GOVERNMENT EYES Thursday 19th February 2015 A n t i g u a a n d B a r b u d a Vol.4 No.7 $2.00 STANFORD LANDS The government plans to make an offer for the purchase of The Pavilion Restaurant and the seven acres of land adjacent to it. The Antigua and Barbuda Government plans to make an offer to the receivers of the Stanford Development Company (SDC) for the purchase of the Pavilion Restaurant and the seven acres of adjacent land. This comes out of a meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday. Reliable sources say the decision to procure the property which sits within the precincts of the V.C. Bird International Airport is influenced by a number of factors. Firstly, the sources say, the offer to purchase the Pavilion Restaurant and surrounding lands will be made in the interest of former Stanford employees, who have been awaiting monies due to them since 2009. According to the sources it is anticipated that the purchase will seek to have these workers’ compensated shortly thereafter, particularly since cont’d on pg 2 2 Thursday 19th February 2015 caribtimes.com Massive silt build-up at St. John’s Harbor A survey of the sea floor in the St John’s Harbor reveals that there is a build-up of silt that is more than two meters thick. Manager of the Antigua Port Authority, Darwin Telemaque, says this huge accumulation of deposit is causing the larger cruise ships to touch the ocean floor whenever they navigate the Harbour. He says this is the crux of the problem that forced the Port Authority to urgently undertake the sweeping of the harbor floor that started on Tuesday. According to Telemaque, the Harbour is charted to have water up to eleven meters deep… but in fact, because of the silt buildup…the harbor depth is approximately nine meters. cont’d from pg 1 He says this is evident whenever the larger vessels are in port as solt silt is stirred up and the water takes on a brownish hue. The Port manager adds that the Authority has engaged a Trinidadian firm the receivers have asserted that a lack of funds has made payments to the former employees impossible. Just over a week ago, attorney representing the disgruntled former employees, Cosbert Cumberbatch, conveyed his intent to challenge amounts which differed significantly from amounts submitted by the liquidators over a year ago and which were not disputed. The petitioners also state that they were made aware of assets of to carry out the sweeping of the Harbour. The two parties have designed an action plan on how best to approach the task. Telemaque says the harbour is divided into four areas to ensure that SDC being sold and that the Liquidators are holding sufficient funds; thus, they propose, the Liquidators are in a position to pay the said workers, and should do so soonest. Meantime, the Cabinet has further agreed that it is desirous to have an Airport Hotel developed on the site, and that nationals of Antigua and Barbuda will be invited to invest in this project. The reliable sources note that the hotel industry requires many millions of dollars for investment, no area is left untouched. He explains that the work is expected to take approximately one month to complete…and the port authority will receive a completion certificate by the end of March. and that foreign capital is usually required, it is also acknowledging that an opportunity for local involvement can only be to the benefit of Antigua and Barbuda. Two other local businesspersons have invested in airport hotels. Rowan Henry and Austin Lapps have both owned hotels at the airport. Cabinet believed that this franchise ought to be reserved for locals, who are invited to participate in the ownership and the profits. caribtimes.com Thursday 19th February 2015 3 Festivals Commission rolls out Carnival volunteer program A call is being made on residents who are interested in the Carnival Volunteer Program to register at the office of the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission. The Festivals Commission Chairman Cliff Williams, is passionate about the program. “Carnival is a major undertaking and our biggest festival so each year we look at our events and see where we need extra hands to assist in making it a professional cultural production.” He adds, “Interested individuals just need to have a strong passion for the cultural arts and have a deep rooted desire in getting involved in the production of festivals and events. I know many college students who study marketing and events-planning would also find this experience beneficial.” The Antigua Barbuda Festivals Commission is in the process of creating a database of such skills, talents and experience to serve the country as volunteers. “A broad outline of skills and talents we are seeking to attract are graphic artistes, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, stage hands, hospitality support, administrative support, cultural adjudicators, etc.”, Chairman Williams explains. Interested persons are encouraged to collect registration forms from the office of the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission upstairs the Pigotts Mall during regular business hours. Registration is an ongoing exercise. Antigua Carnival, dubbed the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival will be staged July 25 – August 4. Ministry of Sports to host Sports Awards The Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Industry, Sports, Culture and National Festivals will host the National Sports Awards on March 28, 2015. The awards will focus on performances of national athletic and mind sports’ athletes for the period January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. All Associations are asked to complete the application forms that have been furnished by the Ministry to facilitate the process. The deadline for submission of these application forms is March 2, 2015. The Ministry is appealing to all associations to submit their respective forms on time. The Ministry considers the performances and achievements of national athletes as very important to the development of the nation and therefore expects full corporation from relevant associa- tions. A select committee, headed by Director of Sports is working around the clock to ensure a smooth awards ceremony. This will be a formal event and all invited guests are encouraged to adhere to the specified dress code. 4 caribtimes.com Thursday 19th February 2015 Antigua re-nominates Sanders for Commonwealth Secretary-General ST JOHN’S, Antigua — Some two months after withdrawing his government’s nominee for the post of Commonwealth Secretary-General, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, has now written to fellow Heads of Government of the Commonwealth Caribbean to reinstate his nomination of Sir Ronald Sanders for the post. IN THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN SUPREME COURT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA (ADMINISTRATION) A.D. 2015 In the estate of MARY BENJAMIN, deceased NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at the expiration of fourteen (14) days from the date of this Notice, application will be made by DAVID NEHEMIAH CHARLES of Ebenezer Gardens, St. Thomas, USVI (formerly of Freemans Village, St. Peter, Antigua) to the High Court of Justice for the Grant of Letters of Administration de Bonis Non in the Estate of MARY BENJAMIN, deceased, late of Freemans Village, St. Peter, Antigua, who died on the 20th day of December, 1972. Dated this 19th day of February, 2015 _________________ Rhodsha A. Oliver ROBERTS & CO Attorneys-at-Law for the Applicant In a letter dated February 12, 2015, Browne said that, since writing on December 10, 2014, regarding his withdrawal of Antigua and Barbuda’s nomination of Sanders, he has been overwhelmed by messages of regret and requests for reconsideration from within and beyond the Caribbean, including from some heads of government. The burden of those messages, Browne said, was that the Commonwealth has been “deprived, at a time of crisis, of the candidate manifestly most suitable and most likely to be chosen, given his Commonwealth-wide network and diplomatic experience.” “It has been impressed on me that Sir Ronald had the declared support of 9 of the 12 Commonwealth Caribbean governments at our December 8th meet- ing, and that it is still open to me to put him forward as the candidate of Antigua and Barbuda for the post of Commonwealth Secretary-General,” he said. Browne continued that he has been reminded that, at the caucus of Heads of Commonwealth Caribbean governments in the margins of the Cuba-CARICOM conference on December 8, 2014, in Cuba, no other candidate mustered more than two votes, and that quite recently CARICOM heads of government did not apply any consensus requirement to candidates for the posts of Secretary-General of the ACP Group and the Deputy Secretary-General of the OAS. “Nonetheless, in the interest of Caribbean unity among ourselves and in the projection of our unity to the Commonwealth, Notice from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) All Residential Property Owners (to include land and or house) who pay off their 2015 property tax citation by June 30th, 2015 will get all their arrears waived or wiped off.All ABST Registrants who are in arrears are asked to pay the amount or make arrangements to pay the amount by March 31st 2015 and get all penalty and interest waived. Sir Ronald Sanders. I am still anxious that we proceed by consensus if we possibly can. I have, therefore, strongly urged Sir Ronald to withdraw his intimation of standing down his candidacy despite his earlier decision in what he considered to be the interest of our region. He, too, would still prefer the region to go forward as one, and has told me of the great sense of honour he felt at receiving the backing of so many heads of government,” he said. “I am pleased to say that in the circumstances he has accepted my proposal, and will make himself available to the Commonwealth as I have requested on the basis cont’d on pg 5 caribtimes.com Thursday 19th February 2015 5 Training and equipment for ABDF China is making available several million dollars