31st August, 2012 Edition

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

AUGUST 31 2012

VOLUME 106, No. 35

www.thevincentian.com

MAN BEATEN AND SHOT:

EC$1.50

Right: The point of entry of the bullet covered by gauze.

Fears for his life

ASQUITH BLUGH, a 43-year-old labourer, originally from Gibson Corner but now residing in Diamond in the vicinity of the landfill, told THE VINCENTIAN that he is living in fear.

Blugh claimed that he was beaten and shot after witnessing and reporting a burglary.

He told THE VINCENTIAN that in the early hours of Saturday 4th August, he witnessed persons removing housing material from a house in the neighborhood, and placing them in a vehicle.

“The vehicle made about two trips the same day,” he stated.

He also told THE VINCENTIAN that he was able to recognize one of the person as being a friend. He reported what he had witnessed to his uncle.

dreadlocks man started “beating me with a 2-inch iron pipe, while my relative start to plan me with a cutlass.”

According to Blugh, they tied him up and beat him again.

They tried to convince him to go with them to the home that was burglarized, but he resisted, insisting that he was not involved in any theft.

But they beat him again.

Blugh recounted that when persons in the area became aware of the situation, they started pleading for mercy for him.

A man volunteered to take him to the police station, but “on the way to the station, they stop the vehicle and told the driver, ‘let us go back, we go take him to the hospital’,” Blugh said.

Fearing for his life, he suggested to them that they go to the home of the persons whom he named as having committed the burglary.

After his plea, he was thrown out of the vehicle and injured his right foot in the process, “but they go after the man and they get some of the things them,” he said.

medical form.

He travelled to Biabou, returning home on Sunday 5th August.

On the said Sunday night around 11pm, while preparing a meal, Blugh said he heard his dogs barking.

“I push de door to look , ah see a whole heap a flashlight coming in, so I close the door, run through the back window and started running through some bushes behind the house.”

It was then, the visibly distraught man told THE VINCENTIAN, that whoever was coming to his house, began firing shots.

One of the bullets hit him in his left leg. He showed evidence of that gunshot wound and signs of a laceration in his head.

The impact of the bullet knocked Ordeal begins him to the ground where he stayed put until the next morning.

Blugh related that, while getting That said morning, Monday 6th ready for work that day, he heard a August, he telephoned 911 and knocking on his door and went to indicated that he was shot. investigate. He was surprised to see a Arrangements were made to relative of his, a dreadlocks man and a transport him to the Milton Cato lady.

Shot this time Memorial Hospital, where he was His cousin addressed him saying, treated and provided with another “These are the people them whose He told THE VINCENTIAN that he medical form. reported the matter to the Stubbs Asquith Blugh carries a mark of injury thing yo tek.”

Not long after, Blugh said that the Police Station, where he collected a on his skull.

Continued on Page 3.

by KENVILLE HORNE

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2. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Arts & Culture

Starlift to make New York JÊOuvert debut

Starlift will breathe new life into the Caribbean festival by providing music to PERENNIAL PANORAMA masqueraders and CHAMPIONS Sea revelers in the lone Operations Starlift Steel Vincentian J’Ouvert Orchestra will on Monday, band in New York.

Sept. 3, make its New York “Youroumei J’Ouvert debut when it Productions has had the participates in the West 20th Century Steel Indian American Carnival Orchestra, our New in Brooklyn.

York-based Vincy Steel According to Verna Orchestra perform for us Arthur, co-founder and in the past. However, coordinator of the with Starlift coming Brooklyn-based directly from SVG, it will Youroumei Productions, add a particular nuance

by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net US CORRESPONDENT

Sea Operations Starlift Steel Orchestra’s debut in the New York J’Ouvert is highly anticipated.

Inset: Kingsley ‘Hero’ Roberts leads the Starlift Orchestra’s contingent presently in New York.

Vincy flavor on the road,” added Arthur, public on the road for J’Ouvert relations officer of the — that undescribable Brooklyn-based Club St. feeling that most of us Vincent, Inc., one of St. experience when we Vincent and the touch down at E.T Grenadines’ leading Joshua Airport,” said the educational and cultural Paul’s Avenue, groups in the United Kingstown, native, in an States. exclusive VINCENTIAN interview.

Starlift to make a “Starlift’s performance difference would provide and add She said Club St. Vincent, Inc. and the Brooklyn-based, SVGowned KBB Shipping and friends are collaborating with Youroumei Productions in the portrayal of “Starlift, The Stars are Lifting,” the same name as the popular Vincy steel band.

Arthur said 13 Starlift members and a rhythm section will provide “that pulsating Vincy sound on the road for J’Ouvert.

“Some members from 20th Century Steel Orchestra and other Vincentians have already stated that they will be beating their iron,” she ON GROCERIES GROC CERIES $20.00 & O OVER V fr VER from om said, giving themselves August September A ugust 29th to to S eptember e 1st the dual dub, “The Vincy Rhythm Section” and “The Engine Room.”

On Friday 31st 31 August Arthur said Youroumei Productions is aiming for at least 100 masqueraders and revelers, adorned in silver and white, and possibly gold.

WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES She said while the band caters primarily for Vincentians, other Every 15 Minutes, When the Bell Rings, nationalities are one Customer Cashing at the Cashier welcomed, disclosing that some Africans have Wins A Back 2 School Gift Bag already registered.

Arthur said J’Ouvert is generally a “very hard sell to Vincentians in New York,” but she hopes nationals will BONADIES SUPERM ARKETS #1 & 2 SUPERMARKETS “come out in their numbers to support L ower Middle Middle Street: Street: 456-1679 Lower Starlift.

Upp er Middle Middle Street: Street: 457-1616 Upper “We are appealing to

BBONADIES ON ONADIES SSUPERMARKETS UPERMAARKETS ETTS #1& #1 & 2 Bonanza B oona on naanz nan anza nzza za DISCOUNT DIS SCOUNTT OF 5% SCOUN WIN W WI IN A GIFT IN GIFT BA BAG AGG

SPEND LESS, GE GETT MORE WHEN YOU YOU SHOP AT AT

the Vincy Massive, who may otherwise play in other bands, to sit out of these bands this one time and represent SVG in full force,” she urged.

In addition to the costume band, which will be judged, Arthur said Starlift will be competing in two competitions during the New York J’Ouvert — Bomb and Calypso.

“I have full confidence they will win one if not both competitions,” she said. “We would like to have a very large band to reflect nicely on the road.”

including Peters; calypso maestro Alston ‘Becket’ Cyrus; former Calypso Monarch Errol ‘De Man Age’ Rose; Ken Isles, and the late calypsonian Dan Simon.

The band has a current membership of about 125, with the majority being young people, the youngest of whom is six years old.

Arthur said she and another cultural figure, Jasmine Hinds, a Hospital Road, Kingstown, native, formed Youroumei Productions in the ‘90s.

“There was a need for a J’Ouvert band in New York, and that’s how Origins of Starlift Youroumei Productions came into being,” Arthur Starlift Steel said.

Orchestra was “We wanted to keep it established in 1967 as a result of efforts of several very close to our Vincy roots, hence the name persons from Old Youroumei Productions,” Montrose, Kingstown. she added.

Among the pioneers On J’Ouvert Morning, were Simeon ‘Spitta’ Arthur said, the band Antrobus, Teddy ‘Mice’ will move from its camp Johnson, Hugh ‘Paddy at the Vincentian-owned Hugh’ Williams, Gideon Standard Shippers, 3616 ‘Socks’ DaSilva and the Clarendon Road, between indefatigable Walton East 31st and 32nd ‘Tanny’ Peters.

Streets in Brooklyn, and Later, Starlift said head for the starting members “would cross point, at Grand Army social and economic boundaries,” coming from Plaza, along Flatbush Avenue, in Brooklyn. as far as Barrouallie on the Leeward side of mainland St. Vincent, and Canouan and Union Island in the Southern Grenadines.

The panorama champions said many members “have gone on to make invaluable The membership of Sea contributions to Operations Starlift Steel the development Orchestra is dominated by of SVG and its young persons who have cultural graduated from the orchestra’s landscape,” training programmes.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. 3.

News 3

Attempted arson at distillery

POLICE ARE SAID TO BE investigating what appears to be an attempt to destroy this country’s lone rum distillery located in the north of the island.

Police sources say investigators have recovered some flammable material from the scene at the St Vincent Distillers factory following an attempt to destroy the facility by fire Monday night. It is alleged that flammable substance was applied to various parts of the factory and that a fire was actually lit, but the attempt was foiled.

Up to press time, there was no report of anyone having been

A FRIEND SENT THIS PHOTOGRAPH, and before requesting how it should be used, apologized for not being able to accredit it to any one person or group of persons.

We use it here with the same apology, in the hope that the photographer and/or owner of the original photograph wouldn’t eat

Vincent ‘Blakey’ Cuffy displays the ‘baby trophy’ which he got for winning the 2012 Ex-tempo Calypso Competition.

St. Vincent Distillers.

arrested and charged in connection with the crime.

The factory, known for manufacturing the

our heads off for using it.

It shows the home of the late Robert Milton and Lucy Cato. The house, typical of its late first half of the 20th century style with some modifications, still stands at Ratho Mill.

The friend who supplied the photo suggested that we display it and inquire of the authorities (meaning government), whether or

famous Sunset Strong Rum, is owned by the Greaves family who owns the CK Greaves Supermarket and

Bakery in Arnos Vale and supermarkets in Kingstown and Pembroke, as well as wholesale businesses.

not they were going to purchase it, seeing that the government was (hell) bent on making Milton Cato, our first Prime Minister, a national hero.

He further suggested that if it was purchased, then it could become a museum of sorts.

Then we got to thinking: Oh how much of our history we have

lost. No more Association Hall, no more Middle Street Pharmacy owned and operated by George McIntosh, no more Market Square, and we could go on and on.

For whatever it’s worth: Shouldn’t we be preserving some of our architectural history, national hero talk or not?

‘I deserve better,’ says Blakey VINCENT ‘BLAKEY’ CUFFY is a dissatisfied man.

The reigning Ex-Tempo Calypso Monarch feels he has been “dissed” (disrespected) with what he described as the “baby trophy” presented to him at the Official Prize-Giving Ceremony for Vincy Mas 2012, held Wednesday 22, at the Methodist Church Hall, Kingstown.

‘Blakey’, the Ex-Tempo Calypso Monarch for the last four consecutive years, admitted to THE VINCENTIAN, last Friday, August 24, that, “I get larger and better trophies in the past, so I don’t know what happen this time. All I could say is that it (trophy) is what some people think of me and the Ex-tempo Crown.”

According to ‘Blakey’, “even the ‘fellows’ at last Wednesday prize-giving ceremony were moved to say that. I deserve a better trophy and that it unfair what the CDC do me.”

The Ex-tempo Monarch received $500.00 as a first prize. This amount was paid within a week of the official Launch of Vincy Mas 2012, held on May 5, at which the Ex-Tempo competition was held..

According to ‘Blakey,’ the only other demonstration of recognition of his position was a “job to song on Mardi Gras at the Park (Victoria), but that didn’t happen.”

A visibly depressed ‘Blakey’ told THE VINCENTIAN that winning the Ex-Tempo Monarch is the only competition in which the people actually decide who wins.

“Everybody give me the win,” said Blakey, “I deserve something better. I deserve some help.”

The calypsonian affirmed his commitment to the art form and the Ex-Tempo category in particular.

“I keeping the Ex-Tempo alive. Is me they all want to beat. I deserve better than this little trophy,” he said as he left the office of THE VINCENTIAN.

Man beaten and shot Continued from Page 1.

“From since then, I can’t sleep, the guys them still at large. I does still see one a dem, but he don’t see me cause I does have to hide,” Blugh confessed.

Blugh explained that he decided “to come forward now” because he wants justice urgently.

“What I would like is for the police to make quick arrest of someone who deal with me. Right now I am not safe. I would like to return home and see ‘bout me animals. I need some justice too, I alone live and far from people.”

An attempt to get information from the Stubbs Police Station proved futile.

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4. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Education

GECCU awards scholarships

by KARISSA CLARKE THE GENERAL EMPLOYEES Cooperative Credit Union awarded six of their members’ children with Scholarships, to ensure that they start their Secondary School journey on the right foot.

The seven, Iana Ferguson, Shane Cadogan, Aranique Jackson, Tyra Robinson, Adam Bailey, Desron Blugh and Afeisha Deroche, received their awards at GECCU’s 10th Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony, held at the Methodist Church Hall on Wednesday, August 29.

Following an official welcome by Collin Sam, a teacher, Mineva Glasgow, Chairperson of GECCU’s scholarship committee, made remarks to the gathering that included students, parents, wellwishers, GECCU Board members and Staff, and Education Officials.

Glasgow congratulated the awardees, pointing out that it was commendable that of 1125 successful Common Entrance students nationwide, 5 of GECCU’s scholarship recipients ranked in the

Top 20.

She detailed the value of the scholarships as $1400 a year from Forms 1 to 3, and $1600 annual from Forms 4 to 5.

She encouraged the awardees to “lead by example, and set standards for others to emulate.”

Clarence Harry, President of GECCU, addressed the scholarship recipients as “Beacons for our future - leaders for the future.”

He had some advice for the parents. “You have an integral part to play in this tripartite relationship as you help your children to live their dreams.”

Harry expressed delight that one of the recipients, Afeisha De Roche, is from Canouan, seeing it as demonstration of GECCU’s commitment to include everyone, ncluding persons who live in the Grenadines.

Carlton Hall, Senior Education Officer for Secondary Schools, candidly reminded the audience that “Education is not free, but GECCU doesn’t expect tangible returns in terms of money,

Scholarship recipients with GECCU officials. but they expect citizens who will return and perform their role in society.”

Speaking directly to parents, he encouraged them to always take an interest in their children’s work. “Even if you don’t always understand the homework, at least ask the questions,” he said. He also suggested that parents make unexpected visits to schools to inquire of their children’s progress.

Alron Harry, a 2011 Scholarship Recipient, wowed the crowd with his renditions on pan, playing an especially fitting ‘Perseverence’ by Rasum.

This was followed by a Motivational Speech by Ms. Marla Nanton, 1992

GECCU Scholar.

She expressed that, “It feels really good to be back, back within the boundaries of an organisation that shaped me.”

Nanton outlined the importance of offsetting goals and achieving them, emphasizing that the first and most important step is knowing what you want to do with your life.

