FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015 VOLUME 109, No.01 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

by DAYLE DA SILVA

ANNA LABORDE, Public Relations Officer withMetrocint General Insurance Company Ltd., says thatshe is now ready to take on new challenges afterplacing first runner up in the prestigious Miss HeritageWorld Pageant, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, onDecember 20.

“I have grown more professionally and personally,and gained more confidence — it just motivates meto keep pushing forward to do better,” the 25-year-old said.

“The entire experience was great, and theresponse from the other contestants was wellreceived,” Laborde continued.

Odessa Mae Tadya of the Philippines walked away with the crown, However, Laborde did well enough to beat out Botswana’s Katlego Gaotsenelelwe (2nd runner-up), Kgomoto Caroline Angel Pilane of South Africa (3rd runner-up) and Jennifer Hunt of Australia to round off the top four.

Success in beauty pageants is nothing new to the young lady. She copped the 2010 Miss P’tani title and walked away with the 1strunner up position in the 2013 edition of the MissSVG Pageant. But she admits that this recentexperience was far different from the others thatshe has had in the past.

“This pageant is not like the normal pageant.There are things that you have to do,” sheexplained.

The entire process took months leading up to thefinal stage on the African continent, according toLaborde.

She was engaged in photo shoot sessions atvarious heritage sites; did an official promotionalvideo on St Vincent and the Grenadines, and mediaappearances. These accounted for 35 percent of thefinal points tally.

Continued on Page 3.

Runner-up in the 2013Miss SVG Pageant, AnnaLaborde, stamped hercharm and grace on acompetition that featured41 other competitors.

2. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

ArtsV

CHRISTINE BROWNE isunlike many artists, in thatshe openly andunabashedly admits tofinding motivation in her(religious) faith and God.

The young ladyrecently offered the firstpublic display of herunquestionable artistictalent, with an exhibitionon December 15, at theformer Blenz Restaurant,Back Street, Kingstown.

And that firstexhibition was married toa good cause — that ofraising funds to assistwith the cost of medicaltreatment for AyanaFindlay, who she saidwas instrumental ingetting her to where sheis today.

Findlay suffers fromkidney failure.

“She (Ayana)motivated me to show offmy work…that just reallyinspired me to pushmyself,” Browne told THEVINCENTIAN.

Art runs in her blood, she says,being born into a family of talentedmusicians, song writers and artists,and she credits her family for theircontinued support.

She got started drawing comicsketches of family members — workthat she says she was not ready to let

the general public see. Browne said that in her younger

days, she was inspired by otherpeople’s work.

She recently graduated with a FirstClass Honours degree in Fine Artsfrom the University of the WestIndies, and disclosed that her formaleducation has completed the processand helped her grow in confidence.

“After going to college is when Irealised that artis more than justdrawing things; itwas drawingsomething fromfeeling, so Istarted to comeinto myself…. Istarted to knowwhat art is tome.”

Brownedescribes herwork as makinguse of “a lot ofcolour.”

Her debutexhibitionfeatured someitems she said shedid as projects asa student, andincluded a specialpiece done inhonour ofFindlay. (DD)

Artisticexpressionfor a cause

The piece done in honour of Ayana Findlay.

Christine Browne the latest Vincentian artist tolaunch her work, speaks about being motivated byher faith.

V News 3THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. 3.

by HAYDN HUGGINS

NICOLE SYLVESTER,President of the localHuman Rights Association(HRA), wants to make itclear that the HRA’s callfor the clergy and thepublic to come together atthe Clare Valley Hard Courton January 11, 2015, topray for healing andpeace, is not ‘a politicallycontrived, inappropriate oropportunistic summons”.

Sylvester’s commentswere in response to aletter from PrimeMinister Dr. RalphGonsalves.

The Prayer and PeaceRally, scheduled initiallyfor December 18, 2014,was postponed, out ofrespect for the funeral ofthe late EdgarCruickshank, held onDecember 20, 2014.

Sylvester is of theview that the Rally willoffer a way to ‘healing’those affected by theDecember 6, 2014vehicular crash at ClareValley, which resulted inCruickshank’s death andinjuries to several others.

However, the Prime

Minister turned down awritten invitation, datedDecember 8, 2014, by theHRA to join them inleading the rally.

In his response,December 11, 2014, tothe HRA’s invitation, Dr.Gonsalves stated thatPrayer Rallies areusually initiated by theSt. Vincent and theGrenadines ChristianCouncil, a religiousdenomination or aparticular church, andthat he was not awarethat the local HRA hasbeen, hitherto, in thebusiness of sponsoringPrayer Rallies.

He added that he wasat a loss to understandproperly thecircumstance andpurpose of the rally, andas far as he was aware,“there was no war whichhas arisen as aconsequence of theunfortunate motorvehicle accident at ClareValley on December 6,2014.”

The letter went on toaccuse the oppositionNew Democratic Party(NDP) and some of its

fellow travellers, ofstirring up, by way offalse statements orunfounded rumours, fearand alarm in, or among,the public.

In an interview withTHE VINCENTIAN lastweek, Sylvester stated, “Imust say I am somewhattaken back by the PrimeMinister’s response,which he saw fit to makepublic, and I vehementlyreject any notion that aprayer, peace andhealing rally is apolitically contrived,inappropriate or

opportunistic summons,and the Human RightsAssociation will moveforth by the grace of Godto hold the Prayer, Peaceand Healing Rally, andall clergy and membersof the public are invitedto attend”.

Sylvester pointed outthat, “The Peace Rally ismeant.. to remind usthat we must recognizethe presence of God in allthe people who arearound us, and it is forthis reason why we seekto embrace everyone inpeace because in so

doing, wewould berecognizing thepresence of Godin everyone”.

In a secondletter to thePrime Minister,dated December18, 2014, Sylvesterinformed that therally was re-scheduled forJanuary 11, 2015,and invited thePrime Minister tosend arepresentative tothe event.

Tragedy inBequiaPOST MORTEM results to determine the cause ofdeath of 67-year-old Dagma Gregg, a resident ofHamilton, Bequia, were expected to be completedearlier this week.

Gregg, a mother of two, was rushed to the PortElizabeth Hospital where she died on December25 — Christmas Day — after encounteringdifficulties when she ventured out into the sea, inthe Hamilton Bay area.

The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. Her nephew, Renald Gregg, told THE

VINCENTIAN that he and some other peoplewere sitting along the beach when his aunt, whowas reportedly mute, went into the sea.

The man insists that his aunt was notintoxicated at the time of the incident.

He said that their backs were turned, and thatthey were not paying attention to the woman’swhereabouts as she ventured into the water, anddue to her condition, she was unable to call outfor assistance.

They were alerted by another person who wason the beach, and who assisted with getting herto shore.

She was then rushed to the hospital where shelater died. (DD)

Continued from Front Page.

There was a lot of paperworkrequired too, as part of theapplication process.

And then, there were a numberof challenges that the contestantswere engaged in during the finals.

“We had to cook, and we had totake part in games — we didinterviews about our countries,”Laborde said.

She won the national flagchallenge and placed in the topsix for the Best Interview of YourCountry and Best Interview asMiss Heritagee 2014.

And although she agreed that itwas a lot of work leading up tothe finals, she told THEVINCENTIAN that she decided toenter because it gave her theopportunity to feature andpromote her country.

“So I took the opportunitybecause we were not known tothose countries, and a lot of

people were curious to learn aboutSt Vincent and the Grenadines.”

A total of 42 countries wererepresented at this year’scompetition, the second since itsinception in 2013, which was wonby Shequera Grace King of theBahamas.

Laborde was the loneparticipant from the English-speaking Caribbean in this year’spageant and she says that shewas well received.

“The crowd response was great.I remained confident and keptsmiling,” she said.

Laborde said that she hasreturned with a wealth ofknowledge from her experience,and that she will encourage everyyoung woman to participate insuch an event.

“While having fun, it iseducational because you arelearning about other countries’heritage and culture — which is

the objective of the competition.”She says that she has enhanced

her communication skills, and islooking forward to morechallenging things in life.

“After looking back at thisshow, I couldn’t believe that I haddone it all,” she said.

Laborde has a long list ofpersons and organisations shesays that she is grateful to forhelping her along the way,including God, family, OmariWilliams, Ron Browne, MaxineBrowne and her photographers.

The list also includes ManagingDirector of Metrocint GeneralInsurance Desiree Richards, KirkDa Silva and the St VincentCooperative Bank among others,for allowing and facilitating “theopportunity of a lifetime.”

THE VINCENTIAN and itssister company Metrocint GeneralInsurance extend heartiestcongratulations to Anna, andassure her that we consider it aprivilege to have her as part ofthe family.

Sylvester respondsto PMÊs letter

Nicole Sylvester, President ofSVG Human RightsAssociation, views the prayerrally as an opportunity to offerhealing to those who havebeen affected by the tragicvehicular accident ofDecember 6, 2014.

Anna does SVG proudAnna Laborde says that the experience has boosted her confidence and she was proud to haverepresented her country well.

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

SENIOR PROSECUTOR AdolphusDelpleche is urging policeinvestigators to work a bitharder and more conscientiouslyin 2015, to get the files ready ontime so that cases could bedisposed of more swiftly.

During an interview withTHE VINCENTIAN last week,Delpleche, Head of theSummary Division in theOffice of the Director of PublicProsecutions (DPP), disclosedthat his major challenge in2014, from a prosecutorialstandpoint, was getting the

files on time.“I understand the

difficulties an investigator canface at times in getting thefiles organized, but I feel witha little more effort, we canalleviate such difficulties,”said Delpleche, a former policeinvestigator.

“There are somematters I know, because ofthe process they have to gothrough, would take time.On the other hand, thereare other matters that canbe dealt with straightaway. I would love to beable to dispose of those

mattersexpeditiously,” heexplained, and citedthe old maxim,‘Justice delayed isjustice denied’.

The SeniorProsecutor pointedout that, “It isunreasonable to havepersons lingering onremand for aninordinate period of timewithout having theirmatters heard.”

And he noted thatpersons on bail shouldalso have their mattersheard within areasonable time.

Delpleche added thatit is unreasonable tohave witnesses waitingfor long periods to havetheir day in court, whenthat could be avoided.

The Senior Prosecutorhad stressed duringprevious interviews withTHE VINCENTIAN,

that he believes in swiftjustice.

Despite the challenges,Delpleche is satisfied with thedisposal rate at the SeriousOffence Court in 2014, takinginto account the absence of aChief Magistrate for about fivemonths.

The post of ChiefMagistrate became vacantafter then Chief MagistrateSonya Young presided here forthe last on April 3, 2014.

Rechanne-Browne, Matthiaswas sworn in to the office ofChief Magistrate, September15, 2014. She had beenMagistrate at the KingstownMagistrate’s Court for 19months prior to her elevation.

CHRISTOPHER BENJAMIN,Assistant Commissioner ofPolice, in charge of operations, isof the view that it’s time for theRoyal St. Vincent and theGrenadines Police Force(RSVGPF) to go back to thedrawing board in its approach tofighting crime.

“I think it is time for us to goback to the drawing board, lookat our strategies and crimefighting plan, and see howbetter we can execute such planto make St. Vincent and theGrenadines safer for its citizensand visitors alike,” Benjamintold THE VINCENTIAN duringan interview on Monday.

But he hastened to add, “Thepolice can’t do it alone;everybody must be on board inthe fight against crime.”

From the police standpoint,Benjamin admitted, “There isalways room for improvement,and we must get our house inorder for 2015 and beyond, todeal with the crime situation.”

At press time Tuesday, abouttwo days before the beginning ofa New Year, 37 murders wererecorded for 2014, the highestcount for one year in thiscountry’s history. Forty-threehomicides (killings) wererecorded in all, 27 being gun-related, and up to press time 28were still under investigations.

Thirty-six murders were

recorded in 2007, the secondhighest count ever in one year.Most of the murders that yearwere drug-related, and as aresult of domestic disputes.Twenty-one were gun-relatedand eleven were underinvestigations.

Benjamin said most of themurders recorded in 2014 weredrug-related. He cited rivalrybetween factions over ashipment of drugs which landedhere through the country’sporous borders. “Because of that,there were a lot of senselesskillings”, he explained.

Several murders remainunder investigations, andBenjamin assured that thepolice “were working diligentlyto have them cracked.”

In 2013, 27 murders wererecorded of which ten were gun-related.

Eleven of the 28 murdersrecorded, in 2012 were gun-related, compared to ten in2011. Twenty murders wererecorded that year.

