OFFICIAL OPENING OF PARLIAMENT
This past Monday, November l8, saw the opening of our new Parliament. First we saw the swearing in of our Legislature. This resulted from the just concluded l996 General elections held a week earlier. The Legislature comprises of the seven elected members plus two nominated members, ex-officio members, the Attorney General and the Financial Secretary. It also includes a Speaker who presides over proceedings of the House.
So it was a different setting for new Chief Minister, Bertrand Beresford Osborne, far different from what he would have imagined fifteen months or even a year ago. The Soufriere Hills volcano was again the culprit, but as for the proceedings only the location was different, as the make shift Council Chamber became crammed with observers and well-wishers. There was even a corner reserved for the Press to which I was hurriedly ushered.
The ceremony began following the seating of the Legislative members on two sides of the room, the four ministers and the two ex-officio officials who will form the Executive Council on the one hand and the three opposition members and the two nominated members on the other. They were preceded by the Clerk of Council Mrs. Mary Taylor and the Sergeant-at-Arms Sgt. Ezekiel Woodley bearing the Mace, followed by the Speaker, Dr. Howard Fergus suitably robed in a black and red gown. President of the Christian Council, Fr. Victor Peters was then invited to lead the house in prayers. Fr. Peters invited God's guidance and protection on the elected members.
Dr. Fergus and Mr. D.R.V. Edwards were both unanimously re-elected as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively. The Speaker in accepting his nomination said he accepted the appointment with humility and reminded the gathering that while as Speaker he is barred from debating, he represented Montserrat, locally, regionally and internationally and cited two relief funds which he personally administers. The 1st Nominated Member, Mr. D.R.V. Edwards gave a brief address in which he accepted his nomination , like many others he called for the healing process after the tumult. He reminded the House that he served at the pleasure of His Excellency the Governor, and warned that he would support or oppose any matter whether put forward by Government or Opposition as he saw fit as he was not bound one way or the other.
In moving the motion for adjournment the Honorable Chief Minister addressed the House and all others made brief interventions, some more brief than others.
CM, the Honorable Bertrand Osborne complimented both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker on their re-appointment as well as thanked his constituency of Southern for the faith they have should in him while electing him for three terms. He also complimented the whole of Montserrat for showing what he termed an element of maturity in their conduct during the elections.
Osborne said he was not unaware of the concerns some people had with a coalition government, but said already there were forces at work to undermine the work of his government, but assured everyone that each member of his team was committed to his government's success.
The Chief Minister went on to comment briefly on his priorities with reference to the volcanic crisis, making special reference to housing for the evacuated and those now living in shelters. He stopped short of criticizing the former CM now his colleague, detailing some shortcomings , referring also to the current unemployment level which he attributed to the current crisis.
His deputy , Minister of Education Adelina Tuitt said that recognizing the challenges they face , they will "formulate a dynamic fast track program to improve conditions in shelters and for those who may have to be evacuated" in the event of heightened activity with the volcano.
Minister of Public Works, Rupert L. Weekes pointed out that his appointment as a Minister is a first for St. John's where several persons, including his father, have served in the Legislature but never as Ministers while ex-CM Meade stressed the importance of his appointment. He said that continuity was important to the effective performance of the government. Mr. Meade made it pellucidly clear that he was not in contention for the leadership of the government and in no way was he challenging the Chief Minister's authority. He assured the House that all members of Government were committed to the rebuilding of Montserrat.
Leader of the Opposition John Osborne assured the Speaker that his re-appointment would have been assured had he won the elections. Mr. Brunel Meade in his maiden speech warned that he will see it that Government carry out its promises and will seek to ensure that some of his campaign pledges were implemented.
MP for Windward David Brandt took the opportunity to challenge the Chief Minister who said they should make their of the government and in no way was he challenging the Chief Minister's authority. He assured the House that all members of Government were committed to the rebuilding of Montserrat.
