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Montserrat Sees New Sports Facility As Chance to Host World Cup Match

Site for proposed sports facilty at Geralds Bottom

Government and cricketing authorities are confident that Montserrat could host at least one of the preliminary matches of World Cup Cricket in 2007 as preliminary groundwork begins on the construction of new national sports facilities over the next 10 years.

Addressing a public meeting Wednesday night for two British Consultants -- Engineer Brian Lovelock and Sports Facilities Consultant Sharon Bayton -- Chief Minister David Brandt said he did not believe possible limited attendance was a constraint to hosting a World Cup Cricket Match.

"I cannot see any reason why we cannot host one of those preliminary matches in Montserrat because these days the money is not made from the attendance of the matches. The money is made by television and other advertisements," he said.

John Smith, President of the Montserrat Cricket Association (MCA), said he expected that when the island’s ground is completed it would be "second only" to the Antigua Recreation Ground.

"Off course, we have to have the infrastructure and we have to demonstrate over a number of years, probably two or three at least, that we are capable of hosting games of first class stature," Mr. Smith told the Montserrat Reporter.

He said he expects the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to make a final decision on venues by 2005.

Mr. Smith was of the view that transportation for foreign spectators could be provided by ferry trips in the morning and afternoon.

Government, the Chief Minister said, wanted a "concrete" study from the consultants to ensure that next year's National Budget took account of the Sports Ground project for which money has been earmarked by Britain's Department for International Development (DFID) under the Country Policy Plan.

"I would want to see that as soon as the budget is passed, or before that, that we have things on the ground. There is money in it for that purpose and perhaps it is the only thing that is as important as housing," he added.

Football could be played inside the area that is used for athletics to cater for all year round playing.

The British consultants met with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Monday and, according to Ms. Bayton, "they haven't ruled out or ruled in a game coming to Montserrat."

Sports Facilities Consultant Sharon Bayton & Engineer Brian Lovelock

The Strategic Sports Consultant identified the need for the Master Plan of the proposed new facility to ensure the boundaries were big enough and there was enough space on the peripheral area to add sufficient stands and facilities for the media.

"Certainly, in terms of the thinking that we are doing, that is what we are trying to do to provide that space, so that if the opportunity arose, then Montserrat would be able to host a World Cup match," she said.

Based on light-meter measurements, West Indies Cricket Umpire Mr. Basil Morgan observed that the land at Gerald’s was best suited for cricket but cautioned that if the cricket ground was "crammed up" against the football field, there would be insufficient space for cricket boundaries.

Physical Planner Franklyn Greenaway of the Physical Planning Unit (PPU) disclosed that owners of the privately-owned land at Gerald's have taken the "positive" step of agreeing to make lands available.

L to R Clayton Weekes, Bennette Roach, Franklyn Greenaway, John Smith discussing the plans

"There is this commitment that Gerald's park has been a gift from the family to the Government and people of Montserrat. The terms and conditions of that gift are still to be discussed but the point is that family is committed that the sporting complex would go ahead and they would make the land available," Mr. Greenaway said.

Mr. Lovelock, in his presentation to the audience of about 30 persons at the Royal Montserrat Defence (RMDF) Base, said that the creation of a leveled area at Gerald’s was necessary to accommodate football, athletics and cricket fields.

"We are looking at the overall site that we have, bearing in mind that we could carry out substantial earthworks to create these level platforms and from our preliminary investigations, it would appear that we have sufficient space there to provide these two major facilities being the cricket pitch and the athletic which would include the football," Mr. Lovelock explained.

The earthen material obtained from the removal of the very large hill that rises up to the hospital, he said, would be used to fill low-lying areas Consideration, he said, was to look at an emergency airstrip within the sports facility without impinging on it.

A new access road and car-park are among the other facilities related to the environment.

Provisionwas being made, the Engineer said, for an Emergency Helicopter strip in case volcanic activity heightened and there was need for evacuation.

It was also envisaged that if the W.H. Bramble International Airport is re-commissioned, the existing Gerald's Heliport could be absorbed into the sports complex for hard courts

The Sports Consultant, in her remarks, acknowledged that the Gerald's area was a "difficult" site to develop because of its natural features and neighbouring facilities.

"It is important to look at this as a multi-sport facility and so maybe look for ...areas which could be developed for other sports within the complex but it really does depend on what land can be made available as to how work could accommodate those facilities," Ms. Bayton said.

In addition to those, Sports Officer Fitzroy Buffonge announced that "we are concentrating" on the construction of netball and tennis courts in Little Bay, Salem Junior Secondary School and Lookout.

Before the four-year-old volcanic crisis, Montserrat had six playing fields, but there is now only one in Salem.

Following complaints from residents in Montserrat who find themselves paying more for basic consumer items, Price Control authorities said Wednesday that reduced storage capacity for imports was among the main reasons.
"Regular" monitoring of prices for a specified list of items has shown an increase in prices due to "limited storage space," Price Control Officer Rudolph Christopher (pictured) told the Montserrat Reporter.
The shrinking of the island's commercial sector over the past three years due to volcanic activity has resulted in only one major importer of consumer items remaining here.
Mr. Christopher explained that because of reduced storage capacity, goods have to be imported in small quantities, at least every two weeks, from different suppliers and at different prices.

"We are also aware of the problems, as far as they (importers) are concerned, but that problem is transferred to the consumer," the Price Control Officer said.
Consumers have also been blamed for some increases. "We hate to shift from one brand to another because the notion is that if the price is cheap, the product is no good," he said.