worth of technical assistance to the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force. The pledge was communicated to the ABDF during a visit to the country by a military delegation from the People’s Liberation Army, the Chinese military arm. During the call, the delegation held high-level discussions with Chief of Defense Staff, Colonel Sir Trevor Thomas, where they discussed continued assistance to the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force. Sir Trevor said both countries signed an agreement last year, under cont’d from pg 4 of the Caribbean’s consensus candidate. At our meeting later this month I shall therefore seek that consensus for Sir Ronald’s candidature as the next Commonwealth secretary general. Given that in Cuba last month there was majority support of Sir Ronald, I look forward in fraternity to your backing,” Browne concluded. One of three initial candidates as the Caribbean Commonwealth’s nominee, Sanders has the broadest Commonwealth experience and background, having played a key role in Commonwealth affairs over many years including in the Eminent Persons Group that reported in 2011 on the future direction and reform of the organisation. which China agreed to make 20-million RMB or 2.4 million U-S dollars available to the ABDF. He says that money was committed for a five-year period. However, he is announcing that following the talks…the Chinese army is making the full amount available this year instead. According to Sir Trevor…the delegation also gave the assurance of continued military support to the ABDF specifically in the areas of training and logistics. The offer to train and equip the ABDF Mass Casualty Management Unit and its Urban Search and Rescue Unit was also The other two candidates, Baroness Patricia Scotland, a sitting member of the British House of Lords, nominated by Dominica and supported only by Dominica and Barbados, and Senator Bhoe Tewarie, Trinidad and Tobago’s candidate and minister of planning and sustainable development, both have question marks against their candidacy. Tewarie is little known within the Commonwealth and has little relevant experience, and Scotland has already created some controversy and consternation amongst foreign ministers from both CARICOM and the Commonwealth by unexpectedly appearing as Dominica’s representative at ministerial meetings in New York recently, where noteworthy in the discussions. The Chief of Defense Staff says these promises of assistance coupled with opportunities to attend future high level conferences. One such conference is the African, Caribbean and South Pacific Commanders Conference which will be held in June of this year. Both the Chinese Military delegation and the Chief of Defense Staff are optimistic that the mutual cooperation between both Forces will continue to provide significant benefits for the twin island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. there was reportedly considerable reluctance and even downright refusal to discuss sensitive regional issues in the presence of a sitting member of the British parliament. (Reprinted from AMG online) 6 caribtimes.com Thursday 19th February 2015 Intolerance is unacceptable For centuries, the world has suffered the debilitating effects of racism – from slavery to indentured labour to the Holocaust and most recently the racism that gave rise to the civil rights movement in the 1960s and ‘70s. It is a fact that many the world over still suffer from the backlash which seems only at times to be hiding under the surface and ready to break forth again. There have been some improvement in relations between races, however, due to the tireless work of equal rights groups and governments, as well as the people who wanted to progress beyond a point of stagnation. Yet there is still something hovering in the background, which threatens to slowly tear away the fabric of, that which has been built slowly and carefully, especially in the last 30 plus years – it is called xenophobia, which is just another aspect of racism. Throughout history, human beings have generally found a way to highlight the differences in each other and use these differences to physically or emotional- ly destroy. However, in 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, whereas part of Article 2 states: “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration … no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.” Nowadays, the situation has improved, but it remains the same due to a ‘political correctness’, which has merely veiled the underlying anger which lies within the average human being who has not been educated on the importance of strength in unity. Where political correctness has dictated that some aspects of racism/xenophobia are to be frowned upon, other forms just seem to ‘slip through the cracks’ because they are not reccont’d on pg 7 Thursday 19th February 2015 caribtimes.com 7 The Antilles and alignment with China A recent World Bank report speculated that by2025 the Yuan (Chinese currency) will enjoy more monetary prominence than both the US dollar