The new government of Montserrat was sworn in on Thursday, following Monday's general elections in which the New People's Liberation Movement (NPLM) won seven of the nine seats available.
As expected, NPLM leader John Osborne was sworn in as Chief Minister of this British colony of 5,000 residents. Osborne also holds ministerial responsibility for Finance. Margaret Dyer-Howe has been appointed Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environment. Dr Lowell Lewis is Minister of Communication and Works. Appointed as Minister of Health, Education, and Community Services is Idabelle Meade, a businesswoman.
Shortly after taking their oath of office, a release to the media stated that in keeping with its commitment to improved management of the business of the people of Montserrat the New PLM has proposed a change in the assignment areas of ministerial responsibility. These changes will take place subject to budgetary and logistic factors.
The proposed appointments are that:
Because Montserrat's constitution caters only for four ministers, the New PLM have made proposals for two other legislators to serve as Parliamentary Secretaries. It is hoped that these two appointments will improve the efficiency of the ministries.
Under the new arrangements Mr. Claude Hogan will have the post of Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Education and Community Services with responsibilities for Health, Community Services, Sports and Culture, while Mr. John Wilson will be Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Communication and Works with Responsibility for Housing and Labour.
Unconfirmed reports here said British Governor Anthony Abbott told Chief Minister Osborne that the salaries of the Parliamentary Secretaries could not be financed from the treasury, so an agreement was reached for the emoluments of the four ministers to be cut to pay the non-ministerial appointees.
However, Mr. Osborne has said he will make the proposal to the British Government to increase the number of ministerial positions to five. This way he says, an extra minister can be appointed to help run the super ministry of Education, Health and Community Services.
“That has been one of my intentions,” he said, “ I think there is need even though small, the work has to be done to divide the ministry of education and whatever else goes with those two ministries and I cannot say that they will agree, but you cannot say that they don’t agree if you never ask them.”
He said also that, “ We would like to keep the seven of us busy. They are going to have to work for the people in any case, and we are going to have to work together. We are not going to be working like the past, like long time ago, all of us are going to be very involved in the decision making in Montserrat.”
At the sitting of The House to institute the new Legislative Council this morning, former Speaker Elect of the House Dr. Howard A. Fergus acceded to a request to serve in an interim capacity as Speaker to allow for the smooth transition of arrangements and orientation. “I have not reneged on my announcement to retire from Speakership. I am not seeking another term,” he said.
Mr. John Wilson has been nominated Deputy Speaker of the House while Chief Minister Osborne has proposed Mr. Joseph Meade as Speaker.
Except for Osborne who was appointed Chief
Minister because he is the NPLM's leader, the other ministers were appointed
based on their individual popular vote at the polls.
One of the immediate priorities for the new administration is the reappraisal of
programmes in Montserrat's 2001 British funded national budget to be presented
by April 30. Due to the six-year
old volcano crisis, the vital tourism and light manufacturing industries have
collapsed and the construction sector has slowed down, resulting in negative
economic growth. Britain last year
financed about half of the national budget in the hope that the local treasury
would rake in enough revenue through duties and taxes. Chief Minister Osborne
told The Montserrat Reporter
The new government's immediate
focus is expected to be improving the housing stock for Montserratians at home
and many of the 5,600 voluntary evacuees keen on returning home and on
stimulating private investment to create jobs as well as.
John
Osborne Back As CM In a Landslide
L to R Idabelle Meade, Margaret Dyer-Howe, John Osborne, Dr. Lowell Lewis
It was a breezy and, until February 1, 2001,
somewhat unexpected general election that resulted in victory for former Chief
Minister John Osborne's New People's Liberation Movement (NPLM), which scored a
landslide victory. History was created as the election results evolved and the
new government was sworn in two days later.
Osborne & Lewis celebrate with their supporters at Little Bay
The victory meant a loss for another former and
more recent Chief Minister, Reuben T. Meade, and his National Progressive Party
(NPP). He can feel cheated since he was almost a lone voice in challenging the
conduct of a coalition government that eventually threw him into top gear to
reorganise his party, which itself saw several new faces to contest the general
elections.
NPLM scored a landslide victory in Monday's
general election, taking seven of the nine Legislative Council seats, with NPP
taking the other two, leaving the eight independents, some of whom grouped
together on the campaign trail, scoreless. The independents included recent
minister Mrs. Adelina Tuitt.
While the NPP leader, Mr. Meade, was returned to
Legislative Council by winning the ninth position, Mrs. Roselyn Cassell-Sealy, a
first-timer on the political scene, was the better of NPP's two, coming in at
the seventh position on the winners list.
It was the biggest turnout at the polls, the
first under a new system which saw a reduced number of registered voters
compared to that of 1996. It was a 78-percent turnout of the registered 2,953,
with a total ballot count of 2,288.
The new Voting at Large system was being tested
and perhaps the only serious drawback that will need serious attention in the
future is the counting following the voting. The counting lasted for well over
12 hours before the Returning Officer made it official, announcing the results
of the poll on Monday.
She announced the landslide victory in favour of
NPLM, naming well-known surgeon Dr. Lowell Lewis, who scored 1,455 votes;
entrepreneur Idabelle Meade (1,384); businessman John Osborne (1,195);
businesswoman Margaret Dyer-Howe (1,179); economist Claude Hogan (1,079);
consultant Chedmond Browne (973) and businessman John Wilson (991).
The victorious NPP candidates were party leader and economist Reuben T. Meade,
who scored 880 votes, and financial analyst Roselyn Cassell-Sealy with 979
votes.
Joseph Meade (right - arms folded) one of the two losing members of the NPLM slate will be the Speaker of the house
Claiming victory immediately after the polls
closed on Monday evening a confident Mr. Osborne told the Reporter that he did
what he had to do to win the election. In a victory speech, following the
announcement of the convincing victory, the NPLM leader pledged to work hard in
the best interest of Montserrat.
He added that there will be a role for NPP.
"That is part of our plan, but how we will do it we are not certain at this
moment, but they can be assured that they will have to play a major role in
whatever decisions we take," he said.
NPP leader Meade was quick to concede defeat in a
message on the government-run radio station. Later he attributed the NPLM's
victory to what he termed its approach with electoral promises and campaign
'strategies and tactics'. He stopped short of giving details.
"We have been defeated (and) the people have spoken," the former chief
minister said.
"As you recognise, most of their supporters voted all nine (candidates),
whereas our supporters split their votes and voted for some of us and for some
of the others."