Nine of the 25 murdersrecorded in 2010 were gun-related.

Benjamin said that, whilethere has been an increase inhomicides and gun-relatedincidents, statistics show thatcrime generally has notincreased.

Up to press time, the

statistics for the overall crimerate in 2014 were not yetavailable from the CriminalRecords Office (CRO) of theRSVGPF.

RECENTLY AWARDEDTraffic Cop of the Year(2014), Constable 150Brenslee Bobb, has his eyesset on becoming Head of theTraffic Department of theRoyal SVG Police Force,some day.

Bobb is also aspiring to bea prosecutor for the TrafficDepartment and he isthinking of pursuing studies

in law to assisthim in thisregard.

The 24-year-old RichlandPark man hasbeen attached tothe TrafficDepartment forthe last fouryears. He toldTHEVINCENTIANthat during ageneral meetingof theDepartment atthe end of 2013,he told thegathering thathis goal for 2014was to be namedthe mostoutstanding

traffic cop.“At the beginning of the

year, I began workinghard. I continued to do sothroughout the year.Working hard became ahabit for me. I looked upto my superiors, and Itried to improve in certainareas that I was lacking.My goal is to become thebest traffic cop, not onlyfor 2014 but also beyond,”the police officer of sixyears explained.

Bobb has served as amotor cycle traffic cop forthe last three years, and hedisclosed that he iscurrently doing anassessment of the roads,with a view to identifyingwhere and how accidentscould be reduced. He wouldbe advancing hisrecommendations to Head ofTraffic, Supt. Kenneth John.

He lauded the Departmentfor the excellent job it wasdoing, and intimated that heholds Supt. John in highesteem for his leadershipskills.

Bobb received his earlyeducation at the RichlandPark Government School and

the Mountain View Seventh-day Adventist Academy. Hewas into his second year atthe Community Collegewhen he decided to join thepolice force.

He has a special messagefor his colleagues: “Workhard and do the best in everyaspect of duty.”

He makes a special appealto drivers to be moreconsiderate of each other,and to comply with thetraffic laws to make theroads safer for the public.

Cop aims at higher goals

‘Back to the drawingboard,’ ACP proposes

4. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

LawV

Constable Brenslee Bobbaspires to being Head of theTraffic Department, some day.

Christopher Benjamin,Assistant Commissioner ofPolice, has assured thatseveral murders remain underinvestigation.

Adolphus Delpleche, SeniorProsecutor, is adamant that it isnot reasonable to have personson remand for inordinate periodsof time

Prosecutor wants swifterdisposal of cases

V THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. 5.

WHEN PRESIDENT Barack Obamaannounced on Wednesday 17thDecember 2014 that the United Statesand Cuba had agreed to restorediplomatic ties that Washington severedmore than 50 years ago, the disclosurewas met with resistance fromRepublicans, who will control bothhouses of Congress from January, andwho oppose normal relations with thecommunist-run island.

However, not even the Republicanswith their majority control of thelegislative chambers could stopAmerican business from lining up theducks of potential commercialadvantages.

Aware that the US administration’spolicy shift includes opening to morecommerce in some areas, allowing useof U.S. credit and debit cards,increasing the amount of money thatcan be sent to Cubans and allowingexport of telecommunications devicesand services, business experts arealready predicting enormous returns

for the US economy.One such group of experts is

the Peterson InternationalEconomy Institute, a private,non-profit institution forrigorous, intellectually open,and in-depth study anddiscussion of internationaleconomic policy, estimate thatUS exports to Cuba could reach$4.3 billion annually, ifcommercial relations betweenthe two countries are re-established.

The PIEI added that, if theexecutive decision by US PresidentBarack Obama is implemented, Cubanexports of goods to the United Statescould reach $5.8 billion dollars, upfrom zero currently, representing $10billion in total trade exchanges.

Bilateral trade exchange betweenHavana and Washington was cut in1962 following the US decision toimpose an economic, commercial andfinancial embargo against Cuba.

According to the experts, the liftingof the US blockade could benefit USfarmers, manufacturers, airlines, hotelcompanies, and telecommunicationentities, among others.

At present, Washington authorizesthe sale to Cuba of foods like corn,rice, soybeans and frozen chicken atabout $350 million annually, butrequires advance cash payment, sinceno credits are allowed for the island.

One of the companies interested in

doing business with Cuba is Cargill,which is in the business of the sale,purchase, processing and distributionof grains and other produce, as wellas animal feed and pharmaceuticalraw materials.

Other US entities that haveexpressed interest in the Cubanmarket include Delta Airlines and JetBlue, as well as hotel companies likeHilton Worldwide, MarriottInternational and Carnival CruiseLine.

And according to the experts, US oilcompanies could find a new market fortheir fuels and refining technology inCuba, if the embargo is lifted. (Source:strategicsourceror.com)

THE CUBAN-AMERICAN communityconstitutes a major voting bloc in theUSA.

This is particularly so in Floridawhere Cuban-Americans account forapproximately 7% or 1.3 million of thepopulation.

The focus, therefore, settled onFlorida within minutes of President’sObama’s announcement, Wednesday17th December 2014, which theUnited States and Cuba had agreed torestore diplomatic ties.

Politicians, news persons, all andsundry wanted to know first-hand,how Cuban-Americans had taken thePresident’s bold move, and whether, infact, the President had misread theCuban-American political reality

President Obama and PresidentRaul Castro of Cuba may well havebeen moved by a recent survey whichrevealed that 58 percent of Cubansbetween 50 and 64 years of age, andresident in Miami, Florida, support

the re-establishment of diplomaticrelation with the island.

According to the survey byBendixen and Amandi Internationalpublished in South Florida, Obama’sdecision can count on stronger supportfrom younger generations of Cubanmigrants, and from those born in theUnited States to Cuban families.

The poll found that 53 percent ofthe youths between 18 and 29 yearssaid they agree with the measures,while 47 percent of those between 30and 49 years also backed theinitiative.

A previous survey byFlorida InternationalUniversity in mid-2014revealed that a largemajority of Cubanemigrants living in theUnited States and theiroffspring supportrelations between thetwo countries. That pollsupported the following:

* 68 percent ofrespondents favourrestoring diplomaticrelations with Cuba;

* Among youngerrespondents, 90 percentof respondents favourrestoring diplomatic ties;

* When you includeonly registered voters, 51percent of them supportcontinuing the embargo;

* 69 percent of allrespondents favour thelifting of travelrestrictions impeding allAmericans fromtraveling to Cuba;

* 53 percent ofrespondents said theywould be likely to votefor a “candidate for

political office who supported the re-establishment of diplomatic relations”;

* A large majority – 71 percent –responded that the U.S. embargo ofCuba has not worked at all or has notworked very well.

So while mainstream media in theUSA reported Cuban-Americansnationwide are almost evenly dividedover support for the embargo and forPresident Obama’s effort to normalizerelations with Cuba, the President andhis Cuban counterpart may well haveseen the wisdom in making a decisionnow, which will change the future of

hemispheric relations. (Source:www.prensa-latina.)

POPE FRANCIS HAS beendescribed as the figure thatgave significant impetus to thehistoric thaw in U.S.-Cubarelations announcedWednesday 17th December,2014, by Presidents BarrackObama and Raul Castro.

“His Holiness PopeFrancis issued a personalappeal to me and to CubanPresident Raul Castro urgingus to resolve Alan’s case,”Obama said during astatement from the WhiteHouse.

The President thankedPope Francis, the first LatinAmerican pope, for helping tofacilitate the deal, saying: “…I want to thank His HolinessPope Francis whose moralexample shows us we shouldwork for the world as itshould be, instead ofaccepting it as it is.”

For his part, PresidentCastro said, “This decision byPresident Obama deservesthe respect and recognition

from our people. I want tothank and recognize thesupport of the Vatican,especially Pope Francis, forhis work to improve relationsbetween the U.S. and Cuba.”

The historicannouncement out of theway, the Vatican issueda statement in which itcongratulated bothgovernments on the “historicdecision.” The statementconfirmed that Pope Francishad written letters to bothpresidents urging them toresolve decades of dispute.

The Vatican was the onlygovernment to take a directrole in facilitating theconversations between theU.S. and Cubangovernments, according tothe Vatican and senior U.S.officials.

In October, Pope Francishosted delegations from thetwo countries, where a U.S.official said the countrieswere able to “review the

commitments that we’remaking today.”

The senior official saidthat was the key meetingbetween the delegationswhere “all was finalized.”About two months later,Obama and Castro spokeover the phone in the firstpresidential-level discussionbetween the countries sincethe Cuban revolution.

The rest is now history.(Source: FUSION Beta)

A Pope in the middle

Support for Obama-Castro decision

Cubans who settled in Miami holdintense feelings about their ancestralhomeland, Cuba, and have nohesitation in showing them.

The handshake between BarackObama and Cuban President RaulCastro at a memorial ceremony forNelson Mandela was, after all, a signthat many may have misread.

Pope Francis gives the‘thumbs up’, knowing thathis work to help break downbarriers between the USAand Cuba was not in vain.

Carnival Cruise Line could well add Cuba toits cruise routes.

Delta Air, one of the Americanairlines standing ready to dobusiness in and with Cuba.

US-Cuba trade hasbillion $$$ potential

USA-CUBA Feature

6. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

DiasporaV

Stories and photos byNELSON A. KINGnaking@verizon.net;neloking@msn.comUS CORRESPONDENT

New York Counsel GeneralSelmon Walters says theestimated value overall ofthe contribution by theUnited States VincentianDiaspora to the freakChristmas storm victims in2013 is aboutUS$250,000.

In his 2014 Christmasmessage to nationalsresiding in the USDiaspora, Walters, aformer governmentminister in theadministration of Prime

Minister Dr. Ralph E.Gonsalves, noted thatdamage from that stormwere to the tune ofEC$330,000,000(1US$=EC$2.67).

At least seven peoplewere killed by theunusual storm, whichalso left a trail ofdestruction.

“It was wonderful tosee the way Vincentiansrallied to the cause,giving generously of theirtime and resources,packing boxes andbarrels, (and) donatinggenerously andwillingly,” said Walters,who has been CounselGeneral for the past fouryears.

“In responding to thismajor catastrophe, wesent out a call to theDiaspora to assist ourbrothers and sisters athome, and the responsewas truly overwhelmingand unprecedented,” headded.

As a result, Walters,who chaired the interimSt. Vincent and theGrenadines ReliefCommittee of New York,said four 40ft. containersof relief supplies and anundisclosed quantity ofboxes and barrels, withadditional supplies, weredispatched home to helpthose who suffered from

the storm. From the monetary

donations received, theCommittee contributedUS$20,000 to the reliefeffort, “with a reserve ofUS$8,000 to build on forany such need in thefuture, God forbid!”

Referring to figuresprovided by the NationalEmergency ManagementOrganization (NEMO),Walters said, as a resultof destruction by thestorm, 15 new houseswere built at FitzHughes, 12 atCumberland and 10 atHope on the Leewardside of mainland St.Vincent; and eight eachwere built at SouthRivers and Colonarie, 10at Langley Park and sixat Caratal on theWindward side.

Another 60 houses

were rebuilt “on the spotwhere they once stood”,and 300 were repaired.

Walters said fivepersons are still inshelter at Rillan Hill onthe Leeward side,awaiting re-location.

Furthermore, he saidan additionalEC$24,000,000 inmaterials wasdistributed to familiesand individuals to aid inrepairing damagedhouses.

According to Walters,another 75-100 housesare still to be relocated.

At the same time, hesaid a total of 28 bridgeswere affected, of which14 were “destroyed and14 severely damaged.”

Currently, five bridgesare being rebuilt on theLeeward side, withassistance from Ecuador

— at Hope, Fitz Hughesand Sharpes (in the townof Chateaubelair.

On the Windwardside, he said one bridgeis being replaced inBailey, Georgetown; oneat Caratal is beingrebuilt, and another atBasin Hole has beencompleted.

Walters used theoccasion to urge hiscompatriots to “continueto work together, despitewhatever differences mayexist between us.”

He acknowledged that,in 2014, “we had manychallenges at theConsulate (General inmidtown Manhattan),”but added that “God hashelped us amidst themall.”

He had special thanksfor: Calliaqua nativeVaughn Toney, chief

executive officer andpresident of the Friendsof Crown HeightsEducational Centers inBrooklyn, New York, whoallowed use of space atone of the centres forcollecting, storing andpacking relief supplies tobe shipped home; andGideon ‘Fessie’ Yorke,the Biabou-born owner ofStandard Shippers, onClarendon Road inBrooklyn, who ensuredthat the supplies weremoved and shipped in atimely manner.

