Audit Accord Foiled In HQ Cost Overrun
By Bennette Roach
Temporary Government Headquarters, at Brades
Early last week the story broke that the Government of Montserrat instigated an audit into the excessive cost of the new Government Headquarters temporary buildings at Brades.
The initial estimated cost of construction of the buildings was EC$3 million, but according to the Chief Minister Brandt, the cost exceeded EC$8million.
The British Government agreed to the investigation request, and DFID was to appoint a person, which they did, while GOM was to do likewise.
Following the arrival of DFID’s appointee from England to Montserrat, and the government’s appointment of Mr. John E. Ryan, a former Financial Secretary and currently a practising building contractor, a dispute developed which prompted the GoM to write a seven-point letter to DFID.
The letter stated: "Disagreement has arisen over GoM’s choice and we see this as most unfair for the following reasons.
"First, the investigation is of Brown & Root and DFID(M). One of the investigators is already selected by you. If you dictate who our representative should be you would effectively have selected the whole team, thus opening the methodology and ultimately the findings to criticism and ridicule.
"Secondly, DFID(M) did not consult GoM over the appointment of its investigator. Why should DFID be attempting to arrogate unto itself the right to veto the GoM appointee? Further, does GoM have reciprocal right to reject DFID(M)’s appointee?
"Thirdly, GoM would seek to have as its investigator the person who, in GoM’s judgement, is best able to perform the role. That person has been appointed. Why does DFID want GoM to appoint a less able person to the task?"
Mr. Doug Houston, head man for DFID-Montserrat, said upon enquiry of him as to the objection: "We had expected we would have a nominee who actually worked in the government of Montserrat, either working in audit, treasury, or finance. The problem with nominating John Ryan is that he is actually a sub-contractor who is working for Brown and Root at the moment, so there well may be a conflict of interest."
The Chief Minister’s response to this position was as above and that it was not only Brown & Root who would come under investigation, but DFID also, as managers of the money. He said further at a press conference, that Mr. Ryan’s position with Brown & Root could not be jeopardized or favoured in any way, by his being part of the investigation.
In his letter the Chief Minister concluded: "I hope that in the spirit of partnership, fairness and openness, you will relent from your position in this matter. I also look forward to the day when the challenging of our legitimate positions will cease."
As it turned out, the DFID appointee did his investigation alone, while the disagreement ensued, but it is understood that Mr. Ryan is expected to do what he was originally appointed to do.
Government, civil servants and the public in general have expressed dismay at the cost of the buildings, which were supposed to be completed by the end of 1997, then by the middle of March, 1998, and again by the end of November last year. Finally, at the beginning of this month workers began moving into the buildings.
Old Sugar Mill is Now Property of Montserrat
By Bennette Roach
This week the people of Montserrat, through their government, became the owner of the Old Sugar Mill at Lookout Yard.
At an official handing-over ceremony on Tuesday February 9, 1999, the original owner, Peggy Scott Hammond, handed over the land certificate and the keys to the building to the Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt.
The ceremony was chaired by a prominent villager and motor mechanic of the area, Mr. Victor James. There were several speakers, of whom the guest speaker was Mr. Joseph "John Power" Galloway, who gave a brief history of the building and its use from 1921, when it was constructed.
The program of events for the ceremony showed the honourable Minister of Education as one of the speakers, but she as well as other ministers were noticeably absent. No apology was offered for the lady Minister who it was later learnt had left the island urgently that morning. Minister Weekes was also absent from the island, while Minister Bramble had other previous engagements.
"Direct Action, Not Theory, Creates Catalyst for Change"
When the Secretary of State for the International Development (DFID) in London unveiled new plans for the development of Montserrat in June last year -- the same time the Sustainable Development Plan was being released in Montserrat -- she was saying that it was the "Social and Economic Recovery Programme, a Path to Sustainable Development - 1998 to 2002."
The lady Secretary of State Clare Short had also said, in answer to a question in Parliament, that it was meant to be for "sustenance," not development. It was described as identifying "key policies needed to ensure an acceptable standard of welfare of those remaining on the island and to revive economic activity so that the dependence on aid is reduced."
The £75 million was to be spent over the three-year duration of the plan, 1998/99 to 2000/2001, and was expected to cover, according to DFID and the Governor, "all DFID expenditure related to Montserrat, including Budgetary Aid, Emergency Aid, Development Projects and assistance to evacuees. It sought to provide sufficient resources, taking account of other donor support, to meet the reasonable needs of those who have chosen to remain on the island."
We have since heard Chief Minister Brandt refute the idea that this sum can meet "the reasonable needs of Montserrat," taking into account the dire need of housing.
This SDP also stated that "Government was to be the catalyst for the economic recovery of Montserrat."
Going over some of the things that had been said about the plan, and the eventual Country Policy Plan (CPP) which supposedly puts into context the SDP, this seems contradictory and questionable. It is for sure that the plan will meet the budgetary aid requirements of the island; nothing is new there. It will meet the Emergency Aid which it is said is no longer required. If Development Projects include the building of a port, roads and their maintenance, water, communications, travel, electricity, etc., then that could be understood.
But when it comes to making the Government the catalyst for economic recovery and growth, there seems to loom a difficulty. How is that going to be done, and is there any truth or desire for this to be so? If any of this is true, Government, either one, should take time to explain to us and the civil service how this is to be done.
It may be that some businesses have worked it out, but generally, according to Chamber officials, they are at a loss to understand the plan.
Governor Abbott had said a few months ago that the civil servants do not have a grip on commercialism. So at the end of last week, at the closing of a management training course, he was telling the participants of, "the need to develop the skills of those who work in the public service sector, as they will need to pave the way for the re-development of Montserrat…the Public Service sector on Montserrat is facing a great deal of change and has the responsibility of laying an infrastructure that will bring Montserrat into a position where private investors will find the idea of doing business here attractive."
Do these public servants understand the task at hand? Did the Governor mean what he was saying? Is there any willingness to change attitudes and is there any desire for this country and its people to progress?
Oh yes, £75 million is quite a bit of money, but with all the restraints and constraints that are being reported, we have to hope that it will not go the way of the previous £60 million, most of which is still proving to be quite invisible.
It is going to require that our Ministers and public servants take a firm grip on setting some positive and definite goals, well expressed and managed, that they take over the responsibilities and reach the understanding needed, and bring the private sector on board. Only then can the Government achieve the expressed goals of its being a catalyst to the economy.
How About a Dump Transfer Station!
Dear Mr. Editor
I agree with Trevor Howe's assessment on the radio this week, that people will be tempted to dump in the ghauts rather than drive all the way to New Windward. Look at the road from Frith's to Belham Bridge.
Some towns and villages elsewhere in the world, have a large container which is made available for dumping - they call it a "transfer station" - the large container is sometimes set below grade so that you back up too it with your car and throw your garbage down into it without having to throw it up and over. When it is full the truck or tractor pulls up - puts the container on the wheels and takes it to the dump with the container being replaced by another empty one. In fact the island of Vinylhaven - off the coast of Rockland, Maine which has a large summer population and a very small land area uses this method successfully - they have the added problem that the garbage must be brought off the island to the mainland. When it is full the truck goes to the ferry and will "bump" automobiles who have tickets as it is more important to get the garbage off the island than residents.
