APRIL 23 - 29, 2009 13 www.GleanerExtra.com EXTRA NA F www.GleanerExtra.com CCMAAMAA RE PProfessionalrofessional CCorporationorporation E *Family Law *Real Estate *Civil Litigation Law *Personal Injury *Corporate & *Wills and Estates Commercial EXTRA NORTH. AMERICA. 4316 Village Centre Court, Suite 300, Mississauga, ON L4Z 1S2 N A Tel: (905) 270-8075 ❘ Fax: (905) 270-4764 Vol #: 2 Issue #: 17 A Gleaner Company Publication Formerly known as CUNNINGHAM McBEAN & ASSOCIATES HARPER UPBEAT ABOUT SUMMIT OUTCOME M I D C R I T I C I S M S o f COM) leaders in the discussions the absence of individ- served “as a tremendous voice of A ual signatures to the reason and of openness at those S u m m i t ’ s ‘ D e c l a r a t i o n o f times when dialogue did get P o r t o f S p a i n ’ t h a t w o u l d heated without steering us away h a v e p r o v i d e d a b l u e p r i n t from those disagreements”. for the future socio-econom- The Fifth Summit of the i c d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e Americas ended – Sunday with A m e r i c a s , C a n a d i a n P M hemispheric leaders failing to Stephen Harper is confident agree. that goals have been met. Prior to the summit, the mem- Harper said the success of ber countries of the Bolivarian the deliberations had con- Alternative for the Peoples of f o u n d e d c r i t i c s w h o h a d Our Americas (ALBA), led by anticipated a battle between Venezuela and which also member states. includes Nicaragua and Bolivia, “I think the remarkable thing had vowed not to sign the about the summit was the failure ‘Declaration of ’ in to fulfil expectations of great con- solidarity with Cuba that has not frontation here. We all came here been invited to neither this nor I think believing that we would previous summits. have quite a battle among the – CMC radically different perspectives that do exist on certain subjects,” Harper said. “That did not materialise, we saw the replacement of con- frontation with dialogue, not a TOTAL FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS dialogue that lacked disagree- TO YOUR EVERY DAY PROBLEMS: ment or robust discussion but a • Income Protection dialogue that was genuine and a • Asset Management chemistry among leaders and in particular among the main pro- • Debt Management tagonist (and) that was very good.” REASONS He said this environment CONTRIBUTED Prime Minister Stephen Harper (left) in coming at a time of a difficult serious talks about North American, economic situation promised Caribbean and Latin American rela- much for the future and out- tions with United States President, lined three reasons for the Barack Obama (right) and 's warm relations among the lead- Prime Minister Bruce Golding. The lead- ers met Saturday morning, April 18, BASIL E MCINTOSH ers at the summit. ahead of the first plenary session of the Harper referred to the address Summit of the Americas in Port of Tel: 905-306-2804 by the US President at the start Spain, Trinidad. Cell: 416-709-4412 of the meeting, in which he out- TRANS-CARIBE DISTRIBUTOR 900 - 165 Dundas St. West lined the perspectives and new ȇn™Ê>>ÝÞÊ œÕiÛ>À`]Ê/œÀœ˜Ìœ]Ê" °Ê ™7ÊÈ{ÊUÊ/i\Ê­™äx®ÊÈÇ£‡{ÈÈÇÊÊUÊÊ>Ý\Ê­™äx®ÊÈ£™‡nǙÇÊ approach by Washington, and the views from any of us’ during the www.lascotcd.com Mississauga, ON L5B 2N6 conference. reciprocation by other leaders, www.primerica.com/basilmcintosh including members of the ALBA The Canadian Prime Minister Life Insurance offered by ‘who have the most divergent said the involvement of the Primerica Life Insurance Company of Canada Caribbean Community (CARI- 14 APRIL 23 - 29, 2009 EXTRA NA www.GleanerExtra.com ExtraN.A. NEWS Government to table Freedom of Group faces challenges Information Bill PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC: THE GUYANA government is to table a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act with- in helping deportees in two months, President Bharrat Jagdeo has said. “In two months’ time you DUANE COOMBS will see this Bill being tabled in parliament. We’re ExtraNa Writer already drafting it. That’s NEW YORK: what we are working on,” Jagdeo told reporters during ISIONS OF hordes of deportees the Fifth Summit of the