#Barbadian Arts Council

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[trecblog]

Black People’s Contributions To The UK: A Very Small Sample

Women

Phillis Wheatley

From West Africa.Sold as a slave to a family called the Wheatleys. Named after the family to whom she was sold and the vessel that transported her to America–‘the Phillis’.Wrote her first poem at 14 years old.First volume of poetry published in 1773.Moved to England at 20. Contributed to the anti-slavery movement. Read: Poems by Phillis Wheatley

Mary Seacole

From Jamaica.Traveled to England in 1854 with the intention of an onward journey to Balaclava, Ukraineto assist the soldiers fighting in the Crimean War (1853-1856).  War Office denied her request.  Made her own way and established a boarding houseto successfullylook after the wounded British soldiers using traditional medicines.She then traveled relentlessly.Returned to England and is now buried at Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, London.

Fanny Eaton

From Jamaica. A model for the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and their circle between 1859–1867.Public debut was in Simeon Solomon's painting ‘The Mother of Moses’, which was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1860.

The Mother of Moses - Simeon Solomon (1840-1905)

1860 Oil on canvas

Lilian Bader

From Liverpool.The first black woman to join the British Armed Forces where she was: Canteen Assistant, Instrument repairer, Leading aircraft woman, and a Corporal. On receiving her degree from the University of London, she became a teacher.

olive Morris

From Jamaica.A member of the Black Panther Movement.Campaigned for rights of black people in Manchester and South London.Whilst at university expanded her activism to an international stage, visiting China and publishing an article from that visit. Founding member of Organisation of Women of African and Asian Descent (OWAAD) and,the Brixton Black Women's Group.

Margaret Busby

From Ghana. Youngest and first black female book publisher.Founded the publishing company Allison& Busby in 1967, alongside Clive Allison.A campaigner for diversity in publishing –co-founded Greater Access to Publishing (GAP).

Malorie Blackman

From London of Barbadian parents.Qualified as a computer scientist. Writer of children and young adult novels.Author of the Noughts&Crosses series.Eight Children’s Laureate–first black person in that role.Awarded an OBE in 2008.

Dr. Shirley Thompson

From London of Jamaican parents.Professor of Music at the University of Westminster.Recently named "one of the most inspirational Black British women" by the newspaper Metro.The first woman in Europe to conduct and compose a symphony within the last 40 years,composed to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002, -New Nation Rising.A 21st Century Symphony.Named on the Evening Standard's Power List of Britain's Top 100 Most Influential Black People in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

From Jamaica. Barbara Blake-Hannah was the first ever black person to appear in a news role on British television in 1968. She paved the way for Moira Stuart, Trevor McDonald, and others.She was an on-camera reporter and interviewer on Thames Television’s Today programme. Since returning to Jamaica she has had a career in film making and written five books, including one in 1982 about the Rastafarian religion, which is her faith.

Dr. Youmna Mouhammed

From Mayotte, a small island off the coast of Southeast Africa. Dr Mouhamad has a PhD in polymer physics and is currently a Technology Transfer Fellow at SPECIFIC in Swansea University and is working on industrial coatings.She is pushing to improve the representation of black women within STEM, the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.She is the leader of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students in Engineering Network, formed in 2019. This network aims to progress racial equality by raising awareness of the challenges that BAME students and staff experience, then suggest interventions or strategies that investigate how to overcome the challenges.

Men

Ignatius Sancho

Born on a slave ship. Ignatius Sancho was an influential figure in the arts and is the first known black British voter. He is known for his plays, poetry,and music, and had a shop in London, where other creative people like him would meet up. He spoke out against the slave trade. Read: Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho: An African

Oluada Equiano

From Southern Nigeria. He was a slave but managed to buy his freedom and moved to London.Became very involved in the abolition movement. His book about slavery is one of the earliest accounts about what it was like to be a slave and it is one of the best-selling books on the topic. His autobiography (1789) ‘The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa, the African’ was a seminal piece to those working to abolish slavery and its sales made him a wealthy man.

George Bridgetower

From Biala Podlaska, Poland-Lived in England for much of his life. Virtuoso Violinist Year of birth vary between 1778, 1779 or 1780.The son of an African father and a Polish mother. Said to be the older of two brothers, with his younger brother being a cellist. George was a student of composer Joseph Haydn and (once) a friend of Beethoven. Whilst friends, Beethoven dedicated a violin sonata to him, which was so hard to play many gave up.