Leader of the Opposition John Osborne assured the Speaker that his re-appointment would have been assured had he won the elections. Mr. Brunel Meade in his maiden speech warned that he will see to it that Government carry out its promises and will seek to ensure that some of his campaign pledges were implemented.
MP for Windward David Brandt took the opportunity to challenge the Chief Minister who said they should make their contribution. He was therefore suggesting that urgent steps be taken to correct the tragedy at the shelters, while also seeking to properly house the evacuated residents of Windward. He urged the CM to seek relief from the Banks to relieve residents of the high mortgages while paying rents during the crisis.
A coalition government is the government of the day. The people have spoken and their wishes must be respected by all political parties and in fact by all Montserratians. The emphasis should now be on reuniting the country and making an all out effort toward the rebuilding of a more vibrant and better Montserrat. It is normal in most democracies around the world to give a new regime at least l00 days before commenting on their performance and goals which are normally set. The Reporter intends to live up to the norm. That period is usually referred to as the "honeymoon" between government and media.
We look forward to seeing an increase in jobs and better housing for the shelterees in the immediate future. We believe that with careful spending of the allotted 26 million pounds of British Aid funds should keep our economy moving for the next year or two.
We hope the government will seek to attract investors from abroad and more-so that special incentives will be given to entice locals into investing in their homeland.
We are also looking forward to a return to the good old days of honest , upright government.
Some years ago, Kenneth Allen, Q.C made this appeal "that we set out to organize our society so as to encourage every citizen to become politically conscious, to become politically involved in the affairs of his country, to make his personal contribution however small, and to believe in democracy as a precious possession."
We supported that appeal then and again today and hope that the record number of candidates who offered themselves at Election l996 is an indication of a step in that direction.
It can never be over-emphasized that we must unite to build a better Montserrat. In the words of one of the political parties - Together we can do better.
Three wooden structures, to be used as classrooms, have been completed at the Salem campus of the Montserrat Secondary School.. Students of 9 classes at the Montserrat Secondary School have been moved to the new classrooms. The structures were built by the Montserrat Defense Force and have replace the tent like structures which were being used for classes. Hot conditions in the tent-like structures reportedly made schools sessions difficult for both teachers and students who have welcomed the relief. The School expects more wooden structures to be built to replace the remaining two tent- like structures still used as classrooms. Some 6 classes are still conducted under tents at the Salem Campus which now caters to the entire Montserrat Secondary School.
Authorities are now looking forward to being able to acquire space for recreation.
Montserrat Participates in World Travel Market
Montserrat participated in World Travel Market this year with a delegation comprising Board Member and hotelier, Carol Osborne and Marketing Officer Rosetta West. This international trade show targeting the travel trade, took place from November 11- 15 1996 at Earls Court in London, England. A Montserrat booth was set up where contracts were made with the travel trade- tour operators, travel agents and the media. There were dissemination of tourism literature as well as answering of general question on Montserrat. Many of the persons who visited the both thought that Montserrat was non-existent as a tourism destination because of the volcanic situation. However Miss West said they were re-assured that life goes on the northern side where tourist is still being welcomed and accommodated. She went on to say that the overall feedback from the show were quite encouraging considering the volcano situation.
Dominica PM Expresses Faith in new Government
Dominican Prime Minister Doctor Edison James has expressed faith in the new government of Montserrat. He says he is confident that members of the new government will cast their personal needs aside and focus on the crisis facing the island. The remark from the Dominican Prime Minister was made on a regional newscast. Indefinite results at the polls last Monday have seen the formation of a coalition government lead by businessman and former opposition MP Bertrand Osborne which also include former Chief Minister Reuben T Meade.
The Agriculture Department is paying more attention to backyard gardening. According to Director of Agriculture the present situation is good for promoting this method of catering to local consumer demands for food. Mr. Claude Gerald says this form of agriculture will blend perfectly with the shelters and temporary housing situation. The department intends to strengthen the backyard farming which is already implemented by some farmers. Meanwhile Mr. Gerald say he will provide some white potato seeds to these farmers. Only a small amount of white potato seeds have been received, one hundred bags, but already the interesting among farmers is high and the seeds will be dispersed as soon as they are cleared from customs.
