Montserratians and other qualified residents of Montserrat are being asked to turn out to vote April 2, 2001, with a possibility of returning for a run-off a week later on April 9.

They will be voting for the first time under a new electoral system brought about primarily as a result of the volcanic crisis, which forced more than half the population to abandon the island.

General elections were not constitutionally due before mid November this year, but last Thursday's sudden resignation of two ministers triggered the fall of the government headed by outspoken lawyer David Brandt. His outspokenness was a trait cited by resigned ministers Mrs. Adelina Tuitt and Rupert Weekes as one of the reasons they were uncomfortable with his leadership style, the main cause of the their complaints.

The Brandt-led government was Montserrat's first coalition government, although in a press conference Mr. Brandt expressed the view that most of our former governments were nothing more than coalitions.

No party dominated the November 1996 general elections; the Movement for National Reconstruction (MNR) ended with two seats, the People's Progressive Alliance (PPA) two, and two seats were won by iindependent candidates, Messrs. Brandt and Weekes. Former Chief Minister Reuben Meade of the National Progressive Party (NPP) also won a seat.

Following last week's resignations Governor Anthony Abbott prorogued parliament and dissolved the legislative council on February 2, after consulting with Chief Minister Brandt. Mr. Brandt and acting minister Idabelle Meade will manage the affairs of government until election day.

It was reported that in an interview on Monday, the governor said, "There is quite a lot of work to be done yet before we can announce the date. This collapse of government was quite unexpected and so there are quite a lot of things that have to be put in place first." By that evening, however, he announced: "Election day will be held on Monday the 2^nd of April 2001," adding, "In the event that the first ballot dose not result in the election of nine members of Legislative Council a run up ballot will be held one week later on the 9^th of April 2001."

The Governor expressed his own concerns about the timeliness and said that the electoral machinery had to be put in place and that political parties must also be given time to put their house in order.
"I don't think that candidates are actually ready to run," he said, offering some advice: "If there is to be a true democratic and open election, what I would also like to see is that the candidates and the parties that come together publish their manifestos and their policies in advance and that the people of Montserrat have the opportunity then to consider very carefully those options, and that too is going to take some time."

In the meantime the campaign action gets underway as political leaders scramble to put parties in place. On Tuesday night National Progressive Party (NPP) leader Reuben T. Meade announced nine names whom he said, are "the ones who have indicated an interest in contesting the elections," suggesting that the electorate may suggest other and more names as "this is not a final list."

The names he called were Hylroy Bramble, Claude Browne, Dr. Vernon Buffonge, Roselyn Cassell, Justin Cassell, Clarence Greaves, Lenroy (Slim) Daley, Charles Kirnon and himself, the last four being previous candidates at the last general election.

Surprising reports are that not all of these named persons have given their names to Meade. At least two would-be candidates have said that they have not given the final okay to Meade, and that they may not contest the elections at all.

The other former chief minister who has plans to contest the elections is John Osborne of the Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA), who lost his seat and power in 1991 after winning three successive elections. He has spent most of the last five years away from Montserrat.

In a telephone conversation from England with ZJB radio, he said: "We have some candidates but when I get home I will have to decide who the real candidates are because there are several people now but some of them may not qualify as far as I am concerned, but I intend to choose my number…there are lots of people who suggested that they would like to run in my party…but some of them might not be serious, so when I get home I will have to put it all together."

Of the recent members of government, Chief Minister Brandt has said that if enough persons indicate that he is needed, he will contest. Mrs. Tuitt has already set up office in Cudjoe Head, while Mr. Weekes said he will await the outcome of his medical reports to be conducted in Guadeloupe this week.

In a ZJB news report Thursday, Brunel Meade, the Minister of Agriculture who is reportedly quite ill in England, announced in a telephone conversation that he will not participate in the sudden election. "I am at the moment not well and I am going to be taking special care to ensure that my health situation has stabilised before I put anything else before that, because I can't serve my country effectively if I myself am not well."

Some other persons known to have either announced their candidacy or expressed interest are Claude Hogan, former chief of staff in the Chief Minister's office, Chedmund Browne, Dr. Lowell Lewis and Christopher Irish.

Dr. Howard Fergus and Mrs. Claudette Weekes, in their capacities as Supervisor of Elections and Returning Officer respectively, are busy trying to bring voters up to speed with the new voting systems, as they also try also to fix any new problems that might be discovered in the system.

As the campaign stutters into gear to be ready for the 2001 general elections set for April 2, Dr. Howard Fergus, acting Governor and speaker of the Legislative Council and supervisor of elections says the new process has run into some hitches.

Before it was accepted by both Her Majesty's Government and the David Brandt government the law governing the new procedures had gone through the process of study and consultations with Montserratians not only on island but in England and other Caribbean islands. As many as possible had been afforded the opportunity, through their organisations and at public meetings, to give their opinion on the new system. The system was recommended by an Elections Commission that had been set up and appointed by His Excellency Governor Abbott and headed by Dr. Fergus himself.

Questions are now arising and problems are being observed, including those from resident expatriates who previously thought that, having resided here for upwards of three years, they were eligible to vote this time round.

They are now finding that they have to be Montserrat citizens, not merely residents, to qualify, like others who, if they were Commonwealth citizens and met the other criteria, could be registered as voters which must be complete before next Friday, February 16.

Montserratians overseas are still asking questions about their eligibility, but section 1.4 of the recommendations bars them. It reads: "Montserratians overseas whose names are on the 1996 voters' list will be eligible for re-registration provided that they make a legal declaration of their 'domicile' status."

