated, even though foul play is not suspected. (HH)

Philemon Allen recognizes the current worrying state of bananas but holds out hope for the future.

The indentation left on the ground after Gumbs-Samuel’s body was removed.

‘Tackle banana issues now,’ says WINFA Chairman PHILEMON ALLEN, Chariman of the Windward Islands Farmers Association (WINFA), wants government to see to it that all technical issues are tackled and in place, so that the business of bananas can thrive.

He lamented that, “Farmers feel that the powers that be aren’t involved, and at the moment, farmers complain that fertiliser has been out for awhile. This must be addressed.”

Continued on Page 3.

2. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

V News 3 Aussie Ambassador sad

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. 3.

between Australian and Caricom nationals than before.

CALYPSONIAN GRANTLEY He noted traditional ‘IPA’ CONSTANCE penned sporting links nurtured the lines, “When yo gotta and crystallized by the go you gotta go,” in one of healthy respect his songs.

Australians have for Jamaican Gregory West Indian cricketers Isaacs had a line which since that famous tied echoed, “Sad to know Test match in 1961. that you are leaving.”

“People in Australia The two references are going to know the may be apt for Australia and Caricom West Indies beyond Australian diplomat, closer sport,” Kentwell Philip Kentwell. promised.

Kentwell winds up his Kentwell is happy He is convinced that regional stint next with the success he has Australia “understands January. By then, he achieved with bilateral Caricom better than would have completed and collective before. We have never sPhillip Kentwell, return arrangements with nearly six years as his been closer,” Kentwell country’s ambassador in to his homeland, countries of the regional stated.

Australia, after serving this region. body.

Australia has been as its Ambassador to Based in Port of Australia is keen to elected to the NonSpain, the Trinidad and CARICOM for the last build a bridge with the Permanent Seat at the Tobago capital, Kentwell six years.

Caribbean, Kentwell Security Council of the was assigned to 14 pointed out, and he United Nations. move on.

Caricom territories, referred to linkages Kentwell attributes that He will carry including St. Vincent and memories of the “warmth between the University recognition to Caricom’s the Grenadines. of the West Indies and support. of Caribbean people,” a Kentwell sees the characteristic akin to his the Australian National Similarities University, and avenues Australian tenure of the own country folk, and the to strengthen the bonds. UN position as a “like-minded outlook on But just like most Kentwell is happy that “steppingstone to further life that people aspects in life, he has to there is more interaction deepening our (Australians and Caribbean people) share.”

He pointed to the two people’s fondness for having a good time and their love for sports.

Other similarities between the two regions are “usually good weather,” and the “ocean around us.”

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

TOMORROW, Saturday 27th October, 2012, marks the 33rd anniversary of our country’s political independence from Great Britain.

We are pleased to share with you, our valued readers, a much

sought after photograph which we consider fitting to this time of year.

It shows Prime Minister Milton Cato and the Duke of Kent leading a group of distinguished gentlemen into the House of Assembly (Court House), for the

sitting of the First Parliament of an independent St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Also pictured among others, are: Sir Sydney Gun Munro, this country’s first Governor General (left); the towering figure of Alec

Hughes, Speaker of the House (behind the Duke); Chief of Police (now known as Commissioner of Police) Ben Jackson (behind and to the left of Mr. Cato); and interestingly, a young William Harry (right), who would rise to become our Commissioner of Police.

Elected members of Parliament who sat in the first parliament were: Robert M. Cato, Hudson Tannis, Randolph Russell, John Thompson, Levi Latham, Arthur Woods, Grafton Isaacs, St. Clair Dacon and Arthur Willaims of the St. Vincent Labour Party; Ebenezer Joshua and Ivy Joshua of the People’s Political Party; and James Mitchell of the Mitchell-Sylvester Party.

Ironically, even in our ‘independence,’ our House of Assembly/Parliament retains symbolism of the rule of Great Britain and allegiance to the British Monarch.

He contends that “some of the culture has Rounding off rubbed on me,” and confided that “I am going Last week Thursday to miss St. Vincent and was Kentwel’sl final tour the Grenadines,” and of duty as far as St. vowed: “I will be back.”

Vincent and the His last day here was Grenadines was hectic. His schedule concerned. included calls on the “I feel very sad to be country’s Governor leaving the Caribbean,” General Sir Frederick he admitted.

Ballantyne and Prime He plans to “lime” Minister Dr. Ralph when he gets back to his Gonsalves. base in Sydney. But he Kentwell will be at intends to return. home when the West Kentwell is convinced: Indies team visits “You can’t walk away Australia February next from five and half years year. But he ponders of your adult life.”

“Who will I barrack for?”

engagement.”

‘Tackle banana issues now,’ says WINFA Chairman Continued from Page 1.

Allen made his feeling known when he addressed a gathering of his colleague farming members of WINFA and representatives of media houses, on Thursday 17th October, at WINFA headquarters, Paul’s Avenue, St. Vincent.

He was at the time announcing plans for marking the 7th anniversary of the incorporation of his organization, but took the time out to examine the state of the banana industry here.

With his eyes on the future, Allen declared, “If we want to keep the industry and keep farmers alive we must address the banana issue in the right way, because banana, agriculture is still the way to go within these small economies.”

Allen highlighted the situation with respect to fertilizer, forcibly saying that “fertiliser has been out of the system for over a month,” and that “quality reports from technical personnel make it clear that a lack of fertilizer is the main issue for quality problems in the Vincentian banana and it causes UPD (Underpeel Discoloration) and other issues.”

What was needed was “an injection of funds,” Allen posited.

The Chairman made all aware that the returns from bananas purchased in England “is hardly enough to pay the farmers themselves” Repeating that there were a number of problems in the industry that needed to be ironed out, Allen warned that if these were not attended to, “we might see the death of banana because farmers cannot continue in this way.”

But there was hope in Allen’s purview. “The problem with our banana is that it is malnourished, and we know what happens with malnourished children. If we could get inputs in a timely manner and a system to assess inputs on time, we can go back.”

He urged all stakeholders in the industry to “put away their naivety and see banana as an important component to the livelihood of St. Vincent,” and he appealed directly to farmers not to be disgruntled, but to keep the faith.

He did, however, admonish farmers for having failed to follow the agreements with WINFA and described this as “bad for you and for us and the industry on a whole,” and reiterated the importance of “keeping the industry together.”

Farmers in SVG celebrate WINFA’s anniversary on Independence Weekend, from October 26th.

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4. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Lawyer assists one-legged man

by HAYDN HUGGINS A ONE-LEGGED man touched fists with attorney Grant Connell, minutes after escaping a custodial sentence on Monday, following Connell’s passionate mitigation plea on his behalf.

Sheldon Selby, who gave his address as Prospect, had appeared at the Serious Offences Court, charged with criminally assaulting Prison Officer Alrick Lavia of Redemption Sharpes. He was also accused of damaging the antenna and right rear view mirror of a vehicle belonging to Lateisha Bailey of Belair, which altogether valued EC$550. He pleaded guilty to both charges before Chief Magistrate Sonya Young.

The facts in the first matter revealed that around 8:20 p.m August 1, 2012, the prison officer was coming from a function at OT’s Car Park when Selby met him and asked for $5.

Selby asked Lavia about three times for the money and the prison officer repeatedly told him he had no money.

Selby became annoyed, broke a bottle and threatened to stab Lavia in his face.

In relation to the other

charge, the court heard that around 4:15 p.m. last Friday, October 19, Bailey was going to make a purchase at a pharmacy in Kingstown when Selby met her and asked for $2. Bailey ignored him, but Selby continued to walk behind the woman, and as soon as she entered the pharmacy, he turned back, went to the lady’s car, parked close by, and broke the antenna and left rear view mirror.

As a friend of the court, Connell rose to mitigate on Selby’s behalf.

Selby lost his left leg some time ago and uses a pair of crutches to move around.

Connell told the Chief Magistrate, “I am just assisting him (Selby), Your Honour,” and pleaded with her not to imposed custodial sentence.

Connell said he used to see Selby hopping on one foot and trimming people’s yard.

The lawyer said he was impressed because there were many people with both legs who were not doing anything to help themselves.

But the Chief Magistrate contended that she would not have mercy just because Selby had one leg. She noted,

Sheldon Selby (left) shares a brotherly ‘fist’ with attorney Grant Connell who had come to his assistance without request.

“There are one-legged people all over the world doing something to help themselves.”

Young was appalled

by Selby’s action and told him, “You are just very lucky that when you start up with your nonsense, somebody don’t pull away your crutches and beat you with it.”

Connell pointed out, “The expense to keep him (in jail) would be far more than the EC$550,” referring to the value of the antenna and mirror

Selby damaged.

“He ain’t more expensive than anybody else,” the Magistrate replied.

Selby told the court he suffered physical abuse while in custody.

“I suffer real physical abuse, man. Three policemen beat me and skate me down the steps at CID,” he recalled.

After scrutinizing his conviction sheet, Young pointed out, “This is not his first offence. This is a full well seasoned, hardened criminal.”

The Magistrate said it was her mind to send Selby to prison, but she eventually opted for a non-custodial sentence after concluding that a jail term would not help him. She told the accused that she would sentence him in a way that he could improve his life.

“Take this as an opportunity to fix yourself,” she warned.

Selby was sentenced to six months in prison, but that sentence was suspended for one year.

That is, if Selby is

convicted of any offence within one year, he would serve a mandatory sentence of six months in addition to the penalty imposed for the offence of which he is convicted.

Selby was also bonded for one year. If he breaches the bond, he would have to pay the court $700 forthwith or go to prison for six months. He was also ordered to pay $550 compensation to Bailey.

He was allowed one week to do this with an alternative of three months in prison.

Syrian-Vincentian in marathon session

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

ADNAN MCCOOL, a Syrian born businessman who acquired Vincentian citizenship some 17 years ago, is still trying to adjust to his adopted land.

He has been resident here for 21 years and he is currently enduring a test of his understanding of the judicial system here.

McCool is the complainant in a matter in which a Vincentian woman Sandra John appeared before Justice Wesley James, on charges of deception.

The trial commenced at the High Court last Monday. Former senator Andrea Young was the first on the witness stand. She appeared in her capacity as head of the Commercial and Intellectual Property Office.

Her stint was brief compared to the time of McCool who was the second witness. He was expected to return to the witness box yesterday Thursday, even though defence lawyer Dr. Linton Lewis had two radio programmes scheduled that day, after being grilled over three previous days.

His stint was punctuated by hints from Justice Wesley James to “cite him for contempt.”

James explained to McCool the implications of his statements.

“In your case, it wouldn’t be

along with Crown imprisonment. I would Counsel Carl Williams. stop the case,” James James wondered if outlined.

Williams’ position was He urged the complainant to “answer “left off.”

The light hearted concisely.”

McCool indicated that banter was in contrast to the issues at hand. he understood the Lewis insisted on his situation. Plans to put examination, some of him away for two days, which seemed to confuse or impose $1,000 fines did not help McCool with and frustrate the Syrian born complainant. a grasp of the legal The defence lawyer procedure. justified his actions and That aspect was pounced upon by Lewis, pointed out “the defence has a right to be heard.” and he quipped during To which James his examination: “That gentleman should be put responded “not for eternity.” Wednesday’s in prison for two days, and then he will answer adjournment marked the Defence attorney Dr. third day of the trial. my questions.”

Linton Lewis is A nine member jury McCool was prepared to stay the questioned after having including four men is course with his crossoverseeing the trial. been introduced by examination to ensure Crown Counsel Carl that the defence is Williams. heard.

The matter has been in court since 2008, with hearing at both the civil and criminal jurisdictions.

The trial was interspersed with humour by James.

He quizzed Lewis about his having played a long innings. Lewis told the Justice that he had seventeen years at the highest level.

James referred to some batsmen playing long innings but not scoring many runs. Lewis assured the Judge that such was Geoff Boycott’s style and that he differed being a West Indian.

Lewis pointed out that he represented the nation in football Adrian McCool, water in hand, leaves the court after at national level another marathon session in the witness box.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. 5.

Regional

LIAT has ‘uneconomic routes’ Thirty-five percent of the 112 daily flights of LIAT is uneconomic.

Captain Ian Brunton, LIAT’s newly-appointed chief executive officer, made the disclosure during a conference of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, held in St Kitts some two weeks ago.

He was, at the time, delivering a paper on the ‘Challenge of Regional Transportation: Where are the Solutions?’. The

conference participants included ministers and directors of tourism of regional governments.

Describing the routes as ‘social routes’, Brunton told the conference, “LIAT cannot continue to meet the cost of these social routes,” While not saying which markets were uneconomical, he did point out that it referred to eight countries.

“We intend to approach those markets

SVG AIR is expected to fill the void created by the ban on Fly Montserrat.

to provide support on the uneconomic routes,” Brunton said, and warned that, “If the support is not given, we shall have to wean out the flights,” And there was more ‘bad’ news, for according to Brunton, “high operating costs, fees and taxes on the industry, stifling regulations and security challenges, competition and a steady fall-off (20 percent) in intra-regional travel over the last five years as a result of the international recession that goes back to 2008, are significant elements of LIAT’s problems.”

In addition, Brunton

LIAT serves CARICOM as well as said, “finding non-CARICOM markets. the capital to replace an aging fleet, travelled to a even if the 30-year old destination. planes are still working LIAT, dubbed the well,” is also a major ‘regional airline the challenge. airline, is owned by three Addressing the of the 11 CARICOM perception that “LIAT is governments – gouging customers,” the Barbados, St. Vincent CEO explained that the and the Grenadines and cost of a ticket, “is made Antigua and Barbuda. It high by factors outside of operates routes in the the control of the airline. Caribbean that go as far Airport fees and other north as Puerto Rico and forms of taxation (66 in the Dominican Republic all) account for between and Guyana and 30 and 50 percent of the Trinidad and Tobago in fare.” the south. It also serves He insisted that the the US and British LIAT base fare was Virgin Islands and the competitive with other French territories of international airlines on Guadeloupe and the basis of miles Martinique.

Captain Ian Brunton, CEO of LIAT, has issued a warning that the airline might have to cut some of its routes.

Brunton, who came into the job in August 2012, projected then, a turnaround of the airline’s fortunes in 12 months.

Lie detector test for JCF recruits

An audit of Fly Montserrat has been ordered by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

SVG AIR to Montserrat’s rescue St. Vincent and the Grenadines based and registered SVG AIR is expected to increase its service into and from Montserrat.

This follows an October 16 ban on Fly Montserrat by the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA), restricting that airline from flying into any ECCAA member state until the airline meets certain requirements. The ban effectively grounded the airline, one official said.

The ECCAA ban was enforced following an incident in which a Fly Montserrat aircraft rolled onto the grass on landing at John Osborne Airport in Montserrat on the morning of October 16, and investigations into the crash of another aircraft in Antigua on October 7, in which three people were killed.

This recent restriction comes on the heels of efforts by Montserrat to encourage investment aimed at improving links between that island and the V. C. Bird International Airport in Antigua, that airport being one of Montserrat’s principal connections to the rest of the Caribbean and the world.

