Labour Organisations Seek Minimum Wage Legislation
By Merrick Andrews
Hylroy Bramble, MAWU's General Secretary and CSA President, Easton Farrell
Two local labour organisations are calling for
the implementation of minimum wage legislation.
The Montserrat Civil Service Association (MCSA) and Montserrat Allied Workers
Union (MAWU) said they support a minimum wage because it would protect the
worker.
General Secretary of MAWU Hylroy Bramble said: “The minimum wage protects the
worker and sets a minimum [salary/wage] that employers will be allowed to pay
workers so that workers are not paid sub-standard salary and wages.”
The Labour Act and the Protection of Wages Act legislations were drafted in
1996, just after the Reuben Meade administration left political power. However,
since then the procedures have not been established.
Both acts were also drafted just after the amendment of the Employment
Ordinance.
The Protection of Wages Act sets out the machinery to implement minimum wages,
while the Labour Act deals with occupational safety and health.
President of the MCSA Easton Farrell said: “I think there’s need for minimum
wage. Minimum wage has to do with cost of living and if there’s no minimum
wage obviously there are people who will not be able to survive.”
Labour Commissioner Joe West declined to comment on the topic Wednesday.
David Brandt, who served as Chief Minister from 1997 to 2001, also supports a
minimum wage, but the measure was not implemented during his tenure.
“I support a minimum wage and I have always supported a minimum wage. But some
key ministers in my administration were against it, so it could not have being
implemented. A minimum wage does not mean that’s the maximum wage that each
employer would pay.”
Mr. Brandt and the two local labour organisations pointed out that minimum wage
legislations are made law all over the world, for example in the United Kingdom,
North America and several Caribbean countries.
MAWU’s Bramble said one of the main reasons why politicians or governments
don’t want to make minimum wage law is because they are bosses too.
He added that sub-standard salary and wages could cause some level of social
deterioration. "If workers cannot maintain a certain lifestyle, if they
can’t support their families, you tend to find that some social deterioration
will take place because people will tend to steal or do other odd things just to
maintain a lifestyle or just to maintain their families.”
Jim Lee, manager of a computer service business in St. Peters, also supports
minimum wage. He said: “I do support a minimum wage because it protects
everybody – not only Montserratians, but non-nationals as well. It would be a
level playing field for everybody.”
Mr. Lee observed that non-nationals are being ripped off frequently when it
comes to payment. “Some employers tend to do whatever they want,” he said.
A Guyanese construction labourer in his 20s said his employers pay him as little
as EC$250 per week before tax. “What that do?” he asked. “I have bills to
pay – electricity, water, rent and a plan to get a telephone soon.
He scoffed at age: “That’s no excuse, as long as I am qualified, I should
get paid fairly, anything over $350 per week. This minimum wage thing is to be
implemented because employers take too much advantage of workers, especially
youngsters like myself who are fighting to make a living.”
MAWU has pointed to supermarkets as being among
the culprits for paying low wages. “Just because you are a Guyanese and you
didn’t exactly understand the wage rates, you were actually paid way below the
normal salary level,” said Mr. Bramble, producer of the radio program, Labour
Speaks.
“On the other hand you have the supermarkets,
and many are to this day still paying sub- standard salaries; and you don’t
question them or else the workers will find themselves without a job.”
MCSA's Farrell explained why the private sector may not support the
establishment of minimum wage: “I don’t think it is in the interest of some
private sector to establish that [minimum wage] because some businessmen will
argue it would put pressure on them to pay more than they can pay and the
consequence will be that they will have to lay off people. But I think there’s
need for legislation. Once there’s legislation in place, then there is no
problem. But I think we are hesitant to put legislation in place and that’s a
problem.”
New Developments Muddy Issue of U.S. Visa Waivers
By Bennette Roach
Further to our stories relating the issuance of
British Citizenship passports to British Overseas Territories citizens, which
include Montserrat, much has been drawn to our attention.
One person writes: “So
if - as suggested in this weekend's Reporter - the primary motive for wanting a
British passport is travel to the U.S., then maybe we should stop and check
ourselves. In the long run what advantages will carrying a British passport
really entail"”
On
April 9, 2002, the BBC reported about the Border Securities Act, which is
the new law introduced in the U.S. as follows: “The
proposed overhaul of visitor visas would eliminate the six-month maximum
admission period and visas would be granted for the amount of time needed for a
trip. In practice, that would average about 30 days, the INS (Immigration and
Naturalization Service) said. Extensions would only be granted if a visitor
could show an unexpected or compelling reason, such as the need for medical
treatment or a delay in completing a business matter, one official said. The
changes would have a huge impact on people visiting relatives for more than one
month and retirees and young people who want to spend many weeks sightseeing."
The Financial Times on May 18, 2002 wrote also about the same "The
Border Security Act," which was signed
only on the Tuesday before by President George W. Bush, that U.S. visas,
passports and other travel documents issued after October 2004 need to be fraud-
and tamper-resistant and contain so-called biometric data.”
More
importantly for Montserratians holding the new British Citizenship passport, the
article said: “The
law also amends the visa waiver programme, under which visitors to the U.S. from
about 30 countries, including those of the European Union, are permitted to
enter the U.S. for 90 days without a visa. The change requires countries participating in the programme to begin
issuing their own tamper-resistant, machine-readable passports by 2004. Visitors
from countries that do not meet the deadline would be required to obtain visas
from U.S. consulates, which lack the staff to deal with the high volume of
visa-waiver travelers.”
The significance, of course, for this is that in
about two years, if not sooner, the visa waiver as it is known now may cease to
exist. It will also be in Montserrat’s best interest to seek some guarantee,
if there is such a thing, from the UK central government affirming the offer of
being able to keep the Montserrat passport along side the BC passport. This of
course will be necessary, financially at least, until such time the OECS and or
CARICOM issue some common travel document to its citizens to facilitate travel
within the various states.
This Overseas territory will find that it is not
the only ones in the BOTs who could later run into difficulties.
It is recommended that readers see copies and excerpts of the two
articles referred to on page 4 of this issue.
Domestic 'Disturbance' Charged to Policeman
By Merrick Andrews
The Royal Montserrat Police Force has confirmed
that one of their officers is being investigated for a domestic
“disturbance.”
Deputy Commissioner of Police Simon Morson said: “A complaint was made of a
disturbance or disagreement between a girlfriend and a boyfriend – and the
boyfriend appears to be a police officer.”
Mr. Morson said the complaint was lodged to the police last weekend by the
girlfriend, but he declined to give specific details as the matter is under
investigation.
Sources said a woman made a complaint against one of the force’s top ranking
officers, alleging that she was physically abused.
The officer who is being investigated is still on duty. Mr. Morson said,
“depending on the nature of an incident” the officer investigated doesn’t
necessarily have to be suspended.
Sources also report that other police officers are also involved in domestic
violence, an issue, which has been a subject of discussion and one receiving
some attention in the country. The police have not confirmed this matter with
respect to the police however, and declined to comment further.
Superintendent Paul Morris reported in April that 137 cases of domestic violence
were reported in 2000, compared to 12 the previous year.
Last month, the Cudjoe Head Family Centre was officially opened to cater to
victims of domestic violence. But reliable sources said no victim has yet
visited the Centre; they still prefer to visit the police station. “It’s
going slowly but surely. It’s expected to pick up in another couple of months
with more publicity to make victims aware that the Centre is available,” the
source said.
The purpose of the Family Centre, which was formerly the Cudjoe Head area police
station serving the entire north, is to provide an environment conducive to
people coming and making reports of domestic violence.
"Montserratians'
Lack of Enthusiasm For Speaking Out Isn't Such a Mystery"
Just about a year ago a team from Britain came to
the region to gauge the feelings of Overseas Territories citizens regarding the
White paper that had been presented more than two years earlier. The team
members were told then that while progress might have been made in the other
territories, Montserrat could not report any. They seemed to listen carefully
and sympathetically, even apologized for some of the problems we faced because
ministers and other officials in Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
and the Department for International Development (DFID) were constantly at odds,
particularly about Montserrat's needs.
Years ago we heard constantly of the FCO and its
role in Montserrat, but that ended in 1997, when we were made dependent wards of
the impatient lioness at DFID, whose preoccupation is to “alleviate poverty in
the world.”
Now we and other British Overseas Territories are
supposed to be engaged in reviews of our constitutions, since HMG has promised
it "stands ready to review and revise the Montserrat Constitution.” This
has not begun well here, as important as it might be.
Professor Sir Howard Fergus, chairman of the review commission, said a
few weeks ago, “this comparative lack of zeal for constitutional debate may be
marked in Montserrat. . . . People are grappling with the basic issues of food,
shelter and housing, and constitution sounds like a recondite and abstract
subject, divorced from their essential lives.”
Sir Howard's observation is persuasive, but is
that the only reason Montserratians fail to hurry forward to answer HMG's
request to tell it what they want in a constitution?
Perhaps not. Even in Anguilla, which does not
share Montserrat's plight from natural disaster, earnest calls were broadcast
this week for greater participation in that island's constitutional review. Why
the reticence there?
So HMG wants Montserratians to tell it what they
want. Montserratians who have candidly done so in the past have rarely been
embraced for their candor. The first to ask in desperation, as a volcano
threatened their lives, were contemptuously dismissed by DFID's Clare Short as
grasping and greedy competitors to those in the world truly in need.