As part of her address, she made each recipient speak about what they wanted to become in life.

“Motivation is the psychological feature that moves someone to action.

Always convince yourself that you can,” she told the awardees, and implored them to always remember that GECCU scholars are the “cream of the crop.”

Also included in the GECCU Scholarship programme were awards of $100 to each successful Common Entrance student who has at least one parent who is a member of GECCU.

Scholarship and bursaries recipients and their parents/guardians with officials of the BCCU.

BCCU rewards for eleven Savers ELEVEN JUNIOR SAVERS of the Barrouallie Cooperative Credit Union Ltd. (BCCU) have been rewarded for their thriftiness and hard work, with assistance towards their secondary schooling.

Teriecia Jack received a full scholarship when the assistance awards were handed out during a ceremony on August 4, 2012.

Bursaries were awarded to Mukassa Gaymes, Joshwayne Gaymes, Sarine Hannaway, Loren Quow, Tamera Cordice, Asrick Walters, Odorie Scott, Ineika Ashton, Faecia Farrell, Ashley Richardson and Roniqueka Gaymes.

All the awardees were successful at the 2012 Common Entrance Examination.

Addressing the handing over ceremony, Bro. Philbert Gould, President of the BCCU, stressed the importance of having a sound education.

He urged the students to be disciplined in their studies, “so as to be able to capitalize on the opportunities which are available now and for the most part, given more freely in this country than many of our sister countries, which we take for granted.”

He also encouraged the parents of the awardees to help their children in every way possible in their education, and also to be good Junior Savers, which is the 2012 theme of the BCCU.

Children trained in use of computers JUST OVER FORTY (40) CHILDREN, between the ages of 7-12, from the North Leeward community benefited from a week of fun and exciting computer training at a workshop held at the Troumaca Ontario Secondary School.

The 2nd Annual Participants in the Summer Crash 2nd Annual Summer Academy Kids Computer Workshop Crash Academy Kids Computer Workshop concluded on Saturday 25th proudly display their August 2012 with a certificates. closing ceremony at the school, during Right: Getting down which the contribution made by the business to mastering the participants community, despite the economic netbooks. received certificates challenges, that really made this of participation, gifts year’s workshop possible. and back to school supplies for the new The objective of the workshop was to school term. promote safety for kids when browsing According to the workshop facilitator, the internet; the proper care and use of Ms. Jolene Lewis. “The workshop was a the netbook; and how to integrate and success. The kids were really fun to use different applications and tools work with and were very receptive to available on the netbook. the material presented during the According to the organizers, plans are workshop”. already in place for next year, with the Ms. Lewis said that the team was intention of including Central Leeward grateful for the support of Dr. Jerrol in the workshop.

Thompson in the Ministry of Technology The workshop was held under the and Science, and the Ministry of theme, ‘Unlocking hidden potential Education I.T Unit. However, she through the use of technology’. emphasized, that it was the generous

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. 5.

Regional

ÂJudges must have backboneÊ, says CCJ President

“THE JUDGE must be as independent as is humanly possible. Judges must have the character, and the backbone to be independent enough to resist external efforts to influence inappropriately their decision making.’

This is the advice of President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Right Honourable Sir Dennis Byron, and was offered during the President’s address to the Barbados Annual Judicial Retreat 2012 earlier this month, at the Supreme Court Complex, Whitepark Road, Bridgetown, Barbados.

Sir Dennis’ caution came as he observed that there are “those in the Caribbean who feel that regional judges lack autonomy, backbone, integrity and morality”, and emphasized that “This is the result of the judiciary being influenced and corrupted by

politicians.”

The CCJ President noted though, that his judgement may be harsh and inaccurate, but that it represents the perception of a significant portion of the public, and this must be dealt with.

“Until Judges exhibit their willingness to stand up to big business, and stop bantering to Right Honourable politicians, we the Sir Dennis Byron, people cannot have President of the confidence in them,” Caribbean Court Sir Dennis stressed. of Justice (CCJ), And addressing made it clear that what he perceives as he was the public’s right to articulating a explanations, he perception held by suggested, that, like many persons any other across the region.

organization which engages in public the law would be corrupted if interest relations, the judiciary has to groups, politicians, powerful or continuously provide information to wealthy private citizens or public the public about its performance. opinion could intimidate a judge into “It must be our concern to make The interpreting a law to their liking.

Court the most trusted and legitimate “The judge must be as independent institution in our affairs,” Sir Dennis as is humanly possible. Judges must explained. have the character, and the backbone He continued: “In small to be independent enough to resist communities the standard of judicial external efforts to influence behaviour and accountability ought to inappropriately their decision be much higher than in large societies making.” where the judges are largely anonymous. In a small community, the judge is always under public scrutiny. He or she is always recognised as the judge. Therefore the standards of CONSUMERS IN THE CARIBBEAN are bracing behaviour on and off the themselves for a possible increase in costs of goods bench have to be imported from outside the region. continuously high. The This anxiety comes following on an judge has to be like announcement

by Tropical Shipping, a major Caesar’s wife, that is to shipping line that serves the region, of plans to say, above suspicion.” implement a general rate increase for shipments Advising Judges on how that status could be between the continental U.S., Canada, the United achieved, Sir Dennis said States Virgin Islands, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Dominican Republic, Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Nevis, St. Barth’s, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and Trinidad.

News reaching the region says that the increases will take effect from September 12.

The increases range from US125.00 per 20-foot container to US$250.00 per 40-foot container.

Hikes for transporting vehicles and break bulk cargo are also expected though the increases were not announced up to press time.

Tropical Shipping has also notified that the increases will apply to all open tariff and service contracts rates for dry and refrigerated cargo.

Tropical Shipping is represented by CoreasHazell Inc. in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Shipping rates to go up

Jack wants a foot in the media AUSTIN ‘JACK’ WARNER, embattled National Security Minister in Trinidad and Tobago, and disgraced former Vice President of football’s world governing body FIFA, is aiming to establish a foothold in the print media in that Caribbean country.

News broke last weekend, in that twin island republic, that Warner had held discussions with the principal shareholders of the TnT Mirror and Trinidad Newsday, two newspapers currently on the market.

The major shareholders are the Chookolingo Group, with 100% holdings in the Mirror and 39% ownership in the Trinidad Newsday. The Chookolingo name is famed for its involvement in the publication of the once racy Bomb newspaper.

Warner has not hidden his interest in taking up ownership/shares held by the Chookolingo Group.

He confirmed that he had held discussions with Pedro Chookolingo of the Chookolingo Group.

Warner also confirmed that the meeting focused on the question of him purchasing the shares in both the Mirror and Newsday, both of which are available (for sale),

and the Trinidad Express of August 25, 2012, quotes him as saying that he represented no one but himself in this discussion and “I have spoken to no one about this.”

As far as concern over whether there would be a conflict of interest in his buying into the media and serving as National Security Minister, the Express reports Warner as saying, “I see no conflict. I have not discussed this with anyone, including any political individual.”

But at least one high profiled trade unionist/politician/, David Abdulah, has taken umbrage with Warner’s intention.

Abdulah, leader of the Movement for Social Justice, has told the media that two media houses should not be placed in the hands of any politician.

Addressing a media conference on Sunday, Abdulah voiced his strong opposition to political interference in media ownership.

“I don’t know that a person who is a minister of government can continue to engage in private transactions as a business person...It is a question that the media should probe,” the Trinidad Guardian reports him as saying.

Austin ‘Jack’ Warner is known to have been active in business long before his advent into politics.

“There really ought not to be an approach by political people in government to control the media in that way...the information ought to be provided and available to citizens of T&T,” he continued.

This is not the first time that Warner has made public his interest in acquiring ownership and /or shareholding status in the Trinidad and Tobago print media.

Some time ago, he indicated an interest in purchasing the weekly publication Blast, but declined to do so after the investment was deemed not to be worth it.

David Abdulah has recently distanced himself and his MSJ from the governing party in TnT.

Tropical Shipping is one of the more used lines by Caribbean importers.

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6. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Scotia Bank: Fulfilling a corporate responsibility non-profit, community service organization, to better respond to the Scotia Bank SVG Ltd., in keeping with its communications needs of this multicorporate responsibility to the Vincentian island state, during and especially in community, donated a modern the aftermath of a natural disaster emergency communications radio when the phone service has been system to the Rainbow Radio League Inc. disrupted.

(RRL), Tuesday, August 28, 2012.

The gift includes a single side band, The equipment allows the RRL, a high frequency radio with mobile and base antenna, antenna mounting hardware, automatic tuner and coaxial cable. This radio system can be deployed from a vehicle, boat or aircraft, as well as being used as a base station, running a maximum of 100 watts peak envelope power (PEP).

The reach of Vulon Layne-Peterson, Gailene Branch, Basil Alexander at the equipment the handing over ceremony.

by DONALD DE RIGGS

allows for communications among local, regional and international radio operators, and will form part of the local emergency communication network which is still under development.

Bank’s ongoing assistance

Kisaun Constance, the youngest person to complete the CPR course, receiving his certificate.

This is the third occasion that Scotiabank has been the benefactor to the RRL. Mrs. Gailene Branch handed over the equipment to Mrs. Vulon Layne/Peterson who is the RRL Director responsible for First Aid training.

Mr. Basil Alexander, General Manager of the Bank, was also on hand to witness the handing over. He said he was happy that Scotia Bank was able to render valuable assistance to the RRL, bearing in mind the important role the RRL plays in the aftermath of any disaster, as well as encouraging young persons to become involved in this worthwhile service.

Executive Director of the RRL Donald De Riggs, while thanking the Management of the bank, noted that receipt of the equipment was timely, “in that we are just about at the peak of the hurricane season” De Riggs also recognized the gift as tangible evidence of Scotia Bank’s commitment to plough back some of its profits into meaningful projects like this.

RRL at work Over the years and with the help of other good corporate citizens, the RRL has placed radio equipment in vulnerable communities located at Mayreau, Bequia, Rose Hall, Fancy, Campden Park, Belmont, Barrouallie and Arnos Vale. According to De Riggs, there are still other vulnerable communities which have been identified for the placement of radios, these include Spring Village, Overland, Chester Cottage, Biabou, Park Hill, Vermont and Layou, and

will continue to seek assistance from other business houses in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to fill these communications voids.

Radio operators and volunteers trained with life saving skills In related news, several members of the RRL and volunteers from the Fancy community received certificates of merit, having successfully completed courses in CPR and First Aid. The successful candidates are; Velitha Baptiste, Mikhail Greaves, Preston Mercury, Leslie Edwards, Kolene Mapp, Lavell Mapp, Karyn Constance, Kesaun Constance, Jeremy Barbour, Jose Clarke, Kavern Ferril, Christine Ferril, Sampson George, Israel Roberts, Joyella Roberts, Juney Baptiste, Calvert Williams, Anna Peters and Donald De Riggs. The CPR and First Aid training was conducted

by Red Cross trainer Mrs. Vulon Layne-Peterson.

At the closing session, Tuesday August 28, RRL Director Donald De Riggs thanked the Red Cross for affording members of the RRL this important training, noting that as emergency communications first responders, “we invariably come across victims requiring help, and therefore, have urged all RRL members to make use of the training which was provided free of cost by the Red Cros.”

He went on to say that, “it does not make sense if you are in the field of DM and know nothing about CPR and First Aid.”

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. 7.

News

LIME unveils new directory

THE 2012 – 2013 telecommunications services directory was offcially unveiled last Wednesday, August 29, at a ceremony held at LIME headquarters, Kingstown.

The directory’s front cover features a photograph of an artist’s impression of the terminal building currently under construction at the International Airport site at Argyle.

Leslie Jack, General Manager of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves (right) receives LIME, and Dr Rudy the first copy of the 2012 – 2013 directory from Leslie Mathias, Chief Jack, General Manager of LIME. Executive Officer of the International Airport Development Company (IADC), addressed the ceremony.

According to LIME General Manager Leslie Jack, “This year’s cover features the Arglye International Project under the theme “Engendering National Pride”.

The directory has a very wide distribution, and it is expected that this year over thirty thousand copies will reach the homes and offices of many Vincentians at home and abroad.

Jack expressed confidence that Leslie Jack presents Dr. Rudy “with the wide circulation of this Mathias (left), CEO/IADC with a copy directory, we believe that featuring of the new directory. the Argyle International Airport will assist the International Airport He used the opportunity to present Development Company (IADC) in an update on progress at the Argyle heightening the awareness of this International Airport. project.”

Earlier, LIME General Manager Dr Rudy Mathias, praised LIME Leslie Jack presented the first copy of “for recognising the work that we are this year’s telecommunications doing at Argyle and for supporting and services directory to Prime Minister promoting it.”

Gonsalves and his Cabinet.

He added, “It is not just a picture.

The Prime Minister thanked LIME It is a realisation of a long-held for coming on board to assist the IADC dream,” Mathias outlined. with its sensitisation programme.

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8. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 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 The Homeland’s response to the Diaspora AN ARDENT READER of THE VINCENTIAN was moved to commend the newspaper for its consistent coverage of the Vincentian Diaspora, particularly in the USA. The reader was highly commendable of our reporter, Nelson King, and even suggested that King deserved some wider recognition.

As far as that is concerned, King knows that he is valued by THE VINCENTIAN, and whether he receives accolades or not, he feels it incumbent upon himself, as a committed Vincentian, to highlight the work of Vincentians in the Diaspora.

We make no excuses for the extent of the coverage we give to this sector of Vincentians. We have counted and re-counted the contribution they make to SVG, and called for even greater recognition and assimilation into the everyday life, governance of our homeland.

And, even as we say that, we also proclaim that there is a lot more that can be said about the role the Vincentian Diaspora can play in the development of SVG. So we continue the discourse.

This country would do well, as it grapples with positioning itself in the ranks of globalization, to use the diasporic agents to attract positive attention, investment and clout.

It must be an effort that goes beyond encouraging remittances and donations to a particular cause.

This country will only become a real player in world affairs, in the globalization game, with the genuine support of the vast network , the overflowing reservoir of influential global Vincentians.

Recent information speaks to some 25,000 Vincentians resident in the greater Ontario area of Canada. School is still out on a ball park figure for Vincentians resident in the USA and the UK. It seems, if one may be allowed to get poetic, that the sun never sets on the Vincentian Diaspora.

