By Bennette Roach
It may be more than fair to say that every resident on Montserrat went to bed last night with vivid memories of September 17 and 18, 1995.
One relocated St. Patrick's resident farmer, recalls how after reaching Cork Hill that day and seeing the many ash-falls, he debated whether he should go to St. Patrick's. He had continued on, but says, "that night, was the most scared I have ever been I thought it was end."
Those memories were recalled by many yesterday, as it was the worst day to date with the volcano spewing out ash, almost continuously and sending pyroclastic flows repeatedly down Tuitt's Ghaut, reminding everyone of the scenario on September 17 last year, leading up to the explosive 'blow out' that night.
Scientists at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) reported a shift in activity to the northern part of the dome. Increased pyroclastic flows and rock-falls have been occurring all week in Tuitt's Ghaut and there have also been rock-falls into Mosquito Ghaut over the same period. Both these ghauts run into Paradise River and as such, "have put large areas in the eastern part of the island at risk."
The most recent MVO report up to Thursday evening says: "The situation at the volcano has reached a very serious stage, with pyroclastic flows in Tuitt's Ghaut reaching to less than 150 yards from Bramble village. The authorities and MVO urge very strongly that people should immediately leave the revised no-go area, which includes Tuitt's, Bramble village, Bethel, Spanish Pointe, Farms and Harris. More pyroclastic flows are likely, and they will travel further."
The report says further, that there were two larger flows, at 12:07 p.m. and 12:13 p.m. These had a runout distance of up to 2.9 km, and flowed into the lower reaches of Tuitt's Ghaut, about 250 metres from where the ghaut joins Paradise River.
On Tuesday morning His Excellency, the acting Governor, Dr. Howard Fergus and the Honourable Chief Minister, Mr. Bertrand Osborne, announced on radio that many areas in the east and along the central corridor were being placed into the "No Go" areas of Zones A and B because of the added risks from pyroclastic flows. Farmers who cultivate lands under the crater rim were also advised to stop visiting these areas immediately.
That last order brought severe criticisms from many who said that these people should have been given proper time to harvest what they could before giving an immediate order. Former Chief Minister Meade says that they should have visited with the farmers, one on one, and made workable arrangements with them, giving them the necessary guidance.
The scientists have completed a new risk map but are awaiting the approval of the volcano management authorities for implementation. There seems to some hesitancy as the huge question of Spanish Pointe and the airport seems unsettling. Sources reveal that the airport will most likely be placed in Zone C, but outgoing chief scientist Lloyd Lynch says that the airport remains, for some time yet, relatively safe.
He reported that the material of the dome has doubled since September and that the recent activity has been down-slope on the northern faces of the dome, putting all the areas immediately north of the dome at high risk. He says that unlike the Tar River valley, which offers little resistance down to the sea, Tuitt's Ghaut is very winding, has varying degrees of slope and is further away. He explains that pyroclastic flows gravitate to the lowest ground, but the material that travels with it, hot gases etc. can spread outwards over the flanks of a ghaut as far as 400 meters.
Friday morning's report on Thursday's activity says, "The flow was relatively slow moving, and caused singeing and burning of vegetation all the way down the valley. For comparison, if these flows had occurred in the Tar River valley, they would have reached the sea."
Cork Hill remains a serious concern. In the event of an explosive event it becomes an unsafe zone and residents are advised in such cases to stay in-doors to avoid falling debris.
The dome is huge and is quickly turning the mountain range into one. As Lynch puts it: "I recall when I stood on Chance's Peak (once the highest peak on Montserrat at just over 3,000 ft. above sea level), I looked down at the dome, now I strain to look up."
OSBORNE SUPERMARKET CLOSED - RAMS NEXT
By Bennette Roach
Rams Emdee, the largest supermarket in Montserrat for over 27 years, may well be the next supermarket to close in Montserrat since the forced relocation from the south to the north.
Mr. Manu Chandiramani, owner of Rams Emdee, himself is usually referred to as 'Rams', says that he has been denied work permits by the Bertrand Osborne government for his non-Montserratian supervisors.
The government has written to Mr. Chandiramani, advising that "Council DID NOT approve the renewal of work permits" for six of the seven persons for whom he had applied. The one person who was granted a work permit, is for a "period of six (6) months 'only', and that during this time a local person should be recruited," the letter also stated.
The letter also states that, "persons employed without valid work permits should cease working within seven (7) working days," of receipt of the letter.
Individual letters were written to the six refused applicants, and all of the letters threatened that 'the immigration authorities have been advised to take the necessary action.
Rams has apparently been told that there will be no reconsideration of the decisions. He now faces the difficult task of operating his newly constructed supermarket in Salem single-handedly from the 11th June, which he says would force him to close.