descending on Jamaica to help Americas here on Saturday V fuel the spiraling crime problem night. is a popular notion that is simply not Jagdeo said that the FOI t r u e a c c o r d i n g t o t h e g r o u p F a m i l y is a promise outlined in the Resettlement Initiative (FURI). manifesto of the ruling What to do about this vexing problem was People’s Progressive Party the topic of discussion at a community forum Civic (PPP/C) for the elec- held at the Jamaica Consulate in New York tions held there two years last Thursday. Working in conjunction with ago. the consulate, FURI has been trying to help cushion the transition of the deported person to Jamaica. “When they go back many have no true Senate elections sense of belonging so they have a feeling of lost heritage” Carmeta Albarus-Lindo, a result next week Forensic Social Worker and the founder and president of FURI told ExtraNA. “Deported individuals comprise 46 per cent PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti of the homeless population is Jamaica (AP): because they lack social and family network” Mrs Carmeta Albarus- RESULTS OF Haiti’s Senate Mrs. Albarus -Lindo noted. Individuals who Lindo (right) speak with elections will likely not be violate immigration laws are the majority of pyschogist Taneisha known for more than a week Burke and community despite an apparent low the deported person and even those with Activist Jose Richards. criminal convictions are often time low-level turnout, an election official drug mule exploited by “dons” who have the said Monday. resources and contact to make it back to persons elicit very little sympathy from a I not sure how long I will be able to keep Voting for 11 vacant seats America, she insists. wary and hostile society that is making it doing this” Mrs. Albarus -Lindo said. “Other in the 30-member Senate even more difficult for them to reintegrate board members like captain Reuben Phillips, took place across the impov- TROUBLING AND UNWELCOME into a homeland already beset by a host of the executive director of FURI and Rev erished country Sunday Some 50,000 Jamaicans have been deport- other problems. Augustin Odih also dip into their own pocket after a year and a half of ed from the United States alone since 1996 PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS to finance the project” delays caused by political and for Jamaica the influx is deeply troubling The group also gets some financing from infighting, riots and damag- and unwelcome. The Government claims this Albarus-Lindo’s has set up a meet and the Church of the Latter Day Saints and ing storms. is a cause of the island’s crime booming crime greet and has established a self-sustaining Food for the Poor but with the cost of in It will take at least eight problem. farming village in St Thomas to help to rein- excess of $10,000 per month to keep the days to count ballots trucked Albarus-Lindo, however, points out that the tegrate the deported persons into the farming village afloat and to provide services in from the countryside and typical deported person is someone about 35 Jamaican society and try to make the deport- at the drop-in center it is proving a daunting years old, in contrast to the typically youthful ed persons productive citizens. determine winners, said task for the group. Jean-Marc Baudot, a criminal in Jamaica whose average age is “Right now we are getting no financial sup- It is an uphill task but one which the group between 17-25. port fro any government agency so I must use Canadian consultant serving Family Unification for Resettlement as logistics coordinator for Yet as convenient scapegoats, the deported my personal funds to finance the project and Initiative is determined to see succeed. the provisional electoral council’s computation center. Baudot said that officials have not been able to gauge the turnout yet, but it appeared to be low, based on Chicago Investors to Build the observations of balloting observers and reporters cov- ering the elections. Ballots are being counted at polling places and tabu- lated at a warehouse com- Bio Diesel Plant in Jamaica puter center guarded by armed U.N. peacekeepers in NEW YORK: an industrial park in the

