by JP SCHWMON THE DRAMA SURROUNDING the Port Police/Port Authority industrial dispute impasse was further heightened over this past week. Reports describing this government’s intent on the economic welfare of one Vincentian working class demographic were confirmed by the prominently featured article, ‘Security duties at port may soon be in hands of RSVGPF’, as per the Searchlight Newspaper. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E Gonsalves and Edwin Snagg, Chairman of the Port Authority Board, reported exclusively to a Searchlight staff reporter their intention to lay off the 80 plus Port Police Officers. Gonsalves, who is also the Minister of National Security, Air and Sea Port Development, is said to have confirmed, in that Friday 17th May 2013 issue, the move to place the management of the Port Authority’s security operations under the purview of this country’s top COP, a stance the Prime Minister was said to have noted as (apparently just) “one of the options being explored. But it is the preferred option.” Union President responds Some sympathetic observers have denounced the Prime Minister’s announcement as irresponsible and churlish. Cools Vanloo, Public Service Union president, criticised the impact of PM Gonsalves’ declared objective on the PSU’s constituents, as an overzealous scare tactic. “This is just another form of intimidation. When I first heard of this I asked, ‘why is the government moving towards this action at this stage of the dispute?’ And we could only come up with two things — the Port’s management bungling of the incident involving the two dismissed officers which really is an embarrassment for them, and that the non-payment of the officers’ annual increments could quite possibly have far reaching financial implications, as any payment to the Port Police might just be incentive enough for the non-PSU represented Port workers to mobilize their union on their behalf… so if this issue has implications beyond the Port’s management, the best thing to do, it appears, is to [threaten to] take out the Port Police, ” Vanloo said. As for Chairman Snagg’s inept attempt to disguise the proposed redundancy exercise as a ‘much discussed’ policy suggestion, Vanloo again reiterated FOR THE VINCENTIAN “… the Union and the Board just recently completed very amicable negotiations on behalf of the Port Police… Continued on Page 3. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013 VOLUME 107, No.21 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50 The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, in the face of an unresolved industrial matter involving the Port Police, has intimated that an option of disbanding the unit has been discussed. Cools Vanloo, President of the PSU, which represents the Port Police, has termed the PM’s indication as an overzealous scare tactic. Port Police are responsible for ensuring security at the Cruise Ship terminal, among other ports of entry.
Transcript
by JP SCHWMON
THE DRAMA SURROUNDING thePort Police/Port Authorityindustrial dispute impasse wasfurther heightened over this pastweek.
Reports describing thisgovernment’s intent on theeconomic welfare of oneVincentian working class
demographic were confirmedby the prominently featuredarticle, ‘Security duties at portmay soon be in hands ofRSVGPF’, as per theSearchlight Newspaper.
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph EGonsalves and Edwin Snagg,Chairman of the PortAuthority Board, reported
exclusively to a Searchlightstaff reporter their intentionto lay off the 80 plus PortPolice Officers. Gonsalves, whois also the Minister ofNational Security, Air and SeaPort Development, is said tohave confirmed, in that Friday17th May 2013 issue, the moveto place the management of
the Port Authority’s securityoperations under thepurview of this country’s topCOP, a stance the PrimeMinister was said to havenoted as (apparently just)“one of the options beingexplored. But it is thepreferred option.”
Union President responds
Some sympatheticobservers have denouncedthe Prime Minister’sannouncement asirresponsible and churlish.Cools Vanloo, Public ServiceUnion president, criticisedthe impact of PM Gonsalves’declared objective on thePSU’s constituents, as anoverzealous scare tactic.
“This is just another form
of intimidation. When I firstheard of this I asked, ‘why isthe government movingtowards this action at thisstage of the dispute?’ And wecould only come up with twothings — the Port’smanagement bungling of theincident involving the twodismissed officers which reallyis an embarrassment for them,and that the non-payment ofthe officers’ annual incrementscould quite possibly have farreaching financialimplications, as any paymentto the Port Police might justbe incentive enough for thenon-PSU represented Portworkers to mobilize theirunion on their behalf… so ifthis issue has implicationsbeyond the Port’smanagement, the best thing todo, it appears, is to [threatento] take out the Port Police, ”Vanloo said.
As for Chairman Snagg’sinept attempt to disguise theproposed redundancy exerciseas a ‘much discussed’ policysuggestion, Vanloo againreiterated FOR THEVINCENTIAN “… the Union
and the Board just recentlycompleted very amicablenegotiations on behalf of thePort Police…
Continued on Page 3.
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013 VOLUME 107, No.21 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50
The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Prime Minister Dr. RalphGonsalves, in the face of anunresolved industrial matterinvolving the Port Police, hasintimated that an option ofdisbanding the unit has beendiscussed.
Cools Vanloo, President ofthe PSU, which representsthe Port Police, has termedthe PM’s indication as anoverzealous scare tactic.
Port Police are responsible for ensuring security at the CruiseShip terminal, among other ports of entry.
THE ANGELS OF MERCYARE ALIVE AND WELL, andare doing more than theirregular jobs.High on the hills, in thebushes that remain on thenew Argyle InternationalAirport site, a mosthorrible but ultimatelybeautiful drama unfolded.
The Cuban workers,those that are crushingrocks from 6.00 AM until6.00 PM daily, discovered
two lovely, homelessfemale dogs. Both werevery pregnant, duewithin days, and one wasobviously feral (wild)
The dogs gave birth onthe same day. The wilddog was so starved thatshe ate her youngoffspring immediately.She soon looked for more,and was about to begineating the other dog’sfamily of pups.
The Cubans thenwitnessed a most heart-wrenching and horrificdogfight. They were soemotionally moved bywhat they observed,they immediately setabout to rectify thisdangerous situation.They authorized theexcavation of animmense hole, and thenconstructed a very tallfence to surround this
compound. They placedthe 10 surviving puppieswith their Mom into thisprotected haven. Whenthe supply of motherdog’s milk had dried up,these heart-mindedCubans fed the familywith sausages, eggs,bread, etc., and keptthem supplied withwater.
However, the wildmother dog, desperate for food, managed to break
in, steal, and eat a puppyin front of its terrifiedsiblings! The shockedCubans proceeded tomend the fence, andstoned the feral dog.
A kindly neighbournotified the St. VincentSociety for thePrevention of Cruelty toAnimals (VSPCA) ofthese amazing but veryreal events. They arrivedquickly, bringing foodand medicine, and beganimmediately their searchfor good homes. However,the wily Cubans pre-empted them and weresuccessful in finding thepups nine homes. THEVINCENTIAN hopes
that the owners treat thepups with lovingkindness.
When last THEVINCENTIAN visitedthis now historic site, wediscovered another verypregnant, homeless, butsomewhat fearful-friendly female dog, duewithin days. The everwarm-hearted Cubanspromised to care for theneedy mother and herpups, and to immediatelyalert the VSPCA of theirarrival.
A thousand kudos tothese ‘Angels of Mercy’,the humanitarian Cubanworkers and the VSPCAvolunteers!
2. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. THE VINCENTIANV
Another homeless dog in SVG, not one of thedogs the Cubans cared for, but it could wellhave been.
Angels of Mercy
ST. VINCENT AND THEGRENADINES hasrecorded its second roadfatality for 2013.
Five-year-old JovilleGlasgow, a resident ofLayou, lost his life afterhe sustained injuries inan accident, around 8:00am on Wednesday 22ndMay.
One resident told thispublication that Joville’sbody was resting on a‘slow sign’ painted on theroad, after impact withthe vehicle. THEVINCENTIAN could not confirm whether ornot Joville died on thespot.
Reports are thatJoville and his brother,Leroy Adams, werecrossing the main roadin Layou, after amorning bath in theriver, when they werestruck by motor vehicle,PS 491.
Leroy, who alsosustained injuries, was,up to press time, apatient at the MiltonCato Memorial Hospital
A police release ofWednesday 22nd May,stated that Rae-AnnMcDowall, a 24-year-old
employee of the CentralWater and SewerageAuthority, the driver ofthe vehicle, wasassisting the police withtheir investigations.
In a telephoneconversation with aresident of Layou, theperson told THEVINCENTIAN thatresidents have voicedincessant concern aboutthe speed at whichvehicles “race through detown.”
“The drivers dem dohrespect the ‘slow signs’dey paint on the road.Dey jus fly through likeis no body business,”said the resident, andreminded that “only lasyear two man fromNorth Leeward deadwhen a vehicle knockdem down on the Layoumain road.”
The person admittedthough, not knowingwhether the driver inthis case was speeding.
A post mortem will becarried out on thedeceased boy todetermine the cause ofdeath.
Road Fatality No.2for 2013
V News 3THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. 3.
Are The Port Police Defenceless?Continued from Page 1
...among other thingsthey’d agreed to ceasethe practise of importingretired Police Officers tofill the top ranks in thePort’s security servicesand start to promotefrom within. Now whereis all this coming from?”The union boss said thisnew agreement can onlybe executed uponpayment of theoutstanding incrementsas ordered by the LabourCommissioner.
Meanwhile, Leader ofthe Opposition, ArhnimEustace, has decried theproposal, calling it a“guise to fire [the PortPolice]… another set ofvictimization.” At thetime, he was respondingto a question posed bythis reporter on ClemroyBert François’ CurrentAffairs programme airedon NICE Radio lastTuesday evening.Eustace lamented thedismal state of the localjob market, whileremarking that insteadof attempting to improve
the situation, thegovernment is proposingto actually worsen therate of unemploymenthere. “Where are wereally going in St.Vincent and theGrenadines these days?”the Prime Ministerialcontender queried.
Port Police keepingtheir ears open
Though no officialcorrespondence wasreceived by the PortPolice or their union, theofficers are kept abreastthrough theirorganisation’sscuttlebutt. “We justhearing through thegrape vines… the PMhad council meeting atULP headquarters andhe allegedly stated thatwe could ah come to heand discuss the problem;he would ah help us, butwe join with Vanloo andsick out so he has 2million dollars to pensionus off and hire police[instead],” one officershared with THEVINCENTIAN.
Unconfirmed reportsreaching us revealmeetings over a two-dayperiod between PortManager Bishen John,his HR ManagerCharmaine Tappin-Johnand Commissioner ofPolice Keith Miller whichcommenced on Tuesday14th May, 2013.Following thesemeetings, a circular wasdispatched to the PortPolice requesting thatthe officers provide thenecessary qualificationsas the Port was“updating” its personnelfiles. This though wastreated with a wave ofsuspicion as the officerswere already cued intoalleged Cabinetdiscussions alluding tothe eventualdisbandment of thePort’s current securityforce. A position,according to the officers’rumour mill, takenprimarily because “thePM is very angry we sickout,” the officercontinued.
“They saying that wehave to re-apply, but
most of us already wenttraining school and theofficers up there told usthey don’t understandwhy,” the officer furtherstated in relation toSnagg’s reassurance thatthe Port Police would begiven the opportunity toapply since new personswill have to be recruitedto supply the RSVGPF’sadditional manpowerdemand. “Also, it havepolice, custom officersand custom guards whodon’t have any subject atall… the last set ofpersons is politician sendthem [to work as PortPolice] so they ain’t doneany training or broughtanything so is he [thePrime Minister] going tofire them and re-employonly those who havequalifications?” thedistraught senior portofficer remarked.
Upon realizing the fullimport of the Snagg/PMGonsalves’ edict, theofficer noted “right nowis tension. We havenobody to back us morethan the union, so wewould have to show our
dissatisfactionsomehow….”
Widening concern
But the Port Policemay not be asdefenceless as theyappear — if the axiom‘strength in numbers’still applies within thissocio-political sphere.The Port Authority hassucceeded in cultivatingsuch an untenablyvolatileemployer/employeerelationship across itsentire scope of operation,that the situation isnearing its breakingpoint.
According to one Portoperator, “about twoweeks ago they hadmeeting with NoelJackson and the NationalWorkers Movement andhe tell we Port has nomoney to pay weincrements so we can’tget no money, but wewatching this thing withthe Port Police… webehind them too!”
Further, the Public
Service Union presidentis confident the law is onthe side of thedisenfranchised PortPolice officers. “They arenot defenceless, theyhave the EmploymentProtection Act that issupposed to protectthem, and the Union isready and able to do allthat it can within itspower on their behalf. Itis now only a matter ofthe Port Police wantingto fight and refusing tobe muzzled.”
Edwin Snagg, Chairmanof the Board ofDirectors of the SVGPort Authority, spoke ofthe disbanding of thePort Police as a muchdiscussed policy option.
by GLORIAH…
THE CAPITAL PROJECT, the ArgyleInternational Airport, was the focus of anactivity jointly undertaken by the RoseHall Cultural and DevelopmentOrganization and the South EastDevelopment Inc.
The activity took the form of anopen concert dubbed, ‘Argyle AirportCultural Extravaganza’, was staged onthe grounds outside the offices of theInternational Airport DevelopmentCompany at Argyle, on Sunday, 19thMay. It was hosted under the theme:‘Supporting our airport throughcultural expressions’.
Excited spectators were treated to awide variety of performances,including drumming, steel pan music,dancing, singing, and poetry recitals.The performers ranged in ages fromyoung children in the RenaissanceDancers, South East Steel Orchestra,break dancers, the explosivesongstress Singing Kristy from the
Thomas Saunders Secondary School, tothe older folks from the DiamondGroup, Erasto, Resistance HeartbeatDrummers, the Rose Hall BumDrummers; and then to the veteranslike Mr. Mason of Layou, amongothers.
Rose Hall Cultural DevelopmentOrganisation
According to the President of theRose hall Cultural DevelopmentOrganization, Mr. Selwyn Patterson,the activity is in its second year. Hisorganization had joined up with SouthEast in 2012 “when so much work
hadn’t been done on the airport”, anddone a similar activity at the turn-offon the old road. Patterson said thathis group believes that the airport isvery important, as “it will promotefamily and cultural communicationand help with employment andexport.”
About the entertainment, he calledit “edutainment,” and expresseddelight that they were able to bringmany persons to one place. Thesepersons, he informed THEVINCENTIAN, will be invited to placea donation in the collection box, whichwill be given to the InternationalAirport Development Company.
Patterson expressed his group’spleasure to network with otherorganizations to engage in somethingof national importance.
South East Development Inc.
Ms. Marla Nanton, Music Directorof the South East Development Inc.,called the Argyle Airport CulturalExtravaganza a “positive initiative toraise funds for the airport.” Benefits,she said, are far reaching and she feltgood to know that her organizationwould have contributed to such aproject.
At the end of the event, the moneycollected was handed over to officialsof the IADC in the box in which it wascollected.
Rose Hall Drummers man thedonation box.
Left: Resistance HeartbeatDrummers echoed the rhythms ofAfrica and the Garifuna.
Concert heldto supportAirport
Concert heldto supportAirport
4. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
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by JP SCHWMON
SATURDAY 18TH MAYMARKED ONE HUNDREDYEARS SINCE THE LASTCHILD OF Peter and EvelynCulzac, Matthew ‘Dada’Culzac, entered the realmof the living and took upresidence in Rose Place,Kingstown.
Family and friendsconverged on theCatholic Pastoral Centre,Edinboro, last Sundayevening, in a celebrationof Dada’s 100th birthday.
Remarkably,Dada stillmaintains an uprightbearing today, a featattributed to the strictmeasure of discipline forwhich he is renownedacross his friend andfamily circles,. A sharpwit and unique sense ofhumour remain firmlyintact.
First amongst thosepaying tribute wasGovernor General SirFrederick Ballantyne,who asked ‘Dada’ for thesecret to his long life, towhich the centenarianreplied, “Probablybecause you were myDoctor 50 years ago!”
Describing theoccasion as “astupendous moment,”long-time friend andformer parliamentaryrepresentative for WestKingstowm John Hornegave thanks and referredto the occasion as familyand friends gathered tocelebrate not just thebiblically promised 3score and 10, but rather“a person who hasachieved 5 scores.”
According to RandyKennedy of Randy’sSupermarkets, “Dada isthe first person fromBottom Town to
celebrate 100 years of life— and he’s doing muchbetter than some who nothalf that.”
