FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 VOLUME 114, No.16 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50

Good SamaritanresignsPage 3

Vincy onNetflix

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Bequia watersupply

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Test kitsarrive

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Murder #9Page 24

THE EXCHANGE OF WORDSbetween Prime Ministers Dr.Keith Mitchell of Grenada and Dr.Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincentand the Grenadines, regardingborder control policies and thepotential impact on theirrespective socio-economicspaces, heightened over the lastweek or so.

On April 6, Dr. Mitchellregistered his fears saying,“We have to protect ourbrothers and sisters in

Dr. Keith Mitchell described hiscolleague Dr. Ralph Gonsalves asbeing grossly irresponsible.

Dr. Ralph Gonsalves thinkshis colleague Dr. KeithMitchell was misinformed.

Continued on Page 3.

NewsV 2. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

State mighthave erred??IN AN OTHERWISE wide-ranginginterview on Saturday 10th Aprilinvolving Dr. Jerrol Thompson, SpecialProjects Consultant for the SVGGovernment and Carlyle Douglas, hostduring the CTVIEW Saturday Show, Dr.Thompson expressed a view on thecontents of a story carried in THEVINCENTIAN of Friday 3rd April.

A recording of the Interview is

available on Douglas’s Youtube andFacebook Platforms.

The story reported on the mooringof a yacht in Jackson Bay, Layou, thepresence of a Coast Guard Unit, thedisembarkation of a couple (male andfemale) two persons, their traverse inLayou, their questioning by auniformed police officer, thesubsequent departure of the yacht.

At the heart of the issuewas the openness of ourborders and whether certainplaces in Layou had beencompromised, like the ATMat the BOSVG outlet, as waspurportedly used by thecouple from the yacht, andwhether the police officerwho spoke with the couplehad been tested for thecoronavirus.

Dr. Thompson, using allhis guile and skill, stoppedshort of admitting that theState might have erred bynot commandeering the

yacht, enforcing the 14-day

quarantine for alloccupants and eventesting them.

Notwithstanding Dr.Thompson’s response,there was still an air ofdoubt among listeners.Were we compromised?If the ‘yachties’ were ofChinese or AfricanAmerican descent,would the actions takenby our Police and CoastGuard be different? Arewe desperatelyprotecting our TourismIndustry even to ourown demise?

Another round ofattempts was made tocontact the Police PublicRelations Department,but all efforts were futileas at press time.

THE VINCENTIAN can now report,as per information from reliablesources, that the yacht concerned flewno flag of the country in which it was

registered nor a flag of the country inwhose waters it had anchored, thatbeing St. Vincent and the Grenadines.(CD) A Coast Guard Unit was seen circling the

yacht.

The yacht thatanchored inJackson Bay flew noflag of Registrationor Country of Berth.

Inset: The couplewho disembark theyacht seen inconversation with amember of theRoyal SVG PoliceForce.

Continued from FrontPage.

Carriacou and PetiteMartinique from what istaking place in theGrenadines at thisparticular time.”

According to an onlinenews source, on April 10,Prime MinisterGonsalves said, ‘I wantto say to the people ofCarriacou and PetiteMartinique that if youare having difficultiesgetting food, we can helpbecause we have a lot ofit in Union Island, andwe can get it to Union

Island. I want to tell ourbrothers and sisters thatif you want to getcooking gas, we can helpyou; but let us do it in astructured and organizedmanner.”

One day later, PMMitchell shot back ablunt declaration to hiscitizens, “It is alarmingthat our citizens will becalled upon to break thelaw by the leader ofanother country. It isgrossly irresponsible andhas the potential for notonly legal consequences,but also pose asignificant threat to

public health and publicsafety,” and he warnedthe citizens of Carriacouand Petite Martinique,“not be misguided intoflouting the law of theland….”

THE VINCENTIANNewspaper reached outto PM Gonsalves forclarity as to whatappears to be adeveloping rift betweenthe sister EasternCaribbean States.

He pointed to thetime-worn socio-economicintegration of theneighboring Grenadineterritories while

explaining that the helphe proffered could beaccomplished whetherthrough regularcommerce or via intra-governmentcollaboration. ““Doing thething in a structured wayis not anything that isnovel. It happens all thetime, and if they want toinclude the governmentalauthority, we have theDirector of GrenadineAffairs, Edwin Snagg,and he himself has abusiness down there.”

Constant movementbetween islands

Gonsalvesacknowledged hearing avoice note from a womanwho allegedly lives onPetite Martinique. One ofthe claims made thereinis the near impossibilityof enforcing the borderrestrictions on thenorthern tip of thatisland which the womandescribed as belonging toVincentian Grenadineterritory. PM Gonsalvesagreed that maintainingthe border closure wouldbe problematic at best,especially given the age-old cultural andeconomic ties bothterritories share.“Traditionally, nearlyhalf of the people whowork at PSV (Petite St.Vincent) and PalmIsland which are ourterritories, are fromPetite Martinique.

“Petite Martiniquepeople come to Unionregularly to get medicalattention. In fact, theycome there, andsometimes when theyneed more serioustreatment, they take theboat and come up to St.Vincent. Clearly, somepeople gave Keith (PrimeMinister Mitchell) wronginformation, so this iswhy I say I am notinterested in any villagedog fight which he hasinitiated. …… I doubt heheard my statement. If

you read the story inGrenada Today, theydocumented what I said,and then Keith now puta different spin on it — aspin which doesn’t relateto the facts at all.Because it spin in a waythat it completelydistorts, misrepresentswhat I said, in fact whathe said I said, I didn’tsay.

“I said, we come downfrom St. Vincent we go toUnion all the time, so wecan take the stuff; but ifthe people run out inUnion, we can send stuffdown. All of us have aninterest in the people inCarriacou and PetiteMartinique to get food,medicine, gas. I don’twant to break KeithMitchell regulations thathe has. I’m not that kindof person. Clearly,neither the quarantinenor the lockdown is aseffective as they shouldbe because fellas leavingby boat and coming andbuying things. But onceit is known that theycome there from theseplaces, the authoritiesknow, they’d have to bequarantined for 14 days,particularly when theytry to come ashore,” Dr.Gonsalves shared via anexclusive telephoneinterview.

jp.schwmon.vincy@gmail.com

V News 3THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020. 3.

Good Samaritanresigns

OWEN BAPTISTE, the man who puthimself at risk to rescue passengersfrom a mangled vehicle after it went overan embankment in Overland, Friday 3rdApril, is no longer employed in theSecurity Service at the ArgyleInternational Airport.

He posted on his Facebook page thisweek, “… it was not in his bestinterest to stay in a position where themalice continued all week long.”

He added in the posting, “Throughseveral discussion with my siblingsand family …. I thought how it willaffect me financially but to be in aplace (with someone) where everythingis about themself and not aboutindividuals who are under therecommand ….. my motto is, ‘ I willsurvive’.”

Baptiste had run afoul of his

superiors when he called during thetime he was involved in the ‘rescuemission’, to indicate that he would belate for his shift that day.

He was greeted with the terseresponse, “… if you don’t show up forduty tonight…don’t expect a job onMonday.”

Last week Wednesday, Baptisteattended a meeting with his superiors,following which he was givenclearance to return to work.

Problems with Security Head

In an interview with THEVINCENTIAN subsequent to hisFacebook posting, Baptiste said heresigned peacefully.

“The way forward for me is to beconfident in a multi discipline area

and help my community andcountry in whatever area thatneeds my skills,” said Baptiste.

“ I have bills yes, but I ratherbe at peace. Working under theHead of Security at the AIA isextremely harsh. He don’t likelistening to people … once hewants something to be done andhe can’t get it done, he will spiteyou to the end,” said Baptiste.

He further espoused that “hissuperior would call workers offtheir point of duty for his personpurpose (not work related) . If youdare tell him it is not your duty hegets personal.”

Baptiste said that there are manygrievances that officers working in thesecurity department have against theHead, but complaints are never

seriously entertained.He subscribed to the view that

everyone must be given a fair chancein order for an organization to workeffective and in closing said, “ I amsure I did well saving lives but whathappened at work after was justspiteful and I rather be at peace.” (KH)

Owen Baptiste will no longer donthe uniform of a Security Officerat the Argyle International Airport.

Gonsalves responds to Mitchell’s position

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

THOUGH it is virtuallyimpossible to practisesocial distancing in theovercrowded situation atboth prisons, measureshave been put in place toprevent the coronavirus(COVID-19) from enteringthose institutions.

And while there willbe challenges, the prisonauthorities areencouraged by the levelof co-operation they have

been receiving from thestaff and inmates.

That’s according toJulian Clarke, AssistantSuperintendent ofPrisons - Second-in-Command - whoproceeded to outline aseries of precautionarysteps taken by the prisonauthorities, incollaboration with theMinistry of Health.

Clarke told THEVINCENTIAN onWednesday that hand-washing and sanitising

stations have been set upat the Belle IsleCorrectional Facility andHer Majesty’s Prison inKingstown, and prisonofficers and visitors haveto be screened beforeentering the facilities.

The screening includesthe checking of theirtemperatures by medicalpersonnel, andanswering a few health-related questions.

Isolation cells are setaside for new admissions.They will remain inthose cells for 21 daysbefore being allowed tointeract with the prisonpopulation.

Quarantine areas havealso been designated.

All work outside of theprisons and involvinginmates has beensuspended, as well as

church services at bothprisons.

ASP Clarke explainedthat, while all in-personvisits have beensuspended, prisoners canstill interact with theirrelatives through Zoomand WhatsApp in asupervised manner.

He pointed out thatthe administrative spaceallowed for officers hasbeen reorganized so as tolimit the number ofofficers operating at anyone time, and masks andgloves have been issuedto frontline officers.

Transportation isprovided for staff to andfrom work in order toavoid them having to usepublic transportation.

“We are encouragingthe staff to practisesocial distancing, as well

as the hygiene and coughprotocols.

“Social distancingcannot be practisedamong the inmatesbecause we are alreadyovercrowded, so it isimperative that we takethe necessary measuresto mitigate against thevirus entering theprisons,” Clarke said.

And as far asequipping staff isconcerned, Clarkepointed out that theMinistry of Health hasdone lectures with thestaff at both prisons.The prison authorities, inturn, have sensitisedinmates on the safetyguidelines and protocols.

As of April 8, 2020,the overall prisonpopulation stood at 486.

CourtV 4. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

FORTY-four-year-oldTroumaca residentRandolf Sutherland hasuntil October 15 to pay$3,330, for possession of2,512 grams of marijuanawith intent to supply.

In default, he would goto prison for six months.

In handing down thepenalty at the SeriousOffences Court onWednesday, ChiefMagistrate RechanneBrowne outlined anumber of mitigatingfactors that went toSutherland’s credit, butsaid she did not find anyfactor that would makethe offence thataggravating.

Browne noted thatSutherland had noprevious convictions,cooperated with thepolice, showed remorseand had two dependentchildren, ages 8 and 13.She also noted that thesubstance Sutherlandhad in his possession wasplant based, and not amanufactured powder.

She highlighted hisguilty plea which wasentered at the firstavailable opportunity,earning him a one thirdreduction in sentence.

Sutherland wasarrested at Trois LoupsBay on the NorthLeeward coast during ajoint operation by thelocal Coast Guard andRapid Response Unit(RRU), around 4:45 p.m.on April 14.

The facts revealed thatCorporal Douglas Caesar,who was among theparty of RRU officers,headed by InspectorNolan Dalaway, spottedSutherland on the beach.

On noticing the police, hebegan to walk on theopposite side of a bag,knapsack and waterboots. This arousedCaesar’s suspicion and heinstructed the officers onthe Coast Guard vesselto bring the vessel closerto shore.

Caesar toldSutherland of hisobservation, and inquiredof him as to whom theknapsack belonged.

Sutherland said it washis, and Caesarrequested a search towhich the defendantconsented.

Nothing illegal wasfound on his person or inthe knapsack, but abrown taped packageseen next to theknapsack was cut openrevealing the marijuana.

When cautioned,Sutherland replied,“Officer, is my weed”.

Sutherland, along withthe marijuana, weretaken to the CriminalInvestigationDepartment (CID) wherethe drug was weighed,and the charged was laid.

Sutherland, who wasunrepresented, told theCourt on Wednesday,that he was a farmer, butwas not farmingcurrently. He begged forleniency, stating that hehad rent and medicalexpenses, and was thefather of three children,ages — 8, 13 and 20.

When the Magistrateasked whether he playedan important part intheir lives, especially thetwo younger ones, hereplied, “Every day.”

THE Police Traffic Department, even as it appealsto motorists to drive with due care and attention,has issued a stern warning that reckless drivingwill not be tolerated.

The warning came through the Head of theDepartment, Superintendent Kenneth John,during a conversation with THE VINCENTIAN onWednesday, after three motorists were chargedwith reckless driving.

The charges came following the TrafficDepartment’s response to a video making therounds on social media this week.

Police carried out investigations, and summonswere served on Javon Jardine of Mt. Pleasant, T.J.Deane of Prospect and J-lani Douglas of Prospect,to appear in Court today (Friday) to answer thecharge.

It was reported that Jardine, the driver ofPV918, Dean - PK471 and Douglas - P4621, drovetheir vehicles in a seemingly reckless manner fromArnos Vale to Sion Hill and back to Arnos Vale,between 7 and 7:30 p.m. last Saturday.

AssistantSuperintendent ofPrisons Julian Clarke ispleased with thecooperation he hasbeen receiving fromstaff and inmates.

Prisons act to prevent COVID-19

Six months to pay ganja fine

Zero tolerance forreckless driving

by NELSON A. KINGnaking@verizon.netUS CORRESPONDENT

THE VINCENTIAN calypsofraternity in St. Vincent andthe Grenadines and inBrooklyn, New York, ismourning the death ofveteran calypsonian Vincent‘Groovy D’ Kennedy, whowent to the Great Beyondlast week Wednesdaymorning.

Kennedy was “warded”at the Kingsbrook JewishMedical Center in EastFlatbush, Brooklyn “aftersuffering a stroke sometime ago and wasundergoing physicaltherapy up to the time ofhis death at the age of 63years.

“It is with deep sadnessthat we, the members ofthe Dynamites CalypsoTent of New York informyou of the passing thismorning, April 8, 2020, ofour brother in culture andco-founder of ourorganization,” Carlos‘Rejector’ Providence, co-founder with Kennedy andnow President of theDynamites Calypso Tent,told THE VINCENTIANlast week Wednesdayevening.

