the national newspaper of st. vincent and the...
TRANSCRIPT
THE REALATIVES OFORANTEL CLARKE, alsoknown as Keron Clarke,whose body wasdiscovered on a dirt trackat Langley Park, lastMonday, May 25,
Continued on Page 3.
Stories by KENVILLEHORNE
AN ALLEGEDONGOING FEUDbetween two rivalgroups in thecommunity of ChesterCottage might justhave resulted in thedeath of one individualfrom that community.
Ranique ‘Waddo’Phillips, 20 years old,received stab woundsto his chest and backduring a dispute at abar in Byera, last weekFriday, May 22.
It was reported that the stabbing occurredduring a Karaoke session at the bar.
Ranique was pronounced dead at 5 am onSaturday, at the Georgetown Hospital. Four otherpersons, involved in the fracas, were also taken tothe Georgetown Hospital for medical attention.
A group of men, from Chester Cottage, is saidto be presently in custody, as police continue theirinvestigations.
Community saddened
When THE VINCENTIAN visited thecommunity this week, many persons thereexpressed how sad theywere by what hadhappened.
Continued on Page 3.
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FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015 VOLUME 109, No.22 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50
The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
MANÊSMURDERANGERSRELATIVES
CHESTERCOTTAGE YOUTHKILLED
Ranique ‘Waddo’Phillips might have losthis life by the hands ofpersons whom he hadbefriended.
(From left back): IrmaClake (mother), LennoxJohnson (father),Lenisha Clarke (sister)and Orantel Clarke’sdaughter are grievingbut angry over thedeath of their loved one.
Orantel Clarke died froma single gunshot woundto his abdomen.
TELECOMS SERVICEprovider Digicel took theopportunity of theinaugural ‘Carnival Blast’event, Saturday 23rd Mayat Victoria Park, toshowcase their products
and services.In addition, the
popular Digicel CashVault provided addedexcitement for thepatrons, driving top-upsales, and givingcustomers anopportunity to receivevaluable products suchas talk and text bundles,free data and bonuscredit.
Digicel partners, themasquerade band NelsonBloc and Monday Masspecialists The Network,provided costumes and t-shirt band packs,ensuring added value to
the vault.The event climaxed
with the Digicel-co-sponsored, ‘The Street IsOur Home’ — Xtreme104.3 free concert -which provided patronswith a preview of the2015 offerings of localsoca artistes, includingShaunelle McKenzie,Mad Skull, Luta,Fireman Hooper andHance.
Saturday’sinvolvement reassuredthe public of Digicel’scommitment to VincyMas 2015.
2. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN
NewsVDigicel inÂCarnival BlastÊ
Left: Digicel was onhand to attend to theneeds of customers.
Continued from Frontpage.
One villager saidthat the men involvedin the fracas grew uptogether; that most ofthem attended thePamelus BurkeGovernment School andthe George StephensSecondary; and thatthey even workedtogether on theGrenadine island ofCanouan.
One of Ranique’sneighbours, an elderlylady, described him asa jovial person. “Hecould a mek a joke, andhe could a tek a joke.One thing about him, ifhe notice yo serious, hego stop. Me feel realbad, everybody cry,” shesaid.
She recalled that theyoung man had justresumed his duties asbartender at MiriamBar in Georgetown,following a briefvacation.
Another villager saidhe was a friend ofpersons in the twogroups that wereinvolved, and he, too,was saddened by theincident. He referred tothe incident as “puttinga strain on Chester,”and of “dem bring downChester with thisstupidness.”
‘Like my own son’
Norman Mial,Ranique’s stepfather,said he was like his ownson. He first becameinvolved with Ranique’smother after his fatherdied of cancer; the boywas three years old atthe time.
Mial described hisstepson as “Jokify andlike to play with people.I use to tell him, whenyo a play, know whoyou a play with andhow to play with people.He would just laugh.”
He admitted that asRanique grew older, “hestart getting his ownway. He go be here,
there and everywhere.He like his dance, andgirls,” adding, “I wouldtell him sometimes nago dance, because hehave to work, but hewould say he go still getup for work even if hego dance.”
Mial confirmed thoseinvolved in the incidentthat led to Ranique’sdeath are all friendsand have worked inCanouan for a numberof years. He said afterthey returned from theGrenadines island, theystarted getting intoproblems.”Police lockthem up and cautionthem in this year,” saidMial
He last saw hisstepson on Friday night,when he came tochange his clothes. Atabout 4 am onSaturday, he receivednews that Ranique hadbeen stabbed to death.“I felt sad to know thatsomeone who grow upwith me as a son haveto die that way,” he saidwith a jerk in his voice.
THE VINCENTIANwas unable to get intouch with thedeceased’s mother, butMial said she wasdevastated by the lossof her son.
Ranique ‘Waddo’Phillips’ death was thesixth homicide for 2015.
V News 3THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. 3.
Continued from Frontpage.
are as much aggrieved byhis death, as they areangry about the manner inwhich he was killed. Andthey are calling for justiceto be served on theperson/persons whoperpetrated the crime.
Clarke, a 23-year-oldblocks builder and steelbender, received a singlegunshot to the right sideof his abdomen at about12:44 am on Monday 25.He died on the spot.
According to a policepress release, twopersons are in custodyassisting with theirinvestigations.
A mother’s grief
When THEVINCENTIAN visitedthe deceased’s familyhome in New Chapman’s,the atmosphere was amixed one.
Clarke’s one-year-olddaughter played in theyard, still not aware thatshe would not see herfather again. Hismother, Irma Clarke whousually takes care of hergrandchild, said that,since her father’s death,she appears a bit more“fretful.”
According to Irma,sometime after 1am,while at home, she hearda single gunshot. “WhenI hear the shot, a say allyo hear dey na,” sherecalled.
She was unaware that
her son had been shot.“Me na bin know a Keronthem shot,” said thegrieving mother.
Shortly after thegunshot, the deceased’sdaughter woke and “Ihad to feed her a bottleof tea and put her backto sleep,” Irma said.
About two minuteslater, a family friendcalled her and deliveredthe terrible news.
Clarke recounted thecaller saying, “‘Me naknow how to tell yo this,but Keron get shoot’.”
She then called onLenisha and Jerry, herdaughter and son andtold them, “Leh arwe gosee.”
She the burst intotears. She recalledcrying so much that shetook ill.
She recovered enoughto recount the lastmoments she sharedwith her son. It was theday before he died. Hebrought his daughter toher and told her that hewas going by his child’smother.
“The last thing he sayis, ‘Mama, me gone,”Clarke sadly recounted.
She expressed angerthat her son was killed,“because he doesn’ttrouble people. Keronwas good to me. Whenme and his father na bina work, he would sendmoney from Canouan forwe; but after he use tospend all his money onhis daughter.”
A call for justice
According to thedeceased’s sister,Lenisha Clarke, oneof the people incustody assisting thepolice with theirinvestigation, had hadan altercation withher brother in thepast. She saidsomething took place,and admitted thatKeron had choppedhim in his head.Other than that, shesaid her brother wasnot known to be introuble, and she isunsure if retaliationwas a factor thatcontributed to herbrother’s death.
Lennox Johnson,Keron’s father, said thathe and his son had aclose relationship. Theywould usually worktogether, and Johnsonsaid that his son was aman who liked to work.
“Me still have the(Concrete) blocks mould,and he had his brotherblocks to build,” saidLennox. “He remind meof myself, he never makeany trouble; the onlytrouble I know he makewas when he chop theguy, when they hadinterfere with him. Iwant justice, “declaredthe elder Johnson.
A visible Jerry Clarkesaid of his brother,“Keron is a man whodon’t interfere withanybody. If yo interfere
with him he go react . Helikes to smoke and makejokes. Watch the mandaughter. She na goingknow him. The only wayI going remember him isthrough his daughter.”
He too, called forjustice.
Prior to his death,Orantel Clarke hadcompleted an applicationform seekingemployment in theGrenadines island ofMustique.
He is a former studentof the GeorgetownGovernment School andthe GeorgetownSecondary School. Healso worked in Canouan.
Clarke’s death is listedas the 7th homicide forthe year.
ChesterCottageyouth killed
Norman Mial, thedeceased’s stepfather,said he consideredRanique to be like hisown son.
Jerry Clarke, thedeceased’s brother, isangry about the wholeaffair.
Another murderINVESTIGATIONS are on-going into theshooting death of Cameron ‘Dotcom’Primus.
According to Police, Primus’ bodywas discovered in his vehicle in areain known as Walker Piece in NewMontrose, with a gunshot wound tohis head, around 3:18 yesterdaymorning.
Primus worked as manager of oneof this country’s popular night spots,‘Tree House Bar’, in Arnos Vale.
This now brings the number ofrecent murders to three, beginningwith the death of Ranique ‘Waddo’Phillips, 20, of Chester Cottage, whowas stabbed about his body during analtercation last Friday at Byera, andOrantel Clark, 23, who succumbed toa bullet he received to his abdomenlast Monday.
The number of murders committedfor the year now stands at eight.(DDD)
Man’s murder angers relatives
Cameron ‘Dotcom’ Primus’death brings the murdercount to eight for this year.
4. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN
Crime Vby KENVILLE HORNE
AT LEAST two high rankingmembers to the Royal SVGPolice Force are appealingto persons to showrestraint whenever they areinvolved in disputes.
When THEVINCENTIAN contactedMichael Charles,Commissioner of Police,following two homicidesover the weekend on theWindward side of St.Vincent (SEE FRONT
PAGE STORIES IN THISISSUE), and asked ifthere was a need forgreater police presencethere, Charles assuredthat there is already alarge police presence onthat side of the island.
“We try to give theDivision Commanders theresources to police theirdivisions,” said Charles.
The Commissionernoted that crime is ofgreat concern, “but wehave no control in some
instances.” He explained that
activities such as a BlockO attract greatersurveillance by the police,“but at a Karaoke you donot anticipate any realviolence.”
CoP Charles assuredthat, once a crime hasbeen committed, aninvestigation ensues, andonce evidence is collectedand verified, a person orpersons are arrested.
The courts, he
reminded, have the finalsay.
Charles is, however,asking persons to showmore restraint, and tosettle their differenceswithout the use ofweapons.
Pressed on howconfident he wasregarding arrests in thematters surrounding thedeaths of RaniquePhillips and OrantelClarke, Charles said thathe would not comment,since investigations areongoing.
Meanwhile, Inspectorof Police HawkinsNanton, currently incharge of the PolicePublic Relations andComplaints Department,told THE VINCENTIANon Wednesday, whenquizzed about the personsassisting the police withtheir investigation intothe two weekendhomicides, that, “Ourposition with regard toboth murders is wecontinue to investigate,
and we’re gathering allthe information withrespect to them. We aredealing with themexpeditiously and willseek direction from theDirector of PublicProsecution with respectto these matters.”
He confirmed that upto Wednesday, no one hasbeen charged inconnection with any ofthe weekend murders.
Inspector Nanton alsoappealed for persons toexercise caution.
by HAYDN HUGGINS
CARL WILLIAMS, warden of theKingstown Board, says, “The talkthat watchmen are paid only towatch the toilets at the LeewardBus Terminal is nonsense.”
Williams made the commentduring an interview with THEVINCENTIAN on Wednesday.
Owners and operators ofbusiness houses at the LeewardBus Terminal complained to THEVINCENTIAN last week, thattheir businesses are constantlybeing burglarized and theirstocks stolen. Some of them saidthey were told that thewatchmen on duty at theterminal from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.daily, are being paid by theKingstown Board to watch thetoilets and not the businesses.
The story was carried on page4 of THE VINCENTIAN lastweek Friday, and headlined,‘Business operators complain ofconstant break-ins’.
But Williams told THEVINCENTIAN, “The toilets are inthe termina, but they (watchmen)are not paid to watch the toilets.”
The warden explained that thewatchmen are employed becausethere is need to protect theTerminal and the facilities therefrom being vandalized.
Williams added that there are
shops insidethe Terminaland, therefore,the watchmenhave to alsoensure thatnobodyinterferes withthosebusinesses.
Williamspointed outthat from the time the LeewardBus Terminal was opened aboutten years ago, the KingstownBoard employed watchmen tosecure the area.
“Shops came after, butwatchmen were there beforeshops came,” the Town Boardwarden said.
Williams denied knowledge ofconstant burglarizing of businessplaces at the Terminal. Herecalled that one incident hadbeen reported to him, but thatwas reported by a KingstownBoard worker. He said he hadsummoned a meeting with thewatchmen to discuss that matter.
Williams said he was notsaying there were no otherincidents, but he indicated thatthose reports might have beenmade to the police and not to theKingstown Board.
Rudolf ‘Iron Tuff’ Foster toldTHE VINCENTIAN last week
that he wasviciouslyattacked by anunmaskedgunman around9:50 p.m., May15, in what hebelieved to bean attemptedrobbery of hisbusiness place,‘Iron Tuff andFosterCreations’,located at theLeeward BusTerminal.
The new head of the CriminalInvestigation Department (CID),Superintendent Ruth Jacobs, hadconfirmed that Foster made areport to the police and thematter was under investigation.
That story, headlined ‘IronTuff’ fights off gunman’ was alsocarried on page 4 of THEVINCENTIAN last week Friday.
by HAYDN HUGGINS
TRINIDADIAN Desmond ‘Cat’ Pavyhas been handed a new sentence,after escaping from a prison facilityhere 15 months ago.
Pavy was on Thursday, May 14,2015, sentenced to two years inprison for escaping lawful custodyat the Belle Isle CorrectionalFacility, on February 22, 2014.
He pleaded guilty beforeMagistrate Carla James at theKingstown Magistrate’s Court.
The sentence will runconsecutively to a nine-year prisonterm he is serving for drug relatedoffences, for which he wassentenced on November 17, 2011,along with two other Trinidadians.
According to the facts presentedby Constable Shamrack Pierre, on the morning ofFebruary 22, 2014, Pavy, who was assigned tokitchen duty at the Belle Isle Correctional Facility,was taken out of his cell for work, andinvestigations revealed that, while on the outside,he seized the opportunity to climb over the fence.He made good his escape and subsequently returnedto his homeland.
Pavy told the court he made the dash because hewas frustrated, and that he wanted medication.
Pavy was brought back to St. Vincent and theGrenadines on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, aboutfour months after a Trinidad court committed himto be extradited to SVG. He had been remanded inthe twin Island Republic to await extradition.
Reports are that Pavy was arrested in Trinidadand Tobago on March 26, 2014 after intelligencereports revealed that he was spotted in thatcountry. As a result, a request was immediatelymade by authorities here to detain him under aprovisional arrest warrant. He had been on the runfor about a month.
BY HAYDN HUGGINS
WITHIN the past threeweeks, several personshave been taken tocourt on charges of usingunlicensed vehicles,using uninsuredvehicles, and drivingwithout a driver’spermit, while othershave been penalized onticketable offences.
This comes as a resultof an ongoingnationwide policecrackdown.
The action, dubbed‘Operation TrafficStorm’, is being
undertaken by theTraffic Branch of theRoyal St. Vincent andthe Grenadines PoliceForce, in collaborationwith police stationsthroughout the nation,including theGrenadines.