Later, however, in another forum he said,
"The NPP can indeed cry foul with respect to some of the happenings on
polling day. We will not. We must however ensure that some of the tactics and
approaches are eliminated in future elections."
Several of the candidates reappeared by Friday
with radio statements thanking Montserratians for their support and votes,
pledging to continue their service to them in whatever way they could.
Former minister Charles Kirnon supported his
leader's position about the tactics used by the winning party, but suggested
that it was God's 'will that they won. "God," he said had two wills,
'His permissive will, and His divine will."
Mrs. Adelina Tuitt said in her statement that
there is nothing she would change in her campaign if she had to do it all over
again.
Commenting on the successful outcome of the
voting process, Dr. Howard Fergus, Elections Supervisor, said he was satisfied
with the new electoral system but acknowledged that some persons reported that
their names were not on the voters list.
"One of the reasons is that there was a new enumeration system (unlike)
formerly when you will transfer from an old list. But it was a totally new list
and some people took it for granted that their names were on. Some people
therefore did not go to check to see whether their names were on the list,"
the elections supervisor said.
One record that was broken, and stands out even
more because of the new system, is that according to figures from the counting
office, only 2.05 of the ballots were spoilt. Dr. Howard Fergus attributed this
to the extensive education campaign carried out by his office, expressing
satisfaction that the new voter at large system went well.
He said: "… this has been a new electoral system and I think people were looking on to see whether we could carry it out successfully, and I think we have… there were no major problems. There may have been minor glitches, as one might expect in the implementing of a new system, but I am very, very pleased. I am also pleased that the people of Montserrat were able to respond as well as they did to this new system.
L to R Charles T John, Rose Willock, Bennette Roach
(the only Radio/TV comentators to survive the long count)
Minsters of government taking the oath of office
The results of the election created history,
landing three women in the new nine-member legislature, with two of them holding
ministerial positions. There have been several previous occasions, and almost
continually since 1966, when at least one woman served in the legislature. These
women were Margaret Rose Kelsick, in the 60s, Mary Rose Tuitt, in the 70s, Annie
Dyer-Howe and Rubie Wade-Bramble in the 80s, and Lazelle Howes and Adelina Tuitt
in the 90s. In each instance there was only a seven-member legislature,
but on most occasions the women held ministerial positions.
Speculations before the elections were that a
coalition government was likely and that at least four of the five women were
likely to be among the first nine winners, with no party carrying a clear
majority.
Mrs. Camilla Watts was in contention as the night
count progressed and ended in 10th position in the resulting line-up
after the elections, grabbing 37.2 percent of the 19,018 votes that were cast.
The NPLM victory, as I later remarked in a ZJB
interview, was from a popular vote. Four of the winners got over 50 percent of
the votes.
As alluded to by the NPP losers, part of the NPLM
campaign strategy was their insistence on the voters to vote party, asking for
votes for all nine of their candidates.
The statistics of the results show that 416
persons voted for all nine of NPLM candidates against 219 for NPP. Votes for
eight candidates were 175 for NPLM with 116 against, while the other groupings
were fairly even. NPP led only in the lower numbers, but only second to the
independents who captured in a strong way the single and double vote-cast group.
"NPLM's
2001 Success Recalls Post-Hugo Circumstances of 1991"
In 1991, the Montserrat Reporter, under the
management and ownership of a political party, said in its first editorial,
"The People have spoken and their wishes must be respected by all political
parties and in fact by all Montserratians. The emphasis should now be on
reuniting the country and making an all out effort towards the rebuilding of a
more vibrant and better Montserrat."
This was after the National Progressive Party
(NPP) wrested power from the People's Liberation Movement (PLM), denying a
takeover by the National Development Party (NDP). It was the result of general
election called as a result of circumstances similar to those ended just this
week. Only there were some differences.
The PLM government, under the once-again
victorious leader John Osborne, was forced then under humbling circumstances
into elections after members of his party refused to continue serving with him.
He did not regain his seat. Only one member who remained with him narrowly
retained his seat (by two votes), but Mr. Osborne was wiped out at the polls.
John Osborne returned in 1996 and regained his
seat, but it must be a sweeter victory this time round as he convincingly won --
under a new electoral system and with a modified party name, New People's
Liberation Movement -- taking seven of nine available seats to form the first
new government in the new millennium.
Back then, nearly 10 years ago, Montserrat had
just been coming out of the devastation of the September 1989 Hurricane Hugo and
a rolling back of the constitution experienced under his government. That was
part of the reason the editorial then referred to "the rebuilding of a more
vibrant and better Montserrat."
Today we use the same term but one catches
oneself and corrects it by saying, "starting from scratch," or
"building from the bottom up". This difference is occasioned by the
on-slaught of the Soufriere Hills volcano, which has been erupting since July
1995 and for a second time may be showing the earliest signs of letting up,
perhaps just allowing breathing space for the elections to take place without
reminding us of its existence.
But there isn't a chance of us forgetting because
of the enormous task ahead of this new government, which has so much to prove
following our first coalition government, finally headed by David Brandt after
its members, supported by the people, had deposed the original leader Bertrand
Osborne.
What this government will face for as long as it
lasts is the thought expressed so often that none of the governments we have
had, by virtue of the splits that have always threatened or ensued, have been
much more than coalitions.
Already this NPLM speaks to the issue often, and
like the NPP, which had suffered splits in its party, both their campaigns
offered inclusiveness and strong democratic principles in the way they conduct
business. They spoke to the question of open and transparent government. This
means that the press should have no obstacles in keeping the public informed of
all matters conducted by government which affect the lives of everyone.
There is little need of a call for unity, as
support for this new government is forthcoming from most, primarily because
there is a great understanding that everyone is suffering from the common enemy
and from the power of our funders and aid agencies.
The once again brief political campaign leading
up to the elections was marred only by an unsuccessful attempt by NPLM to
humiliate one person who they perceived as the strongest candidate in the NPP.
If there is any call for unity or forgiveness out of the campaign, it would be
for NPLM to make a move to clear any bitterness it may have left in the minds of
the electorate.
It is easy for this government to know what the
task ahead of them is, as all of the candidates and certainly the two parties
spoke to the problems in one way or the other.
Predominantly they spoke of their future dealings
with the British Government. How this and other problems are tackled could be
another matter, determining how successful this team of
Mr. John Osborne, Dr. Lowell Lewis, Mrs. Annie Dyer-Howe and Mrs.