Observations have shown a "steep increase" in onions, a price-controlled item, from EC$2.20 to EC$3.50 per pound due to a seasonal scarcity of that imported agricultural produce.

Flour, another price-controlled item, has increased by as much as 13¢ in some cases while a 900-gram package of powdered milk has increased from EC$14.43 to EC$15.42.

While the price of white sugar has fallen from EC$1.35 to EC$1.00, the price of brown sugar has increased from EC85¢ to as much as EC$1.53, since it is being imported from the United States instead of Guyana.

Some tinned imports, packaged seasonings, chocolates, liquors, cigarettes, beverages, alcoholic drinks and mouthwash have increased between 10 and 15 percent.

"Most of the increases have been taking place are on products that are not price controlled," Christopher said.

Mr. Kailash Bhatija, Manager of Angelo’s Supermarket, one of the main food importers, attributed the increase in food prices to reduced consumption on the island.

"Consumption is very less. When you get things in bulk, you can get them at a good price but you can’t bring in big quantities because it takes long to sell off," Bhatija said.

He was of the view that prices have been stable for a long time, except for items such as chicken and vegetables that have to be imported from Antigua and St. Maarten.

However, Michael Osborne, Manager of Osborne MS Limited, did not support the idea that prices for consumer items were increasing, attributing such stability to the fact that his company was sticking to one supplier in contrast to other importers who might be purchasing from multiple suppliers.

"Once you have a reliable supplier, they would look out for a good price," Mr. Osborne told the Montserrat Reporter.

The prices of 90 percent of price-controlled consumer items are mainly based on 33-percent of the total landed costs, such as duties, consumption tax, service tax and cost, insurance and freight (c.i.f.).

While importers, wholesalers and retailers were abiding by the regulated price structure, Mr. Christopher assured that the Price Control Unit was vigilant against importers who may want to make false declarations.

A number of sister Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states have been moving away from price controls and relying instead on market forces to determine prices of commodities as the region sets up a Single Market and Economy.

The Price Control Officer, however, noted that the "smallness" of the island could result in "one person monopolizing" the market and so arbitrarily fixing prices.

In October 1995, three months after the Soufriere Hills volcano began erupting, the Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt, then strong in opposition to Government, wrote:

"It is widely believed that the Government is withholding information about the destructive power of the volcano, about the chances of an eruption and about the risk that our people take in staying at different parts of the Island. If this is so, then it is a morally indefensible position… government officials, local or British, who keep our people in darkness and ignorance will be held personally accountable if that ignorance results in the loss of a single life. We are not chips on a gaming table to be used as the gambler chooses."

This publication, through its various articles and editorials, called on the local authorities to install knowledgeable professionals to work alongside the scientists to keep the public informed of events and developments during the volcanic activity.

The scientists themselves requested this of the managers of the crisis, suggesting other means as well of bringing information about the volcanic activity to the public, but the suggestions and requests fell mostly on deaf ears.

This editor gave evidence at the Inquest that was held into the sad and eventual deaths of the 19 who died on June 25, 1997. The coroner and jury heard evidence on the shortcomings of the authorities in their methods of bringing information to the public throughout the crisis.

A manager was hired to look after the business affairs of the MVO. Almost immediately after taking up duties, he organised a short course for the staff and scientists, offering them, among other things, hints on talking to the press and delivering information to the public.

Now, Dr. Simon Young finally breathes a sigh of relief, that the MVO has, at long last, on its staff a professional in Montserratian Chelston Lee, who took up the post of Information and Press Officer from September 1. The question readily asked is not "why now?" but "why only now?"

When asked about his appointment, Mr. Lee refers to "lack of information," as well as the need to advise on all media-related activities and matters, and on programming. He would now be responsible to service the MVO's own web site, instead of using someone else's somewhere in the U.S. and which has not been updated for too many months.

It is unimaginable that throughout the crisis the scientists themselves have been vehemently asking for the services now provided but were told that there was insufficient funding.

Dr. Young, who has been the chief scientist on several occasions during the crisis and is now the manager under the new operations of the MVO, said that he was among those who had asked for an information officer and/or a social scientist. He said that now that he has such an officer he realises even more how much this was missed, commenting that he is very impressed in the short space of time.

Is it possible that the authorities recognize only now that fully informing the public about the volcano and its activities and effects is and was an absolute necessity? Readier acceptance of the requests might have saved lives and prevented or limited family and social upheavals and all the ills that are yet to come.

This is not to suggest that this new appointment is no longer necessary, it is just very late, and Dr. Young is already pointing out that a job done effectively by Mr. Lee may very well create serious embarrassment for that earlier and prolonged indifference.

At the close of a spiritual retreat, a young man told of two letters he had received during the retreat. Complete strangers had written to say that they have been praying for him and that they knew God had something special in store for his life.

He went on to say that he has been a bad husband and father, used to settling things with his hands and fists rather than with love, and that he was going home to his family to ask for forgiveness and a fresh start. At the end of the afternoon, the two women who had written to him introduced themselves and told him that God would go before him.

He had no sooner left the car on his return home than his wife and two daughters ran to meet him with open arms and loving words.

That day was the beginning of a new relationship not only with God but also with his family and friends.

Prayer: Loving Father, help us to respond to your love and accept your forgiveness as we pray, "Our Father who art I heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those ho trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever Amen."

Four local Nurses have rejoined the staff at Glendon after successfully completing training overseas.