When contacted thisweek, head of the TrafficBranch, SuperintendentKenneth John, told THEVINCENTIAN that theoperation has so farbeen successful. Henoted that police havebeen carrying out checkson motor vehicles sinceJanuary, but have now
stepped up that action.John is appealing to
all owners and drivers ofmotor vehicles to ensurethat their vehicles arelicensed, insured androad worthy, and hemade an appeal todrivers to ensure thatthey have a validdriver’s permit.
“Do not wait until youare caught by the police.Go and pay your licenceand insurance, becauseif you are caught, youwill be dealt with inaccordance with thelaws of St. Vincent andthe Grenadines,” the Traffic Chief warned.
Commissioner ofPolice MichaelCharles assured thatPolice Divisions aregiven the necessaryresources to policetheir jurisdictions.
Inspector HawkinsNanton spoke of thepolice ongoing effort tocollect all the necessaryevidence before chargesare laid.
Police appeal for restraint
Trini jailed forescaping Belle Isle
Desmond ‘Cat’Pavy has hadtwo yearsadded on tohis originalnine-yearsentence.
Supt. Kenneth Johnconfirmed that theTraffic Department hasintensified its actionwith respect tocarrying out checks onmotor vehicles.
Operation Traffic Storm
The Warden of the KingstownBoard has affirmed that watchmenare employed to protect theKingstown Bus Terminal and thefacilities from being vandalized.
Supt. RuthJacobs, Headof the CID,confirmed thatat least onebusinessoperator at theLeeward Busterminal hadmade a reportabout anattemptedrobbery.
‘Watchmen not paidto watch toilets’
“I WILL RESUME PRAYINGand turn to the Churchagain, if the Pope continuesin this vein.”
So said CubanPresident Raul Castro,following a recent visit tothe Vatican.
President Castrostopped in for an audiencewith Pope Francis, on hisway back from attendingRussia’s World War TwoVictory Day in Moscow.
Speaking after areported 50-minuteprivate audience onSunday 10th May ,President Castro praisedthe Pope and toldreporters: “The pontiff is aJesuit, and I, in some way,am too. I studied at Jesuitschools.”
And after suggesting hemight turn again to theChurch, he added: “I meanwhat I say.”
Both Raul and hispredecessor, Cuba’s firstrevolutionary President,Fidel Castro, werebaptized Roman Catholics.
Following therevolution of 1959, theregime sought to suppressChurch related activitiesin Cuba.
Pope Francis has, fromvery early into his serviceas Pope, reportedly madeovertures to both Cubaand the USA.
In fact, the Pope iscredited with havingbrokered a rapprochementbetween the two feudingcountries, interestinglyseparated by a strait of amere 90 miles from thenearest points.
President Castro hasbeen openly thankful toPope Francis for the rolehe played in facilitatingsecret talks at theVatican, which resulted inthe December 2014announcement that Cubaand the USA will begintalks towards re-opening
of diplomaticrelations, whichwereterminated soonafter the 1959revolution.
The CatholicChurch, i.e. theVatican, hasalwaysmaintained tieswith Havanasince the 1959revolution, andPope Francis will becomethe third Pope since therevolution to visit Cuba.He will do so in Septemberthis year, on his way to
the US.He follows in the
footsteps of Pope JohnPaul 11, and PopeBenedict XV1 who visited
the Spanish-speakingCaribbean island in 1998and 2012 respectively.(Source: BBC and VaticanNews)
RegionalV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. 5.
Castro headingback to church?
Pope Francis and President Raul Castro in conversation duringCastro’s last visit to the Vatican. (Credit: www.news.va)
THERE SEEMS to be no end ofinvestors lining up to benefit fromwhat is expected to be theeventual full lifting of the UStrade embargo against Cuba.
Ever since the announcementin December 2014 of effortstowards normalizing relationsbetween the two countries,investors from across theglobe have focused on thepotential of Cuba.
Not least among theinterest is the reservoir ofpotential for tourism inCuba.
And towards this end, aChinese company is thelatest to cash in.
Last week, according toofficial media in Cuba, thepresident of the BeijingEnterprise Group(Chinese) and BusinessDirector of the Cuban TourismMinistry, Wang Dong and JoseReinaldo Daniel, respectively, signed aletter of intent, giving the green light tobuild a golf course, marina,condominiums and hotels.
On completion, the golf course willbe the second regulation-sized 18- hole)golf course in Cuba.
In fact, the new development wouldbe on the northern coast, betweenHavana and the Varadero beach resort,Cuba’s most famous tourism attractionand site of its only regulation-sized golfcourse.
This recent signing with the BeijingEnterprise Group follows on a similaragreement signed last year with aBritish company, for a site just east ofthe Varadero beach resort, and valuedat $350 million, with constructionscheduled to begin in 2016.
There were no immediatedetails with respect to cost andcommencement of construction, as faras the Beijing Enterprise Group-Cubaagreement was concerned.
Since the loosening of restrictions onAmericans traveling to Cuba as part ofthe President’s historic Decemberannouncement, travel agencies havereported a huge increase in inquiriesabout Cuba, and airlines are lining upto establish regular flights in lieu ofexisting charters.
Last year, according to Cubanofficials, 100,000 Americans not ofCuban origin visited the island, and sofar this year through March, there hasbeen a 20 percent increase in arrivals.
Some 350,000 Cuban Americans alsovisited their homeland in 2014.
Cuba saw roughly 900,000 arrivalsfrom Canada, 530,000 from Europe and800,000 from other regions, in 2014.(Article Source: Reuters, Granma)
Cuba is home to 12 golfcourses, but only one is ofregulation size (18 holes).
Left: Wang Dong, CEOBeijing Enterprise Group,signed the agreement onbehalf of his company.
More Tourism Development for Cuba
The Cathedral of the Virgin Mary of the ImmaculateConception is one of eleven Roman Catholiccathedrals in Cuba. (Credit: www.thecubanhistory.com)
6. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN
DiasporaVCampaign fundraisersintensify in NY
Story and photos byNELSON A. KING [email protected] CORRESPONDENT
AS THE COUNTDOWNintensifies in anticipation offresh general elections inSt. Vincent and theGrenadines, constitutionallydue by early next year, NewYork-based supporters ofthe two main politicalparties have begun hostinga series of fundraisingevents.
Over the MemorialHoliday weekend,nationals and friends ofboth the incumbent UnityLabour Party (ULP), of
Prime Minister Dr. RalphE. Gonsalves, and themain opposition NewDemocratic Party (NDP),of former Prime MinisterArnhim Eustace, havedemonstrated theirfervent commitment toboth parties by attendingbarbecues in Brooklyn andQueens, hosted by theparties’ affiliates andindividuals.
NDP Time
On Saturday, theBrooklyn-based St.Vincent and theGrenadines ProgressiveOrganization of New York
(SPOONY), an arm of theNDP, staged what officialsdescribed as a verysuccessful BBQ atStandard Shippers, ownedby Biabou native Gideon‘Fessy’ Yorke, onClarendon Road.
Eustace, the oppositionleader and NDP president,and Opposition Member ofParliament (MP) for NorthLeeward, Roland ‘Patel’Matthews, were on hand,mingling with the crowd,listening to supporters’advice and concerns, andstrategizing on how toprevent the Gonsalves-ledadministration fromgaining a fourth, five-yearterm.
Eustace, an economistby training, who has beencriticized within andwithout his party for lackof charisma and socialinteraction skills, spent asignificant portion of histime conversing withpatrons — to the delight ofSPOONY officials.
“We’re very grateful toa number of organizationsand persons whosupported a verysuccessful barbecue,”Stephen ‘Scombo’ John,SPOONY president andformer NDP candidate forSouth Windward, toldTHE VINCENTIANafterwards. “It was nice tohave our leaderinteracting with so manydifferent Vincentians whocame out to the event.
“This is definitely NDPtime, and we’re preparedto rid our country of thescourge that’s infectingour nation. We’ll staystrong and work togetheras a party until victory isachieved,” added John, ahigh school principal inBrooklyn.
Matthews, whoattended his first fund-raising BBQ in New York,also told THEVINCENTIAN that “theexperience was a greatone.
“I got to interact withquite a few people fromhome,” he said. “Whatamazed me, too, is theway in which people arewell in-tune with currentissues back in St. Vincentand the Grenadines.
“I really enjoyed themultiple discussions withVincentians at theSPOONY BBQ,” he added.“In all, I truly enjoyed theoccasion, and hope thatorganizations, such asSPOONY, will be giventhe support to continue
the good work it [they] is[are] doing.”
Eustace and Matthewswere also the featuredguests at a SPOONY “sitand chat” fundraiserFriday evening at CaféOmar, a few yards fromStandard Shippers. Café’Omar is owned andoperated by Dr. KendallStewart, a Union Island-born former New YorkCity Councilman.
Stewart’s elder brother,Glenford Stewart, aformer NDPCommunications andWorks Minister, will joinEustace and Matthews onSunday for what SPOONYofficials expect to be amassive town hall meetingat the Friends of CrownHeights EducationalCenter in Brooklyn.
The event, to bebroadcast live on the localNICE Radio, begins at6:00 pm, John said.
ULP Time
Over in Laurelton,Queens, Lennox andAvette Joslyn hosted onMemorial Day, Monday, abackyard BBQ in honor ofULP candidate for WestKingstown, Luke Browne.
The event was attendedby stalwart ULPsupporters and friends,including officials from theBrooklyn-based Friends ofSt. Vincent and theGrenadines Committee,the ULP New York arm,as well as by former St.Vincent Labour Party(SVLP) MP for SouthCentral Windward, OffordMorris, and erstwhileDeputy New York ConsulGeneral Cyril “Scorcher”Thomas.
“It’s a good turn-out,”Wayne Raguette,president of the Friends ofSt. Vincent and theGrenadines Committee,told THE VINCENTIAN,flanked by his vicepresident Lemrick Jack
Alexander and otherofficials. “It seems asthough people areenthused about supportingthe candidate (Browne)and the party.
“We’ve had a number offundraisers, and they’rebeen good,” addedRaguette, who hails fromLodge Village, Kingstown.“People are enthusiastic ofthe candidate, the partyleader (Gonsalves) and theprogress that the ULP hasmade in the last 14 yearsand counting.”
Chris Ralph, a SouthRivers-born ULP activistand coordinator for allULP-affiliated fundraisingevents in New York, saidhe was very pleased withthe support for the BBQ.
“It’s a good, privateevent — nice participationfrom friends and family,”he said, adding that “a lotof the patrons here areLuke’s relatives.”
Erlin Richards — aformer police officer in theRoyal St. Vincent and theGrenadines Police Force,who will be hosting a BBQon Friday evening, at hisBrooklyn residence, forULP North Leewardcandidate Carlos James —said Browne was unable toattend the event becauseof his participation in theULP youth conventionlast Sunday.
Browne will bechallenging Eustace forthe second time in theEast Kingstownconstituency.
The ‘Friends ofCarlos James’ will alsobe conducting a ‘Nightof Praise’ fundraisinggospel concert for thecandidate on Saturday,May 30, at 2205 UticaAvenue, Brooklyn.James is expected toattend both the BBQand gospel concert,Richards said.
On Jul. 25, VaughnToney and friends willhost a fundraising
cocktail reception forForeign Affairs MinisterCamillo Gonsalves, ULPcandidate for East St.George, at the Friends ofCrown HeightsEducational Center.
Toney, a Calliaquanative, is the presidentand chief executive officerof the Friends of CrownHeights EducationalCenters.
Friends of Roland"Patel" Matthews hold afundraising BBQ in hishonor, on Saturday, May30, at Ralty's VarietyStore, 78 Utica Avenue,between Dean and PacificStreets, in Brooklyn, NewYork. The event starts at4:00 pm. The Member ofParliament for NorthLeeward will be inattendance.
Eustace (L) with Spoony president Stephen“Scombo” John (R) and Spoony vice presidentCharmaine Bailey.
Eustace greets community advocate MaxwellHaywood.
L-R: Richland Park supporter Arthur Pompey,MPRoland “Patel” Matthews and NDP activist DougHoward.
Queuing up for ULP BBQ.
ULP activist ChrisRalph signaling apotential fourth, five-year term for the ULP.
Kim Morgan with LemrickJack Alexander, vicepresident of the Friends ofSt. Vincent and theGrenadines Committee ofNew York.
by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY
JOAN RYAN, PUBLIC RELATIONSand Marketing Manager at theCentral Water and SewerageAuthority (CWSA), isencouraging persons to bemindful with the use ofwater.
Her appeal comes inthe wake of aprolonged dry periodwhich some pundits areassessing as being themost arid May monthin a long period.
The CWSA indicatedthat the supply fromthe Montreal Systemwas below its half-waymark in May.Residents in HigherLowmans, NewGrounds, Chapmans,Diamonds, SmithValley, Kmackabrew,and New Adelphi hadtheir supplies rationedas a way of coping withthe reduced storage atthe intake. That wasbetween nine in themornings and six pm.
Residents have beencautioned againstwatering lawns withhoses, and washingvehicles in thatfashion.
Caretakers ofschools and publicbuildings have beenasked to report leakspromptly to theBuilding Roads andGeneral ServicesAuthority (BRAGSA).The public has beenreminded to reportleaks to the CWSA.
The CWSA advisedthat failure tocooperate with therequests “may result inthe CWSA having toreluctantly employserious measures,including thedisconnection ofservice.”
Ryan indicated thatriver flows were belownormal, but that theCWSA was trying tomaintain a 24-hoursupply to as manyresidents as possible.
Even as thehurricane seasonapproaches, the CWSAwas continuing tomonitor the lack ofrainfall. She wants theconservation process tobe all inclusive. TheMinistry of AgricultureForestry and Fisheries,as well as the Police,have been playing theirrole in helping to makethe nation aware of thedangers of forest fires;
but Ryan wants it to be anationwide campaign.
She is encouraging personsnot to light fire in thecommunities, especially as thisadds a strain on the dwindlingwater supplies.
Persons must be carefulwith how they dispose ofcigarette butts, and Ryanwould be pleased if thosepersons who delight in settingfires maliciously, cut out thepractice.
NewsV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. 7.
Save water,avoid fires
In this prolonged dry period, the CWSA is urging a wise useof the main water supply in SVBG.
Tim Daisy had been our foremost poet,playwright and stage performer in the 1960s.
In 1964, he became a foundation member ofthe Kingstown Literary Society which publisheda periodical “Flambeau”.
Among his literary gems was an articlewritten in commemoration of our BotanicGardens on the celebration of its 200 years ofexistence in 1965.
It is now 250 years old and still going strong.But persons like Tim hardly feature in the NewDispensation, in its focus in highlighting thehistory, life and promise of the Gardens.
As the past Editor of “Flambeau” and a fan ofTim Daisy, I understood the sacrifices which hemade in forging ahead with our culturaldevelopment which formed part of his “BitterHarvest”. Tim died unregretted and unsung in1973, 42, years ago, a disillusioned and dejectedpersonality.
The following article, reproduced on the250th year of the existence of the BotanicalGardens, serves to register appreciation of theTimothy Daisys of our country, and re-focusattention on the contribution made by such icons.
“In 1765, a Botanic Garden was started in St.Vincent by General Robert Melville, Governor-in-Chief of the then Windward Federation. Itspurpose was to produce “the exotic and valuablecommercial plants from the East.” Over theyears, economic gains have waned in importance,and 1965 finds that Garden a veritable showcaseof Nature’s beauty. Her whitened triple-gatedentrance stands tall, cognizant of the fact thatshe encloses the oldest Botanic Garden in theWestern Hemisphere.