The Reporter spoke with Rams who says that before the volcano he employed up to 44 local workers and was allowed up to 8 non-Montserratians who worked as his assistants in operating the supermarket. Three of these had left, and in addition to the remaining five, he applied for two more to work alongside the 24 locals now working at the supermarket. He said that although his new supermarket is obviously smaller than Plymouth's, both are being operated.
A spokesman for the government says that the move is an effort to get more Montserratians employed. It is claimed that Rams had been late in making his applications for work permits and that workers operated without them.
"I feel singled out for this treatment," Manu said, adding that in this very high risked business, you need a high level of trust-worthy supervisors. There is a matter pending in the high court for a large amount of goods that had been stolen by a previous employee and sold to retailers. One high government official is claimed to have said, he doesn't care about that problem, the same is happening to others.
Most observers point out that all previous governments had given Rams a quota of non-Montserratian workers, sometimes based on the number of Montserratians employed, and to allow him only one, and for only six months is forcing the business to shut down. Some observe that several other businesses in Montserrat employ a high percentage of non-Montserratians, pointing to contractors in particular.
It is the general feeling that with so many Montserratians overseas seeking employment, it is not a good time for government to be playing games with work permits.
"The Volcano we Fear and the Games People Play"
The week's volcanic activity has heightened real concerns about the not so distant future of the volcano and what it could mean for the immediate to short term future of Montserrat.
Since Bertrand Osborne became the Honourable Chief Minister, many questions have been asked about the Government's role in the management of the crisis. Now other questions continue to surface about plans for the future of Montserrat. With the volcanic activity heightening, there are real fears of the dangers to the entire island, which might force a total evacuation and what that might mean for Montserratians still living here.
Life seems to be going on as usual with the severe constraints placed on the economy and other normal living activities. The Ministry of Health is staging a Health Exhibition which began yesterday and runs through today. The National Trust is engaged in a Clean-Up campaign trying to involve as many organisations as possible.
The emergency jetty, at a cost of over 11 million dollars, is nearing completion, but with the worsening situation of the hazards of ash and the fear of worse activity at Plymouth, the Chief Minister still insists that the jetty will only be used as a port, and only if that in Plymouth is not accessible. The housing program is under-way but faces several problems.
Government back bencher David Brandt has been making calls on the Tender Board to ensure that Montserratians be given the job to build a factory shell designed to house W&W Electronics Ltd. It is terribly difficult to understand what has been so wrong with our builders, who erected factory shells on Lovers Lane, the cotton ginery in Plymouth and so many other long-standing structures on the island. In addition to that there is a British sponsored report that recommends Montserratians be given contracts even if they are slightly over on their bids or may take some time longer to complete their contracts. Why would there be a problem with this?
Several studies and surveys are taking place daily, but there are no signs of improvement in the down-trodden economy. In the meantime, the government seem to be bungling in their work permit policies while Montserrat, like no other, should put that whole law on hold, while Montserratians, who leave primarily out of fear or discomfort from the volcano, seek employment in the outside world.
Again, it is certainly difficult to understand, though easy to speculate, why Rams, even with late applications for work permits, would be given seven days to send home six of his seven non-Montserratian employees. Whatever the reasons for that exigent decision, it would have been better served if Manu Chandiramani was given some months to meet their demands.
25 Years Around Yet Not a Drum Was Sound
Mr Editor,
Permit me space in your eminent journal to comment on an issue of national importance that has seemed to have unfortunately passed us by.
It was during Mr. William H. Bramble, tenure of office as Chief Minister of this island that consideration was given to the idea of establishing a compulsory system of savings for non-established workers. At that time, only civil servants had the protection of some retirement pension
In 1972 the appropriate legislation was introduced, and the Montserrat Provident Fund was born.
Under the guidance and auspices of Mr. E. Karney Osborne MBE, the Fund's first Director, it grew and grew into a full-fledged organisation. His leadership in steering this organisation into the success it has been cannot be over-emphasized. It was Mr. Osborne's unenviable task to gain public confidence and trust in a new concept at a time when it was difficult to quantify tangible benefits. All praise and honour must be awarded to him for fathering the organisation for twenty (20) years. Montserratians should never forget this man's work.
It was because of this success that in 1986, the then Government moved towards a wider and more comprehensive system of Social Security, which is still in place today, and we have been assured by recent actuarial reviews that Social Security is substantially sound.
The entrance of Mr. William Bramble as Director in 1992 brought about a new era in the life of the institution. Radio programmes, interviews, public awareness, training - locally and regionally, sponsorship of cricket leagues, Brain Power and donations to the Old People's Home were all part of a drive to get the organization involved in the social life of its contributors. That period saw not only a heightening of the organization's profile, but also an expansion of the services it offered and improved compliance by contributors.