There is also a special type of garbage truck that pulls the container on to it via a built in cable and rollers. This would obviate the necessity of handling the materials more than once. An idea might be to request the UK to provide one of these vehicles with two containers.
In the absence of one of the above special vehicles - perhaps thought should be given to a transfer station located just past Judy Piece - even if the materials had to be handled by loader at that point it would be better than having random dumping over the island.
Also perhaps some thought should be given to handling construction and debris (called C & D) material separately from garbage. The thought being that this is bulky and takes up a lot of room in the regular landfill - alternatives are that much of it could be used for fill - say old cement, old blocks and other materials that are not toxic - wood could be burned -
If something like the above is not be done strict enforcement by garbage police may become necessary, if Montserrat ever wants to have a tourist industry again. If persons are going to dump randomly they defeat a portion of the purpose of moving the present dump site!
J.M.
Is Governor's Office Engaged in Coverup?
Dear Editor,
The Governor's office responded promptly to my requests for information on the findings and recommendations of the recent prison inquiry. Those requests were prompted by the uninformative nature of this limited release:
"Prison inquiry
"The commission of Inquiry set up to investigate and report on the management of the HM Prison presented its report to HE the Governor on 15th September. The report identified a number or problems, some serious, in the management of the prison and the treatment of prisoners. Given the nature of some of the evidence provided to the Commission, the report will not be published. However, HE the Governor has accepted the Commission's recommendations and action is in hand to implement them. The Governor is grateful to the Commissioners for undertaking this task which was completed thoroughly and expeditiously. He also wishes to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of the prison service during a most trying and difficult period."
However prompt, instead of providing an answer to my query, the response from the governor's office only raised more suspicion and questions.
For example, the Governor's office speaks of serious problems "in the management of the prison and the treatment of prisoners." To whom is the Governor referring as "management"?
Is management:
Reliable sources confirm that they were all fully aware of what was going on in the prison. Had it not been for my rendezvous with four escaped prisoners in 1997, like most Montserratians, I, too, would be blind to deliberate negligence in very high places.
I interviewed the four prisoners in the bush for several hours on video before being aided by Mr. Bennette Roach in turning the prisoners in.
When they were brought before Governor Savage and the international media, Mr. Savage himself admitted to his role in the suppression of the desperate appeals of prisoners. Soon after that event another prisoner escaped and beseeched me to intervene on the prisoners' behalf. Further investigations suggest that not only the rights of prisoners were seriously violated but also those of their families and prison officers as well.
Before the matter goes beyond the Governor's desk it is hoped that the whole matter of withholding vital information from the public and those violated will be reconsidered At this point one can only persist to ask reasonable questions and wait for honest answers.
Can the public be a watchdog when forced to wear a blindfold?
Are the findings of the prison inquiry any worse than those of the recent coroner's inquest or does our Governor Abbott lack the courage of Rhys Burriss?
Will Mr. Brandt join in suppressing the findings of the inquiry he successfully initiated while in opposition?
Will Montserratians be left to guess and wrongly accuse undeserving individuals?
How concerned are our leaders about the appearance of impropriety?
Who is the cover up protecting?
When will we know more than the uninformative contents of this official release?
Donaldson Romeo
Work Begins in Salem For Return of Cricket
By Heather Leonard
Salem
cricket pitch being prepared for a makeover
On Wednesday of this week efforts were begun to re-establish an international cricket field on Montserrat.
Several local volunteers, along with 20 sailors from the HMS Marlborough, made groundbreaking progress at the Salem cricket field. The project is expected to carry on into the year 2000, but it is hoped that cricket will be played within the year at the Salem field. Mr. Richard Aspen had this to say about the project:
"This is going to be the major playing field for the future. Currently it is not large enough to play international cricket, so we are, in fact, extending the park to the west. Businessmen have donated some land, so we’re going to have to build a boundary wall across and then fill in the gap with all the scrap cars on the island and then fill in with topsoil over the top. That will give us an extra ½ acre to ¾ of an acre.
"On the northwest corner we’ll build that up again by putting topsoil on to give us extra playing area. Between those boundaries we will just have enough for an international size cricket ground. The buildings formerly used as shelters have been donated and they will now become part of the sports complex.
"So we have raised $250,000 from the Governors funds, and it’s going to be a self-help project. The money is just basically for materials."
His Excellency the Governor Mr. Tony Abbot commented: "This project to revive cricket on Montserrat has truly got everyone’s support, the Governors office, the Governor, the Ministers and, in fact, the whole community. I’m very keen for this to be a self-help program; it’s by the people for the people. So there’s a lot of work already being done around here. It’s made marvelous strides since we first started out last September.
"These three structures here (the former shelters) will be re-furbished and will provide a pavilion, changing rooms, tea rooms, etc. I’m very hopeful that by May this year, we might get Leeward Islands standard cricket back in Montserrat. We have no real formal sports (at present) this will be the first step.
"The football association, who I know is working very hard to develop a project here, they might also very soon have a football net. That might bring with it another sport, like basketball. This could actually become a sports complex for the whole island."
On hand were several Montserratian volunteers to help with the project. Clarice Skerrit expressed her feelings about the project: "Well I am a Montserratian, I’m from Salem originally and I feel good to see cricket coming back to Montserrat."
A representative from the Lions Club in Montserrat, Ms. Elaine Hazel, said: "We heard them on the radio asking for people to come out and help. We plan to stick with the program. We have 14 members and we get involved in various community projects."
Hon CT John (left) and HE Governor Abbott joining the cleanup effort
C. T. John was also there and had this to say: "I heard about the project, and once anything is going on in Salem, I have to be there. This project means that we will have a proper field on which to play sports, and that’s very important. Anything at all for Salem, I’m with it to the very end."
Also present to lend a hand was the contingent of 20 sailors from HMS Marlborough. Mr. Jacobs of the British Royal Navy explained their interest in the project: "We are currently doing counter drug operations in the Caribbean sea, and Montserrat, being one of our U.K. dependencies, we like to come and visit as regularly as possible.
Soldiers from HMS Marlborough
"Because of what has happened here the last few years with the volcano erupting, we like to show our support wherever we can. The working hands here at the moment are the ship’s cricket team, and obviously as this is the cricket pitch and we hope to play here one day, it’s in our interest to come here and help tidy up. We hope to return. We are only here until June, but hopefully, between now and then, we can find something in our program so that we can return and enjoy the fruits of our labor, and have a game against the Montserrat team."
Montserrat Bows Out Of Copa Caribe Cup
By Angela Burns-Piper
The Montserrat National Football Team missed out on a chance to go on to Haiti in the second leg of the Caribbean Cup Championships.
The local boys fell to the national team from the British Virgin Islands last weekend, in the first round qualifiers.
Montserrat played the BVI in two games Friday and Sunday at the A.O Shirley Recreation Grounds in Road Town, and went under 3 goals to 1 and 2 goals to nil respectively.
The lone Montserrat goal came from Kurt Webb.
There was one casualty throughout - rightwing Mark Stephanie missed the second game. He spent Saturday night in Peebles Hospital after being diagnosed with hypertension.
