written from sourced news

First published on caribbean life news  Author Nelson King

Several St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ national sports stars, sporting organizations, friends and supporters in New York are appealing for financial support for ailing former national football (soccer) star Keith “Slick” Clark.

Clark, who carried Bonadie as his last name during most of his football career at home, is hospitalized at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn.

Patrons at a cultural show — on Sept. 6, 2014, at Meyer Levin Intermediate School in Brooklyn, organized by the United Vincie Cultural Group of Brooklyn (UVCGB) — were informed that Clark had suffered a stroke.

Reports currently indicate that he has since sustained a series of medical complications.

Thus, the executive body of the newly-formed, Brooklyn-based St. Vincent & the Grenadines United States of America Sports Association (SVG-USASA), along with former national sports stars, friends and supporters, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Jan. 18, visited Clark at this bedside.

Clark is renowned as a talented mid-fielder, who thrilled soccer-loving fans, at home and in New York, for three decades, from the 1970s through the ‘90s.

SVG-USASA, through its Sports Legends and Legacy Fund, and with the contributions of all visitors, donated US$500 to the Clark family during their two-hour-long visit.

During the September 2014 cultural show, UVCGB successfully appealed to the audience to “dig deep into your pockets, pocket books and wallets” in supporting Clark.

The audience responded generously, and UVCGB presented US$1,300.00 to Clark, who had earlier addressed the audience.

Stanley “Luxie” Morris — under whose captaincy Clark played at home in the 1970s and 80s, and in New York, for Hairoun Sports Club, in the 1990s – told Caribbean Life, in September 2014, that he was gratified by the outpouring of support for his “fallen brother.”

“He’ll not be alone at this time when he needs love, encouragement, prayers and other assistance,” said Morris, adding that he and Clark “go way back — from Hospital Road to Shingle City to Old Montrose to Edinboro (in St. Vincent and the Grenadines) to Prospect Place, Brooklyn.”

SVG-USASA is asking the public to visit Clark in Room 328 at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center.

full story can be read here 

 Newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of CIBC FirstCaribbean, Mr. Gary Brown, got a close-up look at the business and some projects in St. Vincent and the Grenadines during a recent two-day visit.

Mr. Brown, who took over at the regional back at the start of the year, was accompanied by Managing Director, Barbados Operating Company, Ms. Donna Wellington. The two held meetings with staff and met customers at the bank’s Halifax branch in Kingstown.

Mr. Brown and Ms. Wellington, who arrived on January 25th attended a lunch event at the Flow Wine Bar and Restaurant where they met and engaged with a number of the bank’s corporate clients.

The following day they travelled to the Grenadine island of Canouan for further meetings with clients there.

The trip to St Vincent is one of a series of regional visits being undertaken by the new CEO to all the businesses in the bank’s regional footprint

Mr. Brown has been with CIBC since 2001, most recently as the Global Head of Corporate Banking in CIBC’s Wholesale Banking business since 2013 and a member of CIBC’s Operating Committee. Prior to that appointment, he was head of CIBC’s businesses in the United States for nine years.  He has more than 35 years of experience in the global financial services industry

He took over from Mr. Rik Parkhill whose four year tenure as head of the bank ended on December 31st, 2015.

Vincentians and foreigners alike can look forward to another exciting series of racing events, as the Bequia Easter Regatta sails off in less than two months time.

So says the new man at the helm of the Bequia Sailing Club, Commodore Elrick “Allo” Ragguette, whose organization is responsible for the sea-side activities during the March 25-28 regatta this year, on the Grenadine island of Bequia.

“There will definitely be sailing as part of the Bequia Easter Regatta; there’s no doubt about that.

“A lot of skippers, sailors and boat owners have expressed interest in the races and they are eager and excited for the time to come around. In fact we may well have a hike in boats this year, as compared to the last couple years,” Allo indicated.

Allo, who was elected Commodore last November, described sailing in the Bequia Easter Regatta as the “Granddaddy of sailing events in the Southern Caribbean,” and hailed the regatta itself as “the biggest tourism product,” outside of Vincy Mas, in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

 The confident and enthusiastic leader is backed by a small but just as exuberant committee, which includes Vice-Commodore Leticia “Letty” Browne, Richard Ashton, Secretary, Public Relations Officer Raison Compton, and Treasurer Joe Gabriel.