Staff/District Nurse Violet Browne completed a one-year course in Public Health at the School of Public Health in Jamaica. Nurse Browne, whose training was sponsored by PAHO, graduated with a Diploma in Public Health and was awarded three prizes. She received second prize for overall performance and third prize for Community Study and overall Academic performance.

Meanwhile, three other nurses, Velma Cabey, Rosaline Tuitt and Lystra Fagan, completed a one-year Midwifery course in St. Kitts.

Nurse Fagan, who was awarded a Scholarship by the Government of St. Kitts, placed second in the Exams.

The other nurses also performed creditably. Their training was paid for by the Montserrat Government.

The training of nurses is high on the Department’s objectives and it is envisaged that the return of the four nurses will strengthen the Nursing Staff and enhance the quality of care delivered.

The Ministry takes this opportunity to congratulate the nurses on their excellent performance and wish them all the best for the future.

The Commander of Britain's guardship HMS Northumberland involved in Caribbean counter-drugs operations has identified diplomatic bottlenecks as one of the major barriers in attempting to enter the waters of some countries.

Commander Mike Pearey told a news conference, "In order to catch many of these drug-traffickers, you’ve really got to be very quick, and just occasionally the diplomatic process of getting clearance to enter someone's territorial waters will actually slow you down sufficiently to risk drug-traffickers getting away,"

While he said he believed that counter-drugs patrols in the region have been "quite effective" in the last 18 months because of wider participation by Caribbean countries, the Commander called for more bilateral drug agreements similar to those with the United States.

"There is a lot more scope for more of those bilateral agreements and we can eventually achieve a situation where all the Caribbean states are completely open and there is sort of easy access for military units and law enforcement agencies," he told a news conference aboard his ship.

The Commander of Britain's North Atlantic patrol guardship said he believes that "we are winning" the war against drugs but that Caribbean countries need more resources and "modern" equipment to effectively continue their onslaught.

Increased volcanic activity was expected once again, based on a six-week cycle in recent months, but there was no need for alarm, Chief Scientist Dr Simon Young said Wednesday.

"I wouldn't at all be surprised if we saw a few more events over the next few days before it settles down again, but there is nothing to be concerned about," he told the Caribbean News Agency (CANA).
Dr. Young, Director of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), predicted that the island could be subjected to "a few more ash clouds" for the remainder of the week.
The cause of the cyclical eruptions was due mainly to a buildup of gaseous pressure inside the volcano, he said.
Dr. Young said the last time that heightened activity at the Soufriere Hills volcano was registered was around July 20.
He observed that the five- to six-week cycle of volcanic activity provides the MVO with an additional measuring device.
"If it carries on and we get to understand it a bit better; then it is a good thing because it does give us some forecasting capability," he added.

As part of efforts to revitalize the light industries and manufacturing sector that was partly responsible for Montserrat's once booming economy, authorities are fine-tuning plans to secure EC$2 million set aside to build a factory shell, a top official has said.

Mrs. Angela Greenaway, Director of the Development Unit, told the Montserrat Reporter that "we are putting forward a project" to be funded by Britain's Department for International Development (DFID).

"We are finalising the number of square feet for the factory shell space," she said.

In response to a notice, a number of persons have expressed interest in securing space in the factory shell to manufacture furniture, engage in electronics, and conduct information processing.

In a bid to close the information gap about the state of volcanic activity on the island, the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) has embarked on a public awareness campaign to target islanders relocated in other countries, according to the MVO's newly appointed spokesman.

Mr. Chelston Lee said in view of the "lack of information" the MVO would be taking its lecture series to neighbouring St.Kitts shortly after one recently held in neighbouring Antigua.

The MVO would next take its lecture series to London in October, he added.

According to Mr. Lee, the MVO has also established a new website that could be accessed on http:/www.mvomrat.com.

Mr. Lee, a Montserattian, took up the post of Information and Press Officer from September 1 after serving a part-time stint with the Caribbean Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

During that stint, he pursued a Masters Degree in Mass Communications at the University of North London and is expected to graduate in December.

The MVO spokesman brings to the post seven years of experience, having worked with the Montserrat Reporter, Local Access and Radio Antilles.

He also worked at the St.Kitts-based Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) in its Client Relations and Communications Unit.

Two students, Carla Fergus and Darrell Herbert, topped this year's batch of 28 students of the Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) who wrote this year's May/June external examinations.

They each passed eight subjects, while Merlin Osborne passed six subjects.

Those passing five subjects are Sheldon Allen Tuitt, Javed Javon Daley, Lyandra Hobson, Natasha Browne and Danelda Brown, according to a statement by school Principal Ms. Kathleen Greenaway.

Overall, she said, the MSS recorded a 53.4 percentage pass at the CXC and Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations for May/June of this year.

"Success is defined as obtaining a Grade 1, 2 or 3 at either the Basic or General Proficiencies," Ms. Greenaway explained.

She said that 28 students signed up for a total of 146 entries at the CXC General and Basic Proficiencies and success was obtained in 78 of those entries.

Overall performances in individual subject areas show that MSS registered a 100 percent pass in Caribbean History, Visual Arts, Food and Nutrition and Principles of Business at the CXC General Proficiency level, Ms. Greenaway said.

In Clothing and Textiles and Electricity/ Electronics, there was an 87.5 percent pass; Social Studies 85.7 percent; Integrated Science 83.3 percent; Principles of Accounts 75 percent; Social Studies 71.4 percent; French 66.7 percent and Geography 50 percent pass, all at the General Proficiency Level.