Idabelle Meade will be in harnessing all the resources (Montserratians), firstly
to dig us out of the ashes.
The challenge will be the required solidarity of
the full legislature and stakeholders in every facet of business and life on
this tiny island squeezed into a smaller space by Mr. Volcano.
While the election causes the history books to
record more than its mere results, it will show that the legislature this time
will see three women sitting in the house, with two of them serving in the
executive council as ministers.
While the NPLM leaders seek to lighten the load
of the management of the ministers in various ministries by the creation of
parliamentary secretaries, offering junior ministries to two of the remaining
winners in the party, the Montserrat Reporter joins many others in offering our
congratulations. Best wishes to an emerging government as it attempts to make
this electoral decision by those who remain to expand this paradise a more than
memorable one.
Except for the editorial, opinion articles
expressed in these pages are not necessarily those of the Montserrat Reporter
editors, employees or advisers. Readers
are encouraged to submit commentary articles.
All viewpoints, unless libelous, in poor taste, or anonymous, are
welcome. Send your contributions to
The Editor, P.O. Box 306, Olveston, Montserrat, W. I., e-mail: editor@montserratreporter.org.
Manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by a return stamped
envelope. The Montserrat Reporter
is a privately owned independent newspaper.
Jus Wonderin items may be called in at
telephone 491-4715 or Fax 491-2430
Throwing stones Carelessly
Jesus answered them; “I have shown you many
good works from my father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?”
John 10: 32
Jesus was gradually reveling his identity through
performing many deeds of healing and by teaching in the holy temple area.
Because some of them could not understand how he could be one with the Father,
they resorted to a violent form of protest by picking up stones and throwing
them at him. How easy it is for them –and for us –to throw stones at a
person or an ideal, which disturbs our opinions or our challenges our usual way
of thinking. We may be to civilized to pick up stones from the ground and throw
at another, but other means used today can be just as destructive and effective
in beating the other person down beneath our feet: Stones of verbal accusations,
exaggerations, half-truths, innuendos, hostile labels. We might cast these
directly at the person, or spread them through gossip, telephone or e-mail. How
much more Christian it would be to seek clarification, understanding, and
comprehension from the other. We might even recognize Jesus in disguised in the
other person.
Jesus, help me never to resort to stones when I
feel threatened.
Sr. Ruth Marlene Fox, O.S.B
Jeremiah 20:10-30 Psalm 18: 2-7
John 10 31-42
NPP
Voter Decries Election as Unfair
Dear Mr. Editor,
I would like a small
space in your paper to let the public know that the election was not fairly
done. The people were fooled off by hearing of love and money, not knowing that
the money has to be approved by the British and the love would come from PLM for
giving rum and breakfast and left over chicken to the old and misfortunates to
win their positions.
Whether you are for
the winning or losing party, I still appreciate this space in your paper and I
hope that you print it for me, a concerned NPP supporter.
Any mistake that they make, we are going to march them down, because some of
them are nearly ready to go in the home at Brades.
If a day of prayer and a queen show was on a Sunday, those same people who are
raising hell would have gone to the day of prayer and still the queen show. But
just remember that God does not sleep, he has no pajamas. The scripture says
elect according to the foreknowledge of God.
Concerned NPP
Supporter
DFID
Reviews Needs Of Antigua Evacuees
Dear Editor,
I have news from the
Department for International Development concerning Antigua-based
Montserratians. I received a
communication from Mike Wood, Head of the Overseas Territories Unit.
Regarding the Special
Needs Fund (SNF) and the issue of food vouchers, I am encouraged to learn that:
"A fundamental
reassessment of all recipients' needs is underway.
This is revealing that there are a number of people who will require
longer-term welfare support. In
compiling their options paper of alternative support systems, the co-ordinators
are exploring whether it is feasible to extend GOM's welfare system to these
individuals. We have asked the
co-ordinators to consider a cash-based system for food assistance and will
review the position in light of their recommendations."
Whether the
reassessment has come about because of recent public exchanges between DFID and
myself is not the issue. The fact is that DFID is now prioritising a number of complex
issues affecting Antigua- (and Caribbean-) based Montserratians.
I thank Mr. Wood for
his personal intervention in the Antigua situation but I have written to him
about other issues which still require immediate attention.
The Montserrat Select Committee is in receipt of all the correspondence
between DFID and myself and I will continue to monitor the situation.
May I take this
opportunity of wishing the new Montserrat government a successful term in
office. I hope that they will give
their full attention to the issues affecting off-island evacuees.
Microwave
Alarm Was Utter Rubbish
Dear Editor,
I was very disturbed
to see Claude Gerald's utter rubbish promulgated in a recent issue of The
Reporter.
I was even more disturbed, when I went to find "debunking" material on
the internet, that one junk article linking microwaves and carcinogens litters
hundreds of sites on the internet. The more often a myth is told, the more often
it's believed, but it doesn't make it one iota more true.
Microwave cooking is not dangerous, and is only the subject of
"conspiracy" theories because it seems like magic. Microwaves are as
far removed from things like X-rays as the house cat is from the tiger. Unlike
the UV light in "good old sunshine," microwaves simply do not contain
the energy required to break down genetic material or other molecules. Unlike
sunshine, they do not cause cancer. Microwaves (unlike barbecues) do not produce
carcinogens in food.
The safety of microwaves has been the subject of hundreds of experiments. In
fact, over the years many animals including human volunteers have been exposed
to microwaves in the lab, with no side effects whatsoever aside from a slight
warming.
There are no effects from microwaves on the brain's activity.
You will not go blind looking through the door of a microwave oven -- no
microwaves leave the oven. [Unless your microwave door has been damaged, for
example if dropped and bent, in which case you must have it checked out. Injury
from leaky microwaves is a result of heating your body parts.]
The way microwaves
heat food is not a mystery and is not magic.
Claude Gerald's hot air is enough to heat us under the collar, but sadly not
enough to heat food. It does a disservice to the people of Montserrat to spread
his disinformation.
For more reading:
"WHAT CAUSES CANCER? The top two causes -- tobacco and diet -- account for
almost two thirds of all cancer deaths and are among the most correctable.
http://www.sciam.com/0996issue/0996trichopoulos.html
"HOW THINGS WORK: Microwave Ovens," by Louis A. Bloomfield, Professor
of Physics, University of Virginia
http://rabi.phys.virginia.edu/HTW//microwave_ovens.html
Trust
Replicates Plymouth Office
As part of the Oriole Complex, the National
Trust, with the financial assistance of DFID and FCO, are recreating the old
National Trust office now buried in Plymouth.