UWI Lecturer and newly re-elected Speaker, Dr. Howard Fergus has this week released yet another valuable publication on Montserrat. Titled Gallery Montserrat: Prominent People in Montserrat's History, the book published by Canoe Press in Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados Profiles 49 persons who have featured prominently in the history of Montserrat.
The blurb on the back cover of the book observes that "It presents biographical sketches of persons whose lives and work have shaped the history and development of this British colony from its European settlement in 1632 to contemporary times. The mosaic of persons includes Leeward Island Governor William Stapleton, the philanthropist Joseph Sturge, Pioneer trade unionist Robert W. Griffith, the island's first Chief Minister William H. Bramble, the martyrs of the 1768 slave rebellion, Wally Wade who went from minus to millions, and two women Ministers of Government. On the artistic side it features nineteenth century king of Redonda, M.P. Shiel, the poet Archie Markham, and Edgar White whose plays have been staged in Europe USA and several Caribbean countries.
The book also focuses on a number of contemporary figures including Alphonsus (Arrow) Cassell, Major Vincent Browne, Dr. J.A. George Irish, Margaret Annie Dyer-Howe Ellen Jane Lindsey, Jim Allen and Major Theodore Bramble.
These are ostensibly isolated portraits but together they give a rich insight into an island story, evolutionary struggles and triumphs and the culture of its people".
The book should be a welcome resource for teachers and schools and a must for Montserratians and friends of Montserrat at home and aboard. It also provides the bases for further research work on Montserrat.
The author, Dr. Fergus sees the book as providing useful self-knowledge for Montserratians. In his works , "the present work takes forward the process of historical research and publications intended to illumine the past and provide guidelines and inspiration for the future".
The opening of Legislative Council on Monday of this week was presided over by Speaker of the House Dr. Howard Fergus. He has been re-elected as Speaker for a sixth consecutive term. Dr. Fergus expressed appreciation for the confidence shown in him by successive government. He also urged all members of the Legislative Council, Government and Opposition members to work together for the sake of the country.
First Nominated Member D.R.V. Edwards was also re-elected as Deputy Speaker. Both DR. Fergus and MR. Edwards have served for over twenty years in their respective positions.
Disaster Aid From a Private UK Source
Concerned persons overseas continue to remember Montserratians who have been distressed by the ongoing eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano; and funds continue to trickle in. A religious organization headed by Rev. Miles Witherford recently sent 700 pounds to Speaker of Council Dr. Howard Fergus who will be their local agent responsible for disbursement. The UK intermediary is Mr. J. Llewellyn Fergus formerly of Montserrat.
The money will be spent to assist some of the neediest who have evacuated, especially the elderly.
Earlier in the year, a newly formed Montserratian Association of Birmingham sent a sum of money to bring relief in the same cause. Some persons who lost their possessions at Long Ground when the volcano erupted on 17 September are benefiting from small monetary gifts out of the Birmingham funds.
The island is grateful for any and all efforts which are made to assist its people.
US Consular to Visit Montserrat
Mrs. Juliet Ryder, U.S. Consular Agent will be in Montserrat Dec 3- 5 1996. She will be available by appointment to certify documents for : (a) application for U.S. Passport; (b) renewal of passports; (c) Applicants for reports of Birth Abroad; (d) Reports of Death abroad, and (e) other matters pertaining to citizens. She will not be dealing with Visa or Green Card problems but will have a limited number of visa applications and lost Green Card forms available.
Appointments can be by calling her office in Antigua at 268-463-6531 between 1.00 and 3:00 p.m. any Monday prior to Dec. 3rd. Please leave your name and phone number both at home and at work and she will contact you. Please do not call with Visa or Green Card questions; those calls must be directed to Barbados at 246-431-0224.
Documentation needed for children's passports is as follows:
1) International bank draft U.S.D. $40.00.
