Category: National

The Diocese of the Windward Islands announces the passing of The Very Rev’d Patrick Ezekiel McIntosh M.A., CMG on Tuesday 5th January, 2016. The Diocese is truly saddened by his death.

Dean McIntosh was born on the 22nd March 1947 to James and Olive McIntosh, Bequia and was baptised and confirmed at the St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Bequia. His primary education was at the Anglican Primary School, Port Elizabeth, Bequia. His secondary education was at the Sevenday Advenist, Secondary School, Bequia.

He studied at the University of Birmingham attaining his Masters (Sponsored by the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (USPG) from 1996 – 1997. Dean McIntosh studied for the Priesthood at Codrington College Barbados from 1974 to 1977. Since his ordination he has served the Diocese for 38 consecutive years.

He was ordained at the St. Paul’s Parish Church, Calliaqua, St. Vincent & the Grenadines as a Deacon on the 21st December 1976 and as a Priest on 7th August 1977 at the St. George’s Cathedral, Kingstown.

He served in the following positions:

• Priest in Charge of the Parish of St. James, Layou – August 1977 – June 1985

• Rector of the Parish of The Holy Trinity, Georgetown – June 1985 – July 2002

• Canon Cathedral Chapter, in the Stall of St. Patrick – September 1997

• Archdeacon of St. Vincent and the Grenadines – October 1999 – July 2002

• Rector Parish of St. George and St. Andrew and Dean of St. George’s Cathedral July 2002 to January, 2016

• Chaplain to Mothers’ Union and Anglican Church Women Association (ACWA) in the Archdeaconry of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

• Chaplain to the Anglican Youth Movement for several years.

• Chairman, Governing Body, Bishops’ College, Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

• Member of the Incorporate Trustees of the Anglican Church in St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Diocesan Board of Finance and Diocesan Council

• Diocesan Representative to Provincial Synod of the Church in the Province of the West Indies for several years.

• Member of the Commission on Ministry, Church in the Province of the West Indies for over fifteen years.

Dean Mc Intosh was a very faithful, dedicated and committed Priest in the Diocese of the Windward Islands. He was always willing to go beyond the call of duty. While he was Rector of the Parish of the Holy Trinity, Georgetown, he paired up with the then Fr. Leopold Friday Priest in Charge of the Parish of St. Matthew, Biabou to carry out a Lay Training Programme for members of both Parishes. In 1996 The Rt. Rev’d Sehon Goodridge Bishop of the Windward Islands asked him to extend the Programme to the Archdeaconry of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Fr. Mc Intosh (at the time) was one of the main facilitators of the Programme in spite of the extensiveness of his ministry in the Parish of the Holy Trinity, Georgetown which extends from Mt Grenan to Fancy.

Dean Mc Intosh will be remembered for the construction of the Holy Name Anglican Church, Sandy Bay, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It is one of the two churches in the Diocese which was built after 1960. One can also recall the restoration of the Holy Trinity Parish Church and rectory during his tenure as Rector there, for over seventeen years.

There were several occasions when Dean Mc Intosh risked his life to serve the people in the Parish of the Holy Trinity. He would tell stories of crossing the Rabacca Dry River when it was flowing and just making it across in the nick of time or on occasions had to be assisted by others.

Dean Mc Intosh had a great love for God and the Church, he saw himself as one called by God to mission and ministry, and executed his ministry with a deep passion. He had a love for people generally and particularly for the shut-ins, the aged, sick, poor and less fortunate and he introduced a monthly service for them at the St. George’ s Cathedral several years ago.

Just before his passing he was working assiduously towards the restoration of the St. George’s Cathedral.

Left to mourn is his wife Carmel and children Camille and Patrick Jr. and his son in law The Rev’d Fr. Hanif Johnson other relatives and friends.

Rest eternal grant unto him O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

_________________________
The Rt. Rev’d C. Leopold Friday
Bishop of the Windward Islands

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment notes that there is increasing influenza activity in the Caribbean region at this time and is closely monitoring this situation.