Increasingly linked by a common culture that is magnified in their psyche because they are removed from the geography of their homeland, the Vincentian Diaspora represents the universal consciousness of our multi-island nation. In essence, the Diaspora is much more than peripheral; it is part of the core of our nation.

By now, the Vincentian Diaspora is well into its second generation, may be even a third generation. It has, therefore, become a core of confident, creative and productive human energy as testified to by the organization, hosting and management of three recent activities — the Thousand Islands Picnic in Toronto, the recent New York Picnic, the Vincy Cultural Exposition, and the now ongoing Diaspora Conference.

The Diaspora has little else to prove, for it stands with pride as a core comprised of literary genius, spiritual essence and political savvy, just to name a few traits that now characterize it.

Diaporic Vincentians have amassed wealth, have sprouted and nurtured dozens of professional and social organizations.

On the question of the acquisition of wealth, the homeland must begin to see this, and act accordingly, as a first step to gaining access and influence in the marketplaces provided by the Vincentian Diaspora.

But we must guard against perpetuating the politics of tribalism. The resources of the Diaspora must be considered in total, not in favour of one cause or the other.

We must, instead, encourage pluralism, tolerance and diversity to continue to be buoyant among the Diaspora, for it is this impartial, unattached attitude that will bring the greatest benefits to the homeland.

The harnessing of the potential and reach of the Diaspora must transcend party lines if it is to be genuinely involved in the development of the homeland.

The questions we need to ask ourselves, therefore, include: Is the homeland prepared to go beyond encouraging limited remittances to an economy that stamps a central bureaucracy that at time retards the rapid, real movement of capital and skills? Is the homeland genuinely committed to a joint venture with the Diaspora that is binding in culture and loyalty across the oceans?

For even as remittances and financial inflows are important, given the fragility of the homeland economy, if it is a matter of deciding on a role for the Diaspora in the long term development of the homeland, then it is going to be social remittances — the flow of ideas — that is going to matter just as much.

There is a recent sense that the Vincentian Diaspora is ready and able to play a greater, more intimate role in the development of the homeland.

The mother of all questions remains: Is the homeland ready to facilitate this change?

The state of our Party Politics: 40 years ago ON SATURDAY 25th of August 2012, I made a contribution to Global Highlights, a programme that is crafted by Luzette King and broadcast on Nice Radio, courtesy its manager, Douggie De Freitas.

From all reports, my input was well received by the listeners who marvelled at the fact that there was little qualitative change in the way our politics have been managed for over 40 years, the contribution being an extract from Forum September 1972, when I was 34 years old!

The full article was titled “The Political System,” but this extract focuses on happenings within the House of Assembly, chockfull of contemporary significance.

“Nobody today doubts that the island has been devastated by party politics. It has in fact become something of a cliché to say that politics has divided families, split friends, and separated communities. Labelling is the newest thing: a person is either a “dirty Labour Hog”, or a “stinking PPP dog” or, worse, “one ah dem!”

Neighbours if they happen to support opposing parties, no longer dwell on speaking terms. Gone is the live-and- let- live basis of good neighbourly relations as they hurl each other before the Court every Monday morning for the most frivolous and trifling causes.

Politics has split the country right down the centre. The Medical Profession, the Bar Association, the civil service, the police, the business community and even the so-called downtrodden masses are divided along party lines. And woe betides the one who pretends to assume the position of detached impartiality: if he does not move to the carrots that are handed to him from both sides, he will respond sooner or later to the kicks which unfailingly follow. The push then, if not the pull, disturbs his balance and he falls off the political tight-rope. We can speak here with some little authority, having been recently bludgeoned by social forces into an abandonment of our purely observer status.

In the House, the parties are engaged in a veritable life-and-death struggle. There is no letup, with the Government setting about its business as if the Opposition are mere democratic window dressing: they have ornamental value only, and should be seen not heard. The Government has tremendous advantages, for it can wield virtual dictatorial powers, without unduly straining the constitutional instruments.

This is because the Westminster Model of Government which we supposedly operate, places very much of formal powers in the hands of the ruling group, powers which in the metropolitan country are cut down by a sense of restraint, a democratic attitude, and censure of an informed and critical public opinion.

In St Vincent, on the other hand, the population is polarised as between support for the two established groups, and the ruling motto is: My Party right or wrong. This sort of attitude filters down from the leadership to infect their mass following with an almost blind fanaticism that in turn inflates the ego and strengthens the hand of the Leader to do anything. So, in the House, the Government of the day bulldozes everything, riding rought-shod over democratic niceties.

The Speaker is invariably a party politician, actual or potential, who tows the line with gusto.

The Council is too small to have Government backbenchers, so the ruling party moves like a well-oiled steamroller crushing everything in its way. Questions by the Opposition are side-tracked and evaded, their motions struck out, their contributions omitted from the government radio station. But although the opposition kicks up a lot

of noise, it is not unduly bothered, for, it knows that the day will probably arrive when it will repay such actions with a vengeance.

The opposition in fact does constructively criticise the Government, it spends its time setting traps for the Ministers, provoking them into committing indiscretions which then become a central topic for the Market Square or party newspaper. The debates in the House are not concerned with the issues. Indeed both groups by their mere presence ensure that the legislative programme follows the beaten and well-worn path of conservatism.

Since the problems of the country are so elemental and some of the less controversial solutions so obvious, the Opposition often finds that it must agree basically with the goals of the Government. On the other hand, the Opposition conceives its role as one of constant critic, and has therefore to compromise its position: it agrees with the Government in principle but begs to differ in practice; or it supports the ends while finding fault with the means...”

In short, we continue to mark time, spinning top in mud.

Never-ending Funerals My apologies to the family and friends of Anne Mitchell whose “death” I referred to in my column of 25th of this month, while Anne was still in the land of the living. I wish that she may live at least for two more years to complete the century!

On the other hand, Alfred Glenn had indeed died and buried without my knowledge. I am very close to his youngest brother, Carl (Pee Wee), and my-own ailing brother in Trinidad, Eric, had been a boon companion of Alfred Glen.

The following stuff comes from Memory Lane.

I recall that with other members in 1948 or 49 Rovers football team of which my brother was captain and Alfred Glen goal-keeper, with other members including Stanley Knights, Maurice Neverson, Leroy Maule, Norris Durrant, et al, received a drubbing 10 to 1 at the feet of Everton our Champion soccer team at the time.

Also, I have kept my face covered for not monitoring the dying moments of my friend Leonora (Tuts) Cockburn nee Wilkins, who slipped away whilst I nodded. I hope I am forgiven by sister Ursey.

Most shocking of all has been the death of the wife of my client and school-mate Cornelius Lotmore that went back to the Fraser Wesley Hall days of the mid 1940s! I heard not a word until it was all over.

My own family tree is endangered by age. I have three sisters in their 90s. Inez Patrick in the USA, local friend Ena Carr nee Whittle; Ermine Hall in T&T, as fit and supple as she was in her Tom-Boy days way back when; and Elsie also in the USA, remembered for her work at the Children’s ward and at Cyrus Hospital.

My first cousin Mavis Maule and her own close relative Germaine Stephens (Douglas Slater’s foster-mother) of Chauncey Village, SVG, are still batting uncomfortably, albeit in the “Nervous nineties”. They are all like vintage wine, the older the better.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. 9.

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when the need arises THERE IS something that I cannot fail to notice with most members of the police force. It is the area of reliability - following through on what they promised and the urgency they put forward to get whatever they promised done.

At times, members of the public do not hesitate to air their grievances about them, which are genuine, I feel. But when we observe things that they deserve to be commended for, we should do as the old people say, “give jack ye jacket”.

I really would want them to know that I have made this observation, of those who do good work, over the years. My hope is that this attitude would run through their midst/ranks. I admire these men and women immensely for it.

I urge them to apply this quality in all areas of their work if possible, and at the end of their day, they will reap a good measure of self gratification.

Others will learn from observing their example.

But most of all, their Creator would, as He observes everything.

An observer

Green Party concerned about CSEC results The 2012 CSEC results have revealed a substantial drop in Mathematics, Science and Technology.

SVG Green Party is very concerned about the serious negative implications this will have on our country, and is making a very strong call on the Ministry of Education to make Mathematics, Science and Technology teaching an urgent priority in schools. Failure to make this crucial policy change will see SVG get left even further behind the rest of the world in education and sustainable development.

The ULP government should urgently abolish the blanket tax and customs duty exemptions granted to Taiwan and the super-rich in Mustique and Canouan. This will provide surplus revenue to increase investment in our children’s education from the shameful $28 million in 2012 to $200 million dollars annually.

With this annual education budget, we can increase teaching in Mathematics, Science and Technology, and build our own Science and Technology universities, and deliver high-quality education free from preschool to university.

Ivan O’Neal BSc(Hons), MSc,MBA - Leader and co-founder of SVG Green Party * Are the Bishop’s College grounds, along Wilson Hill road, a public thoroughfare, and a health and safety hazard? * When is something going to be done about those known thieves who raid people’s fruit trees and ground provision fields? Are they above the law? * What’s the real deal behind holding the Carnival prize-giving ceremony on that particular Wednesday? * Can we expect that the Football Federation will go after the ‘big fries’ now that it has taken action against a ‘small fry’? * Has any representation be made on behalf of those families who have lost loved ones on those infamous trips to Barbados?

Scrutinizing Public Corporations THIS COUNTRY and government must be given credit for the strong stance and action against money-launderers and those caught with monies proven to be got from illgain. This sends a definite message; not just to those we would want to deem as the criminals, but it should also send a message for those who sit in protected positions and offices, who are wont to assist in furthering these criminal acts.

In addition, it is time that we pay some attention to what may or may not obtain in our

public corporations where money might not be got from ill-gain, but our hard earned taxpayers’ money might just be going asunder.

It is in relation to the latter point that I call upon the authorities to enact legislation that will allow the Financial Intelligence Unit the power and authority to scrutinize all public corporations.

While I admit that the financial statements of these corporations are already supposed, under law, to be public

documents, I also cannot turn a blind eye to the frequency with which these are presented to or made readily available to the public.

This is not to imply that there is any wrongdoing at these corporations, but it is always better that any fears of such be allayed as openly and as quickly as possible.

This power and authority will help to combat as well as deter white collar crime.

I am There is a better way human after all IT SEEMS THAT there is a national consensus that something is going terribly wrong in the fabric of our beautiful nation, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

There is loud national lament about several things, e.g. the escalating levels of domestic violence; the number of young people dying, especially males; perceived race and class injustice and economic crisis.

As a nation, community, family or individual, we have the choice of moaning, groaning, complaining, looking for leaders to blame, or turning to God in prayer with a penitent, persistent and seeking heart.

I am respectfully appealing to ALL persons who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to submit ourselves to HIM in fervent prayer, and resist the demonic urge to join the unhappy band of “haters” and the “pull down crowd”, filling up the atmosphere with negativity and helplessness. Hello, we are not in heaven as yet. Here will

Ivor G.

never be Paradise, but by God’s grace and through HIS mercy, we can trust in Jesus Christ and be the best that we can be here and now until we see HIM face to face!

Thousands of years ago, God gave King Solomon a word that is still fresh and relevant in this hour. HE, God Almighty, said that when we, HIS people, have serious problems like “the heavens shut up and there is no rain; locusts are devouring the land and pestilence is among HIS people,” then there is something positive and constructive that we, HIS children, can do to bring healing to the land.

Here is the fourfold prescription, the antidote for hopelessness and helplessness. We believers in the Lord Jesus Christ can humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from our wicked ways! Believers, let us clean up God’s agency upon the earth — the Church. Let’s begin to today!

Brothers and sisters, “Pray Until Something good Happens!”

Frances A. Clarke

The CYA local support committee I WISH TO CONGRATULATE the formation of the local committee to assist the Caricom Youth Ambassadors (CYA) in their 2-3-year term as CYA. It is the first time one has been accomplished though not the first attempt made

by CYAs to do so. It is mandated that CYAs from all the Caricom territories establish a local committee comprised of young people from various disciplines, mainly with an organizational base which deals with furthering the cause of youth and national development.

I was, however, somewhat taken aback when the swearing in release referred to the committee members as ‘Caricom Youth Ambassadors’. Further to this, I listened to a radio interview on NBC on Thursday 16th and realized that the committee members have not yet been briefed sufficiently by the youth office, as two of the persons being interviewed were referring questions to Ms. Browne. The fact is, the committee will serve as an advisory committee to the two appointed CYAs from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

They are not Caricom Youth Ambassadors.

A concern I have also, is whether or not organizations were written to, requesting them to submit names for possible representation on the committee, along with the public call which was made. This is essential because the youths will have an organization to answer to and an organization which could feed its concern to the committee through its representative. The absence of this structure could see friends and colleagues of the CYAs or parliamentary representatives

comprising the committee, which will not be a true representation of the wider voice of Vincentian youths.

Now that the committee has been established, its sustainability is necessary. This cannot be done by the CYAs, but by the CYA’s supervisor which happens to be the Youth Affairs office.

Failure to render the support needed to the CYA in their planning and execution of activities locally will result in a nonproductive committee.

Each member of the present committee needs

You know my darling that I’m not perfect, Mistakes at times I do make.

But when I do, don’t crucify me, Remember that we have to give and take.

If by chance you should see me, Going the way I shouldn’t go.

Don’t leave me to go deeper, Stop me by the way and let me know.

I try my best to be a good lover, And to treat you the best way I can.

But not always I will be at my best, Remember that I have my faults just like anyone.

So if by chance you see me slipping, Hold me up lest I fall.

Don’t leave me to go down on my face, I am human after all..

Sydney K. Morgan (c) to get acquainted with the hand book of CYA so they could be aware of the processes in becoming a certified CYA, as it’s not just by acquaintances, looks, speech or desire to travel. This makes me want to ask “what has happened to the other CYA, Mr. Joel Tyrell?Has he ceased to function?

Youth Observer

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10. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

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Re-visiting the sins of the NDP Excerpt from the address delivered by Party Leader, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, at the 10th annual Convention of the ULP, on November 30th, 2003.

“What, in a nutshell, did we meet on March 29, 2001? What did we in the ULP administration have to remedy or correct very swiftly? Among the things which we met and had to correct swiftly are as follows: 1. A “black-list” on St. Vincent and the Grenadines by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) because of poor regulation of the offshore finance sector, and the perceived widespread presence of money laundering and a pervasive illegal use of the proceeds of crime.

