FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012 VOLUME 106, No. 34 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

BY WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

INCIDENTS OF BURGLARY andtheft on yachts visiting St.Vincent and the Grenadines willnot be dealt with lightly.

This seemed to have beenthe attitude which SeniorMagistrate Sonya Youngintended to convey when shesat at the Serious OffencesCourt, last Wednesday.

During that sitting, shehanded down sentence on fourresidents from Mayreau, allcharged in relation toburglary and theft from ayacht anchored off the TobagoCays.

Jordan Forde wassentenced to nine months injail and Jason Alexander sixmonths for the same offence.They pleaded guilty to theftand burglary when theyappeared before SeniorMagistrate Sonya Young atthe Serious Offences Court,last Wednesday.

Forde and Alexander werearrested and jointly chargedwith entering the yacht,

‘Aliza’, and stealingUS$3,200.00, on August 7,2012.

The others sentenced inrelation to the matter wereTanisha Forde, anunemployed 18-year old, whowas sentenced to threemonths, and Genelia Forde, a38-year-old bartender, to fourmonths, both for havingreceived stolen property.They were charged, August20.

Tanisha received US$1300and handed over US$1,000 tothe Police. The remainder wasunaccounted for. Geneliareceived US1100.

The incident

The Court heard that themen boarded the yachtchartered by an American,Jose Calderin.

Calderin, a New York baseddesigner, had chartered theyacht, ‘Aliza’, in Grenada, andarrived in the Tobago Cays at12.05 pm, August 7, 2012.

He secured the vessel andwent ashore for dinner at6.30pm. When he returned tothe boat at 8:30pm, he foundit ransacked and overUS$3,000 removed.

He reported the matter tothe Union Island Police.Investigations led to thearrest of Jordan Forde and

JasonAlexander.

Fordeexplained tothe courtthat hewent to pickwhelks andsaw that theboat “wasempty”(unmanned).

He confessedthat he removedsome money fromthe boat, with theintention of assistinghis mother who has fourchildren to send to school.

“I was only trying to helpher,” he told MagistrateYoung.

A terrible act

Magistrate Young describedthe men’s behavior as “terriblefor St. Vincent and theGrenadines.”

She echoed that the nation“relies heavily on tourism.”

The Magistrate was upset,and outlined to the accusedmen: “You are destroying mybreadfruit tree.”

She issued a restitutionorder on the money recovered,and reminded the convicts oftheir right to appeal.However, lawyer MiraCommissiong, who

representedJason Alexander,

assured MagistrateYoung that there will

be no appeal in thematter.

Young ordered that themen write a letter to theAmerican expressing theirremorse. That draft wasexpected to be on her desk by4 pm yesterday, Thursday.

She promised to ‘vet’ theletter, and threatened to affixadditional time to the men’spenalty if it was not up to herstandard.

Young’s effort to send amessage to those who wouldwant to perpetrate suchcrimes, may have beenundermined. While awaitingtransport to the prison, one ofthe men sentenced shoutedthat the Prison was going tomake him tougher.

“They only breedingcriminals in this place,” hestated.

Sonya Young,SeniorMagistrate,considersrobberiescommittedagainst yachtpersons asterrible acts.

Above left: Tanisha Fordewas charged and sentencedwith receiving stolen money.

Left: Genelia Forde was alsosentenced for receiving andretaining money known to bestolen.

News commentary andphotos by: DONALD DERIGGS

JUST TWO WEEKS after firegutted the entire upperstorey of the Stoney Groundprimary schooladministrative andclassroom wing, aconstruction team, nick-named here the ‘A Team’,has made remarkableprogress, working literallyday and night, to completerepairs in time for the re-opening of the 2012/13school year.

When the flames werejust about being dousedby the hardworkingfirefighters, I spokeinformally with SenatorJulian Francis, who wasamong governmentofficials who had rushed tothe scene to gather a firsthandimpression of the damage.

I said to Senator Francis then, “Iknow your presence is an indicationthat this building will be reconstructed

in quick time.”He smiled and quietly said, “You

will see.” I have a particular interest in this

school, as all of my children attendedthis institution. That is where they

were nurtured academically, resultingin four of them having alreadyattended university, with the youngesttwo just about completing secondaryschool. I have also served as Presidentand PRO on different occasions,therefore, I have a special affinity for

this primary educational institution. The present group of stalwart

teachers will attest that, even though Ido not have any children therepresently, I still support their fund-raising and book reading activities.

To return to where I began, thereconstruction of the burnt out sectionof the school is proceeding at a rapidpace. There is a new stairway beingconstructed to provide an additionalexit in case there is an emergencyrequiring immediate evacuation of theupper floor. This new developmentmust be commended, especially fromthe safety standpoint.

The pictures tell the story: a roof onin three days, working day and night.I must ‘big up’ the construction team;the carpenters did a remarkable job,working even at night, which requiresmore diligence. I rather suspect thatat the rate at which this project isgoing, and barring any setbacks due toinclement weather, the entire schoolplant should be ready for use at thescheduled opening of the new schoolyear.

Now we know what the HonourableMinister of Works meant when hesaid, “You will see.”

2. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

News CommentaryVRapid response to StoneyGround SchoolÊs fire

Construction off and running.

Work continued under floodlights.

Ready for the galvanize.

by KARISSA CLARKE

“RISING INTO THE FUTUREwith Culture.”

This is the Mantrathat Cecil Mc Kie,Minister of Tourism,

Sports and Culture, feelsthis country shouldoperate under.

McKie made hissentiment known whenhe addressed a gathering

of persons from variouswalks of life, who hadconverged at the NISTraining Room, onTuesday 21st August2012, for the Launch ofthe Consultation on theNational Cultural Policyfor St. Vincent and theGrenadines.

Following an officialcall to order at 10:30amand the playing of theNational Anthem by localpanist extraordinaireRodney Small, theLaunch was underway.

The Consultancy willbe funded by UNESCOand organized by ReneBaptise, former ministerof culture, stillaffectionately known as‘Mama Culture’. She willbe responsible forreviewing documents,holding the consultationand then refurbishingand refreshing theNational Cultural Policy.

In his welcomeremarks, AnthonyTheobalds, ChiefCultural Officer in theMinistry of Culture,expressed his happinessto be present for aLaunch of this natureand the parameters forconsultative processwhen he said, “Manyfactors need to beaddressed economically,socially, culturally and inrelation to IntellectualProperty in this Policy.”

Theobalds’ remarkswere followed by those ofJaneil Henry, SecretaryGeneral of SVGUNESCO National

Commission. Henry, whowas also representing theMinistry of Education,expressed excitementabout the Policy and allthat it entails. Sheconveyed UNESCO’s fullendorsement andanticipation of the Policydocument.

ConsultationChairperson Baptisteinformed the gatheringthat invitations toparticipate in the processhave been extended toorganizations such as theYoulou Pan Movement,Invest SVG, CED,Carnival BandsAssociation, the IndianHeritage Organisation,The Garifuna HeritageOrganisation, ECCO,music producers,dramatists, designersand so much more.

Minister of CultureCecil Mc Kie expressedthe feeling that “ournations is turninganother leaf as it relatesto culture.”

And while herecognized that “ourculture is varied andinvolves every sector ofour society,” he called fora cultural policy that is“reflective of ourindividuality but also hasinternational muster.”

He gave his blessing tothe process and to Ms.Baptiste’s appointment.

The Consultation onthe National CulturalPolicy for St. Vincent andthe Grenadines isexpected to be completedby 21st September.

WE CONTINUE withthe trip DOWN THEMEMORY LANE ofefforts to forgeCaribbean integration,with a look at the PetitSt. Vincent Accord.

Thanks to Frank da

Silva, we can displaythis picture of threePremiers of the day,Eric Gairy of Grenada(left), James Mitchell ofSt. Vincent (centre) andJohn Compton of St.Lucia, who met in Petit

St. Vincent in May 1972,to discuss and agreeupon eliminating traveland work permitrestrictions within theirjurisdictions/countries.

The three WindwardIslands leaders, in the

absence of Edward leBlanc, Dominica’spremier of the day, metand agreed, it wasreported, that effectiveAugust 1, 1972, therewould be completefreedom of movement of

citizens andpermanentresidents of thethree territories.

We know nowthat this grandaccord was neverimplemented andthe matter of‘freedom of travel’(or is it hassle freetravel) within theOECS and thewider CARICOMcontinues to besubject to certainconditions.

One YouthChurch leader atthe time of the‘signing’ of the PetitSt. Vincent Accord,is reported to havecommented: ‘Whatfreedom of travelthey talking about?How many of uscan afford totravel?’ Nuff said.

V News 3THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. 3.

The launch of the Consultation on the National Cultural Policyheard remarks from (from left) Anthony Theobalds, Hon, Cecil Mc Kie, Janeil Henry and Rene Baptiste.

Right: A diverse group of Vincentian nationals turned up for thelaunch.

National CulturalPolicy in the making

ENOS WALLACE-PROVIDENCE, a 44-year-old man, began an 18-month jail term last Tuesday. Magistrate Ricky Burnette imposedthe penalty after Wallace-Providence pleaded guilty to counts ofburglary.

He removed over $11,000 worth of stuff inone incident between July 17 and August 4,2012, and $2,000 sometime between August 10and 15.

He expressed regret: “I am very sorry. Imake a terrible mistake.”

Wallace unleashed a tale of conflict, andoutlined his cooperation withthe Police in recovering someof the items.

“I want to make a change.In order to do that, I have tobe given a chance,” Wallacedeclared.

He described himself as abuilder and craftsman, andvowed that he could make$120 a day.

“I could pay the fine,” hesuggested.

Magistrate Ricky Burnettewas not softened by hispleas.

Wallace-Providencebegged for time tocompensate the owners forarticles that were notrecovered.

The man told the courtthat he had to pay $5,000 foritems still unaccounted forfrom one haul, and $369 forgoods not recovered in theother incident.

Wallace-Providence spokeof having spent 11 months inprison for a murder that hestated he knew nothingabout.

He begged the Magistrateto fine him and place him ona bond.

Magistrate Burnette wasfirm that a custodialsentence was necessary.

Burnette advised Wallace-Providence that he was freeto appeal.

Assistant Superintendentof Police Arnon King, whoserved as Prosecutor,advised the court thatWallace-Providence had 25other convictions.

4. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

CourtsV

Stories by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

ELSWORTH WILLIAMS, a 48-year-old Campden Parklabourer, is expected to return to court November 16for preliminary investigations into a murder charge.

Williams appeared before Chief Magistrate SonyaYoung last Wednesday. He was charged with themurder of Raphael Patterson, a 32-year-oldlabourer, address also given as Campden Park.

Patterson and Williams had an altercationAugust 1, 2012. Patterson, confined to a wheelchair, at the time of the incident, died at the MiltonCato Memorial Hospital August 16.

Inspector Adolphus Delpesche, appearing onbehalf of the prosecution, plans to call ten witnessesduring the hearing.

Williams is represented by lawyer Grant Connell.

LLOYD MC LEAN, a 46-year-old vendor, willhave to find $250 by September 3, 2012, orspend four months in jail.

After he pays the compensation, he will bebonded for one year, and if he breaks that, hewill be fined $1,000 forthwith or go to jail forsix months.

The penaltywas handeddown byMagistrateRickyBurnette lastTuesday atthe KingstownMagistrate’sCourt.

McLeanpleaded guiltyto the theft ofone ram goatat Prospect,August 14,2012.

It took theawareness of afarmer in thearea tounravel themystery. McLean wasseen with asack over his shoulder. When he was accostedby two persons, he dropped the sack and ran. Asearch of the bag revealed a ram goat with itsthroat slit.

Investigations led to McLean’s arrest. Thegoat belonged to a 14- year-old student whohad tied the goat that morning.

Mc Lean pleaded guilty to the charge. He outlined to the court that he used to “run

a fruit table at Arnos Vale,” but that “my girlfriend steal all the money and run off.”

He confessed that he was desperate andstole the ram goat.

He begged the Magistrate to “give me littletime.”

Burnette quipped: “I want back the ram goatalmost right away.”

“Just give me a little time. I will pay for it,”Mc Lean hurtled.

“I am going to give you a short time to payfor it,” Burnette asserted.

Elsworth Williams is charged with murder.

Campden Parkman set for PI

Pay for thegoat or else…

Magistrate Ricky Burnette wasadamant that the a ‘goat thief’pay for the goat he had stolen.

Burglar says hewants to change

Left: EnosWallace-Providence has astring ofconvictionsagainst his name.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. 5.

RegionalV

THE AIR PASSENGER DUTY(APD) tax proposed by theUK government should bereviewed. This is the viewof Mark Pitchard, a BritishConservative PartyLegislator.

Pitchard made hisfeeling known during arecent visit to Barbados.

Press reports havequoted him as saying: “Iunderstand the UKgovernment’s position. Irecognize that with thedeficit we have to raise

revenues as do manyother countries andtaxation is a key part ofthat. But, having saidthat, the APD as itcurrently stands is not alevel playing field and itshould be reviewed.”

Pitchard is hopingthat there is enough timefor other legislators whoshare his view, to remindthe Treasury about theimpact the tax will haveon Caribbean economies.

Caribbean

governments, led byPrime Minister Dr.Kenny Anthony of St.Lucia, have articulatedthe negative impact thetax is likely to have onthe number of Britishtravelers to theCaribbean.

It is calculated that,with the new tax, afamily of four flying fromthe United Kingdom tothe Caribbean now hasto pay close to £400(US$625.08) in taxes. In

2005, such a familywould have paid a totalof £80 (US$125.06) intaxes.

The lobbying by theCaribbean states hashelped in delaying someof the increase.

However, BarbadosMinister of Tourism,Richard Sealey, hasadmitted that theCaribbean is “aware thatwe will not get the APDabolished,” and asks onlythat the Caribbean gets

a fair way for it to beapplied.

In February, theCaribbean TourismOrganization releasedstatistics from 23countries that showedthe region experienced adecline of arrivals fromthe United Kingdom fora third consecutive year,with officials attributingthe drop to a weakBritish economy andincreases in the APD.

A WOMAN who claims she wasassaulted by a crew member during aNew Year’s cruise, has filed a federallawsuit against Royal CaribbeanCruise, in Miami.

The attack is claimed to havehappened aboard the Royal CaribbeanCruise liner Navigator of the Seas, onthe morning of January 1.

According to an affidavit sworn toby the woman, she had gone to anupper-level deck to use a whirlpooland while there, she asked a crewmember for a towel. She claims themale crew member led her into abathroom where the alleged attackhappened.

The attack was partially capturedby the ship’s surveillance cameras, thewoman’s attorney told the media inMiami.

Michael Feiler, Attorney for thewoman, said that the surveillancevideo captured the woman followingthe crewman into the bathroom thentrying to escape, only to be draggedback into the room.

The woman was finally able toescape and reported the attack to theship’s security.

It is believed that the securityofficers took the crewman into custody

and kicked him off of the ship at thenext overseas port.

“This is a problem in the cruiseindustry and if the company cared, itwouldn’t just turn this guy loose in thenearest port,” Feiler told reporters.“You need to cooperate with the victimand assist in bringing the perpetratorto the proper authorities.”

A cruise line spokesperson did sayhowever, that their security people“responded and preserved informationand potential evidence that could behelpful to law enforcement,” andadded that the incident wasimmediately reported to the FBI andlaw enforcement in St. Kitts.

There was no response to inquirymade by THE VINCENTIAN to an e-mail contact address for RoyalCaribbean Cruise.

There is, therefore, no informationon the nationality of the crew memberallegedly involved in the matter.

Local agents for the cruise line,Coreas-Hazell’s Inc. was not apprisedof the development and could provideno further information on the matter.

There are hundreds of Vincentianmen and women employed by cruiselines, including Royal CaribbeanCruise.

THE REACH OFCORRUPTION in high,public offices has norespect for politicalsystems.

In what used to beconsidered a closedsociety ruled by the ironfist of the CommunistParty, Cuba isdemonstrating to theworld that it too, isprepared to dealappropriately with thosefound in want of honestyin the execution of theirduties on behalf of peopleand state.

