No South of Belham Re-Occupation, DFID is Boss, After Baxter
By Bennette Roach
Houses in the Cork Hill/Weekes area
Back in April, while every official, including Governor Abbott and the scientists, was most upbeat about the latest scientific and hazard assessment report, Dr. Peter Baxter lurked nearby with his "Health Risk of Ash" report.
In that report he concluded: "A full assessment of the health risk of the ash deposits would be needed before consideration is given to reoccupation of any of the areas south of the Belham River."
In spite of that, the Governor, speaking for the Government of Montserrat the next week, hastened to issue a release which read: "…The reduction in risk to individuals from volcanic events in these areas does, however, allow the Government of Montserrat to consider greater public access to them. The Government has therefore decided to implement the following changes to the policy governing access to the exclusion zone with effect from Wednesday 7 April
It declared that access to Isles Bay would be unrestricted and, allowed access to Cork Hill, Foxes Bay and Richmond Hill during daylight hours, with the gate to the South of the Belham Bridge opened at 6 a.m. and closed at 6 p.m. each day.
Everyone saw this as getting closer to the real thing, full occupancy of homes in these areas, but then no move was made by the authorities to assist those people with the immediate desire to reoccupy their homes. Warnings of different types were put into effect and early this week the gate was again closed for several days.
It was this week also that the Governor, the Chief Minister and Mr. Doug Houston, DFID's local manager, met with the South of Belham (SOB) Committee, which issued the following release following the meeting:
"The committee requested the meeting in order to express their concerns about the progress of rehabilitating the occupiable areas South of Belham as far as Richmond Hill. They emphasized the importance of restoring utilities, most importantly water and electricity, and a cleanup of the ash. Governor Abbott confirmed that estimates were being done but implementation would depend on the report from Dr. Peter Baxter's medical team, who have installed air quality monitors in the area, AND an application by the Government to DFID for funding. It was suggested and the Chief Minister agreed that he would seek the estimates and funding for a first phase cleanup of the roads to reduce the amount of ash residents and visitors are exposed to during the present daylight visits to the area. The committee also requested that consideration be given to redefining the Exclusion Zone.
"As the South of Belham areas as far as Richmond Hill are no longer thought to be at volcanic risk, a suggestion was made to remove them from the Exclusion Zone and differentiate them as a separate and accessible zone."
Reports coming out of the meeting said that it got close to being acrimonious at the end. Governor Abbott today denied that there was general unease at the meeting, suggesting The Reporter got wrong information again. He admitted, however, that there were at least two reps who expressed displeasure at the overall situation.
Persons attending the meeting listened to the Governor advise that no further action could be undertaken until Dr. Baxter’s instruments give the area a clean bill of health. The Governor spoke today of the several other factors affecting the reoccupation of these areas. "There are massive amounts of ash in the areas south of Belham," the Governor said. He said issues include the cost of the cleanup, the number of people ready and willing or intending to move back, and how to tackle the cleanup process.
The Government will have to come up with a proposal to effect the necessary repairs to infrastructure and utilities, and the cleanup. DFID will then consider the proportionality of the funds required. This was the main cause for most of the persons on the committee, but this was never expressed during the meeting.
Chairman of the SOB Committee, Bruce Farara, said that the meeting was orderly, but believed that most were taken aback when they learnt that in the end it would depend upon the information obtained concerning the number of people who are likely to return to the area. He was pleased that the Chief Minister had agreed to pursue a proposal to at least start the cleanup process while they await the Dr. Baxter instrument reports. He said that diligent monitoring would be required, since there could be other contributing factors to distort the readings received from the equipment.
Others came away from the meeting expressing the feeling that they have an ally in the Chief Minister, who seemed concerned about a quick and full reoccupation of the area.
CDB Governors Delivered Good News for Montserrat
Two weeks ago, the honourable Chief Minister David Brandt and Finacial Secretary C.T. John attended the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Board of Governor's Meeting in Barbados. The Chief Minister attended in his capacity as Governor for the Dependent Territories.
Upon their return the Financial Secretary reported that in its strategic plan the bank emphasised poverty reduction, including five objectives: economic growth, poverty reduction, good governance, preservation of the environment, and economic integration.
There was a bilateral meeting between CDB and Montserrat. The bank, recognising the wide of technical assistance required by Montserrat, agreed to coordinate the various agencies that can contribute, these being CDB, CARICOM, CEDERA, CTO and GOM. It is planned for all these agencies to meet within the next two weeks for one day.
Within the next two weeks an engineer will arrive in Montserrat to commence the infrastructure audit of Little Bay estate. And finally, all the signatures have now been affixed and the money promised by CDB to complete the first section of the Caricom Village is on its way to CEDERA.
One bit of bad news is that George Foulkes, according to the Chief Minister, could only express his personal embarrassment at the fact that the soft mortgage scheme was not yet past the waiting period of bank audit report. Further news on this said that the report was nearing being ready. Auditors spent time at Bank of Montserrat today.
"Set New Priorities and Proceed? Not Before Asking Britain, Again!"
In the context of Montserrat's volcanic eruption now near completing its fourth year of activity, it must not be difficult to recall the hype and the build-up preceding the release of the February 1999 Scientific and Hazards Assessment which took place in Trinidad.
Everyone waited, being told that the report would be most favourable. For those with their homes south of Belham River, as far south as Richmond Hill, that could only have meant one thing. It was repeated time and time again that the volcanic activity had been subsiding since April 1998, with no major activity since then. It would not be too long before they could move back to their own homes.
But there was a little addition to the Report from a now well-known Dr. Peter Baxter, who the Governor's office makes out to be doing us a favour. Dr. Baxter warned in that report that it could be a long time before occupancy of these areas south of Belham would be possible. He has had support for his warnings. Professor Stephen Sparks, being the co-author of one ash study, says: "The study in Science suggests that even those who remained in the northern part of the island may suffer long-term health effects from the volcano's ash flows because of harmful levels of cristobalite."
It is pointed out by the "researchers" that cristobalite forms inside the volcano dome and then becomes concentrated in ash eruptions. The ash falls in clumps and can be sent back into the air by human activities, such as driving or sweeping. This increases the risk that residents will inhale the small cristobalite particles, the study found.
Now after waiting for nearly two months with nothing happening to assist residents with the necessary cleanup to prepare their properties for reoccupation the South of Belham (SOB) Committee sought a meeting which was held this week with Governor Abbott, Chief Minister Brandt and DFID boss Doug Houston.
First reports by members coming out of the meeting described them as being very displeased at what they heard at the meeting and the positions being taken by the British officials. Among many others was the position of the Governor and DFID regarding the funding for any restoration of utilities and cleanup of the areas. The Government is being asked to submit proposals and these must be submitted to a "cost/benefit analysis" before consideration for approval.