Ira Aldridge

From New York – moved to the UK. Believed he stood a better chance of accomplishing his ambitions to become a brilliant and recognised actor.He became an important actor in plays at the theatre and was one of the highest paid actors in the world.He also became well known across Europe as a brilliant Shakespearean actor. Aldridge first toured to continental Europe in 1852, with successes in Germany, where he was presented to the Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and performed for Frederick William IV of Prussia; he also performed in Budapest. An 1858 tour took him to Serbia and to Imperial Russia, where he became acquainted with Count Fyodor Tolstoy, Mikhail Shchepkin and the Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Shevchenko, who did his portrait in pastel.

John Edmonstone

From British Guiana. He was born into slavery but gained his freedom. Becoming skilled in taxidermy John Edmonstone was a very important figure in the world of scientific research.He taught at Edinburgh University in the 19th century with Charles Darwin as one of his students.  It is said that Darwin’s theories on how humans have developed throughout time resulted from the teaching of John Edmonstone.

Samuel Coleridge Taylor

From London. Studied at the Royal College of Music in London.He partnered with several talented musicians, worked across continents and wrote many beautiful pieces of music enjoyed all over the world and still being enjoyed today. He died at the age of 37 from pneumonia. Compositions included: The Song of Hiawatha, Hiawatha Overture, Violin Concerto in G Minor. Read:The complete poems of Samuel Coleridge Taylor

Sir Learie Constantine

From Trinidad.A member of  West Indian Cricket team who settled in Lancashire. Became England’s first black peer due to his political work which included relentlessly fighting for racial equality. Described as a cricketer, statesman and advocate of racial equality. Read: Colour Bar (1954) and, Learie Constantine and Race Relations in Britain and the Empire By Jeffrey Hill (Author)

From Grenada.The second peer of African descent to sit in the House of Lords, He was the longest serving Black Parliamentarian.  He was described as a revolutionary politician. He was a medical practitioner in Trinidad on completion of his studies (Edinburgh University). His involvement in politics was twinned with his medical practice. He was a funding member and leader of the West Indian National Party. He returned to the UK and lived in London. As a member of the House of Lords, he played a leading role in campaigning for the Race Relations Act 1976. He was outspoken on issues such as immigration policy, and in a debate on 24 June 1976 he noted, in part: "...it is a myth, that the fewer the numbers [of black immigrants] the better the quality of race relations. That is a myth, and it is a myth that has inspired the 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act, the Immigration White Paper of August 1965 and the Immigration Acts of 1968 and 1971. It is designed to placate the racialists, but it is a fallacy; for to the racialist or the anti-semite the only acceptable number is nought....(Immigration Policy debate, Hansard, vol. 372, 24 June 1976.)

Stuart Hall

From Jamaica. One of the Windrush generation and an Oxford graduate he was responsible for pioneering theories of multiculturalism and the first cultural studies course in Britain, which was offered by the University of Birmingham. The Observer referred to him as “one of the country's leading cultural theorists". His ideas and books, which included The Hard Road to Renewal: Thatcherism and the Crisis of the Left (1988), Formations of Modernity (1992), Questions of Cultural Identity (1996), and Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices (1997), inspired a whole new generation of multicultural academics and advocates.

Paul Stephenson

From Essex. Paul was Bristol’s first black social worker. As an equal rights campaigner he worked for the Commission for Racial Equality and the Press Council to ensure minorities were both working in newspapers and being covered fairly by them.He spent his life leading campaigns to change the way black people were being treated and it is said that his work played a part in Britain’s first Race Relations Act in 1965.

[thechasefiles]

Young drug users a worry for NCSA The National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) remains concerned about Barbadian children being exposed to drugs at an early age. Deputy Manager Troy Wickham said with findings in the 2020 National Primary School Survey showing children as young as eight years old admitting to substance use, the NCSA has been stepping up its education campaign, although it is operating with limited resources. “I can say the main drug is still alcohol, followed closely by what we call energy drinks. Four per cent, to be exact, admitted to using marijuana in their life. And the main source is at home with family and siblings. “This is a concern for us at the National Council on Substance Abuse because, one, socialisation, the home is a place where persons spend most of their time, along with the schools and their peers,” Wickham told the media at Project Safeguarding Our Future Today (SOFT) Residential Camp at the Eastern Caribbean Camp, Ruby, St Philip. Against the background of the worrying statistics, he said the NCSA has been ramping up its drug education programme in schools, using technology to keep students interested and engaged. Wickham explained that while the NCSA only has about 19 staff members, technology allows the Council to expand its reach. “We are also looking to conduct further research in the secondary schools. Unfortunately, at this point in time, we cannot do that but it is on the cards. It’s important for us to have those facts to inform our drug education going forward,” he said. Project SOFT, which targets students who are transitioning from primary to secondary school, focuses on topics such as antibullying, anger management and stress management. The campers also participate in sessions that teach them life skills as well as dance, drama, art and singing. Wickham explained that Project SOFT, now in its 20th year, is designed to take a holistic approach to substance abuse education. “Research has shown us that this assists us well and this gives the children an alternative to drug use,” he said. Read the rest below 👇🏾 https://www.instagram.com/p/CklLHA4gp4UEBFiZx38uD-NzeNF6dCD-ahVcnw0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[recycledfrockery]

I posted 1,230 times in 2021

56 posts created (5%)

1174 posts reblogged (95%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 21.0 posts.