News this week fromHavana indicate thatCuba sentenced a dozenpeople to prison forcorruption, includinghigh-rankinggovernment officials andemployees of a jointlyrun Cuban-Canadiannickel operation.

According to Granma,the official organ of the

Cuba Communist party,the prison terms rangedfrom four to 12 years.

Those convictedinclude three former viceministers of the Ministryof Basic Industry, whichoversees nickel mining.Nickel production is oneof Cuba’s main sources offoreign income.

In addition to the viceministers, the directorand other employees of

the state-run Cubaniqueland workers fromEmpresa Moa Nickel SA,also received prisonterms, for their dishonestdealings.

The case involved thecontracting andexecution of theexpansion of the Moanickel mine’s Pedro SotoAlba processing plant.

RegionÊs stand on APDtax gets support

Cuba convicts 12 forcorruption

Crew member accusedof assaulting woman

Below: A nickelprocessing plant in Cuba.

Mark Pitchard, BritishLegislator, says theAPD should bereviewed.

The RoyalCaribbean Cruiseliner The Navigatorof the Seas.

by KENVILLE HORNE

CHAIRMAN OF THECARNIVAL DEVELOPMENTCORPORATION (CDC),Denise Ambrose, hasissued a stern warning tosome private promoters ,to desist from pullingdown the CDC .

The chairman’scomments came whilespeaking at the CDCprize giving ceremonylast Wednesday 22nd atthe Methodist ChurchHall.

Ambrose stated thatthe CDC will continue to

support the privatepromoters’ shows sincethey help to keep thecarnival spirit, butstressed that they mustbe “in coordination withCDC to avoid conflict.”

In a stern tone ofvoice, the Chairmanappealed to some privatepromoters to desist frompulling down the CDC.“Remember it is the CDCand the TourismAuthority who conductthe promotion whichbrings the vast amountof persons to SVG. Theseare the same people

whom the promoters arecounting on to attendtheir shows,” thechairman told theaudience, comprised ofcarnival makers, carnivalenthusiasts, sponsors ofcarnival shows, mediapersonnel andgovernment officials.

Ambrose, whilestopping short of namingany individuals and/orentities, took aim atthose people whocomment adversely aboutCDC’s policy of involvingforeign artistes atcarnival shows. In

defending hisorganization’s action,Ambrose stated thatwhen Vincentian artisteshave hit songs, “weapplaud them, weappreciate that othercountries invite them toperform outside of VincyMas, so the Vincy artisteis a foreigner in thatparticular country.”

The chairmanquestioned the move bysome promoters whospend large amounts ofmoney to bring foreignartistes to perform in St.Vincent, yet “these arethe same people whoturn around and criticizethe CDC for bringingoverseas artistes.”

He described thisaction as “hypocritical,”and challenged thecritics “to show theirdedication to the localartistes, the localcalypsonians, the localsoca artistes and thelocal pan men, by giving them more airplay.”

His comments drewloud and seeminglysupportive applause fromthe audience.

Ambrose affirmedCDC’s commitment todevelop all aspects of thecultural art of theCarnival, saying that

“our local artistesand artists canrest assured thatthe CDC iscommitted tohelping them toadvance as far aspossible.”

Innovation andother issues

As far as Vincy Mas2012 was concerned, thechairman assessed it tobe “a huge success,” andpointed to theintroduction of live payper view telecasting ofthe shows as aninnovation that worked.

He appeased carnivalcomponentrepresentatives byassuring them that theissue of increased prizemonies will be addressedby the CDC in duecourse.

The media alsoenjoyed expressions ofthanks for their support,with the VincentianPublishing Companycoming in for specialrecognition for itsconsistency in producingan annual CarnivalSouvenir Magazine.

The Prize-Givingceremony also heardaddresses from theMinister of Culture CecilMc Kie, the President of

the Youlou PanMovement WarrenKnights, President of theCalypsonians AssociationAnn Miller andChairman of theCarnival BandsAssociation HughRagguette.

Minister Mc Kiereiterated hisgovernment’s support for Vincy Mas, stating,“We will ensure that we continue to providethe necessaryenvironment for carnivalto develop.”

Vincy Mas 2013 isslated for June 28 to July 9.

6. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

ArtsV

Lornette ‘Fya Empress’ Nedd, 2012 CalypsoMonarch, Ragga Soca Monarch and Road MarchChamp, was on hand to collect her silverware.

Part of the audience which expressed support for sentiments expressed bythe Chariman of CDC.

Dennis Ambrose,Chairman of the CDC,took aim at those whocriticize the CDC but dolittle on behalf ofcarnival makers.

CDC Chairman lashesout at detractors

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. 7.

HISTORICALLY, any time that the Party inGovernment completed two terms plus, theelectorate, for whatever reason, becomes nervousand itchy, clamouring for change.

In the 1951 elections that introduced AdultSuffrage, the 8th Army of Liberation wonGovernment hands down. It is true that in thosedays, Government was very limited, and theywere divided and ruled by the colonialAdministration.

Still, seven of the former Eighth Army wontheir seats in new elections in 1954, includingLatham who had entered the fray the year before.

So, in effect, the remnants of the 8th Armywere returned, minus Joshua who had formed hisbreakaway PPP, 1952, and which competed assuch in 1954. The “new Government” was, after afashion, run by Charles, assisted by RudolphBaynes.

After two terms-of 3 years each in the earlyperiod, the people effected their first change tothe P.P.P., in 1957. The PPP was again returnedin 1961, going on to complete two terms ending inAugust 1966.

In the latter year, PPP again won a straightthird term 5 to 4, which was cut short by thecrossing of the floor of Sam Slater. Labour Partywon 6 to 3 in the resultant general elections of1967.

After one term in office, the Labour Party ingeneral elections in 1972 suffered a set-back whenit returned six seats, as did the Opposition PPP,which threw its weight with the Independent“Son” Mitchell, (who had recently defected fromthe Labour Party) to form a razor’s-edgeGovernment.

Politics being based primarily on power andthe law, the PPP calculatedly gave in to Mitchellwho as Premier likened his one-seat majority “ashard as the tip of a diamond”.

But the Junta Government, so-called, fell whenMr and Mrs Joshua felt disgruntled enough toquit the Government and back the Labour Party,to secure the fall of the Junta and the return ofthe Labour Party in a ten-two-one ratio, the onebeing the N.D.P.

The revived Labour Party held Governmentfor two terms, from 1974 to 1984, and wassuddenly defeated, attesting to the thesis thatgenerally the people of SVG do not trust a Partyto remain over long in power.

Remarkably, Mitchell had in the meanwhileformed the N.D.P which he built up into afighting political force that was combat-ready, justas Labour had been provoking people by itsarrogance and abuses.

The NDP won in 1984, won all elected seats in1989 and was returned for an unusual third, 12 to3, almost certainly because of the weakness of theOpposition forces. Cato had resigned following the1984 debacle, and there was a protracted period ofscuffle between Stanley ‘Stalky’ John and VincentBeache for leadership, aggravated by the entryinto the fray of Ralph Gonsalves and his MNU.

The elections of 1998 was again surprisinglywon by the NDP, against the run of play.Gonsalves, who by stealth had won the leadershipof the new ULP (Labour +MNU), used all histalent, political know-how and cunning to createan untenable situation in the State that forcedMitchell to cut short his tenure by half. By thenGonsalves had gained the leadership of the U.L.Pafter Vincent Beache’s resignation following hisParty’s fourth successive defeat at the polls 1984,1989, 1994 and 1998!

The ULP won the next three elections: 2001,and 2005 by large majorities 12 to 3, andventured into the questionable third term in 2010by the slimmest of majorities, 8 to 7.

Like the NDP win in 1998, the real question isposed: Can the Government survive for thenormal period of five years, or can it be made bycircumstances, including the people’s manifestdisgust with its one-manism and abuse, to seek a

renewed mandate in the tradition of thedemocratic imperative?

Actually, I think that East St George will fallto NDP’s Dr. Lewis in any event, notwithstandingthe recent buttering-up of Burgin to safeguard hispersonal vote but not his candidacy.

The candidate may well be Camillo Gonsalves,by sweet irony taking over from Labour’s founderMilton.

Rather, the suggestion is here made thatCamillo should run for his father’s old stompingground of North Central Windward which Ralphis advised to vacate, and retire to his palatialresidence, haunted by the troubling thoughts“After me comes the flood”.

As a matter of interest, I would be surprised,all things being equal, if U.L.P were to capture asmany as five seats in any election held withinthree years.

Funeral AgainThese days, my age group, 65-85, is falling like

nine-pins, and my own condition renders me unfitto keep up with the traffic of the dead.

So, I missed Millicent Caesar who used to planbreak-outs whenever I visited her at theThompson Home.

Another childhood Millicent from CemeteryHill passed on without my knowledge, hergrandpa “Po-Pa”, her grandpa “Blackie” andmother Olive, all long dead, must frown at me intheir graves. I really felt sad on not learning athing about Sister Bramble’s death prior to herburial. She had been an old Joshua fan whom theNDP had inherited.

Fitzroy Springer of Belle Vue- Colonarie, aforest ranger, did not attain the age of 50 when hewas cut down. My heart goes out to his beautifulwife and children.

There was a typical country funeral at Biabouin the African tradition for Jean Matthews neeSamuel. Members of the blood family teamed upspontaneously to provide Jean with a completebiography.

Personally, I was transported, as the widower,with shac-shac, burst into Shakers songs anddance which moved the entire church to jump andgive praise, including me who, with wife, wassitting up front in high grass in the company ofthe Attorney General Judith Jones Morgan andMinister Frederick Stephenson, therepresentative of the area.

During the 1960s when party politics had beenfever-pitch, Anne Mitchell was very active forLabour’s women’s brigade. She has moved on togreener pastures at the ripe old age of ninety odd.

Avis Wilson Yorke was laid to rest at theAnglican Cathedral in Kingstown with full ritesand honours which were her due. There was asingular omission in her impressive tributes. Noone seems to remember that in calypso dance inparticular, no Vincentian couple could match oreven touch the youthful pair of Hugh “Plumber”Herbert and the bubbly Avis Wilson. Heavenmust be a more joyous place, especially with Avis’entrance.

As we go to the printers, let me salute thepassing of a great personal friend who had beenan exemplary policeman through the ranks, andretired as Deputy- Commissioner, then acted asGovernor General’s Deputy. Of course myreference is to the venerable Denniston Bobb whoserved our police and nation dutifully withhonour.

OUR RELATIONS with a ‘traditional ally’, the United States ofAmerica, were amplified and broadcast for the world to see andhear earlier this week.

The occasion, barring the Prime Minister’s injection ofanother of his tirades against those who would dare to becritical of his decisions and actions, was, in fact, a concreteUSA demonstration of its commitment to the region under theCaribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).

Under the CBSI, the USA commits to spending millions ofdollars (begun in 2010) in what Secretary of State HilaryClinton described as an initiative aimed at “addressingtransnational security challenges in the twenty-first century.”

Clinton also said then (2010) that, the “CBSI meansworking together not only to strengthen national securityforces and anti-trafficking efforts, but also focusing on broadercitizen safety partnerships and social inclusion.”

And in recognition of the focus on “broader citizen safetypartnerships and social inclusion,” written into theMemorandum of Understanding governing the CBSI was apromise of assistance for efforts by Caribbean signatorycountries, ‘to reduce the opportunity for crime and violence inthe Caribbean Region by increasing the skills and educationalopportunities for populations, and to provide alternatives to at-risk youth, such as formal and informal education initiative’.

This was in addition to what some may consider the moreattractive assistance with respect to combating the growingthreat of transnational crime in the region (illegal drugs andgun trafficking) and institutional and capacity buildingsupport (for regional defense, law enforcement, and justicesector institutions, etc).

There is no questioning the balance that these broad areasof assistance connotes; it clearly speaks to a recognition oftackling security issues in the region at both the causal andconsequential levels.

So now that the USA has demonstrated, every year since2010, as per the request or priority positions of the CaribbeanCountries, that it is forthcoming with assistance (interceptors,training for law enforcement officers, etc) to address theconsequential dimension of the security issue, and while it isunderstood that continuing assistance in this area will beneeded, is it not time that we propose meaningful measures toaddress the causal nature of the security issue, educationalrevolution notwithstanding?

The second tier, reference such only for listing purposes andnot in terms of importance, cannot be ignored.

Responding to the need to create opportunities intended todecrease opportunity for crime, remains the direct concern of asitting government and its people, and therefore, it is folly notto want to exploit avenues for assistance in this regard wherethey, from all appearance, exist for the taking.

Maybe some Caribbean countries have sought to exploit theexisting agreement; maybe they have, and that assistance hasnot been forthcoming, (re. Prime Minister Gonsalves’ claimthat USAID has not been as ‘generous’ as it ought to). But thefact that crime, both major and petty, in every CARICOM,continues to be a major social challenge, then does it allow fora question about how proactive our region has been in invitingassistance, USA included, to advance measures to address thecausal nature of the crime wave?

The reality should not be one of while ‘Nero fiddles, Romeburns’.

While we wage a necessary war against trans-Atlanticcrime, we must not do so at the expense of instituting realneed measures, both immediate and long term, to combat theopportunities for crime that our society throws up on itself, dayin and day out.

No one wants to accept the view expressed by commentatorsdating back to the 1970s, that in-country crime is anunnecessary evil, the result of our political culture. That, asthey say, is another story.

In the meantime, let us resolve to grab every opportunitythat presents itself for support for our effort to be tough oncrime and the cases of crime.

8. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. 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

Crime: Tackling thecause and consequence Time for a change of government

I WAITED THIS long toadd my piece on WestIndies cricket, hopingthat I would hear allthe local experts andpundits get off on ourrecent victory over NewZealand. It seems Iwaited in vain because,correct me if I amwrong, very few if anyof them opened theirmouth or put pen topaper to give DarrenSammy some praise forthe victory.

I would bet my lastdollar that if the Kiwisand beaten us, thatthere would have beenno end of criticismabout Sammy’scaptaincy. Oh, how welike to pull down ourown!

Let it be said that,while there were someoutstanding individualperformances by someof the guys, the onething that remainedconstant throughout theseries was thesteadfastness anddetermination of thecaptain. Credit is dueSammy for his daringdecisions with respect tohow he rotated hisbowlers, and hiscourage in the face ofcriticism for stayingwith some bowlers(Deonarine) we wouldhave considered parttime. Credit the manalso for his attackingfield placements,especially for Narine.

With all the criticismleveled against the teamfor their poor showingin the past, I wonder ifit is that criticism hasblinded our experts.Then again, somepeople only see whatthey want to see.

Pat.

I HEARD ON THE RADIOthat following the goldmedal earned by youngWalcott for Trinidad andTobago, that a statecorporation there hasalready committed $2m, (Ithink it is T&T dollars butit doesn’t matter) to bespent on preparing thatcountry’s athletes for the2016 Olympics in Brazil.Yes, I know that T&T hasoil money and all that, butthat is not the issue here.The issue is that a statecorporation (and we haveso many of thememploying so many peopleat some of the highestsalaries in the land) has

seen it fit to invest someof their profits in thepeople of a country, whocan make every citizenproud.

No amount of PoliticalUnion, no amount of whois the best PM and whois the best Oppositionleader can bring as muchpride to a country thanits sportsmen andsportswomen. It is stillthe only real thing thatunites us as a people.Just look at how unitedthe British were as theywelcomed people from allover the world to theLondon Olympics. Andlook how proud they

were when their athletesdid so well. That is notthe result of overnightaction. That is the resultof long, hard planningand commitment.

Yes, I know we havethe Lotto that issupposed to supportsport, but with all theother known andunknown things that theLotto is commanded tosupport, I wonder if thatsource will be able togive all that is needed tobuild world class sportspersons from thiscountry.

Public Corporationshere must be made to

give meaningful andsustained support to oursportspersons. And ithas to start now for thefuture.

If Grenada couldproduce a Kirani James,what happen to us?Goat bite we or what?

Let us put our moneyinto an effort that willmake us all proud to beVincy. When is the lasttime a Vincy thump hischest and say with gustoand all sincerity, “I amVincy to the bone!!!!”

Glastone

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. 9.

ViewsVMore $$ for Sports

NINA MALONEY istops! My favouriteVincy RadioBroadcaster of all time.