And in closing,Walters urged, “Let uswork together. Let usrise up and build anation of which all of uscan be justly proud, sothat we build a goodfoundation for those whomust continue to buildlong after we are gone.”

New York CounselGeneral Selmon Waltersgave an account of therehabilitation effort thatfollowed the floods ofDecember 2013.

US$250,000 raisedfor Christmas relief

SEVERAL Vincentianbusinesses in New Yorkdemonstrated theircommitment to give back tothe community by hosting anextraordinary treat forchildren.

Hundreds of Vincentianchildren and their parentsparticipated in the specialChristmas Party, held duringthe afternoon and earlyevening hours on Sunday21st December, at Café Omarin Brooklyn.

“This is the biggest eventI’ve ever had,” said Biabou-born Gideon ‘Fessy’ Yorke,owner of Standard Shipperson Clarendon Road inBrooklyn, in a VINCENTIANinterview.

“This is very good,” addedYorke, who has been hostingthe party for the past eightyears. “We appreciate all thepeople who donated their time and toys. We lookforward to bigger and better things next year.”

Yorke said the children, including toddlers, weretreated to free gifts, entertainment and food.

Many kids also participated in karaoke, artsand craft, face-painting, and sat on Santa’s lap.

One of the ‘Friends, Ruby Wood, of Mt. Pleasant(Argyle area), owner of Square Deal Shippers andMovers on Church Avenue in Brooklyn, said shecontributed to the event for the second successiveyear.

“It’s good that he’s (Yorke) giving back to thecommunity,” she told THE VINCENTIAN.“Thanks to everyone who supported us (SquareDeal Shippers and Movers) over the years.”

Biabou native Steve Minors, owner of MinorsCatering, said he was delighted to prepare “all thefood” free of charge.

“I feel wonderful just to see how the kids are

happy,” he said. “And I think we need more of this— bringing people together.”

Newly-appointed Deputy New York CounselGeneral, Sehon Marshall, was also in attendanceat the grand party.

“It’s indeed a pleasure to be here and to bringgreetings, and also to thank the children,” he toldthe audience in a very brief message. “Let mecommend each and every one of you, and wish youhappy holidays.”

Bishop’s College, Kingstown alumnus AtibaWilliams, of Rose Place, Kingstown, whocoordinated the party and served as Master ofCeremonies, described the event as “anoverwhelming success,” adding that “the responsefrom everyone was tremendous.”

He also thanked Union Is. native, former NewYork City Councilman, Dr. Kendall Stewart,proprietor of Café Omar, for “the use of the venuefree.”

Vincy children get special Christmas treat

Kids, toddlers and parents flank Santa Claus at Christmas Party at CaféOmar in Brooklyn.

From Page 32.

And as far as what he thinks he means to SVG,his focus shifted from himself and pointed at thefuture, saying, “I will like to encourage all ouryoung cricketers in SVG, and the Windwards, towork hard at their skills, have that discipline toput in the extra hard work, and set goals to reachthe top one day. ... Who wants it the most will getthat opportunity to play at the highest level.”

In his first test innings, Peters had figures of 20overs, 7 maidens, 69 runs, 2 wickets, includingopening batsman D. Elgar, who made 121, as hisfirst Test scalp.

Peters has played 62 first class matches, taking190 wickets, with a best performance being 7 for36. He was the leading wicket taker in the 2014West Indies first class season.

He also represented the St Lucia Zouks in theCaribbean Premier League in 2013.

During his youth cricket career, Petersrepresented the West Indies Under-19 team to theYouth World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2000, and inEngland in 2001.

THE VINCENTIAN joins with all cricket-lovingVincentians in wishing Kenroy Peters a successfuland rewarding Test cricket career.

Peters’ dreamcomes true

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. 7.

THERE WERE MANY fatalities in 2014,among which was the passing of peoplegenerally, marked by a good, representativecrop at end of year, in the month of December.

I lost my son-in- law, David’s father, ViniRobin who died after a prolonged illness.

He was once Deputy Supervisor ofCustoms, a tremendous citizen and HeadVillager of DuBois, a veritable plank of theAnglican community.

He has left to mourn him his loving wife,Yvonne, a daughter Fraline Samuel, andDavid, a goodly part of the Vermontcommunity, and Sir Vincent Beache who foundin him a stalwart friend from the day it wasdiscovered that they shared a commonbirthday. Beache was asked to deliver theeulogy, but Ralph had to second the motion!

Vini had these innocent political links: astep-son in Glen Jackson, a son-in-law in“Sugar George” Mason and a wife whoseexpertise in nursing had ensured the recoveryof Ralph’s brother after a near-drowningincident.

Other octogenarians to pass along includeMitchie Huggins, appropriately of Golden Vale;Alma Johnson of New Town Village, who boretwo children for Comrade Joshua, behindwhom she loyally stood in his early days of fire-brand politics and militant trade-unionism;and political activist Edgar Cruickshank,whose manner of death sparked muchcontroversy, but who in life was candid,pleasant and dutiful in serving a cause. Hewas also a dashing batsman and outstandingfieldsman on the SVG team of the early1960s. And Eulie Mandeville, another pillar ofthe Anglicans

Finally, I lost two contemporaries, the one aDiamond in the sky, the other a grass-rootsnugget from my own Bottom Town Communityof Rose Place.

Solomon appeared in a small coterie ofyoungsters of Northern Diamond, whoseaspirations for social betterment were notlimited by the small patch of earth that theyinhabited. I refer to Oscar Allen, SimeonGreen, Earlene Horne and Solomon Butlerwho, beginning in the 1970s, lit a torch whichthreatened to illuminate the darkness, and stillflickers brightly to this day.

I remember that they were all foundationmembers of the UPM in 1979. In order toeducate themselves, they read voraciously ofanything within reach. I recall being Solo’sdefence lawyer when he was found with a copyof the banned Soviet Weekly! Solo never gaveup the struggle. He died as he lived, stillstriving for a more meaningful life whichbeckons still.

The last representative to whom I say afond au revoir is one of a band from BottomTown, who, unlike me, never went to secondaryschool. Tiey Sam and company lived throughperilous times, but did the best that they couldin the circumstances.

I think that Tiey had been the lastremaining. He played cricket, excelled as ahalf-back in football, and worked tirelessly asprinter at the Government Printery.

Only a fading memory now remains of thelot.

Some Firsts of the ULP

There are some firsts of which we can beproud or should hang our heads in shame, butI choose one which is morally neutral and mostcaptivating. I refer to the number oftributes/eulogies delivered by our PrimeMinster over the past 14 years.

First Michael Hamlett, a promising ULPcolt, had a sudden death. He was given a statefuneral for which he did not qualify accordingto the prescriptions of “The Right Way” writtenby Brendon Browne, ULP’s first appointedCabinet Secretary. The eulogy was given byPrime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

There followed the highly controversialdeath of Glen Jackson, who had announcedthat he had a bomb to drop on the very daythat he was found nude in his car, fatally shot.Of course, he too was awarded a State Funeral,all expenses paid. Sir Vincent Beache haddeclared that the “assassin” will be brought tojustice, never mind the warning of Glen’s ownwidow who delivered the eulogy that she didnot relish “any scape-goat justice” in herhusband’s homicide trial. Of course, Ralph saidhis piece by way of tribute to the dead, whileJulian sang lustily “My Way”.

There was, indeed, a truncated trial thatsmelled of the very “scape-goatism” of whichMrs. Jacksons had warned.

Then there was the unexpected death fromnatural causes of one of the newly establishedPermanent Secretaries Julian Caruth, whoapparently could not keep pace with the manychanges wrought by the regime, especially inhis name- sake’s Ministry of Works.

There was the death of another PS, ShirleyFrancis who was thought to be an NDP left-over, and was of a delicate constitution whichcould not stand up to the harassment to whichshe was subjected. The death of two permanentsecretaries in the first term of the ULP wascertainly a record.

The PM did his best to ensure damagecontrol, but the sudden heart failure of “SugarGeorge” Mason rocked the ULP’s worldsomewhat. “Sugar George” had been a workerespecially among the grass-roots, and the PM’sexpansive eulogy was a good report of theexemplary life of this indefatigable ULP foot-soldier.

The next three cases took the cake fordrama. There was first of all the sudden deathof the influential and brilliant comedian,Lucian “Saluche” Small, who had transferredhis support to the NDP, owing to roughtreatment from top members of the rulingULP.

At his funeral, the crowd was annoyed whenGonsalves was allowed to pay tribute tosomeone he had ridiculed and starved ofgovernment employment. But they were takenaback by the surprised move, and could onlyshow a controlled anger.

But the lesson of “Saluche” reappeared inbolder relief when Dr. Gonsalves was “invited”to pay tribute to Lynch, to whom for over tenyears he had done and said all manner of evilthings. The mass exploded, Gonsalves couldnot raise a whimper, but tongues wagged overthis spontaneous outburst at Lynch’s funeral.

Finally, there had been the tragic episodewhich unfortunately led to the death andburial of Edgar Cruikshank that was mired incontroversy. To cut a long story short, the casewas again presented of a citizen who hadchanged his party loyalties a matter of weeksbefore the sordid event.

Gonsalves stoutly defended his right toeulogise the fallen comrade, praising his partyfaithfulness to the hilt, which others thought tobe pure hypocrisy which may be effective asan election ploy.

The lessons can be graphically capsuledthus: some hold that there is stark choice “redor dead”, others answer “better dead than red”and so the story goes.

ONE SUNNY, typically Caribbean afternoon, two seagulls were having a stroll along a beach. Worried that he was becoming something of anoutcast, one seagull took the opportunity to explain himself to the other.

“Do you think I talk too much? I mean, people say I talk too much,and these days it seems no one wants to give me an ear. But I don’tthink I talk too much. I may talk a lot, but lots of people talk a lot morethan I do.”

If the truth be told, we love to talk — at least those of us who can — andthere are those who simply talk too much, not least being our leaders.Interestingly, in some languages, there is no word that would translateleader — the closest they come to leader is the word orator, a word thatmeans someone who speaks eloquently. Seems, therefore, that many ofour leaders have accepted the other languages’ lead, and believing theyare all ‘orators’, tend to say a lot of things, even at the most inappropriatetimes.

Lesson One: Effective leaders know when enough is enough.Once, a group of experts met to assist a team of potential investors

with understanding the market in which they (investors) had showninterest. Each mentor was asked to give an input. One mentor hadsomething to say about each and every idea anyone and everyone elsebrought up and, in so doing, he made some ridiculous suggestions. He justhad to say something, forgetting the wisdom in what the Americanliterary icon, Mark Twain, had to say: ‘It is better to remain silent and letpeople think you’re a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.’

Lesson Two: You don’t have to say something just to say something. And there was the case of the ‘leader’ who took it upon himself to

shower congratulations on the feat of an outstanding athlete —congratulations that were eloquently delivered but just too weighty andconsequently over-patronizing. It was a case of too much talk thatdiluted the impact and diminished the effect

Lesson Three: Know when enough is enough, when to stop talking.Then there was the case of the audience who showed signs of boredom

and tiredness as a speaker went on and on. The more he spoke, the lessthe audience seemed to listen. As a result, what the speaker offeredbecame like background music; that which is heard but so often ignored.The leader’s speech ended up being irrelevant; he had talked too much.Maybe the speaker had failed to learn from the true exponents of kaiso— those who know how to write economically.

Lesson Four: Acknowledge and submit to the reality that too muchtalking causes over-exposure.

How often have our leaders demonstrated that they are the ones to doall the talking? That they fail miserably to give others an opportunity toexpress themselves in real time and language? Yes, those leaders wouldhave pointed to (a) Mike in the audience as the person who had four orfive sound reasons why such and such project should be undertaken, butsaid leader proceeded to detail all those reasons. Poor Mike smiled awayinto silence.

Lesson Five: Too much talking discourages others from talking muchat all and trains everyone to wait for you to talk.

So a man stepped up to a counter and the clerk asked him what hewould like. He tried to order cupcakes, but as soon as she asked him forhis order, she began speaking to another employee behind the counter,drowning his words in hers.

“Will that be all?” she asked.He challenged her with, “What did I order?”She counted back the order. He had asked for only two types of

cupcakes, but she got both of them wrong. Why, because she was so busytalking she did not really listen, not unlike so many of our leaders whohear but seldom listen.