BIYOJAM a Chicago-based company capital, Port-au-Prince. is to invest over 120 million U.S. dol- Turnout appeared to be lars in development of a Bio Diesel extremely low in the capi- plant in Jamaica. tal, where voter apathy and Chairman Christian Strahan said fear of election-day violence that his company was now in the were more common than process of doing a number of soil test- political interest. President ing in various parts of Jamaica, to Rene Preval declined to find a suitable site for the plant. comment on the turnout Ground is expected to be broken in Sunday until official results 2010 and by 2012 the plant should be are calculated. in operation. “We are looking to ensure that The international commu- Jamaica is the green alternative for nity gave at least $12.5 mil- the world’s energy needs. We will be lion, including $3.9 million able to provide 15per cent of from the United States, to Jamaica’s energy bio diesel needs and help carry out the election. within the next 10 years by providing Supporters of ousted 20 to 40 million gallons of bio diesel President Jean-Bertrand per year,” said Strahan. Aristide, whose still-popular

The BIYOJAM Chairman said fund- JOAN SPENCE PHOTO Fanmi Lavalas party was ing for the project will be sought BIOJAM chairman Christian Strahan (center) prohibited from by through the United Nations, other reviews plans for the construction of a Bio electoral officials, had also Diesel plant to be constructed in Jamaica. At left non-governmental programmes and is Wayland Richards, chief operating officer and encouraged citizens to stay private equity sources. The plant he Marcus Cook chief investment officer. away from the polls. said is expected to employ approxi- mately 5000 persons over the next 10 years. APRIL 23 - 29, 2009 15 ExtraN.A. www.GleanerExtra.com EXTRA NA

Penn Relays, one big grand reunion

DUANE COOMBS stadium. ExtraNA Writer Many will jet in from around the world, from across the NEW YORK: United States and Canada and from Jamaica to join alumni resi- I T H T H E p r o m i s e dent in the Northeastern United that and States to cheer on their alma W other top performers maters. Some will have the from the Olympics added incentive of cheering on are down to compete at the children and other family mem- P e n n R e l a y s w h i c h b e g i n bers as they compete at the 115 today , the event has elicit- years old event. e d a b u z z o f a n t i c i p a t i o n Jamaican Coretta Smith unlike any other in recent Williams who lives in Albany, years. New York has made the four- Tens of thousands Jamaicans hour drive each year to meet up will cram Philadelphia’s with friends, including Nadine Franklin Field on the campus of Watson, another Jamaican, from the University of Pennsylvania Bensalem, Pennsylvania. With this weekend to cheer on a host bragging rights at stake, Coretta of Jamaican athletes represent- usually engages in, spirited, if ing a slew of Jamaican high playful banter with her schools and colleges. American rivals to the amuse- Donna McKenzie an ardent ment of her friends. track and field fan who has not Newton “Archie” Richards and missed a single Penn Relays his wife, Sharon, will fly in from CONTRIBUTED since her first visit in 2000 will their home in Texas to join Friends Coretta Smith Williams, from Albany,NY and Nadine Watson from Bensalem, PA, cheer on the Jamaica Athletes at make the two hour trip with Sharon’s brother, Earl Robinson Penn Relays 2008 friends from her home in and his wife Althea from Florida. Maryland to soak in the experi- For them this week will hold spe- Relays as a chance to display ence and cheer on her favourite cial significance because apart their patriotism, fueled by a West Indian, African, Haitian, American school, Kingston College. sense of nostalgia. And they have “Penn Relays is a chance to see from cheering on the Jamaican high schools and tertiary institu- will have much to cheer about. friends who you have not seen in Over the more than 40 years years. It is almost as if you are tions they will also lustily cheer Pat's for Jamaican-American Sanya since Jamaican schools have at Champs at the National been participating at Penn Stadium in Jamaica” she Richards the USA 4 x 400m Relays, the annual carnival has explained to The Extra NA. Olympic gold medallist who also become a calendar event for “April is my month because I happens to be the daughter of Wholesale just returned from attending Sharon and Archie and the niece many track and field aficionados. Caribbean Champs in Jamaica and I am of Earl and Althea. Since the late Dr. Lennox “Billy” Market Miller and his Kingston College taking time off work to attend all . TOP QUALITY MEATS, three days of Penn Relays. This SALUTE team of pioneers first competed . FRESH FISH & GOAT MEAT, is my time!” the track fanatic Other Jamaicans looking for- at Penn Relay more than four . FRESH FRUITS & VEGETABLES continued. ward to saluting their Olympic decades ago, Jamaican schools heroes in person will drape their have dominated the annual ath- SENTIMENT shoulders with Jamaican flags letic festival. Phone: (215) 753-0594 It is a sentiment shared by and adorn their bodies with For others it is has become the Fax: (215) 753-0591 many other Jamaicans who will clothing in the national colours site of one grand annual reunion. Mon-Thu, 9:00am-9:00pm descend on Philadelphia in cars, of gold, green and black. They will mingle with and Fri-Sat, 9:00am - 10:00pm by air or by train to form the Expatriate Jamaicans wanting friends to enjoy the vibes in a sea Sunday, 10:00am - 5:00pm bulk of the expected 100,000 to feel a little bit of connection to of tens of thousand of their com- fans occupying the seats in the home have come to view Penn patriots. 1527 Wadsworth Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19150 16 APRIL 23 - 29, 2009 EXTRA NA www.GleanerExtra.com ExtraN.A. FEATURE ‘Penns’ 2009 will be a sizzler’