His firm but quietcontrol is another ofDada’s character traitsthat was highlighted asindividuals living athome or abroad toastedto his long life lastSunday. “Even whenfaced with difficultiesyou never see himruffled. ‘Dada’ has thisuncanny ability to staycalm,” expressed WestKingstown MP DanielCummings.
“I am always amazedat his depth ofknowledge… I have cometo appreciate how deephe takes his Christianbelief which clearlyplayed a critical part inhis life. West Kingstownis proud to celebrate withyou ‘Dada’,” the MPcontinued.
Lystra Culzac-Wilson,one of manygrandchildren, describedDada as a man of fewwords who “governed hisfamily pretty muchthrough body language.”Reminiscing on the veryeffective Dada “bad eye”,she said, “he would oftenthreaten to break out thecane, but his bodylanguage was enough.”
Notwithstanding, shesaid, “‘Dada’ is also anincessant source ofinspiration.”
‘Dada’ proudly passedon to his children anappreciation for adheringto disciplined principles.It is, he says, awidespread lack ofdiscipline in localfamilies that issingularly responsible forthe current barrage ofsocial ills. He recalls
“sometimes my childrenwould spend theafternoon in the sea andall it took for them toknow I thought it wastime for them to comehome was for one ofthem to spot me comingaround the corner. And Inever really had to flogthem; well only one ofthem, once and he learntquick.”
Of today’s youth, hesaid, “Is no use youspeak to these younggeneration, they notlistening to you so is nouse to try to advisethem.” He passionatelydisparages the particularset of young men whoadopt the pants-below-butt mode of dress as a“wutliss way of life.” Heextolled the virtues ofdressing to impresssaying “if you haveambition, you wouldnever dress like that.”
Young ladies inskimpy get-ups also camein for a few stern wordsfrom the centenarianwho likened some of theoutfits he has seen inrecent times to “themash of a fisher’s seine…you know how it doeshurt me to see youngpeople down here dressedlike that? I tell you is ahdirty dirty habit.”
As fate would have it,Dada lost the love of hislife some 40 years ago.Prompted at the sight ofhis symbol of fidelity andenduring love stillproudly adorning his‘married finger’ theconversation eventuallygot around to Dada’s lovelife. “Me? Married again?Fuh wah?” he respondedbetween chuckles beforesobering up to add “I amnever going to find
another woman to treatme like my wife. Thegeneration of womentoday they call them inthe bible vipers… I willnever remarry.”
In his heyday, RosePlace was a communityimbued with the pride ofa community whostruggled to rear familiesin what some may saywere harsher economictimes. To this Dadasmiles and says, “Thingswere harder yes but lifewas nicer… .”
It is ‘Dada’s’ desire tosee his neighbourhoodreturned to its formerglory. In the meantime,he remains a staunchbeliever of his Christianvalues, a devout RomanCatholic and ardent loverof red wine andchocolates.
Whether you’re one year old or 100 years old, blowing out the birthdaycake, candles is a must.
Matthew ÂDadaÊ Culzac ; Rose PlaceÊsFirst Modern Centenarian
Matthew ‘Dada’ Culzac, 100 years old and stillgoing strong.
Five generations of the Culzac family still shepherded by ‘Dada’ Culzac.
DISABLED PERSONS inJamaica in particular, andacross the region ingeneral, had another flagof hope raised in theirfavour, when SenatorFloyd Morris, a totallyblind man, was elevated tothe presidency of theSenate in Jamaica lastweek Friday, May 17.
Senator Morris, ofcourse, has beensomething of a symbol ofthe integration of disabledpersons into mainstreamsociety. In 1998 hebecame the first blind person in Jamaica to beappointed to the Upper House (Senate). Now,he becomes the first blind man to head theSenate.
Morris’ installation was witnessed by severaldisabled students from various schools acrossthe island.
Michelle Golding Hylton, Head of theIntegrated Department at the Salvation ArmySchool for the Blind, and who was chaperone forseveral integrated students, summed up theoccasion for the Jamaica Observer by saying, “Itwill be an opportunity to show persons who aredisabled that they, too, can be in a superiorposition,”
Blind second-year student at the Universityof the West Indies Alister McLean said, “I thinkwhat this will do is open the door for morepersons in the disabled community to getpromotion, and this will serve as positivepublicity for us to be employed, especially in theprivate sector, because currently most of us whoare employed are employed in the public sector.”
In accepting his new position, Morrisdeclared: “It is with a great sense of humilitythat I express true appreciation to my colleaguesfor the confidence they have reposed in me inelecting me as president of this Senate. Theexpectations are high, and I commit to you thatI will do my utmost.”
Senator Morris is no stranger to public life.He served as junior minister in the labour andsocial security ministry, under the P.J.Patterson led PNP administration, 2003 to 2007.
Here in SVG, the National Society of and forthe Blind is currently marking BlindnessAwareness Month.
RegionalV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. 5.
DENNY GRIJALVA, thepolitically connected OrangeWalk businessman in thevery hot centre of what hasbecome worldwidecondemnation of thedestruction of Noh Mul, hasissued a statement in hisown defence.
According to one newsreport from Belize,Grijalva, principal of theconstruction company thatwreaked havoc on the site,has neatly extricatedhimself from the issue,claiming that the foremanof his company was theone responsible fordirecting the removal ofmaterial from the Mayaarchaeological site.
Grijalva went as far asto promise an internalinvestigation into thewhole affair.
This, of course, comes on theheels of a Belizean governmentannouncement, claiming that ithas launched a “vigorous”investigation into thecircumstances surrounding thenear total destruction of the Mayaarchaeological site known as NohMul in northern Belize.
News of the destruction of thesite broke early last week.
Reports from the BelizeInstitute of Archaeology indicatedthat a construction company hadessentially destroyed one ofBelize’s largest Mayan pyramidswith backhoes and bulldozers, “toextract crushed rock for a road-building project.”
The head of the Belize Instituteof Archaeology, Jaime Awe, saidthe ceremonial centre dates backat least 2,300 years and is the
most important site in northernBelize, near the border withMexico.
“It’s a feeling of incredibledisbelief because of the ignoranceand the insensitivity ... they wereusing this for road fill,” Awe said.“It’s like being punched in thestomach, it’s just so horrendous.”
Noh Mul sat in the middle of aprivately owned sugar cane field,and lacked the even stone sidesfrequently seen in reconstructedor better-preserved pyramids. ButAwe said the builders could notpossibly have mistaken thepyramid mound, which is about100 feet tall, for a natural hillbecause the ruins were well-known and the landscape there isnaturally flat.
“These guys knew that this wasan ancient structure. It’s justbloody laziness,” Awe said.
Photos from the scene showed
backhoes clawing away at thepyramid’s sloping sides, leavingan isolated core of limestonecobbles at the center, with whatappears to be a narrow Mayanchamber dangling above oneclawed-out section.
Belizean police said they areconducting an investigation andcriminal charges are possible. TheNoh Mul complex sits on privateland, but Belizean law says thatany pre-Hispanic ruins are undergovernment protection.
Meanwhile, the mainopposition People’s United Party(PUP) has called on the UnitedDemocratic Party (UDP)government to, “ensure that theperpetrators are brought tojustice, and that the full extent ofthe law is applied”.
Denny Grijalva, a Guatemalanby birth, is politically linked tothe UDP. (Source: AP)
One of the backhoes clawing away at the pyramid’s sloping sides.
Inset: Denny Grijalva, owner of the construction company, tried to pullhimself out of the hot seat.
Jamaica getsblind Senatepresident
SPEAKER OF THE USAHOUSE of Representatives,Republican John Boehner,may be a strong opponent oflegalizing marijuana, but hehad no problem giving awayhis eldest daughter inmarriage to a dread-lockedman who was arrested in 2006for possessing marijuana.
The Republican HouseSpeaker reportedly looked onproudly after walking Lindsaydown the aisle.
Lindsay Marie Boehner, 35,married Dominic Lakhan, 38,a Jamaican, two weekendsago, in what was described asan intimate ceremony amid a
lush Florida garden.According to Gossip Extra,
the ceremony, restricted to aguest list of 60 persons, tookplace under heavy security.At least a dozen plainclothescops were seen patrolling thehotel grounds, and auniformed, shotgun-totingPalm Beach County Sheriff’sdeputy stood by his squad carin the parking lot while DelrayBeach cops were parked on thestreet.
Reports said that LindsayBoehner wore a flowing whitestrapless dress which allowedher to display a huge tattooetched across her arm.
Dominic is reported to haveworn a grey suit with hisdreadlocks flowing freely downhis back.
Interestingly, father-in-lawBoeher, as though to dispelany rumours of tension, alsowore a grey suit to match hisnew son-in-law.
When Dominic, whoseoccupation is given asconstruction worker, wasarrested in 2006 for marijuanapossession, he claimed to havehad the marijuana for his“personal use.”
There is no evidence oneway or the other aboutDominic’s current position
regarding marijuana. Butcritics of the House Speakernonetheless, are wonderinghow he is going to reconcilehis stubborn stance againstlegalizing marijuana and
entertaining a convicted userof the drug, albeit for amisdemeanor possession oftwo grams, as a member of hisfamily. (Source: GossipExtra)
Maya ceremonialsite destroyedin Belize
Senator FloydMorris is the firstblind person tohead the JamaicaSenate.
Dominic Lakhan, a Jamaican-born construction worker fromFlorida, married U.S. House Speaker John Boehner’sdaughter, Lindsay.
Jamaican dreadlock wedsSpeaker’s daughter
6. FRIDAY, MAY 24. THE VINCENTIAN
IndustryVStories by HAYDN HUGGINS
EARLA MATTHEWS of Campden Park isproud to be this country’s 2013Fisherwoman of the Year and she isurging other women to get involved infishing.
Earla’s advice came during aninterview with THE VINCENTIANshortly after she was announcedFisherwoman of the Year at theannual Fisherman’s Day event onMonday, at the Calliaqua PlayingField.
Earla, who went to sea on Mondaywith her two daughters, ShennelMatthews, 22, and Tamara Matthews,13, a student of the Lowmans LeewardAnglican School, landed a catch of 24lbs to win the female competition.
Earla’s advice to the women is to,“go out and fish, because fish is thebest. Once you start to fish, you willlove it.”
Tamara declared, “I like fishing. Ifeel proud of it, and I want us to keepit up”.
Shennel expressed similarsentiments.
The ladies admitted that Monday’sfishing expedition was a little rough,buttheydidnot
encounter any major difficulties.Earla, 55, recounted that she has
been fishing since she was about 13years old. The inspiration came fromher brother Gilbert Matthews who
died about three years ago at the ageof 59.
For copping the title, Earla received$500, a trophy, two gift vouchers andone pack of mustard hooks.
Rosalie Griffith, who landed thesecond heaviest catch of 19 lbs,received $200, a cellphone and giftvoucher, while Lenor Davis received$100 and a cellphone for landing thethird heaviest catch of 18 lbs. There
were five entries in that competition.Addressing the closing ceremony,
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalvessaid, “I want to congratulate all whowent out including the women; notonly the women who went out, but thewomen who had to stay at home andworry if their man coming back.Thank God we are all back heretoday.”
ACTING Chief Fisheries OfficerJennifer Cruickshank-Howard issatisfied with this year’s Fisherman’sMonth of Activities which culminatedon Monday at the Calliaqua PlayingField.
“This was another successful year,”Cruickshank-Howardtold THEVINCENTIAN duringa brief interview onWednesday. Shenoted that for thefirst time threefishing co-operativesparticipated and eachheld a week ofactivities inCalliaqua, Barrouallieand Kingstownrespectively. These co-operatives are: theGoodwill Fisherman’sCooperative of RosePlace, Kingstown; theCalliaqua FisherfolkOrganization; andthe BarrouallieFisheriesDevelopmentCooperative.
The acting ChiefFisheries Officerthinks this newinitiative, which is expected tocontinue, was a success.
“They (cooperatives) were allhappy to be part of this newinitiative, and expressed their
willingness to have it continue,”Cruickshank-Howard said.
Monday’s event was the 38thFisherman’s Day held in St. Vincentand the Grenadines.
“The day was a good one. Wedidn’t have any incidents,”
Cruickshank-Howardsaid, and expressedgratitude to all thesponsors and peoplewho supported theevent.
The total catch forthe Fisherman’s DayCompetition onMonday was 6,989.5lbs compared to 5,819last year. One hundredand ninety-six fishersparticipated comparedto 183 last year. Sixty-nine boats enteredcompared to 56 lastyear. Thirty-nine boatsreturned with catchesthis year compared to41 last year. Theaverage weight perboat for the day was179.2 lbs compared to142 lbs last year.
This year’s monthof activities was held
under the theme, ‘Increasing FishingProductivity through InnovativeTechnology’ and the slogan, ‘NewTechnology fish effectively’.
PRIME MINISTER Dr. Ralph Gonsalves haswarned vendors not to be unreasonable with thefishermen.
The Prime Minister issued the warning onMonday while addressing the annual Fisherman’sDay event at the Calliaqua Playing Field.
Dr. Gonsalves said fishermen complain that theydo not make the money, commensurate to the risksthey run at sea.
“The fishermen complain to me that it is thevendors that make the money. If the vendors arenot reasonable with the fishermen, they will kill thegoose that lay the golden egg,” Gonsalves warned.He underscored that fishing was a business.
Among the other persons addressing theceremony were Minister of Agriculture, Forestryand Fisheries Saboto Caesar; Acting PermanentSecretary in the Ministry Raymond Ryan, andActing Chief Fisheries Officer JenniferCruickshank-Howard.
Prime Minister Dr.Ralph Gonsalvesaddressing the closingceremony of the 2013Fisherman’s Day Monthof Activities.
Fish vendors mustbe reasonable
Jennifer Cruickshank-Howard, Acting ChiefFisheries Officer, declaredthe month of activities asuccess.
FishermanÊs Monthdeemed a success
Earla Matthews is proud to be afisherwoman and elated with heraward.
Proud Fisherwoman of the Year
KESTON MIERES, David Sammy, Ronald Burnley, JamesGordon, Nigel Octave, Adrian Clement, and Mark Corbiewill be sentenced when they return to the High Court inKingstown, June 28. Justice Wesley James will makethe imposition.
The seven Trinidadians were found guilty ofpossession of drugs with intent to supply, attemptedexportation of a controlled drug, and drugtrafficking.
They were charged with having one thousand sixhundred and fifty one pounds of marijuanarecovered in an operation involving the CoastGuard, November 11, 2010.
A nine member jury returned guilty verdicts, May16, 2013.
Justice James’ summation lasted over threehours. It was around 1: 45 when the jury left fortheir deliberations. They returned at 4:13.
The men were acquitted ofpossessing an AK firearmmagazine containing 28rounds of 7.62 ammunition.
Sentences according to thelaw
Director of PublicProsecutions Colin Williamsapplied to confiscate thepirogue seized during theenterprise, as well as assetsunder the Proceeds of CrimeAnd Money LaunderingPrevention Act.
The men face life time fordrug trafficking, one and ahalf million dollars fine for
attempted export of acontrolled drug, and half amillion dollar fine plus 25years on the other counts.
It was the first time inten years that anyone hadbeen prosecuted on indictment for a drug traffickingoffence, according to Williams. He attributed thedrug haul to improvements and strengthening ofborder patrols and surveillance.
The DPP praised Daniel Suter, Criminal JusticeAdvisor to the Eastern Caribbean at the BritishHigh Commission, for helping to prepare legal
aspects for the trial. Williams expressed pleasure with the outcome of
the matter, but noted that “the war on illegal drugswas an ongoing one.”
Trinidadian lawyer Mario Merritt representedthe accused.
Their trial marked the first for the Assizes. Itbegan May 8.
CourtV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. 7.
by HAYDN HUGGINS
UP TO PRESS TIME WEDNESDAY, THEVINCENTIAN had not received a report from thePolice Public Relations and Complaints Departmentregarding last week Tuesday’s shooting death ofremand prisoner, Anthony‘Scarface’ Hamilton.
Reports are that Hamilton,who was remanded on chargesof robbery and assault causingbodily harm, was shot andkilled by police close to 11 am.He was reportedly shot afterbeing escorted in handcuffsfrom the Serious OffencesCourt’s holding area to awashroom of the KingstownMagistrate’s Court, located afew yards away in the samebuilding, at Paul’s Avenue.