In another incident, goal-keeper Kenroy Hyman got a red card in the second game. He was replaced by.
However, the boys from the Emerald Isle were treated to a lovely weekend in Tortola, courtesy of the Montserrat Association of the BVI, who provided their meals, and some measure of socializing.
Former Montserrat Governor, now Governor of the BVI, His Excellency Frank Savage was on hand Sunday to meet with the team after the game.
The Montserrat National Footbal team returned home on Monday, while the BVI now advance to the second round of the competition to meet Group 4 teams Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
Police Complete Courses In Management Training
Last Friday the Royal Montserrat Police ended a two-week series of courses aimed at developing the skills of those in management and supervisory positions.
The courses were an effort to provide the training that the Montserrat police need to bring them into the 21st century. It was then decided to include other areas of the public service sector as well.
As stated by Acting Commissioner Mr. Simon Morson: "We believe that it is vital for our police officers to be properly trained as they are expected to be under constant challenges by what they will encounter now and in the future. In today’s world, as you know, we are faced with a different breed of criminal, those who are more skilled and advanced, with available technologies to carry on their unlawful activities. The police here, you will agree, must remain on par, and remain abreast of these developments, if we are to continue protecting our citizens.
"During the courses over the last few weeks a total of 38 civil servants, police, prison, and customs officers were exposed to training for supervisory and management skills. Judging from the feedback I’ve been getting, the program has been a resounding success."
At the closing ceremony at the McChesney’s Residence, Governor Abbott placed the emphasis on the need to develop the skills of those who work in the public service sector, as they will need to pave the way for the re-development of Montserrat.
"The Public Service sector on Montserrat is facing a great deal of change and has the responsibility of laying an infrastructure that will bring Montserrat into a position where private investors will find the idea of doing business here attractive," the Governor said.He explained further: "What the public service is charged with now, is installing an infrastructure in Montserrat to replace the one that was totally and completely devastated. Only when such an infrastructure is in place are we going to be successful in attracting private investment."
Governor Abbott seemed expectant and deliberate in his address to the passing out participants of the course, reminding them that "investors want political stability, physical stability…and most of all they want to put their money where it is going to make money."
He admonished the importance for those in the public service sector to continue honing their skills so that they can achieve the highest standard of success for the island. In his address to those who had completed the courses, Mr. Abbot said:
"I did say that the people chosen to attend these courses are pivotal to the future of the workings of the public service and the success of this country. . . . If we are actually aware of change, it gives us an opportunity to plan ahead and prepare for that change, and in the public service that is of great importance. In order to get the best out of the public sector, we need to develop skills and evolve the skills you all knew you had when you walked into this room a week ago. . . . We have much more training planned . . . we have put in for a good deal of resource funding, for training across the board. When budgetary talks are completed next month, we’ll have some idea as to the outcome."
Contractors, Brown & Root Trade Accusations
By Dr. Roy F. Lee
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The British Company, Brown & Root Ltd., has been having problems with local contractors from the very beginning of its operations here in Montserrat. A large engineering and construction company, Brown & Root has worldwide operations. Before coming to Montserrat, its business dealings in the Caribbean were not without blemish. It had a very stormy relationship in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The official version of its role here is that it is under contract to the British Government's Department for International Development (DFID) and the Government of Montserrat. In actual fact, though, its company's managers treat the Government Ministers as if they are little boys, allowing them little, if any, control over the company's conduct of its affairs.
Currently, along with local representatives of DFID and, to a lesser extent, the Governor's office, Brown & Root's managers literally rule Montserrat, ignoring the country's laws and elected officials when they see fit.
The matter in dispute involves the Lookout Contractors’ Group, consisting of about five local contractors, who build houses at Lookout on contract to Brown & Root. The latter supplies all the materials and the local contractors supply all the labor. The arrangement requires the contractors to submit invoices every two or more weeks, with payment due within one week of submission. Brown & Root has been sending the contractors claims for overuse of materials and deducting such amounts from the invoice claims.
"No payment due as material deduction cost greater than cost of works executed," is standard instead of payments. Over EC $300,000 has been withheld by the British company under what the local contractors view as a cruel effort to damage or destroy their businesses. About 200 tons of sand, gravel etc., have been "wasted, lost or damaged" according to Brown & Root.
The view is that the causes of the material losses result from the company's removal of all the topsoil from the construction area. The poor design of the project, with practically no drainage system, creates uncontrolled water flow. There is little soakage, as the topsoil was removed. The recent heavy rains produced rapid runoffs and took whatever was movable with it. One knowledgeable observer stated that when topsoil is removed, the rains run off the soil with an ease almost comparable to that of water moving on galvanize. The damages to the roads, yards, seepage into homes and washing away of stored and other topsoil have been severe. Brown & Root then wants the contractors to pay these losses caused essentially by its own ineptitude.
Or is this company accusing the contractors of stealing the materials in an area that it so well secured? That is the way the contractors see it, and they are very resentful, asking Brown & Root to "call in the Police to investigate what is clearly a criminal act," if they indeed steal the materials.
And that is not all. At the end of November 1998, the company produced a bill of quantities without any input from the contractors, and described it as being for informational purposes only. To the uninitiated, a bill of quantities lists the amount of each material required to complete specific tasks. They made up these quantities, which the contractors understood were supposed to be a general guide, because they did not have a qualified quantity surveyor on staff.
In December 1998, Brown & Root informed the contractors that automatic deductions would be made from contract sums if, in the company’s opinion, materials were used in excess of what they considered the required quantities. The contractors were then obliged to deal with the company’s controller of materials on the matter of over-issue when, in actual fact, there was no reliable quantity guide from which to work.
Two examples of inaccuracies found in Brown & Root’s bill of quantities:
(1) One roll of BRC fabric is allowed per house, and each roll averages about 700 square feet. Based on size, 1.5 rolls are needed per house, but the contractors are required to pay for the extra half roll.
(2) About 2.5 tons of steel reinforcement is required for each house, but the company’s allowance is less than one ton, sothe contractors are charged in excess of one ton as an over issue.
In essence, then, the contractors are being coerced into subsidizing Brown & Root’s material costs. They see this matter in terms of the company’s incompetence and in the arrogance they displayed by implying materials were being stolen. They are very resentful, and have asked Brown & Root to "call in the Police to investigate what is clearly a criminal act," if they did indeed steal the materials.
How could the contractors have stolen such a large quantity of materials from an a area so well secured?
If we consider the current project at Lookout as Phase 2, then some contractors from Phase 1 have not had their accounts cleared. Brown & Root is still holding monies due them. As a result, most contractors in Montserrat refused to work for the company in Phase 2 of the project.
The current manager of Brown & Root in Montserrat, Mike Dodd, is a sore spot with the contractors. He is considered far worse than his predecessor, Leo Bedford, who was viewed as being beyond the pale. One of the contractors said that at least Leo Bedford admitted his mistakes and kept his word. At issue with the contractors is whether the behavior of the company’s managers represents official policy or is merely the aberrant manifestation of individuals responding under pressure.
For other Montserratians, a more pertinent consideration is what on earth is Brown & Root doing in our country? They were kicked out of the USVI and we have to rid ourselves of them sooner rather than later!
