FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020 VOLUME 114, No.40 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50

Ganja penalties CXC review Vincy food in Former Ed. Investigate too harsh coming London Minister dies Dengue deaths Page 4 Page 15 Page 16 Page 18 Page 28

The Girls’ High School turned in another top performance in the CSEC (2020) examination. (Photo Credit: 104.3FM Facebook Page)

Paige Cadogan repeated her top performance at CSEC 2020: CPEA in the 2020 CSEC exams. PAIGE CADOGAN GHS FIRST TOPS 2020 CSEC RESULTS … CHANGES by GLORIAH… SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD PAIGE CADOGAN, Head Girl of the Girls’ High School, emerged as the student with the most outstanding results in the 2020 Caribbean Examination Council’s (CXC) Caribbean Secondary Education OTHERWISE Certificate (CSEC) Examination. Paige was entered in 15 subject areas and gained passes in each, represented by 14 grade THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS of the 93.32% pass rate, with the St. proud of our boys who performed ones and one grade two. 2020 Caribbean Examinations Martin’s Secondary School well amidst the many challenges She gained Grade One’s in Chemistry, Physics, Council Secondary Education (SMSS) occupying second position which confronted them. We are Biology, Additional Mathematics, Information Certificate Examinations (CSEC) as with 94.48 percent, and the looking forward to great things Technology, English A, English B, Spanish, released, have thrown up major Bequia Seventh-day Adventist from them in the coming years!” French, Principles of Accounts, Principles of adjustments in the previous ranking School (BSS) taking third position Overall, there were eleven Business, Economics, Office Administration, and of schools’ performances. with 94.19%. schools which recorded percentage Electronic Document Preparation Management. According to a release This is, according to an pass rates in excess of 80%. Her Grade 2 was for Geography. (30/09/2020) from the Ministry of education official, the first time In addition to the four already Paige explained that she was a Science student Education, while the Girls’ High that the Bequia Seventh-day referenced, the others were: St. but chose to incorporate a repertoire of business School (GHS) repeated as the top Adventist School has occupied a Joseph’s Convent Kingstown subjects, which she felt she would need as a basis performer with a 97.88% pass position among the top five (86.91%); Thomas Saunders for her intended future career. rate, the St. Vincent Grammar performing schools. Secondary (85.23%); Mountain Excellence seems never to be far from Paige’s School (SVGS) was displaced from And Yohance Gibson, Principal View Academy (83.64%); West St. purview. In 2015, as a student of the Windsor their second positon. of SMSS, was moved to comment, George (83.59%); St. Joseph’s Primary School, she placed 1st for girls and 1st That school, in fact, was in a press release made available relegated to 4th position with a on Thursday, “We are extremely Continued on Page 3. Continued on Page 3. 2. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN V People Lennox Bowman: Credit Union titan

takes a bow Lennox Bowman

THE NAME LENNOX Bowman is one of the many persons who nurtured Credit Union synonymous with the Credit Union and guided me during my three-year (GECCU) and Brother B. In 2016, Movement locally, regionally and stint as president of the SVGPCCU. I when the SVGPCCU made the internationally. ‘Brother B’, as he is remember sitting around the table ambitious decision to purchase a affectionately known in the movement, is with him at several Credit Union building in Kingstown as its own truly a Credit Uni onist of the best quality. forums at different levels; his Corporate Headquarters, it was Throughout his professional life and contributions were always adept, Brother B and GECCU who gladly career, he has always exemplified the inspiring and impactful. provided the financing and other world’ for twenty six (26) years - that overarching Credit Union principle of This Credit Union stalwart is a tangible assistance to the Police Credit twenty-one as Manager/CEO), Mr. “people helping people.” repository of wisdom, kindness and Union. Bowman will be retiring at the end of I got to know ‘Brother B’ personally professionalism. His humanity has ‘Brother B’ has served at the September, following a distinguished after I was elected as a Director and been experienced by many through his highest levels in the Credit Union career. President of the Board of Directors of volunteerism and devotion to duty. sector. He has been a long standing Accordingly, I wish to tremendously the St. Vincent and the Grenadines There are two individuals in SVG to delegate to the SVG Cooperative thank you, ‘Brother B’, for your service Police Cooperative Credit Union whom I have ascribed the title of CEO League Board. He has served on the and your mentorship. As you (SVGPCCU) in 2014. I recall that time extraordinaire -Brother B is one of board of directors of the Caribbean transition into your next journey in as a particularly testing one for me them. Conference of Credit Unions (CCCU); life, may your legacy be etched in the because of the duties that I had I wish to say without any fear of and has attended several meetings and pantheon of the Credit Union assumed then. Naturally, the contradiction, that in SVG, no other conferences at the World Council of movement. responsibilities that came along with sister Credit Union has been as good Credit Unions (WOCCU), the apex that position evoked a degree of to the St. Vincent & the Grenadines body of the movement. Bro. Junior O. Simmons nervousness in me initially. Police Co-operative Credit Union as After serving GECCU, the people of Former President I vividly recall that ‘Brother B’ was the General Employees Cooperative SVG, the region and the ‘Credit Union SVG Police Cooperative Credit Union V News 3 lHE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020. 3. Guyana moving to collect on LIAT debts IN THE FACE OF SOME US$996,466.32, almost Handling Fees owed to Trans REGIONAL GYD$21 million, for landing Guyana Airways, as LIAT’s GOVERNMENTS and navigational charges. Handling Agent. indicating that they are In an exact opposite action He said the claims are in considering a request to to some regional governments, the hands of the LIAT write off monies owing Mr. Field says GCAA has put Administrator. to them by LIAT, state- in a claim to the court- Spokeswoman for the related agencies in appointed LIAT administrator, Cheddi Jagan International Guyana seem not to be Mr. Cleveland Seaforth for the Airport, Shunza Samuels said of similar mind. bankrupt airline to pay the LIAT does not owe that According to monies owed. airport. Demerara Waves Meanwhile, spokesman for LIAT does not owe any news, LIAT owes some Ogle Airport Inc. Kit travel agencies in Guyana as GYD$80 million Nascimento disclosed that that carrier no longer had a (EXC$1 = Guy$73.4) LIAT also owes Ogle Airport general sales agent in Guyana to various aviation Inc. just under GYD$60.5 after fire had destroyed service providers in million dating back to Frandec Travel’s office at Guyana. December 2019. Main and Quamina Streets, Director-General of He says the bulk of the debt Georgetown, more than 15 Kit Nascimento’ spokesman the Guyana Civil is for unpaid Passenger years ago. for Ogle Airport Inc. says that Retired Lt. Col. Egbert Field, Aviation Authority Facilitation Fees collected by As the LIAT saga unfolds, that airport is bent on Director-General of the Guyana Civil (GCAA), Retired Lt. LIAT. The remainder is for much is coming to light about collecting from LIAT. Aviation Authority (GCAA), said his Col. Egbert Field said Landing & Parking Fees, the extent to which LIAT was Authority has already put in a claim LIAT owes his Security Fees and Office operating on the goodwill of on what it could generate for for the money LIAT owes it. (Photo regulatory agency Rental. There are also regional governments and not itself. (Source: Demerara Credit: Guyana Chronicle) Waves) CSEC 2020: Paige Cadogan tops 2020 CSEC GHS first … changes Results otherwise Continued from Front Page. overall, albeit tying with Rishona James of the St. Mary’s Continued from Front Page. Roman Catholic School, in the CPEA examination. Even back then, upon her entry into the Girls’ High Convent Marriaqua (82.68%); North Union School, she had vowed to maintain the level she had set at Secondary (81.38%) and Georgetown the CPEA, as an “excelling student.” Secondary (81.15%). Paige, however, told THE VINCENTIAN that even as Among the other schools not referenced, she was set to do well, the coronavirus cast some the Ministry of Education said in its release insecurities, as she worked better with face-to-face that the Central Leeward Secondary School instruction. (CLSS) and the Buccament Bay Secondary “COVID-19 did affect my mind a little, and I knew that School (BBSS) showed vast improvement in taking on so many subjects would be a bit stressful,” she their performance. In 2019, the CLSS stated, “I wasn’t too sure how CXC was going to approach it, recorded a pass rate of 44.77% and the BBSS but I managed my time as best as possible, studied as much recorded a pass rate of 44.08%. In 2020, Pleasing to education officials here was the as I could and practised as much as I could, just so that in CLSS pass rate increased to 69.48% and the overall pass rate for Mathematics, which the back of my mind I would have comfort knowing that I BBSS pass rate rose to 69.50%. showed a rise from 33.10% in 2019 to 53.41% in did my best according to my ability.” Overall, those schools not achieving an 80% 2020, and English A, which increased from She recalled that once it was announced that the exams or better passing grade, attained between a 76.08% in 2019 to 86.73% in 2020. would be administered through one common paper (Multiple Choice Assessments) and School Based Assessments (SBAs), high of 78.23 (Emmanuel High School And as for outstanding individual she knew she had put all her effort into her SBA’s. Then it Mespotamia) and a low of 63.33% (Troumaca performances, the top four performers were all was just practice for the Multiple Choice Assessments. Secondary). students of the Girls’ High School. Paige now moves on to the SVG Community College The statistics show that there were 1552 Paige Codogan took top honours, passing 15 Division of Arts, Sciences and General Studies (SVGDASGS) school candidates sitting 10,914 subject entries, subjects with 14 grade ones and 1 grade two with the aim of continuing to build the foundation on which in 31 subject areas, from 26 secondary schools. (see accompanying story), followed by Zowie to pursue a career in Actuarial Science and/or Mathematical Approximately 81.86% of the subject entries Bullock, Denisha Parsons and Jaynika Economics. were awarded Grades I — III (the corresponding Williams, each sitting 13 subjects and She wishes, though, to pass on advice to aspiring figure in 2019 was 74.33% and 74.67% in obtaining 13 grade ones. students. While she is adamant that time management is of 2018), according to the release from the The 2020 CSEC exam was administered in utmost importance, she counsels, “Never underestimate Ministry of Education.That release also stated , July, a change occasioned by the COVID-19 your abilities. You are capable of so much more than you “This year, 22.09% of the passes were at Grade pandemic. think.” I level, 37.62% at Grade II, and 40.30% at The exam was graded on a Multiple Choice It just looks like this dynamic young lady has surpassed Grade III. Last year’s figures were 15.62% at Assessment Paper and the School Based the legacy which was established at the Girls’ High School Grade I, 38.53% at Grade II and 45.85% at Assessments, the latter being submitted prior by other members of her family. Grade III.” to the July sitting. THE VINCENTIAN wishes her a very productive tenure at the SVGCC-DASGS. 4. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN V Court Ganja penalties Heritage Square shooting matter still too harsh sent on TYSON SPENCER, a 30-year-old Green Hill Stories by was found in possession Connell said that on man, has been HAYDN HUGGINS of locally grown the other hand, an committed to stand marijuana, but what affidavit from former DESPITE THE WINDS OF seemed to be foreign was head of the Narcotics trial in the High CHANGE with regard to the law and the harsh Unit, ASP Foster Scott, Court, in connection marijuana, the penalties penalties. He agreed that carries the value of with the November 22, remain too harsh and this was an issue for the marijuana up to $900 per 2019 shooting incident unconscionable. legislature, and made it pound. at Heritage Square, That’s the view of clear that he was not Connell asked Chief which left Auxiliary attorney Grant Connell, blaming the Court. Magistrate Rechanne Police Officer as he mitigated on behalf Connell also pointed Browne to consider the Curtland Jack of mini-bus owner and out that there was a value in the affidavit of paralysed from his Curtland Jack is operator Alvan Lovelace, direct nexus between Cottle who had been in shoulder down. paralysed from the of Campden Park, on value and sentencing, the marijuana trenches Spencer will be shoulders down. Tuesday. Lovelace had and referred the Court to for about 50 years, rose tried on charges of pleaded guilty to an affidavit from to become President of attempting to murder possession of 270 pounds President of the the CRC and Liason Jack, as well as the or marijuana for the Cannabis Revival Officer with the Medical Junior ‘Spirit’ Cottle purpose of drug Committee (CRC) Junior Cannabis Authority provided a value for wounding with intent trafficking and ‘Spirit’ Cottle, which puts (MCA), and has sat on marijuana in an affidavit of Deron Quashie of possession with intent to the value of marijuana the Select Committee on which attorney Grant Choppins and Dwayne supply. between $200 and $250 Medical Marijuana. Connell suggested Peters of Kingstown Connell noted that per pound. The affidavit Senior Prosecutor should be used as who were also shot before 2008, the stated that this further Adolphus Delpleche, in guidance. during the incident. maximum penalty for reduction in the cost of his response, pointed out Following a Paper marijuana possession marijuana was the result that the law is evolving But while Connell Committal Procedure was three years in prison of increased security. and will continue to agreed that the law had at the Serious and $100,000. This, along with the evolve with regard to evolved in that way, he Offences Court on The Act was later difficulty in getting the marijuana, so as to pointed out that the Monday, Chief amended bringing the crop to better markets, reflect the socio-economic sentences had gone up by Magistrate Rechanne maximum penalty to created a glut on the conditions. over 100 percent. Browne ruled that a Tyson Spencer will have seven years in prison and local market, resulting in He noted that several In relation to value, prima facie case was his day in the High $500,000 and since then, significant reduction in years ago, persons were Delpleche referred to a Court. there have been no payment per pound that fined $1,000 for having legal authority which made out on all three fundamental changes to has been accepted by the just a seed in their speaks to the issue of charges. the Act. farmers for mere possession, but this has guidance from an The matter had started earlier this year as an Connell said Lovelace survival. changed. experienced police officer. oral Preliminary Inquiry (PI), and Jack had testified via Skype. However, the parties involved agreed to have it concluded by way of Paper Committal. Van driver jailed for drugs Attorney Grant Connell is representing Tyson. ALVAN LOVELACE, a two others in his mini- Lovelace was the father 36-year-old mini-bus bus at Pembroke around of eight children, and at owner and operator of 12:20 am on August 20. the time, and also took Sandy Bay man Campden Park, is into The bus was travelling care of an uncle who is his third day of a 23- from the Leeward. now deceased. He noted month prison term for Senior Prosecutor that Lovelace had on robbery drug trafficking. Adolphus Delpleche, in expressed remorse and Lovelace was presenting the facts, told cooperated with the sentenced to 23 months the court that when the police from the for possession of 270 occupants were beginning. He added that charge pounds of marijuana for questioned, Lovelace his client pleaded guilty the purpose of said, “Officer, me have at the first available Attorney Grant Connell IMRON MC COY, a 42-year-old male resident of trafficking, and 21 some sacks of weed in opportunity and had no may just have raised a Sandy Bay resident, will return to the Serious months for possession the van.” previous convictions of a question of Offences Court on December 4, for a Preliminary with intent to supply. Corporal Williams similar nature. inconsistency as it Inquiry (PI) into charges of robbery and inflicting The sentences are to informed the three that Connell asked the applies to matters of serious bodily harm. run concurrently. they would be arrested court to impose a fine. drug possession. Mc Coy has been charged with, being armed with Chief Magistrate on suspicion for He disclosed that a piece of 2x2 board, robbed Kendol Bobb, 48, of Mt Rechanne Browne controlled drugs. Lovelace had brought to When contacted on Greenan, of a cellular phone valued at $700 and a handed down the They were taken in court $4,000 which was Wednesday for a flash drive valued at $150, and in so doing put Bobb penalities at the Serious custody, along with the all the money he had in comment, Connell told in fear of being there and then subjected to force. Offences Court on vehicle, and a thorough his Credit Union. THE VINCENTIAN, “I Mc Coy is also charged with unlawfully and Tuesday, following a search revealed seven Connell asked the have done cases before sterling mitigation plea nylon sacks. court to allow his client maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on Bobb. involving foreigners, Both incidents were allegedly committed at from Lovelace’s lawyer Lovelace took to pay the $4,000 chased and captured on Grant Connell. responsibility, saying he forthwith and whatever South Union on August 2. the High Seas by local Bobb reportedly sustained injuries to the Lovelace had pleaded was given a $500 job to balance the court Coast Guard and found guilty to the charges collect the sacks at imposes within a year or forehead and suffered from a broken right arm. in possession of much Mc Coy was not required to plead to the charges since August, but Chateaubelair. so. more marijuana. They sentencing was The sacks were cut But the Chief were taken to court, when he appeared before Chief Magistrate adjourned. open in their presence, Magistrate, following the pleaded guilty, and were Rechanne Browne at the Serious Offences Court on Acting on information, revealing the marijuana. sentencing guidelines, ordered to pay fines with Wednesday. He was granted $4,000 bail with one officers from the Rapid The other occupants and weighing the alternative prison surety with reporting conditions, and ordered not to Response unit (RRU) denied knowledge of the aggravating and sentences.” have any contact with the virtual complainant. headed by Corporal drugs. mitigating factors, The lawyer declined to Mc Coy was without legal representation on Lafleur Williams, had In mitigation, Connell arrived at the custodial comment further. Wednesday, but he indicated that attorney Kay intercepted Lovelace and told the court that sentences. Bacchus-Baptiste would be representing him. THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020. 5. V News Fountain SDA honours six