A notably plainspoken member of the review panel,
Chedmond Browne, has never hesitated to tell the British, or anyone else, what
he wants for Montserrat. Even Sir Howard has always clearly distinguished the
differences between his personal position as a Montserratian and whatever
official position he was representing for HMG as acting governor. Both have made
eloquent appeals for greater public participation in the review.
It cannot be lost on Montserratians who pay close
attention that speaking openly about what you want can come at a cost. Mr.
Browne's recent summary dismissal from membership in Chief Minister John
Osborne's NPLM is an immediate object lesson.
Not too long, the Chief Minister made clear how
pleased Ms. Short was that she could deal now with someone more reasonable and
less demanding than that irritating David Brandt. Why? Because this Chief
Minister has expressed his willingness to "pat the lion on its back while
he holds one hand in its mouth" as his way of dealing with HMG.
Whether that willing accommodation will succeed
remains to be demonstrated.
Impatient Montserratians were assured and
reassured by officials of HMG that the island had “first call” on DFID’s
development program, where there was no budgetary ceiling.
Very recently our Minister of Housing lamented
her disappointment that the £10 million worth of funds pledged even before her
government took office last year is still not forthcoming. She strongly believes
this to be one of the areas, agreed to in a five-year plan, that will help meet
what HMG says it shares with Montserrat as “one of its objectives for
achieving economic self-sustainability.” The Minister said her ministry was
tired with the process but even so had done all they could do to move the
projects forward.
When it comes to aiding our economic development,
why is it so slow in coming, if it comes at all? How is that White Paper being
fulfilled? There isn’t any partnership and there is no prosperity. If there
were our economic development would not be limping. If we are the ones slowing
it down, listen further.
We are told that “the UK Government remains
committed to the principle of self-determination with regard to Montserrat and
to the other UK Overseas Territories and full independence when it is the
clearly and constitutionally expressed wish of the people.”
We should be poised at the brink of a rebirth
after total devastation, but we may really not be looking and thinking hard
enough. It may not be at all late to take another look and change our course. We
could learn something. What can we lose? We still have not learned to
investigate; look at the airport crisis, we are just too dependent and we
don’t even know how to be that without being beggars.
We could be missing out on an opportunity that
will not look our way again in the first half of this century. Perhaps the
review commission meetings should draw packed audiences of vocal participants.
But given Montserratians' experiences of the past seven years, who can fault
them for being skeptical about how soon the British will warmly embrace them as
"fellow citizens'?
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
or monrep@candw.ag. 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
START WITH ONE STEP
READ:
1 Peter 1:10-16
I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore
consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am Holy. -- Leviticus 11:44
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Numbers 25-27
"Be holy, for I am holy."
Is there any command more difficult to obey?
Probably not, yet there it is in God's Word
(Leviticus 11:44; 1 Peter 1:16).
But how can we be as holy as God?
After all, the reason we must trust Jesus as Savior in the first place is
because we are not holy. "All
have sinned," Romans 3:23 tells us. And
even after we put our faith in Christ for salvation, how can we think about
being as holy as God is?
The challenge of trying to match God in the
holiness category can seem far too complicated to attempt.
But if we yield to the Holy Spirit who lives in us and convicts us, we
will grow.
Taking one step at a time should help.
For instance, what is one thing you do or say or think that does not
reflect God's holiness? Maybe you
treat others harshly. Or you have a
secret sin. Tackle that area today.
Talk to God about it. Ask
His forgiveness. Then, by His
power, seek to overcome it.
Or think of this: What one thing can you do to
enhance your relationship with God? The
more time you spend with Him, the more you will become like Him.
Little by little, step by step, work to rid your
life of unholy behavior. And strive each day to grow closer to God.
As a believer in Jesus Christ, there is no greater challenge.
-JDB
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide n Him always and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God's Children, help those who
are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
-Longstaff
FOR A CHRISTLIKE WALK,
KEEP IN STEP WITH CHRIST.
Domestic Abuse
Case Called Test for Police
Dear Editor,
It has been reported widely that a certain senior
police officer in Montserrat is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to
domestic violence. My understanding is that he is currently part of the CID and
also has responsibility for Community policing, which is attributed to the
positive work being done in Montserrat.
News travel fast and the recent allegation claims
that this young lady, again, badly bruised and bleeding, somehow made it to the
home of his boss for help.
My point is simple. If the reports are even
partially true, what is the Commissioner doing about them? Let me say to the
Commissioner that much is expected of him.
His Mission Statement that he likes to recite
every time the opportunity arises sounds good. But as the old adage goes,
“words are cheap.” It is what he does that he will be judged by. The same
standards and laws that govern civilians apply to the police and their families.
My understanding is that every one is watching to
see how he deals with this case which will be a clear indication of what can be
expected whilst he holds the mantle.
One can only hope that if Mr. Douglas does not
demonstrate a semblance of fair play that the Governor will intervene (terrible
if it comes to that). The same zest with which the officer in question
investigates civilians must be demanded by all.
Why has not some action been taken on previous
reports? Why has he not been suspended like the other police was? Is there a
cover up already?
And by the way, is gambling still an offence in
M/rat? Are there regular gambling houses here?
We, at home and abroad, are waiting to see how
this plays out after we supported the move for the Commissioner of Police to be
placed once again be in local domain.
My regards to all at home.
Name withheld on request.
Nurses Association Honors 14 Nurses for Long Service
Nurses who received awards for long service of 20-32 years
The
Montserrat Nurses Association celebrated their week of activities from May 5-11
around the theme "Nurses and Family Caring and Sharing together".
The highlight of the celebrations was the presentation of Long Service Awards to
14 nurses who have given over 20 years' service to the Government and people of
Montserrat.
It was the first time that the Ministry of Health presented such awards.
Minister of Education, Health and Community Services Hon. Idabelle Meade, who
made the presentations, commended the nurses for their commitment and
dedication.
Nurses Sarah Naomi Farrell and Miss Valerie Lewis, served 32 years and 30 years respectively
Principal Nursing Officer Ms. Valerie Lewis said it was not only a historical
occasion but also a step in the right direction for the Ministry.
Also, the Class of 1980 was singled out and commended for having the highest
retention rate. Six of the eight nurses from that group were present and
received awards, having left some time before the volcanic crisis.
The awardees are:
Miss Sarah Naomi Farrell and Miss Valerie Lewis, served 32 years and 30 years
respectively. Misses Icilda Stanley and Agnes Lindo both served 25 years; Miss
Elaine Hazell - 23 years; Mrs. Sharmen Thompson and Miss Jeanette Brade - 21
years; Mrs. Cynthia Bramble Ryan served 20 years; while those who have served
for 22 years are Mrs. Stephany Buffonge, Miss Velma Cabey, Mrs. Shirley
Williams, Mrs. Desreen Silcott, Mrs. Almae O’Garro and Mrs. Mary Ann
Gerald-Ryan.
The awards celebration was on Wednesday, May 9 at the Good Life Restaurant,
where
these 14 nurses were honored.
Agnes Lindo and Icilda Stanley - 25 years of nursing service
L-R Nurses Mary
Ann Gerald, Almae O'Garro, Velma Cabey, and their tutor of 22years ago Valerie
Lewis
Also
at the Convention, a new executive was elected for the year 2002 to 2003. The
members of the new Executive are: President Ms. Rosaline Tuitt, Vice President
Ms. Velma Cabey, Secretary Mrs. Noleen Meade, Treasurer Ms. Shaumen West, Asst.
Secretary/treasurer Ms. Jeanette Brade, Public Relations Officer Ms. Gwendolyn
White, Entertainment Chairperson Ms. Violet Brown, Entertainment Chairperson Ms.
Icilda Stanley, Research Committee Chairperson Mrs. Anjella Skerritt, Shop
Steward Hospital Ms. Elaine Hazell, Shop Steward Community Mrs. Monette Spencer,
Trustees Ms. Rose Willock and Mrs. Cynthia Bramble-Ryan.
David Brandt Hails 'Relevance' Of Conflict Resolution Sessions
By Merrick Andrews
Former Chief Minister David Brandt described the
recent workshops on Quality Customer Care and Conflict Resolution “as both
timely and relevant” to all aspects of society.
Mr. Brandt told the gathering at yesterday’s presentation ceremony at the Vue
Pointe Hotel for participants of the workshops, “the timely resolution of
conflict can often save time, money and even life. In addition, it can decrease
the level of stress on the job and lead to greater productivity”.
Some 34 persons collected certificates for participating in two workshops – Conflict Management and Quality Customer Service – held this week Wednesday and Thursday at Vue Pointe Hotel. Mr. Rommel E. Lawrence, a human management consultant, specialist trainer and motivational speaker based in Bridgetown, Barbados, produced the workshops.
Workshop participants
The workshop programme highlighted the nature and
process of conflict, characteristics of communication, when people do not see
eye-to-eye, conflict management techniques, 28 hints to improve spousal
relations, the power of the ‘I’ and ‘We’ words, the customer is king,
causes and effects of poor customer service, adding finesse to service,
deflating hostility from customers, service ‘hot coals’ and why quality
service.
Attorney-at-law Warren Cassell coordinated the
workshops.
The topic of conflict resolution was the most
widely addressed at the presentation ceremony.
The former Chief Minister said that for a lawyer timely conflict resolution
often means avoiding potentially costly lawsuits.
“I hope that by telling you this, I am not
putting myself out of work,” he said. “After all, I do need the work.