The Governor admitted and explained that studies and research will have to take place to determine how many families will be interested in returning to the areas to take up residence. Besides, it will be necessary for them to take medical tests. It was even suggested to the SOB members, particularly those on Isles Bay, that it might be cheaper to build houses for those wishing to take up residence than undertake the necessary expense.
Why only now the research is being thought of is beyond imagination, but there is a growing belief that the British have absolutely little interest in assisting the return of people south of Belham; that they have not really gotten beyond the idea or the letdown that every resident did not evacuate the island. It could be that the volcano is not acting in accordance with the hope and wishes of our masters. We can hope that someone will make public all the conditions, plans and studies that have to be undertaken. It must be well understood that people will not show an interest or plan to return until they are assured the area is being serviced.
Finally, it was pointed out by His Excellency that funding to carry out repairs and installations of utilities will have to be found within the Country Policy Plan (CPP) pushing aside some other project, but even when all that is done, DFID still has to approve the expenditure. What, then, was the point of all the planning, negotiations and preparations, if even after the funding and the moneys are allocated our Government could still face the rejection of British officials?
What is Governor Abbott's Involvement With These Officers Rights
Dear Mr. Editor,
I read with growing unease two recent stories in the Montserrat Reporter about the treatment of two senior Montserrat police officers by the Governor, the Attorney General and the Chief of Police.
Britain boasts of being a leader among those nations that uphold the principles that every individual has rights that must be respected by king and country and enforced by the courts. The guarantee of fair treatment to every citizen is the hallmark of an enlightened country. But if the reports are correct, what those three Englishmen are seeking to do to those two officers violates everything decent in any but the most despotic societies.
Is it really true that the Governor undermined the democratic processes by completely ignoring the Chief Minister and other duly elected officials of the Executive Council, but found it possible to confer with the vacationing Attorney General to free one of the convicts in the 1998 Barclays Bank robbery? Is it true that consultation with the elected representatives is required by the constitution?
Is it true that the release was a reward to the convict for providing unsubstantiated and possibly perjurious testimony.
Is it true that although nothing has been proved against the two officers and although no hearing has ever been held the Governor and the two other officials have severely punished the police officers.
Is it true that those two officers have been suspended for over a year with half salaries, and now that the evidence does not implicate them in the crime, yet the British Governor, Attorney General and Commissioner of Police are threatening to try them disciplinarily, reputations in shambles, without any further remuneration?
One thing is certain. This could not happen in England without dire consequences and the same should be true of Montserrat. In times of great national stress it is hard to remember the lessons we have learned as we try to cope with new situations and extreme challenges. Montserratians have had to cope with a volcano that has at times threatened our very survival and to our discredit we are forgetting our past. The most important lesson we learned is that it is wrong for our children to grow up believing that we as a people are incompetent and corrupt and that the leaders and decision makers in our society must be white or from some superior culture.
Sociologists and psychologists admit that the damage caused by such stereotyping lasts for a lifetime and is a tremendous limitation on achievement. We need only look at the accomplishments of Montserratians in the last two or three decades to see what a tonic it is for the spirit when we can see our own in positions of influence and authority.
Now the Montserrat government is in collusion with the British to reverse centuries of political and cultural evolution and return us to the "massa knows best" days. We have a white governor, a white attorney general, a white commissioner of police and throughout the island the old message is being re-dressed and reintroduced: "If it must be done right it must be done white."
No good can come from this, either in the short term or the long term. While the individuals who have come to our help are probably fine people, they are not sociologists, they are not cultural scientists and cannot be expected to understand the consequences of their actions and of their positions.
Witness what has happened in the case of Police officers Barzey and Hazel. They have been tried, convicted and sentenced without hearing. That couldn't happen in England because over many centuries they have discovered that such acts are wrong and ultimately destabilizing. No self-respecting government that is concerned with the health of the society should tolerate such actions.
But reprehensible as this is, it is as nothing compared to the long-term negative impact of having white people rush in to show us how we can be saved after every crisis.
This government must rise to its responsibilities. As Winston Churchill once said "Generals win battles, statesmen win wars."
David Edgecombe
Isles Bay Residents Express Appreciation
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the Property Owners of Isles Bay, we would like to thank the Montserrat Water Authority for restoring water service to the residences in Isles Bay. This was an essential step toward meeting our objectives to rehabilitate our properties and resume occupancy in Isles Bay.
We appreciate the Water Authority’s effort and, as importantly, its continued commitment toward maintaining a high standard of service to Isles Bay.
We would also like to thank the Honourable Chief Minister, Mr. David Brandt, for his contribution to this accomplishment and his continued support and assistance in helping us to regain utilities, clean up the roadways, and resume occupancy in Isles Bay.
Sincerely,
The Property Owners of Isles Bay
The First Step
Colossians 3:12-17
Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you.
- Colossians 3:13 (NRSV)
My friend and I had harsh words and parted angry and As I look back, our argument seemed trivial. But he had not taken a step toward making amends. Why, I thought, should be the one to take the first step?
Later, I watched an inchworm on its journey along the blossom of a flower. Slowly, an inch at a time, it moved forward.
I gently pushed it to the edge of the blossom, where it turned again, starting over because it had been disturbed.
I realized that friendship should be measured also. My friend and I could take firm and steady steps, starting over if disturbed, reaching toward fulfillment. I went to the telephone and called him.
When we make God's love a part of our lives, we are able to take the first steps to make amends, to "forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven."
Thank you, God, for your ever-expanding love
takes us beyond ourselves and makes us your children.
Amen.
Thought for the day
The journey to forgiveness begins with a single step.
Paul K. McAfee (Florida
Prayer Focus: FRIENDS WHO ARE AT ODDS
RED CROSS LAUNCHES CARIBBEAN CAMPAIGN
TO URGE PUBLIC TO PREPARE FOR DISASTERS
Woodlands -- Disasters caused by hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, or fires, are frequently in the news. People often believe that, "it can't happen here" or "it won't happen to me"; but the truth is that these disasters can and do happen here, placing everyone at risk.
Fortunately, there are some things everyone can do to prevent, prepare for, and cope with disaster-related emergencies long before a disaster threatens. "Research shows that the majority of deaths in a disaster occur as a result of people doing the wrong thing or not knowing what to do," said Mrs. Camilla Watts, Manager of the Montserrat Branch British Red Cross.
Through its month-long "BETTER BE READY!" Caribbean disaster preparedness campaign kicking off on June 1, the Red Cross will stress the urgency of individuals, families, and communities getting ready for disasters, and share potentially lifesaving disaster tips with the public.
For those disasters that have a long warning time, such as hurricanes and many floods, the Red Cross says people can reduce their risk if they stay tuned to local radio and television and evacuate when told to do so. "When people wait too long before they respond, deaths and injuries can occur," Mrs. Watts said.
