FREE www.caribbeanlifenews.com BROOKLYN/STATEN ISLAND EDITION April 1-7, 2016 PORTIA FACES THREAT Former Jamaican PM’s Food champ uncertain leadership role Evelyn Corona Ramirez displays her winning dish, “Pastel de Tres Leches,” or Three By Bert Wilkinson Party (PNP) but senior party Milk Cake, a Mexican dish she made with coconut milk. See story on page 20. The first woman to head leaders think the time is ripe NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers a major political party and for her to hand over to a new become prime minister of president who will take the Jamaica is preparing for a party into the 2021 general major leadership challenge elections or any held earlier. after steering the organiza- Some think that Simpson- Housing discrimination ban now law tion to a narrow but painful Miller has now become a politi- defeat in general elections held cal liability and a politician By Nelson A. King The two bills are Domestic of an individual’s status as a recently. without a strong future after Mayor Bill de Blasio on Violence Housing Discrimina- victim of domestic violence or Portia Simpson-Miller, 70, is the narrow PNP loss to the Monday signed two pieces of tion Ban, or Intro 832, and stalking. still widely considered as the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) by a essential legislation into law, Green Construction bill, or Specifically, the bill amends single most popular politician single seat, 32-31. both sponsored by Brooklyn Intro 721. the Human Rights Law to in Jamaica and one who will The parliamentary configu- Council Member and Depu- Intro 832-A prohibits dis- make it an unlawful discrimi- be hard to beat in any straight ration means that the assembly ty Leader of the City Council crimination in housing natory practice for landlords race for leadership of the main is effectively and functionally Jumaane D. Williams. accommodations on the basis Continued on Page 6 opposition People’s National Continued on Page 6 e Brooklyn Elder e Serve Th ly And Adu W lt nity In A Comfortable, Compas mmu sionat o e C , ring, Cultural En Ca viro g, nm in v en o t L Accepted Managed Services k a C e Care Programs: p r e We Provide: S o e l Aetna e W Community Trips Agewell New York Alpha Care Pastoral Care Centerlight Center Plan For Healthy Living Daily Ethnic Foods Elder Serve Health Beauty Salon Services (River Spring Home) Free Door To Door Elder Plan Extended Transportation Fidelis Social Activities Guildnet Integra Birthday Celebrations Independence Cultural Activities Care System Senior Health Partners Computer Classes Senior Whole Health Of New York ESL Program Vns Choice Concerts Village CarEmax Wellcare Entertainment Medicaid Managed Care Program Assistance We Are Open 7 Days A Week, Two Shifts Daily !VENUE.s"ROOKLYN .EW9ORK Call us: (718) 513–1818 2 Caribbean Life, April 1-7, 2016 B CACCI expects greater community resource with new development project By Nelson A. King Assemblyman Luis R. Sepúlveda. Since 2001, the Brooklyn-based Car- Associated Press / Mike Groll ibbean American Chamber of Com- merce and Industry (CACCI) says the Flatbush-Caton Market has served as a Garifuna history “vibrant home to local businesses and micro-entrepreneurs.” But, with more space, amenities and in schools affordable housing, CACCI said the proposed BRP development project at By Nelson A. King the market “will soon become an even A Bronx Assemblyman has pro- greater resource for the entire commu- posed an amendment to New York nity in Brooklyn.” State Education Law to include the In a special message, CACCI’s Gren- history of the Garifuna people. adian-born president, Dr. Roy Hastick, Assemblyman Luis R. Sepúlveda noted that, recently, Martia Torres announced his plan during the 6th Springer, president, NYC Economic Annual Abrazo Garifuna in New York Development Corp. (EDC) announced and in the New York State Assembly, the selection of the developer, BRP according to the Bronx-based Gari- Development, “to make this vision a funa group, The Garifuna Coalition reality.” U.S.A., Inc. Hastick complimented Brooklyn The Coalition said the Bill states Borough President Eric Adams, Coun- that, “in order to promote a spirit of cil Member Mathieu Eugene, Dr. Una patriotic and civic service and obliga- Clarke, NYC Department of Housing tion and to foster in the children of Preservation and Development (HPD), the state moral and intellectual quali- and NYC Department of Small Busi- ties, which are essential in preparing ness Services for their “relentless sup- to meet the obligations of citizenship port and assistance with bringing this in peace or in war, the regents of The project to fruition.” University of the State of New York Last year, CACCI celebrated 30 years shall prescribe courses of instruction of service to the small business com- in patriotism, citizenship, and human munity. rights issues, with