Lesson Six: The more you talk, the less you listen. So as we venture into the unknown of a New Year, let’s pray that our

leaders do not accept unto themselves, an ‘uncontestable’ right to speakfor everyone. Even if the ideas that come from others need re-fining,don’t shoot them down and produce your own theses as the end all.Rather, genuinely engage others in a process of dialogue towardsdiscovering the greater good. There is a time to talk, but moreimportantly, a time to listen.

May the joy of listening instruct our relationships with othersthroughout 2015 and beyond.

8. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. 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

Going out wit ‘too much talk’

Deaths towards the end of 2014

MY NAME is AlistairSimon, better known as‘Live Up’. I am not aforeigner. I am a bornVincentian, who has aright to make a living herein my country.

Sometime ago, Ibought a truck from acertain gentleman for$5,000 in order to get apart and to sell theremaining parts to makesome money. I managedto sell the differential for$2,000.

Another gentlemanleft all the comfort of hishome in Keartons,Barrouallie, journeyed toPenniston, like a thief inthe night, and took allthe remaining parts fromthe truck I had bought.The resale value of thoseparts I put at over$10,000.

I was hoping to makesome money from thoseparts. In fact, I thoughtI could get up to $4,000for the engine, $2,000 forthe gear box, $3,000 forthe pan, $1000 for thechassis and maybe$2,000 for the hoist.

I discovered that thepersons who hadremoved the parts soldthem and made a heftysum for himself.

On uncovering who itwas that had stolen myparts, I took that personto court, hoping torecover the exact moneywhich I had paid for thetruck.

His lawyer said to theJudge that the truck wasin a plantation fieldrotting, and my clientcannot pay for that. TheJudge said to me, seeingthe truck was in aplantation field rotting, Ican’t let Mr. Stewart payfor that, and I muststand down.

I accepted the ruling,but deep down I knewwhat had reallyhappened. That is why Iwant to say to all theleaders and those inauthority that what theBible says is true.

In the 14th century,the standard ofeducation was not likewhat we have today, andstill for all the greatbooks were produced andpublished. In communistcountries, theypersecuted Christians,took away their biblesand burned them. Yet,for all that, there arestill more bibles therethan in my country.

Many great men wrote

great books, but throughtime they becameoutdated. But the Bibleis a unique book; itteaches about faith,guidance, you name it.So God says a woman isnot supposed to usurpand preach in church,because the first womancaused the first man tosin.

I want those men inauthority to read thoseverses very carefully: 1Corinthians 14:34-36; 1Timothy 2:12-14. It is nodoubt that America isthe greatest nation onearth. The women thereenjoy justice, but theAmerican people willnever support a womanto become president ofAmerica. In our region,there are two femaleprime ministers.

When the court gavethat man the right towalk away from court afree man, so to speak,that did harm to myliving. I wonder if Ishould say to myselfthat buying old vehiclesis not for me to scrapand sell to make a living;it is reserved for personslike for Mr. Punett, Mr.Thomas and others.

I don’t have anything

personal against women,but what is to be will be.There are some peoplejust like me who areasking for justice in mycountry.

I must end with aprayer: ‘Hold not thypeace, O God of mypraise, for the mouth ofthe wicked and themouth of the deceitfulare open against me,they have spoken againstme with a lying tongue.’

Alistair ‘Live Up’ Simon

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. 9.

LettersV‘Live up’ wants justice

Editor’s Note: This piece ideally should havebeen published in our pre-Christmas edition, butit reached us too late. We apologise to the writer.

As I reflected on what Christmas has become, Iaccept that times have changed and will continueto change.

Children of today, the centre of all thatChristmas should mean, are all about the mostpopular toys. They have a wide choice of brand-name toys and a host of electronic and remotecontrol gadgets.

This is in stark contrast to when I was a childmany decades ago. In those days, we werecontented to get toys that were made by ourparents or some skilled persons in the village.

How well I remember the cash pans/’save-alls’made from milk tins with a slit at the top,through which you dropped your pennies orha’pennies. And those wooden trucks withcrown corks or thread bobbins for wheels, whichthe boys pushed around with long sticks. Thenthere was the sling- shots with bicycle rubber asstraps. And what about the bean bags made fromscraps of cloth and filled with tamarind seeds?And don’t forget the colourful rag dolls.

From among these and more, parents madesure their children got something for Christmas.

Then there was the food and drinks: ham forthose who could afford it, black cakes for sure,and homemade bread all made from scratch, withthe children lying in wait to ‘scrap’ out the bowlsin which the flour and sugar were mixed.

The drinks always included homemade gingerbeer and sorrel, and some punch de crème for theadults.

But what I remember most of all was thatsome families, especially in the countryside whereI lived, went in search of a cherry tree or even ablack sage tree, from which to get a Christmastree. It was usually fixed in an old bucket orpaint pan with sand, and the branches weredecorated with handmade ornaments made byfamily members.

And if there were any gifts to put under thetree, they would be wrapped in old newspaper orbrown paper.

So even though I must accept that how wecelebrate Christmas has changed, I wonder if thechanges have resulted in us losing the realpurpose of Christmas; I wonder if Christmas hasnot become too commercialised and is too muchabout gift-giving and merry-making.

To someone well into their twilight years, I stillbelieve that Christmas should also be aboutmaintaining traditions and spending time withfamily and friends, as it used to be when I was achild.

V. ThomasFrom the country

How I rememberChristmas

IT SEEMS like justyesterday that ouronly son, YowaniBartholomew, wascalled home to be withhis Saviour. A Saviourwhom he knewpersonally, as a friend,father, protector,counsellor anddeliverer.

Though gone undertragic circumstances,we are thankful thatGod gave us theopportunity to be hisparents, if only for alittle while.

Life for us is notand will never be thesame. We battle dailywith questions and‘what ifs’: What if youhad spent Christmasat home with us inBarrouallie, as wasalways the case? Whatif….? What if….?

What we do know,however, is that wehave learnt throughthis difficult period, tolean solely on God’severlasting arms,since He alone holds

the answers to all oflife’s questions.

During our time ofbereavement, we wereheartened with thecomfort, love andsupport we receivedfrom persons from allwalks of life. We wishto take thisopportunity to thankall those at home andabroad whosympathized with usin any way.

To the governmentand people of St.Vincent and theGrenadines, relativesand friends, friends ofYowani, staff andstudents of the St.Vincent CommunityCollege, especially Mr.Nigel Scott and Mrs.Samantha Rouse, wethank you for youroutpouring of love andsupport.

Special thanks toPastor MaxwellProvidence and family,for it was under yoursteadfast watch thatYowani committed his

life to the Lord, andquickly warmed hisway into your life ashis second dad.

We ask that youcontinue to uphold usin your prayers as weendure this season ofreflection, which for uswill never be thesame.

Rawl and SydBatholomew ofBarrouallie.Parents of Yomani

Tribute to our sonYowani BartholomewWas it a lesson, then?

That traitors, just like heretics,Must be publicly punished?Street gangs and the MafiaAct accordingly;Why not political parties?

Not martyred;A martyr dies with his faithintact.No, an old man, at his end,Cannot keep his faithIn a creed he sees corrupted.Did he scream as he wascrushed,Or was the pain too quick forsound?

Perfect timing:Christmas coming, Frantic fix-ups,Loose ends soon forgotten,Suspicion silenced.

Was the lesson learned?Will potential defectorsIn the futureStifle moral outrageAnd acquiesce to MaximumLeader,“…Underlining the smallnessof resistanceIn the face of unimpeachablepower?”

HJA

A roadsideexecution

The issue

THE CONSENSUS among manyVincentians, including those whosupport the opposition NewDemocratic Party, is that 2014was one of the most challengingyears in the history of thedevelopment of the country. Indeed onewould have to go back to 1979, the yearof the eruption of the La Soufrierevolcano, to find a comparable period.Even so, 2014 was by far a period thatprovided more challenges to thegovernment of the day, and the statemachinery.

For the few who may haveforgotten, the Christmas Eve floods of2013, wreaked havoc upon theinfrastructure of the country, andresulted in the deaths of twelve of ourcitizens. When the dust had settled inthe New Year 2014, the damage wasestimated at EC$330 million, orseventeen percent of the country’sGross Domestic Product. How can asmall country like St.Vincent and theGrenadines survive such a massiveblow to its economy andinfrastructure? How would PrimeMinister Ralph Gonsalves and hisULP administration respond to thislatest disaster?

Those Vincentians who have beenobserving the performance of the ULPadministration over the last thirteenyears, had no doubt at the time, thatthe country was going to pull throughthis latest difficulty. After all, theULP administration under ComradeRalph, survived Tomas in 2010, thefloods of 2011, and two periods ofdroughts in 2010 and 2014. All theseweather systems have resulted indamage valued at over EC$600million, since 2010. Add to this theBAICO/CLICO fall out, and theterrible effects of the 2008 globaleconomic and financial crisis, and wesee the context in which the ULPadministration had to govern.

Providing leadership

Despite all these disasters, despitethe world economic crisis, despite theBAICO/CLICO problems and otherminor related matters, the ULPadministration has governed thecountry through a state of normalcy.This is a combination of the resilienceand productivity of our people, andthe active policies and strategicinterventions by the government. Theresponse to the Christmas Eve flood isa case in point.

While the Opposition failed to“report for duty” after the flooding,the ULP administration went intohigh gear. The impressive response ofthe government has been documented,but we need to mention the provisionof stoves, fridges and mattresses forthose persons who were affected, andthe construction of houses for thosepersons whose dwelling units weredestroyed.

In the whole process, the ULPadministration managed to raise overEC$300m in assistance, mainly due tothe progressive foreign policy of theULP, and the practical solidaritywhich friendly nations abroad, haverendered to the government. Throughall of this, and the leadershipprovided by Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, thecountry has returned to a degree ofnormalcy. Some people take thisdevelopment for granted. Others see itfor what it is, a further practicalapplication of the policy of the ULP

administration, of its “people centreddevelopment” philosophy.

And what of the central focus of thegovernment? Despite the disaster, thegovernment has been able to continuea wide range of services. TheEducation Revolution continued toflourish, and the construction of theinternational airport project at Argylecontinued apace. There have beenimpressive developments in the fieldof health, and the resurgence in theagricultural sector is gainingmomentum. In all this, no publicservant has been laid off, salarieshave not been reduced, and have beenpaid on time, and the country hasbeen given a stamp of economicapproval from the IMF.

By comparison, what does theopposition NDP provide for thecountry? We have become accustomedto the series of lies and half-truthspromulgated by Arnhim Eustace andhis cronies, all aimed at “bad talking”the country. We must mention theconduct of the NDP at the funeral ofthe late EG Lynch, a debacle thatthey have failed to recover from. Wemust talk about the response of theNDP to the recent disaster, when theyplayed politics with the unfortunateplight of Vincentians. We must neverforget the way the NDP attacked theCommunity College, in their bid tocriticise the associate degreeprogramme. And we must neverforget their unfortunate statement, inthat they will not cooperate with theULP administration; and theirsubsequent withdrawal fromParliament.

In all this, the NDP failed to showleadership and direction, failed toprovide their supporters with hope,and failed to illustrate and explaintheir developmental policy for thecountry. This is so because the NDPoffers no hope for the development ofthis country, and must never beconsidered as such.

Conclusion

So it is clear that the ULPadministration provided criticalleadership to the country in 2014.There is more work to be done as thecountry continues on itsdevelopmental path, but the ULPunder Comrade Ralph is ready forthis task. Sometime over the nextfifteen months, Prime Minister Dr.Ralph Gonsalves will announce thedate of the next general elections. Atthat time, Vincentians will be calledupon to make a decision. Do theywant to continue the forwarddevelopmental march which the ULPbegan in 2001, that has brought somany benefits to Vincentians? Or, dothey want to resign the country to aperiod of backwardness, under-development and chaos under theNDP?

The good sense of the Vincentianpeople will prevail, and they willreturn the ULP administration tooffice for a fourth term, to continuethe impressive developmental workthat we have experienced, over thelast thirteen years.

Forward ever, backward never!

TWO THOUSAND AND FOURTEEN wasa tremendous year for the NewDemocratic Party (NDP), and wewelcome 2015 with greatexpectation. In 2014, the partyincreased its popularity significantly,which will ultimately propel it tovictory in the next general elections.These gains were achieved through anumber of initiatives by all the organs ofthe party.