However, I do think it is important to advise clients only to go to court when
it appears difficult or impossible to settle matters out of court. But to do so
requires an understanding of how to resolve the conflict in the first place. And
that is why I fully support this type of workshop.”
Mr. Brandt said the Organisation of the Eastern
Caribbean States (OECS) High Court has been recently suggesting that lawyers
assist their clients to find alternative ways of resolving their disputes other
than going to court. This, he said, is referred to as Alternative Dispute
Resolution (ADR).
Mr. Brandt also spoke about the importance of
conflict from another standpoint – Government/politics.
He said: “As you all know, I have had my own
share of conflict when I occupied a different position at a different time. . .
. We in Montserrat often are not aware of the difficulties involved in making
decisions locally in the face of the different values and interests of those on
whom we have to rely for financial support.”
He continued: “And this is what I tried to
educate our people about when I was in that different position at that different
time. And that is what others who are now in that same position at this time are
now finding out. They may tell us differently but the British have their own
interests. They have their own values. They are different to ours. And this
often represented a source of conflict. The important question was always how to
resolve such conflict.”
Meanwhile,
Mr. Lawrence (pictured
left), who has been producing similar
workshops in countries within the Leeward and Windward Islands, St. Maarten and
his birthplace Dominica, said when people know how to manage situations that are
potentially difficult and will lead to conflict, they will be better able to
bring about greater understanding among themselves.
“With divorce rates in some of our islands running over 50 percent, and with so many deviant behaviour at schools and among teachers, and with so much disaffection in homes, I saw the need to run programs in conflict management to give people new hope. And in these programs I don’t only use the techniques used by psychologists and other persons in the field; but what I also do is to go into the Holy Bible to get information there, so that I can use that information and make my programs very holistic; because when people come out of my program they are coming out with very practical ideas they can use, but they are also coming out with spiritual food, spiritual thoughts that they can apply to their lives which can help them to see.”
Montserrat to
Celebrate Queen's Golden Jubilee
Montserrat will join other Commonwealth Countries
in celebrating the Queen's Golden Jubilee over the next few weeks.
A 15-person committee, headed by Mr. Richard
Aspin, has planned a number of activities for the week, which starts on May
29th.
Activities include sporting and cultural events,
a parade of uniformed bodies, an ecumenical church service, creative writing
competition, a family day fete, a parade of uniformed bodies and a visit by the
Antigua Police Band.
The week kicks off with the opening of the
Jubilee Exhibition at the Montserrat National Trust Exhibition Hall on the Salem
main road in Olveston at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29. The exhibition will last a
week.
Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in
June 1952 following the death of her father King George VI. She has visited
Montserrat once during her reign, in 1966.
(See the week of celebratory events in the
advertising section)
Food Safety Workshop Certifies Its Participants
NDF Food Safety Workshop participants
Participants of two workshop programs put on by
the National Development Foundation (NDF) received their certificates at Grand
View Bed & Breakfast in Baker Hill on Wednesday.
At least 20 persons received certificates for successfully completing the
Caribbean Program for Economic Competitiveness (CPEC) Food Safety Manager and
Pastry Making workshop programs.
One of the participants, Nurse Violet Brown, said she has learned a lot. “I
learned to do things differently and learned to use natural resources and things
available in Montserrat,” said Ms. Brown who participated in the pastry making
workshop. “At least you can change your style of cooking now and again.”
Nine persons – four of whom were successful in their exams – participated in
the CPEC Food Safety Manager workshop, which was held last November at the NDF
in Davy Hill. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) sponsored it.
Thirty-two persons participated in the pastry making workshops, which was held
from March 25 to April 1 this year in the kitchens of the Mongo Hill Seventh Day
Adventist Church, and was sponsored by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
Participants in the workshops came from Tropical Mansion Suites, Vue Pointe
Hotel, Grand View, Good Life Restaurant, Economy Bakery, Pastry Plus, Patsy’s
Cake and Decorating and other individuals.
The gathering at the graduation discussed food handling and food safety.
Participants said that food handlers should operate with certification, and that
recommendations, regulations, and policies governing food safety should be
implemented in the industry.
Currently the Government is creating new legislation to cover food handlers and
food safety.
The participants also spoke of other possible courses, such as a follow-up to
the pastry making program and a training workshop for women to learn skills
predominantly done by men.
In regards to the concluded workshops, NDF business development officer Agatha
Aspin said: “At the end of the day you empower people with skills that they
can use in an entrepreneurial way.”
Meanwhile NDF executive director Roselyn Cassell-Sealy said: “We are trying to
do one major activity every quarter (every four months) and we have plans to do
three more.”
Ex-Policeman's
'Secret' Grows American Fruits
By Merrick Andrews
Maybe
several years from now people on Montserrat will not need to buy American
fruits, which are now imported and sold locally.
That’s because a retired policeman, 56-year-old Daniel James, has found a
“secret method” to grow American fruit seedlings in Montserrat.
Mr. James has sold at least a dozen American fruit plants such as pear, red and
yellow apple, plum and peach. These cost between EC$35 and $40.
“If the seeds were just planted in local soil they wouldn’t have been able
to work,” explains Mr. James, a St. Vincentian who has been a resident of
Montserrat for the past 32 years.
He said the seeds wouldn’t be able to germinate in local soil in sunlight.
These types of seedlings need a cool temperature at that stage, he said, but
when germinated they can be grown in any soil and in sunlight.
Regardless of his explanation about the germination of the American fruit seeds,
Mr. James said he has not revealed his secret. “I wouldn’t be able to sell
if I tell everybody,” said the former Police Inspector and Superintendent of
Prisons.
He dreams of elevating his practice to the Caribbean level where he might be
able to set up an industry and create a “Caribbean record”.
His next plan is to plant American prunes.
He also recently leased seven acres of land in Friths to rear sheep, goats and
pigs
Apart form his experiment on planting American fruits, he grows vegetables such
as tomatoes and broccoli.
“I am hoping that the plants would do well in the Caribbean,” said Mr.
James, who served for 29 years in the police force.
New
Warning: Stay Out Of the Exclusion Zone
It has been reported to the Volcano Executive
Group (VEG) that members of the public have been seen on foot in the Exclusion
Zone areas of Plymouth and the Lovers Lane area in the vicinity of the former
Rice Mill, according to a Government House press release.
The press release sounded the familiar warning: “Both these areas are
extremely dangerous and are situated in the Exclusion Zone,” but it added:
“anyone who is found in these areas is liable to arrest and subsequent
fines.”
However, there has been debate over whether arrests made in the Unsafe Zone on
Montserrat are legal.
Law practitioners have said people cannot be arrested in the Unsafe Zone. They
have claimed that arresting people
in the Zone is illegal because the State of Emergency proclaimed by Governor
Francis Joseph Savage ended.
However, police authorities have not supported the arguments.
The Attorney General’s Office states that under Designation and Evacuation of
unsafe areas Regulation 5 (2), "Any person without proper authorization
being in the Unsafe Zone and failing to leave is liable to fine of $2,000 but
not less than $200 and/or six months imprisonment."
One legal source had said: "The state of
emergency should actually be repealed. We have a Disaster Preparedness &
Response Act. They should amend legislation under the Act to prohibit people
from entering the Unsafe Zone, rather than keeping the island in a perpetual
state of emergency."
Meanwhile, the press release reminded taxi drivers who wish to take visitors
into the Day Time Entry Zone (DTEZ) that they must register their intention of
visiting the DTEZ at the police station before entering the zone.
The release also added that it has been reported that “old rice” is being
taken out of the silos at the Rice Mill. “This rice has been condemned as
unfit for both human and animal consumption, and as such must not be used,”
the statement said.
U.S. Security Lapses Prompt Visa Changes
Compiled
from UK reports
The U.S. tightening of visa rules for foreign
students, which could be extended to travelers, comes after outrage that the
Immigration and Naturalization Service issued student visas to two of the 11
September hijackers -- six months after the attacks took place.
Under the changes which have already taken
effect: All foreigners must obtain student visa before they begin studies;
foreigners may not enter the U.S. on a business or visitor visa and then start
studying while awaiting a student visa.
Two of the men who hijacked planes and crashed
them in New York and Washington on 11 September came to the U.S. on visitor
visas and later applied for student visas.
Approvals of the student permits for Mohammed
Atta of Egypt and Marwan al-Shehhi of United Arab Emirates were sent just last
month to a flight school in Florida where they are believed to have practised
for the attacks.
All 19 of the suspected hijackers had entered the
U.S. legally, though three overstayed their visas.
At the time of the attacks, approximately 600,000
foreign students were enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities and INS
officials acknowledged they could not verify the whereabouts of many.
News of the visa approvals for Atta and al-Shehhi
- believed to be the men who guided two passenger jets into the towers of the
World Trade Center -- outraged President George W. Bush. He angrily declared:
"[The INS] needs to be modernised so we know who's coming, and who's going
out and why they're here."
The
proposed overhaul of visitor visas would eliminate the six-month maximum
admission period and visas would be granted for the amount of time needed for a
trip.
In practice, that would average about 30 days,
the INS said.
Extensions would only be granted if a visitor
could show an unexpected or compelling reason, such as the need for medical
treatment or a delay in completing a business matter, one official said.
U.S. to Sue
Florida Counties Over 2000 Election Lapses
Excerpted from Sun-Sentinel
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Justice Department will
file lawsuits against Miami-Dade and two other Florida counties, alleging they
denied the rights of voters during the 2000 presidential election.