The replica building, located in the northwest
section of the property, will connect to the new nursery that is to be terrraced
down the slope.
The building was started at the National Trust by
volunteers Bob Burbank, Jack Hicks, Henry Munsey, Garfield Brown, Don Symington,
Ed Gough, Dado Sabadini, Eddie Edgecombe and Al Benson.
It will be up and ready before the May environmental workshop is held at
the Trust May 15th this year. Thanks
to Bob and his many contributions it is hoped that this building will last a lot
longer than the other one he built.
The replica building is to be used by the
executive director, office manager, marketing assistant and botanical gardens
manager, giving a central location for the activities of the executive.
It will make available further office space at the Trust that can be used
by visiting scientists and students.
The Trust sincerely appreciates the efforts of
the Governor’s Office in its administration of the DFID Small Grants Scheme
Day Care Centre Holds Open Day
By
Cathy Buffonge
Parents and the
public had a chance to visit the St John's Day Care Centre and view the work and
activities of the children at an Open Day on Wednesday. Head of the Day Care
Centre Mildred French and the other staff members were on hand to explain the
children's artwork and talk about the various activities provided for the
children, whose ages range from one to three years.
The theme for the
term is "The Home." This theme was reflected in pictures of various
rooms in a house, as well as outlines of furniture and appliances used in the
children's artwork and play activities. Artwork on display included peas and
rice collage, finger-tip painting, sponge painting, blot painting, string
painting, picture collage, coloring, and several others. These looked most
attractive on the walls of the centre, and are expected to enhance the
children's self esteem and sense of achievement.
Simple alphabet and
counting are among the visual aids used to introduce children to the idea of
words and numbers, and to give them a positive attitude towards learning. Other
teaching aids are sink and float objects and an outside playhouse.
The Centre's daily
activities include "circle
time," when the children sit in a circle for story reading, songs and
nursery rhymes; videos of songs and stories are also used. Unstructured
activities, which are also important for children's development, include free
indoor and outdoor play with a variety of toys and play equipment.
The children eat the
snack and lunch that they bring with them, giving them a sense of eating at
certain times of the day and eating as a social activity. They are also exposed
to potty training and, of course, their toilet needs are looked after.
The staff of the day care centre are doing a great job in caring for the children and encouraging their socialization and early learning skills. Parents need to encourage and praise their children's efforts while recognizing that children learn through play and thrive on praise.
Antigua's PM Rejects Corruption Probe Call
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua,
CANA -- Antigua and Barbuda's government and the opposition remain at odds over
the approach to investigations into alleged financial wrongdoings at the
state-run Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS).
The opposition United
Progressive Party (UPP) on Wednesday insisted that a commission of inquiry be
held into the operations of the MBS. Prime Minister Lester Bird has ignored
numerous calls for the inquiry and has instead called in the Director of Public
Prosecutions (DPP).
Mr. Bird said it did not make any sense to hold an inquiry since its report
would have to be sent to the DPP anyway.
Based on an interim forensic audit report, Mr.
Bird said that no evidence has been uncovered to suggest that government
ministers were involved in a multi-million dollar racket.
"I have always accepted the word of my ministers and I continue to do so,
Mr. Bird said.
"Until and unless there is any basis for doing otherwise, they retain my
full confidence." UPP Leader Baldwin Spencer said an inquiry would compel
persons to give sworn oral and written evidence and the recommendations of the
commission would have to be forwarded to the DPP.
Dominica Parliament Hears Corruption Report
Dominica,
CANA - Dominica's Prime Minister Pierre Charles on Monday released the
findings of the first report of a preliminary inquiry into allegations of
corruption against the former United Workers Party (UWP) government.
Mr. Charles released details of the report in parliament and said government
would study the best and most effective means of retrieving all the
"properties and perks illegally obtained".
Mr. Charles told parliament the report "paints an ugly picture of disregard
of questions of conflict of interest and a generally sleazy and disreputable
approach to government. There was rampant nepotism and self-serving in public
office for the benefit of Ministers directly and of their friends and/or party
supporters."
Mr. Charles' statement coincided with the introduction of the long-waited
integrity legislation in parliament. The Integrity in Public Office Bill was
tabled with provisions for the appointment of an Integrity Commission.
There had been calls by the opposition and the private sector for the report,
prepared by Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan, to be released. Opposition Leader
Edison James had objected to Astaphan's appointment because of the allegations
he had made against the UWP while in office.
Parliament immediately offered Mr. James an
opportunity to respond but he declined, saying that he needed more time to study
the findings.
Barbodos Calls Interpol To Help in Drug Probe
Barbados, CANA -
Barbados has asked the international police organisation, Interpol, to
investigate the discovery of drugs in a cargo container shipped from the island
last month, Acting Prime Minister David Simmons said Wednesday.
The Barbados-based clothing company
Gildan Activewear SRL said a container of goods it had earmarked for the United
States via regional ports was found to contain marijuana.
The container was said to have been packed at the company's premises, taken to
the Bridgetown Port, and loaded on the vessel Seaboard Toronto, destined for
Trinidad, Venezuela and Jamaica, where the drugs were discovered.
"Officials of the Port Authority have assured me that it was impossible for
the container to have been broken and stuffed with marijuana during the single
night that it was in their custody," said Mr. Simmons.
In a televised
statement Monday night, Mr. Simmons said Interpol would assist the Customs,
police and other local crime-fighting agencies in finding out what had occurred.
Microsoft Millions Aid Commonwealth Games
LONDON, CANA -
American computer giants Microsoft was announced Monday as an official sponsor
for next year's Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England.
The company founded by billionaire Bill Gates has signed up as an official
sponsor and technology supplier, giving the Games' finances a much-needed
multi-million pound boost.
With just over a year before the Games open, Manchester 2002 organizers have
signed up only five official sponsors, the title given to companies contributing
more than £2 million (US$2.94 million) in support.
Of the £62 million (US$91.14 million) targeted to stage the event profitably,
only £30 million (US$44.1 million) has so far been raised -- but organizers
remain hopeful that more sponsors will come on board in the next few months.
The Caribbean won seven gold medals at the 1998 Games in Malaysia.
Trinidad Fugitive Surrenders to Police
Trinidad, CANA - A
fugitive Trinidadian lawyer on the run for more than a year, surrendered to
police Tuesday morning after returning to the country.