To be registered as a voter one must:

(a) be eighteen (18) years or older at the time of registration;

(b) not be a lunatic as found under any law in force in the Colony (Montserrat);

(c) be a Commonwealth Citizen and be resident in Montserrat for thirty six (36) months immediately preceding the date of registration as a voter or is (sic) domiciled in the Colony (Montserrat) and is (sic) resident therein at the date of such registration;

(d) not be disqualified under the provisions of the Elections Ordinance from being registered as a voter;

(e) not have been sentenced by any court in Her Majesty’s Protection to death, penal servitude or imprisonment for a term exceeding twelve (12) months and has (sic) not either suffered the punishment to which he was sentenced or such other punishment as by competent authority – which may have been substituted for the same or received a free pardon from Her Majesty.

The other problem is the recommendation which, under the law, now reads:

The nine persons receiving the highest number of votes cast and receiving not less than six (6) percentum per person of the total number of votes cast, shall make up the Legislative Council.

Those persons who did not receive six (6) percentum of the number of valid ballots shall be required to stand once more for seats still unfilled in the Council.

The problem here being "six (6) percentum per person of the total number of votes cast," which when taken in its context would represent more than the ballots cast, just on the assumption that each ballot contained nine votes.

Dr. Fergus believes that the error is obvious and said yesterday that the reference was always intended to be for "valid ballots cast" rather than "votes cast." Each person has nine votes to one ballot. "The intention was for regular ballots cast and steps are being taken to have it (the problem) properly rectified," he said.

The supervisor and election commission chairman was hesitant to say how this would be done, but speculation suggests that since the Legislative Council is dissolved that the British government will have to intervene.

Another question raised regards the disallowance of agents from accompanying persons who need assistance to cast their ballots. This, he says, was because of the possible number of agents that would have to go into the polling booth; to assure secrecy of the ballot, two persons including the registering officer will go into the booth with the person requiring assistance.

The sudden upsurge of these problems has caused concern among citizens who complain about the short time for the election to be held, coming as a result of the sudden collapse the David Brandt coalition government because of the resignation of two ministers.

Montserratians are being called upon to be more discerning than ever before. For the next 50 days at least, they will have to keep their ears cocked and their eyes and minds open

This will be one election campaign in which, because of the Voting At Large (VAL) electoral system, they can expect few or no smears and character assassinations. With the short time left there will be little opportunity for fun and frolic, to which some have grown far too accustomed.

As "Man from Baker Hill" has said, it is "Time for Truth." It is time to take the hint from Governor Abbott, who said: "I would also like to see is that the candidates and the parties that come together publish their manifestos and their policies in advance and that the people of Montserrat have the opportunity then to consider very carefully those options."

At least one of the former ministers claimed to be ready and all candidates should be ready; but none were ready to name their party or even to say whether they would run as independents.

Whoever it was that said, "I don't think that candidates are actually ready to run," may have been 'spot-on'. But just as it is necessary for them to now get ready and go, it is just as imperative for the voters to place themselves in readiness to be as discerning as they could ever be, "if there is to be a true democratic and open election."
The volcanic crisis brought us to a crossroad in our history; whereas in 1996 the question was "should we have an election?" it is now an election under a new system, which by no means presents a simple task. For some it was difficult enough sometimes to pick one out of as many as five, but now it could be a tenfold decision, where each voter is being asked to select nine out of any number of people.

The National Progressive Party (NPP) is already on the road. Even though some of the named persons complain that they have not given their okay that they will contest the elections, leader Reuben T. Meade said that the list "is not the final," calling on the electorate to "suggest additional names of people you feel capable and competent to represent you."

The leader of the former Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA), John Osborne, claims to have more requests than required to fill his slate, but we will have to wait to see how many he does come up with. There are also sounds that some of the ministers of government are each working on putting together parties.

The electoral office under the supervision of Dr. Howard A. Fergus, who was the chairman of the electoral commission that recommended the new system, is stepping up the education process in an effort to ensure that the public understands the new system. He had to convince the Governor that all can be ready by the April 2 date for the election, but already there have been some problems that will have to be overcome before the election to ensure its smoothness. Questions cropping up bring to light problems that must be corrected, such as the words "votes cast" where it was intended to refer to ballots.

As we wind down to election day we must all remember that April 1 is celebrated world-over as "All Fools Day." It will fall on a Sunday and will be the last day of the campaign. It will be the day when candidates make their final pitch. Let us hope that it will give voters the encouragement and the certainty they will need to choose the nine who will meaningfully take Montserrat into a progressive and prosperous future.

Read Revelation 21: 21-27

My dreams had been shattered. After 12 years of marriage, my husband asked for a divorce. I was left with two small children and a business in financial difficulty. Determined to find happiness, I looked in all the wrong places. A friend suggested, "Buy a new car. That will do it." What a disappointment! It did not make me happy.

One of my employees suggested I read a particular book about the search for personal faith. As a life-long church member, I thought I was a Christian. After reading the book, however, I realized I had never invited Jesus into my heart. Slipping from my bed onto my knees, I prayed and asked Christ to live in me

The next morning I knew something had changed inside me. I was no longer interested in my old lifestyle. Apparently I was different outwardly, too, for a customer after making her purchase asked, "Are you in love?" I was embarrassed and bewildered. As I thought about her remark I realized, "Yes, I’m in love with the Lord Jesus Christ." My search for happiness ended in a new search, reading the Bible.

Prayer: Precious God, thank you for the promise of life eternal. Amen.

Have I invited Jesus Christ to live in me and be Lord of my life?

