FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013 VOLUME 107, No. 16 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

A KEY WITNESS for the prosecution in amurder Preliminary Inquiry (PI) told theCourt on Tuesday that a police officerwhoM he identified as “SergeantLaBorde,” promised to drop two robberycharges he was facing, if he testifiedthat the murder accused told him(witness) he (accused) was the killer.

Cleroy Pinder, on remand at HerMajesty’s Prison, Kingstown, was oneof two key witnesses who testified for

the prosecution at the SeriousOffences Court on Tuesday, in themurder P.I involving Lowmans Hillresident Junior Providence.

Providence, 29, was charged withthe murder of 80-year-old UlricHercules of Arnos Vale, whichreportedly occurred at Arnos Valebetween January 31 and February 1,2012.

An autopsy showed that Herculesdied from manual strangulation.

‘I strike a deal’

When Pinder took thestand, ProsecutorInspector AdolphusDelpleche asked him totell the court what heknew about the incident.Pinder said he could notrecall anything.

When the Prosecutorasked if he had given astatement to the police,Pinder replied in theaffirmative.

Pinder also admittedthat the statement wasread back to him and hesigned it. However, whenthe prosecutor askedPinder if he wanted thecourt’s permission torefresh his memory fromthe statement, hesaid,”No”.

When Delpleche askedwhy, Pinder said thepolice “strike a deal withme.”

Asked what was thedeal, Pinder said, “I getlock up and I had tworobbery charges. SergeantLa Borde made a deal

with me that he would dropmy charges if I come courtand say that JuniorProvidence tell me that hekill the man.”

Sergeant Jeffrey La Bordeof the Major Crimes Unit(MCU) was the investigatorin the matter, and was alsolisted to testify for theprosecution, but theprosecution closed its casebefore.

Continued on Page 3

ATTORNEY Grant Connell has assured that hisclient Junior Providence, who was dischargedfrom a murderPreliminaryInquiry (P.I) onTuesday, wouldbe seekingredress.

CleroyPinder, a keywitness in thematter, hadtestified that apolice officer,whom heidentified as“Sergeant LaBorde” promisedto drop his tworobbery chargesif Pindertestified thatProvidence toldhim he was thekiller.

Providencewas discharged after Chief Magistrate SonyaYoung upheld a no case submission from Connellwho contended that there was absolutely noevidence before the court.

Question of confidence

“You can’t lock up an innocent man,” Connelltold THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday, hasteningto add that his client also wants to ensure thatthe allegations leveled against Sergeant LaBorde “don’t fall on deaf ears.”

Continued on Page 3

Lawyer ‘hard’on the police

Attorney Grant Connell hadsome hard and harsh wordsfor the state of investigativepractices in the police force.

WITNESS: POLICEOFFERED ME DEAL

The witness accused Sergeant JefferyLa Borde of making a deal with him(the witness).

Junior Providence walked away fromthe Serious Offences Court a freeman.

2. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

From Front Page

Sergeant Jeffrey La Borde was theinvestigator in the matter and waslisted to testify at the P.I.

Pinder also told the court that LaBorde had told him he would get theMagistrate to deny him bail if he didnot give the statement to the police,and he would suffer in prison.

“These are some serious allegationsmade against La Borde that interferewith the course of justice, which is anattempt to seek a conviction at anycost, even at my client’s liberty,”Connell said.

According to the lawyer, “This is notthe first case in which I have raisedissues with this particular Sergeant.

There are other cases pending wherethere is significant delay and they(cases) would suffer the same destiny.”

Connell noted that Sergeant JefferyLa Borde is a member of the MajorCrimes Unit (MCU), which is supposedto be comprised of elite police officers.

“The society will soon loseconfidence in this system. How is thefamily of the victim to feel?” Connelllamented.

The good ones have gone

He expressed the view that it wasthe experience of the Prosecutor,Inspector Adolphus Delpleche,thatsaved, “the can of worms from beingopened.” He noted that the prosecution

closed its case before theinvestigating officer couldsay what he investigated.

Connell described theallegations as frightening.

“My client was chargedin this case to save faceand make an officer lookcompetent, and give sometemporary relief to afamily who suffered loss;but all La Borde did fromhis so-called investigationwas add insult to injury,”Connell contended.

The lawyer suggestedthat Commissioner ofPolice Keith Millerconstantly monitor thevarious divisions of thepolice force, to ensure thathis men are at a certainlevel of competence.

“It is now at a level thatyou could look at a chargesheet, see who is thatinvestigator and predict ifthe case would fail,”Connell said.

Connell, though, hadwords of commendation fora Sergeant Dwayne Baileyof the Rapid Response Unit (RRU).

“If it is an officer like SergeantDwayne Bailey of the RRU you expecta thorough investigation and the casewould be almost impenetrable.”.

He added that with formerAssistant Superintendent of Police(ASP) Wilisford Caesar no longer inthe force, Assistant CommissionerLenroy Brewster now out of activeduty, and ASP Sydney James notbeing an active member of the MCU,as he now heads the CriminalInvestigation Department (CID),competence seems to be lacking.

“Why is station Sergeant TrevorBailey not a member of the MCU? Youare giving criminals a comfort zone

when you use investigating officerslike La Borde,” Connell opined.

According to him, “What transpiredin this case is a manifestation of policeincompetence and their failure toinvestigate matters properly. Theydepend on tip offs and confessions, andif neither of those exists, the case fails.You can’t be using such backwardmethods to solve crime in these times.”

In the existing circumstances,“Justice will pay the price,” Connellconcluded.

V News 3THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. 3.

From front page

RESPONDING to further questionsfrom the prosecutor, Pinder said LaBorde told him that if he did not givethe statement, hewould get theMagistrate todeny bail, and hewould suffer inprison.

Delpleche didnot pursue furtherevidence fromPinder.

Dismissal

The other keywitness, EarlJack, currentlyserving a prisonsentence, told thecourt he saw theaccused andPinder speakingin Kingstown inMarch last year,but he did nothear what theywere saying.

The Prosecutor did not pursuefurther evidence from Jack, neitherdid Providence’s attorney GrantConnell cross-examine. At this point,the Prosecution closed its case,following which Connell made a no-case submission, which was upheld byChief Magistrate Sonya Young.

Connell had submitted there wasabsolutely no evidence to support thecharge.

As a result, Providence, who wasremanded since October 2012, wasdischarged.

Sergeant La Borde and two civilianwitnesses were the other witnesseslisted to testify. The P.I. hadcommenced April 10, when theprosecution called six witnesses. Thematter was continued on Tuesdaywith the two key witnesses beingcalled.

Support for La Borde

Later that day, Inspector Delplechetold THE VINCENTIAN he agreedwith Connell that there was noevidence.

He said theprosecution’s case washinged primarily onthe evidence of thetwo key witnesses.“With them not givingthe evidence inkeeping with theirstatements, it did notmake any sense tocontinue the matterbecause we had noother evidence to takethe case to the primafacie stage.”

When asked for acomment in relationto the allegations oneof the witness leveledagainst Sergeant LaBorde, Delpleche said,“I want to stateemphatically that Idon’t believe any ofthe allegations madeagainst Sergeant La

Borde. It is very unfortunate that thewitness would have said these things.Sergeant Jeffrey La Borde is anexperienced police officer and hasbeen an investigator for severalyears.”

Delpleche, however, explained,“Based on what the witness wouldhave said in court, my belief is of nomoment to the matter. In a court oflaw, we deal strictly with the evidenceand not belief from a prosecutor, sincea prosecutor’s belief has no bearing onthe case.”

Delpleche indicated that the mattercould be brought back if otherevidence is gathered.

Hercules’ body was found in a chairat his Arnos Vale home on February1, 2012.

Providence was not arrested andcharged until October 2012, aboutseven months after the incident.

Lawyer ÂhardÊ on the police

Witness: Policeoffered me deal

Prosecutor Inspector AdolphusDelpleche does not believe thereis any truth to the aspersionscast against one of hiscolleagues.

A call has been made forCommissioner of Police Keith Millerto be constant about his monitoringof the various police divisions andunits.

SEVEN Residents ofRuthland Vale Plan inLayou, who wereoccupying lands for over36 years, now have theopportunity to own theirlands.

On Monday April 15th,ParliamentaryRepresentative for CentralLeeward, MaxwellCharles, handed overletters to the sevenresidents which will givethem the right to obtain deeds fortheir lands.

He noted that the distribution ofthe letters is just the first step for hisresidents to obtain their deeds.

The lands will be sold at 50 centsper square foot to the residents, inkeeping with the Government’scommitment to ensure that residentsget lands at reasonable rates.

In addition, the seven residentshave been given the option of payingfor their lands in four installments.

Verene Lynch, Travis George,Vincent Velox, Kamara Hazelwood,Lorenta Peters, Nathan Sam, Tonyaand Ron Christopher are the sevenrecipients of letters to obtain deeds fortheir lands.

Layou residents receiveletters for lands

More residents in Layou (pictured) now have theright to own the lands they have been occupyingfor decades.

4. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

TourismV

by KENVILLE HORNE

On Thursday, April 11, a groupcomprised of residents from theDiamond community,Agricultural/Forestry officialsand media personnel convergedon the Kamacrabou mountain inthe Lumber Heap area , which ispart of the wider Diamondcommunity, part of the SouthCentral Windward constituency.

The purposes: a hike alonga four-kilometer trail, leadingto a large rock structure,which suggests the shape of afemale’s breast, and popularlyreferred to as ‘Bubby Stone’,‘bubby’ being the colloquialname for breast.

‘Bubby Stone’ is located inthe Bubby Mountain whichstands some 2,500 feet abovesea level. Fifteen minutes intothe walk to ‘Bubby Stone’, thehikers came upon small huts,which served as ‘rest stops’, ofwhich they made ample use.Twenty-five minutes later, theparty had reached the ‘Stone’.

Overview of the project -Benefits

The party now on site, it

was time for Project ManagerSimeon Greene to give anoverview of the project.

The ‘Bubby Stone’ project,executed by the DiamondHeritage Group, wasencompassed in the larger‘Eco-Tourism Protection andBio-diversity ProtectionProject’ for the KamacrabouMountain and the DiamondVillage community. It was

grant funded to the tune ofUS$ 20,000 from the CriticalEco System partnership fund(CESPF) and was undertakenin three components.

The first included thetraining of 12 women inpreparing dishes using localproduce; the second entailedreforestation of a significantamount of lands; the third the

construction ofthe trailleading toBubbyMountain.

Greene also stated that theGroup received US$10,000 asa grant from FAO, which wasused towards stabilizing bothsides of a stream in the area,through the use of fruit trees.

Cornelius Richards of theForestry Division, a majorcontributor to the developmentand establishment of the trail,described the undertaking as amanifestation of governmentand community partnership.He lauded the DiamondHeritage Group for the workthey have been doing in

forestryconservation.

Jay Belmar,representingthe Ministry ofTourism,commended thegroup for theirhard work andsuccessfulcompletion oftrail. She,recognized thecommunity’sinvolvement inthe project, andhighlighted thelarge turnout ofyoung andelderlyresidents.

ArearepresentativeSaboto Caesar

was quite excited about theproject. Citing a 2008 analysison land use, Caesaremphasized that there weresome 6,500 acres of landavailable for use in the SouthCentral Windwardconstituency and therefore“blessed with an abundance ofnature.”

He envisioned the day, withthe opening of theinternational airport, when

the venue and the communitywill be packed with touristsand stay over visitors, andresidents making a living fromthe sale of produce.

Caesar pledged hisministry’s support to thegroup, and urged other groupsto follow suit.

Diamond: no stranger toorganization

Denniston Douglas, amember of the DiamondHeritage Group, reminded thegathering that the community“is no stranger toorganization.”

He pointed to the Arweegroup that was formed in the1970s and the Diamonitesgroup that was established in1979.

What stands out about theDiamonites is, according toDouglas, the fact that “ we arepersons who will havedifferent political beliefs, butwe have learned in Diamondthat the best brain and themost dedicated and committedperson can work together forthe development of thecommunity,” as the BubbyStone trail projectdemonstrates.

Douglas disclosed the groupis preparing to acquire aparcel of land from the Dasentfamily, to establish adocumentation center.

Minister Caesar declaredthe site officially openedbefore the touring party madeits way back down to LumberHeap area, where theypartook of some deliciousrefreshments prepared bysome of the ladies that weretrained in the first componentof the project.

ÂBubby StoneÊ siteofficially opened

The ‘Bubby Stone’ On the trail to the ‘Bubby Stone’

The view from the top of ‘Bubby Mountain’.

Minister Saboto Caesar with the some of the ladies trained in the firstcomponent.

SimeonGreene,ProjectManager.

CUBA could well be the next bigthreat to existing touristmarkets in the Caribbean.

This warning came fromJeffrey Robinson, consideredthe world’s leading financialcrime author, when headdressed a meeting of Headsof Caribbean FinancialIntelligence Unit, in Antigua,April 3 and 4, 2013.

Robinson is recognized asan expert and speaker onorganized crime and moneylaundering. His seminal work,‘The Laundrymen’, 1995,details the extent of globalmoney laundering. It isconsidered as the definitivebook on the subject, and isused as a text in universitiesand law schools.

Robinson, in typicaldramatic language,warned that a “financialtsunami” will hit theregion in a few years.

According to theAntigua Observer,Robinson told the Heads,“In the next three to fiveyears, Fidel Castro willdie and when he does,Raul (Castro) will not beable to hang on.

“The invasion of Cubais now being planned andit will be massive. It willbe something the likes ofwhich no one has seenbefore.”

Robinson explainedthat the invasion towhich he referred wasnot a military one but a“business invasion”which, he said, would beled by the likes of“Hilton, Marriot, FourSeasons, Ritz Carlton,”some of the biggestnames in theinternational HotelIndustry.

When these hotelchains and the Americantourist industry hit Cuba,Robinson predicts that“the rest of the Caribbeanmay not see a tourist forfive to ten years…… yourtourism business is deadfor five to ten years.”

Robinson pointed toCuba having the distinctadvantage of being amere 90 miles from theUS coast and a 20-minuteflight from Miami,Florida.

“How are you going toearn a living?” was theblunt question Robinsonput to the meeting.

And while he providedno direct answer himself,he issued anothercaution: “I know how youbetter not be earning aliving, because moneylaundering has

consequences.”Robinson, in addressing the

issue for which he isrenowned, was forthright intelling the Heads that“services for the dirty moneymarket, including moneylaundering, would increase inthis scenario.

“It will have a short termeconomic gain, but it will havelong term consequences —increased crime, violence,corruption and economic ruin,”he said

Robinson encouraged theregion “to plan a responsenow,” and pointed to an optionof greater involvement in CallCentres, since “the region hasthe advantage of having

English speakers whounderstand how Americanbusiness functions.”

(Source: Antigua Observer)

CIVIL SERVANTS in St.Lucia returned to theirdesks on Tuesday, April9, after three weeks ofstrike action.

In doing so, the CivilService Association(CSA), bargaining agentfor the civil servants, hasaccepted thegovernment’s conditionthat members of theunion return to work tofacilitate continuednegotiations.

The decision to returnto work came hours afterthe culmination ofanother march throughthe capital, Castries, ascivil servants continuedwith their protestagainst what they claimwas unfair treatmentfrom the government innegotiations concerningwage increases.

When the two partiesmeet in a new round ofnegotiations, they will

consider new proposalsput forward by the CSA.

In making theannouncement to returnto work and to enter intoa new round ofnegotiations, CSApresident, Mary Isaac,said, “I am hoping thatthat we do not have todeal again withnegotiations as they havebeen conducted. We arehoping this is the lasttime we are going to go

through something likethis. As I have beensaying, I believe that thisis a model that hasoutlived its usefulness.We need to look at betterways for compensatingworkers, instead of whatwe are engaged in now.”

The three-week strikeby civil servants has costthe country well overEC$3 million, accordingto Cabinet SecretaryDarryl Montrope.

Montrope told themedia that, while thestrike did not have acrippling effect, thegovernment is pleasedthat civil servants havereturned to work, addingthat it was in no one’sinterest for there to beindustrial unrest

especially at thistime.(Source:

Caribbean 360 news)

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. 5.

RegionalV

LAWYERS for ShaniqueMyrie, the Jamaicannational who claims thatshe was discriminatedagainst when she tried toenter Barbados on Macrh14, 2011, has called uponthe Caribbean Court ofJustice (CCJ) tocompensate theJamaican.

Attorney MichelleBrown told the six-member CCJ that herclient should be awardeddamages to the tune ofUS$500,000.

In consideringjudgement in favour ofher client, Browne toldthe CCJ that it shouldalso “lay down firmguidelines pertaining tothe treatment ofCaribbean Community (CARICOM)nationals at airports throughout the15-member regional grouping,” sinceas was the case involving her client,‘Barbados is not living up to the spiritof that conference decision by onlygranting CARICOM nationals a threemonth stay instead of six months.