Jagdeo Singh went to the Port of Spain Fraud Squad accompanied by his lawyers
and was taken to a nearby court, where a warrant for his arrest was executed,
authorities said.
Three arrest warrants were issued for the 33-year old lawyer a year ago when he
failed to appear before a court to answer corruption charges.
The corruption
charges arose out of allegations that Mr. Singh attempted to receive money to
induce a magistrate and a police officer to fix bail for a man on drug charges.
He was arrested during a sting operation by police, and a large quantity of
money was seized. He was later given bail, buy after his disappearance, Mr.
Singh's four lawyers withdrew from the case.
Mr. Singh returned to Trinidad on Monday night from the United States.
Caribbean
Women Eager For Lancashire Cricket
St Lucia, CANA -
Manager of the West Indies Women's cricket team Carol Whilby-Maxwell said
Wednesday the Lancashire women's cricket team's tour of the region will help
meet the long-time objective of the West Indies Women's Cricket Federation
(WIWCF) to expose regional talent.
She made the comments
as she prepared to travel to Trinidad and Tobago to join the team for their
first match against the Lancashire women's team in Trinidad Thursday.
"Expectations
are always great when we have our players participating in any kind of
tournament and we are pleased the Lancashire tour has become a reality,"
Ms. Whilby-Maxwell said.
"Over the years
the Federation has tried to expose our players to International competition, but
because of a lack of finance we have not been able to do so. This one is a plus
and we are looking forward to making the best of it," she said.
Ms. Whilby-Maxwell,
who is also president of the WIWFC, mentioned that such tours will help market
women's cricket in the Caribbean.
"If we can do
well then we can probably generate the kind of interest that will make companies
start looking at us."
The WIWCF chief was
full of praise for the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the part they played
in making the Lancashire tour possible.
JAMAICA-Gov't
ratifies anti-corruption convention
KINGSTON, Jamaica, April 5, CANA - The Jamaica
government has added its signature to the Inter-American Convention Against
Corruption, thus becoming the 22nd country in the Americas to ratify the treaty.
Prior to its ratification, Jamaica affirmed the
Convention on March 29, 1996, thereby supporting efforts by hemispheric
governments under the auspices of the Organisation of American States (OAS) to
combat corruption within the public sector and to seek to limit improprieties in
public administration throughout the Americas.
According to a news release from the Jamaica
Information Service in Washington, D.C., Jamaica handed over its instruments of
retification at a ceremony held last Friday at the General Secretariat of the
OAS, which was presided over by OAS Secretary General, Cesar Gavira and
Jamaica's Permanent Representative to the OAS and Ambassador to the United
States, Dr. Richard Bernal.
The ceremony was also attended by representatives
of the Permanent Mission of Jamaica as well as the OAS Chief of Protocol, Ann
Colomar O'Brien.
The Inter-American Convention Against Corruption
seeks to standardise a code of conduct for the fulfillment of public functions,
to prevent conflicts of interest and mandate the proper conservation and use of
resources entrusted to government officials in the performance of their
functions.
These standards also establish measures and
systems requiring government officials to report to appropriate authorities any
acts of corruption in the performance of public functions, thereby preserving
the public's confidence in the integrity of public servants and the governmental
processes.
The Convention also spells out mechanisms to
enforce these standards of conduct.
Prior to the ratification of the accord, Dr.
Bernal reiterated Jamaica's commitment to combating corruption in "all
facets of public duties and the official conduct of responsibilities".
He called on the Inter-American system to
continue its work in implementing safeguards that would facilitate public
accountability and stewardship, and increase transparency in the sphere of
public administration.
"Our recognition of the need to fight
corruption in the public sector and to strengthen democratic institutions is,
indeed, longstanding. Jamaica first passed anti-corruption legislation in 1931
but saw it fit to introduce a further enactment in 1973 to cover the conduct of
officials elected to Parliament. Even with such safeguards in place, Jamaica
recognises the need for greater vigilance against corruption, nationally as well
as internationally," the ambassador said.
Jamaican
Teachers Sought for UK Jobs
A growing shortage of
teachers for schools, colleges and universities in the UK has prompted appeals
by Education UK Ltd., the official Admission Company, to solicit applications
from qualified and experienced Jamaican teachers for full-time jobs.
Thousands of jobs are
available in a wide variety of subject areas.
Ewan Denny, Director
of Education UK, said, “These are real jobs. We also recruit people who want
to become teachers, but this programme is all about already, coming to the UK to
take up permanent jobs in the classroom. We have the jobs, plenty of them, and
now we need to find people to fill them.”
Teachers who register
with Education UK will be rated on skills and experience and then put forward to
schools for appointment. Interviews will be conducted by telephone and
successful teachers will be sent job offers with accommodation provided for
those who require it.
Education UK Ltd. is
79 Sefton Avenue, Harrow Weald, Middlesex, HA3 5JP, UK, email
Grenada, CANA - The
Canadian government has pledged to
provide more financial and technical assistance to countries of the Organisation
of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
The announcement was made Tuesday by Chairman of the OECS, Grenada's Prime
Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, who met with Ms. Sandelle Scrimshaw, new Canadian
High Commissioner to the region.
High Commissioner Scrimshaw is on a swing through the region to meet with
government and other officials. She discussed with the Grenadian leader issues
concerning constitutional reform, human resource development technical
assistance and support for infrastructural projects.
Prime Minister Mitchell said Canada has agreed to fund programmes aimed at
helping the region prepare for the Free Trade Area of the Americas and to
strengthen its financial services sector.
Canada has been a major aid donor
and has supported various development programmes including the region's efforts
to diversify its economy. The region is expected to advance its case for more
financial support when it participates in the Third Summit of the Americas in
Quebec City from April 20-22.
Dominica -- The
Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force announced Thursday that police are
investigating the death of a seven-month-old baby boy who died by drowning
Wednesday.
They said the
child’s mother had reported that her son, whom she believed to have been
asleep after his feeding, had plunged headfirst into a pail of water that was on
the floor of the bedroom by the bed.
The baby was
transported to the Princess Margaret Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on
arrival. A post mortem examination
will be conducted, followed by a coroner’s inquest.
New
Cricket Ground Unveiled in Antigua
Antigua, CANA - The
new Airport Cricket Ground which was formally opened here Wednesday by
businessman Adam Stanford has come in for praise from West Indies' manager Ricky
Skerritt and former Test fast bowler Andy Roberts.