and the Euro. What does this mean for the Americas and more specifically the Caribbean? With many islands making loan requests to Chinese banks in exchange for the provision of expertise, manpower and infrastructure development, what will the Antilles look like in 50 years? A product of British, Spanish, French and Dutch colonialism alongside the marginal influence of African and Eastern societies, the Caribbean remains a melting pot infused with the cultures, religions, hierarchy and biases of the dominant colonial entity. cont’d from pg 6 However, the capitalist model illustrates a paradigm shift that has resulted in a subdued Caribbean, one that continues to wave a fledgling flag of national independence and pride perpetually shaken by international actors. There is little doubt that within the last decade China has made an immense impact on the region. Changes in immigration and labour laws, or at the very least turning a blind eye to occurrences that have happened but are insignificant when compared to the immediate benefits provides just two examples. With China’s mass production facilities, its By Vicki Cann apparent cash flow and its tegration and unification? expertise in several ser- world order? Will our leaders need Send your comments vice oriented industries, how will the Caribbean to take a more serious to Vicki.cann@gmaail. hold its own in this new approach to regional in- com ognised as something dangerous to a society, or they are allowed as outlets for people who need to express the underlying hate buried deep inside. In 2014, an Italian Minister faced calls to resign after he referred to the country’s first Black Minister as an orang-utan. He received widespread condemnation over his remarks, for which he only offered a ‘qualified apology’, and faced prosecution over them. Some comedians are also offenders and use the stage to poke racial/xenophobic ‘fun’ at others. If a comedian pokes fun at the way a person of a particular ethnicity does things, chances are people will laugh because they think it is funny, but other emotions are stirred up on the inside as well. We must have that understanding that what is funny to one person can be offensive to others. We have come too far – we must move forward. (Reprinted from the Barbados Advocate) 8 caribtimes.com Thursday 19th February 2015 Tribute to Accident Victims’ Families As I take a glance down memory lane, my daughter’s life is not the same; Up to now I can feel the pain, as the sound echoes in my ears: “Your daughter is in a serious car accident,” that was how the news went; I felt the pain from head to toe - man this was a tremendous blow. My daughter is alive, thanks be to God; if she had died my life would have fallen apart. It took a devastating toll on my family and me, as I questioned, “God, why has this happened to me?” The long, lonely road for my daughter’s healing, - I can appreciate your feelings, Losing a child to an accident, I really don’t know, but receiving that phone call can drop you just so. We weren’t rich to get justice done, but God has made a way for us somehow; The lawyers that stuck with us, the nurses, true family and friends, have given us hope when we were overwhelmed. Every time I drive on Friars Hill Road, my heart palpitates and there’s something in my throat It was no fault of hers to get such a blow, and he is so proud to be walking around so. Negative comments you will hear, but trust God, He does care; Comfort yourself and don’t be afraid to cry, God doesn’t judge you, you can get angry and ask him “WHY?” He is a God that you can express your feelings to, and that’s the only way you will get healing; Your life will never be the same, you’ve lost a child, mother, and there will always be pain. “How can it be that I lost my pickney, a mother and a friend and say it is well?” You can say, “Guide me, oh thou great Jehovah, help me to get through this.” “Can I find peace in the midst of this storm?” YES! “Can I find hope when I can’t go on anymore?” YES! “Where was God when I needed him the most?” RIGHT THERE! Hide me now under your wings; cover me within your mighty hands. When the oceans rise and thunders roar, I will soar with you above the storm; Father you are King over the flood, I will be still and know you are God. My deepest condolences. WRITTEN BY JACQUELINE WETHERILL Thursday 19th February 2015 caribtimes.com 9 10 c a r i b t i m e s . c o m Thursday 19th February 2015 Thursday 19th February 2015 caribtimes.com 11 St Kitts-Nevis voters deny Douglas historic fifth consecutive term BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC - St Kitts-Nevis voters denied Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas an opportunity of becoming the first regional leader to win five consecutive general elections and instead voted Team Unity, an amalgam of three opposition parties to form the next government in St. Kitts-Nevis. While the Electoral Commission has not officially released the results of Monday’s poll, Douglas’s St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) appeared willing to concede