At the Basic Level, 60 percent of those who wrote English Language passed, while 50-percent did so for Electricity/Electronics.

Montserrat’s emergency management authorities would be relying on Britain’s North Atlantic patrol guardship if a natural disaster should strike, now that the Royal Montserrat Defence Force has been stood down, according to a top disaster management official.

"We cannot get away from the fact that the RMDF was a valuable source of manpower and a valuable resource to us and we would have to place greater reliance on the West Indies Guardship and her complement on board," Horatio Tuitt,. Deputy Director of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), told the Montserrat Reporter.

Two months ago, the RMDF’s Commanding Officer resigned and the force was ordered to stand down after an official investigation found that the ranks violated military law by refusing to participate in the Dress Rehearsal for the Queen’s Birthday Parade until a number of their alleged grievances were resolved.

Mr. Tuitt said that in addition to using the services of the stevedores of the Montserrat Port Authority (MPA) and the Cadet Corps of the Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) for the movement of supplies and household articles during a disaster, the North Atlantic guardship HMS Northumberland would assist in transportation, backup support and manning the nerve centre of emergency operations.

"They will be providing us with relief at the Emergency Department …they will be in the second shift at the Emergency Department because we would have been in the immediate response and would need a break from it," Mr. Tuitt said.

The local Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has established radio communication links with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA), Antigua’s Meteorological Office, Montserrat Volcanic Observatory and HMS Northumberland.

During last Friday’s visit of the vessel to Montserrat, Commander Mike Pearey assured that if a hurricane struck Montserrat the guardship would track it and provide assistance.

Areas in which the over 100-strong navy contingent is specialized include engineering skills to restore water and electricity supplies and medical aid.

Commander Mike Pearey noted, however, that if the ceasefire in Sierra Leone’s civil war were fractured, the United Kingdom government could order that the guardship be deployed to the West African region where there are British interests.

"It's a political decision whether I stay here (in the Caribbean) during the hurricane season or I go to West Africa. At the moment, on balance, I am going to stay here through the trip and I hope that the peace in West Africa holds," he said during the September 3 visit of the Northumberland to Montserrat.

With the British Navy strapped for assets and having ships "tied up" in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, he said it was not possible to have dedicated ships in different parts of the Caribbean and the Atlantic.

A British Navy ship in the South Atlantic, he said, could possibly be diverted, but that decision rests with the British government

In addition to the fragile ceasefire, the ready response of the British navy station in the Caribbean could depend on whether it is involved in a drug-interdiction operation.

"If a major hurricane is brewing which is going to track through any of the islands, unless I am in the middle of some major drugs operation at the time, we'll probably follow it, ready to deal with any damage that occurs," Commander Pearey added.

While in the Caribbean, the main roles of the HMS Northumberland, a 4,800 ton fully loaded ship with a company of 190, are support of the British Overseas Territories, counter-drug operations and support to wider British interests and disaster relief.

Amnesty Proposed to Reduce Jamaica’s Illegal Firearms

Jamaica’s Police Commissioner Francis Forbes yesterday called for a gun amnesty as yet another means of ridding the streets of illegal firearms, the Jamaica Gleaner has reported.
"Although we continue to bring in the illegal guns, our rate of recovery is far from satisfactory. Crime Stop has announced significant increases in rewards, but it is my belief that one more step needs to be taken. The time is now right for an amnesty against illegal guns and ammunition," said Commissioner Forbes.
If the Commissioner's proposal is accepted by the Government, then this would be the second gun amnesty in over two decades. Early in the 1970s administration of former Prime Minister Michael Manley, an amnesty was declared in which hundreds of guns were left at churches and with ministers of religion.
According to the Police Information Centre (PIC), 372 illegal guns have been seized since January. The last two were intercepted Monday afternoon at the Kingston Wharves along with 131 rounds of ammunition, concealed in a barrel coming from the United States.

Guyana Teachers Press Arbitration; Strike Looms

The Guyana Teachers Union's (GTU) executive council met Wednesday and came up with a number of issues it proposes to take to the arbitration tribunal and government following the award of a two-tiered salary increase on September 1, the privately-owned Stabroek News newspaper has reported

GTU President Bertram Hamilton said the general feeling among the union's membership was one of satisfaction, noted that in the past the teachers were paid at a higher salary scale than public servants, but this has changed with the recent award by the Armstrong Tribunal, which dealt with the public servants pay dispute.

According to Mr.Hamilton, in some cases, the cleaners in the public service would enjoy a higher rate of pay than a teacher. This would have to be regularised, he said.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the decision by the tribunal to award a 10-percent increase for Grade E primary schools and Grade C nursery schools, while the other categories received 12 percent.

Meanwhile, in another development, Mr. Hamilton revealed that teachers in Rupununi may not turn up for work in the new school year beginning on Monday because they have not been paid increases awarded in 1998.

He said the Rupununi teachers received the initial 9.5-percent increase granted last year but government failed to pay them a subsequent 14.5 percent. He disclosed that these teachers had written to the union informing the executive of their decision to proceed on strike if they did not receive their increase for 1998, a move, he said, the union supports.

Dominica’s Crackdown Sends Bay Front Vendors on Warpath

More than 30 souvenir vendors, trading illegally on Roseau's Bay Front, seem heading for a long-running battle with officials just as determined to remove them from the privately owned tourists' district, according to a report in the Dominica Chronicle

"They should come and see what is actually going on and that the rumours are not true," Vendor Clemencia Thomas told The Chronicle.