Following the ban on Fly Montserrat, the government announced that SVG AIR will be adding more flights to meet the demands of the flying public, and especially to meet the increased demand for the coming festival season in Montserrat.

Seventeen years ago, the John Osborne Airport, the main airport in Montserrat, was destroyed by a volcanic eruption, resulting in flights into the island by only small Twin-Otter type planes.

Recruits to the Jamaica Constabulary (Police) Force (JFC) will have to undergo polygraph examinations, commonly known as a lie detector test.

This is the word from that country’s Commissioner of Police (CoP), Owen Ellington.

At present, all senior officers, and those deemed to be handed sensitive assignments, must undergo polygraphs tests.

However, CoP Ellington has informed that soon all recruits will be required to undergo the procedure.

The Commissioner is quoted in the Jamaica press as saying: “Our dream is that eventually, perhaps very soon, we will be able to not just apply the polygraph exercise to senior ranking officers and those being looked at for sensitive assignments, but certainly to apply it to every member being recruited in the JCF.” He views the new requirement as an effort to ensure that those who serve in the JCF are of the highest integrity and professionalism, and alluded to those who have had the polygraph test as feeling better about themselves and the organization (JCF).

Those who have had the test are “much more confident that as an institution, we have the

These recruits to the JCF may have escaped the lie detector test but not those soon to be recruited. capacity, not just to help Jamaica’s Commissioner of people build integrity, Police Owen Ellington but also to help them in announced the preserving their integricoming on stream of ty,” Ellington said. the new requirement.

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6. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Wall collapses

by WILLIAM “KOJAH’ ANTHONY David Dopwell/Laidlow has some issues on his mind. One of them concerns a wall running along a drain outside his property at Paul’s Avenue, Kingstown.

Last Friday, October 19, around 9am, the wall collapsed. There David Dopwell/Laidlow is was no loss of life, adamant that work involving but two vehicles heavy duty equipment on an parked there were adjacent site had something damaged. to do with weakening his wall.

Dopwell/Laidlow is thankful that no thing in the gutter,” one died or received any Dopwell/Laidlow injury. But he is worried reflected. that if the debris is left He is seeking unattended, it may cause compensation for the further destruction to his destruction to his property. residence.

Dopwell/Laidlow The building belongs recalls that the house to his mother, but he has has been standing for been living there alone over fifty years. He was since 2000. born there. The Dopwell/Laidlow is structure, even though it adamant that excavation is old, kept its shape work at the neigbouring until works were plot caused cracks to his undertaken on an house. He had adjacent portion of land. complained about that That area previously matter previously. accommodated the “When the heavy Kingstown Town Board equipment was doing the office and was used, in foundation, it crack up recent times as a Mas me house. Everything (Carnival) Tent. happen from Dopwell/Laidlow underneath,” Laidlow recalled hearing a sound went on. that Friday morning and “They crack up the feeling a sensation. He wall,” Dopwell/Laidlow thought it was an stated. “Then the rain earthquake. come,” he added.

“When I look, I see

Two vehicles were damaged by the falling wall.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. 7.

News

NDP to hold protest

By KENVILLE HORNE THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY (NDP) CONFIRMED THAT IT WILL BE HOLDING A PROTEST MARCH AND RALLY NEXT MONTH, TO HEIGHTEN CONCERN about a number of problems the country is facing under the leadership of the Unity Labour Party government. Opposition Leader and President of the NDP, Arhnim Eustace, said that St. Vincent and the Grenadines “is being led in the wrong direction under the misguided policies of the Unity Labour Party, who constantly breaks their promises and in the process break the Vincentian dream.” Eustace told THE VINCENTIAN that a lot of persons are afraid to talk because of victimization, “but it is time for people to wake up to the issues.” The protest march and rally is set to take place on November 8. The march will begin at Democrat House, Murray Road, and conclude at the Sion Hill intersection.

Protestors would hear addresses

from members of the NDP, along with other concerned citizens on issues such as the collapsing economy and four years of negative growth, the increase in crime and unemployment, and the overall degradation in the country’s standard of living.

The NDP staged a series of protests in the early The opposition leader said that he months of 2011 following the December 2010 election. is constantly receiving calls for assistance because people are following the disturbance. way Ralph finding it hard.

Arnhim Eustace, Efforts are currently ongoing in would , but I President of the “There is a lady who called me Parliamentary Opposition won’t. They organizing and mobilizing persons, but this morning seeking assistance so (ULP) have one of the major problems is finance NDP, is calling on her daughter can go to school”, he for transportation to bring supporters a different Vincentians to come out noted. “Sometimes I go into shops way of doing from the various constituencies. in protest against the and when you see what people are Eustace cited the high expenses misguided policies of the things.” buying , you know they are involved in staging any mass march He ULP government. struggling.” recalled that and protest.

Asked if he would be pursuing a The opposition leader is urging during the time of the ULP’s blockage more aggressive form of protest, persons to turn out in their numbers.

Eustace responded , “I am not going to of the roads, his government had “It is time for Vincentians to take back already sealed a deal for a project in block no road, I am not into that. and rebuild the nation”, Eustace Campden Park that would have Everybody want us to respond like the added. provided 350 jobs, but “it got stuck”’

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8. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial

‘Whither do we go?’

THERE ARE MANY scholars who have studied the development of former colonies of Great Britain.

Some of those scholars have found common ground in accepting that the dreams of those countries (former colonies) at the time of taking control of their own destinies, are succinctly summed up in Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech to India’s Constituent Assembly at midnight on Aug. 14, 1947, the moment of that country’s detachment from English rule.

Nehru had this to say with respect to the aspirations that India should endeavour to achieve: ‘to bring freedom and opportunity to the common man, to the peasants and workers of India; to fight and end poverty and ignorance and disease; to build up a prosperous, democratic and progressive nation, and to create social, economic and political institutions which will ensure justice and fullness of life to every man and woman’.

These are indeed worthy goals, which many of our leaders — local and regional — have espoused, having, of course, articulated them in their own styles and vernacular.

They remain the ideals of the purpose of charting a course to true self-determination and self-realization.

That is why these worthy goals are implicit in our Constitution, and their successful pursuit lies with the answer to the question, again courtesy of Nehru: ‘Whither do we go?’

As we reflect on the last thirty-three years of exercising control over our destiny, can we say that on the night of October 27, 1979, that we had an answer to that question?

Can we say that we have an answer today?

Maybe it was that this question could not have been answered on the night of October 27, 1979. Maybe it was that the least the new nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines could have agreed upon was to collectively aspire to unite on a set of goals and ideals. Did we?

The ongoing divisive nature of our politics and an economic system that breeds/bred inequality, especially as far as opportunity is concerned, may well have put spend to any collective aspiration to unity.

The question, ‘Whither do we go?’ remains relevant to the nation’s leaders - in politics, business and civil society at this the 33rd anniversary of our independence; they must answer the question at each of the critical junctures in this nation’s life, both in their actions and words.

Nehru’s answer to the question lay in his efforts towards building a socialist utopia that was secular and democratic.

His mentor, Mohandas K. Gandhi, considered the true father of India’s struggle for independence, posited building a new India through ‘self rule’ of its villages and individuals.

They may have differed, but they had an answer to the question, ‘Whither do we go?’, and they tried to steer the people in the direction they thought fit.

So, ‘Whither do we go?’ The reality of today’s St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the lack of leaders who can answer the question, who are prepared to answer the question truthfully or answer it with any hope of taking the clear majority of Vincentians along the road they propose with them.

On this, another occasion to ceremonially mark the anniversary of our independence from imperial rule, there is ample progress about which we can boast. The truth is that we have come some way, but that we have a long way to go towards achieving those noble intentions referenced earlier.

And as we journey together, for it is only in unity in a single cause that we will see a true sharing of the goods of our making for the common good of all, along that path we must stop, see, judge, ask the question ‘Whither do we go?’, before we act.

To leave any one person behind in our march to prosperity and equality is to denigrate the aspirations of our independence.

Vans Re- board “You ask for it” Any keen reader of the VANS would have observed that the publication last week was intended to be the follow-up article, while the present one published today should have been first.

But, not to worry. No real harm done.

I visited the Mental Asylum last Sunday and was amazed at the praise heaped upon me for This Week column generally, and in particular for the article on VANS. Robertson, an inmate who is the son of George Robertson, a former magazine and newspaper distributor, wanted to know when the authorities would recognise and honour my literary contribution as they did Doc Edgar Adams recently!

Which reminds me that Independence Honours are about to be dished out to the faithful of the U.L.P tribe. Even the date chosen for Independence is the birthday of a Labour stalwart.

“Making a choice among the vans is a real tricky business these days. For starters, there is “Maxi —Taxi” or “Micro Bus” which amounts to the same thing. However, with “Knowledge” and “Integrity” I will point you out “The Way””, and you may “Have a Go” or “Put um Yah”.

So “Are You Ready?” “Vamos Amigos”, let us take it in “Stages”. If you like “Colours”, you can take “Yellow Man” or “Ivory” or “Misty Blues”.

But if you travel according to the “Seasons”, the following are open to you: in mid-year, “Summer Star” or “Sun-Splash”, “Goodwill” and “Singing Noel” during this Christmas season; and “Prosperity” for the new year. You may, of course, prefer to ride “Hopey” or “Good Hope” all year round. The early risers will go for “Morning Star” returning home by “Sunset”. Late limers will settle for “Moon- Raker”.

lowly “Farmer” on the other hand, depended on “Banana”.

The good old “Explorer” will venture on “Mesopotamia Joy”, “Mesopotamia Gem”, “Prospect Gem”, or follow the various Stars“Valley Star”, “Shining Star” or “Silver Star”. Uptight townsfolk wanting to tour in style will consider it a “Traveler’s Delight” to commute by “High-way Special” or “the Chateau”.

If you are a lover boy, you will be attracted by “Venus” which in van language is not the same person as “Goddess of Love”, “Heart to Heart”, if you don’t trust “Living Eyes” and don’t want to be a “Fall Guy” wondering “Who to Blame”, then consult “Mystic Man” and gaze into the “Crystal Ball”. There you may come up with “Sweet Love”, “Sweeter Love”, Poppy Love”, Healing Love”, “Peace and Love”, Ebony Love”- “Endless Love”.

After that you can afford to live on “Memories”.

Should you be in “Mellow Moods” however, you may want to take “Sweet Music”, then “Sweeter Music” and “More Music”, finally drifting off into “Sweet Dreams”, especially if you happened to be on the “Night Beat”. But if by chance the melody drives you to dance, try the “Charlie Tango.”

Dog Eat Dog

But this van business is no bed of roses if you want to make “Progress.” As a “Struggling Man” of the “Third World” you have to believe in the past as a “Man From Africa,” a “Bantu” or “Bongo Boys and Girls Man”, a real “Roots Man” who is part of the “Black Starliner”, old “Zion Train” or modern I can’t understand how there could be a “Man- “Soul Train”.

Shortage” among the vans. There are “Jo-Joe”, “Survival” is the name of the game, especially “Monte”, “Nappie”, “Terry-O”, ”Eddie”, “Nick”, with the threat of the “Mean Machine”. In fact it “Lloyd-D”, and a host of others. I suspect those has become nothing short of a “Rat Race” who feel the need to assert their manhood like featuring “The Rat”, “Big Rat”, “Small Rat” and “Man-Ramo”, “Man-Dick”, “Man Ashby” and the “Rat Himself”. In the presence of these “Man-Snow”. Perhaps they want to mark rodents, “Sugar George”, “Sugar Daddy”, “Brown themselves off from the man who has the vanity Sugar”, “Corn Bread” and “Sweet Pibit” don’t to carry the name “Cutie Himself”. stand a chance.

Girls give a smoother ride “Softly” with Some even say that it was an open war. Soon “Serenity”, like the “Breeze”, they are also quite enough the American Marines would transfer “Polite”, so don’t “Think Twice” before jumping on from “General” to the more appropriate “Warrior”.

“Paula-Ann”, “Vanessa S”, “Janeel”, “Jem”, And you had better join me in support of the “Roxanne”, “Jasmine”, “Jean-Ann”, “Solita”, “Liberator”.

“Ashra R”, “Suzette G”, “Jennifer S”, “Suzi W” and If your “Time Is Flying” and it is “Crucial” that especially the French chick “La Francella”. you move quickly, don’t bother with those Speaking for myself, “I Like It”! But don’t push wallowing in self — pity or bravado such as “Look your “Luck” too much and trifle with “Yankee Me”, “Little Me”, “Little Hero” or “Baby Face”.

Girl” or “Cheeky- Cheryl”. You might end up with Better to try “The Womble”, “Patches”, “Faith is more than “Heart Ache”. You would be sorry you the Hunter” or “Labour Reward”. If you really did not pull out in “Exodus”. want to fly, you can go into outer space with “E.T” If you are confused, play safe and keep it in or at the other extreme move by underground the family. Stick to the “Brother B’s” “Brother G”, “Express” in the “Subway”.

“Uncle D”, “Bruds” or the only female member If you miss the bus, stop “Man on the Run” or “Sister C”.

“Broadway” who moves like “Grease Lightning”.

But you have to be “Radical” to board “Wild Fire” Love and Music or insane to choose “Mad Dog”. Needless to say, few have the “Confidence” to tempt fate by There is also accommodation for those with a travelling in “Born to Lose”. religious bent. Let “Gospel Bell” toll its message If time does not matter and you are like me a or listen to “Voices” from “Preacher” and accept “Johnny Cool”, then “Take your Time”. Remember “Guidance” to “God is my Refuge” , “He Leadeth “Easy Does It” and do some “Cool Running” by Me”, “He Liveth” and “Behold he Cometh”, going on “Easy Going”. Whatever happens, “Gracias A Deus”. “Jehovah Jireh”.

“Murmur Not” for “Man Must Live”.

Country folk have a wide choice-“Fancy And if you don’t like the way this column Queen”, “Country Queen” or “Country King”, if handled van names, “Still Talk”. they edge up and want to mix with “Royalty”. The “Vaya Condios”.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. 9.

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Viva Chavez!!!

I WANT TO EXTEND congratulations to Presdient Hugo Chavez on his recent triumph in the Presidential election in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

President Chavez’s victory, his fourth, is a clear mandate from the people for him to continue the path of development which he started in 1998.

What is most significant is that President Chavez’s latest victory came in the face of his lifethreatening health problems, and increased opposition from forces inside and outside Venezuela.

It almost seems as though the ‘cold war’ is being waged again as some countries seem determined to see one ideology for the entire globe. President Chavez’s support from his own people that they have accepted his proposed model of governance and development which, of course, is an alternative to what others would want to have the world accept.

President Chavez’s victory, therefore, is as important to Venezuela as it is to all the people of Latin America and the Caribbean, who share his dream of self-determination.

I say without water in my mouth, Viva Chavez!

Long live the Bolivarian Socialist Revolution!

