20. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN Advice V In the wrong camp Dear George, MY BOYFRIEND finally decided to introduce me to his parents after dating for 8 months. I had asked him to take me to them before now, but he was reluctant, saying it was not the right time. I was so shocked when his mother said to him in my presence that she thought he would have chosen someone with a lighter complexion. His reply to her was that his genes were too strong for us to have dark-skinned children. For the whole time I was there, she just talked about how well off they were; how she hoped I was not in the relationship for her son’s money. My boyfriend never once spoke in my defence, and allowed his mother to humiliate me. I told him how upset and hurt I was by his mother’s comments and his refusal to speak in my interest, and all he said was his mother never said anything that was not true, and that I should not take them to make an issue. I am not sure I am in the right camp here. Second thoughts Dear Second thoughts, Be satisfied that this visit gave you the opportunity to see things for what they are with your boyfriend and his parents. Your friend seemed very comfortable with the way his parents treated you, and saw no reason for any objection to the ‘forward behaviour’ of his mother. Implications were made of you being a gold digger and also being the ‘wrong’ mix for their ‘colour scheme’. You cannot afford to gloss over these very important issues. It may be less stressful to find someone who accepts you for who you are, and certainly, your boyfriend’s failure to rebut his mother’s thinking of you being a gold digger could very well mean that he also has his doubts. You may not only be in the wrong camp but hitched to the wrong camping partner. Keep your options open. George Dear George, My girlfriend is Trinidadian. We have been together for 2 years. It was not a smooth ride at all, and I must admit, we argued a lot. Our latest argument was over a statement she made which she refused to take back. She said that Trinidadians are more intelligent and more superior than Vincentians. She said she knows that to be a fact, and used our relationship as her best example, trying to show how more advanced and superior she is than me, both in knowledge and skill. I argued that it is not about competing with each other, and that she had the wrong thinking which would ultimately lead to the demise of our relationship. She simply laughed me off. I am not happy in this relationship but I have been trying to make it work. Tired love Dear Tired love, I am sure your girlfriend’s views are not necessarily those of all Trinidadians. Here you have someone who has practically caused you 2 years of unhappiness, and has openly voiced her opinion as to what she thinks of you and your position or usefulness in the relationship. Yet, you are bent on prolonging the agony. A good relationship gone bad may have hope of redemption ,but a bad relationship getting worse is not worth the effort. Find a partner who can value what you bring to the table. There is a lot more satisfaction there, George Dear George, THANK YOU for the advice you gave me late last year; I ended up dumping the guy I had, and found me a man who has everything I was looking for. I am so happy now! He is the first man to ever give me a full body massage and bring me flowers. I feel as though I am in a dream, and I pray that I would not wake up one day to find out that none of this is true. OpX Dear OpX, Congratulations on finding someone who has contributed to your happiness. Some stories do have fairy-tale endings, and it appears like yours is one of them. Give it a chance and until you see otherwise. You can safely say you have found your match. George Get a new partner Hoping it is not a dream
Transcript
20. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
AdviceVIn the wrong campDear George,
MY BOYFRIEND finallydecided to introduce me tohis parents after dating for8 months. I had asked himto take me to them beforenow, but he was reluctant,saying it was not the righttime. I was so shockedwhen his mother said tohim in my presence thatshe thought he would havechosen someone with alighter complexion. Hisreply to her was that hisgenes were too strong forus to have dark-skinnedchildren.
For the whole time Iwas there, she justtalked about how well offthey were; how shehoped I was not in therelationship for her son’smoney. My boyfriendnever once spoke in mydefence, and allowed his
mother to humiliate me.I told him how upset andhurt I was by hismother’s comments andhis refusal to speak inmy interest, and all hesaid was his mothernever said anything thatwas not true, and that Ishould not take them tomake an issue.
I am not sure I am inthe right camp here.
Second thoughts
Dear Second thoughts,
Be satisfied that this
visit gave you theopportunity to see thingsfor what they are withyour boyfriend and hisparents. Your friendseemed very comfortablewith the way his parentstreated you, and saw noreason for any objectionto the ‘forwardbehaviour’ of his mother.Implications were madeof you being a gold diggerand also being the‘wrong’ mix for their‘colour scheme’. Youcannot afford to glossover these veryimportant issues. It may
be less stressful to findsomeone who accepts youfor who you are, andcertainly, yourboyfriend’s failure torebut his mother’sthinking of you being agold digger could verywell mean that he alsohas his doubts.
You may not only bein the wrong camp buthitched to the wrongcamping partner. Keepyour options open.
George
Dear George,
My girlfriend is Trinidadian. Wehave been together for 2 years. It wasnot a smooth ride at all, and I mustadmit, we argued a lot.
Our latest argument was over astatement she made which she refusedto take back. She said thatTrinidadians are more intelligent andmore superior than Vincentians. Shesaid she knows that to be a fact, andused our relationship as her bestexample, trying to show how moreadvanced and superior she is than me,both in knowledge and skill. I arguedthat it is not about competing witheach other, and that she had thewrong thinking which wouldultimately lead to the demise of ourrelationship. She simply laughed meoff.
I am not happy in this relationshipbut I have been trying to make it
work.
Tired love
Dear Tired love,
I am sure your girlfriend’s viewsare not necessarily those of allTrinidadians. Here you have someonewho has practically caused you 2years of unhappiness, and has openlyvoiced her opinion as to what shethinks of you and your position orusefulness in the relationship. Yet,you are bent on prolonging the agony.
A good relationship gone bad mayhave hope of redemption ,but a badrelationship getting worse is not worththe effort. Find a partner who canvalue what you bring to the table.There is a lot more satisfaction there,
George
Dear George,
THANK YOU for theadvice you gave me latelast year; I ended updumping the guy I had,and found me a man whohas everything I waslooking for. I am sohappy now! He is thefirst man to ever give mea full body massage andbring me flowers. I feelas though I am in adream, and I pray that Iwould not wake up oneday to find out that noneof this is true.
OpX
Dear OpX,
Congratulations onfinding someone who hascontributed to yourhappiness. Some storiesdo have fairy-taleendings, and it appearslike yours is one ofthem.
Give it a chance anduntil you see otherwise.You can safely say youhave found your match.
George
Get a new partner
Hoping it isnot a dream
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. 21.
LeisureVACROSS
1.Bigger_life5. Eight, to
Eduardo9. Edge13. Detroit
product 14. TV Chef
Deen 16. Hoax17. Scared19. Fail to use 20. Jerry’s
ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20)You can make money through yourown creative efforts. Self-improvementcould bring amazing results. You maywant to get involved in financial invest-ments presented to you. Just be your-self.
TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21)You may find it impossible to get therest you require. Travel should opendoors that lead to exciting new adven-tures. Try to include friends and rela-tives in your activities. You will easilycapture the interest of those you talkto.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21)Your reputation will be affected.Friends and relatives may be hard totake this week. You are best to work athome, clearing up overdue projects.Don't be too quick to voice your opin-ion. Listen to others carefully.
CANCER (June 22-July 22)The key to feeling good about yourselfwill be to do something about it. Youwill be able to borrow money in orderto invest. Stay away from socialunpleasantness. Don't get depressed,get busy. You can accomplish a lot ifyou're willing to put in a little extratime.
LEO (July 23-Aug 22)Tempers will mount if you are toopushy at work. Be careful not to leadsomeone on if you truly have no inter-est. Don't get involved in idle chatterthat will hurt your position. You mayhave been too nice to a friend who justwanted to take advantage of you.
VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)Plan to get out and do a bit of travel.Look into some personal changes.Your partner could also use some timealone with you. You can meet new andexciting friends who will provide mentalstimulation.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)Make love, not war, and all will be fine.Don't make unreasonable promises.Avoid any erratic behavior or it couldcause isolation at home. Your loverprobably won't put up with your behav-ior.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)Travel should be on your mind.Opportunities for travel and communica-tion are evident. Your ability to seeother people's points of view will allowyou to come to reasonable agreements.Don't let your personal partner hold youback or slow you down.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)Get involved in the activities of children.They will teach you far more than youexpect. You have a tendency to thinkthat no one else will do things properly.Most partner problems are a result ofboth people not living up to their promis-es. Make changes in your domesticscene.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)Be careful that you aren't saddled withthe responsibilities of others. Throwyourself into your profession. Don't for-get that your budget is limited right now.It's hard to stay mad if the object of theanger refuses to react.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19)Take the time to help those less fortu-nate. If you can mix business withpleasure much can be accomplished.Don't say things that could be damaginglater on. Cut loose. You need some rest.
PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)You need to spend less time daydream-ing and more time accomplishing. Youmay be somewhat emotional concerninga rather private matter. You can makechanges to your home that will bepleasing to all concerned. You'll regretevery word for some time to come.
23. Chafing _25. Clashes 27. Actress
Gene __28. Not fooled
by 30. Forest
creature 32. Fit 33. Lucky
clover leafcount
34. They coverHighland
heads35. Camel’s
feature 36. Therefore
(Lat.)37. Intentions 39. Manitoba
Indian 43. Pro _44. Collar stiff-
ener 46. Yogi,e.g48. Made
queries 50. Garden
shovels 52. Black birds 54. Pea hold-
ers 56. Jewish
scholar 57. “It’s _ the
Game” (2 wds)
58. Actress Irene 59. Declare
assuredly 60. Factory 62. Signs, as a
contract 64. G-men 67. Slippery _68. Entertainer
Zadora 69. Give help
LA
ST
WE
EK
’sS
OL
UT
ION
22. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
BusinessVCOLIN YOUNG IS THE FIRST EVER KITE-FLYINGCHAMPION AND KING OF THE PARK OF CANOUAN.Young took the honour at the inaugural Karib CableKite-Flying Competition held in Canouan, Sunday,March 10, at the Canouan Recreational Centre.
The Canouan leg formed part of the 15th AnnualKarib Cable Kite-Flying Competition, and got thisyear’s competition on the way.
Originally from Park Hill, but now resident inCanouan, Young won from a field of thirtycompetitors, with his home-made box kite, and tookhome two cases of Fruta box juices, complimentsFACEY; Kiss Cakes gift pack and cake fromPremier Distributor,;a trophy and a medal; and aTV set compliments Karib Cable.
“I told my friends when I heard Karib Cable wascoming down here with their kite flying competitionthat I was going to win this. It was just a boastbecause I really didn’t know I would win, but beingcrowned king and knowing I am the first winner inCanouan, will go down in the history book,” said a
delighted Colin as he was crowned king at theCanouan Recreational Centre.
“I want to thank everyone at Karib Cable onbehalf of the Canouan people, for bringing thisevent down here, and with God’s blessing, I amlooking forward to represent Canouan in the final inRabacca and to defend my crown next year,” headded. Other notable winners in the Competitionwere: Dellicia King in the under-10 category;Rockesha Young who won in the 11-15-year group;thirty-four-year-old Kyron Roberts in the 16-pluscategory and who was also adjudged the best flyer;Xavier Charles, 18 months, the youngest flyer,; andPhilistine Walker for the most original kite.
Vance Garraway, Marketing Executive of KaribCable, addressing the presentation ceremony atthe Canouan Recreational Centre, commended thepeople of Canouan for their participation, notingthat “It was a pleasure to see boys and girls of allages, and entire families taking part in thiscompetition.”
The 15th Annual Karib Cable Kite-FlyingCompetition moves to Bequia on Sunday, March 17,and climaxes in a grand final at Rabacca on March24.
Young is CanouanÊs King of the Park
FOR THE SECONDTIME IN 2013,NATASHA ANDERSONhas struck gold in one ofDigicel’s Text to winpromotions. The luckylady is Digicel’sFebruary Text to Winchampion, and has, as aresult, brought herwinning tally to $7000in cash, along with otherprizes.
Her latest win sawher testing ‘LOVE’ to7171 and winningherself a weekend fortwo at the Buccama BayResort and EC$2000 incash.
Justin John,Marketing Executive atDigicel, who handedover Anderson’s prize onWednesday, said thatthe lucky lady will also
get the opportunity toexperience the famouswine cellar at Jack’sBar, located on theresort.
“The wine cellar inJack’s Bar is where thecelebrities and sultansdine when they stay atthe resort,” John saidwhile thanking all thepersons whoparticipated in the
February Text to Winpromotion. Andersonsaid that she was happyto have won for thesecond time. During themonth of January,Anderson texted ‘SHOP’to 7171, and as a resultshe won EC$5000 whichhad to be equallydistributed bypurchasing items fromamong five local
business houses ofAnderson’s choosing.
This month, as part ofDigicel’s 10thanniversarycelebrations, thecompany will give awayEC$10,000 cash in theirMarch Text to Winpromotions. To takepart, subscribers musttext ‘TEN’ to 7171. (KH)
Anderson: Repeat winner with Digicel
Natasha Anderson hold theenvelope containing herprice winning cheque.
Colin Young (centre) flanked by Maridonna Burginof CCA (left) and Desmond Veira, Karib Cablerepresentative.
by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT
BUOYED BY THEIR LARGEST SPECTATOR TURNOUT FORAN OPENING OF THE NATIONAL NETBALL tournament inmany years, the SVG Netball Association will be lookingto captivate the imagination of the public with newinitiatives and new programmes.
President of the Association, Dellarice Duncan,said they will be moving to return the sport to aposition among the top three sports in the country.
Duncan told THE VINCENTIAN on Sunday thatshe was heartened by the attendance which waslarger and included persons from all age groups.
‘We have seen a decrease in the spectatorattendance, and this is a good sign. I am hopingthat with our new partnership with LIME thatthings will be moving in a positive direction,” said asmiling Duncan. Speaking on the return of LIME tolocal netball, Duncan said it is the Association’shope that the partnership will allow them to developand spread the sport across the island.
“We are appreciative of the companies who havesupported the game of netball over the years, andcan say they have all made a wonderful contributionin taking the sport to another level. However, ourfocus now is on our partnership with LIME and thecommitment and effort to enjoy positive spinoffs,”she said.
LIME returns as the major sponsor after beingout for five years. The telecommunications companyhas indicated an interest in doing a number ofthings to develop the sport and the players andadministrators.
This was highlighted by Duncan as she addressedthe enthusiastic patrons at Sunday’s opening at theArnos Vale Sports Complex. ‘LIME is offering todevelop our girls holistically,” she said.
“They are extending their scholarship programmeto our young netballers. Additionally, they areaffording us the opportunity to attend a‘Phenomenal Women’ seminar to be held here inApril, and some of our girls will be part of the LIMEInternet Summer Programme,” she added.
Duncan said that the partnership is one that theAssociation “truly appreciates” and would worktirelessly to achieve maximum benefit. The formernational midcourt dynamo and national captain saidthat her executive will be putting together a five-year plan that will cover many areas, as they beginthe process to put some life and energy back in the
sport.The 2013 tournament will see 33 teams taking
part in four divisions. In awards given out on the day, Best Dress Team
went to Courts Maple and second place to WesternUnion Mitres. Best Banner went to Vita MaltMaple and second place to Bank of SVG ValleyNetters. In the featured game, which was a replayof the Firms and Industrial tournament final, NBCRadio beat RSVG Police 45 — 39.
In other matches played on Sunday, Dutch LadyClinchers defeated ASCO TWO 29 — 13 in aDivision THREE encounter; Barrouallie SportsAssociation defeated Prime Consulting Three J'sValley Strikers 54 - 38 in Division TWO.And onMonday, Everready Future Stars defeated ThirdEye Security X-ceed 20 goals to 15 in DivisionTHREE and Green Hill Sports Club went Under toAyees Nice Radio Clinches 41 goals to 46 in aDivision TWO showdown.
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. 23.
Sports VNetball looking forwardwith confidence
Action in the Dutch Lady Clinchers-ASCO TWOmatch played last Sunday.
by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT
GUARDIAN LIFE SAINTS showered fireand brimstone on the heads of LIMERadcliffe by beating them by 146 runswhen action in the second round ofmatches in the national cricketprogramme continued at Arnos ValeTWO.
The victory for Guardian LifeSaints, who placed third in the 2012season, was constructed by a nearcentury by the classy Romel Currencyand his younger sibling, Sunil Ambris,who hit a half century in both inningsas well, and a ten-wicket match haulby Ray Charles.