2) Two 2"x2" photos of child with head measuring at least 1 3/8".
3) Child's birth certificate and a Xerox copy.
4) Child's baptismal certificate and a Xerox copy.
5) If a child's already has a passport bring the passport and a Xerox copy of inside page which has picture and pertinent information.
6.) Mother's Passport with a copy of the page with her picture and copy of the page with the Visa stamp.
7.) Proof of payment for the birth of the child, i.e. hospital receipt, canceled check, etc.
Adults wishing to renew their passports must have a draft for 55.00 U.S.D., their passport and one other identification Mrs. Ryder will have the forms and these can be applied for by the individual.
Parents wishing to apply for a Report of Birth Aboard should contact Mrs. Ryder personally before December 3rd, 1996.
Mrs. Ryder will certify all documents, thus alleviating a trip a Barbados; however the individual will be responsible for sending down the paperwork to Barbados either via Fed Ex, LIAT Quick Pak, or by Courier.
The four Ministers of Government who were sworn in last Wednesday, took the opportunity Sunday afternoon to tour the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) and to meet with the scientific community.
The four, Chief Minister B. Osborne, Minister of Education, Health & Community Services Adelina E. Tuitt, Minister of Agriculture, Trade and the Environment Rueben T. Meade and Minister of Communications and Works Rupert L. Weekes were comprehensively briefed on the current status of the volcano and the present alert stage.
The Ministers of Government spent the afternoon discussing the history of the volcano to date, the present situation, the risk map and the association zones, the alert system, and the current orange alert phase.
Chief Minister, Bertrand B. Osborne said, on completion of the briefing, that he and his fellow Ministers felt that they had to make the exercise a priority and that all four now had a much better grasp of the volcano and its implications for everyone in Montserrat.
Head Scientist at the MVO, Dr. Simon Young headed the briefing team.
Montserrat's newly elected Chief Minister the Honorable Mr. Bertrand Osborne was introduced as the newest head of government to his counterpart at a top level OCS meeting in St. Lucia earlier this week. The CM called for greater input from CARICOM in the islands local affairs. Reports reaching the Reporter says that Chief Minister Bertrand Osborne feels regional governments should play a more active role in assisting the island financially. He has also indicated a need for a re- assessment of the local situation to set the course for the much needed restoration works.
Visit of West Indian Guard ship
The West Indies Guardship, HMS Boxer will pay a courtesy visit to Montserrat from Friday 6th December, 1996 to Monday 9th December, 1996. As part of the normal planning for this visit HMS Boxer will pass close to Montserrat on the morning of 26th November, 1996 and the Commanding Officer, Commander E Fraser, will come ashore by helicopter.
Commander M P Mansergh will take over from Commander Fraser when the ship arrives in Bridgetown on 27 November 1996 and will command the ship during the visit, to Montserrat.
HMS Boxer will anchor at Old Road Bay and the ships company expect to play cricket, football and golf against Montserratian teams. They also hope to organize a children party during their visit.
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Governor Dwight Venner has proposed a Best Cities Competition among the eight countries which from the currency union.
Addressing the November 14, Inaugural Sir Arthur Lewis Memorial Lecture in St. Lucia, Mr. Venner said, OECS countries were faced with a challenge of balancing economic development with environmental, preservation, and encouraging growth and technological sophistication without losing the beauty of their natural surroundings and cultural heritage.
He pointed out the disappearance of green open spaces from downtown areas, poor construction planning, unsightly clusters of vendors, inefficient garbage collection, and congested traffic as characteristic of OECS cities. The ECCB Governor noted that the current state of affairs was at odds with the product sold to tourists, and did not augur well for national and civic pride.
Mr. Venner cited the need for an ongoing program to sensitize both the public and private sectors to the importance of maintaining picturesque and friendly cities. He announced the ECCB's willingness to sponsor an Urban Development Contest which would involve special category awards and overall Best City award. Among the criteria would be preservation of architectural integrity, general cleanliness, low traffic flow, crime control and public utilities.