An autopsy conducted thefollowing day revealed Hamiltondied from gunshot wounds to thechest.
Head of the Police PublicRelations and ComplaintsDepartment, ASP JonathonNichols, was not in office whenTHE VINCENTIAN contacted the Department onWednesday afternoon, but Inspector HawkinsNanton, attached to that Department, said, “Withregard to the ‘Scarface shooting, I will touch backbase with you,” and indicated that it woulddefinitely have to be another day.
When contacted, also on Wednesday, Head of theCriminal Investigation Department (CID), ASPSydney James, told THE VINCENTIAN that thecircumstances surrounding Hamilton’s death werestill being investigated. He declined to commentfurther.
In the meantime, speculation and public debateregarding Hamilton’s death continue.
Anthony‘Scarface’Hamilton died asa result ofgunshot inflictedwounds to thechest.
Police ‘mum’ on ‘Scarface’ issue
The seven men face possible lifesentences for drug trafficking.Drug traffickers
await sentencing
Colin Williams, DPP,successfully led theState’s case.
LUZETTE KING’S closing question inher “Global Highlights” programme lastweek was, “Where Do We Go FromHere?”, the very same question posed tothe people by Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves inUnity Vol. 1 December 1, 1982.
But first I add a few names to This Weekof last week which went down well. ImagineI got the name and qualification of MajorLeacock’s mother but forgot to mentionthem. There were others: when I was atoddler, our domestic helper was Ermine“Carib” Baptiste of Sandy Bay; DoreenFitzpatrick of Bridgetown had always beenconsidered a member of our royal family;and Evelyn Quammie, living just across thecemetery from us, was friendly with mythree sisters Inez, Ermine and Elsie, all ofwhom broke the 90 years old barrier!
We pick up on Ralph’s comments: “It is hardly possible to have a worse
administered country in the CommonwealthCaribbean than ours with the exception ofGuyana. The economy is falling to pieces asproduction declines or stagnates in all themajor sectors of the economy. No set offancy words spoken or rosy picture paintedby Government apologists can change thereal facts of life.
Economic Crisis
Arrowroot, bananas, sugar, tourism,fisheries, and the fledgling manufacturingsector are in bad shape.
The national debt is soaring touncontrollable heights; personal incometaxes have reached punitive levels;consumption taxes and an array of otherindirect taxes are pushing -up rapidly thecost-of-living whilst dampening the level ofpersonal savings; national consumption issome 25 percent in excess of the GrossDomestic Product as the country lives waybeyond its means; the deficit on the balanceof trade is in the region of $100 Million; andmore than 30 percent of the labour force isunemployed. On top of all that, the (Labour)Government has dealt the commercial sectorand the country as whole a lethal blow bythe imposition of the three percent tradersturnover tax.(VAT?)
Administrative collapse
Administratively the country iscollapsing. At the helm is a political leader(Milton Cato) who has now surely outlivedhis usefulness. There are no new directions;indeed there were no directions; just more ofthe same unplanned and ad hoc tinkeringhere and there.
Within the public service, morale is at anall-time low as potentially creativepersonnel sit around within anadministrative vacuum. Waste and adisregard for financial accountability andadministrative procedures abound asattested to by successive reports of theDirector of Audit.
The State enterprises, by and large, arelosing large sums of money annually. Noaccounts are presented for them toparliament and thus they escape thedemocratic scrutiny of the Public AccountsCommittee.
The deformed State Capitalism of theCato regime is at once parasitic,undemocratic, and a hindrance to nationaldevelopment. Rather than being an enginefor progress, Cato’s State Capitalism has
acted as a suck-me-well octopus and hasblocked the growth of a truly nationalbusiness sector by giving preferentialtreatment to regional and foreigncapitalists.
Democracy on Trial
On the democratic front, things aregenuinely bad and the trends are ominous.The (Labour) government’s generaldisregard for the people’s opinion and rightsare well-known and much-commented on.This includes legislative attempts to curbtrade union and political rights and toundermine free and fair elections. Furtherthe military build-up is becoming alarming.
Yet though, the people in this country arenot in open revolt - and that may well besurprising to a foreign observer, but beneaththe surface there is simmering discontentwhich an appropriate spark can so ignite. Atthe same time there is an immense distrustof politicians and a cynicism towardspolitics.
The real, genuine and understandableanger is there but too many of our peoplehave allowed their political masters to makethem wallow in despair by the thought thatthere is no alternative.
The Way forward
It is vital that the hopefulness of ourpeople and their yearnings for change beencouraged and their cynicism orhopelessness be struggled against. But thattakes an appropriate political organisationwhich is flexible and creative and a politicalleadership which is sensitive, honest, andprogressive.
Dogma, sectarianism, intolerance, or the“rum and corn beef politics” of the old erawill not do. Neither will a one-man set upwith no clearly identifiable principles orstructures meet the tasks at hand. Giventhe crisis situation described above, what isthe way out? And how is this way out to beachieved amidst division among theopposition forces?”
Comments
The foregoing is vintage Gonsalves,condemning Cato and the Labour regime inlanguage similar to that levelled against theN.D.P Administration of yester-year.
Suddenly, Robert Milton Cato is to becanonized in a way similar to VincentBeache’s quantum leap from “coconut bat” to“Superstardom”.
Properly doctored by an expert in plasticsurgery, Cato’s “deformed State Capitalism”is now hailed as a humanistic “SocialDemocracy”, espoused by the U.L.P.
With his back to the wall in 1982, Dr.Gonsalves prescribed a coming together ofthe N.D.P and the M.N.U (with others) totopple a despised Labour Government, andsave the country from destruction.
Instead he linked up with Labour andsecured the complete devastation andruination of the State. It is imperative thatU.L.P be removed, the sooner, the better.“We have a country to build”, for we arereally back to square one.
THIS COLUMN was leaning towards highlighting (again) the issue of the Vincentian Diaspora, especially in light of the Prime Minister’sadmonishment of those “in voluntary exile;” those who have never “run a fowlcoop,” have “no interest in setting back foot in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,but just want to create mischief.”
But ‘better’ judgement prevailed and we, instead, refer readers to anarticle on page 12 of this issue.
In so doing, this column has acquiesced to a cluster of sentimentsexpressed regarding what we might expect as far as censorship of thisyear’s calypso offerings is concerned.
It appears that ardent calypso enthusiasts here, on listening to thoseradio stations which have released some of the calypsos for 2013, arefearful that, given what has prevailed in the recent past, some calypsonianscannot expect air play on some radio stations, and they can expect thatpressure will be brought on others not to follow suit.
This is indicative of what can be termed the ‘new culture’ that watchdogsthe real culture.
These sentiments cannot be simply brushed aside, since there is nodoubt that in the past, the ‘words’ in some calypsos have aroused the ire ofauthorities here, and there have been public pronouncements made aboutthose calypsonians, resulting in unwarranted division among a fraternitythat we cherish (conveniently it seems) as being the mirror of bothaccomplishments and disappointments of society.
It is clear that those calypsos that have received the rebuke andcensorship of those whose ire they have aroused, have been, in the main,songs of a political nature, not to disregard those social commentaries thathave provoked leaders and authorities in other spheres of life here.
The danger, apparently being purported by many of those who haveexpressed concern, is that soon the ruling political regime will move, ifthey have not already, towards setting down guidelines for state-supported(CDC) competitions.
When and if that happens, expect that the regime would withdrawfinancial support for competitions at which calypsos they deem as‘unbecoming’ are sung.
There are many who claim that already there are subtle means that mayhave already been employed, to influence the non-selection of certain songsand singers for advancement through those competitions. What, therefore,is there to stop the next step of withdrawing support?
Now, no responsible, no right thinking person or commentator,regardless of how much he loves calypso and would want to protect itscherished role in society, would support lyrics, a song, that inferimputation of impropriety and deceit in a person of high public standing.
Calypsoninas are not above the law, and therefore, must be respectful ofthe tenets, especially as they relate to libel and slander.
But history has shown that calypsonians have always been on thecutting edge of expressing in words and music what they perceive ascontroversial behavior by certain publicly profiled persons.
What is lacking today, is the craft and skill which characterized thosecalypsos of old.
Dr. Hollis Liverpool, irrefutably one of the leading voices on the art form,and himself a controversial calypsonian of the highest order, is on record assaying that while he will “never support prime ministerial or ministerialcensorship of political calypsos,” he cautions calypsonians not to use theircompositions to “libel, slander and defame persons.”
This is the challenge. Can calypso and calypso writers hone their skillsso that what is produced and offered as a calypso is a work of art and notmalice?
It is one thing to mirror society, it is another thing when calypsonianssimply pander to the crowd.
This is not a slight of any calypsonian or groups of calysonians butrather a thought on which to ponder: To ‘beat back’ any thoughts theythink the administration may have of censoring calypsos, they(calypsonians) should consider returning to the rudiments of calypsocompositions and delivery.
Calypsonians, regardless of their political preferences, must not allowthemselves to be used as political means to a political end. They will defeattheir treasured role, compromise the sacrifice of their fore-runners, if theysuccumb to a political agenda and worse, to what they perceived to be thesentiments of the crowd.
Admittedly, the very thought that theere might be some bent on‘controlling’ calypso, is a scary consideration.
So, while this is a call for calypsonians and calypso writers to be morecrafty in their compositions, it is also something of a warning to those whomight be harboring thoughts of censorship.
It is instructive that the latter reflects on what Brother Resistance, aformer president of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified CalypsoniansOrganisation, said: “There have always been attempts to censor the artform, but our history has shown it has never been successful. Governmentcannot silence the calypso singers, because they are the voice of the people.”
Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd.,
P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Calypso instead of the Diaspora
Same old Khaki pants
Part 2
WHEN ARE we going to seehonest judgment?
1. What about those lawyerswho collect people’s money torepresent them, and never turnup in court, only to know theywere at other cases. Months goby, and your case was neverheard. What becomes of themoney paid as a down paymentfor services?
2. When are we going to seea reduction in fish prices sothat we can say, ‘Bye, bye’ tochicken, and reduce our
hospital visits?3. Why promote Fisherman’s
Day, only to display the fishand not to reduce the fish priceon that day? Instead, we putthe fish on ice and push us tosend our money overseas to buychicken. It is time for us tostart shopping in SVG. Therewill come a time when we willhave no money to shop in SVGbecause all the money will bealready overseas?
4. When are we going to stopfooling ourselves aboutfactories? Ask ourselves thesequestions: Who buys our
products? Who pays VINLEC?Who loves what we produce?
5. When are we going to givethe tired policemen a breakfrom stopping us duringworking hours to check ourlicence? These are moderntimes. What happened to acomputer check at the licensingdepartment so as to give thepolice a day off?
6. When are we going to seea hotline number printed ongovernment vehicles to call toreport those drivers who aretaking their grievance out onthe vehicles?
Who will make the fixwhen the fix is adishonest judgment?
SPYIT REALLY HURTS me having topay these high electricity bills.Every month I try to budget forwhat I think I have used, but moreoften than not, VINLEC presentsme with a higher amount to be paidthan what I have budgeted.
When it’s not high fuel surchargerates, it’s a reading for well overthirty days so that I cannot escapethe VAT. Why should I, a humblecivil servant, have to struggle topay my electricity bill, when for thebetter part of the week, my home isnot in use?
It is high time government comes
straight and clean on this fuelsurcharge bit. I must be a simple-minded person, but I was certainthat somewhere along the line wewere supposed to benefit from lowerfuel prices. It seems we are not, forVINLEC doesn’t seem to beenjoying any concessions in thatregard.
It seems the benefit for all thisPetrocaribe business is down theline and for the airport, since Iunderstand that ViINLEC has beenpaying for most, if not all the fuelthat is being used on the airport.And remember, we were not
supposed to be saddled with anyundue burden for theconstruction of the airport.
Yes VINCLEC, time to havesome pity. Look at your profitmargins again. Don’t try tomake profits by bleeding thepopulation. Maybe you should belooking at cutting cost, beginningwith your wage bill. Are yourworkers (management,administrations, accounts, etc,not the linesmen and so forth)not some of the highest paidpersons in this land, not countingin all the perks like vehicles, etc?
I wonder how many VINLECcustomers are up to date withtheir accounts… commercial anddomestic?
Civil Servant
When I walked thatroad,The memories keepflowing back,A tear slips from my eye,The cold wind chills me,But my soul weeps,I remember it,The laughs and the hugs,The good and the bad,But now,I am like a stranger to you,My heart beats with every step,Pounding on memories past,Trying to forget everything in the past,But the wind seems to remind me,You left my world,When u left,It was worse than Haiti’s earthquake,Rocking me to the core,When I saw you,I hid in the shadows,Knowing that,My heart couldn’t take it,True my days maybe cold without you,But I know things will be alright,The years will pass and I will still be a stranger toyou,But God will see me through!
Yanic SayersSt. Vincent and the Grenadines, 2013.
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. 9.
LettersVAFTER SLAVERY was abolished inthe 1800s, an Afro-centricreligious faith emerged in SVG.The dominant religions in thestate were the Roman Catholic,the Anglican (which broke awayfrom the Roman Catholic), andthe Methodist. By 1912, theBritish government outlawed thefaith under the October 1912‘Shakerism Prohibition Ordinance.
The late George McIntoshtried hard to have the Britishgovernment repeal theShakerism Ordinance in the1930s and 50s, but it was thelate Ebenezer Joshua, the firstblack Chief Minister, whostopped the police frompersecuting the ShakerConverts. By 1951, theShakerism Ordinance wasrepealed.
In 1951, the Council ofConverts met at the CalderChurch to select a registeredname, and the late LeonSamuel suggested the name,Christian Pilgrim Faith, withwhich all council members
agreed.That name was presented to
the Governor in Council whoapproved and declared theChristian Pilgrim Faith areligious denomination withinthe meaning of Section 2 of theMarriage Ordinance, Cap. 151of the revised laws of St.Vincent.
After the 1912 outlawing,some members went toTrinidad, and by 1917, they toowere outlawed there under theShouter Prohibition Ordinance.They regained this freedomunder the leadership of the lateDr. Eric Williams in March1950, and registered asSpiritual Baptist in Trinidad.
In 1978, the late JaphethStapleton of Rose Hall, onreturning from Trinidad,established the first SpiritualBaptist group under Act No 16of 1978 — Spiritual Baptist
Organization.The late Duff Walker James
caused a split in the ChristianPilgrim Faith and formed theSpiritual Baptist Archdiocese in1983, under Act No. 10 of 1983.
Sometime in 2000/01, anattempt was made to unitethese factions.
The faction continued and in2002, both divisions celebratedfifty (50) years of freedom toworship with separate events:one faction going to the ArnosVale Sporting Complex, and theother to Belmont. Interestingly,both activities were visited byPrime Minister Dr. RalphGonsalves.
The division, sadly, is widertoday. The Christian Pilgrimhave since been incorporated byan Act of Parliament.
The faith’s first Patriarchand Archbishop, the lateCosmore Pompey, said that,
whether they change toSpiritual Baptist or not, theyare still Christian Pilgrim — notmany Spiritual Baptists knowthat.
The Christian Pilgrim Faithwill celebrate sixty-two (62)years since they (converted)regained their freedom toworship. This will be in ananniversary service to becarried live on radio, 26th May,2013, 2:00 p.m.
The Spiritual BaptistArchdiocese is going tocelebrate thirty (30) years oftheir existence on the sametime and date.
Why can’t the learned P.R.Campbell, who is a leader of theArchdiocese, educate and helpto unite the one true Afro-centric religious Faith thatexists in SVG?
A Spiritual Watchman
Healing rifts in a religion
I lived my life as a gangsterEverything happened and I amthe leaderAnd in this process I wasinjuredI never thought of my life as aprisonerI gave my all for others.
I exchanged my life behindbarsI gambled it at no costSorry for the things I did in thepastThat cut through me likebroken glassMy life is shattered to piecesI lose my job, my characterNow I am promising to dobetter.
I lived my life to regretThe things I have put myself tothe testNow I want to do my very bestnowYou know what life means tomePlease set me free.