RAYMOND GRAHAM Walker and the men’s 4x100 Weekly Gleaner Writer metres team. AMAICANS LIVING i n DOMINANT PERFORMANCES N o r t h A m e r i c a a r e As usual the likes of Calabar J expected to converge in High and St Jago High among their thousands on Franklin the boys and Holmwood Field, Pennsylvania, April Technical, Edwin Allen High, 23-25, for the 115th staging Manchester High and Vere of the Penn Relays. Technical among the girls are One of the most popular meets expected to put on dominant per- in the United States, this Relay formances.A lot of support will Carnival is like a reunion for be there for the senior athletes thousands of Jamaicans living in as the Jamaicans are expected to America as they travel from near continue their dominance, while and far to witness Jamaican the US will be hoping to exact high-school athletes battle their some revenge following their US rivals. battering in Beijing. It is expected that this year’s Although the fastest man in staging will be big as several the world, Bolt, will not be com- athletes who participated at the peting, the Jamaicans should Beijing Games last year will be still dominate their counterparts on show. in the 4x100m as three different Billed as the United States vs Jamaican teams have gone sub- the World in a series of relays on 39 seconds this season. the final day, this time around, it Chances are that three mem- could easily read, Jamaica vs the bers of the world-record break- World as Jamaica’s sprinters ing 4x100 metres team in Nesta showed in Beijing that they are Carter, Michael Frater and the best in the world following could join forces some outstanding performances with Marvin Anderson as the from the likes of Usain Bolt, Jamaicans seek to make it two Veronica Campbell-Brown, in a row following their first Shelly-Ann Fraser, Melaine victory in this event last year.

SportsSports & & Entertainment Entertainment AccountantAccountant & & Business Business Manager Manager Congratulations to the athletes performing in the 2009 Penn Relays. We love winners. Veronica Campbell-Brown

Women’s 4x100 metres

JAMAICA SHOULD also win Williams, Novlene Williams- the women’s 4x100 metres as Mills, 400-metre hurdles cham- although the likes of Campbell- pion Melaine Walker and Brown and Sherone Simpson Nickeisha Wilson, Jamaica’s are not expected to compete. female team could upstage the We could see a revitalised United States in the 4x400m. BARRY’S ACCOUNTING SERVICES Aleen Bailey, following her 11.17 Although the weather as clocking a week ago in the 100 usual should be very cold in Over 25 years of excellent service metres, Kerron Stewart and Franklin Field, the thousands of now professional athlete Simone supporters expected in the visit our website Facey join forces in a bid to turn stands should be kept warm by back the US. some fierce battles in what should be a preview of what is to www.ConsultantBarry.com UPSTAGE come in the August 15-23 IAAF Led by the Olympic 400- World Championships in . metre silver medallist Shericka -R.G. APRIL 23 - 29, 2009 17 ExtraN.A. ADVERTISEMENT www.GleanerExtra.com EXTRA NA 18 APRIL 23 - 29, 2009 EXTRA NA www.GleanerExtra.com ExtraN.A. FEATURE Coaches predict great things for Penn Relays 2009

Wilson Dyke Hawthorne Holness

MAURICE WILSON– Holmwood JERRY HOLNESS – Manchester High MICHAEL CLARKE – Calabar injured and we will not know until a few I HAVE one of my youngest teams going All three of my top athletes – Shauna Our 4x100 metres team has days time if they will be able to compete as they are still recovering,” he said. to the Penn Relays and this year the Gay Tracy, Orenthia Bennett and been the fastest team this year and we are not going there with any claim to “We have a 4x800 metres team which objective was winning at Girls’ Sandrae Farquharson are back in train- will be very competitive and these mem- Championship and after that perform- ing and are expected to compete. fame and as long as they continue to do what they have been doing, they should bers can also do the 4x400 metres,” he ance it is kind of difficult to rejuvenate We ran 3:36 in the 4x400 metres with- added. the team. out all three and as long as one or two of win. Champs and Carifta took a lot out of them are back on the team we should go Clarke thinks that he has the best DANNY HAWTHORNE 4x400 metres team despite finishing third them and once their energy level is back, much faster which could be good enough – St Jago there is a possibility that they can domi- to win. at Champs. We should have won at Boys and Girls’ St Jago are the defending champions in nate. Chances are we could come away 4X800 METRES Championships but Ramone suffered the 4x400 metres coach Danny with three titles or we could finish close cramps while leading and as long as this Hawthorne thinks they have a good to the top without winning any. In the 4x800m, we have the same team chance of retaining their title. from last year and the experience would does not reoccur, we should win. – Edwin Allen “We always perform well at Penn MICHAEL DYKE have done those girls a whole lot of good, MICHAEL RUSSELL Relays and this year should be no differ- We have a reasonable chance in all especially Sharlene Brown who ran the – Kingston College ent. We had a weakened 4x400 metres three relays with our best in the 4x100 opening leg. Coach Michael Russell stated that his team last year and we still won the event metres as we are the defending champi- Holness also thinks that any anchor leg team will not be at full strength at Penns. and we could have also won the 4x100 ons. I will be running my strongest 4x800 runner on any other team will have to get “Our team has been weakened as Akino metres but an injury on the third leg cost metres team for the first time and I the baton at least 30 to 50 metres ahead Ming is definitely out while Ramone us the race. This year, I expect great expect something great from them. of Goule if they hope to win. Berch and Keiron Stewart are still things from both teams.” Team Ja Bickel honours Athlete