Shanique Myrie, 25, alleged thatwhen she travelled to Barbados onMarch 14, 2011, she was subjected toa body cavity search, detainedovernight in a cell and deported toJamaica the following day.

She also claimed thatshe was subjected toderogatory remarks by aBarbadian immigrationofficer at the GrantleyAdams InternationalAirport, and is askingthe CCJ to determinethe minimum standardof treatment applicableto CARICOM citizensmoving around theregion.

On September 27 lastyear, Jamaica wasgranted leave tointervene in the matter.

The CCJ, establishedin 2001 to replace theLondon-based PrivyCouncil as the region’sfinal court, held sittingsin the Shanique Myriecase in Jamaica and

Barbados, before returning to itsheadquarters in Trinidad and Tobagofor continuation.

Browne also argued that Barbadosis not living up to the spirit of adecision by CARICOM leaders in2007, by only granting CARICOMnationals a three month stay insteadof six months, when that decisiongave the claimant the right to enterBarbados, and should have beengranted an automatic stay of sixmonths.

The case continued into last week.

Shanique Myrie isseeking compensationfrom the Barbadosgovernment for whatshe claims isdiscrimination.

Myrie wants US$50K Mary Isaac, president ofthe St. Lucia CSA, isanticipating smoothertalks this time around.

St. Lucia civil servants return to work

Jeffery Robinson addressing the meeting of Heads of CaribbeanFinancial Units, in Antigua.

Caribbean gets a warning

Jeffery Robinson is considered one ofthe world’s foremost experts on theissue of money-laundering.

OOPS!Seems we got it all wrong with respect to a

caption for a photograph of Hon. Mark Brantley,carried on page 5 of our April 12, 2013 issue.

We referred to Mr. Brantley as the Leader ofthe People’s Action Movement (PAM) in anarticle.

In fact, Mr. Brantley is the current Leader ofthe Opposition in the Federal Parliament of St.Kitts and Nevis. He is also the Deputy Leader ofthe Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), aparty which is another opposition party in theFederal Parliament, along with PAM. AfterCCM won the local Nevis island election inJanuary, Mr. Brantley now also serves asDeputy Premier of Nevis.

We apologise for the misrepresentation, andassure that there was no ill-intent on our part.

On your story “Dr Douglas gets time toprepare defence” we made an error in thecaption of the photo. Hon. Mark Brantley hasnever been a member of, never mind the Leaderof, the People’s Action Movement.

Please edit your caption which describes himas Leader of the People’s Action Movement.

Thank you.

Belfast, NORTHERN IRELAND: DrChristopher Stange — Hon. Consul forSt. Vincent and the Grenadines toNorthern Ireland & Chairperson (Ag.)of the Registered Charity AfricanCaribbean Community SupportOrganisation of Northern Ireland(ACSONI), along with Jonathan BellMLA and Jennifer McCann MLA —Junior Ministers at The Office of theFirst Minister and deputy FirstMinister (OFMdFM), launched theCaribbean and African DiasporaStrategic Plan for 2013-2018 atStormont Parliament.

The Strategy focuses on 8 specificobjectives to increaseCaribbean andAfrican Integration,CommunityDevelopment,Cohesion,Empowerment andEntrepreneurship,with a primary focusupon furtheringengagement with allstakeholders andcommunities inNorthern Ireland.

The event wasattended andsupported by Leadersof the variousNational Caribbeanand AfricanAssociations as wellas key stakeholdersand statutory bodiesin Northern Ireland.

Junior MinisterBell said: “I am

impressed with the eight strategicaims you have set out because theypromote a fair and equal society whichembraces and celebrates NorthernIreland’s increasingly inter-culturalidentity in the spirit of mutual respectand growth.”

Junior Minister McCann said:“ACSONI has for 10 years representedthe pride, drive and talent of theAfrican Caribbean people here, and Iam confident this strategy willcontinue that work for the next 5years and beyond.”

Dr Christopher Stange added: “Weare committed to social cohesion and

integration, because of the enrichmentit provides. An inclusive, integrated,equal and shared society, which is atpeace with itself, is what we aredetermined to achieve.”

The Caribbean and AfricanDiaspora is becoming one of thelargest, diverse and fastest growing

ethnic minority communities inNorthern Ireland.

The event concluded with a livemusical performance from ACSONI’sCommunity Got Talentrepresentatives followed by a luncheonand Fairtrade refreshments.(Contributed)

6. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

NewsV

Felicia ‘Aunty Felicia’Blackman and her husbandChris are satisfied with theprogress of the ‘Childrenon the Move Children Club’.

Their televisionprogramme has returnedto local viewers from11:30am, on Sundaymornings.

And more children willget the chance to share inthe experience whenregistration takes placeat the St. Martin’sSecondary School MondayApril 29, from 3 to 5:30pm.

Sessions continue at thesame venue on Saturdaysfrom nine in the morning until one inthe afternoon.

‘Aunty Felicia’ is keen on theparticipation of talented children, andshe will be looking for those gifted inarts and music.

She expressed satisfaction with theresponse from parents to theprogramme.

Children between the ages of five

and 14 are eligible to register, andshe stressed the aspects of “mannersand discipline” for acceptance.

Participants will be exposed tointernational competitions, fieldstrips, academic help, birthdaycelebrations and televisionappearances.

The Blackmans work withincommunities and have enlisted thesupport of volunteers. (WKA)

Chris and Felicia ‘Aunty Felicia’ Blackmaninitiators of the ‘Children on the Move ChildrenClub’.

Children Club moving on

Caribbean & African Diaspora Strategy launched

(L-R: Front): Dr Christopher Stange – Hon. Consul forSt. Vincent and the Grenadines to Northern Ireland &ACSONI Chair (Ag.), Jennifer McCann MLA &Jonathan Bell MLA - OFMdFM Junior Ministers withOfficials and Leaders of the National Caribbean andAfrican Associations and Statutory bodies.

The CED/BIMAP one-dayNegotiating Skills Seminar isrescheduled for Thursday, May9, 2013.

The one-day seminar isdesigned to give participants astep by step guide to effectiveand skillful negotiation,through the application oftechniques and approacheswhich positively influence theoutcome of any negotiationprocess.

“Having good negotiationskills is a critical area that istoo often ignored. It can be thedetermining factor betweensuccess and failure in thebusiness industry, as thosewho know how to negotiatetend to rise to the top ofwhatever business they are in,while those who do not knowhow to negotiate tend to lagbehind,” says CED TrainingCoordinator Keisha Phillips.

“If you want to be successfulin the any business, then you

should not miss thisNegotiating Skills Seminar.Remember one of the mainbenefits of having goodnegotiating skills is that itsaves you and your businessmoney. You also make money;so if you are in business tosucceed, then you should makeit a priority to learnand acquire goodnegotiating skills.”

The seminar willlook at: What isNegotiation; Typesof Negotiation;TheoreticalApproaches toNegotiation;Characteristics ofGood Negotiators;EffectiveNegotiation Skills;Negotiation Tactics;CommonNegotiationMistakes;

Negotiation Dilemmas;Improving Your NegotiatingSkills; Mediation, Conciliationand Arbitration; the Role of aLabour Department/Arbiter inNegotiations; among others.

It will be conducted byBIMAP facilitator, David

Carrington, who is also a parttime lecturer in HumanResource Development andLaw for Human ResourceProfessionals at the UWI OpenCampus in Barbados.

Persons interested inregistering for this seminar

can contact the CED Office at451-2235 for the courseoutline, registration fee andthe registration forms. TheNegotiating Skills Seminartakes place at the Ministry ofHealth Conference Room, 9:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. 7.

News VNegotiating skills seminar rescheduled

A 52-year-old father of eight who told the police hewas into the marijuana business because ofeconomic hardship, will be sentenced on Monday,April 22 for possession of the illegal substance, withintent to supply.

Members of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU)arrested Eli Browne of Kingstown around 4:30 p.m.on Tuesday, at Lower Bay Street.

The officers, who were on foot patrol in the area,were attracted by what seemed to be the odour ofmarijuana emanating from a shop. They enteredthe a shop and noted Browne standing by the door.He placed the shoulder bag he was holding on theground. The lawmen became suspicious, picked upthe bag and searched it. The search revealed themarijuana. When cautioned, Browne said, “Officer,ah mine, time hard and ah dat me hah foh do.”

The drug weighed 2,626 grams. He pleadedguilty to possession with intent to supply when heappeared before Chief Magistrate Sonya Young atthe Serious Offences Court on Wednesday. Heaccepted the facts and pleaded with the court not tosend him to prison, declaring that he was the fatherof eight children, ages ranging from two to 16.

Sentencing was then postponed to Monday.

Weed man says,“time hard”

CASPAR LONDON is dead, after strugglingwith diabetes and related maladies for the pastten years or so. At least, we shared commondiseases leading to death which is the end-all.

Otherwise, Caspar seemed determined tomake a political “enemy” of Arnhim Eustaceand myself way back in the mid-60s andcontinuing for fifty long years. It was hispassion.

But this is not the time to dwell on ourdifferences and feuds, save a passing referenceto an area of over-riding contemporarysignificance, national heroism.

I recall very vividly that Casper and Co hadput out a publication in the early 1960s, before“Freedom” and “Justice”, in which Joshua wasreligiously pilloried. In fact, the publishers hadstated that they could hardly wait for the timewhen young people could piss on the grave ofthe Comrade.

So it was good to see that Caspar hadmatured with time to appreciate the positivityof Joshua whom he had come to support fornational heroism.

At the same time, however, he warned thepublic of my supposed hostility to Joshua ofwhom I had been a follower since becoming ateenager in 1951, published supportive articlesin “Flambeau”, and actually produced a Ph.Dthesis in 1971 at Manchester University whosesub-theme is a sympathetic look at the times ofEbenezer Joshua.

Not only that, but up to current times, Icontinued to write and lecture on Joshua’s casefor the noble award. And the paradox is thatJoshua is emerging a very good candidate,backed by Comrade Ralph!

The national selection process was flawedfrom its outset. In choosing a Chairman of theVetting Committee, the Prime Minister couldhave done much better than Rene Baptiste.

I will suggest five other persons who couldhave handled that job with fairness, balanceand lack of partisan-political bias: Oscar Allen,Nelcia Robinson-Hazell, Andrew Cummings,Dr. Edgar Adams and Douglas Williams.

The problem with Rene` is that Milton Catohad deliberately chosen her birth date as thetime of the Statehood constitution and, later, ofour national Independence. There was noattempt to seek a date which resonated withsome positive aspect of our history. The irony isthat 21st of September 1935, when the firstblow was struck for the democratic Revolution,was less than a week adrift of Rene`’s birthday,but it was by-passed like an exam.

My argument is that there is everyprobability that Rene` would want to returnthe compliment by recommending Cato forNational Hero status. In any event, thestronger argument is that no leader whoseselection has been influenced by such personalconsideration on national questions, should be

eligible for the highest national award.Further, in choosing a statehood flag

incorporating a little Union Jack andexpressing the possibility of having thediscarded 22nd January Discovery Day asIndependence Day, Cato had exhibited abackwardness that ruled him out of contentionfor national heroism.

Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer, byconsensus of the people, had been anointedNational Hero in 2002. In the same year, theULP Government rejected my suggestion ofthree new candidates — Hugh Mulzac, GeorgeMc Intosh, and Ebenezer Joshua.

Then all of a sudden in 2004, there was amad burst of activity aimed at making MiltonCato, and no one else, SVG’s second NationalHero. This drive petered out for whateverreason.

Now there is more agitation, with moreseriousness, and a sense of urgency. The UWI,“Global Highlights” and “Nice Radio” took upthe drift with sponsored lectures by Dr. Fraserand myself on Mc Intosh and “Josh”respectively, with P.R Campbell promising toelaborate on his positive expressions on behalfof Dr. Parmenos Eustace.

The community was shocked by the newsthat the Prime Minister had volunteered to jointhe programme with a talk in context on “McIntosh, Joshua and Milton Cato”!

P.R Campbell advised the Prime Minister ofthe impropriety of his intended contribution.Jomo Thomas, Adrian Fraser and others joinedthe chorus of protest. The Prime Ministerwears too many hats. It is back to papa. Ralphdoes not back down but claims that he haschanged the focus of his talk. What if the talkdoes come off, but it is found that all Ralphchanged was the label, with the contentsremaining the same. Then all hell will breakloose, and anything could happen, including anindefinite postponement of providing JosephChatoyer with congenial company, standingaloft and alone, like the cheese.

This possible scenario is painted to cover asituation where Ralph, ironically, needs theCato legacy to cover his flanks, particularly inthe East St. George constituency where hehopes to introduce his son, Camillo, whether ornot Camillo succeeds in buying Cato’s house!

If push comes to shove, Ralph could perhapsaccept Joshua standing alone,- but certainlynot Mc Intosh.

It seems that SVG has stood still since itsindependence date 1979. Imagine that afterthirty-four years, political discourse is stillgenerated by a handful of persons - RalphGonsalves, Parnel Campbell, Renwick Rose,Oscar Allen, Adrian Fraser, St. Clair Leacockand Kenneth John — erstwhile members of theUnited Peoples Movement!

CASPAR LONDON was an ardent reader of THE VINCENTIAN. Infact, he was a friend and loyal supporter, contrary to whatothers might have thought, given his association with anotherpublication here.

When we reflect on his passing, we find it difficult tryingnot to focus on his Blackness to which Black educators havespoken; a Blackness which Caspar, humility personified,maintained throughout his life endeavours. Not a racialBlackness but a one that spoke about the nature of a mancaught up in a struggle to identify himself in the worldcommunity.

In reflecting thus, Casper reminds us that Black men areageless; ageless like the land on which he trudged and forwhich he gave his every being.

His love of country was unapologetically professed —always mindful that the land of his birth, the land that hadnurtured his Blackness, was a land of beauty, and possessedmuch love amidst all its calamities.

A true Black man, Caspar was brave, brave like theprimates who dared to explore their world during theirevolution, disregarding their physical limitations and usingtheir cognitive skill to rationalize, understand and interactin a world forever changing.

Caspar’s life and living reminded us that Black men arediverse, which allows them, himself included, to merge intotheir environment… adapting, evolving and expanding theirown horizons and that of their land.

Moreover, his proud Blackness made known for the worldthat Black men are intelligent — intelligent enough to findrevolutionary ways of carving out their places in society andof influencing positive thought and action, even if it meantwaging battles against the walls of resistant institutions.

And in those battles, Caspar demonstrated how strongBlack men are; a strength like the land of their forefathers,one that can support diversity.

But that is not all to the measure of this fallen comrade.He represented a Blackness that is timeless, recognizing inhis work the important contribution of the Black manthroughout history, and working to build on thosecontributions, even as he made bare how other cultureswork to deny the rightful place of the Black man in thehistory of mankind.

That he remained true to his Blackness was as muchbecause he recognized black men as unique as anything else;that, despite being enslaved, beaten, murdered, evencastrated, the Black man still sought acceptance andequality. And in rising out of the ashes of the fires ofslavery, the Black man, Caspar would say, now shares inthe destiny of great lands, with hands and hearts stretchedacross the world but emanating from their Black, ancestralhomeland, Africa.

And who could blame Caspar for being the consummateoptimist when he professes that, regardless of the odds stilltacked against him, the Black man is victorious.

His lesson was that that victory comes in the continuingstruggle for existence. That the Black man may never beaccepted as his true self, but he should shout aloud like thecherubim, for it is in the very existence of struggle foracceptance and equality that the Black man’s victory isfounded.

And in this reflection, it is obvious that the best would bekept for last. For those who were privileged to have satwith him recall that Caspar maintained that, above all else,the Black man is notorious for giving and requiring love. Inhis assessment, this Black love grows out from the history ofmarginalization, oppression endured for centuries.

Who better to give love than the one from whom it wastaken and to whom very little, if any, was extended. For thelove of the Black man comes from the soul. And that love,as one would remember Caspar articulating, mushroomsinto a love of freedom; freedom from strife and tribulationand moreso, freedom to express this love as only a Blackman can.

Caspar London loved humanity as only a Black man can.That is the least of the message that we should take fromthe life of this Black man who gave much more than he keptfor himself.

8. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

ViewsV

Editorial

Managing Editor: Desiree Richards

Editor: Cyprian Neehall

Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129

Website: www.thevincentian.com

Email: vinpub@thevincentian.com

Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd.,

P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

The Blackness of Caspar London

Caspar London andnational heroism

SOMETIME ago I read in yournewspaper that the CarnivalDevelopment Corporation wasconsidering raising price monies forcarnival this year.

Every year is the same old thing,calypsonians and soca peoplethreatening not to sing, masmen wantmore or else, this one threatening notto do this, etc. The same old gamesroll over year after year.

Mr. Editor, I have one question forall those carnival people, and that is,what do they do for the whole year toraise money forthemselves?