The situation with the contractors and Brown & Root has come to a crisis, and this may seriously affect the construction of houses in the safe zone. As of the close of business on Friday, January 29, 1999, the contractors suspended their operations at the Lookout site.
All of that notwithstanding, the main resentment most Montserratians have against these British is that they think they have a right – a God-given right – to rule over us. In this the dawn of the 21st century, they are playing to the hilt their idiotic Rule Britannia mania.
In our little Emerald Jewel, the rule of law is being trampled upon by these agents of the British.
High marks for the contractors, as most Montserratians seem pleased that at least one group is standing up to this British colonial oppression. Mr. Reuben T. Meade, one of the contractors and a former chief Minister, gave an interview to Radio Montserrat on Tuesday, and he accused Brown & Root of removing materials from the construction site without approval of the contractors. Only "Heaven knows," he noted, how long this has been going on. This is a very serious accusation, but it reflects the view of Montserratians that the British, who are supposed to be our benefactors, have instead stolen and squandered on themselves most of the money they claim they gave us, and have turned to plundering and pillaging a suffering people.
They plan to steal our lands, not registered, much of these from people who do not have the money to pay for registration surveys. They seem to trespass on, take our lands, sometimes without any desire to pay for it, just as in the 1600’s, 1700’s and later. And all of this while they are referring to Iraq as a rogue nation!
Little Bay Dump Site Is Going at Long Last
This week saw the beginning of the end of the offensive dump site, between Carrs Bay and Little Bay, that tourists, visitors and residents all saw as they traveled to and from the emergency port at Little Bay.
The honourable Minister Rupert Weekes had complained bitterly about the location of the dump site many times over, expressing annoyance even at the delay in changing the site. The lady Minister Adelina Tuitt, under whose ministry the responsibility for the waste disposal falls, has for some time been saying that this week’s activity would soon take place. Trucks could be seen making several trips removing the burnt garbage from Little Bay to a new home at New Windward.
Senior environmental officer Trevor Howe said on Wednesday:
"As a matter of fact there is increased activity now at the New Windward site, because two things are happening: one -- the daily generation of waste is being taken there by members of the public, but also the cleanup operation at Little Bay has commenced today."
Signs were in position directing waste disposers to the respective sites at New Windward, but there are complaints about the difficulty and potential danger in accessing the site when it rains. However, Howe explains: "The trench that is now being used is already accessed, it’s paved, and it has a roundabout so you can drive in, and you would back up to the trench and you would back all the way into the trench. What we are asking the public to do is back all the way into the trench. Obviously if it rains we don’t expect you to go all the way back into the trench, but a good portion of the trench itself is paved so you can back up right to the edge of it and dump. And on a daily basis we would have stuff pushed in by the bulldozer and compacted."
REGIONAL NEWS
GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
Brandt Invites Formation Of Bus & Taxi Association
The Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt is inviting bus and taxi drivers on island to form or re-establish an association to represent their interests.
He says Montserrat is in a rebuilding stage and the emphasis should not only be on houses and roads but other infrastructure necessary for the island’s development.
Chief Minister Brandt says it’s very important for an association to be in place because there are lots of benefits to be derived, from tourism in particular.
He says, "the success or failure of our tourism depends on a vibrant association working to the benefit or detriment of the industry."
Mr. Brandt says Government will be in a better position to give technical assistance in a number of areas. He says taxi and bus drivers will be taught the history of Montserrat before and after the volcano and Montserrat’s culture.
The Chief Minister emphasized that very little can be achieved individually. He says with an association in place, discussions could be held with an aim of reaching amicable solutions to problems faced by taxi and bus drivers.
Next Hazard, Risk Assessment Of the Soufriere Hills Volcano
The Soufriere Hills Volcano will be the main focus of attention for scientists later this month in Trinidad.
The February 24th and 25th meetings and discussions are geared towards providing an update of the hazard and risk assessment of the Soufriere Hills Volcano.
The core of the scientific team will comprise Richie Robertson, Lloyd Lynch and Keith Rowley of the Seismic Research Unit (SRU) of the University of the West Indies (UWI), and Professor Steve Sparks, Dr. Willie Aspinall and Dr. Reedman of the United Kingdom.
The meeting will update all aspects of the July 1998 report, and the general re-assessment of the status of the volcano and risk assessments will address the following specific items:
A short (2/3 page) summary of the conclusions will be prepared at the end of the meeting, which will issue simultaneously to the Governor, GoM, FCO and DFID.
A comprehensive report including the detailed analysis should issue before March 12th, 1999.
Handing-Over Ceremony For Sugar Mill at Lookout
The Old Sugar Mill at Lookout Yard is now the property of the Government and people of Montserrat.
At an official handing-over ceremony on the premises at Lookout Yard on Tuesday February 9th, 1999, the original owner, Peggy Scott Hammond, handed over the land certificate and the keys to the building to the Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt.
In her hand-over remarks, Ms.
Scott Hammond said her hope for the property is that all Montserratians find a light of
joy and that it would be used for cultural gatherings and that all would enjoy the thought
of the beautiful stone work and that some people may aspire to make such beautiful stone
work in the future.
She said the property was built in 1921, a very short time ago, and that people can see how well it has lasted. Ms. Scott Hammond said when one thinks of hurricanes and security, one should think in terms of stone work and preservation.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Minister Brandt stresseded the importance of the gift, especially since it’s coming from someone not born of Montserrat parentage.
Mr. Brandt said the Government and people are indeed very appreciative of what he terms " this valuable gift." He said the gift comes at a time when the Government of Montserrat is paying a great deal of attention to "our cultural heritage."
He said the National Trust has great ideas for the property and anything that his administration can do to advance the cause will be done.
During the ceremony, a brief history was provided by Mr. Joseph "John Power" Galloway and there was also the unveiling of a plaque by Mr. Cedric Osborne on behalf of the Montserrat National Trust.
The Old Sugar Mill and surrounding
buildings will be used as a museum and the Montserrat National Trust and Montserrat
Tourism Board have drawn this property into their work programme for 1999 and beyond.
As history would have it, in the early part of the 20th century, Lookout Estate was owned by a brilliant and flamboyant Montserratian, Bhuddo Allen. He was the first islander of African descent to own a major estate, Lookout being held jointly with Blakes Estate, the largest on the island.
Sugar was still a major crop, but was on its way out at that time, yet Mr. Allen imported a used sugar mill to extract the juice from the cane and partially process it for export.
Local history has it that the mill was landed at Brimm’s Ghaut and brought to its present site by human muscle and draught animals.
Before the volcanic crisis, there were many people still alive who helped transport the engine and worked on the construction of the sugar cane mill.
The Lookout Sugar factory, which was built in 1921, was destined to fail because the sugar produced could not compete with the cheaper product being manufactured elsewhere in the Caribbean. The later owners, including the Lee family, suffered considerable losses over the years when cotton was planted on the estates.
The Lookout Sugar Mill was subsequently closed and was sold to its current owner in 1994.
4 Montserratians to Receive Montserrat Badge of Honour
Four nationals are to receive the Montserrat Badge of Honour.
They are:
In making the announcement, His Excellency the Governor says the four persons are being honoured for their services and dedication to the island.