P.C. Felicia ThompsonSt. Vincent and theGrenadines, 2013
Dishonest judgmentMy life
Mr. Editor, I read somewhere,sometime ago that children whohave been abused physically,sexually, emotionally, or who havebeen neglected, tend to be moreaggressive than their peers.
I also remember someone sayingthat these are the persons who aremore likely to grow up with violentbehaviours.
This came back to me as Ireflected on the number of fatalshootings that we have experiencedrecently. I wonder how many ofthose who were shot or who did theshooting have been abused.
Now, this is not an excuse but asimple reflection that maybe weare just not dealing correctly with
early signs of aggression amongour children. Too often we simpleput done their behavior as simplybeing rude, thereby brushing offany reason for dealing with theproblem. This is sadly so when Ihear teachers saying, “I can’t gowith ‘so and so’. He too rude.”End of matter! And another onebites the dust.
With all the book learning aboutthe place, isn’t it interesting thatwe have more shootings, moreaggressive behavior among ouryouth than ever before?
A little bit of TLC never hurts.It is time we get back to basics.
GB.
Stranger
We ignore aggressive behaviour
Those electricity bills
* Has theMinister of Roadsdriven throughKingstown recently?Has he been able toavoid all the potholes?
* How manypeople think thatthe PM was onlytrying out somepicong when he tooka turn on demVincies in America?How many peoplethink that hepractising for a newprofession as acalypsonian?
* Is the Head ofthe TrafficDepartment alsothe Head of the FireDepartment? Isthis a temporarymeasure, or is it anew cost cuttingexercise?
* Who are theseillegal fishermenwhom the FisheriesOfficer referred to?Are they Caribbeanpeople or peoplefrom afar?
NDP is a danger to SVG
The opposition NDP is a clear andpresent danger to St. Vincent and theGrenadines. They are in completedisarray; the NDP is poorly led; itsfront-line consists of journeymen, lazypeople, unpatriotic souls, a stoner ofChurch and God, a bouncer of cheques,aloof and unconnected persons, men ofarrogance and no substance, and theclueless. This motley crew offers novision, no philosophy, no policies, noprogrammes to uplift St. Vincent and theGrenadines. On the contrary, theyroutinely seek to block progress; they aremired in trivia; they wallow in the despondof dishonesty and defamatory utterances;and they oppose every progressive moveas they place themselves on the wrongside of history.
The NDP left the ULP a terriblemess in our nation’s condition. TheULP government has been cleaning upthe mess but there was so much that weare still cleaning. The ULP governmenthas performed well in foundation-layingand nation-building as no governmentbefore has done. The ULP governmenthas many worthy projects andinitiatives which have started and mustbe pursued or completed. But the NDPwants to stop them or roll them back.Truly, the current NDP is backward,leaderless, petty, divisive, bankrupt ofideas or vision, without talent in itsfront line, and incapable of moving St.Vincent and the Grenadines forward.Further, their chief propagandist and“de facto” leader has been found morethan once, by the Court of Law to be adishonest person.
Moreover, the opposition NDP, if bysome electoral miracle it were to get achance again at governing, it will STOPor ROLL BACK a number of worthyprojects, initiatives and decisions of theULP government. Clearly, the NDP is apresent danger to the welfare of thepeople of St. Vincent and theGrenadines.
What the NDP will stop and roll back
The following projects, programmes,initiatives, decisions are among the verymany which the opposition NDP wouldstop or roll back, if it ever got a chanceso to do:
* The Education Revolution.* The Targeted Strategic
Interventions to Create Jobs andReduce Poverty.
* The Economic Policies which havebrought SVG commendable, sustainedeconomic growth, without alternatingpeaks and troughs.
* The Agricultural DiversificationProgramme.
* The International Airport atArgyle.
* The Jet Airport at Canouan.* The Cross-Country Road.* The PETRO CARIBE Agreement .* Vision Now!* The Rabacca Bridge Crossings.* The National Stadium at Diamond.* The Modern Library and Lecture
Theatre.* The Low-Income Housing Project.* The Georgetown Administration
and Commercial Complex.* The Building of Learning Resource
Centres in every Constituency.* The Rabacca/Orange Hill Tourism
Development.* The Revival of the Arrowroot
Industry.* The Hall of Justice at the De
Freitas Site at Richmond Hill.* The General Medical Diagnostic
Centre at Georgetown.* The Playing Fields at Park Hill, Mt.
Grennan, Vermont Valley, andCumberland.
* The Max ComputerisationProgramme.
* The Financial Services Complex atReigate.
* The Mount Wynne/Peter’s Hope –St. Hillaire Resort Hotel DevelopmentProject.
* The Rehabilitation/Rebuilding ofPolice Stations.
* The Turning of “Dead Property intoLive Property”.
* The Heritage Square DevelopmentProject.
* The Upgrading of the System ofDisaster Preparedness andManagement.
* The YES Programme.* SVG’s Membership of the Non-
Aligned Movement.* SVG’s firm, democratic and
nationalist stand on Haiti.* SVG’s close relationship with Cuba,
Venezuela, and Mexico.* The National Adult Literacy
Crusade.* The Modernisation and Reform of
the Police Force.* The National Economic and Social
Development Council (NESDEC).* The War Against Official
Corruption.* The Ottley Hall Enquiry.* The Financing and Support for
LIAT.
Mitchell’s return
The weakness in the current NDPfront line and the mortal dread of theOttley Hall Enquiry, have prompted theformer NDP leader to seek a return tothe political limelight in a vain andforlorn attempt to help the NDP.Mitchell has returned to the fringes ofthe political table with all the politicalbaggage he carried into his retirement.His political coat-tails are tattered evenin Bequia. He is viewed, nationally,more and more like an ancient circusperformer, saddled with amnesia, whoreceives applause, more in pity than forreal, from the declining bunch ofsychophants of yesteryear who adoredhim. It is all so pathetic. Hissupportive, ancient cast on the politicalstage consists of such abysmalministerial failures such as AllanCruickshank, John Horne and MontyRoberts.
Meanwhile, more substantive playersfrom the NDP’s past such as ParnelCampbell, Alpian Allen, Jerry Scott,Burns Bonadie and Carlyle Douganstand askance from this charade. Theyare abused daily on the NDP radioprogramme as sell-outs. It has becomeso bad that Jerry had to leave hisrecuperative bed to plead, correctly, hisdignity. All of them are disgusted atthe poor quality of Eustace’s leadership.
So, too, are the newer second levelcrowd in the NDP. Each is dismayed atEustace’s inability as a leader. IsraelBruce, “Scumbo” John, and Dennie haveno time for Eustace, and so too TerrenceOllivierre and Patel Matthews.
No serious person in SVG thinks thatNDP has anything to offer. Those whotrumpet the NDP’s cause fall into one ofthe following categories: Diehard coresupporters; those who are backward;those whose personal agendas do notmesh with the ULP’s principled praxis;and those whose vanities the ULPgovernment refuses to stroke. Together,this assorted group does not amount toone-third of the voting population. TheNDP is finished and the people willnever turn away from the ULP.
This vindictive, wicked and callousULP administration continues to useits long arms to victimise the poor andworking class in this country. As longas you are perceived to be a supporterof the NDP, or you are critical of the ULPadministration, you are condemned. Andif you are a civil/public servant, you areeither suspended or transferred to areasfor which you have no training. Then, asif the punishment is not harsh enough,you pay the ultimate price: you arefired.
The latest individual to feel thewrath of this ULP regime is Mr. OttoSam. What did Mr. Sam do towarrant his dismissal? Mr. Sam loveswriting and he has been writing for anumber of years in the localnewspapers. His hard hittingwritings expose individuals and theills that are affecting the nation. Mr.Sam wrote numerous articles againstthe NDP and some of its officialswhen the NDP was in office. Was hevictimised? NO! As a matter of fact,when lands were distributed by theformer NDP administration at SansSouci, Otto was one of the personswho received lands, although he was aharsh critic of the NDP and a vibrantsupporter of the ULP. Do you thinkthat could have happened under theULP government? Instead, Mr. OttoSam was sent home by this ULPadministration which he oncesupported. How does this ULPadministration want this teacher whohas given thirty-three (33) years ofservice to this country to survive?Does Otto have a mortgage? Does hehave a family to support?
Furthermore, Mr. Sam played amajor role in getting this ULPgovernment into power. Hecampaigned vigorously throughout thelength and breadth of South CentralWindward to get Mr. Selmon Walterselected. He was also instrumental asa leading member of the St. Vincentand the Grenadines Teachers Unionto initiate industrial action in 2000against the NDP government, whichled to the Road Block Revolution. Nowin the year 2013, what is the paymentfor Mr. Sam? You are fired! Go home!Suffer and dead!
Mr. Otto Sam was not the onlyperson in South Central Windwardwho received marching orders duringthe past week. The Assistant ProduceCo-ordinator at Vincy Fresh inLauders was also sent packing. Thisoutspoken individual received herletter when she reported for work onMonday 13th May, 2013. This isanother clear case of victimisation bythis ULP regime. The question mostpeople have been asking is: Did theAgriculture Minister have a hand inthe dismissal of the worker at VincyFresh? Moreover, Mr. Sobato Caesar,you are the ParliamentaryRepresentative for the South CentralWindward constituency from whichtwo of your constituents have beenrecently victimised by youradministration. The constituency andthe nation need to hear from youabout those dismissals.
The victimisation of Mr. Sam andthe worker at Vincy Fresh just addsto the long list of persons who havefelt the wrath of the ULP regime. Wecan recall that in 2001, just after this
ULP government got into power, oversix hundred (600) persons werereleased from their jobs. Thoseworkers included watchmen, cleanersof schools and other governmentinstitutions. In addition, Mr. OrdanGraham, a former member of theULP, was arrested and charged underan archaic law. Mr. Junior Bacchuslost his job. Mr. Leon ‘Bigger Biggs’Samuel was forced to close hisbusiness, and over sixty (60)employees were sent on the bread-line. The entire management team ofVINLEC was dismissed and somesenior government officials weretransferred to other ministries. Forinstance, an employee in the Ministryof Agriculture was sent to HerMajesty’s Prison and, more recently, asenior worker at the governmentprintery was transferred to theKingstown Public Library. Most of thetime, these individuals are behindtheir ‘new’ desks doing nothing at all.
We must not the forget the three(3) teachers, Elvis Daniel, KenroyJohnson and Addison ‘Bash’ Thomas,who contested the 2010 GeneralElections for the NDP and were notreinstated, although there was aCollective Agreement between thegovernment and the St. Vincent andthe Grenadines Teachers Union;where Article 16 states that teacherswho contest General Elections andlose should be reinstated. Today,these teachers are still waiting. AlsoCurtis Bowman, who is the mostqualified pharmacist in this country,and Margaret London, a highlytrained nurse, cannot gainemployment under this ULPgovernment.
Moreover, NICE radio, the radiostation which brings the most sports,cannot get sponsorship from theNational Lotteries, simply because itcarries the opposition, NDPprogramme. We must also bear inmind the poor who suffered damagefrom Hurricane Tomas and whosehouses have not been repaired by theULP regime because they areperceived to be NDP supporters,although materials were purchasedfor that purpose. Instead, thegovernment gave the materials tomost of their supporters.
Meanwhile, promotion is based onparty affiliation. For a teacher, police,nurse or any member of the civilservice to be promoted, that personhas to be a card carrying member or asupporter of the ruling ULP; eventhough these persons are qualified fortheir promotion. It appears that thisvictimisation would not end under theULP administration. It has neverbeen like this in St. Vincent and theGrenadines.
Vincentians are saying “Enough!No More!” We have had enough, andit’s time for you, Comrade, to callGeneral Elections so that the peoplecan elect the NDP to office, to governthe affairs of the country and put anend to the oppression anddiscrimination of our poor andworking class brothers and sisters.
10. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
ViewsVVictimisation continuesA clear and present danger to the nation
Re-printed from 2006
‘Clement Osbourne Payne (1904-1941) was a Trinidad-born pioneer inthe Caribbean trade union movement.By an act of Parliament in 1998,Payne was named as one of the tenNational Heroes of Barbados. InBridgetown, capital of Barbados, in1937, Payne led black Barbadians toresist the white planter class and hewas expelled from Barbados in July.After Payne was deported, four days ofrioting ensued, during whichstores were burned and looted and carspushed into the sea. The policeopened fire, killing 14 demonstrators…..’
Sheriff Lewis was born on December25, 1905 at Maloney Villagein Buccament Valley. He earned only aprimary school education and followingthe death of his mother, migrated toKingstown to live with his father’ssister.
Sheriff’s first job was as a bakerwhose Portuguese owner, Mr Nieves,demanded that he perform non- job-related tasks (emptying ‘shit bucket’).He left that job and then worked as astable-boy grooming horses inKingstown. He saw “no future” anddecided to emigrate.
Sheriff travels took him to Cuba,1926, where he spent 6 months cuttingcane. He left and worked for sevenyears in Santo Domingo, working as‘yard boy’ and getting opportunities totravel to Puerto Rico and St Thomaswith his employer.
From travels and life experience, hecame to the realization that lifeconditions of poor black people were thesame whereever he went. By 1935,Sheriff had returned to St Vincent andin an interview said:
“Early in the year 1935, AlbertMarryshow of Grenada visited StVincent and gave a lecture at theKingstown Public library about thewar between Italy and Ethiopia……Atthe end of the address, Marryshowsaid, ‘We usually go out and fight forthe Englishmen, I want to know ifanyone will go and fight forour Ethiopian brothers’?”
Sheriff was the first to take up thechallenge. Standing up, he volunteeredto go, saying: “From now on, I am nomore ‘Sheriff’, call me Haile Selassie.”His quick response to Marryshow’s calldemonstrated a kind of consciousnessthat was to serve him well during theOctober, 1935 Uprising.
On the orning of October 21, 1935,‘Sheriff’ and a group of friends were attheir usual hang out in an old buildingon Back Street, called the ‘Ranch’,situated next to what is now the HindsBuilding. Dominoes and cards were thegames played but there was also livelydiscussion on political issues. Not manyof the ‘ranchers’ could read or writebut whatever reading material becameavailable, those who could readwould do so loudly for the benefit of theothers.
‘Sheriff’ credits those discussionswith playing a big part in developinghis political consciousness, and that ofhis fellows. Based on his experiencesand outlook, he became a recognisedleader of the ‘Ranch’. His undoubtedphysical strength also contributed, sincea leader of such a bunch in those timeshad to be “rough and strong”.
On Morning of Oct. 21, theLegislative Council met at the nearbyCourt House to pass the Customs DutyOrdinance. This was going toincrease taxes, and hence prices on awhole range of items including basicconsumer items such as kerosene oiland matches.
Sheriff and the ‘Ranchers’ were atthe customary haunt when theyheard of the new taxes and priceincreases. True to his leadership role,he explained that he suggested to themen that they should go and ask the
Governor how he could raise theprices of goods when “poor peoplecan’t get work to do.” But they were notallowed into the Court Yard, sothey decided to go back to the ‘Ranch’
and discuss the next steps.Having no other redress, the men
decided that something had to bedone about the situation. Sheriff, asleader, began to give instructions as towhat he considered should be the courseof action. First, some men weredispatched to go up the Bay Street tothe Arrowroot Pool to tell the womenworking there to stop working. Thisinstruction was obeyed, the womencomplying. ‘Sheriff’ also said that theworkers at the Cotton Ginnery onMurray’s Road, walked off the job ontheir own when they heard what washappening.
Next, Martin Durham and GordonJoseph were instructed to, “takesome men and go to Sion Hill to stop alltraffic coming into Kingstown.”
Thirdly, it was the turn of theschools, a message being sent toteachers to tell children not to returnfor afternoon school.
The Prisons was the next target,instructions being sent to the officer incharge, (the father of E.T.Joshua), to setthe prisoners free, because, according toSheriff, “slavery was over.” This requestwas refused; the prison gate was brokendown and those prisoners in theprison yard were freed.
While the events of October 21 werelargely spontaneous and not pre-meditated, once the decision was takento “do something”, it is remarkable thelevel of planning and organisationwhich ensued in the heat of the battle.