Browne, V Kingstown

Thanks, Mr. Samuel TO BE HONEST, Mr. Editor, I find it difficult reading those long, one-page articles. Not that they are not usually very informative and sometimes provoking. But it does take a little bit extra out of you (me) to get through them in one sitting.

However, this is not to say that I am recommending that you ‘cease and desist’ from the practice.

And while I am on honesty, I must admit that last week’s one-page article, carried on page 20 and captioned ‘The fuel charge: Necessary evil or unnecessary burden’, was a thoroughly revealing one. The writer, Herbert Haz Samuel, gave what, to me, is perhaps the simplest but spot on explanation of this fuel charge.

After reading Mr. Samuel’s piece, I better understand the case that gave rise to the surcharge. However, I must say that I am still not convinced about its usefulness, especially, as Mr. Samuel implies, it seems VINLEC wants to forever inflict this charge on us while they pay lip service to doing research on other forms of generating electricity.

Thanks, Mr. Samuel, for giving us lay people the best explanation I have read to date on this fuel surcharge business. And, while I am on it, shame on all those persons at VINLEC who have failed to explain it the way Mr. Samuel did. Maybe there was or is something to hide?

Paul T

Registry: Like Iraq and Baghdad JUST A FEW DAYS ago, there was a little bacchanal for chairs in the search room of the Registry. It involved a legal clerk and a worker of the Registry. The real problem though is: the search room is too small for the work load and the number of persons who use it on a daily basis. We are breathing in each other’s faces. The Registry was constructed to cater to a few legal clerks. Times have changed; we now have a greater number of clerks.

One section of the Registry I call Iraq.

That section always seems to have a level of conflict among clerks themselves, and between the clerks and members of the public. It got to a point where a lawyer had to bring in a chair for his search clerk.

Another section I call Baghdad because that is where the legal clerks and members of the public sit and have to inhale the odor that comes from the toilet.

I believe that something serious will happen if no attention is given to the present

situation at the Registry.

People are getting worked up because some of the documents are in a deplorable condition. I admit that we legal clerks and the general public need to take care of the books that we use on a daily basis. I am not pointing fingers but the culprits know who they are.

Lawyers need to visit the Registry to see the conditions in which their clerks have to work. If this situation is not seriously addressed, the legal clerks should sign a petition and take it to the relevant authority.

There are some wonderful staff members at the Registry, but when it comes to some of the vault attendants, we as legal clerks should not have to come in the search room to call you when we need assistance. Sometimes you need assistance, and there is no one there to assist you. Do not pressure people when they try to get help.

Eating in the search room is another issue that needs to be dealt

A new mind At thirteen, one of four children sees A man gather some tomato plants and others.

What’s that one, Daddy?

He’s in his room, adjacent to a window next to the back porch, Playing games on a computer.

A trail of banana trees lines his house Plantain and others, similar along the way Nutmeg, breadnut, breadfruit, coconut Palm, pumpkin, wild vines.

A situation previously Not knowing from a field nearby The difference between dasheen and eddoe plants.

The father asks him to come outside “You must be crazy”, states the child.

As the father lifts the crate off the porch with a Bold smile on his face, he beckons, “Remember you have school” New mind picturing luxury or new times work, or money — money The mass media and technologies have gone crazy, bringing poverty Of man’s mind and his mentality.

Elvett G. King

with. Eating is very prevalent amongst legal clerks. When I talk about it people usually ask me if I am still working at the Registry.

Madam Registrar, I know you are a person who usually gets things done. Eating in the computer room is another issue that must be addressed quickly. I think a lunch room is very much needed.

I am positive that a Government building that is not in use can be used to relocate the Registry.

I must make mention of the high level of respect all legal clerks have for IIca Browne, affectionately called ‘II Mother’. It was a

Those VINLEC wires and poles I recall that VINLEC once had a team of people in their employment, whose responsibility it was to make sure that all electrical wires and poles were free of vines and grass. I don’t know for what reason, but I understand that there is no longer this 24/7 crew on VINLEC’s payroll.

I am not surprised, therefore, that there are so many wires and poles throughout this country that are being allowed to be overcome by vines and even branches of trees. Isn’t VINLEC anymore concerned about safety? Can’t VINLEC find the money to keep a crew on contract or something so that this occurrence could be attended to?

Maybe, like so many other times, we’re waiting for something, serious to happen before we take action.

Act now, VINLEC, before the problem gets any worse.

Consumer

deserving honour that a seat was given to her, as a senior member of the search room. She is very helpful to the general public and also to the junior legal clerks.

I know that I might have offended some persons with this piece, but I am not afraid of the truth, even if telling the truth results in “a few less friends,” as the calypsonian said.

Guy Chow

* When are the facilitators of the last Spelling Bee competition (July 2012) going to receive the stipend that was promised by the sponsors? * Does Arnhim Eustace have a problem with the Taiwan Ambassador?

Why is Senator Lewis catching heat because he accepted an invitation from the Taiwanese, something he has done prior to being named senator? * Is Ernesto Cooke, elected PRO at the last NDP convention, an official of the party? * Did somebody not say that this country would not be burdened with any debt for the construction of the airport? How come now we hearing about a loan from the CDF?

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10. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Where are the Call Centers?

It was quite embarrassing to say the least when former Telecommunication Minister, Mr. Jerrol Thompson, and now Project Manager in the Ministry of Telecommunication, admitted in the House of Parliament a few years ago the failure of the ULP administration’s effort at operating the Call Centers. Mr. Thompson was at the time responding to question from the Opposition. It was widely accepted that sooner rather than later, the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines must be diversified in order for our people to continue to enjoy a decent standard of living. The NDP, during their tenure in office, realised this factor and was relentless in their effort to find ways and means at diversification. The NDP realised that one way to go in this regard was through the service sector. The operation of Call Centers was seen by the NDP administration as a viable means of providing meaningful employment through the provision of this service.

The NDP administration was aware of the fact that the operation of such a venture was something new to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It was therefore decided that the foreign entity, because of its experience in call centers operation, would be given the controlling interest. The NDP was quite aware of the importance of this arrangement to the success of the centers. The opportunity for St. Vincent and the Grenadines through call centers operations promised significant employment.

The advent of the ULP changed all that which was negotiated by the previous administration. The former minister in parliament lambasted the

NDP for a deal, in the opinion of the ULP, that was not sensible. He further lamented that the contract that was entered into was not worth the paper that it was written on. Having stated their position, the ULP administration proceeded to obtain total control of the Call Centers operations. The former Minister outlined that the government plan for the call center operations was one that will offer more to Vincentians. The plan, according to Mr. Thompson was well prepared and one that will provide maximum benefit to the government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Mr. Thompson even spoke of plans to establish centers in other areas of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It was therefore very embarrassing for Mr. Thompson to be admitting the failure of the ULP in this regard. In answering the question that was put to him in the parliament, the former minister was visibly upset that he had to openly admit his failure and by extension that of the government.

Mr. Thompson had failed miserably.

Whatever benefits accrue to St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the area of telecommunication was as a result of decisions taken at the OECS level. The liberalization of the telecommunication market that resulted in more competition and cheaper telephone rates had nothing to do with Mr. Jerrol Thompson or the ULP. The involvement of government in certain sectors is very important.

However, the over involvement of the state’s apparatus can be detrimental if the knowledge necessary for such

undertakings is lacking.

The ULP is on record for its over involvement in areas that they have no knowledge of or expertise. The NDP is aware that within the ambits of government, there are many limitations especially in the technical areas. As a result, the NDP is cognizant of this factor and is willing to work along with the technocrats in the various fields as well as with the private sector. The ULP through their maximum leader is judge, jury and executioner on everything.

It is the hope of the NDP that the government will come to realise that the development of this country is a serious matter. The constant bungling of the government on matters relevant to the country’s development is ‘overbearing’. The flip-flop mode of the PM is evidence of a man that is out of touch and out of sync with the real world. The turning of sod to start projects when there is no money to finance them is embarrassing. The government must stop the notion that our people can easily be fooled.

Vincentians to work in the industry. To this end, we have already successfully contacted a number of US based companies who are interested in participating in this initiative.

Centers for Innovation The NDP proposes to transform community centers and resource centers to include spaces where the general public can be educated about computers and computer literacy and on the potential for information technology in industry. These centers for innovation will create the infrastructure for connectivity. This will open up IT to everyone in every community.

Information Technology is The Future ….Today!

The NDP recognizes that internetbased businesses are the future. For that reason, this is not just about Information Technology, but rather a The NDP’s Plan for IT Leaders in Technology to use SVG as commitment and a plan for a Hub transforming our economy.

Throughout the world, technology has The idea is to bring the best become ubiquitous. It is not only individuals in technology worldwide, to technology businesses that use live and run their businesses from St. technology, but even traditional ‘bricks Vincent and the Grenadines. While in and mortar’ industries have adopted St. Vincent, they will offer education technology to expand their marketing in IT with a view to increasing the and increase efficiencies. This is a call capacity of youngsters interested in IT to all Vincentians — the world has based businesses and opportunities. changed, and so must we.

They will train and recruit

Towards the electronic slate!!! having to walk close to a mile with this ‘educational load’.

“Save a tree. Don’t print It is now accepted that this email unless it’s really repeated actions, in necessary”, This line whatever we do, can appears on every email I have adverse effects in receive from Captain Steve the long run: persons Ollivierre whenever he who work at a computer sends our organisation without ergonomic (the Rainbow Radio breaks can end up with League Inc.) an invitation carpel tunnel syndrome; to provide service for his persons who BBM Automobile Association’s constantly are now racing events. ending up with ‘BB Using Captain fingers’; drivers and Ollivierre’s line as basis, other persons who have it is based on the sedentary jobs can suffer opening line that I want with haemorrhoids, and to address an issue, the list can go on. raised in the Searchlight Looming on the horizon a few days ago, will probably be the highlighting the number ‘knapsack back’, or of heavy books our ‘hunchback’, the result of youngsters have to tote toting heavy books which to school on a daily basis, can lead to spinal and the adverse effect it deformation, slipped can have over time on discs or even hip and the spines of our young knee problems. children, many of them A news commentary by DONALD DE RIGGS

From hard to soft copies publishers are moving A number of the world’s leading newspapers and periodicals are now moving to ‘soft’ copies of their publications.

Surveys of their main market show that more than 80% of their readership owns a smart phone, tablet computer, e-reader, laptop or PC, from which their publications can be accessed.

There is also an urgent call by environmentalists to stop cutting our forests. A reduction in the use of paper for printing will reduce the need to cut trees to make paper.

The reasons to save our forests are manifold and legitimate, but advances in technology are the main reason why

from ‘hard’ to ‘soft’ copies of their periodicals.

Right here in sweet Vincy, THE VINCENTIAN and Searchlight (newspapers) already have ‘on line’ versions of their journal … a step in the right direction. But it will be a while before any of these periodicals put away newsprint for good.

School text loaded on computers Some school texts now come with ‘soft copies’ of their workbooks and soon, with the ‘laptop revolution’ gaining momentum, it is just a matter of time before each student will have all subject texts loaded on their hard drive,

The tablet computer (in hand of person on left) is rapidly becoming the internet device of the future, replacing the printed word, and saving trees in the process. obviating the need to lug around heavy knapsacks.

However, there will be one proviso: Since one computer will have all the school work, research and texts, the onus will be on the owner to guard his/her device well, back up important files regularly, prevent the device from getting wet or falling and avoid websites that introduce viruses that can cause

the computer to malfunction and crash.

At the moment, the school laptops serve in the main as home entertainment devices.

When they are loaded with texts, tying programmes and educational games, these devices can then be described as portals to information and higher learning.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. 11.

Views

A Nation to Build “Citizen character, leadership discipline, social unity and solidarity cannot be put aside if we are going to build the Vincentian nation. Let us look at me, look in you, we can do it.” — Oscar Allen, The Searchlight Newspaper, October 9, 2012, p. 10 Oscar Allen is certainly a great Vincentian thinker. Many will describe him as having a “sharp intellect”. His writings often challenge us to introspect and to take positive action. And his article appearing in The Searchlight Newspaper of Tuesday, October 9, 2012 did just that. Oscar commenced by referring to that now popular calypso entitled “We have a country to build” by Errol “De Man Age” Rose.

In my view, this is one of the best calypsos that “De Man Age” has ever released. The lyrics are powerful, and his melodious voice brings out the best in the rendition. That calypso surfaces each year around this time as our nation prepares to celebrate her birthday — her independence anniversary. We, you and I, have a country to build ... and if we don’t do it who will? It does not matter whether we were born here or if we migrated from some distant land. It does not matter whether our fore parents came as slaves or indentured servants. It does not matter whether they “bang water come here” (as the Antiguans will say). We are here.

The time is now. And we have a nation to build.

It may often appear uncomfortable for us to do the critical analysis of our society. But we must do that crucial scrutiny of where we are if we are to enhance our chances of getting to where we need to be. The more progressive among us will engage in such exercises on a regular basis when we are determined to improve our individual performance. We look at where we are, the assets at our disposal, and seek to chart a course for where we want to be. Businesses do a similar exercise also. It will be more formal than what you and I will put together in our goal-setting exercise, but the principle is the same: know where you are; determine where you need to get to; and set the goals that are likely to take you there (based on the assets that you have or can secure). We are challenged to be objective while doing these tasks. The more objective we are, the more rewarding the outcomes are likely to be.

Can we do a similar exercise on a national basis? Of course we can — and we must. That was the substance of Oscar Allen’s article. He sought to drum up the desire for each of us to put our hands to the wheel and push this country forward. This is a noble call and a most noble cause. The big challenge is “Will we?” As so often happens, it is not that we do not know what needs to be done. It is whether we have the guts to do it; to contribute to the exercise. We know that it is the common sense thing to do, but we also know that common sense is not common practice. It becomes so easy for us to sit in the shade (with arms folded) and, with sleepy eyes, indicate who should be out there in the sun working the

fields. But, if we are to advance this analogy, this is not time for relaxation. This is time for each of us to consider how we could get out there and work the fields. We, you and I, have a nation to build. Our voluntary service can make communities strong.

There is work for retired teachers.

There are tasks that retired nurses can perform. There are opportunities for retired civil servants to use their skills and talents to brighten the corner of some community. Oscar’s call rings loud! Will we? Who will?

So let us do the critical analysis.

Are we a unified people? Are we a divided people? On a scale of one to ten, where will you rank our nation in relation to either of those questions?

Responding to either question will allow us to do the critical analysis needed. What was your score? Okay, so that is your ranking. Do not get carried away with pointing a finger or assigning blame in terms of who are responsible for that score. The time will be better spent if you and I now ask ourselves whether we can play a part in moving the score in a positive direction — bringing our people closer together. Of course we can! There is no reason for us to be divided because of political affiliation. A mature nation will embrace the fact that persons have a right and a privilege to support whichever political party they choose and whichever candidate they think will enhance our overall development. This is their right, and we should respect that. The citizens in a mature nation will demonstrate tolerance for the differences that exist. We all have a right to our opinions. We all have a right to our religious beliefs. We all have a right to our thoughts, and should guard those thoughts so that they do not infringe on the rights of others. We may have achieved different levels of education; we may be in different professions; our shades of skin colour may vary, but we all have a right to be here. And we all have a responsibility to treat each other with respect and to contribute to building this plural nation.