THE SEVENTH DAY Mrs. Pamela Charles - National Volleyball ADVENTIST CHURCH at educator from 1962 — Team. He was also a Fountain gave back to the 2003 (41 yrs.); Ms. Sylvia netball coach. community of Fountain Jordon- educator from Mr. Marksman served and Belair, when it 1968 — 2007 (39 yrs.); as Director General of recognized and honoured Mr. Innis Primus — the Local Red Cross six (6) retired educator from 1978 — Society for many years, Educators/Civil Servants 2018 (18 yrs.); Mr. leading in Disaster on Saturday 26th Theodore (aka Theo) Management Risk September, 2020 at its Huggins — educator from Reduction. He has Home Coming and 1974 — 2017 (43 yrs.) and served on NEMO, as a Honoree/Award service Mr. Bernard (aka BT) member of BELFONGO held at the Seventh Day Marksman - educator & and the St. Vincent Adventist Church at Civil Servant from 1972 Jaycees. He has been Fountain. — 2008 (35 yrs.) instrumental in Recognized for their Mr. Huggins was not organizing several outstanding contribution only an educator, but he community projects. to nation building and was actively involved in Innis Primus also for active community work and continues to offer involvement in the served as a coordinator of evening classes for continues to avail her (L-R Front Row): Mr. Theodore Huggins, Mr. Innis communities of Belair the Red Cross Affiliate, children, especially for skills in cake baking and Primus, Ms. Jacqueline Pinder (accepting on and Fountain were: Mrs. and NEMO Affiliate in those preparing for decorating to the behalf of Mrs. Pamela Charles), Ms. Sylvia Jordon, Marlene (aka Merle) the community. He was CPEA. He has served as community. She also, Mrs, Marlene Wright and Mr. Bernard Marksman. Wright — educator from also a national volleyball an invigilator for CSEC. has served as an 1955 — 1995 (40 Yrs.); player and coach of the Marlene Wright invigilator and supervises CXC Honoree/Award event supervisor of External Examinations and offers formed part of activities and Tertiary lessons to grade 6 to commemorate the 70th New Distribution Centre at Diamond Examinations. students preparing for anniversary since the Mrs. Charles taught CPEA. church was established COREAS DISTRIBUTION LIMITED facilities.” Local architect Mr. Aurin adult evening classes in Each honoree was in the community of (CDL) is pleased to announce the Bennett provided architectural the community of Belair. presented with a plaque Fountain in 1950. impending ground-breaking of its services for the project which has Sylvia Jordon serves in recognition of their (Submitted by SDA State-of-the-Art Distribution Centre been 2 years in the planning. as a presiding officer in commitment and service. Fountain) and Offices at Diamond. CDL is a The new Distribution Centre will General Elections, The Home Coming and member of the Goddard have 48,000 sq. ft of warehouse space Enterprises/Agostini’s Limited joint split between dry, frozen and chilled venture company, Caribbean storage. Offices and employee Distribution Partners Limited (CDP). facilities will cover an additional Coreas Distribution is one of seven 12,500 sq. ft. The project is expecting fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) to create employment opportunities distribution companies within CDP for approximately 120 persons during with a very successful track record construction. based on its strong and lasting Group CEO of CDP, Ms. Tracey relationships with strategic Suppliers, Shuffler, states that the investment in Customers and Government CDL’s facilities forms part of a stakeholders. strategic decision to ensure that all The CEO of CDL, Mr. Jimmie the Group’s facilities reflect the Forde, who is a stalwart of the shareholders’ dedication to regional regional FMCG industry, is delighted expansion and investment. “This with the EC $27.7m investment at project in St Vincent and the Diamond. “Our team has done well Grenadines follows similar facility with the facilities which we currently expansions in St Lucia, Grenada, occupy, but we look forward to Trinidad and Barbados. We see this treating our Customers to a more most recent project as necessary, efficient service while housing our despite prevailing circumstances, in enthusiastic team in upgraded order to be well prepared for future growth.” 6. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN V News Marion House 31st Anniversary

Vincentians for 31 years. To observe the anniversary on Friday October 2nd, a church service will be held at the Cathedral of the Assumption from 9am. The chief celebrant will be the brain child of Marion House, Monsignor Michael Stewart. As part of the commemoration, a documentary will highlight the Participants in the Youth various programmes and Assistance Programme share achievements of Marion a happy moment with House, with specific focus on Director Jeanie Ollivierre the youth and the various (stooping 3rd from left). partners, will be showcased. Director Jeanie Ollivierre Right: Participants in the said Marion House has been a Youth Assistance Programme beacon in the society … on attachment. Marion House is located along the main road into Kingstown tackling issues related to just before the Sally Spring gap. parenting, substance abuse juveniles, parents and and domestic violence. substance abusers being young people currently IMAGINE HOW CHAOTIC OUR immeasurable services of She noted that it is the only referred to Marion House by involved in Phase Two of the SOCIETY would be without the Marion House comes into play. professional counselling centre the courts. Youth Assistance Programme services of psychological The non-profit institution has in the entire country and all Staff at the House are by at the Technical Institute - counselling, training and just a been quietly offering those the services are free of cost. and large all volunteers, and while those who did foods have place to talk. services for free, and (SG) Ollivierre described them as completed the programme and That's where the impacting the lives of Ollivierre said that they try “resolute champions at are out on internship. to accommodate people from ensuring the mission of - She excitedly announced every Guiding the Individual unto that the new cycle of those spectrum with the Role to Wholeness’.” involved in the parenting many clients The Marion House Director programme commenced on such as revealed that there are several Wednesday 30th September. (SG) Jamaica Appeal Court gets Vincy roots WHEN NINE UK to a Jamaican MEMBERS of the mother, Barbara Curtis judiciary in Jamaica (surname of her second were sworn into higher husband), and office on September 14 Vincentian father this year by Governor Frederick Simmons, now General Sir Patrick residing in Trinidad and Allen, among them was Tobago, but with roots Nicole Adrienne that originate in Greiggs. Simmons. Because of her father, Justice Simmons was Justice Simmons’ one of two elevated to bloodline includes the Justice Nicole Simmons serve on the Court of Simmons, Commissiong, has roots in a Appeal in Jamaica. Maloney and Douglas significantly historic Justice Simmons, it is families of St. Vincent to be noted, is of and the Grenadines Vincentian community, Vincentian heritage. Governor General Greiggs. She was born in the Allen, in congratulating Justice Simmons, noted that she had been appointed on her own merit, and displayed outstanding qualities such as personal integrity, experience and competence. “These qualities will serve you in good stead as you discharge your duties,” Sir Patrick told Justice Simmons. Justice Simmons is no stranger to the Court of Appeal in Jamaica, she Governor General Sir Patrick Allen presents newly having acted as an appointed judge of the Court of Appeal Justice Appeal Court Judge from Nicole Simmons, with her Instrument of October to December in Appointment, Sept. 14, 2020. 2019. (CD) THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020. 7. 8. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN V Views