‘Sheriff’ explained that the objectivewas to bring the whole town toa standstill “until the Governor couldtell we something aboutemployment and withdrew the newtaxes.” Clearly, political aims, notneedless rioting by aimless rioters.
Once the colonial government andplanter class regained control, the
Governor read the Riot Act, let looselocal armed contingents and sent forBritish reinforcements aboard theH.M.S. Challenger. The valiant
‘Ranchers’ were hunted down andarrested, the full might of the colonialstate being brought against them.
They received harsh sentences-‘Selassie’, 45 years, (later ‘reduced’ to40); the others got between 5 and 40years. Those considered to be the “mostdangerous” were sent off to prison inGrenada, then the colonialheadquarters for the Windward Islands.They included ‘Sheriff/Selassie’, GordonJoseph, Julien Charles and DonaldPeters.
Sheriff died on July 14, 1978,ironically killed in an accident by ajeep owned by the ColonialDevelopment Corporation (CDC), theBritish company which had themonopoly on electricity services in SVG.What British troops, the colonialgovernment and the planter classhad failed to accomplish wasaccidentally done by a British-ownedvehicle.
If Clement Payne wins national herohonour for his part in the 1937 uprisingin Barbados, Sheriff Lewis should be sonamed in SVG because his leadershipon October 21, 1935 brought the abjectconditions of the poor masses into clearfocus. The uprising forced the colonialauthorities to respond with superiorviolence. However, the Britishinstituted reforms that laid the basis forthe social, political and economicadvances that have been made acrossthe region.
Plain Talk is indebted to therevolutionary patriot, Renwick Rose,for the information on Sheriff Lewis inthis column.
“We may think there iswillpower involved, but morelikely... change is due towant power. Wanting the newaddiction more than the oldone. Wanting the new me inpreference to the person Iam now.” — George Sheehan
Dr. Stephen Covey’s publicationshave had a significant positiveinfluence on my life. It is thereforenot surprising that I often refer to hisworks and writings on most occasionswhen I am invited to challenge youngpersons to excel at things that arenoble. Covey, in explaining how wedevelop habits, points out that threebasic “ingredients” must be present;we need to have the knowledge (knowwhat to do), the skill (knowing how todo it), and the desire (wanting to doit). He points out that in so manycases, we know what to do and how todo it ... but often lack a strong enoughdesire to pursue the noble task. Manyof this column’s readers can identifywith Covey’s thoughts. As we reflecton the ideas that we have placed onthe back burner, we acknowledge thatin so many of the cases, we knowwhat should be done. We often realisethat we have the talent/ability toperform the task. Unfortunately, notgetting the particular task done isoften the result of ourdesire/motivation (for whateverreason) not yet reaching to the pointwhere we will become proactive.Procrastination may set in ... or self-doubt may appear to overpower thedesire to pursue the particular task.But all is not lost. It is quite possiblethat today is that day when we willtake the more responsible positionand do what is required.
It is now introspection time — timeto look within. It is now reflectiontime — time to look back. As weintrospect and reflect, let us considerthose unfinished noble tasks that wehave laid down for “some moreconvenient time”. We invite thosepersons who know that they have theability to pursue a particular course ofstudy but (up until now lacked themotivation to do so), to revisit theirplans. There are so manyopportunities to gain advancedknowledge on every topic that we canthink of. Courses abound on everytopic imaginable. What about thoseindividuals who dropped out of schoolbut know that they have the ability togain certification? It is still possibleto complete that academic journey.An unexpected pregnancy may havecreated a hiccup along the way. Lackof funds may have caused a stumblealong the path. But there is still hope— if we want it badly enough. This ismore than about having the willpowerto pursue; this is about generating thewant power! Do we want it badlyenough? Are we prepared to makethe sacrifice now, knowing that thegains will be magnified many timesover in the future? Oh, the journeybeckons! We can (and we will) pursueit, once we remove those hurdles ofdoubt and fear that slow us down.Instead, we will embrace the self-confidence and faith that will see usthrough.
The pursuit of physical fitness isanother of those areas in our livesthat demands want power. Physicalfitness entails more than simplylosing weight and looking good. Itushers in a lifestyle change that hasmultiple benefits: improved cardio-vascular performance, improved self-esteem, enhanced stress management,enhanced alertness, and so on. Thehealth enthusiasts among us willsuggest, for example, that we engage
in regular physical exercise, avoidsmoking, evade fatty foods, etc. In somany cases, we know what to do andwe have the ability to do them, but ...we have not yet sufficiently motivatedourselves to do what is required toperform the health-improving habits.So many of us float downstream,waiting until the medical doctorinstructs us to swim against the tideand to make the lifestyle changes thatwe always knew would be in our bestinterest. This then becomes a life-changing article for some readers.These words now figuratively point afinger - but is not a condemningfinger. It is a beckoning finger - anencouraging finger. We are invited torevisit and recommit to improving ourlifestyle. It is as though that littlevoice within is increasing in volumeas it says, “Yes, I can invest the time,effort, and energy in creating a betterme! I am worth it! I will do it ...beginning now! Not tomorrow. Notnext week. Not at some moreconvenient time. That time is here.That time is now.”
The introspection and the reflectioncontinue. And we revisit the finalsentence in the George Sheehanquotation that was used to introducethis week’s article. This is as good aplace to end: ... “Wanting the new mein preference to the person I now am.”And some pointed questions emerge:What state am I in? Who am I?What do I stand for? Where are myattitudes, actions, and habits takingme? Where am I going? Is this reallythe life path that I should be on ... ordo I need to change direction? Theseare questions that we must each ask... and answer. Some readers havemade very wise decisions and areconfident that their focus is noble andrighteous. They seek to build brighterlives for themselves and others. Theywalk the narrow road and smile asthey view the milestones and roadsigns that remind them of theirpursuit of integrity, honesty,empathy, forgiveness, righteousness,and so on. They have opted for acloser walk with God, and regularlyabide in Him. They see His blessingsmagnified and multiplied in theirlives. However, other readers, inresponding to the questions posed,now admit that their path is not sonoble. Until now, their concentrationwas on accumulating so many of life’s“crowns and trophies” (not caring whogets hurt in the process). But theynow pause and commit to making apositive change. They now drum upthe love and courage to redirect theirfocus from self-aggrandisement (asthe old people say) to a nobler, morecaring and God-fearing path. Theyhave the willpower and the wantpower to have a greater positiveinfluence on the lives andcommunities that surround them.Their addiction for the new life nowannihilates the older self-directeddesires. They press on. They plungeforward. They leap to that highercalling having ignited their wantpower ... wanting more of that morefulfilling and uplifting life. Hurrahfor the champion that emerges! Wehave cause to celebrate ... want powerwill see us through!
ViewsVSheriff Lewis is a National HeroWill power or want power?
OUR ECONOMY is stagnating. SVG needsits own currency to stimulate theeconomy and create new businesses andthousands of new jobs.
The OECS dollar has been peggedto the US dollar since 7 July 1976, atan exchange rate of US$1 to EC$2.70.This policy of the OECS of anartificially high exchange rate, hasbeen a misfit to the SVG economy. Itmakes exports from SVG artificiallymore expensive, and it hindersattempts to build a strong, exporteconomy in SVG.
SVG should have its own currency,as this would mean we could controlthe economy better by adjustinginterest rates to help control inflation.This new currency could then bepegged to the Trinidad and Tobagodollar or the British pound, as thesecurrencies are relatively stable andstrong, and Trinidad and Tobago andthe UK are our biggest trade partners.
With our own central bank and ourown currency, SVG would have
substantial latitude to build a strongand sustainable economy to bringthousands of new jobs and a betterstandard of living and quality of lifefor all in SVG.
Using science and technology, aGreen government will create high-paid, high-skilled jobs, and SVG willbe able to export high-quality productsat competitive prices.
Pegging our own SVG currency tothe Trinidad and Tobago dollar or theBritish pound at an advantageousrate, will help exports and trade. Bycontrolling our domestic currency, wecan keep the exchange rate low. Thishelps to support the competitiveness ofSVG goods that are sold abroad. Thepegging of our own currency, combinedwith bi-lateral trade agreements, willsubstantially help our country.
The fixed exchange rate dynamicsupports economic growth. Also, thiswill protect our economy by shieldingour currency from volatile swings, andreduce the likelihood of a currency
crisis.Just as the UK has its
own currency and is inthe European Union, SVGcould have its owncurrency and remain inthe OECS.
The artificially high exchange rateof US$1 to EC$2.70 is part of theproblem as it stifles economic growthand causes poverty, gross criminality,spiralling high cost of living, highrates of unemployment and the jailbeing full of youths who cannot read.This must change at the earliestopportunity.
Entrepreneurs and small businessesin SVG have to compete in a globalmarket when they try to export theirgoods and services. Being part of anartificially inflated currency is hurtingSVG businesses and reducing theiropportunities to trade. SVG mustwithdraw from the Eastern Caribbeandollar in order to boost smallbusinesses. It is small businesses that
make economies strong, and SVGneeds hundreds more strong, smallbusinesses to boost economic growth.
Changing from the OECS dollar toan SVG dollar is not a big problem. Itwill bring much pride and confidenceto our people and country. The newSVG domestic currency will help driveeconomic growth, bring confidence toour dying economy and investmentsfrom abroad. This will then create newbusinesses, thousands of new jobs andsurplus revenue.
A Green government will move theSVG economy forward with a newSVG currency.
SVG Green Partywww.svggreenparty.org
SVG needs its own currency
12. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
ViewsV
“WE ALLOW one or two people to run us indirections which are entirely unproductive andwasting time… some of these persons have nointerest in setting back foot in SVG, but just wantto create mischief… some of them are frustratedpoliticians.”
These are some quotes reported on May 20th byI-Witness News (IWN), in an article titled, ‘PMknocks fanciful Vincies in voluntary exile’,attributed to Prime Minister Gonsalves.Interestingly, on that same date, IWN also reportedthat there have been six homicides in SVG sinceApril 26th.
Since there has never, ever been a time when sixviolent deaths were perpetrated on Vincentians inthe short space of 21 days, one would have thoughtthat PM Gonsalves would concern himself morewith this calamity than he does with ‘cussin’ outVincentians at his press conferences.
Of importance too is that Prime MinisterGons,alves convinced Vincentians to vote for him in2001 on the promise that he would be “tough oncrime and the causes of crime.”
Much to our peril, and under the watch of theGonsalves-led Unity Labour Party administration,SVG has been driven into a deep, dark abyss ofcriminality. To what end does the PM, who is alsoMinister of National Security, choose to heap scornon Vincentians overseas instead of dealing with thiscrisis? Well, he appears to want to underestimatethe concern of Vincentians who demand to see abetter SVG, regardless of where they live. Theyinvariably demonstrate far more concern than thePM who has the power in his hands to make abetter SVG.
Moreover, to dismiss in this way Vincentiansliving abroad, is giving little regard to a revenuesource that needs some recognition. According tosome reports, these ‘exiles’ pump over $126 millionevery year into the economy. As Minister ofFinance, should the PM be reminded of thesignificance of this contribution, especially at a timewhen unemployment in SVG and among youngpeople is of concern; businesses are dying left, rightand center, while government owes millions to theprivate sector; people are working and not being
paid; some shops are now selling eggs by the singleegg, and chicken back by the half pound? Whatdoes this say about his governance against evidencethat he is presiding over the worst economicconditions in the history of our blessed country?
Despite what turned out to be a false cusp of aneconomic takeoff round about the 2005 elections, wenow find ourselves at the bottom of an economichole. This hole is being dug even deeper every day,with every dollar that Vincentians are tricked intodropping in boxes in Kingstown and empty waterbottles in New York for the ‘suck-hole’ at Argyle.
Far from being frustrated politicians, therefore,the evidence is starkly in favor of the fact thatVincentian citizens living abroad are the mainstayof the economy, and they chose to extend thatcommitment by demanding better governance,particularly in the areas of the economy andcurtailing the unprecedented crime in SVG.
A RISING VINCENTIAN FASHIONDESIGNER SAYS SHE IS VERYTHRILLED by her accomplishments,as she celebrates the firstanniversary of her new fashionboutique in the epicenter of theCaribbean community in Brooklyn,New York.
“Yes, I am satisfied with theway things went this past year!”Zulema N. George told THEVINCENTIAN in an exclusiveinterview, about AK CoutureBoutique and Beauty Bar, at4516 Church Avenue, between45th and 46th Sts., Brooklyn.The store was opened last Juneto much fanfare.
“The first year of business isthe hardest, and I am proud tosay that I have achieved all thatI set out to, and then some,”added the only child ofeconomist-accountant Anton“Frankie” George, a NewMontrose, Kingstown native andex-Grammar School master, andregistered nurse Edna George,née McDonald, of Belair.
The young fashion designersaid, in the past year, she wasable to market the AK Couturebrand and boutique to a widevariety of people.
“I was able to obtain a loyaland consistent following thatloves the AK Couture brand, andthat is no easy feat,” she said.“It’s one thing to have peoplecome in once, maybe twice topurchase and support; but tohave customers who call, email,text, use social media, to inquireabout new inventory, etc., on adaily basis, is anaccomplishment,” she added.
George said her majorachievement was keeping thedoors of the boutique open.
“In this time, you hear aboutmany establishments that closetheir doors, either shortly afteropening or after many years ofproviding service, because theylose their customers, and lack ofrevenue and community support,to list a few,” she said. Anotherachievement, she said, wasincreasing her customer base “bydoubling the number ofcustomers she had on the firstday she opened.
“Customers love ourmerchandise,” she said. “AKCouture Boutique has becomethe first place where women andmen come to get haute digs.”
[Haute Couture is a Frenchphrase for high fashion. Couturemeans dressmaking, sewing orneedlework, and haute meanselegant or high. So thecombination implies excellentartistry with the fashioning ofgarments.]
“I have come across so many
customers who tell me that,when they need a new outfit,accessories, fashion/beautyadvice, AK Couture is the oneplace where they know that theywill receive the truth, excellentcustomer service, great adviceand a warm smile,” Georgeadded.
“So what’s not to love aboutAK Couture Boutique & BeautyBar?” she asks rhetorically.
Eye on the future
George said her immediateplan is to design a clothing line,made specifically for AKCouture, especially for men.
“But, of course, there will behaute digs for the women also, toadd more beauty products to theBeauty Bar side of the boutique,”she said.
In the long term, she alsoenvisages opening a few morestores, including one in hernative land.
“Not only is it important tome, but it’s one of my life goals,”said George about an AKCouture Boutique in St. Vincentand the Grenadines.
“I’m a Vincentian, and I lovemy country and my people 200percent,” she said.
“I’m proud to be a Vincentianentrepreneur,” she added. “I’mlucky to have the support andunconditional love from parentsand my other half, Ronney. Theymean the world to me.
“I’m honored to have supportand respect from my fellowVincentians, from Caribbeanpeople, my community andinternationally,” Georgecontinued.
“I look forward to our secondyear together,” she said. “I willcontinue to service my customerswith a level of professionalism,fun and haute digs that theywon’t find anywhere else.”
More than clothing
Besides high fashion clothing,George said her AK CoutureBoutique and Beauty Barfeatures a wide range of hygieneand beauty products, such asorganic handmade soaps,including her signature bodybutter “Kisses and fairy dust.”
George, who earned aBachelor of Science degree inBiology from the historicallyBlack Howard University inWashington, D.C, and a Master’sin Public Health from LongIsland University, downtownBrooklyn, reiterated that sheturned to fashion because of thatpassion.
“I love the sciences, but I havea passion for fashion,” stressedGeorge, whose initial interestwas becoming a medical doctor.
She said she has beendesigning handbags for nineyears now, and opened her first
boutique in the Williamsburgsection of Brooklyn in 2009, butclosed it after a year, aftergetting an opportunity to workfor a Miami-based handbagcompany as its head designer.
George, who also currentlyowns an online fashion store,said, as an image consultant,she channeled her creativity,and utilized her eye for detailwhile styling for recordingartists, models andactors/actresses.
In addition, she said AKCouture Boutique and BeautyBar highlights her “keen eye forthe unique and trendy.”