“We would forevercherish the manywonderful memories we

shared throughout his life,more so, our visit withhim last Christmas, andon Jan. 11, 2020, hisbirthday,” Providenceadded. “To his pleasantsurprise, we turned up atthe hospital and held awonderful birthday partyfor him.

“This, clearly, was oneof his happiest momentsin recent time,” hecontinued. “He would besadly missed. Themembers of the Dynamitesextend sincere condolenceto his wife, family andfriends.”

Providence saidKennedy’s first “big year”in the calypso arena wasin 1976, when he sang‘Frustration’, which tookhim to the calypsomonarch finals” in theNational CalypsoCompetition in St. Vincentand the Grenadines. Hecarried the sobriquet‘Dread Condition’ at thattime.

Soon after, Providencesaid, Kennedy migrated tothe US and served in theArmed Forces.

From 2001 to 2006,Providence said he andKennedy competed inCaribbean calypso showsin Washington, D.C.;Baltimore, Maryland; andMiami, Florida.

“I remember himplacing third twice inWashington, D.C. andonce in Baltimore,”Providence said.

“In the year 2001, weboth founded theDynamites Calypso Tent,and he made it to thenational (calypso) semi-finals on three occasions,”he added.

Earl ‘Caba’ Bennett,President of the St.Vincent and theGrenadines CalypsoniansAssociation, said Kennedywas “another iconic”Vincentian calypsonian,who started his career inthe 70’s and, in 1976.

“His contribution to thedevelopment andpromotion of calypso bothin SVG (St. Vincent andthe Grenadines) and theDiaspora, is welldocumented, and we of theSVGCA (St. Vincent andthe Grenadines CalypsoAssociation) salute him forhis efforts,” Bennettadded. “We were thericher for having him inour lives and the poorerfor his passing.

“On behalf of theSVGCA, I wish to extenddeepest condolences to hisfamily, friends, theDynamites SVG CalypsoTent and the rest of theCalypso Fraternity.”

Sherrill-Ann Mason-Haywood, President of theBrooklyn-based St.Vincent and theGrenadines DiasporaCommittee of New York,Inc., which worked closelywith the DynamitesCalypso Tent, saidKennedy was “a hard-hitting calypsonian, whowas a gifted lyricist.

“He also demonstrateda resilient spirit and, inspite of his healthchallenges, continued tomake his contribution tothe artform through theDynamites Calypso Tentin NY,” she added. “Wewill continue to rememberyour contributions GroovyD in the midst of thesedread conditions.”

Tammy Kirby — anothermember of the St. Vincentand the Grenadines

Diaspora Committee ofNew York, Inc., who hailsfrom Rose Place, in lowerKingstown, the Vincentiancapital, where Kennedy

lived beforemigrating toNew York —said Kennedy“lived his life tothe fullestbefore he gotill.”

VincentianArthur Bobbsaid Kennedy

was “one of the consciousand fearlesscalypsonians/poets whoemerged out of the 70s

with people like BlackMessenger, I-Reality, ManAge, etc.

“He loved his countryand people, and we lovedhim back,” Bobb said.“Deepest condolences tohis family! Blessings!”

Goovy D’s wife Marytold THE VINCENTIANthat she will hold amemorial service in herhusband’s honour, whenthe COVID_19 pandemicsubsides.

DiasporaV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020. 5.

Calypsonianfraternitymourns ÂGroovyDÊsÊ passing

Members of the Dynamites Calypso Tent andbrother Randolph Kennedy (foreground sitting)visited with ‘Groovy D’ while he was hospitalised,to celebrate Christmas 2019.

Right:VincentKennedymade hiscalypsodebutwhen stilla veryyoungman.

Left: As he showed signs of recoveryfrom his first stroke, “Groovy D’ took tothe stage to do what he loved doing –singing calypso.

ONCE AGAIN we have to resort to theVan just to take our minds off the crisis weare currently facing with this Coronavirus,even if it is just for a little while.

To hold my fans together, I have decidedto split my public output in two parts: someold gems from 1984 to 2000.

Tactfully, our first two presentationsfollowing the new format relate to thesimple, innocent and non-party topic of“The Vans”, featuring their captivatingnames that in turn captivated all of us.

Follow this new trend and experience awelcome happening that is sure to explodeon us, sooner rather than later. Enjoy

(From 14th December, 1984)

“You asked for it”

Nearly a year ago, this column receivedhigh ratings for a piece on the vans.

“Making a choice amount of the vans is areal tricky business these days. Forstarters there is “Maxi Taxi” or “Micro Bus”which amounts to the same thing.However, with “Knowledge” and “Integrity”I will point you out “The Way” and you may“Have a Go” or “Put um Yah”.

So, “Are you Ready”? “Vamos Amigos”.Let us take it in “Stages”. If you like“Colours” you can take “Yellow Man” or“Ivory” or “Misty Blues”.

But if you travel according to the“Seasons”, the following are open to you: inmid-year, “Summer Star” or “Sun-Splash”,“Goodwill” and “Singing Noel” during theChristmas season; and “Prosperity” for thenew year. You may, of course, prefer to ride“Hopey” or “Good-Hope” all year round. Theearly risers will go for “Morning Star”,returning home by “Sunset”. Late limerswill settle for “Moon-Rakers”.

Boys and Girls

I can’t understand how there could be a“Man-Shortage” among the vans. There are“Joe-Jo”, “Monte”, Nappie”, “Terry-O”,“Eddie”, “Nick”, “Lloyd D”, and a host ofothers. I suspect those who feel the need toassert their manhood, like “Man Ramo”,“Man Dick”, “Man Ashby” and “Man Snow”.Perhaps they want to mark themselves offfrom the man who has the vanity to carrythe name “Cutie Himself”.

Girls give a smoother ride “Softly” with“Serenity”, like the “Breeze”. They are so

quite“Polite”,so don’t “Think Twice” before jumping on“Paula Ann”, “Vanessa S”, “Janeel”, “Jem”,“Roxann”, “Jasmin”, “Jean-Ann”, “Solita”,“Ashra R”, “Suzette G”, “Jennifer S”, SuziW” and especially the French chick “LaFrancella”. Speaking of myself, “I Like It”!But don’t push your “Luck” too much andtrifle with “Yankee Girl” or “CheekyCheryl”. You might end up with more than“Heart Ache”. You would be sorry that youdid not pull out in “Exodus”. If you areconfused, play it safe and keep it in thefamily. Stick to the “Brother B’s, “BrotherG”, “Uncle D”, “Bruds” of the only female“Sister G”.

Love and Music

There is also accommodation forthose with a religious bent. Let “GospelBell” toll its message or listen to “Voices”from “Preacher” and accept “Guidance” to“God is my Refuge”, “He Leadeth Me”, “HeLiveth” and “Behold He Cometh”. “GraciasA Dios”, “Jehovah Jirah”.

Country folk have a wide choice- “FancyQueen”, “Country Queen” or “CountryKing” if they edge up and want to mix with“Royalty”. The lowly farmer on the otherhand, might depend on “Banana”. The good“Explorer” will venture on “MesopotamiaJoy”, “Mesopotamia Gem”, or follow thevarious stars- “Valley Star”, “Shining Star”.Up- tight town folk wanting to tour in stylewill consider it a “Travellers Delight” tocommute by “High-Way-Special” or “TheChateau”.

If you are a lover boy, you will beattracted by “Venus” which in cantlanguage is not the same person as“Goddess of Love”, “Heart to Heart”, if a“Fall Guy” wondering “Who to Blame” thenconsult “Mystic Man” and gaze into the”Crystal Ball”. There you may come up with“Sweet Love”, “Peace and Love”, “EbonyLove”- “Endless Love”. After that, you canafford to live on “Memories”.

Should you be in “Mellow Moode”,however you may want to take “SweetMusic” then “Sweeter Music” and “MoreMusic”, finally drifting off into “SweetDreams”, especially if you happen to be onthe “Night Beat”. But if by chance themelody drives you to dance, try the“Charlie Tango”. (Continued next week)

6. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

ViewsV

Editorial

Managing Editor: Desiree Richards

Editor: Cyprian Neehall

Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129

Website: www.thevincentian.com

Email: vinpub@thevincentian.com

Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd.,

P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Let’s not forgethumility The vans againTHE RECENT EASTER WEEKEND was a humbling experience. Yes,humbling in the sense that it was so ‘deafeningly’ quiet it almost forcedyou into reflecting on things that you otherwise would have simply putaside.

And yes, out of the humbling experience arose the wholequestion of humility; and what better time than the test imposed bythat coronavirus than to speak of humility, i.e. ‘the quality ofhaving a modest or low view of one’s importance’.

True humility is a rare gem even amongst strong Christianbelievers; yet it is highly valued by God. And yes, there is noescaping the presence of God or whatever religious tenets to whichyou might adhere, in any discussion on humility.

Wasn’t it the Christ who described himself thus: “I am meek andlowly in heart,”?

But humility is not the exclusive holding of the believers,Christian or otherwise. It is an essential requirement of allleaders. A humble mind will enable a leader to value his fellowelders and followers, and to respect and appreciate those who are ofdifferent mind but share the same goal.

Humility will give unto the leader the critically needed “others-mentality” especially when dealing with those who oppose him/her.A leader emboldened by humility will realize that he is not leadingfor his own aggrandizement but for the good of the all — of all thesheep so to speak. That the future is not his will be done, in hiswords and in the manner in which he prescribes.

But just as the leader needs to be humble, the people need to behumble. In our politics, it is not far-fetched to believe that humilitywould defy all expectations. That alone could make an impact. Evenmore, if we could combine humility with moral clarity, it just mightchange the course of current events and the political culture in thelong run.

Moral clarity, in this case, would mean holding our leaders to ahigh standard of ethics and integrity. But are we too ironclad in theconfines of our worship that we fail to demand this of our leaderseven if they are abusive of their authority?

It is that misleading sense of loyalty, seemingly ironclad, thathas underlying weakness.

How many are there who publicly support a position, a leader,but admit in private that they find the position or the leader’sbehavior appalling? Yes, these loyalists remain silent fearing thatto be openly critical might cost them their jobs.

If public opinion were honest, the political climate in Kingstownwould change - the results of humility would be less immediatelydramatic but no less important in the long run.

Yes, in a political culture that rewards rudeness and swagger,humility might look like a loser’s posture. But that is exactly whywe need to model it: to turn it into a winner and a requirement foraccording political success – and to prove that decency, integrityand civility still matter.

We must resist the temptation to compromise our beliefs or lowerour ethical standards because we want our political side to win.

Humility should not stop anyone from expressing opinions aboutpublic figures or political issues. Humility is not a sign of weaknessbut a mark of peaceful strength. It asserts that truth-telling andempathy ought to defeat lying and bullying.

Such confidence might prove wrong in any given election. Buteventually, we hope, it will be rewarded. The question is, can weafford to wait?

TWO THINGS get me realvex over this EasterWeekend. I mean, Easteris not a time you should begetting vex, but the goodLord will forgive me.

The first thing is thisthing about our PrimeMinister inviting thepeople from Carriacouand Petit Martinique topop over to Union Islandif they need to do someshopping for things likecooking gas, etc. Notethat he issued theinvitation directly to thepeople of Carriacou andPetit Martinique.

Now this invitationwas made, if what I readis correct, in the face of

the Grenadian PrimeMinister and hisgovernment putting thecountry on lockdown andeven introducing acurfew.

How in God’s namecould our PM be so bold,be so bumptious as toissue this invitation?How could he issue theinvitation directly to thepeople and not to theGovernment? The mandoesn’t have respect for afellow OECS/CARICOMPrime Minister or what?The man doesn’t haveany regard for the lawsof a sovereign nation orwhat? Now, all of thatdoes get me vex and

make me feel shame.Come on, Mr. PM,apologise for thisblunder.

The other thing isabout our country’seconomic growth rate in2019. The ECCB saidthat we had a growthrate of 0.03% in 2019.Don’t think I ever heardthat from any PrimeMinister or Minister ofFinance here.

Now, the PrimeMinister is blaming civilservants for notproviding the correctinformation to theECCB, so that they couldhave made the correctcalculation. This sounds

so much like the sameold game being playedagain. Not me, is he!!!!

Now, I don’t careabout who sent what, itis the responsibility ofthe Minister of Financeto ensure that the correctinformation is sent. Is itthat he just didn’t fulfilhis, or that he just didn’tunderstand whatinformation should havebeen sent?

Regardless, thecountry, according to thisfigure, ain’t doing well,and in an election year,it wouldn’t be good newsto have this figure beingbandied about the place.

To blame others foryour mistake is a no, no,and that is what get mereal vex. Stop blamingothers for your mistakes.WE have had enough ofthat!

Charles - Edinboro

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020. 7.

LettersVI real VEX!!!!

THERE IS no doubt that much is in place to dealwith the COVID-19 in this country. However, wemust not fool ourselves into believing that wehave done all we could to wage a successful battleagainst this disease. For, as far as I see it, with12 cases as I write this, this could be just thebeginning of an upsurge, though I do not wish itupon us or anyone else.

In the immediate, we need to ensure supportfor our nurses, doctors and all the personsinvolved directly in delivering health care, thepersons other countries refer to as the ‘frontlineworkers’. But we must not forget other ‘frontlineworkers’ like those at ports of entry, hospitals andin security. All of these dedicated persons needprotective equipment and transportation to carryout their duties effectively.

Then there is the question of setting a goodexample. The Parliamentary Opposition has saidthat we are all in this together. Maybe thosemembers and the members of the government sidecan, like other leaders and parliamentarianselsewhere, have themselves tested for thecoronavirus, and practise what they preach likesocial distancing, etc.

And while the above will be a show oftransparency, there is no doubt that ourParliament has to be of one mind and jointogether in the national fight. It is a pity, as Iunderstand it, that the opposition, apart for somedebate in the House of Assembly, has not beenpart of the national effort from the outset. If thetwo major political parties had been workingtogether from the start, there would have been nobetter example for the rest of the country tofollow.

Both parties, as I see it, are guilty ofpoliticising the whole coronavirus affair. Theymust desist from this practice.

But above all, if it is that we cannot disciplineourselves to conform to the temporary regulationsthat are in place to help fight this COVID-19,then I support the call to shut down the countryand introduce regulations that will force (a pity)people to practise good habits.

This is just my two cents on the COVID-19period, Mr. Editor.