For disasters that strike with little or no warning, such as flash floods and lightning, people should learn to recognise the conditions that bring about the hazard, to stay tuned to local radio and television, and to go to a safe place immediately.
While there is virtually no warning for an earthquake, the Red Cross advises that proper precautions and quick action can save lives. Similarly, the only real warning about fire might be with a smoke detector, but there are many ways to prevent fires and when they do occur there are simple steps to take to stay safe.
For any disaster, the Red Cross stresses the importance of planning and preparing ahead of time to equip us with skills to deal with such powerful forces of nature.
"The Red Cross is prepared to help people in our community during and after a disaster--but we all must recognise that the key to minimising the effects of an emergency is preparedness," said Mrs. Watts. The Red Cross is a valuable source of information on how to prepare for disaster and how to take safety measures when disasters occur. The Red Cross is helping this community be prepared before disasters strike by having an established disaster plan, training volunteers, and providing critical information to the public through efforts like the "BETTER BE READY" campaign.
The Red Cross encourages everyone to take advantage of the availability of this valuable service. You can contact the Red Cross at (664) 491-2699/6250 or visit them on the web at: www.caribredcross.org.
Fearful Questions Suggest Need for More Information
This week, the Reporter received several enquiries particularly from overseas about the "new or upscaled" activity at the volcano.
While speaking with many residents, it could be observed that they too are very concerned about the situation, an indication that the information coming back from overseas must originate right here.
It seems the scientists or the MVO need to enter into a campaign of information that would more properly address the concerns of residents and those overseas towards a better understanding of the current situation.
It must be interesting to note: the volcano report for 20 May 1998 reads "seven (7) volcano -tectonic earthquakes and six (6) rock falls…a small pyroclastic flow occurred during the night and probably traveled down the Tar River. It produced a smaller seismic signal than the flow yesterday afternoon, but once again this emphasises that the dome is still very unstable…"
This year May 20, the day many have expressed concern about, the scientists reported: "An explosion occurred on 20 May. This began at 17.42 local time and lasted for about 10 minutes. A plume of ash quickly rose to about 15,000 feet and drifted to the northwest, depositing ash mostly south of the Belham River.
"No pyroclastic flows occurred with this event, although it was accompanied by a deep rumbling noise."
The same report stated: "…23 volcano-tectonic earthquakes were recorded over the last week."
Then comes this report today:
"The level of activity at the volcano was generally at a similar level to over the
past few weeks, but there was a marked increase in activity on 22 to 23 May.
"A total of 138 rockfall signals, 1 long period, and 237 volcano-tectonic earthquakes
were recorded over the last week.
"There was a distinct increase in activity on 22 May when a volcano-tectonic
earthquake swarm was recorded. This was the first earthquake swarm since early December
1998. The swarm started at 6:55 a.m. local time and continued until 5:01 p.m. It contained
141 volcano-tectonic earthquakes with peaks in
activity occurring between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., and between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
"Shortly after 1 p.m. a small ash cloud was produced reaching no more than 7,000
feet.
"A large pyroclastic flow occurred early on the morning of 23 May at 2:42 a.m. This
traveled mainly down the eastern flanks of the volcano, reaching the sea at the Tar River
delta. A small surge deposit was also observed in the upper reaches of the White River
valley. No other new pyroclastic flow deposits were observed in other ghauts. An ash cloud
to about 19,000 feet was produced, and this drifted westwards, depositing ash to the south
of St. George’s Hill."
The problem seems to be the understanding or belief that the volcano has gone back to sleep, but the fact is that nothing is happening that the scientists say should or could not happen.
The time is right, no doubt, for a call on the MVO and the authorities to step up their process of information.
FUN DAY AT SALEM COMMUNITY PARK
Montserratians were treated last weekend o a fantastic fun-filled Whit Weekend at the Salem Community Park.
Sunday, the 23rd May, the fun lovers were treated to BBQ chicken, lunch and a well- stocked bar while taking in the football games.
Stress Busters, a newly formed group, were responsible for bringing the Bounce Castle to Montserrat on Monday, 24th May. They are four very dynamic businesswomen who organised this fun day for children and adults.
The children were treated to the Bounce Castle, dips, sweets and lots to eat, while the adults were treated to cricket, a well-stocked bar and eats.
The Bounce Castle, a "Little Disney" for children, was the main attraction at the park. Whit-Monday was not unlike New Years Day in Plymouth or a day at Sturge Park with Montserrat batting.
The Stress Busters were very pleased with the turnout of the general public for their assistance in making the day so fu-filled and stress free.
The Four, Juliana Sydney-Meade, Jenifer Ryner-Lynch, Jestina Greenaway-Frith and Elizabeth Piper-Wade, welcome you again.
The Bounce Castle will return to Montserrat in the next couple of weeks.
Resumed Rice Shipments Await Go Ahead on Guyana
Georgetown,Guyana -- Guyana is ready to resume rice exports to Montserrat as soon as it gets the green light from authorities on that British dependency, according to Chairman of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Charles Kennard.
"We have always been prepared for them and we are hoping that with British sympathy for Montserrat, we will see a resumption of exports," he told the Montserrat Reporter.
After closing down operations for about five years now due to volcanic activity, Chairman of the Montserrat Rice Mills Ken Boyea recently said the company was expected to restart processing and exporting of the grain but the top GRDB official noted that the information "we are getting is vague."
Boyea said the company had the mechanisms in place to do well before the crisis but that, coupled with a restrictive quota system, were hindrances to the success of the operation.
Due to the downward revision of the rice quota entering Caribbean Overseas Countries Territories (OCTs) of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, to a total of 20,000 to 35,000 tons per year, Kennard was unsure how much rice would be allowed into Montserrat until the European Union (EU) considers an ACP proposal.
That document, which has been already accepted as the ACP's position on rice, envisages an increase in Guyana and Suriname's overall export quota from the current figure of 135,000 tons to 250,000 tons, he said.
Of the 250,000 tons to the EU, Kennard expected that the quota entering European countries through OCT countries would increase to 70,000 tons.
The proposal by the Caribbean Rice Association (CRA) would form part of negotiations for a post Lome IV Trade and Economic Agreement between Europe and its former colonies in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
ACP Ambassasors to Brussels are expected to present the proposal to the EU on June 8, followed by a Guyanese negotiating team to Brussels later that month.
Just back from a visit to Brussels with top Montserrat government officials, Ken Boyea is awaiting the green-light from the European Union (EU) to restart.
Instead of focussing on shipping semi-processed rice to other mills for completion, Montserrat Rice Mills plans to export finished rice in addition to the sale of by-products such as fish and animal feed.
GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
Government Information Services (G.I.S.) is an information service produced and prepared in the office of the Chief Minister.