Although moves were afoot for several months to drive the vendors back to John's and Love Lanes, the areas reserved for their curio trade, plans seemed to have been pushed into top gear following a recent meeting of representatives of the Roseau City Council, the Dominica National Trust and the National Development Corporation to deal with a matter few want to take responsibility for.

It was not clear what decisions were taken at last week's meeting or what time frame was agreed upon for the relocation of the vendors.

However, Mayor Bernadine Dinard-Williams told The Chronicle that John's and Love Lanes, as well as the Fresh Produce Market, were areas identified for the vendors' relocation.

Sources close to the Dominica National Trust, which was granted a 10-year lease on the Bay Front by the Freedom Party Government in 1995, blame the City Council for the situation that has developed, saying the council granted licences to the vendors when the Bay Front was not within its jurisdiction.

National Trust Member Anthony Burnette-Biscombe said the Bay Front was privately owned and told The Chronicle the City Council should handle the problem that has emerged.

St. Vincent Teachers May Resume Salary Talks

Kingstown, St. Vincent, CANA - Teachers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines could resume wage negotiations with government this week after a three-month break. "They (Ministry of Education) sent us a letter dated September 1 offering a 12-percent increase and saying they were willing to resume negotiations," a union official said yesterday. The proposed offer is broken down into a 5-percent increase in year one, with 3.5 percent in each of the following two years, similar to what civil servants agreed to accept last week.

SPORTS

A STAR IS BORN?
By Peter Adrien
Author and Sports Commentator

Did the "star" foretell the birth of a 'batting star' or the revival of West Indian batsmanship or the reemergence of the West Indies Team? Many of the great cricketers, coaches and commentators who witnessed the Cocoa Cola Singapore Challenge are convinced about the first revelation; a few of the critics and purists of West Indian cricket are somewhat impressed about the second prediction; but no one dares entertain the thought of the third prophecy.
The batting all-rounder, Ricardo Powell, is the batting star foretold. He stamped his class on the replayed final of the Singapore International Challenge cricket tournament; blasting a dazzling innings to hand his team a four-wicket win over India. The young man smashed 124 off a mere 93 balls as the West Indies romped to victory at the Kallang Ground on Wednesday, September 8, 1999.
When Powell arrived at the crease, West Indies looked in complete disarray. Debashis Mohanty had removed openers Sherwin Campbell and Ridley Jacobs cheaply. Off-spinner Nikhil Chopra added to their woes by getting rid of skipper Brian Lara and Jimmy Adams in successive overs. But that was the launching pad for the young Nortel product and he rose to the challenge.
It was a display of merciless hitting by reincarnation of Collis King, and the Kallang Ground seemed to favour the free-stroking Powell more as he hammered sixes to all parts of the ground. His first fifty needed 44 balls and the next fifty only 28. In all he struck nine fours and eight sixes in his 124 and was involved in two big stands where he was the dominant partner.
He put on 61 runs for the fifth wicket with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who scored 20 off 48 balls and hit one four. The decisive fifth wicket stand with Nehemiah Perry was worth 118 off 114 balls and snatched the match away from the Indians, who seemed happy till then after recovering from a disastrous start themselves.
The 20-year-old Jamaican was playing only his fourth international match, having been picked for the West Indies World Cup squad after Carl Hooper announced his retirement.
Like Ryan Hinds, Marlon Samuels and Narsingh Deonarine, there is absolutely no doubt that Ricardo Powell is an exceptional cricketer. And his performances in the shorter version of the game have confirmed that fact.
You would recall that his exceptional talent was first showcased in the Nortel Under-19 tournament; ever since the cricketing public has been calling for his inclusion in the senior team and; his poor treatment at the hands of the captain and management in the recently concluded World Cup angered all and sundry.
Now it is left for the captain, the coach, the manager and the senior players to nurture him in the philosophy, theory and science of the longer version of the game - the real thing test - the Test match. This transition will call for maturity and temperament. In this (the Test)
arena where "men" play (not boys), he will have to learn to discipline himself.
He will have to be more selective in his stroke-making, as he will find out that test batsmen do not attempt to dispatch each delivery for six or four.
Unfortunately, the "high-command" of the West Indies team has not convinced many that it is has the capability to nurture and school young talents whether they are batsmen or bowlers. The cases of young batting hopeful Darren Ganga and the tear-away of (our Shoaib Akhtar) Nixon McLean reflect the limitations or ineptness of the senior department of the West Indies team. But quality is quality; pedigree is pedigree. Class is permanent. And Ricardo Powell is a class act.
Now, did the performances in Singapore signal the re-emergence of West Indian batsmanship and the West Indies Team "coming from the cold"?
The evidences do not confirm the prophecy. Although West Indies won the Singapore Coca Cola Challenge in characteristic calypso fashion, winning all three matches convincingly and exhibiting a dominance reminiscent of the era of Desi Haynes, Gordon Greenidge and Viv Richards, the leakages or the inherent weaknesses are still glaring.
Almost in the backstage of international cricket (although Wisden thinks otherwise, rating them second in international cricket) for all the wrong reasons, mainly for playing poor cricket, for almost a year, Brian Lara and his men would have won many new admirers in the South East Asian country, and would by now, have fewer enemies in the Caribbean basin.
G Viswanath who reported on the match noted concerning Ricardo Powell: "There was a spark of flair and brilliance in Powell's uninhibited stroke-making which the cricketing world normally associates withCaribbean cricketers. Lara's class was on exhibition and the run-machine; Ridley Jacobs is getting better with age. But Sherwin Campbell and Jimmy Adams continue to lose their confidence every other day. And the tiger, Shivnarine Chanderpaul is still struggling for form. The flashes of brilliance are evident, but we are not yet near the batting tradition. However, there is hope.
What about the leadership of the team? The West Indian skipper is still to learn when to press home the advantage and when to take cover. He contributed to the Indian competitive score of 254 for six and to Dravid's 103 from 124 balls when he opted to bowl spinners Perry and Adams till the 46th overs.
These one-day tournaments are indeed experimental grounds for identifying a winning combination. But as Lara correctly noted, "winning is important and it doesn't matter the level of competition. If we start winning, it's going to make things a lot more comfortable, for the younger players especially,"