Currency, who has been effectivelyout of local cricket for a number ofyears, during which he pursuedstudies at the UWI Cave Hill, didmake sporadic appearances for thelongstanding Saints Cricket Club, who
was demoted to the FirstDivision two years ago.
“I enjoyed batting on thispitch because the live grass gaveit good bounce, allowing me toplay through the line, and thebowlers to get good carry..…it’s nolonger a dust wicket, it’s a good pitch,”he said about the Arnos Vale TWOpitch after his innings.
On Sunday, Currency, now oncourse to playing his first full seasonin sometime, made full capital of hisfortune after being handed a numberof chances. He hit 90 as his team setabout gathering quick runs to force adeclaration. He struck 10 sixes andfour fours before being caught on theedge of the boundary, as his teamreached 186-5. Ambris hit 52 adornedby eight fours and two sixes.
Offspinner Dyke Cato came in for a
hiding to endwith 3-73 off ten
overs.Set 243 for
victory, LIMERadcliffe were left
with a sour taste intheir mouth after subsiding
for 97, with Charles, 5-42, and KentishJacobs, 4-31,doing the damage.
On day one ,Guardian Life Saintswere dismissed for 137 after losingtheir last seven wickets for 28 runswith Ambris hitting 52 with sevenfours, and Rickford Walker 27.Westrick Strough took 5-27 and DeanBrowne 4-38.
LIME Radcliffe found the bowling ofCharles, 5-33, and Romario Bibby, 5-34, too good and folded for 81 in 22over,s conceding a lead of 56. GuardianLife Saints after that, never let go of
theinitiative,and easilywon in theend bydismissingtheiropponentsin 18 overs.
V 24. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
Weekend FootballRound- UpFOLLOWING THEIR 3-1 victory over WestKingstown, on Thursday 7th, North Leewardcontinued their good form by defeating Buccament3-nil at the Layou Playing Field, on Saturday,March 9, in the Hairoun Beer National CommunityFootball League.
Kemel Bowens, Kurtland Williams and OlandoPierre were on the score sheet for North Leeward inSaturday’s match.
Also on Saturday, Calliaqua won by the defaultover Bequia at the Brighton Playing Field.
At Victoria Park on Sunday 10, Sion Hill beatEast Kingstown 6-4 in a very interesting encounter.Dorian Dallaway, Juma Gilkes and Fitz-AllanBramble scored two goals each for Sion Hill.Thaddeus Velox, Shin Boyea, Zenroy Lee and EzraAlleyne scored for East Kingstown.
Atwin Bruce and Nasir Mc Burnette scored agoal each as South Leeward beat Layou 2-nil andWest Kingstown upset defending championsBarrouallie,1-nil.Damon Mason scored for WestKingstown. Both matches were played last Sunday.
Georgetown defeated South East 2-nil at theChili Playing Field in Georgetown. (KH)
by E. GLENFORDPRESCOTT
RSVG POLICE TWO, onthe back of a positivesecond innings battingdisplay on a less thanperfect pitch at the SionHill Playing Field, beatCarl Joseph LawChambers ASCO by 79runs in their PremierDivision cricket match onthe weekend.
The lawmen’scompelling case wasfashioned by theevidence of Mc CleanWilliams, Salvan Browneand Danson Andrewswho all struck halfcenturies after theirteam had failed inquestioning in their firsttime around.
Williams, who hit atop score of 67 with eightfours and one six, andBrowne, 57 with sixfours and one six, raised130 for the first wicketafter Police were facedwith a deficit of 48.
Andrews, the formerVictors ONE openingbatsmen and new policerecruit, added an even 50with five fours and two
sixes, to help PoliceTWO declare on250-7 in 49 overson a pitch whichsaw a number ofballs keeping lowand others popping.
Set 203 forvictory, CarlJoseph LawChambers ASCOfell to pieces underthe gun of KenroyMartin, 4-47,falling for 123 in31.2 overs.
Earlier, PoliceTWO had won thetoss and elected tobat but werehumbled for 81,with RolandoWright, swinging fromthe hips, top scoring with22 with two sixes andtwo fours. Medium pacerEric Morris took 4-17and left-arm spinnerAndre Hunte 3-29.
ASCO then set aboutcompiling what shouldhave been an airtightcase against the raggedlaw enforcement brigade.Despite losing their bestbatsman, DesroyMaloney, without a runon the board, they
produced the relevantsections from theirvolumes to impact thecrime scene.
They, however, badlybungled their approachin what should havebeen their closingarguments. From theirrelatively convincingposition of 118-4, theycontradicted themselvesto see five wickets fall atthe same score, to tumbleto 118-9 under theserious cross
examination of left-armspinner Wright, whoended with 6-42 in 12overs. He stood at onetime on 2-38 from eightovers. Oswald Soleyn,36, Darren Greaves, 28,and Renrick Williams,24, made useful scores.
In the end, the PoliceTWO were allowed toenter irrefutableevidence and a soundclosing argument to takethe full points.
ASCO buckles under Police Two’s cross examination
Rolando Wright, left armspinner, held ASCO incheck.
McClean Williamas top-scored for Plice TWO intheir successful run chase.
Saints spankslacklustreRadcliffe
Right: RomelCurrency, seenleaving the fieldat Arnos ValeTWO, struck achancy 90 to helphis team, Saints,to victory.
Left: RayCharlesproved toogood for theRadcliffebatsmen.
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. 25.
SportsV
THE TELECOMMUNICATION company LIMEhas pledged its commitment to the local netballAssociation, and President Dellarice Duncan hasvowed to return the sports to its pedestal; but theymight have missed the opportunity to begin theresurgence on a firmer footing.
Instead of the ‘fun’ game between the NationalBroadcasting Corporation and the Police outfits, agenuine competitive encounter ought to have beenscheduled as the highlight of the opening.
LIME has promised to be part of all thecompetitions run by the Association. So the timewould have come for the Industrial tournament totake centre stage.
The Under-23 outfit is the defendingOrganisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)champion. There was a time when, once thattournament was announced, it was a foregoneconclusion as to who the winner would have been.
Our success rate has tapered off lately until lastyear.
Maybe netball enthusiasts have become tired ofthe Mitres/Maples clash. So the thought emergedto ride on the popularity of the Industrialtournament finalists.
NBC Radio emerged winners in what might beexciting Netball, but it will not go far in improvingthe sport here.
The Industrial Tournament is meant to provideworkers at institutions with an opportunity tomingle outside the job, retain some fitness andhelp with operations at the workplace. Therefore,to use a match of that nature as the drawing cardfor the opening of a season signals that theAssociation has no confidence in the present torch-bearers of the sport.
LIME will also be supporting the seniornational tournament as well as Under-23 andUnder-16 competitions. It proposes to avail itsexpertise to the Association so as to prop up allaspects of the game here.
The Association has to take advantage of theoffer, and if it means shifting the focus to an areawhere it would redound to the benefit of the sport,that direction ought to have been taken.
The Association is sincere about their duties,and they will build on the platform they haveinherited.
Focus is already on the 60th anniversary of theCaribbean Netball Association next year.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been abulwark in the field over that period. Their recordhas been ruined over recent times, and the prideand prestige that this country carried has beendeclining.
The situation may be reflective of a broadersocietal problem. Whereas previously womenmaintained generally the moral fabric of thesociety, there is a creeping trend of recklessness bythe female population.
While there are worries about the waningdominance of males in areas of traditional maledominance, and the appearance of more women inthose areas, the reverse is on the horizon, in thatmany of the negative spheres of macho behaviourare being matched by their female counterparts.
The Netball Association has a task of ensuringthat the sport resorts to its role of instilling somesense of decorum within our population.
But it is not a woman problem. The men have toshoulder their portion of the burden and establishsome harmony in seeing that any threats to thedevelopment of a healthy community are erased.
Keeping the plot
Regional Cricket Round-up 4
Windwardssuccumb toJamaica’sspin duo
WINDWARDSSUCCUMBEDto the guile ofthe spin pair ofNikita Millerand OdeanBrown, to gounder toJamaica by 91runs at theNationalStadium inGrenada.
Needing 175 to win, theWindwards fell for 83, withinthree days, with Millercapitalizing on some ineptWindwards’ batting, taking 7 for30 and Brown 3 for 17.
Tyrone Theophile’s 20 was theWindwards’ top score.
Jamaica batted first and made207. Nikita Miller hit 55 andDave Bernard 52. ShaneShillingford grabbed 4 for 74 andDarren Sammy had figures of 3for 28.
They fared even worse a secondtime around, closing at 97 all out,with Odean Brown, 27, leadingthe batting. Darren Sammy, 4-20,Shane Shillingford, 4-45, DellornJohnson, Chris Gayle’s nemesis inboth innings, 2 for 21, shared thespoils.
The Windwards’ batsman couldnot match the efforts of thebowlers, as they were dismissedfor 130 in their first knock, withDevon Smith hitting 49 andJohnson Charles 30. NikitaMiller picked up 2 for 16, TamarLambert 2 for 27 and OdeanBrown 2 for 31.
The Windwards remain on 36points from 4 matches, whileJamaica is the lone unbeatenteam, sitting on 24 points from 2matches, the same as Barbadoswhose tally is from 3 matches.
T& T surpasses Guyana
Host Trinidad and Tobagohad to ward off a determinedGuyana team to go fourth in thetable.
Trinidad and Tobago battedfirst and scored 319; DeneshRamdin hit 84, Darren Bravo66, Lendl Simmons 51, andImran Khan 44.
Bowling for Guyana,Veerasammy Permaul took 3for 60; Paul Wintz had 2 for50, and Ronsford Beaton 2 for58.
The Guyanese respondedwith 195. Leon Johnson ledtheir batting with 87 andTagenarine Chanderpaul 42.
T & T’s lead bowler wasSunil Narine, who celebratedhis elevation to the currentworld‘s top T/20 bowler. Hebagged 6 for 40.
Trinidad and Tobago thenrushed to 251 for 2 declared.Lendl Simmons cracked 69,Adrian Barath 56, Kieron
Pollard 54 not outand Darren Bravo48 not out.
Set 376 to win,Guyana fell for 330,to lose by 45 runs.ShivnarineChanderpaul struck108, Paul Wintz 50,Devendra Bishoo47 not out andRamnaresh Sarwan42.
Sunil Narinepicked up 4 for 105,Shannon Gabriel 3for 49 and DwayneBravo 2 for 49, to
bowl the hosts to a hard foughtoutright win, and their second inthis year’s campaign.
T & T now sits on 24 pointsfrom 3 matches and Guyanacondemned to 7th on the seventeam table, with 6 points from 4matches.
CCC stops the Leewards frombehind
The Combined Campuses andColleges (CCC) came from behindto record their first maximumpoints, after losing on firstinnings to the Leewards.
The CCC made 180 all out,batting first. Raymon Reifertopscored with 45 and ShacayaThomas contributed 35. LarryJoseph grabbed 3 for 32; GavinTonge had 3 for 55 and AnthonyMartin 2 for 36.
The Leewards replied with 243,a lead of 63. Steve Liburd scored53, Tonito Willett 44, and DevonThomas 40. Bowling for the CCC,Kevin McClean had figures of 3for 39 and Kesrick Williams 2 for
37. Batting a second time, the CCC
declared at 367 for 6. ChadwickWalton hit 101 not out, RaymonReifer 85, Anthony Alleyne 71 andFloyd Reifer 48. Anthony Martintook 3 for 112 and Tonito Willett 2for 100.
Chasing 305 to win, theLeewards crumbled for 152.Devon Thomas scored 37, as RyanAustin picked up 6 for 48 andAkeem Dewar, 2 for 42.
The win pushed the CCC to 12points from three matches, withthe Leewards on 7 points, alsofrom 3 matches.
The competition takes a breakthis weekend, but resumes 23rdMarch, when Barbados hosts theWindwards at the KensingtonOval; Trinidad and Tobago hoststhe CCC at the Queen’s ParkOval, and at the Sabina Park inJamaica, the Leewards are awayto Jamaica.
Mika Miller continues to be awinning spinning option for theJamaicans.
Shane Shillingford tried tokeep the Windwards in with achance against the Jamaicans.
Sunil Narine worked his magic toensure a T&T victory over Guyana.
Century-maker Shiv Chanderpaulcould not prevent a T&T victory.
ChadwickWaltonstrokedhis way toa century.
Ryan Austin just won’t go away.He claimed another five-wicketinnings haul.
26. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. 27.
ClassifiedsV
Arnos Vale Christian
ChurchSunday 10th March, 2013
2:30 p.m.
Healing & Prophetic Ministries
Saturday 9th March, 2013 2:00 p.m.
Born: 30th September, 1924
- Died: 26th February, 2013Grace & Truth
Hall Sunday 10th March, 2013
2:00 p.m.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church
Thursday 6th March, 2013
3:00 p.m.
St. James Anglican ChurchLayou
Saturday 9th March, 2013
3:00 p.m.
Sunrise: 29/10/44 - Sunset: 1/3/13
Mount Halibeth Spiritual
Baptist Church, Villa
Friday 8th March, 2013 2:00 p.m.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013 VOLUME 107, No.11 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50
A.I. REAL ESTATEKingstown Shopping Complex on water front. - CALL - CC082
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 KENVILLE HORNE
THE ISSUE OF TEENAGE PREGNANCYCONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR concern forhealth personnel here.
According to Minister of Health,Wellness and the Environment,Clayton Burgin, there were a total ofeight girls, ranging from 11 to 14 yearsold, who gave birth in SVG last year.
Minister Burgin disclosed the figurewhile delivering a MinisterialStatement during a sitting ofParliament last Monday.
Burgin admitted that teenagepregnancy continues to be the majorconcern for his ministry, even as thenation records a constant decrease inprenatal mortality.
“The area that continues to worrymy ministry is teenage pregnancy. Theteenage pregnancy rate in 2012remained high, standing at 17.9 percent, with eight girls between 11 and
14 giving birth,” said Burgin.The Health Minister said “a
coordinated effort is needed to tacklethis problem,” which will require theinput of every sector of society.
He, however, noted withsatisfaction and a sense ofaccomplishment the improvement inboth perinatal and neonatal mortalityrates, noting that the neonatalmortality rate continues to decline as aresult of the work of the ministry’sstaff, and the policies of thegovernment to deliver healthcare to allcitizens, including new-born.
Burgin also commended the WorldPediatric Project, the Pan-AmericanHealth Organization, the governmentof Chile and civic organizations inCanada for their support in theestablishing the Neonatal IntensiveCare Unit.
“Mr. Speaker, when one considersthat St. Vincent and the Grenadines
does not possess the technologicalcapabilities and sophistication asthe more developed countries, tohave such a steady decline ofdeaths in the perinatal period, isindeed a remarkable feat,” Burginboosted.
He said that only one maternaldeath was recording in 2012. Thatperson was said to be a womanfrom a rural part of the country,who had rarely visited the districtclinic. He encouraged pregnantwomen to visit their clinics early intheir pregnancy.
“I am pleased to say that,despite our challenges in 2012, thematernal and child health servicesat the Milton Cato MemorialHospital and the community healthservice registered a good year in2012,” Burgin concluded.
Clayton Burgin, Minister of Health,acknowledged that teenage pregnancy isstill a major concern.
TEENAGE PREGNANCYSTILL A CONCERN
by WILLIAM KOJAH ANTHONY DR GODWIN FRIDAY, THENORTHERN GRENADINES’PARLIAMENTARY representative,has described Prime Minister Dr.Ralph Gonsalves’ reference to theNew National Party’s (NNP)manifesto as clutching at straw.
The NNP, led by Dr Keith Mitchell,was returned to office in Grenadawith a clean sweep of the polls heldFebruary 18.
Prime Minister Dr. RalphGonsalves has thanked Dr. KeithMitchell, recently installed PrimeMinister of Grenada, foracknowledging the success in theregion as engineered by the UnityLabour Party government under Dr.Gonsalves.
Dr. Gonsalves was at the time,during a sitting of Parliament herelast Monday, congratulating Dr.Mitchell and his New National Party(NNP), on their victory at theFebruary 19 poll in Grenada,
The Vincentian leader regrettedhaving to turn down Dr. Mitchell’sinvitation to the opening of the new
The PrimeMinister alsotook the time tonote thatgovernments inthe region havechanged “moreoften than not,” since 2008. Dr.Gonsalves also congratulatedBarbadian Prime Minister FreundelStuart on his success at the Februaryelections in that country.