Local Banks Aim for Year 2000 Compliancy
Banking institutions in Montserrat are working to ensure Year 2000 compliancy.
One of the two banks, Bank of Montserrat, has confirmed it has achieved its objective of being Year 2000 compliant.
Manager Gregory de Gannes says the Bank has completely replaced all its hardware and software equipment and a new server that handles the entire banking package.
Technicians carried out the installation work over the past 10 days.
On completion, testing, supervised by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, headquartered in St. Kitts, was successful.
Mr. De Gannes says the Bank of Montserrat has software similar to all the indigenous banks in the region.
The Bank of Montserrat manager also confirms that the Swift Transfer System will replace the back-up Telex mode of communication.
On completion, the Bank of Montserrat will be as up-to-date as any other banking institution worldwide.
Meanwhile, the Bank of Montserrat has further enhanced its local operations by utlizing the bottom floor of its premises at Hill Top for Teller Services.
And the other Commercial bank on Montserrat, the Royal Bank of Canada, is also working towards complete millenium compliancy.
A senior official at the bank confirms that the upgrade work is taking place at the corporate level, as the local branch of the Royal Bank of Canada is part of Royal Bank worldwide.
Local banking officials say all processes and critical systems at the Royal Bank branch here are Year 2000 compliant.
Contingency plans are being fine-tuned and testing will continue for the remainder of this year.
European Commission Officials Visit
The Resident Advisor for the European Commission in Antigua paid a courtesy call on Montserrat on Tuesday 25th May.
Mr. Hans Okorn, who is responsible for the islands of the North-Eastern Caribbean, was accompanied by the Engineering Advisor in Barbados, Bonne Dejonge.
While on island, the European Commission officials held meetings with His Excellency Governor Anthony Abbott, the Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt and other government officials.
They also visited European Union-funded projects on island, including the Davy Hill housing complex and the W.H. Bramble Airport, which is proposed for funding from the EU.
Mr. Okorn will end his tour of duty in Antigua on 30th June this year.
Mr. Dejonge will take over responsibility for the North-Eastern Caribbean when Mr. Okorn leaves office.
MWA Restores Water Supply in Isles Bay
The Montserrat Water Authority (MWA) has started the process of restoring pipe-borne water to Isles Bay Hill.
The water supply to this and other areas South of the Belham River Valley were cut off after they were rendered unsafe and declared parts of the Exclusion Zone.
In recent time, there have been repeated calls from property owners in areas south of Belham for their utilities to be restored. But even more recently, there have been calls for the restoration of water, electricity and cable in Isles Bay Hill after scientists declared that this is the only area due for assessment for reopening in the near future.
The Montserrat Water Authority has since been engaged in a project involving the clearing of ash from valves, fire hydrants and meters in the Isles Bay Hill area.
The MWA is also checking for leaks, especially in the galvanize pipelines.
Acting Manager of the MWA Major Michael Duberry says the water in the lines is very turbid or muddy and would need some flushing and chlorination before full usage.
Major Duberry says the project is expected to be completed within two weeks.
MONLEC Management Moves to Clarify and Seek End to Impasse
The management of the island’s lone electricity company (MONLEC) has moved to clarify certain issues surrounding the current pay dispute involving workers.
Both parties are locked in a battle as the workers continue to agitate for a pay increase which they say is "not unreasonable."
Negotiations are now into the third week.
The disgruntled workers stayed off the job two days after negotiations began asking for more pay.
Originally, the workers had asked for a 5-percent increase plus automatic increments, but later agreed on a 7-percent increase across the board.
But MONLEC’s manager, Hilton Howson, says the workers’ demands for an initial 5-percent increase plus automatic increments were not clear to management, since increments are given to workers effective April each year, based on merit.
He said Management is prepared to grant a 5-percent increase.
Mr. Howson says it’s always a policy of the company to maintain a performance-based increment system of between 4½ and 5 percent each year.
The MONLEC manager says meetings have been held with the workers’ bargaining agent, the Montserrat Allied Workers Union (MAWU), to discuss the company’s operating position and to understand the workers’ position.
Mr. Howson says contrary to information being circulated that there have been increased unit sales, from since 1996, the company has been operating at a loss, or is in a loss-making position.
He says although there is a slight increase, which has been slow in coming, statistics are showing just about one-third of where the company was in 1994, the year before the volcano crisis started.
Mr. Howson says if an amicable settlement to the impasse cannot be reached, then the matter will be forced to arbitration where a mediator would have to be invited to assist in finding a speedy resolution.
Montserrat Association of Dominica Sets Up Desk
The Montserrat Association of Dominica has set up a Montserrat desk in Roseau.
The desk is being set up with help from the management of the SPAT Office on 74th Kennedy Avenue in Dominica and the TAMEC Programme, which is being coordinated by the Caribbean Council of Churches (CCC) in Antigua.
The desk, which is staffed by Ms. Helen Raymond, Secretary of the Association, has been set up to keep Montserratians informed, to provide a point of focus and contact, and to provide information to the general public.
It will also assist with the running of an Employment Support Programme to be sponsored by TAMEC.
There are more than 100 Montserratians living in Dominica.
One-day Retreat Addresses Juvenile Delinquency on Island
A multi-sectoral approach has been sought to deal with the rising problem of juvenile delinquency on Montserrat.
About 30 persons from a range of local institutions and agencies attended a one-day retreat on Tuesday 25th May to address the problem.
The retreat was organized and sponsored by the Department for Community Services and the Ministry of Health.
Speaking at her first official function since assuming office, Principal Community Development Officer Mrs. Maudlyn Sweeney said the increasing problem of juvenile delinquency was not exclusive to Montserrat alone, but to the world in general.
She says adults should accept the responsibility for setting examples in promoting the proper values in the island’s youth.
Acting Senior Magistrate E. Karney Osborne says juveniles are increasingly committing crimes in the community.
Mr. Osborne says these crimes range from burglary to rape to possession of Cannabis Sativa (marijuana), but he concludes that the most prominent is theft.
The Acting Senior Magistrate also says there are some of the island’s youths who have been brought before the magistrate’s court on several occasions and this is a serious cause for concern.
And the Honourable Minister for Education, Health and Community Services, Mrs. Adelina Tuitt, lauded the efforts of the staff in the Community Services Department.
She commended them for their hard work and dedication.
The Minister also has some concerns of her own about the youth in the community.
Mrs. Tuitt is primarily concerned about their behaviour, which, she says, is very worrying. She’s pledging her Ministry’s diligence in trying to get to the root of the problems with a view to finding meaningful solutions.
Meanwhile, participants were satisfied overall with the outcome of the one-day retreat which produced a number of recommendations aimed at lessening if not solving the juvenile delinquency problem on Montserrat.
The participants highlighted a list of recommendations that will be put into a single document for further study and implementation.