the victory on Tuesday. The outgoing Information Minister Nigel Carty said while the entire country is awaiting the results of the elections, the Supervisor of Elections, Wingrove George “does have a serious obligation to address the country on what is the country’s most critical event that is the election of members to the National Assembly. “Therefore we want to say to the general public that we would really like for this matter to be over as quickly as possible. We are calling on the supervisor to do what is required to ensure that the results are announced as quickly as possible.” Carty said “however we believe that based upon the information which is coming from the various constituencies …we believe from what is stacking up that the unity coalition may have won the elections and we want the country to be able to know what precisely are the results of the elections so we can move on”. He said the SKNLP was calling upon George “to appear as quick- ly as possible to make the requisite announcement to the country so that the country can move on less this be seen as something that it is not meant to be,” said Carty, who is also the SKNLP deputy chairman. The Electoral Commission is expected to issue a statement later on Tuesday. But Team Unity led by economist Dr Timothy Harris, 51, a onetime senior cabinet minister in a Douglas administration, said it had won at least seven of the 11 seats that were at stake in Monday’s poll. Team Unity comprises the main opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM), the People’s Labour Party (PLP) and the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) and Timothy said he was going to hold talks with Governor General Sir Edmund Lawrence on Tuesday on a number of issues. The 15-member National Assembly is made up of 11 elected members and four others, two of whom are government senators and one opposition senator. The attorney general is the ex-offico member of the legislative body. The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) had entered the election in an accommodation with the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) telling the public it was the best party suited to continue the socio-economic development of the twin-island federation. But Team Unity had urged supporters it was time for there to be “Prosperity for All” and accused the outgoing administration of nepotism, corruption and mismanagement of St Kitts-Nevis voters denied Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas (above) an opportunity of becoming the first regional leader to win five consecutive general elections. the economy. The party had campaigned on the theme “Better Days are coming” and had urged its “family” of voters to ensure that they remove the incumbent from office. Among the casualties of the election were deputy prime minister Dr. Assim Martin who lost to newcomer Ian Liburd and Sports Minister Glen Phillip who lost to former PAM leader Lindsay Grant. Former deputy prime minister Sam Condor, the deputy leader of the PLP was also defeated in the election. Prime Minister Douglas won emphatically in Constituency Six, as did Harris in Constituency Seven, while on Nevis, Premier Vance Amory, the CCM leader trounced the NRP’s candidate Cory Tyson by a margin of 754 to 306 votes. Marcella Liburd, the health minister in the outgoing government won the first seat for the SKNLP polling 1,775 votes as against 1 643 for her challenger Jonel Powell of Team Unity. 12 c a r i b t i m e s . c o m Thursday 19th February 2015 Wednesday’s Sudoku Solution SUDOKU C R O S S WO R D Across 1. Sacred song 6. Attractive 10. Recedes 14. Liquid measure 15. Imitator 16. Attract 17. Female singers 18. Zoo 20. Dime or penny 21. Patch up 22. Pretended 23. Get free 25. Ledger entry 27. Ms. Hayworth 29. Narrates again 33. Forest clearing 36. Barbie, e.g. 38. Clock face 39. Ambition 40. Meat-filled pasta 43. Actress ____ Farrow 44. Highway exit 46. Sandwich shop 47. Scornful sound 49. Make wider 51. On cloud ____ 53. Takes five 55. Finally (2 wds.) 59. Many times 62. “Once ____ a time...” 64. Location 65. Strolled 67. Extinct birds 68. Dryer fuzz 69. ____ between the lines 70. Motionless 71. Native minerals 72. Messes up 73. Curvy letters Down 1. Location 2. Fodder towers 3. Storage spot 4. Composer ____ Bernstein 5. “____ Doubtfire” 6. Showed up 7. Capsize 8. Cut of meat 9. Epoch 10. Voted in 11. Actor ____ Reynolds 12. French cheese 13. Sow 19. Gallop or trot 21. Encountered 24. Dock 26. Ringing device 28. Indiana Jones, e.g. 30. VIP’s car 31. Animal’s den 32. Bed board 33. Dress 34. Perjurer 35. Munitions, for short 37. Grease 41. Fruit beverages 42. Fails to exist 45. Mom and dad 48. Willie and Ozzie 50. Small depression 52. Bond creator ____ Fleming 54. Harpoon 56. Assistants 57. Shop 58. Experiments 59. Norwegian port 60. Unbiased 61. Song 63. Probabilities 66. Poetic “before” 67. “____ Hard” (Willis film) Thursday 19th February 2015 caribtimes.com 13 DEAR LADY X HOROSCOPE I grew up in the ‘90s in a neighborhood where the kids respected their neighbors. I now live in a different