Mary F. Shaw (Florida)

Prayer Focus: THOSE WHO ARE SEARCHING

PRAYER FOCUS: a willingness to forgive

Dear Mr. Editor:
I write to voice my concern with what is happening politically in Montserrat. In my view the current political debacle will only put Montserrat in a bad light regionally and beyond. Amid the ongoing volcanic crisis I believe it is in our best interest as Montserratians to project unity, especially in the area of governance.
Since the fall of former Chief Minister John Osborne and his Peoples Liberation Movement (PLM) our island has been grappling with a political crisis in my opinion. It is not just linked to the two recent resignations and fall of the David Brandt-led coalition government. To me, that was only another chapter in an ongoing and very unorthodox political drama (within the context of the Caribbean).
We have been struggling to find a feasible alternate political machinery since the days of Bassie. All of the political parties since the PDP and PLM have been very fragile and they fall apart as quickly and easily as they are formed. They act more like musical bands than genuine leaders.
The progress of any country depends much on the propagation of a shared vision. That way no matter who is in power the basic philosophy will remain.
Some of the development plans take a long time, and can be easily derailed when the incoming persons do not understand or share the vision.
The result is a situation where we will always be at the starting line.
What we need in Montserrat is a stable political climate. If political fallouts become our trademark it is going to be harder to obtain long-term commitments from Britain and others where development aid is concerned, especially long term.
According to the old adage unity is strength.
What we need is someone who will be a catalyst for unity and political stability in Montserrat! Someone who will have a genuine interest in putting country above self. Someone with a mindset like the late W.H Bramble, and the other great leaders of the regional trade union era. Until we find such a person I do not think our political crisis will ever be over.
Right now we are locked in a phase where politics is being used for self aggrandizement and a means to feather one's own nest. Most of these people who are into politics do not really care about helping anyone but themselves and those in their immediate circle. Their current dirty friendship schemes are not likely to extend beyond 2 April 2001.
Now that the Brandt regime has crumbled this is what I think will happen! We will go to the polls on April 2 and sweep the associated dirt and grit under an imaginary rug. The filth will only stay covered provided that the rug is not shifted in the future, and where coalition governments are concerned, that is very, very hard to achieve.
Our main focus now should be on creating a real sense of contentment and political unity in Montserrat. Considering all that we have been through, our politicians owe us that much. It's about time they stopped forming the fool with Montserrat people.
They are offering themselves to lead and that is exactly what they should do. Unity will be hard to secure where people run as independent candidates and then come together to form a coalition as a matter of convenience (in my view). Where there is no allegiance there could be no order. In my opinion, order is most likely to be obtained within a party environment. Having nine persons with nothing in common but a political seat will do little for stability and continuity of governance in Montserrat. It will not ensure any long-term solution to our current political crisis.

Joseph Daley
Editor's note: Joseph Daley is a Montserratian who currently works with the Government of the British Virgin Islands. He also spent several years working with ZJB Radio, which is owned and operated by the Montserrat government.

Dear Sir,
I would like to present my observations on the provision of the election laws of Montserrat in regards to the section dealing with the declaration of the poll.
The apparent reason for the requirement of a candidate to get 6 percent of the total number of votes cast in the new Montserrat electoral system is to allow only candidates who would have received a winning percentage of votes in a multi-constituency election to be elected.
For example, between 34 and 54 percent of the votes in a multi-constituency election contested by two or three persons.
In the scenario of 1,000 voters' each voting for nine persons, 9,000 votes are generated. Six percent of 9,000 is 540 votes; 540 votes represents 54 percent of the will of 1,000 voters.
This will be a different percentage if all the voters do not vote for nine persons, but using the 6-percent requirement of the total will adjust the percentage according to the number of candidates contesting to give the required winning percentage that would have been needed to win in a system where only one vote per voter were allowed regardless of the number of candidates contesting in that constituency.
Using 6 percent of ballots cast instead of 6 percent of total votes cast will allow candidates who would not have won a large enough percentage of the vote in a traditional multi- constituency election to be elected. For example, someone winning 40 percent of the vote in a 2 person race.
If there was no reason for the 6 percent of the total votes cast, then this percentage would not have been needed in the legislation in the first place.
Julian Margetson

The Montserrat Cricket Association is trying to contact Montserratian cricketers overseas who are interested in participating in the 2001 Leewards Tournament, scheduled to start 24 May, and the Red Stripe Bowl, due in October 2001.

The MCA asks on-island relatives and friends of such cricketers to contact them and determine whether they are interested.

Those who are should complete an MCA questionnaire about their recent cricket activities and have it in the hands of the MCA by 31 March, 2001.

Persons not yet registered on the voters’ list have another week to do so.

Friday February 16^th is the deadline for the registration of voters.

Although the majority of persons have been registered, voters can still put their names on the list under continuous voter registration process.

So far more than 2,800 residents have registered to vote.

According to figures provided by the Elections Office, Polling Division 3, which includes areas like Cudjoe Head, Banks and Brades, has the highest concentration of registered voters with 606.

Division 1, which includes Salem and Olveston, is second with 573 and Division 4 is third with 546.

This division includes Carrs Bay, Davy Hill, Sweeney’s and Gerald’s.

The polling division with the fewest registered voters is the new community of Lookout, which has 317.

There are six polling divisions.

Since the dissolution of Parliament on Friday there has been a steady flow of persons into the Elections Office, some coming to register, others to ensure that their names are on the list.

There is evidence to cause concern for the plight of young people on the island.

According to a paper prepared by Mrs. Angela Greenaway, Director of the Development Unit, there is a feeling of displacement among the youth.

This is just one of the problems she says are facing young people, the others being economic, physical and psychological.

She points out that while juvenile delinquency is on the rise, there is indication that drug use is on the increase, as well as teen pregnancy.