RetireeArnos vale

We can do more

BEFORE I listen to anything else thatemanates from the mouth of PatelMatthews, the representative fromNorth Leeward, regarding thecannabis debate, he has to explain tome the following ten things:

Why were so many young menjailed for cannabis during the NDPadministration?

Why was bail denied to thosearrested for cannabis and not rape,robbery, and assault?

Why was the penalty for onecannabis seed, a thousand dollars?

Why were those convicted ofcannabis expected to pay forthwith,unlike other convicts who were giventime to pay?

Why did they have to cut off yournatty before the case was even heard?

Why were hundreds of thousands of

trees destroyed every year?Why were foreign helicopters used

to destroy cannabis farms?Why were dozens of Vincentians

left unrepresented in GlendairyPrison, Barbados?

Why were there so many Policeraids on peace-loving cannabis users?

Why did Parnel Campbell introducemore draconian cannabis laws in1990?

Your party destroyed the lives ofhundreds of young people and leftmany grieving parents in its wake. Itis time for you to answer up or shutup.

Voltaire

Questions for Patel

ECTAD is incontinuous dialogue anddiscussions with our key smallfarmer leaders and coordinatorsabout how COVID19 isaffecting their incomes andfuture plans. As a result, wehave drafted an action planwhich we will continuouslyupdate as necessary.

With the average age of ourfarmers being 60+, we have toensure safety and protection asfirst priority. In the short tomedium plan, we aremobilising resources fromfriends, donors, governmentand traditional private sectorsto support: safety andprotective gears for farmers, i.e.masks, gloves, and sanitaryequipment facilities; supplies ofplanting materials, seedsfertilizers, organic manure,tools and equipment, marketingequipment and materials.

Because most of ECTADgroups are coordinating theirown marketing, we are also

looking at a ‘marketing bufferfund’ to help with payments tofarmers within a few days ofselling products, especially forthose who have to wait severalweeks for money from theoverseas markets.

We are also lobbying ourgovernments to provide safetynets for our most vulnerablesmall farm families.

In the medium to long term,we seek to support andstrengthen implementation ofour key projects; strengthenclimate-smart production andmarketing of healthy nutritiousfoods for local, regional andoverseas markets by smallfarmers/small farm families

We will continue toencourage the generalpopulation, and particularly theyoung people who are now athome, to get involved inbackyard production of healthyfruits and vegetables. We aimto organise the distribution ofseeds, seedlings, planting

materials, organic manure, andcrop production guides to aid inthis regard.

If all goes according to plan,in the next few weeks or so, ourECTAD small farmer, adheringto COVID-19 safety measures,would go to resume regionaland overseas shipments.

In the time of crises, non-partisan NGO’s, civilsociety groups andorganisations are well placed toprovide leadership for people-centred rebuilding andreconstruction. ECTAD groupsare already playing their part.

Amidst the chaos brought onby COVID19, ECTAD sees anopportunity to shape andfashion people-centred healthfocus sustainable agriculture,with emphasis on food andnutrition security systems forour countries, the regions andthe world.

Jethro Greene Chief Coordinator

ECTAD playing its part THE LORD rules in theaffairs of men. Thisstatement reminds us ofwhat is taking place in ourworld today.

I know that there aredifferent concepts of who Heis and whether He is incharge of the affairs of men.Regardless of the views wehold, it is clear that the LordGod rules in the affairs ofmen.

In 2013, floods took livesand Christmas wasdisrupted. The Lord Godshowed that He was incharge; the flood was beyondthe control of men. The Lordspoke, but we continued onour merry way withoutrecognizing that He was/is incharge.

Now we are facing a veryserious and deadly COVID-19 pandemic wherethousands have died acrossthe globe. No nation isspared.

Once again a Christiantradition, Easter, is affected.The pandemic has dampenedthe Easter celebration, so

much so that hardly anyoneis thinking about the EasterCelebration. In most cases,churches are closed andthere are no services. In1979, on Good Friday, LaSoufriere erupted, disruptingthe Easter Celebration.

This pandemic, like the2013 December flood, is buta reminder that the LordGod rules in the affairs ofmen. This virus has beenallowed by God, and in Hisown time, He will bring it toan end. The solution andcure are not in the hands ofpoliticians, health workersor any man, but the LordGod. So while we plan andprepare, God has the finalsay. He is indeed the onewho rules in the affairs ofmen.

We pray that this nationwill turn to God and let Godbe God. More importantly,may we be led intorecognizing that the Lordrules in the affairs of men.May God bless SVG.

Kennard King

God and only God rules

Introduction

IT’S BEEN one month since St. Vincentand the Grenadines recorded its firstCovid-19 case, on March 11th, 2020.That person, an imported case, has sincerecovered, and in fact has posted anarticle about the quarantine/isolationexperience, which makes good reading.

The Covid-19 pandemic hasengulfed the world, and given theinterconnectedness of transportation,economic activities, trade and globalcommunications, every country on thisearth, including those in theCaribbean, will be touched in someway. We all follow the American mediaon cable, so we can see the explosion ofCovid-19 cases all over the world, andwe see the struggles of foreigngovernments and their healthagencies, at this time.

In St.Vincent and the Grenadines,as of April 13th 2020, we haverecorded twelve cases among theeighty-seven tests conducted by ourhard-working health officials. Thereare about 164 persons who are still inquarantine, down from 465 earlier inthe month. There are no Covid-19related deaths in the State, and nohealth worker, be it a doctor, a nurse,or a nursing assistant, has beenaffected by the Covid-19 virus. This istruly remarkable as compared with therest of Caricom, and it says somethingpositive about the way the ULPadministration has approached thiscrisis.

The Government’s approach

The ULP administration has notbeen complacent in the way itapproached the Covid-19 pandemic.The government has followed thescience, acting prudently on the adviceprovided by the health professionals inthe Ministry of Health and Wellness.

All this is anchored in the adviceoffered by the World HealthOrganisation, the Pan AmericanHealth Organisation, and theCaribbean Public Health Agency.Additionally, the ULP administrationhas been able to distil from theexperiences of other countries, so as toshape appropriate responses to ourlocal situation.

On March 25th 2020, in his addressto the nation, Prime Minister Dr.Ralph Gonsalves said “The central factis that Covid-19 is a serious disease tobe addressed seriously andscientifically, not complacently but alsonot hysterically”. This is very astute.We have to manage the risks in acautious but sensible way, avoidingover-reaction and under-reaction. TheULP administration understands thatthe real threat of Covid-19, hasresulted in a huge challenge to allcountries, challenges that will affect usin a number of ways.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalveshas outlined four dimensions to thiscrisis, which crisscross each other tosome extent. To begin with, there isthe health dimension, and the Ministryof Health has already adopted aprofessional approach in this manner,including the quarantine and isolationof persons from known countries.There is enhanced surveillance at portsof entry which are open, and relevantlaws have been amended to supportthis process.

The Ministry of Health has alsoissued several advisories aimed atmanaging and containing Covid-19 in

the State. These relate to the practiceof good and safe hygiene, physicaldistancing, and serious personalresponsibility. The government hasalso responded by providing moreassets for the fight against Covid-19,including the construction of anisolation centre, and the identificationof quarantine facilities.

Another dimension of this crisisrelates to the economic stimulus thathas to be applied, in light of the factthat the local economy will beundermined. The travel and tourismsector will be hard hit, due to the factthat airlines are not flying and cruiseships are not sailing. The trade ingoods and services is experiencing ahuge down turn and remittances aredwindling.

The ULP administration hasdesigned and obtained parliamentaryapproval for an economic stimuluspackage, in excess of EC $70 milliondollars. This package will containtargeted measures to support thedisadvantaged persons, and those of uswho will face temporary difficultiesdue to the presence of Covid-19. Anumber of state agencies including theNational Insurance Services, theCWSA, VINLEC, and the Bank ofSt.Vincent and the Grenadines areexpected to contribute to thisdimension. Details in relation to thisstimulus have been providedelsewhere.

The final dimensions relate to thehealth and learning of our children,and the security of our citizens. This isa challenging time for our children,especially those who are preparing forthe various examinations this year. Acertain amount of e-learning will bedone in relation to CPEA and CXCexaminations, but the Ministry ofEducation may have to make someadjustments.

The ULP administration is verymuch alive to the fact that a tinyminority of our citizens might use thisopportunity to undermine thepeacefulness of our lives and living.This will not be tolerated, and thegovernment is prepared to implementtried and tested modes of policing, tocope with any eventuality.

Conclusion

There are those among us,especially supporters and members ofthe opposition New Democratic Party,who see the Covid-19 pandemic, as“Christmas coming early”, believingthat this is the time to obtain politicalcapital for the 2020 General Elections.Nothing could be further from thetruth, and Dr. Friday and theleadership of the NDP, will soonrealize that there is no capital, politicalor otherwise, to be gained from thiscrisis.

Again, to quote Dr. RalphGonsalves, “Throughout this difficult,testing and complex time of Covid-19, Ihave sought to remain calm, resolute,and focused, in providing leadershipwithout succumbing to panic, hysteriaand futile histrionics”.

Covid-19 will bring out the best inour Vincentian people, and we will risestronger than ever from the feverishashes of this crisis.

DR. GODWIN FRIDAY, President ofthe New Democratic Party and Leaderof the Opposition, is providingdecisive and inspiring leadershipduring this COVID-19 crisis in St.Vincent and the Grenadines. He hasarticulated a clear vision and isconsistent with the measures that hehas put forward to be implemented, toreduce the spread of COVID-19.

In his letter to Prime Minister, Dr.Gonsalves, on 21st March, Dr. Fridayoutlined a number of measures thatthe government should have adopted.These include:

* Stricter social distancing controlsand guidelines must be advocatedpublicly and enforced as best we can.All public gatherings should bediscouraged and reduced to only whatare necessary to maintain essentialpublic services and promote publichealth.

* Ensure that water is available toall people throughout SVG so thatthey can comply with therecommended personal hygienepractices

* Urgently enable testing for thecorona virus in SVG and beginwidespread testing. Priority should begiven to those who come into contactwith persons who have tested positivefor the corona virus or are suspectedof being infected with it. Waiting forsymptoms to show before testing is arisky approach that may create moreharm.

* Explain to the nation what toexpect in a worst-case scenario of thespread of the corona virus in SVG andhow government services (especiallyhealth services), businesses, transportservices and individuals are expectedto respond. The participation ofseasoned medical, public health andother personnel with related expertisedrawn from both civil society and thegovernment service should be enlistedin this effort.

Further, Dr. Friday addressed thenation on the 1st April and while headvocated that the borders be closedfor a short period, he made it clearthat our nationals should be allowedto return home. He said, “Clearly, weare not out of the woods yet– not by along shot. This means we must do allwe can to protect our people. Thisrequires closing our borders for awhile by suspending all arrivals atour airports and seaports, exceptessential travellers (includingnationals) and commerce. We wouldthen review the decision as conditionschange. Taking this action now willgive us the best chance of avoidingmore cases of COVID-19 in SVG, andof reducing the risk of an outbreakthat may overburden our fragilehealthcare system.”

It would appear that thegovernment does not have aconclusive and effective plan tomanage COVID-19. It has adopted acavalier approach, and continues tosend mixed messages to Vincentians.When we look at the measures theother Caricom countries haveimplemented, we continue to ask,what is wrong in St. Vincent and theGrenadines? This approach isdangerous and can lure Vincentiansinto a false sense of security.

The Grenadines

The islands of the Grenadines arefaced with special developmental andnation-building challenges. Despitethese challenges, the Grenadines, as a

vital part of our country, play animportant role in our economicdevelopment, particularly in thetourism industry. We must ensurethat government services, social andhealth care services, and employmentand educational opportunities areequally available to people living inthe Grenadines. We must developrapidly the economic potential of theGrenadines to promote economicgrowth and employment opportunitiesfor all.

The people of the Grenadines havelong suffered with the issue of aquality, reliable and safe watersupply. During the years, the peopleof these islands have been forced touse pond, well, sand hole and othermeans of (water) supply to do basicchores. We are in the heart of the dryseason, and the Grenadine islands areexperiencing severe drought. There issevere water shortage on the islands,and at this time when St. Vincent andthe Grenadines is faced with thechallenge of COVID -19 and we haveto use more water, it makes thesituation direr. The governmentpromised the people of the Grenadinesthat they would have deliveredpotable water to them, but they havefailed to do so.

In February of 2009, theHonourable Terrance Ollivierre,Parliamentary Representative for theSouthern Grenadines, asked of theformer Minister of Health and theEnvironment, Dr. Douglas Slater, thefollowing questions in parliament:What is the result of the studyconducted by the Central Water andSewerage Authority (CWSA) to assessthe water situation in theGrenadines?

The Minister replied, “Mr. Speaker,Honourable Members, quite anambitious expectation to supplyadequate amount of water at all timeto the citizens of the Grenadines, butit is one that we aspire to do. TheNational Water ResourceManagement consultants who havebeen commissioned to do a study ofthe Grenadines water supply, havereported that work on the design ofwater distribution system layouts forBequia, Union Island and Canouan isnow completed. These designs havenow been passed on to theireconomists for inclusion in the draftversion of the feasibility studies,which will form part of the draft finalreport, which, owing to an extensionof the project, will now be issued late2009. Once the feasibility and theaffordability are established andaccepted, the CWSA and theGovernment of St. Vincent and theGrenadines will move swiftly toensure an adequate water supply forresidents of the Grenadines.” Thepeople of the Grenadines are stillwaiting.

The New Democratic Party isaware of the plight of the people ofthe Grenadines, and will doeverything possible to improve theirlives and ease their pain. To achievethis, we will develop and promotewater security. The CWSA will beengaged to play a leading role insupplying a safe and reliable supply ofwater to the people in the Grenadines.The NDP will make SVG work for allVincentians.

8. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

ViewsVEffective leadership in time of crisisThe fight against Covid-19

“Science labels the stuff H2O. It’s socommon we hardly pay attention to it -until it loses its balance: raging floods,searing drought, stifling humidity,paralyzing blizzards.” - Martin Ralph DeHaan (1891-1965) – American Bibleteacher and founder of Radio BibleClass.