He said the issue was everybody's business and encouraged both public and private sectors to become involved.
Mr. Editor,
Last week I ended my short letter with the words "more next week". Many of your readers naturally expected me to continue in the same vein but after listening to the legislators at the swearing-in ceremony on Monday last, I am obliged to change my tenor.
To a man they all promised to work together for the betterment of Montserrat. This was heartening bearing in mind much of the diatribe we the electorate were subjected to in a very bruising campaign.
The Chief Minister in his speech promised to give opposition members specific tasks. This must be a first and we look forward to hearing of and seeing results.
Perhaps for the New Year we should resolve to focus less on our differences and to unite around our strengths. It might be possible to achieve more through united actions than through bickering and fighting and putting each other down.
Perhaps we could then experiment with co-operation, consultation, setting attainable goals and constructive action.
L.E. (John) Watts
Helo Mista Edita what a rainy week we had eh, it is ou pity dat de valciana a prevent de farma dem fan plantin in a de so carl unsiafe zoarne. Well de rian a blessing but de people dem who come pan de boart Tuesday no come a lan becarse e ma rian cyat an darg. But mista e look lek de German people dem warta proof, de no me na hide outo de rian. Well me no andustan wa a gawrn dong a jail every day somebady a bruk out. Awa happen no warda a wok dong da? Dem say dat de prisena dem a pay de warda dem fu help. But you know people dem jus like fu chat an now electiun don dem mus fine sudden fou say. Now dat de alert level gan back dong to amba me horpe dat de school in a Cark Hill no get clorse agen if um gu back up to orange, an by de way a wonda wha dem ago tel de people dem inna Sout Satiday becarse de man dem fan de MVO don say that only cut-arf de people dem might get. An if de people dem move a way dem ago put dem, no more spaiece in a any shelta fu dem. Mr edita me no want to metiun wa me hear bout de indiun dem so me gan til leata.
"Of Prayer Groups, Money and Satanic Doings"
We have all heard tell of myriad Prayer Groups springing up during the just completed political campaign seeking Divine assistance to usher in candidates of choice or debar others that were deemed to be totally unsuitable. We have heard tell of fistfuls and bag-fulls of dollars being thrown at the voting public to either go to or remain away from the voting booths. We have heard with our own ears a candidate proudly admitting to giving money to the electorate at election time. We have heard of open bar tabs to treat the voting public so they could remain in total drunken stupor and do the bidding of the money men on election day. We have heard of polling officials campaigning on election day, while directing the masses to the appropriate voting stations. We have even heard of the business man who indicated who he came to vote for instead of privately taking care of his franchise as other Montserratians came to do. And, we heard tell of the little old lady who had to be publicly scolded because even after three tries she could not recall the name of the individual she was sent to vote for. But, the rumors of Satanic Doings to ensure a win at the polls is a new and unheard of phenomena in Montserrat's culture. This is not to say that this sort of behavior has not been attempted here before. Other Caribbean politicians, with a less informed populace, have been said to have successfully used this threat of Voodoo Politics to keep their marauding electorate in line or at least at bay. But stories of kidnapped, bound and gagged twelve or fourteen year olds is a little too much even for Montserrat.
But the real highlight of the elections seem to have been bribery and rumors of bribery. Even heard tell of Her Majesty's Representative to look into the allegations. So what has been done to date? According to the Conventional Wisdom, nothing. Okay, so what is he waiting for?
It is amazing that a candidate can declare on National Radio that money is being given to an accepting public at election time and walk out of the compound free and at large. It must be that some candidates are above the law or that most Montserratians do not understand the law. The week long free bar tabs and the fistful of dollars were in plain sight for all to see. There was no surreptitious behavior. So where was Her Majesty's Constabulary or the other law enforcing entities on island?
We call on our Government to have all these allegations and rumors looked into. It is necessary that this issue be investigated. Let's get onto the integrity band wagon right now. Reward and punishment is the modus operandi for the twenty first century. We have rewarded our Government with our vote. Now let's see our Government punish those who tried to buy our vote.