Doctor Fergus is being recognized for his outstanding contribution and achievements in creative writing and education, while Major Lynch is being honoured for 37 years of sterling service in the Royal Montserrat Defence Force and his work in the community.
Mister Meade is being honoured for his contribution to the Community through voluntary service on various committees, including the Prison Visiting Committee, the Montserrat Seamen and Waterfront Workers’ Union and as a Justice of the Peace.
Meanwhile Father Larry is being recognized for the support, guidance and leadership he provided throughout the volcanic crisis which touched the lives of many Montserratians.
His Excellency the Governor will present the awards during a ceremony later this year.
Areas of Concern To Montserrat
The 31st Meeting of the OECS Authority produced a number of areas of concern and interest to Montserrat
As far as Financial Status and Administrative matters are concerned, the OECS continues to be plagued by a huge problem of areas, some $19 million. Montserrat is, however, up to date on payments.
A task force will review the situation as part of its mandate for an institutional review and the OECS budget is likely to increase as recommendations for regularizing staff conditions are implemented.
Further, as donor funding for several projects dries up, member countries will have to bear the additional costs.
The institutional Review Task Force and Terms of Reference were accepted by the Authority. Montserrat is now fully paid up and therefore is not in arrears.
Member States need to be aware that the budget is likely to increase as recommendations to implement agreed commitments are taken into account in due course.
The issue of OECS/Caricom relations also came under close scrutiny.
The OECS status as LDC’s within CARICOM provides benefits which could be eroded if similar concessions are extended to other member states. Montserrat is, of course, at the moment the most special case of all, being now a highly disadvantaged country.
Montserrat requested and got agreement for short-term technical assistance to develop a national position on the ratification of changes to the CARICOM Treaty and obligations under the Single Market.
Negotiations will continue with Barbados with a view to Barbados becoming a full member of the OECS. The funding proposals do not see Montserrat contributing more than 4% under any option. The functional cooperation benefits to Montserrat of Barbados becoming a Member could be considerable.
Montserrat requested technical assistance to clarify these matters. The Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt has suggested that the Director of Development, a Union representative and the President of the Chamber of Commerce visit the OECS Secretariat to receive appropriate briefings.
Under Economic Planning, it was found that there’s an urgent need for a cohesive approach to this kind of planning. A second OECS Economic Summit was proposed, which will be preceded by National consultations.
Montserrat requested that the situation in Montserrat be made the subject of a case study for the conference.
An OECS Telecommunications Project has been introduced. Emphasis will be placed on improved planning in the area of telecommunications.
There is agreement that negotiations with Cable and Wireless should be on a joint, co-ordinated basis.
The matter was discussed in the caucus. OECS countries need to be aware of the possible impact of the Euro on the Sub-region. The ECCB will mount country missions to share information.
On the matter of International Negotiations, the main issue of concern to Montserrat is whether post LOME negotiations will produce changes to the OCT’s Market Access.
No clarification was immediately available.
CM’s Speech at Hand-over Of Old Sugar Mill at Lookout
Mr. Chairman, honoured guests, invited guests, fellow Montserratians.
Today is a very important day for the Government and people of Montserrat. It is a day when someone not born of Montserratian parentage, someone who has come from abroad, has decided to give the Government and people of Montserrat a gift that is very important to us.
When the owner of this property came, she called me one day and said she wanted to speak to me about giving this property to the Government of Montserrat.
I set an appointment for her for 2 o’clock and I’m told that at 12:30 she was there. In all my life, I’ve never seen anyone as anxious to give something to someone else. Having heard that she was there instead of coming back to work at 2 o’clock, by 1 o’clock I was there.
And what struck me is that many times you speak to people and they make all kinds of promises and sometimes you go away feeling very happy that you have achieved something and nothing comes of it.
In this particular instance, we sat and we concluded the deal the same day. I called the Attorney General and all the necessary papers were drawn up and so it is today we have the official handing-over of something that was done before.
I would like to say on behalf of the Government and people of Montserrat how appreciative we are for this valuable gift. You have heard from Mr. Galloway something about its history. If you did not give this gift, we who are present here probably would not have known of the history of this building.
It so happens that the Government of Montserrat is at this time paying a great deal of attention to our cultural heritage. And this gift will form part of that programme, and a significant part of that programme.
I believe that enough is not known of the history of our people; how they have toiled; what they have gone through. And in order for a country to develop, people must be aware of its history. It is significant that this building was destroyed by natural disaster, and by natural disaster we are getting a gift of the very same building. I would like to say that it would be put to very good use.
I know the National Trust is interested in it and I know that they have great ideas, and whatever this Government can do in order to further their ideas we will do. In relation to our culture, I look forward to the time when all those streets in Lookout are called after the names of deserving Montserratians. I look to the time when that school (at Lookout Yard) would be called after some deserving Montserratian. I look to the time when we will have a square in the near future that we will put up life-like images of men who have served this country like,W.H. Bramble and Bob Griffith.
This is a start. It is said that a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. You have made a significant step. Your name will be indelibly written in the history of Montserrat.
This land, this piece of land will be part of history and all you my good people here would be part of history as well. And if there is anything that we can do to make sure that your name is associated with it, it will be done, so that sometime in the future, when our children ask how we got this building, how it developed in the manner in which it developed, they will remember you.
I think I will end by saying that the Bible says "cast thy bread upon the waters and after many days you shall find it."
Thank you.
Update on Montserratian Evacuees in the UK
Montserrat’s Information Officer in London Janice Panton has been meeting with various sectors of the Montserratian community in the UK to ascertain their concerns and what can be done to address them.
She met with Mrs. Da’Cocodia and members of her staff, Rev. Andrew Dawson from the Manchester Diocesan Board, and eight representatives from the Montserrat community in Manchester on January 29th, 1999.
Mrs. Panton said a research project was carried out on the Montserrat community in Manchester to assess the needs of the community and the help given so far.
The Montserrat Information Officer in London said representatives from the community said they would like a loans office set up for members to access funds because it’s very difficult to get the assistance required from the Social Services Social fund.
The members say that any amount given is as a loan and rarely as a grant and is inadequate and repaying the loan is causing severe hardship.
Mrs. Panton says there are cases where Montserratians in Manchester are in need of refrigerators, televisions and warm clothing.
The Montserrat Information Officer in London said Mrs. Da’Cocodia confirmed that the MP in the area, Tony Lloyd, had earlier taken up a number of issues relating to the payment of benefits with the Benefits Agency, including the problem of application forms which were constantly being lost in the Benefits office.
Mrs. Panton said based on the findings, new applicants who arrived in the UK in recent months are now experiencing similar problems.
Based on the report, she said Montserratians are housed in Manchester Direct Access Hostel, which is not well served by the Social Services, and consequently many go and live with relatives, which creates a further problem with re-housing under the rules of local authority housing provision.
However, it is said that people housed in the hostel could remain there for up to two-and-a-half years.
Mrs. Panton also said the issue of right of abode also came up and clarification was sought on this matter as well as the status of children born in the UK to Montserratian parents.
She also highlighted a serious cause for concern pointed out by Mrs. Da’Cocodia where it has become evident that after one or two years depression has crept in, causing social and emotional problems for Montserratian evacuees.