Vincy fashion designer thrilled byaccomplishments
Right : Rising Vincyfashion designer ZulemaGeorge in herboutique during its firstanniversary celebrations.
Young supporters celebrate with George.
George poses before specially-made hors d’oeuvres.
by KARISSA CLARKE
MAY HAS BEENDESIGNATED as BlindAwareness Monththroughout the World, andKarib Cable and National
Properties Ltd. havecollaborated in this monthof May, to enhance thework of the NationalSociety of and for theBlind (NSOFB).
The two corporate
entities have cometogether to provide amodern computer systemand one-year freesubscription to KaribCable’s broadbandinternet service.
Karib Cable’s RichardHadley, MarketingManager, and JamesBallantyne, SalesExecutive, handed overthe brand new device toStanley Richards,President of the NSOFB,on Tuesday May 21,2013, during a briefceremony at KaribCable’s headquarters atFrenches Gate,Kingstown.
A representative fromNational Properties wasunavoidably absent, butRichard Hadley assuredthat the donation was ademonstration of bothentities’ responsibilityand commitment tonation building.
“The time has come to
bridge the digital dividebetween mainstreamsociety and the blind,and the donation of thiscomputer helps to doexactly that,” Hadleysaid.
He explained that therequest was positivelyresponded to after thedonors learned that thesystem the NSOFB hadin its possession was nolonger functional,and“they needed to keep upwith their record-keepingand administrativedemands.”
Richards, inexpressing thanks for the“generosity of NationalProperties and KaribCable,” described thedonation as “timely”, andassured that “it will be of
great help.”Indications are that,
given the functionality ofthe system, the NSOFBcan now move to addcertain specializedperipherals that wouldmake the computer evenmore assessible to blindpersons.
In fact, arepresentative of theNSOFB revealed thatthere are a number ofblind persons who havesome degree of computerliteracy, and that thesystem can only help toenhance and improvetheir status, “not tomention what a year’sfree internet fromKarib Cable would mean
for communications.”
14. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
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James Ballantyne (2nd from left) presents computer system to StanleyRichards (2nd from right) in the company of Karib Cable’s NatalyaGiowasingh (left) and Richard Hadley.
Karib Cable,NationalPropertiesdonate
by KENVILLE HORNE
THE GOVERNMENT OFCANADA has pledged itscontinued support andassistance to the RegionalSecurity System.
And this support wasfurther concretised onFriday 17th May whenCanada’s Minister ofState of Foreign Affairs(Americas and ConsularAffairs) Diane Ablonczyannounced a $5.3 millionfinancial supportintitiative.
Minister Avlonczymade the announcementat the E. T. JoshuaAirport, Arnos Vale,during a ceremony thatwrapped up her one-dayvisit to the state.
In making theannouncement, she alsocommended the RSS forthe tremendous work ithas done over the years,and the efforts that areput into its operations.
The latest round ofCanadian assistance willhelp to equip the RSS, acollective securityorganization for theEastern Caribbean, withnew radar, infraredscanners and avionics forits air wing.
“Canada is committedto working with ourpartners in theCaribbean to build amore prosperous andsecure hemisphere for allpeoples of the Americas,”said Minister Ablonczy,adding further, “Bysupporting the RegionalSecurity System, Canadais improving safety in theregion and helping todetect, disrupt and detercriminal organizationswho work to bring drugsand contraband north.”
The assistance will beprovided through theGovernment of Canada’sAnti-Crime CapacityBuilding Program(ACCBP). The supportwill go toward upgradesto the forward-lookinginfrared radar capacityand aircraft sensors for
the RSS air wing and toupgrade communicationsnetworking between theair wing and member-state coast guards andpolice forces.
These projects havebeen developed inpartnership with theUnited States’ CaribbeanBasin Security Initiative,which is currentlyimplementing a programfor refurbishing the RSSair wing.
This announcementbuilds upon previousCanadian efforts tosupport security andstability in theCaribbean. Since 2009,Canada has contributedapproximately $20million through theACCBP to support policeprofessionalization,justice reform, the fightagainst illicit drugtrafficking, anti-corruption projects andanti-money-launderingefforts.
Grant Watson,Executive Director of theRSS, from the inceptionof the RSS, Canada hasbeen a reliable partnernation to theorganization and pointedto Canada’s substantialassistance in the area ofcapacity building.
“To date the RSS hasembarked onstandardized correctionaldevelopment andteaching method, as wellas leadership training,”said Watson, who alsostated that the CanadianGovernment hasprovided additionalassistance in polygraphexaminations. Heexpressed hisorganization’sappreciation for thesupport.
According to PrimeMinister and Minister ofNational Security, Dr.Ralph Gonsalves, theassistance will play atremendous role inassisting the RSS inbuilding capacity. He
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. 15.
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Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and MinisterDiane Ablonczy at the function at E. T. JoshuaAirport where the announcement was made aboutCanada’s support for the RSS.
Canada providesmore assistanceto RSS commended Canada for
its continued support,noting the assistancewill further assist RSSin detecting drugtraffickers and othercriminal activities. Heassured the CanadianMinister that theresources will be put togood use.
Minister Ablonczy’svisit here was part of aseven-day, seven-countrytour in the EasternCaribbean. She wasaccompanied by H. E.Mr. Richard Hanley,High Commissioner ofCanada accredited toSaint Vincent and theGrenadines.
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THE GENDER COMMITTEEof the SVG Teachers Union(SVGTU) hosted animpressive workshop onthe theme, ‘Stop theviolence against womenand children’, at theFrenches House,Kingstown, on Wednesday15th May 2013.
The large audience ofteachers, students andyouths, heard addressesfrom Oswald Robinsonand Margaret Jackson,President and Secretaryrespectively of theSVGTU; Chief Education
Officer Luan Gilchrist,and Hon FrederickStephenson, Minister ofGender Affairs.
Each touched on theimportance ofeliminating all forms ofviolence in St. Vincentand the Grenadines..
The Chief EducationOfficer praised the Unionfor organising theactivity, and noted thatit fitted in well with theagenda of the Ministry ofEducation.
She made a pledge tomeet with the Union’s
Executive to discussfollow-up activities asproposed by theworkshop.
Presenters at theactual workshop sessionswere: ASSP JonathonNichols who touched onforms of domesticviolence and the law;Education Officer Mr.Dixton Findlay whospoke on the impact ofeconomic conditions onthe family and women;and Social Worker NelciaRobinson-Hazell whoexamined strategies for
reducing the level ofdomestic violence in thestate.
There was norepresentation from theGender Affairs Divisionwhich was invited tomake a workshoppresentation.
This activity was thefirst organized by theGender Committee of theSVGTU under the
Executive Committeeelected in 2012 andheaded by OswaldRobinson.
TeachersUnion looksat violence Persons addressing
the Workshop included(from left): President ofthe SVGTU OswaldRobinson, CEO LuanGilchrist, Minister ofGender AffairsFrederick Stephensonand ASSP JonathonNichols.
A cross-section of those who attended theWorkshop organized by the Gender Committee ofthe SVG Teachers Union.
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. 21.
LeisureVACROSS
1. Fa follower4. Director
Kazan8. Memo letters12. Mime16. Actress
Martinelli17. DNA seg-
ment18. Gives off19. Fans’ shouts20. Presidential
advisors22. Clans24. Means justi-
fiers,sometimes
25. “Stop, Dobbin!”
26. Library bookshelves
29. Instant __32. Gators’
cousins33. Trumpet’s
blast35. Done __
turn (2 wds.)37. Distinctive
atmosphere38. Defeats
handily39. Theater-tick-
et portion40. Sandwich
letters41. Measure on
scales42. Relinquish,
as rights43. Marina
sights45. Speared46. Add to the
staff47. Neighbor of
Mich.48. Gauguin’s
island51.
Bootlegger’sgin mill?
54. Skater’s jump
55. French stu-dent
57. Milit. branch
59. Replenish60. More angry61. Pinochle
term62. Recipe
amts.63. No ifs, __,
or buts64. Narc’s org.
DOWN
1. Hang loosely
2. Oil org.3. Actress Olin4. Corrects5. Margarita
fruits6. First (abbr.)7. Play a part8. Rooftop
sight9. Chunk of
marble10. Tennis
great Arthur__
11. Football action
13. 1940 Hitchcock
classic15. Swimmer
Williamsand others
ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20)Your boss may be on the rampage andyou certainly don't want to be the oneto take the brunt of a bad situation.You may not have the same ideaswhen it comes to what you both enjoy.Take advantage of moneymaking ven-tures. Opportunities to meet new loverswill I come through pleasure trips orsocial events.
TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21)Get on with your life. This is a greatday to beautify your living quarters orto entertain at home. Passion is aboutthe best way for you to relieve tension.Residential moves will be in your bestinterest.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21)You may be confused regarding yourlove life. Relatives may play an impor-tant role in your personal life. You mustfollow your desires and dreams. Youshould be promoting your ideas.
CANCER (June 22-July 22)You will have a problem with your bossif you haven't done your job. Concernyourself with legal matters and formu-lating contracts rather than finalizingyour objectives. Try to address the realissues in order to turn things around.Your communication skills will bringyou popularity and increased selfesteem.
LEO (July 23-Aug 22)Listening can be more valuable thanbeing a chatterbox. Be discreet aboutyour personal life or whereabouts. Bemysterious. Try to concentrate onresearch and acquiring information thatwill be of value in your chosen field.Try to keep your opinions to yourself.
VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)You may be experiencing emotionalturmoil in regard to your mate. Avoidgetting trapped in internal disputes. Tryto curb your bad habits. You are goingthrough a period of questioning.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)Don't take offense at comments madeby coworkers. Don't make a move; yourconfusion has caused this dilemma andyou are best to back away andreassess the situation. Don't let some-one talk you into parting with your cashunless you can truly see the benefits ofdoing so. You may want to have aheart-to-heart talk with a close andtrusted friend.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)Make love, not war, and all will be fine.It's time to let loose. Your tendency tooverreact could get you into trouble.Don'overdo it. You need to enjoy your-self.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)Your knowledge and good sense willhelp more than you think. Listen to theadvice given by those with experience.Your ability to ferret out secret informa-tion will lead you to an inside scoop onan amazing financial deal. Money canbe made if you use your ingenuity.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)Your attitude is changing rapidly andyour plate is overloaded. Don't getinvolved in expensive entertainment thatinvolves gambling. Use your energywisely. Help if you can, but more thanlikely it will be sufficient just to listen.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19)You will profit from home improvementprojects and real estate deals. Visitfriends or relatives you don't get to seevery often. Situations could easily getblown out of proportion if you havemade unreasonable promises. You canavoid hassles by sticking to your workand refusing to get involved in gossip oridle chatter.
PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)You'll find love and you'll get into tiptopshape at the same time. Don't let theerratic behavior of someone you livewith interfere with your professional per-formance. Remember; talk to them, notat them. Changes in your home may bealarming at first.
21. Squids’ fluids
23. Cowboy’s gear
25. Anger26. Picket-line
crosser27. “I Love you
__”28. Large
artery30. House’s
top floor,
sometimes31. “__ got alot to learn”
33. Idaho’s capital
34. Pull with effort
36. Not up38. Attempts
for a second time
39. Inner __
(privateplace)
41. Least bit42. Bathe44. Cools45. Soda sizes47. Fluttered,
as a flag48. Heftiest
president49. WWII
group50. Pitch in51. Capital of
Switzerland52. Previously
owned53. Big bundle56. Mauna __58. Drug-regu-
lating org.
LA
ST
WE
EK
’sS
OL
UT
ION
Dear George,
BASED on my understanding of amarriage, both the husband and thewife are supposed to give mutualrespect to each other. However, in mymarriage, my husband has beendisrespecting me in the nastiest ofways.
I cannot even tell you some of themhere because I am so ashamed. Sufficeit to say, he told the woman he is withthat I am like a corpse in bed, and heis just sleeping with me because he istoo lazy to go to her.
He took pictures of us in the nudeand made it his business to give thesepictures to this woman. At the time oftaking them, he said he was just
fooling around. I had no clue he wouldhave done that. The woman mailedback some of the pictures to me andwrote at the back of each one that shenow sees why my husband cannot beturned on by me, implying that mybody is not in good order or shape.
I am so angry and ashamed. Icannot believe that my husband wouldstoop that low as to give anotherwoman ammunition to fire back atme.
There is nothing between myhusband and me anymore, and I donot want to remain in therelationship. I told him I want out,and he is threatening to takeeverything (house, car, children ) if Iend the marriage. He is just a sad
excuse for a man and ahusband, and that is why Ihave decided to put myselfback on the market.
Peeved
Dear Peeved,
It is a sad and costly mistake todisclose your bedroom life to anyone.If by any chance either of you is notsatisfied with the sexual performanceof the other, then you should be adultenough to talk about it. Marriage isnot a competition but a partnership,and couples ought not to be doingthings to make each other feel inferiorin any way.
If you are convinced that yourmarriage is beyond redemption, then Istrongly suggest you seek legal adviceas to property sharing and custodymatters. Before you get to that point,however, it may not hurt to seek outthe services of a marriage counsellor,in a one last ditch effort to try andsalvage your marriage.
Given your investments thus far, itmay be worth it to make another effortto save a marriage which I am surehad better days at one stage.
George
Dear George,
I AM REALLY messed uphere and I need your help.I am not working but mygirlfriend is. Before I lostmy job, I was supportingmy girlfriend and herchild. We moved intogether after I met herwith a 1-year-old andstarted to date.
There was nothing
that she did not havewhen things were goodwith me. Now that I amout of a job, she istalking about movingout. She complains thatwe cannot meet our rentand there is not enoughfood, etc. I do not knowwhere her money isgoing; she isn’t evenputting any of her moneyto help pay the rent and
to the food bill. Insteadshe says that her moneyis for her and her child.She is constantly talkingabout moving out to findher own place because Iam not meeting myobligations as a man.
What does she wantfrom me? I do not know,and it is getting to me. Ifind her so ungrateful!
Angry citizen
Dear Angry citizen,
Sometimes a persongets together withanother person for thestrangest of reasons, andmaybe you will never getto know the real reasonwhy your girlfriend choseto remain with you upuntil now.
It seems that she isnot interested in buildinga future with you, andyou need to clear the air.Ask her what is it shewants from you, andmaybe from there youwill be in a betterposition to decidewhether or not you candeliver.
It is important that atthe beginning of everyrelationship, both partiesdiscuss theirexpectations and bebrutally honest indeclaring if too much isbeing asked of either ofthem. You and yourgirlfriend need to havesuch a talk.
George
22. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
AdviceV
She is ungrateful Dear George,
I HAVE good reasons to believe that myneighbour’s wife could be pregnant with my child.I made one mistake and slept with her one timewhen she came looking for my wife for supportafter her husband had beaten her up. My wife wasnot at home and she ended up talking to me, andin comforting her, we managed to kiss, and thingsgot out of hand from there. To this day I cannotexplain how it happened. We never exchanged oneword of love or sex before that day, and it is beyondmy comprehension how we ended up in bed.
She would not get an abortion because she doesnot believe in it. She said to me that she is goingto make her husband believe the child is his. Sheis trying to convince me that she would be able toget away with it, but I am not sure.
I am very stressed out about it, and I am notable to act normally around my wife. My guilt hasaffected our sex life and the way we communicate.What should I do now? This is one tight spot!
MAYDAY
Dear MAYDAY,
Taking advantage of an already abusivesituation is very disappointing, to say the least,and you should not encourage or be involvedin covering up of a wrong that was stupidlycommitted. Attempting to cover this up can andwill eventually bring more hurt and complicationsfor all involved.
Every child should know who his/her father is,and every man should know whether or not he is infact the biological father of a child that has beenattributed to him. You need to ‘man-up’ andconfess your wrongs and deal with theconsequences.
George
A sad excuse for a man
Confess your wrongs, man
THE SVG NATIONAL Rugby Club continued to make meaningful contribution, not justin promoting their sport but in community building.
On Mother’s Day, May 12th, 2013, members of the club made a special visitto the Lewis Punnett Home (LPH) to bring some cheer, particularly to themothers housed there, and by extension to the general population.