Influenza cases increase during the flu season. However, the exact timing and duration of flu seasons vary. While seasonal flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, but activity can last as late as May.

The Ministry wishes to assure the public that health professionals will continue to work to maintain and strengthen the systems that are in place to detect and respond to increased influenza cases.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment advises members of the public to practice respiratory hygiene measures in order to reduce the risk of transmission of influenza and other respiratory viruses. Persons are advised to cover their mouth with a tissue or handkerchief if sneezing or coughing. They should safely dispose of used tissues, wash hands with soap and water after coughing and sneezing, as well as before and after meal preparation, eating and use of the toilets.

The Symptoms of the Influenza virus include:

• Sudden high fever (over 38°C or 100°F)
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Coughing
• Headache
• Body aches
• Fatigue

Persons experiencing Influenza-like symptoms, weakness or breathing difficulty should present immediately to the nearest Health facility or the Accident and Emergency Departrment of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital for appropriate management.

Persons at high risk who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should seek early medical attention. High risk patents include:

· Pregnant women
. Health care workers

· Children under 2 years of age;

· Persons with respiratory complications like asthma and chronic lung disease;

· Persons with weakened immune systems, including persons living with HIV persons on chemotherapy and Persons with chronic non-communicable diseases including diabetes.

Police are investigating attempts to Fire Bomb the St. Vincent Electricity Services (VINLEC).

In a statement The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force says police responded to two attempts by a person or persons to firebomb VINLEC’s headquarter at Paul’s Avenue, Kingstown.

According to police, on Monday, January 4th, 2016, at 12:25 a.m., members of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force responded to a report that a suspicious material looking like rubber was seen burning on VINLEC’s Paul’s Avenue compound.

On arrival, charred remains of a cloth like material and fragments of a burnt bottle were found lying on the grass in the yard.

There was also odor of flammable fumes coming from the fragments.

The statement further went on to say that the occurrence comes on the heels of a similar incident, which took place on January 1st 2016, when a security guard at VINLEC’s Paul’s Avenue compound discovered a Molotov cocktail (flambeaux), pieces of a broken bottle and a cloth like material on the ground behind VINLEC’s office building. The odor of kerosene also came from the bottles.

They are appealing to witnesses and urge anyone with information to come forward.

Proprietor of Nice Radio Douglas Defreitas in an interview with HTS St Lucia said that two of the seats the NDP retained the night of elections was almost lost due to fraud.

He said on election night results showed the NDP winning those two seats by only 7 and 18 votes, seats which are popular with the NDP, Defreitas said.

Following recount he said that the seat which was won by 7 according to results was actually won by nearly 200 votes and the other by an extra 100 votes.

Douglas told the St Lucian Radio that there was attempt to steal, but it was not big enough to for the ULP to secure those seats.

Defreitas said that he encouraged supporters of the NDP to demonstrate in front of the Governor General residence so that Gonsalves would not be sworn in, Gonsalves along with Deputy Prime Minister Louis Starker and the Attorney General was sworn in later that evening.

Defreitas said it is the people’s right to demonstrate, and because of his popularity the people came out in their hundreds.

Defreitas was held in Police Custody for 18 hours without charge, defreitas adamant that the elections were stolen according to the report from HTS.

Police say they are investigating two attempts by a person or persons, over the past four days, to Fire Bomb the St. Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC) head office at Paul’s Avenue, in Kingstown.

According to a media release, members of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force at 12:25am, today January 4th responded to a report that a suspicious material appearing to be rubber was seen burning on VINLEC’s Paul’s Avenue compound.

When the police arrived charred remains of a cloth like material and fragments of burnt bottle were also found lying on the grass in the yard. There was also odor of flammable fumes coming from the fragments.

This comes on the heels of a similar incident, which took place on January 1st, 2016, when a security guard at VINLEC’s Paul’s Avenue compound discovered a Molotov cocktail (flambeaux) of pieces of broken bottles and a cloth like material on the ground behind VINLEC’s office building. The odor of kerosene also came from the bottles.

The police say they view these incidents seriously and give the assurance that they will be thoroughly investigated.