She said depression in children and emotional behaviour are beginning to appear and are a cause for concern.
The Montserrat Information Officer said that the report found that the method of chastising children, as well as the general care of children, in particular, and leaving under age children to look after their younger siblings, are attracting Social Services’ attention to Montserrat families.
Many are said to be children of single parents. Mrs. Panton said she suggested and it was agreed that a workshop be organized at which a member of the Social Services staff can attend and give advice, because many of the regulations and circumstances are new to the new Montserratian community.
Mrs. Panton said as is the case in Birmingham, community representatives expressed disappointment that no money was received by evacuees in Manchester from the Montserrat Foundation to assist with purchase of furniture and other essential household items.
She said that according to Mrs. Da’Cocodia, a number of application forms for funding were submitted to the Montserrat Project, but there’s no tangible evidence that anyone from the area received assistance.
Mrs. Panton says she has been asked to look into this to see if the Foundation could assist based on the report presented.
She said community members have asked for a meeting to be convened within the next six months to discuss the concerns with a view to putting the necessary mechanisms in place to assist the Montserratian evacuees.
Among other pertinent matters, Mrs. Panton said she has made appointments to meet with the committees of the Leeds Montserrat Action Group and of MOPPA next month.
She also said the Housing Needs Registration forms prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture have been sent or handed over to all the community groups for distribution to the Montserrat Community.
Mrs. Panton said in general, the committees welcome the fact that the issue of housing for those abroad is receiving attention, but they express the view that even though they are advised that information sought is for planning purposes at this stage, by distributing the forms now, they are raising expectations when people in Montserrat are still living in shelters.
The Montserrat Information Officer said both groups in Birmingham felt that some assurance that all is fine on the volcanic front should be available, as they know of many elderly people who would like to return, but they, as committee members distributing the forms, can give no assurance.
Physical Planning Soon to be in Brades
The Physical Planning Unit will soon be accommodated on the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade and the Environment Compound in Brades.
And this, after the construction of two offices to house the Physical Planning Unit and the Forestry/Watershed Project is completed.
Building contractors with experience erecting Force 10 building units are being invited to tender on the proposed erection of the buildings.
The project includes the construction of slab foundations, the erection of the units, electrical and plumbing installations, finishing for each building and the construction of a septic tank to service both buildings.
Tender documents can be collected at the Physical Planning Unit Offices in Palm Loop.
Contractors are being asked to return completed tender documents in sealed envelopes to the Chairman of the Central Tenders Board by February 17th.
31st OECS Authority Meeting in Dominica
The 31st Meeting of the OECS Authority in Dominica discussed a number of issues to take the sub-region into the new millennium.
Telecommunications, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court matters and Barbados’ membership of the OECS were among matters which dominated the 12-item agenda.
The discussions on Telecommunications focused on the establishment of an appropriate legislative and regulatory framework to support on-going attempts at reforming the industry through the OECS Telecommunications Reform Project, as well as on negotiation with Cable and Wireless.
The Authority called for timely negotiations to allow for new arrangements to be in place when St. Lucia’s Agreement with Cable and Wireless ends in 2001.
Sub-regional Heads of Government agreed to appoint a nine-member Negotiating Team, which will be led by St. Lucia’s Minister of Communications and Works, the Honourable Senator Calixte George.
The team will include additional political, legal, financial and technical representatives from across the OECS.
Discussions on Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court matters drew agreement on criteria to be used for making appointments to the position of Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
In this regard, the Authority agreed to make a nomination to Her Majesty’s Government for appointment to the position of Chief Justice of the Court.
The Governments of the OECS and Barbados reaffirmed their commitment to deepen relations between them. Sub-regional Governments expressed their readiness to commence negotiations with Barbados, with a view to developing "an enhanced relationship."
The Authority agreed that OECS Member States should immediately commence internal processes to put in place appropriate legal, administrative and institutional arrangements to give effect to the Protocols that have already been agreed, in particular Protocols II and VI, on Rights of Establishment and Transport Policy respectively.
The Authority also decided that work on Aliens Landholding Legislation should be expedited to facilitate easier investment and capital flows.
The Authority noted with satisfaction that significant progress was being made on the matter of follow-up of the Constitutional Review involving St. Kitts and Nevis.
The next meeting of the Authority is scheduled to take place in Grenada in November 1999.
Montserrat to Sign Protocols Two, Six
The British Government has given the go ahead for Montserrat to sign two more protocols.
The protocols allow further amendments to the Treaty of Chaguramas, which established the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in 1973.
During the recent meeting of the OECS Authority in Dominica, the protocols featured prominently on the agenda of the sub-regional leaders.
They agreed that OECS member states should immediately commence internal processes to put in place appropriate legal, administrative, and institutional arrangements to give effect to the protocols that have already been agreed.
These include protocols two and six, which deal with the rights of establishment and the transport policy respectively.
The Honourable Minister for Agriculture, Lands, Planning and Housing P. Austin Bramble will meet land-owners in the north next Monday.
The meeting has been arranged to discuss the issue of unregistered land.
The unavailability of land has hampered the government in its plans to continue the rebuilding process.
The government has passed legislation requiring all persons with unclaimed land to have them registered.
Such persons have been given a grace period of one year.
The meeting on Monday February 15th will discuss procedures for resolving the problem.
Workers Aren’t Only Ones To Be Cast in Wrong Roles
By Man from Baker Hill
Governor Abbott did not say square pegs are for square holes. Neither did he imply that in the Montserrat workplace there may be square pegs in round holes. No, Mr. Editor, it is I who make these inferences from his very apt talk. So, please do not start a bad blood relationship between the Governor and me.
We all know that in every work place there are employees of all descriptions. There are those who will fit the square peg in a square hole category, the round peg in a square hole, or the dreaded square peg in a round hole category.
I would categorise the square peg in square hole employee as one who is well suited for his job. He either brings to the work place a wealth of experience, or he is well trained for the job. He is willing to learn the formal and informal objectives of the institution or department. He becomes an asset to the work place. He flourishes, he develops and aspires to be the leader or head of department.
Similarly he may recognise that, despite his ego, he is not suited for that post and in the short or long term will seek another job.
The round peg in a square hole employee is the one who starts off as a square peg square hole but who, in the course of time, is harassed by the Boss. In addition, the stress of the work place, the pushimg around and twisting by supervisors will wear away his square edges to the point where he becomes the round peg in square hole employee.
The round peg in square hole employee will seek to find another work place.
He will retrain himself and then make himself available for another job, where he will again become a square peg in square hole employee.
I believe that there are many Montserratians who can qualify as square peg in square hole employees. However, the most outstanding one that comes to mind is Haycene Ryan of the Inland Revenue Department.
The track record of Haycene Ryan at the Port Authority will support his qualification for the category. He was one of the first employees at the Port Authority. He brought confidence, knowledge and experience to the work place. And although the concept of the Statutory body was new; although simultaneously dealing with Montserrat’s two labour unions and two sets of work-teams exceeding 100 employees was uncharted; although the formal and informal objectives of the Authority were unclear, he made the port a success. During that time he was twisted and pushed around by local managers. He was stressed and confused by the political environment of the work place. He was worn at the edges to become a round peg in square-hole-employee. Yet he kept his composure. He retrained himself, and I am sure that he returned to a square peg in square hole employee.