It is always a funny but fulfilling experience to see good win out over evil. It is even more satisfying for a good and Christian nation to see Prayer win out over money and Voodoo Politics. This blatant disregard for the law and the moral high ground is a very worrying thing for many Montserratians. The only way that we can ensure that this sort of thing is absent from our next general elections is to have the perpetrators feel the full fist of the law. So again we call on our Government and Her Majesty's Representative to have this issue fully investigated.
The televised debate of the candidates brought to the fore the palpable anger of some candidates. Perhaps the anger sprung from the price of public office or the acknowledgment of some candidates of their own financial inability to purchase public office. Perhaps, other candidates even came to the realization that Malcolm X's cry "by any means necessary" did not relate to buying one's way into public office.
All we can hope is that some candidates have come to the realization that it is not possible to buy your way into heaven neither is the buying process fool proof. Sometimes you just do not get your moneys worth!
The Honorable Chief Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development is Bertrand Beresford Osborne. He has been a member of the Legislature for nine years as representative for the Southern Constituency.
He is affiliated to the Movement for National Reconstruction and was sworn in as Chief Minister and Minister of Finance & Economic Development on Wednesday 13th November 1996.
Mr. Osborne was the Managing Director of M.S. Osborne Ltd. at the time of this election. Born in 1935, he was a student of the Montserrat Secondary School and graduated from there in 1952 with the old Cambridge School Certificate.
Since that time he has undergone several courses in Business Administration.
Mr. Osborne is a member of the Roman Catholic community and has been very active in the affairs of the church over the years. He is married to Lystra who is the current Executive Director of the Montserrat of the Branch of the British Red Cross, they have four children.
Mr. Osborne is a member of the British Empire (MBE) and a Member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association under whose auspices he visited the United Kingdom in February 1994 as a Category 1 visitor to the Wilton Park Conference.
Currently Mr. Osborne, whose home is in Plymouth, is relocated like many of his fellow Montserratians and now lives in Old Towne.
Last Tuesday it was announced that the volcanic alert stage was being returned to Amber following a period of relative quiet at the Soufriere Hills Volcano. The volcano - tectonic (VT's) earthquakes swarm which two weeks earlier led the alert to be upped to Orange had all but finished. The VT's started on November 1 and were at much deeper depths than normal which led scientists to believe that there was imminent danger of an explosive situation similar to the one on September 17.
However this was not to be, and by last weekend the VT's had subsided, they normally indicate that fresh magma is reaching the surface and fracturing rocks in the process. The deeper events certainly were a worrying factor for a while as they were never been seen before.
At l0 a.m. on Tuesday, ZJB carried announcements and interviews with Head Scientist at the MVO Dr. Simon
Young explaining the reasons for the lowering of the alert stage. Dr. Young explained that the dome was growing, and that it was freely gassing , all of which indicated that the danger of an imminent explosion was diminishing. He further explained that this would probably result in a return to rockfalls, possible pyroclastic flows, ashclouds and some ash falls. By yesterday, Thursday, the MVO was recording increased rockfalls and many people witnessed the first ashcloud in weeks which confirmed Dr. Young's comments.
The lowering of the alert to Amber signals the go ahead for residents of Farms Village and Richmond Hill to return home after been relocated during the Orange alert. However, officials were quick to point out that Zones A, B, and C on the volcanic risk map were still considered high risk area and should not be occupied at all. Curfew from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m remain in effect in these areas. Schools in the Cork Hill area which were closed during the heightened alert re-opened on Wednesday following a meeting the day before with teachers, scientists, GIS officials and Ministry of Education officials.
Now that the alert stage has been lowered, scientists and GIS officials are once again organising a series of community officials . This week they met with students at the Montserrat Secondary School and the Technical College and tomorrow (Saturday) they meet with all non relocated residents of the South at a meeting carded for the St. Patrick's Anglican Church at 11.30 a.m.