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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. Editorial COVID and DENGUE together What about “Our National Heroes”? (First published in THE VINCENTIAN of advice on this HERE IN ST. VINCENT AND THE tandem. Friday14th October, 2016.) GRENADINES, we have been able And working in tandem matter of to steady if not halt the spread of presents another challenge. “National Heroes” COVID-19. As of Tuesday 29th Experts tell us that the two are WE ARE GALLOPING FULL SPEED to which he September, we had recorded 64 difficult to distinguish because ahead towards the celebratory goal of our professed grave cases all of whom have recovered, they share clinical and 37th Independence which falls in another importance. But this committee just cannot meaning that we stand among an laboratory features. This makes 12 days or so on the 27th day of October, deliver. The bug in the rug was clearly over ‘elite’ group of countries worldwide for possible misdiagnosed cases. still without a recognised slate of National the question of whether or not Milton Cato which has not yet recorded any And then there is the question Heroes to guide and inspire us by the deserves this halo. deaths due to the COVID-19. of whether we have enough examples of their lives. To cut a long story short, the Prime That sounds ‘nice and dandy’, intensive care units to Towards the end of the 20th century, our Minister who by legal stealth has the final but we cannot afford to let down accommodate patients with broad masses of people had acclaimed and say, wants Cato for narrowly political our guard, since the disease is COVID-19 and Dengue Fever. proclaimed on their own permanent Chief purpose while his committee does not, nor known to reemerge even when Can we afford the increased cost Joseph Chatoyer as our First National a core of ULP- stalwarts including Blazer conditions on the ground don’t of hospitalization? Hero. Williams, Chairman of PSC and seem to encourage it. We know that the Aedes In 2002, within the first year of the particularly Jomo Thomas, Speaker of the But wait! Stick a pin! We are aegypti, the mosquito that ULP’s forming Government, Chatoyer was House. now doubly plagued, so to speak, spreads Dengue, is most confirmed and legally ratified, as such, In fact, Jomo resigned from the Advisory with the emergence of a rapidly prevalent in cities, and experts with the ULP pledging a fuller slate in a Committee on hearing the Prime Minister’s spreading Dengue Fever warn that increased urbanization short time which is yet to arrive. open lecture in favour of Cato which was outbreak which, unlike COVID- and warming temperatures due In fact, it is now a moot question as to wrong on several counts, but it does not 19, has already claimed four to climate change mean that its which will win the obstacle race, the matter to the Prime Minister as long as lives. range will keep increasing. International Airport or the slate of Rene Baptiste carries on as Chairman as Those deaths should be Experts say that while National Heroes, both having so far she is of another important body, that of enough to awaken us to the reduced travel means fewer experienced fourteen years of gestation! the Bar Association whose influence is realization that this outbreak is opportunities for mosquitoes to In this matter I was early off the blocks, increasingly vital in these times. real, and calls for, like COVID- bite people with Dengue and so o sending the new ULP Government through In addition to the “ban” imposed unfairly 19, the hands of every man Jack become carriers themselves, the their Minister of Culture, Mike Browne on Mulzac, there is another qualification and woman Jill on deck, if we coronavirus pandemic has four articles on the persons I felt best which stipulates that the “Hero” must have are to win the war and not just a introduced other variables. qualified for the accolade to join National died. This provision gained my attention battle here and there. Staying home – one way to Hero Joseph Chatoyer: George Mc Intosh, only after I had read a letter appearing in Yes, we ‘boast’ that we have in slow outbreaks of COVID-19, Hugh Mulzac, and Ebenezer Joshua. I was the “Vincentian” of June 15 2016. the past surmounted Dengue especially in cities – poses given short shrift by the minister, and Some Caricom countries like St Kitts Fever outbreaks. But the thing greater risks for spreading engaged in the subsequent run-around that and Antigua court the risk of living heroes about Dengue is that because it Dengue. That’s because the is still current to this day. causing embarrassment by unseemly is mosquito borne, it stands a Aedes mosquito bites during the In response to my original request, I behaviour after the event, but it now seems good chance of inflicting its bite day, and with more people learned that of my three nominations, to me that the sorry cause of our at any given time, in any given staying home, where mosquito Mulzac was ruled out by legislation which interminable delay may well be that Ralph year during which we are wont populations are high, the more laid it down that the Hero must have does not want to take chances, so would to lessen our attention to likely they are to be bitten. generally performed within the boundaries wish to be named National Hero while practices that prevent breeding Dengue patients need acute of his country which benefited directly alive as the writer puts it: “Biases and of the mosquito. care, and this could lead to a therefrom. Mulzac did his thing in the prejudices aside, let’s give Jack his (red?) Perhaps those involved in the “double whammy” that USA. Yet surprisingly Mulzac Square in jacket and flowers while he can smell delivery of preventative health overwhelms health care systems. Union Island kicked off the current them.” care and those given over to No one wishes this on us and we, celebrations. More on Mulzac later. I see the current Prime Minister of St matters of epidemiology might for sure, don’t wish it upon Mc Intosh and Joshua were certainly not have even given a passing Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph ourselves. regaled a long time ago in the hearts of the thought to this temporal Gonsalves, in much the same light as our Working with communities - people and hardly require the published coincidence of the two ‘outbreaks’ the operative word there being first national hero, Joseph Chatoyer. Like effort of Adrian Fraser, John Horne and happening at the same time. ‘with’ - to stop mosquitoes from Chatoyer, Dr. Gonsalves, after a 21st If they had, our running breeding has proven elsewhere to myself to document and provide evidence century model, has well liberated around as it stands now, might be the most successful anti- on their behalf. Vincentian people by opening wide the not have been so ad lib and, dengue strategy in recent years. Further to the Three “Wise Men”, I doors of opportunity for advancement and therefore, would have For those reasons and more, admit that I was short-sighted to have progression, like no leader of any engendered wider confidence in every resident in this country omitted the obvious claim of Dr. Parmenos government before him. I would dare say, our Health Services. must commit to following the Eustace. I have to thank most profusely when the discussions continue regarding COVID-19 by itself can cause advice of the health officials. Vin Samuel and to a lesser degree naming a new national figure, maybe we great upheaval to the population To ignore those who are Theodore Browne for drawing to the public should not seek to do of one posthumously.” and necessitate intensive tasked and qualified to guide us attention the immense contribution of Dr. Of course, this was written by “Rizpah attention from both the private through this two-pronged attack, Eustace especially to the educational Steward”, another pen-name of Gonsalves and public health services. is to spell danger for the entire development of SVG in the crucial years bent on his self-promotion. Think of the effect of the two country and , God forbid, a trail 1950-1970 and beyond. Cato could now be dropped like a hot (COVID and Dengue) working in of death. The Prime Minister would have potato. But what about Sir James Mitchell appointed a high power committee to in the new dispensation? lHE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020. 9. V Views Our agriculture is crying out THE IMPORTANT LESSON have no food to consume, serve it and benefit tardiness, as Mr. throw up shocks in our meaningful structure. that this COVID-19 especially at this at this accordingly. Providence alludes too so economy. Without this, our pandemic has taught us is time of COVID-19. That How often have I often, caused the wiping And if I may say, all farmers will continue to that we were too focused is, unless we are heard, “We have to out of the banana by the help that we say we plant with no guaranteed on the tourism sector, and prepared to import the import because the Black Sigatoka. Why is have given and promise market for their produce. not enough attention was expensive food which farmers here cannot it that with all that we to farmers does not It is clear that more being paid to agriculture. very few Vincentians will supply”? That may be hear about how much reflect a clear attention needs to be In that respect, I am in full be able to afford. so, but have we ever $$$ we are giving farmer direction/plan for our given to the agricultural agreement with Mr. LeRoy I am not saying that stopped to consider that that our agriculture is agriculture from our sector moving forward. Providence who writes tourism is not an we are not supporting still failing us? government. often in THE VINCENTIAN, important sector of our agriculture in a way that Come on, we have to The agricultural sector Andrew, WSG and who has laboured economy, but it must not it serves the tourism stop treating agriculture is crying out for more consistently on how the be developed at the industry and the as the ‘ugly duckling’. ULP has ‘destroyed’ expense of our consumer generally? We have to build our banana and by extension agriculture which has There are all kinds of agricultural sector so Support our CoP agriculture. kept us going for incentives for hotels etc., that it would not only Mr. Editor, without generations. In fact, the but where is the guarantee that we can WHEN I SHARED with a group of my friends that the agriculture sector, tourism sector should be sustained support, feed ourselves especially I thought we needed to give our Commissioner of without the farmers, this developed so that the financial and technical during times when Police (CoP) our support, they laughed me down, country would essentially agricultural sector can for farmers? The external circumstances and dared me to go public with my opinion. I am not one to broadcast my views, but I decided to take my friends up on their dare and chose your Children learn what they publication through which to have the last laugh on my friend. My point to my friends was that we have had too see & hear many years of Police Commissioners who were ineffective. This situation was, in my opinion, the THE BEVAVIOUR of our And, what of the have encouraged this result of a system that promoted on the basis of young people, especially broader society? All lawlessness know fully political allegiance over genuine competence and those in secondary kinds of big people are well who they are. clearly blind support over any real sense of schools, has gone doing this and that, I stand corrected, Mr. commitment to sworn duty to serve the entire through the roof. It setting no example for Editor, but the hurtful country, all citizens and residents regardless of seems every day there is themselves and the thing about all of this is political affiliation, class, colour and creed. something on Facebook young people. So what that I have not heard I went further to say that I was of the opinion showing some fight do you expect? If a high any Minister of that Mr. Colin John was a break from this norm; among students, young ranking police can buss Government condemn that he was an example of a home grown boy with people fighting on the ah dutty word, who is any of this behavior. police training and more so, years of practice as an streets, even young me? If a politician could Silence is consent, isn’t Assistant Director of Public Persecutions. people and police call somebody ‘dutty dog, that what they say? I view Mr. John as one who would be fighting in broad and no body bat an professional, honest and ethical in dispensing his daylight. eyelid, who is me to say Charles, Edinboro duties. And worse, there have somebody is a In that I light. I suggested to my friends that the also been in the past bitch? CoP needed all the support he could get from the videos of young people Then there is a public, especially in his fight against crime. having sex in classrooms sense of Our Constitution and and even off school lawlessness that Terrence P where the girls involve has taken over the Law that our founder and Kingstown themselves with older the country. Have leader, Yeshua (Jesus), men who should know you noticed how ACCORDING TO OUR made it clear that he did better. people walk in CONSTITUTION, we are not come to destroy the law Value of time If you ask me, our the road like is known as Vincentians who: (Matt. 5:17). Law is the system of young people are no body business, (a) have affirmed that their THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) Pandemic begs Rules which a particular running on their own even though (our) nation is founded on for a new efficiency where the adage ‘Time is of the country or community track, and if we don’t do there is a side the belief in the supremacy Essence’ should take front row prominence. recognizes as necessary for something about it, this walk for of God and the freedom and In fact, the demise of LIAT should, like Covid-18, regulating the action of its track might become the pedestrians? And dignity of man; (b) desire take us to a new consciousness of the value of time. members. Jesus did not track for all of us. they have the that their (our) society be so One of the elements that Covid 19 has brought come to earth to establish a But really, can we heart to say to ordered as to express their into focus is the effectiveness of working from home, religion, but a government truly say that the young drivers, ‘Knock (our) recognition of the where one’s effort is not measured by showing up to (Isa. 9:6) - a Kingdom. And people are to be blamed? me down if you principles of democracy, work, but in actual production. law presupposes every Children learn from bad.” And ‘doh free institution, social Hopefully, the ‘new normal’ that Covid-19 has government/kingdom. what they see and hear. talk ‘bout dem justice and equality before occasioned will also result in a new mindset with As Christian Democrats, If there is cursing and mini buses! They the law; (c) realize that the respect to aviation in the region. fighting, acts of violence, own the road, the maintenance of human our mission on earth is to obscene language and side walk and dignity presupposes safe revolutionize all Carlyle Douglas open showing of ‘blue some, it appears, guarding the right of governments on earth, movies’, what can you go very well with privacy, of family life, of starting with SVG, by expect from our young the police. I am property and the fostering establishing the law of our people? They will learn not going to point of the pursuit of just creator God. We are peace and adopt what they see fingers since I am economic rewards for makers. We will associate and hear at home. certain those who labour; (d) desire that their with governments and (our) constitution should oppositions and enshrine the above communities to make earth mentioned inalienable the King of Heaven. We will rights, principles and make our Constitution work ideals… as a colony of Heaven, not Our constitution provided of England as it was. We the basic principles and will also work to bring laws of our nation. And England under the colony of since it is founded on the Heaven, starting with the belief in the supremacy of unity of the Commonwealth God, all true Christians are nations… to acknowledge that fact Christian Democrat 10. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN V Views Deception NDP Style East St. George to be transformed (Excerpts of Lavern Velox’s Introduction presentation at a virtual Meeting)