From among their membership and families, the Club collected a quantity ofclothing, footwear, and personal effects which they handed over to theauthorities at the home. A ‘special tea’ was also held for the inmates, whoenjoyed the cakes and pastries prepared by club members.
The LPH home currently houses 48 males and 44 females who, according toa club member, are in “constant need of pampers, cleaning agents, towels,sheets, clothes, shoes, toiletries and other personal items. on a regular basis.”
The club is appealing to the public to rememberthe LPH with their charitable donations.
Meantime, the SVG National Rugby Club, inaddition to its mandate to promote the sport ofrugby here, has plans to continue its communityoutreach programme.
This is expected to include home visits to ‘shut-ins’, beach clean-ups, building “things” for the lessfortunate, and helping local churches.
One club member registered appreciation for allthe help they have received to date, but especiallysingled out Tipi Punnett, Dee Williams andDorothee Ollivierre for their unwavering support.
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. 23.
NewsV
THE LIBERTYLodge Boys’TrainingCentre is thelatest recipientof assistanceunder theScotiabank’sBright FutureProgramme(SBFP).
On Saturday,May 18,Scotiabankstafferspresented awashingmachine to theCentre.
Janine De Freitas of the SBFP expressed delightwith the opportunity to work with the Centre, andalluded to future collaboration, inclusive ofmentorship, Kiddies Cricket and football, karateand technology programmes.
“We believe that the active involvement in sportsand other activities will help to promote strongbonds, self confidence and motivation, pro-socialskills, while keeping the young minds at LibertyLodge busy,” said De Freitas.
The Liberty Lodge Boys’ Training Centrecurrently houses nineteen boys between the ages of12 and 17 years.
ScotiBank has been actively involved insupporting sporting and cultural organizations andinitiatives.These include:The MissHeritageOrganization,The South EastSteelOrchestra,Uncle Skinny’sKids Carnival,The AdonalFoyle KeroseneLampFoundation,KiddiesCricket andCan Fest.
From left: Sister Bullock, matron at the Lewis Punnett Home, with clubmembers Sophie Goddard, Valarie Pelletier and Guy Hadley during the SVGRugby Club’s visit to the Home.
SVG Rugby Club:More than rugby
Scotiabank assistsBoys’ Training Centre
Nathaniel Sandy of the LibertyLodge Boys’ Training Centre andJanine Defreitas of (SNFP) in ahand shake that formalized thepresentation of the washingmachine.
Scotiabank’ Bright FutureProgramme members arriving atthe Liberty Lodge Boys’ TrainingCentre.
EMPLOYEES at thelocal branch of CIBCFirstCaribbean were infor a special treat lastThursday, May 16, 2013.That was the day onwhich CIBCFirstCaribbean joined itsCIBC colleagues acrossthe world, to celebrateEmployee AppreciationDay.
It was the first timethat the region hadcoordinated thecelebration of theiremployees on the sameday. CIBC employeesfrom Trinidad in theSouth to The Bahamasin the North, were fullyappreciated andrecognised for all they doto make the organizationa success.
Here in St. Vincent,team leadersdemonstrated theirappreciation to
employees by providingthem with tokens.
At the close ofbusiness later in the day,employees got togetherfor a grand social.
This was not the onlyday on which CIBC haslived the standard of“Showing Appreciation,”but it was the one daythat all leaders made theextra effort together, tomake all employess “feelspecial.”
(Contributed)
RESIDENTS of Mayreau turned out to support anactivity put on by St. Vincent Electricity ServicesLimited in keeping with the Company’s Health andSafety Awareness Month 2013.
In keeping with the focus for the month, aHeath Fair was held alongside an ElectricalSafety Exhibition on Wednesday, May 15. Twomedical doctors, Drs. Wayne Murray and PatrianaBadnock were on hand to provide personalconsultations. Two nurses were also present andconducted blood presure and blood sugar checks.
The Electrical Safety Exhibition providedvisitors with information with respect toelectricity safety in the home and in publicsettings.
Those who visited, expressed satisfaction withthe outcome of the Health Fair, and applaudedVINLEC for the effort.
One visitor said that the interaction withVINLEC’s employees would have a long lastingimpact, and noted that in addition to the healthcare service he received, he was able to learnabout VINLEC’s operations in general.
According to the Company’s EnvironmentalHealth and Safety Officer, Mr. Anthony Patterson,VINLEC has provided similar service to customerson mainland St. Vincent on numerous occasions,and thought it fitting to reach out to thecommunity in Mayreau.,
He expressed satisfaction with the event andthanked the health care personnel who journeyedto Mayreau to provide services free of cost.
This Health Fair is one of many public outreachprogrammes embarked on by the Company as partof EHS Awareness Month.
24. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
NewsV
THE PERFECT VENUEFor your special occasion
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1-784-457-4100
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1-784-457-4100
For further information and to receive your own tailor made quotation, please contact Sharon or Gennine at Buccament Bay Resort
1-784-457-4100
For further information and to receive your own tailor made quotation, please contact Sharon or Gennine at Buccament Bay Resort
1-784-457-4100
For further information and to receive your own tailor made quotation, please contact Sharon or Gennine at Buccament Bay Resort
1-784-457-4100
For further information and to receive your own tailor made quotation, please contact Sharon or Gennine at Buccament Bay Resort
1-784-457-4100
For further information and to receive your own tailor made quotation, please contact Sharon or Gennine at Buccament Bay Resort
1-784-457-4100
For further information and to receive your own tailor made quotation, please contact Sharon or Gennine at Buccament Bay Resort
1-784-457-4100
For further information and to receive your own tailor made quotation, please contact Sharon or Gennine at Buccament Bay Resort
1-784-457-4100
For further information and to receive your own tailor made quotation, please contact Sharon or Gennine at Buccament Bay Resort
1-784-457-4100
For further information and to receive your own tailor made quotation, please contact Sharon or Gennine at Buccament Bay Resort
1-784-457-4100
Whatever the occasion, Buccament Bay Resort is the perfect location to
celebrate!
Whether it's a special birthday, anniversary, wedding or just an excuse to
have a family get-together, our dedicated team will organise everything
for you, enabling you to relax and enjoy the atmosphere…
Buccament Bay Resort has built an enviable
reputation as THE place to celebrate, and we are
delighted by the number of returning guests
who all enjoy our exceptional quality of
service.
All the ingredients for a truly memorable
evening are present - gourmet food and
exceptional quality of service, all in the most
beautiful setting.
Whatever the occasion, Buccament Bay Resort is the perfect location to
celebrate!
Whether it's a special birthday, anniversary, wedding or just an excuse to
have a family get-together, our dedicated team will organise everything
for you, enabling you to relax and enjoy the atmosphere…
Buccament Bay Resort has built an enviable
reputation as THE place to celebrate, and we are
delighted by the number of returning guests
who all enjoy our exceptional quality of
service.
All the ingredients for a truly memorable
evening are present - gourmet food and
exceptional quality of service, all in the most
beautiful setting.
Whatever the occasion, Buccament Bay Resort is the perfect location to
celebrate!
Whether it's a special birthday, anniversary, wedding or just an excuse to
have a family get-together, our dedicated team will organise everything
for you, enabling you to relax and enjoy the atmosphere…
Buccament Bay Resort has built an enviable
reputation as THE place to celebrate, and we are
delighted by the number of returning guests
who all enjoy our exceptional quality of
service.
All the ingredients for a truly memorable
evening are present - gourmet food and
exceptional quality of service, all in the most
beautiful setting.
THE PERFECT VENUEFor your special occasion
CIBC FirstCaribbean employees were showered with appreciation andtokens for their dedicated service.
CIBC celebratesits employees
Dr. Patriana Badnock in personal consultationwith a Mayreau resident.
VINLEC reachesout in Mayreau
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. 25.
Alan-Dee Ballantyne graduated Cum Laude from East Stroudsburg University Alan-Dee Ballantyne graduated Cum Laude from East Stroudsburg University
CongratulationsCongratulations
26. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
V THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. 27.
Stories by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT
GUARDIAN GENERAL SAINTS ENDED THE2013 PREMIER DIVISION season on ahigh with a comprehensive nine-wicketwin over a ragged Carl Joseph LawChamber ASCO, at Arnos Vale TWO lastweekend.
SCORES: Saints 243 & 77-1, ASCO 121& 198
Saints, who may have been guilty ofbeing inconsistent for a major part ofthe season, were indebted to theirmiddle order for another good firstinnings total that set them up for whateventually turned out to be a
comfortable victory.Winning the toss and taking first
knock, Guardian General Saintslooked to be in control afterrecovering from the early loss oftwo wickets with the score on 7.They were led on the road to therecovery by Omar Lorraine (24)and Sunil Ambris (79), who raised83 for the third wicket before theformer went LBW to spinner AndreHunte. Ambrose hit eight fours andone five before he was bowled bylegspinner Jenry Ollivierre withthe total on 150.
Saints then relinquished theinitiative as they stumbled to 154-7through some loose shots and goodbowling in between. It was left tocaptain Kenroy Peters whocompiled an unbeaten 77, toshepherd the lower order along towhat turned out to be their finaltotal of 243. Hunte took 3-46 andOllivierre 2-38.
The Saints bowling then setabout doing what bowling attacksall season had done against theASCO batsmen: put the ball ingood areas, and the inevitable rashshots will provide a spate of
wickets. And despite an opening partnership
of 24 between Daron Greaves (9) andOliivierre (15), things soon fell intoplace. Under stern cross examinationby promising pacer Romario Bibby,Carl Joseph Law Chambers ASCO
were left fumbling for coherentanswers. They found few, if any, andwere eventually dismissed for 121; butit could have been worse after being63-9. Their recovery was due to acounter attacking rear guard by Hunte(45*) and Darius Martin (12) whoadded 58 for the tenth wicket. Huntestruck six fours and two sixes. Bibby,who has impressed this season, bowledwith good pace, keeping the ball up tothe bat, as has been his modusoperandi, to grab 6-39 from 12 overs.
ASCO, asked to follow on, looked ingood shape, with an opening stand of52 between Darron Greaves (68) andOllivierre (26). Things lookedrelatively comfortable and thepossibility of holding on for a drawwith the score reaching 97 before thesecond wicket fell. But things soonreturned to the ASCO script with adeluge of wickets, including that ofGreaves as they fell to 115-5. Thepugnacious Greaves struck eight foursand two sixes in his knock.
It was then left to the lower order,led by Hunte who got 34 (3x6, 1x4), toprolong the inevitable as ASCO werethen dismissed for 198, with RomelCurrency taking 3-38 and Bibby 3-53for a match haul of 9-92.
Set a target of 77 in 15 overs andwith rain threatening, GuardianGeneral Saints, led by an openingstand of 61 by Ambris (35) andRickford Walker (36*), duly completedvictory in 7.3 overs.
Saints end season on high
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS,RIVALS, ENHANCED THEIRCHANCES OF WINNING thePremier Division title for a thirdstraight year after taking firstinnings points from LIMERadcliffe, in a low scoring affairat the Sion Hill Playing Field onthe weekend.
It was a match which waseagerly anticipated by the playersof both teams and cricket fanswho have been following the localgames closely. However, at theend of two days, analysts may nothave been far off, had theyconcluded that the contest fellwell below what was expected.
The hype surrounding thematch fell flat by close of play onthe opening day when Rivals wereskittled out for 102 and Radcliffewere struggling on 39-4.
The story of the match sawRivals being asked to bat inconditions which good clubcricketers and regional playerswould have been expected tonegotiate with ease.
The batting served up anotherof what maybe described as a sub-
standard performance, with nobatsman reaching 20, though fiveplayers got into double figures,with Hyron Shallow (18) andRoneil Jeffrey (16) the best of thelot. Left arm spinner AndyHarper, took 3-30, and DelornJohnson, 2-30, Dyke Cato, 2-4,and Westrick Strough, 2-34, werealso among the wickets.
LIME Radcliffe, with whatshould have been a simple task ofgetting 103 for first inningspoints, were in trouble from ballone of their reply when theexperienced opener, Lance John,was taken at slip off DeightonButler. They went into furthertrouble to be 10-4 as Butlerbowled with accuracy and somerelative pace to grab all thevictims. Rodney Lawrence (20)and Dean Browne (20) then setabout repairing the innings with a29-run fifth wicket partnershipthat took it to the close.
Radcliffe, the once professionalunit, appeared to have been losingthat touch over the last few years.Fans will recall how they lost twomatches by default when incontention for the title two yearsago and had showed even then,
signs of falling standards. On Sunday, the team hit its
nadir this season when Brownewas ‘timed out’ after failing toturn up on time to resume hisinnings. This resulted inRadcliffe’s game plan comingunstuck with thescore moving to 46-8 within a fewovers ofresumption.
They were givensome hope throughthe efforts of DelornJohnson who hit26* (2x6, 1x4) asthey battled to 84-8before Lawrencewas runout andCato (0) was bowledby Jackson, withoutaddition to thescore.
Butler endedwith 4-20 andOrlanzo Jackson 3-31 to give theirteam an 18-runadvantage.
Batting a secondtime, Rivals, led byShallow, 72, and
Casmond Walters, 36, declaredtheir second innings on 142-4.Shallow, in his most assuredinnings for the season to date,played both spin and pace withease, and looked to have a centurylined up, when he was caught off
Cato who took 3-44. He struckseven fours.
LIME Radcliffe, set a target of161 in 25 overs, played out for adraw as they ended on 53-3 whenplay was called.
Rivals bear down on third straight title
Sunil Ambris had scores of 79 & 35 tohelp Saints to victory.
Darron Greaves hits a second innings68 to give ASCO a glimmer of hope.
Deighton Butler; broke the back ofRadcliffe’s batting.
Hyron Shallow hit a well compiled secondinnings of 72.
28. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
SportsVTHE NATIONAL FEMALEvolleyball team is off to StCroix, United States VirginIslands, to compete in PoolK of the second round ofqualifiers for the WorldChampionship.
The Vincentian lasseswill face off against El-Salvador, British VirginIslands and host UnitedStates Virgin Islands, in atournament that runsfrom May 25 to 27.
Only the teamfinishing first isguaranteed a place in thenext round.
Shaun Young, coach ofthe team, told THEVINCENTIAN that theteam has been inpreparation since January
2013 and they have hadthe services of Brazilianvolleyball coach, JoaoCarlos Campos.
“We have beenpreparing for a very longtime, and the morale inthe unit is very high,which gives me highexpectation of the team,”Young said.
Young recognized thatthe team has not playedmuch regional volleyballmatches leading up tothis tournament, but heremains confident thatthe team will do well.
As a corrective step inthis direction, the teamwill spend three days inBarbados, during whichtime they will play a
series of warm upmatches against localvolleyball teams, beforedeparting on the May24th for St. Croix.
SVG’s first game isscheduled for Saturday25th May.
Nikita Campbell,captain of the team,expressed the view that,once the team doeswhat they have beendrilled to do over thepast months, the girlsshould give a goodaccount of themselves.
Campbell will lead ateam that includes:outside players BretishaGregg, Junette Young,Krystal Ralph andShanique DeShong;
WESLEY SIMMONS andJoel O’Garro assured acommanding victory forBuccament Bay Androidsover Triumph UnitedCricket Club, in a weekendFirst Division match of theNational CricketCompetition, played at inBuccament.
Buccament BayAndroids, batting first,posted 253 for 7, led byWesley Simmons with anunbeaten knock of 102and Ray Charles with 63.Rohan Ash returned figuresof 3 for 48 to be Triumph’sbest bowler.
When Triumph batted,they were undone by thepace of Joel O’Garro, the Division’s leading wickettaker. O’Garro snared 6 wickets for 44 runs tohelp stop Triumph at an exact 100, Rohan Ash top-scoring with 18.
Asked to follow on, Triumph were againunsettled by pace and theysuccumbed to the fastbowling pair of Obed McCoy,5 for 26, and O’Garro, 3 for11, to close at 101, handingvictory to Buccament by aninnings and 52 runs. DeptorCulzac top scored with 30 inTriumph’s unsuccessful bid toavoid defeat.
This weekend, Rudy’sElectrical Unique Warriorswill face Robertson’sSurveying Belmont United atNorth Union, and Police Oneoppose Sion Hill atBuccament.