With zestful enthusiasm, Dr. George Youngset about his task as its first curator and, withthe aid of its fertile volcanic soil, the Gardenbegan to outstrip the verdurous luxuriance andmultifarious vegetation that clothed her motherisland. By 1773, it had attained an enviablereputation, and received wide acclaim.
Today, with the laurels of two centuriesflourishing within her, history re-enters theportals of the past to recall with gratitude themen responsible for making this Garden famous.Men like Dr. George Young, its first foster father(1765); Valentine Morris; Dr. AlexanderAnderson (1783); Lockhead (1815) who is reputedto have been buried in his beloved BotanicGarden; H. Powell (1890); William Sands (1904),who became St. Vincent’s first AgriculturalSuperintendent and is responsible for the smallDoric temple with its Allamanda fountain besidethe lily pond; T.P Jackson (1919); A.K. Briant(1933); C.K. Robertson (1938); M.A.G. Hanschell(1948); J.M. Cave (1952).
It is left to posterity to acknowledge thegallant work being done by her presentcustodians — H.S. Mc Connie, Superintendent ofAgriculture since 1956, and C.L. De Freitas —both sons of the soil.
The lean years of incompetence andnegligence, of stubborn battles with theelements, all lie buried in her annals, and today,St. Vincent Botanic Garden is the attraction ofinternational visitors and royalty. In March1964, she gave a command performance to QueenElizabeth, the Queen Mother; then in Novemberof that same year, she pruned herself again forPrince Phillip to become the setting for aminiature Island Exhibition and a Garden Party.
As one enters from south, a white archenclosing iron-barred triple gates bear testimonyof an age when carriages provided thetransportation. He may stop entranced by thesudden aura of blissful serenity and fragrantaroma. And if he is gifted with a vividimagination, he may hear, while he pauses, the
clippety-cloy ofhorses and therolling of thebuggy wheelsthrough the main gates, sandwiched by thetramping, shuffling feet of pedestrians. In soreminiscing, he would have recreated thepurpose of the design in its historical setting.
Twenty-eight different varieties of hibiscusmeet his gaze as he walks up the center path —some line the walk, sharing it with regal palmsthat reach for the sky; others are scatteredamidst the profusion of Tropical Flora. Thereare bougainvillea, immortelles, the flamboyantCassia Multijuga, the spectacular “pinkappleblossoms” and the stately “golden shower”or Cassia Jistula. Supporting this colourfularray are the “Red African Tulip” (Spathodea),the purple and white species of Petras, a lavishassortment of Bauhinias in pink, mauve, white,red and yellow. The resplendent Queen-of-Flowers, the showy “Yellow Ebonies” fromJamaica, the incomparable Poinsettias — doublered, pink, yellow and white — add theircontribution to this kaleidoscopic display coupledwith a most beautiful collection of Frangi-paniswhich adorns the upper slopes. Flowering andnon-flowering hedges protect this pageantry.
(It will take a book if one were to list theinfinite variety of plants that abound in theBotanic Garden where Mother Nature frolics inwild abandonment, jealously guarded byVincentians.)
In 1828 progress wrested three acres from hertwenty acre area for the erection of theGovernment House, and so it is that as onecontinues northward, a sprawling, magnificentwhite building unexpectedly crests the floralspectacle that is the garden. This is theresidence of His Honor the Administrator.
St. Vincent does not have much of which toboast, but her Botanic Garden has become thepride and joy of Vincentians. History flourishesthere.
On the 23rd of January 1793, Captain WilliamBligh landed at Kingstown Harbor and wendedhis way to the Botanic Garden. There he plantedthe Breadfruit Tree that still stands today.Tourists still find this an attraction, with itshead covered with green leaves and most oftenladen with fruits. It is gnarled with age, but stillpregnant with history.
The Garden houses the rare Colvilleas, themuch sought after red Sealing Wax Palm andTalipot Palms, indigenous of India. In 1963 aTalipot Palm gave her once-in-a-lifetimeblooming, then expired after months ofdisplaying her blossoms that took forty years togrow. The spectacle has been preserved onstamps and postcards, and succeedinggenerations will have the coveted opportunity tosee a flowering Palm in their time, its yellowblossoms swaying gracefully in the breeze whilecrowning a stately palm.
The king of all this pageantry is the SpaceaPerforata Soufriere Tree. This is a green-leavedtree that stands in front of the residence of theAgricultural Superintendent. Not noteworthy isthis tree until, with sudden realization, onegrasps that this is unique in the world. It wasfirst found on the slope of the volcano LaSoufriere before its eruption on May 7, 1902.From there it was transferred, and so it is thatthis tree now enjoys the prominence that fatehas destined for it.”
St. Vincent’s Botanic Garden may not be themost beautiful, but its spectacle has beenpreserved for two centuries and a half, givingand taking the breath away.
IT WAS NOT VERY LONG AGO (circa mid-1990s) when the Carnival Development Committee, now Carnival DevelopmentCorporation, (CDC), recognizing an alarming trend of the use of glassand other sharp objects to settle disagreements during the carnivalcelebrations, sought to encourage a ‘no glass policy’ at its shows.
That original ‘policy’ extended only to the interior of VictoriaPark, Carnival City. In fact, because of the ad hoc nature of theCDC at the time, it would have found itself hard-pressed, if nottotally unable, to ‘enforce’ the ‘policy’ outside of those physicalconfines.
Notwithstanding, this was the beginning of an effort aimed atinculcating a new attitude.
The CDC was unambiguous about one requirement: Drinksproviders (manufacturers, distributors) should take the lead andprovide plastic cups for those bar operators whom they served.
Sadly, the ‘policy’ attracted reluctant and strained support,both from within and without the status quo.
Not least among the reluctant ‘co-operants was at least onedrinks provider, whose ‘attitude’ was that It was going to cost thecompany an additional bit, if it was that plastic cups would haveto be provided to all bar operators.
The argument was taken further when some proffered that nodrinks provider could supply all the cups necessary, therebyleading to additional costs for bar operators.
The price of drinks would have to go up, was a challengethrown straight in the face of CDC, which, for a while, re-considered the whole exercise and the possible political fallout.
Gladly, wisdom reigned, and the policy remained.In the midst of all the skepticism, the ‘no glass policy’ of
encouragement continued and in time, after much clamouring forit by the custodians of law and order, the informal ‘no glasspolicy’ became a formal policy, supported by legislation.
There are those who would say that this is an attitudinal issueand , therefore, we should have been able to find resolutionwithout something as ‘draconian’ as a piece of legislation. Why,say some, must we be made to behave proper, only because it isdemanded by law? That proper behavior must be enforced,legislated, makes for a good case that this continuing practice isnot far from being a legacy of our slavery/indentureship past.
Whatever, the ‘no glass policy’ has become part of therecurring landscape of our carnival. That’s that!!
Whether the drinks providers are the ones who supply thecups, or whether the bar operators simply tack on or absorb thecost for a cup they might provide themselves, adherence to thepolicy has been commendable; to the point that there have beenindications that other CARICOM countries are wont to take apage from our book.
And interestingly, observation speaks to a gentle reminderwhen persons are seen to infringe the rule, rather than any‘draconian’ action by the law authorities. It has become, with itswide-ranging intention, a soft enactment.
But of course, there is fallout. The use of plastic andStyrofoam glasses and other like containers and theirindiscriminate dumping wherever and whenever, createunbecoming scenes on our streets, gutters, rivers, ravines, evenprivate alleyways.
The over-abundance of discarded non-biodegradable productsat this time of year, is a curse in itself.
We are, it seems, ready to accept the widespread use of non-biodegradable products if it means lessening the chances of someviolent, life-threatening, if not life-taking incident(s) at ourcarnival.
And if the truth be told, whether it is because of the ‘no glasspolicy’, or simply that we have learned to respect the carnival,there has been a marked decrease in the number of acts ofviolence and generally abusive and threatening behaviour duringour Carnival.
The ‘policy’, however, fails to capture a place within the revelryon the road. It is there, to the road, it would appear from pastoccurrences and what we have noted so far for 2015, that theviolence - bloody and life-threatening - has now wended its way.
It is nothing short of impossible to prevent aggressive, evenviolent action and reaction during the course of thousands ofseemingly intoxicated persons rubbing dangerously on oneanother, oblivious to who belongs to whom. Patience struggles tobe a virtue in these circumstances.
That sadly is the extent of the no glass policy. It works wellfor confined and controlled spaces; its application is mootedelsewhere.
The need for a true attitudinal change is still at large.
8. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 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: [email protected]
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
That no glass policySt. Vincent’s Botanic Gardens by Al T. Daisy
IT IS WITH great love that I committhese words to paper. Recently, I readan article in one Vincentian periodicalwhich recounted a narrative itattributed to Major St. Clair Leacock.This narrative, after digesting its full,left a rancid after taste in manypeople’s political digestive systems —mine included.
As a young voter willing, ready andable to wholly participate in ourdemocratic process of appointingnational leadership, I find myselfalready feeling short-changed.
Many of us look to you to brokerdebate sessions with opposing electioncandidates, but the khaki pants you’rehanding us instead stinks of weeks oldhuman waste.
I’ve chosen to speak on this issue,Sir, because my voice wasloud amongst those thatcondemned the recentmisdeeds of one memberof the Prime Minister’sstaff. Just like Idenounced Elson Crick’svery public ill-treatmentof Kate, Sir, I must, onbehalf of my peers,reprimand you for thisaction. After all, better isbeing promised by thepolitical party whichyou’ve committed toserve, and better isexpected.
Sir Leacock, a word ofcaution if I may. Pleaseapologize for thatbehavior. It was out ofplace and woefullyunnecessary; its onlypurpose was to detractfrom a solid pro-NDP lead
story that was carried in the samepaper, which I actually enjoyed untilreading of your juvenile outburst atthe election campaign launch event noless.
Your apology, Sir, should be read inthe very next sitting of the House, ascitizens across this country feel grosslydisrespected by your apparentnonchalance towards our mores andvalues. This apology should also bedisseminated to all local media houses.
I remain a committed participant inthe election process, but my ability toendorse you and your party maybecome increasingly encumbered bysuch blunders, should they continue.
Bless@JPSchwmonACTOR | FARMER | JOURNALIST
I WISH TO congratulatethe Comrade on his “Meetthe People’s tour”. Itreminds me of a PrimeMinister of Grenada, EricGairy, when he went fromvillage to village, byinvitation, to listen to thepeople’s needs and woes.Comrade, do the same,and you would have a 5thterm.
On the 28th April,2015, the CEO of theNIS came on radio todiscuss part of theinstitution’s policy, but itwas a one-way-street.
He could not bechallenge whenever hewas caught divertingfrom the real thing. He’stoo big to be questioned.
Nonetheless, I wish allstatutory boards CEOswill make themselvesavailable to the public oncall-in programmes, inan orderly manner, andbe made to answer ourquestions.
A question for the NISCEO. Sir, a pensionergot employment and isasked by the NIS tocontribute between 1-3%
of his salary (nothingwrong with that). Now,after contributing theregular 13-week, he gotsick. Besides hispension, is he entitled tosick-leave with pay?Then again, if thatpensioner had anaccident and his leg orarm got broken and heneeds surgery, what ishis fate? And also in bothcases, will he be helpedwith medication?
Mr. CEO, the publicalso wants to know if you(The NIS) have or will be
getting back any of thatEC$90 million investedin CLICO? We know thatsome have alreadyrecovered something.
Let us all forget the 2-pocket system, where thepocket on the right holdsthe ‘kitty’ forremembrance, and theleft side holds the ‘kitty’for forgetfulness, andwhich usually get thebigger share is notremembered.
Pensioner
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. 9.
LettersV
* Why do we keep calling the activities in therural areas RuralCarnivals, when allthey have are queenshows and streetjump-ups? How canit be a carnivalwithout calypso andsteelbands?* What are theCalypso andSteelbandassociations doingabout that?* How many peoplewant to bet againstme when I say thegeneral electionscoming beforeChristmas? * Is there anyone onthe ground here inSVG who can takeme on a tour of thatKFC building inKingstown before Iput in a bid to thoseabsentee receivers?If there is no one onthe ground, youthink anyone wantsto be caught with apig in the bag?*Are there any localpersons showing aninterest in thoseduty free shopsspaces at Argyle?
Questions for the NISI WRITE TO you following the recentadvertisement appearing in the local press placedby The Vincentian Society for the Prevention ofCruelty to Animals.
Whilst I find their efforts very laudable andpraiseworthy in notifying the general publicregarding the penalties for inhumane treatment toanimals, I detect a certain degree of hypocrisyregarding their actions.
If this Society, as I am sure it does, wish for allanimals in SVG to enjoy a better quality of life, andalso to eradicate inhumane treatment, why do theynot lead by example?
I refer to the (alleged) incident some months ago,when (it was reported) that one if not two sheepwhere dragged behind a moving vehicle, for someconsiderable length of time and distance.
This, if I remember correctly, resulted in one orboth of the animals either dying in the process orshortly afterwards from injuries sustained.
If this is not a grotesque example of inhumanetreatment of animals, then I do not know what is!
My question to the Society is this: If you areconcerned enough to make these statutes availablein the local press, why did you not follow up onyour own preaching by instigating a prosecution,via the DPP, as surely this action was incontravention of these laws aired by yourselves?Since your advertisement does request that allcases of animal cruelty be reported to the police.
Failing that, and in order to show that theSociety has a backbone, why did it not take out aprivate civil prosecution?
I hope I am mistaken, but this action or lack of itby the Society, leads me to understand that thisSociety feels that these laws apply only to uscommoners, but the wife of a well known politicianis exempted and above the law.
A. W. Induppp.
Hypocrisy orwhat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I READ WITH interest Man-About-Town’s question about “if they areworking for a specific funeral home”.
As a visitor, I was recently horrifiedwhen a friend of mine died. Onvisiting the Milton Cato MemorialHospital with the family to obtain theDeath Certificate, all was well untilwe entered the area of the steward’soffice. At this time two, two to threeguys converged upon us, telling thefamily that one funeral home wasbetter than the other. They continuedto relate to us how bodies and boxesfrom another funeral home were notgood, and further gave us some horrorstories. They indicated which funeral
home we must choose and (encouragedus) to give that information to themortuary officer.
Where I reside, no hospitalemployee can make that call. No suchthing could obtain because it would beviewed as harassment and open tolawsuits. I mentally questioned thesituation: Why is this happening? Isthis an extra job, and if so, who ispaying? Something like this shouldnever be allowed since, at this time,families are in a state of emotionalpain, and this harassment only addsto their distress.
Jazara Wilmoth
Man About Town Question
THE GENERAL ELECTIONS is near. In fact, Iwill not be surprised if it is called before the end ofthe year. Whatever the case, the date is not asimportant as what we will carry to the polls.
When we go to the polls, we must do so with ourchildren in mind. It is as much for the children asourselves, that we cast our vote.
In casting our vote, we must be confident that wedo so in the interest of the children, in particular.With that responsibility in mind, we must bepatient, tolerant, respectful and rise aboveignorance and pettiness. Our vote must not be castin a spirit of emotionalism.