state and, obviously, a different era. Neighborhood kids constantly use my steep driveway to ride their bicycles, tricycles and scooters without asking permission. Am I right in thinking this is rude, because in my opinion, they are trespassing? Not only could I be held responsible if one of them gets hurt on my property, but they also are extremely loud and do this while my children are trying to nap. They have been asked to stop, and I have threatened to talk to their parents, even though I don’t know where they live. What do I do? -FRUSTRATED HOMEOWNER DEAR FRUSTRATED: Discuss this with your insurance broker. You are correct that if one of the children gets hurt on your property you could be liable. You also need to be more proactive than you have been. Tell the kids they are disturbing your children who are trying to nap, and if the kids don’t go away, find out where they live and talk to the other parents. It would be cheaper than having to install a gate in front of your driveway. Wednesday’s Crossword Solution ARIES (March 21-April 19). Where’s your stash of mad cash? You know, the money you can spend on whatever you want, no guilt. You’ll find something worthy of purchase today. If you don’t have this kind of a stash, it’s a lucky time to start saving. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Truth-telling time: You don’t mind inclement weather because it gives you an excuse to stay in. When the weather is fine, you don’t have the excuse, and you’ll have to create one. You just really want to stay in. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There’s something you want to know, and you might go so far as to snoop to figure it out. Is this wrong? You’ll have to make the moral determinations alone, because if you tell, the whole thing changes. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ll debate staying in or going out. This probably pertains to the weekend, but you have to make the decision now because your plans won’t come together if you wait. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Being cool won’t necessarily make you happy. Also, if you know better, smiling and nodding won’t work. Dare to be uncool, and don’t go along with things you know aren’t quite right. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Having your work cut out for you is actually a good thing when you think about it — better than having your work uncut and trying to figure out what you’re supposed to do. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). There was once a popular vaudeville routine involving three comedians in which the comedian who got the punchline also got a banana. You’re top banana today, getting all the laughs. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It’s time to face the fact that you have real needs that are not being met. A breathtaking moment is the main feature of the day. You’ll be talking about this one with your best friends. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21). Sometimes it feels like you’re being forced to act like you’re having fun. Roll with it, and then don’t be surprised when the act turns into actual fun and lots of it. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your habits will define you, at least in the eyes of others. This is the reason you try so hard today to change one of them, and if you keep trying daily for the rest of February, you’ll succeed. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You don’t mind taking on other people’s perspective as a way of finding out where they are coming from. Just be sure to give that perspective back after you try it on, because your own perspective will serve you much better. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). According to one song, sleeping eyes never lie. Last night’s dreams had some rather interesting truths hidden inside them, if you can remember that far back. If not, the same truth will show up in your day. 14 c a r i b t i m e s . c o m Thursday 19th February 2015 The Antigua and Barbuda Ex-Servicemen Association will be having a fundraising barbecue and fish fry on Friday 27 February 2015, from 12 until 4 pm, at the Association`s Headquarters at 1 Prime Minister`s Drive. Tickets for a fish meal are EC$ 15 and EC$ 10 for a chicken meal, available from members of the Association on 462-6903, 778- 8679, 721-1970 or 561-1062. There will be a relaunch of Hospital/Healthcare Christian fellowship in Antigua and Barbuda. We are inviting you to our Prayer Breakfast. Date: Saturday 21st February 2015, Time: 6:30 am - 8:00 am, Venue: Mount St.John’s Medical Center Chapel, Tickets $15.00. For tickets and more information, please contact Nurse Benjamin @ 722-1019 or Nurse Henry @ 788- 0734 The Optimist Club of St. John’s will be hosting the ‘Kids Speak Out’ Competition this Saturday 21st February 2015 at the ABI Conference Room on Redcliffe Street, 9:00 a.m. This contest is an annual event geared at primary school children, who are asked to give a 2-3 minute oral presentation on the topic “How My Optimism Helps Me To Press On to Greater