I heard her dulcettones at the servicecelebrating twenty-fiveyears of NBC Radio705 in July 2011. Thepresenting of ‘MemoryLane’ that followedshowed Nina at herbest.

Nina Maloney is theconsummateprofessional in RadioBroadcasting. Justlisten to hersummarizing after along, boring, repetitiveSunday religiousbroadcast! The Ladyhas class!

Nina Maloney is/wasthe presenter of thepopular radioprogramme ‘MemoryLane’; it would havebeen so much better ifshe had taken someguests down MemoryLane. We would now belistening to somehappy, tear-jerkingwonderful recordingsfrom the archives.

I think of Nina everytime I hear the popularBBC Radio programme‘Desert Island DISCS’.It has been going forsixty years and it willcontinue for centuries.

Nina Maloney stillproduces goodlistening.

Avil Cupid

My favouriteVincybroadcaster

SOMETIME AGO, I read in thepapers where someone said thathe bothered the examiners onlyonce.

This remark/statement had astrange sound to me; and sincethen, I have been trying to figureout whether there is somethingelse in the mortar besides thepestle.

It seems to me that there maybe three scenarios here:

1. Somebody/someone maybother the examiners only once,as the writer said he did. My takeon this, is this: he had one shot atthe exam and passed it — nofailures.

2. Somebody may bother theexaminers more than once. Thatseems to suggest that someonefailed some sort of exam (one timeor more) and had to go back andtake over the exam again; therebybothering the examiners.

3. One may not bother theexaminers at all. He/she maystrive hard to avoid beingexamined for fear of failing. Butthis fear is always present whenone is ill-prepared for the exam —a situation that may even harbourthe notion of forgery.

The examination process mustbe different from and independentof “the body” lawfully requiring

the exam. This is the fair and justsituation.

If it is “impossible” to follow alegal course of action, thenexceptions may be accommodated.Nos. 2 and 3 above are somewhatrelated. They are to be avoided.

Let me leave my readers withthe substance of a verse from 1Corinthians 4:7.: ‘What do youhave that you did not receive?And if you received it, why do youboast as if it were not a gift?’

Verse 14 of the same chapterconsoles. ‘I write not these thingsto shame you, but.. I warn you.’

A Student

Bothering the examiners

In praiseofSammy

* If the truck-loads of materialseen heading out oftown this week is forthe road repairprogramme and notsome ‘electiongimmick’?

* If there is anytruth in what schoolchildren are saying:That AmbassadorGonsalves returninghome soon to get hisfeet wet on thepolitical ground?

* Has the CarnivalDevelopmentCorporation receivedits 2012 subventionfrom government?

* What’shappening with thepromised assistancefor banana farmers?

LAST SATURDAY, I attended theinaugural Vincy Picnic inBrooklyn. Lawrd!!!! WatchVincies!!! I see Vincies I air seefor years!

Mr. Editor, it was a trueoutpouring of harmony among mypeople. Congrats to theorganizers, even though Iunderstand some leading Vinciesmight have been left out of theplanning and organizing.Regardless, it was a grandoccasion.

Only one thing though: Withcertain people using everyopportunity to ‘beg a lil’something for the airport’, youwould swear that is the only thinghappening in Vincy land. I wishthat persons would stop makingthe airport out to be the panaceato all our problems. I don’t wishit, but I hope the airport doesn’tbecome our biggest problem.

And Labor Day coming up!After such an outpouring of howproud we are to be Vincy, perhapsit is time that we support Mr.Wesley Millington and his Masband. That man has been,through sweat and toil, laboringto keep the Vincy name alive inthe Labor Day parade, withoutany real support from Vincies. Ihaven’t done any scientific study,but I swear they have more

Vincies scattered throughout allthe other bands (from Trinidad,Grenada, even Haiti) than thereare in Wesley’s band. What apity!

Anyway, Mr. Editor, let me endon the good note on which Istarted. The Brooklyn VincyPicnic is a good thing. We up

here have to commit to keep itgoing. It may never get to thelevel of the 1000 Island Picnic inToronto, but it is worth any effortto keep Vincy pride alive out here,where we continually struggle notto be second class citizens.

Garnet, N.Y.

Vincy Picnic is a good thing

WITH ALL THE PRIMEMINISTER talking about howmany qualified persons there arein our police force, the truth isthat crime still more rampanttoday than it was say, ten yearsago.

Every day, as I sit in themarket among the people, I hearabout all the ‘thieving’ androbberies that going on. In fact,Mr. PM, I just heard that there isa man in your constituency,somewhere between Park Hilland South Rivers, who robbingpeople, and the police can’t findout who he is far less catch him.

The last I heard is that heplaced a log of wood in the road

to stop a vehicle and then pull agun on the driver.

So you see, Mr. PM, with allthe university graduates in thepolice force, they can’t make adent on the crime in this place.What we need is real hard-nosepolicing, not a set of book work.

While them fellows fightingamong themselves, showing offhow much they know, thecriminals reaping a fortune.

Time to return to the oldmethods of policing right here inSt. Vincent and the Grenadines,then people could feel safe intheir houses.

(Name withheld on request)

Get back to real policing

The issueST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES is ata critical stage in its economic andsocial development history. It requiresleadership that is strong, visionary,dynamic, resourceful and disciplined,with a clear philosophy, and anunderstanding of the geographicalspace in which this nation occupies, andthe consequences of that space.

Currently the leadership of thecountry is in the hands of Dr. Ralph EGonsalves, who is Prime Minister andleader of the Unity Labour Party, theparty that is in government since2001.

On the other side of the coin, wehave an individual, regarded by hisparty as “the Prime Minister inwaiting”. He is Arnhim Eustace, theOpposition Leader and the Presidentof the New Democratic Party.

It is therefore, natural that wecompare the qualifications andabilities of the two men, if we believethat as leaders of their respectiveparties, they will play a critical role inthe development of the country.

Ralph Gonsalves vs Arnhim EustaceLet us discount the family

background of both men, since theywould have no control over thatfactor. Both men attended theSt.Vincent Grammar School, thenregarded as the leading educationalinstitution in the country. RalphGonsalves made an impact on thatschool during his tenure. One recallshis debates and discussions with thethen Headmaster, U.Crick, on anumber of issues. Arnhim Eustacedoes not have that richness in termsof his tenure at that school.

Both men attended institutions ofhigher learning. Ralph Gonsalveswent on to attend the University ofthe West Indies, where he obtained afirst degree in economics, and aMaster’s in government. He went onto complete a PhD in Government atthe University of Manchester, and adegree of Utter Barrister at Grays Innin London.

Arnhim Eustace completed his firstdegree and Master’s in economics atthe Sir George William University inCanada. Clearly both men havecertification, but Dr. Ralph Gonsalvesis better educated, and has a largerbasket of goods, when it comes tointellectual achievements. Both menstudied economics, but Dr. RalphGonsalves went on to qualify himselffurther in the field of Government andLaw. Based on this, we can say thatDr. Ralph Gonsalves is betterqualified to be Prime Minister of thiscountry.

Beyond CertificationEven so, let us go beyond

certification and examine the lifeexperiences of both men. Through hiswork and university life, Dr. RalphGonsalves has established himself asone of the leading thinkers in theregion. His advice is sought after in anumber of areas including politics,education, the law, regionalintegration and government. He hasresearched, written and publishedextensively on a wide range of issuesaffecting the Caribbean, Africa,modern day politics, comparativepolitical economics and thedevelopment of the Vincentian society.He has four major books to his credit,the last being “The making of theComrade: The political journey ofRalph Gonsalves”.

Dr. Gonsalves knows the fabric ofVincentian civilization and life, has

done the walk to support his socio-economic development talk, hasdemonstrated a deep love, care andcommitment for Vincentians and is incommunion with the people.

Arnhim Eustace has functioned asa bureaucrat all his professional life,first at the Caribbean DevelopmentBank and then at several positionswithin the administration of SirJames Mitchell. He never had to workhard in the political wilderness whereimportant lessons are learnt. He washanded a political seat on a platter,and then virtually handpicked tobecome Prime Minister of thiscountry, ahead of more deservingnames like Parnel Campbell. Hecannot bring any rich life experiencesto bear on his leadership, simplybecause these don’t exist in his liferepertoire.

He has not published anything ofworth, and is not sought after byregional and internationalinstitutions, and regional thinkers.How else can we explain hisstatement that he did not know thatthere was so much poverty inSt.Vincent and the Grenadines, otherthan to say that from his ivory tower,he could not properly see and assessthe economic conditions affecting themasses of this country. And this fromthe man who was the architect of thefiscal policy during the latter years ofthe NDP administration!

Modern day performancesFinally, let’s examine the modern-

day work of both men. It is no secretthat Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has been atthe helm of the most progressivegovernment in the history of thecountry. Under Dr. Gonsalves, theULP administration can boast of anumber of impressive achievements,all of which have enhanced thequality of life of Vincentians.

There have been commendationsfrom a number of regional andinternational bodies, including theInternational Monetary Fund, theWorld Bank and the European Union.

By contrast, Arnhim Eustace haspresided over the most unpatrioticpolitical party in the history ofcountry. Under his watch, the countrywas lied upon, libeled and defamed byall and sundry in the NDP, andEustace has not been able to controlthis situation.

As political leader, he hasdemonstrated a lack of knowledge ofbasic issues. We cannot forget hismisunderstanding of the operations ofthe NIS, his muddling of the economicgrowth figures from the Central Bankand the IMF, his approach to theBAICO/CLICO issue, his failure toapologise for the unfortunatecomments he made in relation to theSouth Leeward carnival, and the listgoes on.

So it’s clear to all that, on the issueof leadership, Dr. Gonsalves is lightyears ahead of Arnhim Eustace. Thatis why elements within the NDP arenow pre-occupied with the matter offinding a new leader to replaceEustace. And that is why the people ofSt.Vincent and the Grenadines willreturn Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and theUnity Labour Party to power, for arecord fourth consecutive term.

THE MASKS are off and daggers drawn.SVG’s democratic process may becomea part of history, leaving the world towonder how we could so willingly poisonourselves with the belief that theelections of 2001 would lead to betterdays.

With moves being made to haveNice Radio cease its operation, onewonders what’s next for this countryas it faces some of its darkest days.

Those in power have consistentlylet their people down – ruthlessly.But no one is being fooled.

In the meanwhile, the countryseems headed for another phase ofpolitical instability that might lead toyet another regime crumbling topeople power; sense may prevail atthe end.

Four years of negative growth hasgiven people little about which torejoice. Memories of dark nights andempty stomachs will begin tosymbolize our democracy if we are notcareful. The judiciary remained theonly institution in which people puttheir faith, but we fear for thatprocess.

After all, democracy rests on allthree pillars of the state, and no onepillar alone can bear the weight ofthis complex system. We are movingfast in an unfortunate direction, andunless we reverse it now, it may betoo late.

Waste and corruptionWaste and corruption are rampant

in Government. If you are a memberof the inner circle, you are taken careof and you are protected, no matterwhat wrong you may do.

There are some public servants andemployees of State enterprises whoare now under investigation or arebefore the Court for defrauding theState. But there are other publicservants who are deserving of beingput under investigation for defraudingthe State, yet they are allowed to gounpunished, even rewarded withpromotion. These are the BIGWIGSof the Party.

UnmanageableIt is no secret that the Public

Service has become unmanageablebecause of favoritism, nepotism,corruption and political interferenceat all levels. Is it little wonder thattelephone bills are sky high, andsimply not attended to? Who is incharge, and who cares? Why isn’tthere a system in place to ensurerestricted use and accountability? Tosay that Cable and Wireless has beenbilling incorrectly is certainly a joke.After the first bill, any wrong billingshould have been corrected.

And to say that the amount owedby the Ministry of Education is$100,000 plus and not $800,000 iscertainly a joke. Why is there $100,000 owed to Cable & Wireless by oneMinistry, and why was there no effortto direct the charges to the correctdepartment or project? The point is,whether the balance of $700,000 or aportion of it is owed by some otherdepartment or project, IT IS STILLOWED and due.

The Private SectorGovernment owes millions of

dollars to this country’s private sector.This has resulted in the furthersuppression of the economy.Government is the spender of lastresort, so when the economy isdepressed, Government’s ‘countercyclical policy’ should kick in.Instead, the opposite has happened,Government owing, rather thanspending, prolonging the economicdepression in the process. Astruggling private sector is forced tofinance the Government.

Businesses are struggling, and as adirect result of Government’s notsettling its bills, many small

businesseshave had to cut back their operations.Because the Government has nomoney to put into the economy, itremains depressed. At every turn,the global economic downturn isblamed; seems as though we alonemake up the globe, since every otherCaribbean country and most othersglobally are shaking out of thedepression, whilst we sink further.

Deja VuHaven’t we seen this before? A

rerun of the National CommercialBank debacle? Government andStatutory Corporations owed the bankand did not pay. The result was thatthe bank became cash strapped andwas brought to the brink of collapse.The result is well known. A bail outby CDB had a condition which forcedthe Government to sell the Bank.

Now it is the National InsuranceServices and the CWSA. To salvagethe CWSA, we are asked to payincreased rates. The question is, QuoVadis NIS? We all need to payattention to what is happening to ourvarious institutions, and not bemisled into complacency.

CWSA’s billing for water suppliedto Government institutions has notbeen honoured for a number of years.CWSA bills the government quarterlyfor this service, at a subsidized rate,and yet these are not paid. Asexplained by the manager of theCWSA, the CWSA is now cashstrapped- a situation which has beenalien to it since the early 90s.

VINLEC has a similararrangement for billing theGovernment. One wonders if its fateis the same.

Unanswered questionsIn a recent article, we had asked

the former Minister of Agriculture toanswer a number of questions. Noanswers have been given, so we areback. The NDP asks of theincompetent Minister the followingimportant questions: What is thereason for the suspension of thelicences held by farmers in 2010 whowere exporting golden apples to theUnited States of America? Was theminister aware of the number ofpersons employed by each licensedfarmer in the venture? Will theminister be willing to tell the nationwhat his assets were upon enteringGovernment in 2001, and what hisassets are in 2012? Will the ministerkindly state if he has legally acquiredlands from the government, and if so,how much he paid for these lands atthe time of acquisition?

The NDP has promised Vincentiansthat we will bring integrity legislationto parliament again as soon as weassume office in the next generalelections. We feel, however, thatvoluntary declarations can be madeby Government Ministers as to theiractions since entering Government,and we begin with the HonorableMontgomery Daniel.

ConclusionIn these hard economic times,

Vincentians have to decide. There must be a better way to

govern a country. More time must bespent in planning developmentstrategies for the advancement of StVincent and the Grenadines.

We, the NDP, promise, that whenwe come to office again, we will notpretend that we are working for you,and give you words and promises, butwill put forward a vision for thecountry’s development and worktowards its achievement.

10. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

ViewsVDark days for SVG Of leadership

and Arnhim Eustace

THERE  IS AN ‘OLE TALK’ making therounds among opposition circles aboutimpending genel elections. Some in theNew Democratic Party (NDP) leadershipeven proclaim with a straight face thatthe opposition is battle ready. Theparty’s column speaks of the partybeing ready to govern again.

No wonder this party cannot win thereal thing when the elections areactually contested. Evidently, Eustaceand company are completelymisreading or are divorced from thehappenings in our country.

Such infantile politicalmiscalculations are informed by thefact that the NDP has not yet recoveredfrom the shell shock following theirdefeat in the 2010 elections. All of theindicators pointed to an NDP victory,but the NDP leadership threw away thelast elections.

Because the party dropped the ballthen, its leader first said thegovernment could not last six months.Then he revised his ‘prediction’ to oneyear. The party could not keep onchanging the date for the fall of theULP government, so the NDP hastaken a new tact. Its leaders now saythat Gonsalves will call a snapelections.

They know not of what they speak.They claim that the economy isdepressingly bad and will get worse.This prediction is true for SVG as it isfor much of the world, including themost developed countries. They claimthat in recent times the governmenthas employed scores of road gangs toclean the gutters and overhangingsalong our roads.