Emphasis was placed on building on the strengths that Mr. Osborne had developed and the organization managed to maintain its morale, contributions and profile through the volcanic crisis. Sadly however, the Fund seems to be retrogressing since the exit of Mr. Bramble. During the Osborne-Bramble transition there seemed to be some vision, focus and a mission to get the organization to a different level. Under its present leadership, the Fund seems stuck in a time warp, just marking time and frustrating everybody.
One glaring example Mr. Editor, is the fact that it is noweight years since the Amalgamation of the National Provident Fund and Social Security, and although we have been informed by the Minister of Finance that there was an increase in contributions in these turbulent times, and the hard working staff under Mr. Bramble were able to increase output even though there were personnel reductions of up to 25 percent, why can't we hear the drums of Social Security beating all over Montserrat? Why is there no recognition of the invaluable contribution of the organization and its hard-working staff?
I am no economist, but it is an indisputable fact that a strong social Security is the backbone of every country. The economic impact of the mobilization of that level of savings cannot be underestimated, and we must, absolutely must recognize this institution.
Now is the time for the investment of funds to be placed into a proper developmental context, where housing, education and new business ventures' projects that have the capacity to service loans, should be considered and promoted.
Mr. Editor, our esteemed Minister needs to awake, take control, investigate, concentrate, instigate but never tolerate what s happening at our premier statutory body at this time. The insipid and ineffectual leadership of the scheme needs to get up off its rear end and put a proper programme in place to commemorate the twenty-fifth (Silver) anniversary of Social Security on Montserrat. Call in Mr. Karney Osborne and Mr. William Bramble and let them form a committee to put a programme that will include our regional and international friends.
This is a golden opportunity to show the world that we are resilient, talented and capable people, but we should not, indeed we cannot let this opportunity pass us by to showcase one of our proud institutions. To the present leadership I say, do something fast, lead, follow or get the hell out of the way.
A Concerned Contributor
Argument For Self-Determination
I am pleased to see that at least one person has thought that the discussion on the matter of self-determination was of sufficient importance to take some time and write to the editor. I thank the writer of the letter in the last issue for expressing his views so that we can all see and understand the concerns of the people of this community. The most important thing for me is that I am given the opportunity to at least address some of the conclusions that have been drawn from my writing.
Mr. J. Donald Brandt refers to two questions I posed. First , "Will we be pleased to see our children go hat in hand all the days of their lives to earn the bread on their table?", then "Are we satisfied to see Montserrat become the home of the rich and famous from someone else's community, while some of us toil in their community to afford them this privilege and others of us serve them in order to gather the crumbs left on their table for our community? These two questions were posed in a single paragraph along with a third which asked "Is this what we see as our future?"
It would appear that Mr. J. Donald Brandt chose to ignore this other question completely. My intention was to ask if this is what we want to see in the future. I did not claim that this is so at present. Mr. J. Donald Brandt no doubt is one of our residents who does not depend on the vagaries of life in Montserrat, whether political or economic, to maintain a livelihood or the lifestyle he has chosen. I am by no means accusing him of being rich or indeed famous but if the cap fits, draw the string.
However, the majority of us who make up this community must concern ourselves with the manner in which we acquire the means to survive. I am not denying the contribution made by people like Mr. J. Donald Brandt who have decided to make this island their home. As he said the government of the day invited such residents but the existence of such residents cannot be "the be all and end all" of our existence. If this is interpreted as being "snidely offensive as the crudest ethnic stereotype" I make no apologies. If the cap fits draw the string.
My thesis was to explore with my fellow Montserratians what it is they would like to see their community strive to achieve for the future. To decide and to act on that vision. I would certainly like to know what I have said that could be interpreted, so as to conclude, that I would like to see the "Expropriation of our hard-earned homes?". I am at a total loss.
The future and the survival of this Montserrat community, depends on our decision to place ourselves in a position to chart our course for ourselves. This is the essence of self-determination. The degree to which we are able to implement the decisions we make, which we feel are in our own best interest, determines the level of independence we can enjoy.
We must now set about creating a vision of our New Montserrat community and get busy putting in place the institutions and mechanisms which will make it a reality.
The authorities have stepped up efforts to increase awareness among children of the danger posed by volcanic ash.
A pamphlet, highlighting these dangers has been distributed in schools. It warns kids against playing in ash, throwing it at their friends or rubbing it on their faces.
The pamphlet encourages children to wear their dust masks outdoors, and advises on what actions to take once there is an ash-fall.
The volcanic ash is considered very dangerous since it contains sillica, a chemical which affects the lungs and can also cause eye irritation.
Telephone Workers Back to Work
Employees at the St. Kitts and Nevis telephone company, Skantel have returned to work following a two day protest. More than 150 employees walked off the job complaining that Skantel was rewarding staff less, for greater efficiency. Workers have also expressed concern that appraisal forms are being tampered with. However, the Vice President of Skantel’s Staff Negotiating Committee says the decrease in rewards for increased performance will be resolved.