The paper was presented at a recent meeting of the Anglican Diocesan Youth Council by Mrs. Greenaway, who points out that the church can help by fulfilling its mandate of outreach, provide counseling service for the youth, enhance its youth outreach programmes, and assist with skill training programmes.

The Leeward Islands District Conference of the Methodist church in the Caribbean and the Americas concluded its 195^th meeting on Friday 2^nd February 2001, in Charlestown, Nevis. The theme of the conference was "Following Christ in the new Millennium: Called To Care."

The two-week conference brought together delegates from 14 circuits- Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, The British Virgin Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Holland, Montserrat, St. Croix, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts, St. Martin/St. Maarten, St. Thomas/St. John, and host circuit, Nevis.

The Leeward Island District conference was presided over by the newly inducted president, the Rev. Selwyn Lorenzo Vanterpool, a native of the Virgin Island, whose appointment becomes effective September 1, 2001. He was ably assisted by the newly appointed secretary of the district conference, the Rev. Oral A. W. Thomas, a native of Antigua and Barbuda.

Issues affecting the life of the church and society were discussed. The following position/Decisions were taken by the conference:

1. In light of the decriminalization of homosexuality in the European Community which directly affects overseas territories, the conference expresses its deep concern over the social impact of this action and calls upon all people to uphold the biblical principles of the Christian home and family life.
2. The Methodist church pledges itself to engage in positive ways in assisting the people of the region who are affected by domestic violence, substance abuse, rising criminal acts, anti-social behaviors and promiscuity.
3. The establishment of a resources center, in the St. Martin/St. Maarten circuit, to coordinate all aspects of our work such as education, development and mission and church growth.
4. The stationing of a minister, the Rev. Gesner Louis-Charles, in Guadeloupe to minister to the people of that island as well as the people of Martinique.
5. The reception of five persons for the ministry, three of whom came from the Holland circuit, the youngest circuit in the district, one from the St. Thomas/ St. John circuit and one from St. Martin/ St. Maarten circuit. The Rev. Gesner Louis- Charles was recommended for ordination as an itinerant presbyter.

We welcome all Christians of every faith and pledge ourselves to working together to build the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom of truth, justice and righteousness.

The Leeward Island District Conference of the Methodist church joins the wider Wesleyan family in welcoming the Church of the Nazarene as mission partners in the World Methodist Council, which consists of over 70 million people in 175 countries.

The MV Opale arrived over an hour late in Montserrat on Saturday morning last, carrying as its main passengers approximately 150 Adventists from Antigua and Montserrat who took part in a rally that same day.

The lay rally included Adventists from eight villages in Antigua. It was held to highlight the work of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in the community, with a focus on assisting the less fortunate and spreading the gospel.

The theme for Montserrat was "Evangelize our Community in This Century," while the motto was "By His Grace we will win the race."

Each district was responsible for presenting a pageant which involved banners and reports explaining how they have helped in the community.

A march was also held from St. John’s Centre to A and F Service Station in Sweeneys.

Also attending the rally was Pastor Peter Aaron, North Caribbean Conference Sabbath School Director, who is based in St. Croix.

The visitors included five pastors from Antigua, Royston Philbert, Wayne Knowles, Noel James, Holford Browne and Winfield Ambrose, along with and their families.

Meanwhile, during the rally 10 members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church at Mongo Hill were recognized for their work in the community.

Calvin Riley and Olivia Daley were recognized for five years of service, Leslie Williams and Roy Greaves for 10 years of service, and Josephine Lee and Ruth Fenton for 15 years of service.

Leroy Bradshaw and Victor James were honoured for their 20 years of community work while Caleb Greenaway and John Farrell received their awards for 25 years of service.

The team from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office continued its series of discussions with various groups on the now two year-old White Paper this week.

The officials, led by Barrister Gillian Dare, were expected, according a release from Government House last week to meet with a "wide range of individuals including all members of the Legislative Council." The release was dated February 2.

The team met with the Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt following meetings with the Christian Council and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The meetings were expected to be centred around the White Paper which was titled "A Modern Partnership for Progress and Prosperity" and deal with - self-determination; - mutual obligations and responsibilities; - freedom for the territories to run their own affairs to the greatest degree possible; to include Coordination, Citizenship, Financial regulation and Human rights.

Some reports said the meeting focused mainly on the nationality issue and Britain’s plans to give Montserratians the option of accepting British passports.

The citizenship issue is said to guarantee that Montserratians may opt to become a British citizen while maintaining Montserrat nationality, or not to take British citizenship. Citizenship will not entitle one to full British benefits except in emergencies.

The citizenship arrangements would not allow for reciprocity.

Bishop Kenrick Harewood MBE reached another milestone in his spiritual journey this week when he successfully completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Theology at the Southwest Bible College Seminary.

Mr. Harewood, who has studied and worked as a minister of religion throughout the West Indies, concluded this degree for his own spiritual and personal edification. He would like to thank those persons in Montserrat who have contributed to his thesis "The Effects of Natural and Man-made Disaster on Humankind and the Church."

The family and friends of Bishop Kenrick Harewood extend congratulations and wish him all the best in all future endeavours and spiritual growth.

The first sitting of the High Court of Justice in Montserrat under the Master who is an Associate Judge began in Montserrat on Monday.

Master Hugh Rawlins from St. Kitt’s, whose role is case management, will preside over the matters in Chambers.

Master Rawlins was expected to deal with a number of civil matters which have been backlogged since the 1980’s.

His job is to clear the backlog by ruling whether cases should be thrown out or settled between parties to prevent them from going before the judge unnecessarily.

The Master is also expected to set down for hearing those cases which are deemed right for trial.