So when we go to do our civic duty, i.e. to cast ourvote for a political party of our choice to govern ourcountry and our national affairs for the next fiveyears, let us remember to be mature enough and notallow emotions to get the better of us.
George Stevens
Think about the children
THERE is a vehicle (government) that goes aroundchecking the frequencies of both radio and TV. Theoperators are paid a monthly salary from SVGtaxpayers. Are they competent or are they simplyparty favourites?
Mr. Minister of telecommunications, from thetime FLOW took over from Karib Cable, themajority of TVs (without Cable) outside ofKingstown are not getting good reception. We hearvoices very clearly, but pictures are all running.Sometimes they come clear, but after 10 pm, thepoor reception starts all over again.
We have changed antennas, and the same thinghappened, but if you take cable, you get perfectpictures. Why? Is FLOW doing something to thesignal sent out from SVG TV station? People fromMespo, Chateau, Greggs, over the Dry River, andother areas, have the same complaint. I purchaseda TV at a store; saw it worked perfectly in the storeon cable; took it home, used the antennas, badreception; took it to Calliaqua with the sameantennas and got good reception; took it back toOwia, bad reception.
Mr. Minister, you will search throughoutKingstown for an antenna, and the stores that youexpect would sell them, don’t anymore. The Syrianssell antennas which you can turn from inside yourhome. They work, but the first heavy wind thatblows your way, that’s it!!
As it stands, it seems citizens are now forced totake Cable if they want to enjoy TV.
Like to watch TV
To the Minister oftelecommunications
A word of advice
The Issue
IT HAS TRULY BECOME a major politicaltalking point in certain circles in St.Vincent and the Grenadines. Thequestion being asked is: How has theULP managed to generate so muchenergy among its supporters? What isresponsible for the tremendousmomentum being developed by thisparty on the way to a fourth term inoffice?
The signs are all over. In themonth of March 2015, the ULP held arally at Calliaqua to celebrate its 14thyear in office, and attracted over eightthousand persons to that event. Theenergy generated from that event wassomething to behold. A few weekslater, the ULP convened its annualconvention at the Campden ParkSecondary School. It turned out to bethe largest ever convention by apolitical party in the history of thiscountry.
When we thought that thissituation could not get better, theWomen’s Arm of the ULP convenedits own convention in a spirit ofrevival and renewal, producing thelargest ever crowd at a politicalconvention for women in the state.And then, not to be outdone, theyouth arm of the ULP produced anoutstanding performance at itsconvention on Sunday, again breakingall the records for such a conventionin the State. It is this latest activitythat has stunned the opposition NDPinto silence.
The Momentum
There are a number of reasons whythe ULP has generated so muchenergy at this time, and why themomentum is building, and hassurprised some people in the country,including those who support theopposition. First is the outstandingrecord of achievement that the ULPnow boasts. With its “people centereddevelopment strategy”, the ULP hastouched the lives of all Vincentians ina positive way: in education, inhealth, in housing, in tourism, inagriculture, in culture and sports, andgenerally in the leadership that hasbeen provided to lift the country out ofthe mess which the ULP met in 2001.
Secondly, it’s the outstanding teamof candidates that the ULP hasoffered to the electorate of thiscountry. We have the energy andintelligence of the young candidateslike Luke Browne, Camillo Gonsalves,Carlos James and Saboto Ceasar.Then there is the community spiritand intelligence of Jomo Thomas,Frederick Stephenson, Jimmy Prince,Cecil Mc Kie, Beresford Phillips andDebra Charles. In the north, theimposing figure of the Carib Chief,Montgomery Daniel, stands like arock, providing leadership for hispeople: and our comrades in theGrenadines, Edwin Snagg andHerman Belmar, are seeing the lightat the end of the tunnel.
All this is backed by the veterans,Ralph Gonsalves and Sir LouisStraker, who will provide leadership,counseling, direction and advice.What a team of candidates, young,intelligent, full of experience andenergy and vision, and with a greatlove for the people of St. Vincent and
the Grenadines! The ULP has a teamthat is ready for the hard work ahead,as it embarks on the fourth term.
The third reason is the strength ofthe communications drive that theULP has mounted, mainly throughthe radio programmes such asmorning scoop, shake up, ULP speaksand star street beat, among others.These programmes promote the workof the ULP, and remind us about thegreat projects and strategies whichhave brought benefits to our people.Additionally, they serve to debunk themany lies told by the opposition NDP;lies about the economy, the educationrevolution, the international airportproject at Argyle, and the health andagricultural sectors.
Our young people are gettingsmarter and more intelligent, thanksto the education revolution and theprovision of lap tops by the ULPadministration. So for example, whenthe NDP spreads propagandaclaiming that St. Vincent and theGrenadines is the rape capital of theworld, our young people will go on theworld wide web, and discover this tobe a massive lie by the opposition.
Fourth is the love shown by theULP administration and its leaderRalph Gonsalves, for the people ofthis country. Even supporters of theNDP concede that the ULP is full oflove, when they see the response ofthe government to the Christmas Evefloods of 2013, and the Rock Guttertragedy in Fancy in 2015. Who wouldhave expected that the ULPadministration would provide fridgesand stoves to those persons who wereaffected by Christmas Eve 2013floods? And the list of support forthose Vincentians who were affectedby natural disasters is veryimpressive.
Whom to choose
Many Vincentians have alreadymade up their minds that the ULP isthe party of choice, when PrimeMinister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves ringsthe election bell. They see the ULP asa party that is forward thinking,progressive, visionary, with a stronglove for the people of St. Vincent andthe Grenadines. The ULP has a clearplan as to the economic and socialdevelopment of the country, and thatplan has been clearly outlined,explained and accepted byVincentians, by virtue of the electionvictories in 2001, 2005 and 2010.
By comparison, the NDP hasoffered nothing by way of anintelligent discourse, to show thatthey are ready for governance in thiscountry. How could you wantgovernment of the county that youcontinue to bad mouth and tell lies?How could you want to govern thepeople of a country when you can’tshow that you love and appreciatethem, that you care, and that youwant the best for them?
That is why the people of St.Vincent and the Grenadines willreturn the ULP to governance, for afourth successive term.
THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY (NDP)believes that government’s firstresponsibly is to protect its citizens, bybuilding a strong and safe society.However, it is obvious that the UnityLabour Party (ULP) administration hasfailed miserably in fighting crime in St.Vincent and the Grenadines. Hence, theNDP has seen it fit to draft a motion oncrime, which includes the Spiritual andSocial Redemption Charter. Thedocument was tabled in the House ofAssembly, and is still awaiting debate.The following is the motion:
WHEREAS over the last fewmonths, St. Vincent and theGrenadines has experienced anunprecedented series of heinous andbarbarous crimes contributing furtherto a veritable climate of fearthroughout this otherwise blessedland of ours;
AND WHEREAS this trend hasaffected the lives of all Vincentians,resulting in a large number of ourpotentially productive young peoplebeing lost to crime, as can beevidenced by the number of youths inour prison population, the spirallingnumber of “homeless youth” roamingthe streets of Kingstown, and thecreation of neighbourhood watchsocieties in several communities;
AND WHEREAS there is aninsufficient number of rural librariesand like facilities, an absence of agirls’ home, to complement the LibertyLodge Boys’ home, an inadequatenumber of rural counselling centres,and an absence of a scientificapproach to dealing with these socialproblems;
AND WHEREAS resources need tobe available to address these concernswhich continue to impact societynegatively, and in particular that suchassistance be used for increasingcommunity policing, lendingassistance to such organs as crimestoppers anonymous, youthsorganizations, family life and spiritualdevelopment programmes, and forexpanding local and domestic security;
AND WHEREAS thisunsatisfactory state of affairs hasbeen acknowledged by the media, civilsociety and the Human RightsAssociation, as manifested by theireditorials, statements ofcondemnation, calls for marches ofpeace, and a request for a return tomore Christian values and the need tobe “our brother’s and sister’s keeper”;
AND WHEREAS this prevailingclimate now sustains an environmentof uncertainty, despair and unlawfulconduct which threatens the best ofour democratic traditions,constitutional privileges and areasonable sense of decency;
AND WHEREAS given the impactof foreign cultural penetration onsmall developing countries like St.Vincent and the Grenadines, the statehas an obligation to reintroduce thefamily unit and specifically the basicrole of parents in the upbringing ofchildren by a sustained and relentlesseducation initiative for thedevelopment of spiritual, ethical,moral and human values throughsocial, cultural and economicinterventions;
AND WHEREAS it is universallyaccepted that there is an undeniablelink between the levels of crime anddepressed economic conditions, andthat the issues of drug trafficking,drug use and drug dependency alongwith poverty alleviation loom largeand require the utmost priority;
AND WHEREAS governmentspends over $13,000.00 per annum tomaintain a prisoner in the maincorrection institution and only $5.00on a Girl Guide or Boy Scout(at anorganizational level, as evidenced inthe estimates) among youth whocomprise the standard bearers ofdiscipline for a kinder, gentler St.
Vincent and the Grenadines;AND WHEREAS the potential for
development of the criminal instinct ishighest in disadvantaged , homelessand orphaned youth, it is imperativethat the state complements theexisting Liberty Lodge Boys TrainingSchool with a counterpart femaleinstitution, introduce truancy officersin the several constituencies, towns,villages as appropriate to back up acompulsory education initiative whilethe Ministry of Gender and SocialAffairs is charged with theresponsibility for tracking homelessand orphaned children and aiding intheir rehabilitation:
Be it Resolved that this HonourableHouse support a Motion, to be calledThe Social and Spiritual RedemptionCharter, giving tangible effect to anational commitment to a just,equitable, confinement, fearless,respectful, proud and God-fearingpeople by providing resources, givingleadership, employing social andeconomic strategies to reduce theintolerable violence, providing hopefor the Vincentian aspiration,tolerance for divergence, love andrespect for the dignity of human lifeand our commitment to theSupremacy of God in all we say anddo in building the kinder, gentlersociety for the 21st century.
The Charter
* Initiate household sustainability:Each Vincentian household must haveat least one occupant employed overthe next five (5) to ten (10) years.
* Encourage prayer: A schoolprayer and pledge to be recited daily,suggested prayer to be crafted by theSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesChristian Council in collaborationwith other religious organisations.The Ministry of Education will be theexecuting agency.
* Invigorate Sunday school:Support a fund for Sunday/Sabbathteaching.
* Strength youth development:work with the National Youth Councilon a pro rata contribution of $1000.00per member group base on anapproval basis. The followingorganizations will be given specialrecognition, St. Vincent and theGrenadines: Cadet Force, Girls Guide,Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Brigade,Pathfinders, Red Cross and Inter-School Christian Fellowship andNational sporting bodies.
* Further stimulate the intellectualcapability by promoting the capacityof students through compulsorydebating societies in all governmentand assisted secondary schools.
* Effect quantitative improvementin the Royal St. Vincent and theGrenadines Police Force by theimplementation of national securityprofessionalization and leadershipprogrammes for the Office Corps.
* Grant amnesty for illegalfirearms.
* Provide a girls’ home similar tothe liberty Lodge for disadvantaged,homeless and orphaned girls.
* Develop value laden family lifetelecasts for television
* Establish a sport endowment of$20,000.00 to each of the leadingsporting bodies for community basedsports programmes.
The NDP is ready to implementits Spiritual and Social RedemptionCharter. Vincentians must ensurethat they elect the NDP to office atthe next general elections, so that wecan live peacefully in a kinder andgentler society.
10. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN
ViewsVThe Spiritual and SocialRedemption Charter
ULP continuing to build momentumtowards the next general election
THERE IS NO SHORTAGE of healthadvice out there, and no shortage ofbad advice to go along with it. Somemisguided notions are harmless, butothers are outright dangerous and canlead you down the road to chronichealth problems, and may even trimyears off your life.
It is critically important to decipherfact from fiction. Many nutrition mythsget repeated over and over until theyare mistaken for truth, especially whenperpetually spread by public healthauthorities.
One of the most perpetuated mythsand misconceptions is that breakfast isthe most important meal. In fact,breakfast is not even a meal. It literallymeans to break the fast. As you mayappreciate by now, anyone can breaktheir fast at any time. My first andsometimes only meal is consumedbetween midday and 2 PM.
Some may say, but this man is crazy.The truth is that the food is highlyoverrated. I have eaten food on everycontinent, and it’s the rare occasion thatI find the food to be exceptional. In fact,there is little or no nutritional value inthe large consumption of food.
Caveat: children and ill persons needregular intake of food because childrenare still in the process of developingvital organs and other important partsvital for adult life, and the ill are underspecial care. The rest of us are reallygorging ourselves to death.
There is much research supportingthe health benefits of occasional fasting,which is what some of us do wheneverwe zip out of the house in the morningwithout breakfast.
Recent studies suggest thatoccasional fasting can provide the samehealth benefits as constant calorierestriction which many studies haveshown to dramatically increase life spanin animals.
Besides turning you into an efficientfat burner, occasional fasting can alsoboost your level of human growthhormone production (aka the "fitnesshormone") by as much as 1,200 percentfor women and 2,000 percent for men.
Occasional fasting and continuouscalorie restriction have both been shownto produce weight loss. However,occasional fasting tends to be slightlymore effective for reducing insulinresistance.
Other benefits include reducinginflammation, improving bloodpressure, and increased lean body mass.Occasional fasting can also improveyour brain function by increasing levelsof a protein that protects your braincells from the changes associated withAlzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
There are several types of fasting tochoose from, so you can experiment tosee what style works best for you. Oneof the easiest, however, is to simply skipbreakfast, and limit your eating to anarrow window of time each day–saybetween 11am and 7pm, to start.
The advice to "eat six small mealsper day" comes from seemingly logicalprinciples (portion control, keeping yourenergy up, stabilizing blood sugar, etc.),but in reality, eating this way has notbeen shown to provide these benefits.
Our ancient ancestors never had easyaccess to food. They endured regularperiods of feast and famine. Theproblem is that most of us are in 24/7feast mode. Implementing intermittentfasting is the quickest way to jumpstart our body into burning fat as itsprimary fuel again.
Another myth growing in popularityis that genetically engineered foods areas safe as conventional foods. We may
be putting our health at risk with suchbeliefs.
Genetic engineering (GE) of our foodmay be the most dangerous aspect ofour food supply today. Eat these foodsat your own risk. In fact, avoid all GEfoods. However, since more than 90percent of the corn and 95 percent ofthe soy grown in the US are GE,virtually every processed food containsat least one GE component if it does notbear the "USDA 100% Organic" or non-GMO label.
Perhaps the most dangerous aspectof GE foods is that the crops aresaturated with one of the mostdangerous herbicides on the market,glyphosate, to the tune of nearly abillion pounds per year. This toxicchemical can't be washed off, as itbecomes integrated into nearly everycell of the plant, and then getstransferred into your body.
No one knows exactly what will bethe ultimate impact of these foods onour health. However, animal studieshave pointed to increased disease,infertility and birth defects as the topcontenders. A lifetime feeding studyshowed a dramatic increase in organdamage, cancer, and reduced lifespan.It's important to realize that, unless youare buying all organic food or growingyour own, you're probably consumingGE foods on a daily basis. In order toavoid as many GE foods as possible, beaware that corn, canola, soy and beetsugar are likely to be GE unlessotherwise labeled.