The company has also promised to deal with the charge of tampering with the appraisal forms and will pay interest guaranteed on the outstanding amount owed to workers
Chief Forestry Officer Gerard Gray was among participants at a two-day workshop focusing on environmental management. The June 3 and 4 seminar in St. Lucia reviewed and finalised a priority list of issues, developed at a previous meeting.
Among the 19 areas identified for attention are shoreline erosion, destruction of beaches, sand mining, inadequate watershed management, hillside cultivation, and inadequate planning for natural disasters.
The meeting came ahead of World Environment Day yesterday. June 5.
The theme this year is 'For Life on Earth'. This year's main international celebrations will be held in South Korea.
Among the activities are street rallies, a bicycle parade, essay competitions, tree planting, and recycling and clean-up campaigns.
On Montserrat the main activity was a panel discussion on Radio Montserrat. It focused on the theme for Environmental Awareness week: The Environment is our Livelihood.
Golden Agers Home Gets More Help
The Red Cross is one step closer to achieving its target of constructing the Golden Agers Home.
The Lions Club will make a donation to the project this evening.
Regional Chairman Shirley Quetel Hendrix and Leadership Development Chairman Myrtle Looby will make the presentation.
The donation will be made during a ceremony at the office of the Fire Department.
Work has already started on the home in Brades although the Red Cross is still short of funds to complete the project.
Six teachers from Montserrat are taking part in a review of the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).
CAPE will replace the Cambridge A'level examinations.
It will assist students over 15 years who wish to specialize in the technical and vocational skills.
The new exam brings academic and technical certification.
In its first phase are Communication Studies, Caribbean Studies, Information Technology, Functional Spanish, Statistical Analysis, History and Mathematics.
Call for Men to be More Involved
There has been a call for more active involvement of men in the community. Ministry of Health and Community Services the honorable Adelina Tuitt made the call at the opening of a stress management workshop, in which there were few male participants.
She says men need to demonstrate their leadership, especially during the ongoing crisis.
The Pentecostal Church has already responded to Mrs. Tuitt's request. The church has organized a rally on Father's Day, June 16, at the Brade's Pentecostal Church.
A senior official of Air Jamaica is challenging member countries of the OECS to adopt a more aggressive approach in marketing tourism.
Allan Chastenet says changes are taking place in the marketplace which OECS members should take into account if they are to remain competitive.
Chastenet says the OECS should urgently improve the tourism product since competition among sun, sea and sand destinations is becoming fierce.
On Sunday this week, Radio Antilles successfully completed the moving of the transmitters and other valuable equipment from its compound in the severely threatened danger zone at O'Garros.
According to reports, the project was well managed by William Wall and Mark Harding. They had a boat standing offshore and a big helicopter from Antigua in case of emergency. It all went very smoothly and I was amazed that they were able to move the main transmitter in segments that weighed up to 5000 lbs. They filled four big trucks in just a few hours.
The reporter observed Glen Lewis and Kieth Stone Greaves standing by, no doubt reflecting on many fond memories, going all the way back to their school days, when the "Big R.A.", was THE VOICE everyone listened to in the Caribbean. Between them they had a few decades of working with Radio Antilles.
Work on moving equipment from the Radio Antilles site had been delayed, but thanks to scientist Lloyd Lynch who cleared the way for workers to go in and do the job, once the necessary contingencies had been planned.
The Radio Antilles Board met yesterday and has begun pondering the next move for the big R.A., not ruling out its relocation to a nearby island.
The Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) and the volcano management authority are in the process of revising the volcanic risk map. Click here for revised map
The revision follows the decision to include more villages on the list of high risk areas.
The villages: Tuitts, Bramble Village, Harris', Farrells, Bethel, Riley's, Streathams, Farms and Pea Ghaut are now in the same zone as St. Patricks and Long Ground.
According to the authorities, the boundaries on the eastern side of the map are being extended to include the new 'no go' areas. This is a result of the new threat posed to these communities by the volcano.
Scientists have warned about pyroclastic flows surges which could affect the villages.
The government is confident of its ability to provide shelter for short periods during the hurricane season, which officially began on June 1.
Permanent Secretary for Emergency Operations Franklyn Michael, says the plan is to free the schools and churches by moving relocated persons into housing units.
But it is believed that with the volcano acting the way it has this past week, and expected to get worse, the housing situation can become an even worse nightmare, as Cork Hill becomes more and more threatened.
Mr. Michael says additional space has been created by the construction of new buildings in the safe zone.
Officials from key government departments met this week to discuss damage assessment. The meeting called for procedures for conducting damage assessments after a storm.