LAST WEEK the opposition New I HAVE A PLAN to get people working Democratic Party produced a “flip flop” and to bring new investment to upgrade beyond anything anyone could imagine, in Belmont, Villa and Glen, to provide the political circles in St. Vincent and the our deteriorating infrastructure in East Appropriation Bill, which required the St. George. In return for a vote for me in shelter from the heat of the sun and Grenadines. approval of the Parliament. Among the tropical rain, so that people can get to Former political leader, Sir James this upcoming election, I, as part of a Dr. payments to be sanctioned by the Friday led New Democratic Party (NDP) their place of work no matter the Mitchell, received an order of about Parliament was a sum of money forty thousand tee-shirts, apparently for government, can offer you jobs, jobs and weather. With improved transport the upcoming political campaign. He designated for the IADC, following the more jobs. infrastructure, less damage will be bragged and boasted to his friends, that sale of lands in Canouan. done to vehicles, goods and to our It is important to note that members The first thing I will do when the shipment was coming, along with elected as your representative is to health, thereby eliminating some stickers. The stickers were already of the Opposition, including Arnhim unnecessary bills. Eustace, Daniel Cummings and St. provide training to our young people, displayed on some vehicles here. so they can acquire skills and develop The ULP has also neglected the Imagine the look on Sir James Clair Leacock, were present in the Parliament when the motion was expertise to build a thriving career healthcare of the people in East St Mitchell’s face, when the packages were George for too long. It has never been opened, and he discovered that they debated, and in fact they participated in here in St. Vincent and the the debate. Grenadines. For too long, young more important to ensure access to were white in colour. Lord have his quality healthcare. The COVID mercy, what an embarrassing situation As Prime Minister Gonsalves people graduating from school have for the NDP. But not to be outdone, Sir explained at the time, the money for not been able to find work here, and pandemic and the outbreak of Dengue James, being the master strategist that sale of 40 acres of land in Canouan, have resorted to leaving our shores in Fever across the land are prime he claims he is, found a solution. amounted to EC$53.6 million dollars. search of job opportunities. examples why the healthcare of our Why not change the political colours The parliament had to approve the people is a priority. That is why we transfer of the money from the I will work with local businesses to of the party, from yellow to white? Why develop internship and apprenticeship will improve and upgrade the Enhams not find a reason to do this, for example, Consolidated Fund to the account of the Clinic and upgrade the Calliaqua IADC, and that was done. So it is clear agreements. This will open up job the need to attract the middle of the opportunities for recent graduates and Clinic to fully-fledged polyclinics, so road and swing voters, who might not to all and sundry, including the Opposition, what this sale was all about. provide them with the skills needed the constituents of East St. George vote? And so Sir James took to the can have access to the best facilities podium to explain the new strategy, the Further details in relation to the debate for them to thrive in the workplace. on the Supplementary Appropriation Every young person deserves the available. changing of the party colours. How this The people of East St. George have will play out in the campaign is Bill, No.4 of 2013, can be obtained in opportunity to learn new skills, to anyone’s imagination. the Parliamentary Hansard, which is develop and to provide for themselves been neglected by the ULP. That is available. and their families. not the sign of true leadership. This is So it’s disingenuous and a clear In early 2016 Our children deserve the best compounded by the fact that the deception for the NDP, and Arnhim Minister of Finance, your soon to be Eustace, to pretend that there was education. That is why the NDP’s The NDP was at it again, trying to plan for jobs and growth will equip former representative, lives in East deceive Vincentians about the sale of something wrong with the sale of the St. George and allowed the lands in Canouan. It is important to our children for successful futures and land in Canouan, to finance the careers. This includes improving the constituency to deteriorate. international airport project at Argyle. mention that the NDP did not remain in the parliament for the entire debate on delivery of education at the Calliaqua Camillo, I want your vote too! You Based on a flippant comment during a really don’t want to be on the wrong conversation between a developer and a the Bill. They walked out of the House Anglican School, which will also be following a disagreement over a matter expanded to facilitate day care and side of history. few people in Canouan, a statement was The NDP will work to ensure that made that if the people of that between the member for West early childhood development. Grenadine island wanted access to a Kingstown, Daniel Cummings, and This education thrust will not be each and every person in St. Vincent certain beach, then they should ask Dr. government senator Julian Francis. limited to our young people and and the Grenadines feels safe and Let us not forget that the NDP Ralph Gonsalves to return the sum of children. I believe everybody should secure. We will protect homes from money paid for the land, to the opposed the sale of the land in the the climatic conditions our islands Grenadines, as part of their overall be given the opportunity to grow and developer. develop, if they want to. Therefore, I face. In East St. George we will Immediately, that statement went opposition to the construction of the international airport at Argyle. They am going to introduce a programme of introduce several measures, including “viral” as our young people would say. wanted to place as many obstacles in adult classes in Information improving the drainage system and The following day, a Saturday, Nice the way of the ULP administration, to Technology (IT), aimed at providing river defences in Calliaqua that have Radio was putting a spin on this matter. delay, and ultimately to stop the adults with the skills needed to been left unattended. Within a week, Arnhim Eustace was construction of the airport. They have The NDP will address the high leading his party, the NDP, on a navigate in a digital age. This will failed miserably in this regard. open the door to new career prospects levels of crime that have left so many veritable charge that was going people worried and concerned about nowhere. He wanted to know about the The NDP deception for the people of East St. George, and give them new skills that can be used personal safety and protection of land that was sold, where is the US$60 property. We have a plan that will million dollars paid for the land, when it Having failed in their bid to win the to better their lives. We cannot hope was deposited, and whether or not it to grow as a nation if we do not help reassure residents of their safety, so general election in December 2015, the they do not feel vulnerable whenever was in the Consolidated Fund. NDP has embarked on a series of our people to develop. These questions had one aim in mind, To help our plan for jobs and they engage in social activity away activities to discredit the leadership of from home. No need to rush home and and that is to create in the minds of the ULP, and in particularly, the Prime growth we need upgraded roads to Vincentians, particularly those in Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. Look at facilitate travel and trade. I have been lock yourselves away like prisoners in Canouan, that there was some “hanky the way they tried to link the ULP and outdoor knocking the length and the place you’re supposed to feel most panky” in terms of the sale of the land, its leadership to the fiasco in Panama, breadth of the constituency and relaxed. that somehow the money was deposited in relation to monies lodged there by people are fed up with the deplorable Furthermore, we will refurbish the in the hands of Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, certain world leaders. There is condition of the roads. In order to Calliaqua Police Station and and that there was some corrupt acts or absolutely no proof that anyone in the facilitate ease of travel and trade, we residential quarters to ensure our acts, as a result of this “sale” of land. leadership of the ULP invested any will rehabilitate the road network in officers have the best possible This whole tissue of conjecture and money in Panama. facilities. After 20 years in power, lies, is all part of the NDP platform to East St. George, but not in a Expect the NDP to continue to try to superficial way that will require Ralph and the ULP have grown create uncertainty in the country, in the use events to smear the name of the complacent, leaving the people of East wake of their defeat at the polls held in ULP and its leadership. Expect the NDP constant maintenance. We will do it right. No more choosing which hole to St. George and the rest of St. Vincent December 2015. Unfortunately for the to continue to try to fool the people of and the Grenadines to fend for NDP, they forgot that there is an St. Vincent and the Grenadines in a brave. All of this will create institution called the Parliament of this opportunity, as the NDP wants to themselves. number of ways. Expect the NDP to Our Dr. Friday has a clear plan to country. seek to obtain relevance as a key stake- employ locals to help fix local roads. holder, a strategic partner in the The Unity Labour Party (ULP) has create new jobs, and the The meeting of the House development process of our beloved said they will oppose our constituency determination and the leadership state. And expect the people of St. development fund, because they do skills to build a brighter future for St. At a meeting of the House of Vincent and the Grenadines to continue not trust local people. They would Vincent and the Grenadines. He is Assembly the 6th June 2013, Prime to reject the NDP, as an unpatriotic prefer to give the contracts for minor passionate about bettering the lives of Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves moved a bunch, bereft of a philosophy and a local works to their friends or Vincentians and committed to motion under Section 70(3) of the strategy to take our country forward. overseas companies. We, in the NDP, achieving this goal. Constitution, in relation to a In the face of impressive progress in trust the people of East St. George to In the upcoming election, you have Supplementary Appropriation Bill No.4 terms of the development of the country, do what is best for East St. George. the chance to change the course of St. of 2013, to sanction payments from the the NDP and Godwin Friday, can do no Vincent and the Grenadines’ future, to Consolidated Fund, for services in more than make dream statements, wild Furthermore, the NDP will construct covered bus sheds build a brighter future for St. Vincent excess of the 2013 budget. There were posturing and weak leadership. And and the Grenadines, where our young four items from four separate sources of now we have this tee-shirt issue. throughout the constituency, including in Fairbaine, Brighton, people have the opportunity to work funding, under the Supplementary Who really is leading the NDP? and thrive. THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020. 11. V Views Focus Reparations battle needs more Prophets IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT global anti- and other “I don’t focus on what I am up against. slavery and anti-colonial protests led by ailments I focus on my goals and try to ignore the Black Lives Matter movement, a inherited the rest.” - Venus Williams (born 1980) - burning issue that has not been from the era American professional tennis player. A student, employee, pastor, and prominently addressed is that of of European former world No. 1, Williams is entrepreneur. There is value in reparations for the victims of these two slavery and colonialism. retaining the focus on our noble goals evil scourges in the Caribbean, the Beckles thus called for an apology generally regarded as one of the all- Americas, and Africa. and the need for Britain to take time greats of women's tennis. even amidst life’s trials and challenges. How can Western nations who responsibility for its crimes against The story is told about an ancient enslaved and colonised black people over humanity committed in the Caribbean. WE PERIODICALLY need to be reminded of Indian sage who was teaching students five centuries repair the extensive Reparations should, he argued, be paid the need to retain our focus as we pursue the art of archery. One day he wanted damage that has left these regions with by the British state, its banks, merchant our noble ambitions. This is true for the to test their skills. He summoned them the triple burdens of underdevelopment, houses, insurances companies, and the athlete who desires to perform at her best to assemble in the courtyard where diseases, and deadly conflicts? These Church of England, which all benefited but is being encouraged by peers to they had been perfecting their talents. problems amount to a festering wound directly from slavery. abandon her training schedule. It is also He then placed a wooden bird several that needs to be urgently addressed. Beckles, who chairs the Caribbean yards ahead of them and instructed Three prophets have been at the Community’s (CARICOM) Reparations a timely reminder for the student who is forefront of these debates: African- Commission to pursue compensation seeking to secure excellent grades but is them to aim for the bird’s eye. American lawyer Randall Robinson and from European nations for the being distracted by colleagues who desire Just prior to emitting his arrow from Barbadian and Nigerian historians Transatlantic slave trade, argued to have a “nice time” by partying and/or the bow, the sage asked the first Hilary Beckles and Ade Ajayi. persuasively that the West Indies had clubbing. This description also fits the student who was tasked to perform this As the 400th anniversary of American been the “hub of the British Empire”, young entrepreneur who is tempted to feat to describe what he saw. He slavery was commemorated last year, where most of its wealth was generated. spend revenues just received from sales responded in a most unusual manner the thorny issue of reparations for A 2004 estimate of the cost of the slave on items that may not necessarily aid in indicating that he had seen the sky, the descendants of this exploitative system trade to the Caribbean arrived at a restocking or reinvesting in the business. clouds, trees, the bird, and the bird’s of enforced servitude and figure of £7.5 trillion. Beckles therefore eye. The wise sage then requested that uncompensated labour has once more urged slave-trading Britain, Spain, There needs to be a disciplined focus on come to the fore. Similar campaigns also Portugal, the Netherlands, France, what must be done to achieve our goals. this aspiring archer wait for a moment exist in the Caribbean and Africa. Denmark, and Sweden to pay There must be a strong enough desire to before releasing the arrow. He then Perversely, it was slave owners — and reparations to Caribbean nations in retain the focus if we are to generate the asked the second student to describe not enslaved Africans or their order to repair this damage. desired success. what he saw. He responded by descendants — who were compensated by Many of the tertiary level indicating that he only saw the bird’s the American and British governments Eloquent advocate educational administrators and eye. The wise teacher then instructed for the loss of their ‘property’. The curriculum designers of strategy the second student to release his arrow. British government paid the In the African context, Ade Ajayi was courses engage in developing It flew through the air with great speed contemporary equivalent of £200 billion a member of the Organisation of African and precision hitting the wooden bird in to slave owners after it abolished slavery Unity’s (OAU) Eminent Persons Group programmes that encourage in 1833. Some Democrats in the United on Reparations in 1992-1993, which participants to embrace the concepts of the eye. His instructions that followed States House of Representatives and demanded that the West recognise its strategic foresight. Some of the tools provided a useful lesson for his Senate have embraced the cause of moral debt to Africa and its diaspora for involved require participants to engage students (and for us today): “Always reparations, and some institutions, like slavery and colonialism and pay these in exercises that aid in developing skills remain focused on your goal regardless Brown, Harvard, Yale, Glasgow and populations full monetary compensation. and techniques in anticipating future of the distractions and obstacles around Georgetown universities, that benefited Ajayi was, undoubtedly, one of the demands for specific products and you. When you do, you will succeed.” from the enslavement and exploitation most eloquent continental advocates of services. Having done so, participants Sean Brawley, a former USA of African labour have started to reparations until his death in 2014. As are reminded to retain some degree of professional tennis player, speaking at acknowledge their role in this sordid he noted in 1993: “The crusade for a TED talk session at Ferguson Library commerce and begun putting reparation is … to seek to understand flexibility even as they advance their programmes of restitution in place. the African condition in-depth, to respective projects and initiatives. In in 2018, reminded the audience that, The most articulate American educate the African and the non-African other words, they are required to “The ability to control our attention will crusader of reparations has been activist about it, to seek an acknowledgement of maintain a focus on the desired determine our success in performing Randall Robinson, who led the civil- wrongs which have impaired the outcomes even as adjustments may be any task.” We are reminded that in society anti-apartheid struggle in the political and socio-economic fabric of made to the methodologies used. any “ball game” (i.e. tennis, cricket, US in the 1980s through his NGO Africa, and, through restitution or Managers and leaders of firms and basketball, netball, etc.) the successful TransAfrica. He has consistently argued reparation, to attempt to give Africa and organisations that are going through a individuals or teams develop the for reparations in order to close the 250- Africans a fresh start.” crisis often need to focus on seven key discipline of keeping their eyes on the year gap between white and black Ajayi noted that discussions about ball. Focus on the ball is what really Americans created by plantation the contributions of the slave trade to areas: crisis stabilization, stakeholder slavery. As Robinson correctly noted, the West’s industrialisation had been management, new leadership, matters. Not the opponent. Not the “The black holocaust is far and away the neglected and criticised the ambiguous organisational change, strategic focus, referee/umpire. Not the spectators. most heinous human-rights crime or indifferent attitude of African critical process improvement, and But on the ball. Focus is critical. We visited upon any group of people in the scholars to this issue. He argued that a financial restructuring. These seven perform at our best when we retain the world over the last 500 years.” He, major motive of European colonial rule significant variables are considered focus on the activity … and avoid being therefore, urged America’s largely white was to keep African labour in a cheap critical in enabling the enterprise to distracted by surrounding events. ruling class to redress these historical state akin to slavery, using methods survive internal and external business Leaders and managers in businesses, wrongs. Robinson further noted that perfected during two centuries of Germany paid Jews reparations for the Caribbean colonialism. Ajayi thus called shocks. Focusing on these key factors government, and other organisations can learn from this truth. This is devastating but much shorter Holocaust for four key measures to achieve could determine the degree of success (1933-45) — estimated at US$60 billion — reparations: domestic education and engendered. especially so as we seek to survive (and while Japanese Americans interned in mobilisation in African societies; James Webb, the famous maker of thrive) in the post-COVID-19 concentration camps by President documentation and research on the costs the local School Boy Beer (mauby), was environment. If we focus on leveraging Franklin Roosevelt during the Second of slavery and colonialism; making a my athletics coach during my teenage our strengths (core competencies) we World War (1939-1945) were also cogent case for reparations; and and young adult years. Being a former readily discover that we perform much compensated with a US$1.2-million agreeing on the strategy, manner, and national athlete, he provided very better than when we seek to engage in payment. He further observed that mode of reparations, having placed the “scatter-shot approaches” — seeking to indigenous populations received land issue on the agenda of the United useful guidelines related to preparing and money for the Australian Nations. for athletics competition. However, his do too many things and not doing any of these exceptionally well. There is government’s genocidal campaign Reparations are an emotive issue that words of wisdom were not limited to against them between 1788 and 1901. all progressive activists across the globe track and field events; he imparted wisdom in narrowing our focus to the To understand the structural impact should embrace. One cannot useful life guidance principles. Just as variables that really matter; the of slavery to which Robinson is alluding, acknowledge the life-altering and the athlete needs to be physically, activities that generate cash flows, one should note that during the current destructive impact of five centuries of mentally, and emotionally prepared for behaviours that create and sustain COVID-19 crisis, African Americans Western slavery and colonialism on competition, we need to exhibit similar customer or client loyalty, and so on. have overwhelmingly been among its Caribbean nationals, African-Americans, fatalities, accounting for 30 per cent of discipline and focus as we face life’s It is probably fitting to review the South Americans, and Africans without thoughts shared in the Venus Williams deaths, though constituting only 13 per supporting the necessary measures to varied challenges. Focus is critical. We cent of the US population. repair these glaring historical crimes endanger the outcome of the race quotation that was used to introduce this essay. She asserts that she does against humanity. should we gaze to see who is behind us. Apologise and take responsibility Ade Ajahi is dead. Robinson is in his We risk losing to the competition if we not focus on what she is up against but 70s and Beckles has gone past 60 years. allow those spectators in the cool of the rather on her goals. She ignores the In the Caribbean, the vice-chancellor We need a few more good men and pavilion to dampen our spirits by their rest. We, too, may readily discover the of The University of the West Indies women to continue this noble fight for negative comments. Alternately, we wisdom in such an approach to the (UWI), Hilary Beckles, has led the reparatory justice situations that may be slowing us down reparations debate, consistently noting Much of this piece was adopted from gain momentum and increased energy that “slavery and genocide in the a longer article written by Professor should we hear the voice of and making us less efficient than we can be. Greater focus and Caribbean are lived experiences despite Adekeye Adebajo is director of the encouragement from the side-line as over a century of emancipation. University of Johannesburg’s Institute others cheer us on. The analogy of the determination may be what is required for us to accomplish more. Everywhere, their legacies shape the for Global African Affairs in South runner is rich with lessons that remind lives of the majority and harm their Africa. us of the value of having a disciplined capacity for advancement”. Modern Send comments, criticisms & illnesses common among Caribbean Send comments, criticisms & and focused approach to life. This is as suggestions to true for the athlete as it is for the citizens like diabetes and hypertension suggestions to [email protected] [email protected] can be traced directly to the bad diet 12. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN V Views ULPÊs governance is SVGÊs greatest weakness economy and caused economic hardship. Poor households find it THE ULP REGIME’S incompetence in unqualified to competently manage the paying jobs in our Fishing Industry hard to adequately feed their governance is SVG’s greatest weakness Public Accounts and Finances. The and very high rates of return on the families. In the best interest of our since independence the country attained useless and hopeless ULP Regime has money invested. economy and our country, i.e. to independence in 1979. The ULP regime not been able to produce a FISCAL Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal, protect the economy of SVG from is not measuring up to the standard that SURPLUS for one year. BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA very strongly falling deeper into the graveyard, is required, and has failed to fulfil their In the ULP Regime’s 2020 Budget contends that we have to move away Gonsalves should resign! obligations to the people of our country. Estimates, they were forced to put in a from the focus on tourism if we are to Since 2001, our country has gone The ULP Regime overshot the SVG very big Budget Support Loan of pull down the high rates of backwards: poverty has increased, 2007 Budget by E$63 Million without EC$46,936,500. The Minister of unemployment. We need to get our unemployment has increased, prior approval of SVG House of Finance and Planning is unqualified in country into a knowledge-based education has fallen downwards, Assembly; killed The SVG National Public Accounts and Public Finance. economy that is export led. Prime agriculture has been devastated and Commercial Bank in 2008 with a Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal Minister Lee Kuan Yew did it in many businesses have been forced to deadly and foolish Bank Overdraft of very strongly contends that we need to Singapore. We can adopt the close. EC$ 185 million dollars; and much urgently build a school of navigation in Singapore model in SVG and move our Gonsalves’ standard of governance worse, failed the 1979 SVG SVG to train our young generation to country out of poverty and destitution is poor and the people of SVG are Constitutionally Appointed Director of manage a High Seas Fishing Fleet in into prosperity. suffering as a consequence. He has Audit’s audit for the years 2008, 2009 the Atlantic Ocean. This would Gonsalves’ foolish economic failed to fulfil his obligation to the and 2010 (Source SVG Director of support a Fishing and Canning policies, coupled with the lack of people and the country in virtually Audit Reports; Research by Warrant Industry in SVG to create billions of ability to competently manage the every way possible. SVG needs change. Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal BSc (hons, dollars for the SVG Treasury, high public accounts, have mashed up the Time for the ULP regime to be voted MSc, MBA). out of power. It is quite evident that the ULP Regime is grossly incompetent and outrageously World Tourism Day -27/09/2020 useless in management of the SVG Public Accounts and Financial Resources. Warrant Tourism and rural development Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal, who spent three years full time at Oxford Brookes WORLD TOURISM DAY 2020 is has given us the competitive edge above and Heritage Day Festival, Rose Hall University, England, reading celebrated under the theme “Tourism and other Caribbean destinations. Apart from Cultural Festival and the Madungo for his BSc (Hons) in Rural Development”. As a multi Island stimulating economic growth, Tourism Festival. Accounting and Finance and destination made up of 32 Islands and and Rural Development continues to play These festivals act as a livewire that Economics, very strongly cays, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is an integral part in the realization of the network communities through social contends that the ULP endowed with many natural resources destination’s sustainability thrust. interaction, encourage the preservation of Regime is useless at and heritage attributes, particularly in Moreover, it helps to preserve the our national heritage and many managing SVG’s Public the rural areas of the country. The vast destination’s natural heritage, enables traditional and indigenous foods. Finances. number of rural developments health and wellness, fosters social Notably, there have been several The ULP Regime has been throughout the destination could be engagement and interaction between the infrastructural development initiatives in in power in SVG since 2001 attributed to collaborative tourism private and public sector, and supports the rural communities that have offered and has shown that they are planning and development. Further, this infrastructural development and the opportunity for economic growth improvement in our communities. through job creation and sustainable Evidently, there are various livelihood in construction, fishing and tourism product offerings available farming. In particular, the Argyle that are accessible to locals and International Airport, several new brand visitors in the rural communities hotel construction projects and the throughout St. Vincent and the establishment of various new recreational Grenadines. These product sites, are examples that act as an offerings are not limited to the economic driver for these communities. fourteen (14) tourism sites and Also, public and private sector attractions managed by the partnerships is a main pillar that helps National Parks, Rivers and to shape and harness benefits to the Beaches Authority which include communities; hence, this relationship therapeutic waterfalls, black and contributes to the success of Tourism and white sand beaches, rivers and Rural Development. The St. Vincent and parks. The development of these the Grenadines Distillers Ltd. is a prime sites has provided job example of how collaboration between the opportunities to a number of private sector and public sector can persons in some rural strengthen the Tourism Industry as they communities, which has ultimately offer tour packages and support to the improved the quality of life in rural communities in different ways. these rural areas. Along with the As we celebrate Tourism and Rural National Park Rivers Beaches and Development with pride, in this Authority, the Ministry of Tourism unprecedented season, we are reminded works closely with six (6) active that together we are stronger, resilient community groups. These groups and capable of overcoming the many are involved in the implementation challenges faced within the Tourism of historic and cultural projects, Industry. We are encouraged to stay cleanup activities, reforestation, positive in our attitude and action. and product development adding to Furthermore, as we enjoy and ‘rediscover’ the overall value of our our beautiful 32 islands and cays, destinations tourism offerings. remember to adopt and follow the Tourism and Rural Development protocols provided by the Ministry of is encapsulated in the all year Tourism in conjunction with the Ministry round electrifying festivals hosted of Health so that recovery could be in various communities around the seamless islands such as the National Nine Mornings Festival, Greiggs Hon. Cecil McKie Garifuna Festival, National Heroes Minister of Tourism, Sports and Culture THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020. 13. V News YAC Women Artists Exhibition continues