One of the major achievements ofthe year was the launch of the mobileweb app by the Young Democrats. Theapp provides details for voterregistration and other importantinformation to prospective voters. TheHonourable Arnhim Eustace,President of the NDP, commended theYoung Democrats for theiraccomplishment, and made thefollowing statement at the launch, “Itis with a deep sense of pride that Ilook this morning at our YoungDemocrats demonstrating this web-based application to promote voterregistration, which was developed bya team of talented Vincentians, righthere on these shores. The idea wasconceived that the young peoplewanted to get the word out to theirfriends, that voting is important andindeed critical if we want to seechange in this country, so, with theassistance of local technologists anddevelopers and our Media RelationsDepartment within the party led bySen. Vynnette Frederick, this mobileapp was created.

“I am here, as a happy and proudobserver. This is a youth-driven idea.This is for the mobile Smartphone andtablet device generation; those whopopulate and get their information onsocial forums, like Facebook andTwitter; those who follow ‘Hitman’before they look at SVGTV forinformation; this app is designed tomobilize them. This is where and howour young people communicate. Wedon’t call them internet crazy — wecall them internet savvy and weembrace the opportunity to join theconversation where they arecomfortable. That conversation is nowonline and on mobile.

“I have long believed that anopportunity was being squanderedhere in St. Vincent in the area ofICT. There are young business peoplehere who have not been approached tomake use of the legislative benefits ofbringing IT based businesses to thiscountry. We see a place for our youngpeople to be trained and put to workin technology businesses, which wemust work to attract to these shores.Of course, in order to do this we mustbe competitive and attractive as adestination. We must encourageinnovation and opportunities for thoseamong us who are interested to bementored and supported by those inthe world who are world classinnovators. We are pleased to nameone such innovator, Gabriela Draneythe CO-Founder of Tech Wildcatters,which made the Forbes List as one ofthe top accelerators in the UnitedStates, and Miss Draney was listed asone of top creative innovators in theworld.

“We in the New Democratic Partyare ready to put our youth to work,ready to give them opportunities ininnovation, ready to see them lift ourcountry through mastery of this spaceand these opportunities in technology.A strong economy is at the foundationof all that we see our youth

accomplishing. You can’t expect ourstudents to make full use of a laptop ifthey live in a struggling household,where employment, food andother necessities are always scarce.Without a well-planned ICT inEducation programme, which thisULP government lacks - students andteachers still cannot use theirequipment in the classroom in apredictable and structured way. Folksare still at a loss as to how this wholething is supposed to work on a dailybasis.

“The New Democratic Party seesthe economic recovery of St. Vincentand the Grenadines as being crucial toproviding the environment in whichwe want our creative youthfulenergies and talents to spark andburn bright. This app is just oneexample of the creativity, capacity andability of our internet-savvygeneration, and we look forward toseeing them produce even more.”

Another huge success for the partywas our Agricultural Consultationsthat were held throughout mainlandSt. Vincent. The Consultations servedthe dual purposes of giving farmersthe opportunity to offer suggestions asto the way forward in agriculture, andallowing the party to present itsagricultural programme, which wascompiled after visits to their farms bymembers of the NDP.

In those Consultations, farmersexpressed their opinions as to theimportance of the banana industry,and they were given the assurancethat the NDP will undertake arehabilitation and replanting exerciseof one thousand (1000) acres ofbananas, in the first year of its returnto office. The NDP will also seekmarkets for other agriculturalproduce, repair and construct feederroads and address the problem ofpraedial larceny.

In addition, the HonourablbeArnhim Eustace began his island tour.To date, he has visited the SouthCentral Windward, North Leeward,Central Leeward and South Leewardconstituencies, where he was wellreceived by all those with whom hecame into contact. Those personsshared their concerns, and revealedthe hardship and suffering that theywere experiencing. His message tothem was one of hope.

The other constituencies that havenot been visited can look forward fortheir visit early in the New Year.

Because of the gains that the NDPmade in 2014 and previous years,there is no doubt that the NDP willwin the next general elections. Theparty has been outlining itsprogrammes and policies on a dailybasis on radio, social media and on itspolitical platform, and will continue todo so in 2015.

Most Vincentians have realizedthat the Unity Labour Party (ULP)has failed miserably, and will nowturn to the NDP for a new wayforward, i.e. a path to economicgrowth and development, a path to jobcreation and an improved standard ofliving. Only the NDP can deliverthese. The time is now for the NDP.

10. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

ViewsV2014 - A great year for the NewDemocratic Party

Providing leadership in 2014

1. SEVEN MILES of New BloodVessels for Every Pound of FatGained.

When you gain a pound of fat,your body makes seven newmiles of blood vessels. Thismeans your body must workharder to pump blood through allof these extra new vessels, which mayput a strain on your heart, and mayreduce oxygenation and nutrientreplenishment in other tissues.Fortunately, if you lose a pound, yourbody will break down and re-absorbthe now unnecessary vessels.2. Most People Only Breathe ThroughOne Nostril at a Time

Though you’ve got two nostrils,about 85 percent of people only useone at a time. But, erectile tissue inyour nose slowly swells the tissue inone nostril while shrinking it in theother, so you automatically switchbreathing between nostrils aboutevery four hours.

Interestingly, body position, illnessand other factors can influence whichnostril you breathe from when, and,in turn, the nostril you’re breathingfrom can impact your health. Forinstance, breathing through the rightnostril causes you to use more oxygenand raises your blood sugar levels.3.Yawning Helps Cool Your Brain

Yawning is an involuntarybehavior that may perform theimportant function of cooling yourbrain. When you yawn, the influx ofcool air may ventilate your sinusesand facilitate brain cooling.4. Some Women See More Colors

Most people have three types ofcolor receptors that allow them to seecolor vision. Some women have four,however, which allows them to see awider range of colors than the averageperson (a small percentage of womeneven have five color receptors). Whywomen? The red and green colorreceptors, which can be shifted toallow for a greater range of colorvision, are located on the Xchromosome; blue is on the Y.5. Memories Work in Mysterious Ways

Have you ever walked into a roomand then forgotten why you wentthere in the first place? This isbecause your brain perceives thedoorway as an “event boundary,” andmemories from the room you just leftare “stored” there for when you needthem. This is why when you go backthrough the doorway into the priorroom, you can often remember what itis that you forgot!6. Sugar Can Help Your Wounds Heal

Not by eating it, of course, butrather by sprinkling it directly on thewound. Sugar is hygroscopic, whichmeans it absorbs water that bacterianeed to survive. This method has beenpopular among healers in Africa forgenerations, and it is reportedlyuseful for bed sores, leg ulcers,amputations and more.

A twist on this idea is to use honey,which will help draw fluid away fromyour wound and suppress the growthof microorganisms. Part of what giveshoney its antibacterial properties isthe presence of beneficialLactobacillus bacteria, found only inraw honey, which fight infection.

7. You Salivate More Before YouVomit

…And there’s a very good reasonfor this. Because stomach acid can beharsh on your throat and mouth, theextra saliva helps dilute the acid andrinse it away to minimize any damagecaused by vomiting8. Loneliness is Physically Painful

Loneliness is emotionally painfulfor sure, but it’s physically painful aswell. In fact, both loneliness andphysical pain are processed in thesame region of your brain, theanterior cingulate cortex. So just asyou have a powerful drive to avoidcausing physical pain to your body,you have a similarly powerful drive toconnect with others and seekcompanionship — in order to avoidpainful feelings of loneliness.9. You Have Two Brains

Just as you have neurons in yourbrain, you also have neurons in yourgut, which is also found in your brainand is linked to mood. Your gutliterally serves as your second brain,and even produces more of theneurotransmitter serotonin — knownto have a beneficial influence on yourmood — than your brain does.

In other words, you have twonervous systems: the central nervoussystem, composed of your brain andspinal cord, and the enteric nervoussystem, which is the intrinsic nervoussystem of your gastrointestinal tract.To put this into more concrete terms,you’ve probably experienced thevisceral sensation of butterflies inyour stomach when you’re nervous, orhad an upset stomach when you werevery angry or stressed.10. You Can’t Swallow and Breathe atthe Same Time

Virtually every other mammal can;however, human babies can only untilthey’re about 9 months old. Aroundthis time the voice box drops quite lowin the neck compared to otheranimals, which allows us to have awide range of sounds for speech — buttakes our ability to breathe and eat ordrink at the same time.

And here’s a bonus

11.  It Might be Healthy to EatBoogers

Your nasal mucus might be host tosmall amounts of contaminants(acting as antigens) that may actually“educate” and boost your immunesystem when they’re consumed. Socontrary to the belief that eatingboogers could make you sick, it mightactually help your body to fight offillnesses

For more all round goodness aboutthe human body and how to keep ithealthy, go to the holistic sites of DrMercola and Dr Sears.

Send comments, criticisms &suggestions to

wefirst@aol.com

“Progression: you can start from whereyou are.” - Boyd K. Packer (1924– )American religious leader

IT IS COMMON (and a very goodpractice) to use the latter part of theclosing year and/or the early part of theNew Year, to engage in some personalstrategic planning. There is wisdom inpausing to see where we are, where weneed to get to, and formulate plans toaccomplish our noble goals. Theintrospection that is required can play acritical role in influencing the level ofsuccess that we eventually achieve.And while there are some who willadvocate that New Year resolutions havelittle or no value, this writer advocatesthat modern research confirms thatthose individuals who engage in suchactivities, tend to accomplish muchmore than those who do not. Suchplanning engagements can significantlyenhance our progression.

The concept of Action Learningthat was developed by ProfessorReginald (Reg) Revans in the 1950s isnow widely used by many individualsand in many firms, public sectordepartments, and non-governmentorganisations. Companies such asIBM, Xerox, and Motorola (to mentiona few) have used various aspects ofthe Action Learning programme toenhance their efficiency. Many of theemployees in these firms testify of thepersonal and corporate value ofengaging in critical self-analysis;reviewing their personal, department,and organisation circumstances;designing plans that are specific,measurable, actionable, realistic, andtime-bound (SMART); and ensuringthat these are implemented, even asthey regularly monitor/reviewperformances. This simple approachhas enabled many to observesignificant progress. There is value inplanning. There is value in makingthe time to engage in activities of thisnature, that will have the potential toenhance our personal and corporateprogression.

How much progression are weplanning for this year? While thismay initially appear to be a “strange”question, it will be valuable for eachof us to seek to respond to it beforereading any further. There is value inconducting such an exercise. Whatphysical, social, emotional, spiritual,and educational progression would welike to see during the next twelvemonths (and beyond)? What skillscan we learn? We (you and I) have somuch potential; so many untappedskills and abilities. Imagine what ourlives would look like if we dedicated alittle more time to enhancing some ofthese. Several of these would havethe potential to generate addedincome. However, even in theinstances where income is not created,we become bigger and betterwhenever we utilise more of our God-given talents and abilities. Each skillthat is gainfully engaged aids ourprogression.

While some readers may concludethat a structured approach topersonal development is unattractive,we highlight the danger of designing alife that is depicted by “floating withthe tide”. Good planners know thevalue of setting goals. Some may

even advise that “Failing to plan isplanning to fail”. Some individualsmay seem uncomfortable with suchstructures but they do help to hold usaccountable. The milestones can alsohelp to pace our steps. The absence ofthese moorings can be disastrous.While a student at the St. Martin’sBoys Secondary School, our esteemedmathematics teacher, BrotherFrancis, reminded us that “Any deadfish can float downstream”. He wouldregularly use that statement toencourage us to develop the disciplineand determination to focus on whatwas noble — and to pursue those goalswith vigour. This was key toprogression. We need to have a plan,and develop the discipline to pursuethat plan. Failure to do so could verywell make us prone to regression andpossible catastrophe.

As we put our plans in place for aproductive year, we must considerthat many of these may be fraughtwith complications. We must expectobstacles and detours. We would beso very naive to assume that it will be“smooth sailing”. William Blake(1757-1827), the English poet andartist, reminds us that, “Withoutcontraries is no progression.Attraction and repulsion, reason andenergy, love and hate, are necessaryto human existence.” We shouldtherefore not think it strange whenhindrances emerge. Among otherthings, these will test our resolve.Our determination and strength ofcharacter will shine through. We willplan our work and work our plan! Wewill make every effort to pursue ournoble dreams. We will do so withgusto!

