Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings brought focus on the need for suitable fixed-wing facilities into Montserrat. Incidents brought back memories that are very common at this time at year, perhaps not always so aggravated, as passengers destined for Montserrat for the festive holidays were stranded in Antigua.

The first problem developed last week on Thursday evening when many longing to see their relatives went to Little Bay in vain, as their loved ones did not show. First information reaching the Reporter said that the old and ridiculous "cut-off time" problem was again raised. Passengers traveling from far away, including England, were left standing in line. They were told they could not travel on the ferry because the ferry had to return at a certain time and the time had run out.

One young man related how a mother hugged him like her son at Little Bay as she waited to pick up her son. She said as she hugged him: "I can't tell you how excited. I haven't seen him for a long time."

This youngster was irate at the news as he too went to pick up someone who also had been left in Antigua.

Later it was reported that the operators said bad weather had forced the sudden check-in closure. The following morning, according to one expat passenger who took the ferry to Antigua to meet her mother, the trip took two and a half-hours.

That Friday evening the ferry did not return to Montserrat because of high seas, and many who had taken advantage of the halved weekend fare were stranded.  Included was a large group of Britain-based Montserratian artistes, who did not anticipate such overnight inconvenience.  All were forced to spend more money than they had intended to.

The ferry did not travel again on Saturday morning and a somewhat understanding but unhappy crowd, totaling more than 240 persons, boarded and descended on Little Bay on Saturday evening, leaving Antigua just after 4 p.m.

The non-ferry service for the two days and the resulting financial burdens raised several concerns among passengers, who then had to pay departure tax in Antigua, in addition to finding accommodation for which they had not budgeted. Many had gone to Antigua in the first place to benefit from the lower prices for some goods there.

The situation served as fuel for arguments as to the need and the urgency for Montserrat to have its own fixed-wing airport/airstrip, but comments were directed for an airstrip to accommodate at least a Dash 8 aircraft.

Community Policing became a reality officially last week when Superintendent Morris of the Royal Montserrat Police presented to the public five young police officers who are being detailed to take the idea to the community.

The five include two trainers, Officers Billy Daroux and Elva Sweeney, with three beat officers, Carolyn Berry, Evelyn Ryan and Steve Rodney.

Last Friday morning, the five officers made presentations to a small gathering of invitees , who included the personnel/training department of the civil service, clergy and the press, at Police Headquarters to mark the end of a training course conducted by British Superintendent Morris. In introducing them, Superintendent Morris said that "the Community Training Course was specific and responsive to the needs of Montserrat, focussing on the underlying cause of problems."

L to R: Steve Rodney, Evelyn Ryan, Carolyn Berry, Elva Sweeney, Billy Daroux

Each officer gave a viewpoint on different aspects of community policing and its needs and effects for different areas in the island, from Salem to St. John's. One of the beat officers, who focused on the Carrs Bay and Cudjoe Head area, revealed that there was a drug (Marijuana) problem in the Carrs Bay area.She said that people, including business owners, in the Cudjoe Head area with whom they interacted, asked for a police presence after midnight for their area.

Each officer responded to questions following their presentations and discussions ensued. It was revealed that this was just the beginning of the program, but it was a new thrust which will involve all departments of the police force and is expected to bring the police in much closer cooperation with the communities they serve.

It is that time of year for merriment in Montserrat. For many years now Montserrat has been celebrating a carnival spirit during the last two weeks of December through Christmas and New Years Day. It used to be the time of year when family got together and celebrated and a long tradition of partying.

Slowly it changed into a carnival time. Only Hurricane Hugo curtailed it in 1989, and then the uprising of Soufriere Hills volcano slowed it back considerably. Hugo, of course, paled in its effect on the carnival compared to the volcanic activity, but the spirit never really died and it has given cause for wonderment among outsiders that Montserrat can find a way to celebrate, rejoice and party.

No amount of merriment, of course, can make us lose sight of the problems that are experienced and the labours that lie ahead, and while every effort is made little by little to bring some things back to the "way they used to be." The labours will aggravate the problems, but hopefully they can be used in a positive sense to find new ways for overcoming the crisis and rather than being discouraged by them.

This year perhaps Montserrat will see more visitors and Montserratians coming/visiting home than it had since 1997. What is sad is that not everyone who planned to visit might already be here, but much of the hope is that by visiting they will see some way of planning their return home.  Montserrat's future depends on a good many of its evacuees' returning.

Sadly, early comments from the visitors suggest that they will be visiting rather than returning. We can hope that over their short stay they will see enough to change that feeling. Sadder yet, however, are the voices of frustration among those living here, which are rising more and more, making it appear that not only will visitors not return for good, but there will be others leaving.

This means that those who are serious about the future of a Montserrat made up of Montserratians will have be most aware of everything that is happening around them. It would appear that far too many are sitting on the fence waiting for "something" to happen -- and yes there are those who somehow convince themselves that everything is fine.

The year is ending with much focus on the need for a fixed-wing aircraft facility, meaning an airport or airstrip. Alas, easier said than done. The weather and a little bit of poor decision-making cause us to remember that each year prior to the volcano, travelling to Montserrat more often than not became bottlenecked in Antigua.

So it was really nothing new that last weekend people found themselves having to spend extra time in Antigua. The frustrations back then were perhaps different, but again it really was nothing new. It was certainly not expected, particularly as it was the ferry that could bring six times as many passengers as a Dash-8, and with bags too.

So the sounds of airport, Dash-8, Twin Otter, airstrip, Geralds, Thatch Valley, were on many lips and will be. Hopefully as the discussion goes on there will be an awareness that the problem is not as simple as saying, "Thatch Valley or nothing," "Geralds is better than nothing," etc., but that as many of the facts as possible will be aired.

There are many matters to be considered; and if they are considered it is inevitable that they will produce the conclusion that there is no simple answer to the dilemma of what we perceive as a necessity to the future development of a new Montserrat.

What is obviously required is the full-scale study of the options that could be available beyond those already considered, beginning of course with the study of those things which can help us avoid White Elephant Airstrips or Airports. Cost is an obvious factor, time is another; a bigger helicopter may well be one sure way to go for the short term.

Short term must be the time it will take to construct whatever is finally decided will prompt those of us who live long enough to say, it was worth the wait and we are not worse off for it.

We seem always ready to forget that based on the information available, any fixed-wing facility, however small, will not be a reality for two full years minimum, possibly extending to four.

Whatever the discussions however, let it not be forgotten, for as Montserrat is a Christian country, the season we celebrate. It's the birth of Christ we remember, it's a great time to remember and there is never a celebration that He should not be remembered along with what he stands for. For many draw on His spiritual sustenance; so that as we doubly celebrate, while we remember, let us plan well.

Read Luke 2:22-32

Thanks be to God for His incredible gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15(NIV)

Some years ago I taught a class of lovely fourth graders. During the opening exercise each morning, I read them a bible story. At Christmas time, I read the story of Jesus’ birth and we talked about the real meaning of Christmas.

As we worked on our Christmas program, the children asked several times if they could tell what they wanted for Christmas. The students came from many economic backgrounds. I hesitated because I was sure there were some children, especially Bobby, who would receive little. On the last day before vacation, they asked again. I silently prayed that the experience would not be too difficult for Bobby and others, and then I let them tell what they hoped to receive.

After hearing about all the dolls, toys, bicycles, and games I turned to Bobby. He looked at me with big shining and sparkling eyes. He said, "Santa Clause probably won’t bring me anything, but I’ll have the baby Jesus, won’t I?"

I was still concerned that Bobby receive some tangible gifts of love when presents were opened at Christmas: He needed those but his words that day reveal the true meaning of Christmas: the best gift of all is Jesus.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ your son. Help us during the Advent season to appreciate the wonder of this gift. Amen

Thought For The Day

In giving us Jesus, God has given us life’s greatest gift.

Martha Howard (Kentucky)

Prayer Focus: Teachers

Dear Editor,

It is time for the people of Montserrat and the so-called "Overseas Territories" to stand up for what they believe in.