The post of Master in the High Court was created by the new rules governing the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

Economic activity in Montserrat centeer on reconstruction, as efforts to rebuild the economy continued. The rebuilding process is being largely funded through the UK Department for International Development (DFID).

This is from a report from CANA this week which reported in a review of the regional economies by CDB President Sir Neville Nichols, who said prospects for the region in the medium and longer term will depend on the capacity of the economies to respond to increased competition .

Speaking to media in Barbados on Wednesday during his annual overview of the borrowing-member economies, Sir Neville said the economies had to shift from unprofitable lines of production and identify and seize new opportunities for selling products and services that globalisation and the communications revolution offered.

Efforts are underway to integrate the Civil Service Pensions Scheme and the Social Security Scheme.

This is part of the work programme for the Social Welfare Steering Group this year.

According to reports further work on integrating the pension programme with Social Security is dependent on the outcome of an actuarial review, which is currently being prepared.

Although details are sketchy at the moment it is believed the amalgamation of the two schemes will be along the lines of other Caribbean Countries and similar initiatives in the UK.

Meanwhile, the option of providing health insurance coverage for all residents is being looked at.

Currently only civil servants are covered by the Government’s insurance programme.

by Dr. Howard A. Fergus, UWI

In a pre-resignation radio speech on Thursday, 1 February, in which she claimed to have "made footprints on the sands of time," former Minister Mrs. Adelina Tuitt made a savage attack on the management style of her leader of under four years, lawyer David Brandt. In a word, it was about mismanaging men and money (and a woman to boot). The next day she and Mr. Rupert Weekes tendered their resignations as Ministers to the Governor.

Breaking with leaders is common in our modern political history. Although long before an election, P. Austin Bramble disagreed with the then Chief Minister’s policies and opposed him at the 1970 elections. As a minister in Austin Bramble’s government, John Osborne, who had to be demoted from the ministerial position, abandoned Mr. Bramble to contest the 1978 elections. In 1991 it was the turn of J. Benjie Chalmers to jump from John Osborne’s ship, but he lost his seat.

There are even more recent examples. Noel Tuitt, who had crossed the floor (he was the only PLM member in the House) to prop up the Reuben Meade government, was ready to vote against Mr. Meade in a Confidence Motion shortly before the 1996 elections. In the end he resigned. In fact, Noel Tuitt had crossed the floor to save the Reuben Meade government after he had sacked David Brandt early in the regime. Or was it Mr. Brandt who resigned citing management matters? Lazelle Howes too, a minister of that same government, rejected Reuben Meade’s leadership to run as an independent candidate in the 1996 elections. Interestingly, she served as a Minister until close to elections. Finally CM Bertrand Osborne sacked Reuben Meade in 1997 over his ministerial management attitudes early in the administration.

So Mrs. Tuitt has company. The fortunes of breakaway candidates have not been uniformly good or bad. Messrs. Bramble, Osborne and Brandt eventually won their seats and became Chief Ministers. On the other hand, J. Benjie Chalmers, Lazelle Howes and Noel Tuitt suffered defeat at the hands of the electorate. The voters will soon decide whether or not Mrs. Tuitt goes on to make more "footprints on the sands of time." If Mrs. Tuitt wins she would be the first Minister of Education saving Austin Bramble to be given a second term. She is not just repeating history but attempting to make it. Historians will then be in a better position to objectively analyse whether she has in fact left footprints on the sands or printed upon marble. Let us "beware the ides of March" or of foolish April?

Prime Minister Pierre Charles has asked Dominicans to judge his coalition government's first year in office against the strides that it has made in establishing good governance.
Having defeated the one-term United Workers Party (UWP) largely on allegations of corruption, the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) and the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) coalition says it has been able to clean up the mess left by its predecessor.
He said when it took over the coalition government had found "a corrupt tendering process for government contracts, rising and widespread unemployment, alienation of our young people, an escalating cost of living, badly managed sale of Dominican passports, victimisation of capable Dominicans on partisan grounds, corruption, lies, waste and kick-backs."

Former Roman Catholic priest Jean-Bertrand Aristide was sworn in Wednesday for a second time as President of Haiti.
Mr. Aristide succeeds Rene Preval, who became the first president since the Caribbean nation threw off French colonial rule in 1804 to be democratically elected, serve an entire term and relinquish power voluntarily.
Mr. Aristide was ousted from Haiti's presidency in a military coup and then restored by a U.S.-led invasion in 1994. He returned to the presidency on Wednesday facing internal political dissent and international isolation.
Hundreds of his supporters, waving banners, gathered in front of the Parliament to greet their returning president.

VC Bird Airport

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, CANA - A sick-out by air traffic controllers that lasted from midnight Tuesday to midday Thursday is being viewed by the government as industrial action and Aviation Minister Robin Yearwood said a probe will be launched into the matter.
"One cannot view it as a genuine sick-out; it can be viewed as industrial action for what one doesn't know because they are involved in ongoing discussions with the government so there is no breakdown or anything like that," Mr. Yearwood told the Caribbean News Agency (CANA).
The airport was closed because of the sick-out by more than 30 controllers. A skeleton staff of about 16 airport officers manned the controls, monitoring flights and the airspace over Antigua, Montserrat and St. Kitts.
The air traffic controllers want a 20-percent pay hike spread over three years but government negotiators said the coffers could only afford 7 percent over that period.
The aviation minister accused the controllers of being undisciplined and engaged in economic tampering. He said an investigation would be launched into the matter, a report would be submitted to Cabinet, after which, based on the advice of government's lawyers, action could be taken.
"Air traffic is an essential service and I don't think that the government is going to be able to tolerate these undisciplined actions. This is the country's economy (and) we can't afford for the country's economy to be tampered with," he said.
At least two airlines -- BWIA International and Caribbean Star -- confirmed that as many as six flights were cancelled in addition to several delayed arrivals and departures. Tourism Minister Molwyn Joseph expressed concern about the impact of the sick-out.
"Any type of action that results in delay or cancellation of flights to any destination is a negative for tourism and in Antigua and Barbuda, especially at this time, when we are experiencing a slight decline in our numbers of tourists coming to Antigua. I am extremely concerned," he told CANA on Thursday.
The Guild of Antigua and Barbuda Air Traffic Controllers (GABATCO) could not be reached for comment but local media reports on Thursday said that organisation dissociated itself from the sick-out.