So, let us start from where we are.We know where we want to go. Wehave some indication of what needs tobe done to get there. We visualise the“new and improved me”. The weight-loss programme (or weight-gain insome instances) is possible. We canlearn or improve that new skill. Wecan commence that course of studythat we previously assumed wasbeyond our academic or financialreach. We can form that newcompany. It is feasible to improvethat relationship within our home,neighbourhood, workplace, or church.We can afford to take that familyvacation if we planned our timeand/or budget a little better this year.Whatever the goals that we set, wecan make progress with an enhancedfocus and determination. We will notbe distracted. We will not entertainthe detractors. We set sail ... todiscover a new land. We see beyondthe horizon, and embrace that newand improved me. This time nextyear, we will look back and see thatwe have progressed. So, we embracethe New Year with confidence. Weanticipate the challenges, but knowthat, with God’s help, we can makethe impossible possible. We committo the process. We know thatprogression is possible!

Send comments, criticisms &suggestions to

julesferdinand@gmail.com

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. 11.

ViewsVTell me something I don’t Know Progression

THE BUDGET ESTIMATES 2015 show that the ULPregime leadership is delusional. Their beliefs clearly arenot based on reality, and contradict the evidence; theyhave little ability to distinguish their own thoughts andideas from reality.

Figures from the Ministry of Finance show thatthe actual total grants and revenue for the first 6months of 2014 was $252.41m. The table (below)shows that the actual total grants and revenue forthe whole of 2014, based on the 6 months figure,was about $504.82m.

Gonsalves expects us to believe that 2015 will bea miracle year, and that an extra $466.58m willappear out of thin air. The ULP regime leadership isclearly deluded. For Vincentians, 2015 will beanother year of extreme hardship, pain, highunemployment and high crime.

What is interesting is that the Ministry ofFinance gave a different Budget Estimates 2015 tothe IMF in mid-2014, that being only $597.7m as

shown in the table. It seems that the ULP regimewants to appear poorer in front of the IMF whenthey are on their knees begging for money, yet whenit comes to telling our people about the BudgetEstimates, they beat their chest and say how wellthey are doing, and present to us a totally different,delusional figure of $971.4m.

One needs only look at the poverty anddestitution all around the country to know thateverything is not alright.

Other Budget Estimates 2015 concerns are: * Non-tax revenue drops from $56m to only

$46m - this shows that the SVG economy is close tocollapse;

* Local loans up from $47m to $71m — willthe ULP regime kill the NIS as well as having killedthe NCB?;

* Other Receipts are $155m — money theULP regime expects to grow on trees;

* Fiscal Deficit of $143m - elevenconsecutive years of fiscal deficit highlightsGonsalves’ financial incompetence;

* Health cut to $1.7 m in 2017 —Vincentians’ health will suffer;

* Education budget is being slashed — puremadness.

The ULP regime’s way of tackling crime is to waituntil crime happens and then fight it, illustrated byGonsalves’ announcement of new vehicles for thepolice in the Budget Estimates 2015 discussion.Unfortunately, this is the type of thinking you getfrom the dunce at the back of the class, who has airbetween his ears, and little else.

All around the world, the evidence shows thatthe best way to fight crime is to fight the main

cause of crime, i.e. the lack of education. Tosignificantly cut crime in SVG, we must educate ourpeople. So what is Gonsalves doing in this regard?In his ‘wisdom’, Gonsalves has slashed theeducation budget by about 50% in the BudgetEstimates 2015.

In 2014, $28.7m was budgeted for education, butfor 2015, this has been cut to $14.8m. No wonderwhy in 2014 SVG saw about 40 murders. Crime willcontinue to rise as Gonsalves has budgeted to slashthe education pot for 2016 to only $10.6m andvirtually wipe out the education budget altogetherin 2017, with a budget of only $4.1m.

The ULP regime’s message to parents and youngpeople is clear: they have little interest in educatingthe children of SVG and helping them obtain aprosperous future!

After being in office for 13 years, the ULP regimehas decimated the SVG economy and let the countryfall to ruin. Businesses experience their worst salesfor 40 years, and there is high unemployment.Gonsalves, who is not a university graduate infinance, is utterly hopeless. When it comes tofinance, the ULP regime is deluded.

SVG needs a strategy for success, and thatmeans going Green. A Green government willsignificantly boost revenue and create thousands ofnew jobs by taxing the super-rich of Mustique andCanouan,and setting up our own SVG tuna fishingand canning industry.

We will produce budget estimates to boost SVGand its people. This means proper funding forhealth, job creation and education, and building ourown SVG university, so parents can see theirchildren get a good education and high-paid, long-term jobs.

SVG Green Partywww.svggreenparty.org

12. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

ViewsVBudget Estimates 2015 -ULP regime delusional

by KENVILLE HORNE

JUNIOR CHAMBERSINTERNATIONAL (JCI) St. Vincent,commonly referred to as Jaycees,announced their new executive at aceremony held at the Fair View GuestHouse, New Montrose, on Saturday20th December.

Immediate Past President, RyanHazell, described the ceremony as avery auspicious occasion, since it wasthe very first time JCI was having “athreesome”, which included theinduction of new members, installationof 2015 Local Board Officers, and thePresentation of Awards to outstandingmembers for the 2014 period.

The function also marked a historicoccasion, according to the President,because it recognized the success ofaccomplishing “our membership quotafor administrative year 2014.”

The incoming president, MandisaStephens, along with the 2015 LocalBoard Officers, were officiallyinstalled. The Officers includedSecretary Keitha James, VicePresident Shevern Lewis, TreasurerGabriel Glasgow, and two Advisors -Cuthbert Tucker and Sherlene Wyllie.

Three new members were inducted,namely John Kiel, Jane Balcombe, andDelroy John. Hazell appealed to theinductees to take advantage of theopportunities the JCI offered, andreminded them that they were takingan oath to be active members.

“What you put in is what you getout. So if you sacrifice your time andyour talent, and your treasure, youwill see the worth,” Hazell advised theInductees.

The ceremony concluded with thepresentation of awards to outstandingmembers over the 2014 period. Theaward for the Most Punctual Memberwent to a past president, PhillipCambridge. Keitha James took theawards for Best Attendance, Best NewMember for 2014, along with theMember of the Year 2014. BestCommittee went to the CommunityCommittee, Best Chairperson -Shevern Lewis, Senator of the Year -Claudius Hamilton, and the MostImproved Member award waspresented to Mandisa Stephenson.

The JCI is a leadership training andcivic organization for people betweenthe ages of 18 and 40. Areas ofemphasis are business development,

management skills, individualtraining, community service, andinternational connections.

The Mission of JCI is toprovide developmentopportunities that empoweryoung people to create positivechange.

The organization wasestablished here in 1959.

Some of the members of the2015 Local Board Officers, (L-R): Incoming PresidentMandisa Stephens, ImmediatePast President Ryan Hazell,Secretary Keitha James,Treasurer Gabriel Glasgowand Advisor Cuthbert Tucker.

Keitha James, Member of the Year 2014,accepts her award from Immediate PastPresident Ryan Hazell.

JCI hosts threesome award

V THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. 13.

Stories by DAYLE DA SILVA

CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT tradition,and one tradition that is highlyanticipated is the annualFathers versus Non-Fathersfootball game held on ChristmasDay, in Cane End, Marriaqua.

This year’s game finished ina 3-3 tie, with Mikel Mappopening up the scoring for theFathers; Emerson Princeequalised shortly for the non-fathers; however, Marlon StJohn put the ‘Dads’ ahead.

Dwight Allen levelled againfor the non-fathers, andstrikes from Eric Caruth(father) and Carlos James

(non-father) ensured the firstdraw in the competition’s 8thyear of existence.

“It was a very interestinggame,” said Kevin James,member of the ‘Out AhTrouble Family’ who organisesthe event.

The competition has beendominated by first the non-fathers, winning the firstthree years, and then thefathers took over, Jamescontinued.

The event has attracted theparticipation of some of theformer big names inMarriaqua football — Jerry

and DonovanCrick, KeithGilbert andMikey Tesheira.

But it alsoattracts some ofthe future starsin the Valley,including U-17player EmersonPrince.

“And we areglad for that,”James said.

But it’s morethan just aboutthe football, hecontinued.

“It’s not tosend themessage to theyounger guys tobecome a father;it’s more thanthat — we aredoing something to ‘lively up’the community,” James toldTHE VINCENTIAN.

It is all about thecommunity, he continued,saying that people usuallycome from all corners of theMarriaqua Valley, includingRichland Park, and from asfar away as Evesham.

Knowledge and skill arepassed on to the younger guys,he said — and mostimportantly, it is all about thesupport which comes from

within the community.Carlton Woodley, another of

the organisers, added that,with all the violence that isoccurring around the country,the event was organised tobring the youths together,especially on a day such asChristmas Day.

“Some of the guys withbehavioural issues can comearound, we don’tdiscriminate,” he said.

Woodley admitted thatfathers have come under someheavy criticism, and he viewed

the event as an opportunityfor them to come out and senda message to the nextgeneration of young men inthe community.

According to Woodley, itdoes not take much to have achild, but to be a father and tocome out and show the loveand be an example take muchmore.

“So we might pass and go,but we’re showing that theyshould follow in our footsteps,”Woodley said.

GOVERNMENT IS NOWmoving to source funding fromwhat it termed “friendlygovernments,” for theconstruction of the longanticipated national stadium.

According to Minister ofTourism, Sports and Culture,Cecil Mc Kie, the projectremains one of high priorityfor the ministry and thegovernment of St Vincent andthe Grenadines.

McKie, in response to aquestion posed by MP forSouth Leeward, NigelStephenson, during the lastsession of Parliament, saidthat his ministry waspreviously engaged indiscussions with the StVincent and the Grenadines

Football Federation (SVGFF)and the governing body ofworld football, FIFA.

“In fact, they had asked usto make a submission onworks that they want us to becompleted through the FIFAbody,” McKie said.

He explained that thesubmission made did not meetthe requirements, and that adecision had beenmade to move toalternativediscussions, usingthe diplomaticroute, “[By using]our aggressiveforeign policy to seeif we can get thesupport fromfriendlygovernments toassist us in thatproject.

He continued,saying that somecost saving onresources will bemade availableupon thecompletion of theinternationalairport at Argyle.These include theconcrete, asphaltand stone crushingplants currently inuse on that project.

“Those plantswill allow us toreduce significantlythe cost of theconstruction of thatstadium project,”the minister said.

Government tosource funds forstadium

Marriaqua alive withÂFatherlyÊ love

Cecil Mc Kie, Minister ofSport, spoke toGovernment’s new approachto soliciting funds toconstruct a Sports Stadium.

Keith Gilbert, an active footballerin his younger days, made awelcomed and much appreciatedreturn to the playing field.

Carlton Woodley, one of theorganisers, cites the event as oneaimed at bringing people together.

14. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News V

Stories by KENVILLE HORNE

THE ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINESChamber of Industry and Commerce, inconjunction with TelecommunicationCompany LIME, hosted a ‘Business AfterHours Christmas Cheer’ function onFriday 19th December, at the Cruise ShipTerminal.

The wide cross-section ofbusinessmen and women, governmentofficials and other invited guests inattendance may just have had a rudeawakening to what some persons herehave to endure.

Providing that awakening wasAyana Findlay, a 23-year-old youngwoman who has been diagnosed withNephrotic syndrome,‘a kidney disorder characterised by anincrease in permeability of thecapillary walls ofthe glomerulus, leading to thepresence of high levels ofprotein passing from the blood intothe urine’.

She was so diagnosed while a thirdform student at the Girls’ High School.Undaunted, she graduated from thatinstitution with 9 CXC subject passes.

“I was very happy to have passed allmy subjects, especially Accounts , notonly because I want to be anAccountant, but also because of all thechallenges I was facing travelling formedical evaluation and treatment,missing school, all the medication andsurgeries, etc. ,” she told the

gathering.Ayana went on

to attend theSVG CommunityCollege, but hadto curtail herstudies therewhen her illnessadvancedsignificantly.She was thendiagnosed withend stage renalfailure.

“Over the lastfour years, I havebeen battlingwith kidneyfailure. I have had to undergodialysis,” said Findley.

Since 2012, she has undergonenumerous dialysis treatments at aprivate institution here. Eachtreatment comes at a cost of EC$ 500per session. She is required to havethree sessions of dialysis per week, buthas to be satisfied with two, since thatis all she can afford.

Findlay’s condition has shown littleimprovement, and her body is nowreacting adversely to the treatment.Worse, her family funds have all butdried up.

“My condition, unfortunately, hasplaced my entire family and myselfunder severe pressure, since we simplydo not have the money necessary forcoping with the situation,” she told a

now stunned gathering, and expressedthanks to the institutions andindividuals who have assisted her.