Students across St. Vincent and the Grenadines returned to the classroom this morning for the new school term for 2016.

Hon. St. Clair Jimmy Prince in his first address since taking up the post as Minister of Education urged the students to engage in a lot of reading, since doing so will enable them to improve their ability to read and speak properly, and will aid in raising their level of achievement.

The Minister of Education also urged parents and guardians to provide the necessary boundaries and guidance to their children, and to ensure that they attend school regularly.

Minister Prince also thanked former Minister of Education, Girlyn Miguel for her outstanding years of service to that Ministry.

As the popular Internet-based group VincyCares, Inc. recently held its gala 6th Annual Dinner / Dance and Awards Ceremony in Brooklyn, its role in making a significant difference in the lives of needy Vincentian students was put into better focus.

The group, which is only six years old, showed slides and featured the progression of students, who, over the years, have benefited from the Victoria Sutherland Scholarship Fund.

The fund was established to “assist less fortunate children who exhibit potential in academics, sports or the arts, but face financial challenges that may prevent them from achieving a secondary education,” said VincyCares, Inc. in a statement in the souvenir journal that was distributed to patrons at the sell-out event at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center.

Since its formation in November 2009, VincyCares, Inc. — which is currently led by the Brooklyn-based community advocate, graphic artiste and restauranteur Franklyn “Supadex” Richards — has facilitated nine scholarships for secondary school children in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The group has, among other things, also provided school supplies, collected at fundraising drives in Brooklyn, to all 59 elementary schools in the nation.

“On behalf of the children of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, we extend sincere thanks and appreciation for your continued help throughout our six-year existence,” Richards said. “Thanks for helping us to distribute school supplies island-wide three times; thanks for allowing us to sponsor nine active full-time scholarships; thanks for helping us to provide the mentorships possible to ensure that these children succeed.

“We also say thanks to all of the private donors of scholarship who see it in their hearts the need to help, to change the life of a child in need,” he added.

“Thanks to the businesses which reached out in the past, and continue to reach out to us — whether in the form of donations or taking ads in our yearly journal. We say thank you.

“As we work in harmony to make this world a better place for our children, I pray that our hearts be open; and whatever positive energy we can generate, may, hopefully, create a spark that can lit the fire that will burn out the negative energies of our generation and replace it with love,” Richards continued.

He said his group hopes to award additional scholarships in forthcoming years from fund-raising events and from “generous supporters” in the Diaspora.

This year, VincyCares, Inc. awarded scholarships to two additional recipients, Mary Ann Woods and Rosique Toney.

Woods, who attended the Pamelus Burke Primary School, entered the Girls High School in September.

Toney, who entered the Thomas Saunders Secondary School, also in September, came from the Richland Park Primary School.

Other scholarship recipients: Phileen Cambridge, formerly of the Petersville Primary School, is a Form 2 student at the Girls High School. Her donor is Vince Matthews. Giovanni Lewis is in Form 3 at the Boys Grammar School. His primary school was the Bequia Anglican. Rickeisha Glasgow is a Form 3 student at the Girls High School. Her primary school was the Calliaqua Anglican, and her donor is Anita Botti.

Gail Ann Pierre is a Form 4 student at the St. Joseph’s Convent Kingstown. Her primary school was St. Mary’s Roman Catholic; donor is Sara Toyloy.

Tyricia Samuel is a Form 4 student at the Girls High School, who had attended the Chateaubelair Methodist School. Nieasha Richards, originally from the Belair Government School, is currently a Form 4 student at the Girls High School.

A former Sandy Bay Primary School student, Sutherland currently attends the Georgetown Technical Institute.

The United Nations’ Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) says Caribbean economies will grow by just 1.6 percent next year.

In its annual report, “Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2015,” ECLAC said the region’s economies will contract -0.4 percent on average in 2015, affected by a complex external scenario.

ECLAC, therefore, called again on the region’s countries to invigorate economic growth through greater investment and higher productivity.

“It is necessary to resume growth and reverse the contractionary investment cycle in a context of slow global recovery and a decline in trade,” Alicia Bárcena, ECLAC’s executive secretary, during a press conference, in Santiago, Chile, where the document was presented.