Oscar’s challenge at the end of his article prompts us to consider whether we will be prepared to make a positive contribution to nation building. Each of us can, and must, make that concerted effort to do whatever we can with whatever little we think we have to make this nation great. We must live the words of our national anthem and joyfully pledge our loyalty and love to make our nation ever free. Whatever the future brings, our faith must see us through. We must champion the cause for peace that will reign from shore to shore (committed to working together in our nation’s best interest) and pray God to bless and keep us true to this land that we so proudly call home.

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

Horse racing wins and policy loses A FRIEND OF MINE was clearly surprised when I told him that I had not watched the first two debates between President Obama and his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney.

He wanted to know how a man of the world like me, could miss out on such high drama. When I told him that an election for the most powerful job in the world should be about much more than punch lines and style, he remained unconvinced.

His disappointment in my refusal to tune in was so visible that I put aside the work of my most pesky client to have a look at the final debate on foreign policy. I am sorry, but I was more annoyed than impressed. Both men sounded rehearsed. Even with much rehearsal Mitt Romney appeared out at sea.

Both men spoke with an imperial arrogance about the world that convinced me again, that there can never be world peace without justice for the least powerful among us.

Here’s an example. The moderator Bob Schaeffer asked: “If Israel were to be attacked, how would you respond as commander in chief?”

Without blinking or thinking both men asserted that the American response will be swift and furious, in defense of its most dependable surrogate in that part of the world.

But wait. What a wrong- headed question? Israel is the only country in the Middle East to occupy another country and subjugate its people.

Israel has occupied Palestine and reserves the right to go in and kill and jail and brutalize Palestinians, and it has been doing so for more than fifty years. It has chased Palestinians off their lands and refuses to allow them back to their ancestral homes. In international law such policies amounts to war crime for which Israeli leaders should be tried.

But what does the bleeding heart Obama say: “I went to an Israeli town where Hezbollah bombs drop in the yard of playing Israeli children.” If he was truly interesting in the horrors of terror, Obama could have taken a short helicopter ride to any Palestinian town where bombs made in America destroys schools as well as kill and maim innocent Palestinians, almost on a daily basis. Playing to Jewish voters, Romney declared that he will indict Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for war crimes for inciting the destruction of Israel. There is no such crime in international law.

Who threatens whom in the Middle East? Israel has destroyed Lebanon, bombed Iraq and Syria and now threatens to take out nuclear facilities in Iran. Former President Jimmy Carter has labeled Israeli policy in Palestine as similar to the apartheid policies that were in existence in South Africa.

But the thing that has driven me away from the television screens and to more in-depth analysis of American society and politics is the American media, especially television’s preoccupation with fluff. There is now instant polling on everything. There is no demand for serious thought and reflection. Even as the politicians speak, television anchors ask people

to assess and vote.

The conversation is never really about who is sounder on substance or who is playing to an audience. It is mostly about who had the best one liner or sound bite that will be played and replayed in the next tele-cycle.

Take the third debate on foreign policy. Even before it began listeners were beaten in to a diet of lower expectations. This was not an important conversation, the commentariat told us. What was more important, as a famous Bill Clinton sound bite reminds, ‘Is the economy stupid.’ But if given the chance to think people will see that both are integrally connected.

The American economy, like much of the world economy, is a shambles.

But America fought two wars in the last decade. It spent billions of dollars on these wars. Its military is provided with armaments it does not need.

Romney commits to providing another US$2 trillion to the military if he is elected.

But both candidates run away from a serious conversation where plans are put forward to put America back to work. Since 2008 when the financial and economic crisis broke, more than 5 million Americans lost their jobs and more than 4 million lost their homes. Yet the predominant conversation in these elections is about cutting programmes that benefit the less fortunate and balancing the budget.

Why has America, which spends billions in vicious wars in foreign land, not found the will power and resources to invest in rebuilding its roads and bridges? Why has it not provided better schools for the poor or better care for its military veterans?

In the richest country in the world, more than 47 million people live in poverty and neither candidate makes poverty alleviation a central tenet of their campaign. In the American Capital, Washington DC, the HIV/AIDS epidemic ravages a high percentage of the African American population, who are in the majority of that city, and the Congress sits there every day without uttering a word. Instead we are ‘drugged’ into the international obsession with who is winning, who appears bullying and un-presidential.

The polling horse race serves an important media purpose. It brings hundreds of millions of dollars into their coffers. If the media outlets and polling outfits declare that the race is tightening or a dead heat in Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Ohio or Pennsylvania, the politicians and their super packs rush in with millions of dollars in television and other forms of advertisement.

Pardon me for the lack of interest. I will be better served attending to my pesky clients affairs rather than wasting time looking at a movie that has been played and replayed time and time again.

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

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12. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Opinion

Destruction of prime agricultural lands is an act of madness HAVING FOOD security is essential if SVG wants to achieve any form of sustainable development. SVG has limited agricultural land space, and so we must use our lands wisely. Unfortunately, the ULP government seems determined to destroy prime agricultural lands with various acts of madness.

The continued loss of prime agricultural lands means more food is sourced from abroad. The problem is already at a dangerous level. In 2011, SVG spent $205 million on importing food from abroad.

Another consequence of losing prime agricultural lands has been the dramatic increase in the price of numerous food items. Many poor families are now struggling to feed themselves.

The incompetent Gonsalves built the Belle Isle jail on some of the most fertile and productive agricultural land we have. This land should have been used to help feed our people and help bring down the cost of food. We should have grown foods such as carrots, onions, tomatoes, cabbage and other important short crops.

Another act of madness was to move Vincentians away from farming prime agricultural land at Buccament, and then let foreign developers build a holiday resort for foreigners at Buccament Bay on this prime agricultural land.

The ULP regime clearly has no sensible land policies that will help our people achieve food security and spur our country on to the path of sustainable development.

Another act of madness by the grossly incompetent ULP government was the cutting up of prime agricultural land to build low-income houses.

This wanton destruction of prime agricultural lands shows that they have poor vision and little sense of responsibility. The low-income houses should have been built elsewhere, not on prime agricultural lands.

If the careless ULP regime is allowed to carry on and destroy hundreds more acres of prime agricultural land, then the next generation’s food security will be in grave danger. They may have to rely on imported food for their survival.

We have an obligation to protect and to preserve the living environment for the next generation. Our country is blessed with good agricultural lands and much rainfall. It will be a sad day when SVG becomes barren and relies heavily on imported food.

SVG’s 33 years of independence is a very short period, but rather than build for sustainable development, the short-sighted ULP policy makers are destroying our beloved country. This is very sad for future generations.

A Green Government will make food security a high priority, by promoting a sustainable development policy of ‘grow what we eat and eat what we grow’. This will help create thousands of new jobs in SVG, bring down the price of food and through a responsible use of prime agricultural lands.

A Green government will reverse the dangerous rise of reliance upon expensive, imported food, create a thriving short-term crops industry and turn SVG in to a big food exporter. This will bring prosperity to our people.

The ULP regime has killed the rural economy. A Green Government will revive the rural economy to make it strong and sustainable and empower our people. We must take into account climate change, and plan for sustainable development of the systems that can bring food security in our beloved country.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org

Bits and Pieces powered electricity. However, this is the same Thompson Bits: Daniel Cummings, who told us on November 11, speaking at the NDP press 2011 that a cellular phone conference October 10, told us assembly enterprise would be that the nation of St operating here before Kitts/Nevis was making great Christmas. Mr Thompson, sir, strides in its effort to harness could you tell which geothermal energy. I checked Christmas? and found this headline: A Bits: According to this Caribbean country’s troubled publication, NDP executive experiment with geothermal Burton Williams was in court energy… but accusations of on Tuesday 9 answering cronyism and mismanagement charges for action and words — and the global economic he engaged in and used at an crisis - mean that years-old NDP called protest. plan to build a geothermal Previously, this paper power plant to harness the questioned the absence of any energy have barely gotten off support from NDP bigwigs the ground and their current and subsequently Vice prospects remain stalled and President St Clair ‘Freshuncertain. pair-of-legs’ Leacock appeared Mr Cummings, sir, we need and informed the paper that an update.

Mr Williams had the full Pieces: Two days later, on support of the executive. He the Friday, October 12, Jerrol was asked by Mr Eustace to…

Thompson on the Shake-up on Mr Williams’s prior outing programme informed that we the members of the executive will soon have an abundant were otherwise engaged. We supply of both solar and wind have not been told whether Mr

By Frank E da Silva

Burton had any support on his Tuesday appearance.

Pieces: THE VINCENTIAN reported that when it noted there was no support for Mr Williams on his first appearance, it sought a comment from Mr Williams’s leader, Arnhim Ulrick Eustace. The response? “No comment on the issue.”

Bits: Overseas, the French have decided to discontinue the use of the words “mother and father” from official documents. They are to be replaced by “parents”. The French, too, have also decided to impose a seventy-five percent tax on some of its citizens in order to pay off debts incurred creating a huge dependency class. Expect a flight of cash to countries with lower taxes.

Pieces: Expect the OECD — the folks who put us on a blacklist then apologized to us after destroying our off-shore sector - to spring into action to

stop that flight by demanding that other countries do the same.

Bits: The European Union has been awarded a Nobel Prize for something or the other, but there is rioting in Greece, Spain and Portugal over the proposed loss of “free stuff” their countries could never have afforded, and could no longer borrow to provide.

And Angela Markel, the German Chancellor, the EU savior, was called a Nazi in broken Greece.

Pieces: But Ms Merkel hailed the choice of the crisishit EU for the Nobel Peace Prize, calling efforts to save the euro a drive to ensure peace on the continent.

“I often say that the euro is more than a currency and we should not forget that in these weeks and months we spend working to strengthen the euro. The euro is more than a currency because at the end of the day it is about the original

idea of a union of peace and of values,” the Chancellor stated.

“Europe is the results of plans. It is, in fact, a classic utopian project, a monument to the vanity of intellectuals, a programme whose inevitable destiny is failure: only the scale of the final damage done is in doubt,” Margaret Thatcher, Statecraft (2002), page 359.

Deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize, indeed!

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. 13.

Diaspora

Members of the Vincentian diplomatic corps in front pew.

Recession of Flags by SVG Ex-Police Association — Brian Cumberbatch (L) and Godfrey Pitt.

Vincies in NY begin celebrating independence anniversary

St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Rev. Berkeley Dougan), the youth (Bishop Robert Yearwood) and of President of COSAGO Rev. Dr. Lincoln Creese thanksgiving (Bishop Kenroy Cuffy).

Laverne McDowalddelivering the sermon.

Addresses were also Thompson. delivered by United Nations Ambassador

By Nelson A. King Camillo Gonsalves; United States naking@verizon.net; Consul General Selmon Walters; and neloking@msn.com Laverne McDowald-Thompson, US CORRESPONDENT president of the umbrella Vincentian organizing group in the US, Council of VINCENTIANS in New York last Sunday began celebrating their 33rd anniversary St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Organizations, U.S.A., Inc. (COSAGO), of independence with an Ecumenical which, organized the church service Service of Thanksgiving at St. Philip’s and subsequent reception, in Episcopal (Anglican) Church, in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. conjunction with the New York Hundreds attended the three-hour- Consulate General.

“What we need is to get the power long service at the church, whose of God in St. Vincent and the pastor is Vincentian the Venerable Grenadines,” said the Rev. Dr. Lincoln Carver Israel, originally from Stoney Creese in his sermon.

Grounds, Kingstown. Rev. Israel is “We need Christ back in St. Vincent also Archdeacon of Brooklyn. and the Grenadines — to make St. The congregation sang lustily and listened to Bible readings, prayers and Vincent and the Grenadines a prosperous land,” added the Calliaqua appeals from at least a dozen native, who is pastor of New Vincentian clergymen.

Millennium Tabernacle of Praise in Revs. Hoskins Prescott, assistant Brooklyn. priest at St. Leonard’s Anglican Rev. Creese also appealed for Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant, special assistance for the youth, Brooklyn, and Dillon Burgin, pastor, stating that “the children of St. Bethel United Methodist Church, Vincent and the Grenadines are in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, alternated desperate help for direction. as liturgists.

“We need your help, we need your There were prayers by the support,” he preached. “God, we need a clergymen, interspersed with hymns, deliverance. We want to take back our for the United States (Rev. Derhnin Grant), the government and people of young boys and girls from drugs and

guns.”

Rev. Creese, however, added that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is “blessed, and we’ll be prosperous.”

Gonsalves told the congregation that, while independence is a “cherished thing,” St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ is “always under threat — from poverty, underdevelopment and from other countries.”

He, therefore, urged that nationals unite for nationhood, lamenting: “We very rarely speak with one voice.”

The UN envoy, however, said, even in the face of numerous impediments, the 150-square-mile island-nation can “overcome any struggle,” adding: “We have to look out for ourselves.”

Walters — who had just returned from Montreal, Canada, where Vincentians there celebrated their independence anniversary on Saturday night — also appealed to nationals to instill in their children the values they adopted at home, stating that too many young Vincentians in the US, particularly men, are falling prey to crime.

“Every day, I’m bombarded by ICE (the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency) to deport Vincentians,” he said.

“My appeal to all of us is to enforce on them (young people) the values we were taught while we were young,” he added.

“I’m seeing too many helpless mothers,” Walters continued. “If you need help to bring them (youth) up, bring them to the church.”

McDowaldThompson said she was pleased with The Venerable Carver the turn-out, Israel, Archdeacon of pointing out Brooklyn and pastor of St. Philip’s Episcopal that their (Anglican) Church, presence at welcoming the church service “truly congregation, then demonstrates giving opening prayer. a sense of national pride and love for your country.

“I encourage all Vincentians to nurture a sense of national pride,” said the former school teacher, who is also president of the Brooklyn-based Chateaubelair Development Organization.

Independence anniversary celebrations in Brooklyn continue this Sunday, Oct. 28, with a COSAGOConsulate-organized gala luncheon at Tropical Paradise Ballroom on Utica Avenue.

Vincentians in Boston, Massachusetts, celebrated their anniversary on Saturday night, Oct. 13, with a Dinner/Dance.

Nationals in Washington, D.C. will celebrate their anniversary this Saturday night, Oct. 27, with a Dinner/Dance, and a church service the next day, Sunday, Oct. 28.

Their counterparts in Pennsylvania will celebrate their anniversary in Philadelphia on Nov. 3 with a Dinner/Dance.

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14. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Art

Some of the works on display at the Literary Arts Fair.

Artist Robert Joyette (left) takes a group of students on a tour of the Visual Arts Exhibition.

Visual Arts Exhibition catches Vincentians’ eyes expressed satisfaction with the event, especially given “the speed The UWI Open Campus-Association with which we put things of Artist Writers and Producers together.” hosted Literary Fair came to an end He had four pieces on display, last week Thursday, October 18. which he said took him two In addition to literary works, a months to complete. workshop on Creative Writing, book Not one to shy away from launches and presentation of local making known his sentiments, Literary Awards, the Fair featured a Joyette used the opportunity of small but impacting Visual Arts speaking with THE display.