Some of the recommendations include providing school counselors, the establishment of a form of training school or home for problem children, and providing recreational facilities for children and youths.
Other recommendations include the development of public information and education programmes dealing with the laws relating to children and youths, and home and family life, and incorporating school rules into the draft Education Act.
There were also several short- and long-term recommendations listed, and much discussion on how best to get community involvement with the support structure for children in crisis.
The Department of Community Services is to provide follow-up to ensure the initiative is pursued.
Montserrat Students Continue to Excel Overseas
Glynis O’Garro and Michelle Farrell are the latest Montserratian students who continue to put in good academic performances overseas.
They both graduated from Midwestern State University in Texas, in the United States of America.
Miss O’Garro, formerly of Kinsale, received the highest-ever accolade for a Caribbean student, when she was awarded the President’s Medal of Excellence.
She received the award in the Division of Behavioral Sciences.
Miss O’Garro completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, with a perfect 4.0 grade point average (GPA), attaining straight A’s in all of her courses.
She was one of only two students among over 750 graduates to achieve a perfect GPA.
Miss O’Garro graduated summa cum laude and is the second Montserratian to do so, following Nkolika Roach, who achieved the feat in 1998.
Miss Farrell, who’s originally from Streathams, earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting, cum laude.
Eight other students from Montserrat are continuing their studies at Midwestern State University. They are part of the Caribbean Recruitment Programme.
The founder and Coordinator, Dr. Randy Glean, says the programme will continue to expand and serve the region as long as there is sufficient interest and also the availability of funds.
Dr. Glean says he will like to have more Montserratians recruited into the programme. He’s calling on the local Government to continue to identify more students.
Continued Assistance for Fisheries
The Ministry of Agriculture continues to provide help to members of the Fisheries sector.
The Fisheries unit in the Department of Agriculture is presently working on two major infrastructual projects.
The primary aim is to improve the working conditions of local fishermen.
The construction of a ramp at Carrs Bay will facilitate the removal of fishing boats from the water during rough seas.
Many of the fishermen suffered damages from rough seas in the past and from seasonal hurricanes.
There are also plans for the construction of a fisheries facility that will ultimately enhance the presentation, storage and sale of fish.
Both projects are already underway and are expected to be completed within two years.
OECS ERU Assists in Establishing Community College
The Ministry of Education is getting further assistance in its efforts to establish a Community College on Island.
The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Officer at the OECS Education Reform Unit (OERU) in St. Lucia held discussions earlier this week with ministry officials.
Mr. Paul Payne, a Montserratian, came to the island in response to a request made by the Ministry of Education here for assistance to establish a Montserrat Community College.
While on Island, Mr. Payne looked at terms of reference proposed by the Ministry of Education for such assistance.
The OECS Human Resource Development and the European Development Fund (EDF) Tertiary Level Programme is funded by the European Union.
A component of this programme is to provide for the development of infrastructure to facilitate the development of the community college.
Part of the assistance requested by the Ministry of Education here involves providing technical assistance for the construction of the building.
The second phase of the programme looks at the feasibility of starting some courses on a part-time basis, in response to the current training needs on Montserrat.
Mr. Payne is scheduled to return in the next few weeks to carry out further assessment on this aspect of the project. But consideration is being given to Technical and Vocational studies and an A-level programme.
Remarks by the Honourable Minister of Education, Health & Community Services At The Opening of the One-Day Juvenile Retreat Held 25th May, 1999
This retreat has been organized because of the growing concern for growth and development of our youngsters, especially our boys. There are concerns with respect to the dropout rates of boys at school, the level of skills that children possess on entering the job market, the deviant behavior that starts at home because parents have given up.
The fact that the same behaviour or worst is displayed in the classroom heightens the level of our concern but more recently the number of juveniles appearing before the court is worrying.
I know that the teachers have been trying to cope with the problem. The GOM through Community Services Department, churches, community groups and several interested individuals have all been giving support in some form to these children. It still has not reduced the problem. It appears that a more focused and planned intervention is required at this time.
I can remember as a child and well into my teens I knew who was the boss of the house: My parents were. I dared not forget this or I would feel their wrath. The strength of their love, will and commitment to my development has shaped my very existence even today. Surely, like the children of today, I had rebellious thoughts, but I displayed them to my peers or kept them to myself.
Throughout these formative years, even though I may not have agreed then, I needed this fearless and firm hand to guide me until I understood and appreciated life much more.
Workshops and retreats like this are needed, whether or not there is a problem, because they serve to make us aware of what is happening around us and rededicate us as leaders in the community to addressing the needs identified.
It is my wish that the results of this retreat inspire further commitment and unified action in arresting this emerging problem.
As Minister, I have attended several conferences and read various documents on youth policies and programmes. There are normally two catch phrases: Youth involvement and youth empowerment.
However, young people cannot get involved if they lack the skills to do so and they cannot be empowered unless they have the discipline, the heart and the mind to build on and preserve what is entrusted to them. They will only fail us every time.
I believe that the contribution of parents to the development of their children is critical. The dream of involvement and empowerment requires the support of the parents. It is irresponsible to the child and the community, for parents to have children and walk away from the commitment, expecting someone else to do the job for them. I agree that it requires the relatives, the teachers, the churches and all the other persons who make up the community to lend a hand, but not to take on the full responsibility.
In September last year, the Government of Montserrat agreed a Sustainable Development as the principal policy document and a Country Policy Plan which speaks to specific development activities. As these plans are implemented, millions of dollars will be spent to develop infrastructure and programmes to support a sustained growth.
We as adults may enjoy the fruits of our labour if God wills it, but this investment is for our children. We cannot afford to be complacent. We must take control of our young people, train them and discipline them when we have to. Parents, the beautiful house you struggle to build may one day be passed on to the son you could not control.
There are many cities and communities throughout the world that once thrived and were the envy of others. Today, they have been reduced to rubble and slums because the succeeding generation could not or did not maintain them.
The Government of Montserrat is aware of what is at stake and is committed to the development, involvement and empowerment of our young people. We are willing to support and reward those who show initiative, are disciplined and able to attain the highest level of excellence.
Sadly though, there are young people who are not only willing to waste their lives away, but, are bent on retarding the growth of others. This must stop. Government is therefore willing to support strategies geared at reducing juvenile delinquency and the criminal activities of the young, to ensure that we continue to develop as an orderly and progressive society.
It is my hope, as we deliberate today, that this retreat and other such retreats recommend strategies that would bring about the desired changes.
Voluntary Assisted Passage Scheme Ends
With the Voluntary Assisted Passage Scheme scheduled to end May 31, the last two sets of people have finalized their arrangements to travel to the United Kingdom.
Thirteen persons left for the UK on Wednesday, 26th May, and official figures indicated that a further 19 were scheduled to travel to the same destination on Friday 28th, May.