No keen observer can deny this; butthe NDP has made the wrongconnection. The road work has nothingto do with impending elections. Theyhave more to do with creating thepsychological effect of economic activity.Persons making a few dollars from aweek’s work may be in a better positionto buy books and uniforms for theirchildren.

Even more convincing to theopposition of an early elections is thedistribution by the government ofscores of plots of land in the NorthWindward constituency. Why else willgovernment give lands, if not to buyvotes in an elections that is comingsoon? Here’s an alternative view:Lands are being given to the landless,in much the same way as the formerNDP government gave lands to the poorduring its tenure. The ULP, like NDPbefore it, intends to cash in politicallyon these giveaways whenever theelections are called.

But elections will not be called anytime soon. Here’s why? Gonsalves hasnothing to gain and too much to lose bycalling a snap elections. The ULPgovernment is less than two years intoits third term. Gonsalves will have tobe politically suicidal to call electionswhen ULP currently holds a precarious8 to 7 parliamentary majority.

Further, Gonsalves takes fewpolitical chances. His politicalcowardice was on display in 2005 whenhe failed to leave his safe NorthCentral Windward seat to seriouslychallenge and probably beat Eustace,who held a tenuous 48 vote hold on theseat.

Further proof of Gonsalves’ disdainfor and refusal to take political chancesis reflected in the fact that the ULP’ssecond term ran for more than 5 years,even when Gonsalves had a 12 to 3parliamentary majority. If he refrainedfrom calling an early elections lasttime, why would he call one now? Those

in the opposition who think thatelections are on the horizon, areengaging in a childish form of wishfulthinking.

Have they noticed that CamilloGonsalves, the PM’s son and the personhe is intent on succeeding him, stilloccupies SVG’s ambassadorial chair atthe United Nations in New York? Threeyears are a long time in politics and theNDP leaders are itching to walk thecorridors of power again. However,Eustace and company must stopdeluding themselves and partysupporters about early elections.

Vendors bawlin’

The feud between the government,the private sector and local vendors isdeeply troubling. Even after dueconsiderations of the arguments of theprivate sector and tourism officials, it isprofoundly unjust and ‘inciteful’ to askpersons, who attempt to make a livingon sidewalks, to move off the streets ofKingstown because business people ortourists might be offended by theirsometimes unruly trade.

In a country where close to 50percent of the population isunemployed, it is almost insane to sayto people to hell with you and yourfamilies, but you cannot make a livingoutside of my business place.

There is no getting away from thisproblem. As long as the economicdifficulties continue, people will try asbest as they can to make ends meet.

The view that vendors should beremoved from the streets and placed inthe market or other speciallydesignated places is cruel and lackseconomic sense. People made decisionsto go into markets when others wereashamed to vend on street corners.Economic conditions have washed awaythat pride. Scores of persons, includingyoung men and women, stand on theside walk for long hours in an attemptto make an honest living.

Further, markets and otherdesignated areas will only be effective ifthere are magnets to draw large groupsof people to the vendors. If governmentforces vendors off the street, it’s only amatter of time before they return, orfrustration bubbles over intoconfrontation and violence betweenvendors and the police.

It is funny that the very people whowant to chase the vendors into the hillsare the very ones who vocally screamthat Vincentians are lazy and lack anentrepreneurial spirit. Those vendorswho ply their trade every day on thestreets of our nation put a lie to theseelite voices that slander the poor of thisnation.

Some vendors overdo theirenterprise. Some are untidy and intenton taking over the entire sidewalk.Such a selfish takeover must beprevented and even strictly enforced. Acompromise must be found wherevendors, businesses and the public cancoexist in an orderly, organized andtidy fashion. Such a compromise willallow the vendors to continue to make aliving without affecting pedestriantraffic or negatively impacting thebusiness’s reputation or profit.

Send comments, criticisms &

suggestions to wefirst@aol.com

“Without a sense of caring,

there can be no sense of

community.”

- Anthony J. D'Angelo; The

College Blue Book

LAST WEEK’S In Touchintroduced (and in somecases “re-introduced”) readers to thelate outstanding Member of ParliamentLevi “Papa” Latham, and ended byinviting readers to return this week aswe continue to highlight some of theaccomplishments of this outstandingicon from The Valley. Welcome back.

Latham Levi Latham was born inSt. Vincent but spent a significantpart of his life in Aruba. Lathampurchased a bus shortly afterreturning to St. Vincent some time inthe early 1950s. He named the bus“Our Bus”. He entered active politicsin 1953. This happened when Mr.Evans Morgan, the Member ofParliament for Marriaqua (CentralWindward), resigned from the rulingpolitical party at the time - TheEighth Army. Morgan’s resignationushered in a by-election. Latham wonand subsequently served for the“remnant of Morgan’s term”. He thenwon the seat as an independentcandidate the following year. Hejoined the People’s Political Party(PPP) in 1957 and was made aMinister Without Portfolio. Hecontested the elections for the FederalHouse in 1958. Latham subsequentlyleft the PPP and joined forces withthe Labour Party. He remained aMember of Parliament until 1979.

Latham was perceived as beinghonest, hard-working, andcommunity-spirited. He encouragedself-help projects, and advocated thatcommunities could benefit when thepeople partnered with thegovernment. This self-help approachresulted in the construction of theroad network at Mount Pleasant andRichland Park. “Papa” is alsorecognized for encouraging thevillagers to join “the friendly society,”and advocated that “individuals canimprove their places in life if eachperson made a little contribution tothe overall good of each other”. Hisapproach to teamwork and synergywas also demonstrated by his comingtogether with friends AlonzoDreighton, Eardley Browne (MikeBrowne’s father), and Clifford Weekesin seeking to construct a communitycentre in the Mesopotamia Valley. Itis alleged that his vision was to havethe centre selected as a venue wherethe villagers could congregate to viewmovies. Levi Latham’s latter yearswere sad ones. His battle withdiabetes resulted in him losing bothlegs.

Levi Latham’s legacy is one to beemulated. He has taught us that youdo not have to be charismatic or agreat orator to influence lives for thebetter. You do not need a universitydegree or a string of letters behindyour name to lift the fallen. You donot need mastery of the Englishlanguage to show that you care. You

do not have to be a professional tolook into the eyes of the hungry andtired, and assist them, while allowingthem to retain their dignity. LeviLatham knew how to do that, and socan we. We can model and mentorhis community spirit, and join withlike-minded patriotic and caringcitizens to make our nation a betterplace - one community at a time. Wecan accomplish this together and endeach task feeling good about ourselvesand about each other. That spirit ofcaring for others is still within us.That spirit of self-help has not died.That desire to help each other and tohelp ourselves may be latent, but wewill awaken it. We will activate it!We will ignite it throughout St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

We are aware that there are somewho advocate that the Levi Lathamlegacy is dead; that persons are nolonger prepared to engage in the kindof community service that heencouraged. However, sparks of thatkind of spirit still exist throughout St.Vincent and the Grenadines. I haveseen this ignited, for example, whenthe residents of Fancy, north of theDry River, joined forces with theRotary Club of St. Vincent to build adam in the adjoining mountains,install a water filter, layapproximately one mile of galvanizepipes and provide potable water totheir homes. This was less than twodecades ago. The self-help spirit isnot dead. It may be dormant, butwith good leadership and a motivatedpeople, we can create and sustain theself-help momentum.

There is work to be done in somany of the towns and villagesthroughout this blessed land.Unfortunately, there are many whowrongfully assume that it isgovernment’s responsibility toimplement all of these enhancementprojects. That is so wrong. Thegovernment has its role to play inproviding many of these, but we havevoluntary service to render also. Thegovernment and the citizens, workingtogether, can ignite the Levi Lathamspirit in our communities and dowonderful projects in health,education, sports, road repairs, and soon. There are projects in all of ourneighbourhoods that need ourattention. Yes, “our attention”.Guided by the relevant governmentdepartments, and supervised by theirtechnical staff, we can rekindle theLevi Latham spirit as we seek toenhance our communities andpreserve the dignity of a proud peoplewho are prepared to give, even as weget.

Send comments, criticisms &

suggestions to

julesferdinand@gmail.com

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. 11.

ViewsV‘Elections comin’, vendors bawlinThe Levi Latham

Legacy (Part 2)

MANY VINCENTIANS have complained to the Leader ofthe SVG Green Party, Mr Ivan O’Neal, about theextremely high fuel surcharge which is .5871. Forexample, if a customer uses 145 units of electricity, thecustomer will pay $72.50 in charges for actual energyused, and a staggering $85.13 for the fuel surcharge.This shows that the fuel surcharge is ridiculously highand outrageous.

It is time to phase in renewable energy in SVGand do away with the wicked fuel surcharge.

The adoption of technology is needed as a vehicleto provide sustainable development in our blessedcountry. This would be a significantly cheaperoption than having Taiwan and Venezuela in ourcountry. Relying on Taiwan and Venezuela isexpensive and a major obstacle to sustainabledevelopment.

SVG buys oil from Venezuela under the Petro-Caribe agreement. Using modern, Green technology,it would be cheaper for SVG to use renewableenergy and end its dependency on imported oil. Wecould be self-sufficient in our energy needs withinfive to ten years, by using renewable energy.

The SVG economy would be stronger and all

households would have more disposable income withlow-priced electricity. It would be easier for smallbusinesses to start- up and survive, as they wouldhave lower overheads. Many highly paid jobs in therenewable energy sector would be created.

More hydro-energy could be produced from thesame water, by having a number of turbinesrunning in series for each hydro power station.Wind and solar energy will be built into a nationalelectricity grid system.

If SVG had the technological capability, we couldbe using our deep sea fish licence to benefit andenrich our people. Compared to the millions we arelosing, the technology for deep sea fishing isrelatively cheap.

The ULP regime relies upon Taiwan for a fewhandouts from time to time; in exchange Taiwancreams off hundreds of millions of dollars annuallyfrom our deep sea fish licence. SVG would be muchbetter off replacing Taiwan with the cheaptechnology necessary to do deep sea fishing on ourown licence.

This would create many jobs in the deep seafishing industry and hundreds more jobs in SVG in

the factories needed to process and can the fish.Relying upon Taiwan and Venezuela is turning

our country into an empty shell. The table of tradefigures shows the desperate situation with the SVGeconomy and illustrates that money is cascading outof SVG at a phenomenal rate.

SVG urgently needs technological advancementsto achieve sustainable development and createthousands of new jobs for our people. Relying uponTaiwan and Venezuela is moving us backwards andcreating more poverty. One only needs to lookaround the country to see the suffering of ourpeople.

SVG Green Partywww.svggreenparty.org

12. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Opinion VTechnology is cheap – Taiwanand Venezuela are expensive

Year201020112012

Exports26m22m28m

Imports219m222m224

Balance of trade-193m-200m-196m

(Source - SVG Statistical office - Researched by Ivan O’Neal BSc(Hons), MSc. MBA)

by LUZETTE KING

Host of ‘Global Highlights’A most recent and relevant example

is evidenced in a presentation inparliament by political scientist andPrime Minister Dr. The HonourableRalph Gonsalves (De Comrade) onJuly 31, 2012, the subsequentpublication of “The End of Slavery inSaint Vincent and the Grenadines”and the responses.

Undoubtedly, this is ‘De Comrade’s’way of ensuring that he is recorded inHansard (the Official verbatim reportof proceedings of parliament in SVG)as one of a few, if not the onlyVincentian PM to be as sensitive tothe plight of Africans who were tradedby Europeans between 1450 and 1807.Noteworthy is that for 21 years afterthis (1838), the physically andemotionally harsh conditions underwhich the enslaved Africans persisted.With much deference for editorialspace, let us take a brief look at thecomments from at least two of ourblack conscious citizens: Renwick Roseand Clive ‘Bish I’ Bishop.

Informative reading andlamentations

Rose quite appropriately laments, inhis Searchlight column of August7,2012, the lacklustre attitude amongthe descendants of enslaved Africantowards a major event in our history:Emancipation Day. With the samepassion, he commends ‘De Comrade’“for his comprehensive statement tomark the anniversary ofemancipation.” He further emphasizes,“What is even more commendable isthat the statement was tabled inParliament, our highest legislative

body, on the eve of the anniversary.Not many of our prime ministers areof this mold, neither those of today noryesterday. … The Ministry ofEducation now has the duty to ensurethat this document is fully utilized inall educational establishments, andthat it becomes compulsory reading.”That which seemed to have gonewithout mention in De Comrade’sparliamentary statement/publicationis, according to historians AlistairBoddy-Evans of Scotland and Dr.Adrian Fraser of Saint Vincent andthe Grenadines, the trading ofAfricans as a commodity in the Westwas started in the 1450s byPortuguese merchants, in their questfor gold in Africa.

With the same vigor as Rose, ‘BishI’ condemns Africans living in SVG inparticular, as “culturally lazy andspiritually backward.” He goes furtheron Cross Country Radio’s ‘Meet theMedia’ programme on Sunday 19,2012, to denounce as “ill-timed” and“culturally insensitive on both sides ofparliament,” the discussion andpassing of a bill to increase airportdeparture taxes on a day when, 175years ago (July 31, 1838), the foreparents of the majority of our nationwould have been thinking about theirfreedom the next morning. Whoknows whether this presentation on‘The End of Slavery in Saint Vincentand the Grenadines’ could well havebeen designed to sweeten the taste ofthis tax increase which was loweredfrom $20.00 in a previous bill to “only$10.00.”, as described by the PrimeMinister.

‘Bish I’ characterizes this act as“spiritually disturbing”, continuing toexplain that, “The quantum of the

raise is irrelevant … it is the principleinvolved that matters.”

A race war?Consistent with ‘Bish I’s grief over

the insensitivity of a tax increase thatwas preceded by De Comradereminding African people of theirhistory in the same parliamentarysitting, Wilmoth ‘Randy’ Aberdeenmakes the point succinctly in hisSearchlight letter of August 7, ‘ICome From Africa’. He writes: “At atime when the Prime Minister of StVincent and the Grenadines should beengaged in debates on issues ofnational importance - jobs, youthunemployment, the banana industry,health care, the Argyle airport - itwould appear that Dr. Gonsalves isattempting to create a race war inSVG.”

The issues raised by Randy becomeeven more paramount when oneconsiders the disenfranchisement ofmostly African and Carib descendantsthat run contra to a claim that slaveryhas ended in SVG. These include theRastafarians who lost farm lands toforeign investors at Buccament Bay;the record number of banana farmerswho are on the ‘poor relief’ (socialwelfare) list because that industry hascollapsed; small business people(vendors) who are being targeted bythe authorities in an effort to keep thecity of Kingstown clean with littlealternative plan; the destruction ofLeon ‘Bigga Bigs’ Samuel’s sand-minding business at Rabacca; the lossof principal farm land by blackbeneficiaries of the NDPadministration’s Rabacca land reformprogramme and a similar thing atCane Grove. How does one reconcile

this level of economicdisenfranchisement of disadvantagedpeople with the media-grabbingdistribution of a paltry 68 acres of landin the North Windward constituency?

In fact, in a recent Inter-AmericanCommission of Human Rights(IACHR) report (The Situation ofAfricans in the Americas, January2012) and when presented to theCARICOM heads of state meeting onJuly 6, 2012, the point was made thateven in Caribbean countries wherethere is a majority of Africandescendant populations, the problemof race is more complex and moresubtle, and that indirectdiscrimination remains a problem inaddition to strong structuralparadigms that exacerbate inequalitybetween races.

It follows that Rose’s call to makeavailable, in our educationinstitutions,’De Comrade’s’ publication“The End of Slavery in Saint Vincentand the Grenadines” is a commendableone. This is particularly so since it isrecorded in Hansard. One would hopethat these students, particularly thoseof African descent, would seize theopportunity to go beyond thispamphlet to research and read forTHEMSELVES the history of theenslavement of their fore-parents, andreach their own conclusions.Hopefully, too, they would glean fromtheir studies the significance of August1 and the persistent economicmarginalization of Africandescendants, even when in themajority, by those who claim to bepolitically and culturally sensitive totheir plight.

August 1st, has it lost its significance?

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. 13.

DiasporaV

by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.netUS CORRESPONDENT

ONE OF ST. VINCENT AND THEGRENADINES’ leading cultural andeducational groups in the United Stateswill this Saturday, August 25, stage amassive cultural exposition in Brooklyn,New York.