VINCENTIAN, to lament the nonImpressionist and realist works existence of a real art gallery in of art from local artists Robert SVG. Joyette and Lennox ‘Dinks’ He, however, expressed the Johnson, and one piece entitled hope that this situation would ‘Garifuna Woman’, by Cuban change soon as “we continue Ambassador to St. Vincent and trying … to get them (authorities) the Grenadines H.E. Pablo to understand that there’s a way Antonio Rodriguez were featured, of life in art, (that) art is a career along with photographs by (and) when you have talents you Kingsley Roberts. have to use them.”

When THE VINCENTIAN Photographer Kingsley Roberts caught up with Joyette during a joined the discussion and pointed break of him leading patrons on out that he and (some) others tours of the exhibition, he involved in the Visual Arts “were

by KARISSA CLARKE

trying to get all the visual artists under one ceiling, one organization. So that when it’s time to get funding, we can say, yes we’re working under one umbrella.”

The problem, though, according to Roberts, was that, “Everyone seems to want to keep to themselves and wants to operate on their own.”

He underscored the importance of working together, saying, “Communicating with others sometimes helps you to enhance your work,” adding that he hoped “this exhibition will help to convey this to other artists.”

Some persons who viewed the exhibition recognized that it occupied a small room, and expressed the sentiment that it came to life with creative and inspiring bodies of work.

A call to artists Camille Saunders-Musser, Founder of The Youlou Arts Foundation, and proprietor of the Saunders Art Shop, has invited artists to join an effort aimed at realizing the establishing of an Art Centre and Gallery here in SVG.

by GLORIAH… ROBERT JOYETTE, a local artist, has lamented the absence of an art gallery here. (See article above.) His lamentation may have reached the ears

of at least one other person actively involved in the local visual arts fraternity.

Camille Saunders-Musser, Founder of the Youlou Arts Foundation (YAF), has plans for the establishing an Art Centre and Gallery here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and she is appealing to artists to join the effort.

With an acute shortage of funds being a major issue, the YAF made a call to artists in SVG, the region and across the world, to create and donate original artwork for an innovative ‘Six-by Six’ Art Sale here. The funds accruing from this sale will go, entirely, towards the establishment of the centre and gallery.

Saunders has invited artists to create their work on the theme, ‘My Homeland’. The pieces should

measure 6 inches by 6 inches, and should be submitted with the artists’ names on the back of the works only.

According to Saunders-Musser, “We are simply soliciting your [the artists’] time and talent, so canvases are being provided free of cost.”

Canvases are available for collection at the Saunders Art Shop, Bonadie Street, Kingstown.

The sale will run until December of 2012, and will include both an online sale and a physical exhibition and sale hosted at the LIME offices in Kingstown.

Saunders said that her appeal to artists is simply, “Do you want to make a difference in Art in SVG?” If the answer is Yes, then we are eager that persons become involved.”

V In-De-Pan-Dance excites

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. 15.

Community

Expendables (elders), moved through the now accustomed wide repertoire of Last Sunday, 21st October, the Potential the Calliaqua-based organization, Steel Orchestra staged the 15th edition beginning with gospel songs, through of its In-Den-Pan-Dance concert, at their patriotic offerings like Becket’s ‘St. Pan Yard in Calliaqua.

Vincent my homeland’ and Scakes The In-De-Pan-Dance is an annual ‘Our Nation is Born’, and a sterling, concert featuring steel orchestras, and encored rendition of Rasum’s is held to mark the anniversary of this ‘Perseverance’, to more pulsating soca country’s Independence. offerings like Poorsah’ s ‘Inside job’ It formed part of the officially and ‘Go right up deh’, and Krosfyah’s independence celebrations last year ‘Wet me’, among others. but was not included in this year’s A number of the renditions were official Independence programme of accompanied by vocals performed by activities. members of the Potential Steel Last Sunday’s event attracted a Orchestra itself. large number of patrons, including Outstanding among these many from the East St. George performances was one by reigning district.

Junior Soca Monarch Otis ‘Flippe’ The cast included three groupings Caine, who entertained like a from within the Potential Steel seasoned bard with his popular Orchestra organization, together with number ‘Squeezing me up’. steel orchestras from Stubbs (South When the curtains came down at East), and Lowmans Windward (New Calliaqua, patrons of the event agreed Dimensions). that it was another successful venture And while it was an overall rousing by the 32-year-old Steel Orchestra, in afternoon-evening of steelband music, keeping with its commitment to the Potentials groups were ensure that the steelband and its outstanding in their renditions. music remain part of the cultural The groups, referred to as the landscape of St. Vincent and the seniors, the juniors and the Grenadines.

by PATMOS RICHARDS

Potential Juniors well into delivering one of its renditions.

The Expendables received a warm welcome.

The Seniors Potential Steel Orchestra held its own against the enthusiastic Juniors.

The New Dimensions Steel Orchestra made a guest appearance.

IZCO hosts week of activities The fair adopted the novel approach of pitching ‘tents’ for the various displays, throughout the Richland The Interior Zone Community Park community.

Organization (IZCO), with branches In addition to the residents of established in Marriaqua, Greiggs, Richland Park, the students of Lauders and Lowmans Windward, secondary and primary schools within hosted a series of activities in its in the Marriaqua constituency also Marriaqua branch, over the period Sunday 30th September to Friday 5th patronized the fair.

Officials of the group reported that October.

Among the activities staged was an the St. Vincent Planned Parenthood Association tent was the “most Appreciation Day, Tuesday 2nd visited.”

October, when IZCO presented And in keeping with its ongoing certificates of recognition to the activity to recognize the elderly and Mesopotamia Methodist and The First those who have made significant Impressions pre-schools, for their though unnoticed contributions to continuing work in Early Childhood their community, IZCO staged a Education. recognition ceremony for 94-year-old Wednesday 3rd October was given Merton Lewis on Thursday 4th over to what the group called October.

‘Education Day’, during which an Lewis, a resident of Marriaqua, was “education fair’ was mounted in recognized for his lifelong contribution Richland Park. to the construction industry, he The work of a number of national organizations, including NEMO, SVG having been a building engineering for most of his adult life.

Red Cross, St. Vincent Planned The activities climaxed on Friday Parenthood Association, and national 5th October with a Fun Day at the concerns, e.g. culture, water climaxed with a Family Day at the conservation, food and nutrition, organization’s headquarters in tourism, agriculture, forestry, public Hopewell. health, AID/HIV awareness, were Managing Director of IZCO, Nigel highlighted.

by KENVILLE HORNE

Merton Lewis (2nd from left) seen here with officers of IZCO, was recognized for his contribution to the construction industry.

Morgan, hailed the activities as “a huge success,” and re-committed his organization to working with youths and ‘at risk families’ through counseling and training, and honouring individuals, among other things.

He added, “We are all about enhancing the skills of people through training so as to equip them for the fight to reduce poverty.”

IZCO currently boasts a membership of close to 100 persons, but Nevlyn Antoine , a board member of IZCO, stated that the organization would be seeking to increase its membership.

“We need new blood, new energies, because we are all about enhancing life, so there is an opportunity for the young persons to come on board.”

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16. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Education

Taiwan provides more assistance Stories by KENVILLE HORNE The Republic of China (Taiwan) continues to demonstrate its commitment to assisting with the education of youths in St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

On Thursday, October 18, a total of 381 scholarships were awarded to students at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels, during a presentation ceremony at the Peace

Memorial Hall.

Chief Education Officer Lou-Anne Gilchrist addressed the gathering and assured that the excellent relationship between SVG and Taiwan continues to be strengthened.

She highlighted the special interest in technical and vocational training which the Taiwanese Embassy had advanced as an area of priority.

Scholarship recipients pose with Taiwanese and Government officials.

Ms. Gilchrist reminded the audience that government had ensured that “there is a place at every level in the education system for each child in SVG,” and warned that the onus “is now on parents to ensure that the students participate.”

His Excellence Weber Shih, Taiwan’s Ambassador to SVG,

extended congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients.

According to Ambassador Shih, since 1997, Taiwan has been providing scholarships in an amount of US$100,000 every year, to hundreds of students from primary, secondary and tertiary schools.

In doing so, Taiwan “has provided assistance

St. Mary takes COURTS Reading title Nine-year-old St. Mary’s RC student Xenique Daize is the winner of this year’s fourth annual COURTS (St. Vincent) Ltd/ Ministry of Education Reading Competition.

The Pembroke resident amassed a total of 312 points to beat six other finalists last Tuesday 23rd, at Frenches House, Kingstown.

Jerona Mapp from the Stubbs Primary School was second with 306 points, and K’eresa Lai of defending champions Kingstown Preparatory School, third with 301 points.

The competition involved two reading segments: a narrative, ‘How the moon was good to her daughter’ taken from last year’s regional Finalists in the 2012 Reading Competition (from left) Kemmi Ann Roberts Final, and a news item taken (Fancy Government), K’eresa Lai (3rd Place –KPS), Jemelia Thomas from the local press.

(Petersville Primary), Xenique Daize (Ist Place – St. Mary’s R.C.), Daize was adjudged winner Bethany Trimmingham (Mustique Primary, Laron Jones (Questelles of the news item segment and Primary) and Jerona Mapp (2nd place - Stubbs Primary School).

Mapp took honours in the competition was that the students Nanton of the Curriculum narrative category. were exceptional and Division in the Ministry of In addition to taking home a demonstrated a good Education. cash prize of $2000.00 and understanding of the English John reiterated his company’s winning a similar amount for her language. commitment to support efforts school, Daize will represent this Some persons noted though, country in the COURTS Regional aimed at ensuring that “every that there was a problem with child in SVG can be able to read Reading Competition. pronunciation, endorsing what the well.”

The second and third place judges had also discerned.

Ms. Walker spoke of the winners received $1000 and $600 There was a strong sentiment benefits of reading, and respectively, together with other expressed about the low highlighted The Ministry’s gift items. participation of males in the Prior to the actual competition, endeavour to eradicate illiteracy. competition.

Ms. Nanton detailed the rules the gathering, comprised of The other finalist were: and regulations governing the teachers, sponsors, parents , Bethany Trimmingham competition. students and education officials, Mustique Primary; Jemelia Last year’s winner, Solange was addressed by Alexis John, Thomas - Petersville Primary; Marketing Manager of COURTS; Compton, was also called upon to Kemmi Ann Roberts - Fancy bid farewell to her reign.

Government; the lone male, Laron Senior Education Officer The consensus after the Jones - Questelles Primary.

Elizabeth Walker, and Marla

to the children in need so they can compete, be educated and make a contribution to the country,” Ambassador Shih said.

In a voice filled with compassion, the Ambassador declared that “Every child should have the right to education, and no child should be left behind simply because Taiwan’s Ambassador to of poverty.”

SVG, H.E. Weeber Shih, He reaffirmed his addressing the country’s willingness scholarship ceremony. within the spirit of the accepted principles of pleading with them to co-operation, to keep “help your children to do working with SVG “in better at the end of the promoting projects next school year. If you conducive to sustainable cannot do it yourself, ask development and the for help.” good of the public.”

The ceremony also Deputy Prime saw cultural Minister Girlyn Miguel performances from C.W. thanked the Government Prescod Primary and of the Republic of China Girls’ High School dance (Taiwan) for its groups, and the continuing goodwill, Kingstown Anglican pointing to its assistance School folk choir. for this country in For 2012, 187 primary infrastructure, school students received agriculture, education EC$400.00 each, and 129 and human resource secondary school and 65 development, even as Taiwan also endured the post secondary students period of global economic received EC$1000.00 each, amounting to a downturn.

Mrs. Miguel especially total disbursement of appealed to the parents, EC$268,800.00.

The Anglican Primary School showing appreciation in song.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. 17.

Heritage

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18. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Art

Landslides at ÂBoat BayÊ

by DON DE RIGGS

TORRENTIAL RAINS LATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 14, in the North Windward district, triggered at least three significant landslides in the North Windward district of mainland St. Vincent.

The North Windward highway was blocked temporarily in an area called

One of the landslides in the North Windward district.

5 years in the West Indies.

80 years shaping minds around the world.

‘Boat Bay’, just before entering Owia Point, and in areas along the main road into Fancy.

Fortunately no one lives in that area or was passing the same time the soggy earth came tumbling down, but the road was impassable for at least three hours before a narrow path was cleared to allow small vehicles passage.

Residents from a nearby community readily moved into action to open the small passage way.

NEMO was promptly informed of the situation and notified BRAGSA who completed the clean up the following morning, to allow the larger vehicles safe passage.

The Rainbow Radio League was one of the first responder agencies to visit the area. A six-member team journeyed to ‘Boat Bay’, just hours after the heavy downpour, to get a firsthand look at the land slippage and to photograph the area before the clean up team did their job.

On the return journey to Kingstown, the RRL members teamed up with officers of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) to help put a vehicle back on the road, after it had slipped off the road in an area called ‘Shipping Bay’. The vehicle was driven at the time by a Cuban engineer working on the Georgetown diagnostic center. No one was injured, and the Cuban engineer was thankful for the assistance rendered voluntarily by the RRL and RRU members.

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RRL and RRU personnel helped to get this vehicle out of the drain.

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Do not expect too much from others.

Organize your day to avoid any setbacks that might ignite temper flareups. You may be likely to have difficulties with females. You may want to get involved in some kind of creative group.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Your tendency to vacillate will drive everyone crazy. Enlist the aid of family members and consider the feelings of your mate. A lot has changed and so have you. Too much talk might lead to hassles.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You may have a problem with someone you live with if you don't include them in your gathering.

Overindulgence could lead to problems with digestion. You will be overly sensitive when dealing with your personal life. Brunch, a long walk, or a quiet dinner will secure your position in the relationship.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Your creative input will be appreciated by your boss. Be prudent and don't be led down the garden path. Your passionate nature may make you jealous if your mate has been too busy to take care of your needs. You could have a tendency to spend too much on your home or entertainment.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Don't neglect these problems; deal with them once and for all, then move on to more pleasurable tasks. Payoff all your debts before you go out and celebrate.

Minor health problems could result through exhaustion. Competitive games will be your forte.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) You will be able to work with fine detail this week. Romance will develop if you get involved in social events that deal with children. This is a great day for a family outing or just a drive.

Opportunities to make money may interfere with your personal plans.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) They may cost you dearly. Entertain in your home and make aesthetic enhancements that will please those who reside with you. You can mesmerize anyone you meet with your cultured attitude and outlook. Keep tabs on your spending.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You may be able to impart knowledge that's innovative to those searching for a new angle. You can make or break your personal relationship this week.

Compromise may be necessary. Your tendency to take on too much will end in fatigue.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Don't let your partner put you down.

Concentrate on yourself or your work.

Exhaustion combined with overindulgence could result in minor health problems. Your temper could get the better of you if you confront personal situations.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Your passionate mood will be well received by your mate. You could experience delays in shipments or mail, and should be careful while traveling.