ONGOING UNTIL NOVEMBER 30 at the Youlou Art Joy is the mother of two young boys, and also also loves to sew, keeps a kitchen garden (peas and Centre (YAC), Indian Bay, is the art exhibition looks after a stepson. She continues to make art at lettuce), and makes preserves (e.g. tamarind jam). titled ‘Vincy Women Artists Now 2020’. night when the children are asleep. She is able to Ada shares what she makes with the rest of the The exhibition, according to a release from the make some money by making props for special world from her house in the harbor of Port YAC, is “a conscious effort to focus on giving women events such as birthdays and weddings. Elizabeth, Bequia. There, her beautiful garden and artists an opportunity to show their work,” in Her dream is to be an art teacher to help people art works are there to greet you right as you step off response to the Centre’s acknowledgement of the express themselves, but she plans to continue the ferry. (Source: YAC) “dilemma women artists face.” painting to leave a legacy of her work for her Eleven women artists are featured in the exhibit. children. They are Lila Roo, Eniya Kagbala, Amanda Joy has four paintings on show which Frederick, Sharleen Branch, Zen Punnett, Leeandra express her thoughts and concerns about Thompson, Daviana Basilio, Joy Celestine, Maureen current issues facing the world — violence, Fauren, Kendra McNichol, and Ada Williams. abuse of people and animals, social justice, the pandemic and the environment. Joy Celestine Ada Williams In speaking with Joy Celestine, one of the artists in the show, she revealed that through difficult Ada Williams, another exhibitor, is a self- times in life, her artmaking has sustained her and taught artist. At 79 she leads a very active life for that she is very grateful. in Bequia, her place of abode. She said she realized from an early age she loved She was born in Aruba and moved to making things with her hands and doing artistic Bequia when she was a little girl. projects. Her paintings are inspired by watching and While at the Community College, she studied art responding to the world around her - the ‘Elephants Cry’ with Ms. Vonnie Roudette and received a solid art breadfruit tree in her yard, colorful flowers, demonstrates the wide education foundation. It was Ms. Roudette who, she houses and daily activities in her neck of the ‘A Cry for Help’ by Joy said, encouraged and nurtured her artmaking and woods. range of topics and Celestine. (Photo expressions that are on instilled in her students the importance of reading She said painting and making things make Source: YAC) (Photo Source: YAC) and doing research to produce art. her happy, and keeps her energy good. She show. 14. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN V News Mavcom supports vulnerable groups

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC such as psychosocial of the actual and Social Responsibility CONTINUES, and much support, public potential collateral programme which attention is focused on sensitization and damage created by the generally supports Paul Morris of Mavcom (Lexmark Reseller Service persons infected or at risk capacity building on pandemic, especially in education in St. Vincent Center) hands over equipment to Mrs. Nerissa of being infected by the issues surrounding countries such as ours, and the Grenadines. virus. However, the social Gender-Based Violence. and Mavcom is honoured The Gender Affairs Gittens-McMillan, Permanent Secretary of the distancing protocol “These services are to be a part of such a Division of St. Vincent Ministry of National Mobilisation, Social occasioned by the COVID- essential, and we needed critical intervention,” and the Grenadines, Development etc., witnessed by Ms. La Fleur 19 pandemic and has to maintain stated Paul Morris, now located in the Quammie, Co-ordinator of Gender Affairs. since become a part of the uninterrupted access and Managing Director of GECCU building daily rountine here, has delivery,” Quammie Mavcom. obliquely opposite the the National Gender Equality in St. Vincent negatively impacted stated. Mavcom is well known First Caribbean Machinery and the focal and the Grenadines. groups with economic and “Social distancing and for its ongoing Corporate International Bank, is point for Gender (Submitted by Mavcom) social vulnerabilities, the recent relocation of especially as it relates to our offices required us to accessing in person obtain technology and IT Bursaries for Teacher Education Students support services provided support that we had not by the Ministry of National previously budgeted for. THIRTY (30) STUDENTS AT THE St. Vincent & impact hundreds of lives through their classrooms. Mobilisation, Social We could not afford to the Grenadines Community College’s (SVGCC) Director of the SVGCC, Nigel Scott, expressed his Development, Family, provide mediocre Division of Teacher Education (DTE) are now better gratitude to the Mustique Charitable Foundation, Gender, Persons with solutions, so we reached positioned to complete their final year studies at the and reminded the DTE students of the opportunity Disabilities and Youth in out to Mavcom for institution, after receiving bursaries, compliments they have to “touch the future”. Scott acknowledged St. Vincent and the support” Quammie the Mustique Charitable Foundation (MCF). that the College’s relationship with the MCF also Grenadines. added. The bursaries have a combined value of XCD includes the foundation assisting other divisions at La Fleur Quammie - In response, Mavcom — $127,665.04, and will go towards covering 80% of the SVGCC. Co-ordinator of Gender the authorized Lexmark the cost of transportation, food, Dean of the Division of Teacher Education, Dr. Affairs in St. Vincent Reseller and Service school/administrative fees, and teaching practicum Harriette DaSilva, in her remarks, highlighted that and the Grenadines - center in SVG - donated materials for recipients. since the first issue of the bursaries in 2017, the indicated that her a MX521ade Dularie Malcolm, Project Director — Mustique number of recipients have tripled. division realised the need multifunction copier, Charitable Foundation, reminded students of the The handover ceremony took place at the for providing virtual scanner and printer. honourable nature of their chosen profession, and College’s Villa Campus on Thursday 24th access to critical services “We are acutely aware reiterated the importance of teachers as they September 2020. (Submitted by SVGCC) THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020. 15. V CXC RegionÊs knee on CXCÊs neck AS OF MONDAY THIS CXC, since only three July 2020 Examination meanwhile, indicated WEEK, Antigua and students had lodged results. that that country’s Barbuda, Barbados, complaints. And the Antigua Education Ministry Jamaica, St Lucia, As for Barbados, Observer reported that confirmed that many Grenada, Guyana and where CXC is initially a “small group of students had received Trinidad and Tobago had headquartered, Minister Educators” on Antigua what they labelled as all voiced concerns of Education Santia and Barbuda, had given “inaccurate” results. following the release of Bradshaw called on CXC support to this petition Several results also came the Caribbean to urgently investigate which, according to the back “ungraded” or Examinations Council concerns raised said report, had by “absent”. (CXC) CSEC and CAPE by teachers, parents and Thursday of last week Jamaica’s Education exams results this week. students regarding attracted some 14,000 Minister Fayval Williams It was uncertain the July 2020 CSEC and signatures. had also taken umbrage whether this country had CAPE results. Like Barbados, with the Council (CXC) Ministry to remove concerns raised about done likewise though, LoopNewsBarbados Antigua and Barbuda about the circumstances Guyana from inconsistencies with there were strong quoted the minister as had claimed that CXC that led to results being participating in future students’ CAPE and reactions by students, saying, “The disquiet had made mistakes with sent directly to students CSEC exams. CSEC results.” teachers and parents among students who regard to the graded before schools and the This after the school According to Gadsby- that some of the grades recently received the results that were ministry, thereby had given indication that Dolly, CXC can expect to did not reflect the Caribbean Examinations released last week preventing her ministry it intended to file an receive more feedback performances of Council’s CAPE and Tuesday via the CXC from identifying, in injunction at the which is currently being students leading up to CSEC examinations, is portal. advance, anomalies or Caribbean Court of collected and compiled the exams. definitely cause for In St. Lucia, where errors in results, the Justice (CCJ), seeking to from school officials, who concern. I am of the view there were similar Jamaica Observer block the official queried the grading Grenada, Barbados, that an urgent concerns about the reported. declaration of the results, scheme used and grades Antigua, St. Lucia investigation must be grading system used by Guyana seemed to if CXC does not review allocated to hundreds of carried out by CXC into CXC, an online petition have taken the concern the grades. students as well as how In the case of this matter to that was started there about the anomalies a Meanwhile, the the School-Based Grenada, the Grenada preserve the integrity of had already begun to step further when, Trinidad Guardian Assessments were NOW newspaper the examinations.” garner support by week’s according to the Guyana reported that Trinidad marked. (Sources: CMC, reported last week that Meanwhile, close to end. Chronicle, authorities at and Tobago’s Minister of Barbados Today, some CAPE results were 1,000 people in Barbados that country’s top Education Minister Dr Grenada NOW, Guyana returned ungraded, but signed a petition on Jamaica, Guyana, secondary school, Nyan Gadsby- Dolly had Chronicle, Jamaica later in the week, the Change.org in less than Trinidad and Tobago Queen’s College, said dispatched a letter to the Guardian, Antigua indication was that four hours, to demand they will petition management of the CXC, Observer, Trinidad territory was not going to that CXC reviews the Reports from Jamaica, Guyana’s Education “outlining recent Guardian) join in the queries to CXC agrees to a review

AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW team also expected to formalize (in will begin soonest to examine concerns writing) a request for CXC to surrounding the results of this year’s provide specific information regional examinations. regarding the School-Based Professor Hilary Beckles, the Assessment (SBA) moderation Chairman of the Caribbean process, and results of same, Examinations Council (CXC), made and the methodology used to the disclosure last Monday. calculate the final grades of This action follows widespread students. regional protestations from parents, Both parties — Education students, teachers, school Ministries and CXC — administrators, and Ministries of recognized that these matters Education about examination grades. required “much more Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of elucidation,” not to mention Education described the situation as that they form the basis for Professor Hilary Beckles, Chairman of one of “widespread distress.” much of the protestation and CXC, brought what seemed to be heading In his statement on Monday, speculation across the region for a standoff between CXC and region’s Professor Beckles referenced a virtual that has brought the integrity Dr. Wayne Wesley, CXC Registrar, had Ministries of Education, to a point of meeting that was held Friday 25th of the exams into focus. initially aroused a strong rebuttal from mutual understanding. September, between Dr. Wayne The outcome of that the region’s people, especially students. Wesley, CXC Registrar /CEO and six meeting and Dr. Beckles’ applied.” Ministers of Education from the announcement about a full review ongoing threat of the coronavirus The CXC Chairman reminded that, region. appeared to be a reversal from an (Covid-19) pandemic. “…concerns raised in the public The CXC official was reported to initial position articulated by Dr. domain with respect to the efficacy of have given every assurance that Wesley, who gave no commitment to a And Professor Beckles, against this procedures and systems used by the matters advanced by Ministers for review of all the grades awarded in backdrop, said that, “It was Caribbean Examinations Council in its further investigation at the school- this year’s exams. anticipated that given these specific computation and declaration of level, will be dealt with expeditiously. Wesley had also declared that he challenges (re Covid-19) a period of student performance data, are of great As such, therefore, Education felt the reports of discrepancies review and possible revisions would importance to the organization,” Ministries will now compile all such regarding grades had been “greatly follow, consistent with the regulations appearing in the process to be matters/complaints as submitted to exaggerated.” of the Council.” addressing the view that the fallout them by principals, and advance those CSEC and CAPE students sat the He gave the added assurance that, had brought the integrity of the to the Local CXC Registrar for 2020 examinations in July this year, a “Each and every formally reported Council into question. (Source: transmission to CXC. shift from the usual May-June case will be reviewed and where LOOPNewsjamaica, Trinidad The Ministries of Education were schedule. This was occasioned by the remedies are required, they will be Guardian) 16. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN V Diaspora ÂMama JacqÊs: Top Vincy restaurant in London

A VINCENTIAN FAMILY- recipes. OWNED RESTAURANT In an interview based at Boxpark with THE Wembley, has been ranked VINCENTIAN, number five, among the Jacqueline said, top ten Caribbean considering that her restaurants in London. business is relatively Named ‘Mama Jacq’s’ new — a year or so old and owned and operated — “It’s a great by Vincentian Jacqueline achievement for us to ‘Mama Jacq’ Codougan be counted among the and family, the best. To actually restaurant was recently come up against the featured among the top entire Caribbean 10 Caribbean restaurant fraternity restaurants in Condé in London and we Curry goat anyone? The Nast Traveler’s could place number menu topper at Mama magazine, a luxury and five on the top ten Jacq’s. lifestyle travel magazine list, it’s an amazing that has won 25 National achievement.” content,” she added. Magazine Awards. She was particularly Jacqueline recognized Proud owner and The establishment is moved that the business that it is a rare thing to founder of ‘Mama run by three family was featured in such a find a Vincentian Jacq’s’ Jacqueline members: Jacqueline prestigious magazine - restaurant in London, Codougan (left) with her herself who is overall in Condé Nast Traveler’s and that she and her co-operators son charge; daughter magazine, - and family were pleased to Dominic (centre) and Chantal Codougan who, acknowledged that it was represent SVG. “We are daughter Chantal. in addition to culinary great publicity for her really proud,” she tasks, attends to product restaurant and brand. quipped. RIght: Customers are design and branding; and “The business can now And as for what sets not confined to ethnic son Dominic Allen be found on Tripadvisor, ‘Mama Jacq’s’ apart from West Indians. Codougan who takes which is among the other restaurants, charge of advertising and world’s largest travel Jacqueline’s response “Everybody just finds it promotion, and uses his platforms that assists was, “Our good service amazing,” and noted also skills as a professional customers in gathering and delicious food.” that her special chef to help create travel information, She singled out the Caribbean Stew Salmon ‘Mama Jacq’s’ delicious posting reviews and boneless curry goat as is “doing very well.” savour the culinary have been so endless and sauce and marinade opinions of travel-related her menu topper, saying, Persons who come to delicacies at the we are very happy,” Vincentian-owned Jacqueline admitted. business can also According to the purchase from a range of Condé Nast Traveler’s ‘Mama Jacq’s’ authentic magazine, a new products. These include generation of persons of Mama Jacq’s green Caribbean heritage is seasoning, hot sauce, delving deeper into their marinade mild jerk culinary heritage, and seasoning and hot jerk curating a full Caribbean seasoning. dining experience while ‘Mama Jacq’s’ also paying tribute to their caters to corporate history. events, weddings, parties ‘Mama Jacq’s’ stands and ‘wakes’. firmly among this new “The opportunities wave. (KH)

The Codougans (from left) Jacqueline, Chantal and Dominic getting ready to serve up their ‘niceties’. THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020. 17. 18. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN V News Former Education Minister Dennie passes

by NELSON A. KING he was born, grew up, and attended THE VINCENTIAN Monday night [email protected] and taught elementary school. that “those who knew my dad knew US CORRESPONDENT A date for the funeral service and that he was very straight forward. interment is yet to be finalized. “He had such a passion for Alphonso Alpheus Dennie passed away knowledge and learning, which he on Sept. 22. He was 92. Remembering a father was so eager to share with his friends and family. DENNIS – A FORMER ST. VINCENT and “What I remember most about my “And, as a result of these passions, the Grenadines Education Minister, who, father was his passion for success and he became one of the most successful in 1972, successfully contested the excellence,” Roslyn said. “He believed teachers on the island,” he added. North Leeward constituency for the then that a sound education would provide “He had a strong belief that a mind is People’s Political Party (PPP), led by late the skills and motivation for success in a terrible thing to waste.” Chief Minister Ebenezer Theodore life. Trevor said he recalled “seeing Joshua, becoming a Member of the “He always encouraged his children the joy” in his dad’s eyes when he House of Assembly, served as principals to follow their dreams and never give spoke about the successes of his at several elementary schools in the up until our dreams were achieved,” students. country, and taught secondary schools in she added. “Dad loved Shakespeare “He enjoyed every school subject Barbados. and would often quote Shakespeare for and would always recite passages Roslyn Dennie — Mr. Dennie’s third us as motivation. from poetry and literature,” he said. daughter, a New Jersey resident - told “One of his favorite Shakespeare “He loved poems, like ‘If” by Rudyard THE VINCENTIAN Monday night quotes was ‘The heights by great men Kipling, and poets, like Henry that her father died of natural causes reached and kept were not attained by Wadsworth and H. W. Longfellow’s. at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital sudden flight, but they while their “And, as I say goodbye to my in Kingstown companions slept, were toiling father, I am reminded of a speech in “instrumental in achieving various Although Dennie lived, during his upwards in the night’”, Roslyn Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar that he scholarships in every school.” retirement years, in Sion Hill Bay, continued. would say from time to time: ‘When Foray into politics Roslyn said the family will honour her Trevor Dennie, Dennie’s second son beggars die there are no comets seen. father’s wish to be interred in and third child, who resides in The heavens themselves blaze forth Troumaca, in North Leeward, where Allentown, Pennsylvania, also told the deaths of princes’”, Trevor added. Roslyn recalled that her father Dennie’s second child and first son, made his foray into politics in 1967, Olin Dennie — a prominent lawyer in unsuccessfully contesting the North St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who Leeward seat for the PPP. had unsuccessfully contested the Having departed the teaching North Leeward seat — died on Sept. 1, profession to become an active 2016 in New York. He was 63. politician, he went on, after his defeat, Olin’s mother and Mr. Dennie’s to manage the Oil Factory in Arnos wife, Stella Dennie, née Cottle, Vale. predeceased them, on Mar. 18, 2012, But, with politics in his vein, in after a prolonged illness in Brooklyn. 1972, Dennie again contested the She was 82. North Leeward seat for the PPP with success, beating the then St. Vincent Labor Party’s (SVLP) John Thompson Teacher extraordinaire and becoming Education Minister for two years and eight months, in the Roslyn said her father was born on short-lived Joshua-James Mitchell May 16, 1928 to Arthur Alexander administration. Dennie and Margaret Dennie, of The alliance ended on Sept. 18, Troumaca. 1974, when the House of Assembly The 4th of eight children, Alphonso passed a vote of “no confidence” in the Dennie attended the Troumaca government after Joshua and his wife, Government school, where he Ivy Joshua, resigned from the subsequently taught as a government “following a disagreement supernumerary teacher. with Premier Mitchell over policy At 22, Roslyn said Dennie became issues,” according to an assistant head teacher and was Caribbeanelections.com. transferred to Union Island in the Parliament was subsequently Southern Grenadines. dissolved on Sept. 23, 1974 and Dennie After a brief stay in Union Island, contested the 1974 general elections she said Dennie returned to for Mitchell’s newly-formed New Troumaca Government School as the Democratic Party (NDP). He lost to head teacher. the SVLP’s Thompson in North In 1950, Dennie married his Leeward. childhood sweetheart, Stella, with the In 1975, Roslyn said Dennie moved union producing seven children. with his family to Barbados, where he Besides Troumaca and became a restaurant owner and taught Chateaubelair Methodist School, at several high schools, including Roslyn said her father taught as Coleridge and Parry. several elementary schools in North He later returned to St. Vincent and Leeward, as well as at Gomea and the Grenadines, when Mitchell’s NDP Georgetown, where he was head was returned to government and was teacher at the Georgetown Government School. appointed Chairman of the St. Vincent In 1962, he was again transferred Electricity Services, Ltd. — VINLEC. to Union Island as head teacher and Roslyn said her dad also served as when he left that Grenadine island in manager of the Philatelic Bureau 1967, he attended Erdiston Teachers before retiring in 2001 at 73. Training College in Barbados for two “His can-do attitude towards life years. instilled a sense of pride and self- Throughout his teaching career, esteem, which prepared me for life in Roslyn said, Dennie was America as a Black woman,” she said. THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020. 19. 20. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN V Advice Listen to your friend

