FREE www.caribbeanlifenews.com BROOKLYN/STATEN ISLAND EDITION Nov. 03–Nov. 09, 2017 DONORS TO TALK RELIEF CARICOM gets UN support for hurricane donors conference By Bert Wilkinson to rebuild affected nations from They know very well that the international community. no Caribbean government has For the two-day meeting, the kind of money to lend or the World Bank, the Interna- Halloween treat donate to any of the string of tional Monetary Fund, west- regional countries which were ern donor nations, including Pediatric patient Amare Elize, 6, with Marsha Page of Marsha’s Makeovers, receives pulverized an unusually strong the United States, and some a Halloween makeover at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County.See story on Page 2017 hurricane season so lead- of the wealthier countries in 28. NYC Health + Hospitals / Kings County ers have approached the inter- the Middle East are expected national donor community for to attend Granderson said. In help in rebuilding devastated fact he says, the conference is nations. open to anyone interested in Williams faces off for city council speaker With assistance from the helping with this mega rebuild- United Nations Development ing effort. Program (UNDP) and western But even as the region pre- By Nelson A. King collaborative, and the right Williams said he is “the donor nations, regional leaders pares for the watershed confer- Brooklyn Council Mem- person for what we need right perfect example of being and high officials will travel to ence, officials are making it ber Jumaane D. Williams on now.” independent, being strong, the United Nations headquar- clear that it will not be business Wednesday faced off with On the council’s relation- being not afraid to push, and ters in New York for a two-day as usual as monies raised from seven other candidates at ship to the mayor and the also being productive,” stat- international conference aimed this effort are not simply to be the New York Athletic Club council’s ability to move dif- ing that he has the most bills at raising billions in mostly used to rebuild the battered in Midtown in the first pub- ficult bills forward, Williams passed of all of the mem- grant aid to help Dominica and infrastructure in the islands, lic forum in the race for city said: “I do not think that we bers of the council, except Barbuda rebuild especially in but to do so in a manner that council speaker. have yet reached our poten- the speaker. the coming months. The con- would ensure state and pri- Williams, who represents tial as a body. What I would “I’ve been able to accom- ference starts on Nov. 21. vate properties, airports, water the 45th Council District in like to do is build on what plish that because you push Colin Granderson, assist- systems and other utilities are Brooklyn, and the other can- this speaker has been able to when you need to, and you ant secretary general of the able to withstand strong storms didates discussed a wide range accomplish. pull back when you need to, 15-nation grouping of coun- going forward. of issues facing the city. “And from what I hear from and that’s what leadership is,” tries, said this week that This is so because authori- “We are at a time where you my colleagues, really push he said. “As a leader, you have resources for such a task would ties are growing tired of having need leadership that’s going this council to be that inde- to know how to get things obviously be hard to come by in to find hundreds of millions to be bold,” said Williams, the pendent voice that we know done. But you can’t shirk the region so governments will almost each year to replace son of Grenadian immigrants, we can be and that the city the courage that you need to be pinning great hopes on rais- systems. The best thing to do, adding he was “battle-tested, expects us to be,” he added. push forward.” ing the kind of money needed Continued on Page 8 #'(( )*'/0' . % , % ,% , % ,, ,, % & , ! " ," !"#$ % &"#'$ 5 , "% &"#$ % "'$ %% */% # $ % % " $ % & #'(( )* ,1)+)1)( .3 #'(( )* ('+),( 1 , %% % 0 - ! ! " . ! 2 0 % (4 ) % % , #()%)#*%(+, 67896%'$# $6:; #()%)#*%(+,& #()%)#*%((#) 2 Caribbean Life, Nov. 03–Nov. 09, 2017 BQ Vincentian prime minister: ‘Much to celebrate, United States Secretary of State despite challenges’ Rex W. Tillerson Associated Press / Richard Drew By Nelson A. King In extending greetings and congrat- ulations to Vincentians in the Diaspora, US praise on the occasion of the country’s 38th anniversary of political independence, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves SVG on said “it is evident that we have much to celebrate, despite challenges.” “Almighty God has spared us the independence ravages of hurricanes and storms, and made it possible for us to come to the assistance of our neighbors who have anniversary been affected by recent catastrophic weather events,” said Gonsalves in his remarks, read in part on Sunday by By Nelson A. King New York Consul General Howie Prince The Trump