Sudden romantic encounters will set your head spinning. Relax I and enjoy what you've accomplished when you're finished.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Make changes in your domestic scene.

Take the initiative and go after your goals. You are best to work at home, clearing up overdue projects. You can accomplish a lot if you deal with other people's money or possessions this week.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Do your own thing. Take the time to help old friends or relatives who have had a stroke of bad luck. You have more than enough on your plate already. Opportunities will come through long term investments.

ACROSS

John 40. Stone workers 1. Recipe 41. Alias abbr. measurement (abbr.) 42. Reply (abbr.)

5. Suffix for a 43. Boats like doctrine Noah’s 8. Jerry 46. Corsage Herman flower musical 51. Pinnacle 12. Site 52. Guess at a 13. Anonyprice mous (abbr.) surname 53. Cultivate 14. Like a Bohemian 54. Decides 55. Week part 15. 1965 56. Answer Petula cheekily Clark hit 17. Basketball DOWN team 18. Hockey 1. Small org. amount 19. “Just __ thought!” 2. JFK, to RFK (2wds.)

3. Take 21. Hosts stitches 24. Blackboard 4. Gave a need poor 27. Prepared review 28. Fixed 5. Teens’ charge heroes 29. __ du 5. Female pig Diable 7. Threatens (Devil’s 8. “The island) Sopranos” 31. Patton’s organizarank tion (abbr.)

9. Onassis’s 33. “Tell __ nickname story” (2) video wds.) channel 34. Govt. agcy.

11. Glance at 35. Crimean quickly __ 16. Those 36. Routine folks 38. Music legend

20. Pronoun 21. Units of energy 22. Ed of the Reagan administration 23. Erie or Panama 25. Time of waiting 26. Robert or Calvin 28. HST’s preceder 30. Breaks a fast 32. Ran, as a store 35. Chinese skillet 36. Crew member 37. Valuable belong-

ings 39. Jobs 40. “Spin and __” (old Disney serial) 43. Soldier’s address (abbr.)

44. GOP mem.

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. 19.

45. Kit __ Club (“Cabaret”) 47. Light __ feather (2 wds.)

48. Teachers’ gp.

49. Parts of ft.

50. Radio spots

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20. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Kicked out of the picture

Dear George, SINCE all this uproar about the Canadian passport situation, my boyfriend, who is living in Canada, has made it clear to me that he does not think I will ever be granted a visa for Canada in a hurry, so he will be moving on with his life.

Prior to all of this, we had plans of me joining him. He is in Canada illegally and said he could not take the chance of coming home, seeing that he does not know if and when he would be able to go back. I told him that if he really loves me, he would come back to me.

He can make a good enough life here in St. Vincent. His parents have a business. They want him to take over the business, but he just wants ‘to run life’. He is not serious at all about settling down and making something of himself. He practically got a gold spoon in his mouth but choose to spit it out. Now he has me in limbo.

Trapped Dear Trapped, Your boyfriend has indicated clearly that he is not serious about making a life with you. It could be that he needed his own space all along and a chance to make his own decisions, and is only too happy for this visa excuse.

Stop using up any more valuable time on wondering when he is going to make his next move and whether or not he sees you in his future. It is now up to you to plan your future and leave him to figure his life out. One thing is for sure, and that is he cannot move ahead in any significant way in Canada without proper documentation. This one seems like a lost cause.

George

A turncoat boyfriend Dear George,

I HAVE BEEN with my boyfriend for 18 months now, and we have had a wonderful relationship so far. I could not have asked for better.

I went to my boyfriend’s work place and told him I wanted to have a serious chat with him during his lunch hour. He told me that he would be too busy at that time, and asked me to let it wait until after work.

I told him it could not wait, and insisted he see me on his lunch hour.

He did see me, and that was when I told him that I was pregnant for him.

I was so excited to give him the news for he had said how he wanted me to bear a child for him, and we agreed.

However, when he got the news, he ‘chupes’ and asked what was I going to do. I asked him what he meant by that, and he

Rekindling an old flame mate selection. You are honest enough to admit to yourself that you For 2 years, I have been pretending to have made a choice that you now want to undo. It is time to end the pretense be happily married, and I am at the and let your husband know how you stage where I cannot pretend feel and have been feeling. anymore. I have pretended to laugh at my husband’s jokes, to enjoy him in Remaining in a miserable situation is no way to live, and can be quite unfair bed and to like his friends. I do not to your partner, because you would know what and when it happened exactly, but of late whenever I look at not be able to give one hundred percent or even close to it. him, I feel nothing but repulsion.

Keep in mind, though, that the I regretted marrying him, and I know now that the man I should have grass always seems greener on the married was my childhood sweetheart, other side. If you are getting out of who meets me every day and reminds this marriage, make sure it is for the right reasons. me of the mistake I made. He is still offering himself to me, and he is very George much available. I am seriously thinking of making the switch.

Please do not tell me to go for any counselling because I am not interested in that; I just want out of this man’s life, but I cannot bring myself to tell him how I feel.

Dear George,

Jammed Dear Jammed, The reality is, there are marriages that were not made in heaven; couples do sometimes make wrong choices in

said I should know what he is talking about. He asked me flat out if I had intentions of bringing the child, and wondered aloud about why I had to go and get pregnant. I was so shocked by his response, I broke down in tears. He walked away and told me when I decided to get rid of the child, I can come back to him and he will pay all the expenses.

I am so hurt, George, and I feel betrayed. How could such a good man turn like that? I do not know what to do. I do not believe in abortion, and I am worried that I would not be able to bring up a child all by myself. I know I cannot count to him to support this child. I am now

crying over this, and you need to begin to plan a future for your child.

Let Down You can begin by getting help from Marion House Dear Let Down, where I am sure there is support for young and I am not sure why he expectant mothers. You is still your boyfriend. can use the courts to get Such an insensitive and this man to fulfill his legal financial sad excuse for a real man should not have any obligations to your child. business even wishing Look at this as a for a child. It is sad that learning experience, and use it to make better you could not see this coming, but then again, choices in the future. sometimes it is just impossible to see.

George It is too late now to be ashamed to own him as my boyfriend.

V SVGITE MINTS graduates twelve

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. 21.

Education

by GLORIAH… Graduates pose with Rev Dr. Paul Duncan (front left), Rev. Dr. Walford Thompson (back) and, Rev. Dr. John Lewis (front right).

AT A GRADUATION CEREMONY of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Institute of Theological Education and the Miami International Seminary (SVGITE MINTS), which was held at the Hope for Life Restoration Church at Arnos Vale, on Sunday, 7th October, twelve students of studies in theology graduated and received awards for their work.

The graduates The graduates included George Frederick for Doctor of Ministry; Master of Arts in Theological Studies for Yvette Antoine and Nathaniel Williams with Honours, and Chiefton B. Charles, Percival Douglas, Tama M. Henry, Nigel A. Morgan, Hazel O’Garro, and Juanita C. Spring; Bachelor of Arts in Theological Studies for Brian A. Dennie and Ian Enoch; and Associate of Arts in Theological Studies for Ruthlyn Alves, who also did counseling; and to Allion T. Quashie.

Rev. Dr. Henley Bernard, feature speaker, reminded the graduates to be mindful about the ‘quality of the witness.’

Tama Henry, Top Student in the territory.

Williams.

The feature address

The Feature Address was given by Rev. Dr. Henley Bernard of the United Theological College of Jamaica. Dr. Bernard reminded the graduates that “life is a journey, not a destination. Education is a process, not an event.”

He added, “The journey continues. It does not end in degrees, The speakers and there is not another person who should The ceremony heard understand that better addresses from an than a Christian.” impressive line-up of The Rev. Dr. exhorted speakers. Among these the graduates to “walk were Rev Dr. Paul worthy of your calling. It Duncan, current Dean of is not going to be the the School in SVG; Rev. quality and complexity of Dr. Walford Thompson, the words you are going Father of SVGTE in to use, it must be the SVG; Rev. Dr. John quality of your witness.”

Lewis, Dean of the To do this, he outlined School in Grenada; Hon a methodology found in Maxwell Charles, the scriptures: Walk Minister of Ecclesiastical discerningly, knowing Affairs et al, and Hon. who you are, whose you Arnhim Eustace, Leader are and what you are of the Opposition. The called to be; walk Doctoral address was humbly, walk in love, given by the Rev. Dr. walk as children of light George Frederick, and and walk circumspectly. the Valedictory address If this guideline is by graduate Nathaniel followed, urged Dr.

Nathaniel Williams, recipient of the Board of Directors MINTS Award, delivering the Valedictory address.

Bernard, “then each would become good shepherds of God’s flock.”

Turning to trends in the modern church, he declared, “In the church today, there is too much preaching and not enough teaching”, admonishing those who do as “failing to protect God’s flock against the things that war against their souls.”

With strong conviction in his voice The Rev. Dr. Bernard cautioned the graduates to condemn feeding on the flock instead of feeding the flock. “The shepherd must be prepared to lay down his life for the flock,” he advised.

The awards After the discourse, numerous awards were handed out. The awards for Expository Preaching and Leadership and Administration went to Nathaniel Williams. The

Nigel Morgan (left), Student of the Year, receiving his award from Rev. Dr. Walford Thompson.

MINTS Thesis and Commentary Award went to Tama Henry who outclassed every other student in the territory.

Yvette Antoine received the Most Disciplined Award; Hazel O’Garro, the Most Determined Award, having completed

her Associates, Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees all in five years; and Allion Quashie, the Most Exceptionally Gifted Award.

The Student of the Year Award went to Nigel Morgan, while Nathaniel Williams

received the Board of Directors MINTS Award.

The Isaac Soleyn Award went to Nathaniel Williams for being the most outstanding student, and the Walford Thompson Award to Dr. George Frederick.

The Ministry of Education, Rev. Dr. George Frederick and Rev. Gevandean Wilson received Honorary awards from the SVGITE MINTS.

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22. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

News

NTRC concerned about pricing on Thursday, October 11th, while addressing a NTRC community THE NATIONAL discussion forum, at the Telecommunications Stephanie Browne Regulatory Commission (NTRC) is aware that some Government School on of the prices that persons Union Island.

He, however, have to pay for certain services, “are not what we reminded his audience that, “we have made would like them to be.” progress compared to ten This was the years ago, and the mobile admission made by phones that are used by Rohan Charles, Accountant at the NTRC, regular persons are

by KENVILLE HORNE

Union Island residents aired their views and concerns about telecommunication service on that island.

advanced technology compared to what we could have afforded 10 years ago.”

And even as he also admitted that “there are sometimes disputes over pricing and services offered,” which the NTRC is mandated to resolve, Charles pointed to “the fact …that telecommunications services are readily available to the public.

“We have gone from spinning an antenna outside to get channels, to being able to access a number of channels...so we have definitely seen advancement,” Charles said in relation to television services here.

The forum, in addition to providing information about the NTRC and its responsibilities, served as an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns about the state of telecommunications services in their

Ezra Ledger (right), Director of the Bureau of Standards, conducting training in GAP disciplines for agricultural and agricultural-related personnel.

OAS funds training in GAP disciplines ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES continues to receive support for the development of its agro-tourism product from the Organisation of the American States (OAS).

Last Thursday, October 18, close to 20 persons were trained in the various disciplines of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), as they relate to the production and preparation of foods for exportation and consumption.

The training was conducted by Ezra Ledger, Director of the Bureau of Standards. He focused on two main areas: Technical Barriers to Trade Agreements, and SPS or Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreements of the World Trade Orgtanization (WTO).

According to Ledger, the training was designed to expose those involved in the production of food and food products, to the requirements of GAP and other food safety regulations.

He stated that although SVG is a signatory to the international agreements governing international trade, and has access to the markets

presented worldwide, it does not have direct entry into the country importing.

This can only be achieved when, “we demonstrate our ability to conform to the practices that ensure food and food products offered for sale and consumption are produced in a manner that conforms to the measures outlined in the many GAPs that exist globally,” Ledger advised.

Ledger also explained that the production and preparation methods must include a number of safety measures and conditions outlined for producing safe and healthy foods.

Mr. Renato Gumbs, Senior Agricultural Officer, who was responsible for organizing the session, said that this was the first of a number of such training workshops.

He pointed out that participants were expected to impart the knowledge gained to their co-workers and their clientele.

Participants included agricultural officers, plant quarantine officials, plant tissue culture technicians and representatives of VINCYFRESH, the agro-processing plant at Lauders.

(Contributed)

community.

Overview of the NTRC The NTRC was established by an Act of Parliament in 2001. It is commissioned with the authority to permit licences for and monitor the delivery of services of radio and television, radio communications (e.g. VHF) and telecommunications service providers.

It is authorized, in keeping with local, regional and international protocols, to set rates for use of the services, settle any disputes between or among service providers and between service providers and consumers.

The NTRC also manages the Universal Service Fund (USF) which promotes the development of

Rohan Charles (left) and Kyron Duncan at the Union Island open forum. telecommunication services St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Towards this end, the NTRC through the USF encourages ‘efficient access to, and the use of telecommunications networks and services throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines, with special focus on rural, underserved and maritime areas.’

Universal Service Fund The NTRC/USF Administrator, Kyron Duncan, told the Union Island forum that the USF’s first project of providing free Internet access has been effected in 29 locations throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

He said that fora like the one in Union Island

formed part of the NTRC’s efforts to maximize the benefits of the free wireless internet while sensitizing persons about computers.

The administrator also revealed that the wireless internet service at the Learning Resource Centres (LRCs) should be available to persons 24 hours a day and can be accessed at between 150 to 200 metres from the source.

Duncan confirmed that there have been reports of persons employed at some of the LRCs turning off the wifi (wireless internet access). This should not be so, he warned.

The NTRC Union Island forum formed part of a two-day visit to that island by NTRC personnel.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. 23.

News

Drummers give Belair Spa facelift AS THIS COUNTRY celebrates 33 years of Independence, at least one historical attraction has been given a well needed facelift.

The Resistance Heartbeat Drummers, along with some youths in the Belair community, made its Independence contribution by uplifting the physical appearance of the Belair Spa. In partnership with the Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) and Coreas/Hazells Inc., the group cleaned, painted and planted palm trees on the Spa compound last Sunday.

CWSA did the landscaping, while

Coreas/Hazells provided the paint.

The Kingstown based Resistance Heartbeat Drummers comprises members from Dauphne,

Members of the Heartbeat Resistance Drummers added Calliaqua, Sion Hill a touch of paint and a national outlook to the Spa at and Campden Park. Belair.

The organization is appealing to all users of the Belair Spa to play compound clean at all (HH) their part by keeping the times.

Hairoun Kola Champagne: Now in a bottle The St.Vincent Brewery Ltd. introduced a new bottled soft drink to its product portfolio on Tuesday, October 22, 2012.

‘Hairoun Kola Champagne’ is now available in 280ml bottles, at all wholesale and retail outlets, as well as from any

St.Vincent Brewery distribution truck.