The foregoing illustration using Mr Ryan is to show that there are capable Montserratians who will persevere in spite of overwhelming obstacles. It is also to show that to a great extent each person must be prepared to adjust, and at the same time pull up his own bootstraps if he wants to achieve personal goals.
However, there is still the category of the square peg in a round hole employee. This worker takes a job for which he is unsuitable. He is untrained.
He has no intention to learn about the institution. He cannot perform. He may be placed in the position through cronyism or nepotism. He will cause fellow workers to have sleepless nights. Worst of all, he is unable to see that he is unfit for the job.
Likewise the square peg in a round hole employee may be misplaced and unable to know how to seek a transfer to a more suitable job. These employees fumble and bungle in the work place. Still they survive.
The square peg in round hole category of worker is in every work place. They are not only in Montserrat, they are all over the world. Nevertheless, they are dangerous to society. They move around from desk to desk or office to office, digging at people and making fellow employees miserable. Still, the worst sort of square pegs in round holes are ‘Politicians’. They are the ones that have the greatest impact, misplacing and pushing around others and destroying economies.
May I remind you, Mr Editor, Governor Abbott did not speak about pegs in holes. In fact he was not even speaking about ‘Politicians’. He was speaking about training for employees, not for politicians, although he could have.
DFID Resents the Message, So George Foulkes Maligns the Messenger
By J. Donald Brandt
We have it on the word of George Foulkes, Undersecretary of State for International Development, that Rhys Burriss, the recently departed senior magistrate and coroner for Montserrat, is "ignorant."
That is the view he expressed before the Select Committee in the House of Commons. One immediately wonders whether Mr. Foulkes would repeat that characterization of Mr. Burriss outside the protection of parliamentary privilege.
Probably not, since Mr. Foulkes is quite aware that Mr. Burriss, a veteran of 19 years’ work in the Magistrates’ Courts, is certainly not ignorant of the law.
Mr. Foulkes was responding to an MP who asked why the coroner’s inquest report -- the result of weeks of testimony -- "described the Secretary of State's response to the (June 25, 1997) disaster as unimaginative, grudging and tardy?"
"I met him when I was in Montserrat," Mr. Foulkes said of Mr. Burriss. He said he asked Mr. Burriss "whether he had visited any of the shelters, as I have done -- but he had visited none of them. I asked him whether he had spoken to staff from the Department for International Development and the Governor, but he had spoken to none of them. If the coroner had done his work properly, we would take more account of his comments."
Mr. Foulkes’ statement tells us a lot about DFID’s perceptions of how someone on the bench does "his work properly." Why should Mr. Burriss have "spoken" to staff from DFID and the Governor? To ask their advice?
DFID clearly had an ax to grind and as for talking to the governor, the inquest heard testimony from both former Gov. Frank Savage and former Commissioner of Police Frank Hooper, who were in charge at the time of the tragedy,.
Do magistrates conducting official inquiries in England "speak" to the Prime Minister or a Ministry of Government about their cases?
In any case, Mr. Burriss publicly invited anyone who had anything to contribute to the inquest to appear to testify. DFID or the Governor could easily have "spoken" to the jury.
As for Mr. Foulkes’ derision of Mr. Burriss for not having visited "any of the shelters, as I have done," his hit-and-run glimpse, on an earlier visit, of shelter conditions – which, incidentally, he deplored – left him no better informed than would Mr. Burriss have been without living in one.
Someone should point out to the MPs to whom Mr. Foulkes "explained" the situation in Montserrat that individual Montserratians and members of service organizations spent vastly more time visiting shelters, documenting their conditions and protesting what they found there than did members of either the British or Montserrat governments.
Mr. Foulkes reminded the committee "that the jury accepted that the deaths were caused because the people involved moved into areas that were prohibited."
Right, as far as it goes, but the jury "accepted" several other things. Based on the weeks of testimony to which they listened, the jurors -- not Mr. Burriss -- found,
"that after many of the people from the exclusion areas had experienced or observed the persistently deplorable conditions within the public shelters they refused to live in these places."
Mr. Foulkes conveniently failed to mention that the jury borrowed the words of former Gov. Savage to declare that action to correct intolerable conditions in the shelters "was too little, too late, and behind the curve of the crisis."
That seems to square with "tardy." Nitpickers may see "unimaginative" as arguable. But anyone who listened carefully to the parade of DFID officials regularly assailing what they called the unreasonable aid expectations of Montserrat will find "grudging" a remarkably understated rebuke.
Were the 19 victims of the pyroclastic flows of June 25, 1997, where they should not have been?
Unquestionably. But the jurors correctly emphasized that the nine farmers who lost
their lives "were informally designated as ‘essential workers’ and allowed
into the Exclusion Zone from time to time."
Mr. Foulkes did not mention that observation to the committee, because it betrays official
winking at rules against entering the danger zone while purchasing crops the farmers grew
there as food for the shelters.
A mother and her infant child were where they shouldn’t have been because they had just arrived from Antigua. When they left the airport to go to the place where they would die, there was no barrier, either manned or unmanned, to dissuade them from doing so.
Yes, the jurors found that people died because they were where they should not have been, but they also found contributing factors that reflect no credit on "the authorities, both local and British."
Mr. Foulkes has done his best to besmirch Mr. Burriss’ tenure as senior magistrate and coroner with his guarded answer to the Select Committee.
Mr. Burriss, who left Montserrat a day after Mr. Foulkes, was at the end of his one-year contract. Gov. Anthony Abbott denies that the magistrate left under a cloud, or that HMG was unhappy with more than a few of his characterizations. The post has been advertised, Mr. Abbott reports, and Mr. Burriss is one of the applicants under consideration.
Anyone who thinks that Mr. Burriss could be rehired before someone has "spoken" with the Department for International Development probably could be persuaded that heavy seas will never interfere with shipping or ferry service at Little Bay.
Mr. Foulkes dismisses Mr. Burriss as "ignorant" and discredits his conclusions on conditions in the shelters because he never visited one – as Mr. Foulkes has done.
Clare Short, the Secretary of State for International Development, has repeatedly testified to the extreme dangers of living on Montserrat, of the grasping nature and ingratitude of its residents, and the unfairness of its drain on funds DFID’s budget meant for underdeveloped nations. Clare Short has never visited Montserrat, --as Mr. Foulkes has done.
Given that interesting coincidence, how should Mr. Foulkes characterize his boss?
By Mental Health Nurse Donoghue
The condition of being chronically dependent on alcohol or of harming oneself or others by a chronic alcoholic intake.
There is no one clear criterion for alcoholism, but people are usually considered to be alcoholics if their drinking impairs their health, their work, or their relations with others, particularly their immediate family.
Some alcoholics do not drink every day, but indulge in sustained bouts from time to time.
The Gamma Alcoholic - Loses self control (in addition to having increased tolerance and withdrawal symptoms on quitting).