2. A “blacklist” on St. Vincent and the Grenadines by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) - a club of the world’s rich countries - because of the lack of transparency and sharing of tax information for criminal prosecution purposes in the offshore jurisdiction in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

3. The repeated cutting off of corresponding banking relations between the National Commercial Bank (NCB) and overseas banks. This was as a direct consequence of the “black listing” of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This chopping of corresponding banking relations from the NCB constituted a serious threat to the Bank’s viability and to the financial system in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

4. An impending “blacklist” on St. Vincent and the Grenadines by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which was due to take effect on June 1, 2001, and which would have destroyed St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a registration center for merchant shipping- The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines makes $4 million annually from the registration of merchant shipping and much more indirectly through the economy.

5. The existence of a damning indictment of the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines by the United Kingdom government which contained a bill of particulars charging the NDP government with being soft on corruption, lacking focus on poverty reduction and displaying an insufficiency of good governance. The United Kingdom government accordingly refused the Mitchell Eustace government any relief on the $12 million debt in 1999 and subsequently.

6. An Ottley Hall debt of $156 million to West LB (the German bank) a further $10 million at NCB, a further $18 million paid by the NDP government on the debt to West LB from 1998 to early 2001, a further $16 million siphoned off

by Dr. Rolla’s Valdatarro through the Union Island Project, and millions more paid for professional fees and owed as outstanding payments for goods and services provided at Ottley Hall. This project has put St. Vincent and the Grenadines into a hole in excess of $200 million. Remember the project was valued by Coopers and Lybrand at $13.5 million.

7. The Ottley Hall debt amounts to one-third of the nation’s total external debt.

8. Diamond Dairy in liquidation for several years with over $2 million in debt and a group of workers being paid nearly half a million dollars yearly to do nothing since the enterprise was closed.

9. A banana industry in shambles and a debt of $30 million owed by the Banana Growers’ Association.

10. The Campden Park Container Port in a sadly disorganised and unprofitable state and an unserviced debt at NCB of close to $10 million.

11. A debt of $14 million outstanding to the Kuwaiti Contractors (not the substantive debt of $40 million) at the Cruise Ship Pier.

12. A run-down supermarket at the Marketing Corporation which had all the hall-marks of an uncompetitive and untidy grocery store at which favoured NDP persons were provided credit which was never paid; and in many, many cases the sums cannot now be collected because the debts are

statutebarred.

13. A National Commercial Bank which was poorly run, disorganised and used as a veritable piggy bank for the NDP high-ups and their cronies, including Dr. Rolla.

14. A debt of over $7 million to the University of the West Indies; and more indebtedness to other regional organisations such as CARICOM and OECS. 15. Non-payment of dues to the United Nations which fact denied St. Vincent and the Grenadines the right to vote.

16. The non-payment for years of trade union dues by government-owned statutory corporations which had deducted the dues from workers’ pay.

17. The non-payment for 17 years of severance pay to 1,300 estate workers at Orange Hill, Wallilabou and Richmond Vale amounting to close to $3 million.

18. The non-payment of severance pay amounting to $250,000 to sanitation workers who had been sent over to CWSA. 19. The non-payment of severance pay to the workers at the Central Arrowroot Factory at Belle Vue. 20. The non-collection and nondisposal of garbage from the rural areas of mainland St. Vincent and in the Grenadines.

21. The non-broadcasting of Parliament on radio and TV. 22. The non-provision of special 100 per cent mortgages for public servants, teachers, nurses, doctors, policemen/women.

23. Run-down schools, clinics and government buildings.

24. The ramshackle condition of the public service and an inability to motivate public servants or to draw out the best in them.

25. Chaos at the Prisons where prisoners ran things.

26. Untidiness and nastiness in the city of Kingstown.

27. Very limited secondary school places whereby nearly two thirds of the children of secondary school age were unable to go to school because of lack of school space.

28. A situation where young persons who hail from families of limited economic means were unable to go to University because of lack of opportunity.

29. A condition where only a few places were offered at the Nursing School.

30. The worst condition of roads, including the main Windward Highway, in living memory.

31. An absence of basic drugs at the Hospital and a debt of arrears for pharmaceutical products at the Regional Drug Procurement Service of $1.8 million.

32. A non-review of minimum wages for over 11 years.

33. Unemployment numbering some one-third of the labour force and a poverty level of 37 per cent of the population.

34. Economic stagnation or decline in the main economic sectors of agriculture, tourism and offshore financial services.

35. A failure to build or put in process the building of a jet airport on mainland St. Vincent or, indeed, in any part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, for 17 long years.

36. An ignoring of the Diaspora, the Vincentians overseas.

37. A poor reputation regionally and internationally for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

38. A failure to institute the process of constitutional Reform.

39. A condition of down-grading culture, selling-out our nation’s patrimony including its citizenship, refusing to embark upon the uplifting process of historical reclamation, failing to declare Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer a National Hero or to legislate for National Heroes Day, and denying that we possess a Caribbean civilisation of uniqueness, legitimacy and nobility.”

Vincentians seeking change, NDP ready As more and more Vincentians look to Arnhim Eustace and the NDP for governance of this country, we remind you of some of our many accomplishments: 1/ Reduced the levels of Company Tax from 45% to 40%; 2/ Reduced the highest level of personal income Tax from 55% to 40%; 3/ Exempted Family residences and all Property from Estate and succession Duties; 4/ Removed the distortions on the economic system by removing the 3% Currency Export Tax; 5/ Implemented the reduction in the Common External Tariff; 6/ Introduced a standard Deduction of $10,000.00, and further increased it to $12,000.00 per annum on personal income; 7/ Removed the tax on severance payments; 8/ Removed the tax on Dividends; 9/ Introduced the education deduction for each child attending University to $1,500.00 per Child; 10/ Removed the Export tax on bananas and all other crops; 11/ Offered duty free concessions of 75% to all Farmers on the importation of Vehicles for use on their Farms; 12/ Extended the standard deduction to pensioners, and provided for a further $20,000.00 allowance to pensioners; 13/ Introduced the National Insurance Scheme; 14/ Repealed the Money Lending Ordinance, which effectively removed the High ceiling loans; 15/ Increased our share of the banana market chain with the purchasing of Geest and the establishment of WIBDECO; 16/ Provided more than $9 million dollars in debt relief to the Banana Growers’ Association.

17/ Invested substantially in the banana productivity improvement through the installation of irrigation systems on over 1400 acres of land in several areas of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. (System could also be adapted for the irrigation of other crops for new markets.)

18/ Constructed a new Reception and Palletisation center at Langley Park to facilitate the handling of bananas in addition to accommodating the grading and packaging of other crops; 19/ Replaced the outdated Education Act of 1937 with legislation that is more capable of guiding the education system into the 21st century; 20/ Significantly reduced overcrowding in primary schools by constructing The CW Prescod, Westwood, New Grounds and New Greggs Primary Schools and through extensions to several others including Evesham, Lauders, Lowman’s [LD], Stubbs, Prep; 21/ Increased the number of secondary school places with the construction of the Georgetown Secondary School, the construction of the Campden Park Secondary and the Sandy Bay Secondary; 22/ Increased access to tertiary education through the construction of the first phase of the Community College at Glen; 23/ Increased the percentage of trained teachers within the system from 25% to more than 60%; 24/ Provided more opportunities for Vincentians to gain tertiary education by paying the economic cost for all Vincentians who attended the University of the West Indies.

25/ Increased the number of Island Scholarships for both long-term and short-term training abroad, especially in Cuba, as well as through a special scholarship programme funded from our STABEX resources; 26/ Introduced a Book Loan Scheme so that all secondary school children now have access to free text books; 27/ Provided financial support to train over 100 teachers in the pre-school system; 28/ Provided financial support for strengthening New Horizons Ltd and to enable the organization to execute a pilot Adult Literacy Training Program with the objective to testing the effectiveness of computer-based training methods; 29/ Launched a comprehensive technical and vocational education and

training [TVET] programme; 30/ Introduced a system of bursaries for young students at NCB particularly in the field of accounting; 31/ Improved access to primary health care, by increasing the number of outpatient clinics in the rural areas, and the construction of a modern outpatient clinic in Kingstown; 32/ Built a new district hospital at Chateaubelair; 33/ Appointed an HIV/AIDS Coordinator and developed a programme for the management of HIV/AIDS in St. Vincent and the Grenadines; 34/ Considerably improved the Kingstown General Hospital with a new three-storey ward block, new theatre suites, new Accident and Emergency Wing and new Laboratory facilities; 35/ Improved the facilities for mental health care; 36/ Constructed a new three storey facility for Marion House to facilitate counseling and drug abuse rehabilitation; 37/ Completed preliminary work for the introduction of a National Health Insurance Programme; 38/ Constructed and improved airports in Bequia, Canouan and Union Island; 39/ Built a new container Port at Campden Park, and improved jetties in Bequia, Chateaubelair Barrouallie, Canouan and Union Island.

Ready to work again The New Democratic Party (NDP) will employ a ‘Back to basics approach’ in the delivery of health care in SVG. Access to proper health care remains a fundamental right of every citizen, and the NDP is committed to ensuring the enjoyment of this right.

An NDP administration will refocus attention on decentralizing the primary health care delivery system. To this end, District Clinics will be refurbished and equipped to meet the immediate needs of every community, at source.

The rural hospitals at Georgetown, Chateaubelair and Union Island, which have been reduced to shells, will be resuscitated.

In order to adequately meet the needs of our nationals as well as visitors to our shores, a new general hospital would be built and equipped. The specific site is within the zone of the major population centres.

NDP will maximize the use of the modern medical facility at Georgetown, despite its location away from the main population centre.

NDP will examine different models with a view to implementation of modern management techniques within the health care sector.

NDP will implement its already developed plan for National Health Insurance.

The NDP will ensure that by prudent management and accountability throughout the system, the availability of basic medication will always receive priority treatment. In addition, by putting emphasis on preventive medicine, a significant reduction in the need for hospitalization and lifetime medication will be achieved.

Apart from the easing of congestion at MCMH, the new state of the art hospital will free up the building in Kingstown to be used as other government offices and departments. It is to be noted that government has been renting many buildings in the city for office space.

The NDP is waiting The NDP has done it before. We can do it again. We need to institute policies to facilitate development of our country, for our people. Our youths need to be given a path that engenders hope for the future. We implore you to resist lies, bribery and false hope, and to stop voting against your own interest. The interest of the majority, and not of the few, should take centre stage.

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The Levi Latham Legacy: The Prologue “Errors, like straws, upon the surface flow; He who would search for pearls must dive below.” - John Dryden (1631–1700) English poet, dramatist & critic, poet laureate, member of Royal Society IT WOULD BE REMISS OF ME if I neglected to thank the many readers of this column (In Touch) for their many words of encouragement in relation to the just concluded two-part series of articles about the late Levi “Papa” Latham. Their words of encouragement have prompted me to pen this prologue.

It is probably fitting that I draw the reader’s attention to the John Dryden quotation that was inserted at the beginning of this essay, and to show how this is linked to “Papa” and this prologue. As so often happens, persons who are in public view will periodically make blunders and foibles. This reminds us of our humanness and the fact that even the best of us will err from time to time.

The “straws” (our errors) are so readily visible and attract attention and scrutiny; we often have to dive deep for the “pearls” (the good deeds).

When I commenced the research on Levi Latham, it was amazing how many persons volunteered jokes about the many grammatical errors he made while speaking in public. I decided not to publish any of those. While they may have stimulated some laughter, they would have detracted from the richness of his character and the “pearls” in his legacy. After all, they would have been mere “straws of thought” so to speak.

A former teacher at the Biabou Primary School chatted with me following the publication of the articles and referred to the significant contribution Latham made to the nutritional needs of the children and teachers at that school. She noted that Latham regularly arranged for truckloads of bananas to be transported from the Marriaqua Valley to Biabou. And while some may readily comment that this was no big feat, the fact remains that he cared enough for others and used his influence to stimulate healthy eating habits. This reader is unaware of any other Member of Parliament who had the insight to encourage the local consumption of bananas as Latham did. Even as I key in these words, I wonder whether our decision makers and stakeholders in the banana industry should not be embarking on a similar exercise to encourage the local use of this healthy fruit.

Latham’s encouragement in relation to the inclusion of bananas in the diet may have provided more benefits than he ever imagined.

Bananas are known to contain three natural sugars: sucrose, fructose and glucose. It therefore provides an instant, continuous and sizeable boost of energy. Many of the world’s leading athletes confirm that banana is their number one fruit. But they are not alone. Health-conscious individuals use this “wonder fruit,” knowing that it helps to ward off a number of illnesses. For example, the high iron content in bananas assists the body in producing haemoglobin and aids in warding off anaemia. But bananas also help to regulate blood pressure due to it being high in

potassium and low in salt. Potassium is a vital mineral that helps to regulate the heartbeat, aid in the conduction of oxygen to the brain and assists the body with regulating its water balance. It is therefore not surprising that bananas are now high on the list of those tropical fruits that reduce the risk of blood pressure and strokes. Being high in fibre, bananas are regularly included in the diets of patients who are constipated, and avoid them having to resort to harsh laxatives. Its soft texture and smoothness enables it to be used as a dietary food against intestinal disorders.

Recent research has confirmed that bananas are also known to assist persons in gaining and/or retaining a more relaxed state. How does this happen? Bananas contain tryptophan - one of twenty standard amino acids.

Tryptophan is converted to serotonin, a chemical that has a calming/relaxing impact on individuals. This “calming effect” is also generated as a result of the B6 vitamins contained in bananas.

Latham would not have had access to the information shared in the two preceding paragraphs. All he may have known was that “bananas were good for you”. And he encouraged its consumption. The Internet now allows us to do extensive research on a variety of topics — including the value of eating bananas (see http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruit s-and-fruit-juices/1846/2). We can compare the banana with other popular fruits. We know, for example, that bananas have four times the protein of an apple. But we can take the comparison further — bananas have five times the iron, five times the Vitamin A, three times as much phosphorus, twice the carbohydrates, and twice the amount of minerals.

Thus, while we focus on revitalizing the banana industry and constantly increasing the industry’s export potential, we must also make a concerted effort to encourage greater local consumption of the fruit.

Latham was right when he encouraged students and teachers to eat more of this precious fruit. This aspect of his legacy must also be captured. And I thank my “retired teacher friend” for sharing this useful insight about “Papa” that can encourage us to eat more bananas.

But we also need to widen the challenge to include our eating more of what we produce, and not so readily gravitating to “foreign tastes”.