Have we arrived? With a demonstration of guts and sheer determination, the batsmen of the Montserrat cricket team sent a message to all the teams in the LI Tournament. It has been long since we in this volcano stricken beauty of an island seen any such performance. Thanks to Earl Hyman and Sammy Kirnon in particular, who some might have thought were past their best.
With the support of over two hundred Montserratians in Antigua, and some who went up from Montserrat just for cricket, our boys played their hearts out for their country. Many a year we have seen Montserrat would have the upper hand on Antigua early in matches but would find some way of losing it. This was not to be this year. The guys were bent on beating Antigua and proved it for three days straight.
On the first day Antigua won the toss and because of what one would refer to as fear for one Lesroy Irish on a pitch that would prove to have plenty of fire, and the belief that they could run through our batting very easily, they sent Montserrat in to bat. After some early success the feeling was that the match would be over with a two-to-one beating for Montserrat. That did not materialize because of the resistance started by the stylish and talented McPherson Meade, who can look forward to a bright future in the game if he continues in this vein. The resistance fever was passed on to the batsmen who followed, especially those from five to eleven.
After a full hour of play on the second day, Montserrat was all out with the total of 268, ensuring that there would only be one winner, if any. When it was Antigua's turn to bat they might have felt that things would be smoother. Lesroy Irish took the new ball and was ready for war. He, along with Angelo Bass and to a lesser extent Oakland Greaves, fired the Antiguans out for an unusually small score and Montserrat took control of the game from there. The end result was only thwarted by rain but it was clear that had there been enough time, Montserrat would have won. Yes, our cricket has gotten a new beginning.
More next time.
The 1997 Cable & Wireless Cricket Series continues June 6 ,with the Cable & Wireless One Day International between West Indies and Sri Lanka the reigning World Cup Champions, in Port of Spain.
Speaking before the Sri Lankans in Trinidad, Mr. Geoff Wiggin, Managing Director of Cable & Wireless West Indies, said: "Cable & Wireless is very proud to enable the World Cup Champions to play intentional cricket in the Caribbean."
The series will be completed by two Test matches, in Antigua (13th - 17th June) and St. Vincent (20th - 24th June).
Cable & Wireless has sponsored international cricket in the Caribbean for more than 10 years and is committed to sponsoring West Indies cricket until 2001, in a deal worth more than US$12 million to Caribbean cricket.
St. John's, Antigua
Scores: Montserrat 268 ( S. Kirnon 65 not out, E. Hyman 39, T. Greenaway 33, Z. Sweeney 29, M. Meade 27, W. Quinn 4 for 35) and 192 for 8 declared (E. Hyman 76, D. Williams 55, Quinn 4 for 55). Antigua 206 (I. Tittle 76, R. Jacobs 42, A. Bass 4 for 83, L. Irish 3 for 44) and 5 for 1. Match drawn.
Montserrat - 8pts; Antigua - 4pts
Charlestown, Nevis
Defending champions Nevis cruised to a comfortable win over arch rivals St. Kitts in one of the most important contests in the tournament. Helped by a maiden century by 19-year-old Runako Morton, Nevis seized the initiative and won with two hours to spare on the final day.
Christiansted, St. Croix
Anguilla beat BVI. Scores unavailable.
Here is the continuation of our presentation on High Blood Pressure
CORONARY HEART DISEASE is a woman's concern. Every woman s concern. One in ten American women 45 to 55 years of age has some form of heart disease, and this increases to one in five women over 65. Another 1.6 million women have had a stroke. Both heart disease and stroke are known as cardiovascular diseases, which are serious disorders of the heart and blood vessel system.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, greatly increases your chances of developing cardiovascular diseases, and it is the most important risk factor for stroke. Even slightly high levels double your risk. More than half of American women will develop high blood pressure at some point in their lives. .
High blood pressure is sometimes called the "silent killer" because most people who have it do not feel sick. That makes it particularly important to have your blood pressure checked each time you see your doctor or other health professional. If your blood pressure is found to be at 140/90 or above, then you have high blood pressure.
You will likely need to have your pressure measured on at least two more occasions to be sure the result is accurate.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: CONTROL AND PREVENTION
If you have high blood pressure, you can control it with proper treatment. If you don't have high blood pressure now, you can take steps to prevent it from developing. You can help to control and prevent high blood pressure by taking the following steps:
Limit Your Alcohol Use.
If you drink alcohol, have no more than one drink per day. That means no more than 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1« ounces of hard liquor.
Use Less Salt.
Try seasoning foods instead with herbs, spices and lemon juice. Keep in mind that sodium an ingredient in salt, is 'hidden' in many packaged and processed foods. Check product labels for the amount of sodium in each serving. Many experts advise a total daily salt intake of no more than six grams, which equals about 2,400 milligrams of sodium - this includes whatever is added during cooking and at the table. If you would like to try a salt substitute, talk with your doctor first, because they art not safe for everyone.