This figure is well below the number rumoured to leave the island under the scheme which ends at month-end.
The Voluntary Assisted Passage Scheme was introduced by the British Government and funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) in 1997, at the height of volcanic activity on Montserrat.
Under the scheme, persons wishing to relocate to the United Kingdom were given a one-way ticket, and assisted with ground transportation and overnight accommodation in Antigua.
A Brief Look at Our Bodies’ Barriers And Vulnerabilities to Volcanic Ash
By B.L. Anderson, M.D.
(Editor’s Note: In the near future we may get information regarding volcanic ash and how it could affect us. In the interest of greater understanding, the author, who lives in Isles Bay, has tried to abstract and summarize a number of articles regarding silicosis.)
The Lungs -- the affected organs
The lungs occupy the chest cavity and are responsible for providing oxygen for the tissues of the body and for removing a waste gas, carbon dioxide. Air enters the lungs through a series of branching tubes, the bronchii. These decrease in diameter, very much like branches of a tree.
As air traverses the bronchii dust is trapped by the mucous which covers the bronchial walls. This mucous is moved to the throat and mouth and is spit out. Particles of dust are effectively removed this way and have no part in causing silicosis.
At the end of the tiniest bronchiole is a bunch of air sacs, much like a bunch of grapes. Surrounding each bunch is a network of capillaries, the smallest blood vessels in the body. The walls of the bunch, called alveoli, are only two cells thick, one of lung tissue, one the wall of the capillary.
As air is breathed in, the oxygen is taken up by the red blood cells circulating through the capillaries; at the same time carbon dioxide is released from the red blood cells and breathed out. The finest particles of dust --–5 microns and smaller – get to the alveoli.
Also riding the blood stream are white blood cells. Of interest to us are ones called microphages (Greek ‘macro’ is ‘big,’ ‘phage,’ ‘to eat,’ hence Big Eaters). These are combination policemen and garbage collectors. They detect foreign particles, engulf them and carry them away from the delicate alveoli. There they produce chemicals – enzymes – that dissolve foreign protein, especially bacteria.
Bacteria are their major targets and they are very effective in destroying them. Unfortunately the macrophages cannot distinguish between bacteria and silicates.
Crystalline Silicon Dioxide – the causative agent.
Silicon dioxide consists of one atom of silicon and two atoms of oxygen. It is one of the most common substances of the earth. Familiar forms are glass and sand. (Beach sand never has a part in silicosis.)
There are three forms of silica responsible for silicosis. These are quartz, cristobalite and tridymite. They all have the same chemical composition – one atom of silicon, two of oxygen, written SiO2. They differ in their crystalline structure – cubic, hexagonal, etc. Cristobalite and tridymite are formed when quartz is heated. They have twice the ability to cause silicosis as does quartz. Volcanic ash is a mixture of non-silicate dust and silicates of differing particle size. Only very small silicate particles reach the alveoli and start the process of silicosis.
So, with some understanding of the insulting agent and the affected organ, we can consider the disease of silicosis.
Silicosis
By definition, silicosis is a fibrotic disease of the lungs produced by the inhalation and deposition of dust containing silicon dioxide, also called silica.
Silicosis occurs in three forms: 1) simple, chronic silicosis; 2) accelerated or complicated silicosis, and 3) acute silicosis.
Simple Silicosis
In the alveoli macrophages engulf silica particles. Silicates have the unusual property of stimulating microphages to produce an unusually large amount of protein-dissolving enzymes. These are unable to affect silicates. The macrophage dies, releasing the enzyme into the lung tissue. Additional macrophages ingest the silicate particle and also die, adding to the amount of enzyme.
This finally stimulates a second defense system, the mobilization of fibroblasts. These spindle cells are most familiar as scar tissue. They wrap themselves around the SiO2 particle, forming a ball or nodule. These nodules are small -- ½ inch or less. The silicate is now isolated from any further reaction in the body. The nodule remains, taking up space of functioning lung tissue.
It takes 10 to 40 years for symptoms to occur. Shortness of breath and cough are the usual results. The course depends on the years of exposure and composition of the dust. Simple silicosis usually occurs with dust containing 30 percent or less of quartz particles.
Complicated Silicosis – (also called progressive massive fibrosis).
This usually occurs with continued exposure or higher concentrations of dust. Some cases progress to this stage while other workers in the same setting do not. About 30 percent do progress.
Additional nodules form, nodules enlarge and coalesce. They encompass and block airways and blood vessels. By causing increased resistance to blood flow they may overwork the heart, causing congestive heart failure. The lungs are susceptible to infection, especially tuberculosis. This adds to the severity of the illness. Increasing shortness of breath, cough and weakness occur. Death may result.
Acute Silicosis
This occurs only with exposure to massive amounts of silicates and may develop in a few months to two years. It is usually seen in sand blasting workers. It does not form the fibrotic nodules typical of the other two. Instead, the alveoli become filled with a protein-rich fluid which solidifies. Fibroblasts are found diffusely in the lungs. Symptoms are progressive shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, weight loss and chest pain. It progresses to death in a few months.
Treatment
As yet there is no treatment for silicosis except removal from the environment. Even then silicosis progresses for some time. However, removal from the environment is effective, especially for simple silicosis.
There are promising studies with a drug called tetrandine. It has been used successfully in China but side effects preclude long usage. New methods are being studied.
The emphasis is on prevention.
Prevention
Theoretically, this is simple: reduce airborne dust. There are several practical suggestions from industry applicable to our problem. Use water-mop or use a damp broom. Try to avoid dry sweeping. Vacuum and change the bag or filter frequently. Shower and change to dust-free clothes after working in dust. Avoid carrying dust to clean areas. Work in good ventilation.
All the articles stressed NO SMOKING in silicate dust. This was one constant factor in the progression of silicosis. Use a mask.
These suggestions were developed for 8 to 10 hours of exposure in a 40-hour work week.
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Permissible Limits
Quartz – 0.1 mg/cubic meter
Cristobalite – 0.o05 mg/cubic meter
Tridymite – 0.05 mg/cubic meter
I hope this summary will be of some help.
Sally, and Those Like Her, Await Genuine Attention
Whit Monday, I met Sally at Salem Park. She was there to relieve tension, to ease depression, to erase frustration and to deaden anxiety. Well, that's what she said. Trying to cheer her up, jokingly I asked her when she would be moving to "Lookout," but instead, I aroused bitter anger. Sally murmured that they told her she would not qualify even for an interview. Even so, she wanted them to know that she did not want a one-bedroom house, because she lost a three-bedroom house at Ryner's Village.
Sally is one of our civil servants; but she could have been a teacher, a police officer or a utility worker, She is the diehard average Montserratian who lost everything except hope to the volcano but chose to stay. She sent her only child with her mother to Britain, and remained to earn an income to help support them in the UK. She is trapped. She cannot afford to leave; but she is becoming uncertain about her chances to rebuild her life if she stays.