particular atten- tion to the study of the inhumanity “We are continuing to of genocide, slavery, including… the provide small business history of the Garifuna People…to Dr. Roy Hastick. Photo by Kevin Bollers be maintained and followed in all the and financial literacy schools of the state.” business services to The Coalition said the proclama- micro entrepreneurs he added. vate sector partners to provide seminars tion of March 11 – April 12, 2016, at the Flatbush-Caton Over the years, Hastick said CACCI and services for emerging businesses declaring Garifuna-American Herit- Market, and continue our has conducted more than 800 semi- with CACCI,” Hastick said. age Month in the State of New York, nars, workshops and clinics, helped to Additionally, over the years, he said is in observance of the 219th Anni- collaboration with public launch small businesses and assisted CACCI have continued to promote trade versary of the “forcible deportation and private sector partners emerging businesses in their efforts to and investment in the Caribbean by by the British of the Garifuna People to provide seminars and grow and expand. continuing to host business and trade from St. Vincent and The Grenadines services for emerging Because of a wide range of support, delegations from the Caribbean region on March 11, 1797, and their settle- businesses with CACCI.” Hastick said CACCI has “evolved into on visits to New York. ment in Central America on April an entity, which continues to advocate For over two decades, Hastick said 12, 1797.” on behalf of the small business com- CACCI have worked with the leadership According to the study guide for “It is hard to believe that 30 years munity and is poised to serve as a vital of the City of New York and explored “The Garifuna Journey” video, “the has passed since our Chamber of Com- link between the Caribbean region and several options for a site that would be study of the Garifuna provides insight merce and Industry was launched in the USA.” appropriate for the Caribbean American into a people whose history has been New York State,” Hastick said. “We wish He said CACCI continues to host Trade Center. one of struggle and determination to to express our gratitude to our network networking seminars, power breakfast He said the selection of the devel- survive at a time when very few peo- of members and contributors. meetings, and is working with its part- oper “will transform the site on which ple, or nations, were able to resist the “And we are also pleased to report ners “to expand the reach and the scope the current Flatbush Caton Market is onslaught of colonialism and slavery. that, over the past 30 years, with support of our business services to MWBE’s and located in Brooklyn into a commercial “Despite exile and subsequent from its Board of Directors, members, emerging businesses. and cultural institution, expanded and Diaspora, their traditional culture partners in the private and public sec- “We are continuing to provide small renovated market that will support the survives today,” the guide says. “It tors, the Caribbean American Chamber business and financial literacy business long-term growth and vitality of doz- is a little known story that deserves of Commerce and Industry has grown services to micro entrepreneurs at the ens of local vendors and entrepreneurs, its place in the annals of the African from a virtual fledging micro-organism Flatbush-Caton Market, and continue new space for CACCI and affordable Diaspora.” into a multi-dimensional institution,” our collaboration with public and pri- housing.” BQ Caribbean Life, April 1-7, 2016 3 Updated daily at www.caribbeanlifenews.com CARIBBEAN ROUNDUP THE NEWS FROM BACK HOME Caribbean lion represents current expenditure, Four Caribbean Community (CARI- while US625, 000 represents capital COM) countries have been chosen to expenditure. conduct social marketing training and It said wages and salaries are expect- technical assistance to reduce daily salt ed to increase over the revised amount intake. for 2015-2016 by US$8.9 million to The project in Antigua and Barbuda, US$380 million, adding the increase is Barbados, St. Vincent and the Gren- mainly due to increments. adines and Jamaica, is being led by The government is anticipating the Pan-American Health Organization expenditure on goods and services is (PAHO) Salt Smart Consortium, acting expected to increase by US$53.4 to as the secretariat, supported by Healthy US$229.9 million. Caribbean Coalition (HCC). Debate on the budget is continuing. Technical support is being provided by the University of South Florida and Dominica World Health Organization (WHO) Col- Former Attorney General of Domi- laborating Center for Social Marketing nica Bernard Wiltshire has criticized and Social Change. regional courts for their handling of The Ministry of Health, Wellness and election-related matters.