The senior United Nations official underscored that the agreements reached at the recent Conference of the Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Paris will enable countries to provide incentives to innovation and investment in new sources for the production of renewable energy, which has huge potential in the region.

“In the current context, active fiscal policies to promote smart adjustments gain greater relevance: analyzing the level of public spending as well as its composition to avoid excessive cuts to public investment and social spending; reviewing the structure of fuel subsidies and tax incentives in order to strengthen instruments for promoting investment and financing social spending; and reducing tax evasion/avoidance, which on average is equivalent to 6.3 points of regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP), or $320 billion dollars,” Bárcena added.

According to ECLAC’s report, the region will have to face diverse scenarios and risks related to the global economy in 2016, “which will undoubtedly condition its economic performance.”

On the external front, global growth is forecast to remain slow and reach 2.9 percent, while uncertainty persists regarding China—one of the region’s main trading partners—which will continue decelerating to 6.4 percent.

Compounding uncertainty over the global economy is low growth in international trade (1.5 percent in 2015 and 2.5 percent forecast for 2016).

In addition, the prices of the commodities that the region exports will stay low, meaning that Latin America and the Caribbean will once again suffer a deterioration in its terms of trade in 2016, especially in countries that export hydrocarbons and minerals, the document states.

In financial terms, ECLAC said that the volatility and uncertainty observed in 2015 will continue next year, which means that some emerging economies will still have difficulty obtaining resources in international markets.

On top of that, there will be impacts from the steady appreciation of the dollar and the rise in United States interest rates, ECLAC said.

As in previous years, external conditions have a highly differentiated effect in the region, which will show marked heterogeneity, ECLAC said.

While Central America will grow around 4.3 percent in 2016, South America will see its GDP shrink -0.8 percent, mainly due to the expected contractions in Brazil (-2.0 percent) and Venezuela (-7.0 percent). Meanwhile, the English-speaking Caribbean will grow 1.6 percent.

According to ECLAC’s projections, Panama will lead regional growth next year with an expansion of 6.2 percent, followed by Dominica and the Dominican Republic (5.2 percent), St. Kitts and Nevis (4.7 percent) and Bolivia (4.5 percent).

In its Preliminary Overview 2015 ECLAC emphasizes that it is essential to advance towards fiscal rules that prioritize capital spending.

It adds that designing efficient anti-cyclical schemes of investment protection is extremely important to face the region’s macroeconomic volatility, as well as to reactivate aggregate demand and maintain social spending.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has assured the Vincentian public that his Unity Labour Party (ULP) government will not be troubled by the protest action by supporters of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP).

He made the comment on Tuesday 29th December 2015 at the ceremonial opening of the first session of the tenth Parliament where Members of Parliament were officially sworn in.

The protest action by supporters of the NDP has been ongoing following the December 9th, general election which the ULP won with 8 seats with the other 7 seats going to the NDP.

On Monday 28^th December 2015 the court refused an application by the New Democratic Party to access certain electoral documents in relation to the December 9th general elections.

Gonsalves on Tuesdays Opening of parliament told reporters, that the refusal of the court to accept Ben Exeter application, was quote “A magnificent Judgement”.

On Tuesday 29^th December 2015 Exeter along with an NDP young democrat was arrested, it was later learned that exciter was arrested and charged for “RESISTING ARREST AND ASSAULTING A POLICE OFFICER”

On Wednesday 30^th December 2015 Exeter appeared in court and  was charged with three counts of assault on Police Officers, the prosecution also brought forward the resisting arrest charges.

Along with Exeter a young democrat Shabbaz George was also charged for obstructing a police officer and using what is described as zapper laser type equipment.

Exeter and George pleaded not guilty; the case was put off until January 25^th 2016.

Leader of the Party Arnhim Eustace says that the party is unrepentant, and will toil in the vineyard as long as possible to obtain justice, noting that the will of the people had been denied.