But more importantly, it is time for Caribbean leaders to form a common consensus on what they believe in, then effectively implement a strategy to lead the people.

If you check our records in the courts, I'm pretty sure that you would be hard-pressed to find instances of homophobic behavior.

Even in Jamaica, where Dancehall music and Culture is the driving force of that nation - and also, where that music has been labeled homophobic by western standards - I have never heard of gay bashing actually being promoted amongst the society.

So why do we have to have European standards of justice and human rights imposed upon us?

These laws were designed by Europeans for European society.

I live in the UK, and just last year they had the nail bomber that blew up a pub in the Soho district of London, known as a gay district in the city.

Yet I grew up in the Caribbean; have family there today, and I cannot ever remember once hearing an incident like that being reported anywhere in our region.

The recent decision by Caribbean lawyers in the BVI a few weeks ago shows the lack of initiative by some of our leaders in the community - both business and political - to exercise our rights towards self-determination.

Caribbean people should not accept this any longer.

Afrocentric,

London

Dear Editor,

After a wonderful few days of relaxation in Nevis, including climbing to the top of Mt. Nevis, we are now at home in cold/wet England.
We would like to thank all the people of Montserrat who made our stay such a memorable one.
The post of CMO is not an easy one, especially when genuine public health issues, which may cause sensitivities in certain quarters, are inadvertently aired publicly. My main concern was always to do my best for the health of the people of Montserrat. I was overwhelmed by the enormous number of people who could not believe that "the powers that be" did not see fit to retain my services for a little longer, particularly in order to see some of the projects that I had started come to fruition.

It is widely recognised in many quarters that a person only starts to become productive in their second and subsequent years of office. Continuity is very important, especially when confidences and contacts have been built up.
After the Christmas holidays I am returning to my old job as a public health consultant in an environment of high professional standards, transparency, integrity and honesty.
We have made many friends and really appreciate the warmth shown to us and our children in Montserrat. We hope it will not be too long before we can return - possibly by setting up a Leeward Island Health Research Unit, which we have seen as being necessary to improve knowledge on the major health issues in the islands.

An equivalent amount of resources as that put into the MVO would reap dividends for the health of the people of the Leeward Islands.
We shall continue to promote Montserrat as a tremendously interesting place to visit, with friendly people who are only too keen to show visitors what they have achieved so far to recover from the devastation of the volcanic crisis. We shall certainly make every effort to correct the inaccurate information that has appeared in the worldwide media.
We shall continue to say that Montserrat is certainly not doomed, that it does have a future, that it is a safe place to visit for children as well as adults, and that it has a good standard of health services if people should fall ill during their visits.
We wish 'y `all' a Very Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year. With our Very Best Wishes,
Gordon and Penny Avery and family,

The Beeches,
56 Kenilworth Rd,
Leamington Spa,
CV32 6JW

Governor delivers Queens message to Ms. Margaret Boatswain

Ms. Margaret was born in Farms on December 18, 1900, to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Boatswain. She attended the Bethel Primary School and, after leaving school, worked as a laborer in the cotton fields.

In 1943 she went to Aruba, where she worked in domestic service for many years. She subsequently left Aruba and lived in St. Kitts and Antigua before returning to Montserrat in 1986. On her return she resided in Harris and later in Trails. With the onset of the volcano crisis, Ms. Boatswain was evacuated to Cavalla Hills and then to St. Peters Shelter. In August 1998, she moved to the Golden Years Home for the Elderly.

Ms. Boatswain is mentally alert and in reasonably good health. Pentecostal by religion, she attributes her long life to the love of God. She had no children of her own but she endeared herself to many relatives and friends, several of whom traveled from the UK to celebrate her 100^th birthday with her.

Ms Boatswain cutting her cake

On Monday, December 18, 2000, a birthday celebration was held for Ms Boatswain at the Golden Years Home for the Elderly. Among the distinguished guests were H.E the Governor and Mrs. Abbott, the Hon Minister of Education, Health & Community Services, Mrs. Adelina Tuitt, members of the Executive Committee of the Golden Years Foundation, and many more relatives and friends of Ms Boatswain. On the occasion, H.E the Governor presented to Ms Boatswain a card expressing congratulations from Her Majesty the Queen.

Performing arts were on display for two nights at the Pelican Room of the Vue Pointe Hotel, as the schools on the island came together for the Schools Arts Festival.
On the opening night, after a welcome by Brades Primary School, St John's Nursery School took the stage and the teachers' patience and skill paid off as these little ones, in their bright yellow and red costumes, delighted the audience with four items, performed with confidence and enjoyment. The dramatized nursery rhyme "Five currant buns" was a highlight of these tots' performance, as well as "We are flowers," featuring some creatively made flowers and plants as part of the children's decor.
Next on stage was Brades Primary School, who gave an outstanding performance, and looked terrific in their bright green, red and white costumes, made by Ann Bynoe. The school choir, trained by teachers Gloria Brown, Herman 'Cupid' Francis, and Headteacher Liz O'Garro, sang beautifully, while several children recited poems and sang solos, and Kerise Semper entertained the audience with her story "My Cat."

There were also group poems and songs from Grades one and six. Everything was well rehearsed and a pleasure to see and hear, with attention paid to detail. A highlight of this school's performance was an instrumental on steelpan and keyboard by the James twins.
St. Augustine's School performed next, and their presentation started with a lively masquerade dance by several of the children, including some very young ones. Songs by the Glee Club, as well as songs and poems by several of the classes followed, and as usual the children sang well, accompanied and trained by music teacher Sarah Allen. There was also a well-rehearsed dance to "O Holy Night," choreographed by Ingrid Osborne.

The presentations were enhanced by pretty costumes by Althea Allen. Like Brades Primary, the school recently staged their Christmas concert, and these items were some of the highlights.
The last school to perform was the Montserrat Secondary School, with the Glee Club singing two lovely songs, "Flying Free" and "Still Home Still Nice." Next came the Drama Club, who had the audience laughing with their skit, "See Dat."

The Language and Cultural Heritage Club then performed a Parang Medley. The group explained that their performance was a tribute to their teacher and resource person, Pat 'Belonger' Ryan, whose recent tragic loss prevented her being present for the occasion.

The group sang accompanied only by drums, but managed well. A dance by the MSS Dance Group completed the school's presentation.

The drama club were trained by Chadd Cumberbatch, while Kathleen Greenway was responsible for the Glee Club.
On the second night Brades Nursery School took the place of St. John's Nursery, and reportedly performed well, while the other schools' presentations were expected to be similar with some variations, as they gave of their best.
This was an absolutely outstanding effort on the part of the schools, showing that performing arts are alive and well in our schools. The hard work and dedication of the teachers in bringing this off, and aiming for perfection, was most praiseworthy. The organization of this show was an awesome effort, and the backstage work by the teachers, as well as the stage decor, sound and lighting, were excellently done.
Coordinator of Culture, Shauna Harley, in her opening remarks, exhorted parents to value arts as a part of their children's development, and to give them every encouragement when they show artistic or performing talent. She pointed out that arts should be a central part of the school curriculum, and would help children to be well rounded and to fulfill their potential.
The show was marred slightly by the less than silent audience, especially when the younger and less confident performers were on stage. Perhaps next time they could be politely but firmly asked to keep quiet until each item is finished. The Pelican Room was definitely an improvement on the Brades Primary School as a venue, although seating is limited, reminding us once again how useful the planned Cultural Centre will be.

The Rotary Club of Montserrat celebrated its 30^th Anniversary Charter Night dinner program Sunday night at the Pelican Room of the Vue Pointe Hotel.

Guest speaker was Ethelbert Thompson, Governor of Rotary District 7030, comprising 59 clubs from Antigua and Barbuda in the north through Trinidad and Tobago in the south Caribbean, and extending to Suriname, French Guiana and Guyana. Also seated at the head table was the Honourable Chief Minister David S. Brandt, who is an honorary Rotarian.