Regional Commercial Manager at the St.Vincent Brewery, Ms. Shafia London, expressed her confidence about the newly bottled produce.

“Kola Champagne ‘post mix’ has always been one of the

St.Vincent Brewery’s best soft drink sellers. It has been and still is in constant demand by our customers, so we have decided to make the Kola Champagne available in a bottle, thus making it more readily available to more persons.”

Hairoun Kola Champagne is made from natural Kola nut concentrate. It joins a wide range of Brewery soft drinks products such Mauby, Bitter Lemon, Fruit Cocktail and Soda Water.

The new Hairoun Kola Champagne in a bottle.

Coconut Fest set for Layou The fourth annual “Coconut Fest” is scheduled to take place on Saturday 3rd November 2012 at the Layou Water Front.

Hosted by the Layou Miracle Church, this year’s ‘Fest’ is being held under the theme: Restoring Coconut for Healthy Living.

The day’s programme includes an exhibition and sale of coconut craft and coconut-based food items from 2:30pm, and a cultural showcase from 6:00pm, which will embrace the history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and commemorate the 33rd anniversary of Independence.

According to a release from the host, they have been heartened by the support in the past and expect even greater support this year.

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24. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Business

The Importance of Financial Planning FINANCIAL planning is the process of meeting your life’s goals through the proper management of your finances. This can range from short-term undertakings such as savings for a car and budgeting household expenses, to the long term creation of savings for retirement. It is an important process that individuals should practise in order to ensure that optimal funds are available to meet their present and future wellbeing.

Financial Planning is an evolving plan; it changes as an individual grows in his/her career path and moves on in different stages of life. The plan should be reviewed as the circumstances in a person’s life change, to ensure that the person is still on the path to achieving his/her financial goal(s). Getting married and raising a family are examples of circumstances that will affect a person’s disposable income.

There tends to be a misconception that financial planning is only for businesses or for the rich and high income earners. As a result, it may not be of top priority to some individuals. After all, if one does not have a lot of money, what is there to plan?

But this is wrong since it is not how much money you earn, but how you allocate whatever income you receive.

Saving Savings is a major component of financial planning; we should always be thinking about how we can save. Many people say that they are not making enough money to save, or when they accumulate a lump sum they would start saving. To accept this is to believe that it is not worthwhile to save a small amount of money on a monthly or

weekly basis.

What is important is that a percentage of what you earn is set aside. This amount, whether large or small, would accumulate over a period of time and create the means towards attaining future goals. Individuals who save or invest small amounts of money early in life often tend to do better than those who wait until later in life.

Ingredients of Financial Planning Financial planning allows you to understand how each financial decision you make, affects other areas of your finances. For example, the decision to fund your children’s tertiary education would enhance their quality of life, but this may delay your retirement plan. If you have a planned approach to what you want to do with your finances, you are more apt to get there.

The following planned approach can be taken: (1) Determine and understand your financial situation An individual should analyze his/her income against his/her expenses and assets against their liabilities.

(2) Set your life goals — set targets of what you want to achieve and when you want to achieve this, for example you may want to own a home, further your education or your children’s education, be debt free when you retire and have resources available to finance your funeral. (3) Formulate your plan to achieve your goals — develop the habit of budgeting monthly and following your budget, determine what percentage of your disposable income would be saved and where you can make changes in your monthly expenses. Look at different investment options. (4) Once the plan is in action, examine and evaluate whether it is working or if it needs to be adjusted. Financial planning is a dynamic process that will not change your situation overnight. As conditions in your life change, revisit and revise your plan to ensure that you are on track with achieving your financial goals.

Benefits of planning Some people hate planning, but it is best that you prepare financially. Some of the benefits that can be derived from financial planning are: (1) It allows you more discipline in the spending of your money — by having a clear plan regarding your financial resources and savings. It will motivate you to stick to your monthly expenditure and would prevent over spending and unmanageable debt. (2) It provides a better direction and meaning to financial decisions — it enables you to compare your income against monthly expenses, you may never have to worry about random spending when you realize the benefits of savings. You will be more in control of your finances rather than your finances controlling you. (3) It helps to provide a stable balance between your present and future lifestyle. It makes it easier for individuals to maximize their cash flow and make solid investment decisions. (4) It makes you more equipped in dealing with unforeseen expenses — when you are faced with some sort of emergency or unforeseen expenses. Having a solid savings plan can help reduce your financial obligations. (5) It ensures that you are more secure in having funds available to meet present and future needs — planning helps prevent you from living from pay check to pay check.

Submitted by Maxine Johnney General Employees Cooperative Credit Union Editor’s Note: This is the final in a series of articles to mark Financial Information Month. THE VINCENTIAN was pleased to have collaborated with the local agency of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, in this effort.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. 25.

People

Canadian son of Vincentian carpenter dies at age 90 Ben Harrison – International Correspondent CANADIAN flags are flying at half mast this week in honour of The Honourable Lincoln MacCauley Alexander, Ontario’s 24th Lieutenant Governor who passed away Friday October 19, 2012.

Lincoln Alexander, “Linc” as he liked to be called, was born in 1922 in Toronto, Ontario. His mother, Mae Rose Royale, was a maid from Jamaica, and his father was Lincoln MacCauley Alexander Sr., a 6-foot-4inch carpenter from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. On emigration to Canada, Alexander Sr. worked as a porter on the Canadian Pacific Railway and his mother worked as a hotel maid.

Early family life was not easy for the Alexander family. During his teenage years, Linc’s father had numerous affairs with women he met at various stops along the train route across Canada, leading to a sexually transmitted disease to his mother and physical abuse that left his mother with a broken eardrum. She left the marriage and “Linc”, who had witnessed the assault, vowed that he would never put his future wife in the “position my dad put my mom in”.

The street’s law and politics During his teens, Lincoln Jr. lived for a while with his mother and her sister in Harlem where he was involved with street gangs, switch blades and dope.

Concerned for his future, his mother sent him back to Canada to live with his father.

During the war years, he worked as a machinist in a factory near Hamilton, Ontario before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force as a wireless operator.

Following his discharge

in 1945, with the value of education impressed on him by his mother still ringing in his ears, he completed the credits he needed for university.

Following his studies in history and economics at McMaster University in Hamilton, he graduated in 1953 near the top of his class in law school from York University’s Osgood Hall in Toronto.

He spent two years with a law firm, specializing in commercial and real estate law, and joined a criminal law firm of which he became a principal.

His interests gradually shifted from the practice of law to politics. Following volunteer work with Operation Crossroads Africa, he ran for Federal office and was elected, the first black member and subsequently Canada’s first black federal cabinet minister as Minister of Labour, until he was appointed Ontario’s first black lieutenant-governor.

As LieutenantGovernor, Lincoln Alexander had three goals: advancing opportunities for youth, fighting racism and advocating on behalf of seniors, all of which he achieved.

As Chancellor of the University of Guelph from 1991 to 2006, he conferred more than 20,000 degrees, and was named University Chancellor Emeritus at a ceremony in June 2007.

In 1992, Alexander was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada, and in 1996 chair of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

Battling health challenges His life was certainly not easy: In spite of his high energy and healthy appearance, Alexander had many personal health challenges. He had been a chain smoker

since his early 20s, finally quitting his twopack-a-day habit in 1989, only to be diagnosed with lung cancer two years later, resulting in surgery and a cure. He also experienced heart failure, had circulatory and back problems and last year, had advanced surgery to repair a ruptured aneurysm in his abdomen.

In 1999 he was devastated by the death of Yvonne, his wife of 50 years. Ten years later, while in his late 80s,

mutual friends introduced him to Marni Beale. Despite an age difference of 30 years, they shared a passion for jazz and were married in 2011.

Like his friend, bluesman Jackie Washington, he led the way for blacks to break racial discrimination barriers. When Jackie died, “Linc” spoke at his funeral and stated, “As we climb the mountain, very few people leave their footprints, but Jackie did,” he said. “He

The Honourable Lincoln MacCauley Alexander, 24th Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario. was able to change a lot of people’s minds about black people. When I think of Jackie, I think of Joshua at the battle of Jericho: and the walls came tumbling down.”

The same thing could be said of Lincoln Alexander. He was a legend in his own time; he was a mentor to many

Canadian Flag flying at half mast in honour of Lieut. Gov. Lincoln Alexander. and an inspiration and outstanding role model.

He was an human rights visionary, whose impact in word and deed, will continue to echo throughout Ontario and Canada for generations to come.

James Percival ÂPappyÊ Daniel: An unsung nation-builder Cassava processing is a very laborious and back-breaking job.

Small wonder therefore IT IS WITH DEEP that, like many other sadness, great regret but activities, it is fast heartfelt pride that we becoming a dying art, write to pay tribute to now pursued by a few Mr. James Percival remaining committed Daniel, better known as artisans of our society.

Percy Simon or ‘Pappy’, Mr. Simon was a of Chauncey, or more hard-working, appropriately ‘Carco committed and devoted Village’. Sadness and man to his craft. regret because ‘Pappy’ Several years ago, as a has passed to the great part of our World Food beyond, a few years Day celebration, he and short of his 100th his co-workers were Birthday; pride because featured in a of his contribution to documentary on our sustainable livelihoods. local television station.

For many years, We hope that many of ‘Pappy’ was productively you, especially our and gainfully employed younger viewers, have in the agro-industry. seen it. The His specialty was documentary turning the lowly highlighted the cassava into farine and strenuous efforts that cassava bread. He and went into the production his wife, Meatrice, ably of the farine and cassava supported by other bread, from start to family members, friends finish. and neighbours, comprised the hard Involved every step of working team that the way provided us all, on a weekly basis, with the Mr. Simon was most delicious farine involved in cassava and mini-cassava bread, production since the otherwise known as days when the processor ‘bam bam’. Did his himself, was required at activity and the field to harvest the consumption of cassava cassava, and transport it contribute to his to the processing longevity? We firmly location — the cassava believe so! mill. During those

by MARGARET SULLIVAn & NELCIA ROBINSON HAZELL

James Percival Daniel spent his adult live in the farine business. earlier times, the mode of transportation was mainly by donkey, together with everyone in the family ‘trucking’ a load by head. Mr. Simon was blessed to live to enjoy the days when he found a small relief with the arrival of pick-up trucks to transport the cassava.

He took great pride in his handiwork, and was involved integrally in every aspect of production of the farine: scraping, grating, wringing the cassava, and baking the farine.

We knew that as long as Mr. Simon was around, we would have farine and cassava bread. He

Meatrice Daniel, James’ wife, labored with her husband in his farine business. gave us his best. He invested his heart and soul into this life-time employment. To those of us who had the distinct pleasure of knowing and interacting with him, we are convinced that in his own way, he has made a sterling contribution to our nation. He kept us fed. He satisfied our hunger.

To ‘Pappy’ we say: Whenever we eat some farine or a cassava bread, we will remember you, and we will speak your name. Thank you for your contribution to the nutritional needs of your people.

26. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. 27.

Ballantyne tops the field Pamenos Ballantyne continued his dominance of races here.

VETERAN road racing athlete Pamenos Ballantyne outran the field to win the open male category of the Log Enterprises North Windward race last Sunday afternoon, in 18 minutes 45.16 seconds.

In what some observers said was a foregone conclusion, Ballantyne was followed by his Chatoyer teammates

Junior Ashton and Josnel Ashton, in that order, after an early but faded challenge from Casique Oliver and Brandon Paris, both of IT DAT club.

Oliver, though, took the male under -19 category in 20 minutes 14.93 seconds. Second to Oliver was Keron Arthur of X- Cel Sports Club, and third Caswin Lewis of the St

Vincent Grammar School, a former Petit Bordel Secondary School student.

Taking the female under-19 was Kerina Hooper of the Thomas Saunders Secondary.

Hooper’s winning time was 26 minutes 05.69 seconds. Tara Joseph of IT DAT was second and third was the Sandy Bay Secondary School’s Delicia

Vincy Heat, seen here in training, was not expected to lose to St. Lucia.

Mixed Digicel Cup results for Vincy heat WITH ONE GAME left to play in their Qualifying round of the Digicel Cup, SVG national Footbal team, Vincy Heat, had lost one and won one game.

In their opening encounter against Guyana, played in St. Lucia, on Sunday, October 21, Vincy Heat overcame Guyana, 2-1, considered

by Cornelius Huggins, prior to the team departing for St. Lucia, to be this country’s most formidable opponent.

Vincy Heat, however, went down to host St. Lucia, 1-nil in their next encounter.

The goals against Guyana came from the boots of Myron Samuel in the 29th minute and

Cornelius Stewart in the 79th minute. Guyana’s lone goal came in injury time in the first half, from the penalty spot.

The match against Guyana had an added significance for the SVG team, and in particular its captain Wesley ‘Butu’ Charles. It marked the 100th appearance for Charles in national colours.

Speaking from his hotel room after the match, Charles said: “I am proud to have played for my national team over the years, and with this win it’s a great way to celebrate this milestone.”

Charles made his debut for SVG against Cuba in 1995, in the Caribbean Shell Cup finals played in

the Cayman Islands.

He considers this “my most memorable match,” and recalled that SVG won the match 3-2, coming from two goals down, and went on to win the Championship.

SVG’s final match in the qualifying round was expected to take place yesterday Thursday.

The Vincy Heat squad in St. Lucia comprises Wesley Charles (Captain), Kenyan Lynch, Darren Hamlet, Roy Richards, Reginald Richardson, Odanza Dennie, , Dwayne Sandy, Teon Gordan, Emrol George, Wendell Cuffy, Cornelius Stewart, Myran Samuel, Shandell Samuel, Devon Browne, Zenroy Lee, Shamal Trimmingham, Azino

Wesley ‘Butu’ Charles joins a rare breed of footballers with his 100th appearance for his national team.

Salomon, Ascar Nero, Nichol Steven.

Othneil Douglas serves as Manager, with Cornelius Huggins as Head Coach, Tyrone Barrow assistant coach, Kevin Richardson goal keeper coach, and Anliff Williams kit manager.

Denis Byam is the squad’s physiotherapist.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Baptiste.

With Team Athletics SVG taking the decision not to bus athletes to the races, except for those in the locale, there were some changes in the Linda Mc Dowall guard. displaced Lisa Daniel to Linda Mc Dowall take the open female of IT DAT took the category. open female in 24 minutes 00.23 seconds.

In the process, she left veteran female athlete Lisa Daniel to settle for the second position and Alicia Cox, third.

Both Daniel and Cox represented X- Cel sports club.

Alex Grant of the St Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua won the male under15 in 22 minutes Samantha Lynch 17.51 seconds. exchanged her cricket Desborn Lavia of shoes for running ones and the Owia took the female veterans Government race.

School was second, and third was veterans race.

Caswin Prince Nelio Thomas of the continued to boss the Thomas Saunders veterans’ male Secondary.

Delesha Baptiste of division. Leonard Ballantyne finished the Sandy Bay behind Prince.

Secondary won the Last Sunday’s race, female under-15 in 30 from the old Tourama minutes 37 .82 School to the Mall in seconds.