The Democratic Labour Party(DLP), led by Stuart, held on to thereins of power with 16 seats comparedto 14 won by the Barbados LabourParty (BLP). The Vincentian leaderlooked forward to working with thetwo leaders.
In Dr. Mitchell’s case, it is a returnto Caricom. When Dr. Gonsalves
became Prime Minister in 2001, hemet Dr. Mitchell at the helm inGrenada.
Mitchell was replaced by TilmanThomas who led the NationalDemocratic Congress to victory in theJuly 8, 2008 general elections. TheNDC won 11 of the fifteen seats then,but failed to retain a single one in thelast poll.
Stuart became Prime Minister afterhis party leader, David Thompson,died October 23, 2010. Thompson ledhis party to victory in general electionsJanuary 2008.
Congratulations forMitchell and Stuart
Dr. Keith Mitchell takes the oath of office of Prime Ministerfollowing his victory in the February 19, 2013 generalelections in Grenada.
Freundel Stuart takes his second oathas Prime Minister of Barbados, thistime having led his party to victory.
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013 VOLUME 107, No.11 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50
The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY
DR. RALPH GONSALVES, PrimeMinister of St. Vincent and theGrenadines and leader of Governmentbusiness in the Parliament, hasbemoaned the fact some people heregreeted the news of President HugoChavez’s death with glee.
“How could anybody really behappy to see a man like Chavezdie?” Dr. Gonsalves pondered duringa sitting of the Parliament lastMonday, March 11.
He was at the time leadingtributes to President Chavez andlocal education stalwart NormaKeizer.
And continuing on the purportedunsavory comments about PresidentChavez, Dr. Gonsalves quipped,“Some people (are) just bad-minded.We have to pray for them.”
Dr. Gonsalves echoed praises forChavez, and acknowledged the“phenomenal” contributions that the
former Venezuelan leader had madeto St. Vincent and the Grenadines,and indeed throughout the world.He enumerated the extent of thecontributions that Chavez and theVenezuelan government had madeto this country.
If Dr. Gonsalves gets his way, aschool or some institution will benamed in honour of the fallenVenezuelan leader.
Dr. Gonsalves admitted in theHouse last Monday that he wasasked to convey sentiments onbehalf of the NDP to the Chavezfamily and also the people ofVenezuela.
There was a Memorial Service atthe St. Mary’s Roman CatholicChurch last week Thursday, andPrime Minister Dr. Gonsalves wasamong world leaders who attended aservice in Caracas last Friday.
Opposition response
Dr. Godwin Friday, the NorthernGrenadines representative,deputizing for the Leader of theOpposition who was out of the state,expressed sympathy with the peopleof Venezuela on the death of formerpresident Hugo Chavez.
He made it clear that “nobody onthis side (New Democratic Party)took any pleasure in his death.”
Dr. Friday did opine that Chavezmade friends and createddetractors, and reminded the sittingthat “We’ve had a long associationwith the people of Venezuela beforeChavez,” and wished for “continuedcooperation.”
Central KingstownParliamentarian St. Clair Leacockfound it “unfortunate” thatunfavourable remarks were utteredafter Chavez’s death.
Continued on Page 3.
WHEN THEPARLIAMENTmet here onMonday, March 11,it convenedwithout the Leaderof OppositionArnhim Eustacebeing present.
THEVINCENTIANunderstands thatMr. Eustace wasout of the state,and had notifiedthe Speaker of hisplan so to do.
The news is thatMr. Eustace is inthe US where he isexpected to be themain speaker at atown hall meetingat the Friends OfCrown Heights, 671 Prospect Place,between Bedford & Franklin Avenue,tomorrow, Saturday March 16th, 2013.
According to information received, theLeader of the Opposition is expected toaddress a range of national issues, notleast being: the sale of the national bank;the state of the Building and LoanAssociation; the Buccama Bay Resortescapade; the cost of living in SVG; and thestate of the banana industry andagriculture generally.
Over the years, both Dr. RalphGonsalves, leader of the Unity LabourParty, and Arnhim Eustace, leader of theNew Democratic Party, have found it fit toaddress the Vincentian Diaspora,particularly in New York, directly.
APOLOGYIn our article captioned “NANO’S
ARREST EXHUMES DARK SECRETS’,and carried in our Friday 8th March, 2013edition, we referred to Parnel CampbellQ.C. as being a ‘a member of the Board ofthe National Trust Authority’.
We now know that reference to Mr.Campbell was erroneous, and apologise forany inconvenience caused to his personand/or reputation.
Arnhim Eustace,Leader of theOpposition in SVG,takes his party’sposition on nationalissues to Vincentianresidents in New York.
Eustace inNew York
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves took a swipe atthose who he claimed made unbecoming commentsabout the passing of President Hugo Chavez.
Dr. Godwin Friday, MP for the NorthernGrenadines, was quick to disassociate the NDPfrom the attitude to which Dr. Gonsalves referred.
2. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
The Directors, Management and staff of PDV St. Vincent and the
Grenadines Limited express sincere condolences to the Government and
People of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on the passing of their
beloved President Hugo Chávez.
“Convinced as I am and as I am from my government that the world needs a new moral architecture over all I believe that this should be the first topic to debate in our world of today, ethics, moral.”
Hugo Chávez Frias
We know that God will comfort you in your time of grief.
V News 3THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. 3.
by KENVILLE HORNE
THE LOCAL CREATIVEFRATERNITY got a hugeboost of confidencefollowing the staging of thefifth annual Film, Fine Art,and Fashion (FFAF)exhibition, on Friday 8 andSaturday 9 March.
The exhibition, hostedby the Department ofCulture of the Ministry ofTourism, Sports andCulture, at the KingstownMethodist Church Hall,showcased the creativework of students.
The venue boretestimony of Vincentiancreative ability: thestanding easels decoratedwith winning posters fromthe recently heldBotanical Gardens 250thAnniversary Competition;
craft and clothing itemsfrom students involved inthe Clothing and TextileProgramme at theKingstown TechnicalInstitute, the Girls HighSchool and the St. VincentGrammar School;paintings from localartists like Owen Ralph,Peter Providence, and
Vivian Child; all bringingto light aspects of the localcreative arts industry.
Even with a focus onstudents, other localdesigners and artists weregiven the opportunity toexhibit their works of art.These included recentlylaunched KMK Fashionline from designer Kimsha
Williams withher functionalart crafted aswall hangersandhaberdasherytools; and acollection ofknittedclothing from
Cassandra Williams ofCassie’s Designs.
As far as the filmswhich were shown overthe two-day period,Cultural Officer at theDepartment of Culture,Mr. Anthony Theobalds,explained that all thefilms shown were locally
made, “both in terms ofstory line and the actingscenes.”
He highlighted themovie entitled ‘Home’,produced by the RegionalIntegration and DiasporaUnit (RIDU), which hesaid was “a dedication toSVG’s Culture ,and areminder of SVG’s beautyto persons living in theDiaspora.”
According to Theobalds,it is his Department’sintention to host othersuch events.
Melinda Bacchus andMarcia Williams,participants at the
exhibition, told THEVINCENTIAN that theywere honored to be a partof the function.
Bacchus added thatsuch activities would helpto motivate personsinvolved in the creativeindustry to continue,despite the obstacles theymay face.
The Film, Fine Artsand Fashion Exhibitionformed part of theactivities to mark Marchas National Heroes andHeritage Month, co-ordinated by theDepartment of Culture.
by GLORIAH…
THE MINISTRY OFHEALTH, Wellness and theEnvironment collaboratedwith CARE SVG HIV SupportGroup to hold the HIV/AIDSLove Fest at the PeaceMemorial Hall on Thursday,28th February.
Perspectives
Poetry and postercompetitions were organizedamong senior and juniorstudents to provide anopportunity for them to voicetheir opinions on HIV/AIDS.
According to Vice President
of CARE SVG HIV SupportGroup, Mr. Winfield Tannis,the competition unveiled awealth of knowledge,understanding, and sensitivityabout the issue of HIV/AIDS.There was a ready willingnessto participate, and the entrieswere overwhelming.
Ms. Patsy Wyllie, ChiefHealth Educator in theMinistry of Health, Wellnessand the Environment,told thegathering that, ourconstitution makes bold claimsfor the protection of allcitizens, yet stigma anddiscrimination towardsHIV/AIDS still exist.
She went on to explain that
very fewcountries areexplicit aboutanti-discriminationlaws, and thissituation comespartly becauseinfected individualsmostly show an unwillingnessto declare their status.
As far as St. Vincent andthe Grenadines goes, we havemade significant strides incombating the disease, sherecalled, but that in itself isinsufficient. Suchcollaboration between theMinistry and CARE SVGproved to be a step in the right
direction.
Poetry and Poster Winners
The Poetry Competition washeld under two categories: 8 —12 years and 13 — 17 years. Inthe 8 — 12 years category, thewinners were as follows: 1st-Dellonte Boucher with “HIVand Little Me”; 2nd Nneka McMillan with “I am You”; and3rd Kyle Small with “Have aHeart”.
In the 13 — 17 yearscategory, the winners were asfollows: 1st — Cornelius Joneswith “Stigma andDiscrimination”; 2nd — ShariRouse with “Stigma andDiscrimination is No Cure”;and 3rd — Akeem Peters with“Dear Mother”.
The Poster Competition saw
the following winners: 1st —Akeem Peters, “Let’s StopDiscrimination”; 2nd —Dimelon Francis, “Your Life,Your Choice”; and 3rd —Sheffielia Francis, “If I WasHIV Positive”. Honourablemention was made of entriesin the poetry category, forAlyssa Patterson andCornelius Jones, and in theposter category, for ChadMascoll.
The students were given theopportunity to read theircompositions to the audienceas a ‘show of love’ in theconcert which followed. Otherartistes also gave of their timeto contribute to the outpouringof love given to the infectedand affected of the deadlydisease of HIV/AIDS.
‘Some people are bad-minded,’ PM declaresContinued from Page 1.
He noted that, even thoughthere might have beendifferences regarding someaspects of Chavez’s style, “he(Chavez) was a significantgame-changer.”
Keizer evokes unity
The session devoted totributes to Norma Keizer,former principal of the Girls’High School and proprietor
and editor of The Searchlightnewspaper, who died onFebruary 19, 2013, was muchmore cordial.
Dr. Gonsalves, who led thetributes, declared that “of allthe graduates of University ofthe West Indies from St.Vincent and the Grenadines,she has made the greatestcontribution here.”
Keizer was noted for havingcreated an interest in localhistory.
For Dr. Godwin Friday,Keizer was a “true nationbuilder.”
His opposition colleague St.Clair Leacock confessed tohaving known Norma well. Hepointed to her role as acultural enthusiast, andreflected on her involvementas a judge in the Carnival MasBands competition.
For Leacock, Norma’slegacy is manifested by herchildren.
Ministry ofCultureshowcaseslocal creativity
HIV/AIDS Love Fest
Grammar School Band performing at last Thursday’s ‘LoveFest’.(Debut)
Left: Patsy Wyllie, Chief Health Educator, says we have made
significant strides in combating HIV/AIDS, but that is still not
sufficient.
Students of the St. Mary’s R.C. School viewing some of thepaintings on show.
Left: Melinda Bacchus (left) and Marcia Williams form part of theKMK Fashion line that is also pictured.
4. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
CourtV
Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS
FOUR OF THE EIGHT CHARGES of assaultbrought against former NationalSecondary Schools’ Miss Heritage 2011,Jonique Chance, were dismissed onMonday March 11 after thecomplainants indicated to the court thatthey would not be offering evidence.
In those matters, Chance, a 17-year-old student of the St. Vincent and theGrenadines Community College, wascharged with assaulting and causingactual bodily harm to Trishanna Ross,20, of Calliaqua; Lorenzo Williams, 18,of Biabou; Ronna Holder, 20, of
Mesopotamia, and Rezan DaSilva, 21,of Pembroke, all students.
The compla inants in the othermatters have indicated that theywould be proceeding. In those, Chanceis charged with assaulting and causingactual bodily harm to students AyeikaSamuel, 18, of Mesopotamia; LoreneWilliams, 18, of Biabou, and BreniAllexander of Riley.
Chance is charged with commonassault in relation to Samantha Lavia,19, of Bequia, also a student.
Chance had pleaded not guilty to alleight charges when she initiallyappeared before Magistrate RechanneBrowne- Matthias at the KingstownMagistrate’s Court last week MondayMarch 4th , and the case wasadjourned to Monday, March 11.Prosecutor Inspector Glenford Greggrequested then that the Court orderChance not to have any contact withthe complainants.
She is represented by attorney JomoThomas.
The charges with which theprosecution would be proceeding havebeen adjourned to April 28.
Chance’s brush with the lawallegedly stems from an incident in thearea of Mahogany Square, RichmondHill, February 28, 2013, during whichsome students sustained burns abouttheir bodies from an unknownsubstance.
On October, 22, 2011, the NationalSecondary School’s Miss HeritagePageant Planning Committee crownedChance the winner of the SecondBiennial Miss Heritage Pageant. Shewas at the time a student of theThomas Saunders Secondary School,She was also adjudgedthe winner in the BestAmbassadorial and BestTalent Categories.
However, following anumber of reportsagainst Chance, theCommittee took aunanimous decision torevoke the title of MissHeritage 2011 from her.In a statement last week,the Committee made itclear that a letter datedTuesday, February 5,2013 was written toChance informing herthat her duties as MissHeritage 2011, willcease, effective February15, 2013.
The Committee stated,“The PlanningCommittee as well as thehost, institution, theGirls High School, aresaddened andembarrassed as to whathas transpired with
regard to Miss Chance.“The aim of the pageant is to assist
with the molding of a futuregeneration of women who exemplifyqualities of discipline, decorum,dignity and positivity’.”
Policemen finedfor indecentlanguage TWO POLICE OFFICERS were fined $400 each lastweek Monday, March 4, for using indecent languageto one of their colleagues.
Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias handeddown the penalty after convicting Constables AndyRichards and Deshorn Demberat at the conclusionof a trial at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court. Thelawmen were initially ordered to pay the Courtforthwith, but were subsequently allowed untilmidday the following day.
The officers were given an alternative of fourweeks in prison, but they paid the fines.
Their brush with the law stemmed from anincident between them and patrons at HufflesRanch, a night spot at Brighton, around 3:30 amOctober 29th 2011.
Evidence revealed they were behaving in anaggressive manner and using indecent language.Corporal David Wright spoke to them but theycontinued misbehaving. Richards told CorporalWright, “let me to f… go,” while Dember said, “youknow who I f..k .. be.”
Corporal Wright reported against the constablesand they were subsequently arrested and charged.
They were also accused of unlawfully andmaliciously wounding Keih McDowall, a 27-year-oldlabourer of Prospect, by stabbing him in the backwith a knife, and possession of an offensive weapon.Those charges allegedly arose from the sameincident, but the prosecution withdrew them, as thecomplainant McDowall is currently abroad.
Attorneys Jomo Thomas and Duane Danielrepresented the policemen while Assistant Directorof Public Prosecutions Colin John led the case forthe prosecution.
The officers were suspended from duties pendingthe outcome of the case.
Policeman to answer more charges A POLICE OFFICER is slated tore-appear in Court next Monday,March 18, to answer to criminalcharges, two weeks after he wasfined $400 for using indecentlanguage to one of his colleagues.
Constable Andy Richards ofArnos Vale is accused of usingindecent language to constableDerek Humphrey by telling him“haul yo stinking mudder(expletive), you is theCommissioner dog.”
P.C Richards is also chargedwith assaulting P.C. Humphrey
by pushing him. Both chargesreportedly stem from an incidentat Heritage Square, May 12, 2012,where Commissioner of PoliceKeith Miller and AssistantCommissioner Lenroy Brewsterwere present.
P.C. Richards is additionallycharged with damaging a 30x70 ½glass barrier at the reception areaof the Criminal InvestigationDepartment (CID) on the samedate. The glass is said to value EC$1012.