The West Indies
cricketers, who were preparing for the fourth Cable & Wireless Test against
South Africa starting at the Antigua Recreation Grounds Friday, christened the
ground when they held their net practice at the venue which is located less than
a half mile from the V.C. Bird International Airport.
"We are happy
that the West Indies team could be here to commission this facility. I think it
is something that Antigua and the West Indies cricket world can be proud
of," Skerritt said.
"This is the
kind of facility which hopefully we will see more of around the region,"
added Skerritt, noting it "certainly will help," along with the Shell
Cricket Academy in Grenada, to provide good practice for regional cricketers.
Roberts, also a
former West Indies' manager and selector, who was involved in the preparation of
the pitches as a consultant, noted the ground, even though small with 65-yard
boundaries, can be used for international matches.
Roberts said he
worked for about a year, laying down the pitch and noted it meets the West
Indies Cricket Board's (WICB) standard and regulations.
Noting that there has
been some dialogue with the WICB, Roberts said the ground can host a first-class
match as soon as the main pavilion is completed in a month's time.
When completed, the
facility, which will have a main grandstand to seat 1,200 spectators, will also
be decorated with an electronic scoreboard.
Flood lights will
allow matches to be played at night, and a media booth will accommodate
commentators and television photographers.
OECS,
Cable & Wireless Will Sign That Accord
The
historic signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding between the
Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Governments of Grenada,
Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts/Nevis and Cable
& Wireless is scheduled to take place tomorrow at the St. George’s Suite,
Rex Grenadian.
The signing ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and will feature signatories Prime Minister and OECS Chairman Keith Mitchell of Grenada; Prime Minister Denzil Douglas of St. Kitts/Nevis; Prime Minister Kenny Anthony of St. Lucia; Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Minister of Communication and Works Reginald Austrie of Dominica, and Chief Executive Officer of Cable & Wireless West Indies Limited Errald Miller.
MCA
Names Roster To Face UWI Tuesday
Montserrat Cricket
Association President John Smith has named the team which will participate in
the cricket game Montserrat Vs The University of the West Indies on Tuesday
April 10, 2001.
Team Captain is Devon
Williams. Other team players are Lionel Baker, Tyrone Greenaway, Jeff Lane,
Nesta Piper, Ian Osborne, Mark Stephanie, Zuan Sweeney, Garnett Thompson,
Sylvester Wade, Gregory Willock and Dion Weekes.
To facilitate a
smooth running of the game, all players are asked to come to Salem Park on
Monday, April 9th, 2001, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to collect their
uniforms. They are also required to
be present on the field no later than 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday April 10th.
The University of the
West Indies (UWI) will be sponsoring personalized colored uniforms for the
Montserrat team.
Also in cricket news,
the Vice Chancellor's Match, which has been held in Montserrat for the past five
years, will begin Thursday, April 12, 2001, at Salem Park.
An annual charitable
event, the Vice Chancellor's Match usually benefits the Sir Frank Worrell
Scholarship Fund. However, this year, all revenue earned will be donated to the
Montserrat Cricket Association.
In a press release
from the University of the West Indies, Vice Chancellor Rex Nettleford stated,
"We are very pleased to join the West Indies Cricket Board in this venture,
as the University wishes to support Montserrat in its rebuilding efforts."
A week of activities
has been scheduled from April 6-12, 2001.
By Peter Adrien
The place was a rum shop; the actors were cricket
fans. “Cheat! They resorted to cheating to avoid defeat,” shouted the first
speaker. “They were within their rights to do what they did,” responded the
second speaker.
The mixed-up moods and
attitude reflected the peoples’ responses to West Indian batsman Dinanath
Ramnarine’s apparent time-wasting tactics in the final hour on the fifth and
final day of the third Test match between the West Indies and South Africa at
the Kensington Oval on Monday April 2, 2001. His ploy appeared to have been a
calculated act to stave off defeat with the West Indies at 86 for seven (in
search of 265 to win). It gave that impression in light of the fact that the
remaining batsmen were Cameron Cuffy and Courtney Walsh, two proven rabbits. We
must, under all circumstances however, seek to balance perception and reality,
as well as the permissible and the punitive.
The issue is whether Ramnarine, who claimed that
he was suffering from cramps, was playing by the rules. The rational approach is
to ascertain whether Ramnarine, if he was faking, (and for that matter, the West
Indies) played by the rules that govern the game of cricket, and adhered to the
ICC regulations and the playing conditions that govern the current 2001 series.
A digression will help. In soccer, for example,
the game is not to be interrupted. Being more gladiatorial in nature, an injured
player is taken off the field and attended to on the sidelines while the game
proceeds. In cricket, the aristocratic legacy demands that the safety of the
player be emphasised. Should a player be incapacitated or injured during the
course of the game, the proceedings are stopped to ensure his comfort. The
medical personnel are summoned to the field to give him expert attention. Time
loss due to this interruption is not added on, as is the case in soccer. Time is
only added for interventions that the actors have no control over.
In cricket, it has always been tactical for
captains to use that rule or provision to their advantage when time becomes a
decisive factor (as it was in the case at the Oval). The last of the mandatory
15 overs had been bowled. Time was the only deterministic factor. Play was
scheduled to stop at 5:05 p.m. Ramnarine’s incapacitation and the attention it
demanded used up some of that time, allowed the batters to face fewer balls, and
lessened their chances of getting out.
Ramnarine did his best to frustrate the South
Africans with a classic display of time-wasting. Umpire Steve Bucknor issued him
with an official warning; Match referee Mike Denness called Ramnarine and Mervyn
Dillon; no formal complaint was made by the umpires, and no action was taken
against Ramnarine. The approach may have been tactical but it was in harmony
with the rules of the game.
This was acting intelligently in the marketplace,
and the action has tremendous significance for Caribbean entrepreneurs if they
are willing to learn. The transition has been very slow and painful for the
Caribbean economies. That is partly because governments, non-governmental
organizations, community-base organisations and the business sector have
persistently failed to reposition the production process by taking advantage of
those key aspects of the white-imposed rules, laws, trade regimes, regulations,
conventions and agreements (that govern international commerce) that could be
creatively adhered to in order to increase our competitiveness in the
marketplace.
The actors in the society, the economy and the
state must seek to take advantage of certain aspects of globalisation and
liberalisation that could give Caribbean society and economy access to
“soft” resources. For example, there is a growing restlessness among
capitalist interests that dominates the global economy. It is becoming more and
more difficult for the investors to enjoy the fruits of their exploitation. They
literally live in prisons; they are caged in their houses, their cars, their
offices and their private clubs.