I see a lot of otherorganizations and youngpeople do this and thatto raise funds, but Ihardly ever see, if I eversaw, a group ofcalysonians and masmendoing anything like that.

This country doesn’thave a money tree, andregardless of what thePM might want toencourage for his ownpolitical end, the carnivalpeople can’t takethemselves out of thebigger picture.

So, my message to allthe carnival people: getup off your sets and dosomething to helpyourselves.

Barney

SIXTY-TWO (62) years ago, our colonial mastersbegan to relinquish their stranglehold on us bygranting us Universal Adult Suffrage. At thattime, they handed over a country divided byclass. Since then, our home grown politicianshave added a new dimension to this division.They, in their wisdom, have taken partisan partypolitics to a level of unimaginable proportion.

For a country like St Vincent and theGrenadines, with its wealth of humanresource, to be so backward in so many areasof development, is nothing short of ludicrous.How can we as citizens arrest this downwardspiral and help our country to fulfill its truepotential? Undoubtedly, there are no easyanswers to this question.

Presently, this country is split right downthe centre between red and yellow - ULPand NDP. At any moment in time, half thecountry is trying to build while the other halfis trying to destroy. No country can developthis way. As I am writing this piece, I amlistening to Burns Bonadie on the ‘Shake-up’programme passionately putting forward thecase of the late Hon Milton Cato for NationalHero Status. I am also listening to a numberof callers, just as passionate, opposing Mr.Bonadie. This shows how we have descendedto such depths of divisiveness; we cannotdebate the issue of National Hero Status withany degree of objectivity.

I want to send out a challenge to allmembers of this present Parliament. At thenext meeting of the House, I am asking thePrime Minister, with the permission of theSpeaker, to walk over to the Leader of theOpposition and give him a meaningfulbrotherly hug. Both of you must thenencourage the other members of Parliamentto follow your example. Thereafter, you mustannounce to the world that in the interest ofhealing and development of the Vincentianpeoples, you are going to ask your partyfollowers to love and respect all Vincentiansregardless of party affiliation.

Of course, what I am proposing is difficult,but it can be done. Let us take a close look atthe two persons, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and Mr.Arnhim Eustace, who are central to thesuccess of this endeavour. Both are men ofstature; men with a wealth of knowledge,

experience andwisdom. They areboth loved by theirrespective partyfollowers. Bothmen are verypersuasive, and Ibelieve stronglythat they both loveSt Vincent and theGrenadines, andgenuinely want to see the country develop.

In all of human history, every country ofthe world has had seminal moments in theirforward march to development. This presentParliament has an opportunity to impactitself with the same profundity. I urge you toseize the times and embrace this chance tohelp St Vincent and the Grenadines in itsupward march to prosperity. Be bold andresolute, and let us introduce a breath offresh air in our politics.

Jemoth Campbell

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. 9.

ViewsV

* Are somerestaurants nowserving back andneck roti andcharging the sameprice?

* Will theMinistry of Trademove to control theprice of beef on thelocal market, nowthat we have agreedto send most of thecattle to otherislands?

* Is the Ministryof Education awarethat some schoolsopened on Tuesdayinstead of Monday aswas prescribed?

* Why wasn’tproper provisionmade for payingthose workers at theIrrigation Station?Is this not a workers’government?

I MUST thank you for keeping the Shanique Myrie case profiled in yourregional page. In so doing, I take it that you have recognized, like the majorityof Caribbean people I hope, the significance of the case, i.e. what it will meanfor inter-regional travel.

The case is unprecedented. One would want to conclude that the mattermight not have had a day’s hearing, had there not been a Caribbean Court ofJustice, with its jurisdiction over matters arising out of infringement of thearticle of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

What I gathered is that the Jamaican team of lawyers was trying to show(prove) that Barbados has demonstrated a pattern of discrimination againstcertain Caribbean nationals.

My own experience tells me that many Jamaicans and Vincentians canattest to this.

Long and many have been the stories about the treatment handed out byBarbadian airport personnel to Vincentians, many of whom would have beenmerely using their airport as a transit point to another country.

That Shanique Myrie was prepared to take her matter to the Caribbeanhighest court is commendable, and something for which we must thank her.

Of much more significance is the ruling of the CCJ in this matter. Thequestion they have to consider is whether, even as CARICOM has agreed thata Caribbean national should get up to six months stay in another Caribbeanterritory, to what extent should authorities go to ascertain whether an arrivingCaribbean national is more than he or she says he or she is?

Brewster

Myrie’s case is of great significanceStop beggingand helpyourselves

A breathof fresh air

The sunlight is shining and feelingso hot!I came through the bushy pathway,then stopped.I looked up and saw Peter and JimSitting on a mango limb,Eating the mangoes and droppingthe skinDirty my clothes and it’s a scolding,From grandma Matilda, who wouldbe home in the kitchenWaiting for me to come home anyminute.

As I got home I tried to run pastgrandmaWho was standing patientlyoutside the kitchenWith that stern look, I realizedgrandma knew something waswrongThen I held my head down andgrabbed an apronAnd into the kitchen and startedwashing the dirty pans.Just for grandma to see I am busyAnd to forget what she had seenOn that dress she had given to me.

I looked at grandma busy makingher pancakesAs her customers came to give herthe regular saleWith me I kept smiling awayHoping grandma will still be busybaking her goodiesNot remembering me for thebalance of the dayUnknowing to grandma aboutPeter and JimI guessed I just got away, I amhappy ever sinceThe mango limb, dropping the skinNot a scolding, just look at me grin

Felicia ThompsonFebruary, 2013St. Vincent and the Grenadines

I MUST say how impressed and proud Iwas to read your spread on plans toensure that a team of athletes from myhomeland, St. Vincent and theGrenadines, participates in the 2013Penn Relays.

Undoubtedly, there is so much to gainfrom our participation. Given what Iunderstand the state of track and field isin SVG, it may be some time before we‘medal’ at the relays, but this should notbe a deterrent.

All praise to James Cordice and hisgroup in Philly for making thepreparations and for taking good care ofour young athletes.

It might be some encouragement tonote that a Jamaican 4×100-meter relayis among this year’s Penn Relay CarnivalWall of Fame inductees.

That team is the 2004 Vere Tech girls’4×100-meter relay team which holds anine-year record of 44.32. The team of

Indira Spence, Maris Wisdom, SharneterStewart and Simone Facey broke a meetrecord that had lasted six years. Anearlier Vere Tech team had held therecord previously for three years.

The Vere Tech girls’ team was selectedthis year along with three other teamsand four individuals by a panel of PennRelays experts.

Is it too much to dream of the daywhen a team from SVG would not enjoysuch an accolade? I think not.

Congratulations to the ThomasSaunders Secondary School for taking the‘bull by the horns’. That school is surelycarrying on the legacy of the person afterwhom it is named; Mr. Saunders, afterall, was a pioneer himself, waging abattle for the formation of co-operativeespecially among low and middle incomepersons in SVG.

Best of luck to the TSSS.

Best, USA.

The Penn Relays

Grandmaand I

MOST VINCENTIANS CONTINUE TOCOMPLAIN ABOUT THE HIGH COST ofelectricity; they are finding it extremelydifficult to pay their electricity bills. Theend result is that their electricity isdisconnected. And as if that is not all tothe burden, this month we are confrontedwith an even greater problem: the highestfuel surcharge ever, thanks to this wickedand callous ULP administration.

This over-burdening situationcomes as a direct result of the ULPgovernment’s mismanagement of thiscountry’s economy, which has seenunemployment skyrocket to its highestlevels. This ULP government appearsto be clueless as to how to reduce thehigh cost of electricity so that thebusiness community, the poor andworking class can benefit.

The ULP government has givenonly lip service to the real search foralternative energy. Under the currentgovernment, there seems to be littleroom for the private sector to becomeinvolved in this critical component ofour development. The power plant atLowman’s Bay had to be retrofitted atgreat cost to be able to use Bunker Cfuel. The size of the engines used alsoraises the question of the over workingof units which will impact on thereliability of the service, and highlightsthe need to upgrade urgently. Non-traditional sources of energy, such aswind and the sun, have not been giventhe attention they deserve.

Now is as good a time as any toremind Vincentians of the NDP’s planfor energy in this country; a plan thatwill ultimately bring long-term benefitsto the people of St. Vincent and theGrenadines.

The Vision

The new vision will focus on anaction-oriented programme ofdevelopment of our indigenoussustainable energy sources, withemphasis on geothermal energy, windand solar energy, as well as acommitment to energy efficiency — theefficient utilization of all of our energywhich will positively impact on the livesof every Vincentian.

Geothermal Energy

The NDP will pursue an aggressiveagenda for development of our country’sgeothermal energy resources by workingwith capable, proven private sectorentities with the necessary track recordin geothermal energy development. Theobjective for geothermal energy in St.Vincent and the Grenadines will be to:immediately commence a thoroughinvestigation of the geothermal resourceon mainland St. Vincent, and if theresource is proven, proceed to develop20 — 50 MW geothermal base load powercapacity on the mainland.

This capacity will:- dramaticallyreduce foreign exchange expenditure onimported fossil fuels; drastically cutnational greenhouse gas emissions; andeliminate the fuel surcharge fromcustomers’ electricity bills.

Wind Energy

Preliminary wind regimemeasurements in St. Vincent and theGrenadines have indicated that windenergy is a readily-available resourcethat is going to waste. The new NDPadministration will use regional best-practices as a model for developing windfarms using existing technology toprovide affordable, environmentallysustainable electricity for businesses,institutions and homes in St. Vincentand the Grenadines.

Solar Energy

Solar energy use at present in St.Vincent and the Grenadines is verylimited in all sectors and will beexpanded through the application of acoherent programme of tax andfinancial incentives.

Hotels, businesses and householdswill get a tax write-off on the purchaseof solar water heaters in the year ofacquisition, and a NDP government willencourage local lending institutions toaccess EU low interest funding availablefor solar energy development.

The NDP will undertake a pilotproject to air condition a governmentbuilding using solar energy, as part of awider programme of developing anindigenous solar-cooling manufacturingand assembly industry, which will beable to produce solar cooling equipmentfor the CARICOM market.

Energy Efficiency

Whatever the source of ourenergy, it needs to be used moreefficiently. The NDP’s vision is to movethe nation towards adopting a culture ofenergy efficiency. This will be led byexample from government level and willinvolve a comprehensive programmetargeted at the transport, household,business and government sectors.

To improve the efficiency in theprovision of energy on a multi islandstate such as ours, the NDP will workthrough our public utility, St. VincentElectricity Services Ltd, to undertake atechnical and economic feasibility studyof the development of an interconnectednational power grid, which willultimately be powered in the mediumterm by a minimum of 90% renewableenergy.

Conclusion

At present there seems to be littleroom for the private sector to becomeinvolved in the development ofrenewable energy. There is little doubtthat non-traditional forms of energysuch as wind and solar have not beengiven the attention they deserve,especially since the cost of oil has goneto over $75.00 per barrel.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines isan excellent choice for the developmentof geothermal energy. Where availablegeothermal energy is a significantlycheaper and renewable energy source;should our potential be realized, thiswill have significant and positive impacton our fledgling manufacturing sectorand give a competitive edge to manysmall and medium sized enterprises. Itwill also afford a unique opportunity toattract new manufacturing enterprisesthat depend heavily on energy input.

The NDP is aware that there aremany options available for thedevelopment of alternative energysources, including using private sectorfirms that will bring their owninvestments with long term payoffs forthe company and the country. The NDPwill insist that VINLEC focus on its corecompetencies and give up the politicaldistractions that are hindering itsability to deliver at optimum efficiency.

The Issue

MAINTAINING AND SUSTAINING the healthof every Vincentian citizen is a nationalpriority: however, like the world over, it isalso a major challenge.

SVG has long been admired for itsachievement of 99% immunization rate,an infant mortality rate of 15/1000 anda maternal death. A recent study placedSVG third in the Caribbean and 8th inthe Latin America/Caribbean region forthe number of undernourished persons,a significant improvement in reducingundernourished over the last twodecades, 1990-92 (19.9%); 2000-02(10.6%); 2006-08 (6.3%) and 2010-12(4.9%).

This is undoubtedly linked to thewar on poverty, and reduction inindigence from 27% to 2.9%. St. Vincentis 43rd in the world, and third in theCaribbean for average lifespan. Thiscompares with the highest; Japan andthe lowest ten nations of the 190assessed including Namibia andCambodia.

Perceptions of Health Care

Most assessment of the differentnational health care systems worldwiderevealed that none of them is perfect.Almost every system, whetherEuropean, Canadian or ours, has itsstrengths and weaknesses. Almostevery nation is in pursuit of the elusiveTriple Aim. The Triple Aim is a conceptfirst advanced by Donald Berwick, TomNolan and John Whittington, all at thetime affiliated with the Institute forHealthcare Improvement in Cambridge,Mass.

Improving SVG’s health care system“requires simultaneous pursuit of theseTriple Aims: 1. improving theexperience of care, 2. improving thehealth of the population, and 3.reducing or stabilizing per capita costsof health care. Simply put, what weneed is better health, better healthcare, and we need it all to cost less.

There is no nation on earth that isnot worried about the skyrocketing costof health care, and there is none thatbelieves it gets top value for the moneyspent. In St. Vincent and theGrenadines, there is a perceptionamong a few that we should choosebetween health care and majorinfrastructure development such as theInternational Airport, Tourism orAgriculture. However, each is integrallyrelated to national development andinextricably linked, so all must bepursued.

The growing prevalence of non-communicable chronic diseases,(ranging from Hypertension, Diabetes,Cardiovascular disease and Cancers)and HIV Disease, and the risingincidence of Autism and Alzheimer’s,will significantly challenge futurebudgets unless health care becomes farmore focused on these issues andpatient’s needs.

Poorly run systems, characterized byhigh mortality rate, unattendedpatients and a callous indifference bystaff, is prevalent in many countries.The pursuit by the ULP administrationfor better health, better care andaffordable cost and bringing all thesegoals into alignment is challenging, butthe Triple AIM can be achieved.

New Developments

SVG has recently installed aComputerized Health InformationSystem (HIS) linking all 43 medicalClinics, Medical stores andPharmaceutical Services. It will analyzeall medical and pharmacy claims andelectronic health records to monitorsupplies and usage, introduce quickerelectronic ordering and cut waste.

It will use predictive computermodeling to identify people at risk forpossible triple aim failures. Forexample, when a frail elderly patient isdischarged from hospitals, and he/she isunable to understand his/her

medication instructions, measures willbe put in place to prevent he/she endingup back in the hospital.

In 2012 the ULP administrationspent a record EC$57 Million onrecurrent health care expenditure.EC$6.5 Million was spent on Drugs andMedical supplies, $26.2 Million spent atthe Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, ofwhich $21.7 Million or 82% of this costwas labour (Admin $0.8 Million,Doctors $5.8 Million, Nurses $9.5Million, Tec/Lab $1.3 Million, X Raystaff $0.4 Million and Domestic staff$1.3 Million).

Unfortunately, only $1.87 millionwas collected as revenue from hospital,laboratory and X-ray fees. Similarly,EC$2.2 Million was spent at the LewisPunnett home, EC$3.8 Million at theMental Home and EC$2.1 Million atRural Hospital and Health Centers.

The ULP administration is focusedon achieving the Triple Aim andproviding modern health care for thisnation. It will reduce the long wait atthe Casualty, provide appropriate andmodern diagnostics tools for earlydetection and improving the patient’shealth care experience and outcomes.

Additional care

This nation is fortunate to lackdangerous Infectious Diseases whichplague other nations. Arguably, wehave the best drinking water in theCaribbean with 99% access onmainland, an abundance of fresh fruitsall year, and cheap affordable localproduce. We have eliminated theshortage of nurses, we have severalnotable doctors available, and thecountry boasts the lowest price for CTscan services in the Caribbean.

Currently a study is being conductedwith World Bank funding to determinethe best site for the new modern stateof the art MCMH. Possible sites includethe proposed 66 acre New City at ArnosVale, and the Penniston/Pembroke andFenton areas. This new facility willcertainly improve the patient’sexperience.

An EC$32 Million EU Grant willprovide money to renovate the MCMHand increase the operating theaterspace to 5 rooms. Two additional 24hour, well equipped polyclinics atBuccament and Mesopotamia, willimprove the access to urgent care andsignificantly reduce casualty waitingtimes. A new Mental Health Facilitywill be constructed to replace theMental Home which was partiallygutted by fire several years ago.

The Modern Medical DiagnosticCentre at Georgetown will offer a rangeof new diagnostic equipment and toolssuch as Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy andDialysis, which will eliminate the needto pursue these tests abroad and helpdetect certain diseases much earlier.

SVG now has 100% nursing coveragesince hundreds of nurses were trainedand many have gained contractsabroad. There are new nursingspecialties, and we must congratulateDr. Audrey Scott-Gilkes on becomingthe first Vincentian nurse with a PhD,an inspiration and example to others.