The suits will accuse the counties — as well as cities in Missouri and
Tennessee — of discriminating against minorities, people with disabilities and
non-English speaking voters, Assistant Attorney General Ralph Boyd told the
Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. He refused to name the locales while the
Justice Department tries to reach a settlement with local officials.
County officials acknowledged that Miami-Dade is among those talking with
federal attorneys to settle potential lawsuits. The investigation apparently
targeted difficulties Haitian-American voters encountered at the polls in
Miami-Dade.
The disclosure stunned Florida officials, who thought they had withstood the
federal investigation and done enough on their own to reform election procedures
by passing a major overhaul in 2001.
The lawsuits follow a lengthy federal investigation of an election that left a
lingering wound among minority groups who complained some voters were
disenfranchised because of bungling or outright exclusion at the polls.
President Bush won the election after a bitter recount that brought to light
numerous complaints from voters who said their ballots were discounted. Haitian
voters in Miami and Hispanics in Central Florida, for example, said they were
denied language translation mandated by law. People with disabilities found some
polling places inaccessible. And many eligible voters complained they were
improperly stricken from the rolls.
Florida passed its own election reform last year. The U.S. Commission on Civil
Rights, which was harshly critical of the state in a report last year, will
return to Florida in June to assess whether this year’s election will avoid a
repeat of the same problems.
Anti-terror
Measures To Tighten U.S. Visas
NEW YORK --
Foreign
governments and business groups are worried that a new U.S. law designed to
strengthen border security will impose strict new visa requirements and travel
delays on visitors to the United States.
The Border Security Act, signed by President
George W. Bush on Tuesday, requires U.S. visas, passports and other travel
documents issued after October 2004 to be fraud- and tamper-resistant and
contain so-called biometric data.
The law also amends the visa waiver programme,
under which visitors to the U.S. from about 30 countries, including those of the
European Union, are permitted to enter the U.S. for 90 days without a visa.
The change requires countries participating in
the programme to begin issuing their own tamper-resistant, machine-readable
passports by 2004. Visitors from countries that do not meet the deadline would
be required to obtain visas from U.S. consulates, which lack the staff to deal
with the high volume of visa-waiver travellers.
"This is a political instruction to get
something done by a date," said a European source in Washington. "But
how it is actually supposed to be done hasn't been sorted out."
Biometrics describe physical data captured on a
machine-readable document, including retinal scans and facial recognition
programmes.
A spokesman for Senator Dianne Feinstein, a
sponsor of the law, said: "The world community at large should be
interested in assuring that people participating in the visa waiver programme
are who they say they are."
While the European Commission has set up a
working group on how to enhance passport security, people who have analysed the
new law said it lacks detail on what the U.S. will require and provides little
time to develop the necessary systems.
Theresa Brown, manager of labour and immigration
policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said her group recognises the importance
of improving national security. But she is concerned about the impact on U.S.
travel and tourism if travelers from visa waiver countries are forced to obtain
visas.
"A lot of them who may not need to come will
change their plans," she said. "Businesses would have to find other
ways of conducting business."
Antigua Union
President Mocks Call for PM to Bow
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua -- Wigley George, president
of the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU), this week denounced the
radio demand made by Alister Thomas of the newly formed political party National
Movement for Change (NMC) that Prime Minister Lester Bird step down in seven
days.
“No right thinking person could possibly accept
Alister Thomas’ ridiculous call," Mr. George said, which would do nothing
but cause a negative impact on the economy and gravely affect the livelihood of
workers.”
“Persons throughout our society who are busily
engaged in this rhetoric should reconsider their statements in the light of the
harm they are doing to the country, the economy and the working people.”
Mr. George continued, “Alister Thomas is not an
elected member of Parliament and represents no substantial number of people.
For him to make such a call is absurd, particularly as it is based on
unsubstantiated and uncorroborated allegations of a minor.”
Alister Thomas’ call for the Prime Minister to
step comes amid the backdrop of the circulation of uncorroborated videotape
allegations made by a female minor. The
Prime Minister has since filed claims in the High Court against a number of
persons including the Derricks of Observer Radio for the production,
distribution and public broadcast of the tape.
St. Vincent and
Grenadines Signs Free Press Undertaking
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent -- St. Vincent and the
Grenadines has become the third English-speaking Caribbean country to sign on to
the Declaration of Chapultepec, which seeks to promote the freedom of the press.
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves signed the
agreement last week on behalf of the government and people of St Vincent and the
Grenadines.
The Declaration of Chapultepec came into being in
1994 at the Inter-American Press Association’s (IAPA) hemispheric conference
on Free Speech held at Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City.
The 10-point Declaration is based on the precept
that no law or act of government may limit freedom of expression of the press,
whatever the medium of communication.
Speaking at this morning’s signing ceremony,
Editor of the Barbados Nation Harold Hoyte said the signing of the Declaration
by the government is a signal of its intention to acknowledge the spirit of the
Declaration.
Mr. Hoyte noted that while the agreement is not
binding, it could be seen as a guiding policy for both the government and the
media.
Prime Minister Gonsalves said that freedom of
speech is deeply entrenched in the constitution of this country. He reiterated
this government’s policy of being open with the media and said he plans to
bring to the House of Assembly legislation for the Freedom of Information Act.
Netscape
Offers New Netscape 7.0 Browser
Netscape Communications, a subsidiary of America
Online, Inc. (NYSE: AOL), has announced the Preview Release of Netscape 7.0, the
latest version of Netscape's browser software, designed to allow consumers to
get the most from their time online.
In addition, Netscape announced the redesign of
its popular Netscape.com web site, featuring richer graphics and a streamlined
design throughout the site that showcases best-of-the-Web content from AOL Time
Warner online properties and other leading content partners. The Preview Release
of Netscape 7.0 is available for free download at: www.netscape.com/browsers.
Lester Bird
Attorneys Add Minor to Law Suit
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua -- Attorneys for Prime
Minister the Hon. Lester Bird of Antigua and Barbuda said Monday that they had
reluctantly included the central minor in claims they filed against principals
in the production, distribution and public broadcast of a videotape.
On that tape, 14-year-old Monique Kim Barua
alleges that government officials (including Prime Minister Bird) were involved
in sex with her, drug use and procurement and attempted murder.
Others against whom claims were filed in the High
Court of St. John’s are Opposition Leader Baldwin Spencer and Senators Harold
Lovell, Colin Derrick and Wilmouth Daniel, Observer Radio and Publications,
Samuel and Winston Derrick, Julius Gittens and Bettye J. Reed-Aitken.
Attorneys for Prime Minister Bird; Anthony
Astaphan SC and John Fuller, explained in a
statement:
"Regrettably, we were obliged by law to join
the female minor as a defendant in one of the cases.
However, the Prime Minister has given us clear and strong instructions
that we must at all times protect the dignity and interests of the female minor
who may well be the pawn or victim of a well engineered conspiracy to defame him
by persons politically opposed to him. We
will proceed accordingly."
Nevis Premier
Urges New Education Policies
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis -- Premier Vance Amory said
this week that new policies are needed
in the delivery of education, because extensive focus on academic excellence in
schools has at times worked to the detriment of personal and social excellence
of students.
Mr. Amory, who is also the Minister of Education
in the Nevis Island Administration, lamented “what we may have seen over the
years is a shifting in the approach to teaching at the classrooms, changes of
emphasis, maybe a shifting away from the personal development which was a
critical issue for us.”
Opening a UNESCO-sponsored three-day trainers’ workshop on ‘Changing the
Culture of the Classroom’ in Charlestown on Tuesday, he observed that if a
culture of peace, love and tolerance were to be created, education in the
classroom must focus on the children.
“That focus on the children,”
Mr. Amory said, “will bring out, and will necessitate that our teachers, our
facilitators that they are knowledgeable and that they are sensitive to the
needs, which exist in and among our children.”
The workshop was attended by education officers,
education supervisors and primary and secondary school principals, and sponsored
by UNESCO.
St. Vincent
Workshop Weighs Forest Losses
KINGSTOWN, St.Vincent -- Forestry officers and
stakeholders in the participated last week in a three-day workshop on Conflict
Management, sponsored by the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI),
with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European
Commission, and the Forestry Department.
Topics included identifying the causes and
effects of forestry conflicts, and ways of analyzing forestry conflicts and
negotiation for conflict managers.
Selmon Walters, Minister of Agriculture, Land and
Fisheries, said there would always be conflicts in the forestry sector because
of the competing forces which desire access to this resource, thus obligating
the Forestry Officer in some cases to act as judge, jury and police officer.
Mr. Walters also expressed concern that
population increase is putting a strain on this most important natural resource.
He said the last 10 years have seen a 21-percent decline in the forestry
resources, leaving only 29 percent of the island with forest cover.
He pointed out that at the current rate the
forests in St Vincent and the Grenadines could be completely eliminated by the
year 2034.
New
Antigua Weather System Installed at V.C. Bird Airport
ST.
JOHN'S, Antigua -- With the approach of the 2002 Hurricane Season approaching,
officials at the Meteorological Office at the V.C. Bird International Airport (VCBIA)
and the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) have installed a brand new
Automatic Weather System to assist forecasters
Patrick
Jeremiah, Head of the Meteorological Office, said the new system will allow for
more accurate reading of the weather and is designed to work in the worst of
conditions. "This is a most welcome piece of equipment," he said.