Be Physically Active.
Even low to moderate-intensity activity, if done regularly, can help control and prevent high blood pressure. Examples of such exercise are walking for pleasure, gardening, yard work, moderate-to-heavy housework, dancing, and home exercise. Try to do one or more of these activities every day.
Lose Weight If You Are Overweight.
Taking off excess pounds will help to control and prevent high blood pressure, and will lower your chances of developing cardiovascular disease in several other ways. Weight loss will help to prevent and control diabetes, and it can also lower blood cholesterol levels. Finally, since being overweight raises the chances of developing heart disease, losing weight can lower your risk.
The following are some suggestions for making weight loss an easier, safer, and more successful process:
Eat For Health.
Choose a wide variety of low-calorie, nutritious foods in moderate amounts. Make sure that these foods are low in fat, especially saturated fat. Remember, fat is the greatest source of calories.
If you have a lot of weight to lose, ask your doctor or a nutritionist to help you develop a sensible, well-balanced plan for gradual weight loss.
Keep Milk On the Menu. Don t cut out dairy products in trying to reduce calories and fat. Dairy products are rich in calcium, a nutrient that is particularly important for women. Instead, choose skim or low fat, lower calorie dairy products.
Get Beyond Dieting.
To keep the pounds off, change your basic eating habits rather than simply "go on a diet." Learn to recognize social and emotional situations that trigger overeating and find ways to cope with them that work for you.
Avoid Fads and Diet Pills. Most fad diets provide poor nutrition and cause a number of side effects. Although fad diets can give quick and dramatic results, the weight returns quickly once you stop dieting. Also avoid diet pills. Most have troublesome side effects and none of them work for long-term weight loss.
Get a Move On. While physical activity alone won't take off many pounds, exercise can help burn calories, tone muscles, and control appetite. It will also help you keep off the weight you lose.
Ask For Support. Tell your family and friends about your weight loss plans and let them know how they can help you. You might also want to join a self-help group devoted to weight control. These groups provide support and practical suggestions on nutrition and long-term weight control.
Another Consideration It is also important to know that if you take birth control pills, your blood pressure is apt to increase slightly. The risk appears to increase with age and with length of use. If you are taking oral contraceptives, you should get your blood pressure checked regularly. If hypertension develops, you should stop using the pill.
Taking Medication If you have high blood pressure and it stays high even after you make the changes described above, your doctor will probably also prescribe medicine. The amount you take may be gradually reduced, especially if you are successful with the changes you make in your lifestyle. If you feel any uncomfortable side effects from the drug, ask your doctor about lowering the amount you take, or possibly switching to another type of medicine.
If you want to know more about keeping your heart healthy, the National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has available free fact sheets on the following subjects: preventing high blood cholesterol, quitting smoking, the heart benefits of physical activity, and heart disease risk factors for women.
Contact:
Your medial doctor, and in the U.S.-
NHLBI Information Center P.O. Box 30105 Bethesda, MD 20824-0105 (301) 251-1222
Following is the continuation and part of the discussion surrounding our airport and runway in Montserrat. This is a follow up by one of the parties to the discussion.
2. I recall that the original Airport was an airstrip at Olveston but was abandoned because it became obsolete. I believe a new airport is required because the Bramble facility is also obsolete as it lacks the ability to handle the smaller commercial jet aircraft.
P Rogers cites the success of small airports at St. Barts and Nevis. These are special cases in that they are both very close to other islands that are well served with Oceanic Carriers (St. Maarten and St. Kitts). Hence a charter of a light aircraft is quite reasonable. Plus Nevis has a ferry to St. Kitts to provide competition with charter operators and the terrain at St. Barts prevents the construction of a longer runway. I believe there is also a ferry from St. Maarten to St. Barts.
3. I question the rebirth of MAS for the following reasons. History tells us that government operated airlines have invariably been poor performers in the marketplace. The proposal to use the airport funds to reestablish the airline will not fly (pun intended) because aid money is only available for capital infrastructure construction projects, not to fund business operations. It is difficult to get reservations on LIAT from the U.S. through the Sabre system. MAS would suffer from the same problem, but more severely.
4. The major tourist flow to Montserrat is from the U.S. These days many Americans have never been on a propeller aircraft and are very apprehensive, some even frightened, about stepping off a DC-10 and boarding a small aircraft such as a Twin Otter or Islander. This trend will continue until in a few years a propeller aircraft will seem quaint and antique to the uninitiated. My wife has said for years that the problem with MNI is "getting here".
After the Volcano we shall have to endure a long period to rebuild the shattered Tourist market. In addition we have to compete much more effectively with our neighbours if this island is to prosper again. From the reports to this group, it appears that AUC has gone forever, as they are building a lavish facility in St. Maarten, and that is a severe long-term loss to the economy.