Plans to construct a Children’sHospital are in an advance stage andcontinued training of professional staffin specialized techniques will provideand improve the perception of bettercare.

It is clear that tremendous gainshave already been made, but soon thequality of health care will be evenbetter, under the ULP administration.

10. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

ViewsVEnergy in St. Vincent and the GrenadinesImproved Health Care now and in

the future

“Modern society will findno solution to the ecologicalproblem unless it takes aserious look at its lifestyle.”- Pope John Paul II (1920-2005)

Walking through theKingstown Market on Fridaylast (April 12, 2013) affordedme the pleasure of conversing withSister Sylvia Jackson. She was thenin the process of setting up a “nursingstation” where passersby could havetheir blood pressure and blood sugarlevels checked. She was not dressed inher nursing uniform that day. Herblue T-shirt advertised that she wasrepresenting the National Diabeticand Hypertensive Association. She,along with the three other members ofthe association, attended to over onehundred passersby during their four-hour (9:00 AM to 1:00 PM) vigil. Wecommend the organisers and the “footsoldiers” who make such outreachprogrammes possible.

The Caribbean regioncontinues to be challenged by the everincreasing incidences of diabetes(“sugar”) and hypertension (high bloodpressure). The Ministry of Health inBarbados, for example, continues tochampion programmes aimed atcombating the rise of obesity and the“lifestyle diseases” that accompany theexcessive weight. One of the leadingnewspapers in Trinidad and Tobagorecently published a report of researchdone in southern part of the countryconfirming that there had been analarming number of amputees there.The article further indicated that, inmany cases, individuals diagnosed asbeing diabetic had neglected to followthe recommended diet, weredelinquent in taking their prescribedmedication, and/or had not engaged ina sufficient amount of physicalexercise. It was not that they did notknow what was required to keep thedisease at bay. It was simply thatthey omitted to make the necessarylifestyle changes ... and they sufferedthe consequences.

As I shared the aboveinformation with Sister Jackson shecommented, “You seem to besuggesting that we should conductsuch a study in St. Vincent and theGrenadines.” We exchanged smiles asone of her colleagues arrived to assisther with erecting their banner andsetting up their work station. Laterthat morning I observed the nurses inaction as passersby took their seats atthe portable booth and benefited fromthe free services provided. Our livescan be changed for the better when weadhere to the guidance provided bysuch health professionals.

It would be remiss of me if Ineglected to share another part of theconversation that I held with SisterJackson that morning. It is also arevelation that I recently shared withDr. Lennox Adams, my personaldoctor, friend, and mentor. It is apersonal confession that now becomespublic with the desire that it willimpact others in a positive way: Ihave had a “blood sugar problem” foryears. I sometimes joke about it bysaying “sweetness is my weakness”.But diabetes is no joking matter. Ifnot properly controlled, it can result indamages to a host of organs (includingthe kidneys). In addition, theresulting poor blood circulation at theextremities (e.g. toes and feet) canresult in poor healing of wounds. Thismay result in amputations. Someunfortunate diabetics experienceblindness if the blood vessels at theback of the eyes become damaged. Iknow that I should be exercising on a

regular basis (so that I burn up asmuch energy as I can). Thus, at leasttwice a week I set aside time to do abrisk early morning 6-mile walk withthree of my dear friends. But I alsoknow that I should be checking myblood sugar levels on a regular basis ...and this is where I fall short. And bypublicly admitting this shortcoming Isimultaneously commit to resumingthis worthwhile, life changingmonitoring. Why “life changing”? Irealise that when I had been in thehabit of monitoring my blood sugarlevels I would make a conscious effortto reduce my sugar intake wheneverthe readings go above therecommended levels. In the absence ofsuch monitoring it is possible that Imove merrily in the direction ofamputation. Now, that got yourattention! Some readers are as guiltyas I am in relation to not monitoringblood sugar levels. Let us recommit todoing what we know is right. This isthe common sense thing to do. But,alas, common sense is not commonpractice. Let us make those lifestylechanges so that we could “live life instyle” (without the complications thataccompany delinquency in this area).We (you and I) have received counsel.We know what should be done. It isnow left for us to be responsibleenough to do it.

The other aspect of lifestylechange that we need to consider isdirectly related to the quotation fromPope John Paul II that was used tointroduce this week’s column. Ourmodern society needs to change theway we are denigrating the ecologicalsystem that has sustained us foryears. We need to become moreinvolved in recycling and reusingitems that we have been throwingaway. Those empty metal tins (thatpreviously contained, milk, peas,beans, cheese, etc.) can be recycled andused, for example, to grow seedlings.We can do the same with so many ofthe plastic containers that we readilydiscard en route to the landfill. Andwhile we commend the staff at theSolid Waste Division at the CentralWater and Sewerage Authority for theexcellent work that they continue to doin relation to public awarenesscampaigns and the physical removal ofwaste, many of us are still to come onboard in relation to our commitment toreuse, recycle, recover, and reduce.We have to make that lifestyle changeas we seek to preserve and enhanceour beautiful part of the globe.

Finally, I pause to commend thevarious church assemblies that haveaccepted the challenge to go out to thehighways and byways to preach the“good news” about the love of God andthe saving power of faith in our Lordand Saviour, Jesus Christ. Several“big tents” can presently be seenthroughout the length and breadth ofSt. Vincent and the Grenadines.Paying attention to our physical,emotional, and environmental healthpay great dividends ... but taking careof our spiritual being and making thenecessary life changes in that area willpay far better dividends now and inthe life hereafter.

Send comments, criticisms &suggestions tojulesferdinand@gmail.com

OPPOSITION LEADER ARNHIMEUSTACE’S position on reparations didnot surprise us but we were definitelydisappointed by Eustace’s baseresponse to a matter that is so vitallyimportant to the eventualdevelopment of SVG and the widerCaribbean. Mr. Eustace evidently lacksthe vision or foresight to make theconnection between the reparations forthe debt owed for slave trade andslavery, and genocide committed byEngland and other European powers.First things first. It is political nonsenseto say that Gonsalves is raising thereparations issue as a ‘red herring.’ Theissue of reparations has been onGonsalves’ lips since 2006. Gonsalvesraised the issue at the United NationsGeneral Assembly session in 2007. Hehas also been talking about the issue onand off since.

The problem with Eustace and theopposition is quite simply: they havetuned out Gonsalves; they have stoppedlistening to him or reading what hewrites. So when Gonsalves brought upthe issue of reparations on Heroes Day,Eustace and the opposition saw politicsof the electoral kind.

Those of us in the reparationsmovement have been on Gonsalves’case. We have argued that hiscommitment to reparations has beenepisodic and inconsistent. Therefore,when he used his formidable academicand research skills, plus the bully pulpitof the prime ministerial office,andproduced a draft document that makesthe case against the British forreparations, those championsreparations in our midst were elated.Eustace claims to have a theoreticalunderstanding of reparations, but hisposition that reparations cannot bringfood or development to our people orcountry, betrays a dearth ofunderstanding of the issue he claims tograsp.

Had Eustace studied the issued hewould have known that our country isunderdeveloped precisely because ofslavery, the slave trade and colonialism.SVG remains in its backward statebecause, as Dr Eric Williams declaredin ‘Capitalism and Slavery’, ‘thefoundation of capitalist development ofEurope and North America was built onthe backs of the enslaved Africanswhose free labour was exploited.’

If Eustace understood the reparationissue he would have known that whenslavery was abolished, all of theenslaved Africans in SVG and theregion were thrown to the ‘wolves’ toeke out a living, while the slavers werepaid. We were left penniless. That is thegenesis of the poverty and theunderdevelopment of our people. If heunderstood the call for reparations,Eustace would appreciate that the pooreconomy and the difficulties faced byour people are rooted in the pillage thatbegan in 1795 when the Englishmurdered and or exiled more than 80percent of our population. Eustacewould have known that the 30 pluspercentage unemployment rate goesback to 1834 when there was 100percent unemployment following theemancipation of our ancestors.

The fact that many of our peopledon’t have lands to work and feedthemselves, goes back to 1795 when theEnglish stole 100,000 acres of landsfrom our ancestors. The English eithersold or gave land grants to English menwho had served them well. Theyprofited and must pay.What then is thetheoretical understanding of reparationsthat Eustace boasts? His statement on

Monday demonstrated that he has no understanding. His lack of

understanding places him in the campof those who are opposed to reparations.

But alas, he fears coming out againstreparations for fear of a politicalbacklash. And resorts to politicalplatitudes: “The priority is to lift oureconomy and put people back to work,”Is it that simply? Obama, with far moreresources, has thrown more than $4trillion at the US economy and still hasnot been able to put the Americanpeople back to work. Millions remainunemployed. In fact, the sluggish USand European economies have created adrag on our economy. And these arestates with money to spend!

“I understand the reparations issue,you know, and theoretically I have noproblem with that, but for it beingpractical now, for me that priority islooking after people now.” Any attemptto look after people must be allembracing. It is like saying that whilewe are fixing roads we cannot build ahospital or schools.Is our collective mindand attention span so small and narrowthat we can only do one thing at a time?Are the governments of Antigua,Barbados and Jamaica playing politicsor failing to prioritize for establishingreparations commissions?

Without making excuses for anygovernment, a big part of the reasonwhy the country is in a sad state, withpeople not being able to make endsmeet, is because of the legacy of slaveryand the slave trade. Things were badbefore adult suffrage. They were badbefore Gonsalves.

Underdevelopment began withcolonial conquest and may worsen ifEustace ever gets the chance to unleashhis austerity focused, neo-liberalpolicies on our country.

Part of the reason why reparationsmay take generations, as Eustacesuggests, is because if he were to regainthe reins of power reparations willbecome a non-issue. To ensure that thetime is shortened when we can getmonies from reparations to assist withour country’s development, Eustaceshould join his party with thegovernment’s efforts. By the time theunited front gets some money his partymight be in power. But he is too myopicto conceptualize and visualize such areality.

Eustace’s view that ‘while there maybe good arguments to supportreparations, where was the moneycoming from; and from whom and when’reflects his true position. This is hiseternal mantra. He expressed similarviews about the construction of theinternational airport. Yet he speaks of atheoreticalunderstanding! This positionreflects a profound failure to grasp thevery topic on which he pronounces. Hehas no understanding of the theory andpractice that will lead to development.

It is he who pulls the political ‘redherring’ to camouflage his profound lackof understanding on the issues centralto the development of SVG.

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

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. 11.

ViewsVYou have to be sorry forthe oppositionLifestyle Changes

THE Multilateral EvaluationMechanism (MEM) of the Inter-American Drug Abuse ControlCommission (CICAD) — a specializedagency of the Organization ofAmerican States (OAS) serving as theHemisphere’s policy forum on allaspects of the drug problem -conducted a sensitization mission toSaint Vincent and the Grenadines onMarch 26 and 27, 2013.

The Mission comprised Ms. AngelaCrowdy, CICAD’s Acting AssistantExecutive Secretary, and Ms. KarenSanjines, MEM Specialist, and was

joined on-island by Ms.Melene Glynn, OAS CountryRepresentative.

The MEM is a diagnostictool designed by the membercountries of the OAS, whichcarries out periodic, comprehensive,multilateral evaluations of the actionstaken by individual member statesand by the hemisphere as a whole todeal with the drug problem. TheMission sought to build support forand promote the fullest participationof Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesin the MEM process.

During the two days of meetings,the Mission met with key Governmentofficials, including Hon. Girlyn Miguel,Deputy Prime Minister and Ministerof Education; Mr. Luis DeShong,Permanent Secretary in the Ministryof Health, Wellness & theEnvironment; Ms. Patsy Wyllie, ChiefHealth Educator, Ministry of Health,and Mr. Harvey Farrell, HealthEducator, Ministry of Health.

The discussions centered on therevised MEM process, therecommendations emanatingtherefrom for Saint Vincent and theGrenadines (which include theapproval of a national drug plan andestablishment of a national drugauthority) and the support thatCICAD could provide in this regard,particularly the secondary schoolsurvey currently being coordinated bythe Ministry of Health to determinethe prevalence of drug use amongstudents and the related issues thataffect them.

A workshop to inform national anti-

drug stakeholders about the MEM andto prepare them for their participationin the Sixth Evaluation Round, whichcommences this year, was held on themorning of March 27. Participating inthe Workshop were officials of theMinistry of Health, the Royal SaintVincent and the Grenadines PoliceForce, the Ministry of Legal Affairs,the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, theFinancial Intelligence Unit, theCustoms and Excise Department andthe University of the West Indies.

Speaking upon conclusion of thecurrent Mission, Ms. Crowdy notedthat the workshop marked “…a re-energizing of Saint Vincent and theGrenadines’ participation in theMEM’s process”.

Ms Crowdy welcomed thecommitment expressed by PermanentSecretary DeShong, and lookedforward to St. Vincent and theGrenadines “…deriving the benefitsoffered by this multilateral process.”

(Contributed)

Editor’s Note: The views expressed here are notnecessarily those of THE VINCENTIAN PUBLISHING CO.

One of the most serious mistakes made by SVGpolicy makers since independence in 1979, was toestablish diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1981.Taiwan is a leech. Taiwan takes our fish andindigenous resources.

Taiwan’s presence in SVG is a major obstacle tosustainable development in SVG and prosperity forour people. SVG Green Party calls for the Taiwan’sembassy in SVG to be closed immediately.

Taiwan gets blanket tax and customs dutyexemptions in SVG. The Taiwan Embassy pressrelease on Wednesday 10 April 2013, confirms thatTaiwan fishing vessels are registered in St. Vincentand the Grenadines under the High Seas FishingAct 2001.

Over the past 30 years or so, Taiwan has beencreaming-off billions from tuna without payingtaxes. In return, Taiwan gives SVG peanuts for theuse of our deep sea fish licence. The TaiwanAmbassador put out a press release on Wednesday10 April 2013, confirming tax exemptions.

According to the Taipei Times, a Taiwannational newspaper, Taiwan uses a new jumbo classof fishing boats. Japan says Taiwan’s new boats cantake up to 11,000 tonnes of tuna a year, twice theamount of the older boats.

On 5th January 2012, the BBC News websitereported that in January 2012, a bluefin tuna wassold for three quarters of a million dollars in Tokyo -a price almost double the previous year’s recordsale. The bluefin tuna, prized for making the finest

sushi, fetched 56.49m yen ($736,000, £472,125) atTsukiji fish market’s first auction of the year.

The 269kg (593lb) tuna also set a record for priceby weight, market official Yutaka Hasegawa said.The total price translates to 210,000 yen ($2,737 or£1,755) per kilogram. In 2011, a 342kg bluefin tunacaught off Japan’s northern island of Hokkaidofetched 32.49m yen, or nearly $400,000 (£257,320),setting a record then.

It is estimated that Taiwan has 40 vesselsregistered in SVG with an off-shore company. Belowis an estimate of the astronomical amount of moneyTaiwan creams off every year from SVG’s deep seafish licence.

Let’s assume a Taiwan boat on SVG’s licencecatches 5,000 tonnes of tuna a year, which is lessthan the Taipei Times estimates. 1 tonne =1000kgs, therefore 5000 tonnes = 5,000,000kgs.Taiwan’s 40 boats on SVG’s fish licence catch 40 x

5,000,000kg = 200,000,000kgs of tuna.Let’s assume a price of only £1000 a kg, just over

half what the record tuna got in January 2012. At£1000 pounds a kg, each year Taiwan earns onSVG’s fish licence 200,000,000kgs x £1000 =£200,000,000,000 - in other words 200 billionpounds.

In EC dollars at £1 = EC$4 dollars, this is =EC$800,000,000,000 - in other words 800 billion ECdollars.

Divide this by the SVG population of 110,000 =EC$7,272,727 a year for every person in SVG.

In return Taiwan gives SVG peanuts: we get theoccasional donation of a fridge or a few motor cycles

or an insulting cheque. This is immoral, as our peo-ple suffer in poverty.

SVG Green Party challenges the TaiwanAmbassador to tell the Vincentian general public:how much Taiwan makes from SVG’s deep sea fishlicence; how many years has Taiwan been using theSVG fish licence; how many Taiwanese ships haveused the SVG fish licence; what is the total catch intonnes of fish from these Taiwanese ships; howmany billions have been made by all Taiwaneseships when using the SVG fish licence.

Ambassador, as you enjoy writing in the paper,why don’t you answer these questions?

There are many children in SVG who go to bedhungry. There are many children in SVG who go toschool hungry and find it hard to study. Taiwan istaking the food from their very mouths by not pay-ing tax and customs duty. This is immoral andshameful.

Taiwan is a world leader in manufacturing, yetin 32 years of being here, Taiwan has not built asingle factory or fish plant to help SVG add value toits indigenous products or create new jobs andsurplus revenue.

Taiwan is milking our country, and Taiwan’s 32years in SVG has been negative in terms of nationbuilding. SVG Green Party calls for Taiwan’sembassy in SVG to be closed immediately. Taiwan,pack your bags and go home. We want China,because China will be a true friend to us. CHINAFOREVER. TAIWAN NEVER.