The word insulin is on the lips ofthousands of Vincentians because of theprevalence of diabetes (sugar). A diethigh in non-fiber carbohydrates,particularly processed grains and sugar,leads directly to insulin resistance.Most high-carb diets are high in sugarand starch, not vegetables. When fatwas removed from foods, something hadto be added to make foods morepalatable, and that something wassugar. The sugar comes in highlyconcentrated forms of fructose, such ashigh fructose corn syrup, which spellmetabolic disaster for your body.
With fat being the identified villain,sugar was completely ignored–eventhough sugar was the real culpritbehind inflammation, metabolicdysfunction, diabetes, and heartdisease. Sugar’s negative impact on ourhealth is most visible in our waist line.Research shows a high-carb dietdisrupts our insulin signaling, and overtime may result in type 2 diabetes.
A healthy eating habit demandsdiscipline. We are not creatures thatlive to eat. We must eat to live and livehealthily. A big part of this drive forhealth and healthy living consists ofeating fresh foods that are notprocessed. Stay away from anythingthat comes in a can, or that is too saltyor sweet. Consume plenty water. In thesame way you bathe each day, waterconsumption helps to clean each cell inyour body.
If we make these simple changes toour diet, we will be amazed at thepositive changes in our health.Truthful, accurate information allowsus so to take control of our health.
Send comments, criticisms &
suggestions to [email protected]
“And there was a strife among them,which of them should be accounted thegreatest. And he said unto them, “Thekings of the Gentiles exercise lordshipover them; and they that exerciseauthority upon them are calledbenefactors. But ye shall not be so:but he that is greatest among you, lethim be as the younger; and he that ischief, as he that doth serve. Forwhether is greater, he that sitteth atmeat, or he that serveth? Is not he thatsitteth at meat? But I am among you ashe that serveth.” — Luke 22:24-27 KingJames Version
THE BIBLE IS FILLED with instructionsabout the best practices in leadership.We can learn from the instructions thatMoses received from his father-in-law,Jethro, in relation to the art of delegation(Exodus 18). Moses, after leading thechildren of Israel out of Egypt, foundhimself being burdened by having to settledisputes among his followers. It was hisfather-in-law who suggested that heneeded to delegate the responsibilityamong the more responsible members ofhis followers. Today’s leaders can learnfrom such an approach. Effectivedelegation improves the overall efficiencyof the operations, and provides usefultraining for the next generation of leaders.
Leadership calls for wisdom and aspirit of discernment. As often happens,leaders will have to make “judgementcalls” when seeking to settle disputesand conflicts among followers. Today’sleaders can learn so much from readingthe Old Testament book of 1 Kings. Thethird chapter of that biblical passagedescribes an incident where two youngwomen were living in the same house.They had sought an audience with thewise King Solomon in relation to whowas the rightful mother of an infantson. One of the women described howthe other had accidentally smotheredher son while sleeping. After this tragicincident, she removed the sleepinginfant from the other mother andreplaced the child with her deadoffspring. The accused woman deniedthis. Thus, King Solomon was expectedto resolve the matter and to determinewhich of the two women was therightful mother of the infant.
The biblical records confirmed thatKing Solomon paused to reflect on theinformation presented. After doing so,he beckoned his servants to bring himhis sword. He proposed that the fairsolution to this matter would be to cutthe child in two to facilitate each of theclaimants receiving half of the child.The child’s true mother immediatelybeckoned for the baby boy’s life to bespared. She was prepared to let theother woman get the child. The liar, onthe other hand, proposed that the kingproceed with his solution to theproblem. Fuelled by jealousy, she wasready to have the child cut in two. KingSolomon then declared that the firstmother was the infant’s true and lovingmother. This judgement became knownthroughout and beyond Israel. Eventoday, it is considered an example of aruler’s profound wisdom. Today’sleaders can “take a leaf from KingSolomon’s book” when seeking to quelldisturbances.
Leaders will be periodically requiredto discipline followers. The book ofRevelation provides some best practicesin relation to providing reprimand. InRevelation Chapter 2, John speaks tothe seven churches. He commences hisdialogue by pointing out what they haddone well. He then proceeds to indicatewhere they had fallen short and neededto do better. Many of today’s leadersbenefit from this biblical approach toleading in general, and correcting othersin particular. Taking such an approachwill aid direct reports in seeking to
improve their performance, noting thatthey are “not all bad”. There is wisdomin highlighting the good, thenproceeding to point out the areas thatneed improvement. Such a leadershipapproach will encourage and inspirefollowers.
During the 1970s, an educator andauthor, Robert K. Greenleaf, introducedpractitioners to the concept of ServantLeadership. This concept was based onthe example of the Greatest Teacher,Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Jesus Christ, in the weeks leading upto His crucifixion, dedicated atremendous amount of time tosuccession planning — teaching Hisdisciples how to lead. It is notsurprising that one of the powerfulexamples He provided in this regardoccurred when He washed their feet.We would expect that they should havebeen the ones to volunteer to wash Hisfeet. However, He “turned the tables”to teach a most powerful lesson. Heprovided a timely reminder that thosewho seek to lead must first be preparedto serve. Good leaders emerge fromamong the throng of good followers.This is no idle comment. Think back tothe historic record of Joshua. He waspromoted to replace Moses as leader ofthe children of Israel, having previouslyserved God faithfully by serving Moses— God’s leader.
Jesus Christ was (and is) the MasterTeacher. He used stories and anecdotes(parables) to teach some very importantlife principles. He used everydayexamples that His followers could easilyidentify with, to enhance their learningabout life and the life hereafter. In thescene that is captured in the quotationthat is used to introduce this week’sessay, we can see the powerful lessonthat He was teaching His disciples backthen. His teachings assist us here andnow (some two thousand years later).The disciples were not perfectindividuals. Like you and me, they hadtheir faults. Their thoughts sometimeswandered into carnal, earthly, selfishareas. They did not always see eye-to-eye. They fought while returning toCapernaum (Matthew 18:1-5; Mark9:33-37; and Luke 9:46-48). There weretimes when they entertained thoughtsabout who was greater and who will sitat privileged positions in heaven. Thispassage in Luke must, therefore, beconsidered with these instances as abackdrop. Now, here they are, sittingwith the Lord at the last supper thatthey would share together with theirMaster. Here they are just hours beforeHis betrayal. For some of His followers,it will be the last time they would be inHis company before His death … andthey were engaged in arguing aboutwho was the greatest (Luke 22:14-24).How did Jesus Christ respond? Herebuked them, and noted that truegreatness is not determined byhierarchical authority (v. 25) but,instead, by service and humility (v.26).
Today, we are invited to reflect onthese powerful lessons on leadership.We should strive to be servant leaders.Regardless of how high we may beplaced based on our experience,academic achievement, or elevation to“privileged positions”, we are stillrequired to embrace humility … andserve. Learning to lead requires thatwe learn to serve.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. 11.
ViewsVMyths and misconceptions about foodLearning to lead: Learning to serve
THERE IS A SECOND phase ofcolonialism in SVG, and under this unfairregime, rich foreigners get richer andVincentians suffer. The ULP regime hasgranted billions of dollars of taxexemptions to Taiwan and the super-richof Mustique and Canouan over the years,while Vincentians struggle under heavytaxes and other substantial financialburdens.
The super-rich of Mustique andCanouan can spend millions of dollarsbuying planes and super-yachts andnot pay one dollar in tax. Taiwan usesSVG’s deep-sea tuna fishing licenceand makes hundreds of millions ofdollars a year, and does ‘not pay onedollar in tax’.
The people of SVG are experiencingthe most difficult period of economic,financial and social hardship and painin living memory, but this secondphase of colonialism, with its unequaltax system, is allowed to carry on. Life
is so hard for many Vincentians, thatthousands of households have nomains water and electricity, andstruggle to feed their childrenadequately.
Vincentians suffer many financialburdens as they strive from day today. They have to pay VAT andproperty tax, as well as other financialoutgoings such as high electricityprices, heavy fuel surcharge onmonthly electricity bills, the watermeter rental charge, basic watercharge on the monthly water bill, andthe Environmental Fee on the monthlywater bill.
On top of these taxes and otherfinancial burdens, parents still have tobuy school books, school uniforms andpay bus fares for their children to go toschool. After taking care of theseneeds, there’s barely any money left tobuy food and clothes and pay for otherusual living expenses.
This second phase of colonialismhas to end, as it is so cruel toVincentians. A Green government willend this second phase of colonialismand unfair tax regime, so as to createrevenue to help our people. It is clearlyunfair that Taiwan and the super-richof Mustique and Canouan ‘pay no tax’,while many households strugglewithout water and electricity andbarely enough food.
The plight of Vincentians is madeeven more difficult, becauseunemployment is very high in SVG,due to the economic incompetence ofthe ULP regime.
Gonsalves is not a universitygraduate in finance, and his handlingof the economy is terrible. It is difficult
to see the logic in Gonsalves fuellingthis second phase of colonialism, bygranting blanket tax and customs dutyexemptions of billions of dollars toTaiwan and the super-rich of Mustiqueand Canouan, while destroying theSVG economy with massive fiscaldeficits from 2005 to 2015.
In order to create revenue for ourcountry and jobs for our people, aGreen government will abolish thebillions of dollars of tax and customsduty exemptions given to Taiwan andthe super-rich of Mustique andCanouan.
No child should go hungry, no childshould go uneducated, and nohouseholds should go withoutelectricity and water, just so thatTaiwan and the super-rich of Mustiqueand Canouan can live a life of luxury,free from taxes.
Vote Green Party to end thewickedness of this second phase ofcolonialism.
SVG Green Partywww.svggreenparty.org
12. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN
ViewsVEnding the second phase of colonialism in SVG
THE VINSAVE CHILDDEVELOPMENT Centre was a“hive of activity” as it hosted itsOpen Day and Food Fair onWednesday 20th May 2015.
The activity was held under theChild Month Theme: “Nutrition andPlay - Healthy Children Today”.
The children from theKindergarten Section of theKingstown Preparatory School andtheir teachers visited, and sang tothe delight of the Vinsave childrenand staff.
Parents and guardians also
visited the Centre throughout theday, and spoke to the teachers abouttheir children’s development and theprogrammes at the Centre.
Early Childhood personnel fromthe Ministry of Education alsovisited.
A lovely display of fruits andvegetables, donated by parents, aswell as craft items and othermaterials made by the students intraining, added to the ambience ofthe occasion.
Fruit and vegetable display at therecent Vinsave Open Day.
Children from the KindergartenSection of the KingstownPreparatory School and theirteachers at the Open Day.
VinsaveholdsOpen Day
BusinessV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. 13.
C&W introducesdrone technologyTHE 2015 ATLANTIChurricane season beginson June 01, and onetelecommunicationsservice provider in theCaribbean is set to testdrone technology to helpspeed up network andconnectivity restoration inthe aftermath ofhurricanes and othernatural disasters.
With a week to gobefore the June 1 officialstart of the Atlantichurricane season, Cable& WirelessCommunications (CWC),in a release dated May22, announced that it hasbegun to test thetechnology, which would entail theaerial surveillance of communicationsinfrastructure, effectively eliminatingthe need for workers to conductdangerous or risky tower climbs in theaftermath of a storm.
The news of C&W’s move into thedeployment of drone technology, comeson the heels of its merger withColumbus Communications Inc.,trading as FLOW, and is seen as ademonstration of the new entity’scommitment to “leverage innovativetechnology.”
In support of the use of dronetechnology, the release said that C&Whas noted that the treacherousconditions that exist after a naturaldisaster, not only make it difficult toassess the physical damage toinfrastructure, but can also endangerthe field technicians sent to fix theissues.
Drones, the company proffers, willenable quick, safe, and wide-areaevaluation of the impact that the
hurricane or other natural disasterhas on communications infrastructure,therefore enabling C&W’s expertengineering staff to move quickly tore-establish connectivity.
“Hurricanes and tropical stormshave been known to cause severedamage to telecoms infrastructure inthe Caribbean, including our mobileand fibre masts. Along with power andwater, it is critical that we re-establish communications swiftly, inthe event that adverse weatherconditions cause wide-spread servicedisruption,” Group Chief Technologyand Information Officer, Carlo Allonisaid.
“Adopting this technology will allowus to respond to our customers’ needsin a better, safer, and faster manner,”he added.
With similar drone surveillanceprogrammes to be launched in othermarkets ahead of the hurricaneseason, C&W will pioneer the use ofdrones in Anguilla.
Cable and Wireless is the first Telecoms Providerin the Region to introduce Post-Hurricane DroneSurveillance to asses tower and telecomsnetwork for damage, so as to ensure a quicker,safer approach to network restoration.
Fish Fest climaxes in Rose Place THE FINAL IN ASERIES of LIME-sponsored Fish Festnights, leading up toFisherman’s Day, May 25,in Rose Place last Friday,May 22, was undoubtedlythe best patronized.
Persons from all walksof life and from severalcommunities across St.Vincent, converged onRose Place last Friday,May 22, to enjoy a widevariety of seafood culinarydelights, prepared on thespot, and to witness thehighly anticipated Man vsSeafood Competition.
And the large gatheringwas not disappointed, asthe Competition, averitable battle to see whocould consume a dish ofraw seafood, including seacockroaches, fish, octopus,sea eggs and squid, tookon a different and excitingaura, with one femaleparticipant among a fieldof four men.
At the end, only twomen were able to putaway the menu placed
before them, with LindonAsh being declared thewinner over Maurice.
The winner receives abrand new waterproof cellphone with free data,compliments LIME.
LIME has alreadymade a commitment to
take the competitionthroughout St Vincent andthe Grenadines, all yearround,
Last Friday’s event wasorganized by the FisheriesDepartment in theMinistry of Agriculture,Forestry and Fisheries.
Lindon Ash into his ‘putting away’ of a bowl ofraw seafood, on his way to winning the RosePlace Man vs Fish Competition.
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. 15.14. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN
by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY
THE BAKING INDUSTRY is improving every year thanks to the East Caribbean Group of Companies.
Rachel Haslam, Marketing Manag-er (ECGC), made the observation last week Thursday, May 21, at the sixth ECGC National Baking Competition.Haslam noted increased enthusiasm
among participants which, she said, contributed to “raising of the bar.” The expansion includes
zonal winners from the Ministry of Education Home Economics Depart-ment. According to Haslam, the collaboration is testimony of ECGC’s commitment to education. The toast of the day, however, was Zoe Millington, whose creation, ‘Whole Wheat with a twist’, captured the judges’ appetite. She was overall winner, taking home a $3,000 first prize. Millington, representing Canon Cakes, placed first in the Speciality Category, with her ‘Herb and Garlic Cupcake,’ and second in the Cake Segment. Millington, who started her busi-ness in 2013, emerged National winner that year also. She is delight-ed with her second hold of the title. A Customer Relations Officer at the National Insurance Services, she plans to use this reward as a stepping stone and expand into the supermar-kets. Joanne Layne was second overall, having placed first in the Cake Segment. Anna Phillips, propped up by her second spot in the Specialty Category, was third overall. Haslam disclosed that persons who take part in the ECGC competition get “increased orders and new opportunities to trade with supermarkets through-out the island.” Additionally, the best recipes are put in the ECGC Recipe Calendar, and that has become “a collector’s item locally and regionally.” Among the thirty partici-pants in this year’s competi-tion, was Alana Blondel, a West St. George Secondary School student. She clipped Kezz Small, a student of the Dr. J. P. Eustace Memorial Secondary School, in the Student category. Small came second in the Pastry class, beaten by Janine John with her ‘Cherry Wheat Coconut Shot’.