The Brooklyn-based Club St.Vincent, Inc. will host the 9thbiannual event at Mahalia JacksonHigh School, 790 East New York Ave.,from 12:00 noon — 9:00 p.m.

According the Verna Arthur,chairperson of the Cultural ExpositionCommittee and public relations officerof Club St. Vincent, Inc., there are two

components to theexposition — the exhibitand live entertainment.

Exposition

She said the expositionwill be held under thetheme, ‘Harambe’ (‘Let’sAll Pull Together’).

Arthur, one of the group’sformer presidents, who isconsidered a Vincentiancultural icon in the United Statesand hails from Paul’s Avenue,Kingstown, told THE VINCENTIANthat the exposition highlights the“available products, resources andservices the community has to offer,

while providingmarketing andnetworkingopportunities for ourvendors.”

She said theexposition featuresareas of arts and craft;agro products; andcultural performancesby professional and up-coming artists,“spanning from theDiaspora to the shoresof the Caribbean.”

“Artists, whose onlymeans of livelihood istheir art, always lookforward to this event,”Arthur said.

With greateremphasis this year onagro products, Arthursaid vendors fromhome, as well as somefrom the Diaspora, willparticipate in themassive showcase.

These include: AlitaGarraway (greenseasoning, seasoningfor pork, seasoning forcurry foods, peppersauce with lime juice,ginger and mint); PeterProvidence and DinksJohnson (paintings);Island Wear (banglesand earrings); ErmineWilliams (clothing,table cloths, coasters,etc., made fromcrochet); Erica CountryStyle (pepper sauce and

pepper and passion

jelly, etc);Rowland ‘Scrapie’Dopwell (craft);

and Vida Bulze(straw purses and

fans). “We are appealing

to patrons to showappreciation to our

vendors by purchasing theirproducts,” Arthur said.

Entertainment

The entertainment segment, whichstarts at 6:00 p.m., will feature: theincomparable musical arrangerextraordinaire Frankie McIntosh andhis uncle, Harold McIntosh; Becket;Scorcher; the revived band, Clymax(back just for the exposition); andWinston Soso and Cauldric Forbesteaming up (expected to bring muchnostalgia).

Other performers include: theUnited Vincie Cultural Group ofBrooklyn; Abena Amory (daughter ofErlene Williams-King and VanceAmory, former premier of Nevis);Chico Ellis and Omari Neverson(tribute in poems to the late ShakeKeane); Red Tiger Jiu Jitsu Academy;Organization of Eastern CaribbeanStates (OECS) national dress and slidepresentations (national dress worn bynationals of their respective countries);Fayola; and flag ceremony.

The sound system is furnished bycalypsonian Vincent ‘Groovy D’Kennedy, ‘Dread Condition’, who hailsfrom Rose Place, Kingstown.

Arthur said the performance ofperennial panorama champions,Starlift Steel Orchestra, will be thehighpoint of the evening.

“We have raised the bar a littlehigher,” she said. “This is an historicmoment for Starlift — the first timeever to perform in the United States.They promised to make us proud.”

Labor Day – More Starlift

In addition to the culturalexposition, Arthur said Sea OperationsStarlift will be on the road forJ’Ouvert during the annual WestIndian American Carnival in Brooklynon Labor Day, Sept. 3.

“We will be jumping to 100 percentVincy music,” she said, calling allVincy masqueraders to support theonly Vincy J’Ouvert band in NewYork.

“Come purchase yo costume and fullup de band,” she added in local lingo.“For those who will be playing mas onthe parkway (Eastern Parkway) laterthat morning, no sweat! You will makethe Parkway on time.”

Arthur said among several otherperformances for Sea OperationsStarlift, while in America, are aconcert, dubbed ‘Starlift in Concert’,and an evening of entertainment atVeeJays restaurant on Avenue I inBrooklyn.

“Starlift’s visit was long overdue,”she said, disclosing that, many yearsago, she had shared her excitementwith former Minister of Culture, ReneBaptiste, about having a Vincentiansteel orchestra perform in the UnitedStates.

“It did not materialize then, butnow we can safely say it’s coming tofruition,” Arthur said. “I am sure the(former) minister would be pleased.”

Club St. Vincent’s culturalexposition began in Brooklyn in 1983,and the bi-annual event started threeyears later.

Club St. Vincent, Inc. itself wasfounded in 1979 by a group of patrioticnationals, who had gatheredtogether once per week to socialize.

Arthur said the idea for theexposition was “based on a need forartisans in our community to have anoutlet to showcase their talent andmarket their products.”

In 1995, Arthur said the groupconducted a “very successful” three-day exposition in St. Vincent and theGrenadines. Proceeds went to the SVGSociety for the Blind.

Arthur said the overall goal of theexposition is to “develop a deeperappreciation, respect andunderstanding for our culture, artistsand their work through exposure andmarketing of their skills and products;and for artists to foster ties within theCaribbean community.”

“I thoroughly enjoy theopportunity afforded me to promoteour Vincy culture in New York,” shesaid.

Vincyculturalexpositionto rockBrooklyn Sea Operations Starlift is expected to add a real Vincy

flavor to the Exposition and other activities in whichthey will be involved.

Left: Verna Arthur, chairperson of the CulturalExposition Committee, says the aim of the Expositionis to develop a deeper appreciation, respect andunderstanding for our culture.

Works like this piece by Rowland ‘Scrapie’ Dopwellwill comprise the items on display at the Exposition.

14. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

NewsV

by KENVILLE HORNE

THE GOVERNMENT OFST.VINCENT and theGrenadines is thebeneficiary of twointerceptor vessels,one pickup truck, twotrailers and spares,from the United Statesgovernment.

The assistancewas made under the‘Secure Seas’initiative, part of thebroader CaribbeanBasin Security

Initiative (CBSI), aregional securitypartnershipinitiative, firstannounced byPresident Obamaduring the FifthSummit of theAmericas in 2009.

‘Secure Sea’sprovides nineEasternCaribbeancountries withinterceptor boatsand associatedequipment, state-of-the-artcommand andcontrolcommunicationssystems andtraining andtechnical support.On Monday

20th, the SVG CoastGuard accepted theequipment, during anofficial handing overceremony at the CoastGuard Base at Calliaqua.

In an interview withTHE VINCENTIAN,Coast Guard LieutenantDeon Henry said that the33- foot defender classinterceptor vessels, wereeach equipped with three300HP engines, and willenhance their effort atsea, in terms of maritimelaw enforcement andsearch and rescueexercises.

He noted that the newinterceptor vessels had alonger endurance, andcan therefore reachfurther out at sea, “andyou can stay longer atsea.”

The Lieutenantconfessed that the CoastGuard had never beforehad boats driven bythree 300HP engines; theolder fleet carried 200and 250HP engines.

The pickup truck, hestated, would assist withthe launching andrecovery of the vessels.

Lieutenant Henryassured that there werecompetent and qualifiedpersons to captain andman the vessels, and

described the moodamong his fellow officersas one of “excitement,”with everybody wantingto go out there and dowork with the assets.”

He thanked theUnited States of Americafor its assistance, andpledged to take care ofthe equipment.

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH ANTHONY

“IF YOUR BUSINESS is drug trafficking or anyother form of activities that threaten thishemisphere, you had better be warned. The St.Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard is betterequipped to deal with you.”

So said US Ambassador to the Organisation ofEastern Caribbean States (OECS), Larry Palmer,during a ceremony in which he handed over two 33-foot Defender Class safer interceptor vessels, lastMonday.

Palmer highlighted the partnership between theUnited States military and law enforcementagencies, and the local constabulary, especially theCoast Guard.

Palmer pointed out that the “interceptor boatsand the installed communications systems willprovide St. Vincent and the Grenadines with adistinct edge in detecting, tracking and pursuingsuspects, and will facilitate operational efficiencybetween nations.”

Palmer, sporting a high crop of white hair,carried the outlook of a late sixties early seventieshairstyle which was characterised by those with anAfro-centric consciousness,

pledged hiscountry’s long-termcommitment to“support yourongoingcapacitybuilding effortsto increase thecountry’snationalsecurity.”

And inreference to thenew CoastGuard base onthe island ofCanouan, in theSouthernGrenadines, theUS Ambassadorsaid that thenew structure“will strengthenyour maritimelawenforcementand search andrescuecapabilities inthis remotearea.”

Coast Guardbetter equipped

US Ambassadorissued warning

H.E. Ambassador Larry Palmer(foreground), US Ambassador toBarbados and the OECS,officially handed over thevessels and related equipment.

The truck, part of the assistance package,that will beused to haul the vessels.

One of the interceptor vessels with its three 300HPengines.

Lieutenant Deon Henryassured that there aretrained persons to manthe new vessels.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. 15.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. 17.16. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

18. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

NewsVby KENVILLE HORNE

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURESaboto Caesar, on Tuesday21st August, led a team oftechnical officials and otherstakeholders in theagricultural sector, on afield visit to a number offarms and InvestmentProjects on the Windwardside of the Island.

The visit was intendedto afford the officials anopportunity to make arapid assessment ofprogrammes and projectslaunched this year, torehabilitate the bananaindustry and advance theproduction of cocoa.

Earlier this year, in aneffort to eradicate theBlack Sigatoka diseasethat had devastatedbanana cultivation here, anationwide operation,dubbed ‘OperationCutback’, was initiated toclear all fields.

The spraying of fieldswas also carried out andfarmers were assisted,including being providedwith new plants, toreplant the fields, in aphase referred to as‘Operation Plant Back’..

A visit to Mr.Christopher Gunn’s farmin Mt. Grennan revealedfields of healthy plants,

and Mr. Gunn admittedthat he was “feeling a bitmore confident about therevival of the bananaindustry.”

Chief AgriculturalOfficer Reuben Robertsonwas encouraged by whathe saw at Mt. Grennan,and appealed to farmers tocontinue in this vein, sothat banana productioncould return to

commercial levels andbenefits derived.

Minister Caesar wasalso encouraged by whathe observed on the visits,and was moved to declarethat the Black Sigatokadisease “is now undercontrol.”

He admitted that aerialspraying had been broughtto what is a temporaryhalt, and assured that

spraying will resume assoon as the aircraft wasrepaired.

The visit culminated atthe Orange Hill Farm,where the tissue culturelaboratory is located andthe propagation of bananaseedlings continuesunabated.

More plants areexpected to be madeavailable within two

weeks.Since the beginning of

‘Operation Plant Back’,there have been requestsfor over 265,000 bananaplants. The aim of theprogramme is to have 500acres of banana replantedthis year, with theMinistry of Agricultureproviding technical andmanagement supportservices.

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

PRIME MINISTER Dr. RalphGonsalves is accusing somepersons of not looking at thebigger picture with respect torecruitment into the SVG RoyalPolice Force.

He chose the occasion of thehanding over of two Interceptorvessels to the Coast Guard lastMonday to raise an issue whichhas caused ripples in theconstabulary.

The Prime Minister wasresponding to mutterings over thepolicy whereby persons withuniversity degrees have beenentering the Police at the upperend. At least three graduateshave taken advantage of the newapproach. But the most recentappointment has caused fissureswithin the ranks of the securityforces.

That has to do with theappointment of Inspector

Hawkins Nanton, a formeremployee of the Searchlightnewspaper.

Dr. Gonsalves describedNanton as an “experiencedjournalist.” He wondered if threepersons of a complement of 800were sufficient to subvert theorder of the Police.

Dr. Gonsalvesurged listeners “touse a sense ofbalancedperspective,” anddeclared, “This isnot an issue forwar@.

The Vincentianleaderchided thosewho expressedreservations aboutthe appointmentsas without “grace”and“understanding,”querying, “Are weso lacking in

foresight?” The Prime Minister ventured

that the number of officers joiningthe ranks of the security forceswill be limited, but he questionedthe argument that the measurehad the capacity of blockinglegitimate members from beingpromoted.

Banana cultivation looking up, say officials

Officials here are confident that bananacultivation is over the worst (pictured at left) andheading for disease-free cultivation.

The gathering at the handing over of theinceptor vessesl and other equipment attracteda number of Commissioned officers of thePolice Force and civil servants.

Gonsalves slams objections to recruitment policy

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. 19.

OpinionV 20. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

AS A CITIZEN OF SVG, it’smy right to express theway I feel about what ishappening in my country.Towards this end, I want tostate my disgust with thebehaviour of ourparliamentarians, asdemonstrated inparliament a few weeksago.

On the 23rd July, Ilistened to the oppositionleader getting all excitedin announcing to thepublic that there wouldbe parliament on thefollowing Tuesday; heseemed like a man thatwas going on a joyousadventure.

He never gave theimpression thatparliament has for yearsbeen monotonous anduseless to the people, andhas become a sacrificialaltar of democracy atwhich once humble menhave been transformedinto ‘politicalwarmongers’, and wherethe ruling regime haspurposefully found aformula to bully andentrap the OppositionMPs and humiliate themasses.

What I heard inparliament was shamefuland contemptuous of thelistening public, and Iblame all thestakeholders. Whattranspired reflected, inparticular, on theopposition. The rulingregime has built areputation for beingtyrant, and theopposition should have,by now, been in a betterposition to respond to theanticipated tactics oftheir opponents.Instead, they havecapitulated.

The opposition hasbeen systematically set-up and outmaneuveredby the ruling regime intomaking them lose theirdecorum and credibility.

The truth is that theopposition has neversettled, and theycontinue to make manyprocedural blunders, e.g.in the way they ask theirquestions and to whom

the questions aredirected. As a result,they have lost focus, i.e.REPRESENTING THEPEOPLE! They have alsolost their composure, andit’s now arrogance versusarrogance, and coupledwith the incompetence ofthe Speaker, the rulingregime always gets theirway.

Do any of ourpoliticians, either fromthe ruling regime oropposition side, take thetime out to sincerelyconsult with the peopleto gather their views andfeelings on thehappenings in ourparliament? Should thesolution to this tyrannyon the people by theregime, and the wayforward be left up toopposition executivesalone? I say NO, becausethey (the opposition)have failed, and lackideas and strategies todeal with the problems.They have become verymuch a part of themadness in our (oncehonorable) House, andtherefore, have betrayedthe people.

Just recently, we sawthe replacement of anopposition senator by a“cook-up” oppositionprohibition, and this hashelped to set up anenvironment for morechaos and personalshowboating, to add tothe already existing stateof confusion in the house.

I am ashamed of all ofthem, and I am callingon all the bullies,cowards and oppositionHollywood actors, to dothe honorable thing andset the people of SVGfree from thisworthlessness in our(once honorable) House,before it’s too late.

I consider these fiascosin parliament a waste ofour tax payer’s money; Idon’t think any of themshould be paid for theirmediocrity.

The people of SVG aresuffering and expectbetter representation;but what goes on in

parliament does not, inany way, benefit thepeople. The rulingregime has lost theirway, and the oppositionis a nuisance. It is clearthat the majority of thebills passed in the houseare just pushed on thepeople, without properpeople’s consultation.

I want thesepoliticians to understandthat they are no big boys

for us; they are supposedto consult with thepeople, as they are ourservants and paid by ourhard earned tax dollars.They must never forgetthat one day soon, thepeople will make thempay, and they will beheld to account with thehelp of the Almighty.

It’s a shame that theopposition is notlistening to the voice of

the people. Not too longago, and just recently,three past speakersliterally begged them notto go back in the Housewith such a speaker. Iguess the oppositionleader loves thehumiliation; I guessthat’s a part of beingkind and gentle.

In closing, I want tourge the citizens of St.Vincent that the time

has come for us all tohold our servants toaccount; the madnessmust stop; the speakermust step aside; theopposition must bepurged of theleaders/leader. Theregime must be forced toset our people free byseeking a new mandatenow.

Concerned Citizen

Where goeth the Opposition in Parliament?

A DANGEROUS ANDALARMING increase of violenceagainst women, child abuse,teenage pregnancy, incest,political intimidation by seniormembers of the Royal St Vincentand the Grenadines Police Force,discrimination based on politicalaffiliation, and the highunemployment rate, are some ofthe social and institutionalproblems that are currentlyraging like wild fire throughout StVincent and the Grenadines. Toall of this, the NDP have failed tomount a sustained and committedoffensive. In fact, their SILENCEon these subjects is deafening!