MANY CARIBBEAN NATIONS experienced asevere drought in 1984. That wasconsidered a “terrible year” as far aswater scarcity was concerned. ThroughoutSt. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG),citizens explored hillsides and forestedareas in search of the “tiniest of trickles”.It was that bad. The Central Water &Sewerage Authority (CWSA) in SVGrecently sent out an advisory askingconsumers to conserve water as best theycan, noting that this year’s dry season hasresulted in the depletion of several of thewater catchment areas. Inhabitants in theGrenadines feel especially vulnerable attimes like these, since they have nosurface water (i.e. rivers and streams), andmany are so heavily dependent on the nowinfrequent rain clouds. It is at times likethese that we contemplate and appreciatethe wonder of water.

Water is an inorganic chemicalmatter. It is tasteless, odourless, andtransparent. Science has confirmedthat it is made up of two parts hydrogenand one part oxygen. It is the maincomponent of our planet’s hydrosphereand is vital for all known forms of life.In its natural form, it contains noorganic nutrients or calories. However,it has that unique ability to dissolvemany other substances. Withoutadequate amounts of clean water,plants and animals will die. And yet,we often take it for granted.

The availability of water on planetEarth enables this planet to sustain life.This therefore explains why scientists,especially astrologers, constantly scanthe universe in search of water. Theyanticipate that in doing so, they maydiscover other life forms. The persistentcuriosity of scientists at USA’s NationalAeronautics and Space Administration(NASA), resulted in the discovery ofliquid water occasionally flowing onpresent-day Mars. This discoveryoccurred in 2015. During that sameyear, NASA scientists used data fromtheir Cassini-Huygens space-researchmission (launched in October 1997) toreveal that a global ocean lies beneaththe icy crust of Saturn’s moonEnceladus. Mankind will foreverexplore other planets that may be ableto sustain life as we know it. It is not afar-fetched fantasy to anticipate thatsome of our earthly inhabitants may berequired to develop settlements on otherplanets. Access to water will forever bea significant variable in determiningwhether such a population can survive.

However, we need not travel far intospace or time to appreciate the value ofthis life-sustaining substance. Virtuallyeverything alive has its source in water.We are advised that an adult man iscomprised of 60% water. In adultwomen, where fat makes up more of thebody than men, approximately 55% oftheir bodies are made up of water.According to the Journal of BiologicalChemistry, the brain and heart arecomposed of 73% water. The lungs areabout 83% water and the skin is madeup of 64% water. The muscles andkidneys are 79% water and the bonesare said to be 31% water. We arefurther advised that, in a typical

human, where the average blood plasmavolume ranges from 2.8 to 3.2 quarts,92% of this life-sustaining substance iswater, 8% blood plasma proteins, andtrace amounts of other minerals. Wateris also needed to lubricate and supportthe operational functions such asdigestion, blood flow, metabolism,procreation, and the movement of bonesand muscles. Additionally, it is criticalin supporting the body’s temperaturecontrol mechanisms. The absence ofwater is basically synonymous with theabsence of life. Without it we will die.

Members of the medical professionand health care workers regularlyimpress upon us the importance ofensuring that we drink sufficient waterin order to guarantee that we remainhydrated. The National Academy ofMedicine (NAM) recommends that anadult male should consume at least 3.7litres (15 cups) of water each day. Theyadvocate that the average adult femaleshould drink 2.7 litres (11 cups) daily.These levels of consumption areconsidered absolutely essential if thebody is to function at its optimal level.

Brierley Wright, in a 2017 blogentitled “6 Benefits of StayingHydrated”, referred to research findingsthat confirmed that “staying hydratedkeeps your memory sharp, your moodstable, and your motivation intact.” Hefurther notes that water consumptionhelps to prevent dry mouth; often thecause of bad breath, unpleasant taste,and the promotion of cavities.Additionally, water supportscardiovascular health; a dehydratedbody results in the heart having to workharder to push the reduced volume ofblood throughout the body to get oxygento the cells. Wright advocates that ourbodies release heat by expanding theblood vessels that are located close tothe skin’s surface; when dehydrated, wetend to stay uncomfortably hotter for alonger period since the body requires ahigher temperature to trigger bloodvessels to widen. He refers to Dr. SamCheuvront, an exercise psychologist,who noted that a well hydrated bodyenables muscles to function better byenabling the water inside and outsidethe cells of the contracting muscles toreceive nutrients and to efficientlyremove waste. He notes that the skin ofa hydrated individual tends to be moreelastic, and that our kidneys functionbetter when there is adequate amountsof water to aid them in filtering wastefrom the blood and excrete it in urine.Dr. Cheuvront asserts that keepinghydrated may also help prevent urinarytract infections and kidney stones. Heends his blog by noting that severedehydration may impact the efficientworking of the kidneys, causing toxinsto build up in the body. He notes thatwater helps to cleanse our bodies insideand out.

Based on the foregoing, we shouldmake every effort to ensure that weconsume sufficient amounts of water.Adequate water intake is essential forthe maintenance of our bodily functions.Oh, the wonder of water!

Send comments, criticisms &suggestions to

julesferdinand@gmail.com

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020. 9.

ViewsVThe Wonder of Water

‘It is certain, in any case, thatignorance allied with power, is the mostferocious enemy justice can have.’James Baldwin.

THE APRIL 7 DECISION of Justice Henry, inwhich she reversed government’shighhanded and illegal actions in dealingwith the Public Service Union and itsmembers, highlights a dangerous anti-union, anti-worker tendency on the part ofUnity Labour Party government.

Compounding this sad and troublingreality is that supporters of the party,who are normally all-over social mediapraising, highlighting or defending thisor that action or achievement of thegovernment and its leaders, have notbatted an eyelid at these recurringinjustices. In fact, many of them cheeron the highhandedness in the name ofparty unity and loyalty. My party, rightor wrong, remains the post-independence mantra of the tribes.

Our recent history paints acompelling tale for the aggressiveactions and callous disregard of thegovernment in its relations withworkers and unions.

We may not recognize it now, but intime, Vincentians will arrive at therealization that the Eastern CaribbeanSupreme Court stood as a bulwarkagainst our country’s descent into a verydark place.

A quick review tells the story: We must not forget the government

attempt to economically assassinateOtto Sam. Sam, a former President ofthe Teachers Union and firebranddefender of PM Gonsalves, went intobankruptcy and for a long time couldnot meet his basic needs. He sufferedthe indignity of having to rely on familyand friends to survive. The Law Courtsrescued him by declaring his transferfrom the classroom and eventualdismissal unreasonable, irrational andillegal. While Otto has received his justcompensation, the government refusedto pay and appealed the $52,000 costwhich the Court awarded.

Then there is the fate of teachersElvis Daniel, Kenroy Johnson and BashThomas who were fired and deniedpension and gratuity because theycommitted the ‘silly sin’ of taking thegovernment’s word, as outlined in acontract with the Teachers Union, tocontest parliamentary elections. Theirerror is that they were oppositioncandidates. The government claimed theagreement was only aspirational andnot legally binding. The teachers weredefeated and were refusedreemployment. Labour Party supporterscheered the decision.

The Courts intervened and found thegovernment’s actions improper andillegal. The Court of Appeal essentiallylaughed at the government’s attempt touse the constitution as a shield againstthe Teachers Union and its members.Regrettably, to this late date, HeadTeacher Johnson, who has passedretirement age, has not received hisgratuity.

The Public Service Union (PSU) tookthe government’s Public ServiceCommission (PSC) to court, questioningits promotions practices. The Courtfound the government PSC was actingillegally, citing its failure to keep aproper reporting and seniority system.Nothing has changed and the Unionshave threatened to sue again to pressfor the enforcement of the Court order.

In the April 7th decision, the Courtstepped in to block a gross injusticeagainst a young civil servant whom thePermanent Secretary in the NationalSecurity Ministry and the PSC tried to

ruin financially. They conspired totransfer him from Union Island to themainland, without taking intoconsideration all the relevantconsiderations, including the servant’sfinances and family life.

The Court ruled that while the PSCcan transfer anyone within the PublicService, it must do so in keeping withthe law. It held that the PSC acted in aprocedurally improper manner. It alsoconcluded that by failing to offer thepublic servant a right to be heard, itacted unfairly and illegally.

It is widely believed that the publicservant’s brother was tipped torepresent the governing party in theSouthern Grenadines constituency. Oneshudders to think if the government’smachinery deals so shabbily with asupporting family, how it deals withmatters of persons who may be opposedor whose allegiance it cannot gauge.

The way high state officials deal withthese matters is revealing. Clearly,persons with legal training and sittinghigh up in the state bureaucracy havemorphed from lawyers to ideologues. Ineach of these cases, influential personswere asked to settle or withdraw theproceeding, but failed to do so, evidentlyunder the mistaken and illusory beliefthat the state had a fighting chance toprevail in the court.

If you question any of the foregoingconclusions, listen to the followingstatement:

‘Look! One ah de easiest things whichyo’ can do, one ah de laziest things youcan do is to say shut down the place.Shut down school, doh mek people gochurch, lock it off, don’t gather morethan ah hundred, so if yo’ ha’ more thanah hundred going to a funeral, if yo’popular in ah village, even though thereis no – ‘Please, don’t come; just send ahemail, this is just for the family, nomore than 30.’ What ah time!’

This from a leader marshalling hiscitizens to fight against the dreadedCOVID-19 Pandemic? Is this not a callfor the populace to selectively disregardthe recommendations of health officials?Small wonder then that people in SVGare not taking the social and physicaldistancing seriously. The leader givesthe impression that the threat is notreal, and people must go about theirbusiness as usual.

Further, look at social mediaportrayal of our PM on the airporttarmac at Argyle with no protectivegear with COVID-19 testing kit in hand.And if you are still not convinced, goback and listen to our prime ministercalling his CARICOM colleagues and byextension most world leaders lazy fortrying to protect their citizens. ‘One ahde easiest things which yo’ can do, oneah de laziest things you can do is to sayshut down the place.’ Why is such anapproach lazy? Is that not what mosthave done? Now that’s lazy ignorancemasquerading as scholarship.

The saddest part of all of this is thatin each case, supporters of thegoverning party gleefully cheer on theseassaults on people’s senses. And thenewspapers refuse to call out thismadness.

We thank the Unions for standingfirm in defense of their members. Mostimportantly, we praise the Courts forbeing a guardian of the law. Withoutyou, helplessness and hopelessnesswould be stalking the land.

Send comments, criticisms &suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com

My party, right or wrong

GIVEN THE dry spell we are experiencingpresently - no rain for a few weeks – it iseven more important that we protect andpreserve our rainforests and watersheds.

Aerial photographs taken of thesevere flooding in Congo Valley, MorneGaru Mountain and Locust ValleyMountain in 2011, revealed beyonddoubt that severe poverty is causingdeforestation. This negative impactwill destroy the living environment ofthe people and eventually threaten thelives of people.

Over the past couple of decades,SVG has lost large parts of itsrainforest as the forest is choppeddown and the cleared area used forfarming a variety of crops. This is areal danger to our country, as withoutrainforests we will face watershortages. Also, when it does rain, ifthere is no rainforest, water will flowoff the mountain more quickly andcause landslides and flooding.

We will get more rain and havemore drinking water if we had a moreabundant rainforest. It would beshameful, and an avoidablecatastrophe, if our country’s level ofwater and food dropped to such a lowlevel, that we were forced to call uponthe United Nations to drop foodsupplies by parachute for the poor andthe indigent in SVG.

Access to fresh drinking water forthe Vincentians living in theGrenadines is also at risk when wehave small amounts of rain. Watercapture and storage infrastructureneed to be increased and updated.

Haiti has less than 1.5% of itsforests remaining. Without trees onthe hills, the soil has lost most of itswater-holding capacity, leading toflash floods, frequent mudslides, the

loss of fertile farmland soils anddesertification.

In Haiti, the deforestation was socritical that Haitians had to “bake”mud cookies out of dirt, salt andvegetable oil. The mortality rate forchildren under five is more thandouble the regional average, and lifeexpectancy is severely reduced. We donot want this in SVG.

SVG urgently needs a competentMinister of Finance to avoid long-termenvironmental damage and socialunrest in SVG. It is hard to believethat the poor can cope for much longeramidst so much pressure and poverty.

Our rural economy has beendevastated under the ULP regime andpoverty has significantly increased. Asagriculture is now in such a poor state,a reforestation programme would be agood source of jobs and income forpeople in rural areas.

SVG needs a reforestationprogramme to substantially increasethe number of trees in our rainforest,to protect our water sources and tohelp our economy. Costa Rica is theexample to follow.

Costa Rica used to have one of theworst rates of deforestation in LatinAmerica and, by 1990, only 21% of thecountry remained forested. However,with ambitious environmental policiesand commitment, Costa Rica hasbecome the only tropical country toradically reverse the effects ofdeforestation, doubling the amount offorest in just two decades.

Costa Rica introduced a ‘Paymentfor Environmental Services’ (PSA)programme in 1996, as part of anamendment to the forestry law. Thissystem proved fundamental inreversing deforestation and became a

force for poverty alleviation in ruralcommunities, who are the mainbeneficiaries of the payments. Between2000 and 2005, indigenous people’sparticipation in the system rose morethan 100%, and female farmownership grew from 200 to 1600farms. In 2005, almost $60 million inPSA payments went to rurallandowners.

SVG Green Party Leader, RetiredBritish Royal Air Force EngineerWarrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal,BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, is making avery strong call on the hopeless and

useless ULP Regime for anenvironmental tax of EC$2 million permonth to be imposed on the super-rich,in Mustique and Canouan, to fund areforestation programme in SVG.

The protection and preservation ofthe rainforest and watersheds areparamount to the long-term health ofthe environment, our people and ourfuture generations. Our drinkingwater sources are vulnerable to theunabated chopping down of trees inthe rainforest area. More needs to bedone also, to protect and guaranteeaccess to fresh drinking for theVincentians living in the Grenadines.

10. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

ViewsVProtect and preserve ourrainforests and watersheds

by ANTHONY STEWART, PHD

THE DANCE CLASS is a group ofstudents, usually of low performance,who have been put together but whoare separated from the resources theyneed. This Class is always on themove but going nowhere. Students inthis Class cannot keep still, yet theyyearn to accomplish great feats andbecome important in society. Theirspecial aptitude in Music, Art, Craft,Dance, Drama, Repairing gadgets,Video Games and Skills are notusually recognized and nurtured inthe Curriculum.