Governor Thompson brought greetings from Rotary International President Fred Delvin of Mexico City and emphasized RI's theme for the current year, Create Awareness and Take Action. The message, he said, is to be totally aware of a project's uncertainties, in order that the intended service does not fail to be achieved.

He told the audience that Rotary, which will celebrate its 100^th anniversary in 2005, had continued annually to grow in its multi-millions international membership until last year. While the decline is slight, he urged the club to renew its efforts to recruit new members and to retain those members it already has.

He warned, however, that growth solely for the sake of numbers was not the goal. All new members, he said, must offer the dedication and potential for unselfish service that Rotary traditionally fosters.

In support of attracting committed new members, Governor Thompson urged the club to improve its public relations, not only in the interests of serving the community but also to keep the community fully informed of Rotary's activities and contributions.

In opening remarks, Club President Charmaine Daley welcomed the District Governor and guests with a brief review of the past 30 years. She acknowledged the contributions of the late Samuel McChesney, who was the club's first president, and asked for applause to recognize the presence of the only charter member to remain an active club member today, former president and senior active member Cedric Osborne. She also pointed out that the Rotary Club of Montserrat was among the first in Rotary International to accept women as members.

Among the local club's accomplishments she recounted were:

• Establishment of the Boys Home, which became a public institution.
• Launching of the island’s Meals on Wheels programme with voluntary effort, spearheaded by Rotarian Gill Granger and Nurse Dyer.
• Protection of the environment by adding public conveniences at the Foxes Bay Bird sanctuary area;
• Support to education, including ambassadorial scholarships abroad.
• Support to the development of the Golden Years Home in conjunction with several NGOs and the Government of Montserrat.

"Since 1995," President Daley said, The Rotary Club of Montserrat has been engaged almost exclusively with meeting basic human development needs. The eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano since 18 July,1995, created a major displacement of the population and created needs which our founders may not have imagined.

"In this past year, Rotary:

• Financed a number of overseas trips for medical attention to critically ill patients.
• Supported housing resettlement with the provision of furniture and major household appliances.
• Fifty children participated in Rotary’s tennis programme undertaken in conjunction with the Vue Pointe Hotel and numerous volunteers.
• Assisted the renovation of the Woodlands Beach facilities in conjunction with the Montserrat National Trust.

Looking ahead, Ms. Daley said, "This year 2000 will see the delivery of a number of hydroponic units to Montserrat. This will be Rotary’s contribution to the development of an alternative farming method in this small area of the north.

"In support of culture, we have elaborated a plan for assisting the existing masquerade troupes, and for teaching our youngsters the art of steel pan playing. This project is to be financed with a matching grant from Rotary International and the Rotary Club of Vineland, New Jersey, who gave generously in the past, emergency beds and cutlery in our time of greatest need.

"We also gratefully acknowledge the kind contribution of Books for Kids International. This world community service project of the Rotary Club of Stouffville, Canada, recently sent to us a large number of books to be donated to the public library.

"From the Rotary Club of Scarborough, Canada, we received 25 sewing machines to be donated to several community groups and a special project to be spearheaded by the Community Services Department of Government.

She asked the guests to mark their calendars for the annual Santa Project, during which candies, gifts and toys will be distributed to the children of Montserrat on 25 December, Christmas Day, and the Rotary Christmas Feste, Monday, 26 December, from 3 p.m. at Salem Park.

The Prince and Princess show came off last Sunday evening in spite of intermittent heavy rain all day and a power cut just before the show was due to begin. Eight children took part -- five girls and three boys -- with ages ranging from 4 to 11. The show, which was staged at Festival Village, was in three rounds -- introductory speech, talent and evening wear.
In the introductory speeches the young contestants managed well for their ages, giving their names, ages, their hobbies and other details. The children were well drilled, and several spoke quite clearly into the microphone, especially Adella White (8), Kiterie Cassell (4) Okiem Maclean (5) and Jonette Silcott (11)
In the talent section the winner of the best overall talent was Theron Silcott (7), who did a skit on Starlight Night, and was also awarded the title of Prince. His sister Jonette, who gained the title of Princess, played a steel pan medley. Performing well in dance were Adella, the first on stage, looking cute in her pretty green and red outfit, and little Kiterie, beautifully dressed in white, who danced with a candle to "There is a candle in every soul." Both these performances showed that it's just fine to teach children to dance decently. Okiem did his best with a comic poem "Good evening Missa Potter," and Devin Bonney with his song.
In the evening wear round, Jonette, the Princess, looked lovely in her flowing green and white outfit, while Kiterie in a white dress with mint green trimming, Barnika Bramble in silver and gold, and Katrricia Browne in red also looked cute. Theron wore a striking African outfit, while Okiem and Devin looked smart in their suits. All the children showed off their clothes quite well as they made their way around the stage.
Also featured in the show was dancing by two groups of cheerleaders and the MSS Dancers. Lester Allen, the Junior Calypso King from the competition held last March, sang his winning song, "St Patrick's Day," while young Crystal Brade did a gospel song. Both Lester and Crystal could have done with the support of a musical accompaniment. Calypso finalist Singing Sharon sang her popular calypso "Domestic Violence," the Davy Hill masquerades (quite a large group, mainly children) performed well, and Santa Claus was there to give a gift to every child present.
The show started more than an hour late, during which time the audience was subjected to continuous loud music, with the same song being playing over and over. Luckily the rain held off until late in the show, after all the contestants had made their main appearances. The ground at the Village seems to need some additional covering, since the sandy surface turns to mud when it rains. The effort put in by the organizers, Mrs. Ingrid Osborne and Mrs. Rosalind Cassell, as well as those who assisted with training the children and making costumes, is praiseworthy; tighter organization, however, could have made the show run more smoothly. To avoid the disparity of ages between the children, perhaps next time they could be judged in two age groups.

Andrea Evans, daughter of Raphael and Jacintha Evans, recently fulfilled the requirements for the award of Masters in Marketing from the Manchester School of Management, University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology in England.

She was awarded her degree in graduation ceremonies on Dec. 12.

Before pursuing postgraduate studies, she successfully completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Tourism Management (1998) at the University of the West Indies in the Bahamas. First year courses for this degree were undertaken in Montserrat through the UWI School of Continuing Studies Distance Learning Programme.

In 1995, her academic performance won her the title of Student of the Year. A scholarship enabled her to pursue the remaining two years of this degree at the UWI Centre for Hotel and Tourism Management in the Bahamas.

In September 1999, she began postgraduate studies leading to the degree of MSc in Marketing, for which her thesis earned her an "A."

She expressed her gratitude for the support of Dr. Howard Fergus, Mr. Ronald Allen, Mrs. Irene Cabey, Ms. Ernestine Cassell, Mr. Ken Cassell, Mrs, Janine Cassell-Edwards, Mrs. Brenda Daley-McCartney, Mr. Errol Irish, Ms.Flobert Jeffers, Mr. Paul Lewis, Ms. Oslyn Matthew, Mrs. Carol Osborne, Mr. & Mrs. Derek Osborne, Dr. C. Avril Pratt, and Mr. Paul Payne.

The Montserrat National Trust (MNT) has announced the initial public event related to the new Botanical Gardens at its Headquarters in Salem.

Starting 28 December, 2000, the Botanical Garden Centre located at MNT offers the First Annual Seed Programme available to all Montserrat farmers and others with interest in the cultivation of vegetables, vine fruits and flowers.

Through the co-operation of the Growers Assistance Seed Programme (GRASP) and various retail store owners from New England in the United States, over 2,000 packets of currently fresh seed have been provided for distribution by the MNT. The seeds include 30 varieties of vegetables such as corn, tomato, lettuce, squash, cabbage, melon, onion etc. There are more than 500 packets of additional flower seeds, from Alyssums to Zinias.

Each visitor to the MNT Headquarters who is over 12 years of age will receive one FREE packet of flower seeds and may purchase other seeds of their choice at two packets for EC$1.00, limited 24 packs per person.