This comparison between the banana and the apple provides ample evidence of the nutritional value of such an approach. And so, as we dive to recover some of the pearls from Levi Latham’s legacy, may we commit to revisiting these, with the distinct intention of having them aid us in charting a better way forward for this and subsequent generations.

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

Comrade to Comrade and other critical thoughts ‘UNDER OUR SYSTEM, public policy debates are almost entirely political in the worst sense. Politicians are concerned only with making cheap rhetorical points that will arouse popular passions. Once you remove the need to gear policies to popular ignorance and fears, politicians will have to propose policies that they can successfully defend in debates among themselves.’

I love the conversation started by Oscar Allen with PM Gonsalves.

Although the PM tried to keep the conversation private, I am delighted that Oscar published the letter he received from Gonsalves. Oscar and Gonsalves have two of the best minds on show in SVG. For years I have been attempting to encourage such a debate among the more enlightened section of our population. It is an important conversation to have if we are to address important national developmental issues. This conversation ought to take place in an atmosphere of seriousness and honesty, without persons getting vexed or angry. Sniping, back biting and personal attacks should give way to ground breaking analysis.

It is an undisputed fact that Oscar Allen is one of the most important voices in SVG. Allen speaks truth to power. Over decades, Allen has tried to organize an alternative agenda that can lead to real and meaningful change. Therefore, PM Gonsalves’ statement that Oscar Allen has lost his way in recent years is patently untrue. One does not have to always agree with Allen’s conclusions to conclude that this is an honest man who has the Vincentian nation at heart.

Allen brings hard, cold analysis to our reality, and offers them as food for thought for our people. During the run up to the elections, Allen boldly told former PM James Mitchell that now more than ever, he needed to ‘chill.’

Allen followed with another biting piece claiming that the time might be right for SVG to have a weak leader.

Most political observers took the piece as an endorsement of opposition leader, Arnhim Eustace. The letter warned against Gonsalves’ method and style of work, especially what Allen saw as his strong man tendencies.

More recently, Allen has forcefully condemned the SVG/Amajarro Cocoa agreement which locks SVG into a colonial type monopoly arrangement for 60 years. For Allen, this agreement offered little to our farmers, and he called for a restructuring that will allow for more than the sale of dried cocoa beans.

Or take Oscar’s response to the PM’s emancipation paper on slavery in SVG, especially the PM’s use of Martin Carter’s poem ‘I come from the Nigger Yard’. There was also Allen’s open letter which started as a call for help for the progressive veteran Caspar London, and meandered into other matters.

The point of departure for sound analysis is that none of us has a monopoly on what is right or best for SVG. Gonsalves and Allen will do well to embrace this view.

Let’s take the issue of Caspar’s ‘failing health’ and the PM’s alleged inattention. Gonsalves’ response is faulty. The fact that Oscar had not said anything when the NDP

questioned and criticized Caspar’s contract does not answer the question as to whether Caspar is now in need of assistance or whether Caspar’s health is failing.

Oscar, Ralph and Caspar know each other well. Oscar checks in on Caspar ever so often. If Caspar is in need of medical and other assistance, the PM as well as others who worked with Caspar over so many decades, are duty bound to lend assistance. It matters not how many times the PM defended Caspar’s competence against opposition attacks.

But it was Oscar who proclaimed in his letter that he is no cheer and leaves to others the vainglorious celebration of the PM. Therefore, it is his duty as a progressive, as the PM correctly stated, to defend Caspar’s competence and to protest opposition unwarranted attacks on him. Our failure to publicly defend Caspar may explain why he has been ‘put out to pasture.’

It is proper for Oscar to ask the PM to reflect on why some of his close allies walked away from him and became enemies. To reflect is not to concede that there is something wrong, but introspection may lead one to the realization that a character flaw may indeed be the root of discord and disunity.

Brother Oscar, a man steeped in religious doctrine, knows the word well. The command is to give onto Caesar what is Caesar’s. One does not have to be a cheerleader to give Gonsalves his jacket and Eustace his coat.

Failure to give one his due becomes manifest when Oscar, commenting on Gonsalves’ emancipation paper, claims that Gonsalves misused the Martin Carter poem ‘Nigger Yard’. Allen pointed to a piece by Walter Rodney ‘From nigger yard to Village’. Rodney, like Gonsalves, correctly pointed to the Martin Carter’s Nigger Yard as a liberatory declaration.

But Oscar labeled it misuse prompting a social media voice to correctly comment, “An interesting review/”chronicle” of the works of others, but it does not provide the promised “critical review” of Gonsalves’ essay.” There is no heresy in pointing to the limitations of our best minds.

Brother Oscar owes it to himself and less knowledgeable Vincentians to debunk the ignorance as reflected in Mr. Aberdeen’s letter in which he called Martin Carter a ‘self hating negro from Guyana.’ Even if Oscar wanted to be charitable to Mr. Aberdeen, it was necessary to alert readers to the fact that either Aberdeen had not read the Martin Carter’s poem or worst, had no inkling what the poet was saying.

What all of this shows is that all of us need to think for ourselves and stop taking political positions that do nothing more than restrict and arrest free flowing, all embracing conversations.

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

V SVG farmers deprived of $207 million 12. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Opinion

AFTER 12 YEARS in office of the highly incompetent ULP regime, the agricultural sector is in total misery.

The ULP regime has decimated agriculture and virtually killed the rural economy. Many of our farmers live in poverty and struggle to feed their families.

To add insult to injury, food imports into SVG topped the $200 million mark for the first time in 2011. Research by SVG Green Party has revealed that 63,496,720 kgs Net weight of food was imported last year, totaling $207 million dollars.

SVG farmers are being deprived of $207 million.

This $207 million should be going into their pockets.

The fact that this money is going abroad means jobs are being created abroad at the expense of our farmers. Why is the ULP regime so keen to run an economy that impoverishes our farmers and people in rural communities, whilst simultaneously creating jobs abroad?

This approach to economics is making our people suffer and making food expensive.

we are virtually self-sufficient in food production, and our farmers are once again prosperous.

Buying food from our own farmers will also make food cheaper. SVG can only reduce food prices by eating what we grow and growing what we eat. If it comes from abroad, we will not be able to control food prices, and food will become even more expensive.

A Green government will revive the rural economy.

There are plenty of alternatives, including Not content with the misery caused so far, the organic farming; building factories to produce and ULP regime intends to offer farmers cocoa. In cocoa export tea, baby food and fruit juices; building a fish farming, farmers earn about EC$4 a day, have to wait up to 5 years for a harvest, and they and their canning and exporting industry; and exporting other families are exposed to numerous toxic chemical agro-products to the Diaspora in Europe, Canada fertilisers, as cocoa suffers from many diseases such and the USA. These measures will provide as black pod. A mono-crop agricultural industry is thousands of new jobs. not the answer; banana has shown this. Cocoa is not We need a greater equilibrium of wealth in our a lifeline to farmers, but a death knoll to their society, and to reduce the gap between the rich and chances of prosperity. poor. The foreign influence of buying so much food Economic structural changes are needed for our long-term development. Going ‘Green’ is the solution from abroad has many long term negative implications. to create a boost in economic growth and SVG’s economy and agriculture are in utter sustainability. SVG needs new products, new shambles under the incompetent Gonsalves; change markets and surplus revenue.

A Green government will modernise agriculture is desperately needed. Let us move forward and aim and reverse this dangerous trend of hundreds of to steer $207 million towards our farmers. millions of dollars being spent on food from abroad.

The plight of our farmers must not be ignored. Our SVG Green Party economy and society should be rejuvenated so that www.svggreenparty.org

Pay for the goat….

by FRANK E DA SILVA IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, I have had no less than a dozen of my animals stolen, so my interest perked when I heard your newspaper promotion highlighting a magistrate’s order to ‘a goat thief’. Since November 2011, four animals were stolen, but an alert neighbour spotted one tied about a mile from where I live. My last goat was stolen within an hour after I last eyed it, the end of July. It was tied five hundred feet from my house.

According to the report, a fourteen-year-old young man tied his goat that morning.

Sometime later that day, an alert framer saw a man carrying a sack and questioned him. The man dropped the sack and ran.

Upon examination, a ram goat

was discovered inside the sack - its throat cut. Police later arrested a Lloyd Mc Lean of Arnos Vale. His place of residence is of particular interest to me — living much closer to the ‘thief man’.

The ‘thief man’ told the court that he used to be a vendor, but that his girlfriend “stole” his money and ran off.

If that were the truth, one must wonder how he felt. The ‘thief man’ said that drove him ‘to thief’. I would like to see the police report and their questioning. Was this his first? What was he going to do with the meat? If sell, then to whom? You believe this was his first?

The magistrate ordered the ‘thief man’ to pay $250 for the goat by September 3, failing which he would be sentenced to six months. The magistrate also imposed a one-year bond

and fine of $1000 if he broke the bond.

According to the report, the thief asked the magistrate for a little time to pay. “I want the ram goat back almost right away,” said the magistrate. “Give me a little time. I will pay for it,” pleaded the thief man.

Where is the thief man going to find the $250? Steal another goat?

On February 23, 2012, Minister of Agriculture, Scow field Caesar, in the presence of COP Miller, had this to say on the subject of praedial larceny: “I am sending a very stern warning and I know Commissioner Miller will support this warning. I am having zero tolerance on thief men.”

Is the magistrate’s decision here sending a message of “zero tolerance”?

These thief men have developed various methods of concealing their criminal conduct.

One of my goats was found with its ears stuffed with cotton wool. Three of them were removed from where I tied them and tied near to a river — this to come back for them at night. Fortunately, I went to bring then in early and went looking.

Earlier this month, two men from Lowman’s Hill were caught in Kingstown in a rental vehicle with two animals stolen from Prospect.

And now this one where the throat is cut and the animal carcass transported in sacks.

I want to ask the magistrate: What fine/ sentence would you impose on

the ‘thief men’ who were caught using a rental vehicle to transport stolen animals?

After-all, those animals were recovered.

Except the law imposed some stricture on your sentencing, that was a joke.

Get real.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. 13.

News

Dance Garifuna 2012 closes on a high note the excited applause of the villagers, who were Dance Garifuna SVG 2012, moved to get involved. or Habinaha Garinagu Yurumein 2012, turned out Kingstown to be a huge success in this its second year of The Kingstown operation. performance, Sunday It was the grand finale 19th August, brought of a four-week workshop official closure to the organized by Ms. Trish workshop.

St. Hill, of New York, Here, a Garifuna originally from musical unraveled, Barrouallie; and giving further insight conducted by Mr. James into ‘Walamiserun - Our Lovell, Garifuna artiste Sad Experience’. and musician, and Ms. It included Erica Zuniga, Garifuna exhibitions of singing Dancer/Choreographer and chanting, from Los Angeles ‘drumming, skits, tracing California. the Garifuna stories of To demonstrate what ‘Tagiera Gienduwa they had learned, Wayuna — Our Ancestral workshop participants Homeland’ and took to staging village“Alugudaheina — Ask and style concerts in Seeking to Know’.

Barrouallie and Sandy The performers, Bay, and a more formal children in the main, performance at the Peace Memorial Hall, Kingstown.

Stories by Gloriah…

Village concerts The entire workshop entourage converged on Barrouallie, Friday 17th August, and engaged the residents of that community in performances of song, dance and drumming.

Children drummed, sang and moved to rhythms with consummate ease, which James Lovell explained as possible because, “the talent and the culture is in the children, and I was just able to bring out what was already there.”

The show moved to the Sandy Bay community on Saturday 18th August, where difficulties in procuring an indoor venue were surmounted when Mr. Kelvin May, a resident, organized a work party which promptly set about to construct a temporary stage overlooking the feisty Atlantic Ocean.

Invigorated by the sight, sounds and smell of the same ocean which took their forefathers away so many years ago, the young champions danced, sang and drummed their feet, hearts and hands out, to

spoke and sang equally in English and in Garifuna. Words like, “Mabuleida wamei walamiserun. Buiti mehan dan yara Yurumein; lidan aban waguriaruwa,” rang out to the English version of, “My people, don’t forget our sad experience. Life was so beautiful in our homeland; We were raised as one St. Vincent.” This was followed by an exciting display of the Garifuna punta dance.

Reliving ‘Our Sad Experience’.

Robinson of Peter’s Hope; a 71-year-old participant who never missed a day of the workshop, despite being a stroke survivor; Mr. Kelvin May, a coordinator from Sandy Bay; Nneka McMillan, a young returning participant who is extremely gifted at learning the Garifuna Language and who received the gift of Ms. St. Hill’s Garifuna dictionary — a very scarce Tokens commodity.

Other children By way of showing received gifts of the appreciation to those who ‘Garifuna Workbook’ had made the workshop from GAHFU in the a reality, tokens were USA, ‘Garifuna for presented to: former Beginners’ from Rosita Minister of Culture Ms. Alverez and the Garifuna Rene Baptiste; Ms.Hilda Mass Committee of

The participants in drumming demonstrating that Garifuna drumming is as rhythmic as it is infectious.

Brooklyn. A copy of the Garifuna book Wani Le was also handed out.

Scholarships After all this, there was still more to come.

Six scholarships (financial awards)were

handed out. Four of these went to secondary school students and two to primary school students. The recipients are from Sandy Bay, Barrouallie, Layou, and Kingstown. This was an effort of the workshop organizer, Trish St. Hill.

Youths visit Balliceaux

The 2012 Garifuna Cultural Retrieval Workshop culminated in three concerts in Barrouallie, Sandy Bay, and Kingstown, on the weekend of 17th to 19th August. These concerts showcased the talents of the children through the Garifuna drumming, songs, and dances which they learnt during the four weeks of the workshop.

The organizer, Ms. Trish St. Hill, articulated on behalf of facilitators, Mr. James Lovell and Ms. Erica Zuniga, that they were so overwhelmed with

“the miracle that is taking place in our historic homeland,” that they decided to round off their trip with a visit to Balliceaux , “the island where our ancestors were tortured and held prisoners.”

Children who had participated in the workshop and who were available, were invited to go along to get a further feel of the Garifuna story, as was told in the music, song and dance which they had been learning during the workshop.

Ms. Trish St. Hill reported excitedly that

A dance in honour of “Our Sad Experience’.

“it (Ballizeaux) was different from what I had imagined, being much bigger than I thought and having some wildlife - cattle, sheep, land turtles and iguanas.”