Forecaster
Donald Simon has just returned from a three-year course in Barbados and is
expected to assist in improving output from the office.
Meanwhile,
officials at NODS are busy putting the final touches to repair work of their
office building on the American Road. Deputy Director, Philmore Mullin, said his
department is ready and will be moving into a standby mode come June 1st when
the Hurricane Season officially starts.
Saba Sets
Deadline On Boat Safety Rules
THE BOTTOM, Saba (SGIS) – Saba fishermen have
been given until June 1 to make sure that their vessels comply with a number of
safety requirements stipulated in the Insular Inland Navigation Ordinance of the
Island Territory Saba.
Personnel from the harbor office are expected to
make sure on May 30 and 31 that all fishermen
are in compliance with the aforementioned ordinance.
The Coast Guard of the Netherlands Antilles and
Aruba, during their routine controls of the Saba Bank and surrounding waters,
will also inspect vessels.
Each vessel is required to have approved life
vests, adequate drinking water, two days' emergency food rations; radio
communication equipment; a first aid kit; and assorted gear for emergency
repairs, signaling and lighting.
Antigua,
China Rebuilding Hurricane-Damaged Road
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua -- Work continues on an
EC$1.3-million project to rebuild the island's main road in Darkwood, on Antigua's Southern
Corridor, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Lenny in1999.
The
Antigua and Barbuda Government is being assisted by a technical team from the
Peoples Republic of China (PRC). The project includes erection of infrastructure
to protect the road from rising sea levels during hurricanes, with 50-foot
culverts and other sea defences on both sides of the road.
Public
Works Director B.T.Lewis, said the project is expected to be completed in six
months.
Holland's CDA is
Told Saba Wants Crown Dependency
THE BOTTOM, Saba (SGIS) – Commissioner of
Constitutional Affairs Will Johnson has written to J.P. Balkenende, leader of
the election-winning Dutch Christian Democratic Party (CDA), that Saba hopes to
become a Crown Dependency within the Dutch Kingdom.
Mr. Johnson said that his party, the
Windward Island’s Peoples Movement (WIPM), of which he is President, was very
pleased to hear that the CDA had won the elections.
“The CDA has traditionally been very supportive
of Saba when it was in Government up to the early 1990s. During the early
1990s, both Saba and St. Eustatius were able to secure Crown Dependency status
from the Dutch"
“We are looking forward to seeing what the standpoint of the new Dutch Government will be in relation to future constitutional relations within the Dutch Kingdom,” Mr. Johnson said.
St. Maarten
Airport Taxi Accord Near
GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) – Agreement was
reached Tuesday in Executive Council on setting ground transportation rates at
the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA).
The meeting included the Airport Taxi Association
(ATA), the St. Maarten Taxi Service (SMTS) and management of PJIAE.
Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards, Chairman of the
Executive Council, said upcoming discussions will consider: a possible monthly
rate of US$60 per taxi for all Dutch-licensed taxi drivers; a daily rate that
proportionally reflects the US$60 monthly rate;
reports from all parties have to Mr. Richards within one week.
Lt. Governor Richards earlier preparation of the
concession agreement lacked proper consultation.
Montserrat Cricketers Ready to Play St. Kitts
By Merrick Andrews
Coach Fitzroy Buffonge expresses confidence as
Montserrat make their final preparations to host St. Kitts next Thursday in the
Leeward Islands cricket competition.
“I think the unit is fairly strong on paper,” said Mr. Buffonge. “We just
have to convert that to performance.”
In regards to fitness and skill preparation, he said: “We are getting there. I
think by the time the first match comes up we will be in good shape.”
Coach Buffonge said St. Kitts are no problem. “We are accustomed to them, we
have being playing against them for a long time and we know what to expect, so
there’s no problem.”
Cedric Shiell, manager of the team, has said Montserrat needs to win
consistently in order to capture the Leeward Islands cricket crown.
He expects the team to “do better than they did last year”.
“We have to be very consistent in all areas to win [the title],” he said.
Montserrat last won the title in 1953 when they defeated St. Kitts, who they
will open against here next week Thursday.
Team members in training at Salem Park
Meanwhile, MCA president Reuben Meade announced
on radio Tuesday night that proposals are being made to the Leeward Islands
Cricket Association to have the starting date for this match postponed to run
over the two holidays in Montserrat on Monday and Tuesday the following week.
The team placed fourth in last year’s competition won by Antigua, who, Mr.
Shiell said, is still Montserrat’s most feared opponent along with Nevis.
“Antigua’s strength is basically fast bowling, [whereas] Nevis is
all-rounded,” he said.
He said the Montserrat team’s strength lies in the middle order line-up, which
comprises Tyrone Greenaway, Davon Williams (who returned the third time as
captain), Mark Stephanie and Zhuan Sweeney.
Williams knocked an impressive 88 runs in a trial
squad match in April. In that game Stephanie got 45. Both men expected to carry
their good form against the Kittitians.
Also, in the same trial match, Greenaway took three for 65 in 19 overs and 31
for batting figures; while Sweeny fell one short of a double century.
Montserrat’s weakness lies in bowling, said Mr. Shiell. He thinks “bowling
needs a little more consistency”. He also said fielding is of “paramount
importance”.
Meanwhile, two newcomers are on this year’s 17-man team: right-arm medium fast
bowler Kenville Fenton and left-arm leg spinner Dextor Stephanie.
Fenton snared three wickets for 30 runs off nine overs in a recent trial match.
The final
team:
Davon Williams (captain), Zhuan Sweeney (vice captain), McPherson Meade, Mark
Stephanie, Dexter Stephanie, Tyrone Greenaway, Jeff Lane, Dereck Levi, Sylvester
Wade, Sylvester Greenaway, Adrian Carty, Lionel Baker, Gregory Willock, Garnet
Thompson, Darren Sweeney, Kenville Fenton and Anderson Brathwaite.
Kenton Weekes Jr. is the physiotherapist.
Zhuan Sweeney (vice captain)
The Montserrat Cricket Association selected the team from a trial squad comprising a total of 26 players.
Davon Williams XI – Davon Williams (captain), Mark Stephanie, Trevor Semper, Jeff Lane, Damion White, Dolston Tuitt, Gary Barzey, Darren Sweeney, Sylvester Wade, Kenville Fenton, Sylvester Greenaway, Dereck Levi and Cavel Greenaway.
Zhuan
Sweeney XI – Zhuan Sweeney (Capt.), McPherson Meade, Nester Piper, Garnet
Thompson, Tyrone Greenaway, Jaron Harris, Gregory Willock, Cecil Lake, Lionel
Baker, Adrian Carty, Dextor Stephanie, Wendel Fenton and Leon Greenaway.
The MCA Cricket Selection Policy states: “It is
expected that at least four youth players be included in the 16-man squad. At
least two should be in the final 11.
By Merrick Andrews
Last year’s MVP and forward Nichon Weekes
was the hub of Fire’s commanding victories in the Montserrat Amateur
Basketball Association (MABA) League last weekend at Brades.
Weekes registered a game-high score of 37 points in Fire’s 110-58 demolition
of MSS Warriors on Friday, May 17. He returned the following day to net a
credible 45 in Fire’s 84-48 thrashing of Rebels.
“I have to give thanks to my teammates,” said Weekes, 23. “They supported
me a lot and contributed to my performance.”
Fire, the Knock Out champions, were roaring back into contention, and making up
for their disappointing 76-70 loss to confident underdogs Taz Westsiders on May
10.
Westsiders had bloomed on that weekend with also a victory over Rebels, another
top-ranked team.
Rebels are losing form. Last weekend they were losing their third consecutive
match, and this spells trouble for them: the title looks to be out of their
contention at this point.
So far in the competition, Pitbulls are turning out to be the only consistent
and leading team in the League. They’ve not lost a match since the start of
the second round.
The title looks to be already in their hands.
But if Pitbulls slip in any area at any time, they will be losing their grounds
as the League boils down and the competitive fever increases. They clinched
one-point (73-72) victory over Taz Westsiders, who the previous week handed down
surprises by defeating Fire and Rebels.
This weekend matches: MSS vs. Taz Westsiders; Pitbulls vs. Fire.
Last weekend results:
Friday, May 17:
Game 1: Pitbulls def. Rebels 79-65.
Top scorers: Pitbulls – R. Lewis 32, J. John 20, R. Lee 10, K. Ryan 5; Rebels
– G. Green 24, C. Buffong 12, D. Harris 11, P. Roach 8.
Game 2: Fire def. MSS Warriors 110-58.
Top scorers: Fire – N. Weekes 37, V. Murraine 30, A. Wade 13, E. Aaron 13; MSS
Warriors – T. Roach 19, J. Harris 17, Z. Sweeney 18, D. O’Garro 5.
Saturday, May 18:
Pitbulls def. Taz Westsiders 73-72.
Top scorers: Pitbulls – J. John 26, R. Lewis 14, K. Ryan 8, R. Lee 6; Taz
Westsiders – H. Bobb 20, T. White 16, G. Williams 12, B. Greenaway 8.
Fire def. Rebels 84-48.
Top scorers: Fire – N. Weekes 45, E. Aaron 18, V. Murraine 13; Rebels – C.
Buffong 21, G. Green 18, P. Roach 4.