Richards had pleaded not guiltyto all three charges when heinitially appeared before thenSenior Magistrate Donald Browneat the Kingstown Magistrate’sCourt on May 29, 2012.
Last Week Monday March 4, atthe same Court, MagistrateRechanne Browne-Matthiasordered Richards and ConstableDeshorn Dember to pay the Court$400 each for using indecentlanguage to corporal DavidWright. They paid the fines.
Jonique Chance was stripped of herMiss Heritage 2011 title.
Twist in formerMiss HeritageÊs case
PUBLIC SENTIMENT inBarbados is that OwenArthur’s quick decision, tostep aside as leader ofthe Opposition, was apositive one.
Arthur did not attendthe meeting of theBarbados Labour Party’s(BLP) parliamentarygroup post the February21, 2013 general electionsin Barbados, giving the groupthe leeway to elect MiaMottley to replace him.
The hope is that Arthurwill not resort to a similartactic to that in 2010 when hereturned to oust Mottley.
The expectation now is thatMottley will be allowed thenext five years “to grow withher team in the eyes of the public,” one observeradvanced.
Many Barbadians believed the BLP made amistake when it brought back Arthur to lead theparty.
Expectations are high among Barbadians whonow look forward to a stepped-up contribution fromthe opposition bench which now shows an increasednumber and a number of new and young faces.
The Democratic Labour Party, led by FreundelStuart, was returned to office with a 16 — 14majority in the House of Representatives.
THE CARIBBEAN COURT OFJUSTICE (CCJ) hearing ofthe case brought byJamaican Shanique Myrieagainst the government ofBarbados now shifts toBarbados.
Myrie is seekingdamages for what sheclaims was sexual assaultby a Barbadosimmigration officer, anddenial of entry into thatcountry.
The CCJ had sat inJamaica over last week,when it heard testimonyfrom four witnesses. Thehearing was brought to apremature end when itwas discovered that one ofthe witnesses wasilliterate, reports out ofJamaica said.
The Jamaicangovernment, in thehearing, argued thatJamaicans have beendeported on the basis ontheir nationality, over theyears.
One of the witnesses forthe Jamaican argument,John Wilson, a vendor,testified that he wasdeported from Barbadoson May 25, 2008, but not
before he was x-rayed byimmigration officials whosuspected he was carryingdrugs.
Wilson told the courtthat he was detainedovernight, even thoughthe x-ray had turned upno evidence he wascarrying drugs. He wastaken to the airport thenext morning,fingerprinted, handed hispassport and deported.
However, Wilson, undercross examination by thelead attorney forBarbados, Roger Forde,was discovered to beilliterate.
Further in the hearing,several disparities werehighlighted during thecross examination ofEpheium Allen, DeputyDirector of Immigration atthe Passport, Immigrationand Citizenship Agency(PICA).
Allen was called uponto provide statistics toprove that Jamaicansseeking to enter Barbadoshave been discriminatedagainst over several years.He provided data to showthat hundreds of
Jamaicans were deniedentry based on theirnationality, from 2006 —2012.
Forde challenged thisand pointed to disparitiesin the figures from PICA.The PICA Director said in2008 just over twohundred Jamaicans wererefused entry, whileBarbados had 404 in itsrecords.
And on the question ofwhether the PICA hadcommunicated withBarbados immigration toverify that the personslisted were refused entrydue their nationality,Allen answered in thenegative.
Under cross-examination by the CCJjudges, Allen told thecourt that in Jamaica, therefusal of entry for aCARICOM national is anabsolute last resort; thatJamaican Immigrationofficers do not deny entrybased on the perceivedbackground of the localhost as the traveller istrusted on his or her ownmerit..
The next sitting in thecase will be heard inBarbados on March 18.
RegionalV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. 5.
Hearing in Myrie’s caseshifts to Barbados
THERE HAS BEENMUCH SPECULATION inTrinidad and Tobago sincethe news broke there, latelast week, that the sons ofone of that country’sministers of governmentwas under investigationby the Federal Bureau ofInvestigation (FBI) in theUnited States.
In fact, an investigativereport carried in lastSunday’s issue of theTrinidad Guardiannewspaper revealed thatone of the minister’s sonswas under house arrest inthe US, and was assistingthe FBI and the Internalrevenue Service (IRS)with investigations.
The report also quotedsources as saying that theinvestigations centred on“on money-laundering,fraud and tax evasion.”
The minister’s son,according to the Guardian,was held in December lastyear when he arrived inthe US.
Investigation by theGuardian uncoveredsources who described thecase as “highly secretive.”
There has been noresponse from theTrinidad and Tobagogovernment to theGuardian’s report, andnow Opposition Leader,Dr. Keith Rowley has gonepublic with a statementthat he thinks, “the
minister should beidentified and the publicshouldn’t be left tospeculate, and at thatstage we would determinethe nature of theproblem,” according to theTrinidad Express ofMonday 11th March.
The Express went on toquote Dr. Rowley assaying, “It is not fair to beleft to speculation againstthe whole Cabinet...whoever is involvedshould come forward andidentify himself or herselfbecause there is a lot ofspeculation and rumour,and in the public interesta matter like this shouldnot be left as a speculativemanner.”
In a more sweepingcomment, Dr. Rowley said,“And in all issues, the onecommon thread is that theGovernment is not beingforthright and truthfulwith the population andcontinues to destroy ourgood order,” said Rowley.
Since Dr. Rowley’spublic expressions, atleast one leading figure,Prakash Ramadhar,leader of the Congress ofthe People (COP), oneconstituent group of thePeople’s Partnershipgovernment, hasresponded.
“I wait with batedbreath for moreinformation on this matter
because it is extremelyserious and I imaginequite urgent,” he said.
“Having read the(Sunday Guardian) article,we are waiting on theforeign authorities’decision as to how they goforward and what isdisclosed to us”, Ramadaradded.
The Express reportedthat both the AttorneyGeneral, AnandRamlogan, and theMinister of NationalSecurity, Austin ‘Jack’Warner, declinedcomment.
Dr. Keith Rowley,Leader of theOpposition in T&T, hascalled on thegovernment to make apublic statement on thematter of a minister’sson who has beenallegedly detained in theUS.
Four witnesses testifiedfor the Jamaicagovernment in theShanique Myrie(pictured) case.
Roger Forde, lawyer forthe Barbadosgovernment, raisedcertain questions aboutdisparities when aJamaican Immigrationofficial testified.
Mia Mottley willhopefully have afree reign thistime around toassert herself asleader of theBLP.
T&T wants to know
Owen’s move apositive one
I heard about the model search from PearlWilliams. I was excited but nervous at first; butafter the first session, my nervousness subsided.The challenges were good. I expected thecommercial challenge so I felt comfortable doingit. For me, my wardrobe is quite tacky. I’m avery laid back person. I have a flaw as a model.I cannot do my own make-up. At the final, theother models helped me with that. I didn’texpect the Creative Wear, but I found itinnovative. The crowd’s energy pushed me. I’mexcited about going to Jamaica because I havenever traveled before. There is a lot of stuff Iwill have to improve on, though, like timemanagement. In Jamaica, I want to impressthe judges and let people know where SVG is.
6. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
FashionVby GLORIAH
THE SVG TOP MODEL SEARCH CLIMAXED LAST SATURDAY, 9TH MARCH, with aspectacular performance of the ten finalists at the SOV Restaurant in Villa.After three appearances during the finals, six models were selected. They wereTristina Wallace, Nikita Phillips, Antonia Clarke, Antoinell Keizer, Selis Blair, andSteve Thomas.
Each worked his/her way through three final segments: ‘Sponsor Tee Shirtand Shorts’, ‘Creative Wear’ and ‘Own Wardrobe Wear’.
Tristina, Antionell, Selis and Steve will compete in the Pulse CaribbeanNext Top Model Search in Jamaica, while Nikita and Antonia will go to thecompetition in the Caribbean Next Top Model in Trinidad and Tobago.
THE VINCENTIAN met with five of the winners and asked about theirjourney to the top and their expectation for the future.The SVG Next TopModel was a reality-type show and is scheduled to air shortly.
SVG Top Models chosen
I heard about the search from a familymember. It was like today for tomorrow, so Iwas not really prepared, but I found it was notnerve- wracking at all. I was comfortable with itfrom the start, but for my commercial challenge,I would have liked a different setting. I wasnervous, but it came out okay. The final wasawesome. I didn’t expect to have a crowd sosupportive. My favourite segment was theCreative Wear. That made me want to pushmyself to the next segment. About going toTrinidad and Tobago, I’m excited but nervous.I plan to woo the judges, though; be myselfand a bit extra. I’m going to work on mywalk.
I saw the search in the newspaper. I wasnervous at first and jumpy about thequestioning. There was a problem withfinding the outfits for the different challenges,so I modified outfits that I had already, but allwent smoothly.
I am excited but nervous about going toJamaica. I know there is a lot of stuff to workon. I want to give it my all so that they couldsee that SVG has what they are looking for. Iwant to be the Caribbean’s Next Top Model.
My mom saw the search in the newspaper.Though I always wanted to do modelingprofessionally, it took a lot of persuasion. Iwas nervous at first because I do not likecameras, but by the second round, I was notscared at all. I was excited for thecommercial challenge.
I had seen it coming, but I tried to sell myown line of make-up and had to be extrapersuasive, but I did my best. I still havethings to work on before I go to Jamaica. I willtry my best and show that SVG has young,aspiring models who can pursue modeling as acareer.
Jolene Bentick messaged me about the search,and my friends encouraged me to do it. I lovewalking the runway; modeling is my thing, so Iwas confident but a little jittery at first.
I always wanted to do a commercial, sotrying to sell a fragrance like an Aquariuscoming out of the water was great. With nosound, I improvised with my cell phone musicand it all came out well. I’m so excited. I amlonging to go to Jamaica. I want to impress thejudges that SVG has individuals who couldreach far in the modeling industry.
TRISTINA
NIKITA
ANTONIA
ANTOINELL
SELIS
EducationV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. 7.
A GROUP OF PERSONSFROM AMONG THOSEPURSUING A UNIVERSITYOF THE WEST INDIES(UWI) programme in socialwork, has targeted the‘people of the street’ asthe basis of theirpracticum.
The group is expectedto interact with thosepersons who have madetheir homes the streetsof Kingstown, with aview of enhancing their(targets’) self-esteem.
One member of thegroup of sixteenstudents, GwenethAnthony, explained thattheir overall aim is tosensitise the generalpublic about the plight of‘the people of the streets’.
Insisting that they,‘the people of the street’,are not homeless, neitherare they “vagrants”, asmany have homes andrelatives who are intouch with them,Anthony said: “They arevery smart andintelligent people…. justsome unfortunatecircumstances why theyare on the streets.”
Anthony noted thatthese people have someinteresting stories, butsimply need an ear andsomeone to show themsome compassion.
And, on Sunday 24thFebruary, several of ‘thepeople of the streets’,outfitted with tee shirts,compliments theNational OlympicCommittee of St Vincentand the Grenadines,were taken on a funwalk through the streetsof Kingstown,
The walk culminatedat the KingstownVegetable Market where‘the people of the streets’were treated to snacksand drinks.
One of the walkersremarked how refreshingit was for them to go onsuch a walk, althoughthey would havetraversed the route oncountless occasions.
Anthony, along withDesiree Wilson, anothergroup member,partnered with the SoupKitchen operated by theR.C. Church, Kingstown,
and assisted with thedistribution of themeals which areserved on a dailybasis to about 80individuals.
Anthony andothers have continuedto assist at the SoupKitchen as they seekto connect and formbonds with ‘the peopleof the streets’.
“We are also tryingto bring to them somehealth aspects,”Anthony revealed.
Bound to theirtheme, ‘Changinglives, one step at atime through socialwork’, Anthonyhopes that at theconclusion of thepracticum in April,they would haveimpacted on thelives of those withwhom they havecome into contact,help to lift theirspirits and effectchange in theirpersonal lives.
UWI group embracing Âpeopleof the streetÊ
Gweneth Anthony makes sure one of ‘the people of the streets’ gets a snack.
Persons in the UWI Social Work Study programme lead the walk with ‘thepeople of the street’.
by KENVILLE HORNE
THE SECOND CYCLE OF THE NORTHLEEWARD A GANAR PROGRAMME commencedwith an orientation ceremony, on Saturday,February, 23rd, at the Troumaca Secondary School.
Giving brief welcoming remarks, Anesta Rodney,Coordinator of the North Leeward leg, explainedthat A GANAR means to win, and it utilizes soccerand other team sports to help youths, ages 16-24,find jobs, learn entrepreneurial skills, or re-enterthe formal education system.
“A GANAR combats the serious problem of youthunemployment,” Rodney said, but cautioned the
twenty-five participants that,while it does not offeremployment, “it prepares themfor the job market.”
She urged the new studentsto take the programme “veryseriously.”
Director of Special Projects inthe Office of the PrimeMinister’s Office and formerarea representative, Dr. JerrolThompson, in urging theparticipants to make use of theopportunity, told them that“being from North Leewardshould not be a disadvantage.Some people think it is, (but)itshould not be,” andemphasized, “There is a greatdeal of knowledge andexperience in theconstituency.”Dr. Thompson
invited the coordinator to call on him for assistanceif necessary, revealing that his government wouldbe able to employ some persons on job attachments.
Renaldo Ollivierre, who graduated from the firstcycle, said he was thankful for all that theprogramme taught him. He also cherished the timehe spent on attachment at BRAGSA. Ollivierre saidthere is substantial benefit to be derived by workingtogether, and encouraged the participants to showrespect for one another.One of the programmefacilitators, Deanah Haywood, expressed happinesswith the turnout.
“The youths have really come today to participatein this programme, and we do hope whatever isdone, would benefit them,” she said, and advised the
participants that “Inorder for us to win, wemust persevere, and ifwe persevere, we aregoing to earn.”
The otherfacilitators areLeanna McGuire andVivien Charles.
More benefits from AGANAR
Right: Dr. JerrolThompason promisedthat government wouldconsider employingsome of the A Ganarparticipants onattachment.
Renaldo Ollivierre, graduate of the first cycle,passes on the A Ganar programme manual tosecond leg participant Lenicia Robertson.
Participants in the second cycle of the North Leeward A Gabarprogramme with programme co-ordinator Anesta Rodney (sittingcentre) and facilitators.
IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME coming.Over two decades ago, there had beentalk of proclaiming a national hero or two toinspire our fledgling State.
Eleven (11) years ago, the ULP, havingconfirmed the popular figure of JosephChatoyer as first National Hero, began anational quest for others.
I was on the ball, simply because I haddone work on Joshua virtually for my Ph.Dstudies in 1971, with a backup of the McIntosh era as the precursor and enablingenvironment of the later exercise.
And so I thought I had enough materialto support both men as National Heroes. Imade out a case for both men andsubmitted them to the new Minister ofCulture, Mike Browne (my nephew), whoshowed no enthusiasm over the affair andseemed to pooh-pooh the idea.
I wrote “1935 revisited” in the“Flambeau” in 1967, which highlightedMac’s role in the disturbances, and laterfollowed up with a further piece publishedin Forum 1972, which I spruced up andpublished in the Kings’ “Trailblazer” in2011.
I have always promised a book on Joshuawhich is now pledged for mid- 2014.
Citations on the two never seemed tobestir the current ULP authorities; theirman seemed to be Milton Cato to whoseclaim I was unalterably opposed and put upstrenuous objection thereto. The “Catoites”dropped the case for several years.
This year, they seemed to reopen thequestion in earnest with more urgency. Onthis question, Parnel used his “Law andYou” programme to argue the case for Dr.Parmenos Eustace forcibly and cogently.
It was after that brilliant presentationthat Douggie De Freitas, not for the firsttime, threw out his Nice Radio Station towhomsoever wished to speak on the topicand promote a worthy claimant.
Immediately, Adrian Fraser volunteeredto speak on Mc Intosh, I on Joshua andParnel on Doc Eustace. I could not helpnoticing that the needed democratic debatewas in fact started by three members of theEducational Forum of the People whichoriginated in 1969- Adrian Fraser, ParnelCampbell and Kenneth John. Weunderstand that Prime Minister Gonsalvesis expected to use the forum of Nice Radioin extending the conversation even further.