administration in the Unit- at a gala Independence Luncheon Sun- ed States has congratulated St. Vincent day at Grand Prospect Hall in Brook- and the Grenadines on its 38th year of lyn, organized by the Brooklyn-based political independence from Great Brit- umbrella Vincentian group, Council of ain. St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organi- “On behalf of the United States, we zations, U.S.A., Inc. (COSAGO). offer our best wishes to the people of “We pledge to support in any way St. Vincent and the Grenadines as you possible, and continue to pray for their celebrate 38 years of independence,” said safe-keeping and rapid recovery from United States Secretary of State Rex W. the devastating losses occasioned by Tillerson in a statement on Friday, St. Vin- these severe weather events, which cent and the Grenadines Independence serve as stark reminders of our vul- Anniversary Day. nerability as Small Island Developing “The United States enjoys our partner- States, whose developmental gains can ship with the people of St. Vincent and be reversed or obliterated by a single the Grenadines in advocating democrat- natural disaster,” he added. ic principles, economic opportunity and Stating that nationals must be ever regional security cooperation,” he added. grateful to God for his faithfulness, the Ralph Gonsalves, prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, ad- “Today we celebrate our strong people- prime minister urged that they do so dresses the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly, at U.N. to-people connections and look forward by celebrating this anniversary “with headquarters, Friday, Sept. 23, 2016. Associated Press / Craig Ruttle, File to working together towards shared goals a special sense of gratitude and humil- stated in Caribbean 2020, for a more ity, and by acknowledging the achieve- secure and prosperous future,” Tillerson ments, which have been made possible potential and to excel.” up “new and exciting possibilities in continued. “We wish the people of St. only through His grace.” He said Kingstown is also commit- the areas of transportation, tourism Vincent and the Grenadines a happy Inde- He said that among the nation’s most ted to the goal of engaging all citizens and trade,” adding that “our citizenry is pendence Day celebration, with peace and notable successes are the accomplish- in the “conceptualization, articulation keenly attuned to this fact.” prosperity throughout the year to come. ments of young people, “who continue and implementation of this country’s In essence, Gonsalves said the inter- As Vincentians in the US Diaspora to shine and to make us proud. development agenda. national airport “symbolizes the value continue to celebrate their 38th year of “Their achievements in areas such “Our people-centered post-independ- we place on our unique culture and political independence, Ambassador to as academics, sports and culture are ence narrative encapsulates the concrete heritage and, equally, on our connec- the United Nations, I. Rhonda King, noted deserving of special mention,” said and tangible, and the metaphorical and tions to the rest of the world, and the “just a few” of the country’s “recent bless- Gonsalves, adding that they are “dem- symbolic,” he said. “It is reflected in, opportunities to participate actively and ings,” urging her compatriots to join her onstrated in the results recorded in this among many other things, the empha- on an equal footing with our regional in giving thanks in the process. year’s sitting of the regional examina- sis placed on programs aimed at the and international partners.” In addressing an Ecumenical Service of tions at the various levels.” advancement of all nationals and, also, As Vincentians celebrate and con- Thanksgiving at The Church of St. Mark’s Among these, he said, is the “historic on the execution of projects of great tinue to chart the course of their devel- Episcopal in the Crown Heights section feat” of the top performers at the Carib- value and significance, which express opment, the prime minister urged that of Brooklyn, New York, organized by the bean Advanced Proficiency Examina- our national pride and identity.” nationals “be wise in the conduct and umbrella Vincentian group in the United tions (CAPE), three of whom tied for Gonsalves pointed out that the management of our affairs, wary of any States, Council of St. Vincent and the Gren- first place and for the Prime Minister’s Argyle International Airport is one such attempt to distract and divide us, and adines Organizations, U.S.A., Inc., (COS- Award, noting that the “feat” is “worthy project, stating that the completion united in our efforts to improve condi- AGO) – King said that, while “it is often of special mention.” of which is “representative of the will tions for ourselves, our loved ones and man’s practice to focus on what is wrong, to The Vincentian leader said his admin- and tenacity of our people in the face our fellow nationals.