Development of the Botanical Gardens continues with the rooting of cuttings and air layering for the development of a source for public purchase of rare plants. The Gardens continue to develop handsomely as the existing mature plants receive care and conditioning. The public is welcome.

If anyone had doubts about the continued viability of the Emerald Community Singers they were put to rest this week, with the Singers' 30th Anniversary concert at the Vue Pointe Hotel's Pelican Room.

True to their usual high standard the group performed a host of songs in different styles and moods, starting with Christmas music both popular and traditional. Beautifully presented Caribbean carols like "Cum dung to all a we," "Mary had a baby" and "Never a baby like Jesus" set the scene in this section, while the group had a chance to show off their unaccompanied harmony (a capella) skills with traditional carols like "O Come all ye faithful" sung in Latin.
Next came a section of praise featuring spirituals and revival music, including "Black child's prayer" by Kenneth Allen QC -- a Singers' favourite from way back in the 1970's - as well as Sparrow's "Salvation." This was followed by a selection of songs described as "tributes to beautiful people and places," starting with "O Montserrat" (another Kenneth Allen composition), and ending with a beautiful rendition of "Teach the children."

In the final section there was a change of mood with lively Caribbean folk songs, and as always the group's lively and often comic actions brought out the drama and humour of the songs, which included "Under the coconut tree" and "Nobody's business," among others. The concert ended with the Singers' signature tune, "O Motherland." written by George Irish and Howard Fergus.
The performance was much enhanced by Steve Deane's powerful and skilled guitar accompaniment, along with McCloyd Roach on the keyboard. During the intermission the audience was entertained by Ian Young, who played Christmas music on the keyboard in his own 'easy listening' style, as well as performing a clarinet solo. As always Ionie Yearwood's bright costumes, together with good lighting effects, added colour and style to the presentation. The group of around 14 singers and four musicians are indeed still going strong. Publicity and stage manager Richard Aspin pointed out that over the years more than 250 people had at one time or another been members of the group, who are planning an overseas tour for their anniversary year during 2001.

A High Court judge in Trinidad and Tobago late Wednesday allowed petitions filed by the opposition party challenging the candidacy of two successful ruling party candidates to be filed forthwith.

The move came as police announced that investigations into the actions of the United National Congress (UNC) candidates regarding the December 11 general elections had not been aborted.

Judge Gregory Smith made the ruling after two hours of submissions by attorneys representing the men and the opposition People's National Movement (PNM).

The PNM is contending that calypsonian Winston "Gypsy" Peters and retired geophysicist Bill Chaitan, held dual citizenship in contravention of the Representation of the Peoples Act when they filed their nomination papers for the polls.

The act bars persons with allegiance to a foreign power or state from being elected to Parliament. The PNM said the men held citizenship for the United States and Canada respectively.

It provides for the filing of petitions within 14 days from the day the chief election officer receives the return and declarations.

A 28-year-old Guyanese woman has been arrested in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) for entering the territory illegally and for using fraudulent travel documents.

Immigration and Naturalization (INS) spokesperson Ivan Ortiz said Wednesday that Dinesh Komari Ramlochan arrived in St. Thomas with a 12-year old boy on December 5 on a LIAT flight from Trinidad.

Immigration authorities questioned her travel documents and had arranged to send her back to Trinidad, the country where she boarded the flight, but the woman and the boy disappeared.

The woman, who was in possession of both Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana passports, and the boy were apprehended in St. Croix more than a week later when they tried to board a flight from St. Croix to New York.

The USVI is said to be the main territory being used illegally by those who try to gain entry into the United States mainland.

More than 300 persons, mainly Chinese and Haitians, have been apprehended for the year so far entering into the territory illegally. Most have applied for political asylum.

The Dominica Association Evangelical Churches (DAEW)'s has said that it planned to protest early next year against attempts at legalising homosexuality in the country.

The church group, which is opposed to any legal recognition for homosexuals, is taking the action in response to he recommendation from Britain to its overseas territories, which surfaced in the region recently, with proponents making the case a human rights issue.

Secretary of the DAEW, Pastor Randy Rodney, said the Association had already brought its concerns on the matter to the Acting Attorney General Bernard Wiltshire.

In a recent front-page article headlined "Wiltshire Speaks on Gay Rights," the acting attorney general explained that Dominica's laws on homosexuals were discriminatory, and there was need to address the issue.

"What I am suggesting in my letter should happen, is that the laws against homosexuality and lesbianism should be strengthened so that both practices are eliminated," Rodney said.

Meanwhile, prominent Dominican attorney Anthony Astaphan is also opposing any proposals to amendment the country's legislation on homosexuality.

Astaphan said that the issue was more a question of morals rather than of individual rights.

"Homosexuality is and should ever remain a law. We have a moral duty and a legal duty to protect our society from all sorts of different things.

The Constitution itself makes specific provisions for the government to enact laws that are in the interest of public morality and so on," he told reporters in an interview Tuesday.

By Rickey Singh

The President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Sir Neville Nicholls, has accused the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) of perpetrating "a bad joke" against the Caribbean by its "callous pressures" on the region's offshore financial sector.

Sir Neville said Thursday that under the guise of seeking to curb money laundering operations, the OECD was squeezing small jurisdictions while being fully aware that all major cases of money laundering have occurred in the wealthy and developed nations on whose behalf it and its collaborating ally, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), really act.

The dilemma Caribbean states face, he told CANA, is that having been forced to diversify their economies to overcome problems resulting from diminishing trade preferences in Europe, they are now being frustrated in the development of the services sector and branded as "uncooperative jurisdictions" by the OECD in the operation of their offshore financial centres.

"Miami, for example, is well known as a major money laundering centre of the world. What pressures are being exerted to deal with that and similar jurisdictions?" asked the CDB president, who declared:

"This move against Caribbean off-shore centres, therefore, has to be viewed as a bad joke."

Further, he said, the OECD's blacklisting of some Caribbean states, including the banana-exporting economies, as so-called "harmful" competitive tax havens, was "simply ridiculous."

"What makes the competition harmful and to whom?"

"All of the industrialised nations offer tax incentives of one sort or another", Sir Neville said,"so why this assault on the Caribbean? It is a bogus argument by the OECD which is conscious of their member countries losing business to other jurisdictions and want to stop it."

Sir Neville, a third-term president of the 30-year-old CDB, said, "No government of this region is asking to be excused for engaging in illegal practices in the off-shore financial sector. The Caribbean has made clear its opposition to money laundering and willingness to cooperate in stamping out malpractices where they occur.

"But when the OECD chooses to muscle in on small jurisdictions in this region and blacklist them as 'uncooperative jurisdictions', it is in fact sending a dangerous message abroad about the reliability and credibility of the countries being named and shamed. This is unfair, it is vicious.".

Assistant Superintendent Rolston Pompey said the unmasked men placed a gun to the head of the policeman, forced him to the ground and took away his .38-caliber service revolver.

Before escaping on foot, the robbers grabbed the deposit bag containing the money from the customs officer.
Mr. Pompey said investigators questioned the policeman and the customs officer and "there is no evidence of collusion and they are not suspects."

Former Communications and Works Minister Earl Williams said, "The measure we see here through this financial complex, through one stroke of the pen they are going to increase our debt burden by EC $35 million (US$11 million)."
He said although the structure was the brainchild of the former United Workers Party (UWP) government, it was conceived at a time when Dominica's economy was doing better.

Defending government's decision to pursue the initiative, the finance minister argued that the building should not be perceived as the construction of a single structure, but the commencement of a process to make its location a high-rise area in the city.

Trinidad, CANA - Basdeo Panday, head of the United National Congress (UNC), was sworn in again as Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Wednesday afternoon.
The ceremony was scheduled soon after President Arthur Robinson received the official results of Trinidad and Tobago's general elections - 10 days after voters went to the polls to elect a new government.
The United National Congress (UNC), in power since 1995, won 19 seats, the People's National Movement (PNM) 16, and the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) one seat in the election.
Meanwhile, the PNM was expected to file its legal challenge to the candidacy of two successful UNC members.
The PNM is challenging the candidacy of calypsonian Winston "Gypsy" Peters and retired geophysicist Bill Chaitan, claiming both men had filed false documents at the time of their nomination on November 20 to contest the general election.