SVG Green Partywww.svggreenparty.org

12. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Opinion VTaiwan eating our lunch,while our children go hungry

Missions/OAS reps and local health officials: (From left) Ms. Patsy Wyllie,Chief Health Educator, Ministry of Health; Mr. Harvey Farrell, HealthEducator, Ministry of Health; Ms. Angela Crowdy, Assistant ExecutiveSecretary ag, CICAD; Mr. Luis DeShong, Permanent Secretary, Ministry ofHealth; Ms. Karen Sanjines, MEM Specialist, and Ms. Melene Glynn, OASCountry Representative.

SVG receives Missionfrom Drug AbuseControl Commission

JP Schwmon

The most recent efforts to end ChildSexual Abuse (CSA) got underway herelast Friday with the launch of the Breakthe Silence Campaign at LIME square inKingstown.

A Ministry of Social Developmentinitiative, in collaboration with theUnited Nations Children Fund(UNICEF), the campaign consists ofthree main elements — advocacy,raising awareness as well as behaviourand social change.

UNICEF’s Elaine King, in hersalutations at Friday’s launch event,described thesituationsurrounding CSAas a “silentemergency” whilecalling on churchand communityleaders to “breakthe perpetualnorm” since“silence is nolonger an option.”

She noted thata recent studyconducted acrossthe EasternCaribbean hasshown thatbetween “20 — 40%of our childrenhave been exposedto some form ofsexual abuse.”

King also toldthe gathering of parents, civil servantsand Police representatives, “Peopleknow about these abuses, but fail, forwhatever reasons, to report theincidents because they see such casesas taboo subjects.” The campaign, shereiterated, would serve “to teach thelesson that there are no innocentbystanders to as everyone has aresponsibility to ensure the protectionof children’s rights…”

The Break the Silence Campaignlaunch featured musical renditions bythe Royal Police Band as well asJerome Christopher and RondelleBrooken, who used the opportunity tolaunch their hip-hop flavoured anti-CSA admonishment dubbed, ‘Don’tTouch My Body’.

The audience also heard from theVice President of the St. Joseph’sConvent Kingstown Young Leaderswho added her voice to denounce theevils of child abuse in all its forms.Even as she implored child abusevictims to “speak out and end thesilence,” the youngest speaker to gracethe platform had a few words for the

abusers: “… to the perpetuators,please stop what you’re doing becauseyou are hurting a lot of people.”

Supportive legislation

The Campaign is intended, in part,to foster new thinking and actionrelated to CSA/incest and implicationsfor HIV, as well as influence leaders(including key policy makers anddonors/partners) to increase theircommitment to gender sensitive,evidence and human rights based

interventions that prevent and addressCSA/incest and HIV.

But it is not, according toFrederick Stephenson — theMinister under whose portfoliothis novel initiative falls, “alicence to maliciously accuseand defame the character ofthe innocent.”

Delivering the featureaddress, the Ministerentreated the onlookers toconsider the impact of childsexual abuse on the socialcohesion of our multi-islandstate. “This campaign aims toensure that children are notcheated out of their childhood[as occurrences of CSA putschildren] at risk for HIV/AIDSand early pregnancysometimes resulting in lastingdevastating psychologicaleffects as well as underminingtheir potential to succeed inlife,” he said.

The first time MP further notedthat the prevalence of CSA/incest inlocal communities also “places socio-economical burdens on our country, aslocal children are often robbed of theopportunity to contribute to NationalDevelopment.”

The local child protection system isbe further developed and regulated,Stephenson said. To this end, severalpieces of model legislation have beenestablished across the EasternCaribbean. They include the ChildCare and Protection Act, Status ofChildren Act (which ensures thatthere “are no more bastards”, as an“equal share of parents’ wealth is to beapportioned to each child”, whetherborn in or out of wedlock), and theChild Abuse Protocol and ReportGuideline.

As a direct result of theselegislations, victims here in SVG cannow testify on camera as opposed tohaving to face their alleged abusers incourt. This, Minister Stephensonexplained, helps to shelter the victimfrom further suffering. It is also hoped

that this initiative would encouragethe victims to break their silence andseek help through the local socialservices.

LIME’s involvement – more thansponsorship

LIME’s partnership is not justlimited to its role as host of lastFriday’s launch but, according to thetelecommunication giant’s MarketingManager Nikala Williams, “We are indiscussion with the Ministry to helpwith the development of a crisiscentre. We’re looking at providing asimple 3-digit number that personscould call for help.” This phase of theCampaign, Williams told THEVINCENTIAN, “is still in planning” asthere are a few other infrastructuralissues to be addressed.

Friday’s launch comes as aprecursor to the Break the SilenceRoad Show which heads to Fancy fromPeace Memorial Hall today Friday19th April. While the caravan isexpected to travel from Kingstown toGeorgetown non-stop, Dr Ro-AnnHarry — coordinator of the local Breakthe Silence Initiative — tells us that“whistle stops would be made en routefrom Georgetown to Fancy” as theMinistry of National Mobilisation,Social Development et al take itsmessage out to the windward end ofthe island.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. 13.

ChildrenVBreak the Silence Campaign launched

Officials and children involved in a symbolic gesture of ‘Breaking theSilence’.

UNICEF’s Elaine Kingcalled for an ‘all handson deck’ approach tocombating the scourge ofchild abuse.

Minister Frederick Stephensonassured that SVG had taken actionlegislative to support the fightagainst child abuse.

Ministry of Social Development staff members donned jerseys which carrieda variety of messages in keeping with the initiative.

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

The Girl Guide Association of St. Vincentand the Grenadines will celebrate onehundred years of guiding on April 17,2014.

The milestone will be ushered in bya year-long programme of activitiesobserved under the theme: ‘Ever alive,celebrate and thrive’.

The programme was launched lastWednesday, April 17, at the GirlGuide Headquarters at Level Garden,Kingstown.

President of the Girl GuidesAssociation of St. Vincent and theGrenadines, former Minister ofCulture and current Speaker of theOrganisation of Eastern CaribbeanStates Constituent Assembly, Rene

Baptiste gave an overview of theprogramme.

Next Monday April 22, theVincentian contingent will link upwith their Caribbean counterparts.That same day will see the 100thanniversary launch in Georgetown.The Association’s website will also beunveiled.

When the annual Guides Fair comesoff May 4 this year, the Associationwill identify 100 communities and 100managers for 100 Projects.

Baptiste was enthusiastic about thisventure, and she hopes that theactivity will encourage youngsters tobecome Girl Guides or Brownies. Sheanticipates that by the 100th birthday,the membership will increase by 200from the current 2,000 figure.

A Vintage Car show isscheduled for July 13, andthe compilation of aCentenary documentary willbe in August.

By September, thedocumentary as well asother memorabilia will bereleased.

October’s segment will bea Photo Exhibitionhighlighting the ten decadesof Guiding and a 100 LegWalk and identification of

100 places with unusualnames for signage willform November’s activity.

When the CentenaryMagazine is launchednext January, celebrationswill gather momentum. ABridal Spectacularplanned for February 14,2014 will be an attraction and 100volunteers will be remembered at theMarch 8 commemoration ofInternational Women’s Day next year.

The Centenary Week of activitieskick off April 13, and twenty personswill be honoured at a Dinner April 17,2014.

Former Minister of Culture andTourism, Rene Baptiste, currentlySpeaker of the Organisation ofEastern Caribbean States ConstituentAssembly, outlined the list.

Remembering the journey

Chief Commissioner RechanneBrowne Matthias gave an overview ofthe Girl Guide movement here.

She paid tribute to MethodistMinister Arthur Cox whostarted the body, April 17,1914.

Browne/Matthias notedthe “significant strides”made over the period andshe “is proud of theAssociation’s record,” andthe contribution ofvolunteers.

Whereas the largerCaribbean Federationfailed, Vincentian GirlGuides remain part of theCaribbean Girl Guidefamily, sharing thecommon objective ofstriving always forexcellence.

Browne/Matthias stressed theimportance of service for the GirlGuide Association and for her, thepriority was the “full development ofthe potential of all the ladies.”

For that reason, the Girl GuideAssociation was not allowing the 100thanniversary to go by without doing“something memorable andremarkable,” the Commissionerpromised.

The launch featured a ChoralSpeech highlighting the history of theAssociation, and performed by theLodge Village and Sion Hill BrowniesPack.

A group of Guides performed theCentenary Song written byBrowne/Matthias. They wereaccompanied by Cuban flutist AnnaRodriquez.

14. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

YouthV

Proud Girl Guides at last Wednesday’s launch oftheir movement’s 100th anniversarycelebrations.

Girl Guides to mark100th anniversary

(L-R): Both Chief Commissioner RechanneBrowne Matthias and President of theAssociation Rene Baptiste spoke with a prideabout their beloved movement.

These Brownies captured the history of themovement in Choral Speech.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. 15.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. 17.16. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

18. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

News V

EVEN in the face of a declaration by theNational Electoral Council that the resultof last Sunday’s presidential election inVenezuela was “irreversible,” oppositioncandidate Henrique Capriles isdemanding a recount of votes.

The result of the election shows thatNicolas Maduro, 50, representing theUnited Socialist Party of Venezuela,the party of former president HugoChavez, defeated Capriles, 40, thecandidate of a coalition of oppositionparties.

The result shows that Maduro won50.7% of the vote against 49.1% forCapriles, a margin of victory that wasnarrower than that polled by Chavezin the October 2012 election, when hedefeated Capriles by more than 10percentage points.

Reports from Venezuela said thatshortly after the result wasannounced, Capriles emerged from hiscampaign headquarters, “angry anddefiant., and made known his non-acceptance of the result”.

According to him, there were morethan 300,000 incidents from Sunday’spoll that needed to be examined.

In what was described by someobservers as an emotional outburst,Capriles proceeded to denounce

Maduro as being “illegitimate”, anddescribed him as “the biggest losertoday,” since, “the people don’t loveyou.”

Maduro, for his part, was obviouslyelated with the vote of confidence afterbeing named by Chavez as his heir.

Addressing a large crowd which hadgathered outside the presidentialpalace after taking to the streets,dancing, singing and blasting carhorns, Maduro declared that the resultwas “just, legal and constitutional.”

For him, the result was a clearindication that Hugo Chavez“continues to be invincible, that hecontinues to win battles’’.

Maduro told thegathering, that he hadspoken to Capriles onthe phone, and that hewould allow an audit ofthe election result.

He called for thosewho had not voted forhim to “work together”for the country.

President Maduro iswell aware that his tenure will not bewithout challenges, none moredaunting than the fact that he has togovern a country which is, according tothe result of last Sunday’s election,severely divided and polarized.

(Source/Photos: BBC News)

President elect Nicolas Madurowants all Venezuelans to worktogether for the benefit of thecountry.

Maduro wins,Capriles not satisfied

Thousands took tothe streets tocelebrate the victoryof Nicolas Maduro.

Opposition candidate HenriqueCapriles is not taking the resultslying down.

Continued from Backpage..

Sole survivor

The NYPD said Samuel, whojoined the force in September 2000,

was transferred to the 108th PolicePrecinct in Queens two months agoafter working for a number of years atthe Manhattan Traffic Division.

Browne said there was nothing inSamuel’s departmental record toindicate that she had serious personalproblems.

He said the sole survivor in thebloody horror was the officer’s 19-year-old son, Dondre Samuel, from aprevious relationship.

Dondre told police investigatorsthat he’d heard a “pop pop” as hismother got ready for work, and thatshe had been arguing all night withPeters, while walking around with thegun.

Brown said Dondre escaped thebloodbath by climbing through asecond-story window as shots rang inthe quiet Caribbean neighborhood.

Relatives said Peters, who livednearby and was a track maintenancesupervisor with New York’sMetropolitan TransportationAuthority, had planned to take Dylan

swimming, as was customary, at anearby indoor pool later onMonday.

Reactions

Just before the tragedy, policesaid Samuel had called the 108thPrecinct, stating that she would belate for work.

“I never heard them have anargument,” Agnes Samuel, 83,originally from Vermont, who livesnext door and is Officer Samuel’saunt, told reporters.

“She was a very good girl,”said Officer Samuel’s cousin, JeffJoseph, who also lives nearby, tearsflowing down his cheeks, whiletrying to fathom why she wouldcommit such wanton acts. “Shealways did good with her life.”

Another neighbor, RickyLascare, said he felt safe in theneighborhood until the tragedy. “Idon’t know how anyone can do that,”he said. “A kid died, too. It’s sad. Itmakes me sad.” After collapsing on thecold pavement and helped up by policeofficers, a woman dressed in royal bluehospital scrubs said she was Peters’smother.

“He’s my son. He’s my

everything,” she wailed without givingher name. “Oh Father. Oh God. Whata loving son I have.”

Samuel was reportedly the sisterof Shorn Samuel, currently servingtime in jail for beheading 21-year-oldStacy Wilson, also of Vermont, at theLeeward Bus Terminal in Kingstown,before horrified onlookers in December2006.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. 19.

NewsV

NIS RecruitmentNIS RecruitmentNIS RecruitmentNIS RecruitmentNIS RecruitmentThe National Insurance Board is seeking to recruit a professional Programmer who is certified and proficient in php, javascript, actionscript, and in the use of relational databases to develop software applications. The successful candidate should have practical experience in building working projects, and will be required to give examples of working projects.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONSDegree in Computer Sciences from a recognized University and/or a minimum of 5 years practical programming experience.

Applicants should be proficient in the following languages:Languages:PHPJavascriptActionscriptC++

Knowledge of the following languages: Java, Perl. The programmer must also be able to automate routine tasks using scripting languages, performing arbitrary tasks to manipulate files, parse text input, and translate data among multiple forms and formats.

EXPERIENCEExperience in utilizing existing frameworks. (Demonstrated proficiency in the use of the Zend and Flash Builder).Experience with and proficient use of relational databases. (e.g. MySQL, MSSQL, PostgreSQL)Ability to apply the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) to projects. The programmer must understand the principles behind interactive web pages and web-based applications, including one or more of JavaServer Pages (JSP), Java servlets, Active Server Pages (ASP), and ActiveX controls, must also have knowledge of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), HTML 5 n and XHTML..

PERSONAL SKILLSAbility to manage time and meet deadlinesAbility to solve logic and programming problemsStrong verbal and written communication skills.Ability to work as a team memberAbility to multitask in a fast paced business environmentAbility to interface (interact) with business usersStrong problem management and problem investigation skills and an ability to learn new skills to add value in problem focused areas

Only suitable applicants should apply. Applicants will be shortlisted and will be required to attend an interview. All Applications should be accompanied by two recent testimonials; preferably one should be from your last employer.

Applications should be submitted by 23rd April 2013 to:

The Executive DirectorNational Insurance ServicesP.O. Box 305KingstownSt. Vincent.

Vincy cop kills boyfriend and 1-year-old baby

Jeffery Joseph, Samuel’s cousin, intears on hearing of the incident. (Photo:NYDaily News)

Dondre Samuel, Rosette Samuel’sson, was the sole survivor of theordeal. (Internet Photo)

McGregor Sealey, Manager of theNational Lotteries Authority (NLA), hasadvised Lotto winner Devon De Freitas,and Super 6 winner Icilma Sergeant, tospend their money wisely.

Sealey lamented the situationwhere persons who won before, “todayhave nothing.”

He urged the winners to invest intheir children, build or repair theirhomes. He pointed out that “you willhave a lot of friends,” and cautionedthem about wastage.

De Freitas, a construction worker,was trying to come to grips with hisfortune.

“I still can’t believe it,” De Freitasquipped.

He praised the Almighty, anddeclared that he never stopped playingthe Lotto. For him, the slogan ‘You gotto be in it to win it’, has been hisapproach.

De Freitas secured a quick pick at

Phillip Jack’s outlet, and when thedraw was made Tuesday April 11, thenumbers on his ticket, 11: 15, 21, 29and 32, earned him the $290,000jackpot.

Icilma Sergeant, a caterer fromOcar Reform in Bequia, was similarlythankful to God. She noted that God isnot into gambling, but that “he knowspoor people’s needs.”

She plans to divert some of herwinnings to assist herdaughter who isstudying medicine inNew York.

She purchased aquick pick fromGrenadines Sales andServices in HamiltonBequia. She securedthe $235,000 jackpotwith the numbers: 02,05, 13, 19, 22 and 23.

‘We need your support’

Sealey and Lottery’s MarketingOfficer, Anthony Dennie, bothremarked on the historic nature of lastFriday’s presentation. It was the firsttime that winners from the Lotto andSuper 6 were receiving payments atthe same time.

The lottery started in 1989, and theSuper 6 began November 2004.

Sealey used the occasion to appealfor support for the intuition.

“We need your support more thanever,” Sealey outlined. He mentionedthat the NLA’s mandate has expandedbeyond culture and sports to embracehealth, education and nation buildinggenerally.