The Bread category was won by Nikita Bynoe with ‘Mango Banana Spice Heat’. Second position went to Nishia Antoine: ‘Dasheen Cheesy Bread.’ Haslam welcomed the students, and outlined that rules had been altered to encour-age the use of Carigold Flour. She emphasised other choices, such as Easy Bake, All-Pur-pose, Whole Wheat, and Purity by ECGC. ECGC’s Chief
Executive Officer, Osmond Davy, endorsed Haslam’s promotion of the ECGC’s products. “We encourage you to use our products in your recipes, and continue to experiment with the Specialty Flour, to bring innovative products to your customers,” Davy indicated. He noted the positive impact that ECGC made with its investment in the East Caribbean Bottlers Incorpo-rated. “We have revitalised the national pride that is associated with the iconic brand Ju-C, and we are exporting to regional markets,” Davy disclosed. He highlighted “our new Carigold aromatic white rice.” Davy pledged his company’s commitment to national pride and development, and encouraged compa-nies and individuals “to keep striving for excellence, as you embrace new possibilities.” Ali Medjahed, Baking Consultant and Judge, commended the participa-tion of the six students. He viewed it as an investment in this country, and urged the participants to continue to be “adventurous.” Medjahed, of French extraction, a baker with 34 years’ experience, expressed excitement about the new ECGC products. Saboto Caesar, Minister of Agricul-ture, Industry, Forestry, Fisheries and Rural Transformation, praised
the participation of the youths. He will be pleased to see more Schools in the competition next year. Nhoriscia Bobb (Trou-maca Ontario Secondary), Kentish Ells (North Union Secondary), Sylvin Schae-dle (St. Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua) and Valiya Allen (Bequia Community High) were the other students involved in the competition. Michelle Bacchus, Dorita Cambridge, Ricardo Gordon, Kettline Williams, Bernica Glynn, Mesha Glynn, Verona John, Sabrina Marks Dasent, Jessica Bess, Ronnie Browne, Mary Forde, Deoniece Dellimore, Anasha Browne, St. Joel Warrican, Aleasia Rogers,
Serene Shortte, Lorna Cambridge/Bruce, and Michelle Trimmingham provided samples of their creativity.
Zoe Millington (right), overall winner in the 2015 ECGC Baking Competition, collects her award from Ormond Davy, CEO/ECGC.
Alana Blondel, top student participant in the 2015 Baking Competition, accepts her award from Sylvia Sutherland, member of the Board of Directors of ECGC.
Joanne Layne (right) being rewarded for placing second overall and first in the cake segment.
Kezz Small (right), one of the few male partici-pants, was second among student participants.
16. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN
ServiceV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. 17.
Drivers urgedto make theright choiceby WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ANTHONY
PROTECTING LIVES on theroads has been placedhigher on the nationalagenda. That follows a two-day Regional Road SafetyConference which opened,Wednesday 27th May andended yesterday, Thursday,at Hotel Alexandrina.
It was organised byJaric St. Vincent Ltd, incollaboration with theCaribbean Association ofRoads, and held underthe theme ‘Understandingthe issue: identifying theproblem’.
The opening ceremonycame off last Wednesday.
Darryl Gaines, an Afro-American, Master Trainerat the National SafetyCouncil in his homeland,set the flames with astirring presentation atthe opening session.
Gaines, a survivor of aroad mishap, confessed tobeing “passionate” aboutroad safety. For him, it is“real.”
He advised theparticipants to “make theright choice; each andevery time,” as hehighlighted the basics of“common sense, choice,concentration,consequence andcollaboration.”
And he wasn’t donewith the C’s. He added“crazy” and “careless” asother contributors to whatspeakers regarded ascarnage on the roads.
He set the tone with adelivery on Wednesdaymorning and returned thefollowing day to speak onthe matter ‘Alive at 25’.
Minister of State inthe Prime Minister’sOffice, Senator JulianFrancis, also addressedWednesday’s opening. Hewas filling for the PrimeMinister Dr. RalphGonsalves.
Francis noted that thiswas the first suchconference to be heldhere, and he welcomedthe opportunity “toimprove the lives of allVincentians.”
It was, he said, “a goodtime to welcome Jaric,”and recognised the need“to move towards amedium or long termsafety plan.”
Eric Kipps, ManagingDirector Jaric St. Vincent,
emphasised the needfor partnership inorder to “tackle roadcarnage.”
He looked at theimpact on families andthe socio-economichardships for thosesurviving, andprojected on having“concrete, doable andeffective plans.”
He expressed theview that the pillars ofbuilding a culture ofroad safety hinged onmaking sure thatpeople followed theguidelines to publicsafety; that designswere done to cater forthe Caribbeanexperience; andpersons had to knowwhat was needed to bedone so as to keep themsafe.
Kipps identified acampaign in schools, toinstil in youths theimportance of road safety,as one way he intends toget his message across.
Hudson Nedd,Permanent Secretary inthe Ministry of Transport,Works, UrbanDevelopment and LocalGovernment, stressed theaspect reaching out to thepopulation and profferedthat, “If our society is todevelop in a safe andsustainable way, we haveto look at Road Safety.”
Fidel Taylor,representing SentryInsurance, outlined thatthe Conference was a“step in the rightdirection,” as he refrred toan increase in the numberof vehicles here, from 8,000 in 2000, toapproximately 29,000presently.
Commissioner of PoliceMichael Charles pointedto the prevalence of roaddeaths which he describedas “more prevalent thanthose from malaria.”
Charles echoed hisinstitution’s role inensuring road safety.
Jaric St. Vincent wasestablished “to offerenvironmental, safety,quality and healthconsulting services builton an unparalleled baseof knowledge, experienceand global resources tofacilitate our EasternCaribbean clientele,”according to DirectorJanice Smith.
Darryl Gaines, MasterTrainer at the NationalSafety Council, USA, setthe pace with a stirringpresentation that referredto his own experiences onthe road.
Eric Kipps, ManagingDirector Jaric St.Vincent, stressed theimportance of knowingand following theguidelines to publicsafety.
A section of the Conference participants.
18. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN
NewsV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. 19.
by DAYLE DA SILVA
THE BANNING OF RURALCarnival activities as ameasure to address theissue of the violence whichoccasionally occurs atsuch events, is not anoption for the CarnivalDevelopment Corporation(CDC).
So said CDC’sChairman, DennisAmbrose, on Tuesdayduring a press briefing.
According to Ambrose,the Rural Carnivalactivities are animportant component ofthe national festival,providing momentumfrom the launch to thegrand finale in July.
“Not having ruralcarnivals, I don’t thinkthat’s an option,” the CDC Chairmansaid.
He further defended the decision tocontinue the activity, saying that thereis usually a lot of talent that emergesfrom the various shows that are put onby the rural carnival committees.
“Even the ‘picks’ (contestants) forMiss SVG, they come out of the ruralcarnivals, and we have been asked tokeep the carnival activities,” Ambrosecontinued.
The comment comes after J’Ouvert
celebrations in CentralLeeward came to anabrupt end last weekendwhen a fight broke out,leaving one of the two meninvolved with a bloody earand back.
That incident wasreported to be the secondtime within recent timesthat a carnival relatedevent was prematurelyended.
An event held duringthe South Leewardcarnival activities wasinterrupted in 2014 whenan altercation between twogroups of young menresulted in the death ofJunior McKie, a resident ofClare Valley, after he wasstruck in the head by anobject.
And activities in Biabouwere also prematurely ended back in2013 during a stabbing incident.
But Carnival was a time forcelebration, and Ambrose cautionedrevellers whose intention it is tomisbehave during events, particularlyrural events, that the police is takinga serious look at the situation.
And he reminded individuals that ifany violence erupts during the stagingof an event, it will be shut down.
“And you can only blame yourself,”he said.
PATRONS attending theMiss SVG show,scheduled to be held atthe Victoria Parktomorrow, May 30th, areassured that they oughtnot to worry abouthaving their vehiclesbroken into.
This assurance hascome from AshfordWood, Chief ExecutiveOfficer (CEO) of theCarnival DevelopmentCorporation (CDC).
According to Wood,the CDC has beenworking with the police,and they have identifieda few areas aroundKingstown, whichinclude Wilson Hill andthe area of the PublicHealth Building, wherehe said the majority ofbreak-ins had occurred,in recent times.
“We have asked them(police) to step up patrolsin those areas,” Woodtold members of themedia on Tuesday.
During the launch ofVincy Mas 2015, Woodsaid that there were noreports of vehicles beingbroken into.
“That is an indicationthat the police wouldhave been on top of theirgame, and we know theywill be even more on topof it for Miss SVG,” hesaid.
Some persons whoattended the ‘CarnivalBlast’ event at theVictoria Park lastSaturday, were not sofortunate. There were17 vehicles reportedlybeing broken into,according to the CEO.
Even as he recognisedthat the event was anon-CDC event, Woodsadmitted that , “Inretrospect, maybe theCDC should have beenworking more closelywith the Carnival BandsAssociation (CBA)(organisers of the event),to ensure something like
that did not happen; butit did happen and we arewilling to give theassurance to try andavoid something likethat from happeningagain,” Wood said.
Increased patrolsplanned for Miss SVG
Ashford Wood, CEO ofCDC, has given theassurance that policepatrols will be steppedup for the Miss SVGShow.
CDC will not banrural events
Dennis Ambrose,Chairman of the CDC,emphasised theimportance of ruralcarnival activities tocreating momentumfor the nationalfestival.
Dear George,
I DO NOT know how to talkabout this, but I guess it isalright to talk to you. I amvery depressed right now.I have nothing to live for atthis point in my life. I amat the place in my lifewhere all of my dreamshave faded into thedistance. I am a totalfailure!
My children are amajor disappointment. Ihave put them throughschool, and at the end ofthe day, my three girlshave all come uppregnant, two of them forthe same man. Theyhave left the house andhave gone off where, I donot know. They are ofage, and there is nothingI can do about that.They have told me thatthey did not force or begme to pay for theireducation or feed them.
Worse, my husbandhas left me for a muchyounger woman. Shemakes it her business,every day, to tell me howmuch she is enjoyinghim, and how I willnever get him back. Allthis is after I single-
handedly put himthrough university andhe got the job of hisdreams. He hassince sent me divorcepapers.
I have asked myselfwhy me, but it does notmatter because theanswer is not going tochange. Please, George,tell me what to do. Youhave to help me, George,Please!
Depressed
Dear Depressed,
It is very importantthat you take anotherlook at yourself, and thistime see the positiveside. You have stuckwith your responsibilityto your family, and havedone what was requiredof you. You have nocontrol over the actionsof your children and yourhusband.
You havedemonstrated that youhave been a good motherand a good wife, one whohas been the pillar of thefamily.
The very samequalities that made youdo the things that
needed to be done, as faras your children andhusband are concerned,are still within you, andyou need to dig deepagain to bring out thatresilient spirit. Pushyourself to do one moregood deed, this time forYou.
I would advise you to
talk to a consellor aboutyour situation and alsoto get some legal advice.This should openwindows of opportunitiesto a fruitful life which, atthis juncture, you areunable fail to see.
George
Dear George,
MY WIFE caught me talking to another woman onthe telephone, and she is asking me for a divorce.It is the first time that this has ever happened, andI do not see why she would want to end a goodmarriage because of this one mistake.
She used to tell me when we were dating, thatanytime she finds me cheating on her, she wouldimmediately leave, but I never took her seriouslyuntil now. I am of the opinion that she hassomeone else, and is just using this opportunity tobail out.
Confused
Dear Confused,
Rather than owning up to the fact that you arein the wrong on this one, and go to your wife onbended knees begging for her forgiveness, you seemto be trying to justify your action by suspecting herof having someone else. It is often said that a thiefalways thinks that everyone else is stealing.Because you have been unfaithful to your wife, youare trying to convince yourself that she too must be
doing the same thing. The fact is you had
been forewarned that,should you be caught‘two- timing her, shewould be gone. You, myfriend, have been bold orarrogant enough to puther to the test. Maybeshe has her reason forsticking to her policy ofone strike and you areout!
George
20. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN
AdviceVDisappointments galore
Dear George,
IT WAS VERY hard for me to witness my girlfriendof two years kissing two men, one after the other.We went to a house party, and she was seated on asofa between two males. I did not know them, butthey were her friends, it seemed. I was doing mymingling and getting to know some other people,when I looked across the room and saw her kissingone of the men on his mouth. She then turned andkissed the other one in the same manner. I was soembarrassed, I pretended not to notice.
One of the men then put his hand on her breastand started to make fun of them. I heard himsaying, “Your breast is as soft as your lips.” I didnot go over to her. I simply left the party, and tothis day, I have not contacted her.
My reasoning was that she would know why Ihave not done so. She has been calling my cell forover a week now, but I have never answered. I amso hurt that I am afraid if I get close to her, I wouldhurt her badly. As far as I am concerned, I amdone with the relationship, and I do not care to getan explanation about her actions.
Dagger
Dear Dagger,
Even though the scene you witnessed hurt youterribly, you could have at least ended therelationship in a gentlemanly fashion. You couldhave let her know that her actions wereunbecoming of a lady, especially one who is in aserious relationship, and you would not becontinuing the relationship. In so doing, she wouldknow not to keep calling you for an explanation ofyour silence and absence.
It is not too late to let her know that she servedyou notice that night not to hang around with her,seeing that she is not the quality you thought shewas. Disappearing without an explanation is notthe way to end a relationship into which you haveinvested.
George
You owe her an explanation
Look in the mirror first
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. 21.
LeisureVACROSS
1.Boss’s impatient
(abbr.)5. “Tarzan”
moviesound
9. “Oz” aunt et al.
12. __ Agatha Christie
13. __ Domini14. Teacher’s
group(abbr.)
15. Ferry dock16. Walt Kelly
comic17. Court’s __
order18. __ Lanka20. Internet
messages(hyph.)
22. Refused25. One
Redgrave26. Extreme
anger27. Aged29. tone-__32. Like mayon-
naise34. Yelp36. Shout37. Aria38. Morse Code
entry40. __ Grande41. Shade
sources44. Decent46. Sport coast48. Author
Follett49. Guess at a
price (abbr.)50. Make a
motion52. Jack’s
partner56. Go pount-
for-point56. “Don’t bet
__!” (2 wds.)
58. Garfield’s canineFfriend
59. Unhappy60. They’re
blue onmost maps
61. Food inspection
Initials
DOWN
1.Public notices2. Baseball’s
Maglie3. French friend4. Coca Cola
Competitor5. Swiftly6. Yoko __7. Heavenly
being8. Spacious
ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20)Your communication skills may win youpoints. Beware of someone who istrying to make you look bad. Don'tvolunteer private information aboutyourself unless you're prepared to betalked about behind your back. Deceitwith co-workers is apparent.
TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21)Unfortunately, your personal life maysuffer from a lack spare time. Your mindwill be wandering to exotic destinations.Education may be the answer. Secretaffairs may only cause complications inyour life.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21)Try to avoid being extravagant thisweek. Don't blow situations out ofproportion. You may have been trying todo too much, leaving yourselfexhausted and open to colds andinfections. You will have the ability tocapture the interest of others.