Brian Lara on Monday in a press conference in Australia said that he had drawn a veil over his indiscretions of last year and accepted responsibility for his misbehavior as a Test cricketer and world record-holder. He also said the West Indies Cricket Board had to bear some of the responsibility for what can be called the Lara debacle. The WICB has been silent.
Below Tony Cozier reflects on the Lara factor.
Clive Lloyd is in no doubt. "As he matures, I am sure he will lead the West Indies into the 2lst century and back to the top of the West Indies ladder", the most successful of all West Indies cricket captains said in presenting Brian Lara with the International Cricketer of the Year award in Bombay (Mumbai) in October.
It is a role for which Lara has been groomed since he was a teenager but which has recently been placed in some doubt. Ironically, it has been his own phenomenal, record-breaking performances in l994 and the pressures they inevitably exerted that led him down a rocky detour and diverted him away from his preordained goal.
The next three months, on the challenging tour of Australia, are likely to determine whether the supremely gifted left-hander from Trinidad has overcome the psychological problems that have rendered him the most controversial, as well as the most celebrated, of modern cricketers, and whether he is now ready for the elevation that has been on hold for some time.
His appointment as vice-captain to Courtenay Walsh is as much a notice of probation as a vote of confidence from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
Quite apart from his extraordinary batting ability, Lara is, and always has been, a captain -in- waiting. His leadership qualities have long since been recognized by those in authority.
He led the West Indies team to the Youth World Cup in Australia in l988 and the "A" team to Zimbabwe the following year, aged 20, above older players with Test experience. He became the youngest ever captain of Trinidad & Tobago a few months before his 21st birthday and was consistently chosen to carry representative elevens against touring teams in the West Indies.
Significantly, he was first promoted to a senior position in the Test side when made vice-captain in Antigua in l994.
It was the match of 375 that, with the seven consecutive hundreds and the unbeaten 501 that followed within a few weeks in England, transformed his life.
He was not the first young sports star to be overwhelmed by the fame, adulation, expectations and commercial demands that followed. These, in Wes Hall's apt phrase, "hung like an albatross around his neck, and led to the widely-publicized indiscretions - the walkout from the team in England and the withdrawal from the Australian tour last year, the scathing criticism of management and the set-to with physio Denis Waight in the World Cup last March - that have brought him a fine and two warnings from the Board's disciplinary committee in the past year.
It was enough evidence for the selectors to strip him of the vice-captaincy, a chastening decision. When, in the absence of any official appointment, Lloyd and new captain Courtney Walsh elevated him back to the post at the start of the home series against New Zealand last season, their appointment was overturned by a Board unconvinced that Lara was yet prepared for the responsibility.
Over the weekend of November 9-10 the Fifth Annual Montserrat Mountain Bike Challenge took place despite the presence of the "orange alert" in place for the volcano. Although the numbers of participants from other islands and the United States were reduced because of the volcanic threat, those who came to Montserrat for the event were in high spirits and ready to compete on the course that has been called "the toughest mountain bike course in the Caribbean."
Approximately 30 people came to Montserrat from St. Kitts, St. Martin, Tortola, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia and the United States. Twenty of those who came participated in the races, which consisted of four events: Uphill and Downhill Challenges on Saturday, November 9 and on Sunday November 10, the Cross Country and Dual Slalom Elimination Challenges were staged.
Two Young Montserratians took part Alex O'Brien, 10 years old, currently living in Woodlands and Lemarle Lewis, 11 years old, currently living in St. Peters, were the onlyMontserratians to compete in this year's events. Young Alex raced in the Uphill and Downhill races on Saturday. Although his uphill time was much longer than any of the other racers, he is to be commended for his valiant efforts. Lemarle took part in the Cross Country Challenge, successfully completing his one required lap around Garibaldi Hill. The 7+ mile course has been called "brutal" by professional riders and Lemarle completed the distance in under two hours, a very good time for one so young on such a difficult course.