Sabrina HoSang, Managing Director of Caribbean Foods Delight and Jerk Quisine (Royal Caribbean Bakery) presenting a Cheque for Ten Thousand ROLAND HYDE PHOTOS Dollars (US$10,000.00) to Kevin Richards who accepts the donation on behalf of New York City Councilman Leroy Comrie presenting a Proclamation to Team Jamaica Bickle’s Founder and Director, Team Jamaica Bickle at the Penn Relays Press Launch held at Ruder Finn in New Irwine Clare, to congratulate him on fifteen years of fundraising and supporting on behalf of Jamaica’s athletes who York City. compete at the annual Penn Relays at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, USA, Looking on is Jamaica’s veter- Founded and directed by Irwine Clare (partly hidden in background) the an olympic sprinter, now retired Raymond Stewart, who was being honored for outstanding service to Jamaica and earn- non-profit organisation celebrates Fifteen Years by honouring veteran ing the distinction of being the only athlete in olympic history to compete in the 100m in four consecutive games. Jamaican Olympic sprinter Raymond Stewart here seated at right. This year’s Penn Relays are set for Friday 24th and Saturday 25th of April. APRIL 23 - 29, 2009 19 ExtraN.A. ADVERTISEMENT www.GleanerExtra.com EXTRA NA 20 APRIL 23 - 29, 2009 EXTRA NA www.GleanerExtra.com ExtraN.A. FEATURE

LEE'S FRUIT BASKET Albermarle pose (C.N.A TROPICAL MARKET, INC) threat to Jamaica’s Wholesale supplier World's most unusual food store 4x800m team #1 tropical store in the world AMAICAN High-school teams have dominated At the Nike J the boys’ 4x800 metres - Weddings at ‘Penns’ for the past three West Indian & African/ y e a r s a s H o l m w o o d National Indoor - Birthday party T e c h n i c a l w o n i n 2 0 0 6 , American Food daily by air K i n g s t o n C o l l e g e i n 2 0 0 7 “Meet in Boston, they - a n d M a n c h e s t e r H i g h l a s t - Fresh meats -Vegetables - Tropical fish Special events. year. This year, however, it is going smashed the - Spices -Yam - Banana - Corned Meat Call for discounted prices. to be difficult for Jamaican teams - - to make it four in a row as National High School Salted Beef Pig's Tail Albermarle High School out of - Salted Herring - Ackee Charlottesville, Virginia, will be Indoor record of We sell soft drinks by the case hard to beat. - Cassava leaves & more - - - - SMASHED 7:42.22 with a new Delivery Available D&G Ting Solo Chubby, etc.... In late March, at the Nike National Indoor Meet in Boston, mark of they smashed the National High School Indoor record of 7:42.22 7:36.99 6402 Wister Street, with a new mark of 7:36.99, also Congrats an Under-19 world record. fight to their opponents along to our Philadelphia, PA 19138 Gibson Relays winners, with Kingston College who, Jamaica College, will have to though hit by injuries, are Athletes expected to enter a balanced” step up at least three notches. At Tel: 215-924-8340 Gibson, they clocked 7:41.91 to team. turn back a strong Holmwood It is not beyond the Jamaican Store Manager: Chuck team which did 7:43.01. teams, however, as over the years Known as the Patriots, the some top favourites have been (Serving the community for over 20 years) Americans, only a few weeks upset in this event. before the Nike Nationals, were However, based on their indoor MON - SAT: 8:30am - 7:30pm impressive in winning the performance, it will be a huge Virginia State Championships task for the Jamaicans to top this Sun - Closed when they lapped all their rivals event. The 1990 Penn Relays to win in 7:44.07 at the Boo record of 7:35.89 set by the Williams Sportplex in Hampton. Michael Williams-led St Jago Both Jamaica College and team could be in danger. Holmwood will be taking the – R.G. APRIL 23 - 29, 20x09 21 ExtraN.A. FEATURE www.GleanerExtra.com EXTRA NA Holmwood’s Girls tipped in 4X400m