Dear George, employment has IS ANYTHING WRONG with everything accepting a job in to do with exchange for 10 minutes satisfying of sex? someone’s The reason I am sexual appetite, who will appear she has your best asking is I am 19 years get rid of you when that interest at heart. This is old, don’t have a desire has phased. the right time to say, boyfriend and I have Know and appreciate thanks but no thanks. been searching your true value. Listen desperately for my first to your friend. It would George job. This particular individual is offering me a job at his company in In ‘two minds’ exchange for what he described as “10 minutes Dear George, of sex”. What can be so wrong AFTER 20 YEARS OF MARRIAGE, I have proof about that? My that my wife was involved sexually with a long girlfriend told me it is a time school mate of hers. I confronted her and her foolish thing to do, but I response gave me the shock of my life. think she is just jealous She told me: she got tired of the same thing for of me getting a better job 20 years; she wanted a fresh experience; there was than her. no way she was giving up such a pleasurable "side Don't I have the right kick”; and that I can either live with it or take a to choose who I have sex walk. with and for what George, presently one mind is telling me to deal purpose? I want to see with her and this guy, and another mind is telling what she will say when I me to just deal with her in such a way that get the job and start another man would not look on her. living large, while she is I need to clear my head. What advice can you still earning pennies. give me? The right to choose In a daze Dear In a daze, Dear Right to choose, You need to see a counsellor immediately to Yes, you have the help you clear your thoughts. At the moment your right to choose with thoughts are disorganized and you will be easily whom you have sex. tempted to listen to the wrong voice. However, getting a job Counselling will help you to retrace your offer in exchange for sex marital steps and give you and your partner the does not speak to your opportunity to reconnect in a way that would ability or qualifications spark your marriage back to life. Suggest to your for the job in question. wife to accompany you to the counselling sessions. By accepting this offer, Whether or not she agrees to go, you should still you would have made a attend so you can be guided on how handle the magnified statement situation. about your moral A violent response is an emotional and weak standards and dignity. response, and should be avoided at all cost. You risk being Violence has never solved a problem before and it disrespected and treated won't now. accordingly, all because George the basis of your ‘Kiss and make up’ Dear George, am completely innocent. I cannot get my wife to There can be no ON MY WEDDING DAY ignore this note and marriage if there is no as my wife and I were move on. This happened trust. Your wife needs to exiting the church, my ex in January of this year, know and trust the man was standing at the end and today the marriage she has married. Your of a pew and as we is not far away from wife needs to refocus and passed her, she slipped a breaking up. understand that she is note into my hand. I put I need to save my the new and only kid on it into my pants pocket. marriage and I cannot the block, and celebrate The next day, my wife let my ex win this time that for what it is. found the note, read it around. This woman has Get the TRUST and was convinced vowed to destroy me question settled between immediately that I was after I dumped her for you and your wife, and still seeing my ex. two timing me there will be no more discussion about your ex. George, I have done Worried and vex some terrible things in George life, but this is one time I Dear Worried and vex, THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020. 21. V Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) ACROSS Controversial subjects should be Some relatives will be extremely avoided at all costs. Your concern with perplexing. Delve into your work if you older family members and those less can't make amends at home.You will 1. Sauce seasoning fortunate than yourself will only add be able to pick up on future trends if 5. Rejuvenating resort to your attractiveness. you keep your eyes peeled for unique 8. Skidded ideas. 12. Opera number TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) 13. Pull hard You may cause a fuss if you come on SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) 14. School helper too strongly in public. Changes in your You can make progress professionally. 15. Drains (energy) home will be positive. Property You can make the most headway if you 16. Mimic investments should payoff. It might be put in some overtime. You can make 17. Fanciful story best to keep your ideas to yourself this extra cash if you act on a hunch. It may 18. Pronounce week. be a disappointing day emotionally. 20. Not as far GEMINI (May 22-June 21) SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) 22. Collar points Tie up your personal papers or push to Be sure you get accurate information. 25. Humorous Aykroyd have legal settlements completed. It You will not impress others by being 26. Ascend might be best to work on your own; if foolishly generous. You probably aren't 27. Hydrogen or oxygen possible, do your job out of your getting straight answers to your 28. Sitcom veteran Arthur home this week. questions. 31. Crooner Torme 32. Sunday dinner meat CANCER (June 22-July 22) CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) 34. Dusting cloth 1. Owns 29. Edge (in) 42. Depot car 2. Notable stretch Travel will be favorable and bring you You need to take some time out to 35. Buddy 30. Matured 43. 50-50 the greatest rewards. You will tend to decide what you want to do. This is a 3. Slash 36. Bathing place 33. Exterior 47. _ airmail overeat this week. Use your ingenuity turning point. Think about starting 4. Low voices 38. More 49. Lyricist to manipulate things to get what you your own small business, Travel may 37. Obliterate 5. Lingers 39. Allow willingly Gershwin want. be confusing. 6. Young seal 39. Inclines 40. Marked (test papers) 50. Act 7. Meeting plans 40. Less sullen immorally LEO (July 23-Aug 22) 41 Fiery horses AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) 8. Chief demon 41. Untidy person 51. Fix (a date) You may be emotional and quick to There may be opportunities to attend 44. Tiny soldier 9. She fibs judge others. Don't be afraid to lay social functions that are linked to work. 45. Molten rock 10. Unengaged your cards on the table. Tempers will You need to get out if you want to 46. Trellis plant mount if you're too pushy at work or meet potential partners. Don't let your 11. Forest dweller 48. Feline warning 19. Cautioned at home. Get involved in the activities work and your personal life interfere 52. Work animals of children. with each other. 21. _ Standard 53. Gaming cube Time VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) 54. A Great Lake 22. Desk light You may have been too nice to a This will not be the best day to try to 55. Grain boxes 23. District friend who just wanted to take push your ideas or concerns. Put your 56. Musical skill 24. Medicine dose advantage of you. Visit friends or thoughts into some trendy new ideas. 57. rave wildly 27. Chat relatives you rarely see. Remain calm Make changes that will enhance your 28. Slender nail SOLUTION and you'll shine. appearance. DOWN LAST WEEK’s 22. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN V News Join the Waste-to-Art Competition

SEABIRDS ARE AN ICONIC PART OF The culture Our Islands, Our Future.” Open to residents of St. Vincent and livelihoods of our people; what better way to and the Grenadines and Grenada, this contest is aimed at demonstrate this value than through art? The highlighting the value of seabirds and demonstrating ways organization Environmental Protection in the that we can help to save them. Participants are invited to Caribbean (EPIC) is hosting an online art create unique artwork from repurposed materials, either competition which repurposes waste materials litter from the environment or household waste, while under the theme “Amazing Seabirds: Our Birds, beautifying our environment and protecting wildlife by picking up litter. Seabirds are masters of the marine environment, feeding both at the ocean’s surface and below. For centuries, seabirds have helped us to understand weather and guided fisherfolk to schools of fish and back to land. Seabirds are also important for showing us if our oceans are healthy. Reefs grow faster near their nesting sites due to the nutrients from their guano. Despite these benefits, the existence of many of our seabird species is being threatened by our activities. Worldwide, seabirds are among the most threatened birds. In the Grenadines, threats to seabirds include illegal harvesting of adults and their chicks and eggs, burning and other destruction of nest sites, and invasive animals such as rats, mongoose and goats that may either eat eggs and birds or trample nests. Of particular concern are the effects of marine litter, often originating from the land. Marine litter, namely plastics, is a globally recognized threat to all marine life. For our seabirds, they may either ingest this pollution or become entangled in it, causing injury and even death. Debris that is found on beaches also affects how much nesting space is available, forcing adults to nest among dangerous debris or abandon nesting altogether. Sometimes, seabirds even collect these items to construct their nests. Seabirds often mistake plastics for food — feeding on it themselves or giving it to their chicks who may eventually die from suffocation and starvation. Even one piece of ingested plastic can prove deadly for a seabird. It is predicted that 99% of all seabird species will ingest marine debris by 20501. Artists young and old are encouraged to make a statement against this wave of pollution affecting our seabirds by creating a unique art piece from repurposed waste. Safety is important, participants are urged to use gloves and other protective gear when handling waste. No marine life must be collected or included in artwork but fasteners and adhesives are permitted. There is no limitation on project size. Group work is permitted but will be counted as one entry. Entries will be judged in four categories: (1) Primary schools, (2) Secondary schools, (3) Tertiary schools and (4) Adults (18+). Cash prizes will be offered to the top two winners in each category with a grand prize of USD $250. Photos of entries, along with a written or video description of the artwork and materials used, must be submitted by email to [email protected] or WhatsApp at 1 (784) 431-6447 no later than 4:00 p.m. on 1st November 2020. Winning submissions may be used by EPIC for future outreach work. Visit http://epicislands.org/grenadines-waste-to-art.html for contest rules and contact [email protected] for further information and questions. This competition is made possible with funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cape Bird Club, and donors to Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC). V THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020. 23. National T20 moves into Quarterfinals

The DSLLMCT bowlers must have prayed for rain as they were plummelled by Parnel Browne Parnel Browne, who blasted a tore the 54-ball 123 runs innings, to DSLLMCT pace Police One to 279 for 3 in bowlers asunder 20 overs. Browne recorded on his way to a nine sixes and eleven fours in scintillating 123. his innings and shared a 3rd wicket stand of 165 with the ever reliable Gosnel Cupid Gosnel Cupid hit a vital 84 for who hit 84. Police One. In pursuit of the highest victory target set for the 58. Maxwell Edwards took 3 season, DSLLMCT were for 13 while Jade Matthews 2 decimated. They managed 49 for 14. in 10.3 overs. Elmore Shem Browne was yet again The only other match to Alexander bagged 3 for 6 and among the runs, hitting a have seen some action was Reiford Jack 2 for 12 for Police half century for North FLOW Rivals versus One. Windward. DSLLMCT at Park Hill. THE QUARTERFINALISTS in this Radcliffe having already Pollard Investment North Reduced to 10 overs a side, year’s NLA/Neil Williams secured quarterfinal berths. Windward recorded double with 25 while Kishore Shallow DSLLMCT were 52 for 2 in 9 National T20 Cricket However, only three of wins to secure their took 3 for 28. overs when play ended due to Competition have been decided. those matches were played to quarterfinals place. They first North Windward’s second rain. They are: Guardian General completion, with rain playing beat Victors Two by four victory came at the Sion Hill There was no play possible Saints, FLOW Rivals, Victors havoc with the rest of the wickets at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, where they in the following matches: One, Police One, FLOW fixtures. Playing Field. Victors Two defeated CJ MSDA Julius Victors One versus Strike Radcliffe, Police Two, CJ In one of the matches batsmen accounted for 72 in Anthony Northern Stars by 3 Eagles, Police Two against MSDA Julius Anthony played, Police One tore the 16 overs, with Denis Byam top wickets. Reduced to 11 overs Keegan’s Bequia XI, and Northern Stars and Pollard hook, line and sinker of scoring with 25. Sealron per innings, Northern Stars FLOW Radcliffe against Investments North Windward. Dominic Sutherland Lloyd Williams and Dean Browne held steady for 97 for 3 led by Victors Two. Each team was Last weekend round of Lewis Memorial Cricket Team, bagged 3/12 for and 2/20 Jade Matthews 44. North awarded one point. eight matches would have beating them by a whopping respectively. North Windward Windward lost 7 wickets decided the remaining five 230 runs, at Sion Hill Playing responded with 75 for 6 from before getting to 98 in 10.4 I.B.A.ALLEN places, Saints, Rivals and Field 13 overs. Desroy Lavia led overs. Shem Browne led with NEFL restricted to an Inter- Village Competition THE HAIROUN BEER North Greiggs outplayed added to Spring Village’s East Football League, Diamonds, 3-0, goals woes, beating them by 2- because of the limited coming from Anthony 1. Philemon Walker and time on offer during which Rodney, Valdo Anderson, Kadeem Duncan to run its 2020 edition, and Osei Delpesche. registered for has been restricted to an South Union came out Brownstown, while Alex Inter-Village Competition, with a 4-1 triumph over Adams scored for Spring only. Dickson. Kristan Village. This sees only twelve Gonsalves and Dorian This was Spring villages, stashed into Dallaway both had Village’s second defeat, three groups, competing braces for the winners. as they were beaten 3-1 for honours. It was a closer by Chapmans in their Group A comprises scoreline when Overland opening fixture. Terris Owia, Richland Park, met North Union, with Joseph, Shaville Barker Dickson and South the former emerging and Kimron Cruickshank Otashie Spring- Union. Chapmans, victorious, 4-3. scored for Chapmans. President of the NEFL. Spring Village, North Union, through Mikey Gaymes scored Brownstown and Biabou, Adamo Miller, who the consolation for one day Female Football making up Group B. netted twice, and Atticus Spring Village. Challenge and a one day Group C features Enville scored the other, And, getting off the Action between Chapmans and Spring Village. Grassroots Youth Grieggs, Diamonds, had given their team a 3- mark as well was Owia, Challenge, in order to North Union and give the females and the 0 cushion. However, who edged out Richland President of the North Spring reiterated the Overland. youngsters a time to Overland stormed back Park, 4-3. East Football League- league’s adherence to the Last weekend hosted “showcase”, their talents. through a double strike Owia’s goals came Otashie Spring noted directives of the four matches as the Spring disclosed that from Kelrick Nanton and from Javis Hoyte, who that this year’s league Executive of the St competition went full his organisation is one each from Jeel Da blasted a hat trick and had to be scaled down Vincent and the throttle. planning to complete Souza and Kemron Jevorn Williams had the because of the Grenadines Football Coming out victorious their programme in time Osment, sealed a come other. Amein John, “September, October” Federation (SVGFF). were Greiggs, South before the start of the from behind win for Diandre Smith and window given by He disclosed that Union, Overland and SVGFF’s National Club Overland. Malik Castello, scored for community leagues to despite the small Brownstown. Championships. Brownstown then Richland Park. operate. window, they will host a 24. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN V Sports Footballers to receive