I think that Doc Kirby could be usefullyconsidered, but I depend only on my gutfeeling, lacking the equipment for suchadvocacy. Cims, Morrison Baisden andLouise Mitchell could lend their assistance.As well, there is a brood of mighty womenready to fight on behalf of their neglectedgender. For the present, I see Chatoyer, McIntosh and Joshua ruling the roost foranother fifty years, with new facesemerging over time.
National Heroes holiday is usually thetime that Opposition Leader ArnhimEustace has his beach picnic fundraiser,
and mauby and ginger beer at the Sion HillBeach Spot.
Arnhim is in his element at those times,but he will be the first person to admit thattry as he might, he just cannot let his hairdown!
Has the ULP given up the EastKingstown seat, ever since Luke committeda blunder in running off his mouth BLA-BLA? He might shift to Marriaqua wherethings seem forever Brown, unless the BLAbubble should burst in the interim.
Hugo Chavez
So Hugo Chavez, the huge, has gone theway of all flesh. He was ill, though severaltimes he denied it. His will to fight plusCuban medical skills were an unbeatableteam. And when inevitably he was seen tobe sinking, it was the “deeds” of theAmerican Government which hadencompassed it!
In fact, Hugo had been sworn in asPresident in a colourful ceremony withoutthe body. And when he died, they decided toembalm the body, a throw-back to the timeof mummification of the Pharaohs inancient Egypt. This hardly shows love; itdemonstrates idolatry!
Chavez was naturally beloved of hissupporters in Venezuela whom he lookedafter very well materially, but whosemendicant spirit he probably whetted.
If I were living among the poor inVenezuela, I would certainly be a supporter.But I am not living in Venezuela, andthough poor, I see where in the system Iinhabit there is room for me to trysomething, to manipulate, and if lucky, orsmart enough, or somewhat bright, I canmake something of myself.
I believe that all the people of StVincent should sympathise with Chavez,without becoming disciples of his.
In human psychology, it has been saidthat every individual is a unit of psychicuniqueness. There can hardly be anotherChavez in a thousand years. So hisVenezuela followers have best to work outtheir own salvation. Chavez’s hand-outsbred mendicancy. Chavez used his oilwealth to win friends, and influence people.Now that he is dead, the largesse and giftsare no more, following about a year or twospill-over.
Then we would have to face realitywithout the cushioning effect of Chavez,with or without the International Airport.
Vincentians had a splurge over Chavez’sdeath, with my own hosts beside itself withtributes, photographs, and praises for thedead Chavez. But tomorrow is another day,when we have to take up our beds andwalk. Altogether, columnist Keith Josephhandled the matter skilfully. It was likegoing back from “Just Another Look” to “NoHolds Barred”!
THIS IN NO WAY SUPPORTS any unsavory comments about a person afterthat person has been called to the Great Beyond.
But try as much as some acolytes of Hugo Chavez will, they cannotdeny that Hugo Chavez, for all the good he may have brought to thepoor and oppressed in Venezuela, the assistance given to large andsmall fledging states in Latin America and the Caribbean, he was apolarizing figure.
If this characterization is a truism, then it accounts for the reactionto his death that any person true to this reality, would have expected;that the reaction to the death of this 21st century combatant was goingto be sprawling and contradictory as he lived and as his legacy is likelyto be.
That is why, while as the opening statement implies that there isnothing becoming of those who ‘celebrate with glee the passing of theman’, if one accepts that Hugo Chavez was a polarizing figure, thenthose less than complimentary reactions should have been expected.Not that they are the ‘Christian’ thing to do, but that they areunderstandable, given the content and context of the man.
That we would want to ignore them should have been the stancetaken; for to give them ‘the honour’ of a rebut in our Parliament is asmuch to condemn them, rightfully so, as it is to deny what should havebeen accepted as the obvious and allowed to sink rapidly into obscurity.
This country, under the ULP, has much, much about which to bethankful for to Chavez and Venezuela.
The Prime Minister, from his vantage position, described Venezuelaunder Chavez as ‘one of the Coalition of the Willing’. He could hardlydo anything but reiterate that, and that, regardless of what side of thecoin you prefer, is the truth.
The extent to which Chavez’s Venezuela propped up this economyand gave willingly to this country’s infra-structural development, thepeople’s health and education, is undeniable and is an integralcomponent of the record book of the ULP government.
But this is no time to ‘impose’ on this country, glorification of a manwho would have caused as much polarization in this country as he didin his own.
We, therefore, must be careful that when we say “thanks,” we do sowillingly, graciously, without becoming inordinately subservient to theextent that we allow ourselves to be made extensions of something, anideology, that is not, in the main, ours.
That Chavez represents a clear ideology that speaks to a newsocialism is irrefutable. The question then is: If we begin to glorify theman in a way that he appears to supersede our own, then, we areselling ourselves to the highest bidder. When and where will it thenstop?
Perhaps our most fitting tribute to Hugo Chavez is to guard againstthe inculcation of a sense of understanding ourselves that is dictated toby the strictures of any ideology, personified by any one person or groupof persons, that makes us anything other than who we really are,Vincentians.
Up to press time, the conclave of 115 cardinals meeting in theVatican to elect a new pope, had failed to reach any consensus, far lessa unanimous decision.
The smoke bellowed black from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney,indicting that no one had gained the 77 votes needed to be elected pope.Millions of Roman Catholics the world over had to hold their breathsonce again.
But this is not a strange occurrence, the failure to arrive at adecision after a number of rounds of voting. However, it remainssomething with which Catholics worldwide are uncomfortable.
Who can blame the ordinary Roman Catholic if he asks, against thisindecision: Do the cardinals know what they want in a new pope? Dothe cardinals have any idea what Roman Catholics want from a newpope? Is the rich American church wielding some influence somewhere,somehow? Has a non-European candidate emerged as a leadingcandidate, resulting in ongoing disagreement about the readiness of theRoman Catholic church to accept that it has to reflect its ‘universality’,by choosing a pope from where its numerical strength lies?
The Roman Catholic Church has survived the centuries because itcontinually reforms itself. Is this another junction of reformation that,this time, will be led by a ‘Third World’ pope? It remains to be seen.
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
Remaining ‘us’ after Chavezand a special election
National HeroesDay and Chavez
THE VENEZUELAN-VINCENTIANFRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION(VENVIFA) notes, with deepsadness, the death ofVenezuelan President HugoChavez Frias. We extendcondolences to and solidaritywith his family, the Venezuelanpeople, his party, and thegovernment.
President Hugo Chavez wasdefined and distinguished byhis unshakable commitment,indeed his determination, tobuild a socialist society, thatis, A SOCIETY FREE OFHUMAN EXPLOITATION.This earned him the profoundlove of the vast exploitedmajority, especially the poor,and the unrelenting hatred ofthe tiny exploiting richminority, both in Venezuelaand outside. Despite theirrelentless battering attacks,he stood firm with the poor,nationalizing Venezuela’smassive oil and other
resources in their interests.Guided by an altruistic
internationalism, he sharedthose resources with manypeoples the world over. We inSt. Vincent and theGrenadines know this only toowell. Note, for example,equipment and personnel forour international airport;subsidized gasoline andcooking-gas; more scholarshipsfor our young, to mention afew.
In response to our 2011letter to him during hismedical treatment in Cuba onthe occasion of his birthday,President Chavez told us thatthe demands of his officeresulted in his insufficientattention to his own health.He promised to address thisinsufficiency. Alas, despite hisgallant efforts, he has lost thebattle against cancer. But hewon many battles against thecapitalist cancer in his
homeland and, in the process,has inspired many to followhis selfless example.
The words of Nicaraguanpoet laureate, Rubén Darío, onthe death of José Martí, areappropriate: “Oh Cuba, theblood of Martí was not yoursalone; it belonged to an entirerace, to anentirecontinent; itbelonged to thepowerful youthwho have lostprobably thebest ofteachers; hebelonged tothe future! “These wordscan apply toChavez.
On this theoccasion of thedeath ofPresidentChavez, the
Venezuelan-FriendshipAssociation (VENVIFA) re-affirms its commitment to itsmandate “of promoting themost extensive and mutuallybeneficial relationships offriendship, co-operation,solidarity and support amongthe peoples of the Bolivarian
Republic of Venezuela and ofSt. Vincent and theGrenadines, in the context ofunity and integration of thepeoples of Latin America andthe Caribbean”.
Michael BrownePresident of VENVIFA
MR. EDITOR, HAVEYOU NOTICED THEEXTENT TO WHICH weare failing to practiseproper road habits asdrivers?
I remember vividly,the rigors I had toendure before I wasgranted a licence to drivea vehicle. Not only wasthere the road test, butbefore you could ventureout on the public road-ways of Kingstown andits immediateenvironments for thattest, you had tomaneuver through aseries of cones,strategically placed, inthe police station’s yard.
And the learners had tonegotiate these cones,going both forward andbackwards. Hit morethan one of these cones,and that was you; youhad to come again.
But just as importantas these practical tests,there was the writtentest. Sure it was arelatively easy test, butthe significance of it waswhat it taught; it taughtproper road userpractices.
I remember learning afew things which seem tohave all but disappearedas best road drivingpractices in St. Vincent:no longer do we ensurethat when we overtakethat there is nooncoming traffic, andwhen we return to ourlane, that we do so atleast two to three car
lengths in front of thevehicle we overtake; nolonger do we turn off ourheadlights when wecome to a stop and thereis oncoming traffic; nolonger do we stop whenthere is a hindrance(like a parked vehicle)onyour side; no longer dowe dim our lights in theface of oncoming traffic.
I dare say that thereis hardly a case forcalling on the trafficdepartment or the policeto ensure proper roadusing practices, for theyare just as guilty as theordinary civilian for thelax attitude on our roads.
We, the drivers, arethe only ones who canensure that we returnproper practices to ourroads.
Simon, P
WHERE HAVE ALL THE TRADE UNIONLEADERS GONE? Gone on the state-owned orcontrolled radio stations to mouth their pieces insupport of the government. What a pity.
Gone are the days when those said leaders wouldhave been out on the road, threatening to closeDOWN this or that business place or governmentdepartment. Now, nothing of the sort; they havegone cold, as if this period in our history is the bestperiod in the history of industrial relations in thiscountry.
I tell you, the Unions are as quiet as door micebecause workers are simply afraid to open theirmouths for fear of losing what little work they have.Times are hard, but thank God for a family memberwho lives overseas.
But you know, Mr. Editor, the biggest problem Ihave with those trade union leaders is how quietthey are on the crime situation in this country.When is the last time (or the first time) any unionleader took a stance against all the crime — murder,child abuse, incest, robbery, etc — in this country?
Funny thing is the workers they say theyrepresent are the ones most affected by thesecrimes.
Harry
I CAME ACROSS THISSTORY RECENTLYAND THOUGHT I wouldshare it with yourreaders. It gives afoundation to the work ofPresident Hugo Chavezon behalf of the poor ofVenezuela.
“I remember one day Igot fed up…I decided togo to the barrios on thehills, and with one guardand two comrades, Idrove out to listen topeople and breathe betterair. The response movedme greatly. A womancame up to me and said:‘Chavez, follow me, I
want to show yousomething.’
“I followed her to hertiny dwelling. Inside theroom, her children andhusband were waitingfor the soup to becooked. ‘Look at whatI’m using for fuel,’ shesaid to me. ‘The back ofour bed. Tomorrow I’llburn the legs; the dayafter, the table, then thechairs and the doors. Wewill survive, but don’tgive up now.’”
Nuff said!!!Garnet, N.Y
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. 9.
LettersV
* Is it a fact that avehicle belonging to theMinistry of Agriculturewas recently written offafter an accident ataround midnight?
* Has the regulationgoverning the use ofgovernment vehiclesbeen modified?
* Is a certain fastfood operation herecutting back on staff?With two cahiers on atthe midday rush hour,the service is not so fast,eh?
* Will the FSArespect the InterimCommittee headed byJunior Bacchus as abonafide representativeof shareholders?
* What has become ofthat commitment byGuinness to build afacility in thecommunity of the teamthat won Guinnessregional Street Footballtournament?
* Is there an attemptafoot to have the facilitybuilt in anothercommunity other thanthe one from which thewinner comes?
Farewell, President Chavez– Courageous Leader o f Socialism!
What made the man
Our tradeunion leaders
Proper Road TrafficPractices are no more
IN THE SPIRIT OFINTERNATIONALWOMEN’S DAY, I ASK:HAS ANYONE EVERSTOPPED TO THINKHOW CULTURE CANBE BIASED,ESPECIALLY AGAINSTWOMEN? In our reality,has anyone ever stoppedto wonder why ourreligions have male godsand if , at all, there arefemale religious icons,that they all playsubordinate roles to themen?
Our religions are allman-centred, therefore,
they would in the processserve the interest of men.And religions andreligious beliefs formpart of our culture. Infact, religion is a keycomponent to ourculture- what we say, doand think. We hardlybegin a function withoutdeference to ourChristian beliefs andpractices. Even ourCarnival is launchedwith a Christian prayer.
So, a religion soentrenched in ourpsyche, becomes our
cultural identity. Andthat religion that isbiased against women,would subliminallyinculcate a sense,acceptance, of man’ssuperiority over women,and thus, thesuppression of ourwomen, in our everydaylife, as second classbeings.
Just a thought incommemoration ofInternational Women’sDay.
HN
Culture is biasedagainst women
The issue
THE PASSING OF THE PRESIDENT ofVenezuela, Hugo Chavez Frias, hasleft a huge void in the region ofLatin America and the Caribbean, interms of the leadership against poverty,injustice, and colonialism, and thecommitment to building a socialist state inhis beloved country.
He was well loved by the people ofVenezuela, as well as those in otherLatin American countries, and those inCaricom as a whole. Clearly he was notwell liked by the western media, whodelighted in providing negative coverageof his government, his developmentfocus, and his support for the poor andthe working class, and themarginalized.
Hugo Chavez was a friend of thegovernment and people of St. Vincentand the Grenadines in the full sense ofthe word. It is perhaps fortunate thatthe ULP administration and PrimeMinister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, were atthe helm of governance, during the 14years of his reign. He has touched everysector of the Vincentian society, and hislegacy of support for a people centereddevelopment strategy, as developed bythe ULP administration, knew nobounds.
Support for the International Airport project
Hugo Chavez was a member of the“Coalition of the Willing,” the group ofcountries committed towards providingassistance to this country, for theconstruction of the international airportproject at Argyle.
Hugo Chavez recognized that theinternational airport was criticallyimportant for the forward thrust of thedevelopment strategies of the ULPadministration, and he committed thesupport of himself and his government,towards the project.
Vincentians will remember that dayin the year 2008, when the equipmentprovided by the government ofVenezuela, was paraded through thestreets of Kingstown, on its way fromport Campden Park to the constructionsite at Argyle. Here was more evidenceof the commitment of the late PresidentChavez to the people of St.Vincent andthe Grenadines. Here was evidence,even with the absence of any formalagreement, that the word of HugoChavez was his bond.
And there was more assistance forthe airport project. Venezuela providedthe laboratory required for the windstudies programme.
During the period September 2005 toSeptember 2006, 14 engineers andtechnicians from Cuba and Venezuelawere in St Vincent doing the pre-designworks, which included: (a) completetopographic surveys of the areaearmarked for the airport, (b) testing ofthe rocks and soils to inform the cutsand fill work, and (c) wind studies todetermine the best orientation of themain runway and the need, if any, for ashorter “cross-wind” runway for smallerplanes that might be affected by highgusts while attempting to use the mainrunway. These have all been completed.
No doubt at an appropriate time, thefull unveiling of the total assistanceprovided by the Chavez administration,towards the airport project, will be doneby the IADC.
Petro Caribe
We can all go back to the year 2005when the country signed the Petro
Caribe agreement, an oil relatedalliance involving some nineteencountries. This is another strategy bythe Chavez government, to provideassistance to countries during the era ofhigh energy prices.
There is a long list of benefits fromthe Petro Caribe accord, including theconstruction of a fuel storage facility atLowmans Bay. Also on the list isassistance to the Pan against Crimeprogramme, the Social InvestmentFund, the Belle Isle Correctionalfacility, the coastal radar project, LIAT,the JF Mitchell airport, theinternational airport project, and theelectoral department.