RAYMOND GRAHAM event at ‘Penns’, the Maurice seconds on her leg. Wilson-coached team after Despite their record-breaking KINGSTON, Jamaica: being outclassed all season by performance, it will be no Manchester High and Edwin walkover for Holmwood as they FTER A slow start to Allen Comprehensive, showed will be without Gordon, who did t h e s e a s o n , who were queens of this event not run in the preliminary A H o l m w o o d when they blew away their round, and Manchester High Technical’s 4x400 metres opponents to clock an astonish- who clocked 3:36.54 and Edwin team exploded at Boys and ing 3:34.35 to break their own Allen with 3:37.24 for second ANTHONY FOSTER PHOTOS G i r l s ’ A t h l e t i c record of 3:35.26 set in 2006. and third, respectively, at St. Jago’s 1600m relay quartet of l-r , Adulphus Nevers, Riker Hylton C h a m p i o n s h i p s w i t h a The time is also faster than the Champs are no pushovers. and Andre Walsh pose with their shield after their victory at last year’s 114th Penn r e c o r d - b r e a k i n g p e r f o r m- Penn Relays record of 3:34.75 Still Holmwood have enough Relays. a nce t o p la ce themselves they set in 2001. depth to pull them through as a s t h e f a v o u r i t e s g o i n g Holmwood were led to their their team will come from Keno i n t o t h i s y e a r ’ s P e n n record run by a brilliant anchor Heaven, Petra Fanty and Relays. leg by 14-year-old Chris-Ann Janieve Russell who were part Calabar vs St Jago in 4x400m Winners of four titles in this Gordon who clocked a sub-52 of the . A YEAR ago at the Penn Relays, a St Jago High quartet, running without surprised all by winning the 4x400 metres and after their win in the final event at Boys’ Championships, the Nickel Ashmeade-led team will be hoping to successfully defend their title. There are many who thought that St Jago were fortunate at Champs as Calabar’s anchor runner, Ramone McKenzie, looked like taking his team to victory before suffering cramps in the last 110 metres as his team faded to third behind winners St Jago and second- place finishers St Elizabeth Technical. Over the past two years, Ashmeade has got the better of McKenzie on his leg in the 4x400 metres and there are many who still think that it was the pressure that got to McKenzie once again. St Jago (3:12.44) just barely edged out the Nicholas Maitland-led St Elizabeth team who clocked 3:12.76 for second place, but come Penn Relays, the defending Penn Relay champion will be fully tested as Kingston College, who were the overwhelming favourites to win, fol- lowing their impressive season leading 3:09.38 at the Gibson Relays in February, had injury problems. Two of their best runners, Keiron Stewart and Akino Ming, were missing. – R.G

ANTHONY FOSTER Holmwood Technical High’s quartet (from left) Salcia Slack, Keno Heaven, Shantea McLean and Bobby Gaye-Wilkins pose with their commemorative watches after winning the Championship of America 4x800m for high school girls at the 114th Penn Relays at Franklin Field in Pennsylvania yesterday. Holmwood’s winning time was eight minutes 41.92 seconds. 22 APRIL 23 - 29, 2009 EXTRA NA www.GleanerExtra.com ExtraN.A. FEATURE High School Girls’ Track Preview PHILADELPHIA : S e r r a H . S . , G a r d e n a ) w i l l this year’s Penn Relays, to challenge Jamaicans Nikita b e h e l d A p r i l 2 3 - 2 5 a t A L I F O R N I A N Tracey, Shana-Gaye Tracey Franklin Field on the cam- T U R Q U O I S E and Juneille Barker in the p u s o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C T h o m p s o n ( J u n i p e r o girls’ 400-meter hurdles at P e n n s y l v a n i a i n