In an effort to ease the financialburden on her parents, Findlay hasestablished her own business. “I sellcakes, cupcakes and banana bread; Itry my best to help out my father as Icannot cope with the way he isstruggling because of my condition. Ihelp with buying medication, groceriesand transportation, and also to

experience some level ofindependence,” said Findlay.

That may have hit a chord, for THEVINCENTIAN understands that anumber of persons have since madepledges to assist Ayana in one way oranother.

And the end of the night, after all,there was some ‘cheer’ brought intothe life of one needy Vincentian youngwoman.

PRIME MINISTER Dr.Ralph Gonsalves hasexpresseddisappointment with theoperation of the FirstCaribbean InternationalBank (FCIB).

According to the PrimeMinister, the bank is apost box. “The decisionsare made in Barbados. Ifyou want to get a loanfrom them to dosomething, it takes six toeight months before youcan get a proper decisionout of them. Unless youare ‘Silky’, who is adifferent story, but noteverybody is like ‘Silky’who can call the HO inBarbados and say I wanttwo million dollars, andthey say ok, you couldget it tomorrow or thesame day for that

matter,” said Gonsalves,referring to localbusinessman Bertille‘Silky’ DaSilva.

According to the PrimeMinister, the FirstCaribbean InternationalBank’s operation is agood example of the needfor an indigenous bankhere, towardsunderstanding “what weare doing, and that weare not a post box foranybody.”

The Prime Ministerexpressed the sentimentsduring an address at theSt.Vincent and theGrenadines Chamber ofIndustry and CommerceBusiness after HourChristmas function,December 17, 2014, heldat the Cruise ShipTerminal.

Members of the local business fraternity taking in the Prime Minister’sassault on FCIB.

Prime Minister Dr. RalphGonsalves didn’t mincehis words in describingthe modus operandi ofFCIB.

‘FCIB is a post box,’ says PM

A section of the gathering listens attentively as Ayana bravely describe herdaily trials.

Ayana sharesher plight

Ayana Findlaydescribes hersituation to thegathering ofbusiness persons.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. 15.

Egerton McLean Richards and Metrocint General

Insurance

Egerton McLean Richards and Metrocint General

Insuranceby PATMOS RICHARDS

IN HIS BOOK ‘Entrepreneurs of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’, Senator Luke Browne in profiling Egerton ‘Eggie’ Richards, perhaps revered most as being founder of Metrocint General Insurance Co. Ltd., had this to say: “There are other business ventures in which the indomitable ‘Eggie’ was either directly or indirectly involved. He had a quarry at Happy Hill, for example, and considered stones to be ‘black gold’. Richards had so much foresight. He wanted to produce cheap electricity for his companies. He tried solar power before it became popular even in the United States of America, (and) also experi-mented with wind energy.” That quotation from Senator Browne’s profile summed up the business versatility of Egerton McLean Richards, who earned the soubriquet ‘Uncle Metro’ after an advertising giggle in 1977 to promote Metrocint General Insurance Co. Ltd., which he officially launched on Decem-ber 31st 1968. Asked what motivated him to feature Richards in his book, Senator Browne

replied: “His sheer achievement as a local businessman prompted me to write on him. ‘Uncle Metro’s’ ground breaking achievement of being the pioneer of an indigenous financial institution was exceptional.” Under the leadership of ‘Uncle Metro’, and in the face of challenges thrown up by an industry that was predominantly owned by absentee conglomerates, Metrocint General Insurance Co. Ltd. flourished and, by the time of ‘Uncle Metro’s passing in January 2001, had become this country’s leading insurance service for vehicle owners. The Company, too, had immersed itself in the social and cultural life of Vincentian people, Uncle Metro’s philanthropic spirit ensuring support for education, and sports and cultural activities. On the passing of ‘Uncle Metro’, the mantle of leadership of Metrocint fell on the shoulders of his daughter, Desiree, and she has proved to be as much of a visionary and astute leader as her father. Today, as the Company marks its 46th anniversary, credit is due her and her dedicat-ed staff who, together, have weathered the tests of an ever expanding industry, while being able to maintain a family-like relation-ship with all its clients, just the way its found-er, Uncle Metro’ would have wanted it.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. 17.16. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

18. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. 19.

20. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. 21.

22. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. 23.

24. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. 25.

LeisureVACROSS

1.Bank door letters

5. Paper quantity

9. Toothpaste form

12. Small amount

13.Further- more

14. Kanga’s baby

15. At no time,Poetically

16. Poker declaration(2 wds.)

17. Canadian prov.

18. Nordic capital

20. Tic-__ (breath mint)

22. “Good Times”actress

25. Delays28. Actress

Lupino29. Soprano’s

operaticsolo

32. Annoying child

33. Freckle34. Actress

Gibbs36. “Here __

again!” (2 wds.)

37. Delighted smile

39. Actor Wallace __

40. Conger41. Real __

43. Politician Jackson

45. One, in Mexico

46. Leave one’s chair

48. Ky.’s neighbour

50. Single group

52. Complete defeat

56. Actress__ West

57. “__ Man” (1984 Film)

58. Rick’s lovein

“Casablanca”59. Public TV

letters60. Ugly

duckling,eventually

61. First gardenDOWN

1.Fish propeller

2. Fawn’s mama

3. Native of (suffix)

4. Actress Channing

5. Racetrackenclosure

6. Sailors’ saint

7. “Do __ say…”

(2 wds.)8. __ Carlo9. Purchases

at the supermarket

Aries (Mar. 21- April 20)Be a leader, not a follower! Keepbusiness dealings at a high level ofintegrity. When connecting withloved–ones make allowances ratherthan expect too much. Money is on theincrease, stay positive. To understandwhat a friend is going through, listen towhat they are not saying.

Taurus (Apr. 21- May 21)If you want to change your life, youneed to change your life – take action.Work is demanding, but don’t letspending extra hours at the office causeyou to neglect your health. A friendlyheart–to–heart chat with someone closecan prepare them for what’s to come.

Gemini (May 22-June 21)Look for solutions, not problems. Whenyou have a positive attitude, it canimprove every area of your life. Tightenthe purse strings – this is not a week tobe extravagant. At work, use yourcommon sense to stand out from thecrowd.

Cancer (June 22-July 22)Love and work can connect when youleast expect. Say “yes” to businessevents. Your perfect partner could becloser than you think. Don’t back awayfrom a challenge; it’s what keeps yourspirit alive. A financial hic–cup will beshort lived.

Leo (July 23-Aug 22)For love to last, you need anunbreakable connection of trust andrespect. Be optimistic at work, withlucky stars on your side, anything ispossible. Beautifying your home createsa sense of peace and harmony forfamily closeness to grow.

Virgo (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)Love and money often connect, andhow you deal with this combination willdetermine the outcome. Don’t getconfused, business is business, even ifit does fall in to the personal area ofyour life. At work, don’t let a pastincident have influence over thedecisions you make today.

Libra (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)Be diplomatic. Watch what you say andhow you say it. A sensitive comment canbe taken the wrong way. Beware ofbeing tempted to indulge in anout–of–control retail therapy splurge.Great things are happening; the best isyet to come!

Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)Finish what you start. If you’re feeling

overwhelmed at work, deal with onething at a time. With money, be patientand finances will turn in your favor. If themoment of truth has arrived in your lovelife; it may be time to give someone thekey to your heart.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)It can cause mistrust when you keepsecrets from a sweetheart. If you havesomething to say, don’t hold back.Divulge how you feel to clear the air.With money, check the fine–print. Youare in control of your life, keep it thatway.

Capricorn (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)Your career life is headed for the top;you can take a giant step ahead now.The right people will step forward to helpyou – look for the sign posts ofsynchronicity. Love and friendship gohand–in–hand. With money, beoptimistic.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19)Passionate love moments can have yourheart racing. Couples can tie the knot.Singles can meet someone wonderful.Work life is up for review with change onthe horizon. People you meet now canmake life–changing decisions. Thinkcarefully about your next moves andthose you share life with.

Pisces (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)Be career smart – focus on the details tosee what’s really happening. It is easierto make money when you arepassionate about what you do. Whendiscussing a sensitive topic, treadcarefully, someone close could beemotionally fragile.

10. Long, longtime

11. Large amount

19. Joining place

21. Lackland, for one

(abbr.)22. Raised

strip23. Perfumes24. Widths25. Painter

Salvador26. Fits of

temper27. Mink cape30. Prime rib

order31. Wrath35. Parts of

speech(abbr.)

38. Bert

Bobbsey’s twin

42. Jaunts44. Kind of

creepy46. Phibin’s

co-host47. “Blame __

Rio” (2 wds.)

48. Little devil49. Catch, as a

crook51. Freshly

made53. Like an

antique54. Manipulate55. Bronzed

skin tone

LA

ST

WE

EK

’sS

OL

UT

ION

26. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

CommunityyVChristmascheer forthe children

CHILDREN WARDED at two institutions hereenjoyed some much appreciated Christmas cheerthis year.

While others were enjoying the traditions ofa Vincy Christmas with their families,members of The Get Nice Crew were on theroad on Christmas Day, bringing cheer to thechildren of the paediatric ward at the Milton

Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), and the St.Benedict’s Day Nursery and Children’s Home inGeorgetown.

Candace Gordon-Llewellyn and Sylvia Llewellyn,main organizers of the initiative, said that thegroup decided to organise a toy drive in New York,to gather toys and other supplies for distribution toless fortunate children in St Vincent and theGrenadines.

The Crew and Santa began the day with a trek toGeorgetown, where toys were presented to somethirty children.

The group then journeyed to the MCMH to thepaediatric ward, where they presented gifts toapproximately ten children.

The children of Rose Place, the community inwhich the MCMH is located, were not left out, asthey too received gifts.

A barrel each (of supplies) was presented to theSalvation Army Children's Home and the St. John’sRoman Catholic Church in Mesopotamia.

The Get Nice Crew hopes to make its toy drive anannual event, and to extend their reach to otherinstitutions and communities.

The Get Nice Crew wishes to thank its members,non-Vincentians and Americans, for theircontribution to this worthy cause.

The Get Nice Crewbrings cheer to thechildren of the St.Benedict’s DayNursery andChildren’s Home inGeorgetown.

Santa made sure the children at the MCMHpaediatric ward were not left out of the Christmascheer.

V THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. 27.

Kenroy Peters happy

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

KENROY KEON PETERS becamethe seventh Vincentian to earn asenior West Indies test cap,when he made his Test debutagainst South Africa this week.

“First I must thank GOD

for this opportunity toplay in a Test match,” Peterssaid via social media, hoursafter ending his first day as aTest cricketer. “It was amixture of nerves andobviously excitement,” headded.

The 32-year-old Vincentianwas making his debut in thesecond Test against Worldnumber one ranked South

Africa, at Port Elizabeth,South Africa, after beingcalled up as a replacementfor the injured KemarRoach.

He ended the inningswith 2/69 from 20 overs,after the hometeamhad declared on417/8. He had endedthe opening daywith 1/44, withSouth Africa goingto stumps 270/2.

Prior to leavinghere, Peters hadindicated, “..jet lagor not, I will beheading to the netsto make sure Icreate an impact.”And he must havedone just that, forhe was named in thefinal 11, to use thenew ball.

“I got the joyousnews that I hadbeen called up onSaturday last week,and then I was toldyesterday morningthat I would openthe bowling. Thattime put me in the

frame of my mind to getmyself ready and alsoprepare myself for theday’s play,” Peters toldreporters in a post firstday’s play interview.

Peters admitted itwas a tough day and alearning curve onentering the Test arenawhere, according to

him, bigger efforts haveto be put in to getrewards.

“At this level, yousee the difference in thelevel of qualitybatsmen, and you haveto work for yourwickets…..you justhave to believe inyourself because fewermistakes are beingmade by the batsmanso bowlers had to workextra hard to getwickets,” he said.

Peters had puthimself back in the loopwith a 40-wicket haulin the 2014 regionalfirst class season -themost by any bowler-and continued in the2014/15 season with afive wicket haul againstthe Leewards.

And on Boxing Day2014, the slightly built

Vincentian, who alwaysappeared to be punching abovehis weight, with the first ballof his 13th over, got his firstTest wicket when he had DeanElgar (121) caught behind.

“It was a greatfeeling…when I saw the

batsman nick the ball, I wasoff celebrating, and did noteven wait on the umpire’sfinger to go up,” Peters said oftaking his first Test wicket,which, he told reporters, hehad dedicated the wicket to hisseven-week-old son Ethan.