We are happy for the win, but we know that the product is still in the making.

Chief Minister Emphasizes Need for New Sports Facility

In an effort to gather public opinion on the proposed Multi-Sports Facility earmarked for Gerald’s, the Government of Montserrat last Wednesday organised a Public Meeting at the Base of the Royal Montserrat Defence Force.

At that meeting, about 30 persons shared their views with Ms. Sharon Bayton, Principal Consultant of the United Kingdom-based Strategic Leisure Company, and Mr Brian Lovelock, Senior Principal Engineer of the UK-based GIBB Engineering Company.

Among those delivering presentations was the Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt, whose address emphasized the importance of sport and the commitment of government to ensure the project materializes.

(Following is a slightly edited text of his presentation.)

"Mr Chairman, Honourable Members of the Head Table, Distinguished Guests, fellow Montserratians.

"Tonight is very important for all of us because whatever we may think of ourselves, tonight every view will have the same weight.

"The purpose of this meeting is to discuss an aspect of our development, one which we treasure, and one which is very important not only for us but especially for the young.

"As you all know, before the onset of the volcanic activity we had about six playing fields. Now we have one, and it is not operational. Apart from that, it is in Salem, and although Salem is safe now, from time to time there have been explosions and people in the past have been asked to leave Salem.

GERALD’S EARMARKED FOR NEW SPORTS FACILITY

The government feels that it is important to have a playing field and where do we put this playing field? We have to put this playing field as far away from the volcano.

The consultants have informed us that the place to put it is somewhere in Gerald’s.

We are here tonight to seek your opinion. It is very important that we speak now.

We do not have the money. The government of Montserrat does not have the money to put down any sports facilities.

GRATEFUL FOR BRITISH AID

And let me say despite that from time to time I may express opinions in public, which is justified, I have to say that I thank the British Government very heartily on behalf of the Government and people of Montserrat for the financial assistance they have given us in every area of our development.

We have heard and we have seen on the television that there have been disasters all over the world and we have seen that agencies have only given token assistance. We cannot say that the assistance we have been given by the British is token. Time will tell whether it is sufficient or not.

ISLAND EYEING WORLD CUP CRICKET

The playing field as I envisage is that it should have an area for cricket and I like to think big. I like to think that perhaps we have a master plan that whatever we do, we could do it incrementally, that eventually we’ll be able to fulfill our aspirations.

If you do not have a target, perhaps you wouldn’t have the direction to move in any specific place and achieve an objective. You may expend a lot of energy but you achieve nothing.

And in the area of cricket, for example, in looking at the World Cup I saw where some preliminary matches were played in Scotland in football fields and places which were quite inappropriate for that purpose.

I understand that in the year 2007, the World Cup would be playing in the West Indies. I cannot see any reason why we cannot host one of those preliminary matches in Montserrat. I say that because these days, the money is not made from the attendance at the matches, the money is made by television and other advertisements. And it would be a good thing for the youth of Montserrat to see face-to-face such an event and I am sowing the seed now at this critical time so that the consultants can take it aboard and all of us can make it a reality.

THE PLAN

We are also players of football and athletics. I remember Sturge Park was that sometimes you have us practicing cricket for a tournament, then the footballers want to play, then people from athletics want to run and of course you cannot have all of them at the same place at the same time.

And what I would like to see is a different place constructed for athletics and football. The football can be played inside the area that is used for athletics. I would not like to see one area that is used for these three purposes.

Once the work starts- that all the earthworks be done at one time- the earthworks for the cricket place, the earthworks for the football, the earthworks for the athletics.

We may not have all the pavilions at one time but at least, consultants, I would urge you to recommend that we have at least one and it should be made in such a way that it could be added to, having regard to what I have just said.

IMPORTANCE OF ATHLETICS

People might ask ‘what about athletics?’ but athletics is the basis for all sports. If you have to play football, you have to run and jump; if you have to play basketball you have to run and jump; if you have to play tennis you have to run and jump; if you have to play cricket you have to run and jump.

So it is important that we teach all children athletics up to a particular age, then when they reach that age, then they can concentrate in whichever area they want.

SPORTS AS VALUABLE AS ACADEMICS

Before and during the history of Montserrat, we have found that several persons had the misguided notion that only academics are important or they are more important than other people, but when you listen to the radio and you hear how much money a footballer is paid or an athlete is paid, many times it is much more than the so-called academics can make. Different people have different talents and if we are going to develop as a nation they are going to have to give every person to realise his full potential. In relation to the academics, give them the books and the teachers; in relation to those who have the inclination to be athletes, we should provide them with the facilities, we should provide them with the coaches. And you know something, when you have an athlete and he becomes world renowned, he sells your country in a way that you cannot afford many times.