Although they are the Class withthe greatest potential for learning,they are not usually twinned with thebest teachers who could get them tolearn anything. This Class may havebeen put together by Policymakersand Administrators contrary to theresearch which says that slowstudents put together wouldconsequently become slower. Is thisthe signature class of the EducationRevolution? Are they not found inevery secondary school? The apparentqualification to enter this classappears to be:

* Disabled* Underachiever* Nutritionally deficient* CPEA unsuccessful* Excluded from needed resources* Comes from Rural areas* Low Income family member* Attention Deficit Disorder* Self Esteem Low* Slow.Disability is not inability, and

adjustments need to be made for thosewho are differently able to access allthe resources to which they areentitled. For example, ramps orelevators allow wheel chair boundstudents to access higher level floorsof Institutions.

Underachievers need regularreliable assistance to provide themwith the support they need all yearround, to enable them to meetrequired academic standards. Thisapproach is needed to preventstudents from repeating classes.

Nutrition is an important factor inEducation and Learning. Therefore,careful consideration must be given tothe foods made available to studentsat school. Schools should be leaders inthe Wellness Revolution.

Poor performance in the CPEAexams may be due to weakness in

Reading, Reasoning, and lack ofDiscipline. Many of these studentsneed individual attention to overcometheir difficulties. The availableworkers may need a flexible schedulethat will allow Administrators toschedule individual classes before andafter the normal school hours ifnecessary. Availability of assistance atPublic Libraries can be very useful.

It is clear that students in theDance Class need a different BookList, but they are often saddled withbooks on the regular Book List, whichthey are unable to read in mostinstances. Cooperative Learningclassroom instructions might best beable to meet their needs, but becausethe more able students are segregatedout of the class, this may not bepossible. Workshops on DifferentiatedTeaching seem to remain in theplanning stages only, and may nothave found their way in the classroom.

Because Education is the greatequalizer, family background, andwhere students live should not putthem at a disadvantage. However,discriminatory laws on the books thatfund schools differently must beremoved. Each school should now haveCounsellors available to work on self-esteem and some disciplinary issues.Equity in staffing and resourceallocation as well as in promotion andappointments according to theprinciples of Meritocracy, will benecessary.

Should we persist with theseDANCE Classes in our schools? Theanswer is obviously no. How can weadapt the curriculum to minimizediscrimination to students from thisClass? Schools should teach studentswhat they need to learn. Bearing thisin mind, and in consideration ofrecruiting workshops by a UWI team,the CORE subjects should be:

* English A* Math* Biology* Chemistry* PhysicsAdditionally, students of the

DANCE class should learn TWOskills. If this is done, students wouldbe best prepared for academicadvancement, entry level jobs, and toemploy themselves and others. With 5years preparation in the listed coresubjects, and theory and practice inthe two skills, students should havethe best chance of knowing how to liveand how to make a living.

The Dance Class

by SHERON GARRAWAY

THE STORY of African American MadamCJ Walker, who was born in 1867 andfirst carried the name Sarah Breedlove,and who became a heralded hair productpioneer and entrepreneur - is trulyremarkable.

And Netflix has packaged that storyin a series entitled; ‘Self Made:Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J.Walker’.

Vincentians here and in thediaspora have an added reason tofollow the series, for VincentianCanadian media personality, NnekaElliott, daughter of Jacinta Elliot andgranddaughter of renowned novelistGeorge C. Thomas, makes her mark inthe series, playing a sales agent.

Elliott, resident in Canada, is anaward winning TV news personalityturned actor and beauty influencer.She has served as president of TheMedia Huddle, reporter and anchor atNews Talk 1010, national weatherbroadcaster for The Weather Network,weather anchor for CTV news Toronto/Canada AM, and most notablyReporter/Anchor/Host at CP24 news.

She trained at the ArmstrongActing Studios and Second CityToronto.

Now a beauty specialist on TheMarilyn Denis Show, Eliott also writesfor CBC Life and Refinery 29 Canada.

She can be recognized in TV/Filmroles such as in ‘Shazam’, ‘DesignatedSurvivor’, ‘V-Wars’, ‘Conviction’,‘Remember’ and now, ‘Self Made:Inspired by the Life of Madam C.JWalker’.

THE VINCENTIAN quizzed Elliotabout her recent Netflix opportunity.

What role did you play?

I played the role of sales agent.Madam C.J Walker who empoweredthousands of women to becomeentrepreneurs in their own right. Shetrained them, gave them licenses andthey sold her products and got apercentage. I played one of thesewomen. Towards the end of the series,we were frustrated by news of a bigdecision that Madam C.J Walker wasabout to make. I, as the sales agent,spoke out on behalf of the sales agents.

Tell us, how was it?

Even though I was only in a fewscenes, it was still a magicalexperience. In this business, you cometo learn, so there are really no smallroles. I always remind myself thatViola Davis won an Oscar after beingin one scene in the movie “Doubt”.

I’m no Viola Davis though LOL...atleast not yet. I’ve fortunately been onmany sets, but never had I been onone where every department head wasa black woman! The directors, directorof photography, wardrobe, hair...Icould go on and on. To see them allworking together, calmly, delegating tomen, empowering other women. Ontop of that, I had never seen so manyblack actors in one place. It was abeautiful thing to see!

What was your most memorablemoment?

There were so many, including whatI mentioned above. But a key moment

had to be when acclaimed directorDeMane Davis of ‘Queen Sugar’and ‘How to Get Away WithMurder’ came up to me, squeezedmy hand and said, “ I’m so happyto have you. Thank you for beinghere, I really loved your audition.”

I felt so seen. There werehundreds of people on set that day;there was so much going on. Thefact that she could take that timeout to say a few words of kindnessto me, meant the world!!!

Media, film and television couldbe tough, any advice to others?

I suppose I’d tell other up andcoming actors to remember thateveryone has a different path.Don’t get caught up in what youthink you should be doing, or stepsyou should be taking based onwhat others have done. There is noone route to success. The quickeryou understand and respect yourown path, you will also come torespect what is unique about youin all aspects. And if you can bringYOU in your most authentic form tothe craft...then you’ve already won!

PeopleV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020. 11.

Nneka Elliott getting herself ready foranother scene in the Netflix series.

Vincentian in Netflix series

The main all black cast of the series. Nneka is standing second from rightamong the row of ladies.

EXACTLY 148,000 GALLONSof potable water storagecapacity would be added tohomes across Canouan,Mayreau and Union Island,free of costs to residents, justas soon as the dust settlesafter this vexing COVID-19pandemic.

This undertaking comesthrough the initiative of theUnion Island Environment

Attackers (UIEA) — a nonprofitorganization committed,among other things, to easingthe water woes of SouthernGrenadines residents.

Karina Collins-Coy, founderand president of the volunteergroup of environmentalenthusiasts, told THEVINCENTIAN Newspaper,“We’re planning to giveCanouan 58 thousand-gallon

black tanks, Mayreau about 15because it’s a smallercommunity, and Union Islandabout 75 thousand-gallon.We’re just waiting on the finalanswer.”

This leg of the UIEA waterresiliency thrust is beingbacked by the CARICOMClimate Change Center withfunds provided throughUSAID. “The project is already

approved; we’re just waitingon the donors to release thefunds. Because of the COVID

Continued on Page 13.

FeatureV 12. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Bequia water supplynot respected “THE IDEA OF PRODUCING SUFFICIENTWATER on Bequia, at the desal plant, forthe entire island to be able to run thewater as is seen in the COVID-19 ad –nonstop running water from the time youturn the tap on while washing hands tothe time you turn it back off – thatcannot happen. The plant was notdesigned for that at all.”

So said Herman Belmar, NorthernGrenadines Community DevelopmentInc. (NGCDI) project advisor andDeputy Director of Grenadines Affairswhen he spoke with THEVINCENTIAN last Sunday.

Meeting the community’s need

The aging desalination plant,located at Paget Farm, was designedto produce up to 20,000 gallons ofpotable water daily. Wear and tearand maintenance issues have reducedits productivity down to 40% in recenttimes, and it is further challenged bythe lack of a backup system and extrapumps.

“We are running the plant toproduce just enough water to keep thecommunity supplied. We currentlyhave about 19 households connected tothe system, including the BequiaSeafoods; and when they’re in the peakof their processing, they would need atleast 2 — 3 thousand gallons of waterper day. So on an average, we have toproduce about 8 000, 9 000 gallons ofwater per day to keep the systemsustainable. It’s not that the systemcan’t do it, but because of its age, wehave to cut back on the hours ofproduction. So we run about 8 hoursdaily…. As far as I know, what weproduce is keeping the islandsustained,” assured Belmar.

As proof of the plant’s island supplycapacity, Deputy Director Belmarpointed to the two-tiered water supplysystem administered by the NGCDI.“While we have household meteredconnections, we also have a publicdistribution system where you cancome with your truck and have it filledup with water,” at a cost of $100 per1000 gallon, he said.

And Belmar is of the view that thecost and quality of the water producedat the plant is undervalued andunderappreciated.

Keeping water affordable

Belmar pointed to the use ofphotovoltaic cells as providing theplant with the cushion to make thewater affordable to the community.

These ‘solar panels’ are an essentialelement in the whole scheme.However, they currently perform atless than optimal capacity.

“All of our energy is paid directlythrough VINLEC because all theenergy we generate go straight toVINLEC; so we operate on a creditbasis,” Belmar explained.

The plant, in its original design,should have been producingapproximately 20% energy more thanis required for water production.However, difficulty in cleaning thepanel means a loss of energy.

“So while we should be generating70 kilowatts of energy per day, rightnow we’re only able to generate about40, so we’re nowhere near peakproduction,” the Deputy Director said.

Thisinability toharness

“excess energy” in turnimpacts negatively on the NGCDI’sintended revenue stream. “We verywell might be running in arrears withVINLEC where energy is concerned,”Belmar revealed.

Vandalism is rife

And if cleaning the panels and beingunable to afford a system redesign andconstruction are not enough to handle,there is the issue of communityvandalism.

“We’ve had pipes being brokenwithout any explanation, taps beingknocked off, people setting fires thatburn holes in the lines pipelines,people breaking into the water systemitself — we’ve had a series of problemswhere vandalism is concerned,”Belmar lamented.

Belmar issued an all-out appeal to“the public to respect the desalinationplant as a public property. It is not

owned by anybody except the public, soif they lick it up, they mash it up forthem own self. Just like you can’t goand cut down VINLEC poles, youshouldn’t come and mash up thepipelines in Paget Farm.”

He described the acts of vandalismas “lowdown… wicked,” and positedthat “people believe if they mash up apipeline, they mashing up RalphGonsalves and Herman Belmar.They’re not doing me any harm,they’re not doing the Prime Ministerany harm. They’re hurting theircountry and the people who reallyneed the water.

“I have arrested one person before,and I would arrest anybody that I canprove has damaged or molested any ofthe water supply in Paget Farm. ….We are not going to tolerate it(vandalism) any longer,” the Deputywarned.

jp.schwmon.vincy@gmail.com

Right: Karina Collins-Coy,President of the NGO UnionIsland EnvironmentAttackers (UIEA), is anxiousto deliver on herorganisation’s commitment.

Water storage increase for the Southern Grenadines

Herman Belmar, Deputy Director of Grenadines Affairswith jurisdiction over the Northern Grenadines, haswarned against inflicting wanton damage on the watersystem in Bequia.

Thedesalinationplant (exteriorleft, interiorright) wasdesigned toproduce20,000 gallonsof potablewater daily.Its capacityhas beenreduced overthe years.

A system is in place that allows for the purchase of waterfrom the desalination plant.

FeatureV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020. 13.

COVID-19:Children & Stressby SHERON GARRAWAY

WHILE THERE IS A HEIGHTENED EFFORTto look after the physical symptoms ofthe COVID-19, experts are alsoconcerned about the psychologicalimpact the pandemic will cause.

This novel virus, which emergedfirst in December 2019 in China, hasbecome a pandemic that baffles eventhe most knowledgeable scientists. Ithas resulted in lockdowns, face maskwearing, physical distancing, economicmeltdowns and even death.

If adults and experts are stressedand anxious about the COVID-19virus, how are children coping?

According to Kids Health.org, “Kidswho see disturbing images on TV orhear talk of natural disasters, war,and terrorism, may worry about theirown safety and that of the people theylove.”

The war against COVID-19 is nodifferent for children. They see theirparents worry and try to cope with thestresses of potential or actuallockdowns, and of being infected withthe virus.

Focusing on the children

In this month when we focus onChild Abuse Prevention, it is worthemphasizing that the needs of childrenin this time, are magnified.

While governments, including thatof St. Vincent and the Grenadines,must be commended for putting inplace various supplementary packagesto mitigate the ripple effects of thepandemic, the stress of Vincentians toprovide and care for the home, is still areality. Parents now have to worryabout economic and health conditionscaused by the pandemic.

Even more worrisome is that manyof these parents are frontline workers,

e.g. healthcare providersand police officers, whohave to balance betweencaring for not only thegeneral public, but alsotheir home environment.

In an interview withTHE VINCENTIANNewspaper, social workerEarl ‘Ole George’ Daniel,expressed concern thatchildren are observingthe heightened sense ofanxiety in adults, more sotheir parents.

George, who resides inCanada and has nearly 25years of experience in hisfield, said while peopleare quite rightly focusing on thephysical aspect of the COVID-19pandemic, they must not neglect theirmental state.

He advised, “We ought to have aplan for the psychological effects ofwhat this is doing to our population.The activities of many children havebeen curtailed or stopped altogether.Some have had their exams postponed,some have been cut off from all theirfriends, and some are living inapartments/residences that don’t havea backyard to play. It can be verydamaging psychologically.”

Involving children in sharedactivities

Daniel urged parents to look forwarning signs since stress canmanifest itself in many different ways.

He highlighted that children canshow signs of depression which can besubtle, such as eating more than usualor less, sleeping more or less, becomingmore defiant, and even breaking out in

skin rashes.It is important that parents try to

normalize their children’s lives asmuch as possible and keepcommunication open, George advised.

In this regard, he suggested thatparents do activities such as playingboard or card games and watch movieswith their children. He lamented thattoo many parents allow their childrento go off in a corner to use electronicgadgets, but they fail to realize thatchildren can also be looking at thenews which could make them anxious.

Care for the children now

According to UNICEF, there are 1.2billion adolescents in the world whoare between the ages of 10 and 19. Theextent to which society invests in theirhealth and well-being, will determinethe future, not just for them, but foreveryone, as children will become thefuture adults and must learn copingskills.