In spite of her desire to help rebuild Montserrat, she feels left out. She is not getting any encouragement to stay. She is tired of paying rent. She is tired of begging "anybody" to sell her a piece of land. She is ashamed to be bunking up with friends for so long.
Sally, you know her! Maybe you know her as Mary or Patsy or Jimmy. Whatever you choose to name her, she is that average lost-everything-to-the-volcano Montserratian. Yet she is considered too rich, too affluent or her family too small for her to qualify for a house at Lookout. On the other hand Sally is too poor to purchase one of the "quick sale, light profit" abandoned properties in Old Towne. You know, she built her "all in one family and retirement home" 10 years ago; and might still be paying mortgage today, She was not enterprising or investment conscious enough to purchase a plot in Olveston or Woodlands before the volcano. She did not need to; before the volcano she was contented.
Today, although frustrated, depressed and angry, Sally is not asking for much! She needs just an opportunity to put herself back in a position similar to what she held before the volcano erupted. She wants to participate in housing development, suitable to her class and social status. She has some insurance money left, after the bank took its share. She still has an income, so she might qualify for housing subsidy or the soft loan scheme. So in the meantime, she hangs on to the faintest of hope. Because she knows that everything is possible.
She sees the solution to her situation as continuos modern housing development on government-acquired land -- where Montserratians can choose their neighbours so as to maintain social compatibility. She knows that this scenario will enable her to be on level ground with the very lucky poor, who were allocated houses at Lookout; or the fortunate rich who can purchase abandoned property in Old Towne. Both groups ultimately will have rights to property without the need to purchase land first.
Sally is the average lost-everything Montserratian and she is penalised. She does not have enough children. Her family is too small. She is "rich poor." Yet, she must purchase land and then die trying to build a house again.
To assist Sally we need to consider bold ways to ease the pressure on her and to discourage her from leaving even now. And one way is through organised housing development.
The concept of subsidised acquired land used for residential or commercial purposes is the economic stimulant that Montserrat needs now. Instead of wasting available money on land purchase which does nothing for a stagnant economy; the available cash, put into buildings, will immediately stimulate every segment of commercial activity, and increase government revenue through taxes and custom duty. At the same time the use of sensible property tax planning will allow Government to recoup the cost of the land several times, over the life of the property.
The concept of organised modem housing development is practiced by all the Caribbean Islands. Likewise the British Government, by acquiring lands at Lookout and building several houses, which will be sold ultimately, have successfully applied the concept - even if only for the benefit of the lucky poor. The fortunate rich have seen the retarding effect of private land purchase to build a house. As a result they have secured the quick sale of properties at Old Towne. Even those who had been enterprising enough to own land are now able to combine their insurance payments and the housing grant to rebuild their lives, But the sufferers, the lost-everything, poor-rich average Montserratians struggle on.
So far, I have tried to illustrate the plight of the silent majority, the average Montserratian. It is now very important to acknowledge that this group ranges from the employed single person to the retired couples, decent, well-meaning people who want to rebuild their lives on Montserrat. These Montserratians feel left out. They feel penalised for staying here. They have become victims of the circumstances. They cannot see a sensible future for themselves under the present system of housing.
They now believe that the only solution to their situation is the combination of aggressive land acquisition policies, the encouragement of housing developers to do business on Montserrat and the involvement of financial institutions with very low mortgage rates.
They realise that the task is too great for our politicians. And frustrated and depressed, they could only wish that they were able to express their concerns directly to the British Government.
In Every Thing Give God Thanks
By John Bardis
We Montserratians have a lot to be thankful for but it does not mean we should turn a blind eye to shortcomings of those we say thank you to. No sir- not especially of those who think they are of superior mental capability.
The Man from Baker Hill says the British have given us much, but what? Has he looked closely at the gifts and the homage we had to pay to get them?
Let us take the Big Money Eater, the Government Headquarters. Nice is it Mr. Baker Hill? Everything in one place! The buildings are ovens, unfit to work in, especially in our glorious tropical summer weather. June to August will be genocide. Ask the Civil Servants who must endure the conditions. They'll tell you of the unbearable heat, but they still attempt to put in a full day’s labor as they did with the ash days, and the people's business goes on.
Our Benefactors are most reluctant to release funds, so that adequate Air Conditioning can be installed by our local experts to relieve the inhumane working conditions. C.S.A where are you?
Just like the Look Out thing, the contractor put in Gravel Roads and Parking Lots. But there is more traffic Monday to Friday than at Look Out. The Wheels break up the stuff and then the wind does its thing. Much of the office equipment breaks down. Is it ash from the Central Zone or the daily dust they are getting every day since occupation of the new site? Perhaps the imminent scientist- British at that can tell us.
What I am sure she will not tell us is the level of health hazard the daily dose of dust is to the people, working at Brades. You see, this can be directly attributed to the shoddy work of an English Company, and they will never be put in a position to be held responsible for any health problem caused by poor work.
A bit closer to home and our wonderful chief Minister was this past week throwing stones and hiding his hand rather than giving thanks. Some time ago as remembered by a few, civil servants were promised a 20% increase in 1998. They are now getting 5% in 1999 because there is some unhappiness the CM is saying that Civil Servants should take the matter to the Governor although it is the elected government that pays.
The honorable gentleman has seemingly forgotten that it is the work of Civil Servants that keeps his elected by Civil Servants also government functioning. Does he really wants for Civil Servants to have the governor as both Head and PayMaster? Does he understand what he suggests? Or, is it that I have a Runaway imagination?
If Civil Servants both worked for and are paid by the governor, then there would be no need for the C.M. and others, would there? Is this what the C.M. wants? Is he about to lay down to WHITE HALL and its officiendos?
Mr. CM, whereas there is no demonstration and tyre burning over the poor working conditions at Brades, but grumbles about the crumbs falling from the table, Mr. Chief Minister be thankful that a Ruckus isn’t going on in your backyard as yet. Give Thanks rather than play games with people’s lives and livelihood.
ALMAE VERONICA O’GARRO,
ENA, RGN, RM, CRNA
Mrs Almae O’Garro entered the nursing profession in 1980 as a Nursing Assistant. In 1987 she completed the Registered/General Nurse programme and also successfully completed the Midwifery course one year later.
Since her thirst for academic achievement was not quenched, coupled with her desire to advance in her nursing profession, she applied and was awarded a scholarship to pursue the 26-month Diploma Course in Anaesthesia at the Univeristy of the West Indies School of Anaesthesia in Jamaica. Upon successful completion she was appointed Nurse Anaesthetist at the Glendon Hospital in 1995, a position that she presently holds.