Georgetown, was the Aaliyah Quashie of first in the trilogy of the George Stephens Log Enterprises road Secondary was second, races. Next are the and her twin sister Ahkima Quashie, also Sion Hill sprint scheduled for 11th of the George November and the Stephens Secondary North Leeward race on School was third.

Sunday 25th Samantha Lynch November. won the female

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28. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

The visiting NY Masters cricket team is comprised primarily of Vincentian born players.

Albert Tesheira showed glimpses of his younger days with a cracking inning of 85 runs.

Gosnel Cupid, 46, led the batting for the Police Masters.

Tough loss for NY Masters The New York Masters cricket team, currently on a tour of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, had mixed fortunes in their opening games played last weekend.

The New Yorkers went down in an

unfortunate manner, in their opening game against the RSVG Police.

The lawmen were declared winners of the match on the basis of them losing less wickets at the end of seventeen overs, when bad light

Lewis’ eyes on World Games GENITA LEWIS has earned herself the right to participate in the 2013 World Senior Summer Games in Cleveland, USA, following her exploits in the recently concluded Huntsman World Senior Games in Utah, USA. Lewis captured two gold, one silver and one bronze in the over 50 category of the 2012 26th Edition of Huntsman Games, which attracted some 2, 000 athletes competing in 29 disciplines.

She picked up gold in the Shot Putt, throwing a distance of 9.91 meters, and in the Discus with a distance of 25.09 meters. She captured her silver medal with a throw of 19.37 in the Javelin and her bronze came in the long jump at 2.12 meters.

Genita Lewis will step up Lewis, the present her training in preparation world record holder in for participation in next the Shot Putt event year’s World Senior with a throw of 10.14 Games. meters, a feat she attained in 2009, has been dominating these events for the past 5 years.

The former national athlete and netball player, and retired Police Officer, has expressed her willingness to assist any athletes who are interested in these disciplines.

The 2013 World Senior Summer Games runs from July 23 to August 5.

caused a halt to the 2/20 game.

After 17 overs, RSVG Police Masters had lost 6 wickets to the NY Masters’ 7.

In actual play, RSVG Police Masters posted 133 for 6 off 20 overs.

Gosnel Cupid led with 46, Renford Jack hit 26 and Allan John 22.

Selwyn Caine, Ezekiel Williams and Keegan McMillan took 2 wickets each.

New York Masters in

reply reached 106 for 7 off 17 overs when bad light stopped play. Bert Andrews hit 22 and Olando Mofford 22.

Parnell Browne and Renford Jack took 2 wickets each.

Sunday’s encounter was more pleasing for the NY Masters, when they beat London Combined Masters by 47 runs at the London playing field.

New York Masters made 157 for 4 off 20

overs. Albert Tesheira, former Windward Islands stylish lefthanded batsman, led the scoring with 85. London Masters Combined replied with 110 all out off 16.3 overs.

Christopher Campbell hit 36 and Leon Samuel 25. Ephraim Bacchus picked up a hat trick, capturing 3 wickets without conceding a run.

The tour was expected

to continue with games against Kingstown and Sion Hill Combined on Wednesday. On Friday, the NY Masters were scheduled to take on the Neil Williams Academy.

Tomorrow, Saturday, they will face Arnos Vale Masters, while on Sunday they oppose North Leeward and Barrouallie Combined at Arnos Vale.

Stories by I.B.A.ALLEN

Valley Netters repeat Netball Double Bank of SVG Valley Netters once again proved they are the queens of netball in Barrouallie when they were crowned double champions in the Western Union netball competition on the weekend, at the Keartons hard court.

Having lost their only game this year to Barrouallie Co-operative Credit Union (BCCU) Star Girls earlier in the league competition, Valley Netters were determined to reverse this result when the two teams met in the Knockout final last Sunday.

This they did, albeit in a hard-fought encounter, 33-31.

Star Girls looked to be ready to wrest the title from Valley Netters when they raced out front in the first two quarters, closing the half leading at 16- 14.

They, however, could not fight off a pumped up Valley Netters who took the lead from the third quarter, 21-20, and maintained their momentum to claim victory, 33-31.

Valley Netters, Bagga Netball Double Champions.

Valley Netters’ goal shooter Juliet Williams registered 22 goals from 31 Newcomers Layou Orions were on a mission to attempts. Jannett Lynch had 2 goals from 4 tries score the double, having taken the league title. But while Veronica Lynch scored 9 goals from 18 their Cinderella run was brought to an end when attempts. For Star Girls, Kemesha Adams, goal last year’s double champions, Rising Stars, inflicted shooter, had 11 goals from 18 attempts while Layou’s first loss, in a hard-fought 18-17 duel.

Tamara Samuel and Kayshorn Lowman had 18 For Rising Stars, Janielle Ferdinand converted goals from 26 trines and 3 goals from 4 tries 14 goals from 28 tries, while Danielle Patterson, respectively.

Layou Orions, had 5 goals from 11 attempts.

The Vita Malt U-16 Division Knockout final was The presentation ceremony will take place at a also keenly contested. date to be announced.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. 29.

Sports

Giving thanks Yesterday’s third Round Group matches were expected to determine the teams to advance to the next stage of the Caribbean Cup. Barring a seismic disruption, the Vincentian Footballers should have progressed to six points. St. Lucia could have moved up to nine or Guyana could have drawn level with a victory over the St. Lucians in the Groups’ final match.

The Vincentians stumbled with their loss by a single goal to the hosts. While that defeat left a bitter pill to swallow, the St. Lucians will have been boosted by a turn in their fortunes.

The gap between teams is narrowing on the international arena. No country can be deemed as minnows in any sport. It is a matter of constant renewal and appraisal. The Vincentian network must embark on building a strategy.

Plans have to be put in place for long term development.

It must not be scrambling for a squad months before the designated hour.

Questions of finances must be approached cautiously. There is no doubt that the monetary uproar engulfing the globe will creep into sporting.

We have to prepare for the onslaught. The thrust towards providing more sporting facilities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines must continue.

Park Hill and South Rivers have suffered from the absence of their sporting facilities. The investment will pay dividends nationally, regionally and internationally.

It is touching that Cumberland has been mentioned. Perhaps residents in North Leeward will see the completion of that project.

Some sporting bodies may display carefree tendencies, like what has been obvious in tennis, bodybuilding and even athletics. I will not portray myself as the epitome of righteousness. But individuals have to come to grips with themselves and decide what their agendas are. They have to help to build the nation. Thirty three years is ample time to strengthen the foundation.

Those with genuine interest must persist with their quest. The foundation of sporting facilities remains the best form of investment. That will be the cushion in times of any impact from economic repercussions.

The spillover is overwhelming. There is nothing more ideal than a fit nation. That coincides with educational development and enriches the spirit with untold benefits.

Business houses may be ridiculed for their lack of involvement in community activities. Everyone has to remember that those enterprises are part of the landscape. That makes the role of the government in spearheading development more fundamental.

There can be arguments about ideology. But a fit and healthy body is an asset in any society.

Efforts must deepen to promote the sporting aspect. So if they manifest in tangible ventures, there is reason for one to be thankful.

I go at lengths, even with fury, to echo my appeal for the provision of sporting facilities. When the fruits are in the vineyard, there is an additional sense of fulfillment.

Thomas Injectors inflict pain on ASCO Dr. Thomas Injectors inflicted a 75-run

SVG Masters 2O/20 heads for Quarter finals QUARTER finalists in the SVG 2012 Masters 20/20 cricket competition are to be decided this weekend, when the final round of preliminary matches are complete.

In last weekend matches, Bequia Masters defeated Bickles Fun Masters by 1 run. Bequia Masters made 118 for 7 off 20 overs. Ferdie Friday led with 36. Anthony Richards took 4 for 14.

Bickles Fun Masters replied with 117 for 7 off 20 overs. Felix Antoine hit 27. Ferdie Friday took 4 for 13 and Cecil Richards 3 for 20.

St. Vincent Cooperative Bank P’tani Masters defeated Computec Belfongo Masters by 4 wickets.

Computec Belfongo Masters made 122 for 9 off 20 overs. Urias King made 35, Jecima Browne hit 22 and Peter Campbell 21. Westmore Campbell took 3 for 14, Isaac Haywood 2 for 19 and Walford Ambris 2 for 29. St.Vincent Cooperative Bank P’tani Masters made 123 for 6 off 20 overs. Westmore Campbell hit 32. Daniel McMillan took 2 for 18.

North Leeward Masters Combined defeated Log Enterprises Kingstown Masters by 1 wicket.

Log Enterprises Kingstown Masters made 107 for 8 off 20 overs. Hollis John made 24 not out. Reginald Jeffery took 2 for 10.

North Leeward Masters Combined 108 for 9 off 20 overs. Wallis Stapleton topscored with 29.Bradley Brooker took 3 for 11.

I.B.A.ALLEN

whipping on ASCO when action continued in the National Lotteries Authority TBPO softball cricket competition on the weekend, at the Dauphine playing field.

Dr Thomas Injectors took first knock and made 173 for 9 in 20 overs. Sunil Ambris hit 81. In reply, ASCO reached 98 all out in 17.2 overs. Deran Bute made 37 and Damian Chance 20. Agustine Corridan took 3 for 27, Emil small 2 for 6, Ronnick Daniel 2 for14 and Kesron Ashton 2 for17.

Also on the weekend, Gomea Bombers defeated Mac Little Saints by 39 runs. Gomea made 166 for 7in 20 overs. Carlos Williams hit 48 not out and Ovando O’Brian 47.

Amos Clarke took 2 for 28. In reply, Saints reached 127 in 19.2 overs. Jamal Alexander hit 40 and Frederick

Jack 29.Sylvanus Morgan took 3 for 7 and Kendal Payne 2 for 25.

In the only other weekend match played, Novices beat Sunset Strikers by 118 runs.

Novices made 202 for 4 in 16 overs. Roderick John stroked 109, Renrick Williams 34 not out and Dean Farrell 20.Kayron Cumberbatch took 2 for 51. In reply, Sunset Strikers reached 84 for 8 in 16 overs.

Roderick John had 3 for 16, Kentish Phillips 2 for17 and Trevor Bute 2 for 21.

The game between ASCO and Clinchers was rained out, while Bangers won over RSVG Police when they fail to field a team.

This weekend, on Sunday, Nex Level face Georgie Saints from 10, Mac Littie Saints oppose Sunset Strikers from 12.30pm, followed by

Thomas Injectors’ Sunil Ambris helped to rub it in on the ASCO attack with a knock of 81.

Glen United against Gomea Bombers from 3pm at the Dauphine playing field. No matches will be played on Saturday, Independence Day. I.B.A.ALLEN

Alumbrera Strikers were adjudged the best team on parade.

Mustique Soccer League opens The Mustique playing field came alive on Sunday 21st October as the Mustique Soccer League officially opened the 2012-2013 annual soccer tournament.

Five teams presented themselves for a march past and inspection of teams. Alumbrera Strikers, neatly attired in neon green & black uniforms, walked away with the Best March Past title, ahead of Simplicity Sharks, Basil Ball Rollers, Jigsaw United & Lot 73 Strikers.

The opening ceremony included addresses from the Mustique Co. Ltd. representative, Mr. Simon Humphrey, and the Mustique Soccer League President, Mr. Kenuth Peters.

The five teams participated in a fun soccerama where the Basil Ball Rollers, the defending Knockout Champions, reigned supreme.

The competition kicks off in earnest on Saturday 3rd November 4:00pm, when Alumbrera Strikers will face off against Basil Ball Rollers.

30. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012. 31.

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PROSECUTORS WARN: STOP THE BOMB THREATS

by HAYDN HUGGINS

TWO POLICE prosecutors have warned persons engaged in making bomb threats, which have, so far, turned out to be hoaxes, to desist from the act.

Inspector Adolphus Delpleche, Prosecutor at the Serious Offences Court, and Inspector Glenford Gregg, Prosecutor at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, each made the call following last week Thursday’s bomb scare at the Lower Kingstown Park building, which houses both Courts as well as the Family Services Division and the Cooperative Credit Union League’s office.

Reports are that around 10:15 a.m., staffers at the various offices in the building, prisoners and persons attending Court had to be evacuated after an employee at the Serious Offences Court office reported receiving a phone call stating that a bomb was to explode in the building.

The police were called in and the court precincts and immediate environs were cordoned off. The K-nine unit searched the entire building but no explosive was found.

Both prosecutors expressed disgust with the frequency of such calls, and are particularly concerned that the courts have been threatened in the drama.

The most recent incident occurred about a month after persons employed at and using the services of the High Court

This is not to be taken lightly and I am urging persons to desist from making these Inspector Adolphus Inspector Glenford Gregg, calls.”

Prosecutor at the Kingstown The Serious Offences Court Delpleche, Prosecutor at the Serious Offences Court, is Magistrate’s Court, didn’t was already adjourned when concerned about the time seem to appreciate that the bogus call was received, Loss of productive time some persons took the call but Inspector Gregg noted that lost in having to attend to the hoax calls. lightly. proceedings at the Kingstown While Inspector Delpleche Magistrate’s Court were described all calls of this Hendrick Alexander, whose you can go and check the disrupted as a result of the nature, wherever they are office is located in the High previous calls. I don’t think I incident. placed, as outrageous and Court building, stressed the will be excited about phone “Persons would have come serious, he stressed that need for laws to tackle the tapping.” He thinks that making them to a court of law from far and near to hear their issue but, he said, “persons “persons who are doing these matters, only to be told that could cause an uproar in the might claim it’s infringing on things should be found and court, and prisoners may want there was a bomb scare. Some dealt with very seriously.” persons who were there took it their privacy, then they start to seize the opportunity to talking about human rights Up to press time lightly, but the police had to escape. This, he said, would and all kinds of rights.”

Wednesday, investigations do what they were trained to result in police human He made it clear, however, were ongoing into the latest do,” Gregg said. resources and manpower “I am not referring to phone incident. having to be utilized. tapping, but a system where “Persons who are doing Call for a system to check these things must desist calls because, on receipt of these calls, a lot of human resources In recent years, there and time are used up, only to has been an increase in discover that they are hoaxes, frequency with which phone calls have been and these things can have serious repercussions,” made to various places, including prominent Delpleche told THE VINCENTIAN, and warned, commercial houses, ”Persons making these calls schools, the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and could be charged criminally.” even the Parliament The prosecutor lamented Building, stating that that, “at the end of the day, bombs were planted in these outrageous acts are counter productive because a those buildings. These lot of productive time is lost.” have all turned out to be hoaxes.

In an interview with Not to be taken lightly THE VINCENTIAN Inspector Gregg told THE reported in THE VINCENTIAN, “I am very VINCENTIAN September concerned about the frequency 28, 2012 and headlined, of these bomb scares, and ‘Speaker angry over bomb what they are doing now is threat’, Speaker of the The building which houses the Serious Offences Court and the threatening the Magistracy.

House of Assembly Kingstown Magistrate’s Court.

building had to evacuate the premises, after police notified that they had received a call stating that a bomb was planted in the building.

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

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.