Nikita Tracey Shana-Gaye Tracey Philadelphia. N.J.), third a year ago, 60.60; Thompson, a senior, ran the Melissa Belin (Munson-Fair nation’s fastest time among Haven Regional, N.J.), 60.72, and American preps last season, Mari Giurastante (Binghamton, going 57.67 to win the Junior N.Y.), 61.76. Olympics in the summer. The leading competitor in the Thompson ran at the Relays sev- mile is Chelsey Sveinsson eral years ago, when she attend- (Greenhill School, Addison, ed Long Beach Poly H.S. An age- Texas), a sophomore who was group star, Thompson ran 41.96 third at the Relays a year ago as in the 300 hurdles as a sopho- a ninth-grader. Sveinsson, win- more in 2007 and 53.55 in the ner of the Texas Relays girls 400 as a 13-year-old eighth-grad- 1,600 earlier this month in er in 2005. 4:46.47, has a mile best of The intermediate hurdles are 4:43.51. one of three individual track events for high school girls at the CHALLENGERS Relays. The others are the mile Sveinsson’s leading challengers and the 3,000 meters. include New Yorkers Jackie Gamboli (North Rockland, FINISHED Thiells), 4:34.38 indoors in the Nikita Tracey, who attends Edwin 1,500 this winter; Sydney King Allen, has run 57.41 this year. Last (Saratoga Springs), 4:49.20 1,500 summer she was a finalist in the IH last year, and Charlene Lipsey in the World Juniors, where she fin- (Hempstead, L.I.), 4:55.81 this ished eighth. Shana-Gaye Tracey winter indoors. Lipsey was (Manchester) has run 60.67 this among the national leaders this year; she ran 57.74 two years ago at year indoors in the 600, 800, the World Youth championships. 1,000 and mile.This year’s Barker (Vere) has run 60.74. Millrose Games mile champion, The leading U.S. prep so far Jillian Smith, who was undefeat- this outdoor campaign is Kori ed indoors, is skipping the indi- Carter, a junior at Claremont, vidual mile in order to run the Calif. Carter ran 59.89 at the distance medley relay for her Pomona-Pitzer meet earlier this school, Southern Regional month. Carter ran 41.28 in the (Manahawkin, N.J.). 300s last spring and also has run One of those vanquished by 13.92 in the 100H this spring. Smith at Millrose, Emily Lipari Other leading competitors in (Roslyn, N.Y.), will run the 3,000 the IH include Robyn Oakley instead. Lipari, a junior, won the (Cardinal O’Hara, Pa.), last mile at the recent Nike Indoor year’s runner-up, who has run Nationals in the season’s fastest 61.43; Danielle McHolder (Free time. Lipari has run 9:50.21 for Academy, Newburgh, N.Y.), 3,000 this winter and 9:37 last 61.88; Doris Anyanwu (Eleanor year. Roosevelt, Md.), 59.75 in 2008; Sourced from Jack Pfeifer, The Julie Alexander (Hopewell Valley, Penn Relays’ Office APRIL 23 - 29, 2009 23 ExtraN.A. FEATURE www.GleanerExtra.com EXTRA NA PENN RELAYS PICTORIAL

ANTHONY FOSTER PHOTO Manchester High’s 4x800m quartet of Daren Lindsay, anchor leg runner Alwayne Green, Jermaine Morris and Ajai Robinson celebrate their victory at last year’s staging of the 114th Penn Relays at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. Manchester won the event in 7:43.22

The hugh crowd expected at this year’s 115th Penn Relays.

From Left: Althea Robinson, husband Earl Robinson & Newton “Archie” Richards will cheer on Jamaican-American Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards.