The Commonwealth in a report dated 12 December 2015 said , “we have heard allegations of serious irregularities from one political party, We call upon those making these claims to file formal complaints as prescribed in the electoral laws, and for the relevant institutions to investigate and pronounce on these allegations,”.

Gonsalves on Tuesday 29^th December quoted poet John Keits to describe the NDP protest action saying, “heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter”.

The unheard melodies which are sweet are the 34000 that voted for the ULP and gave us a majority, a convincing majority Gonsalves said, in the secrecy of the ballot their melodies are unheard, but they are sweeter he said, and made manifest in today’s opening of parliament.

Those who have lost must accept their defeat starting with the person who said he was not going to be sworn in, but yesterday ask the Governor General to make him leader of the Opposition.

Eustace earlier this month said the members of the party who won their seats would not be sworn in, as to do so would be conceding to defeat.

The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has called for public calm following the disputed general election in St. Vincent and Grenadines.

The opposition National Democratic Party (NDP) has refused to accept the results of the December 9 election, which it lost by one seat to United Labour Party (ULP). There 15 constituencies on the island.

The NDP has vowed civil disobedience after Christmas.

“We accordingly urge that all parties maintain the public calm and follow the constitutionally established processes for the orderly resolution of any electoral dispute,” OECS Chairman, Dr. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, said in a statement. “The people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines deserve nothing less.”

Observer missions sent to St. Vincent by the OAS, the Commonwealth and CARICOM all reported that the election was free and fair.

But the NDP said its investigations revealed that 320 illegal votes were cast in the disputed Central Leeward Constituency, which it said it won by six votes. Electoral Office officials declared that the ULP won the seat by 313 votes.

Opposition Leader, Arnhim Eustace, said his party will not recognise “an illegitimate government” since the election was not free and fair.

“We have written to the OAS formally complaining about the illegitimate instalment of Ralph Gonsalves as Prime Minister,” he said in a statement. “We have asked for the use of the region mechanism to ensure that democracy is saved and protected in St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

He added legal actions concerning the elections were filed in the courts on Wednesday 16th December 2015.

“We are moving to challenge these fraudulent elections in the court, where we are confident of legal redress,” he stated. “In the interim, we will continue acts of civil disobedience and non-recognition of this imposed regime.”

He added, “the party will continue with a series of massive protest right after Christmas, the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines have told us not to let this injustice stand, and we have also heard them. So this struggle will continue after Christmas…”

The New Democratic Party (NDP) wants to carry out a coup d’état against a democratically elected government, “I will never allow such to take place.”

This is according to Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, speaking the United Labour Party (ULP) victory rally at Argyle last Saturday night.

Following the Wednesday 9th December, the leader of the Opposition, Arnhim Eustace, says his party and supporters are unrepentant about accepting the results since information suggests the results were fraudulent.

Gonsalves, at his swearing ceremony, Gonsalves said that the political responsibility of the Prime Minister is to ensure law and order are not undermined, and he takes that obligation seriously, and particularly where anyone seeks to subvert the will of the people.

Speaking to party supporters at the victory rally, he stated that he would not allow the NDP to undermine the free and democratic institutions of the country.

He said up to this point he has not asked Labour supporters to come out and confront NDP. “I have not said that, because I don’t want any war and bloodshed,” he stated.

Gonsalves, however, urges his supporters to come out on Monday to witness the swearing in of cabinet members during which, he said, the Governor General, three pastors and himself will speak.

Gonsalves said he is calling on the Christian Council to tell Eustace that he must accept his loss and if he wants to use the court to challenge irregularities to go and do so because he did it on twenty occasions and lost every single case. He said the same language Eustace is using now is the same language he used in 2010.

He noted that the ULP got over 34,000 while the NDP got over 30,000; 3,000 more than the opposition got nationally. He pointed out that the ULP has the popular votes now and the NDP is in a weaker position than in 2010.

Gonsalves said leaders must be careful not to miss lead people, and the NDP leadership is doing that right now. He noted that he has learnt that the opposition members would not be accepting any position.

“Well you are elected and you don’t want to come to Parliament, I would bring a law early so that you would not get a salary,” Gonsalves said to Opposition members.