St Kitts -- Presentation of the 2001 national budget for St. Kitts and Nevis this week generated conflict, with the government claiming relief for businesses through a 2-percent reduction in the Corporation Tax and the opposition condemning a proposed 5-percent hike in the Consumption Tax as at least a 10-percent cost of living increase.

The corporate tax cut would not be effective until 2002. Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas said the government had to proceed slowly on tax relief because of "the devastating impact of hurricanes on public finances."

Lindsay Grant, leader of the opposition People's Action Movement (PAM) rejected Dr. Douglas's explanation that the EC$46.8 million (US$17.3 million) budget deficit was due to massive expenditure in rehabilitation works and capital investments in the vital tourism industry.
"Clearly, it is an attempt to overshadow the serious nature of the economy caused by the over-spending of the government ...it is not a situation of the hurricane," Mr. Grant said.
PAM will have no influence, however, in the 11-seat Parliament because it did won no seats at the March 2000 General Elections.
The budget package comprises recurrent revenue for Fiscal Year 2001 at EC$231.4 million (US$85.6 million) and recurrent expenditure at EC$268.8 million (US$99.4 million).
Capital revenue for 2001 from all sources is estimated at EC$94.0 million (US$34.7 million) while capital expenditure is estimated at EC$103.4 million (US$38.2 million).
Dr. Douglas said his government had given a commitment that it would reduce Corporation Tax to 35 percent over time as a means of encouraging local companies to retain more of their profits for investment in enterprises that would generate employment and increased income for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
In his budget presentation, Dr. Douglas announced an environmental levy on imported used cars, higher licence fees for commercial banks and a hike in customs service charges, but said he would not reintroduce income tax.

The environmental levy on imported second hand cars ranges from EC$2,500 (US$925) for cars imported fewer than two years after the date of manufacture to $5,000 (US$1,850) for cars imported four years or more after the date of manufacture.

Mr. Grant complained that the Consumption Tax increase "clearly is going to increase the cost of living by about 8 to 10 percent right across the board and it comes at a time when citizens in the Federation are already heavily taxed, so this definitely is going to affect the economy."

The St Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Commerce (SKNCC) was preparing its own assessment of the fiscal package.
A private sector official, who preferred not be named, said a lot of the SKNCC's proposals "were not considered" and the budget was expected to "create more hardships."

We need a Christmas gift Santa! We need a gift package that we may have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. On 19 December 2000, the West Indies lost the third Test match against Australia at the Adelaide Oval before lunch on the fifth day, by five wickets, after scoring 391 in the first innings. That loss gave Australia a 3-0 unbeatable lead in the five-test series, and her 4^th consecutive Test win over the West Indies since 1999.

Unless Santa comes down the chimney with the appropriate gift for West Indies cricket and the Caribbean people, we could be in for a very difficult and painful Millennium.

The current emotional distress is very painful when seen in the context of the adverse effects of the OECD assault on our budding offshore industry; the social dislocations that are associated with the effects of international trading developments on the traditional export-agricultural sector; the negative impact of the drying up of concessional finance; the high cost of investment capital; and the systemic threat of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. These developments, over which we have absolutely no control, could make life for marginal and vulnerable groups in the Caribbean, "solitary, nasty and short."

We know that the big-hearted Santa Claus, whose mandate spans the entire human sphere, has many more pressing humanitarian and welfare demands to supply to the needy from Asia to Africa and from North America to South America, but even if our needs are not physical in nature, as is the case in most of the other jurisdictions, our "sickness is unto death."

Things are bad, and it does not appear, in spite of the flashes of good performances, that the heart-breaking experience will end soon. Our coaches and players seem to have lost the will to fight, to endure and to win.

Santa, this is an SOS, for our souls are in peril. We are asking for five gifts this 2000 Xmas? First, "Give us a "leader." Second, "Give us a selection panel." Third, "Give us a coach." Fourth, "Give us an opening batsman to partner Daren Ganga." Fifth, "Give us another Brian Lara or clone him if necessary."

Santa, we need a leader as a matter of urgency. Since England this summer, Jimmy Adams’ limitation if not "unfitness" for the leadership had been unmasked, but the small elite or landed class, which controls West Indies cricket as if it is personal property, has persisted with him at the helm. Even after scoring 391 (which really should have been near 500), captain Adams, stuck in his welfare-state-of-mind, adopted a rather defensive approach rather than an attacking approach.

When Australia was 187 for the loss of four wickets, the ultra-conservative leader never opted to put on the pressure by strengthening the slip cordon, bringing in the short legs and silly positions, and forcing the quickies to bowl to the field and to go for the kill.

Moreover, in the second innings, with Australia chasing with 48 runs for the loss of four wickets, Mr. Defensive was too scared to put the pressure on the batsmen. Oftentimes, the ball would hit the crack, hit the batsman on the hands or the gloves and spoon up harmlessly. What unproductive tactics? What a disgraceful leadership! This makes a mockery of the legacy of warrior-like leadership of Sobers, Lloyd and Richards.

Santa, we need a new selection panel, one with mature, sane and thinking men. We need a selection panel, which, by its conduct, will prove to us that its decisions are informed by meritocracy; it operates on a consistent selection policy; it understands the structural adjustment needed; it is not being influenced by national and sectoral interests in the "big islands." We need a group of men which is committed to creating separate Test and one-day teams, and who can see the difference between Test materials and one-day materials. Men who understand, for example, that Ricardo Powell should be nurtured as a high-value Test batsman and not under-achieved one-day batsman.

Santa, we need Sir Vivian Richards and Sir Garfield Sobers in the West Indies camp, at all cost. The technocrats in the camp hardly understand what is to be done. Neither Roger Harper nor Jeffrey Dujon is holistically equipped for "the root-canal job" to be done.

Santa, we beg you for a young opening batsman. Send us a young, talented, fearless, and technically equipped batsman like Romel Currency, Brenton Parchment, and Devon Smith to open the batting with Daren Ganga. You see, that critical void, which was left by the departure of Greenidge and Haynes, still remains unfilled.

The demand is for a firm which will rekindle the spirit of the partnership of Greenidge and Haynes; relive the commitment and application of the master craftsmen; re-introduce the permanence of the enterprise; re-anchor the stability that became synonymous with the Barbadian pair, and ultimately, re-establish the dominance and preeminence of West Indian (opening) batsmanship in every cricketing nation, including South African the next time around.

Santa, send us another Brain Lara or clone him if necessary. We have depended on one man for too long. We have depended on Brian Lara for high-value performance for too long. And when he does not produce, we treat him as if he were a god.

Brian Lara embodies our Caribbean aspirations, and when he fails, our goals, our desires and our future collapse with him. This is why we are so merciless on him. Santa, these contradictions cannot continue, as they will destroy us as well as the young man.

That dependency was evident in our loss at Adelaide, where West Indies lost the third Test match by five wickets. Once Lara departed at 354-6, the resistance effectively ended and that was that. The bottom literally fell out from beneath the West Indies.

While Lara pummeled away for his 182, and new boy Marlon Samuels did manage 35, the West Indies only amassed 391. A winning team must have a pair, which pulls them out of the mess not one man. Although Lara scored 182 and 39, the team only managed 391 and 141.

Santa, please make our Christmas and New Year a happy experience by giving priority to our needs and, influencing our decision-makers to act like men and not mice.

Thank you Santa!

PHOTO CAPTION: Brian Lara – It was indeed his time, but not the Windies time (Photo: Peter Adrien)

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Throughout the year the nurses have been sharing with you vital information on various aspects of health and health care. I am happy to report that the feedback received has indeed been most welcome and encouraging and will certainly be used to make improvements to the programme.