The other Montserrat residents who took part in the races were Butch Miller, Wilbert "Benjie" Benjamin and John Knibb.
Because of the small number of participants in this year's Challenge, an overall points system was used to determine the winners. The only variation used from this system was giving top points to not only the overall winner, but to the leaders in the Female, Junior and Master categories. The overall Champion of this year's race was Dr. Michael Archer of St. Kitts. Dr. Archer, who teaches at Ross University there, took home a beautiful limited-edition Cannondale mountain bike as a reward for his outstanding efforts in all the events. The second place winner took home a certificate from Windjammer Barefoot Cruises for a 6 day cruise for two.
Governor's Cup and
Volcanic Trophies
The names of the Male and Female Champions, Michael Archer and Melanie Mowinski, will be engraved on the trophy donated in 1995 by Governor Frank Savage. The Governor's Cup is on permanent display at Island Bikes. The winners took home some very original trophies, made from pieces of volcanic rock and miniature bicycles, as mementos of the 1996 Montserrat Mountain Bike Challenge.
Overall results were: Points and Category
1. Michael Archer (St. Kitts) 36 points Expert/Sport
2. Laurant Normal (Guadeloupe) 33 points Pro/Elite
3. Mark Maidwell (St. Maarten) 31 pointsSport
4. Geoff Kennedy (Tortola) 28 point Junior
5. Melanie Mowinski (St. Kitts) 22 points Female
6. Butch Miller (Montserrat) 22 point Master
7. James Belk (St. Martin/USA) 19 points Sport
8. Daniel Inniss (Tortolla) 18 points Sport
9. John Knibb (Montserrat/UK) 14 pointsSport
The Montserrat Cycle Association would like to thank everyone who helped to make the weekend a success. American Airlines and LIAT helped by providing special discounted air fares for competitors from overseas. The Cannondale Corporation of Connecticut in the USA helped by donating a mountain bike as grand prize. Mountain Bike Magazine, which helped by providing advertising, and Terry Precision Bicycles for Women, both USA based companies also donated prizes. Cable & Wireless (Montserrat) helped with a donation of cash for prizes. The Montserrat Defense Force, Montserrat Electric Services Ltd., and the Sports Department helped by lending equipment which was greatly appreciated. Special thanks go to Tina for being at the races on Sunday to provide racers and spectators with delicious food and cold drinks.
Jus wonderin if the rumors are true about the prison warders are doing something fishy and that's why prisoners are able to escape so easily from HMO. BY the way can't help wondering which of other prisoners turn is next.
Jus wonderin if something is wrong with Montserrat's most qualified and experience football referee why he is no longer assigned to football matches.
Jus wonderin what was the problem at Angelo's last Friday when the police was called for assistance.
Jus wonderin if the driver from PWD was arrested for willfully damaging the Salem Village Street Fair banner.
Jus wonderin why one of the Indians from the Old Town business place was using profane language against our beloved Queens name because he was so sure that a political party was going to win the elections hands down.
Jus wonderin if it is true that the Indian business community gave one political party hundreds of thousand dollars for their campaigning during the just concluded elections.
Jus wonderin why the police at the check points were armed with buck shot guns.
Jus wonderin if more persons can be in the discussions and decision making in relation to the closer of schools and other volcano related matters. Can't help wonderin who decided to close the schools in Cork Hill.
Jus wonderin when will we be able to go back to our homes in Plymouth.
Jus wonderin what the so and so is going on with our festival this year.
Jus wonderin how some political pundits can compare the figures from one party that contested all seven seats with the other parties that only contested only five and six seats.
Jus wonderin when will children under twelve years of age be given more than $10 worth of food vouchers per week.
Jus wonderin why food vouchers are not being given to working mothers who have breastfeeding babies. Does this really make sense? While on vouchers, jus wonderin why some people have to wait over two months to collect a voucher, and still can't get any for the time they missed.
Jus wonderin why people think that the Heavy Roller should be given a chance to be Chief.
Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: roachb@candw.ag
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