Three FIFA
Members Call For Blatter's
Re-election
Three FIFA member national associations –
Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Guatemala – have issued a joint statement in
support of the re-election of Joseph S. Blatter as President of FIFA:
The statement warns that many nations could be
cast aside if Mr. Blatter is not returned as President of FIFA.
Their reasons for supporting him included:
His concern for and interest in the wide range of
nations in the family;
The financial assistance program to national
associations;
His GOAL program, bringing facilities and
opportunities to national associations;
Transparency and honesty within FIFA;
Greater involvement by others in FIFA decisions.
His supporters said he has held more meetings,
shared more information with committees and appointed a wider range of people to
those committees (including people who openly oppose him) than was ever the case
in the past.
By Peter Adrien
Are we part of a new era? Are we part of a new beginning in West Indian society? Did we participate in history as the television cricket commentator, Ravi Shastri, sought to convince his global viewers following the emphatic West Indian 155 run win over the touring Indians at Sabina Park Jamaica on Wednesday? Have the West Indies team turned the corner? Have the West Indies team rediscover their winning ways?
Carl Hooper, the victorious
Captain
The West defeated the Indians at Kingston,
Jamaica, on the final day of the fifth and final test match with more than two
sessions to spare to seal their superiority in the five test matches. They won
the series two matches to one, having drawn the first in Guyana due to rain;
lost the second in Trinidad by 37 runs; dominated the third at Barbados, winning
the match by 10 wickets, after cutting down the Indian batsmen to 102 runs in
the first innings; gained a psychological advantage in the fourth at Antigua
when they responded to 513/9 declared by amassing a massive 629/9 declared and;
won the fifth at Jamaica after posting 422 runs in the first innings and
dismissing the opponents for 212.
The two teams were equally competitive. The
batting stock reflected similar characteristics. Both batting line-ups had a
weak top order (this was only true for the West Indies until the third test
match); a strong, if not formidable, middle order, and a rather brittle lower
order. The difference was really in the bowling. Although both bowling attacks
were just above average, the West Indian bowlers were more effective. Even if a
mile a part from the likes of Croft, Garner, Holding and Roberts, Carl
Hooper’s four “horsemen” - Mervyn Dillon, Cameron Cuffy, Adam Sanford and
Pedro Collins - they were sufficiently hostile and consistent, if not lethal, to
restrict, contain, remove, and sometimes threaten the Indian strong middle order
(one of the most formidable batting line-ups in international cricket),
including Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman. The
crew was able to restrict them to low totals of 218, 102 and 212.
And whenever the Indian middle order fired, the
West Indian middle order also fired. When the Indians accumulated 513/9 declared
in the fourth test match, the local boys amassed 629/9 declared. In every match,
the West Indies found a batter who would serve as the needed cornerstone, while
the Indian team did not always benefit from that sustained rearguard action.
But has the West Indies cricket team turned the
corner? Should the performance of the team be seen as another flash of
resilience as was the case in 1992 under Richie Richardson, against South
Africa, and in 1998 and 1999 under Brian Lara against England and Australia
respectively? It is noteworthy, for a team sport, the impact of the collective
effort was not altogether evident in any of these cases and therefore they would
be most appropriately analysed as acts of revival rather than as evidence of a
break from established order and practice.
The 1992 demolition of the South Africans at
Barbados was a one-shot job executed by the fearsome two-some of Curtly Ambrose
and Courtney Walsh. The 1998 ascendancy over England was triggered by the
recruitment of a pair of unorthodox top order batters -- Philo Wallace and
Clayton Lambert -- who did the job then but lacked the techniques to succeed
under more challenging conditions. And they failed miserably when tested.
The 1999 response should really be described as a
one-man (Brian Lara) counter assault against the sledging Australians.
Moreover, in all the cases, the team was carried
by the two world-class fast bowlers, Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh.
Sometimes they did it alone.
What then marks a new era? In leisure and sports,
a new era may be signalled by a departure from one mode of doing things to
another. This would require the application of a new science of the sport, as
well as the supplying of the sporting service. And in this context, one would
expect that a new era in West Indies cricket would be evidenced by the adoption
of new approach to the playing of cricket – that is, a rediscovery or a
revival of playing cricket the West Indies Way. That is to say, the approach to
bowling, batting and fielding would reflect the flair, aggression, offense and
improvisation that characterize West Indies cricket and differentiate the West
Indian cricketing product from that of the Australians, English, Indians,
Pakistanis and South Africans among others.
The conventional wisdom is that the current team
has performed in a completely different context to those of 1992, 1998 and 1999.
The 2002 series victory was really a team’s effort. For the first time, all
departments produced sustained good performances. The middle order produced the
goods even if the Guyanese dominated the output. The combination of four fast
bowlers (really four medium pacers who could do extra-ordinary things with the
ball under favourable conditions) worked for Carl Hooper. Mervyn Dillon assumed
his leadership; Cameron Cuffy remained stingy if not lethal; Pedro Collins
gained in confidence and is beginning to develop his craft; Adam Sanford will
become deceptively destructive as he gains experience. Every time they brought
up the ball to give it a chance to do something off the wicket, they appeared
threatening.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, voted the man of the
series for his three centuries, three half centuries and his impeccable batting,
finally matured into a world-class player and seems to be the cornerstone we
were always longing for in the middle order.
Carl Hooper, despite his good fortune, finally
understood his role is to lead with the flashing blade.
Ramnaresh Sarwan, though yet to reach the coveted
three figures, has confirmed his class at the highest level.
Ridley Jacobs, jolted by his exclusion, looks
like our perfect center half and drops nothing that comes to him.
And when we put all these developments in the
context of the availability of Brian Lara and Wavell Hinds, with Devon Smith and
Marlon Samuels still in the waiting, the batting stock looks encouraging.
But is that sufficient evidence of a team having
turned the corner? Are these developments sufficiently strong to refer to a new
beginning? No, I don’t think so. The West Indies team must be tested by other
opponents.
And the advent of New Zealand next month would be
an excellent gauge.
Peter
Adrien is a Central Banker, an author, a syndicated sports commentator, and a
freelance photographer. He may be contacted Peter at e-mail: Adriens@caribsurf.com
or visit his website www.adriensenterprises.com
PHOTO
CAPTION: Carl Hooper, the victorious Captain (Photo: Peter Adrien)
FC Women's
Gold Cup 2002 To Precede FIFA's Women's World Cup
FC Women’s Gold Cup 2002, the championship for
women’s national teams in the Football Confederation, will take place in four
venues on the West Coast of North America from 27 October - 9 November,
according to Chuck Blazer, General Secretary of the Confederation.
The second edition of the continental
championship, the showpiece event for the Confederation of North, Central
America and the Caribbean of Association Football, will also serve as FC
qualifying for the FIFA 2003 Women’s World Cup, to be held in the People’s
Republic of China from 28 September-18 October, 2003.
Eight teams will participate in the Women’s
Gold Cup final tournament, divided into two groups of four teams each. One group
will play in Pasadena and Fullerton, California, and Seattle, Washington in the
USA, with the other in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The semifinals will
be held in Seattle, with the Women’s Gold Cup final set for Pasadena on 9
November 2002.
As with all Confederation championships, the
eight finalists will come from the three zones. Three of the teams will come
from the North Zone, three from the Caribbean Zone and two from the Central
Zone.
Caribbean qualifying will begin at the end of
June, to be completed by the end of August. Twelve teams have entered, placed
into two groups (A and B), with each group winner advancing to the FC Women’s
Gold Cup. The two group runners-up will playoff for the third Caribbean slot
available.
Frigate Bay Golf
Course Nearly Ready
Basseterre, ST. KITTS -- With just a few more
months before the start of the next tourism season, Rudolph Morton, general
manager of the Frigate Bay Development Corporation, is optimistic that the new
18-hole Frigate Bay Golf Course will be ready for play.
Evans Construction has been working on the new
course on the shores of Half Moon Bay for the past several months. According to
agronomist Mike Hummel of Evans Construction, and Greg Jackson, growing
superintendent for Marriott resorts, they are creating a world-class golf course
using environmentally sound material and processes.
Fastest and Most Accurate Football Ready for the World Cup
(Newstream)
– Players in the 2002 soccer World Cup will be kicking the fastest and most
accurate footballs ever.
The ball, called Fevernova is 25 per cent more precise and 10 per cent faster
than Tricolore, the 1998 match ball. It has been made with the latest technology
and materials developed in the laboratories and research centres of the German
company Bayer.
Kicking tests with robotic legs showed that, at a distance of 20 to 25 metres,
the Fevernova can repeatedly strike an area just 20 centimetres across. It can
travel at speeds of up to 130 km/h (81 mph).
The ball's performance result from a new combination of materials that improves
the transfer of force from the footballer's foot and better retains the
roundness of the ball. Players like the French star Zinedine Zidane and the
Argentinean player Pablo Aimar who were part of the early testing have confirmed
this fact.
The Fevernova ball has a polymer outer skin under which is a layer of foam.
Under the foam is a new knitted textile mesh that in turn covers the latex
bladder.
The mesh provides strength that limits the initial deformation when the ball is
kicked and helps the ball remain spherical in flight. Distorting the round shape
leads to an uneven airflow around the ball, making it veer off course. The
ability of players to swerve the ball will not be affected as imparting spin
does this. "With long passes the flight path is much more accurate",
said the England star David Beckham.