I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank all those persons who have contributed in one way or another to the life of the programme. To the public for listening and making suggestions, to the nurses for their participation, to Radio Montserrat for airing the programme and last but not least to the Reporter for featuring our programme on a weekly basis.

This week, I would like to share with you some health tips that will be of benefit to you, especially during this festive season. As we all know, at this time of the year there is an abundance of food and drink and too often we tend to relax or change our eating and drinking habits, much to our detriment.

My advice to you, especially those on special diets, eg. Diabetics, Hypertensives etc, is to adhere as much as possible to your diet and not eat more than is necessary, simply because it is available and free. By the same token I would like to let the food handlers know that the onus is upon them to observe hygienic and safety measures when preparing food and to ensure that their consumers eat healthy, wholesome food.

At this time of year also, alcohol is often consumed indiscriminately and in large quantities, thus impairing the judgement of the drinkers, making them careless in their conduct and more prone to accidents.

Let us therefore be moderate in our drinking habits and remember, do not drink and drive. Furthermore, alcohol compounds the effects of certain drugs so that the combination produces a greater and more damaging effect. It is therefore important that you do not drink alcohol if you are taking prescribed medication. To those on prescribed medication, I say continue to take your medication and do not let your supply run out. If you plan to travel abroad for the season, ensure that you have an adequate supply of medication.

Whereas some of you may not engage in the activities mentioned above but may throw caution to the wind and indulge in other habits and practices that will compromise your health and later affect your lives and future. I ask that you will be cautious, let common sense prevail and do not succumb to peer pressure.

This Christmas as we celebrate, let us make a conscious effort to practice and adhere to those activities that will enhance/promote good health. But more importantly, let us reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and reach out to the elderly and less privileged in our midst to make their Christmas a memorable and enjoyable one.

As I end this final programme for the year, I would like,on behalf of all the nurses, to extend a blessed and peaceful Christmas to all and to wish you a healthy and productive New Year.

Lara erupted at play in Adelaide to bring us Christmas cheerlike an early Santa Clause. 

He hit for six the terrorists like Glen McGrath and wrote his fame again with hat trick upon hat trick of boundaries.

The West Indies saviour is born again and runs amok to show it.

And little Marlon Samuel a true disciple knows how to shuffle his feet and follow the beat of the master.

He is no Judas to sell out the game; I hope he grafts his innings onto Lara’s new beginnings to resurrect our name from beneath the turf down under at Adelaide.  

Lara is a live volcano; you never know when he will erupt again,

so the Aussies better put their shutters up if the ashes is to be contained.

Howard A.Fergus

By Dr. Howard A. Fergus  

The first positive thing to be said, is that the sustaining of these arts festivals is to be welcomed, coming at a time when we are focusing on the construction of a quality cultural-community centre. It is also another sign of spring, of the full return of the island to life after the long volcanic night of winter and waste. But as encouraging as this event was, it must be seen as a rehearsal or even an audition. The worse thing we can do for school arts is to use this one as the perfect template by which to fashion the others. 

The purpose of a festival is to exhibit and demonstrate the best, indeed the excellent pieces to have emerged from the pile; it is to give added point to the continuous engagement in the arts, which we must expect and agitate for. If arts and arts festivals are to become serious business as all the rhetoric suggests, we must provide the resources both human and material. To recognise that we have a wealth of talent and willing teachers will not by itself produce an arts festival of the highest standard. It is no accident that the best exhibition in the entire festival was the drama piece by the Montserrat Secondary School (MSS). It had Chadd Cumberbatch’s stamp all over it and he is a practicing performer, painter and writer. In short those children were exposed to the kind of experience and expertise which have spelled success on international stages. 

What we put on stage finally must be informed by professionalism. And congratulations to the teachers for going outside the school for skills because all of the skills do not reside in the schools. And where teachers have been giving of their artistic skills, we must seek to provide opportunities for further training even of a tailor-made type. And since we are not in competition, the teacher-artists can use each other for cross-fertilisation and in-house critique. Training and investment are the key, so excellence will not come over night. But it will not come at all unless we invest and professionalise.

But what of the actual pieces that we saw, apart from "See Dat" from the MSS. The Brades nursery schoolers provided a delightful appetiser and one got the impression that some day-to-day activities were merely refined and guilded for the stage. That is good and so was the involvement of the teachers in the show, moving in uniform to the same rhythm, albeit more heavily. Their ‘Go dung to Desmon’ brought pleasing nostalgia to many. The St. Augustine choral voices, strong and fulsome sang well with some animation on their faces and their costume was creative. Integrating all facets of the arts for staging is critical. Their "St. Augustine Then and Now" with its choral and antiphonal speech struck a good chord in being specifically crafted for staging. Creative writing as well as speech came together to good effect. The masqueraders sent the correct signal - the involvement of youth in this rich ensemble of folk art – but the dance has to be authentic. Next time round, we must put on stage only dancers who are well trained masqueraders. Their age has nothing to do with the quality of art that they can and must practise. They were not fully ready on this occasion. There was genuine effort at arranging the poem "Politics" for dialoguic choral speech. It came across well but could improve with clearer enunciation and articulation. This can be said of several pieces though, including songs. In the song "Still Nice" for instance, the children did catch and convey the spirit and rhythm of the calypso but many of the words were lost. We shall have to pay attention to elocution and breathing and some songs needed to come from the belly rather than mouth alone. There are some lovely voices at Brades and the solos including "It’s a Small World" by Irwin Dorsette, were good. We must exploit these strengths and single out such talent for development. 

These festivals must uncover career and earning possibilities. We cannot afford to leave our human capital to chance. The Brades choir seemed stronger at the school concert than at the festival, but there was valuable effort there. Dance which harnesses and disciplines the body to convey human thought and emotion has never been particularly strong in Montserrat. But the interest is there and the MSS group has possibilities. They will need assistance with choreography to take them to a higher level of engagement and performance. And the "Where are Santa’s Toys" dance-mime could have been improved with some attention to certain rudiments of drama. But these were very young children and the awakening of interest is important. 

On the note of professionalism we do a disservice to art and to the young artists to push microphones before them fresh on the night of the performance, sometimes with audience assistance. No! Let us have someone assigned to the system and let the children rehearse even once (the dress rehearsal) with the microphones, for obvious reasons. On the whole, I laud the efforts, and teachers and children have done well with meagre resources. We need an ongoing arts programme in the schools with full awareness of its educational, artistic, personal development and economic implications. This requires investment in the training of teachers and students. Community Services have set a good example in bringing in arts and crafts masters to train children. There are often summer arts courses in Trinidad and Jamaica; and we must bring artists in to conduct training sessions for teachers; the cultural arts must feature in our shopping list for regional bilateral aid. 

And finally our UWI connection may be able to render some assistance. The next schools arts festival must carry a darker stamp of professionalism and this includes the poetry recital. The artist must interpret the poetic pieces for the audience. The promise is there in the bright moments and there were flashes of brilliance as in the instrumental duets of the James brothers, for instance. We must approach the task seriously. The arts are no longer diversion or icing on the cake of learning; they are a solid slice of the cake. The artist is a producer and the arts are big business.

This is going to be the fourth and, unfortunately, the last Christmas that Margaret and I will spend in Montserrat at Government House. You will have already heard that during next year I retire after some 40 years in the Diplomatic Service.  How time flies! It only seems like yesterday that I entered the Service and an even shorter time since I stepped off the helicopter in Montserrat almost 3 ½ years ago.

It is therefore a good time to review what has been accomplished in Montserrat over the past few years and in particular what the first year of this new century has brought us.

The volcano continues to erupt, but it is not disrupting our lives on the same scale as when I first arrived on island. Great strides have been made in the provision of housing and the development of a housing strategy for the future. Not everyone, yet, has a home of their own but soon this will be a reality.  