Recently, Mrs O’Garro has attended many workshops related to Health Promotion and AIDS and is presently the Co-ordinator of the Ministry of Health’s Mass Casualty Team and the outgoing President of the Montserrat Trained Nurses and Midwives Association.
AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AIDS is a severe life threatening clinical condition, first recognised as a distinct syndrome in 1981. This syndrome represents the late clinical stage of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which most often results in progressive damage to the immune and other organ systems, especially the central nervous system.
HIV disease emerged nearly two decades ago and has now become the most dramatic and tragic epidemic in recent history. It has become a global challenge. AIDS has provoked a reassessment of society’s approaches to:-
Our question now is whether medical research, behaviour modification and education requiring international co-operation will be able to meet the AIDS challenge.
Our challenges are further complicated by the current global economic concerns. There are considerable social, ethical and political pressures on government spending for economic and social development, in addition to public health programmes.
This is further complicated with competing demands for funding from low health care budgets.
HIV/AIDS is still not widely recognised or acknowledged as a public health priority in some countries.
Yes, there are other diseases -- respiratory and cardiovascular, cancer and other infections -- which equally deserve research towards prevention, treatment and cure.
However, the unique characteristics of HIV disease present an even greater threat to the world’s population.
HIV/AIDS continues to spread rapidly; the revised estimates in 1997 proved worse than the year before; 2.3 million people died of AIDS in 1997, 5.8 million people were infected during 1997, a rate of 16,000 infections a day.
Ninety percent of cases occurring in developing countries.
About 10 percent were children under 15 years of age. If current trends continue, it is estimated that more than 40 million people will be living with HIV in the year 2000.
It is transmitted primarily through:
Certain behaviour creates, enhances and perpetuates the risk of catching HIV/AIDS, such as unprotected sex with an infected partner, multiple unprotected sexual partnerships, transfusion with unscreened blood and sharing needles and syringes, particularly among injecting drugs users.
Since the beginning of HIV/AIDS epidemic many targeted interventions have helped prevent more persons becoming infected.
These include:
In closing, I leave with you the following ABC’s.
ABSTAIN: The surest way to avoid AIDS is to abstain from sex: If not possible then…
BE FAITHFUL: Have sex only with a partner who is not infected and who also has no other sex partners. If it is not possible to be mutually faithful then use.
CONDOMS: Use condoms always. Condoms provide considerable protection against HIV/AIDS and other sexual transmitted diseases.
Montserratians & Friends Ireland Tour 1999
5 - 9 AUGUST
DUBLIN…………GALWAY…………LIMERICK
Day 1
August 5th - Flight from Heathrow to Dublin 5th E1155: 0955/1110.
Lunch and sight seeing tour of Dublin - Evening reception. Accommodation: Green Isle Hotel, Dublin.
Day 2
August 6th - Depart to Galway - sightseeing - evening reception. Accommodation: The Galway Bay Golf & Country Club Hotel, Galway.
Day 3
August 7th - Visit Feakle International traditional music festival - evening reception.
Accommodation: The Galway Bay Golf & Country Hotel, Galway.
Day 4
August 8th - Depart Galway for Limerick sightseeing - Accommodation: Morrisons Island Hotel, Limerick.
Day 5
August 9th - Return flight from Cork to Heathrow 9th August Flight E1182: 1855/2010
Inclusive fares include:
………………………………...….TEAR AND RETURN……………………………………
All inclusive cost: £345.00 per person, double occupancy (single room supplement: £70.00)
Please enclose deposit of £75.00 per person.
Final Balance £270.00
Cheques payable to: Montserrat Volcano (UK) Fund
Send to: Montserrat Volcano (UK) Fund
5 Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7XW
Tel. 0171-928-7861 or 0181-838-0126
By Justin Cassell, A.D.O
EAT from the LAND not from the CAN
Promoting Backyard Gardening : "A little bit of space can grow a lot of food"
FARMERS CAUTIOUS
The prolonged dry spell that we are currently experiencing is affecting land preparation for vegetables. Farmers without irrigation facilities are very cautious about doing any new planting at this time.
CLOSED SEASON APPROACHES
The annual closed season for the taking of turtles commences on June 1st – September 30th 1999.
During the closed season, the taking of turtles and their eggs are prohibited. It is also an offence to be in possession of any turtle meat. Disturbing turtle nests or even attempting to catch or take turtle eggs is an offence.
DOG LICENCING TO BE REINTRODUCED
Small stock producers continue to suffer severe losses due to roaming dog attacks. The Ministry is currently reviewing the Dogs Ordinance with a view to amending these laws and reintroducing dog licensing on island as a means of stemming this problem.
APOLOGY
The Department of Agriculture apologizes for the absence of the program Farmers Corner last week on ZJB.
AVAILABLE THIS WEEK
The following vegetable seedlings are available at the Brades Nursery:
FARMERS CORNER RADIO PROGRAM
On farmers corner Thursday evening at 8:00pm listeners to ZJB will hear a tribute to deceased Stalwart of the department of Agriculture Mr. Joseph Taylor and Mr. Peter Lake. Be sure to tune in.
Epidemiology
Ash "experts" are researching when
Our isle will be "risk free" again:
Martinique’s Pelee blew
Way back in 1902
And thousands have died there since then.
Subject: South of Belham
Cork Hill/Richmond Hill: no return
While health’s our convenient concern;
We want no confusion,
That zone’s still Exclusion;
Besides, we’ve no money to burn.
Jus wonderin if it's true that British dependent citizen passport will be issued to Montserratians living in Antigua soon?
Jus wonderin' if SOB really stands for "Sick of Britain"
Jus wonderin' if this is really the Land of Oz and if so, who's the
Wizard? And Jus wonderin' when any of them will get the Courage, a Heart, or a Brain.
Jus wonderin' if Montserratian's plea should be "Ask not what you can do for your country but what has your country done for you?"
Jus wonderin what Montserrat needs more, a revelation or a revolution
Jus wonderin' if "Keeping Hope Alive" is the reason why decisions
never seem to occur. The more they say "soon come", the more we're supposed to be able to keep hoping to ever see one.
Jus wonderin if it is really necessary for DFID officials to be going around checking to see if applicants for return airfare from Britain really have have a house like they say in Montserrat, or is it that they have no other work to do.
Jus wonderin how it became so easy to become a prisoner in England and why it was so easy to evacuate to Britain when now there are so many restrictions to coming back to one's own home.
Jus wonderin when local government will tell Britain, 'enough is enough.'
Jus wonderin why the Governor wants Isle's Bay residents to abandon their homes if it is because the standard is superior to any where he is from.
Jus wonderin if we should compliment the Chief Minister for his opposition to all the Governor's measures on the SOB issue.
Jus wonderin who dem tink stupid. How dem a go know who a go back to live in a Cark Hill and dem no gat no regista whey de people dem be.
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