I added 60 tags in 2021

#barbados - 11 posts

#sandra mason - 9 posts

#recycledfrockery - 7 posts

#pinterest - 5 posts

#recycled art - 5 posts

#caribbean - 5 posts

#re ausetkmt - 5 posts

#green things - 5 posts

#uk - 4 posts

#caricom - 4 posts

Longest Tag: 85 characters

#barbados gets first president as it becomes republic; replaces queen as head of state

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

The Caribbean island of Barbados on Monday prepared to wave goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II as head of state as it cuts ties with its colonial past and becomes a republic for the first time in history.

The preparations come a month after the parliament of the former British colony once nicknamed “Little England” elected its first-ever president in a two-thirds majority vote following a push to become a republic that began more than two decades ago.

Thousands of people were expected to watch the late-night event on TV, listen to it on the radio or see it in person at a popular square where the statue of a well-known British lord was removed last year amid a worldwide push to eradicate symbols of oppression.

“It should be a historic moment,” said Dennis Edwards, a property manager who was born in Guyana but lives in Barbados.

His son was born on the island, so Edwards said he plans to take him to see the once-in-a-lifetime event: “He’s a Bajan.” The most high-profile guest will be Prince Charles, who arrived Sunday in Barbados, an island of more than 300,000 people and one of the wealthier nations in the Caribbean, dependent on tourism, manufacturing and finance. The Prince of Wales was greeted with a 21-gun salute and is scheduled to speak ahead of the president-elect.

Barbados Governor General Sandra Mason, who was appointed by the queen, is scheduled to be sworn in as president shortly after midnight on Tuesday, which marks the island’s 55th independence from Britain.

“The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind,” Mason said in a speech to Parliament last month, adding that the move to become a republic should not be seen as a condemnation of anyone and that Barbados looked forward to continuing its relationship with the British monarch.

'This is our moment'

Prime Minister Mia Mottley praised the vote at the time, saying, “We have just elected among us a woman who is uniquely and passionately Barbadian....I can think therefore of no better person at this juncture of our nation.”

Mottley added that the “responsibilities and rights come with the understanding that there is no one else to look over us... This is our moment.”

Mason, 72, is an attorney and judge who also has served as ambassador to Venezuela, Colombia, Chile and Brazil.

Barbados has slowly distanced itself from its colonial past after gaining independence from the United Kingdom in November 1966, more than three hundred centuries after English settlers arrived and turned the island into a wealthy sugar colony based on the work of hundreds of thousands of African slaves.

In 2005, Barbados dropped the London-based Privy Council in favor of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice as its final court of appeal. Then in 2008, it proposed a referendum on the issue of becoming a republic, but it was pushed back indefinitely. Last year, Barbados announced plans to stop being a constitutional monarchy and removed a statue of British Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson from National Heroes Square, the location of the ceremony to celebrate the looming republic status.

Barbados did not need permission from the U.K. to become a republic, although the island will remain a member of the Commonwealth Realm, the first nation to do so after ceasing to be a constitutional monarchy.

The transformation into a republic is an event the Caribbean has not seen since the 1970s, when Guyana, Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago became republics.

Edwards, the Bajan property manager born in Guyana, said his native country faced a difficult time after becoming a republic because a lot of British-owned businesses pulled out at the time.

“It was a very rough patch for years,” he recalled, adding that he expects the results to be much different for Barbados. “It was a different time back then.”

5 notes • Posted 2021-11-30 08:17:10 GMT

#4

           The term “toxic positivity” has received a good deal of attention lately. Coming off the back of the “positivity movement” we are beginning to recognise while feeling happy is a good thing, overemphasising the importance of a positive attitude can backfire, ironically leading to more unhappiness.    

           Yes, research shows happier people tend to live longer, be healthier and enjoy more successful lives. And “very happy people” have more of these benefits relative to only averagely happy people. But pursued in certain ways, happiness or positivity can become toxic.    

           Our research, published in The Journal of Positive Psychology and involving almost 500 people, was inspired by these apparently inconsistent findings – pursuing happiness may be both good and bad for our well-being. We aimed to uncover a key ingredient that turns positivity toxic.    