Barbados, CANA - The President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Sir Neville Nicholls, feels that despite the varied problems of individual member countries, the economic forecast for the region "is one of general optimism."
Sir Neville told his annual media conference Tuesday that a "slowdown" in the U.S. economy was likely to negatively impact on the world economy and, consequently, the Caribbean. But no shocks were expected and the general outlook was encouraging for the region, he said.
With the exception of Dominica, all 17 borrowing member countries of the CDB experienced economc growth in 2000.
The growth varied from less than one per cent for countries like Jamaica and Guyana to 3.7 per cent in Barbados and as high as 7.9 per cent in Trinidad and Tobago.
This was seen as his final press conference before vacating office next month as a third-term President of the CDB. The 67-year-old Sir Neville has been with the bank from its inception some 30 years ago.
Authoritative sources reported that Sir Neville is most likely to be succeeded as President of the CDB by Mr. Courtney Bourne, currently principal of the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies, who was one of two nominees for the post when nominations closed in October, 2000.
The other was former Secretary General of the Caribbean Community, Roderick Rainford of Jamaica.
But CARICOM heads of government have reached an understanding to withdraw the Rainford nomination, the sources told the Caribbean News Agency.
A special meeting of the Board of Governors has been scheduled for March 6, when the decision to elect a successor to Sir Neville is expected to be made.

This is exciting news! Well done, WICB! Two thumbs up for the Caricom governments and power to the Caribbean people.

Caribbean people have made a major step in the New Millennium. And we are glad for expediency. Yes, the formation of the private enterprise with a public obligation to oversee and manage the 2007 World Cup is a tremendous breakthrough.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has formed Windies World Cup 2007 Inc. (WWC Inc.) with successful marketing manager of the WICB, Christopher Dehring, as Chief Executive Officer. He assumes his new position next month and will coordinate the staging of the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. WWC Inc. will manage the event in the Caribbean on behalf of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the game's global body that comprises 42 members, affiliates and associates.

Dehring will report to the board of WWC Inc., which will represent a cross-section of Caribbean stakeholders, including CARICOM governments and the WICB. An operating plan is being developed; operating procedures will be established for the new company; and a blueprint for new or renovated cricketing facilities to be used for the 2007 competition throughout the region will be developed.

A management body, which will involve representatives of the respective cricket boards, governments, private sector bodies and knowledgeable persons from the wider community, will be established in each territory that will host World Cup matches. These organizations will provide operational and management support.

The successful Jamaican executive Chris Dehring noted, "It's going to be a major challenge, not just for me but for the entire Caribbean. It's our challenge to pull everything together and make it a success. My job will be to coordinate that effort but everybody in the region should understand that they have an important role to play. This World Cup is critical to the region and to West Indies cricket, both economically and in the context of our international profile. We must take it seriously and work systematically towards producing a logistically sound and efficiently run World Cup. We will also be striving for absolute transparency in the interest not just of our global partners, to whom we are answerable, but to our regional partners as well."

The young man pointed to three important reasons why the Caribbean community should bring to bear a regional interest on this economic venture. The enlarged management administrative support is critical for to ensure (a) transparency; (b) economic democracy; and (c) international competitiveness.

First, insofar as Windies World Cup 2007 Inc. is a 100-percent-owned subsidiary of the WICB, which will work closely with the ICC and the World Sports Group, which has acquired the major commercial rights to the 2007 World Cup, the regional stakeholders (governments, private sector and other interests groups) must get involved to demand and assure accountability and transparency.

We must make sure that the entity (WWC Inc) conducting business using our Caribbean product (West Indies cricket) does that with prudence, efficiency and stewardship. We must make certain anyone using our product and goodwill to make a profit must operate in the interest of the greater good.

I have strongly argued elsewhere that West Indian cricket is a phenomenon of economic and social significance hence, a phenomenon of national (here I use national interchangeably for regional) security and national interest. And, as result, it must not be left to a small high colour propertied-class to manage it for its own interest. My recommendation has been that the management of West Indies cricket should be in the hands of a tripartite administrative body including the WICB (through its affiliates), the regional governments (through Caricom) and the business community, which finance the sporting industry (through the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC).

Second, the issue of economic democracy is very important. We must ensure that the returns from the 2007 World Cup, estimated to be well over US$500 million (through rights, merchandising and so on) are evenly distributed among the cricketing countries. In my book Cricket & Development, I showed that the economic impact of West Indies cricket is felt greatest by the countries that host international games. The critical concern is therefore the economic effects of the 2007 games.

Using quantitative evidence, Cricket & Development confirmed that any time there is international cricket in the Test venues, the sporting activity ushers in a boom in the small economies. The distributive effects are felt by hotel industry, the airline industry, the telecommunications industry, and all ancillary activities including guest houses, private homes and vendors.