In relation to cricket, for example, when Mr Basil Morgan is umpiring in Barbados or wherever he is umpiring and they say that this umpire is from Montserrat, people have to look on the map and say ‘where is Montserrat?’ and by that Montserrat is known.

So many of us view him as a simple man, but he is a representative of this country and representative of things that can happen.

SPORTS AS A TOOL OF DISCIPLINE

We have to develop sports and sports gives you discipline. It teaches you how to take orders, it teaches you that you may not be the most important member of the team but you are important for the team to win. It teaches the most brilliant person on the team that without you, the team can’t win and it can’t shine.

In cricket, for example, even the most brilliant batsman and everybody decides that they are going to go and out for nought, he would never make a century because nobody would be there to play with him. It teaches you to obey rules and that is important, to be on time.

CONCLUSION

Tonight, we are here to listen to your views. I have told you some of what I have in mind and I want to hear from you because it is very important for the consultants and for all of us. I would like to say that what I have said, I am sure it has the full concurrence of Minister (of Public Works and Communications) (Rupert) Weekes.

Thank you very much Ladies and Gentlemen.

There has been a positive reaction from the public to the proposed Little Bay Development Project.

The plan, which include facilities for a yacht marina, shopping, housing and facilities for entertainment and cultural activities, has been developed by young Montserratian Architect Iverson Galloway and Associates.

Through a series of public meetings residents have offered many suggestions and general support for the proposal.

The Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt has also showered praise on Iverson Gallway’s design of the proposed development of Little Bay.

Mr. Brandt said Mr. Galloway’s work was of a high standard, and the Government and people of Montserrat were grateful for his input and interest in the future development of the island.

The Chief Minister promised that government would work hard to capitalize on the work of the young architect.

Mr. Galloway, gratified by public support, has promised to consolidate all the ideas and work on a plan of action.

Government’s road improvement project has received a boost with the approval of additional funds by the British Government, according to the Honourable Minister of Communications and Works Rupert Weekes.

Now that more money is being ploughed into the road projects, residents in the newly developed villages at Lookout and Davy Hill, as well as the Golden Years Home, are expected to get smoother roads.

At the moment some roads in those areas are bricky.

Mr. Weekes said insufficient funds were granted for the project at Lookout, which affected the government’s plans to improve access to homes in the area.

It is envisaged that upon commencement of the road improvement programme, additional jobs would be generated for those skilled in areas of road construction.

Montserrat recently participated in regional discussions held in Panama about the management of post-disaster health services such as vector control and animal health.

The 100 participants also looked at operations, logistics and transportation, with emphasis on how the U.S. Southern Command can assist in moving people and materials after a disaster in the region.

Discussions formed part of last week’s meeting on disaster preparedness in the Caribbean and the Americas, organized by the Caribbean Disaster Response Agency (CDERA) and the U.S. Military Southern Command.

Ms. Patricia Farrell of the Emergency Department and Mr. Richard Aspin, spokesman in the Governor’s Office, joined other delegates from across the region, Central and South America

The participation by the island came at a time when Montserrat was still going through what scientists have been saying is the cooling off period of the Soufriere Hills volcano.

Equally important, the meeting was held as islands and some countries are busy preparing for the 1999 Hurricane Season.

The Development Unit has announced assistance for local manufacturers.

Through the Export Development and Diversification Unit of the OECS, manufacturers stand to benefit from a programme of technical assistance and training.

According to the Development Unit, the programme gives particular attention to manufacturing businesses in the Food and Beverage, Garments, and Arts and Craft sectors.

It is therefore encouraging manufacturers to provide information to its offices in Brades on their specific needs before training and assistance can be offered.

Staff from the Development Unit will also visit the various businesses to get first-hand information on the type of products being manufactured before finalizing the assistance programme.

To find out more about the programme of assistance manufactures are invited to visit the Development Unit at the Government headquarters in Brades.

In a bid to revitalize the island’s agriculture sector, the Government of Montserrat has been continuing its "land-for-the tiller" programme. In response to an increase in demand by farmers for land, Agriculture Extension Officer Easton Farrell disclosed that the Agriculture Ministry was making preparations for farmers to access land at Duck Pond in the Salem area.

A number of procedures have been announced and farmers are advised to contact the Agriculture Ministry to determine if they satisfy the laid down criteria.

As the island seeks to bounce back from four years of volcanic activity that resulted in the devastation of prime agriculture lands in the south of the island that are also in the Exclusion Zone, the opening up of new lands has been recognized as a measure to reduce dependence on the importation of some agricultural produce.

As more Montserratians resettle back home and the north of the island proves safe for visitors and tourists to come, the need for continuous improvement in customer and client relations has been recognized by government.

In that regard, the Government of Montserrat has taken steps to improve the services to the public by hosting a Quality Customer Service seminar later this month.

The Ministry of Finance and the Department of Administration are spearheading efforts to include a range of government employees who come into regular contact with members of the public

Those expected to attend the three-day seminar are Customs, Immigration Officers, cashiers and receptionists, and other front-line staff.

Facilitator for the training seminar will be Mrs. Euphemia Brice Roberts of Brice Roberts Business Consulting Services in St. Kitts.

"The aim of the programme is to enhance the communication and relationship skills of participants in dealing with and keeping customers," according to latest information from the organisers.