To mitigate the situation, they are making
“soft” capital available to under-developed countries to reduce poverty, to
fight drugs, to promote gender participation and to improve governance. Their
underlying motive is to create a more secured environment for themselves. This,
however, presents an opportunity to play by the rules of the game. Public and
private sector agencies must take advantage of their vulnerability by designing
proposals with such overtones (their concerns) in order to ensure access much
needed “soft” investment capital.
The same is true for the OECD threat. The motive
is global hegemony. The same rich countries that established WTO to enforce the
free flow of factors of production across borders are fighting to restrict
capital flow from OECD countries to developing countries by controlling revenue
loss to overseas tax havens. The Caribbean governments must take the matter to
the WTO as a trade infringement. This playing by the rules of the economic game
- globalisation.
What is the connection with the Oval? For the
first time we beat the rule-makers, the white interests, at their game. Like
someone said, “we won the game by not losing.” That is to say, we remained
competitive during the contest by intelligently utilising our crafts, our
skills, and our intellectual capital.
If
it seemed that we acted as cowards; if it seemed that we displayed a behaviour
not typical of the West Indian team of the 1980s; if it appeared that we had to
revert to underhand methods to prevent defeat; captain Carl Hooper and his team
acted within the rules; played by the rules of the game and prevailed. The West
Indians did not violate the laws of cricket. They neither violated the “ICC
Code of Conduct, Standard Playing Conditions and Other Regulations” nor “The
Playing Conditions of the 2001 Series West Indies vs. South Africa.” Opposing
captain Shaun Pollock concluded correctly: "Teams are entitled to play the
game the way they want to play it.”
In that context, it was a victory for the
Caribbean people. It is a victory when our representatives understand the rules
that govern their actions and use the rules to their advantage in the
marketplace. That is the kind of leadership we desire in this hostile and
insensitive global society. And contrary to Wayne Daniel and Colin Croft (two
erstwhile mercenaries), the behaviour was neither ugly nor unprofessional. How
can one be unprofessional when he acts within the letter of the law? Should you
ask Steve Waugh how Australia managed to dominate for 16 consecutive Test
matches, he will tell you, “above all we played by the rules.”
In that context and, in
the light of Ridley Jacob’s historic century (113 not out), it was Ebenezer at
Kensington Oval. Now for the fourth Test in Antigua, I am not convinced that
captain Carl Hooper is playing by the rules that govern team selection. The best
players must be selected for the job. The youngsters have shown a tendency to be
too erratic when the situation demands resilience. There were absolutely no
reasons for Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds to seek to entertain in that delicate
situation at the Oval. Marlon Samuels has shown that he is a bit too raw for
Test cricket even though he may be batting too high up the order. His
temperament is ideal but his technique has been found wanting.
Playing by the rules, my 11 in batting would have
been Chris Gayle, Leon Garrick, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Brian Lara, Ramnaresh
Sarwan, Carl Hooper, Ridley Jacobs, Mervyn Dillon, Dinanath Ramnarine, Cameron
Cuffy, Courtney Walsh.
Let us all play by the rules.
PHOTO CAPTION: Carl Hooper, a leader who plays by the rules. (Photo: Peter Adrien)
"RIGHTS
- OBLIGATIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES"
As a people called
Montserratians, we have rights. The right to live here is one of them. But
attached to those rights are obligations and responsibilities. Needless to say,
one of the most important rights that come with living on Montserrat is the
right to elect politicians to manage the affairs of our blessed island. And on
the second day of April, 2001, we had the opportunity to exercise that right. We
had elections.
If I am to use one
word to describe our 9-X election process I would say it was interesting. Yes,
the campaign, the voting and the results were all very interesting. It was a
very interesting election.
It gives me great
pleasure therefore, to say congratulations to each successful candidate. To the
other candidates, to the voters, to the media people, to the political parties
and especially to the election officials, thank you for making this election so
memorable, so exciting and so very interesting.
Having said that, I
now return to the matter of obligations and responsibilities.
Our most important
responsibility to ourselves and to each other is to acknowledge and to keep in
mind that nobody owes us any favour for being a resident of Montserrat.
Yet as residents we
have an obligation to contribute towards the upkeep of Montserrat, each
according to his ability. Likewise, the politicians have the responsibility to
manage the resources and the economy in a fair way, so that each resident gets
at least according to his needs.
Now that the election
is over, the successful candidate have taken the oath of office to represent us
and to protect us. They have earned one of the rights that comes with being a
Montserratian. That right is to govern us, to protect us and to guide the island
to progress and prosperity.
But attached to that
right to govern are obligations and responsibilities. Obligations to put the
people first and to care for them. Obligation to be more transparent and less
corrupt. Obligations to stay in tune with the youths. The youths are the
undisputed leaders of tomorrow and for that reason the Government needs to pay
particular attention to them. Don't just speak to them, listen to them.
I hope the new
Government recognise that it is six years after the volcano erupted, and that
the world expects us to begin to manage our affairs with the least possible help
from others.
I hope the new
Government will publicly acknowledge the continuos assistance from the British
Government. I hope the new government would co-operate with the British to
modernise our systems; systems that will assist the people of Montserrat to
enjoy greater prosperity, greater progress and a sense of well being that comes
with living in modern societies.
I hope the new
government recognises that officers of the civil service and the statutory
corporations are not merchandise in a shop. These officers are human beings who
must be treated with dignity and respect. They must not be treated as shop goods
to be moved from shelf to shelf or to be put away into boxes as obsolete items.
I hope the new
government will diffuse the election campaign slogan of "love and
money."
Most importantly, I
sincerely hope the new government will honour their obligations and
responsibilities that attach to their right to govern the people of Montserrat.
By Helena
Durand
Every community has its own examples of courage,
kindness and decency. This week meet Mrs. Jadine Glitzenhirn
Born
in Davy Hill, Montserrat, Jadine John attended the Montserrat Secondary School
on a scholarship in 1960/61. By 1962, having barely begun her secondary school
education, she left for England where, at the tender age of 16, she became the
breadwinner of the family. In 1980
she returned to her beloved Montserrat from Germany as Mrs. Jadine Glitzenhirn,
intending to settle down. By 1988, she had settled down enough to start a small
business going around and selling things from the back of her car.