Instead of leading the fightagainst these social problems andtaking our government to task,the NDP are preoccupied withtrivial matters. They are stillfocused on the career demise ofthe three teachers who entered in,and lost, the election race. Whileone can commiserate with theteachers’ situation, their issue isone that has a narrow nationaleffect.

They have recently added totheir arsenal of concerns, apressing need to diagnose the“mysterious illnesses” of thePrime Minister. In the meantime,the nation’s health is adverselyaffected by the social ills createdthrough legislative and judicialneglect, and the abuse of power bythose in authority. In addition,the inner circle of the Party ismore concerned with their ownself-interest, jockeying for statusin the Party, or a position inParliament. This preoccupationprevents them from formulating acohesive and viable strategy thatwould effectively oppose theincumbent Government, looseningits stranglehold on the nation.

There are many Vincentians

who cannot afford to properly feedtheir families; but on this subject,the NDP is SILENT! Instead ofbeing focused on the sufferingmajority, and ways to give themhope of a brighter future, they areconstantly pointing the finger ofblame at the government. Theyprefer to focus on the plight ofsome defrauded investors in theinternational ponzi schemedebacle involving William Wise,the executive chief of MillenniumBank, and draw parallels with theHarlequin Buccament Bay ResortProject. Although there may bequestions surrounding the latter,it holds little importance to thedaily acute problems that areplaguing the majority ofVincentians.

One would expect that theLeader of the Opposition, whodescribes himself as someoneversed in development initiatives,could have been able to assist inthe start up of even a few SMALLprojects, which when takentogether would have a rippleeffect in the country. Instead ofconstructing and implementing aplan to resuscitate the economy,which will create jobs for manyVincentians, Mr. Eustace and histeam are eternally focused onsmall issues, or issues that affectthe upper echelons of society, suchas, the British American/CLICOaffair. But while they may focuson that issue, they cannot tellthose affected what they shoulddo about their situation. At thesame time, many Vincentians arenot able to rebuild or repair theirhomes after the devastation ofhurricane Tomas; yet they babbleon, exploiting the situationsurrounding ONE homeless man,Mr. Elvis Browne, using him forpolitical profit.

The banana farmers in SVG

were devastated by the loss oftheir crop and the demise of theindustry; but on this subject, youcould cut the NDP’s SILENCEwith a knife!

They have no counter-plan forthe banana farmers whoseindustry began its decline underthe previous administration. Itwas only in response to the publicembarrassment they suffered atthe hands of the Thusians, whopointed out their lazy anduncaring attitude for this segmentof the society, that the NDP wereseen with the farmers. They havenow turned their attention to thecontract, dealing with the cocoaindustry, between Amajaro andthe government. Theyincoherently oppose it, failing toprovide an alternative that thepeople could rally around. They donot seem to realize that they arethe Opposition, and should bedoing the work of the Opposition -NOT the government. So now, ourfarmers — the backbone of oureconomy - are left to exist in asocio-economic vacuum.

The Leader of the Oppositionspeaks of the FEAR FACTOR,occasioned by partisan politics;but this is as far as he goes. Hehas no plan, no words ofencouragement, no rallying cry to“FEAR NOT”, the NDP is in thewings! Nothing but a deafeningSilence!!!

Mr. Eustace, in failing to takeadvantage of the issues raised bythe general public, demonstrateshis lack of leadership qualities.The Honorable Arnhim Eustaceneeds to step down as leader ofthe New Democratic Party! Weneed real and substantial change!

Helen Alexander

The NDP is silent

LeisureV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. 21.

Morning

6:00 CNN News9:00 Shepherd’s Chapel10:00 Caribbean

Newsline10:30 Scooby Doo

11:30 We cooking

Afternoon

12:00 Headline News1:00 10 Dollar Meals1:30 3D2:00 Burn Notice3:00 Good Luck Charlie4:00 Jessie5:00 Victorious

Evening

6:00 New Life Baptist

Church

7:00 SVG TV news

7:55 A.P.I Presents

8:55 3D

9:00 Tele- Classifieds

9:10 SVGTV Obituaries

9:15 Bold and Beautiful

9:25 Caribbean

Newsline

10:00 Comedy ‘PG 13

“Just Go With It”

12:00 Boss

1:00 Drama ‘R’

“The Divide”

2:50 Drama ‘PG 13’

“Straw Dogs”

5:30 CNN News

FRIDAY SUNDAY TUESDAY

THURSDAY

SATURDAY WEDNESDAYMONDAY

THIS WEEK ON

Morning

6:00 CNN9:00 Shepherd’s

Chapel10:00 Caribbean

Newsline10:30 Every body

Hates Chris11:30 My Wife and

Kids

Afternoon

12:00 Headline News1:00 8 Simple Rules1:30 3D2:00 The Closer3:00 The Mentalist4:00 Good LuckCharlie5:30 Kickin It

Evening

6:30 Yes There is Hope

7:00 SVGTV News7:50 Caribbean

Passport 8:25 Vibes

Caribbean8:50 3D/Lotto Draws9:00 Tele-Classifieds9:10 SVGTV

Obituaries9:15 Bold & Beautiful9:55 Super 6 Draw10:00 Western ‘R’

“Outlaw Country“

12:00 Drama ‘R’“The Departed”

3:00 Anarchy4:30 Arch5:00 CNN News

Morning

6:00 CNN7:00 Your Destiny 8:00 Trinity in Touch8:30 V2V Church9:00 Bible Speaks9:30 Faith & Truth10:00 Tehillah

Ministries10:30 T.B.A.

Afternoon

12:00 Paula12:30 Turning Point 1:00 Direction2:00 T.B.A4:00 T.B.A.

Evening

6:00 Health Talk 6:30 Flashback7:00 Adventure ‘PG’

“Puss in Boots”

8:30 Drama ‘PG’“The Prince of Egypt”

10:15 Action ‘‘PG 13’“X2: X-Men United”

12:10 Adventure ‘PG’“Legend of the Guardians”

2:10 Comedy ‘PG 13’“Gulliver's Travels”

3:35 Comedy ‘PG’“Flubber”

5:00 CNN News

Morning

6:00 CNN News9:00 Shepherd’s

Chapel10:00 Meet the

Browns11:00 House of

Payne11:30 Jake and the

Neverland

Afternoon

12:00 Headline News1:00 Looney Tunes1:30 3D2:00 The Doctors3:00 I Carly4:00 Good Luck

Charlie4:30 Austin & Ally5:00 Caribbean

Power Outreach

5:30 The Parkers

Evening

6:00 Diners6:30 In Touch 7:00 SVGTV News7:55 Encounter8:25 The Law & You 8:55 3D8:57 Tele –

Classifieds8:58 SVGTV

Obituaries 9:00 WWE Monday

Night Raw 11:05 Com ‘PG 13’

“Couples Retreat”

1:30 Comedy ‘PG 13’“Couples Retreat”

4:00 Law & Order CI5:00 CNN News

Morning

6:00 CNN News9:00 Shepherd’s

Chapel10:00 Caribbean

Newsline10:30 The

Backyardigans11:30 Franklyn

Afternoon

12:00 Headline News1:00 Looney Tunes

1:30 3D2:00 Fairly Odd 3:00 Deck 4:00 My Wife and

Kids4:30 My Wife and

Kids5:00 Kicking It

Evening

6:00 Victorious6:30 We Cooking 7:00 SVGTV news 7:55 A.P.I Presents 8:55 3D/Lotto draws9:00 Tele-Classified9:10 SVGTV

Obituaries 9:15 Bold & Beautiful 9:35 Caribbean

Newsline 10:00 Drama ‘PG 13’

“Twilight”11:45 Drama ‘R’

“Layover”1:25 Action ‘R’

“Triplecross”3:00 Drama ‘R’

“Farewell myconcubine”

5:30 CNN News

Morning

6:00 CNN News9:00 Shepherd’s

Chapel10:00 Caribbean

Newsline10:30 Crash Box11:30 Crash Box

Afternoon

12:00 Headline News

1:00 Looney Tunes1:30 3D2:00 Good luck

Charlie3:00 Deck4:00 My Wife and

Kids4:30 My Wife and

Kids5:00 On Stag

Evening

6:00 Agri-Business now

6:30 Serving the People

7:00 SVGTV news8:00 T.B.A.8:55 3D9:00 Tele-Classifieds9:05 SVGTV

Obituaries9:15 Bold and

Beautiful9:30 Caribbean

Newsline10:00 Drama ‘PG 13’

Les Miserables”

12:15 Drama ‘PG 13’“Scrooged”

2:00 Drama ‘PG 13“Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit”

3:30 Kids5:00 CNN News

August 24th, 2012 August 26th, 2012 August 27th, 2012 August 28th, 2012 August 29th, 2012

August 30th, 2012

Morning

6:00 CNN7:30 Cubix8:00 Sonic X9:00 Yu-gi-oh10:00 Dragon Ball z11:00 Tai-Chi:

Chasers11:30 Yu-gi-oh

Afternoon

12:00 The Young Icons

12:30 On the Spot1:00 Pokemon1:30 3D1:35 Pokemon2:00 On Stage3:00 The Game4:00 Video Train5:00 Inside Story

Evening

6:00 Kick6:30 Living Water

Ministries7:00 SVGTV news7:25 Sportweek7:55 Voice of

Freedom8:25 FH Videos8:55 3D9:00 Guinness Rush

Hour10:00 Action ‘R’

“Confessions of a Dangerous mind”

12:00 Drama ‘PG 13’“Straw Dogs”

2:00 Thriller ‘R’“And soon the darkness”

3:40 Drama PG 13“Barney's Version”

5:30 CNN

August 25th, 2012

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20)You may need to make a fewalterations to your livingarrangements. You can't live yourlife for others. Patience will be ofutmost importance. Be sure not toreveal private information to thewrong individuals.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21)Don't take your frustrations out onthe ones you love. Avoid lettingfamily get involved in yourpersonal life. Friends may notunderstand your situation.Opportunities to get ahead areevident.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21)Don't let criticism upset you.Hassles will delay your plans.Expand your knowledge and signup for courses and seminars.Stand up and propose your ideas,and you'll be surprised how manypeople will follow you. For now justdo the best you can.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)You'll be surprised how much youcan accomplish. Don't revealanything about your personal lifethat could be used adversely. Becareful not to exaggerate wheninteracting with your lover. You canmake amends by taking themsomewhere special.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22)Stay mellow. Your tendency tooverreact could get you intotrouble. Try a barbecue or a day atthe beach. You can meet new andexciting lovers through workrelated projects.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)You could have a tendency tospend too much on your home orentertainment. Travel will promotenew romantic en counters. Goover their important documentsand take the time to suggestalternatives. Disharmony will resultin a lowered vitality. Stress mayresult in minor illness.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)You may have the opportunity toget involved in some interestingconversations. Don't believeeverything you hear. Take a closelook at any contracts you'vesigned in order to be sure exactlywhere you stand. Try not to upsetothers with your plans.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)Although up setting, changes inyour domestic situation will befavorable. You need to reevaluateyour situation. Sit tight. Thingsaren't as bad as they appear. Goafter your goals and don't be afraidto ask for assistance.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)Don't believe everything you hear.You should be on the road. Youmay want to sign up for coursesthat will encourage you to havemore confidence in yourself. Thisis a wonderful day to look intocourses or hobbies that interestyou.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)Your ideas are good and careermoves can be realized. Try tokeep an open mind. You can pickup information that will give you anedge. Expand your knowledge andsign up for courses and seminars.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19)Don't be too pushy or demanding,or you may find yourself all alone.Try to be understanding. Do notpush your opinions or try to reformyour emotional partner this week.You need an energetic outlet thatwill help you dissipate youranxiety.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)Your ideas may be a little ahead oftheir time; don't push them,instead just continue working ondevelopment. You have to feel freeto come and go as you please toachieve happiness. Travel willstimulate your need to experienceexciting new things. You cansolidify your relationship if youplan a special evening with yourmate.

ACROSS

1. Sis’scounterpart

4. EntertainerShore

9. Valise12. Promissory

note13. Dote on14. Gardner of

films15. Obtain16. Screwdriver

ingredient17. 54, in

Romannumerals

18. Catches sight of

20. Reach adestination

22. Causticliquids

24. Biblicalpreposition

25. Professors,e.g. (abbr.)

26. Bugs29. Make a

bow30. From China31. Aussie

marsupial33. Neckties35. Boat blades36. Haunted

housedanglers

37. Makes a stab at

38. Placid41. Boston __42. Ace43. Strong light45. Recede48. Focus49. Barkin of

“The Big easy”

50. Batter’s stat51. TX to NY

dir.52. Log floats53. Social

Security no.

DOWN

1. __ top2. Fish eggs3. Alien4. Letterman

and Barry5. Altar vows (2

wds.)6. Silent

consent7. Clinton’s

birthplace8. Cheer up9. “ __ Ha’i”

10. Tel __11. Bestowed19. McMahon

and Begley,Jr.

21. Eden __22. Fitting23. Smartly

dressed24. Army

subdivisions26. Ferdinand’s

queen27. Racetrack

VIPs28. Grouchy30. One who

retaliates32. It preceded

the CIA34. Gasp

cause35. Bobby of

hockey37. Years of

LA

ST

WE

EK

’sS

OL

UT

ION

* Programme guide subjectto change.

adolescence38. Wingspread39. “__ go

bragh!”40. Caesar’s city41. Guitar divider44. Candidate

Landon46. Air-rifle

ammo47. Storage

container

Dear George,

I HAVE BEEN writing tothis female who lives inBarbados. We becamefriends via the internetand have been e-mailingeach other to the pointthat our conversationsbecame very intimate.  Ithas been 8 months sincewe met, and during thattime I have only seen afew photos of her and theywere photos that showedonly her face, from hershoulders up. 

She finally came to St.Vincent a few weeks ago,and boy was I in for ashocker! When I met herat the airport, it was asif I was meeting a totalstranger! She wasnothing like the girl inthe photograph, and Iknow now why she nevershowed me the rest ofher body.

She walked with alimp and her left footwas twisted somewhat.Her weight was far abovethat which she led me tobelieve. From the looks

of her, she could not beweighing less than 2-300lbs.

There is no way Icould settle withsomeone like that. I amnot discriminatingagainst her because ofher weight, but it wasnever my intention todate someone of that sizeand physical limitations.She never leveled withme. In fact, she misledme.

I told her we can onlybe regular friends andwhere I stood on certainthings relative to thekind of partner I’minterested in, etc. Sinceher return to Barbados, Ihave not heard from her.I need to know if I wentabout this in a fair wayto her.

Plain T

Dear Plain T,

No need to feel guiltyabout this situation atall. Your friend kept youin the dark in more ways

than one, and she nevergave you the opportunityto accept her AS IS fromthe beginning.

Showing up like thatwith her bag full ofsurprises only pushedyou to be brutally honestwith her, and that is

quite understandable. It would be useful for

you, in the future, to finda way to do a fullresearch before fullycommitting your heartand intentions.

George

Dear George,

I HAVE BEEN working at this place for 2 yearsnow. My boss was very kind to me two years agowhen he hired me, and gave me a chance to reachmy fullest potential in his company. I am at theplace now where I want to move on to greaterthings.

I recently received a job offer I find very difficultto refuse, and I discussed it with my boss, onlybecause I want to be civil and upfront. He told me Iwas ungrateful to want to move away from hiscompany, and tried to put me on a guilt trip bysaying that it was he who gave me a job when Icould not find work two years ago, and now that Iam in a better position, I want to “ throw water” onhim.

I tried to explain to him that I am young andneed to capitalize on every opportunity to attain

greater heights. I am 24years old. Is he correctin saying I amungrateful, and should Iturn this offer down outof loyalty to him?

CrossRoad

Dear CrossRoad,

No one should bestanding in the way ofyour progress. If yourboss is guilty of that,thank him for giving youan employmentopportunity 2 years ago,but firmly and calmlyarticulate to him thatyou need to move on.

You do not need hispermission to do so, butthere is a right way anda wrong way, and theright way in this case isto give him ample noticeof your intention to moveon.