CANCER (June 22-July 22)Friends from your past may come backinto your life. Don't forget that yourbudget is limited right now. You cancontinue to make gains if you call a fewpeople who can help you close animportant deal. Your ability to charmothers will put you in the limelight atsocial functions.
LEO (July 23-Aug 22)You may be likely to have difficultieswith females. Finish off old projectsbefore starting something new.Pleasure trips will induce exciting andpassion ate encounters with those offoreign extraction. Difficulties with yourmate may lead to estrangement.
VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)Your business sense will be leading youin a direction that indicates more traveland communication. You will do yourbest work on your own. You should bemaking plans to spend some time withthe ones you love. Problems with skin,bones, or teeth may mess up yourschedule.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)Opposition is present and you should beprepared to counteract it as best youcan. You may want to look into warmvacation spots. You will be emotionalabout your personal life. Usediscrimination and play hard to get.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)Avoid any confrontations withcolleagues. Try to make arrangementswith close friends or relatives to spend afew days away. You may have a ratherhectic day due to events that childrenare involved in. Deception is apparent.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)You will be able to talk to your loverabout future goals and perhaps makeplans for the two of you to take avacation. Be aware that minor accidentsor injury may prevail if you arepreoccupied. Jealousy may get in theway of a good relationship. Lack offunds may add stress to your alreadyuncertain situation.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)Double check your work and be surethat your boss is in a good mood beforeyou do your presentation. Curl up with agood book or go for a drive in thecountry. You may have difficulties withforeigners. Curb any jealous fits if yourpartner has been flirting with someoneelse.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19)You may find it impossible to get the restyou require. Romance appears. You willbe on the rampage this week. Youshould be putting your cash into long-term investments like real estate.
PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)Love and romance are evident. You canhelp sort out problems that friends arefacing. You may find that your familyresponsibilities are piling up. Praise willbe yours if you have been pursuing yourgoals.
9. Locomotive drivers
10. Repast11. Bacomes
droopy19. Antique car21. “The __
GriffithShow”
22. Quits, as a battery
23. Therefore24. Overlooked28. Father30. Returned to
earth31. Floating ice
mass33. Part of an
egg35. Wallet
holders39. “At __ Hop”42. Office
communi-cations
43. Director Oliver
45. Certain pear
46. Fast airplanes
47. Largest continent
51. Travel term53. Proofs of
age (abbr.)54. Covering55. Meadow
LA
ST
WE
EK
’sS
OL
UT
ION
Editor’s Note:
Aldersgate Day is
celebrated
by Methodists on May
24 to commemorate the
day in 1738 when John
Wesley ‘experienced
confirmation of his
salvation by the grace of
God.’ This article should
have reached us for
publication in last
week’s issue. It didn’t,
but we are pleased to
bring it to our readers,
since its relevance and
importance are still very
much intact.
JOHN AND CHARLESWESLEY were two (2) ofthe fourteen (14) childrenwho were born to SamuelWesley and his wife
Susanna Wesley. Theygrew up in the AnglicanRectory of Epworth inLincolnshire where SamuelWesley had his parish.Born in 1703 – Charleswas born in 1707 – JohnWesley wrote in a dailyjournal an account of hisspiritual pilgrimage andthoughts. Here is part ofwhat he wrote on the 25th
May 1738:When I was about
twenty-two, my fatherpressed me to enter intoholy orders (to become apriest)…. (and) I beganto see that true religionwas seated in the heart…(and) I began to alter the whole form of my conversation,and to set in earnestupon a new life… Idoubted, but I was agood Christian.
Wesley spent the firstten (10) years or so in
priestly duties as a verydisciplined man ofprayer, bible study andgood works. At Oxford,he and others had stricttimetable of Christianactivity, a methodicalreligion. He had writtenin 1726 about his busylifestyle: ‘Leisure and Ihave taken leave of oneanother. I proposed to bebusy as long as I live.”He even went with hisbrother Charles acrossthe Atlantic in thoseearly days as a gospelMissionary to Savannah,Georgia, but he reflectedlater that he was gettingnowhere, ‘beating the air’in his search for peacewith God. Here is how heput it in his journal:
In this refined way oftrusting in my ownworks and my ownrighteousness, I draggedon heavily, finding nocomfort or help therein.
When some MoravianMissionaries,‘endeavoured to show mea more excellent way… itseemed foolishness untome,’. However, hiscontinued contact withthe Moravians led himreluctantly to one of theirmeetings in London. Hewrote very calmly aboutthis important step of hispilgrimage that tookplace on 24th May 1738.
In the evening I wentvery unwillingly to asociety in AldersgateStreet, where one wasreading Martin Luther’spreface to the epistle tothe Romans. Aboutquarter before nine (9),while he wasdescribing the charge,which God works in theheart through faith inChrist, I felt my heartstrangely warmed. I feltI did trust in Christ,Christ alone forSalvation; and anassurance was given me,that he had taken awaymy sins, even mine, andsaved me from the law ofsin and death. I began topray with all of my might… I then testifiedopenly… then was Itaught that peace andvictory over sin areessential to faith in theCaptain of our Salvation.
That evening of 24thMay 1738, John Wesley’sconsciousness of personalcertainty that Salvationcould only be his throughFaith and Grace, kickedoff his evangelical career.The other Christian giftsand graces like his lovefor study, his simplelifestyle, his accounting
to God for every momentof time, and everyopportunity and materialresource, were nowbound up with his newfound testimony of God’sSaving Grace. Wesleywas now an empoweredevangelical leader inpulpit, in open air, inconference and in school.
In his introductorystudy of Britain’sEvangelical Revival,historian, G.M.Ditchfield notes thatJohn Wesley was areluctant field preacherwriting in his journal in1772. ‘To this day, fieldpreaching is acrosshome. But I know mycommission and see noother way of preachingthe gospel to everycreature.’
The Evangelical workof Wesley benefited fromthe diligence and themethodical approach ofhis earlier priesthood. Inthe places where JohnWesley preached, local‘societies’ developed. Hedivided these into classesand all membersbelonged to a class, ‘forspiritual discussion, biblereading, and self-examination andconfession ofbacksliding… Memberswho had reached a notedlevel of holiness wereplaced in ‘bands’ for moreadvanced spiritualimprovement.’
Wesley realized thatto keep the gospel revivalsustained and extended,a strong link was neededbetween all the societies.In this way, the ongoingwork became a nationalmovement ororganization known as aconnexion; responsible toWesley. Six years or soafter his Aldersgatewatershed, Wesley hadorganized his societiesinto geographicalCircuits, Districts and anational conference. It isthis Connexional type oforganization that today’sMethodism represents.
Aldersgate 1738 in thelife of John Wesleyhelped launch a branchof Christian Revival toraise up moral anddisciplined faith in JesusChrist to spreadscriptural holinessamong the nations. Letus celebrate AldersgateDay and examine nextweek, Aldergate in theCaribbean.
Contributed by: Joint
Aldersgate Committee
2015
22. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN
NewsVMethodists celebrate Aldersgate John Wesley Watershed
V THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. 23.
WHETHER THE TOURNAMENTtakes place in St Lucia, the BritishVirgin Islands or here in St Vincentand the Grenadines (SVG), thereseems to be no stopping theVincentians from taking overallOECS squash championshipaccolades.
And they did just that, forthe fourth straight year, whenthey were crowned overall 2015OECS Senior Squashchampions.
Hosted at the NationalSquash Center at Paul’sAvenue, 21st to 23rd May, andsponsored by the NationalLotteries Authority and E-Zone,St Vincent and the Grenadinesmade it four in a row, leavingthe British Virgin Islands insecond place .
Having only to stave off anyreal challenge from the BritishVirgin Islands, since the otherparticipating territory,
Dominica, wasunder-represented,the host rompedhome champions inthe three teams’category - men’s,women’s andveterans.
Helping to carveout the Vincentians’retention was JulesSnagg who won themen’s singles, whileSherian Slater andJames Bentick tookthe women’s 40 andover and men’sover- 40 singles
titles, respectively.Snagg, who won the title in
2013 and 2014, playedunbeaten, AND completed hishat-trick when he cleaned upKevin Hannaway, also of StVincent and the Grenadines, 11-5, 11-7, 11-9 in the final.
Slater also played unbeaten,overcoming all who came upagainst her, on her way toending with three wins.
Runner —up to Slater wasanother Vincentian, Greta
Primus, whose lone loss was toSlater.
Bentick was also victorious inall four matches, leavingDominican Mike Adamson to becontented with the second place.
The other three individualtitles were copped by the BritishVirgin Islands.
Zoe Sorrentino, who wascoming off a two-year breakfrom the sport, champed thewomen’s singles, winning all hermatches. She beat CarolineDubois (BVI), Gianna Miller-
Alexander (SVG)and KerstinGordon (BVI), enroute to her title.
Keeping theSorrentino’s name
on the honour’slist, was Nevillewho took the men’s
over 50. He beat Patrick Martinof Dominica 11-3, 11-7, 11-8.
Completing the trio of titlesfor the BVI was WinstonFindlay. Vincentian by birth,Findlay defeated Keith Boyea ofSt Vincent and the Grenadines,11-7, 11-5, 11-4, to win themen’s 60 and over singles.
Organisers are hopeful thatthere would be increasedparticipation next year, whenthe tournament touches down inSt. Lucia.
by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT
ST. VINCENT AND THEGRENADINES Under 23 footballers arepreparing for the next round of the 2016Olympic Qualifiers, after going pastDominica 3-0, in their ‘home’ leg onSunday at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.
The victory gave the Vincentians a 5-0aggregate win over the two legs, aftercoming out 2-0 winners on Sunday in the‘away leg’, also at the Arnos ValePlaying Field.
Both matches were played in St.Vincent and the Grenadines following arequest by the Dominica FootballAssociation occasioned by that countryhosting international cricket betweenthe West Indies and Australia.
It took goals from Oalex Anderson(51st minute), Tevin Slater (70thminute), and Chavel Cunningham (90thminute) for the Vincentians to easilybrush aside their opponent.
“We played a lot better today(Sunday), and the results show that..butwe still have to put away ouropportunities……but I am not toodisappointed,” Coach Cornelius Hugginssaid after the match.
He recognises that there was stillwork to be done, and hoped that theSVGFF could facilitate some friendlymatches before the next round inPuerto Rico.
Sunday’s match
The teams went into Sunday’smatch, the Vincentians’ ‘home game’,with Dominica needing to betterFriday’s 2-0 defeat, and stop theiropponents from scoring.
The Dominicans threw themselvesinto a mode of aggression from theget go, making some threateningruns into the SVG area and creatingsome anxious moments, resulting inmuch shouting and gesticulations fromthe SVG bench.
SVG also had their periods of goodbuild-up, but were hindered by poorpassing and/or some on-field calls, whichhad the crowd screaming itsdisagreement.
The teams went into the break 0-0,with SVG the happier of the two teamswith their 2-0 margin still intact.
The resumption saw SVG taking thelead through striker Oalex Anderson in
the 51st minute. He collected a pass andoutran the defence, before hitting apowerful shot past an advancing ElijahToulon in the Dominica goal.
Both teams then made a fewsubstitutions, but it was the home teamwhich found the net again, with a classicconversion from Tevin Slater, who hadlooked a more confident player than onFriday. He raced down the left side and,despite being pressured by a defender,was still able to turn the ball pastToulon from a tight angle.
Cunningham put the issue to bed inthe 90th minute when he pounced on arebound off Toulon, to hammer the ballinto the net.
SVG, by virtue of the win, advancedto the next round of the play-offs, wherethey will compete against host PuertoRico, Trinidad and Tobago andSuriname, beginning June 24th.
Olympic Qualifiers: SVG U23 into next round
SVG cops 4thstraight OECSSquash titles
Oalex Anderson celebrates afterscoring in Sunday’s second match.
One of the keen tussles for possession.
Part of thewinning women’sunit- GiannaMiller- Alexander(left) and GretaPrimus.
Jules Snagg wonthe men’s singlesfor the third timein a row.
Winston Findlay (left) accepts his trophyfrom sponsor E-Zone’s Keith Boyea,whom he beat in the men’s over 60.
Veterans’ team (left to right): Deidre Myers, KeithBoyea, Sherian Slater, James Bentick.
24. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN
SportsV
THE CALLIAQUA PLAYING FIELD was the venue lastSaturday, for a football festival, as the St Vincent andthe Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) observedthe first ever CONCACAF Women’s Football Day.
The festival brought together most of the activefemale footballers in St Vincent and the Grenadines,in a small goal competition, involving six teams.
Although winning was not the main aim of theday, Fresh Youths turned out victors on the day.Placing second was My Youth, with North Leewardand Roseans sharing the third place.
Fresh Youths’ Janique Browne netted the most
goals, 14.Taking the prize for
the oldest player on showwas Natasha Sampson,with ten-year-old ArekaHooper, the youngestparticipant. The pairturned out for North Leeward.
Speaking at a short closing ceremony, Presidentof the SVGFF, Venold Coombs, trumpeted hisorganisation’s role in promoting women’s football,while bashing his predecessors for paying littleattention to it.
Yolande London, head of the local women’scommittee and chair of the Windward Islandsconfiguration, assessed last Saturday’s activity as“successful, as it fulfilled its objectives.”
Among the objectives was to create an awarenessof and to promote the sport among women.
London believed that the day did just that, andexpressed hope that more women would get involvedin football, especially at the community level.
She thinks that St Vincent and the Grenadineswinning the inaugural Windward Islands FootballAssociation tournament last month, will also go a
long way in promoting women’s football here.Commenting on the success of the inaugural day,
Jeffery Webb, President of CONCACAF, said on theConfederation’s website: “It’s crucial forCONCACAF to continue the advancement ofwomen’s football while developing grassrootsprograms and continue achieving major victories”.
He noted: “My vision was and remains the same;that every man, woman, and child passionate aboutfootball has the opportunity to access our beautifulgame and develop their skills in order to reinforceCONCACAF’s position in the global arena”.
As a prelude to last Saturday’s CONCACAFWomen’s Football Day, FIFA’s Andrea Rodenbaughmade a swing through the Caribbean, including StVincent and the Grenadines, to meet with many ofthe stakeholders, and to give the sport more generalacceptance among the populace.
JULIANA NERO continued hergood run of form, when she put ina match-winning all roundperformance for Garifuna Starsover Rising Stars, in one of theweekend matches of the RBTTBank Senior National Women’sLimited Overs cricketCompetition.
Garifuna Stars defeated RisingStars on a faster scoring rate,after bad light at Arnos Vale 2playing field brought the match toa premature end.
Batting first, Rising Starsmade 170 for 6 off 32 overs.National batter Crystal John top-scored with 56, and XavianStephens assisted with 33.Bowling for Garifuna Stars,
Juliana Nero was the best bowlerwith 3 for 10.
In reply, Garifuna Starsreached 117 for 4 off 20 overswhen the umpires called off thegame. Juliana Nero led the runschase with an unbeaten 42.Bowling for Rising Stars,Samantha Caine took 2 for 23.
JG Tigress continued theirwinning ways of the previousround of matches, when theyrecorded an effortless victory overNorthern Girls, last weekend, atSion Hill.
Northern Girls were routed for22 off 6.3 overs. Roshell John had4 for 11 and LaToya Providence, 2for 1.