The children, the majority having for the first time braved the crossing between mainland St. Vincent and Balliceauz, reported that they were equally moved by the serenity of the place.

Upon touching ground on Balliceaux, there was a spontaneous kissing of the ground in

Taking in the serene and revered air of Balliceaux. commemoration of “the site where thousands of our Garifuna Ancestors died at the hands of the British, due to hunger, ill-treatment, diseases and exposure to the elements,” Ms. St. Hill told THE VINCENTIAN. A celebration then

ensued in the performance of the ‘Walamiserun - Our Sad Experience’, which included dancing, drumming and singing by the children.

And, of course, there was a time for some sea bathing.

Youngsters demonstrate that they understand how drumming and dance are integral parts of the Garifuna culture.

V

14. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Education

Kingstown Government School celebrates 50

The 2012 Graduating Class.

The Kingstown Government School, better known as The Stoney Ground School, opened its doors on September 10th, 1962 as the Montrose Government School, with Mr. Durrant Liverpool as its first head-teacher.

It boasted an initial enrollment of 31 pupils, a figure which grew to 141 by the end of the first week.

Since then, and with its new official name, the school has seen some 16 Head Teachers. Mrs. Maureen Brackin is the current Head The top student in the Teacher, and she sees Common Entrance Exam over an enrollment of this year. more than 500 children.

Over the years, the Kingstown Government School, though seemingly nondescript, has produced a cadre of well-rounded citizens, many today occupying prominent positions throughout the nation and in the Diaspora.

Anniversary activities To mark the school’s Golden Anniversary, a number of events and activities have been planned.

Celebrations begin with a Fun Walk on Saturday 8th September, 2012, followed by a Service of Thanksgiving at the Kingstown Methodist Church on Sunday 9th.

A Tree-Planting ceremony, at the school, is planned for Monday 10th September.

Also on the cards are an Evening of Remembrance in tribute to past Head Teacher,s and a Fun Day and Concert, which is expected to feature games played in the early days.

A Commemorative Lecture is also planned in recognition of the many teachers who served at the school.

Taking the lead Those associated with the Kingstown Government School recall the lead it took in a particular area of school life and building pride in one’s alma mater.

When most schools grappled with deciding on a mission statement, the School went a step further and added a school song.

In 1986, Timothy Scott, then a teacher at the school, penned the words and his sister, Ankie Scott, added an original musical score.

The alumni of the school take special pride in this particular accomplishment which many followed but few have mastered, according to one alumnus.

And the school continues to hold its own among passes in the Common Entrance Examination.

Marsee Burgin was this year one of the top three students in the General paper component of that examination.

(Contributed by Marcelle Burgin on behalf of the KGS 50th Anniversary Committee)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. 15.

Youth

CHLP SVG hosts Vibes VI ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES was host to a regional camp of young people from seven Caribbean countries, when the Caribbean Healthy Lifestyle Programme Club SVG (C -HLP Club SVG) hosted Youth Vibes VI. The camp, held under the theme, ‘Youth taking action for change’, was held at the Layou Grace

and Truth Camp Site, from July 29th — August 4th, 2012, and brought together youth participants from Grenada, St. Lucia, Barbados, Dominica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Belize and host St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Youth Vibes is described as a forum in

Sports day with youths on Bequia. which youths get the opportunity to share experiences and knowledge, interact with their peers from across the region, make new friends and get reacquainted with old

Special Awardees of the Youth Vibes VI with Youth Leader of the Year Bethlene Ferdinand (SVG) (extreme left).

ones.

It is also seen as a finishing school for those in training as youth leaders, Mmentors, national co-ordinators, trainers and facilitators, and for those who are either leading or plan to lead their respective CHLP Clubs.

Participants considered the experience a very special event in their lives.

The opening ceremony, Saturday 29th July, heard addresses from: Kathy Harper-Hall, Regional Coordinator; Ronnie Lee, President of the C -HLP Club SVG; Otis Jack, Rep of OCASPE; Andrea Collins, Rep. Of TTASPE; and Hon. Frederick Stephenson, Minister of Youth, who

declared the camp open.

The feature remarks were delivered by Carlos Williams, Youth Officer assigned to the Ministry of Education.

Mr. Williams urged the clubs to step up their action and demand that more attention be paid to health lifestyles attitude at all levels in their respective territories.

He encouraged them to be the voice for those youths who they continue to interact with but do not have a voice.

During the week’s activities, the youths were involved in capacity building sessions led by resource personnel from the region, a sports day in Bequia, and heard group reports from the various clubs.

The camp concluded on Friday 3rd August with an Awards Ceremony and Dinner, at which the following awards were distributed: Youth Leader of the Year Award–Bethlene Ferdinand (SVG); Club of the Year - Club So Calm (TnT); Recruit award — Wilney Tojo (Suriname); The Jodi Belle Award — Kerry Cellestine (TnT); The Integrity Award — Wilney Tojo (Suriname); Feel the V Awards Lincoln Flower (Belize); Industry Award — Louisa Prince ( Dominica).

Appreciation awards went to Roberta Collins (TnT), Sharlene Wyllie (SVG), Elaine King (UNICEF) and TTASPE and Club SVG.

V Gun lands man in jail

16. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

COLIN BLAKE, a 33-year-old farmer from thenNorth eastern end of mainland St. Vincent was sentenced to two years in jail, last Tuesday.

Senior Magistrate Sonya Young, sitting at the Serious Offences Court, imposed the sentence after having found him guilty.

Blake had pleaded not guilty to possession of an 8M revolver from an incident August 21, 1012. He also pleaded not guilty to stealing one pedal bike between 13 and 14 October 2011.

Blake had 16 previous convictions, as disclosed by the Magistrate, and she sought from him reasons why he should not be sent to prison.

The accused asked to be placed on a bond, but the Magistrate responded that she tended to apply such treatment to 16 or 17-year-olds.

“Tell me something else,” Young went on. She pointed out that Blake started out as a thief, moved to possession of an offensive weapon, and recently upgraded to the gun charge.

Young advised Blake that time on remand was considered, and that he had the right to appeal.

When Blake appeared in court last week Wednesday, the Police stated that he was “hard to find,” had no “fixed place of abode,” and that he had “other matters under investigations.”

He was wanted for a long time and kept evading the Police, according to the constabulary.

Blake was caught in an early morning raid at his sister’s residence.

Blake dismissed his fugitive status and mentioned that he used to be close to the Police.

“They don’t know me,” Blake contended and stated that he was always in the public view.

Station Sergeant James, based at the Old Montrose Police Station and attached to the Special Service Unit (SSY), testified that he carried out a function check on the gun handed over to him, and found that it was working and capable of firing.

James added that it was “fairly old”, carried five rounds, and had a range of 36 yards.

Blake mounted his own defence, and contended that the Police pushed M16 rifles into his back, and forced his face into the sand.

He recalled he felt hands going into his pockets, and implied that he knew nothing of the firearm for which he was charged.

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20. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Karib Cable

Karib Cable celebrates 15 years

Man of the hour, Kelly Glass, thanked his staff and KARIB CABLE, this country’s family for their support and sole cable television service assured that, “Throughout provider, is marking 15 years of Karib Cable’s 15 years, we unbroken sevice. have strived to offer the best Launched in 1996, the in technology and service to Company provides a state of our partners in this very the art full digital service over dynamic and changing fiber optic cable in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which equips it to offer more channel choices, with a clearer and more reliable signal quality.

In a function to mark the anniversary, Karib Cable held an appreciation ceremony, on August 27 at its Kingstown headquarters, to award some of its “most valued customers.”

The ceremony heard addresses from General Manager Ed Riley and Kelly Glass, founder of Karib Cable and its mother company, Kelcome International.

Riley highlighted some of the achievements of the company and congratulated Mr. Glass and family for the bold initiative taken and the A ‘Valued Customer’ receives resulting successes. from Ed Riley.

by KARISSA CLARKE

industry.”

According to Glass, “The only thing that hasn’t changed in 15 years is the price.”

Customers receiving tokens, i.e. gift baskets containing an array of treats like champagnes and chocolates, as tokens of appreciation and thanks for their loyalty to the company over 15 years were: Karl John, Osborne Browne, Dimitri Samuel, Burton Williams, Mark Richardson, Patricia Mills, Syd Hazell, Earl Halbich, her gift basket

Kelly Glass (left) receives a congratulatory handshake and a plaque of appreciation from Manager, Ed Riley.

Lennox and Allison Morris, Charlie Grecia, Robert O. Haydock, Jimmie Forde, Laverne Francis, Chevon Labbay and Steve Francis.

Vance Garraway, Marketing Manager of Karib Cable told THE VINCENTIAN, “We cannot even contemplate how to show our appreciation, but we hope

that the prizes offered will help somewhat.”

Karib Cable promises that it has a number of promotions in store for the public.

THE VINCENTIAN congratulates Karib Cable on this milestone, and wishes them much success in years to come.

* 1987 * 2004 Kelly Kelcom Glass International founded (Antigua & Kelectric, Barbuda) a company Limited obtains involved a fixed line in the cable television power, utilities and cable construction licence in Antigua & Barbuda. industry; * 2007 - Broadband and Internet * 1987 - Kelcom International Ltd. licence received in St. Lucia and now founded and acquires CATV licence; offers Cable TV and Internet service;

SNAP SHOT OF ACHIEVEMENTS

* 1996 — Karib Cable begins service in SVG; * 1998 — Kelly Glass named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year;

* 2009 - Karib Cable launches Fixed Line service in St. Vincent; becomes one of the region’s first true Triple Play service providers;

* 2010: Karib Cable launches full digital service over fiber optic cable in * 2002 - Karib Cable successfully St. Vincent and the Grenadines; negotiated ISP licences in St. Vincent offers more channel choices, with a & the Grenadines and in St. Lucia; clearer and more reliable signal Broadband internet service launched quality. in St. Vincent & the Grenadines;

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. 21.

22. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. 23.

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) A friendship might suffer if money becomes an issue. Losses are likely if you get involved with uncertain individuals. You'll feel much better when your slate is clean again. Don't let others make you feel guilty or insecure.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Get busy making those changes to your home. Try not to be too lavish with your lover. Don't bother getting even; they'll make themselves look bad. Partnerships will be successful.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Be tactful if you see flaws in someone else's work. You have to know what your boss wants if you expect to do your job correctly. You can enjoy entertainment if you join in and follow the crowd for a change. You can come into money; however, perhaps not under the best circumstances.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) You have bent over backward trying to help them and now it's time to let them stand on their own two feet. Your childlike quality may get you into big trouble this week if you neglect your responsibilities. Do you really want to start something with someone you can't reason with? You can make favorable real estate offers this week.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Avoid letting family get involved in your personal life. Try to have patience and refrain from being judgmental.

Depression may be likely if you're away from home. You will be overly sensitive this week.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Strength will come from your ability to overtake just about any one. Do not reveal personal information to those you feel may be untrustworthy. Your attitude is changing rapidly and your plate is overloaded. Don't let your family put demands on you.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Get help setting up a reasonable budg-

et. Look into ways of making extra cash.

Set a limit on the amount you're willing to spend, and be sure to stick to it. Your tendency to vacillate will drive everyone crazy. Use discretion, especially if involved with someone from work.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Some time spent with that special someone should be your intent. Don't overextend your self in order to add luxury items to your entertainment center.

You may find that female colleagues will be more help than you anticipated. You will have to put those you live with in their place if they try to interfere with your work.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Delve into your work if you can't make amends at home. Any attractions toward clients will be one sided and must be put right out of your head. Your suggestions for fund raising events will be well received. Travel or short trips will probably be your best outlet.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Don't hesitate to look for alternatives that will enable you to raise the kind of donations you need to do the job right.

You may experience financial loss if you don't use good judgment. Someone you least expect may not have your best interests at heart. You are best to tuck your money away where no one will be able to touch it, including yourself.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Be careful that you don't overextend yourself. Uncertainty regarding your direction is likely. Don't overextend your self in order to add luxury items to your entertainment center. Get the whole family involved in a worthwhile cause or cultural event.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You will have original ideas for ways to make extra money. Take your time be fore making personal decisions. Be tolerant, but don't let any one take you for granted. Financial difficulties may be worrying you.

ACROSS 1. “I __ Rock” (2 wds.)

4. Drummer’s responsibility 8. “Andy __” 12. Hit high 13. See at a distance 14. Film pooch 15. Furniture surface 17. Farrow and others 18. Zebra marking 19. Eisenhower’s nickname 21. Shoe width 22. Stringed instruments 26. Monkey’s cousin 29. Pie tin 30. “Time _ bottle” (2 wds.)

31. “Are you a man __ mouse?”

(2 wds.)

32. Solidify 33. Rower’s blade 34. “The greatest” boxer 35. Explosive initials 36. Singer Summer 38. Soft, felt

hat 40. Christmas tree 41. Unprocessed 42. Draw back 46. Sudden pain 49. Counterfeited 51. Napoleon’s residence 52. Written reminder 53. Civil War side (abbr.)

54. Alda or Arkin 55. Fine 56. Your brother

(abbr.)

11. Dads 16. In __ of (replacing) 1. Heights 20. Boxer (abbr.)

Norton 2. Protective 23. Cowardly ditch Oz 3. Dr. or U.S., resident for exam24. “__ Island ple with You” 4. Doctor’s (2wds.) paging 25. Actress device Gilbert 5. Cosmet(“The ician class”) Lauder 6. Military mail 26. Do nothing abbr.

27. __ Stanley 7. Usual Gardner 8. Humped 28. Motel animal employee 9. “Take Me __Am” 29. Household (2wds.) animal 10. School 32. Chewing group DOWN

35. __ -la-la 36. Tried to reduce 37. Killer whale 39. Stadium 40. Crunchy corn chip 43. Engrave on metal 44. Lucy’s ‘50s costar

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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24. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

45. Dutch cheese town 46. Soup variety 47. Entire 48. Basketball organization (abbr.)

50. Cow’s call

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. 25.

Advice

I am done with him!!!!!

Dear George, I HAVE TRIED many times to write to you but could not for different reasons.

Please do not look at my issue as a trivial one, because its burning me out.

My boyfriend has for years told me that he is not cheating on me and will never cheat on me, although many of my friends have been telling he has other women. I do not believe what I have not seen, and I have given him the benefit of the doubt, every time. I was so shocked when he left a message on my voicemail which was intended for his other woman, saying how he intends to finish with me and how boring I am in bed. I do not know how he made that mistake. He called the girl’s name and called the name of the village where she lives in, saying, “When I come to your village (calling the name), I will talk to you more seriously..” etc.