The year 2000 has seen the completion of the heliport at Gerald’s thereby improving our connections to the outside world and earlier in the year HRH Prince Andrew graced us with his presence and became the first passenger to use the new facility. Hopefully work will commence in the next year towards constructing a temporary airstrip for fixed-wing aircraft.

September saw a milestone in the rebuilding process, when staff and students moved into the refurbished campus of the Montserrat Secondary School at Salem.  After struggling for many years to keep the school going through the crisis, their greatly improved facilities must have come as a welcome relief to all concerned.  I am very grateful to DFID for funding this project and to all those who worked tirelessly to ensure the school was up and running in time.  I should also like to express my gratitude to the Red Cross for putting down a first class Community Centre and children’s playground at Lookout.

At Carr’s Bay, work has continued all year on improvements to the island’s fuel storage and distribution system so that the shortages of the past are eliminated.  I now look forward to fuel supply and distribution to be privatized early in the New Year.

The new Power Station facilities at Brades are nearing completion as is the refurbishment of the Emergency Department in St John’s. Both of these British aid-funded projects will see improvements to the respective services that these two important institutions offer to the public.

Many local residents have made starts on new homes, some of which have now been made easier by the introduction of the long-awaited Mortgage Scheme agreed by GoM/DFID and the Bank of Montserrat.

In 2001, we can expect an early start on a new Police Station at Brades, the new Observatory in Friths for the scientists of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), a special sheltered housing project for the elderly at Lookout, Sir George Martin’s Cultural Centre at Little Bay and a host of other projects. The future indeed looks brighter!

Again, looking to the future, it is also time to consider re-assembling a new Royal Montserrat Defence Force which I would like to accomplish before I leave Montserrat.  In order for this to be achieved successfully it will be necessary to ensure that facilities to provide for proper recruitment, training and discipline are in place.

In other sectors there is still much to be done. The Social Welfare Scheme has made great progress and will now be fine-tuned to take care of the less fortunate members of our society and we must address the plight of the mentally sick in our community. We must also address the need for a prison on the island so that we avoid having to send those who have transgressed the law overseas. I am most grateful to members of the Prison Service for coping so well under the peculiar conditions in which they have to operate.  Nor must we forget there are still over a hundred people who are still living in shelter type accommodation that must be re-housed.  Job creation, especially for school leavers, must also be a high priority.

During 2000 we have started to tackle the domestic violence issue and have instituted drug education campaigns for the youth of the island. I sincerely hope that that this will lead to more public awareness and discussions about these issues. Within the next few days the new policy of community policing will begin and this too will lead to a greater public awareness of some of the critical issues facing us all.

Speaking of the police, I cannot let this time of year pass by without thanking the Commissioner, his Deputy and Senior Officers and the policemen and women of the Royal Montserrat Police Force, as well as the Fire Officers, for their hard work and dedicated service to the community for the past year. That Montserrat remains virtually crime free and a safe and peaceful place in which to live is testament to all their hard work – thanks for a job well done.

To the scientists and staff at the MVO, we must also say a special thanks for the unending hours of work that they put in to ensure that we are safe from the ravages of the volcano.  They never fail to keep us informed and their public awareness programmes are the epitome of how to keep a public informed in a timely manner.

It is always very sad that some people have to spend Christmas in hospital away from their loved ones and to these patients I would like to send a special greeting during this festive season. However, you are in good hands, the doctors, nurses and support staff at the St. John’s Hospital are second to none and will take very good care of you. To all the hospital staff go my heartfelt thanks for all that you have done to maintain the public health of Montserrat during the last year.

In a year when the problems of indiscipline within our schools has been highlighted, I would like to particularly thank all our hardworking teachers, headteachers and education officials for their continued efforts to give the youth the education they deserve. However, I must challenge the students in all our schools that 2001 is the year to improve on your attendance, timekeeping, discipline and attitudes to your studies. I am dismayed by the reports reaching me that within the schools a small percentage of Montserratian youth are targeting youngsters from other Caribbean countries whose parents have chosen to work in Montserrat to help us rebuild the nation. That your Caribbean peers are being abused at school and at the bus stops causes me great discomfort especially at a time when many of our own Montserratian children are living in other countries where they depend upon the hand of friendship being extended to help them settle into a strange environment. The new century is a time for integration and I ask our youth to lead the way in making all those who come to our shores welcome.

A special word of thanks for all those in the Civil Service. Year 2000 has been a training year and many of you are now better equipped to face the future. To all the Permanent Secretaries, Directors and Heads of Departments, senior and junior officers, radio personalities and all in the public service, thank you for your dedication and hard work. At this point I would like to pay particular tribute to all the personnel in the Emergency Department especially for the unprecedented challenge that they have been required to shoulder by assuming responsibility for sourcing, purchasing, importing and distributing diesel, gasoline and LPG through the last 3 years during Montserrat’s darkest hours – and to have achieved it so successfully in spite of innumerable and immeasurable problems. You have kept the island moving as ably as any private sector organization but it is now time to hand the work back to them.

Our private sector has made great strides this year to improve their products and services. Arrow’s Manshop has been rebuilt and refurbished and is now one of the most distinctive buildings on the island. The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank moved into their new offices in the Bruce Farara building at Brades during the year, JJ’s opened their fine restaurant in Sweeney’s and as the year draws to a close, BBC’s impressive new precinct at Brades nears completion. The Vue Pointe Hotel has been completely refurbished and reopened many of its chalets to offer another first class facility for tourist and business accommodation together with the many facilities they already provide.

MONLEC, Cable & Wireless, Cable TV, Water Authority have all continued excellent services despite many difficulties. I must also include the supermarket owners and food importers, as well as those responsible for bringing in the much needed raw materials for the construction work. For the most part they have done a great job – thank you. This is just an indication of the confidence that the private sector is showing in Montserrat as we rebuild our lives. My office, too, moved into new premises in Olveston mid year and Lancaster House is now able to provide better services to the public under one roof.

Christmas is a time of giving, but there are those in our community who freely give of their time all year round. I speak of those members of our NGO’s who are striving to help those around them on a daily basis. They deserve to be recognized and thanked. They include members of the Red Cross, the Old Peoples Welfare Association, the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade, Partners of the Americas, the Montserrat Christian Council, Lions, Rotary Club and the Rotaract Club, the District Disaster Committees, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Pathfinders, the Golden Years Foundation and many church organizations. Congratulations for a job well done!

Year 2000 saw the rebirth of sport with the cricketers and footballers putting in creditable performances in their respective competitions. Lionel Baker was selected to play for the West Indies Youth team, a great boost for the island. Other sports will follow suit so play well.  To our cultural community, including the Emerald Community Singers celebrating their 30^th year, we must say thanks for entertaining us and hopefully in the near future your cultural centre will become a reality.

As Margaret and I wind up our time of service in Montserrat, we will look back over our years here and will take away with us in the Spring, long-lasting memories of the island. You have made us feel welcome, we have made friends for life and we cannot but admire the fortitude of you all as you struggle to rebuild your lives in the aftermath of the devastating volcano. One day the activity will cease, the volcano will go back to its slumber and hopefully peace and tranquility will descend once again on the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean.

In the meantime, fight the good fight, work hard to rebuild and make Montserrat once again a shining light to all our Caribbean neighbours.

On that note, I would like to conclude by saying that Margaret and I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a healthy and peaceful New Year.

Message From the Honourable Chief Minister David S. Brandt

Fellow Montserratians and residents of Montserrat, it is with the spirit of good will that I greet each of you at this time. Let us firstly thank the creator for sparing our lives to see the end of another year. As we continue to redevelop, we must take time out to share the warmth of this season. This is the fifth Christmas since our volcanic crisis began, and we have much to be thankful for. We have struggled and learnt together and that makes our surviving experience even more special.

In recognizing a new Montserrat with our Diaspora all over the world, we must especially salute all Montserratian heroes who remained on island and faced the rebuilding challenge. To the individuals who suffered in shelters until better accommodation was achieved we commend your courage and fortitude. To those who are still in shelters. I will redouble my efforts to get you out in the shortest possible time. To the local private sector and workers who stuck with us as we struggled, the Government and people of Montserrat recognize and are grateful for your efforts. Things are changing and our condition is improving, albeit not as quickly as we would have wished, but we must remember our successes and find ways to surmount difficulties.