In response, JG Tigress raced
to a more thancomfortable 9-wicket victory,closing at 23 for 1 off 4.4 overs.Phyllis Williams made 11.
I.B.A.ALLEN
KIZZY LEWIS, with a haul of 5wickets for 9 runs in 3 overs,including the competition’s onlyhat-trick, ensured that his team,Prisons, is one of two new teamsin the final of the Hairoun BeerBagga T-20 Softball CricketCompetition.
Prisons will face off againstHillview in the title decider,which bowls of this Saturday 30May at the Kearton’s playing fieldin Barrouallie.
Lewis, together with AlexJessop, with 4 for 5 runs from his4 overs, did in Valley Boys for adismal 27 runs in 11.4 overs.This, after Prisons had earlierposted a total of 96 in 18.5 overs.
Winston Patterson top scored with27.
In the other semi-final,defending Champions, RSVGPolice, were sent packing byHillview.
Hillview opted to bat first afterwinning the toss, and made 114for 7 in their allotted 20 overs.Kevin Small top scored with 21and Macrico Ash contributed alate cameo of 20.
The Competition’s leadingwicket-taker, Milton Trumpet,then went to work, putting downhis 4 overs and grabbing 4 Policewickets for 20 runs, and withLarry Baptiste, 2 wickets for 8
runs from 4overs, restrictedthe defendingchampions to105 from 19overs. SalineGeorge topscored with 29.
The finalswill commencefrom 2pm. Aprize-givingceremony willfollow the endof the match.
I.B.A.ALLEN
ASISAT OSHOALA is thefirst player to win the newWomen’s Footballer of theYear award from the BBC,voted for by football fansaround the world.
The 20-year-old forwardbest Spain’s VeronicaBoquete, German NadineKessler, Scot Kim Little andBrazilian Marta to thehonour.
“I would like to say thankyou to the BBC, to my fansaround the world and toeveryone who voted,” she said on being notifiedabout her award.
Oshoala, who was the youngest player to beshortlisted, was the leading scorer at the Under-20s World Cup in Canada last summer, and wasvoted the tournament’s best player.
Her performances led Nigeria to the final,where they were narrowly beaten by Germany.
She was also a major influence in the seniorNigeria team winning the African Women’sChampionship in October.
That ensured their qualification for the WorldCup, beginning June 6, 2015 in Canada, whereall eyes will be on Oshoala. (Source: BBC News)
Oshola is Women’sFootballer of the Year
Asisat Oshoala isone of the mostexciting womenfootballers in theworld today.
Hillview, Prisons in Bagga T-20 Finals
Kizzy Lewis,hat-trick takerfor Prisonsagainst ValleyBoys.
Crystal Johntop scored with56, in a losingcause, forRising Stars.
Juliana Nerohit 42 not outand took 3 for10 to ensurevictory forGarifuna Stars.
Garifuna, Tigressvictorious
Some of the participants pose for a group shot at last Saturday’s CONCACAFWomen’s Football Day at the Calliaqua playing field.
Winning team, Fresh Youths, receive their prizesfrom President of the SVGFF, Venold Coombs. Topgoal scorer, Janique Browne, is pictured at left.
SVGFF hosts CONCACAF WomenÊs Day
FIFA corruption:Former SVGFF bossnot surprised
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. 25.
SportsV
Football fiascoTHE FOOTBALL WORLD has been turned intouncertainty. What happens when the dust settlesis speculation. The fact that officials fromCONCACAF have been caught in the dragnetcomes not entirely as a surprise, but it is anembarrassment.
However, something was always on the cards.What’s in the dark, must be revealed to light.
There is no pleasure in seeing anyone fall, butJack Warner must have known that his days werenumbered, and that eventually, he would havehad to pay for his misdeeds.
His ruthlessness included skimming off thecream that ought rightly to have come to thiscountry. He managed to avoid the clutches so far.
When he was elevated in the political arena,persons in Trinidad and Tobago, includingopposition leader Keith Rowley, questioned theintegrity of any entity with Warner as a mainfigure.
Warner enjoyed the spotlight and swiped atanyone who challenged him. He must havesmelled the rat and demitted office in the footballcircles four years ago. But the trail of corruptionnever abandoned him.
In his typical brash manner, he declared hisinnocence, then had to turn up in Court and wasgranted bail in the amount of T&T $2.5 M. Hewill return July 9 with the prospects ofextradition to the United States loomingsomewhere in the mix.
It is a sad day for Caribbean politics. Thisdevelopment has hit the core of Caribbean ethics.Voters will have to decide that it is not all thatglitters is gold, and sometimes they will be betteroff being contented with the little than revellingin ill-gotten gains.
The Vincentian Football team have moved upthe FIFA rankings to 110, 53 places aboveGuyana whom they face in home and awayqualifiers June 10 and 14.
Present form favours the Vincentians. Theywill have to maintain that record.
The Under 23 squad advanced to the nextround scheduled for June 24 to 28 in Puerto Rico,where they will contend with the hosts as well asTrinidad and Tobago and Suriname for a chanceto go further.
Football in St. Vincent and the Grenadines hastaken a revival, spurred by the senior womensquad who copped the first WindwardIslandschampionship in splendid fashion. Thatperformance served as a motivator for the males.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has alwaysbeen sturdy in their defence. Their problem wasfinding the net. It seems that a generation of goal-thirsty strikers is surfacing. The likes of OalexAnderson, with his attachment to the SeattleSounders FC 2, has added some prestige to theVincentian line up.
He remains in contention for participation atboth levels of the national plank. His ability,agility and indeed, maturity, speak wonders for asmall nation with sparse resources.
Anderson stands out as an example for youthstoday. There are opportunities to be grasped; butthe youngsters must show the commitment anddiscipline to fulfil the task.
The FIFA scandal will have repercussionsinternationally. It will explode and cause morefissures before the issues are reconciled. Whatwill be the effects of the scenario, will be seen.Everyone will be watching with keen interest.
by E. GLENFORDPRESCOTT
“I AM NOT SURPRISED atall with this happening toFIFA.”
These were the wordsof former president of theSVG Football Federation,Dr. Adrian Fraser, whencontacted for a commentabout reports thatseveral high-rankingFIFA officials werearrested, and a numberof others expected to becharged with fraud,money laundering andracketeering.
Reports are thatamong those arrested ata five-star hotel inZurich on Wednesday, onsuspicion of receivingbribes totallingUS$100m, were: JeffreyWebb - head ofCONCACAF and FIFAvice-president; CostaRica’s national footballchief Eduardo Li, whowas due to join FIFA’sexecutive committee onFriday; Uruguay’sEugenio Figueredo,president of SouthAmerican footballgoverning bodyConmebol; VenezuelanFootball Federationpresident RafaelEsquivel; Brazil’s JoseMaria Marin, a memberof FIFA’s clubcommittee; Fifadevelopment officer JulioRocha, from Nicaragua;Costas Takkas, of theUK, an attache to theConcacaf president; and
four executives of sportsmanagement companies.
The reports say thatalso indicted are formerFIFA vice-president JackWarner, Nicolas Leoz,Aaron Davidson,Alejandro Burzaco, JoseMargulies, and Hugo andMariano Jinkis.
According to the USDepartment of Justice,the officials are accusedof taking in excess of$150m in bribesstretching back 24 years.US prosecutors said theofficials conspired withsports marketingexecutives to “shut outcompetitors and keephighly lucrativeCONTRACTS forthemselves through thesystematic payment ofbribes and kickbacks”.
“The indictmentalleges corruption that isrampant, systemic, anddeep-rooted both abroadand here in the UnitedStates,” said USAttorney General LorettaLynch.
Fifa president SeppBlatter was not amongthe accused.
But in the words ofacting US attorney KellyCurrie at Wednesday’spress conference in NewYork: “It’s only justbeginning.”
Fraser’s take
Dr. Fraser, who servedas president of footballhere in the 1990s, said if
any surprise, is that ittook so long for “thebowley to burst.
“There were too manythings happening inFIFA over the years, andyou had the feeling thatthis day would come; butyou wondered when, andtoday it finally came, andI hope that what is doneis a total cleaning up ofthe organisation,” Dr.Fraser said.
He said that duringhis time as president ofthe SVGFF, heencountered “somethings and situations”with which he had alevel of discomfort, andwas never too keen todeal with certainindividuals after that.
But even with all thearrests and reports ofwidespread instances ofcorruption, Dr. Frasersaid he is confused how
current FIFA bossBlatter is able to getaway apparentlyunscathed in all this.
“How can a man whohas been in anorganisation for thatmany years and all sortsof reports are comingout, but yet he is above itall…..that is kind ofstrange if you ask me.”
In the midst of thearrests and pendingaction, FIFA is expectedto go ahead today withits elections, at whichthe 79-year-old Blatter,who is coming up againstEgypt’s Prince Bin Ali, isseeking a fifth term.
The SVGFF is among209 member countries atthe FIFA Congress, withpresident Venold Coombsand vice-presidentsMarvin Fraser and PaulBoucher therepresentatives.
SMASHERS and Ishallz Byam’sPhysical Therapy have joinedCombine Youth and Ruddy’sElectrical Unique Warriors in thesemi-final playoffs of the 2015NLA First Division NationalCricket Competition.
They sealed their places withlast weekend quarter finalvictories over Prime ConsultingMarriaqua and Victors Two,respectively.
Smashers beat PrimeConsulting Marriaqua by 100runs at Sion Hill.
Taking first knock, Smashersmade 157 off 29.3 overs. OzicoWilliams led the batting with 49,Deptor Culzac hit 38, andCuthbert Springer had 34.Bowling for Prime ConsultingMarriaqua, Jeremy Layne wasthe pick of the bowlers withfigures of 3 for 32. Glenroy
Jacobs and Isaac Haywood had 2wickets each.
Prime Consulting Marriaqua,in an apology of a run chase,collapsed for 57 off 19.1 overs,with Javil Harry, 16, being theonly individual run-getter of note.
Courtney Joyette (4 for 6),Javon Samuel (3 for 21) andDarren Russell (2 for 11), werejust too good for the PrimeConsulting Marriaqua batsmen.
At Buccament, Ishallz Byam’sPhysical Therapy defeatedVictors TWO by 56 runs.
Ishallz Byam’s PhysicalTherapy closed at 176 off 33.3overs, with Romano Charles, 39,being their principal scorer.Leon Quashie and Imran Samueleach had indidvudual scores of35. Bowling for Victors TWO,Jermaine Cruickshank took 4 for
50 and Adinal Richards 2 for 39. Victors TWO responded with
120 off 31 overs. Main scorerswere Kishore Shallow with 41,and Adinal Richards, 25. ZimronProvidence returned theimpressive figures of 5 for 19,and Donald Delpheche, 2 for 12.
The semi-finals will see achange in format, with eachmatch being played over twodays, as against the one day thatobtained in the competition up tothe quarter final stage.
Those matches are scheduledfor June 6 and 7, with Ruddy’sElectrical Unique Warriorsagainst Smashers at Arnos ValeTwo, and Combine Youth facingIshallz Byam’s Physical Therapyat Arnos Vale One.
I.B.A.ALLEN
Smashers, Ishallz complete semis line-up
Dr. Adrian Fraser, aformer SVGFFpresident, says he isnot shocked at therecent arrests, justdisappointed that theywere so long in coming.
Jeffrey Webb, head ofCONCACAF and FIFAvice-president, wereamong those arrested.
26. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN
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AFTER FOUR FAILED ATTEMPTS, 31-year-old Ray Anthony Clarke ofGreen Hill, accepted the 2015Fisherman of the Year award with abounty of satisfaction.
Clarke walked away with thebig prize at the 40th Fisherman’sDay prize-giving ceremony lastMonday at the Calliaqua PlayingField, after six weeks ofcompetition.
He and his crew landed 3,111.8pounds of fish during the period,to cop the title, and was therecipient of a 75HP Yamaha 2-Stroke outboard engine, trophyand other fishing supplies.
“I’ve done it I give thanks toeverybody. I’ve done it,” Clarketold THE VINCENTIAN.
He explained that he left portKingstown at 4 Monday morning,and headed 58 miles South-East.
And although the weatherconditions of the day were clearand sunny for the most part,Clarke said that on his way out,he encountered some problemswith the large masses of seaweedin the water.
“It hampered my game, as itcut down my pace because it gotinto the engine and prevented usfrom going further,” he explained.
Clarke further indicated thatthe patches of seaweed were alsoa problem for him and his crewwhen they threw out their line.
But despite his personaldisappointment in not taking theheaviest catch of the day title, hesaid that he was overall pleasedwith his performance.
He dedicated his award to hisdeceased friend, Wayne Patterson,
with whom he attempted to winthe award on previous occasions.
“But this is the first time, and Igive him the respect. He has sincepassed away, and I give him nuffrespect,” Clarke said.
He thanked his crew, saying,“We rocking, we rule – they aregreat.”
His continuing passion for whathe does, comes from the timespent at sea, he told THEVINCENTIAN.
“Being out at sea, gives you apeace of mind, being away fromeverybody, from the hustle andbustle. You don’t have to wake upfor an 8 to 4; you wake up on yourown timing. You create your own
pace, you do what you have to doto make it,” the championfisherman said.
Clarke also won prizes for thethird heaviest single fish, 32pounds, and third largest numberof fish, 81 heads.
The award for the secondheaviest catch of the competitionwent to Andrew Gould andPhilroy Matthews, with 1,811pounds; and Vilma Tucker andBernard Dublin won the thirdheaviest catch, amassing 1,430.2pounds.
The combination of Gould andMatthews also took the award forthe single heaviest catch of theday, with 364 pounds.
ALTHOUGH there are qualified people within theadministration of the national Fisheries Division,the task of creating a structured, modern unit stillposes a challenge for the leadership of thatDepartment.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries SabotoCaesar made the point last Monday, during theclosing ceremony of 2015 Fisherman’s Daycelebrations held at the Calliaqua Playing Field.
“In many instances,academic knowledge andthe reality flow in twoseparate streams,” Caesarsaid.
“As our divisioncelebrates 40 years ofhaving these activities, inour reflections as nationbuilders, we must becomemore convinced, now morethan ever, that fishing is avery important business,and the future of ourfishers’ existence in themarket- place is dependenton our ability to compete,”the minister continued.
The ultimate goal,according to Caesar, was toensure that the fisherssucceed, especially since thefishing industry has thepotential to transform thenational economy intobecoming more productive.
“It is in this regard thata case is made for the institutional strengtheningof the Division, with special skill sets in financeand business management,” Caesar said.
A number of initiatives have arisen over thelast decade, Caesar explained, referring to thoseaimed at improving and strengthening fisheriesmanagement, sustainable development andconservation of the living, marine resources.
But while it has been recognised that thesehave been useful, there is now the need for theeffective coordination, regulation and streamliningof the implementation processes and theprioritisation of issues, the agriculture ministersaid.
And more persons, therefore, should be advisedto seize opportunities to study areas touching onaspects of production and productivity within thesector, Caesar added.
Fisheries Divisionneeds structuraladjustment
Saboto Caesar,Minister ofAgriculture andFisheries,recognised that theFisheries Divisionis lacking in certainexpertise.
CLARKE PERSEVERES
Ray Anthony Clarke (3rd from left), 2015 Fisherman of the Year,shared his moment of glory with his children, a crew member andcontestants in the 2015 Miss SVG Pageant.