CONTRIBUTED The proud members of the victorious 4x800 Kingston College team hold aloft the Penn Relays shield at last year’s competition. 24 APRIL 23 - 29, 2009 EXTRA NA www.GleanerExtra.com ExtraN.A. REGIONAL NEWS Bermuda’s Premier critical of Britain’s suspension of TCI constitution HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC: PREMIER EWART Brown has branded the United Kingdom’s intervention in Turks and Caicos as “unusually harsh and heavy-handed”. Brown, who has just returned from attending the Summit of Americas in Trinidad, said the dissolution of the British Overseas Territory’s government by London was one of the subjects of dis- cussion at the summit in Trinidad. “The UK handling of the Turks and Caicos situation was unusually harsh and heavy-handed, drawing deep concern from countries throughout the region,” Brown said, as he thanked Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for ensuring that Bermuda had obtained a seat in the plenary sessions, despite not being a mem- ber of the Organisation of American States (OAS). DISSOLVE CABINET “Premier Brown met with representa- tives from Bahamas, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos to discuss concerns over the deepening crisis in Turks and Caicos,” a Bermuda government spokeswoman said on Sunday. The British government plans to dissolve the Cabinet and legislature of the following a corruption inquiry that found “clear signs of political amorality and immaturity”. Premier Michael Misick has since resigned and criticised London’s position Haiti’s President Rene Preval has his thumb marked with ink after casting his vote in Senate elections at a polling station in Port-au-Prince, Sunday, as modern day colonialism. April 19. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) Brown described the summit as “produc- tive and inspiring”. “This summit was nothing short of his- toric and outstanding. Just as President Obama inspired hope around the world, so nimity, “there was consensus on the mat- states and all multi-lateral agencies”. find a set of activities that allows food did the civil and cooperative atmosphere ter and the Prime Minister of Trinidad Caribbean Community (CARICOM) security so they can grow enough food for of the Fifth Summit of the Americas instil and Tobago as chairman of the conference Secretary General Edwin Carrington, told that village and then find a crop or an hope in the leaders and the people of the was authorised to sign the document on reporters that “the final document was, activity that is sustainable,” he said. region? There is a belief that we can behalf of all his colleagues and which I not only signed by the Prime Minister on The president said he hoped that all the achieve functional unity.” was happy to do”. behalf of all, it was adopted by all first forested lands under the indigenous peo- But Ramdin, speaking at a news confer- and then he was mandated to sign on the ple’s control could be included in the ence, said that the document signed by the basis of that adoption”. Copenhagen mechanism since this could host Prime Minister was a binding com- “It was a sign of unity rather than a generate approximately US $100 million mitment on all 34 OAS countries that sign of separation,” he added. annually to these communities. Senior OAS official attended the summit here. Citing the importance of forests, Jagdeo said for the first time real value has been pleased with outcome NEW CHAPTER attached to the forest because of its impact Ramdin said “a new chapter has started Guyana to adopt new in the fight against climate change. of the Summit in the Americas” following the summit and He said in many developing countries, that during the three-day event “you could strategies to deal with the forests were not considered very valu- PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC: feel that nobody complained anymore able and that small funds were being ASSISTANT SECRETARY General of the about a document (Declaration). deforestation made available to preserve areas of dense Organization of American States (OAS) “It was finding the right mechanism of bio-diversity and prevent deforestation. Albert Ramdin said Monday that a “new having that (Declaration) adopted, and the GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC: “The only way to stop deforestation is to chapter has started in the Americas” after best way we did that is by having the THE GUYANA government says it will address these situations and it is not describing the just concluded Fifth chairman sign on behalf of all the leaders. adopt new strategies in dealing with the going to happen if the United States or the Summit of the Americas a success. “When you sign on behalf of all the lead- inclusion of lands owned by indigenous peo- developed countries say that forests are The summit ended here on Sunday ers, it means that there is commitment, ple in the country’s deforestation project. valuable for climate change so the devel- without the hemispheric leaders signing otherwise that would not have happened,” President Bharrat Jagdeo said the gov- oping world have to stop cutting down the Declaration of Port of Spain that Ramdin said, adding it was “not a tradi- ernment has decided to allow the indige- their trees. would have provided a blueprint for the tion in OAS summits or Summit of the nous communities to decide whether or “It’s not going to work. You have to find future socio-economic development of the Americas process that Declarations are not they want their lands to be included in an incentive that will be greater for people Americas. signed”. the Guyana Avoided De-forestation (GAD) to keep the trees standing rather than cut- Prime Minister Patrick Manning told Ramdin said that it had occurred once model. ting them down,” Jagdeo said, adding that the closing ceremony the declaration itself before and that the “document remains an He said through this approach, the gov- it was the search for such an incentive did not have the approval of all 34 coun- important, valuable tool for us to follow up ernment plans to conduct a series of con- that led Guyana to creating its Avoided tries and that while there was not una- and it will be accepted by all member sultations in both the Amerindian commu- Deforestation model. nities and at the national level involving all elected leaders along with Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) such as the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA). GAD MODEL Jagdeo, addressing delegates attending the Guiana Shield Regional Meeting of Indigenous Leaders, said that he believes the GAD model could provide tremendous benefits to all indigenous communities since they could benefit from the income generated from forest preservation. He said that the income created from the sale of carbon services which emanate from forest preservation would go towards the development of communities that pre- serve their forest. A special Amerindian Development Fund separate would also be created to

CONTRIBUTED deal with all issues relating to the indige- ’s Prime Minister Patrick Manning signs the final declaration of the 5th Summit of the nous people. Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Sunday, April 19, 2009. Manning was the sole signatory. Jagdeo said that the funds would help The confab of 34 heads of government from within the hemisphere was overshadowed by Cuba, and Hugo transform the village economies. FILE Chavez, who grabbed centrestage with the unexpected presentation of a book to US President Barack “For each Amerindian village we have to Bharrat Jagdeo, President of Guyana.