I also must make mention of our relocated families, who left the island for whatever reason. I welcome those who returned to share Christmas with us at this time; I want to also assure you that we are aware of the challenges you face in order to survive aboard. There is no place like home and Montserrat will always be home, the place of your birth, your place of memories and early growth.

While we revel and party this Christmas, let me encourage all of us to do whatever we do in moderation and with due care and caution. I especially wish to remind all motorists not to drink and drive.

We must also not forget those elderly persons at the Margetson Memorial Home, the Hill View Home and the Golden Years Home. All those elderly at home with their families must also be remembered, because as we build a new Montserrat these older folks are necessary to share their experiences and guide our paths. They gave of their youth to support and develop this island in the past, therefore it is our responsibility to provide for their needs; we must never forget them. It would certainly be an indication of goodwill if we can invite some elderly person presently residing in a residence for the aged to our homes for at least a meal during this season.

For after all, the true spirit of Christmas is Peace on earth, goodwill to all men. On behalf of my family, government, the staff of my Ministry, and myself, I wish everyone a blessed, peaceful and happy Christmas and a joyous new year.

Jus wonderin if the mosquito repellents given to the hospital are being used, or if the Montserrat mosquitoes, with their OBEs and MBEs are too wise to be trapped.

Jus wonderin if the replacements for the ex-CMO will each earn 45,000 pounds plus, plus, like the tax advisor.

Jus wonderin if de new tax advisor will be given a office wid a pool an' massage service an' bady guards fu guard he skyhigh salary.

Jus wonderin if Simple Simon is living in a house with a pool in the US, or if only Montserrat can provide such luxuries to the Brits.

Jus wonderin if we need to be reminded what to do when the sirens blow off and if we should still listen to Radio ZJB to hear what shelter to go in.

Jus wonderin how many Guyanese are employed at the new-old town hotel.

Jus wonderin if it need johnny-macbrown figures fu mek de Reporter print one paper every week.

Jus wonderin if one crab go dung one tarantula hole, who gun win de fight, especially if dem a use de butterfly ballot dem.

Jus wonderin where dem a goin' find recipient fu new years hanours - perhaps ina de majesty prison?

Jus wonderin but is it a chicken/egg issue, the people or the airport… again.

Jus wonderin if it’s a bad sign that all the pertinent calypsos are based on Government.

Jus wonderin if jus wonderin column is really a big and official hit.

Jus wonderin how come that calypsonian forget the most important part in e sang about him

Jus wonderin if the cos have to keep his head down now that he made it into one of them song.

Jus wonderin who ever holds the keys for Montserrat can please keep then in a safe place.

Jus wonderin what will come next after the white paper.

Jus wonderin if there was any pay off to ban the songs.

Jus wonderin if the marriage was just for a licence to trade.

Jus wonderin if the next Governor’s eyes open more clearly.

Jus wonderin how can one be All That when they are not even that.

Jus wonderin how he felt when his co-worker got married and his was stopped.

Jus wonderin if they become miss unity they will stop bake bread.

Jus wonderin if strings that bad we couldn't find sponsors for everyone.

Jus wonderin why if the man from Rendezvous was was really treated bad.

Jus wonderin if with all that feedback from the morning show the judges will still be final.

Jus wonderin how much money the Antigua shoppers eventually saved last weekend.

Jus wonderin who agree without finding out if plane could land there.

Jus wonderin how much money the BG will throw away and lives squandered before conceding indecency and injustice.

A Drug Abuse Epidemiological Surveillance Project was approved in late 1999 under the 8^th European Development Fund (EDF) Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme (CRIP). The Financing Agreement for the two-year project, which was signed by the Secretariat for the Caribbean FORUM of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States and the European Commission in January 2000, allocates funds from the EDF to the Project.

The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity of CARIFORUM Governments, technical entities and regional agencies to respond to changing drug abuse patterns and trends and contribute to the abatement of drug abuse. The specific purpose of the project is to establish a sound database and "early warning" surveillance system to assist national and regional policy makers in demand reduction. The principal activities are training in surveillance and research methods, implementation of epidemiologic surveillance systems and research.

The Project is to be implemented by the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) in collaboration with other agencies.

The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) invites applications from suitably qualified persons from the European Union and ACP States, including the CARIFORUM countries, for the following positions:

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Project Director will perform the functions of Manager and Chief Technical Officer of the project. Under the supervision of the Manager of the Epidemiology Division at CAREC, the Project Director will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and coordination of technical support for implementation of the project.

Masters Degree in Public Health, with a major in Epidemiology and at least 3 years' experience in implementing disease surveillance systems and conducting applied health research. Training and at least 2 years' experience in project management; OR Masters Degree in a relevant discipline and at least 5 years' experience in disease surveillance and conducting applied health research. Training and at least 2 years' experience in project management.

 

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

This position provides database management and statistical support for strengthening regional capacity to generate epidemiologic information on drug abuse in the Caribbean.

A Bachelors Degree in Statistics, other numerate discipline or the Social Sciences (the latter must include courses in statistics and computing). At least 2 years' experience in developing and maintaining databases OR relevant tertiary qualifications in Computer Sciences, Information Management or Health Informatics and at least 4 years' experience in developing and maintaining databases.

A competitive package is being offered.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday January 2, 2001.

The Manager

Human Resource Department

Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC)

P.O. Box 164

PORT OF SPAIN

FAX 1-868-622-2792

Email: postmaster@carec.paho.org

NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen (14) days from the date hereof, application will be made in the Registry of the High Court of Justice for an Order that Letters of Administration in the Estate of ISABELLA BRAMBLE JOSEPH late of Flemmings Montserrat be granted to Reuben Meade of Olveston Montserrat West Indies, the lawful Attorney for Diana E. Bramble the daughter and relict of the deceased and one of the persons entitled to share in her estate.

ALL persons claiming to be beneficially interested herein are requested forthwith to send particulars to me the undersigned.

FURTHER, any person objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court of Justice no later than fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice.

Dated this 20^th day of December 2000

Claims to ownership of lands have been received from the following persons listed in the Schedule below.

Any objections to these claims must be lodged in writing to the Land Registry, Palm Loop, Woodlands, Montserrat within six weeks of the first publication of this notice:-

S C H E D U L E

Diana E. Bramble Parcel 168, Block 11/5. Land at Salem.

Bounded as follows: - On the North by the northern main road. On the East by parcel 11/5/169 ( Nicholas Gerald). On the South by road to Hope. On the West by parcel 11/5/25 (Glanville S. Allen).

Diana E. Bramble Parcel 182, Block 11/5. Land at Salem.

Bounded as follows: - On the North by parcel 11/5/181 (Thomas Bramble). On the East by parcel 11/5/171 (Nicholas Gerald). On the South by parcel 11/5/75 (Saywell Daley, John Daley, Jane Ritter, Margaret Linsey, Mary Glavassevich, c/o J.S. Weekes). On the West by parcel 11/5/49 (Susannah Brade).

William Alfred Bodkin Parcel 6, Block 15/10. Land at Rendezvous. 

Bounded as follows : - On the North by parcels 15/7/41 (Unclaimed), parcel 15/10/2 (Christopher Gerrald), parcel 15/10/3 (William Alfred Bodkin). On the South East by parcel 15/7/41 (Unclaimed). On the West by parcels 15/10/5 (Louisa Bass), parcel 15/10/4 (Matilda Sweeney)

Mary Collins Parcel 69, Block 14/4. Land at St. John’s.

Bounded as follows: - To the North by main road to St. John’s. To the East by parcel 14/4/76 (Unclaimed) & parcel 14/4/71 (Mary Ann Augusta Greenaway). To the South by Crown Land. To the West by Public Road.

20^th December 2000