Daniel said that it is essential thatparents help their children decipher

information, and do things with themto help divert anxiety about thepandemic. He emphasised theimportance of ensuring that theconcerns of youngsters are not ignored,and that parents should find morecreative ways of disciplining theirchildren if they are acting out.

He further warned parents that ifthey are immensely frustrated,heightened stress levels can also affecttheir immune system, which he said isthe perfect condition in which thecoronavirus will fester.

Play time with children is highly recommendedduring this period of total or partial lockdown.

Continued from Page 12.

situation and how it isoverseas, we know thatsome of the places areclosed at this time, boatsare not coming and so on.But it should not be toolong from now; we hope wecould have them (tanks)before the rainy season.

“We would also berefurbishing wells … thewells are not covered, theyneed to be cleaned; peoplenormally access the wellsfor water, especially in thedry season, for washing andbathing and flushingtoilets,” Katrina said,adding that the well repairsmay be limited to UnionIsland for the time being.

Last year, the UIEAaccomplished their 4thmilestone when together

with local partnerSustainable GrenadinesInc., they enhanced thewater storage capacity onCanouan by a further50,000 gallons. That phaseof the project sharplyillustrated the partners’limited resources.

“When we saw theconditions, we decided thatsomething must be done,and that’s why we came upwith the project to helpCanouan last year. So 50homes benefited; but whenwe realized that all of theaffected homes would not beable to get a tank, wedecided to write to themanagers of the MandarinOriental Resort, Glossy Bayand to the CCA. We weretrying to get additionaltanks from each of thecompanies.

“But none of themcould assist with anytank. However, wetold the people, sinceeverybody would notbe able to get one,we would make itour business to doanother project ofthis kind…. Thatopportunity hascome again, butunfortunately due tothe COVID-19situation right now,there is a delay inthat project.”

Water storage increase for the Southern Grenadines

Some SouthernGrenadineresidents can lookforward toreceiving tanks likethese to help easetheir water woes. jp.schwmon.vincy@gmail.com

Earl ‘Ole George’ Daniel practisingwhat he preaches – bonding with hisson, especially during this period ofthe COVID-19 pandemic.

Evert effort must be made to avoidsquabbles between parents,especially in front of their children.

In this period of heightened stressand various signals, we must guardagainst children wandering off tointernalise the emotions they mightbe feeling.

NewsV 14. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

THIS COUNTRY received3000 quantity of PCR(Rapid Diagnostic Test)kits and 50 PolymeraseChain Reaction (PCR) kits,on April 10, from thePeople’s BolivarianRepublic of Venezuela.

The kits are to be usedin this country’s ongoingbattle against thecoronavirus (COVID-19).

The same number ofkits were also gifted toAntigua and Barbuda,Dominica and Grenada.

The testing kitsarrived in the face ofconfirmed reports thatthe United StatesCustoms and BorderProtection was workingwith the FederalEmergency Management

Agency (FEMA) toprevent distributors fromdiverting personalprotective gear and otherequipment overseas,even when legallypurchased.

This action followed onthe signing of theDefense Production Actby President Trump onApril 3, which gave theUS government morecontrol over theprocurement of Covid-19related supplies andallowed for the ban ofcertain exports.

The Bahamas,Barbados and theCayman Islands have allhad shipments ofpersonal protectiveequipment (PPE)blocked.

And Prime MinisterDr. Ralph Gonsalves, onreceipt of the kits,alluded to “Many piecesof equipment have beenheld up in the US,”including the PCRTesting Machine.

This country had nodirect control over the

supply chain and anyintermediating forcesimpacting the supplychain, Gonsalveslamented.

The Prime Ministerexplained that the rapidtest kits wereparticularly helpful andwere accurate towardsthe latter stages of anindividual’s quarantineperiod.

Head of Mission of theVenezuelan EmbassyFrancisco M. PerezSantana said that the USwas still imposing a waragainst them.

However, they werestill spreading love andsolidarity.

“The test kits are partof the 12,000 that thePresident has sent tofriends in the region.Receive this gift, thissolidarity with the love ofPresident Maduro(Nicolas) and the Peopleof Venezuela,” he said onhanding over the kits.

Minister of Health,Luke Browne noted, “It

is a significantdevelopment for us tohave these kits. Theywill be able to be used inan advanced state —when a patient is at anadvanced stage,” Brownesaid.

The Health Ministerdisclosed that they hadalready received thesupporting supplies to

facilitate the PCRtesting. The only thingpreventing the tests frombeing conducted locallywas not having theinstrument itself.

He assured that hisMinistry was staying ontop of the situationregarding shipment.(DD)

(From right): Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves,Head of the Venezuelan Mission Francisco M.Perez Santana, and Minister of Health LukeBrowne were on hand to receive the kits on theirarrival at the AIA.

Test kits gifted by Venezuela

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves makinghimself handy.

TributeV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020. 15.

IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS thatwe announce the passing ofGodwin Sylvester Charles(born March 10, 1939).After some recentcomplications fromdiabetes, followed by abrief struggle with anaggressive form ofcancer, he passed awaypeacefully at St.Joseph’s Hospital inHamilton, Ontario onFriday, April 10, 2020 inhis 81st year. Godwin hadprepared himself for theend and was at peacewhen the final momentcame.

Godwin was a proudfather, grandfather,brother, uncle, cousin,and friend to many, whoall mourn his loss. Hewas cherished and loved by hisdaughter Tanya, son Carlos, sonCulver, and their mother Gloria; hewas also adored by hisgranddaughters Isabel and Ani.Moreover, Godwin was a belovedbrother Horace (deceased), Eoileen,Beresford, Hyacinth, Elroy, Ken,Bernard and Bernice.

Godwin spent his early life inAruba, and subsequently moved to St.Vincent and the Grenadines, settlingin the community of Evesham. Helater found employment in the St.Vincent and the Grenadinesgovernment service in the PublicWorks Department. During this time,he did special mechanical training inBarbados. In March, 1969, heimmigrated to Montreal, Canada.There, he attended Dawson Collegeand completed studies in EngineeringTechnology. Following his graduationfrom Dawson College, Godwin spentmore than twenty years instructing inTool and Die at Mohawk College ofApplied Arts and Technology inHamilton, Ontario. Post retirement,he supervised at Goodrich Aerospacein Oakville, Ontario, to support themanufacturing of the landing gear for

the Airbus A380 — thelargest passenger aircraft

at the time.A larger than life

personality, Godwinwas a friend toeveryone he met anda source of strengthfor all who knew him.He was a familyman, protector,provider, and a proudCanadian andVincentian. Healways found time to

be a ‘Mr. Fix It’ foranyone who needed such

a favour. Godwin believed in

giving back to theVincentian community. Hewas a member of the ReliefEducation and MedicalAssistance Organization of

Ontario (REMA) Committee. Thisorganization, made up of volunteers,had a mandate to foster and promoterelief, education and medicalassistance to nationals of St. Vincentand the Grenadines in Canada and inthe homeland. Additionally, Godwin,ever so often would personallyorganize donations of computerequipment and office machinery toschools and government supportedinstitutions in St. Vincent and theGrenadines.

While we grieve Godwin’s loss, weare relieved that he is finally at peace.We have loved him in life; let us notforget him after death as he rises tothe great beyond.

For the time being, due torestrictions caused by COVID-19events, there is no spiritual service;visitation and burial will be a privateaffair with very limited familymembers. Plans for a futureCelebration of Life will be announcedat a later date, where all familymembers and friends can take time toremember.

Meantime, online condolences canbe made on his obituary posting atwww.dignitymemorial.com.

Godwin SylvesterCharles (1939 -2020)

Tribute toGodwin Charles

FOR THOSECARICOMCOUNTRIESinterested inprocuringCOVID-19test kits,they needlook nofurther thanthe CaymanIslands.

Followingconsultationwith theChiefMedicalOfficer,MedicalOfficer of Health and the Chief Executive Officerof the Health Services Authority, the CaymanIslands government set aside 100,000 test kitsthat were obtained in a minimum shipment of200,000 PCR test kits from South Korea, for itsown use.

PCR tests are considered to be the goldstandard for COVID-19 testing.

It will offer the remaining kits, at cost, toregional Caricom and British Overseas Territorygovernments.

Cayman Islands Minister of Health DwayneSeymour, in noting that Cayman Islands has fordecades been home to many persons from aroundthe Caribbean region, said he was pleased tosupport his Premier and Cabinet colleagues in thedecision to avail the test kits to their Caribbeancolleagues, in their fight against the coronavirus.

Since the offer was availed, 35,000 kits havebeen sold to Bermuda, and by April 11, Barbadoshad taken possession of 20,000 units.

Commenting on his country’s offer, PremierAlden McLaughin commented after the transfer toBarbados: “We have fortunately been able topurchase many more test kits than we need. It isonly fitting that we share the excess with ourfriends and neighbours, who can use them to helpsave lives and eradicate this virus, something thatis in everyone’s interest.”

As of April 12, Cayman Islands had recorded 53cases of coronavirus infection. Of those, 6 haverecovered and there has been one death. (Source:Loop Caribbean News)

RegionalV 16. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Cuba developsvaccine to combatCOVID-19THE DIRECTOR OFRESEARCH at the Centrefor Genetic Engineeringand Biotechnology inCuba, Dr Gerardo Guillen,says a clinical trial is nowbeing held for a vaccineaimed at activating theimmune system to combatCOVID-19.

Speaking during arecent televisioninterview, Guillen saidthat the drug, calledCIGB 2020, isundergoing trials at theLuis Diaz Hospital inHavana, with volunteerpatients suspected of

being carriers of thedisease.

He says the drug isnasally and sublinguallyadministered tostrengthen these areas,and encouraging resultshave already beenobserved regarding theactivation of the innateimmune system.

He added that CIGB2020 is a drug that isinserted, along withanother Cuban vaccinedeveloped by FinlayInstitute, in a field ofresearch that has beenmuch debated in

contemporary science,which is the developmentof specific vaccines tostimulate innateimmunity, which ispowered by the newcoronavirus.

“Our researchers havebeen able to make labtechnologies available tothis research in recordtime and after these firstresults, we will continuewith the trials andanalyse the results,”

Guillen said.Meanwhile, up to

Tuesday, there were 766positive COVID-19 casesacross the island.

According to theMinistry of PublicHealth, 599 out of those766 patients are in stablecondition. (Source: CMC)

Cayman selling COVID-19 Test Kits

This is a sample of the PCRTesting Kit developed andapproved for use in South Korea.It is one of two testing kitsdeveloped in the country. (PhotoCredit: Romania-Insider.com)

Dr. Gerardo Guillen isthe Director of Researchat the Centre for GeneticEngineering andBiotechnology in Cuba,where a clinical trial ofthe COVID-19 vaccine isbeing conducted.

IT HAS PUT ATEMPORARY HALT(until April 18) to itspassenger service, butregional airline LIAT isnot sitting idle as far asattempting to recouplosses occasioned by theCOVID-19 pandemic.

The airline, in anemail response toquestions posed byBarbados Today,indicated that it will beoffering charter servicesand flights on requests,while anticipating animprovement in comingweeks.

“With severalterritories set to re-opentheir borders and lifttheir curfews by the endof April, we anticipate agradual improvement indemand for passengerservices by the end ofJune. This will allow theairline to revert to arelatively normalpassenger service fromJuly through to the endof 2020,” the airline saidin its email asreferenced.

The email also pointedto an expansion in theairline’s cargo service as“a support role in theregion.” The airlinenever ceased its cargoservice.

In fact, the airline hasnot been idle, and amongthe support it hasoffered, included:assistance to Dominicaand Barbados, bringingin 90 Cuban specialistsas far as the latter was

concerned; assistinggovernments in therepatriation of citizens.

‘While LIAT originallykept a reduced scheduleto maintain connectivity,as of March 31, tendestinations withinLIAT’s network hadclosed their borders andothers imposed curfewsas well as travelrestrictions to containthe spread of COVID-19,’Barbados Todayreported.

While maintaining a

skeleton staff during theperiod of suspension, theairline has alsoimplemented atemporary layoff of

employees effective April1, 2020, that affectedstaff across the network.(Source: Barbados Today)

LIAT’s cargo service has opened for business allthrough the airline’s current period of suspensionof its passenger service.

LIAT offers charter service

CLINICAL CARESPECIALISTS and medicalresearchers at The Universityof the West, Cave Hill Campus,are actively engaged in the fightto curb the spread of COVID-19in Barbados and across theregion.

Some have joined cliniciansand other health careresponders on the front lineoffering critical care to thestricken, while others areproviding analyticalpsychosocial and scientificresearch to aid policydevelopment, some of whichhave informed the policydirectives of authorities inBarbados and elsewhere.

For example, health leadershave been able to utilise thedata from public healthmodeling to predict infectionand mortality rates of theglobal virus.

With Cave Hill staffcomprising around half of the

medical personnel on islandtrained in the use of ventilators,which are used worldwide inthe most acute medicalconditions, the experts are alsoproviding critical hands-on andbed-side assistance.

Among those giving support,five are from the GeorgeAlleyne Chronic DiseaseResearch Centre (GA-CDRC)and nine are from the Facultyof Medical Sciences (FMS).They include Professor ofBiostatistics Ian Hambleton;Senior Lecturer in QualitativeResearch Methods, Dr.Madhuvanti Murphy; SeniorLecturer in Immunology, Dr,Kim Quimby; Lecturer in DataScience Dr. Christina Howitt;and Lecturer in EpidemiologyDr. Natasha Sobers, all of theGA-CDRC, as well as Lecturersin Public Health at the FMS,Dr. Heather Harewood and Dr.Natalie Greaves, havepartnered on the public health

modeling, surveillance,process planning andaccompanying public healthinterventionrecommendations. Drs. MikeCampbell and MaishaEmmanuel are assisting withsurvey research on behaviourof health care workers.

Lecturer in FamilyMedicine, Dr. Euclid Morris(FMS) is a member of theMinistry of Health andWellness COVID-19 HealthAdvocate Team (CHAT) alongwith Drs. Natasha Sobers,Heather Harewood, NatalieGreaves and MadhuvantiMurphy.

On the front line as part ofthe Covid-19 Response ClinicalTeam are: Lecturer in ClinicalPharmacology, Dr. KennethConnell, who is also part of theCOVID-19 CHAT; Lecturer inInternal Medicine, Dr. ArianneHarvey; Lecturer in InternalMedicine, Dr. Colette George;

and Lecturer in Anesthesiology,Dr. Keisha Thomas-Gibson.