The foam is key to transferring the foot's force. It contains a regular pattern
of gas-filled bubbles, meaning the applied force is faithfully transferred to
the ball. The bubbles are also highly elastic, meaning the ball is soft enough
to be kicked comfortably but absorbs very little energy. As a result, more of
the applied energy goes into propelling the ball forward, so it travels faster.
The ball also has a weight advantage.
A large, light ball would tend to wobble like a balloon if kicked hard. So
Fevernova has been created near FIFA's lower limit of circumference and upper
limit of weight, because heavier and smaller balls have the most accurate
trajectory.
By Jon Bardis
I think of myself as a levelheaded individual who
does not get upset easily and can shrug off and smile at the vagaries of life.
However, it is my view that the above subject matter is an affront to
"progressive" Montserratians.
There is nothing wrong with an individual wanting
to have his name emboldened, no matter his origins or accomplishments.
Nevertheless, he must not do so and make the rest of us look like idiots.
Being a highly mobile people the majority of us
Montserratians have been to many of the metropolitan centres on both sides of
the Atlantic, especially in the last six years of "volcanic activity."
We know what SHOPPING CENTRES are and have a general view on PLAZAS as
well. There is a certain expectation and association in relation to seeing those
two words.
And there lies my problem with FARARA
PLAZA!
The owner or owners put up two buildings with an
estimated occupiable floor space amounting
to 1,800 sq. ft. The space can accommodate six to seven business establishments/offices.
Two will not open normally on the weekend. Yet we have thrust on us for
all who live here, and visitors alike, FARARA PLAZA.
It irks me no end what our next door neighbours
will say about us when they pass by the place in regard to the aims and
aspirations of Montserratians. Hear them. "Is this what Montserratians call
a PLAZA? What sort of place will the island become if the vision of what the New
Montserrat is to be is such as is before the eyes?"
I can accept that the prime mover/land owner
would shy away from calling the area ‘BRUCE’S’.
But a PLAZA?
The matter is not as simple as many of us may
want to make it. The implications
are more far reaching!
Think about it. If the PLAZA is the handiwork of
a leading member of the business community here and this PLAZA is the vision of
a "leader," what does it tell us about the other businessmen?
What then is their "catching up vision," for they are now
playing "catch up," aren’t they? How does this bode for
Montserrat’s re-development?
Can it be this "enlightened vision" is
why the business community fails to grasp the significance of putting their
brains together and agree the development of
LITTLE BAY as the TOWN/COMMERCIAL CENTRE?
What do 2 by 4 places such as the PLAZA have to offer present and future
generations of Montserratians and Visitors alike, that a purpose-built
SHOPPING/COMMERCIAL AREA at LITTLE BAY will not?
As these businessmen venture hither, thither, and
yon, putting up buildings here, there. In addition, everywhere, how many more
PLAZAS will we have to endure? Johnny,
Teacher, Arrow, Kenny, Ryan, Osborne, etc., etc.?
Is it a wonder the British are laughing at us?
The Reporter continually drills this into our ears. Is it a wonder, then,
that we are thought not to know what we want?
As they continue to go their selfish and
fragmented ways concerning a COMMERCIAL DISTRICT/ TOWN CENTRE, can these same
"influence peddlers" ever expect to convince the British on the
soundness and benefits of building an Airport at Thatch Valley versus one at
Gerald’s? Hell will freeze over first for there is no credibility left on
which they can stand! So don’t
blame the government on the Airport score.
Having now emptied myself I shall crawl back into
the hole from whence I came.
By Montserratian at Heart
Fellows, we in trouble. We in plenty, plenty
trouble. You see how the island slow, slow, slow? You see how the country going
low, low, low? Whey all the love and money that they promise we?
Is when all the good times going roll again? Tell me, why is Moses
leading us back into Pharaoh’s slavery? Whey all the business that the Spice
Man from the Spice Land did promise we?
Arrogant representatives abuse expats. Is
alright, we all party supporters. Recently employed executives threaten
squatters in government housing with eviction. It’s alright. Is only the party
machinery we jamming. Manager scandalized and integrity compromised. Don’t dig
nothing. We is party people. We going apply for the job. Hospital don’t hand
out free drugs no more. Is what? You telling me party selling pharmaceuticals
too? Big truck moving red earth and stone even if the Chief Planner spit blood.
So what you digging? I is a ‘party man’. Don't dig nothing! The Party
nice.
Hey, is no big deal. We running the gas station
and the water station too. So tell me. Is how the country running? Country
running good? Country running real good!
MANAGEMENT KILLING OUT THE WORKERS!
You know is a good thing that we have Labor
Speaks. If Labor did never speak you would never know how we have a real union
on Montserrat. I mean the lady come home to our shores because they don’t want
her on she own shores and ensconce she self in the “Big Wuk” just so. She
take away promotion opportunities from we who stay here and fight up with the
volcano and get jam up by DFID.
Big director get demoted to “ little boy
‘round ya.” Hospital worker
have to demonstrate for medical assistance. Director could fire tourist girl
just like so. Big political Pappy come home to get “Management Wuk” just so.
So you want to tell me we have union? You want to tell me is management who
killing out the workers? Is who would believe that is the union who killing out
the workers? Is who would believe that there would have come a time in
Montserrat when the very union you paying you big dues to stand up for you
rights lie down like a dog while union members just quarrel behind the useless
acting leader back?
HEAR THE CRY OF THE POOR MAN
You remember how they say that Moses come back to
Egypt to lead Israelites out of bondage? You remember how they heard the cry of
the poor man? You still hearing “love and money” ringing in you ears? You
recall how the Israelites had to wander for 40 years in the wilderness before
they could reach the Promised Land? Sure you remember all that. And you know why
God punished them and left them to wander in the wilderness? Yeah, is because
they disobeyed Him and worshipped Golden Calves and descended into general
decadence and sinfulness. Any of this seem familiar? Oh yeah! What was the price
of a vote? Was the voice of reason heeded? Was the thirst for political
invective and character assassination duly satisfied? So how we doing now? You
hear the poor man crying lately? So what you going do? Tell me? You still riding
with Moses? You ready to wander in the wilderness for 40 years? Or you going get
you British passport and go a foreign?
BRING DOWN THE HOUSE DOWN!
Your future is in your hands. People always
saying that. If you live in Montserrat you know that that is a bold face lie.
Our future lies in the tiny little hands of self-serving non nationals whose
tiny little fists divert all the grant funds right back to Britain. Our future
lies in the hands of pimply-faced green-horned European civil servants who have
never been to the Caribbean, yet can control whether we have access to a home or
live out the rest of our lives in misery in a tin can shelter. Our future lies
in the hands of selfish greedy arrogant little managers who want to replace the
houses with their own companies and never work again. Our future lies in the
hands of economists and engineers who will not allow us to drive Rav 4s while
they ride around on mopeds. Our future lies in the hands of a self-named,
self-styled Moses who in one year has taken us back 13 years into the
wilderness. So what we go do? We know what to do. We done do that before to a
namesake. We could do it again. We know how to do it now. The clapboard house
done falling down. Come on fellows! Bring the house down!!!!!!
CURRICULA
FOR ASSOCIATE DEGREE TOURISM EDUCATION PROGRAMME SET TO BE PILOTED IN SEPTEMBER
2003
Barbados – Caribbean tertiary institutions
offering tourism/hospitality programmes at the Associate Degree level can expect
to have common core curricula for these programmes by September 2003.
The core curricula are being developed under a
Caribbean Tourism Learning System (CTLS) project funded by the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA) through the Caribbean Regional Human
Resource Development Programme for Economic Competitiveness (CPEC).
This project is a joint effort between the Caribbean Tourism Human
Resource Council (CTHRC) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States
Education Reform Unit (OERU), and is being managed by the Caribbean Tourism
Organisation (CTO).
Work on the development of the core curricula
began at a Curriculum Development Workshop held at the Bay Gardens Hotel,
Castries, St. Lucia from April 8 to 10. Core
Curricula were agreed for General Education and Business courses, as well as the
specialist courses.
Participants at the Workshop also agreed core
curricula for five areas of tourism/hospitality studies.
These are:
Two curriculum developers from the Caribbean have
been contracted to draft the core curricula, which will be developed based on
regional occupational standards.
The development of the core curricula will allow
for easy recognition of credentials, thereby facilitating the movement of
students from one level of the programme to the next, from institution to
institution and from country to country as they pursue higher levels of learning
and skills acquisition.
A first draft of the core curricula is expected
by September 2002, with the final draft scheduled to be piloted in September
2003.
By Howard A. Fergus, UWI
Concepts of development vary.
Development is usually about economics and there has to be a major
emphasis on this aspect in our ravaged island.
But development is also social and intellectual, and whatever advances
our self-respect as a people, should figure in the development equation.
In this regard, an increasing number of Montserratian scholars are making
a marked contribution to thought and scholarship and to the lustre of the name
of the Montserratian people, by writing valuable books.
Over the last four weeks, I received two new
publications by two Montserratian scholars.
The first, by Professor Archie Markham of Sheffield Hallam University, is
a book of poems entitled A Rough Climate, published by Anvil Press in the UK.
The cover has a photograph of the Montserrat volcano and the poems in
Part Two of the book treat Montserratian themes.
A poet "in exile," Markham brings to life and immortalises in
verse interesting folkways that have died or are dying.
"Two Men at the Cassava Mill" is a good example.
Here is an excerpt from the poem:
Left foot on the board, on the ground, stable.