Browne highlighted what persons coming to Bequia can expect from the sailing aspect of the regatta.

“Final registration takes place on March 24, with the briefing of skippers to take place on the same day. On the 25^th we have the start of the Mount Gay Friendship Bay races and the swimming races at Plantation House.

“On the 26^th there’s the J24 and the ‘Around Bequia’ races. Sunday we will see the start of the Hairoun single-handed Around Bequia races along with Lay Day activities like the sandcastle competition and the all day beach splash. On Monday 28^th we have the start of the J24 and surprise races and the start of the Admiralty Bay Triangle race, among other event.”

The Sailing Club members indicated that they would be working closely with the On-Shore Committee, to ensure that the 2016 installment of the Bequia Easter Regatta is one that would be remembered as one of the best in recent times, with On-shore activities scheduled to take place including a church service, maypole dancing, greasy pig competition, as well as other events, under the almond tree.

“This is a new era for the Bequia Easter Regatta, and we intend to give of our best to ensure that everyone is happy at the end of it all.

“This year’s regatta is going to put us in the position to have an even greater event in 2017 and in the years to come,” Allo noted.

An attorney for Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has taken steps to initiate legal action against political activist, Luzette King, for defamatory statements she made against the Prime Minister.

This comes after Ms. King during a call in segment on the New Times radio programme hosted by Igal Adams and aired on Nice Radio on January 21st, 2016, alleged that Prime Minister Gonsalves had instructed police officers to use tear gas on New Democratic Party (NDP) supporters who were protesting near the Electoral Office on Bay Street in Kingstown.

The Prime Minister’s attorney, Mr. Grahame Bollers has written to Ms. King and Mr. Douglas DeFrietas, the owner of BDS Limited (NICE Radio) at Dorsetshire Hill, demanding a full and unequivocal withdrawal and apology of the slander to be published in one issue of each of the local weekly newspapers and compensation in an amount to be agreed.

The defendants have seven days in which to respond, failure to do so will result in further legal action being taken.

Attendees at the Kingstown Methodist Church are still trying to come to grips with a traumatic and frightening event, which occurred on Sunday, January 31st 2016.
Minister of the Kingstown Congregation and Superintendent of the Kingstown and Cateaubelair Circuit- Reverend Adolph Davis told national News that sometime between 7:45 and 8:15 Sunday morning, during worship, a young male, believed to be in his early 20s entered the church with a cutlass.
Reverend Davis said they are confident that it was the hands and grace of God why the incident did not turn tragic.
Reverend Davis also commended the Police and members of Guardsman for their swift response.
 
Written from sourced news first published on NBCRADIO

At 8:30 a.m. today, the first road fatality for the year occurred at Argyle. Dead is Marilyn Henry, a 62-year-old resident of Georgetown.

She was a passenger in motor vehicle, PC 193, a Daihatsu van, owned by Anthony Walker of Georgetown and driven by his mother, Lavern Walker, 55 yrs, of the same address.

Preliminary reports claim that they were travelling from Georgetown to a church service at Arnos Vale when the vehicle went out of control and ran off the road at Argyle. Henry reportedly fell out of the vehicle and died on the spot.

Seven persons were travelling in the vehicle at the time of the accident: Oscar Browne, 7 yrs, of Georgetown and Dennis John, 58 yrs, both hospitalized with head injuries; while Paulette Baptiste, 49 yrs, of Orange Hill, Odette Letteen, 60 yrs of Langley Park, and Denisa Letteen 14 yrs also of Langley Park were treated and discharged. Lavern Walker escaped without injuries.

A post mortem examination will be carried out on Henry’s body to determine the cause of death.

 

What started out as a regular Saturday morning for 8 Seventh Day Adventist Church members,turned out deadly.

News784 obtained information that a vehicle carrying 8 church members to a national convention in ArnosVale overturned in Argyle.

Written From Source News First Publish on Caribbean Life Author Nelson King

It is not unusual for St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves to hail, in a very special way, Vincentians at home and abroad who are doing well generally.

But it is even more extraordinary when the nation’s leader takes time out to personally pen a letter commending the Vincentian-born owner and head chef of a restaurant in New York that has been ranked no. 1 by the illustrious New York Times.

“It is with great pleasure that I learnt that your restaurant, Food Sermon, was rated by The New York Times as the top place in New York City ‘to eat well and cheaply in 2015,’” wrote Gonsalves in a letter to Rawlston Williams, owner of The Food Sermon Restaurant in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn.