The most memorable strategy wasthe provision of the alternate source ofcooking gas, called “labour gas”,consequent upon the dispute with alocal supplier, where the country wasbeing held to ransom. Now Vincentianshave at their disposal two sources ofcooking gas, thanks to the Chavezadministration and Alba Caribe.
The Alba Bank
Following on from the Petro Caribeagreement, St.Vincent and theGrenadines became a member of theAlba Bank which offered soft loans withinterest as low as 2%.
It is important to note that one of thegoals of the Alba bank is to accelerategrowth, the creation of jobs, and tostrengthen the internal markets ofmember countries.
The ULP administration hasbenefited from its membership in theAlba bank through soft loans for theHousing Revolution and for the recoveryprocess, following the passage of Tomas.
Other Areas of Assistance
Venezuela was the first country toprovide food and clothing to thiscountry, following the passage of Tomas,and there are two critical areas ofassistance provided by the Chavezadministration.
How can we forget the part played byVenezuela in the Vision Nowprogramme, where close to threethousand Vincentians journeyed toCuba to address their optical problems?And how can we forget the number ofVincentians who have been offered anopportunity to pursue tertiary educationstudies, at institutions in Venezuela?And finally, the net books snapped upby our students and adults alike, withmuch appreciation, thanks to theChavez administration.
Vincentians will never forget thisgiant of a leader. Some will makeadverse comments on Face Book andTwitter, but we will never forget theVincentian legacy of the late HugoChavez.
Without him, there would have beenno Alba, no Petro Caribe, no communityof States of Latin America and theCaribbean, no assistance for theinternational airport project, no VisionNow, no “Labour Gas”, and the list goeson.
We will forever remember andtreasure the legacy of Hugo ChavezFrias. We will remember his visit to St.Vincent and the Grenadines, and theoutpouring of support he received froma grateful nation. May he rest in peace.
THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY fully adoptsthe IDB/CDB Task Force recommendationsfor effectively integrating the Vincentianeconomy into the global economy. OurParty accepts the Six Development issuesidentified as: Competitiveness, AppropriateMacro-Economic Environment,Governance, Capital Mobility, RisingPoverty levels and; Vulnerability to naturaldisaster.
In pursuit of the above, we commendthe International Labour Organisation(ILO) recommendations concerning thegeneral conditions to stimulate jobcreation in small and medium sizedenterprises (SMEs).
We identify the more salient featuresas: Recognizing the need for the pursuitof the economic, social and spiritualwell-being and development ofindividuals, families, communities andnations; Being aware of the importanceof job creation in small and medium-sized enterprises; Noting that small andmedium-sized enterprises, as a criticalfactor in economic growth anddevelopment, are increasinglyresponsible for the creation of themajority of jobs throughout the world,and can help create an environment forinnovation and entrepreneurship;Understanding the special value ofproductive, sustainable and quality jobs;Recognizing that small and medium-sized enterprises provide the potentialfor women and other traditionallydisadvantaged groups to gain accessunder better conditions to productive,sustainable and quality employmentopportunities.
As such, we will seek to adoptmeasures which will promote thefundamental role that small andmedium-sized enterprises can play asregards: The promotion of full,productive and freely chosenemployment; Greater access to incomeearning opportunities and wealthcreation leading to productive andsustainable employment; Sustainableeconomic growth and the ability to reactwith flexibility to changes; Increasedeconomic participation of disadvantagedand marginalized groups in society;Increased domestic savings andinvestment; Training and developmentof human resources; Balanced regionaland local development; Provision ofgoods and services which are betteradapted to local market needs; Access toimproved quality of work and workingconditions which may contribute to abetter quality of life, as well as allowlarge numbers of people to have accessto social protection; Stimulatinginnovation, entrepreneurship,technology development and research.
In order to create an environmentconducive to growth and development ofsmall and medium-sized enterprises theNDP will: Adopt and pursue appropriatefiscal, monetary and economic policies topromote an optimal economicenvironment; Improve theattractiveness of entrepreneurship byavoiding policy and legal measureswhich disadvantage those who wish tobecome entrepreneurs; Provide for allenterprises, whatever their size or typeequal opportunity as regards, inparticular to access credit; Promoteobservance by small and medium-sizedenterprises of international labourstandards related to child labour;Remove constraints to the developmentand growth of small and medium-sizedenterprises, arising in particular from:difficulties in accessing capital markets,low levels of technical and managerialskills, inadequate information, lowlevels of productivity and quality,insufficient access to markets;Inappropriate, inadequate or overlyburdensome registration, licensing,reporting and other administrativerequirements, including those which aredisincentives to the hiring of personnel,without prejudicing the level ofconditions of employment, theeffectiveness of labour inspection or thesystem of supervision of workingconditions and related issues; andInclude specific measures and incentivesaimed at assisting and upgrading the
informal sector to become part o theorganized sector.
Development of an Enterprise Culture
The New Democratic Party will adoptmeasures drawn up in consultation withthe most representative organizations ofemployers and workers, to create andstrengthen an enterprise culture whichfavors initiatives, enterprise creation,productivity, environmentalconsciousness, quality, good labour andindustrial relations, and adequate socialpractices which are equitable. We willactively be engaged in: Pursuing thedevelopment of entrepreneurialattitudes, through the system andprogrammes of education,entrepreneurship and training linked tojob needs and the attainment ofeconomic growth and development, withparticular emphasis being given to theimportance o good labour relations andthe multiple vocational and managerialskills need by small and medium-sizedenterprises; Seeking, throughappropriate means, to encourage a morepositive attitude towards risk takingand business failure by recognizingtheir value as a learning experiencewhile at the same time recognizing theirimpact on both entrepreneurs andworkers; Encouraging a process oflifelong learning for all categories ofworkers and entrepreneurs; Designingand implementing, with fullinvolvement of organizations ofemployers and workers concerned,awareness campaigns to promote:respect for the rule of law and workers’rights, better working conditions, higherproductivity and improved quality ofgoods and services - entrepreneurialrole models and award schemes, takingdue account of the specific needs ofwomen, and of disadvantaged andmarginalized groups; Creation oflinkages between national andinternational bodies and institutionsthat are involved in the development ofsmall and medium-sized enterprises,including organizations of employersand workers, in order to facilitate -exchange of staff, experience and ideas,establishment of internationalpartnerships and alliances of small andmedium-sized enterprises, sub-contracting arrangements and othercommercial linkages.
The measures that have beenidentified to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are: 1. Toimprove the Institutional SupportSystem; 2. To facilitate accessibility tofinancing; 3. To upgrade technologicalskills; 4. To enhance market access; 5.To promote the greater usage ofinformation and communicationtechnology; 6. Develop a competitiveadvantage within the framework of theCSME; 7. To increase awareness ofproduct branding and protection ofIntellectual Property Rights.
In promoting and upgrading SMEs,efforts will be intensified to assistentrepreneurs to improve their skills inBusiness management, Information andCommunications Technology, Researchand Development, ProductDevelopment, Marketing, and StrategicAlliances.
To enable SMEs in rural industries topenetrate external markets, efforts toenhance their competitiveness will beintroduced and effectively implemented.SMEs in rural industry processing willuse appropriate technology, acquirequality accreditation and upgrademarket promotion by establishing linkswith corporate and international clients.
The NDP will initiate the strategicconcept of “one district, one industry.”Development planning and strategicland usage via zoning will beimplemented through publicconsultation as a basis for ensuringoptimal location of activities.
10. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
ViewsVEntrepreneurship - Small and Medium-sizedEnterprises
The Vincentian legacy of the late PresidentHugo Chavez
POLITICIANS, especially those whomake it to the very top, are like prizefighters. They seem not to knowwhen to leave the ring ofengagement. Initially, we thoughtJames Mitchell was an exception whenhe handpicked Arnhim Eustace to leadthe New Democratic Party in 2000. Wehave known for some time now thatMitchell did not want to walk awaygraciously. Having sealed his party’selectoral defeat with the passage of the‘greedy bill’ in June 2000, he simplywanted to escape the political ‘cut ass’of his life at the polls.
Elections were called in March of2001, and Arnhim Eustace took thefirst of three thrashings, courtesyRalph Gonsalves. But how manytimes must Mitchell call for ArnhimEustace to go? He has played thisRoad March song so often that it hasnow become suspect. Some argue thatMitchell is a ULP foil called upon tosledge Eustace, every time Gonsalvesappears to be on the ropes.
But nothing could be further fromthe truth. Mitchell’s entire career hasbeen characterized by politicalopportunism. His actions have less todo with how the nation might benefit.James Mitchell is for and aboutJames Mitchell. Mitchell harboursneither love nor hatred for Gonsalvesor Eustace. He wants to be the bigdog, the king maker, forever callingthe shots.
You don’t believe me! Look at howseamlessly he fitted into the ArnhimEustace NDP led anti-referendumcampaign. Reflect on how relentlesslyhe campaigned for the ArnhimEustace’s NDP in the last generalelections. A victorious campaignwould have elevated Mr. Eustace tothe pinnacle of political power.Mitchell would have claimed that hisstrategic power propelled Eustace tothe ‘throne,’ and then extract a bigpolitical prize for his effort. ForMitchell, it’s all about limelight.
Still not convinced? During the lastelections campaign, Mitchell likenedGonsalves to a barking dog thatconstantly attempts to piss on the tireof a moving car. Immediately after hisparty lost, his love fest with Eustace’sNDP ended. He effortlessly waltzedacross the political aisle and offeredthe Amajaro cocoa project toGonsalves.
To his eternal shame, he did nothave the political decency to hint hisintention to the leaders of the partyhe founded. He wanted shock effect.He wanted to be the breaking news.The time has long passed whenVincentians should understand themind of Mitchell. Stop crediting himwith genius.
Mitchell made news when he said‘my marina will always have moreships than Gonsalves’ airport.’ Thesound bite is just that: noise.Deconstructed, it is really a diversionfrom the real issues having to do withthe Ottley Hall fiasco. The real storyabout the marina is not whether theproject was good, needed orpotentially feasible. Mitchell lockedSVG into a project that cost thenation $185 million. It was valued no
more than $10 million. To get outfrom under that debt, the countrypaid $16 million. Our journalistscontinually let Mitchell off the hook.Have him explain this fact ratherthan dotingly smile when he uttersnonsense.
We do not mean to imply thatnothing Mitchell says makes sense.We simply question his motive, andconcluded long ago that his restlesssoul is continuously in search ofattention. Mitchell beats up onEustace at every turn. If he is truly insearch of relevance, he should turnhis tongue on the rest of the party’sleadership.
Why would a party allow a leader,who has brought them threeconsecutive defeats, to remain at thehelm unchallenged? Is this not a clearsign that the NDP is not ready for the‘heavy lifting’ necessary to cope inthese challenging times? Blind loyaltyis for an era long past.
One would have thought that atleast one of the party’s cardinals,emboldened by St Clair Leacock’scorrect assessment ‘our party is inneed of fresh legs,’ would havechallenged for leadership. Perhapsthey await the pope’s resignation? Butfear is not a quality of a leader.
What can be said of Eustace? Whyhas he refused to step aside, thusfreeing and forcing his supporters tolook past him for the next leader?There’s no country in the world wherea leader loses three consecutive timesand remains at the helm. Even whenleaders are winning, there is amovement to limit them to two terms.
What feeds Eustace’s insatiabledrive to become prime minister? Hewill be past 70 years by the 2015elections. Would he, at such advancedage, possess the physical and mentalvigor to steer the ship of state? Arehis more ardent supporters not doinghim and his family a disservice byinsisting that he remains as leader?
Mitchell believes that his advancedage has earned him the right to sayanything. Maybe it has. And so, hesays Dwight Venner, the governor ofthe Central Bank, should go. Weagree, but not for the reasons onwhich Mitchell premised hisargument. He says Venner shouldintervene in the financial debacle thathas rocked our region since thecollapse of BAICO and CLICO in2009.
But ‘poor’ Venner does not possessthe power, resources or machinery topositively impact the Caribbeaneconomy as Ben Bernanke, chairmanof the US Federal Reserve, or MarioDraghi, President of the EuropeanCentral Bank. Venner has beenGovernor for more than 20 years. Thetime for new blood and fresh mindshas arrived.
Mitchell should take the advice heoffers to Venner. Go quietly.
“Pity the sorrows of a poorold man, whose tremblinglimbs have borne him toyour door, whose days aredwindled to the shortestspan; Oh give relief, andHeaven will bless yourstore.” - Thomas Moss(1740-1808)
IT SOMETIMES SEEMS like such anunpleasant task to go shopping in theareas where “beggars” appear tocongregate. The entrance to severalfast food outlets and supermarketsappear to be most unpleasant for someshoppers/customers when it is realisedthat outstretched hands, gapingmouths, empty faces, and beckoningeyes await those seeking to enter or exitsuch business premises. And while wemay conclude that many of these“vagrants” can do better, severalcannot. Before proceeding, let’s revisitthose two words that have been placedin inverted commas – “beggars” and“vagrants”. Be assured that efforts arenot being made to affix derogatorythoughts to the individuals that societymay so label. But rather to drawattention to the plight that some of ourunfortunate citizens now findthemselves in. In so many cases, weneed not exert too much effort toascertain what resulted in their poorconditions (and to justify our not lendinga helping hand). Many have beenbattered and bruised by life’s variedbody blows, that they have noreservations about asking for a pittance.And they often do so without shame.
My mother has been a shopkeeperfor most of her adult life. At 83 yearsold, she now slowly glides along thecounter as she seeks to attend to theshoppers who still require herservices. Many of her formercustomers have graduated to securetheir groceries from air-conditionedsupermarkets that have a much widerrange of household goods than sheoffers. But she still has her faithful,regular customers (and friends) whovisit from time to time. Not all ofthem are paying customers. One ortwo are “vagrants” who will seek herout (usually very early in themorning) for their daily portions ofbread and sausage and a glass ofmauby. Unfortunately, some neithersay “please” nor “thank you” prior toor after receiving their hunger-stopping morsels. In her youngerdays, she would have sought to teachthem “good manners and behaviour”.I recall a youngster once asking herwhy she was “spoiling them like this”.After all, most appear to be men whohad the strength to work for a living.Her response was, “You probablydon’t know what it means to behungry.” Hunger had initiallyprompted them to ask without shame;poverty and despondency havingcauterised their sense of dignity.
Some readers may be tempted toconclude, like the youngster referredto at the end of the precedingparagraph, that to give food and drinkto persons who appear to have theability to work is, indeed, spoilingthem. I once thought so too.However, while it is true to say thatsome such persons are lazy, many ofthem are unemployable (so to speak).Some appear to be awaiting someexternal source to encourage acommitment to physical cleanlinessand a reprogramming of the mind todevelop more responsible attitudesand behaviours. And while I amtempted to advance some views in
relation to a variety of strategies thatcan be contemplated to achieve thisdesirable outcome, forgive me forreturning to the topic at hand with acommitment to dedicating asubsequent article to the explorationof ways in which we (you and I) canintercept some of these unfortunatemembers of our society. It may not beas difficult as we think.
There are a host of reasons whysome individuals may be reduced tothe task of begging for their dailyfood. They are not all lazy and “bad-minded”. Many who are on thebreadline would have been exposed toa series of unfortunate physical,mental or emotional problems thatsignificantly reduce their chances ofgaining or retaining employment.Others may have experimented withdrugs that created “vast neurologicalchasms” that prevent them fromperforming “normal” thoughtfunctions. Many were encouraged by“friends” who promised that the“expedition” would take them to newheights; and now they are foreversoaring in an imaginary world thatrobs them of reality; reducing them toa shell of an existence; a mirage of away of life that has resulted in themfloating from day to day, begging forsurvival, stripped of their dignity andasking without shame. And so, wesend a strong word of caution to thosewho presently have their “normalfaculties” but may be contemplatingexperimenting with drugs. We alsowarn those who may have alreadycommenced the journey but now needto make a stop — a clean break beforeit is too late.