There is a suggestion that hotels will be constructed and tourists will stream to the island. Well, they didn't do either of those things even before Hugo, when the island seemed to be booming in the 80's. Remember that the J Osborne government struggled unsuccessfully for years to promote a Little Bay Marina. Now it looks as if the nucleus for the Marina is there, thanks to the new jetty, the Volcano and the British government (BG).
I think it is the other way around. WHEN the infrastructure is in place, investors and serious entrepreneurs will be attracted to the island. We have a good water supply and power system but lack a modern airport to make travel to the Island from the U.S. a simple process. It may seem that I am obsessed with the U.S.
Not really, but in blunt terms, that is where the people and the money are.
5. Tony is concerned about the capriciousness of AA. Lets face it, their primary motivation is to make money. I suspect they left Charleston because the route was unprofitable.. Airlines often establish a service then drop it, if it is unprofitable. The fact remains that if there is NO Airport they will never have the opportunity to cancel service ! Like it or not, since the demise of Eastern and Pan-Am, which coincided with the creation of the AA hub at SJU, AA has a stranglehold on the Caribbean and LIAT is just a bit part player. If AA is integrated into the Tourist loop, as I mentioned previously, they will offer package deals and promote the island for free.
6. There is also the belief that AA can only operate directly from San Juan SJU to MNI. I do not accept that. Airlines frequently stop at airports from which they cannot pick up local traffic. For example Delta flies from NY to London to Frankfurt but cannot pick up passengers in London for Frankfurt. Similarly AA could fly a loop from SJU to MNI then stop at St. Kitts on the return to SJU. Or substitute ANU for St. Kitts. They would not carry short-haul passengers, between MNI and St. Kitts or ANU and MNI.
A northern site is the only real option for the 21st century, especially as the noise pollution from jet aircraft will be intolerable in Spanish Pointe and Bethel, even if we eventually get a 5000ft+ runway.
Another informed source observed that cloud cover in the north is significantly less than at Bramble and the approach/departure from the runway would be into wind and a straight line over water. This would be a major improvement over Bramble, with its awkward approach, frequent strong cross-wind and daylight-only operation.
Further benefits would be the accessibility for cargo flights, business jets and the northern tip of the island by road to Rendezvous Bay.
It is hard to see how Montserrat could still be operating from Bramble say in 2025, yet construction costs increase yearly, so the sooner the whole airport situation is re-evaluated, re-planned and funded the better. Even then, we are looking at a 4 to 5 year period before it will be complete.
Being the eternal optimist and considering the extraordinary circumstances, I would hope that sufficient grant aid could be obtained to provide a new northern airport. With the weak state of the economy, further debt load would seem to be out of the question. Considering that we are scrambling to obtain very much smaller sums to build the desperately needed emergency housing, this will require a major effort to achieve.
Preston asked me how many managers do we need ? I think this is an example where a highly skilled, dedicated manager is required to push, plead, cajole, yes even beg, for support to make this program a success, because that is what it will take to obtain funds from many sources and governments. I could name several Montserratians who I think could do that job very well.
This airport will provide a facility that is not subject to the constant whims of the Volcano (or LIAT), will be safer, less affected by weather and will allow Montserrat to compete effectively with the other tourist venues in the Caribbean in the 21st century. We need it badly and it is very shortsighted to think otherwise. After it is built, everyone will wonder how we ever managed without it!
Jus wonderin if the boulders placed on the East road would not seriously delay rescue missions.
Jus wonderin if Montserratians overseas were to be treated like how some non-Montserratian workers are treated locally what would become of us?
Jus wonderin what the real reasons behind the threatened closure of Rams Emdee.
Jus wonderin where the Don-man is, with his video camera.
Jus wonderin if Victor's Grocery is on or over the borderline of the safe and unsafe zones.
Jus wonderin what's the latest census on the population.
Jus wonderin what has become of the Inspector. Is he on French leave or a suspension?
Jus wonderin how and with whom the Lady on the Hill will spend her second anniversary. Jus wonderin how she is going to celebrate this year.
Jus wonderin when the next interview will be done between Cassell and the ' Volcano'.
Jus wonderin why some senior police taxi-officer, wants to bite more than they could chew or sh.. in high grass?
Jus wonderin if any consideration is being given to a temporary landing strip in the event W.H. Bramble airport becomes unusable?
Jus wonderin if it is true that British scientists receive five times as much subsistence as the SRU scientists receive in the MVO.
Jus wonderin why the would-be builder of apartments in Woodlands didn't begin site preparation next to his home in Isles Bay.
MV Freda W.
With all machinery including main engine 405 H. P.
Rebuilt new March 1996.
Class Bureau - Excellent condition.
3 generators, all Lister Blackstone engines.
Speed 10.5- 11 knots.
Port of Registry, London, England.