This year’s carnival is expected tosee an injection of some $1.5 million bythe NLA. (WKA)

NewsV 20. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

NOTICE OF SALENOTICE is hereby given that in exercise of the Power of Sale contained in a certain Indenture of Mortgage dated the 29th day of August of 2000 and regis-tered as Deed Number 3624 of 2000 and Deed of Further Charge dated 27th day of July 2004 and registered as Deed Number 3146 of 2004 made between SELWYN CLARKE of the One Part and THE SAINT VINCENT CO-OPERATIVE BANK LIMITED of the Other Part the following property is offered for sale by private treaty.Offers should be in writing addressed to: Rochelle A. Forde Chambers, Solici-tor, P.O. Box 1483, Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Offers should be received by: 10th day of May, 2013

SCHEDULE

ALL THAT LOT PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND situate of Buccament Bay in the Parish of Saint Andrew in this State containing by admeasurement Five Thou-sand (5,000) square feet more or less and abutted and bounded North by lands of one McCoy South by lands of one Miller East by the Leeward Highway and West by lands of Roheima John or howsoever otherwise the same may be abut-ted bounded known distinguished or described together with all buildings and erections thereon and with all ways waterscourses rights lights liberties privi-leges and easements thereto belonging or usually held used occupied or enjoyed therewith or reputed to belong or be appurtenant thereto.

AND ALSO

ALL THAT LOT PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND situate at Buccament Bay in the Parish of Saint Andrew in this State being One (1) Lot more or less abutted and bounded North where it measures 91 feet by lands of Jessica Collins South by the Beach East where it measures 83 feet by lands of the heirs of James Arrindell and West by lands of Rohenia Mc Fee or howsoever otherwise the same may be abutted bounded known distinguished or described together with all buildings and erections thereon and with all ways waters watercourses rights lights liber-ties privileges and all other easements and appurtenances thereto belonging or usually held used occupied or enjoyed therewith or reputed to belong or be appurtenant thereto.

Dated the 10th day of April, 2013

ROCHELL A. FORDESolicitor for the Saint Vincent Co-operative Bank Limited

The Conditions for sale of the above property can be inspected at the Cham-bers of the abovementioned Solicitor between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily and from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m on the day of the sale.

(L-R) Super 6 winner Icilma Sergeant, Manager of NLAMcGregor Sealey and Lotto winner Devon De Freitas share apicture perfect moment.

Sealey: ÂPut your money to good useÊ

LeisureV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. 21.

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Sarandon21. Went first23. “Arsenic

and

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20)Your doubt could lead to insecurity.

Loss or theft may occur if you arecareless with your belongings. Childrenmay pose a problem if they don't likesuggestions. Your confidence is grow-ing and advancement is apparent.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21)Residential moves will also be advan-

tageous for all concerned. Educationalcourses will be stimulating and suc-cessful. Make creative changes to yourliving quarters. Get involved in creativeprojects that could turn into money-making ventures.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21)Don't spend too much on products

that promise amazing cosmetic results.Be sure to think twice before you saysomething that might hurt your part-ner's feelings. Take precautions whiletraveling; you don't have to get any-where that fast. Control your emotionsand everything will fall into place.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)You may have more people on your

domestic scene than anticipated. Youwill find your vitality is lowered. Yourdetermination and sheer desire to doyour own thing will be successful. Yourflair for dramatic appeal will unleashitself at social functions.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22)Problems with skin, bones, or teeth

may mess up your schedule. Yourneed to put great detail into everythingyou do may cause you to miss theoverall picture. You can expect insin-cere gestures of friendliness this week.You will enjoy physical activities morethan you think.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)You can prosper if you in vest in

property or mutual funds. Someoneyou care about may not be too pleasedwith you. Try to satisfy both of yourneeds. You may find that female col-leagues will be more help than youanticipated.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)You may find that female colleagues

will be more help than you anticipated.Romance may be better than you everthought possible. You will reach themost people if you speak out at anorganizational function. You may have atendency to put on weight.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)Digestive disorders will be a result offamily squabbles. Be considerate andavoid being overly opinionated, or argu-ments will ensue. You have made anaccurate assessment of the situationand have come up with ideas that willsave money. You should channel yourefforts into getting rid of bad habits.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)You can come up with ways of earning

extra cash. Regardless of your firstreaction, the outcome will be favorable.Your partner may push buttons that infu-riate you. Pursue outdoor activities orany physical exertion.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)Uncertainty regarding your mate may

emerge; reevaluate what you see ineach other. You may not be that popularat home but you should be able to shineat social gatherings. Limitation could setin if you've been spending too much.Curb the impulse to make lavish pur-chases and maybe spend some timewith good friends.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19)You don't want to give anyone fuel for

the fire. Secret enemies will be eager tospread rumors about you. Your partner'sa little jumpy. Your involvement in inter-est groups may bring you popularity.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)Arguments with relatives may lead to a

split in the family. You can't make thingsbetter if you don't know what to fix.Deep discussions may only lead to fric-tion. You may need to make a choice.

Old __”24. Foyers25. WWII

alliance26. Bridle

strap27. __ Downs28. Fred

Flintstone’s wife

29. Brief30. Prayer

finales31. Actress

Billie33. ActressKeaton35. Week units37. Hold firmly38. Medicine

bottle40. Household

job41. Light split

ters

43. Storage cupboards

44. Shoe width46. It might be

bulletproof47. Jester48. Oil change’s

partner49. Blue flower50. Kelly or Autry

51. Actor Donahue

52. Senior citizens’ org.

53. Small child55. Records

(abbr.)56. Neckline style58. Mel of

Cooperstown

LA

ST

WE

EK

’sS

OL

UT

ION

DEBT RECOVERY AGENTThe Public is invited to submit offers in writing for the following properties:

(1) Location: Questelles Description: 21,780 sq ft of Land.Address offers to:

(2) Location: Barrouallie Description: Two Bedroom dwelling houseAddress offers to:

(3) Location: Upper Cane Hall Description: 3 bedroom dwelling houseAddress offers to:

(4 ) Location: Dorsetshire Hill Size: 3 bedroom dwelling houseAddress offers to:

(5) Location: Pilgrim Hill, Top Gomea Descritpion: 5360 sq ft of land Address offers to:

(6) Location: Canouan Description: 4,991 sq ft of land with small wooden structureAddress offers to:

(7) Location: Diamond/Kings Hill Description: 60,000 sq. ft. lands (Suitable for sub-division)Address offers to:

Please Contact:Tel: 532-9221 for details

The Debt Recovery AgentBid for Land – Wendell Robinson P.O. Box 2716St.Vincent

The Debt Recovery AgentBid for House - Byron Scott & Ferrand WaltersP.O. Box 2716St.Vincent

The Debt Recovery Agent Bid for House- Calvert EdwardsP.O. Box 2716St.Vincent

The Debt Recovery AgentBid for Property- Annette & Natasha GreavesP.O Box 2716St.Vincent

The Debt Recovery AgentBid for Property -Jasmine RobertsonP.O Box 2716 St Vincent

The Debt Recovery AgentBid for property- Nyika FarrellP.O Box 2716St Vincent

The Debt Recovery AgentBid for lands - at DiamondP.O. Box 2716St.Vincent

GENERAL EMPLOYEES CO-OPERATIVE CREDIT UNION LTD

GECCU

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Members of GECCU are asked to note that scholarship

application forms for the 2013 Common Entrance Examina-

tion are available at the Kingstown, Georgetown, Bequia

and Union Island offices.

Completed forms should be returned to any of GECCU’s

offices, along with the candidate’s Birth Certificate, on or

before May 2nd, 2013.

Too much appetitefor sexDear George,

My wife is never satisfied!I give her what she wantsevery night;  well, at leastso I thought until Idiscovered that she wassaying I am inadequate inbed, and never able to

satisfy her.  George, we go at it

about 3 times every day,and that does not includethe night time. I findmyself getting more andmore tired because she isnever satisfied. Shenever once told me that Iwas unable to satisfy

her, so I believed that Iwas. Until, one day Inoticed she wasunusually quiet, and so Iasked her if she wasalright. She replied,

“Let’s go to bed.” I saidto her, I have to be goingto work now, and I don’twant to be late. Thatwas when she said that Imust not be surprised ifsomeone else takes myplace while I’m “too busyworking.” I asked whatshe meant by that, andshe said I must figure itout.

She has left me withserious doubts about herfidelity and ourmarriage.

Suspicious

Dear Suspicious,

It is obvious that yourwife has a biggerappetite for sex than youbargained for. Havingsaid that, it does notgive her the right to gooutside the relationshipto find satisfaction forwhat can be a sexualaddiction.

I suggest that youboth visit asexologist/maritalcounselor to get to thebottom of this withoutcreating waves thatcould rock your boatbeyond rescue.

George

AdviceV 22. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Dear George,

I have been with my girlfriend long enough to bethinking of marrying her. She brought up thesubject for the umpteenth time a few days ago,and frankly speaking, she made out a basic casewhy we should get married. Accepting mysuggestion to go away for a weekend to talk thingsthrough in a stress free environment, we went toTrinidad.

The cab driver who took us from the airport wasvery talkative and funny, to say the least, and hemade arrangement with us to take us out while wewere there. That same evening, he came back toour hotel and took us out. Throughout thatevening I noticed he began hitting on mygirlfriend, and she looked like she was enjoying it.He asked if he could come by the next day to takeus somewhere, and before I could tell him wewould just spend a quiet day, my girlfriend readilysaid yes to him coming by. I discussed it with herand reminded her why we were in Trinindad, andshe made an issue out of it. She told me if I wasnot up to going, she would go.

True to her word, she left without me andwent with the guy. Needless to say when she gotback, she did not meet me. I caught a plane backto SVG that same day. Since that time, she hasbeen calling me to talk, but I am simply notinterested. How can I get her to stop botheringme?

Lone wolf

Dear Lone Wolf,

If you are through with this relationship, thenyou need to get that message to your girlfriend.‘Bothering’ you is her way of questioning thefuture of your relationship with her. She deservesto know that her decision to take a taxi tripwithout you has left you with enough doubts abouther commitment to you, and has also exposed yourinsecurity. That situation has given you bothenough for discussion, and maybe at the end of itall, you would both come out of it stronger andmore confident about the decision you made to betogether.

You have the right not to remain with her if youso desire, but she also has the right to know thatthe relationship is history.

George

More than ataximan

Dear George,

My wife of 22 years has been secretlyplanning on going away to America.Her very good friend told me of herplans to leave, and asked me to checkout her movements. Her friendshowed me proof of her plans totravel, and it left me speechless. Herplans include going to New York andhooking up with some guy she metlast year carnival, and eventuallysettling there with him.

I confronted her directly on thematter and she denied it. I do notknow of any problems my wife couldbe having with me. I have been amodel husband to her. Just twoweeks ago, she was telling me howlucky she was to have a husband likeme, and she does not know what shewould do if I leave her.

Should I play out her game, orshould I let her know that I know, andlet the chips fall where they may?

Heartbreak

Dear Heartbreak,

It is possible that one partner in arelationship could be of the view thatall is well, when in fact there arechronic, unattended issues. It is alsopossible that one partner could feelthe need to change and push forsomething very different from whatthey now have or have becomeaccustomed to.

For your own peace of mind, it isbetter that you tackle this right awayand get to know why she chose to dothis at this time, etc. Her girlfrienddeserves a pat on the back for lookingout for your interest by giving you aheads up about the pending plan byyour wife to sneak away. Now wouldbe a good time to evaluate yourmarriage and see if it deserves beingsaved.

George

A plan to sneak away

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. 23.

NewsVby KENVILLE HORNE

IT IS NOT often that a small country like St.Vincent andthe Grenadines gets to host a major sporting event, soit is understandable that excitement and anxietyabound as this country gears up to host the regionalfinals of the Guinness Street Football Challenge.

The disclosure of SVG as hosts was made at apress conference last Tuesday at the St. VincentBrewery Headquarters, Campden Park.

In making the disclosure, Shafia London,Regional Commercial Manager at the St. VincentBrewery, explained that in the build-up to theregional finals, the local leg of the Challenge willbegin today, Friday 19th April, at the Chili HardCourt, Georgetown, and continues in four othervenues across the country, including Bequia, endingon May 24. The final for the local leg, involving fiveteams, is scheduled for June 22 at the Arnos ValeHard Court.

The winner of the local Challenge takes home$5,000.00 and a place in the regional finals.

Pete Macferlene from Radar, the companyresponsible for promoting the Guinness brand andthe Challenge, noted that the competition will bebigger and more difficult, as more teams fromdifferent countries are expected to participate.

Seven teams will journey to St.Vincent for theregional finals, and the entertainment segment willfeature regionally acclaimed dance hall artiseAidonia, along with a cast of local artistes.

According to London, the event is expected tohave worldwide coverage from ESPN, whilenegotiations are taking place to have FOX Sports onboard.

Devon Poyer of the SVG Football Federation waspresent to affirm his organization’s endorsement of

the Challenge.He pledged his Federation’s full support, pointing

out that his organization’s officials will be involvedto ensure adherence to the Challenge rules.

Each team in the Guinness Street Football

Challenge is allowed to register seven players, butthe team in play comprises only four.

SVG are the defending (2012) Guinness StreetFootball Challenge champions.

ONE LUCKY person attending theforthcoming Vincy Innovation Expo(VIPO) will walk away with aBlackberry Playbook, complimentsmobile telecommunications serviceprovider, Digicel.

Communications Officer atInvest SVG, Tedra Kirby,confirmed on Wednesday thatDigicel has donated a BlackberryPlaybook that will be used as agiveaway at the VIPO, scheduledfor Diamond Industrial Estate onSaturday April 27th and SundayApril 28th.

Patrons of the Expo will berequired to complete a ‘raffle form’,as entry into the contest, with theelectronic device as the grand prize.

“We are very happy that Digiceldecided to come onboard with us.This shows the company is

committed to the development oflocal entrepreneurs and theirproducts”, said Kirby.

Marketing Manager at Digicel,Juno De Roche, said that hercompany is happy to assist with thedevelopment of the private sectorwhenever they can, as persons inthe private sector use Digicel’sservice to help run theirbusinesses.

“We are glad that we can help asthe development of the local privatesector is very important”, saidDeRoche, adding that theBlackberry Playbook raffle willhopefully help attract persons tothe event.

VIPO is a call to action forVincentians who have innovativeproducts that they want to impressupon the public. It is also expectedto attract Vincentian

manufacturers and entrepreneurswho may have a product alreadyknown to the public, but who maywish to add a new twist to itspresentation and promotion.

(L-R) Devon Poyer (SVGFF) , Lamont Medica (Brand Manager for Hairoun Beer), Shafia London(Regional Commercial Manager at the St. Vincent Brewery Ltd ), Pete Macferlene of Radar and KasaiSimmon (Brand Manager for Guinness) at last Tuesday’s press conference.

Tedra Kirby of Invest SVG, gladlyaccept the raffle prize from JunoDe Roche of Digicel.

SVG to host GuinnessStreet FootballChallenge finals

Digicel partners with Invest SVG

by R. THEODORE L.V. BROWNE

Dr. John Parmenas Eustace – “The LaSoufriere of our National Heroes” isreally unique and incomparable.

Dr. Eustace is without doubt “theLa Soufriere of our National Heroes” —he towers majestically and gracefullyhigh above the rest who appear likeKing’s Hill, Sion Hill, Johnny Hill andCalder Ridge. In his majesticelevation, a panoramic view isrevealed, exposing the liberatingpower and beauty of education; thestrengthening and health promotingbenefits and national pride of sports;the serene hills of the gospel of peace,love, goodwill, compassion andsalvation promoting social cohesionwhich eliminates national division.Exposed also, is the celestial mountainrange of possibility saying to all; “nomatter where you were born, and nomatter who your parents were, and nomatter what the colour of your skin is,you can do all things through Christwho strengthens you”. Dr. Eustacegave us hope, and triggered in us aconsuming passion which reminds usconstantly that it is always too soon togive up or to quit. That word ofencouragement inflamed his studentswith a passion to succeed. It was likean eternal flame fuelled by words ofencouragement. What a man! And hewas born here and died here. Oh theinvaluable lessons Dr. J. P Eustacetaught by his words, life and deeds!He just did not say what to do. Heshowed others how to do it. Can thisbe justifiably said of any otherVincentians — living or dead?

P.R. Campbell Q.C. praised byinternational committee

The International Committee forpromoting and advancing the Case forthe Nomination and Declaration of Dr.John Parmenas Eustace as a NationalHero is deeply indebted to Mr. ParnelR. Campbell Q.C. for his excellent,erudite, scholarly and inspiringpresentation on the great Dr. J.P.Eustace. Other presenters can profit,if they are prepared to learn, fromhim. The two, televised, “The Lawand You” programmes were mostenlightening and edifyingpresentations pregnant with pertinentfacts, information and figures whichclearly demonstrated that in at least

five areas of our nationallife, Dr. Eustace’scontribution wassupreme, unparalleled,unique and peerless. Iwish his two televisedpresentations could berepeated as a nationalservice, to complementthe Education Revolution.