You owe him nothingmore than the requirednotice time line, inkeeping with companypolicies. Good luck toyou!

George

AdviceV 22. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Kept in the dark

Thank himand move on

Dear George,

SOMETIMES it is good not to tell your spouseeverything. I decided to tell my wife about adream that I had the night involving her bestfriend. I told her that I found myself making loveto her friend, and I was surprised to find her verygood in bed. I told her that I always looked at heras a boring person, but was shocked with the wayshe was transformed in my dream.

My wife responded by telling me that she feelsthat I have interest in her friend, and judging fromthe way I talked about my dream, I was lookingforward to being with her friend. She became evenmore angry with me when I insisted on telling herfriend about my dream.

I am asking myself why she is so paranoidabout a simple dream. It is not like I am going togo out and try to make that my dream a reality.

Regret

Dear Regret,

While it is a good thing to be honest and openwith your spouse, it does not mean you should bedoing your best to commit marital suicide.

It beats me as to why you would insist onsharing your dream with your wife’s friend,especially after noticing how telling your wifeabout it disturbed her.

Of course, dreaming about someone does notmean that you have interest in them, but beingmelodramatic about it, as you relate it to yourwife, does not help your case at all.

George

Trouble over a dream

SHAMONACHARLES, averyreserved,sixteen-year-old student,is theBishop’sCollegeKingstown’s(BCK), topperformer atthe 2012CSECExamination.She gainedpasses ateightsubjects.

The younglady told THE VINCENTIANthat she was not surprised atall by her performance, asshe always did well in schooland started to study longbefore the exam.

She achieved Grade IIpasses in English A, Humanand Social Biology, SocialStudies, Food and Nutrition,and Home Management. Shealso received Grade IIIpasses in ElectronicDocument PreparationManagement, Economics, andGeography. All this, shesaid, was achieved without

extra classes at schoolor from privatetutoring.

Shamonabelieves thathard workbringssuccess. Sheadvisesstudentswanting toexcel, tostudy hard.“Just go inyour booksevery day,”she said withconviction.“Go toteachers for

advice and ask themquestions!”

Her next movewill be to the St.Vincent and theGrenadinesCommunity CollegeDivision of Technicaland VocationalEducation, whereshe will studyBusiness orInformationTechnology. Sheaspires to a career inthe field of business,but at this point is

still not quite sure on aspecific area.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. 23.

EducationV

Stories by GLORIAH…

RYAN JOHN gave astellar academicperformance at the2012 sitting of theregional CSECExamination. Astudent of the St.Vincent GrammarSchool (SVGS), hegained ten passes:Grade One withDistinctions forPrinciples of Accounts,Principles of Business,Mathematics, andIntegrated Science;Grade One passes forInformationTechnology, Geographyand French; and GradeTwo passes in EnglishA, English B, andFrench.

Ryan was amember of a studygroup with two otherFifth Form boys,Utamu Rose andDimitri Kennedy,from his formerschool.

In an interviewwith THEVINCENTIAN, he

described somethingof the dynamics thatcharacterized thegroup. “For mepersonally, I neverdid well in English B,but it was throughthe other guys that Igot to understand itbetter. They taughtme the poems andother stuff. I helpedwith the POB, thenwe all came togetherand helped each otherwith everything else,”he reflected calmly.

Ryan continued:“Our group was veryinteresting. Wehelped each otherout. We balancedschool work with fun.If one person misseda class, we cametogether and wentover the work withhim. We sharednotes andeverything.”

With a sound grin,Ryan gave his opinionon what he taughtwas the result of allthe work which heand his group put in:

“I expected that all ofus in our group wouldbeat the top boy atgraduation. Weshowed that it doesnot matter, whetheryou are a Science or aBusiness student.You could still excel!”

He has nowformulated a recipefor working in groupswhich he would likeother students tofollow: “Try to formgroups with personswho are not a badinfluence and whocan motivate you.Keep your groupssmall, to allow forgood communicationand proper attentionto each person.Learn from everyonein the group,” headvised.

Ryan will move onto the St. Vincent andthe GrenadinesCommunity CollegeDivision of Arts,Sciences and GeneralStudies, where hewill begin his quest tobecome an

Accountant or anEconomist with hispursuit of studies inAccounts, Economicsand Management.He laughinglyreported that hewants to make somegood money in life.

He expressed histhanks to his parents,Jennifer King andReynold ‘Sammy’John, and gave aspecial thanks to hisgrandmother for thenumerous words ofadvice she has givenhim. His teachersalso came in for highpraises.

SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Rodley Haynes ofGreen Hill is nowreflecting on hisjourney towardsbecoming the topperformer for hisschool, the St.Martin’sSecondary School(SMSS), in therecently sat CSECExamination.

In an exclusiveinterview with THEVINCENTIAN,Rodley expressed thathe feels really goodabout his performance.He, however, refuses tobecome too overwhelmed aboutit. “I feel good, yes, but it is notreally anything to boast about.I just have to thank God forhelping me to be successful. Ijust have to take theopportunities that I have now,”he said humbly. He explainedthat he was always the topstudent in his class.

Rodley received passes innine subjects. He received aGrade I for Physical Educationand Sport; Grade II’s forEconomics, Principles ofAccounts, Principles ofBusiness, Social Studies,Integrated Science, History,and Information Technology;and Grade II for English A.

In order to be successful,Rodley believes that thestudent must study a lot. “Hemust not always be in books,but he must be focused with amindset. It will not comeeasily, but you have to do extrawork, especially with all theSBA’s and still having to studyfor so many subjects.” He isnow even more convinced thatif one puts his mind to it, he

“could get through.” He will attend the

St. Vincent and theGrenadinesCommunityCollege tocomplete studiesin Accounts,Economics andManagement ofBusiness.

Overallperformance

Other notableperformances at theSMSS came fromStephen Joseph,gaining nine passes

out of nine subjects sat; andPhillip Hazell with eight passesout of eight sat.

The SMSS has reported thatthe school saw a fall in overallpass rates from 73% in 2011 to66% in 2012. There were poorresults in Mathematics thisyear. Food and Nutrition andTechnical Drawing also sawpoor results. There was,however, 100% pass inIntegrated Science, followingalong on the past nine years.English A received 60%,English B, 70%.

Principal of the school, Mr.Nereus Auguste, told THEVINCENTIAN that “over thepast two years, the school hasregistered improvement inpercent pass and pass quality,”so he is now somewhatdisturbed by this year’sperformance.

He is, however, grateful forthe performance of many of theboys who would have madegreat efforts to study and tolisten to their teachers. “I amextremely happy for these”, hesaid.

Ryan advocatesgroup work

No boasting for Rodley

Rodley Haynes

Ryan John

Shamona tops it at BCK

Shamona Charles

24. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Education VDimitri : Think and make a link DIMITRI KENNDEY IS THE SON OF MS.ANNIE Burnette and Mr. Elliot Kennedy.He is sixteen years old and hails fromLowmans Hill. He sat the 2012 CSECExamination as a student of the St.Vincent Grammar School. Hisperformance at that examination hasmade himself, his parents and his schoolproud.

Dimitri gained passes in tensubjects: Grade Ones with distinctionsin Economics, Principles of Accounts,Principles of Business, Mathematics,Information Technology and EnglishB; Grade Ones in English A andIntegrated Science; and Grade Twos in

French and Geography. He would alsohave made the other members of hisstudy group, Utamu Rose and RyanJohn, proud. He credits the studygroup for his success, pointing to themotivation and stimulation eachemember got from the others.

“Some people believe that people donot do well in groups, but once youhave the same goals and the propermindset, it works,” the young manexplained. Dimitri wisely advisesstudents wishing to excel “to prioritize— get a set of goals and work towardsthem regardless of the adversities, andmost of all, give praise to the Most

High.” He said that throughout hissecondary school career, he hasremembered the advice given him byhis Grade Six teacher from theLowmans Leeward Anglican School,Mr. James ‘Jimmy’ Wilson: Think andmake a link. That, he said, has stuckwith him and was reinforced by whathis mother often told him, “What youput in is what you get out” and hisschool’s motto: Per Aspera Ad Astra

Dimitri intends to become anAuditor, but he prefers to become anAccountant first. He will begin thisjourney as a student of the St. Vincentand the Grenadines Community

CollegeDivision ofArts, Sciencesand GeneralStudies,where he willpursuestudies inAccounts,EconomicsandManagementof Business. He is thankful for all thesupport and love received from hisparents, other family members and histeachers.

THE TOP PERFORMER OFTHE CAMPDEN PARKSECONDARY SCHOOL INTHIS YEAR’S CSECEXAMINATION IS CALVINCORNELIUSCHARLES.Charles,described by his teacheras “promising, determinedand focused,” gave aperformance which wassaid to be “no surprise”.He gained passes in eightsubject areas: Grade II’sfor Integrated Science,and InformationTechnology; and Grade IIIpasses came in English A,Mathematics, Principles of

Accounts, Principles ofBusiness, OfficeAdministration, andHistory.

Charles, a past ClassPrefect, told THEVINCENTIAN that hisfavourite subjects wereInformation Technologyand Mathematics, and hetook extra classes inthese. He advisesstudents to “keepstudying hardthroughout the schoolyear” He explained thathe was very distracted bythe computer in thefourth form, but forced

himself to leave it alonein form five. “Keep awayfrom the computer if it isa distraction,” hewarned.

Calvin intends toattend the St. Vincentand the GrenadinesCommunity College’sDivision of Technical andVocational Education topursue studies inBusiness. He is not yetsure of a careerchoice.Informationcoming from theCampden ParkSecondary School revealsthat it has seen a 56%

overall pass in this year’sCSEC performance. Itreceived 100% pass inIntegrated Science,Electronic Technologyand Food and Nutrition.Other subject areasreceived reasonably goodpass rates: PhysicalEducation and Sport —96%, Social Studies —80%, Principles ofAccounts — 77%,Principles of Business —76%, InformationTechnology — 74%,Caribbean History —73%, and BuildingTechnology — 72%.

Mathematics was saidto have shown “slightimprovement over lastyear, but there was anadmission that there “isneed for more remedialwork”. English A, on theother hand, suffered aslight fall. DeputyPrincipal Acting of theSchool, Mrs. MiriamPompey, reported that,although the school hasexperienced a lower passrate this year, she stillfeels gratified that “allstudents of the Fifthforms are given thechance at CSEC, even

the weakest ones,including all the childrenwho came in from FormOne with Reading andMath difficulty.”

Dimitri Kennedy

Calvin Charles gives no surprises

Calvin Charles

West Indies –favourites atICC World T/20

by EARL W. ROBINSON

WITH LESS THAN ONEMONTH to go before thestart of the fourth editionof the ICC WorldTwenty/20 to be held inSri Lanka, beginningSeptember 18, I havedecided to declare myhand at the selectors’table. My squad reads asfollows: Darren Sammy(captain), Dwayne Bravo(vice-captain), Chris Gayle,Dwayne Smith, MarlonSamuels, Kieron Pollard,Andre Russell, DeneshRamdin, Kemar Roach,Samuel Badree, SunilNarine, Lendl Simmons,Johnson Charles, SuliemanBenn and Carlton Baugh.

Knowing the kind ofconditions existing on thesub-continent, I did notinclude Tino Best, FidelEdwards nor KrishmarSantokie. If RaviRampaul was fully fit, hewould have been in andBenn out. However, thesize and the overallfitness of Rampaulshould come intoquestion when thetouring party isdiscussed by the officialselectors. Clearly, I seeno room for DarrenBravo and KieranPowell.

Of the nineteen ICCglobal events dating backto 1975, West Indieshave won only three.Those were the inauguralWorld Cup in 1975 andthe following one in1979. Then in 2004, theywon the championstrophy. In all threeinstances, thetournaments were heldin England.

Obviously, there willbe some ‘selectoraldilemma’, but if theselectors get it right andthe players perform attheir optimum level, theCaribbean team shouldbe the winners of this

twelve-teamextravaganza.

From observations ofprevious matches, itappears that captainSammy dislikes bowlingduring the power-playand at the death. Thispractice he has to stop;he must lead from thefront like a true general.

Bravo (Dwayne) andRussell are competentall-rounders, but theirbowling usually fallsbelow par. Sometimestheir spells at the deathare horrendous, to saythe least. Too many fulltosses and slower onesgenerally lead to highscoring overs in tensesituations. Any half-decent batsman coulddispatch these knee-highfull tosses to theboundary. A steady dietof full tosses cannot bepart of the strategy.Yorkers are the primedeliveries in closeencounters. Somehowthese two players are notfamiliar with that schoolof thought.

Pollard, Sammy,Smith, and the twoplayers mentioned, aboveare some of the bestfielders in the world.They are expected tooutclass their opponentsin this department.

If there is a weakness,it is the wicket-keeping.Ramdin or Baugh makesno difference. As we sayhere, ‘six of one set andhalf-dozen of the other’.

Forget about the so-called mini world cup;that will come to an endin 2013, according toICC. West Indies’ focusshould be on thistournament. It has beenthirty-three years sincesilverware came to theCaribbean shores. WestIndies should not onlyremain favourites, butemerge winners. Theregion’s cricket needs a

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. 25.

Sports ExtraV

Right: Earl Robinson, cricketstatistician and analyst, hasnamed wicket-keepers CarltonBaugh (left) and DeneshRamdin in his W.I. team to theICC World Twenty/20.

26. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

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

V THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. 27.

ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES arethe new champions of Twenty/20 cricketin the Windward Islands.

They claimed the title by winningthe 3rd WINLOTT/Windward Islands20/20 cricket competition whichclimaxed in St Lucia last weekend.

SVG played unbeaten throughoutthe tournament and secured their firsttitle with a 22-run win over last year’sfinalist Dominica.

In a low scoring finals, SVG battedfirst and were restricted to 99 for 7from 20 overs. Donwell Hector ledwith 25, Atticus Browne was unbeatenon 22 and Miles Bascombe contributed20.

Dominica were routed for a dismal76 in 19 overs. Kenroy Peters bagged 3for 11, while Rolando Wright, KeironCottoy and Alston Bobb took twowickets apiece.

Commenting on his team’s victory,Lindon James, SVG’s captain, said,“Winning the title was a good feeling,”and cited that it was an overall teameffort.

“The game plan we came into the

tournament with worked from the firstgame, supported by hard work fromeveryone,” he continued.

SVG received the championshipand challenge trophies as well as acash prize of ten thousand dollars forwinning the tournament.

Earlier in the third place play off,defending champions Grenadadefeated hosts St Lucia.

By way of individual awards,Vincentian left arm seamer KenroyPeters was named Player of the Finalsas well as Player of the Tournament.He captured 9 wickets in thetournament.

Grenadian Devon Smith was votedBatsman of the Tournament with 130runs.

The highest individual score, 76,was made by St. Lucian DarrenSammy, West Indies captain, andVincentian allrounder Alston Bobbturned in the best economy rate forbowlers with a total of 16 overs, 48runs and 7 wickets.

I.B.A.ALLEN

KNIGHTSTRADINGAUSSIES made itthree in a row inthe Bequia T/20competition, with acomprehensive nine-wicket win overarch rivalsAdmiraltyTransport YouthCombine.

In the matchplayed last Sundayafternoon at theClive Tannis Playing Field inBequia, a boundary-filled 89not out by Drumo Toney and38 not out by Julian Edwards,saw Aussies to 141 for 1 inreply to Youth Combine’s 138all out.

Toneyslammed sevenfours and eight

sixes, while Edwards strucksix boundaries as they sharedin an uninterrupted secondwicket stand of 135 runs.

They delighted the crowdwhich, in the most part, wasin support of the Aussies.

When Youth Combine

batted, Mc Neil Morgan, aformer St Vincent and theGrenadines and Windwardsfast bowler, struck 33, andformer national Under-19player, Jenry Ollivierre, made21. Extras contributed 25.

Verden Baptiste took 2 for8, Braxie Browne had 2 for 23,Drumo Toney 3 for 29 andRajiv Roberts 2 for 40.

Drumo Toney was namedPlayer of the Final.

Youth Combine’s Mc NeilMorgan was named Player ofthe Tournament for his tally of288 runs and 12 wickets.