It is commendable to learn aboutthose unfortunate individuals whowere not so far gone or who foundpersons to believe that they can makethe break and have a second chance.They have weathered the storms oflife and move in the direction ofmaking ends meet; crafting a betterlife for themselves and their lovedones. Some have sought and obtainedfinancial and/or material assistance tocommence a variety of small projectsin craft, music, agriculture, animalhusbandry, and a host of othermoney-making activities. Othershave contemplated that they do haveskills that, with a little help, enablethem to generate income. Many ofthese industrious citizens wereinitially hesitant to ask for assistancevia small loans or grants. However,they swallowed their pride andlearned how to ask without shame.These now become models thatencourage and inspire others to dolikewise. Rather than “beg for a fish,”they have learned the value of“learning to fish”. They know thatthey can start small and, with goodmanagement and a good customerbase, their businesses can grow overtime. And so, we contemplate whichof these weary and weather-beatentravellers we will be fortunate tointercept and provide with new hopewhen they approach us havinglearned to ask without shame.
ACCORDING TO AN ARTICLE in theSEARCHLIGHT Newspaper of Feb 1st2013, after four years of economicdecline, the Organization of EasternCaribbean States (OECS) is regardedby Sir Dwight Venner as being “at atipping point which will require oursustained and collective efforts, to getour economies on the path to growthand development.”
The article, which was written byKENTON CHANCE, went on to saythat last year (2012), the sub-region’sGDP is estimated to have declined by0.1 percent, and that this compared toan average of 2.2 percent annuallyfrom 2009 to 2011.
The article quotes Sir Dwight assaying, “This out-turn reflected lower
output in keysectors such asconstruction,transport,storage andcommunicationsand sluggishgrowth in thetourismindustry.”
Sir Dwightalso said that“Value added bythe constructionsector contractedby 5.6 percent,following anaverage decline of 13.3 percent in theprevious three years.”
For us in St. Vincent, the hauntingquestions are:
1) Where are we in relation to thecusp of the economic take off?
2) Who reaped or are reaping thepromised harvest?
The assessment of our situation bySir Dwight does not really surprisemany of us, for we have been aware ofthe stagnation of the economy for sometime; the signs, after all, were allaround us.
What is clear to us now, is that themuch touted Eight Point Stabilizationand Growth Plan has failed miserably.This plan was the brainchild of theSenior Government Ministers and theLeadingtechnocratsof the sub-region. Inthat plan,theycalculatedthat theeconomy ofthe sub-
region could have been stimulatedwith the injection of substantial fundsinto the Tourism, Construction andFishing sectors. It was unbelievablyimmature to expect to impact theeconomy at that stage, in St. Vincentand the Grenadines in particular,while leaving out Agriculture from thebig Eight Point Stabilization andGrowth Plan. This may not be thetime to list the items which seem tocharacterize disdain for the farmingcommunity — even by those who haveasked for the privilege to serve.
Sir Dwight is reported to have saidthat in charting the way forward forthe ECCU to better cope with thechallenges which it now faces, it iscritical that a clear vision for theECCU be agreed on. He said, “This
vision must emerge from among ourcitizens and communities and muststate how we would like to see ourcountries in the future.”
I support fully those sentimentsexpressed by Sir Dwight. In ademocracy, it should never appear thatthe citizen is treated with indifference.At this stage, therefore, there is theurgent need for a detailed andcomprehensive evaluation of thatEight Point Stabilization and GrowthPlan. Until we have the details onwhich we can arrive at adetermination as to why the Planfailed, it would be fickle to attempt toset parameters to effect our dream forthe ECCU in 2027.
Leroy Providence
New Property Tax Act: Poor blackpeople will be going to jail
12. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
ViewsVUNDER SECTION 35 OFTHE PROPERTY TAX ACT -‘IMPRISONMENT FORFAILURE TO OBEYORDERS’ - people who donot pay can go to jail for along time. We know thewhite super-rich ofMustique and Canouan arenot going to jail becausethey are exempt, so it willbe poor black peoplegoing to jail.
In SVG, we have anaked apartheid system.The white super-rich ofMustique and Canouanare given tax andcustoms dutyexemptions. They canbuy lands, planes andyachts, for instance,worth tens of millions ofdollars, and not pay onecent in tax.
In contrast, if a poor
black person buys a pairof shoes, they have topay tax. This is blatantwickedness.
Many poor householdscannot afford electricity,cannot afford mainswater, cannot affordschool fees, struggle tofeed their families andsuffer under the ULPregime’s cruel VAT.Unemployment is high,and people struggle tomake a dollar, and nowthe ULP regime wants topunish people more withanother tax — PropertyTax.
It is poor black peoplewho will suffer the most.Under this new tax, theULP regime is going toharass poor black peoplefor money, and whenthey can’t pay, throw
them in jail, sell poorblack people’s houses,and make them and theirchildren homeless.
In the period ofsegregation, they used toburn down black people’shomes in the southernstates of the USA todrive them out. This newKlu Klux Klan-styleproperty tax legislationwill persecute poor blackpeople and force themout of their homes, ifthey cannot pay undersection 39. It will nottouch the white super-rich of Mustique andCanouan.
Mustique — with theairport, properties andlands — is properly worthat least $7 billion, yetthe white super-rich willnot pay one cent in
(annual) property tax.Poor black people facejail if they can’t payproperty tax. Thisapartheid is immoral,and the property taxdiscrimination isunconstitutional.
It is wrong that poorblack people will live infear of being thrown injail, while the whitesuper-rich of Canouanand Mustique can sipchampagne by theswimming pool all daylong, knowing that theyare exempt fromproperty tax.
SVG Green Party callson the Mustique Charityto pay all poor blackpeople’s property tax tostop poor black peoplefrom going to jail.
The days of apartheid
in SVGarenumbered. Rosa Parkswas instrumental inkilling racial segregationin the USA, NelsonMandela was prominentin the protests that killedapartheid in SouthAfrica, and SVG GreenParty will kill theapartheid tax system inSVG.
Gonsalves should bethe last person tointroduce laws that sendpeople to jail for failureto obey orders. The SVGDirector of Audit gaveorders to the SVGMinister of Finance toreconcile the governmentoverdraft account at theNational CommercialBank to avoid killing theNCB. Gonsalves did not
obey the orders from theDirector of Audit, butinstead pushed up hisgovernment overdraft in2008 to $185 million andkilled the NCB.
Should Gonsalves bebrought to the HighCourt to answer forfailing to obey an orderfrom the Director ofAudit?
SVG Green Partywww.svggreenparty.orgEditor’s note: Houseowners in Mustique paythe Alien LandholdingTax and the ‘Sales Tax’on land /property of 5%.They pay no duty onconstruction materialsbut pay all other duties(e.g. duty on motorvehicles)
Evaluation of ECCB Eight-Point Strategic Planneeded now
Sir Dwight Venner, Governor of theECCB, has called for a clear visionfor the ECCU, but one that mustcome from among the citizens andcommunities of the OECS.
Some of those responsible for framing the Eight Point Stabilization and Growth Plan.
by JP SCHWMON
IT MIGHT NOT HAVE BEENGeorgetown SecondarySchool’s finest productionof its number onefundraiser event, but theupset which resulted fromits Annual Dance andCheerleading Competition,on Friday 22nd February,was major.
Defending Champs,Yellow House, was puton notice from the get goas Green House signalledits intention to lay claimto the 2013 reign. Fortheir efforts, the GreenTeam were awarded toppoints in the Cheercategory, registering anearly 71.3 points on thejudges’ scorecards. Itscloset rival, theincumbent and first toappear in all threerounds, mustering some5.6 points less.
Round Two, though,clearly belonged to RedHouse. The 2012 CheerChamps came out oftheir corner with higherenergy levels than wasobvious in the firstround, but that was notenough to dissuade thejudges from awardingthe highest scorethroughout thecompetition — 94.0 points- to the Red Challengers.
The pieces performedby the champions, THEVINCENTIAN
understands, were thefruits of the collaborativeefforts of two youngdancers turnchoreographers — Selreen‘Swooshbomb Nortic’Gibson of the SuhpreemDream Team andNanthan Campbell ofTop Secret Dancers.
“They did better thanwe expected … they weremaking a lot of mistakesduring practice butluckily they pulled it offon stage,” Swooshbombsaid after hearing thattheir three weeks of hardwork did pay off.
In addition to theCheer and Set DancePiece, each House wasexpected to present anOriginal Dance Piece.Red House swept upsome 69.3 points to winboth that category aswell as the overallCompetition with a 15.6(total points) lead overYellow House; thereigning Champs mustnow settle for secondplace with 207 totalpoints.
Reflections on theperformances
Speaking on thelacklustre performancethat pervaded the firstround of the show, G.S.STeacher Fiona Antoinetells us “… It was a bitshaky in the beginning
as the performancequality lapsed. We haveseen better performancesover the years, but Ithink rehearsals weresomewhat rushedbecause the school wasforced to pull forward thedate for our AnnualAthletics Competitionsdue to changes made atthe Ministry ofEducation… so thatmight have been a majorfactor.”
Meanwhile, recentlyappointed PrincipalRonald Clarke’s fearshave been mollified,having taken his firststeps into what was forhim, virgin territory. “Iheard a lot about thisCompetition, especiallyin its preparatory stages,and I must admit I was alittle uneasy becausehaving not experienced itbefore, I did not knowwhat to expect. So Idecided to wait and see,and I am satisfied thatthere were no overtdisplays of vulgarity; andthe general publicbehaved admirably too,”he said of the seven-year-old event which washosted at the school’sauditorium.
The new Principal wasso impressed that he wasinspired to make someminor changes to theschool’s timetable so as
to includedance onthe list ofsubjectsoffered “Infact,” hesaid “I amhappy tohave seensuch wide array of talentbecause it fits into onevision we have for theschool which is tointroduce dance as partof the Arts andHumanities curriculum.Dance, I believe, has agreat prospect as anextra-curricular activity,but we’d be exploringopportunities to offerbasic dance in theclassroom… that way ourstudents would be ablyprepared for entry in thevarious dance events likethe KCCU’s AnnualDance Fest and so on.”
The Dance andCheerleadingCompetition wasimmediately preceded byGSS’ Road Relay whichsaw Yellow Housesnatching up that firstplace title in both themale and femalecategories. Red House,though, was adjudgedtop House overall afterthe school’s AnnualAthletics Meet, held onTuesday 26th February.
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. 13.V
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Red House is G.S.SÊ2013 Dance &Cheerleading Champs
The Red House Champions Dance and Cheerleaders.
Green House dancers in a contemplative mood.
Left: YellowHouse triedtheir best torepeat asChampions.
The Bl ue House contingent addedsome ‘flex’ to the rountine.
14. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
FeatureV
HUGO RAFAEL CHAVEZ FRIAS, President of Venezuela for the last fourteen years, was laid to rest, Friday 8th March, 2013. The president had succumbed to cancer the previ-ous Tuesday after being first diagnosed with the disease in 2011. Thousands of Venezuelans, dressed in red, thronged the funeral procession and showered the coffin with flowers as the hearse, with the casket on its roof, wormed its way through the streets of Caracas. Many threw flowers, others wept openly and unapologetically for the man who they considered had brought positive change to their lives and opened Venezuela to closer ties with Latin America and the Caribbean. Thousands more watched the funeral ceremony, held at a military academy where Chavez has been lying in state, on huge monitors under the blazing sun. The funeral service began with Venezuela's national youth orchestra singing the national anthem. A government-allied congressman belted out songs from President Chavez’s native Barinas state. As this obtained, the streets in Caracas took on a carnival atmosphere with military bands launching into marches. Many of the thousands, already decked in their red, sought to purchase replicas of the presidential sash as though to complete their outfits. In the funeral hall, over 30 heads of states and political leaders, including Cuba’s Raul Castro, Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and SVG’s Dr. Ralph
Gonsalves, stood at attention before President Chavez’s flag-draped coffin, which was closed for the ceremony. Nicolas Maduro, President Chavez’s hand-picked successor, eulogized the deceased leader at the military academy. His voice boomed as he pledged eternal loyalty.“Here we are, Comandante, your men, on their feet ... loyal until beyond death,” Maduro shouted, beckoning government officials to rise. “Chavez lives!” he declared. “Mission accom-plished!” But all was not peace and harmony in a country still divided even after Chavez’s 14 years in power. The opposition coalition announced it would boycott Maduro’s swearing-in later that Friday at the same military academy, calling it unconstitutional. Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles told media personnel that the opposition had asked to attend Chavez's funeral, but was told "better that you don't come." Capriles is expected to challenge Maduro for the presidential seat in an election mandated within 30 days of the Presdeint’s (Chavez) death. Meanwhile, Maduro, the country’s acting presi-dent, says Hugo Chavez's embalmed body will be permanently displayed in a glass casket so that "his people will always have him." Vice President Nicolas Maduro says the remains will be put on permanent display at the Museum of the Revolution, close to the presidential palace where Chavez ruled for 14 years. Regardless of the political fallout from the death of
Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias, last Friday’s overwhelming sentiment was best represented by a bookseller in Caracas,
who said: “If my Comandante was such a divisive man who fought with everyone and with other countries, wouldn’t he be alone (at his funeral)?”
Hugo Chavez gets
Leaders from just about every country in Latin America, some from the Caribbean and even a delegation from the US, turned out for the funeral of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
It was a much a period of solemnity as it was a celebration for a man who is credited with having brought immense improvement in the lives of ordinary Venezuelans.
President Hugo Chavez will be remembered as a charismatic and robust president who took a deliberate option in favour of the poor and marginalized.
Thousands converged on the coffin as it worked its way to the military academy where the funeral service was held.
This expression captures the sentiment which President Chavez’s death aroused.
Vice President Nicolas Maduro placed a golden sword on the casket — a symbol of Latin American revolutionary Simon Bolivar, whose philosophy and politics influenced the late president.
Photos and story contributed by: DONALD DE RIGGS
THERE ARE SEVERAL MORE eminent persons whose lives the late Norma Keizer would have impacted on positively, but I hasten to share my own experience with this quiet giant with an unassuming personality. That was Norma Keizer. I was one of several teachers ‘fired’ for my active involvement in the 1975 Teachers’ strike, following which I decided to pursue a career in photography and actually ran Foto’s Photo Studio for four years before I was summoned to the classroom duties again. I used to be commis-sioned to take pictures of all classes for the GHS magazine, and one day Norma asked me to come and teach French at the GHS, a subject I had taught previously, along with Span-ish, at Bishop’s College. However, my forte was Geography, so I told her that I would think about it. After two weeks without a response from me, Mrs. Keizer called to inquire about my decision. She impressed that the school was in dire need of a French teacher for the lower forms. In fact, she was filling the void while having to attend to her regular administrative duties.
That was the degree of confidence Mrs. Keizer had in me as a student teacher. At the same time, Bertram ‘Timmy’ Richards also wanted a Geography teacher for the fifth formers preparing for GCE. So, when Mrs. Keizer called a third time to find out if I had made up my mind, I told her, “Yes, but to teach Geography at the Intermediate High School (IHS).” We both laughed and she wished me well. Those were good wishes as my students had 100% passes for GCE in Geography that year. I remained at the IHS for one year, alongside teachers like Ellsworth “Shake” Keane, Freddy Layne, now a medical doctor, before I entered the Teachers College.
Renewing contact I graduated from the Teachers College but my photographic and
communication skills were also well known, and I opted to join the GIS, now the API, where the salary was much better, in fact, 33.3% better, as the official photographer cum journalist for the government, a job that brought me into every home that had a TV. When the ‘Searchlight’ newspaper began with Norma Keizer at the
helm, I was a regular contribu-tor to that and other local papers under the nom de plume, ‘Small Axe’. She never turned down any of my articles, and would occasion-ally send me a cheque, which I would either politely return or never cash. If I was the only photographer at a public function, I would supply her and other papers with a story and pictures, as I understood the importance of letting the public know what was happening locally, a habit still prac-tised.