After Mr. P.R.Campbell’s secondtelevision presentation onDr. J. P. Eustace — apresentation whichrevealed many, hitherto,little known facts about awell known man, Doc’spopularity soared farbeyond the reach of anyother. Mr. Campbell’stwo powerful televisionpresentations furtherstimulated thinkingabout some brilliantstarters who could noteven complete one lap ofthe 10 Lap HeroMarathon Race. Others, after anapparently brilliant start, did not gobeyond the first round or lap. Doc.J.P. Eustace, completed the marathonwith consummate ease while beingvirtually alone in the race from thesecond (lap) round to the final 10thlap. In a strict sense, he was a loneranger in the race. Victory in aheroes—race is not for just the swift orthose who appear superficially to be fitand to be off to a quick start, but forthe men or women who endure to theend. But whether it was a sprint or amarathon, Doc. J.P. Eustace wasahead from the start and maintainedhis lead — 1st place - to the end. As hewas always first in school, so he wasfirst out of school. “First” alwaysappears to be the natural place for Docto be. His whole life tells that story,as if he was inspired and motivated byDeut 28:13…… “to be the head andnot the tail,” as a child of God.

From Columbus to Gonsalves

In any one of the following manyareas, Dr. J. P. Eustace would be theonly Vincentian from Columbus toGonsalves to satisfy the criteria forqualification under Section 10 of theNational Heroes Act No. 7 of 2002.And his appointment to the status of

National Hero would bringfinality to such an exercise,and thereafter, theNational Heroes Act shouldbecome spent. Some havebecome well known—perhaps more notoriousthan famous - in a singlearea, but theircontributions have not beenpositive as required bySection 10 of the NationalHeroes Act. In other words,Dr. Eustace is eminentlyqualified by his positivecontributions; indeed, heexceeds the qualificationsby far in at least five areasof our National life. Noother citizen, in my opinion,is even remotely close. Theevidence in support of Dr.Eustace is traceable,visible, tangible andidentifiable locally,regionally andinternationally. And tocrown it all, the evidence is

compelling, persuasive,incontrovertible, unique, living andabundant.

Here are some indisputable facts:-1. Dr. J.P. Eustace pioneered

Private Secondary Education; forexample: Intermediate High School in1926 at the age of 20; Emmanuel HighSchool, Kingstown, 1952; EmmanuelHigh School, Mesopotamia in 1963. Todate, he is the only Vincentian to havedone such a thing, and for this alonehe should be declared a National Hero.But, there is even more pioneeringwork by him, later to be revealedherein. The above qualifies him, underSection 10 of the National Heroes Act.This was not an ordinary achievement;he had to fight British Imperialismwith brain power. That’s why hecalled the school, Intermediate. Thatwas a most brilliant, mental strategy —to suppress and diffuse the eruption orprovocation of the wrath of the Britishagainst the defenseless Colonists of St.Vincent. Doc was guided by biblicalprinciple: “Blessed are thepeacemakers for they shall be called,the children of God,” and the proverbwhich reminds us that there are manyways to choke a dog other than by arope around its neck.

He pioneered primary school andrural secondary education also.

Wherever the social need existed, hedid what was necessary to solve theproblem created.

2. He also pioneered or establishedprimary schools at (1) NewProspect/Simon 1938 and (2) SandyBay 1948. It is amazing to think thatin every decade from the 1920s to the1960s, he established schools at theprimary and secondary levels. Thispioneering achievement exceeded theefforts of the government of the day —and that Government was British.

Pioneered co-education

3. He was the pioneer as well, of Co-education in Secondary Schools. Priorto his intervention, which wasrevolutionary, boys and girls wereeducated at the Secondary level in twodifferent schools. Boys and girls wereeducated together at Kindergarten,together at the Primary level andseparated at the Secondary level andbrought together again at the tertiarylevel. Doctor Eustace changed forever

that system at the Secondary level.Graduates of his school can be foundin every village in the State of St.Vincent and the Grenadines and onevery continent. He made secondaryeducation affordable, available andaccessible or reachable to all withoutdiscrimination. And for pioneering co-education alone, he should be declareda National Hero, when seriousconsideration is given to the hithertoinsurmountable obstacles includingthe imperialist power and its culturalimposition and penetration. Examineagain Section 10 of the NationalHeroes Act, and don’t be influenced bybaseless rumour, old talk, politics,misconceived emotionalism andpersonal and irrational preferences,inflated by the pride of self-importance, illusions of grandeur andimaginary excursions, with noconnection to reality.

A bright and glorious day

In education, at the secondary,primary and co-educational levels,Doctor J.P. Eustace has offeredoutstanding service to Saint Vincentand the Grenadines, and hiscontribution has altered positively thecourse of the history of Saint Vincentand the Grenadines. Eighty-sevenyears have gone since he triggered therevolution in Education. Today, it isthe flagship of the modern,progressive, egalitarian, democraticand compassionate U.L.PAdministration — the best governmentso far, to administer the affairs of St.Vincent and the Grenadines.Education slumbered and slept underJoshua, Cato, Mitchell and Eustace,and was jolted out of its slumber intogalloping activity under Gonsalves.Indeed, under Gonsalves, it broke allspeed records at every level, andeffectively merged quality andquantity. It was a bright and gloriousday of national victory when in 2012,Terral Mapp was named valedictorianat the graduation ceremony at theCave Hill Campus of the Universityand when anotherVincentian, Keisean Stapleton wasnamed valedictorian at Mona Campusof the University of the West Indies,and when also in 2012,another Vincentian, Kevin Charleswas named the valedictorian at the St.Augustine Campus of the University ofthe West Indies, and when CandéFrance of Calder Ridge, St. Vincentemerged as the top student in acompetitive Science Examinationinvolving students of all theUniversities in Cuba. I can imaginehow happy her humble mother, GloriaFrance felt. Indeed, all Vincentiansshould salute all the students for theirrecord breaking academicperformance. Perhaps this was Doc’sprojection of the culmination of whathe started in 1926, but like Moses hesaw the promised land but did notenter it — but it was left to our modernJoshua — Ralph Gonsalves, to take St.Vincent into the promised land ofeducation and mental freedom andglobal educational opportunities forVincentians. What a bright andglorious day! Doc was resolutelydetermined or had a “burning desire”to succeed. The expression “burningdesire” was first used by Dr. WilliamMatthews in 1872 to describe anintense determination to succeed.

TO BE CONTINUED

24. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

OpinionVMassive support for Dr. J.P.Eustace as National Hero

Dr. J.P. Eustace

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. 25.

PeopleV

PROPERTIES FOR SALEContact: St. Vincent Building & Loan - Tel: 784-457-1796

NAMES

Stephanie Wilson-Adams, Roseman Adams & Diana ThomasKevin Greaves

Augustus & Seraphene BelgravesLyden BrowneFrances Layne

Bernard DanzineJohn De GradsZelleann Horne & Zanford Edwards

Patricia Benn & Adrian Ashton & Leonora Primus

Joseph & Sophia Warren

Randolph & Jemma Kennedy

Gamal RichardsonKathy, James & Nodica Haywood

Camela & Aaron RichardsonHarcourt & Denise Scott

Anita Knight-HartRoshad & Roshane SmithSandra Derby

Beulah King

Edson Joseph

Andra & Enid Fergus

Kenrol Daniel

SECURITY

3,864 and 4,125 Sq. Ft. Lands at Union Island, accom-modating various businesses

11,935 Sq. Ft. Lands at Rivierre, accommodating 3 bedrooms, a living room, 2 bathrooms, laundry, storeroom, kitchen and dining room6,898 Sq. Ft. Lands at Glen, accommodating a kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms living and dining rooms10,211 Sq. Ft. Lands at Spring Estate, - Incomplete18,605 Sq. Ft. Lands at Riley [Bank of Marriaqua], accommodating 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, kitchen/dining rooms6,810 Sq. Ft. Lands at Brighton37,425 Sq. Ft. Lands at Calder9,023 Sq. Ft. Lands at Park Hill accommodating 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a carport, kitchen and dining areas2,803 Sq. Ft. Land at Richland Park, accomodating 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a salon, living room, kitchen/dining rooms7,891 Sq. Ft. Lands at Harmony Hall, accommodating 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, study, laundry, utility room, kitchen/dining rooms6,106 Sq. Ft. Lands at Liberty Lodge accommodating 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, study, kitchen/dining rooms4,001 Sq. Ft. Lands at Fair Hall7,404 and 12,264 Sq Ft. Lands at Lowmans Windward, accommodating 4 bedrooms, living room, kitchen/dining rooms and a retail shop et al21,867 Sq. Ft. Lands at Brighton17,273 Sq. Ft. Lands at Cane Garden, accommodating 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, strom shelter/storeroom, laundry, kitchen, dining and a carport.3,600 Sq.Ft Lands with house2,500 Sq. Ft. Lands at Kings Street, Georgetown51,403 Sq. Ft. Lands at Chapmans, accommodating 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, living room, kitchen/dining room. There is also a small outbuilding5,799 Sq. Ft. Lands at Ottley Hall accommodating 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, a living room, kitchen and dining areas, a shop and workshop.4,850 Sq. Ft. Lands at Fair Hall, accommodating 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 living rooms kitchen/dining area; siting on 3 seperate floors7,273 & 8,419 Sq. Ft. Lands at Mt. Pleasant accommo-dating 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living room, laundry room, a storeroom, kitchen and dining areas.9,390 Sq. Ft. Lands at Ottley Hall

The School of Nursing at Largo Height wasexpected to be abuzz with a heightenedactivity beginning at 10:00am today, Friday19th April.

The buzz is the annual CareerShowcase involving forty-eight (48) Finalyear (3rd Year) Registered NursingStudents. It is being staged under thetheme, ‘Visionary Nursing Leadership’.

According to Sister Beverly Liverpool,

Deputy Dean of the School of Nursingand Co-ordinator of the event, theactivity is in keeping with the practicalcomponent of a course, titled ‘NursingProfessionalism’, which is taught to theRegistered Nursing Students in theirfinal year of training.

The overall aim of this CareerShowcase, explained Sister Liverpool, isto assist the 3rd Year Registered

Nursing Students to examine areas ofspecialty that are available forVincentian Nurses.

This year’s Career Showcase is

expected to focus on five (5) specializedareas: two (2) traditional areas and three(3) emerging/futuristic areas.

The students will make presentationsappropriate to the areas offocus, and will alsodisplay/illustrate changesthat are envisioned withinthe Health Care System inthe next twenty (20) years.

At the end of the CareerShowcase, marks will beawarded for creativity,accuracy, organization,adequacy of content andneatness, etc.

The activity is open to thegeneral public, but NursingEducation officials arehopeful that as many seniorform secondary schoolsstudents as possible, wouldtake the opportunity to beapprised of the attractions ofthe nursing profession.

JOAN GEORGE was elated when shereceived the call from a LIMErepresentative telling her she had won$250.

George is a ‘shut in’ resident of Stubbs,and is unable to move around. Sheboasted with an air of pride, “I have beena LIME customer from ever since, and myphone never got disconnected.”

The ‘LIME BIG WINS’ promotionrewarded LIME patrons for ‘simply doingthe right thing’.

When LIME customers paid their billson time, in full or even in advance, theywere entered in a weekly draw. Five (5)winners were pulled weekly, which willinclude 1 grand prize winner. Grand

prizes included FREE LIME services forup to one (1) whole yeas and cash of up to$1000.

This promotion ended on April 5th witha total of 40 lucky customers winningunexpected prizes.

LIME personnel described thepromotion as an extension of the existing‘Reward Points’ programme whichrewards customers for paying their billson time and in full, by giving redeemablepoints towards the purchase of productsor accessories, and also redeemable atCFL supermarket for groceries.

These are just a few of the things LIMEdoes to give back to its customers andreward them for keeping their post-paidaccounts current.

The School of Nursing (pictured) will stage its annual Career Showcssetoday, Friday.

Care-giver (right) collects prize onbehalf of Joan George.

Another LIME ‘big win’ winner

School of Nursing stagesCareer Showcase

26. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

V 27. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

Stories by E GLENFORDPRESCOTT

A well compiled unbeaten

century from Guardian GeneralSaints top order batsman SunilAmbris helped his team tosecure first innings points overVictors TWO, in a weekendPremier Division cricketcompetition encounter, playedat the main Arnos Vale PlayingField.

SCORES: Victors TWO171, Guardian General Saints260-3.

Ambris, who struck eightfours and one six, showed agreat deal of patience andmaturity in hitting his firstcentury of the season. He wasgiven a let off on 93 when heattempted to steer a ball downto third man, and was badlymissed by the wicketkeeper.

He featured in partnershipsof 109 for the third wicketwith Omar Lorraine, who got65; and a further 56 with hiselder brother, Romel Currency(18), as his team collectedthree batting bonus points.

Lorraine had been the moresedate partner in an openingstand of 68 with RickfordWalker (54), but came into hisown as the innings progressed.He struck five fours beforehitting a long hop to point,where Oberton Ollivierre tooka smart catch.

Walker got the innings offto a brisk start with someexcellent shots through theoffside and lofted on the legside. He struck four fours andtwo sixes before throwing itaway.

Earlier, Victors TWO wereindebted to a counter-attacking innings from captainDenis Byam, to pull them outof serious strife at 3-2, to aneventual 171. The formerWindwards senior opener, nowa physiotherapist byprofession, was in no mood todo any massaging, as hebludgeoned his way to 61,which included six fours andtwo sixes. He added 80 for the

seventh wicket with lowerorder batsman ShaquilleBrowne, who hit 45. Browne,who also chose attack as thebest form of defence, struckthree fours and two sixes.Kishore Shallow, reportedlydismissed under controversialcircumstances, made 21.Reports say that Shallow wasgiven out caught when the

fielders claimed a catch hadbeen taken after the ball hadrebounded off the ‘keeper’sboot. The appeal was upheldby umpire ‘Eddie” Williams,even as Shallow protested thatthe ball had hit the ground.

Pacer Omar Bibby, whocreated the early woes forVictors TWO, ended with 5-35and Sheldon Hooper 2-39.

A GOOD all-round performanceby St. Vincent and theGrenadines’ T20 player DesronMaloney pushed unfancied CarlJoseph Law Chambers ASCO tofirst innings points over the NewsSpartans at Arnos Vale TWO, inthe National Premier Divisioncricket competition on theweekend.

SCORES: Carl Joseph LawChambers ASCO 208, The NewsSpartans 203.

ASCO, who seemed for themost part a disjointed buttalented bunch, won the toss andelected to bat on a pitch whichappeared to be under-prepared.Maloney, their best talent bysome distance but also one of theirmost temperamental got a top

score of 46 which included sixfours and two sixes. JuraniBaptiste, another good youngtalent requiring propersupervision got 27, and AndreHunte 23 as ASCO scored at morethan five an over, taking 40.2overs for their 208.

The innings was helped by theaddition of ten penalty runs whichcame when two deliveries struckthe helmet placed behind thewicketkeeper by the fielding team.

Pacer Darnley Grant, showinga welcome return to form andfitness, grabbed 4-43 from 12overs.

Spartans, packed with pastand present national players,looked to be on course tooverhauling the total whenveteran Dawnley Joseph (36) and

Gidron Pope had put together 64for the first wicket.

However, the dismissal ofJoseph who struck seven fours,proved a decisive blow as theinnings never regained itsmomentum.

The big hitting KissingerMcClean, who made 31 with threesixes, and Renaldo Coombs 29(4x4 1x6), tried to resume thefight, but it all fizzled out.

Spinner Jenry Ollivierre 4-59,Maloney 3-21 and Deron Greaves2-37 shared the wickets.

Batting a second time, CarlJoseph Law Chambers ASCOwere 106-4 when rain brought aclose to the game.

Greaves hit a pulsating 40 withnine fours and Maloney 33 motout.

Desron Maloney turnedin a good all-roundperformance to leadASCO to an unexpectedlead over NewsSpartans. Pacer Darnley Grant

impressed with hispace.

Unfancied ASCO upstages News Spartans

Sunil Ambris was the mainstay of Saints’ innings.

Ambris leadsimpressiveSaints batting

Omar Bibby proved too muchfor the Victors TWO batsmen.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS,ST. VINCENT AND THEGRENADINES, steamrolledall comers to run away withthe 2013 National LotteriesOECS Junior Squash title, atthe National Squash Centre inPaul’s Avenue, on theweekend.

SVG’s medal haul of 21 wasalmost four times that of theother two countries, BVI andSt. Lucia, who competed in theevent.

The hometeam collectednine gold, six silver and sixbronze medals to put in adominant performance, albeitagainst opponents who never

got a gripon things.