Expecting the Best, Feeling Worse

           Some studies have shown that when people place a high value on their own happiness it can lead to less happiness, especially in contexts where they most expect to feel happy.    

           This tendency to expect happiness and then to feel disappointed or to blame oneself for not feeling happy enough, has been linked to greater depressive symptoms and deficits in well-being.    

           As the line to a cartoon by Randy Glasbergen depicting a patient confessing to his psychologist puts it:    

                   I am very, very happy. But I want to be very, very, very happy, and that is why I’m miserable.            

           However, researchers have also observed when people prioritise behaviours that maximise the likelihood of their future happiness – rather than attempting to directly increase their levels of happiness “in the moment” – they are more likely to experience improvements (rather than deficits) in their levels of well-being.    

           This may mean engaging in activities that provide a sense of achievement or purpose, such as volunteering time or completing difficult tasks, or constructing daily routines that support well-being.    

           This work suggests pursuing happiness indirectly, rather than making it the main focus, could turn our search for positivity from toxic to tonic.    

Valuing Happiness vs. Prioritising Positivity

           We wanted to find out what it was about making happiness a focal goal that backfires.    

           To gain a better understanding, we measured these two approaches to finding happiness: valuing happiness versus prioritising positivity.    

           People who valued happiness agreed with statements such as “I am concerned about my happiness even when I feel happy” or “If I don’t feel happy, maybe there is something wrong with me”.    

           People who prioritised positivity agreed with statements such as “I structure my day to maximise my happiness” or “I look for and nurture my positive emotions”.    

           We also included a measure of the extent to which people feel uncomfortable with their negative emotional experiences. To do this, we asked for responses to statements like: “I see myself as failing in life when feeling depressed or anxious” or “I like myself less when I feel depressed or anxious”.    

           People who expected to feel happy (scoring high on valuing happiness), also tended to see their negative emotional states as a sign of failure in life and lacked acceptance of these emotional experiences. This discomfort with negative emotions partly explained why they had lower levels of well-being.    

           On the other hand, people who pursued happiness indirectly (scoring high on prioritising positivity), did not see their negative emotional states this way. They were more accepting of low feelings and did not see them as a sign they were failing in life.    

           What this shows is when people believe they need to maintain high levels of positivity or happiness all the time to make their lives worthwhile, or to be valued by others, they react poorly to their negative emotions. They struggle with these feelings or try to avoid them, rather than accept them as a normal part of life.    

           Pursuing happiness indirectly does not lead to this same reaction. Feeling down or stressed is not inconsistent with finding happiness.

What Makes Positivity Toxic?

           So, it appears the key ingredient in toxic positivity is not positivity itself, after all. Rather, it is how a person’s attitude to happiness leads them to respond to negative experiences in life.    

           The prospect of experiencing pain, failure, loss, or disappointment in life is unavoidable. There are times we are going to feel depressed, anxious, fearful, or lonely. This is a fact. What matters is how we respond to these experiences. Do we lean into them and accept them for what they are, or do we try to avoid and escape from them?    

           If we are aiming to be happy all the time then we might feel tough times are interrupting our goal. But if we simply put a priority on positivity, we are less concerned by these feelings – we see them as an ingredient in the good life and part of the overall journey.    

           Rather than always trying to “turn a frown upside down”, we are more willing to sit with our low or uncomfortable emotions and understand that doing so will, in the long run, make us happy.    

           Learning to respond rather than react to these emotions is a key enabler of our happiness.    

           Our reaction to discomfort is often to get away and to reduce the pain. This might mean we employ ineffective emotion regulation strategies such as avoiding or suppressing unpleasant feelings.    

           If we do, we fail to engage with the insights an unpleasant experiences bring. Responding well to these experiences means getting “discomfortable” – being comfortable with our discomfort. Then we can be willing to feel what we feel and get curious about why those feeling are there. Taking this response allows us to increase our understanding, see our choices, and make better decisions.    

           As the saying goes: “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional”.    

6 notes • Posted 2021-11-07 13:24:20 GMT

#3

Meet The First President of Barbados - Dame Sandra Mason

7 notes • Posted 2021-11-30 16:36:22 GMT

#2

On this significant occasion and your assumption of office as the first President of Barbados, I extend my congratulations to you and all Barbadians,” the Queen wrote in the letter, as per Sky News.

“I first visited your beautiful country on the eve of independence in early 1966, and I am very pleased that my son is with you today. Since then, the people of Barbados have held a special place in my heart; it is a country rightly proud of its vibrant culture, its sporting prowess, and its natural beauty, that attracts visitors from all over the world, including many people from the United Kingdom,” she added.