He is the fifth pace bowlerout of seven players who haverepresented the West Indies atthe Test level, following thepath of Winston Davis, IanAllen, Cameron Cuffy andNixon McLean. The late AlfieRoberts (batsman) andMichael Findlay(wicketkeeper) are the othertwo players to represent theWest Indies at the Test level,while Deighton Butler,another seamer, representedthe West Indies at the ODIformat.

In addition, two otherVincentians, Neil Williams(allrounder) and Wilf Slack(batsman), both played Testcricket for England, whileallrounder Andre Adams, withhis roots in Bequia,represented New Zealand in aseries of ODI’s, including the1999 Cricket World Cup inEngland.

THE WINDWARD ISLANDScricket selectors have announced a14-member squad to represent theWindwards Volcanoes in theWICB Nagico Super50 crickettournament, to be held inTrinidad and Tobago fromJanuary 15th, 2015.

The Windwards Volcanoes willbe looking to regain the form theyhad a couple years ago when theywon the regional One Day title.Toewards this end, the team willassemble in Dominica fromJanuary 2nd for a 12- day campahead of the tournament.

The team will be led again byLiam Sebastein, and includesDevon Smith, Andre Fletcher,Johnson Charles, Keddy Lesporis,Dalton Polius, Kenroy Peters,Delorn Johnson, Miles Bascombe,Alston Bobb, Shane Shillingford,Mervin Mathew, Kavim Hodgeand Craig Emmanuel.

The reserves are TraickGabriel, Josh Thomas, KennethDember, Kieron Cotty.

The Windwards Volcanoes willplay in the same Zone asBarbados, Guyana and Combine

Campus and Colleges (CCC),while the other zone comprisesJamaica, Trinidad and Tobago,Leewards and the West Indies Bteam.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Windwards Super50team named

Winston Davis: Test debut -West Indies v India at StJohn’s, Apr 28-May 3, 1983.

Ian Allen: Test debut - Englandv West Indies at Lord’s, Jun 20-24, 1991.

Cameron Cuffy: Test debut -India v West Indies atMumbai, Nov 18-22, 1994.

Nixon Mc LeanTest debut -West Indies v England atKingston, Jan 29-Feb 2,1998.

Kenroy Peters:Test debut - WestIndies v South Africa, at PortElizabeth, Dec 26-30, 2014. Thelatest Vincentian seamer to be calledup for active West Indies duty.

Liam Sebastein returns ascaptain.

28. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

SportsV

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

TEAM ATHLETICS St. Vincentand the Grenadines (TASVG) isto review its Selection Policy,heading into the 2015 Season,and the organisation’s General

Secretary, Tyrone James, saidthat this is among a number ofareas to be examined as hisAssociation moves to enhancethe efficiency andprofessionalism of the body.

“The following policiesapply to the selection ofathletes who will be eligiblefor selection to nationalrepresentative teams of TeamAthletics St. Vincent and theGrenadines (TASVG), atregional and internationalcompetitions of Athletics, aswell as Multisport Games,under the auspices of theNational Olympic Committee(NOC),” a release from TASVGread in part.

TASVG has come in forheavy criticism over some ofits team selections over theyears, including 2014, butJames dismissed suggestionsthat the Review was as aresult of this.

“I am not aware of what youspeak…please enlighten me,”was James’ terse response to aquestion referring to this.

“All organisations reviewfrom time to time. If you

know or want to attributeother reasons, I can’t help youwith that,” he continued,before asking, “Why must areview be a sinister activity?”

In James’ view, the reviewwas a process of “formalisingpractices that were already inplace.”

Ace track and field coach,Michael ‘Mercy’ Ollivierre,who has been at loggerheadswith TASVG over what hedeemed ‘some questionableteam selections’, welcomed thedecision to do a Review of thepolicy, but expressed concernabout whether the guidelinesarrived at would be used.

“It is important to haveguidelines that will assist youin getting your best team …but from what we have seen,there are some athletes whohave done well to meet thenecessary standards, but stillremain home, while some whoperform below them get totravel. That cannot be fair,”Ollivierre contended.

Adherence to the selectionpolicy will engender a sense ofconfidence among athletes as

they work toward beingrewarded for topperformances, Ollivierreproffered.

Ollivierre, one of thiscountry’s most experiencedand qualified coaches, alsoquestioned the absence of apolicy for the selection ofcoaches and officials, to travelwith teams to Meets.

“You cannot be picking upany coach to go away withathletes. And while I am nottrying to make a case formyself, we have got to sendnot only our best coaches, butthose who work with athleteson a regular basis and show alevel of commitment andprofessionalism”.

He said that there havebeen instances where coacheswho have no connection orknowledge of athletes, weresent out to Meets, and it wascounterproductive.

“Coaching an athlete is notonly about getting them torun, throw or jump; it is aboutgetting their confidence anddeveloping a bond.”

The Selection Policy covers

a number of areas includingcitizenship and residency ofathletes; qualificationstandards for sub-regional,regional and internationalevents.

This policy stipulates thatthe meeting of the standardsby athletes does not guaranteeselection to the final nationalrepresentative team. Othercriteria relate to, inter alia,discipline, tour experience,participation in local Meets,health status, attitude totraining, respect for coaches,administrators and fellowathletes, and funding.

“I HAVE IT every year.... to keep them busy duringthe holidays. This is basically the core of my squad.Most of them are mature athletes who really wantto go somewhere in the sport. We have a time trialto see where they are. It’s an exciting time for meas a coach to know who is short of what, as we cometo the end of one competitive phase and prepare toenter another.”

That is how Michael ‘Mercy’ Ollivierre, renownedtrack and field coach, described his Christmas TimeTrial Camp which ended here on Wednesday.

Some 40 athletes participated in the camp.Ollivierre is pleased that “my athletes” have

dominated places in the teams that haverepresented this country overseas; but he is

determined to keep them in shape sothat they can improve their medalhauls within and outside the region.

“Even though they are the best in StVincent, there is still a lot of work to bedone, and it takes time, around 3-4years,” he admitted.

He also has his eyes set on bringinghis ‘cares’ to a level that will openopportunities for studies abroad, andpoints to Brandon Parris who ispresently in South Carolina on an

athletics scholarship.“We are hoping, by the summer of next year, that

we will have at least 3 or 4 athletes on scholarship,”Ollivierre said.

And towards ensuring that those under his careget as much assistance and exposure as possible, heis moving towards involving more coaches in hisongoing programme.

He cites former field events national recordholder, Garth Saunders, as one who has committedto assist with the throws.

“My quest is to assist as many athletes as areinterested,” Ollivierre pronounced.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Athletes involved in the Christmas Time Trial (Michael Ollivierre extreme left).

Athletes extending themselves in atime trial run.

Ollivierre holdsChristmas TimeTrial Camp

Tyrone James. GeneralSecretary of TASVG,describes the Review as aprocess of formalizing whathas already been in practice.

Michael ‘Mercy’ Ollivierre,coach, called for a Policy togovern the selection ofcoaches.

TASVG sets outselection policy

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. 29.

SportsV

GARY CONSTRUCTIONSimple Boys beat CMT Outah Trouble Family Attacksby 4 wickets last weekendat the Biabou playing field,to capture the title in the2014 Hairoun Beer Biabou20/20 Softball CricketCompetition.

Stein Joseph topscoredwith 35, with 20 fromJabarie Cunninghamand 20 for Elric Morris,to help Simple Boys to101 for 6 from 16 overs.Westrick Staugh 2 for 7and Danny Allen 2 for 14created concerns for theSimple Boys batsmen.

This was in reply toCMT Out ah Touble whomade 95 in 19.5 overs.Rodney Lawrancetopscored with 28, whileSunil Ambris contributed18. Vernnado Primuswas the pick of theSimple Boys bowlers,with figures of 4 for 24,and TravisCumbertbatch had 2 for17.

The presentationceremony that followedSunday’s final, heardaddresses from Hon.Frederick Stephensonand Chairman DwightSamuel.

Simple Boysdominated the individualawards segment of theclosing ceremony: SteinJoseph taking home theMost Sixes (21) and MostRuns (179) of theCompetition awards;Desron Maloney — the

FirstCentury oftheCompetitionand MostSixes (17) inan Innings;and EldonMorris - MostWickets (11)of theCompetition.

ShemicRoberts ofNar FrenDem brokethe SimpleBoys’ dominance byclaiming the award forthe First Half Century inthe Competition.

ParliamentaryRepresentative for the

area, FrederickStephenson, was on handto assist with thepresentation of awards.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Simple Boys, 2014 Biabou 20/20 Softball champions.

Stein Joseph, ofSimple Boys, scoredthe most sixes andruns in thecompetition.

Simple Boys take BiabouSoftball title

Eldon Morris (R), collects his awardfor having scored the Competition’sfirst half century, from MP FrederickStephenson.

30. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015. 31.

ClassifiedsV

EULIE EILEEN MANDEVILLE

Cathedral

VINI OTTO ROBIN

Church, Pembroke

ARNOLD ST. CLAIR EGBERT

St. Alexander Anglican Church

Paget Farm, Bequia

FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2015 VOLUME 109, No.01 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50

A.I. REAL ESTATECarapan 140,402 sq.ft @ $10.00 p.s.f - $1,404,020.00 - BB489

Little London Building Lots. - $7.50 p.sf. - CALL

Twenty Hill 9 bedrm Property on 7,426 sq.ft. - $750,000.00 - H533

Other listings are availablePhone: 457-2087 Fax: 457-1382

Toll Free (USA): 866-978-0951718-732-0545

Email: donp@vincysurf.comWebsite: www.aisvg.com

FOR

SALE

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

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

“IT’S LIKE A DREAM come true.This was my dream.”

So said Kenroy Peters, themost recent Vincentian to becalled to active service for theWest Indies Cricket team, whenhe spoke exclusively with THEVINCENTIAN’s Ian Allen, hehimself a former West Indiesspeedster.

Speaking after Day One of thesecond Test, his debut Test,between South Africa and theWest Indies, played at PortElizabeth, South Africa, Peterssaid, “When I received aphone call from Courtney Browne(a West Indies selector) that I wasselected to replace Kemar Roachfor the remainder of the seriesagainst South Africa, it was thebest Christmas gift I everreceived. I am so excited to begiven the opportunityto represent West Indies, since ithas always been my dream to playTest cricket, from the moment I

started playing cricket.”Peters admitted to “feeling a

mixture of excitement andnervousness” on Christmas Day,when he was told that he wasincluded in the final eleven for theTest match beginning the nextday, Boxing Day.

More feelings of beingoverwhelmed set in, Peters said,when, on the morning of the Testmatch, “Denesh Ramdin (WestIndies Captain) came up to meand asked which end I will like tobowl from. Straight away I knewI was opening the bowling, andthat was quite something for abowler making his debut.”

And how did he approach hisfirst over? “I already had plannedhow I was going to go about myfirst spell; look to assess thecondition, and also work out thestrengths and weakness of thebatters,” the left arm fast bowlersaid.

“I started by pitching on a good

line and length, and after my firstover, I started to feel my way intomy spell… started to relax more,”he added.

Peters recalled the twoproudest moments of his debut:“Receiving my cap from Sir RichieRichardson, the West IndiesManager, which was an awesomefeeling; and my first Test wicket,which I dedicated to my sonEthan who was born on November1st.

Peters, who was called up inthe West Indies set-up in 2006/7,but could not fulfill thatassignment because of injury,became the seventh Vincentian toplay Test cricket, following in thefootsteps of Alfie Roberts, MichaelFindlay, Winston Davis, IanAllen, Cameron Cuffy and NixonMcLean. The other Vincentian towear the Regional maroon colorsis left arm fast bowler DeightonButler, who represented the WestIndies in One Day cricket.

Reminded of this,Peters responded, “It’sa great feeling to beamong the list ofVincentians whorepresented the WestIndies, because there isa lot of talentedVincentians who worethe maroon colors, andthere is no greaterfeeling than to followin their footsteps.

“I also believe thatthis is a testament ofthe quality of playerswe have in theWindward Islands, andhow much our crickethas developed.”

Cont’d on Page 6.

PETERS’ DREAMCOMES TRUE

Kenroy Peters in action in his debut Test, playedagainst South Africa in South Africa.

A proud moment for Kenroy Peters as he accepts his West Indies cap fromManager Sir Richie Richardson.

by I.B.A. Allen