I told him that he left a message on my voice mail by mistake, and he ate fire, saying the message was intended for me. He listened to the message and said he had called the wrong name and village, and he did not know how that happened. I never heard such crap in my life!

I am done with him. I do not care what he says about whatever! I am so mad with myself for being such a fool for so long, but God is good.

My boyfriend’s mother and all that …..

will not be marrying me anytime and I am wasting my time in MY LOSER OF A thinking that he will be boyfriend got mad at me cleaning house, be sure There is life after a bad the father of my because I told off his to get yourself checked relationship. mother for good reasons. children. I told her to out for possible STDs, His mother told me that mind her own business, and good luck in George and to focus on her own her son said to her he reconstructing your life. affairs which badly need serious attention.

When my boyfriend got wind of what had transpired, he immediately began to privacy to do our thing. are some things that will Dear George, curse me off, telling me She replied, “We can do forever be with us, and Mercy that I had no right to be our thing togetherthe Lesbianism is one of IT IS TIME this lesbian so “ out of place” with three of us.” them. If your girlfriend Dear Mercy, thing in St. Vincent I questioned her until has adopted that his mother. I asked him stops! lifestyle, then part ways if his mother was right For 3 years you had no My girlfriend came to she revealed that she and this girl had had with her and leave her to with what she told me, concrete evidence of your me with the suggestion many sexual encounters her to her choices. and he did not answer. boyfriend’s cheating of allowing her to bring before, and she did not Introducing a third ways and you cannot The fact that he could over her best friend to think I would have a party into a relationship not, he never had that really blame yourself for spend the weekend at is never a good idea, and conversation with his that. You should give our house. The house we problem with it. How are we going to get rid of you need to state your yourself a pat on the are in is a one bedroom mother, told me that it position clear about the shoulder for taking the house, and when I asked this horrible thing? was the truth. What a quality of woman you position you have now her where would she man!

Outsider are seeking, in order to taken since getting the sleep, she said in the build a strong and longproof that you needed of same bed with us. I Disappointed Dear Outsider, lasting relationship. his two-timing told her I would not be behaviour. comfortable with that, in Dear Disappointed, Unfortunately there George Now that you are that we would need

Dear George,

My girlfriend is a lesbian

Be thankful that you found out who your boyfriend is before getting further into the relationship. Obviously he is not the kind of man you would want to be the father of your children and as a matter of fact, you have gotten yourself a two for one deal in not having his mother as the grandmother of your children.

Way to go! Move on and use your time and energy for more productive things.

George

26. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. 27.

Business

Participants, business reps and Invest SVG personnel, in a CEDA proposal workshop held in May 2012.

CEDA funds for local businesses INVEST SVG, this country’s state-run investment promotions agency, is hopeful that 100% in grant funding available through the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) will be forthcoming to this country.

According to Executive Director of Invest SVG, Cleo Huggins, the agency expects that 100% of the applicants from St. Vincent & the Grenadines would be awarded grants, both for the regular procedures which closed on July 6th 2012, and the accelerated procedures whose call for proposals is still to come later this year.

Huggins explained that “funding of this nature provides relief for small business operators

who generally will not have access to credit based on the type of business that they are in.”

She continued: “Funding such as that provided by CEDA, would encourage other entrepreneurs in search of funds towards the expansion and development of their businesses to explore alternative sources of funding, and that Invest SVG is willing and ready to help in accessing such funding where it is available.”

The Executive Director also called on businesses to register with Invest SVG, since this would position the Agency to better update members of the business

community on funding opportunities that are available from donor agencies around the world.

CEDA is the only regional trade and investment promotion agency in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group, and acts as the trade promotion agency of the 15 Member States of CARIFORUM, of which St. Vincent & the Grenadines is a part.

It provides financial assistance to small businesses through its Direct Assistance Scheme. The scheme is a reimbursable one that is presently funded by the European Union. Under the scheme, CARIFORUM nationals can submit proposals for:

(i) Regular Procedures — recipients are awarded up to $30,000 and (ii) In 2010 to 2011 a total of eleven local entities benefitted from CEDA’s grant funding scheme at a combined value of over $100,000. Awardees were

from among the creative Industries — fashion and music, agro-processing, professional services, and light manufacturing.

CEDA is expected to make its 2012 grant awardees announcement

later this year, as well as launch the proposal call for its Accelerated Procedures grant. A total of five proposals were submitted from St. Vincent & the Grenadines this year.

New UWI Open Campus students at the orientation session.

GECCU introduces loan facility to UWI students

by SHERON GARRAWAY WITH HIGHER education being a priority for many, it’s no surprise that students of the University of the West Indies UWI Open Campus have been signing up for the Government Employees Cooperative Credit Union (GECCU) ‘Learn While You Earn’ programme.

The loan product, launched earlier this year, offers persons pursuing a university education the opportunity to work while they upgrade their schooling, through a loan scheme specifically for use to offset their education costs.

GECCU Senior Marketing Officer, Cheryl Bacchus, in introducing the programme of the new service product at an orientation session in August, to new UWI Open Campus students, explained that the loan is to be used

to purchase books, provide for tuition and examination fees, as well as to purchase a computer, if necessary.

She described the product as an initiative tailored to get persons qualified at reasonable financial rates.

She pointed out that stable employment and an acceptance letter from an accredited educational institution were some of the support required for applying for a loan, which has a ceiling of EC$30,000.00.

Head of the UWI Open Campus, Deborah Dalrynple, thanked the financial institution for offering its new loan facility which, she noted, coincides with the UWI Open Campus’ objective to give smooth transition while offering holistic service, which includes professional counseling as well as financial advice to the students.

Cheryl Bacchus, GECCU, outlining the loan facility at an orientation session for new UWI Open Campus students. Also pictured (sitting from left) are UWI staffers Monica Browne, Deborah Dalrymple and Ronnie Daniel.

28. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. 29.

Sports Feature

Bishop gives back to community KISHORN BISHOP is on a mission.

Bishop, a member of this country’s national basketball team, is bent on ensuring his native Campden Park has adequate basketball facilities for young people to hone and display their skills, and that the young people are given some hope.

Currently a Sports Associate Director at the YMCA in North Carolina, USA, Bishop said he was dismayed on his return to St. Vincent early this year,, by the state of basketball in his community.

“I realized basketball was dying in Campden Park,” he told THE VINCENTIAN, adding, “No one had stepped up to be a leader when I left, so I am here now to give something back to the community.”

Together with his Church’s ministry, ‘Hope for Hope’, Bishop developed and has begun the implementation of a plan.

The Plan Under the plan, the basketball court at Campden Park will receive immediate attention. The first phase of the undertaking will attend to cleaning, cutting the grass and marking the court. Phase two will see the repairing of the perimeter fence, and will also include a process of identifying personnel who will be responsible for maintaining the court in good condition.

But also in train is a camp for children in the area, to encourage them to get involved in the sport. A number of balls have been made available to the camp participants.

Bishop did not hide where he finds his motivation .

According to him, he was “inspired by the ministry where they (Church) take the opportunity to give kids hope in Christ, while helping them to fulfill their ability, to use their talent to better their lives and someone else’s life, as I had the opportunity to do.”

The young man said that he is looking forward to be home every summer, and will be home more often if possible, so that he can Members of the ‘Hope for Hope’ keep an eye on Ministry marking the court at his community Campden Park. and the growth disappointment with of the project. the lack of follow-up Building on grassroot efforts to camps he had conducted.

Meanwhile, Nelson Hillocks also had Hillocks, Director of Sports, a word of has commended Bishop and encouragement for his group for their effort. those young men He sees the effort as a Nelson Hillocks, involved in the YES platform for building a longDirector of lasting relationship that would Programme. He Sports, wants foster community building and reminded them that more Kishorn Bishop was collaboration. develop sports in general. enrolled in the Hillocks admitted that the and make Programme and worked his Ministry of Sports and the way to obtain a scholarship to them local Basketball Federation count,” play and study in the USA. needed to work together to “I encourage youths who are Hillocks build on initiatives like these, on the YES Programme to use appealed. and cited former Vincentianit as a stepping stone, grab the born NBA player Adonal I.B.A. Allen opportunities that may come, Foyle, as expressing his

Kishorn Bishop is committed to assisting his community, through developing the sport of basketball.

30. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Paul’s Avenue, P.O. Box 592, Kingstown Tel: 456-1821 Fax: 457-2821 E-mail: metrocint@vincysurf.com Website: www.metrocintsvg.com

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. 31.

Coaches complete Level 1 Course TWENTY-ONE LOCAL COACHES recently completed an IAAF Coaches Education and

Certificate System Level One Athletics Course. The course, which climaxed last weekend, was held over a nineday period at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex.

Dubbed ‘Kids in Athletics’, the Course was designed to enhance the coaches’ skills to deal with the 7— 12 and 12— 15 years age groups, and held as a collaborative effort involving the National Olympic Committee and (L-R): Course facilitators Rosmund Team Athletics Griffith and Rawlson Morgan.

SVG.

Coaches who participated in the recent IAAF Coaches Education and Certificate System Level One Athletics Course.

Of the coaches participating, ten are now eligible to take a Level Two programme. These coaches are Kelvin Yorke, Sherva Butcher, Teon Gordon, Rohan Thomas Jr., Cleton Barnett, Rodney Sears, Ian Sardine, Vasha Adams, Kelisha Ashton and Gary Constantine.

Constantine was voted the overall top performer.

One of the two Course facilitators, Rosmund Griffith, said she was satisfied with the efforts of the coaches, and urged them to use the knowledge they have gained to produce more fundamentally ready athletes.

She called on them to intensify their activity at all levels - school, club and community, and encouraged them to continue to broaden their knowledge.

Co-facilitator, Rawlson Morgan, said he was encouraged to see the positive attitude displayed by the coaches, which he believes will help in the quantity and quality of coaches in the Gary Constantine was country at the various levels.

He said he was particularly adjudged the top performer in the Course. pleased to see a high number of teachers at the Course, and from the school level. believes, once they apply what they have learn, they I.B.A.ALLEN will produce better athletes

Vincies perform well in Caribbean Squash The 2012 Caribbean Squash Championships closed on August 25th, at the Cascadia Club in Trinidad and Tobago, with Team OECS turning in commendable performances.

Countries represented at the Championship were Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Guyana,

Jamaica, Venezuela, the OECS and the hosts.

Competition featured individual and team events.

Top performers for OECS in the individual tournament were Vincentians Jules Snagg and Kevin Hannaway, both falling to Bajan Gavin Cumberbatch in the 2nd and 3rd rounds

respectively.

Snagg went on to reach the plate finals, following wins over Bermuda’s Anthony Fellowes, Trinidadian Mandela Patrick and Jason- Ray Khalil of Guyana. In the final match, he lost in a close five-setter to Abraham (T&T).

The OECS then

turned their focus on the team event, with the Men’s team defending their historic victory in 2011, and the veterans team hoping for an improved showing.

Despite fielding a perceived developmental team following the absence of the top two OECS players, Joe Kneipp and Joe

The OECS squad that participated in the 2012 Caribbean Squash Championship, with #13 ranked Kevin Hannaway (extreme right).

Chapman of BVI, the allVincentian team of Jules Snagg, Kevin Hannaway, Kevin Bailey, Shane Slater and Jason Doyle exceeded expectations to make the Men’s team semi-finals.

By far the youngest team in the tournament, the OECS men showed great promise in the pool stage, defeating Bermuda, 3-2, and Venezuela, 4-1, to secure a semi-final spot. After a 0-5 loss to a strong Guyanese team to finish 2nd in pool B, the team went down by 1-4 scores to Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados in the semi-finals and 3rd place play-off respectively.

Kevin Hannaway’s 4-1 record in team play, at the #2 position, earned him a ranking of #13 in the Caribbean.

The Veterans team did one better than the men’s 4th place finish.

They disposed of their Jamaican and Guyanese opponents.

Sherian Slater won her 3rd Caribbean

individual veteran’s championship (she won the 40+ in 2005 and the 50+ in 2010), going undefeated in her matches in the Women’s 50+.

James Bentick finished runner-up to Barbados’ Mark Sealy after defeating players from Guyana, Trinidad and Jamaica. BVI players Neville Sorrentino and Ken Adamson took 3rd and 5th places in the Men’s 50+ and 60+, to help the OECS team to its eventual bronze medal finish.

In the Overall Team standings, OECS finished in 5th position with 11 points, behind champions Barbados (26 pts), Trinidad (22 pts), Guyana (20 pts) and Jamaica (14 pts).

Bermuda and Venezuela were 6th and 7th respectively.

The 2013 edition of the championships is set for Guyana.

V Rivals take cricket title 32. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

TEAM RIVALS are the 2012 champions of cricket in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

They laid claim to that accolade when they took first innings points from Victors One, in a drawn NLA Premier Division National Cricket Competition match, played last weekend, at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

Victors One, lying second behind Rivals at

the call of the match, took first knock and posted 129 all out.

Donwell Hector topscored with 46 and Miles Bascombe 39. Olanzo Jackson took 4 for 53 while Cosmon Walters had 2 for 19 and Deighton Butler 2 for 37.

Rivals replied with a commanding 235 for 9 declared. Marvin Small top scored with 64, Ricarvo Williams hit 61 and Cosmon Walters 27.

Spinners Alston Bobb and Keiron Cottoy captured 6 for 100 and 3 for 103 respectively.

Victors One, in their second innings, reached 173 for 4 at the close of play. Atticus Browne led with 62 and Miles Bascombe 54. Ricarvo Williams took 2 for 40.

In the second weekend game played at Arnos Vale Two, News Spartans took first innings points against

Team Reivals, 2012 Champions of Cricket (File Photo).

Saints. The News Spartans made 171 in their first innings, Kissinger McLean leading with 57 and Micah Joseph contributing 55. Kenroy Peters took 6 for 32 and Kentish Jacobs 3 for 34.

Saints replied with 129, Jelano Neil topscoring with 24. Tiron Simon took 4 for 35 and Nixon McLean 2 for 21.

The News Spartans in their second innings reached 77 for 4 at the

close of play. Kissinger McLean hit 36. Romario Bibby took 2 for 17.

The games marked the closure of the official 2012 cricket season.