Carl Dickson, President of the SVG Football FIFA relief $$$ Federation, outlining the parameters of the FIFA Covid amount to Relief Package. approximately US$400,000 or 80% of available funding. The remaining US$100,000 has been set aside primarily to procure essential equipment, upgrade playing environs and to engage and adhere to health protocols necessary to create a bio safe environment for our future footballing engagements locally, regionally and of funding (US$500,000) is internationally.” expected in January 2021, of Dickson explained further which you will also be the that the SVGFF is providing primary beneficiaries as we Female footballers, like the U20’s seen here in a training session, are to benefit both directly assistance to national team and developmentally from the FIFA Covid Relief Package. navigate the current players (180) of all age groups pandemic.” MALE AND FEMALE footballers needed assistance to our team players. Total and gender, and hastened to here are to benefit directly from associate leagues and national disbursements in this phase remind “that the second phase I.B.A.ALLEN the Covid Relief Package of FIFA - football’s world governing body - that has been made available Blossoms Academy flourishing to the SVG Football Federation (SVGFF). Speaking at the Sion Hill Playing Field at a recent training session for female footballers, Carl Dickson, President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation, gave this assurance and said further, “The SVGFF is pleased to announce the first phase roll out of the Covid Relief Package to the stakeholders in St Vincent and the Grenadines.” Players of the Academy in a training exercise. According to Dickson, the SVGFF has received to date She made this known in a recent disclosed that while US$1, 000,000.00 (US$1m) of interview with THE VINCENIAN. training is ongoing, which US$500,000 is She was particularly pleased with the immediate designated exclusively for the response of the members/players objective is to obtain a female football development. despite the challenges posed by Covid- club license. “The current rollout is 19 pandemic. This, she pointed specific to the remaining “I am really satisfied with the out, would allow the US$500,000, which will see interest shown by the players. They Academy to were anxious even with the Covid participate in the assistance being given to our Afiya John – U- Some members of the Academy. situation… they kept asking, ‘When are national Under-13, 56 affiliates entities, 13 coach of the we going to start?’, and when we did 16,17 and 19 female AFIYA JOHN, THE specialist Under-13 Blossoms comprised primarily of clubs, after putting all the health protocols in competitions and in coach of the Blossoms Unlimited Football Unlimited leagues, referees and match place, they were ready, and from there the First Division for Academy, is satisfied with the progress of Football officials,” Dickson said. things went smoothly,” John detailed. males, held under the He added, “We have taken members/players over the five years that Academy. the Academy has been in existence. A national female player herself, John auspices of the SVG the decision to provide much Football Federation. In addition to imparting knowledge of and skills involved in football, and SVG faces Haiti in Gold Cup Qualifier recognizing the football talent that is already beginning to come to the fore, ST VINCENT AND THE Grenadines’ senior Bermuda. showdown. the Academy is committed to building a men’s team football team -Vincy Heat - Should St Vincent and the The three second round winners climate of “unity, love and respect for will face Haiti next July, in the USA, in Grenadines overcome Haiti in the will head to the Gold Cup, where they each other,” John said, adding that to the CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifiers. First Round, they will meet the will join, Mexico, USA, Honduras, date there has been a pleasant This was made known last Monday winner of the Barbados versus Jamaica, Costa Rica, Grenada, atmosphere that pervades the sessions. night when the draw took place in Bermuda encounter. Panama, Suriname, El Salvador, In addition to John, the Academy is Miami, USA. Similarly, the winners of the Martinique, Curacao, Canada and served by coaches Xavol Jams, Shandel The rest of the first round draw, Guyana against Guatemala match up Qatar. Cyrus, Samantha Carrington and which is set for 2nd to 6th July, 2021, takes on the winner of the St Vincent and the Grenadines was Kayren Browne and Head Coach pits Guyana against Guatemala; Guadeloupe against Bahamas, with forced to be involved in the Gold Cup Jasmine Browne, national football coach Trinidad and Tobago faces the winner of the Trinidad and Qualifiers, following their second and former senor national female Montserrat; Cuba engages French Tobago versus Montserrat duel facing place to Surinam in Group D of Tier football team captain. Guiana; Guadeloupe entertains off with the team that emerges from B of the CONCACAF Nations League. Bahamas, and Barbados takes on the Cuba versus French Guiana I.B.A.ALLEN THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020. 25. V Sports Third century

Salem George in Belairof Hard Hitters Overcoming helped himself to a swashbuckling the obstacle century (128) against a cricket hapless Stag IT SEEMS LIKE A opportunity to test the Older Boys. GRADUAL RETURN to level of readiness of our normalcy is going on. athletes. There is a SINCE THE hampered by rain, D’s hard work of their That is according to the tendency of devaluing commencement of the Blocks &Trucking Gomea number of sporting the importance of sport. replay and lost 7 National Lotteries Bombers defeated wickets in getting activities that are Some parents Authority TBPO T20 Fairbaine Chennai to 80 in 17.2 overs. springing up. But there is encourage it, in their Softball Cricket Strikers by 3 wickets. Bowling for a noticeable difference in quest to ensure their Competition about a Fairbane Chennai Chennai Strikers, the staging of these children attend to their month ago, three strikers batted first and Nickie Antoinne activities. There is a drop school work. The centuries have been made 77 all out in 15.3 snatched 2 for 7 were rained out. As a in crowd attendance, for pundits will say that recorded which, according overs. Gomea Bombers’ and Jimmy Providence 2 result, all teams were the need to distance is there must be a balance to some regular Raymond Sayers took 3 for 17. awarded equal points. necessary. of sporting and spectators, shows that the for 9 and Allen Williams All the other games Adjustments are academics. batsmen are dominating. 3 for 13. Bombers made scheduled for Sunday I.B.A.ALLEN continuing to various It pays This might or might sporting elements immeasurably on the not be the case, but it which had become part individual. If, however, takes nothing away from Salem George Athletes to run Round of the calendar. some sporting St. Vincent and the personialites have who was responsible for the third century. Grenadines finds its in natural traits, there George, last D Town this Sunday direct clash with Haiti must be ways of ironing Saturday at the to advance to the Gold out chinks and ensuring Daphne Playing Field TEAM Cup. The Vincentian a blend ensues. where all the matches ATHLETICS squad will have to raise Those responsible for are played, blasted 128 SVG will from to the occasion and running sports must during which he took 3pm this make the best of the analyse find ways of an unbelievable 29 Sunday, stage opportunity they have carrying out their balls to reach 100, to the 2020 edition found themselves in. functions. ensure that his team, of the Round D Qualifications Associations who can Hard Hitters, Town Road towards the World Cup assist members have to demolished Stag Older Relay. scheduled for Qatar in be commended. The Boys by 108 runs. The Relay Primary Schoools’ Winning The Central Leeward two years, will assume local Football In a match reduced will see each of Unit- Fitz Hughes Secondary School quarter a different format. Federation has to 17 overs, Hard the four legs Government School. that trumped last year Staging of football announced their Hitters batted first making one lap and made 203 for 6 in around captial Kingstown, starting and Taking the Male segment of the games will jolt programme will be a Open Category was the powerful organisers into some relief to players. their allotment of finishing on Halifax Street, in the overs. In addition to vicinity of the First Caribbean Chatoyer team, with IT- DAT Academy sense of the new reality. With their toils running away with the Females. Supporters will be rewarded, that will be George, Niko Robinson International Bank. was among the runs However, the Primary Schools’ In Sunday’s event, cash prizes will forced to reduce their reason for them to carry be awarded to the top three finishers in attendance to games on. with 30. Bowling for participants will turn on to Higginson Older Boys, Rohan Street, and the other categories of each of the categories. owing to the protocols If reduction of the King took 2 for 26, and athletes, Secondary and Open will do so The first places in the Primary that will be in place. threat continues, there Wayne Garraway 2 for on Linley Street. Schools’ bracket get $300, the second Those who control will be need to fill the 36. In reply, Older When last year’s Relay was held, it place- $200 and the third places- $100. television rights might void left by the Boys could only reach was the Fitz Hughes Government Winners of the two divisions in the find themselves in with inactivity. There must 95 for 4 in 17 overs. School which bossed the Primary Secondary Schools’ segment earn new scenarios. be continued caution Seldon Da Souza top Schools’ segment, taking the Male and themselves $400, the second places will Innovative packaging that one must not go scored with 39. Female Divisions. get $ 300 and the third places $200. has become operative, head on into events In the other game The Central Leeward trumped the Open Male and Female first places for there is the which can reactivate played on the Females Secondary Schools’ title and will pocket $600; second places- $400 situation that crowd any threat. weekend, which was Petit Bordel, the Male Division. and $200 will go to the third places. attendances will be Dangerous and risky. deadly as Covid 19 can Players will admit be, Dengue fever has SVGTTA assists Troumaca Secondary that without the fans on surfaced with a whirr the ground, the which has made Covid quest to spread the sport of table the school now that a board is in atmosphere is different. look like an tennis throughout the length and place. That will test the breadth of the state, made “We know that Troumaca- insignificant factor. another donation of equipment to Ontario Secondary School has resolve of the true Whereas Covid may a rural secondary school. been a seasoned participant in the professional. They can’t not have been This time it was the turn of schools’ competition, hence they be influenced by the devastating as far as St. the Troumaca-Ontario Secondary would make good use of the table. adjacent conditions. Vincent and the School, which was as recent as It is always a pleasure to spread They will have to look Grenadines is last week, the recipient of a table the sport because talent is in at the bigger picture. concerned, there are tennis board. every area in SVG,” Stanley told And that entails aspects of the economic A handshake between Principal Sean Stanley, Executive THE VINCENTIAN, adding that digging deep and decline that the world Leighton Adams (left) and Sean member of the SVGTTA and the latest donation was one way maintaining a level of faces. Stanley in front of the table Coordinator of the Schools’ Table in which the Association was concentration for the tennis board, seals the donation. Tennis Programme, handed over fulfilling its mandate to aid in Overcoming that the table to the school’s principal, the development of the sport duration of the exercise. obstacle is the challenge THE SVG TABLE Tennis Leighton Adams. in schools. The reopening of that everyone has to Association (SVGTTA), in its Stanley is looking forward to schools is an contend with. increased table tennis activity at I.B.A.ALLEN 26. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020. 27. V Classifieds Land For FOR SALE Quick Sale Nissan Almera Professional Housekeeper for home at Brighton 4,064 s f.; 5,175 s.f.; PK 570 Five (5) years plus experience 5,542 s.f. and others. For further information Tel: H. Matadial Call: 494-7019 457-1372/457-1654 Land For Sale in Union Island FOR RENT 22,991 sq. ft. at Jerome 14,178 sf. ft. & 7,109 sf. ft. at Miss Toast 1 Studio Flat $8.00 per square foot Full Furnished Fully Air-Conditioned Call: 454-4739 Tel: 457-1372/ 457-1654

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020 VOLUME 114, No.40 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50 ‘INVESTIGATE DENGUE DEATHS,’ SAYS MP

Daniel Cummings, NDP’s Shadow Health Minister, fingered the Ministry of Health of acting after the ‘dengue CUMMINGS horse’ had bolted.

WEST KINGSTOWN MP AND THE New Democratic Party “And certainly to have four deaths in a short last week, and (NDP) Shadow Minister for Health, Daniel Cummings space of time speaks to a break down in the he was said that there is a need for an independent healthcare delivery system,” he assessed. heartbroken investigation, following confirmation from the Ministry He reasoned that from the very first confirmed after seeing of Health on Monday that four persons have died from case of dengue, there should have been a very the dozens of Dengue Fever. detailed programme, establishing the protocols for parents with children waiting hours for assistance. Cummings, who made his appeal during an NDP every health centre and hospital in this country, so “Reports are there weren’t any doctors in the Press Conference on Wednesday at Democrat House, as to ensure every doctor in the Public Health A&E and the parents were furious……… after that, Kingstown, emphasized, though, that the System is alert to the threat, especially the doctors at a press conference, we are being told that the investigation should not be about scapegoating who continue to have serious problems Ministry is looking to recruit ten more doctors.” anyone, but should be conducted with a view to communicating because English is not their first “It’s a situation,” Cummings said, “in which the correcting the inherent problems in the Health language. Ministry has the warning, the Ministry has the System. From the information received concerning the statistics…. (but) the Ministry does nothing,… The Health Ministry confirmed in a press release deaths, Cummings said that in the case of the four- (until) long after the horse is bolted and people are last Monday that there have been some 432 year-old, for a child to be left for four days dying, (and) you are talking about hiring doctors?” laboratory confirmed cases of dengue fever, 58 more unattended with very high cases than what was confirmed 5 days before. temperature, is to say the least, The release also confirmed the death of four shocking. persons from Dengue Fever: one adult female and “If as we are told, the first one nine-year-old male; a four-year-old male who diagnosis was upper respiratory died before the dengue test could be completed but infection …….. from what we who was confirmed from a sample taken after his are told they actually thought death, to have had Dengue Fever; an elderly male, that the child had the who died on Friday, September 25 at the Milton Coronavirus,” said Cummings, Cato Memorial Hospital. explaining further that the “I am saying categorically there must be a serious parents followed the medical investigation into the deaths of the four persons who information given to them by died from dengue, particularly the four-year-old, to the clinic, but by the time the understand if there are problems in the delivery of child, his condition having healthcare,” Cummings asserted, and repeated that worsened, got to the Accident the problems must be addressed, not with any and Emergency Department intentions of scapegoating but to pinpoint the (A&E) of the Milton Cato problems. Memorial Hospital, it was Cummings told media persons and a Facebook “downhill.” audience that from his discussions with health The Shadow Health Minister professionals, he understood that deaths as a result told the conference that he of Dengue are rare. visited the A&E of the MCMH

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