The Delta Alcoholic - Does not lose control but develops withdrawal symptoms as nausea, sweating, anxiety, irritability, tremors (the shakes) and depressed mood. Chronic heavy drinking people develop tolerance to alcohol and require larger doses to obtain the same effect.
The Trap Questionnaire -
- Have you ever felt you ought to cut down on your drinking?
- Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover (eye opener)?
- Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
- Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
Answering "Yes" to one or more questions indicates that alcohol abuse is likely.
By Ken Walter
My wife and I would like to express our appreciation to Arrow for all his efforts to make this past holiday season such a wonderful experience for all on Montserrat.
I live in a very rural area of New York State, our small village of Treadwell has a population of about 350 people. Within this village and in the surrounding hills there is a wonderful community spirit. We are people who have a great sense of pride in our community - our homes, church, public buildings and the appearance of our country side in general. This part of New York State is endowed with great natural beauty - lush forests, babbling streams and many dairy farms. Visitors to our area are usually overwhelmed by this natural beauty and the warm and friendly people they meet. As a result we have many tourists. These are people who come to fish, hike, ski and just enjoy our great outdoors.
In the decades since World War II we have become more and more a society living with the "luxury" of so many disposable items - diapers, beverage bottles & cans, food wrappers (especially from fast food stores) and the like. After a while we started to realize that this "litter" was fast becoming a major problem - beer and soda bottles alongside our roads, food wrappers by our lakes and, streams and just garbage of every description blowing around our streets. So we created laws that forbid littering and improper disposal of garbage, junk cars, appliances, etc. Regrettably, all our laws and regulations did not reverse the problem. Then in the 1980’s concern for our environment became both fashionable and popular. As a result, these issues became part of our education curriculums, and now every child, beginning with the first day of school, is learning the importance of ecology, conservation and respect for our environment. Clearly where the enactment of our laws and regulations failed, educating our children has resulted in accomplishing the desired response.
This was further proven to me earlier this year when I had occasion to visit Puerto Rico for a month. While I have traveled in Europe, Asia and the Caribbean, I have never experienced so much litter anywhere else. Ironically, while it seemed that most of the Puerto Ricans I met had a deep affection for their country and agreed that the natural beauty of their island was suffering, they seemed at a loss as to how they could be effective in correcting the problem. Then one evening I was in the company of an individual very involved in environmental issues. She explained that all of the efforts to educate the adult population had been basically unsuccessful, but a program had been launched in the public school system that was already having a very positive impact, and the children were bringing pressure on their parents to respect "their" environment. To Puerto Rico’s credit, they are affecting a cultural change that will generate both far- reaching and long-term benefits.
Montserrat must also have the courage to face the fact that this island is experiencing a similar situation and has been long before the volcano and Hurricane Hugo back in 1989. Regrettably, the cultural devastation that the volcano has wrought, with the destruction of the community fabric in those villages that had to be evacuated, surely has and will compound this situation. Nevertheless, if Montserrat is going to present itself as the "Emerald Isle of the Caribbean," "The Caribbean The Way It Used To Be," or any similar new slogan, it will definitely have to improve its appearance. At the very least this means no bottles and cans, derelict cars, appliances, building supplies, pallets, bottle caps, etc., etc. discarded alongside the roads, in neighboring or vacant lots, on the beaches, over the side of cliffs, etc. While this responsibility falls on the shoulders of the persons generating the things they discard, government must also assist by providing receptacles for litter, emptying these receptacles and providing easy access to proper disposal facilities for all other types of trash and refuse.
This should not be a topic subject to endless discussion; the reality of the situation is too blatantly obvious. NOW is the time to improve those programs already in place and implement new and additional educational projects to insure that the youth of Montserrat today become environmentally responsible citizens as young adults.
These "Views From the Outside" are presented as motivational food for thought. As an entrepreneur and business veteran with over 35 years of hands-on management experience, I feel I can speak with some authority. My goal is to hopefully generate some of the sparks that kindle the desire to proactively - now, not reactively after these opportunities are lost.
By Norma Walter
We have finally made it to Rendezvous Village! What a delight. Mr. Jim Murphy gave us hiking instructions from Gerald’s, and we thought we followed the directions to the letter. However, we made a right turn when we were instructed to go straight. But as always on Montserrat, we were ever so pleased with our mistake. It took us to the top of a hill from which we could see Hell’s Gate and then to the northern part of the island above Thatch Valley. The views were magnificent.
After retracing our steps, we made it to the ruins at Rendezvous Village. It was serene, peaceful and again the views were indescribable. We couldn’t believe how far we had walked. When we arrived there we had our picnic lunch, after which we policed our picnic area (that’s what we call cleaning up after ourselves.) Then Ken explored some more while I took a nap in the shade of the ruins. Paradise beckoned me and I succumbed.
Other things we have enjoyed during this trip:
Mr. Wilson’s chicken in Salem. Always delicious and always served with a smile and a friendly word.
Mr. Watts’ ice-cream once again while we walk around Salem. How good to have that again from the "old days."
A drink in the evening at Gary’s rum shop and watching the lively domino games.
An afternoon swim at Woodlands, Lime Kiln, or Little Bay--snorkeling when the conditions will allow. And when conditions will allow, snorkeling is great at Little Bay.
An hour at Moose and Ida’s at the port, while waiting for the ferry. The beer is cold, the food is great and the company is always interesting.
Four more weeks of adventure await us before we head back to winter.
What Crisis?
Contractors continue at odds
With Brown & Root’s man Michael Dodds,
They’ve gone out on strike
About what they don’t like,
And meanwhile the housing work nods.
In Absentia
The turning over of a sugar mill
To Montserrat occasioned quite a thrill,
The formal presentation
Was hailed by all the nation,
Except for one they’d listed on the bill.
Jus wonderin why people are saying that the CM has a big bark but no bite.
Jus wonderin why residents are locked in the Exclusion Zone when they are in there with the necessary permission.
Jus wonderin if most people would not break the lock if they are locked in the danger zone while there with permission.
Jus wonderin if the flu from Britain came out of the 75 million.
Jus wonderin if the flu is the only thing we will get for free from Britain.
Jus wonderin if the cashiers at Bank of Montserrat need masks-when they carry such faces.
Jus wonderin if the jury feel like a yo-yo.
Jus wonderin if the Radio Montserrat pickup really cost $76,000 and the similar PWD pickup $56,000.
Jus wonderin if the pretty side stripes are worth the EXTRA $20,000.
Jus wonderin why RBC would not recruit more staff but instead the manager has to do counter service during lunch hour.
Jus wonderin who is going to file the first lawsuit at the temporary government headquarters buildings.
Jus wonderin who will supply the ice skating shoes required for use at the new temporary buildings.
Jus wonderin if they are waiting for a car accident before the road is fixed at the turn-off to the propane gas delivery area in Little Bay.
We are a service provider tailored to meet the needs of busy people like you.
We provide any one or a combination of the following services at an hourly rate:
Contact Vereen Woolcock at 491-2025, 491-5865 for our rate sheet and service request forms.
97 BAILIWICK
LIME KILN BEACH ROAD
OLVESTON
Our equipment rental division now provides the services of a JCB BACKHOE and CASE "bob cat" UNI LOADER.
Our operators can be contacted as follows:
Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: roachb@candw.ag
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