“I am most impressed with your entrepreneurship, management and culinary skills,” Gonsalves added. “You are a splendid example of our nationals in the Diaspora who have done well in their adopted homes.

“The next time that I am in New York, I would find myself in one of your ‘pews’, enjoying ‘the Food Sermon’,” he quipped.

“Please do not forget St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Gonsalves continued. “Please keep in touch. All the best to you, your family and staff! May Almighty God continue to bless you!”

An elated Williams, 38, who migrated to New York, when he was only 10 years old, told Caribbean Life, in an exclusive interview, that the prime minister’s gesture “goes a long way.

“It speaks of the type of person he is – that he will take the time out to reach out,” said Williams, as he hustled, at the same time, to prepare meals and serve customers in his small but very busy restaurant, located on 355 Rogers Ave., at the corner of Sullivan Place. “It’s a human gesture, and he didn’t have to do it; but I’m glad that he did.

“In addition to that, it even more solidifies my love for St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the people there every day,” Williams added. “Every day, all I do is think of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It’s what gets me up every day — makes me work harder.”

 
 

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Ralph Gonsalves presented the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the fiscal year 2016 in Parliament this morning, which amount to 912-million, 897-thousand 311 dollars.

The Prime Minister said this year’s budget is some six percent or 58.5 million dollars below the amount budgeted for 2015.

He said the reduction is accounted for on the capital side of the Budget, which is about 33 percent less than the planned Capital Program last year.

The Prime Minister said the Current Expenditure amounts to 576-million 553-thousand 198 dollars, while Current Revenue is estimated at 564-million, 627-thousand, 600 dollars.

According to the Finance Minister, the Current Revenue estimate for 2016 is 6.1 percent or 32.28 million dollars higher than the budgeted Current Revenue for 2015.

A bill to address non-performance and absenteeism by Members of Parliament here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, could be in the making.

In his remarks, Friday, at the presentation of the 2016 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure in the House of Assembly, Leader of the House – Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said he is hoping for a bill to address the issue of members of the house not working, but are drawing monies for work.

Prime Minister Gonsalves said that such a bill could come before the house for consideration as early as February 22nd; the next date the house is scheduled to meet.

“Though it’s not on the Order Parer, I can give advance notice that we can amend the order paper to include a bill relating to certain matters of that kind” – Gonsalves said.

Opposition Members of Parliament decided to boycott Friday’s presentation of the 2016 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.

Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace has referred to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves as an ‘illegal’ Prime Minister. Opposition supporters have been protesting the results of the December 9, 2015 General Election, since the results showed a victory for the Unity Labour Party with 8 seats to 7 and more than 52 percent of the popular vote.

The opposition is boycotting Parliament in continued protest action for what they say are stolen elections.

“You could come on the road, be with us for a while… but you have to come into council and talk what you have to talk… but they don’t want to come to council; come to parliament” – Gonsalves said – referring to the Opposition.

“So I’ve spoken to the young, I’ve spoken to the elderly and those in between would get the same message.. the public is expecting that we would do something about persons who don’t come to Parliament and want to draw money” – the Prime Minister added.

In walking through the idea briefly, Prime Minister Gonsalves said – “whether it’s a deduction from your salary, or a penalty in monetary terms for not coming, whatever it is, we will do it because we have been looking at other laws in other countries where you have such similar provisions”.

The Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) members are known to boycott / walk out of parliamentary sessions on a frequent basis, since the party lost General Elections in 2001.

“I hope we won’t have to do it Mr. Speaker… I hope… but you say you are challenging the results in two constituencies, you have put in election petitions, well wait until the election petitions are decided”.

Prime Minister Gonsalves also opined that opposition supporters across seven constituencies were left without a voice on the 2016 Estimates.

Written from source news  First Published ON WEFM St Vincent

 

Another Vincentian footballer has been contracted overseas.
This time around is SVG National U-23 speedy left winger Ojoy Degrads who is from the fishing village of Calliaqua and is a former player of GTM Prospect.
Earlier today Ojoy Degrads signed a four (4) year contract with 2nd Division Club in the Panama “Tiera Firme”
President of Club Tiera Firme Antonio Ruiz says, ” Great and special talent from St.Vincent and we at the club is very very thankful.