The BVIweresecond withsix medals:one gold,two silverand threebronze,whileformer

powerhouse St. Lucia hadtwo silver and one bronze.

Kai Bentick, who followsin the footstep of his fatherand the team’s coachJames Bentick, a formerOECS champion, showedglimpses of talent by takingboth the Boys Under 13and Under 15 titles, whileGianna Miller Alexanderwas too strong for heropponents in the GirlsUnder 17 and Under 19categories.

In addition theVincentians collected goldmedals in the Girls Under11, won by Giovanna Miller

Alexander, Girls Under 13which won by Lauryn Doyle,Girls Under 15 by ThandiMyers and Boys Under 19Jason Doyle. The homesterswere also second in sixcategories, where theycollected silver medals and sixothers for placing third.TheBVI coach, Joe Kneipp, inassessing the tournament,

said he was satisfied thatthere is a lot of talent in thesub-region, and is hoping thatcoaches will give the time todevelop these young players.“Ican see some bright prospectsfor the future of the sport, butit requires patience and a lotof commitment to keep theyoungsters focussed,” saidKneipp, a former professional

squash player. An Australian who is

employed by the BVIGovernment as a professionalcoach, Kneipp said he waslooking forward to the OECSsenior championships as he isconfident that a high level ofsquash will be played, andthat the tournament will behard-fought.

28. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

SportsV

LAYOU WILL HAVE ACRACK AT BEINGCROWNED repeat nationalUnder 13 champions offootball when they face offagainst East Kingstown in

the final of the 2013Metrocint InsuranceNational Under-13 InterCommunity League.

The winner of theinaugural championship

in 2012, Layou stoppedSouth Leeward 2-nil inthe semi final lastThursday, at theGrammar School PlayingField.

A goal from the eye-catching GarethLeigertwood and an owngoal helped Layou totheir second consecutivevisit to the final.

Layou’s opponent inthe final will be the EastKingstown, who recordeda 1-nil win overBarrouallie, thanks to aSherome Dopwell strike

Barrouallie took someconsolation from theirinvolvement when they

beat South Leeward, 3-2,in the third place playoff, which followed thetwo semi finals.

Barrouallie’s goalscame from Shane O’Garro, 2, and the onefrom Kory Anderson.

South Leeward’sresponses were fromJodumo Slater and anown goal.

The Layou-EastKingstown final isscheduled for VictoriaPark, Sunday 5th May.

East Kingstown willbe hoping to avenge thedefeat suffered at thefeet of Layou in thepreliminary round of

competition, Layouputting 2 goals pastyear’s performances theircustodian to the one theyscored in response.

Layou, on the otherhand, goes into the finalhaving not lost any oftheir matches, but theyare expected to face a

serious challenge fromEast Kingstown who willbe looking to go betterthan their third place in2012.

The winner and theother top finishers of theUnder-13 competitionearn themselves schoolsupplies.

YOUNG TENNIS PLAYERSMADE SURE that their skillswere taken to another level,when the 2013 GrassrootTennis Club Easter JuniorTennis Tournament took rootat the Haddon Hotels courts atMurray’s Road.

The one week tournamentcame to a close last Saturdayafternoon, with a presentationceremony, which was precededby some final matches.

Che Connell won the boysunder-8 ahead of Afi Lucas,while Demetra Fernandezsecured the girls title of thatage group, with Alesha Culzacthe runner-up.

Fernandez returned to winthe girls under-10 ahead of

Sage Bascombe. Akeil De Roche, fresh from

taking the Easter CaribbeanUnder-10 title in St Lucia twoweeks ago, won the boysunder-10 and under-12.

Runners up to De Rochewere Rio Connell and MiguelFrancis respectively.

Gabrielle Benn secured thegirls under- 12 and under -14,defeating Alexi Humphrey onboth occasions.

Richard Hoyte won the boysunder-14 title, with ArnelHorne, second.

Humphrey and De Rochewere adjudged most improvedfemale and male respectively.

The Development Division,which is the most anticipated,

saw some new talent emergingTaking the boys’ under-6 wasMc Kelly Ince, with LukeSpence the runner-up.

Kathryn Miller won thegirls under-6, with MoryaDallaway in second.

Last Saturday’sclosing ceremony heardaddresses fromMinister of Tourism,Sports and Culture,Hon. Cecil Mc Kie, aswell as head of theGrassroot Tennis ClubGrant Connell, and thetournament director,Agostini Soleyn.

Connell said that the2014 tournamentshould see the

incorporation of the under-16and under-18 divisions which,he projected, would take placeat the National Tennis Centreat Villa.

STING POWER NICE RADIO CLINCHERS,CGM Gallagher Novice and Fyah One, allrecorded victories while heavy rains forced theabandonment of the Dr. Thomas Injectors andLa Croix United match, when action resumed onthe weekend in the St. Vincent Police Co-operative Credit Union Clinchers Softball crickettournament, at the Richland Park Oval.

On Sunday, Sting Power Nice Radio Clinchersbeat Calder United by 126 runs. Batting first,Sting Power Nice Radio Clinchers got to 176 intheir allotment of 20 overs. Osnetta Cato hit atopscore of 47, with five sixes and three fours,while Donwell Hector made 43, with five sixesand two fours. Moses Alexander took 3-12.

Calder United were then dismissed for 50with Hector returning figures of 3-3 and LeslieRichards 3-19.

In a match reduced to 15 overs, CGMGallagher Novice beat Sea Operations Nar Fren

Dem by 60 runs. CGM Gallagher Novice batting first got to

129-5, with Dean Farrel getting 52 with foursixes and three fours and Sidney Campbell 43,five fours two sixes. Sarshin James took 3-30.Sea Operations Nar Fren Dem were thendismissed for 60, with Keno Mathews making 22and Everton Durrant taking 3-15.

On Saturday, Fyah ONE forced Richland ParkMelody Makers to hit a wrong note aftercondemning them to a seven-wicket defeat.

Batting first, Richland Melody Makers werebadly off tune and fell for 52, Gosnel Toney 3-11,Shawn Williams 3-8 and Rajiv Roberts 3-13 wereall in harmony. Fyah One easily got to theirtarget, ending on 53-3.

Dr. Thomas Injectors and La Croix shared thepoints after rain curtailed their match with onlyone innings completed.

Layou to defend Under-13football title

Young tennis players make their mark

St. Vincent Police Co-operative Credit Union softball results

SVG too strong in OECS Championships

East Kingstown will want to keep the trophy inthe capital.

Defending champions Layou are set onrepeating.

Gabrielle Benn secured thegirls under-12 and under-14titles

Under 6 new rising stars, left to right -Morya Dallaway, Luke Spence, KathrynMiller

The victorious SVG National Junior Squashteam.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. 29.

SportsV

THE FOCUS is on Windwards this Sunday withthe revival of the Windward Islands Footballcompetition. Time was when that tournament wasa much anticipated annual fixture. The three otherteams joined the host country in staging theshowdown. That was the coming to being ofCaribbean Football Union and prior to any of theindividual nations to the FIFA status.

Those elder citizens will recall the crudemanner in which the format was abandoned. It isnot our proudest moment in the civilization, andmost Dominicans especially will want to forget thetribal manner in which the Vincentian footballcontingent had to find some source of shelter inthe midst of raging Dominican fans.

That episode may have surpassed us, and wewould be inclined to think that there is a newwave of acceptability as evidenced by recentdevelopments on the Organization of EasternCaribbean States front.

The Windwards take on Jamaica in a Super 50semifinal today. That is in cricket.

Most persons have dismissed any thoughts of aunited Caribbean Football squad akin to theircounterparts in cricket.

The Windward Islands Football entity might beencouraged to consider the merits of a regionaloutfit, if only for the virtue of it.

For while we harbour hopes of individualcountries making it on the big stage in football,prospects appear to dim as the road toughens.

The Windward Islands Football tournament willhelp with preparations for those FIFA qualifyingmatches to which we pay great attention.

But we are yet to reap any genuine benefitsfrom our participation in those engagements.

We lack the collective base to make realprogress.

Then we lack the capacity to handle matters atthe administrative level. For with the worldwiderecession having some impact, business entitieswill be less willing to venture into the realm ofsupporting sporting causes.

And they will be justified in their actions. Thelegacy of Caribbean administrators does notinspire confidence.

The revival in Windwards’ Football comes in thewake of the bombing at the Boston Marathonearlier this week. That turned out to be an episodeof chilling proportions, and it has sparked off awave of reactions.

It will be cold not to exert any level of sympathyto the victims of that lethal encounter. And therecan hardly be any merit in supporting suchcarnage.

But things have a way of playing themselvesout, and perhaps Americans will harp to theOctober 6, 1976 incident off the Barbados coast,when the Cubana airline went up in flames. Thattook care of a number of persons including somesporting oriented.

That remains an encoded chapter of Americaninvolvement in world affairs.

This week also saw the burial of former BritishPrime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Her death jolted me to the epic days of theantiapartheid struggle. She turned out to be adefender of the illegal regime, and incurred thewrath of many persons. But she weaved throughthe hostility and gained the respect of many.

Thatcher held her own on controversial issues.Up to her burial, there was a chasm between thosewho wept and those who didn’t. Such was theextent of Thatcherism that persons were preparedto hold their ground on how they felt about the‘Iron Lady.’

Time is the healer of all wounds, and Thatcher’sdeath has traversed the passage over its ownturbulence.

On the ball

BY E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

“The mountain” is no more, and in the eyes of someexperts, the talent is not as good.

But to the mature sectionof the football loving public,the absence of the hill in thecentre of the field at theVictoria or the possibledearth of gifted players, willmake little difference, onceTeam SVG is in competitionwith the other WindwardIslands - Dominica, Grenadaand St. Lucia.

The islands will meet fromSunday in the revivedNational Lotteries WindwardIslands Football Tournament,after more than a decade ofdormancy or state ofintemperance.

The early years

History says that years ago, the countries, thenrealms of the British Empire, battled for glory andthe coveted Popham Cup, a piece of silverwarenamed after one of the many governors who weregiven the opportunity to enjoy the Caribbeansunshine, under the guise of being administrators ofthe islands’ resources.

Reports say that, impressed by the talent whichabounded in the small islands, Lord Pophamintroduced a trophy in his name, to be contestedannually by the countries playing in one country.

According to information the Tournament wasfirst played just after the end of the second WorldWar. Some reports put the initial tournament astaking place in 1947.

While information, on the Tournament remainssketchy, based on what is available, the widestmargin of victory is an 8-1 beating by Grenada overDominica in 1961. Grenada’s 7-1 defeat of St. Luciain 1966 follows closely behind.

Interestingly, the Tournament was usuallyplayed in the late part of the year, with the crickettournament contested for the Cork Cup taking placein the early part of the year.

This resulted in a number of players representingtheir country at both sports. These included, amongothers: Mike Findlay, Carl Glasgow (deceased)Fred Trimmingham, Colville Browne and StanleyHinds from St. Vincent; Rupert Polius from St.Lucia; Tyrone Harbin and Theo Redhead fromGrenada; and Thomas Kentish for Dominica.

How things have changed

A home and away format was introduced in 1973.St. Vincent and the Grenadines emerged victors.However, the Tournament reverted to its original,format in 1974 and was scheduled for St. Lucia.

The years 1974 to 1977 saw the Tournamentbeing cancelled over problems between Dominicaand St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with bothcountries refusing to travel to the other for fear ofpossible crowd disturbance. Sources say this was as

a result of some bad blood, which had developedover the years between the two territories.

In 1995, Barbados played as a guest in thetournament.

.Many things have changed since the venerable‘Doc Adams” stood between the upright for St.Vincent and the Grenadines in the late 1940s. TheVictoria Park is now a level playing field, puttingeveryone on equal footing. In fact, many may arguethat its billiard board appearance has more to dowith lack of access rather than excess work.

Wooden uprights are no more, and the balls areno longer the weapons of leather with an inner tubethat Norbert Hall and the others of such folkloricfame, kicked with such ferocity so as to split thoseuprights.

On Sunday, it will be a new breed of players andyoung spectators who may not even know the likesof ‘Mori’ Millington, ‘Pabits’ Davis, ‘Rudy’ Boucher ,Pete Morris, Raultie and Guy Lowe, or for thatmatter the ailing Tyrone ‘Tweety’ Spence or ErrolThomas who was concussed in one of the matchesand just recently lost a leg, all of whom pushedSVG to dizzying heights. And sadly, they will neverknow ‘Babs’ Jones or William Muckett who haveboth gone to the great beyond.

The new dispensation

But it is expected that they will be there, eventhough they may not even have been conceived, orfor that matter even their parents, when the powerof the sport was encapsulated in that memorableproclamation four decades ago that, ‘Soccer…. is thegame of the people’.

On Sunday, SVG, the winners of the lasttournament more than a decade ago, will battleDominica from 8pm, and this will be preceded by St.Lucia versus Grenada from 6pm.

On Tuesday, SVG meets Grenada from 8pm afterthe Dominica and St. Lucia battle at 6pm. And thefinal matches will see Dominica and Grenada in the6PM contest to be followed by the SVG/ St. Luciashowdown.

Victoria Park in its original splendour. Note: nofence, and its sloping terrain. (Photo Source:Clifford Edwards).

The new look Victoria Park, with its level playing surface.

Windwards football: History marries nostalgia atVictoria Park

30. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN

NOTICELAND/PROPERTIES FOR SALE

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The potential candidates must be mature individuals, and are expected to meet the following requirements:

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If you possess the relevant requirements for this position, then your application together with two (2) recent testimonials must be submitted no later than 26 April 2013 to:

People and Management CoordinatorSt. Vincent Brewery LimitedP.O. Box 105Campden Park Industrial EstateKingstownSt. Vincent & the Grenadines

kingstown co-operative credit union ltd(kccu)

SCHOLARSHIP NOTICEMembers of the Kingstown Co-operative Credit Union Limited

(KCCU) are asked to note that forms for our annual scholarship

programme is currently available at the office.

Forms must be accompanied by:-

• Letter of conduct from school

• Birth certificate of child

• Identification of applicant

Deadline for submission of forms is Thursday 2nd May 2013

NOTICEThe following persons are asked to contact the SVG Teachers Coop Credit Union Ltd before the 26th April, 2013 and speak to Mr. Junior Mason or a loans officer at 457-2947.

NAME ADDRESS

Audain, Sylvonn P Revierre

Badenock, Kasyler V Layou

Baptiste, Andrel Magum, Sandy Bay

Browne, Anita S Biabou

Burke, Malvern F Port Elizabeth, Bequia

Caesar, Hester M Caruth Village, Mespo

Charles, Mark A Arnos Vale

Dember, Kenton C Campden Park

Forde, Latoya S Freeland, Mespo

Foster, Masimba Frenches / Questelles

George, Stacey P Richland Park

Hamilton, Arthelly D Sion Hill

Jacob-Dabriel, Vanessa Edinboro

James, Paul A Park Hill

James, Sherwin Campden Park

Laidlow, Kateurah Villa / Calliaquia / Canouan

Medica, Dale V Owia Village

Morgan, Charles Paul Over

Rogers, Joel A New Prospect / Biabou

Seales, Elvis O New Montrose

Thomas, Marilyn E Cane Garden

Thompson, Kenton A Lowmans WD

Trotman, James N Frenches

White, Kelvin C Petit Bordel

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013. 31.

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FOR

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Published by The VINCENTIAN Publishing Co. Ltd, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.

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

NEW YORK POLICE SAID ON MONDAY That aVincentian-born female police officer shot dead herGuyanese-born boyfriend and their 1-year-old baby, thenturned the gun on her in a case of double-murdersuicide.

Police said that Rosette Samuel, 43, whohails from Vermont, first shot the baby’s father,Dason Peters, 33, early Monday morning in her

East 56th Street apartment in the predominantlyCaribbean Flatlands section of Brooklyn.

The 13-year New York Police Department(NYPD) veteran, who was off-duty, then went intothe bedroom and killed the baby with a single bulletto his chest, then took her life, cops said.

Police investigators said Officer Samuelused her “off-duty” gun, a 9-millimeter Glock thatshe w as authorized by the NYPD to carry when noton duty.

Cops said they found the deadly weapon bythe assailant’s side and that there were no signs of

any struggle inside the apartment, nor were thereany breakfast preparations under way, indicatingthe shootings likely occurred first thing in themorning.

NYPD chief spokesman Paul J. Browne, saidthe bodies of Samuel and the baby, Dylan, werefound, face up, on a bed. He said officers discoveredPeter’s body lying just inside the apartment’sentrance, in the front hallway.

“It was a tough crime scene,” Browne said.

Continued on Page 19..

VINCY COP KILLSBOYFRIEND AND1-YEAR-OLDBABY Dason Peters’ mother broke

down and had to beassisted by a Police Officer.(Photo: DNA Info, NY)

Rosette Samuel is said to have shot her boyfriend Dason Peters and their son, Dylan.(Photo: Starbroek News)