Also providing front lineassistance in the fight to savelives is a UWI militaryreservist, who was among thosecalled out by authorities toundertake national duties. TheCave Hill employee is in chargeof the field medical facility thatsupports 95 percent of theswabs utilised for testing ofCOVID-19. The member hasalso been asked to assist withmanning the old navy base atHarrison Point, which is beingused as an isolation facility.

UWI partners in fight against COVID-19

The UWI is putting its expertiseat the disposal of Barbados andother Caribbean countries intheir fight to combat COVID-19.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020. 17.

Embarrassed andshatteredDear George,

I MET MY girlfriend in a compromisingposition with another man. I confrontedher right there, and she flatly denied thatshe had anything intimate going withme.  She told the man in front of my facethat she did not know why I was referringto her as ‘my girlfriend’. George, I walkedaway totally embarrassed and shattered. 

The very next day, she turned up atmy house begging me to forgive her.She explained that she had to do whatshe did because the man I met herwith was responsible for paying myhouse rent and the car I was driving.Owning up to being with me wouldhave ruined all of that. She beggedme not to ruin things for her byconfronting the man with the truth.

My question: Would I be lookedupon as being ungrateful to her if I

sent her packing?

Feeling betrayed

Dear Feeling betrayed 

I am surprised that you are evenwondering what your next moveshould be.

Ask yourself: Was this what youhad in mind when you decided to getinto a relationship with thisindividual? Do things like trust,loyalty, commitment and truth matterto you, and are these componentsnecessary for a healthy andmeaningful relationship?

Your answer to these questions willpretty much determine your decisionto continue or not to continue.

George

18. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

AdviceV

Dear George,

MY FATHER wants myhusband to give up hisjob and come work withhim, but my husbandbluntly refused. He saidhe was quite satisfiedwith what he ispresently doing.

My father thinks thatthe job my husband isdoing is not befitting ofsomeone who is marriedto his daughter. Eventhough the job pays verywell, my father thinks itis not prestigiousenough.

I’ve tried convincingmy husband to acceptthe offer, but to noavail. He insisted thatmy father has no rightto meddle in our affairs.However, I do not seehow my father ismeddling. He justwanted to help.

Between the mix

Dear Between the mix,

Sometimes the thingsthat are right in front ofus are hardest to see.Listen to your husbandand stop listening to

your father. You arenow married and yourhusband’s happiness isyour happiness. That isthe message you need totake back to yourfather.

If your father trulywants to help, he shouldstep back and leave youtwo to manage your ownaffairs. It is quite adifferent story if his helpwas sought.

Gently tell him, “Dad,I know you’ve got myback, but I’ve got thisone covered.”

George

Dear George,

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, my wifeand I are at home withthe children. Theproblem I am havingnow is every time myphone rings, my wife isrunning to answer it.She believes that thewomen I cannot get to goand meet are now callingme. Of course, none ofthis is true. I do notknow what else to do inorder to prove to her I’mnot in that. Help me outhere.

Tired

Dear Tired,

This is clearly a trustissue, and one way ofallaying your wife’s fears

would be to let her knowthat while you dislikethe idea of her rushing toanswer your phone, youhave no problemallowing her to do sosince you have nothing tohide.

It would serve the

relationship well if goingforward, you desist fromactions that would inviteinsecurity of any kind onher side. If she is goodwith you, then she wouldbe good with your phone.

George

Father-in-law meddling

Phone problems

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020. 19.

LeisureVACROSS

1. Floor cushion4. Biblical sibling8. Fawn-siring critter12. Wordsmith Gershwin13. Pottery lump14. Historic Revere15. Pitcher edge16. Employ17. Skin condition18. Moves swiftly20. Penned21. Paid notices22. Legendary star West23. Lacking fizz26. Summer shoes30. Vent (grievances)31. Olympics activity33. Shark habitat34. Lured36. Nautical cry37. Race portion38. Glide on snow40. Soda tube43. Apple drinks47. Sentence subject48. Graceful bird50. Dessert dish51. Poker-pot contribution52. Ham or bacon53. Solid water54. Annoying bug55. Overwhelms56. Law enforcer

DOWN

1. Not too spicy2. Diva-delivered solo3. Strikes lightly4. Felt pain

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)Take advantage of moneymakingventures. You may be likely to havedifficulties with females. You can bet thatyou'll draw attention to yourself.Difficulties may be encountered whiletraveling in foreign countries.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)Take time to visit someone who has beenI confined due to illness. Don't let friendsor relatives make you feel guilty if you'renot able to attend one of their affairs.Gambling will be a waste of time andmoney.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)Mingle with individuals who areestablished and can give you someserious insight into business and futuretrends. Travel and communication willbe lucrative for you. There will be hiddenmatters that you may find disturbing.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)Don't let emotional upset force you intothe poorhouse. Don't push your mate ifyou want to keep this union going.Refrain from overspending onentertainment or luxury items.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19)You should put your efforts into creativeprojects. Anger might lead tocarelessness and minor Injuries.Opportunities will develop through thoseyou encounter while attendingorganizational events.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)Implement your ideas into your projectsat work. Frustrations and limitationscould cause anxiety this week. Talk to anolder family member you have helped inthe past. Time spent with family,children, or friends will be beneficial.

5. Rapture6. Corn unit7. Strong solution8. Treated

mercifully9. Burrito cousin10. Mother’s sister11. Delight19. Head warmer20. Long for22. Harm23. Caloric nutrient24. False utterance25. Sleeve26. Turf piece27. Fire remnant28. Horoscope cat29. Proclaim31. Simmer slowly32. Tent stake

35. Heavenly body36. Help out38. Frighten39. Unexpected

problems40. Button

alternative41. Muscle quality

42. Road furrows44. Sweeping

narrative45. Puerto _46. Ooze48. Health center49. Amazed

exclamation

LA

ST

WE

EK

’sS

OL

UT

ION

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20)Get ready to discover love, passion, andthe desire to enjoy all that life has tooffer. Don't hesitate to voice youropinions when it comes to matterspertaining to work. Secret affairs willonly lead to deception.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21)Chances are you split up the last timebecause you didn't really want to make acommitment. Deception is likely. Useyour charm to get your own way. Taketime to listen to the problems of familymembers.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21)You will expand your circle of friends ifyou join groups. Your partner will beemotionally unable to cope. Those youlive with may be experiencing problems.Discord could be unnerving.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)Investments may be misrepresented thisweek. Anger may cause you grief;control your temper and try to sit backand calm down. Relationships will formif you get out and do things that youenjoy. Residential moves will be hecticand may be unsatisfactory.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22)You will be uncertain of your feelings.You will do well with clients this week.Empty promises are evident anddeception probable. Chances are theyare jealous.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)Try to get out and socialize. You maywant to tell someone how you reallyfeel. Rely on the one you love forsupport and affection. Join humanitariangroups and let your leadership abilitytake over.

V 20. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

DESPITE THE CHALLENGESthrown up by the COVID-19pandemic, Michael Ollivierre,founder, coordinator and headcoach of IT-DAT Academy, iskeeping his athletes in shape,doing so in accordance withregulations set out by the HealthAuthorities.

“We try to stick within theregulation suggested by theinternational healthorganisations and the localhealth authorities. So that,while we still have training,sessions are but there aresegmented and involve two orthree athletes at any one time.We are practising physicaldistancing,” Ollivierre toldTHE VINCENTIAN recently.

“We just hoping to keepthem fit and as ready as theycould be because we don’tknow if there is anyCompetition coming up. Andthen there is the need to those

prospects for scholarshipsmotivated,” the Head Coachadded.

Ollivierre explained thatretraining is primarily done onthe beach, and also involveshill training, “Definitely notanything crowded… we try tostick to the regulation,” hequipped.

And as far as overseas-based athletes for whom he isresponsible, Ollivierre saidthey were in good hands,saying, “I am in touch withthem; they are in a systemwhich is more advanced thanwe have here, so they arebeing looked after.”

He took the time to provideupdates on some of thoseathletes. Syneria Miller, hesaid, is going on to do herMasters in Physiology, whilethose in St Kitts are to remainin-house.

Looking ahead, Ollivierre

admitted, “It’s hardto predict thefuture. I just hopeat the end of thisvirus thing, theathletes are stillinterested in thesport and healthyenough to continue.I can’t really makeany long term plan,but will just maintain contactwith all the athletes.”

Sports Awards

On another issue, whenasked about ‘his take’ on therecent National Coach of theYear Award, he remarked thathe felt his work and input forthe past year were definitelynot recognized at this year’ssports award.

He did comment, “I don’tknow what method they used

to select the Coach ofthe Year, but last yearhas really been one ofmy best years; the year inwhich I have four athletes onscholarship.

“In addition, I have thelongest and most efficientsummer camp where I broughta coach from Jamaica and onefrom St Kitts to assist theprogramme. Plus, this year,four of our young, juniorathletes - Tamara Woodley,Anecia Richards, Keifie Bailey

and Odecia John - broke thenational junior and seniorrecords when they competed atthe Gibson Athletes Meet inJamaica; but there was nomention of that. But that’show it goes.”

All in all, Ollivierre remainsundaunted and commits tocontinue to work with hisathletes.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Young holds 35-year-old High Jump recordANGENELLA YOUNG’SHigh Jump record of 1.72metres, set back in 1985,still stands, and is theoldest record for FemalesUnder -20 athletes, asstated by Team AthleticsSVG’s website.

Young achieved herfeat, while attending theSt Vincent TechnicalCollege.

Young is trailed forthe longest held recordby Jacqueline Ross, whois the Long Jump holder,a feat she accomplishedin 1987.

But while Young andRoss have the longstanding Under—20Female records, it is ZitaVincent who has rackedup the most records.

Vincent is the holderof the 800m, 1500m,3000m, and is part of thequartet who set the 4x100m and 4 x400mrecords.

Four of Vincent’s fiverecords came in 2018. Inthat year, she reset two

of her individual records:the 800m to 2 minutes23.68 seconds, and the1500 to a new time of 5minutes 15.47 seconds.

Also in 2018, Vincent,along with ShahaliaLynch, Aaliyah Andersonand Azubah Delpesche,all of the CentralLeeward SecondarySchool, lowered the 4x100m to 50.85 seconds.

Crowning off herstellar year, Vincent

combined forces withShaffiqua Maloney,Annecia Richards andTamara Woodley, to setthe 4 x 400m’s best timeto 3 minutes 48.24seconds.

But even before then,in 2017, Vincent hadrewritten the 3000mrecord, when she timed11 minutes 9.56 seconds.

Meanwhile, UlandaLewis has in her graspthe 100m (11.81 seconds)

and 200m (24.21 seconds)records, both set in 2018.

Completing the list ofUnder-20 Female recordholders are Nicky AnnStephens and KrystalFoster.

Stephens holds theTriple Jump record of11.23m achieved in 2013,and Foster has theDiscus record of 33.34m,done in 2018.

Michael Ollivierre continues throughthick and thin to ensure IT-DATathletes remain focused.

Left: Michael Ollivierre was lastadjudged Coach of the Year for 2017.

Zita Vincent – multiplerecord-holder.

Ulanda Lewis – doublerecord-holder.

Angenella Young –occupies a place ofpride in the recordbooks.

Ollivierre keepingathletes fitand ready

Record holder Jacqueline Ross (2nd from leftfront) pictured with others members of SVG’s firstever team to Olympics - 1988 in Seoul, SouthKorea.

James among MalaysiaÊstop goal scorers

SportsV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020. 21.

HE RETIRED fromprofessional Football inMalaysia in 2014, butVincentian- Marlon ‘Tusty’James is still among thelist of top five all-time goalscorers in the MalaysiaSuper League.

James, with 60 goalsto his credit, sits in 5thposition among the topeleven goal scorers inthat League.

The Bequia-born

James had two stints inthe League: from 2001 to2008, then from 2012 to2014.

He netted 23 goals forKedah in 2008 and 16 forATM Armed Forces in2013 and was the GoldenBoots recipient in thosetwo years.

His tally of goals inthe Super Leaguerepresents less than halfin all competitions. In

all, James has scoredover 140 goals inMalaysia’s Footballcompetitions.

During his stints inMalaysia, James hasbeen draped in otheraccolades.

His most recent waswhen he was named theBest Foreign Playerthrough an onlinesurvey. He is expected totravel to Malaysia to

accept thisaward.

This awardwas bolsteredby his back toback BestForeign PlayerAwards in the2006 to 2007and 2007 to2008 seasons,and a third such Awardin the 2011 to 2012season.

James embarked onhis professional Footballcareer with semi- prostints in Trinidad andTobago.

He then moved to hisinternational exploits in2000, when he was onthe roster of BrayWanderers, and in 2001transferred to Tirense inthe Portuguese SecondDivision.

From there, hetrekked across toMalyasia and played forSabah FC and MK Land.

As his careerblossomed, James signedwith Kedah, but he had astumble when in 2008, aban was enforced onforeign players, forcingJames to leave theMalaysian League.

But he was not idle fortoo long, as in the sameyear, he moved to NorthAmerica to the UnitedSoccer League (USL),representing VancouverWhite Caps.

His stay with the USLlasted two years. He wasreleased in 2010.

By 2012, James hadreturned to Malaysia,joining the Malaysian

Armed Forces where heended his career in 2014.

In the VincentianFootball Programme,James has representedYouth Olympians andCombined Stars on hisnative Bequia, and HopeInternational on themainland.

James alsorepresented St Vincentand the Grenadines atthe Senior level, and wasthe team’s captainduring the 2010 FIFAWorld Cup Qualifiers,which took place in 2008.

ST VINCENT AND THEGRENADINES remains in position167 in the latest Coca Cola FIFAmen’s Rankings released lastThursday.

SVG is 21st in CONCACAF and

12th on the Caribbean FootballUnion’s list.

St Vincent and the GrenadinesSenior Men’s Football team has beeninactive for some time, with their lastouting being 18th November last yearversus Dominica in the CONCACAFNations League, in which they wentdown, to mark the first blemish inwhat was otherwise a successful runin 2019.

The Vincentian team, which goes bythe moniker Vincy Heat, began itsrenaissance when it took theWindward Islands Football Association(WIFA) Tournament in an beaten run,defeating Barbados 2-0 and St Luciaand Dominica 2-1, and drawing 1-1with Grenada.