We must therefore ensure that the venues for the 2007 games are well distributed; that the popular games are well distributed; and that the games that have the biggest effects are well spread. The domestic economies must feel the demonstration effects of the sporting activities through the participation of the providers that have forward and backward linkages with the cricket and tourism industries, such as construction firms, catering firms, transportation companies, brokerage and handling firms and so on.

This, of course, assumes that the governments have sensed the economic opportunity and will take advantage of it by giving priority to the development of the cricketing and related infrastructure, providing institutional support and making budgetary decisions that are reflected in the Public Service Invest Programmes (PSIP).

Moreover, The 2007 World Cup will be a great opportunity for international economic relations. The successful management of the games will promote the region in a way that we will never be able to do with any other product. The whole world will be looking at us. We will be the theatre in which the world-class performers will be exhibiting their crafts.

Let us rally round the West Indies! Let us ensure that they do it right!

PHOTO CAPTION: Chris Dehring, the CEO of WWC Inc

Life is progressive. It moves on year after year, regardless of whether the individual wants it to or not, and there is no turning back.

With the passing of time come advantages and disadvantages. Physically, the human body tends to wear out. This deterioration takes place at a faster rate if a person pursues a careless way of life and at a slower rate if he follows simple rules of conservative living.

Here are three principles which, as you follow them, will promote your health and help you to avoid illness.

Muscles in action require more oxygen and more food material than muscles at rest. It is the blood that brings both oxygen and food to the muscles. So, during exercise the heart beats faster and more forcefully to propel greater volumes of blood. Breathing is also faster and deeper to provide the extra amounts of oxygen.

Likewise, the various vital organs of the body increase their capacities under the stimulus of exercise.

For example – The heart pumps more blood;

• The lungs can handle greater volumes of air.
• The digestive organs become able to satisfy the increased demands for food materials.

Exercise is a wholesome stimulant to all tissues and organs of the body.

Exercise as a consistent practice goes far in preserving health.

Make exercise a part of your way of life.

Some of the things people do are detrimental to their health.

Consider the excessive use of sugar. Individuals crave sweetened soft drinks, prefer sugar-coated breakfast cereals and indulge generously in pastries and desserts. Why? Because of cultivated habit.

From the standpoint of the body’s cravings it is just as easy to train the taste buds to enjoy the natural flavours of foods, as it is to coach them in a compelling demand for sweets.

Better to discover and remove the actual cause than to stifle the discomfort by taking a tablet.

Promoting health requires that a person governs his pattern of living by what he knows to be best rather than yield to habits and customs.

Last but not least.

The human body consists of a group of organs which relate themselves very much as people in a group. And of all the organs, the brain carries the greatest influence over other organs.

When a person is unhappy, discontented or downcast, the body’s vital processes slow down and may even become disorganised. But when one’s attitude is cheerful, when he feels courageous and optimistic, and when he manifests appreciation for other people, a vitalizing influence emanates from the brain so that all of the body’s organs function efficiently.

Politics on Montserrat -- who can understand it? It is a joke. To some people it as if they are still playing childhood games. Games like lamo shea, green bush, last lick, half and time, dolly house, out a man or who on the battlefield lie down.

But you know what? Me grandfather say, some Montserratian politicians love to dabble in obeah.

"Talk de truth black boy. Tell us the issues."

That is the issue. You heard it from the minister's own mouth. The minister has to consult his medicine men in Guadeloupe before he announces his candidacy. Guadeloupe? What else could he be talking about, except to get his skin washed or to get his watch and ring dressed. Protection man, protection! But do not blame him. Can't you see how many times they had the man's foot well mashed up? There is hardly a good ligament in his ankle.

"Talk de truth black boy. Tell us the real issues"

Questions about issues are for politicians. I write only to entertain. So ask me another question.

"Well then, tell us where the campaign money will come from?"

Ah! That's a good question. You heard the African liberator Candidate complain about not having enough money to bribe the electorate. But that is nothing compared to what he has to pay the obeah man to wash his skin every two weeks until election day.

Last Election he only had to protect himself from the other two persons who ran in his constituency. But this election he has to protect himself from every candidate. Even those in his own party will try to obeah him. And if he can't pay the medicine man, he might as well forget the race.

"Talk de truth black boy."

Who on the battlefield better put on their armour or lie down. And who on the outside looking to join the race better take heed.

Last year the Chief spent weeks in Antigua pretending to be consulting with specialists. But what specialist? Medicine men -- real ones from Haiti, that's what he was up to. And he is still walking on crutches. Some curses require many visits to get a cure.

Even the lady ministers, they are very smart. These days you just can't tell what people are up to. But when you notice women wearing false hair, that is, weaves or dead people's hair, you have to wonder if it is not for protection - rather than style.

"Talk the truth black boy."

Truth! Truth! Ay saw, La mo shea, o higho leo. Tie up he nable string. So don't you know what is wrong with the Minister of Agree Culture? He had to run to England. None of his medicine men could agree on which herbs or plants to use to cure him. They did not understand politics on Montserrat. But I could a tell him. And I would a tell him if he did ask me. Ah boy… a we culture. Jumbie politician pan he. It is the deceased political legend "Book of life" on him. Can't you see that the minister is blocking the man's rebirth to politics? That is very clear to me. Please, somebody, give the minister this remedy for me. Tell him to make a concoction of long grass, Beth root and Jointa bush, mix it with badikeda milk, and tie it under his navel and keep it tied in place for 13 days. Tell him that it worked for me.

"Talk the truth black boy."

Thirteen is a bad number for Montserrat politicians. Yes, listen well, because who can't bear Government shot must not drink Government's wine.