Achievements of the Future” For additional information please contact 720-2949 The Order of St. Luke, Cathedral Chapter is hosting a healing prayer weekend under the theme “Forgive and be healed - body, mind and spirit”. Beginning Friday 20th at 6:pm and continuing Saturday 21st at the Dean William Lake Cultural Centre a healing prayer workshop. Sunday 22nd a healing service at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church on Fort Road at 5:00pm. Come and be blessed. To register and for more information contact the Deanery office at 4620820 or 462 5696. Ruleta Camacho to speak on Environment Bill Kicking off our 2015 members meetings will be Ms. Ruleta Camacho, Senior Environment Officer at the Environment Division. Ms. Camacho will speak to the content of the Environmental Protection & Management Bill, the status of its reading in Parliament, next steps for its passage, and implications for the public and the environment once passed. Join us on Saturday 28 February at 7pm, upstairs in the Museum on Long Street, St. John’s. EAG’s February field trip – hike to Pinching Bay This month’s hike will take you past Hansons Bay to Sir Georges Mill and on to the Old Battery near Fullerton Point. We will pass sugar mill en route to Fullerton Point, overlooking Pinching Bay. Meet at 6:15 am on Saturday February 21st on the main road at the entrance to Cooks Dump in Hatton. This is an easy walk along the coast, mostly flat, level easy to moderate. Long pants, long sleeves are recommended for overgrown bush on parts of the trail. The Consumers Association is seeking members who are committed to promoting and defending the rights of consumers in Antigua and Barbuda. Interested persons are invited to attend a meeting on Monday 23rd February ’15 at the Prices and Consumer Affairs Division, on the corner of Redcliffe Street and Corn Alley, St. John’s Antigua, commencing at 5 pm. The Consumers Association of Antigua & Barbuda is an independent, non-governmental, non-political and voluntary organization. For more information contact 774 7818 or 726 9804. The Social Security Board wishes to advise all Social Security pensioners that pension payments for the month of February 2015 will be paid commencing March 9, 2015. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted. Sammy says teammates need to rally CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand – Darren Sammy believes embattled West Indies captain Jason Holder needs the unbridled support of his teammates, in order to navigate the current turmoil surrounding the team’s poor form. The 23-year-old Holder has had a fiery baptism, presiding over the Caribbean side’s 4-1 thrashing at the hands of South Africa last month and then as West Indies slumped to a shock four-wicket defeat to min- nows Ireland in their ICC World Cup opener on Monday. “You just need that spark and … we as a group have got to carry him through,” said Sammy, a former ODI captain and the current Twenty20 skipper. “He’s young, he didn’t ask to be put in that situation and as one who has been in that situation, I know what that feels like. I will try my best to help him along and also encourage the team to help him along because captaining the West Indies is a very, very tough job.” Holder’s appointment as captain was not without controversy. He replaced Dwayne Bravo who had only been in the job for just over a year, after replacing Sammy in 2013. Bravo was also axed from the squad, following his role as spokesman for aggrieved players during the abandoned tour of India, a move that prompted claims of victimisa- cont’d on pg 15 Thursday 19th February 2015 caribtimes.com 15 National Associations encouraged to submit Sports Awards candidates early By Vanroy Burnes The Ministry of Sports is urging all national sporting associations to make early submissions of their nominees for the 2014 Sports awards to be held on March 28th. Over the years some national associations fails to meet the deadline set for nominations and never returns the nomination forms to the Ministry, while on the other hand some associations pays little or no attention to the information’s required and inadequately completed the forms which is a cause for concern. Public Relations Officer in the Ministry Ian Magic Hughes said when these associations short change the Athletes of the cont’d from pg 14 proper and correct information’s on the forms it is the Athletes who suffers, because the judges can only judge from the information they receives. According to the Public Relations officer, the Athletes are the prime treasure of the associations and should be treated with the highest level of respect for what they worth. The Public Relations is urging the associations to submit the information and the names of their nominees on or before the deadline March 02nd. Hughes said the judges must have enough time to sit down and scrutinize the performances of the athletes over the time specified and to make tion from several quarters. Senior team player Chris Gayle, a member of the World Cup squad, also publicly lashed out at the selectors’ decision to drop Bravo and Kieron Pollard. Despite this furore, Sammy said Holder still commanded the support of the senior players. “At least now Jason has the backing of the guys in the dressing room, the senior players want to see him do well,” Sammy pointed out. “It’s very tough, I don’t know what’s their judgment. The National Sports awards which had a break for a few years and in some sense was watered down will be back to its full status as a formal Black tie affair this year. The last awards was held in June of 2013 for Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year for 2012. The Cycling association scalp both prizes with Tameka Butler and Jymes Bridges sportswoman and Sportsman respectively. The event will be held at the Sir Vivian Stadium on the night of March 28th 2015. The first Sports Awards for Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year was held in 1992 with Netballer Karen Joseph and Basketballer Carl Bali going on in his mind but from what I’ve seen he’s a strong character, a strong individual.” Sammy also advised Holder to seek supernatural help in difficult times. “[He needs to] stay strong and pray to the man above. He controls all things,” the all-rounder said. “If you’re feeling down, you whisper a prayer to him. That’s what I did but I had good support around me with my family.” West Indies are currently here preparing to face Pakistan in their second match of the World Cup at Hagley Oval on Friday. Knight emerge the first winners. Joseph went on the capture the title again in 2003 alongside Ayata Joseph of Athletics. The Athletics Association has already announced that Sprinter Daniel Bakka Bailey and Shot-putter Jess St. John as their nominees for 2014. However current Director of Sports Heather Samuel and Janill Williams both from Athletics Associations had a three peat victory. Samuel won in 1993, 1994 and 1995, while Williams won in 1997, 1998 and 1999, Williams won again in 2001 to become the single most winner of the title of Sportswoman of the year. Sonia Williams the other winner from Athletics won in 1996. Former West Indies Wicketkeeper Batsman Ridley Jacobs scalp the Sportsman of the year title twice in 1999 and 2001 sharing the title with Yachting Carl James. Four other Cricketers also won the Sportsman of the year title in McChesney Simon in 1194, Dave Soppy Joseph in 1995 Sylvester Bouncing Joseph in 1996 and Kerry Jeremy in 2000. 16 c a r i b t i m e s . c o m Thursday 19th February 2015 Kenya, Antigua showdown as Korir and Mason face off in Run in Paradise By Vanroy Burnes The Highlight of the Run in Paradise Antigua & Barbuda International Half Marathon can be dubbed as Kenya versus Antigua as two giants of the half marathon face off against each other. Race Director of the Marathon Stanley Humphreys has confirmed that the Kenyan Mike Korir who last Sunday won the Publix A1A half marathon in Ft. Lauderdale Florida in a time of 1 hour, 11 minutes and 6 seconds has been registered to compete in the Run in Paradise half marathon here. Mike has previously won two marathons in Philadelphia. Humphreys has also confirmed that Antiguan half marathon runner Elliott Mason who has won half marathon in Florida has also been registered for the race. It was reported that Mason was excited about the event and said he is looking forward to the race. Mason became even more excited when he was told that the Kenyan Mike Korir was also a participant. Mason was also quoted as saying that he doesn’t care who register because nobody can beat him on his home soil. Director Humphreys said with this attitude we can expect an exciting finish and he is hoping that many more Antiguans & Barbudans will participate in this historic event. According to Humphreys, of the hundreds of thousands of endurance runners only very few expected to win since only a few can maintain that speed for that many miles. Elliott Mason. However it is the satisfaction one receives from enduring that distance said Humphreys, he continued that every finisher in the Antigua & Barbuda Run in Paradise 5K Walk/Run Fun Walk will received a finishers Medal to commemorate the event so that they can have it to show their children and grandchildren that they were part of that historic event. Director Humphreys said arrangements are Mike Korir now being made to have local registration so that you don’t have to register on line and hope that it will attract many more local participants. According to Humphreys, Antiguans and Barbudans who have relatives living in South and Central Florida area can invite them to come home for the event on a special charter flight for just US$395.00 return. It really cannot get any better than this he said. Caribbean Times is printed and published at Woods Estate /Friars Hill Road By Kimon Drigo who is also the Editor and resides at Sugar Factory. Contact P.O Box W2099, Wood Estate /Friars Hill Road, St.John's Antigua/ Tel: (268) 562 - 8688 or Fax: (268) 562 8685.Email: [email protected]/Advertising: [email protected]/www.caribtimes.com
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