Farewell The farewell service held on the GHS compound on Tuesday, February 26, was an emotional experi-ence for me. I visited the tuck shop twice for paper towels, not to wipe sweat, but to mop
up tears that flowed easily on hearing about the wonderful achievements of this fine lady. When one looks around the GHS compound, her mark is indelibly left in concrete, blocks and equipment, she having struggled against the odds to have a science lab and hard court built. But that was not all. The GHS Steel Orchestra has graced the stage at the Victoria Park for Junior Panorama competitions, and has come away winners on several occasions. That orchestra was the brainchild of Norma Keizer; one of my daughters being one of the first pannists in that steel orchestra. More can be said, but others no doubt will add to the wonderful mosaic that depicts the fulsome life of Norma Keizer.
Staff, past and present students, well-wishers gathered at the GHS compound on the morning of Tuesday, February 26, 2013, to bid farewell to Norma Keizer.
The mood was somber, even among the younger students who would not have interacted directly with Mrs. Keizer.
The Resource Centre bears the name of Norma Keizer. It was under her watch that the Centre was realized.
Even the buttercups on the school’s com-pound, had a special bloom about them as if to say they too had come to bid farewell to a stalwart.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. 15.
FeatureV
16. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
TourismV
ON TUESDAY MARCH 12TH2013 a team of personsfrom the whalingcommunity in Bequia,including a seasoned whalerman, left St. Vincent andthe Grenadines for theDominican Republic to get afirsthand experience ofwhale watching.
The members of theteam are Gaston Bess,Javan Stowe, Alicia Lavia,Richard Ollivierre andhead of the mission, MsKari Da Silva.
Gaston Bess was part ofmany whale hunts andwas part of a team thatwould have landed about 8whales over the years.Stowe’s father is an activewhaler. Richard Ollivierreand Alicia Lavia both haveclose relatives in thewhaling business, and areboth active members ofthe Bequia TraditionalSailing Academy, whichuses old whale boats toteach Bequia’s traditional
sailing techniques toyoungsters.
The head of mission MsKari Da Silva has justbeen assigned the role tohead the special new unitset up in the Ministry ofAgriculture, Forestry,Fisheries, RuralTransformation andIndustry, andcommissioned to promotethe linkages betweenAgriculture, Fisheries andTourism.
The visit of the team ispart of a St. Vincent andthe Grenadines NationalTrust initiative to promotewhale watching on theisland of Bequia,traditionally known forwhale hunting.
The team will be hostedin the Dominican Republicby Mr Peter Sanchez, theAdministrator of theDominican RepublicMarine Whale Sanctuary,and facilitated by the
Ministry of theEnvironment and NaturalResources of theDominican Republic.While there, the team willexperience three differentwhale watching trips, indifferent parts of theSanctuary and in differenttypes of boats, includingthe small boats of theCarenero Village. Theywill receive training in
whale watchingregulations and in whalewatching marketing andeconomics. They will alsohave two free days tosimply explore the beautyof the DominicanRepublic.
The invitation forwhalers and communitymembers from Bequia tovisit the DominicanRepublic was extended toSt. Vincent and theGrenadines at the meetingof the InternationalWhaling Commission inPanama last year, whichwas attended by NationalTrust Chairperson, LouiseMitchell Joseph.
Mr Peter Sanchez hasindicated that he awaits
the team with greatexcitement and that hehas passed on the greatnews to the Buenos Airesgroup that he will behosting the St. Vincentand the Grenadines team.Whale watching is bigbusiness in most Latincountries with coastlines,which all eagerly supportSt. Vincent and theGrenadines embracing theconservation of whales.
The team returns to St.Vincent on March 19th2013. On March 20th atthe National Trustheadquarters at 10 am,members of the mediawould be invited to hear oftheir experience. (Source:SVG National Trust)
SVG: Once discovered, never forgottenby BEN HARRISONInternational Correspondent
THE PACIFIC & ORIENT (P & O)Cruise Lines ship ‘Azura’ treated itsover3000 passengers to a memorablevisit to St. Vincent on Tuesday March12th.
The three-year-old Azura is currentlyon a 14-day cruise in the EasternCaribbean. It is one of the largest shipsin the P & O fleet, weighing in at115,000 tons. It is 290meters (950 feet) in length,has 1557 cabins and canaccommodate almost 3600passengers with a crew of1200.
THE VINCENTIANinterviewed severalpassengers on Tuesdayafternoon, who weresunning and swimming atVilla Beach. Withoutexception, they allenthusiastically praised the
beauty, safety and friendliness of theparadise they discovered in St. Vincent.
With the Argyle International Airportwell on its way to completion, thepositive impact of tourism and therevenue it brings to the island cannot beunderestimated.
We all have a responsibility toproudly welcome all visitors to this littleknown jewel of the Caribbean, because“Once discovered, it will never beforgotten”.
Bequia delegationon whalewatching mission
The ‘Azura’ berthed at the Kingstwon Cruise Ship facility.
Inset: Hundreds of the ‘Azura’s’ passengers spent the day at the Villa beach.
A whale makes quite a sight off the coast of theDominican Republic where whale watch is anencouraged tourist attraction.
Left: Swimming with the whales in the waters of
the Dominican Republic.
DiasporaV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. 17.
A BRONX, New York-based Georgetownman says he’s on a mission to aid hishomeland by giving back at all costs –medically, educationally and otherwise –for the rest of his life.
Robert McBarnett, 53, a SpiritualBaptist, originally from Dickson Village,Georgetown in North Central Windward— who has been furnishing medical,educational and personal supplies to anumber of medical clinics, the MiltonCato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) inKingstown, the Georgetown Hospital andordinary nationals — said he willcontinue doing so until God draws hislast breath.
“I see myself doing this for the rest ofmy life,” McBarnett, who has beenworking as an aide in the EnvironmentalService Department at Wyckoff HeightsMedical Center in the Bushwick sectionof Brooklyn, New York since 1994, toldTHE VINCENTIAN in an exclusiveinterview.
“I believe we’re all called to serve, andthat’s what we’re trying to do,” addedMcBarnett, who, with his wife, Sharon,and Dickson native Joan Moore, aregistered nurse who lives in Queens,New York, recently formed the St.Matthias Charities, Inc., named after theSt. Matthias Baptist Church in DicksonVillage that was founded by McBarnett’slate grandfather, Archbishop PercivalDick.
“We’re servants trying to serve thosewho’re less fortunate,” he continued. “We
see there are a lot ofthings we can do in St.Vincent and theGrenadines, and we’relooking forward to doingmuch, much more.
“For instance, we’lllike to touch on alldifferent sectors —medically, educationallyand so on,” said thepresident of St. MatthiasCharities, Inc.,disclosing that his smallchurch group also plansto establish shortly ascholarship fund forunderprivileged childrenin St. Vincent and theGrenadines.
How it all began and sincethen
McBarnett, whomigrated to New York in1980, said his ferventinterest, in helping hisnative land, intensifiedthree years ago afterparticipating in acrusade at home withmembers of the St. JudeBaptist Church onBristol Street in theBrownsville section ofBrooklyn.
He said the team, atthe time, conductedworship services at the Market Squarein Kingstown, Sion Hill and Dickson,and distributed food items to lessfortunate communities.
“After we did that — that same year —I donated a wheel chair to GeorgetownHospital; and, when I came back(returned to New York), I wanted to domore,” McBarnett said.
So, in April last year, he said he andhis wife — with support from well-wishers, such as New York merchantRonald Chase, who furnishes clothes,shoes and other supplies, andUS$10,000.00 out of the couple’s pockets— shipped a container of supplies homewith the Brooklyn-based Square DealShippers and Movers.
McBarnett said thesupplies — includingclothes, books,foodstuff, bloodpressure and diabeticmonitors with testingstrips, walkers,crutches, canes andpampers — weredistributed to residentsin Overland (NorthWindward), Stubbs(South Windward) andDickson.
The SpiritualBaptist said hereturned home lastmonth to distribute alarger shipment ofsupplies — a 40-ft. long
container shipped again by Square DealShippers and Movers — which comprisedmedical supplies and equipment for theMCMH, such as x-ray view box;duplicator and film bin; and aUS$100,000 endoscopy/colonoscopymachine, donated by Dr. Vijay Arya, aphysician at Wycoff Heights MedicalCenter, and his foundation.
In addition, McBarnett said, amongothers, wheel chairs, crutches, canes,commodes, bath chairs, pampers, foodsupplies and clothes were distributed toresidents of Fancy, Owia, Overland andSandy Bay in North Windward; Dickson;Stubbs; Union Island in the SouthernGrenadines; Barrouallie and Buccament
Bay in Central Leeward;and Vermont and Pembrokein South Leeward.
He said the group plansto make good on its pledgeto “take care of” NorthLeeward and theGrenadines, including theChateaubelair Hospital,during its next visit eitherlater this year or early nextyear.
Looking to the future
Currently, McBarnettsaid the group is planning afundraiser for June 22 atthe Friends of CrownHeights Educational Centerin Brooklyn.
He said funds raised atthat event will go towards,among other things, the
purchase of a bronchoscope for theMCMH, which is expected to cost overUS$10,000.
[A bronchoscope is a device used tosee the inside of the airways and lungs.Bronchoscopy is a test to view theairways and diagnose lung disease.It may also be used during the treatmentof some lung conditions].
Stubbs native and MCMH physicianDr. Lennox Adams is the group’s localmedical contact.
“People are really enthused aboutwhat we do,” McBarnett said. “Peoplesay ‘thank you’ for what we’re doing forSt. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“We will like to thank all the folkswho supported us andcontinue to support us,like co-workers, fellowWest Indians,Vincentians, Square DealShippers and Movers, Mr.Chase, and Dr. Arya andhis foundation,” he added.“This wouldn’t be possiblewithout everyone onboard.
“This is something Ialways wanted to do — togive back to the lessfortunate in St. Vincentand the Grenadines,”continued McBarnett,disclosing that the groupalso plans to extend itsservice to Grenada “in thenot too distant future.”
Robert McBarnett,President of St. MatthiasCharities Inc., says he isa servant trying to servethose who are lessfortunate.
Left: Just a small quantityof what St. MatthiasCharities Inc. has madeavailable to the people ofSVG.
A happy trio –recipients of school supplies.
Robert McBarnett ensures that thisgentleman gets a pair of crutcheswhich should improve his mobility.
Georgetown manon mission to giveback to SVG
18. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
NewsV
THE NATIONAL COUNCILOF WOMEN OF ST.VINCENT AND THEGRENADINES salute allwomen in St. Vincent andthe Grenadines and aroundthe world. Let us continueto seek the advancementof women and genderequality as per the Beijing
Conference of 1995.On this widely
celebrated InternationalWomen’s Day, we adoptthe words of David inPsalms 139:14 “I willgive thanks unto thee;for I am fearfully andwonderfully made:Wonderful are thy works;
and that my soulknoweth right well”.
We applaud thewomen for their tenacity,strength, determinationto succeed and survivethe many challenges theyface each day. Thetrafficking of women andchildren, violence againstwomen and children inthe home, incest andrape, single teenagemothers, exposure toand the scourge ofHIV/Aids and otherSTDs, stigmatization inthe work place,unemployment,vulnerability,
The statement of theFirst National Congressof Women held in St.Vincent and theGrenadines, is calling onthe people of St. Vincentand the Grenadines toaddress the concerns of:● Gender Equity-
Inculcate gender equityand equality in allcitizens from childhood toadulthood. Throughgender sensitive schoolcurricula, adopt the ‘Nochild should be leftbehind’ policy.
● EconomicDevelopment, Trade andFinance- Ensure that allcitizens have physical,social and economicaccess to sufficient, safeand nutritious food tomeet their dietary needfor a healthy and activelife style.● Peace and security —
Facilitate publiceducation and providetraining on domesticviolenceintervention/preventionmethods and on /conflictresolution.● Political
participation — strive forthe development of apolitical culture thatwould allow women inpolitics to work acrossparty lines to developissues wherein they findcommon grounds.
● Health- Promotehealthy life styles thatwill support a decline insexually transmitteddiseases including HIVand Aids.● Education — Ensure
that all sectors of thepopulation are aware ofand have access to allavailable educationalavenues.● General Provisions-
Recognize the role of thechurch and faith basedorganizations inpromoting gender equity,human rights, peace andsecurity.
We have come this farby faith; Women arestanding up, standingout and making adifference. Teenagemothers are returning tothe classrooms andexcelling academically;
and through commitmentand true dedication,women are at theforefront of decision andpolicy making. We are‘Women in Action for theDevelopment of ourNation.”
This year, wecelebrate InternationalWomen’s Day with thetheme,” Women in Actionfor the Development ofOur Nation’. As werecognize the woman, letus bind ourselvestogether to eradicate theills, and then, let usrededicate ourcommitment to thedevelopment of ourfamilies, societies andthe world. Women, thePillars of Our Society.
(We regret that thismessage was squeezedout of last week’s article.)
International WomenÊs Day Message 2013
THE ST. ANDREW PARISH CHAPTEROF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ofWomen, and the Casper/Maria MarshallCentre, (CASMAC) celebratedInternational Women’s Day (IWD),March 8, with a series of activities in thehistoric community of Clare Valley, andsurrounding villages.
The goal of the activities was to buildawareness of the significance ofInternational Women’s Day.
The female teachers of the ClareValley Government School werehonoured for their contribution to thegrowth and development of childrenattending that school. This was followedby a Seminar on Gender Roles forchildren of Grade 6 of that school andparticipants of the Partners of theAmericas ‘A GANAR’ Youth Programme.
In seven working groups, theparticipants identified that, whilewomen had freedom to work, vote, andgain an education, many were stillplagued by unemployment, under-employment, teenage pregnancy anddomestic violence.
In some cases, the participants
discovered, there were mothers whoneglected their children for otherinterests, especially at night, and manydid not have the support of fathers inbringing up their children.
While it was a “giant step” that teenmothers could return to school,participants felt their parents needed toassume more responsibility, to enablethem to take advantage of this ‘secondchance’.
The participants were of the view thatmore support services were needed toenable women to arrive at genderequality, as set out in theCommonwealth Plan of Action forGender Equality — 2005 — 2015.
A highlight of the activities was thedistribution of IWD Greeting Cards tothe entire School, members of thecommunity, and the Evangelical Churchat Upper Questelles, which hosted aPrayer Service on issues affectingwomen and girls.
The final activity, in collaborationwith the Spiritual Baptist Church inClare Valley, will honour older women.
IWD activities stagedin South Leeward
THEME: ÂWomen in Action for the Development of Our Nation‰
Students of the Clare Valley Government School in the plenary session of theSeminar on Gender Roles.
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013. 19.V
RASHEED WATSON, A 17-YEAR-OLD LABOURER OFGREEN HILL, was jailed fortwo months this week,after pleading guilty tostealing a gold chainvalued $150 Canadian,from Anetha Sergeant, 63,of Fair Hall.
Magistrate RechanneBrowne-Mathias handeddown the penalty at theKingstown Magistrate’sCourt on Monday. Shealso ordered that Watsonpay EC$800compensation toSergeant by July 3. Indefault, Watson will goto prison for eight weeks.
The Prosecutor,Inspector GlenfordGregg, told the courtthat around 2:30 pm onNovember 12, 2012,Sergeant was walking inthe area of Russell’sShopping Mall in StoneyGround, when Watsonsnatched the gold chain
from her neck and ran. She gave chase but
failed to catch-up withWatson. A passerby alsogave chase, caughtWatson and called thepolice. The chain was notrecovered.
Watson was said tohave several convictionsof dishonesty, and wasonce charged withstealing a wallet fromsomeone’s bag while inCourt.
The Magistrate issueda stern warning to himbefore imposing thepenalties. “Noteverybody is tolerant,you know, you are verylucky.”
Chain snatching is atrend which has beendeveloping here in recenttimes. Last year, therewere several reports ofincidents of this nature.(HH)
ELMORE MAPP, a 42-year-old farmer of Gomea, isthis country’s latest murder victim.
A police report of March 11 said that they areinvestigating the circumstances surrounding themurder of Elmore Mapp, which occurred at Gomeaon March 9.
A postmortem examination is expected to beperformed on the body to ascertain the cause ofdeath.
Police also report that they are investigating thecause of death of Dave Williams of Kingstown.
Williams was reportedly involved in analtercation with another man in Kingstown onMarch 9, when he ran into the road and wasinvolved in a motor vehicle accident.
A post mortem will be conducted on the body on12.03.13 to ascertain the cause of death.