I.B.A.ALLEN

National Club Championships kicks off

Cornelius Huggins, coach of the national football team, looks to the ‘friendlies’ against Barbados as a good outing for the younger members of his squad.

TOP FOOTBALLERS in the country will have another opportunity to showcase their talent.

This, when the SVG Football Federation National Lotteries Authority Club Championships kick off on Sunday, September 2nd, with an Official Ceremony at the Victoria Park.

The competition will be played in five (5) Divisions: Premier, 1st Division, Under-17, Under-13 and Women’s Division.

And to ensure full participation in this year’s Championship, each team is expected to have eleven players represent it at the Opening Ceremony.

Failure to do so, will result in a deduction of two points per defaulting team.

The ceremony begins at 3:00 pm.

But football action actually returns to Victoria Park on Saturday 1st September, when the SVG National team comes up against

Barbados in the first of two scheduled ‘friendlies’. The second forms part of Sunday’s official opening of the National Club Championships.

The ‘freindlies’ are part of this country’s preparation for the Digicel Cup. Coach of the national team, Cornelius Huggins, looks to the ‘friendlies’ as “a good opportunity for the younger players in the squad,” and expects that his team will do well.

He said it was good to see the team win their exhibition game against a representative Stubbs team at the opening of the Stubbs Football

League, last Sunday, but he expressed disappointment that the national squad did not exert its superiority.

The ‘friendlies’ will also afford Huggins an opportunity to look at his full squad before deciding on a final contingent.

Meanwhile, the national team is expected to be boosted with the return of national defender, Wesley ‘Butu’ Charles.

Huggins is confident that Charles will add an experienced presence within the team and be of tremendous help to the young players.

Both ‘friendlies’ are slated to kick off at The national football squad in training.

7:00pm.

TBPO Softball cricket opens TWENTY TEAMS are expected to compete in the National Lotteries Authority Top Belair Progressive Organization (TBPO) Softball cricket competition, to be played at the Dauphnie Playing Field.

Last weekend’s opening of the competition witnessed addresses from the chairman of the TBPO Organization, Ashford Wood, who expressed gratitude to the sponsors for another year of support.

He urged the players to encourage the sponsors by putting on a good showing and

a high level of discipline throughout the competition.

Action in the game between defending champion RSVG Police and Georgie Anthony Valley Stars.

Dennie, of competition, which he last 32 years. representing the National The BoSVG Ltd was Lotteries Authority (NLA), the believes is important from a sponsor prospective. adjusted the Best Team on main sponsor, reaffirmed the Cecil McKie, parliamentary Parade.

NLA’s commitment to the representative of the area, said In the opening game, competition. high praise must be extended defending champions RSVG Dennie, however, expressed to the organizers of the Police defeated Georgie Valley dissatisfaction with the low competition for their Stars by 136 runs. Police batted turnout of teams during the march past. He appealed to the commitment over the years. He first and made 175 for 4 in 20 players to be more serious and also commended the players overs. Renrick Cato topscored and sponsors who have been committed during the opening with 56 not out while Kenroy with the competition for the Martin made 53.

Georgie Valley Stars were all out for a deplorable 39 from 16 overs. Kenroy Martin took 5 for 9 and Osrick James 3 for 9.

The competition continues this weekend, at the Dauphnie playing field.

Teams on parade at the opening of the NLA/TBPO competition.

I.B.A.ALLEN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. 33.

Sports

All to play for THE DISAPPOINTMENT of elimination from the Under-20 Football World Cup should have sunken by now, and the projection directed on the Digicel Caribbean Cup. The national squad will not have much time to blend. Distractions, in and out of football, will not give players their full powers of concentration.

Coaches and the technical team, with administrative and other community injection, have to put systems in place so that the team puts away things of the past, and gets on with providing genuine avenues for the players to progress.

Results on the field must be part of the developmental focus. Recognition by scouts is facilitated through being part of the winning formula.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines lost to Suriname in the Under-20 qualifiers. They also went under to Trinidad and Tobago, after having raised hopes with a 3-1 victory over Guyana.

Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago progressed.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines were pounced upon by T&T after both teams were beaten by Suriname.

By the time the Vincentians settled, the score was 3-0, and that was before the interval.

It is a consolation that the second half was an even no goal factor. But that hardly mattered.

The Vincentians must win to advance when they meet hosts St. Lucia, as well as Guyana and Curacao in the Digicel first round.

The finals will be from December 3 to 15. By that time, the CONCACAF six-team playoff for World Cup participation would have been decided.

The third round of matches in the CONCACAF zone sees three Caribbean teams in contention.

Antigua and Barbuda and Jamaica will have no Caricom pact when they meet the next time. For Jamaica will be seeking full home advantage.

The goalless draw in St. John’s perhaps was a fitting scenario. Most pundits would have expected Jamaica to have taken the points on the road. But that Antigua and Barbuda gained a point, while they surrendered the territorial advantage, the result has an echoing impact.

Guyana has to run fast to make up for lost ground.

A win anywhere could put Antigua and Barbuda in contention for a spot in the hexagon. That will be moments of bliss. Except for Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, the rest of the Englishspeaking Caribbean have never crossed such borders.

The Digicel Cup finals will be a chance for other teams to test the Caribbean waters.

Regional football is gaining ground. People here should not be misled into believing that this country has fallen off because of the recent performances.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines appeared from nowhere. And by the time the region got wind of what was happening, football had swooped upon the world population like an avalanche.

We have to wriggle out of the snow fall so that the weight of the heavy ice does not drown us.

So while we prepare for the battles, we must be prepared for potential hazards.

Swimming gets technical assistance THE SPORT OF SWIMMING in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is getting a much needed boost.

David Farmer, Director of the Olympic Academy of Swimming and a member of the National Olympic Committee in Barbados, is currently in this country, assisting with the design and development of a national swimming structure.

He is expected to address the administrative as well as competitive aspects of the plan.

Farmer explained that the assignment will entail addressing the management of the sport and coaching.

He is mindful that this country hosts an annual championship, and is committed to lifting the quality of swimming talent in SVG, which would, hopefully, have a similar effect on the overall OECS standard.

Barring the limitation of the main swimming facility. Farmer is encouraged by the talent that abounds here, and expects that, with the right application by coaches and swimmers, there is no

Swimmers in action at the Shrewsbury Swimming facility. reason why the sport cannot be taken to another level.

Farmer’s assignment will last for six months and is being conducted under the auspices of the National Olympic Committee of SVG, in collaboration with the St Vincent Amateur Swimming Association.

David Farmer is here assisting with the development of a national structure for swimming.

Predators FC in Small Goal final Wright on target I.B.A.ALLEN

by KENVILLE HORNE

Predator FC of Fitz Hughes will face Rising Stars of Rose Hall in the finals of the senior division of the inaugural St. Vincent Brewery Small Goal Football Tournament.

The Fitz Goal scorers (L-R) Keymelly Hughes teams Bowens and Akeem Charles. earned their place after a 2-0 victory over Rose Top United, in a semi-final match played last Sunday at the Rose Hall Playing Field.

Rose Top United, playing with two players short, defended very well against an attacking Predator FC, who demonstrated a series of flawless short passes and an ability to maintain position.

Rose Top United opted for longer passing, but put their defence under added pressure as their depleted numbers had to cover more ground.

In the 35th minute, the versatile Keymelly Bowens raced down the left wing and provided a spot-on cross for Akeem Charles to convert easily for Predator F C. A rare opportunity for Rose Top to equalize was offered up in the 41st minute, but Jay Ferdinand labored before shooting and allowed the Predator F C defence to clear any danger.

Predators FC opted for two defensive substitutions to begin the second half.

This allowed Rose Top to come forward with greater frequency.

But when Jay Ferdinand lost control of the ball after failing miserably to make room for himself in the Predators F.C. goal area, Caven Williams led the Predators’ counter-attack, beat three Rose Top defenders and easily set up Keymelly Bowens to register his team’s second goal.

The final result was secured at this point.

The finals of both the Senior and Under-15 divisions of the Tournament have been re-scheduled to Sunday, September 9, to accommodate Predator F C participation in the National Club Championship, which begins this Sunday, September 2.

FRESH FROM his exploits with the all conquering senior national squad in the Winlot T/20 tournament in St. Lucia, Orlando Wright put his experience to devastating effect in last weekend round of matches in the VINLEC North Leeward Cricket Tournament.

He bagged 8 for 11 in three incisive overs, to help dismiss Backlash of Rose Bank for 24 runs, in six overs, to give his team, Police, a 139-run win in a match played last Saturday.

Wright weaved webs around the Backlash batting with his left arm spin, and picked up a hat trick in the process.

Police had earlier piled up 163 for 4 in 13 overs when the innings was called off following a shower.

Parnel Browne, 43, was the leading scorer for Police, while Wright showed his all-round ability with 37. Jedi John 2 for 53 was the pick of the Backlash bowling.

Police secured a second win against Winterset Ball Beaters that afternoon.

Winterset were dismissed for 88 from 17.2 overs.

Afram Byam hit 31. Gerald Gould 4 for 15 was the most successful Police bowler.

Jamal Nash, 3 for 21, threatened to spoil the Police run chase. But Elmore Alexander, 29, helped to steer his side to victory. They reached 90 for 6 from 12. 1 overs.

Sunday’s action produced mixed results for Carlos James Troumaca Starlights.

Somerset held off a bid by Troumaca Starlights to win by four runs in a thrilling encounter.

Somerset scored 118 in 17.5 overs, propped up by Christopher Howe, 42, and Kevin Small, 20.

Donald Delpesche 3 for 6 and Zemron Providence 3 for 36 were the main wicket takers for Starlights.

Nelson Williams, Bishon Williams, Kevin Small and Ralmore Pierre with two wickets apiece proved too much for Starlight. Kentish John 23 not out watched as his team was dismissed for 114 in 19.2 overs.

Starlights rebounded with a five-wicket win over Rudy’s Electrical in Sunday’s second match.

Rudy’s Electrical made 93 all out in 14 overs in a game reduced to 15 overs owing to rain. Andre Hunte, 22 not out, was the leading scorer for Rudy’s. Kentish John 3 for 11, Zemron Providence 3 for 30 were among the wickets for Starlights.

Leeshaun Lewis, 33, gave Starlight a flying start, but Rudy Daize, 4 for 6, threatened to take matters into his own hands.

Rolando Samuel, 19 not out, and Lenroy Edwards saw Starlight to victory as they reached 97 for 5 in 12. 5 overs. That pair came together at 73 for 5.

34. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. 35.

Classifieds

Basketballers get scholarships THREE VINCENTIAN basketballers have seen their hard work and dedication to their sport rewarded.

Mariann Frederick, Akeem Smart and Sheldeen Joseph have been awarded scholarships from the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with the assistance of the National Lotteries Authority and KFC, to study in the U.S.A..

Akeem Smart (left) and Mariann Frederick, two of Minister of Sports, the youngsters who have received basketball Cecil Mc Kie, introduced scholarships to the U.S.A. Frederick and Smart to a press conference held Vincent and the Grenadines “rising to at the Ministry of Tourism Sports and the future with sports” on the Culture, on Thursday August 23rd, strength and dedication of athletes and gave some details about the like the three recipients. scholarship.

Frederick, Smart and Joseph are Frederick, age 19, of New the latest in a number of Vincentians Montrose, and Smart, 21, of South basketballers who have benefited Rivers, will attend MCCO Community from scholarships to the U.S.A., not College (division of Midplay) in least among these being Adonal Foyle Nebraska on full scholarships. of NBA fame, and national players Joseph, age 20, will attend a Oral Roberts and Randolph “Sticky” Community College in Chicago, Williams.

Illinois.

It was also announced that another Mc Kie expressed confidence that Vincentian sportsperson has received the youngsters will “return to our assistance to further her studies country to do their best.” overseas. Vasha Adams will pursue a He shared a personal “vision” of St. coaching programme in Canada. (KC)

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

F O R S A L E

FRIDAY,

AUGUST 31, 2012

VOLUME 106, No. 35

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conducting “not only in Jungle paramilitary services. elements, will do exactly just Training but other areas”.

Major Kirton emphasized that.”

THIRTEEN MALE and two female the evolution of transnational He reminded the audience members of the Royal SVG that the fight on the local crime over the years, with its Challenges for law PoliceFforce, along with front continues with the allure of illicit narcotic and enforcement fourteen Barbadian law officers, arms trafficking, which continuing use of mountainous for 14 days, were involved in a resulted in an increased Feature speaker, Adviser to areas for illegal purposes.

Jungle and Survival Course in Sir Vincent advised that a regional threat level. the Ministry of National the mountains of SVG. rock climbing component be He disclosed that the Security, Sir Vincent Beache, The course sought to added to the jungle training content of paramilitary told the audience that crime prepare and test the officers’ training was updated so that cannot be tackled individually. course in the future. ability to operate with limited it remains commensurate with Meanwhile, Acting “You cannot do it alone, logistical support and Commissioner of Police Ronald the new security threat, and because crime has become manpower in the jungle.

Hadaway, affirmed that, while urged the officers to transnational,” and warned understand the significance of that “as we get more civilized it was the first such course to RSS: Needed more than ever the training, while recognizing and modernized in terms of take place in St.Vincent, it won’t be the last. that SSU is needed more than transportation and Speaking at the closing, He was delighted that the ever. communication, they bring Friday 24th August at the officers involved came through “It is my hope, I never had with them serious Largo Height Police Station, of a hope so strongly about the course successfully consequences that will the two-week Course, anything, that this batch of challenge the law enforcement without any major incident. conducted by the Regional Hadaway noted that such young men and women before agencies.”

Security System (RSS), me, having been imparted Beach showered praises on an undertaking assists in Deputy Commander of the strengthening cooperation, with the skills to continue the the RSS for the training RSS, Major Wilbert Kirton, and encouraged the officers to fight against the criminal courses they have been addressed the topic: ‘The role of paramilitary forces in the strategic direction of security policy for the RSS sub-region’.

Major Kirton noted that the “environment is changing,” therefore, officers must adapt to it, and “failing to do so would allow the criminal element to go unchecked.”

He traced the development of paramilitary services in the region, referring to a number of “disturbances” (e.g. the Black Power disturbances of the 1960s and 1970s), which gave rise to increased need and training for Participants in the Jungle and Survival Course with course conductors and local and RSS officials.

EC$1.50

by KENVILLE HORNE

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

Major Wilbert Kirton, Deputy Commander of the Regional Security Service, says the RSS is needed more than ever.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.