She soon got into alliance with Sunny Caribbee in Tortola and sold their
best-selling products from her shop, "Jus Looking," at Blackburne
Airport. Her efforts in her shop were rewarded, for she soon had another shop
operating in Plymouth.
In
1994, tragedy came at her heels, and she was thrust into wild despair when she
lost her grandmother to a brutal, untimely death. She sold out her boutique,
which had become quite renowned, and reacting to the emotional turmoil she
experienced, she immersed herself
in school abroad.
Using
schoolwork as a painkiller, she applied herself to her studies and in little
time (her third year in university) she was awarded The Rose Bowl Award for the
Best Student with the Best Academic Performance.
She
recently graduated from The Thames Valley University in West London, where she
obtained an upper Second Class Honors degree in Tourism Management.
“I
lost everything” she says, “But I came out a stronger person.”
While
at university she was instrumental in raising well over $11,000 that she has
placed in a fund, commemorative of her grandmother.
The Lucy Begnor Scholarship Fund, she said, is to assist those students
whose parents are unable to help with secondary school education.
Neither
parents nor students, she said, are given hard cash. Rather they get purchase
orders for school materials which will assist the needy student.
The Lucy Begnor Scholarship Fund is currently in its sixth year.
The
former manager of Tropical Mansions in Montserrat, Jadine has been involved in
many nation-building activities here. She was one of the founding members of the
Montserrat Tourist board. It was Jadine who began the Davy Hill Self-Help
Society, and The WSG 10.
Jadine
has one daughter, who is a lawyer. Because she is based in St. Lucia, Jadine
came home particularly to vote this month. Nowhere, she said, can compare to
Montserrat and although she has returned to St. Lucia, she plans to be back home
soon where she belongs.
THE ROLE OF THE FAMILY IN
MENTAL HEALTH
By Sharmen D Thompson RN, RMN,
Cert., BSc (Hons)
Community Psychiatric Nurse
HOW FAMILIES CAN HELP
If someone you love is diagnosed with a mental
illness, how can your family help? Your family should work together with the person who is ill
and the team of mental healthcare professionals.
Learn all you can about the illness; understanding can help you cope.
Take things slowly, step by step. The
speed of progress is not as important as the direction.
As people begin to get better, it is important to
prevent a relapse (recurrence of a psychotic episode), since a relapse can be
demoralizing for everyone involved. To
help maintain the recovery process:
Remember, your family doesn’t have to go it
alone. There are available
treatments, and people who can help.
For further
information or help call tel # 491 3879.
The New Montserrat
For New PLM it's 'hooray,'
Seven of nine won the day.
Bassie's back in control,
So let the good times roll.
Who needs the Brits anyway?
No Longer Number One
The Credit Union lady heard
The PLM chief spread the word;
Reputation assailed,
Nonetheless she prevailed;
She ran seventh, he finished third.
Jus
wonderin bout de Montserratian men and dem, wha so good and wha bad bout dem.
Jus
wonderin wha wrong wid de Montserratian women dem why dem and dem man can't get
along.
Jus
wonderin why dem just fight so much.
Jus
wonderin what eyes no see and heart no grief why dem young girls a go on so.
Jus
wonderin who is that female officer who a beg for love.
Jus
wonderin who is that officer who can't get along wid the other officer dem in a
de salt mine.
Jus
wonderin why did officer scorn e own self so much dat e no want even one fly fu
touch e.
Jus
wonderin if de nurse up by casualty know that one smile pan she face would stop
frighten de patients and dem.
Jus
wonderin why de jail man officer a carse so much problem in a dat place.
Jus
wonderin if I say I luv you and you say I do too wha dat have to do with any
officer
Jus
wonderin if house #12 a one ranch house in a de housing development.
Jus
wonderin wha so special bout house #12 why every cat, dog and mouse an all go
deh.
Jus
wonderin if a blind de Montserrat women dem blind so why dem can't get a grip.
Jus
wonderin if love was a joke what is
romance and roses.
Jus
wonderin how the loosing party feel.
Jus
wonderin if they were really campaigning against each other.
Jus
wonderin if the country gan fan dad to worse now.
Jus
wonderin wha the campaign bill dem look like and if they all can pay them.
Jus
wonderin if the heavy roller a go still roll.
Jus
wonderin how that certain Education minister feel.
Jus
wonderin how soon we go get the Plenty Love an Money.
Jus
wonderin if it will be Play Little More once again.
Jus
wonderin if the NPP leader get any message.
Jus
wonderin how the ministries will be divided eventually.
Jus
wonderin if dey a go keep their promises dat dem mek during elections.
Jus
wonderin how Brit'n a go deal wid de man who bouas dat e lie to dem and fool
dem.
Jus
wonderin if every bady want ministry how dem a go deal wid dat.
Jus
wonderin wa denm a go do wid de oder two.
Jus
wonderin if dem a go give back de loosers dem, dem jab.
Jus
wonderin if dem andustand what party really mean now.
Jus
wonderin if NPP wil go to sleep sleep until next election.
Jus
wonderin about all dem politicians who no win how dem a go do.
Jus
wonderin why me luv jus wonderin, because jus wonderin put one smile pan face
and happiness in a me heart, so jus wonderin, Big up.
Jus
wonderin why everybody look so sad every mornin when dem get up these days.
Jus
wonderin what is wrong with these young kids now a days why dem a misbehave so.
Jus
wonderin wha a de reason wha dem so lazy and hot headed.
Jus
wonderin wha dey want to know bout the fan who love jus wonderin so.
Jus
wonderin who is de fan and way e come from.
Jus
wonderin why dey wnt to know so much about de fan.
Jus
wonderin if it is for real why jus wonderin men send jus wonderin over the
internet.
Jus
wonderin about beauty and de beast and de lion and de monkey.
Jus
wonderin wha is wrong with de pork and de beef why me can't get none to eat because
me luv um so.
Jus
wondrein if dey are up for sale, why de price so high and we can't pay.
Jus
wonderin wha happen to the MSS Schol girls dem, why dem a get so nuff.
Jus
wonderin if de parent and dem a get soft or what
because dem a ley de kids and dem get way.
Jus
wonderin if jus wonderin a go put love words in a jus wonderin for some of dese
people who do not have what it takes?
Jus
wonderin one ting, a jus wonderin run tings.
Jus wonderin if ZJB announcers were no satisfied with the election results so much that they were still announcing the polling stations on Tuesday.
Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: editor@montserratreporter.org
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