This election will be taken very seriously by some people. The big "Jay" is afraid of the number 13. He will not arrive on Montserrat before the 13th. He will not announce his candidates before the 13th. These delayed movements are scheduled so as to break the spell of election defeats. You see, his allotted time was 13 years of Government, 1978 to 1991. It is just a game of last lick, half and time or green bush. But 13 is 13; six and seven is still 13. No matter how you look at it, age 67 is really a dangerous age for Montserrat politicians.

"Talk the truth black boy."

Please tell them to cancel this photograph thing on the ballot paper. I ain't running because I ain't giving nobody my picture. I ain't crazy, not yet out of my mind. All the candidates have plans to win on election day; and my picture will not be out there on any poster for them to dig out my eyes. I will trust no one during this campaign. From now on, I am putting red lavender under my right arm before I write any article.

"Talk de truth black boy."

Please call me black, but do not call me boy. I'm not a slave. In fact you can even call me Roy, black Roy, ok?

I have been reliably informed that DFID already has 50 leprechauns on Montserrat. So far the leprechauns have been very successful; their presence has caused the increase in homosexual activity among our young people; and they ensured that unfounded rumours of sexual exploits by our leaders have been leaked to the Internet. Most recently these leprechauns have mischievously confused the ministers, causing them to resign. And don't you realise how much stupidness you dream at nights? It’s the leprechauns that cause that.

Ssh, pay attention. A number of DFID staff are gypsies. But for heaven sake, do not try to identify them except when they are going backwards; for example only when they are reversing a car.

Worse yet, the forces have asked me to warn that DFID will bring in 27 elemental beings to put at the polling stations on election day. These are nine nixes, nine elves and nine salamanders. They will cause a lot of mischief on voting day. Do not be afraid though. Green bush is the most important tool in our culture. We have plenty of it here. Always carry it with you, especially under the soles of your feet, even if you have to sleep in socks.

So go on, run quick and tell the candidates to check with me for their supply of black hellebore, galbanum, gladwyn, callandine, nettle and myrtle. Tell them to bring along a few hairs from the horse's tail, so that I can bind the supplies for their protection.

Tell them if they perspire while campaigning that they must not use any tissue; and if they do, to discard it carefully. Tell them to put it in their pocket and discard it only in the sea.

Tell the candidates to walk carefully at all times. Tell them to tie a length of hair from the horse's tail around their knees or ankles and that they must make the tie in a double horse knot.

Tell the candidates not to cut their fingernails in public, tell them to flush all nail parings in the toilet. Tell them to secure all hair from combs and brushes. Better yet, tell them not to visit the barber or the hairdresser between now and election day.

"Talk the truth black Roy."

Tell the voters that in order to make the X for their favorite candidate that they must do as I say. Tell them to drink a potion made up of bitter aloes, fern, sage and salt on the eve of the election day. Tell them also that on election day they must place two lizard eggs in their shirt pocket and make the sign of the cross in the palm of their hands with olive oil.

Remember, Grandfather say, Montserrat politician does dabble in obeah. And if you do not believe Grandpa ask Brunie, or Rupie or Adie or Davie.

They will tell the truth that politics on Montserrat is not just a joke, it is also a serious health risk.

Jus wonderin why the officer was transferred from the waterfront back to the beat.

Jus wonderin if the boss is flexing his muscle.

Jus wonderin why the big chief laid off boys at 55 and reinstate a man well over that in the army.

Jus wonderin if they realize how serious it could get, when a man is said to tek it to heart and dead.

Jus wonderin what would have happened if the ministers had resigned over the firing of our former CM.

Jus wonderin if the electoral process could have been caught with its pants half way up or half down.

Jus wonderin if the beautification committee does not see the ugly looking big plywood in front of the terminal building.

Jus wonderin if there is any politics in the churches and what happen to love thy neighbor as thyselves.

Jus wonderin if is name-calling when one is referred Nicodemus and wondering who is Bartimus.

Jus wonderin when Montserratians will be able to say one big AMEN and HALLELUJAH.

Jus wonderin if man smart, but woman smarter and if he is not ashamed that they played him like a game of cards.

Jus wonderin what the COS going away for a few weeks have to do with the government dissolving.

Jus wonderin if that is any indication of why he should be encouraged to stay in Montserrat.

Jus wonderin how much higher they plan to take the light bill.

Jus wonderin why MONLEC cannot use the 25m they say they get from insurance to help the poor in Montserrat.

Jus wonderin if he really mean he will suck up to the British and what he really mean anyway.

Jus wonderin if all the names call will run in his party.

Jus wonderin when the house inspector is going to announce his candidacy.

Jus wonderin if we must go to talk to the politician or she is going to come and talk to us.

Jus wonderin when the Chief is going to tell us who his Indians are.

Jus wonderin if I could live in the UK and run for election or vote in elections.

Jus wonderin if it is easier to run for election or vote in the elections in Montserrat

Jus wonderin what this 6% means with votes cast and ballots cast.

Jus wonderin if everything is OK with the deputy chief.

Jus wonderin if there is any need to investigate the deputy Chief.

Jus wonderin if the gentleman is going to sue the lady for slander.

Jus wonderin if the COS and the tourist woman a planning a pull out together.

Jus wonderin if the party is brokes why announcements are made by the chief himself on radio.

Jus wonderin if anybody could get only one vote again.

Jus wonderin if all the dead people a go vote fu e.

Jus wonderin if some of them are the contacts he have over sea or uder ground.

Jus wonderin why that police big boy will not get a new contract.

Jus wonderin if it is true that DFID a help pay fu wan party ciampain.

Jus wonderin if DFID had anything to do wid de money ruma.

Jus wonderin if HE a try fu mek e self look good wid the army men.

Jus wonderin if the chicken and de bus man and company want to take us backwards.