UK’s Queen Elizabeth II has sent the people of Barbados her “good wishes” as the Caribbean island country removed the monarch as its head of state and became a republic, ending the almost 400 years of the British royal family being head of states to the island known by some as “Little England”. In a message to the new President of the island Dame Sandra Mason, the Queen congratulated her for new role and wished all Barbadians happiness, peace and prosperity in the future.

Further, Queen Elizabeth talked about Barbados and the United Kingdom ties, stating that both have enjoyed a partnership based on common values, shared prosperity and close collaboration on a wide range of issues, including recent work on climate change. She added that is also a “source of great satisfaction” that Barbados remains an active participant within the Commonwealth. Now, the Queen looks forward to the continuation of the friendship between the two nations and peoples.

As you celebrate this momentous day, I send you and all Barbadians my warmest good wishes for your happiness, peace and prosperity in the future. Elizabeth R,” the letter concluded. 

Charles to reaffirm ‘myriad’ connections between UK and Barbados

Meanwhile, Prince Charles travelled to the island on Sunday and he was greeted with a 21-gun salute. Now, he is due to deliver a speech in which he will stress the importance of the “myriad of connections” that remain between Britain and Barbados. According to Sky News, the Prince of Wales is also expected to allude to the country’s colonial past and the tens of thousands of enslaved Africans who were brought there to work on the sugar plantations.

It is to mention that the last time the Queen was removed as head of a state was in 1992 when Mauritius proclaimed itself a republic. This means that the Queen now remains monarch of 15 realms, including the UK. The Caribbean island, on the other hand, is witnessing a transformation into a republic after the 1970s when Guyana, Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago became republics.

18 notes • Posted 2021-11-30 08:17:02 GMT

#1

Sandra Mason after she was made a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, at Buckingham Palace on March 23, 2018 in London.

Barbados has elected its first-ever president to replace Britain's Queen Elizabeth as head of state, in a decisive step toward shedding the Caribbean island's colonial past.

Sandra Mason was elected late on Wednesday by a two-thirds vote of a joint session of the country's House of Assembly and Senate. In a statement, the government called her appointment a milestone on its "road to republic."A former British colony that gained independence in 1966, the nation of just under 300,000 had long maintained ties with the United Kingdom's monarchy.

But many Barbadians have long agitated to remove the Queen's status -- and with it, the lingering symbolic presence of imperialism over its governance. Multiple leaders this century have proposed that the country become a republic.

That will finally happen on November 30, the country's 55th anniversary of independence from Britain, when Mason will be sworn in.

A former jurist who has been governor-general of the island since 2018, Mason was also the first woman to serve on the Barbados Court of Appeals.

Barbados will drop Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state next year, government announces

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley called the election of a president "a seminal moment" in the country's journey.

"We have just elected from among us a woman who is uniquely and passionately Barbadian, does not pretend to be anything else (and) reflects the values of who we are," Mottley said after Mason's election.Several countries dropped the Queen as head of state in the years after they gained independence, with Mauritius the last to do so, in 1992. That makes Barbados the first country in nearly three decades to drop the monarch.

The Queen is still head of state in more than a dozen other countries that were formerly under British rule, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Jamaica.Wazim Mowla of the Atlantic Council think tank told Reuters the election could benefit Barbados both at home and abroad.

The move makes Barbados, a small developing country, a more legitimate player in global politics, Mowla said, but could also serve as a "unifying and nationalistic move" that may benefit its current leadership at home."Other Caribbean leaders and their citizens will likely praise the move, but I don't expect others to follow suit," Mowla added. "This move will always be considered only if it is in the best interest of each country."

Mottley said the country's decision to become a republic was not a condemnation of its British past."We look forward to continuing the relationship with the British monarch," she said.

271 notes • Posted 2021-11-30 08:17:32 GMT

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[healingtheblackbody]

Spell Artist: Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Eva Yaa Asantewaa (she/her) works at Gibney as Senior Director of Artist Development and Curation as well as Editorial Director. A veteran writer, curator and community educator, she won the 2017 Bessie Award for Outstanding Service to the Field of Dance. Since 1976, she has contributed dance criticism and journalism to Dance Magazine, The Village Voice, SoHo Weekly News, Gay City News, The Dance Enthusiast, Time Out New York, her arts blog, InfiniteBody, and other publications and podcasts (Body and Soul; Serious Moonlight). As Editorial Director of Imagining: A Gibney Journal, she publishes essays reflecting issues and perspectives of importance to the dance/performance community. Among many other program initiatives she launched at Gibney, she has created the Black Diaspora group (emerging artists) and the Eva Yaa Asantewaa Black Arts Leadership Awards.