I.B.A.ALLEN
SOPHIA YOUNG, the Vincentian-born professionalbasketballer and leading scorer for the San Antonio SilverStars in the 2012 WNBA, could well be on the sidelines forthe 2013 WNBA schedule.
Young tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her rightknee during the Women’s Chinese Basketball Associationplayoffs last week, and the preliminary reports are that shewill likely miss significant time in the 2013 WNBA season.
Young returned to San Antonio where she had an MRI.It confirmed the injury and corrective surgery wasscheduled for this week.
There was no timetable for her return, and speculationwas rife that she would miss all or the better part of the2013 WNBA which starts in late spring.
Young is a three-time WNBA All-Star. She was thefourth overall pick in the 2006 draft after leading BaylorUniversity to its first national championship in 2005.
(Source: San Antonio AP)
NATIONAL batter Cordel Jack began the 2013SVG Cricket Association RBTT Bank SeniorWomen’s T 20 Competition with an importanthalf century.
Her 88 helped Survivors to amass 174 for 2in 20 overs against Garifuna Stars in aweekend match played at the South RiversPlaying Field.
Jack was ably supported by national playerSamantha Lynch who got 38.
Lynch returned to do damage with the ball,grabbing 5 wickets for 12 runs, to help restrictGarifuna Stars to a pedestrian 64 runs in 16overs.
In another weekend game, J.G Tigress beatGarifuna Stars by 7 wickets. Garifuna Starsmade 99 for 9 from 20 overs. Rochelle John took3 for 25. J.G Tigress in reply, raced to 100 for3 from 15.3 overs. Latoya Providence, nationalall-rounder, top scored with 27 not out andShelly-Anne John was on 21.
I.B.A.ALLEN
The National Volleyball team that will compete in St.Croix.
Nikita Campbell,captain of the NationalFemale Volleyball team.
Female volleyballersoff to World qualifiers
BuccamentBay humblesTriumph
Jack guides Survivors to big win
Cordel Jack dominatedthe ball to rack up herfirst half century, 88, forthe season.
Samantha Lynch put in agood all roundperformance.
Vincy basketballstar injured
Sophia Young, star basketballforward, could well miss most ifnot all of the 2013 WNBA season.
Wesley Simmons hit102 not out to helpset up victory forBuccament BayAndroids.
Joel O’Garrofinished with amatch haul of 9 for56.
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. 29.
SportsV
FOOTBALL fans will be glued to the final of the2013 UEFA Champions League final featuringBayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, onSaturday. It will be at Wembley, the heart ofEnglish football. That will echo sentiments ofdisenchantment because no home team will beparticipating.
Other football lovers might still be broodingbecause none of the Spanish favourites progressed.
Both teams have to be congratulated for theemphatic manner of their progress.
The German invasion represents an acceptanceof a hitherto hidden factor of German impact onworld football. The Germans have that knack ofholding on to games, or springing a surprise whenit is least expected.
Their style of play has always been of an indepth nature.
Recently, they have combined grit anddetermination with flair and finesse. Theirconsistency on the world stage has been assuredby the foundation of their Club structure, and thisyear’s EUFA Cup is proving that.
The Bundesliga, symbol of German Clubfootball, has defined itself as a showpiece ofinternational heritage. The German influence hasseemingly caught on internationally.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines did not escapethe German ambit.
The Windward Islands Football tournament sawa revival in April. That event was won byGrenada. It was a triangular affair with Dominicaforced to withdraw following the death of twomembers of that tour party while they were ontheir way to the airport to travel to St. Vincent.
The organizers replaced the Dominican squadwith a President’s XI. That team was told from theonset that they were ineligible for the prize money.
In the President’s XI was one Elias Straiter, aGerman, who wore the number 10 jersey.
He was here studying agriculture on anarrangement to facilitate his entry to a universitywhere he will also be doing Sports Managementwhen he returns home.
Straiter did not abandon what seems to be hiscountry’s national pastime.
He turned out for North Leeward in a LeagueCompetition organized by the St. Vincent and theGrenadines Football Federation. Straiter, with acool straight forward pattern of play, seems tohave the ability to fit into any unit.
His presence in the North Leeward team led tothem achieving results of a positive nature.
It was no surprise that Straiter came up as anautomatic choice for the reserved Vincentianoutfit.
Youths in the North Leeward area benefittedfrom his presence. He played with a FourthDivision team in the Bundesliga.
Straiter appeared as a youth for teams inDortmund, so there will be no guess as to whom hewill be supporting.
Straiter, with some coaching experience,enjoyed the opportunity to intermingle with theNorth Leeward youths.
There is no doubt that something from him willrub off in North Leeward. Straiter played twogames for the President’s XI. He was a crowdfavourite in the first game against Grenada.
People at times called on the other team matesto “pass the ball give the white man.”
The second match was a casual affair betweenthe two Vincentian teams which the senior teamwon 2:0.
Straiter missed the third match when thePresident’s XI were beaten 2:1 by St. Lucia.
Straiter has left his mark on Vincentian soil.His record will show two appearances for aVincentian national team, albeit a President’s XI.
With the German influence at a peak, Straitercould be pleased with his contribution to theepidemic.
German influence
ZEFAL BAILEY continued on thepath to be the top cyclist for 2013when he rode to another victorylast Sunday, in the 52-mile FaceyTrading sponsored road race.
Bailey, the youngest in thefield among those in category oneof the road bikers, took 2 hours 48minutes 50.16 seconds tocomplete the course which beganat the St Vincent Automotive Co-op gas station on Tyrell Street, toBiabou, back to the Round Aboutin Arnos Vale, then back toBiabou, before finishing at theSion Hill intersection.
Bailey outlasted the older andmore experienced Peter Durrant,whose time was 2 hours 49minutes 23 seconds and thirdplaced Casnel Duncan in 3 hours11 minutes 30 seconds.
Bailey dispensed of anychallenge by Durrant with about10 miles to go and literallycruised home to victorythereafter.
Taking the category two of theroad bikers was Randy Wilkinsonin 1hour 31 minutes 51 seconds,with Oneil George second in atime of 1 hour 39 minutes 49seconds and third, Curtis Lewis,who gave up dealing with themore complete motor vehicles inpreference to his cycle, in a timeof 1 hour 48 minutes 21 seconds.
David Thomas won themountain bike segment in 1 hour45minutes 08 seconds; SteveOllivierre finished second in 1
hour 49 minutes 20 seconds andShawn Chandler was third in 1hour 53 minutes 47 seconds.
And in the female division, thewinner was Niesha Alexander bysome distance over the otherparticipant, Crystal Durrant.
Alexander’s time was 2 hours23 minutes 16 seconds, whileDurrant’s time was 2 hours 40minutes 38 seconds.
The category two of the roadbikers, the mountain bikes andthe females did one lap of thecourse, a distance of 26 miles.
Next on the calendar of theSVG Cycling Union is thenational championship.
WHILE last weekendmatches in the MustiqueT20 Cricket Competitionthrew up some goodscores as targets, thosein chase of victory weredismal.
Saturday’s match sawSalanga Tomahawksamassing 172 runs forthe loss of 7 wicketsagainst Pink HouseTags. Nile Jacksoncracked an unbeaten 55,Oneil Thomas had 34and Razine Browne, 23,to be Tomahawks’ topscorers.
The 4 wickets wereshared among fourbowlers.
In reply, Pink HouseTags proved to havelittle or no point to theirbatting and succumbedfor 71. Olson Maytopscored with 11.
Sherbert Jacobsgrabbed 5 wickets for 23runs in 3.3 overs andwas named Man of theMatch, ahead of RazineBrowne who completed agood all roundperformance; he claimed3 wickets for 16 runs inhis 4 overs to add to his23 runs.
On Sunday, MilsomConstruction took onestep closer to retaining
their title when theydisposed of a haplessHybrid Alliance.
Hybrid Alliance wonthe toss and if that wasconsidered a sign thatluck was on their side,their decision to sendtheir opponents in to batproved to be a slap in theface.
Milson proceeded toslam a formidable 188for 8 in their allotted 20overs, Lennon Cainegetting 60 and KevinGreen 50.
In what was an excusefor a chase, HybridAlliance capitulated after12.2 overs with only 76runs on the card, towhich Chrsitol Greavescontributed 23.
Bowling for Milsom,Cedric Cupid took 4wickets for 10 runs in 4overs, Harris Roberts 3for 9 in 3, and Kevin
Green 3 for 22 in 3.Man of the Match was
Kevin Green of MilsomConstruction for his 50runs and 2 wickets for 22runs.
This weekend,Terraces Tags come upagainst Rock Masters onSaturday, and onSunday, Pink HouseTags take on AlumbreraSweepers.
(Contributed: AdeshaPeters)
Zefal Bailey made light work ofthe competition in the categoryone division for road nikers.
Zefal Bailey cyclesto another win
Dismal chases in Mustique
David Thomas was tops amongthe mountain bikers.
30. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013. 31.
ClassifiedsV
CECILIA THOMPSON
Methodist ChurchKingstown
Wednesday 22nd
May, 2013
3:00 p.m.
NEVILLE HARRY
St. GeorgeÊs Cathedral
Kingstown
Friday 17th May, 2013
3:00 p.m.
FREDERICK CAMPBELL
St. GeorgeÊs Cathedral
Kingstown
Wednesday 22nd May, 2013
2:00 p.m.
BERTRAM GEORGE HALL
St. GeorgeÊs Cathedral
Kingstown Wednesday 22nd
May, 2013
10:00 a.m.
CAROL BRERETON
Mt. Moriah S.D. Adventist Church
Monday 20th May, 2013
2:00 p.m.
MS. GRETRUDE AGATHA JOSEPH
Holy Trinity Parish Church,
Commercial Road,
Georgetown,Saturday 18th May,
2013
2:00 p.m.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Family of the late CHRISTOBELLE RICHARDSON
of Clare Valley who passed away on May 4, 2013 expresses sincere appreciation and thanks
to all those who supported them in their time of bereavement by visiting, calling, praying, sending wreaths, and
cards, and attended the funeral.
Sadly missed by children (Selwyn, Palmore, Elroy,
Nilda, Letsie, Juliet, Alton, Leslyn and
Benedict), aunt, uncle, sisters, many relatives
and friends.Rest eternal grant unto
her, O Lord!
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The family of the late CHESTER ROBERT
BONADIE better known as ‘Boiler’ of the USA and formerly of Kingstown Hill who departed this life on the 9th April, 2013 would like to thank all those who
sent wreaths, cards, telephoned, attended the funeral and in any other way sympathised with us
during our recent bereave-ment.
Lovingly missed by his children - Bertram,
Alphonso (Ras Ital), Elliot Putty Dopwell, Cheryl
Bailey. Sisters including Esther Thomas, Louise
Toney and Janice Williams.Grandchildren, nieces,
nephews, cousins, many other relatives and friends.
May he rest in peace.
IN MEMORIAMIIn memory of
JACK & BERYL KINGof Chateaubelair, who
went to the Great Beyond on June 11th 1993 and May 29th 2008 respectively.
It has been some years since both of you left us
Your love was a blessing and inspiration to us.God took you home
For He knew the road was getting too rough for you both.
Your love and care will always be remem-bered.
They will be forever etched in our hearts and memories.
We are truly blessed to receive your numerous blessings,
May you continue to rest in peace.Lovingly remembered by your many children,
relatives and friends.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The family of the late CAULDRICK FERGUS of
Sion Hill take this opportunity to express our sincere and heartfelt appreciation to everyone who prayed, extended sympathy, words of
comfort, attended the funeral, visited and
supported us in our time of bereavement.
Perhaps you sent a floral piece, if so we saw it
there.Perhaps you spoke the kindest words, as any
friend could say; perhaps you were not there at all.Just thought of us that’s what. Whatever you did
to console our hearts, we thank you so much, whatever the part.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The family of the late NEVILLE WINSTON
HARRYwould like to thank all
those who sympathized with them on their recent loss, and all those who showed
support and kindness at the passing of our
brother, Neville Harry.The Lord giveth and the
Lord taketh. Blessed be the name of
the Lord.From Lorna Nash,
Barbara Harry, neices and nephews.
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013 VOLUME 107, No.21 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50
A.I. REAL ESTATESouth Rivers 4 bedrm Property on 2,952 sq.ft. - $152,000.00 - H716
Published by The VINCENTIAN Publishing Co. Ltd, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.
The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
by HAYDN HUGGINS
THIS COUNTRY’S 2013 Fisherman of theYear, Lenford Jack, popularly called‘Jerry’, of Rillan Hill, thinks it’s time St.Vincent and the Grenadines embark on afish processing programme.
“We need to process our fish. Thereare so many ways in which you canprocess fish. The local consumer canhave the fish for the whole year if it isprocessed,” Jack told THEVINCENTIAN during an interview.He was declared Fisherman of theYear on Monday during the annualFisherman’s Day event held at theCalliaqua Playing Field.
Jack landed a wining catch of 785lbs with the boat ‘Genesis’, which heowns and captains.
Not enough done for fishing
And while he is happy to havecopped the title for the second time,the first being in 2001, Jack thinks
successive governments have not doneenough to develop the industry andhelp fishermen.
He pointed out there are billions ofdollars in resources in the sea and“you don’t have to use chemicals tofeed the fish.”
Jack thinks more could be done toutilize those resources.
“It is just talk and no action by bothpast and present governments,” thefather of three sons and one daughterlamented. “Japan makes fish farms,”he underscored.
Other mitigating factorsJack also complained that the price
of fuel is much too high. He noted thatfishermen have to carry up to 60gallons of fuel to sea, even though theymay sometimes use about 25 — 30gallons.
“If the price of fuel is reduced, thefisherman can reduce the price to theconsumer, providing a healthierlifestyle for the people. It is muchhealthier to eat fish than meat and
chicken,” Jackexplained.
In the blood
The Rillan Hillman pointed outthat, althoughRillan Hill is moreof a farmingcommunity, he wasfishing since hewas about 15 yearsold, at the timeattending theDaisley SecondarySchool at Stubbs.He noted that hisgrandfather andfather were
fishermen, and he is currently traininghis three sons, ages 12, 14 and 16, inthe art of fishing.
“It is in the blood,” Jack boasted. Hereiterated his happiness at copping thetitle, but stressed, “My happiness is allbecause of the Almighty Father,” andpointed to the name of his boat,‘Genesis’, explaining that it is areflection of the strong spiritual valuesto which he and his family adhere.
Jack commended his crew, KenroyCharles of Lowmans Hill and PaulJohannes of Layou, who left shorewith him around 4:30 a.m. on Mondayto make the victorious expedition.
“It was very good. The forecast wasvery cool, that’s what the fish like. Wedid not encounter any difficulty,” thefisherman of about 24 years explained.
Prizes and other winners
For copping the title, Jack receiveda 75Hp Yamaha 4-stroke outboardengine, a trophy, a VHF radio, threelife jackets and a case of outboard oil.
Daniel Quow, who captained theboat ‘Sea Hunter 2’, landed the secondheaviest catch of 663 lbs. He walkedaway with $2,000, a GPS/ fish findercombination, a handheld VHF radio, acase of outboard oil, three life jackets,a case of Guinness and two bottles ofvodka.
Andy Mc Millan of Kingstown, wholanded 571 lbs, the third heaviestcatch, with the boat ‘Determination’,received $1,000, a handheld VHF
Radio, a Garmine GPS, a case ofoutboard oil, three life jackets, twobottles of vodka and first aid kit.
This year’s month of activities forfisherfolk was held under the theme,‘Increasing fishing productivitythrough innovative technology’, andthe slogan, ‘New technology fisheffectively’.
The activities culminated with thefisherman/woman of the yearcompetition and closing ceremony atthe Calliaqua Playing Field onMonday.
(More Fisherman’s day stories onPage 6)
Fisherman of the Year, Lenford Jack,with daughter, collects his trophyfrom Prime Minister Dr. RalphGonsalves. His top prize, a 75HpYamaha 4-stroke outboard engine,stands nearby.
Lenford ‘Jerry’ Jack – Fisherman ofthe Year 2013.
L-R: Lenford Jack and his crew, Paul Johannes andKenroy Charles.
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