Right foot peddling, pressing down on the pole,
easing up on the pole, boy hugging man
up and down in tune with the man who feeds peeled cassava
into the throat of the wheel. He
is expert
The second book is not about Montserrat but it
illuminates an important aspect of slave life not only in Montserrat but also in
the entire Caribbean. It is
entitled Black Women White Men: The Sexual
Exploitation of Female Slaves in the Danish West Indies; and the author is
Dr. Eddie Donoghue, a product of the Montserrat Secondary School and the
University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
The theme is somewhat current, but Dr. Donoghue
is on relatively new ground in his extensive exploration of the exploitation of
slave women. Slaves were property, so rape was out of the question and
considered within the law. We tend
to associate Barbuda with slave breeding but the author demonstrates that there
was a major plan for importing female slaves in the Danish West Indies for
breeding – another form of exploitation.
Dr. Donoghue’s book is attractively packaged
and well written, with due regard to sources.
The quality scholarship is undeniable, and the book should make the
reading list in history and social science in regional universities, at least.
A third book, published last year, helps to
illustrate the variety in Montserratian works.
It is Contemporary Drama of the
Caribbean, edited jointly by David Edgecombe and Erika Waters, both of the
University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). It was published in 2001 by The
Caribbean Writer of the UVI. The
book contains six plays by authors from Jamaica, the Bahamas, St. Lucia, St.
Vincent, the USVI and Montserrat. Mr.
Edgecombe, an enthusiastic promoter of Caribbean drama, wrote the Introduction
and his "Kirnon Kingdom," set in Montserrat, appears in the 270-page
volume. Mr. Edgecombe is a director
as well as writer who has authored some 12 plays.
His Heaven and Other Plays was
published in 1993.
He is a tireless campaigner for excellence in
Caribbean drama. In his
Introduction he argues for paid professional theatre artists and technicians,
trained personnel and well-equipped facilities inter
alia. "It should be the goal of each territory to have at
least one good theater. It
doesn’t need to be big. In fact,
for the development of drama, particularly in the less-populated territories,
the seating capacity need not exceed 300."
This is timely and relevant counsel for Montserrat on the eve of building
a cultural centre.
These books are worth a proper review but this is merely an announcement. I am sure that many Montserratians would join with me to complement these three Montserratian scholars. Their achievements redound to an extent to the social esteem of their native land.
David Brandt's
Conflict Management Feature Address (Paid
For)
Mr Chairman
I
regard this workshop on Quality Customer Care and Conflict Resolution as both
timely and relevant. I find the second aspect of the Title of this workshop
especially interesting. For whereas much has been said in the past about
satisfying the needs of the customer, I suspect that the concept and practice of
Conflict Resolution is less familiar to most of us. It is timely because even in
my own field of work, that is, the practice of law, we are being encouraged to
find and introduce new ways of resolving conflict. As you know, we are called
upon to deal with conflicts between the citizen and the state, between citizen
and citizen, and between domestic parties such as husband and wife.
The OECS High Court has recently been suggesting
that lawyers assist their clients to find alternative ways of resolving their
disputes other than going to court. This is referred to as Alternative Dispute
Resolution or ADR for short. And so what this means is that even lawyers now are
showing a greater interest in the type of issues that you would have discussed
during the past two days.
I believe that a good understanding of the nature
of conflict, the sources of conflict, and the means of resolving conflict is
utmost important. For in my view,
the timely resolution of conflict can often save time, money and even life. In
addition, it can decrease the level of stress on the job and lead to greater
productivity. As a lawyer myself, I can also tell you that timely Conflict
Resolution often means avoiding potentially costly law suits. I hope that by
telling you this, I am not putting myself out of work.
After all, I do need the work. However, I do think it is important to
advise clients only to go to court when it appears difficult or impossible to
settle matters out of court. But to
do so requires an understanding of how to resolve the conflict in the first
place. And that is why I fully support this type of workshop.
In fact, I would go further and say that we need
to have more individuals in this region trained in the area of Conflict
Resolution. It is fast becoming a
rewarding field of work in the metropolitan countries, and it is a growing need
in our own countries. But it requires certain skills as well - a good
understanding of people, good communication skills, the ability to see both
sides of the coin, and a high level of creativity in solving problems. It
requires a good knowledge of techniques such as mediation, conciliation and
arbitration.
I also appreciate the importance of Conflict
Resolution from another standpoint. As
you all know, I have had my own share of conflict when I occupied a different
position at a different time. And I say this for a particular reason. For we in
Montserrat often are not aware of the difficulties involved in making decisions
locally in the face of the different values and interests of those on whom we
have to rely for financial support. And
this is what I tried to educate our people about when I was in that different
position at that different time. And that is what others who are now in that
same position at this time are now finding out. They may tell us differently but
the British have their own interests. They have their own values. They are
different to ours. And this often represented a source of conflict. The
important question was always how to resolve such conflict.
I will say no more on that except that I hope
that this point would have demonstrated to you that Conflict Resolution is
relevant in every aspect of life – in your personal life, in your relations
with others, in your business, in relations with your customers and even in
running a Government. Montserratians
have been through much, coping with loss and trauma caused by a devastating
volcano, grappling with critical concerns such as housing, jobs and absence of
family members. As a result, it may
well be the case, that we bring to our jobs and our organizations an even
greater potential for conflict. This is inspite of the fact that we live in a usually
tranquil environment.
Mr. Rommel Lawrence comes to us with a glowing
reputation, enhanced by the fact that he has the competence to deal with the
whole person including soul and spirit. I
have no doubt that you have benefited greatly from your encounter with him and
with each other. Indeed, informal
feedback supports this view.
I believe that you are better prepared to deal
with conflict, that you now have the tools to contribute to your maturation and
development and consequently to minimize and eliminate conflict and even to
learn from them and turn them to good account.
You will benefit as persons and there will be growth in the country’s
productivity.
Let me congratulate the organizers of the
workshop and those organizations which recognized its importance.
My thanks to Mr. Rommel Lawrence for the excellent job which I am certain
he has done, and I congratulate the participants, with the hope that, their new
skills and values will make a marked and positive difference to their jobs.
A workshop like this would go a long way towards improving the work
environment and even the work ethics in our island.
Thanks to you all.
Today is Friday, May 24, the 144th day of
2002.
There are 221 days left in the year.
Today's Highlight in History:
On May 24, 1962, astronaut Scott Carpenter
became the second American to orbit the Earth as he flew aboard Aurora 7.
On this date:
In 1819, Queen Victoria was born in
London.
In 1830, the first passenger railroad in
the United States began service between Baltimore and Elliott's Mills, Maryland.
In 1844, Samuel F.B. Morse transmitted the
message, "What hath God wrought!" from Washington to Baltimore as he
formally opened America's first telegraph line.
In 1881, some 200 people died when the
Canadian ferry Princess Victoria sank near London, Ontario.
In 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge, linking
Brooklyn and Manhattan, was opened to traffic.
In 1941, the German battleship Bismarck
sank the British dreadnought Hood in the North Atlantic.
In 1976, Britain and France opened
transatlantic Concorde service to Washington.
In 1977, in a surprise move, the Kremlin
ousted Soviet President Nikolai Podgorny from the Communist Party's ruling
Politburo.
In 1980, Iran rejected a call by the World
Court in The Hague to release the American hostages.
In 1995, former British Prime Minister
Harold Wilson died in London at age 79.
Ten years ago: President Bush authorized
the Coast Guard to return directly home all Haitian refugees picked up at sea.
Al Unser Junior became the first second-generation winner of the Indianapolis
500; his father, four-time winner Al Unser, finished third.
Five years ago: The space shuttle Atlantis
returned to Earth, bringing with it NASA astronaut Jerry Linenger, who'd spent
four months aboard the Russian Mir space station.
One year ago: Democrats gained control of
the U.S. Senate for the first time since 1994 when Vermont Senator James
Jeffords abandoned the Republican Party and declared himself an independent.
Twenty-three people died when the floor of a Jerusalem wedding hall collapsed
beneath dancing guests in a horrifying scene captured on videotape.
Carrs Bay Fallout
Who knows what the grapevine will bring?
In one's ears it continues to ring
Here and there, without letup,
"Cheddie's fall was a setup."
How on earth could they think such a thing?
Passport of Delight
You no longer need be a fretter,
The rules are laid down to the letter;
But don't burst with pride,
You still must decide,
Will one or two passports be better?
Jus wonderin if de free access to travel will
help bring in more revenue into the island.
Jus wonderin if the exit certificate is wrong
against the Constitution and the freedom of man to travel to and from.
Jus wonderin if anything but flight from justice
should stop anyone from buying e ticket and travel when e want to.
Jus wonderin if wha dem say dem really mean.
Jus wonderin when Lewis said people should bring
in dem family to live instead of sending de money to them.
Jus wonderin if people do start to send for dem
family, wha problem ga erupt then.
Jus wonderin if foreign will be treated even
worse now that de British passport is be granted.
Jus wonderin if dem think more ga come just for
de passport.
Jus wonderin what is wrong with the law-man who
live in the Virgins who keep parking his car in the middle of the road.
Jus wonderin if police have one law for them self
and another for the driving public.
Jus wonderin if you hear the Big Chief say and
wha he mean when he say how the country bankrupt.
Just wonderin if that’s why him and he
entourage gone away pan wan worl tour.
Jus wonderin why the board fire the young lady.
Jus wonderin if is really true that the boss lady really had the nerve to say that the young lady always late.