In 2016, for Danspace Project’s Lost and Found platform, Ms. Yaa Asantewaa created the skeleton architecture, or the future of our worlds, an evening of group improvisation featuring 21 Black women and gender-nonconforming performers, a cast that won a 2017 Bessie for Outstanding Performer. In 2018, Queer|Art named one of its awards in her honor, the Eva Yaa Asantewaa Grant for Queer Women(+) Dance Artists. In 2019, Yaa Asantewaa was a recipient of a BAX Arts & Artists in Progress Award. She is a founder of AACCollective (Artists and Advocates of Color Collective. Her latest project is the founding of the Black Curators in Dance and Performance group.

She was a member of the inaugural faculty of Montclair State University’s MFA in Dance program. She has also served on the faculty for New England Foundation for the Arts' Regional Dance Development Initiative Dance Lab 2016 for emerging Chicago-area dance artists. In May 2017, she served on the faculty for the Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography's inaugural Forward Dialogues Dance Lab for Emerging Choreographers and returned in 2019 as a workshop facilitator.

Ms. Yaa Asantewaa was a member of the New York Dance and Performance (Bessie) Awards committee for three years and has been a consultant or panelist for numerous arts funding or awards organizations including the New York State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

As a WBAI radio broadcaster (1987-89), Ms. Yaa Asantewaa worked with the Women’s Radio Collective and the Gay and Lesbian Independent Broadcasters Collective (OUTLOOKS) and co-hosted the Tuesday Afternoon Arts Magazine with Jennifer Bernet as well as producing her own specials.

Now a member of the Bessie Awards Steering Committee, Ms. Yaa Asantewaa was born in New York of Barbadian immigrant heritage and makes her home in the East Village/Lenapehoking.  

More at: https://infinitebody.blogspot.com/p/bio-eva-yaa-asantewaa.html

[xo-shanj]

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the Barbados Art Council opening night. I was honored to meet other Barbadian fine artists and learning of their accomplishments & contributions to the island. The artist scene on this small beautiful island is growing immensely. More details will be posted on @mixx_life #mix #mixxlife #mixxlifeculture (at The Barbados Arts Council)

[damajority]

DaMajority Fresh Article https://www.damajority.com/history-created-with-2018-barbados-scholarships-and-exhibitions/

History Created With 2018 Barbados Scholarships And Exhibitions

History Created With 2018 Barbados Scholarships And Exhibitions

This year will be recorded as an historic one for the award of Barbados Scholarships and Exhibitions.

Not only was it the first time that The St. Michael School joined the prestigious ranks of other institutions by securing a Barbados scholar in the person of Nathan Lovell, but according to Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Santia Bradshaw, there was a 40.6 per cent increase in the number of students being awarded Exhibitions, compared to last year.

The tally for the 2018 Barbados Scholarships and Exhibitions was 55 – 23 Scholarships (19 females and four males) and 32 Exhibitions (24 females and eight males), presenting Government with the unique challenge of securing funding for the large group of students. The 23 scholarship winners all received Grade Ones in the Caribbean Examinations Council’s CAPE exams in eight units of their programme.

“When the Chief Education Officer said that the Barbados Government has to figure out how we are going to pay for you all, she was not joking. But it does please us and I think you would know that our mantra has been one where we focus very heavily on education and we believe in investing in our people and you are our greatest resource. And the only thing I would ask that all of you do for the investment that is being made in you is that you give back to your country. Wherever you may go, find a way to come back to Barbados and use the knowledge that you have to give back to this country,” Ms. Bradshaw told the eager awardees, their parents and relatives, who gathered in the auditorium of the Erdiston Teachers’ Training College, Pine Hill, St. Michael, yesterday for the announcement.

Harrison College was awarded 12 scholarships; Queen’s College, 10; and The St. Michael School, one.  The breakdown, in respect to exhibitions, is as follows: Harrison College – 10; Queen’s College – 17; Barbados Community College – three; and The St. Michael School received its first two exhibitions. Last year, only 19 exhibitions were awarded.

The Education Minister disclosed that 40 of the 55 awards (scholarships and exhibitions) were in the areas of Science and Technology; 13 were in any subject combination; and one was in Theatre Arts. She congratulated the students for their hard work and acknowledged the teachers, who worked diligently with them from the nursery to secondary school levels, for their dedication.

Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Santia Bradshaw (front, centre); Permanent Secretary, Janet Phillips (front, fourth from right); and Chief Education Officer, Karen Best (front, first left), pose with the majority of the 32 exhibition winners. (GP)

“I also want to publicly thank all of the teachers from the various institutions who have worked with these students. A lot of our teachers are working in very difficult circumstances, but certainly working hard to deliver the results that we have highlighted today,” Ms. Bradshaw stated.