A 2-1 win over Bonaire in theCONCACAF Nations LeagueQualifiers ignited the mercury inVincy Heat’s rising temperature.

Vincy Heat would go on to playthree friendly internationals duringAugust and September. Among thesewere a one- nil win over Trinidad andTobago’s Soca Warriors, a 1-1 draw

and a 1-0 loss to Belize.Competing in Group D of Tier B of

the Nations League, Vincy Heat endedwith three wins, two draws and asolitary loss, represented by scores of1-1 and 1-0 versus Nicaragua; 1-0 and2-2 against Suriname, and 1-0 and 0-1,against Dominica.

Finishing second to group winnersSuriname, Vincy Heat advanced to thefirst round of the Gold Cup Qualifiers,

where they were due to meetGuadeloupe on 26th and 31st March,in Guadeloupe and at homerespectively.

However, the COVID-19 has causedthe matches to be put on hold.

And, based on CONCACAF’sbulletin last week, the Gold CupQualifiers as well as its othercompetitions, are further suspended,because of the pandemic.

Marlon Jamessojourned with theVancouver White Capsbefore returning to theMalaysian SuperLeague.

Marlon ‘Tusty’ James continues to share his knowledge and experience withyoung footballers from his community (Bequia).

Marlon Jamescelebrates one ofthe 149 goals inscored incompetitions inMalaysia.

SVG remains 167 on FIFA MenÊs Rankings

Jubilant Vincy Heat players after defeating Nicaragua 1-0 last November, hereat the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

Kendale Mercury, Head Coach of theSVG Senior men’s Football team, hasbeen responsible in no small way forthe rebirth of the Vincy Heat fightingspirit.

SportsV 22. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

by PATRICK HORNE in New York

Editor’s Note: Patrick Horne is an author, sportsadministrator and football coach.

THE RECENT FIFA take-over of Trinidad and Tobago football is astew of the history of Trinidad and Tobago’s mismanagement offinances, FIFA politics and a lack of solidarity among CFU(Caribbean Football Union) members. However, with objectivescrutiny, one can clearly discern that the dominant ingredient inthis cook-up is blatant FIFA politics, and for this reason, I believethat Trinidad and Tobago could present a very strong and winnablecase to CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport).

For those who say Trinidad and Tobago’s challenge to the ‘allpowerful’ FIFA is futile, they adopt a defeatist attitude, whichsends the wrong message to FIFA and eventually signals anabdication of the ability to control our destiny in the Caribbean; infact, we will see the converse, whereby our destiny will be at thewhim of the world body. The situation has far-reaching implicationsand must be viewed from an holistic Caribbean football perspective

FIFA moves in

FIFA disbanded the five-month-old, democratically electedPresident William Wallace’s executive body of the Trinidad andTobago Football Association, and replaced it with a NormalizationCommittee, charging that the new executive had no properprocedures in place for the TT$50 million debt relief plan, a debtinherited by the Wallace group from the previous David John-Williams Executive. FIFA, also was not in favor of an attempt bythe Wallace group to partner the UK-based firm, LavenderConsultants Ltd., in the development of a sports complex in Arimaas part of the Executive’s debt relief plan. (The TTFA, instead ofpursuing the Arima project, should have focused on getting theHome of Football up and running because it was a huge FIFAinvestment).

The elected executive’s failure to resolve what FIFA andCONCACAF viewed as a conflict of interest because of dual rolesamong members of the Trinidad and Tobago Referees Committeeand the Trinidad and Tobago Referees Association, was anotherissue of contention. This referees’ situation existed and wasaddressed by CONCACAF officials, but not resolved, a couple yearsbefore the Wallace Executive took office.

A juxtaposition of the aforementioned FIFA charges against thefive-month-old democratically elected William Wallace Executiveand the mess created by the previous David John-WilliamsExecutive, reveals the making of a solid case for the WallaceExecutive group.

The T&T reality

Here goes: The David John-Williams Executive created, amongits maladies, a four-year period of financial mismanagement ofFIFA Funds in the development of the unfinished and inoperableHome of Football and other business. The Home of Football projectled to a court order for transparency that revealed the shortcomingsof the John-Williams Executive, which was documented andreported to FIFA, but ignored by the governing body; also, theillegal dismissal of a number of contracted coaches and others stillowed monies resulted in court-ordered frozen accounts in order tosecure millions of dollars in payments to the coaches. (The situationcompounded the problems for the new Wallace administration, as itset about executing the daily operations of the TTFA).

Eventually, the David John-Williams four-year tenure resulted inpoor performances by all Trinidad and Tobago national teams;there was a clear deterioration of the standard of football in thecountry; and subsequently, football in Trinidad and Tobago was leftwith an inoperable Home of Football and a TT$15 million debt thatballooned to TT$50 million.

FIFA’s claim that the democratically-elected William WallaceExecutive, with the aforementioned charges, violated articles 8.2 ofits Statues, which states in part, “Executive bodies of memberassociations may under exceptional circumstances be removed fromoffice…..”

An objective view of the situation, though, indicates that theDavid John-Williams Executive is the group guilty of creating“exceptional circumstances…” I believe CAS will rule in favor of theWilliam Wallace group. Actually, the court result notwithstanding,what really is very important here is the democratically-electedWilliam Wallace Executive’s refusal to capitulate to FIFA.

Next week — the role of CFU in the FIFA takeover.

The Trinidad andTobago-FIFA Fiasco

AT LEAST one sports fan, Jason Graham,has taken umbrage with some of theAwards handed out at the 2019 NationalSports Award Ceremony, held on March21, 2020.

In fact, Graham, others have said,represents a far from a minority view.

In his posting on a website here,Graham made the seemingly illusivejudging criteria the basis of hisdisagreement with, inter alia, theSenior Sportsman of the Year and theAssociation of the Year Awards.

While he established that he had nointention of discrediting the efforts ofCornelius Stewart — Senior Sportsmanof the Year - and the St. Vincent andthe Grenadines Football Federation(SVGFF) — Association of the year — heconjectured Sunil Ambris and the StVincent and the Grenadines CricketAssociation (SVGCA) “must bewondering if the awards were given bythe flip of a coin.”

Graham proceeded to make a case onbehalf of Ambris, citing that in 2019 hebecame only the second Vincentian (afterWinston Davis in 1983) to play in an ICCCricket World Cup; went on to top score ina group stage match versus India; becamethe only Vincentian to score anInternational century (148 vs. Ireland); hitan unbeaten 69 vs. Bangladesh in the sameTri Series involving Ireland; captained theSt. Vincent and the Grenadines NationalSenior Cricket Team and the WindwardIslands in the 2019 Cricket West Indiestournaments.

In addition, Graham referenced Ambris’490 runs at an average just over 50 fromonly six matches in the CWI Championship,which secured his selection for the WestIndies ODI and Test teams.

Graham assessed that similarly toAmbris, the SVGCA “probably had the mostsuccessful year in 2019.”

Listed among the achievement were:SVG winning theWindward IslandsUnder-19tournament;Senior Men falling

short of thechampionshiponly due torain; sixVincentianscontractedby theWindwardsVolcanoesFranchise;threeVincentians playing for the West Indies inthe same year; Gidron Pope representingthe West Indies emerging eleven in the CWISuper50 tournament.

The SVGCA also hosted the West IndiesUnder-19 tournament, the biggest event forthe year.

Graham continues his argument withreference to administration andmanagement, citing: Dr. Kishorne ShallowSVGCA President becoming Vice Presidentof the West Indies Cricket Board, the firstVincentian to elevate to the post; MilesBascombe appointed a regional selector;Denis Byam serving as the Physio for theWest Indies Senior Men cricket team;Michael Findlay, former West Indies wicketkeeper and selector, made an independentDirector of Cricket West Indies.

And in a leading role inadvocating for a balance of sportsand academics, the SVGCCawarded four national athletes forIndependence Celebration andproviding another five youngcricketers with financialassistance towards theireducation.

The panel of judgesadjudicating the National SportsAwards was led by noted SportsJournalist Rohan Thomas, andincluded William ‘Kojah’ Anthony,Aubrey Burgin, WollisChristopher and DesmarieGreenaway.

I.B.A.ALLEN

The Dr. KishoreShallow led SVGCAwas assessed by thefan to have outplayedall other Associations.

Sunil Ambris, in a sportsfan’s estimation, had anoutstanding 2019 thatdeserved closerconsideration.

Cornelius Stewart– 2019 SeniorSportsman of theYear is the captainof SVG’s SeniorNational Footballteam.

Marvin Fraser led the SVGFootball Federationthrough a challenging2019.

Sports Awardsleave doubts

ClassifiedsV

ALASCUT ORMANTO MOGAFFY RILEY

Faith Evangelist Outreach

Roseau, Sion HillWednesday, 15th

April, 2020Viewing: 2:00 p.m. Service: 2:30 p.m.

Kingstown Cemetery

ISOLA LYTHIA MCINTOSH

St. Mary Anglican

Church Bequia

Wednesday, 15th April, 2020

Viewing: 12:00 noon Service: 1:00 p.m.Interment: Port

Elizabeth Cemetery

DONALD BRADMAN HEARWOOD (HAYWOOD)

St Joseph Spiritual

Baptist Church North Union

Saturday, 11th April, 2020

Viewing: 1:00 p.m. Service: 2:00 p.m.Interment: McFun

Cemetery (Lowmans Wd)

VALCINA SANDY

St Elizabeth Spiritual Baptist Church

BelmontSaturday, 11th April,

2020Viewing: 1:00 p.m. Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Belmont Cemetery

MARY ROSALIND TAYLOR

Bethel Gospel Assembly

GeorgetownSaturday, 11th April,

2020Viewing: 1:00 p.m. Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Georgetown

Cemetery

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020. 23.

TWO QUESTIONEDIN OTTLEY HALL KILLING

FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020 VOLUME 114, No.16 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50

Published by The VINCENTIAN Publishing Co. Ltd, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.

AI REAL ESTATEArnos Vale 16,455 sq.ft @ $16.50 p.s.f. - $271,507.50

- BB130Cane Hall 5,991 sq.ft @ $15.00 p.s.f. - $89,865.00

- BB124Ribishi /Fair Hall 3 bedrm Property on 8,163 sq.ft.

- $498,000.00 - H110Rivulet 3 bedrm Property on 9,512 sq.ft - $400,000.00

- H119

(784)- 457-2087/(718)-807-4376 office(784)-493-9431/(784)-533-0431 whatsappcell

donp@vincysurf.com

AN OTTLEY HALL man becamethis country’s 9th homicidevictim for the year.

Police confirmed thatthey were investigating thecircumstances surroundingthe death of Kenny WesleyBoyde-Jackson, betterknown as ‘Iman’, 49-year-old unemployed of OttleyHall, and had initially takenup his ex-wife and their sonfor questioning. They havesince been released.

THE VINCENTIANunderstands that onThursday, April 9, 2020about 7:00 pm, Boyde-Jackson was entering hisyard when a masked man

opened fire, hitting himseveral times about hisbody. He was rushed to theMilton Cato MemorialHospital (MCMH) where helater succumbed to hisinjuries there.

At the time of theshooting, Jackson was saidto be in the company of hisgirlfriend.

Residents in Ottley Halltold THE VINCENTIANthat Boyde-Jackson was inan argument about twoweeks ago with his ex-wife.According to a female whodid not want to be

identified, Kenny and hisex-wife were in a disputeover the property they onceshared.

“Dem use to dey and arun business good good intown. Den me na know wayhappen, dem break up,” saidthe female, adding thatabout a month ago someoneshot “Kenny, bu dis timedem kill um.”

The police are solicitinginformation from thegeneral public that will aidwith this investigation.

Anyone with relevantinformation is asked to

contact the AssistantCommissioner in-charge ofCrime at 1784-456-1339, orthe Officer in-chargeCriminal InvestigationsDepartment at 1874-45-61810, or any PoliceOfficer/Station withwhom/which that personmight be comfortable.

All information will betreated confidentially. (KH)

IN OUREDITION ofFriday 3rdApril, 2020, onpage 12, wecarried a storyhighlightingthe work ofthe SVG CoastGuard.

One of theaccompanyingphotographs (above) was of CoastGuard Commander BrentonCain, with a caption that said hewas appointed to that position in2017, after acting in thatcapacity from 2014.

Commander Cain called tocorrect us, informing us that hewas in fact appointed in 2014,after acting from 2006.

We have no qualms admittingto our mistake, and hope that acorrection would be made to theposting accredited to a RoyalSVG Police Force web page, fromwhich we had originally drawnthe erroneous information.

Thanks Commander Cain forenlightening us, and do acceptour best wishes to you and yourcomplement of selfless seafarers.

OOOPS!!!A LETTER was expected tobe sent to the government bythe Vincentian TransportAssociation (VINTAS),requesting a meeting todiscuss recommendationsagreed at a meeting ofomnibus operators, driversand conductors, lastTuesday.

Failure by thegovernment to respond couldsee a further suspension ofthe omnibus service beyondApril 20, as was originallyproclaimed.

Tuesday meeting was heldunder the auspices of theVincentian TransportAssociation (VINTAS) todiscuss the effects of COVID-19 on the omnibus sector,Government’s stimuluspackage for the omnibussector, and decide on actionsforward.

However,much of thediscussionsurrounded

financial issues affectingoperators. Some noted thatthe government’s offer of$250.00-$300.00 a monthfor two months ascompensation for lostearnings, was not enough.

One driver suggestedcutting the price of fuel byhalf and increasing busfares, while anothersuggested increasing the

Kenny Wesley Boyde-Jackson, aka Iman, wassaid to have receivedmultiple gunshots.

OMNIBUS SECTOR THREATENSFURTHER ACTION

Members ofthe omnibussector insession lastTuesday.

current restriction on passengercapacity from 9 to 12.

When the discussion subsided,the meeting agreed that amongother areas, the following shall beadvanced to government for itsconsideration: provision of maskfor operators and conductors;further subsidies; increasedsanitization; increased passengercapacity.

Another meeting is scheduledfor this Sunday, April 19, at theArnos Vale Sporting Complex,starting at 2pm.

Royron Adams, Vice President

(Ag) of VINTAS,implored owners ofminibuses to registerwith the association.

Publictransportation herewas thrown into aquandary onWednesday 7th Aprilwhen the majority ofomnibus operatorswithdrew theirservices. The decisionto withdraw serviceswas said to be insupport of the nationaleffort to combat thespread of thecoronavirus and notabout money. (KH)