Since the inception of thetournament in 2007, onlyYouth Combine and Aussies

have claimed the title. Youth Combine won in

2007, and both teams sharedin 2008.

Youth Combine did the hattrick when they won in 2009.Aussies have subsequentlyreigned over the last threetournaments.

SVG: 2012WINLOTT20/20Champs

Aussies takeBequia T/20again

Admiralty Transport Youth Combine – runners-up.

Left: Drumo Toney – Player of the Finals.

Triple Champions Knights Trading Aussies.

SVG Captain Lindon James receives the Championship trophy from AllisonThomas, WINLOTT rep., in the company of an elated Vincentian squad.

Left: KenroyPeters(right)receives hisPlayer oftheTournamenttrophy.

Right:DevonSmithcollects hisaward forhavingscored themost runsin thetournament.

A TEN-MEMBER teamof Under-21 volleyballersleft the state lastWednesday to representSt Vincent and theGrenadines in theNORCECA continentalchampionships inColorado Springs, USA.

In its first ask at thislevel, St Vincent and theGrenadines is placed inPool A and will facethree of the top teams inthe North America andCentral America region.

St Vincent and theGrenadines playsMexico on Monday , theUSA on Tuesday andHonduras onWednesday.

Pool B compriseCanada, Curacao, PuertoRico and Guatemala .

St Vincent and theGrenadines, representingthe Eastern CaribbeanVolleyball Association(ECVA) grouping, is thelowest ranked among theeight finalists.

The teams in each ofthe group will play eachother, following which

there will be a quarterfinal, semi final andfinal.

The players whotravelled are IjahlonButler, Marlon Cupid,Adonson De Souza,Maxroy Dublin, JamalEdwards, AndreFranklyn, Enrico Nedd,Allisko Samuel, JamalSmall and AzhinoSolomon.

Former nationalsenior team player BrianBurke is the team’scoach and will alsoperform the duties ofmanager.

Duane Daniel , whorecently acquired hisinternational referee’sbadge, is the St Vincentand the Grenadines’representative on thereferees’ panel.

28. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

SportsV

ST LUCIAN TAEKWONDO instruc-tor, Samuel Decaille, wants tosee an end to “talent discrimina-tion.”

Decaille, who was amember of a St Lucian teamthat was a recent guest of thelocal Taekwondo association,believes that it is thisdiscrimination which iscausing Taekwondo not to be amore popular sport.

“At the schools, you onlyfind Football, Cricket andTrack and Field mainly, andTaekwondo is no big thing tothe authorities,” Decaillestated.

Putting in a plug forTaekwondo to be used as ameans of diffusing tensions in

young people, Decaille holdsthe view, “that Taekwondowill help the young athletes tobe more disciplined, to havemore strong moral values as itis a highly disciplined art.”

Decaille believes that ifstudents get involved inTaekwondo and channel theirenergies there, there will be areduction in violent activitiesamong them.

“The benefits of Taekwondoare so great, as it developstheir self esteem, selfconfidence and the art ofdefending themselves,”Decaille said.

“Every day you hear thepoliticians preaching that theyouths are the future, but they

are not doing enough to pushsports,” Decaille claimed.

“They (the authorities) needto pay more attention to thenon- traditional sports,”Decaille advised.

He pointed to Trinidad andTobago’s Keshorn Walcott’sgold medal in the Javelin atthe just concluded OlympicGames, as a case of a shift intradition and a venture out inareas which the Caribbean isnot noted for.

“The more sports you have,the more the chance you haveto medal at the Olympics, andI think Taekwondo is the wayforward,” Decaille concluded.

Decaille tutored elevenpractising youngsters of

Taekwondo from hishomeland, who wereinvolved in a one-weekexchange with theirVincentiancounterparts.

The visit climaxedhere last Saturdaywith a sparring andpoomsea competitionamong the teens, atthe NDP headquarterson Murray’s Road.

St Lucia won five ofthe categories and StVincent and theGrenadines, two.

Vincentian DonteDixon was the bestmale fighter in thekyorugi category and Aaron Knights the best male in the

poomsea.

by KENVILLE HORNE

RISING STARS are through tothe finals in the senior division ofthe St.Vincent Brewery Rose HallSmall Goal Football Tournament,following a 3-1 thrashing ofFuture Legends last Sunday, atthe Rose Hall playing field.

Future Legends never posedany threat to a better organizedRising Stars, and playing withtwo men short, it was alwaysgoing to be a challenge.

Ten minutes into the game,Rising Stars almost registeredtheir first goal. A dreadfulmisjudgment from a FutureLegend defender near the halfwayline, allowed Wildan ‘Rick’Samuel to sprint clear, but theopposition full-back recovered tomake a clumsy intervention onthe edge of the penalty box.

Future Legends left wingappeared weak and exposed, soRising Stars began applying

pressure on that side of the field,and in the 17th minute WilloSamuel unleashed a powerfulvolley from a Kesron Brownecross to give Rising Star theirfirst goal.

Willo Samuel was on the scoresheet again in the 34th minutewhen he broke through theFuture Legends defense andconverted with a well placedright-foot shot.

However, Future Legendsfound some hope when defenderJanelle Ferdinand, playing anoverlapping role, galloped downthe right wing, evaded two RisingStars defenders and tapped theball into the goal.

With an action-filled first half,the large crowd anticipated moreexcitement in the second half. Thefirst 15 minutes of the second halfwas evenly poised. FutureLegends had an opportunity toequalize, but Carlywn Stapleton’sshot ricocheted off the cross bar of

Rose Hall Football: Rising Starsinto the final

Samuel Decaille, Taekwondoinstructor, wants more emphasisplaced on non-traditional sports.

‘Give Taekwondo more attention,’ pleads instructor

Left: Part of the SVGVolleball delegation offto the NORCECAchampionships.

Male volleyballers off to continental championships

the Rising Stars goal and wascleared by the defense.

Rising Stars turned on thepressure and it paid off asWildan ‘Rick’ Samuel controlleda ball in front of the FutureLegends goal after their centreback failed to clear danger,and tapped it into goal.

There was no coming backfor Future Legends.

Meanwhile, FonandoForces Under- 15 are into thefinal of the Under-15competition after winning bydefault over BarrouallieUnder-15. They playTroumaca Under 15 in thefinal.

The other semi final matchin the senior division betweenPredator FC and Rose TopUnited will be played onSunday 26th.

The Finals in bothdivisions are set forSeptember 1st.

Right: Action in theRose Hall Small GoalCompetition.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. 29.

SportsV

THE SUCCESS of the local cricket squad in therecent Windward Islands Twenty/20 crickettournament will last till next year. And when thedefense is needed, the squad will be up to it, forthere is nothing wrong with wearing the crown, orhaving to defend it. It is better that way.

Should the team have lost, they would havebeen pummeled for every reason. Questions abouteverything would have been raised. Old woundswould have been scratched.

The triumph is not to be diminished because ofthe paltry scores and the shortage of runs.

If I am to go to the extreme, I would say that aone-eyed man is king in a blind man’s country,which may be construed as harsh. So it might bepatriotic to commend the Vincentians for battlingthrough the allotment of twenty overs, for theirtotal of 98.That Dominica faltered in their chase, isnot a tribute to our batting artistry.

One may say it is a regional problem, and thatbowlers like Shane Shillingford among the lot, andat the crest of regional recognition, the (batsmen’s)technique was exposed.

Vincentian spin bowlers, Alston Bobb, KeironCottoy and Orlando Wright, aroused curiosity.

Twenty/20 cricket calls for boldness: a trait thatplayers at the test level need to adopt. Rashnessin any form of life ought not to be encouraged.However, there is need for innovation andadjustment to conditions and other factors. Thesituation is often seen whereby teams, withbatsmen of high reputation, have faltered at theT/20 match. Even at small outfields, where onewould think that it is easy to clear the boundary,there have been instances where bowlers haveheld their own.

The tonic provided by the triumph of theVincentian team helped to evaporate the horror ofthe Under-19 W.I. team from the semifinal. Theywill have to hope for fifth at best and rue theirchance of lifting the trophy.

How more dismal could it get? Value the lessonsfrom such an experience and make the adjustment.

Action in the Vinlec North Leeward Cricketcompetition is tweeting.

Bowlers are known to struggle at the PetitBordel Playing field, and picking up six wickets foran entire season stands out as a success of hugeproportions. But one youngster by the name ofKenrick Westfield shattered that myth in onedispelling show. In a matter of 20 legal deliveries,he achieved what must be a record in the annals ofVinlec North Leeward Cricket. I have not engagedin any in depth research, but I believe I will behard pressed to come up with statistics as miserlyas Westfield’s 6 wickets for 8 runs.

Anyone who unearths a greater phenomenoncan illustrate the occurrence.

Winterset Ball Beaters, the team whichWestfield represents, secured a seven-wicket winover Peto Stars who previously had romped to twovictories.

The action is set to continue at the Petit BordelPlaying field tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday.Once the weather is right, the battlelines will openup once more. There are eleven outfits vying forthe title.

Capturing the prize is a symbol of pride, not justin the constituency but nationwide.

The competition has attracted widespreadappeal, and has become something of a tourismcard.

Sweep

THIS COUNTRY’Sfemale cricket teamfailed again to get intothe top four in the WestIndies, this following thecompletion of theinaugural Women’s 20/20cricket competition, heldrecently in Jamaica.

Hosts Jamaicaemerged championsfollowing a 16-runvictory over arch rivalsTrinidad & Tobago in theGrand Final, at SabinaPark in the Jamaicacapital.

St. Vincent & theGrenadines finished infifth place in the 8-teamtable, following a 20-runwin over Grenada in theConsolation Playoff atKensington Park. SVGcaptain Cordel Jack ledthe way with 49 not outin her side’s 116 for four

off 20 overs, and thenreduced Grenada to 96.

It was the secondmajor women’s final inwhich the Jamaicans hadtoppled T&T, followingtheir capture of theRegional Women’s

Super50 Tournamentlast year in Barbados.

Jamaican StefanieTaylor, who was namedICC Women’s Cricketerof the Year 2011, earnedthe Player-of-the-Finals,award and was also

voted the Most ValuablePlayer of thetournament.

Earlier, Barbados hadcaptured third place,when they prevailed overGuyana by seven wicketsin the Consolation Finalat the same venue.

Stories by I.B.A.ALLEN

JULIANA NERO is thelone Vincentianincluded in a 14-member West Indiesfemale team torepresent the region inthe InternationalCricket Council’s(ICC)World T20Tournament in SriLanka, in September.

The team wasselected following theconclusion of theinaugural West IndiesWomen’s 2012 crickettournament which washeld in Jamaica.

The team will be ledagain by wicket-keeper/batter MerissaAguilleira. She willhave Stefanie Taylor asher Vice Captain.

The team alsoincludes ShemaineCampbelle, BritneyCooper, Shanel Daley,Deandra Dottin, Stacy-Ann King, KyciaKnight (Wicket-keeper), AnisaMohammed, SubrinaMunroe, ShaquanaQuintyne, ShakeraSelman and TremayneSmartt.

The Windies Womenwill undertake a tour ofEngland where theywill face EnglandWomen in five T20s,prior to travelling toSri Lanka.

The West Indieshave been drawn inGroup B of the ICCWorld T20 Tournamentalong with Australiaand Ireland. TheTournament gets goingon September 26, inGalle.

EIGHT VINCENTIANS have beenincluded in a 20-member trainingsquad from which the final team torepresent the Windward Islands inthe 2013 Caribbean T20 crickettournament will be selected.

Vincentian Sunil Ambris, on dutywith the W. I. Under-19 team, isjoined by seven players who wereamong the top performers in the justconcluded WINLOTT/WindwardIslands 20/20 tournament.

The seven are Lindon James(wicket-keeper/batsman); batsmen

Atticus Browne and Miles Bascombe;fast bowlers Kenroy Peters andDelorn Johnson, and leg spinnerKeiron Cottoy.

The rest of the squad reads: DevonSmith, Lindon Lawrence, TadeCarmichael, Nelon Pascal fromGrenada; Liam Sebastein, ShaneShillingford, Raymond Casimier andKavem Hodge fom Dominica; andMarvin Wells, Xavier Gabriel, DaltonPolius, Gary Mathurin, and DarrenSammy from St Lucia.

JEROME SAMUEL putin an outstanding all-round performance tohelp Robertson’sSurveying BelmontUnited defeat Sion Hillby an innings and 36runs, in a last weekendmatch in the NLA FirstDivision cricketcompetition.

Samuel took 4 wicketsfor 1 run, including a hattrick, as Sion Hill weredismissed for 64 runs intheir first innings.

In reply, Robertson’sSurveying BelmontUnited raced to 177 for 9declared. Jerome Samueltopscored with 67, andAugustus Mofford made31 not out. Dwayne

Bacchus took 3 for 25and Brian Davis 2 for 12.

In their secondinnings, Sion Hill failedto show any realimprovement, closing at77 all out. AugustusMofford took 5 for11.

The national cricketcompetition is expectedto come to an end thisweekend when leadersRivals face second placedVictors at Arnos ValeOne, and Saints opposeNews Spartans at ArnosVale Two in the NLAPremier division.

In the NLA FirstDivision, Smashers willoppose Log Masters atBuccament.

Juliana Nero is anaggressive top orderplayer.

Nero in WestIndies squad

Stafanie Taylor wasnamed Player of theTournament.

SVG 5th in W.I. 20/20 cricket

Cordel Jack, captain ofthe SVG team, top-scored for her team inthe Consolation Play.

Jerome Samuel sentSion Hill packing withboth bat and ball.

Samuel humiliates Sion Hill

The Windward Islands 20/20 training squad. Missing from the photographyare Sunil Ambris and Kavem Hodge, both on W.I. U-19 tour duty.

Eight Vincies in W’wards training squad

30. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012. 31.

ClassifiedsV

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

DRUG TRAFFICKERS and money laundererswill not find smooth sailing anymore. Thedelivery of two Interceptor vessels is aimed atwiping out the activities of such operators.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves madea pledge to step up the battle against drugtraffickers and money launderers when headdressed the gathering at the handing overof the two vessels to the Vincentian CoastGuard, last Monday morning.

The boats are part of a US$2m gift fromthe government and people of the UnitedStates of America, and were handed over byU.S.A. Ambassador to Barbados and theOECS, Larry Palmer.

Dr. Gonsalves looked at the donation aseffective ways of dealing with persons insuch spheres.

Drug trafficking exposes the society tohealth hazards, while money launderingweakens the financial pillars of the nation,the Vincentian leader pointed out.

“These Interceptors are going to make lifedifficult for them (drug traffickers andmoney launderers) who want to ply theirtrade,” Dr. Gonsalves predicted.

He pointed out that the two new CoastGuard patrol boats will help to stop the “fastvessels,” used by persons engaged in illegalactivity.

The Vincentian Prime Minister alluded tothe use of two C 26 Aircrafts which “do overflights.” He indicated that with the 300“sorties” that the planes do annually,coordination with Coast Guard entities willbe smoother.

The boats will also be deployed in cases ofnatural disasters, and factors influenced byclimate change.

They will also assist in rescue operationswhen fishermen or other seafarersencounter difficulty at sea.

“These vessels would assist us in savinglives,” Dr. Gonsalves pointed out.

Besides the two vessels, which cater for acrew of 21 and are equipped with air-conditioning systems and sophisticatedcommunication and navigational gadgets,the USA package included one pick-uptruck, two trailers and parts.

A training component is also attached tothe project. TwentyCoast Guard officershave been trained tooperate and maintainthe boats.

Dr. Gonsalvesdescribed theassistance as“substantial,” andoutlined that inaddition toimproving localdefence, thevessels will beavailable foruse on RegionalSecuritySystemsventures.

TheVincentianleaderhighlighted theimportance ofthe donation,and expressedthe view thatthey (vessels)were treasured.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012 VOLUME 106, No. 34 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50

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

One of the two inceptor vessels that are expected to enhance the Coast Guard’s efforts tocombat drugs, guns and human trafficking in our waters.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves(centre), U.S.Ambassador LarryPalmer (right) andgovernment off0icialson tour of one of theInterceptors.