She continued: “I want to assure you that the Barbados Government remains committed to ensuring appropriate education and training for our children to live happy and fulfilling lives so that our young people will be world-class citizens grounded in Barbadian values, using their skills to show the world what Barbados has to offer, building the Barbados brand, supporting themselves and being of benefit to our country.”

The Minister also acknowledged the support of parents in getting the winners to where they are today.

“As I look around the room, I’m indeed heartened to see the adults – the parents and guardians – who have accompanied these awardees. I know you have supported them throughout their school life and certainly by the rush to get here this evening, you have continued to support them. But truthfully, the journey now begins because this is another chapter in their lives which might not be the hand-holding that they are accustomed to, but you still have the responsibility to be there every step of the way with them…you, too, must be congratulated.

“To the students present here today… It is you who will have the opportunity to write the future chapters on the pages of history of this island. I ask you to be proud of your success and to be proud as we are of your success. Congratulations yet again,” she said.

Also present at the event was Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Dr. Romel Springer; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Janet Phillips; Deputy Permanent Secretary, Princess Lovell-Chandler; Chief Education Officer, Karen Best; and Deputy Chief Education Officers, Joy Adamson and Dr. Roderick Rudder.

Click here for a list of all the Barbados Scholarship and Exhibition winners.

Click here for the video.

[stephaniefchase]

Bajan Newscap 5/7/2017

Good Morning #realdreamchasers! Here is your daily news cap for Sunday 7th May 2017. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Today (BT), or by purchasing a Sunday Sun Newspaper (SS).  

BUDGET, POLL DATES STILL SECRET – The two dates Barbadians are aching to have revealed remain a mystery. While Prime Minister Freundel Stuart said yesterday that the exact date for this month’s Budget Day is yet to be fixed, he never even hinted about general elections constitutionally due by the first quarter of 2018.  The date of the latter has been a source of public speculation, with pundits and some political observers convinced that Stuart will take it down to the wire. The last elections were in February 2013 during which the ruling Democratic Labour Party was barely returned to power with a 16-14 seat majority over the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), down from the convincing 20-10 win in 2008. (SS)

WEIR ST. PHILIP SOUTH BEING NEGLECTED – It’s time for the Democratic Labour Party Government to start creating opportunities for poor, talented Barbadians, and not just for the wealthy. That advice has come from Barbados Labour Party (BLP) candidate for St Philip South, Indar Weir. Weir was on the ground in the constituency yesterday, accompanied by former MP Anthony Wood, Opposition Leader Mia Mottley, party chairman George Payne, and MPs Cynthia Forde, Jeffrey Bostic and Dwight Sutherland, as the party’s Rubbing Shoulders project continued. Weir bemoaned the fact that current MP for the area, Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite, holds one of the most senior positions in Prime Minister Freundel Stuart’s Cabinet but had done little to uplift unemployed youth or skilled individuals in St Philip South. (SS)

SCHOOL MEAL STAFFERS FEAR LOSING JOBS – More than three dozen non-appointed staff members of the School Meals Department are scared their jobs are on the line because of the new qualification requirements of the Public Service. And to make matters worse, the temporary workers, some of whom have been with the department in the Ministry of Education for more than a decade, are upset with a decision to disseminate official correspondence on the requirements for the vacant position of school meals assistant to other Government departments, even before Schools Meals staff were in receipt of the vacancy forms to be filled out. The new guidelines require a school meals assistant to have at least two Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) certificates, along with a Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence and a certificate in cooking or culinary arts. “What is unbelievable about this is that no staff members in the School Meals Department have received the requirements as yet. They are also concerned that even after completing the paperwork, an interview process also has to be completed for them to keep their jobs and that is something they have never done before,” a concerned School Meals staffer told the Sunday Sun. (SS)

BWU: TRANSPORT BOARD GOT IT WRONG – THE BARBADOS WORKERS’ UNION (BWU) isn’t buying what the Transport Board is selling. General secretary of the BWU, Toni Moore, is taking the transport entity to task for claims made in a large advertisement in the media last Friday, where it was critical of statements she made on May 1, Labour Day, regarding the performance of its quality assurance staff and a perceived privatisation of the state-owned corporation. In that advertisement, general manager of the Transport Board, Sandra Forde, said the BWU was notified in writing of the infrastructure and systems adopted to ensure and increase bus availability in Barbados. She also defended the tenure of the board’s quality assurance manager, saying the result was an increased daily output of buses. But Moore is contending that’s not the case and is asking for a long-awaited meeting with the Transport Board to be convened in the soonest possible time. (SS)