Gross tonnage 428.
Dead weight 600.
Crew quarters, kitchen and storage rebuilt new.
Includes: 15 ton telescopic crane Mac Gregor, hatch covers, 2 hatches - I hole.
Fax. 664 - 491 - 3010. Great Western Shipping Co. Ltd. PO Box 56, Plymouth Montserrat.Negotiable - asking price US $400.000
Present trading-Caribbean.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified citizens of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank member territories to fill the post of AUDIT OFFICER, Internal Audit Unit Of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.
APPLlCANTS SHOULD HAVE:
DUTIES:
The selected candidate would be expected to audit:
SALARY:
An attractive remuneration package will be offered.
Applications stating qualifications and experience with the namc and addresses of two (2) referees, as well as certified copies of certificates should be forwarded to:-
The Bank Secretary Eastern Caribbean Central Bank P. O. Box 89 Bird Rock Basseterre St Kittsto reach no later than 15th June, 1997.
Applications which do not meet tbe minimum requirements indicated above will not be acknowledged.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified citizens of ECCB member countries to fill the post of ARCHIVIST, Secretariat at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank in St. Kitts.
APPLlCANTS SHOULD HAVE:
DUTIES:
The successful applicant will be responsible for:
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Applications stating qualifications and experience with the name and addresses of two (2) referees, as well as certified copies of certificates should be forwarded to:
The Bank Secretary Eastern Caribbean Central Bank P. O. Box 89 BASSETERRE St. Kittsto reach no later than 15th June, 1997
Applications which do not meet the minimum requirements indicated above will not be acknowledged.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified citizens of the ECCB member countries to fill the post of LEGAL SECRETARY, Legal Unit, Governor's Office at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank in St. Kitts.
APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE:
DUTIES:
The successful applicant will be responsible for:
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Applications stating qualifications and experience with the name and addresses of two (2) referees, as well as certified copies of certificates should be forwarded to:
The Bank Secretary Eastern Caribbean Central Bank P. O. Box 89 BASSETERRE St. Kittsto reach no later than 13th June 1997.
Applications which do not meet the minimum requirements indicated above will not be acknowledged.
Montserrat Philatelic Bureau Manager Vacancy
Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for the post of Manager of the Philatelic Bureau.
QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants should posses:
Experience in Philatelic management, as well as good communication, interpersonal and leadership skills will be assets.
DUTIES
The duties of the post will include:
REMUNERATION
Salary will be dependent on qualification and experience.
CLOSING DATE
Applications should be submitted to:
The Chairman Philatelic Bureau Ministry of Finance Olveston MontserratTo reach him not later than 30th June 1997.
The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute invites applicants for the position of Executive Secretary, PROCICARIBE
The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute
CARDI Director, Technical Programs Vacancy
The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute invites application for the position of Director, Technical Programmes. CARDI is a premier agricultural research and development Institute in the Caribbean. It is an autonomous organization founded in 1975 to provide for the agricultural research and development needs of the Caribbean. The member countries are Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago .
The Headquarters are at the University of the West Indies Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
The candidate will be responsible for providing technical and managerial leadership in the Technical Programmes Department and for representing CARDI's research and development and technology activities regionally and internationally.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants for the Position of Director, Technical Programmes should posses:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum qualifications for the position are PhD Degree in a relevant field plus 10 years experience in agricultural research management and leadership. The selected candidate will be expected to commence duties 1st September 1997 CARDI believes its programmes are made more relevant by the diversity of its Staff and encourages applications from the Caribbean Region, nationals of other countries and women.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary and benefits which are regionally competitive and tax free include:
The Contract on appointment will be for three years.
APPLICATIONS
Applicants must send a letter of application, a detailed CV and copies of two relevant publications, together with the names and addresses, telephone Fax and E-mail numbers of three professional referees by 30th June 1997 to:
Further information can be obtained from the Team Leader.
Unsuitable applicants will not be acknowledged.
MONTSERRAT ELECTRICITY SERVICES LTD.
V A C A N C Y
SECRETARY/FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
Montserrat Electricity Services Ltd. is an electric utility which is responsible for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in Montserrat.
MONLEC is seeking the services of a Financial Controller who will be responsible for administering and monitoring the company's accounting and financial control systems. The successful applicant will also be required to perform the duties of Secretary to the Board of Directors.
Applicants should have a sound knowledge of Accounting Principles and practices and possess a Bachelor's degree in Management of Accountancy. A minimum of five (5) years experience in a senior accounting position is essential.
Membership of a professional accounting body is desirable and knowledge of computerised accounting systems will be an additional strength.
Compensation will be commensurate with experience and appointment will be on a two (2) year fixed term contract basis.
Interested candidates are invited to send a detailed resume on or before June 30, 1997, to:
Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: roachb@candw.ag
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