Participants would be exposed to the benefits of developing a customer- focused mindset, enhance their ability to create a positive customer contact, and improve relationship skills with customers.

Among the topics to be covered are understanding customer service, commandments of quality customer service, developing a positive attitude, handling and resolving customer complaints, dealing with difficult customers and teamwork as a positive force for quality customer service.

FEATURES

ACROSS THE RIVER

21.8.99

I see grins of glory etched

beautifully on mahagony faces now:

they integrate in bars and churches

hum like bees in business places

they hammer hard on rooftops

driving nails to build a Christmas

to kill their coffins of despair.

Green trees and green houses

are erupting in the deserts of the North

to the steel music of mattocks

and gleams of the millennium

have begun to guild our rocks.

I see grins of glory dawning

on my people's faces now

and I shake a leg with them

kiss glasses in a toast of jubilation

glad to be alive on the other side

of trial and the tossing of the flood.

EAT from the LAND not from the CAN

MINI AGRICULTURAL FAIR AND EXHIBITION

The Ministry of Agriculture is planning a mini Agricultural Fair and Exhibition for mid December, 1999.

There is undoubtedly a need to give this Agricultural Sector a higher visibility. It is important that the entire community rallies around the Department in our efforts to revive agriculture. While it is true that some people may be convinced by our word on radio and in the newspaper, a tangible visible display if what we and farmers are doing will definitely have a greater and longer lasting impact.

In that regard a mini fair and exhibition is the best means of achieving that objective. The areas of focus would be as follows:-

• Vegetable Production
• Cottage Craft
• Ornamentals
• Fisheries

• Forestry

Crop Production

Preserved Fruit and Drinks

Cakes, Buns, Bread and Pastry

Needle Craft and Handicraft

Craft

Forestry and Horticultural Display

Fisheries Display

The date, venue and prizes will be announced later

Veterinary Officer Arrives

Mr Clifford Daniels, a Veterinary Officer took up employment with the Ministry of Agriculture, Land, Housing and the Environment this week.

An Appeal For Chains

It has been brought to the attention of the Department of Agriculture by livestock owners that there are no chains on island for purchase. Livestock producers need chains for tethering their animals.

Welcomed Rains

Mid week rains accounted for several hundred vegetable seedlings to be transplanted this week.

August Agri Quiz Continues

The closing date for the August/September Agri Quiz competition is September 30^th. Winners will be announced on the program Farmers Corner at 8:15 p.m. on the above date. Persons who have not yet sent in an entry are asked to do so immediately; the list of questions can be had at the Ministry Headquarters at Brades.

FROM THE BRADES NURSERY

Seedlings Still Available

• Tomato
• Cabbage
• Eggplant

Also citrus rootstocks

DONKEY ADOPTION ó KICKS OFF

Registration of persons requesting donkeys is in progress. Several persons were interviewed and signed up this week.

Other persons requesting donkeys are reminded to register immediately at the office at the Agriculture Department at Brades.

RESTFUL NIGHTS AT LOOKOUT

New residents at Lookout so far have reported restful nights as a result of the Ministry of Agriculture’s efforts in capturing feral donkeys in the area. The number captured so far is sixty one (61). It is estimated that less than twenty (20) animals are still to be captured.

The goal for preventative strategies should be to minimize the risk of falling without restricting the movement and functional independence of the elderly.

One very important strategy is the assessment of the home environment – usually done by trained personnel. Other strategies include the observation and evaluation of balance and gait and the assessment and modification, insofar as possible, of essential risk factors and intervention.

Outlined below are some risk factors for falling and possible preventative measures.

It is important to note that careful assessment and modification of risk factors will reduce the prevalence of falls and subsequently the morbidity rate for the elderly.

We stop short of branding as phony

His Excellency Governor Tony,

Though his latest reply

Leaves us wondering why

What he told us before was baloney.

While waiting the Baxter report

To whom can naysayers resort?

Well an overhand smash

At that ominous ash

Puts the ball right in Simon Young’s court.

Jus wonderin what a pot-holed swimming pool is doing in the vicinity of the Hospital.

Jus wonderin if the island’s MONEY CHIEF has not outlived his value to the country dozens of years ago

Jus wonderin if we should not cry shame on the process for the quality of choice of the EFES-designate.

Jus wonderin if it changes anything to guide the goats off (Fogarthy Hill road) early in the evening on to their owner's claimed property only for them to stray back to the warmth of the road later in the night.

Jus wonderin how the Environment and Health Department is dealing the seeming lack of refrigeration at our supermarkets.

Jus wonderin what is happening to our grocery prices which have tripled quickly in some instances.

Jus wonderin who is going to explain when and how long it is safe to use goods gone pass the expiry date when found.

Jus wonderin how many people check their receipts at the check counters of some of our supermarkets.

Jus wonderin why the school children had to be given almost another week vacation after turning up to school on Monday and sent home till Friday.

Jus wonderin if the Minister of Education will take the responsibility for the sudden shortage of teachers at the St. Augustine School.

Jus wonderin why there is no urgent and aggressive into the handed over houses at Lookout.

Jus wonderin if there are any strong arm tactics coming out of the new housing authority.

Jus wonderin if was possible to have an animal doctor cutting humans in Montserrat.

Jus wonderin when we are going to cross-over the Behlam Bridge.

Jus wonderin if the SOB owners are merely getting 'bureaucratic bafflegab' from the offices of Excellence.