TRINIDAD TO REOPEN EMBASSY IN BARBADOS – Trinidad and Tobago seems poised to re-establish a high commission in Barbados, in a move that would reflect the strong business and other links between the two nations. The twin-island republic closed its previous embassy here 25 years ago, but since then companies based in Port of Spain have made significant investments in Barbados and some, such as Massy and Republic Bank, have become household names. Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Philip St Hill, would not go into details, but did confirm that the Trinidad and Tobago government had sought permission to set up the consular facility last year, and that Cabinet had approved the application in January. But a diplomatic source told the SUNDAY SUN that it was up to the Trinidadian authorities to send officials here to start the logistics involved in setting up the office. (SS)

JEAN MARIE LE PEN SUGGESTS DAUGHTER NOT FIT TO BE PRESIDENT - French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen's father Jean-Marie has suggested his daughter is unfit to lead the country. His words come just a day before France goes to the polls to decide between the former National Front leader and centrist Emmanuel Macron. Speaking from his Paris office, Mr Le Pen, 88, told The Sunday Times he believed his granddaughter National Front MP Marion Maréchal-Le Pen, 28, would have made a better candidate. Far-right candidate Ms Le Pen and her father have been on frosty terms since she dismissed him from the party three years ago.  The decision came after Mr Le Pen, who led the party himself for nearly 40 years, referred to the Holocaust as a minor detail of World War II. The pair have not spoken since. Speaking of his daughter's presidential potential, Mr Le Pen said: 'She has character; she doesn't lack that. But you also need other qualities.' He added that Ms Le Pen had given a 'disappointing' performance in last week's television debate in which he accused her of hurling personal criticism at Macron in an unsuccessful attempt to induce a 'psychological meltdown' in her rival. The former presidential candidate said his dismissal from the party had been a display of 'ingratitude' from his daughter and he criticised her for not approaching him for advice for her campaign. Despite his scathing analysis, Mr Le Pen stressed that he wanted Marine to win the presidential election - the chances of which are slim. 'I've called unequivocally for people to vote for Marine Le Pen,' he said.  (DAILY MAIL UK)

WASTE OF WATER – Water has been flowing in Bryan Road, Welchman Hall, for the past five days. But residents in the lush St Thomas village are far from happy about it. That’s because the water is first flying more than 30 feet into the air from a ruptured main, and then through the streets, without being used by a single household. Douglas Brewster, a resident in the area, called the Barbados Water Authority to report the burst pipe when it ruptured last Wednesday, but up to Press time yesterday, it remained unrepaired. (SS)

MORE YOUNG MEN BEING SCREENED FOR PROSTATE CANCER – Local charity Cancer Support Services (CSS) is reporting an increase in younger men being screened for prostate cancer. But local health officials remain concerned about the increasing number of deaths from the disease. Barbados is said to have one of the highest rates of prostate cancer worldwide, and at its screening in January, CSS reported that 100 men died from the disease in 2016. Cancer Support Services held its third Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening for the year at its Belmont Road, St Michael, location today, and Lynton said that by midday, 64 men had already been tested. She cautioned that an elevated PSA does not necessarily mean that the individual has cancer. In January 81 men turned out, while the figure for March stood at 85. Lynton appealed to the private sector to support the next PSA screening, which is scheduled for July. (BT)

INCREASING “MINOR ON MINOR” SEX – Children as young as four years old are engaging in minor on minor sex acts while other youngsters are watching pornography or being introduced to kissing and fondling. The revelation comes from a senior child care officer at the Child Care Board (CCB) as children, their parents, members of the community and child activists took to the streets of Bridgetown to highlight issues relating to children yesterday. Roxanne Sanderson-Weekes, the board’s senior child care officer, flagged the new trend, which she said the board had been seeing recently. Speaking at the third annual Child Protection March, Sanderson-Weekes said while the CCB was concerned about all issues relating to sexual abuse, it was extremely concerned about an increase in sexual abuse by minors on minors.  (SS)

HYATT RISK TO “HERITAGE” DESIGNATION – An international expert on heritage sites has warned against erecting the Hyatt hotel in Bridgetown, saying the city could lose its UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription as a result. The president of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, Gustavo Araoz, told the SUNDAY SUN that it was “dangerous” to erect the proposed 15-storey hotel at Bay Street, St Michael. “It is dangerous only if you really prize your World Heritage nomination,” he said. “If you don’t care about the World Heritage nomination, then it is not risky business. “Similar efforts have happened in other places and there are plenty examples that you should study to see what’s happened when certain developments that were unacceptable have been pushed forward.” (SS)

BILL NOT ENOUGH – It will take more than the Preservation of Antiquities and Relics Bill to save some of the derelict buildings of historic value on the island. This is the view of a former president of the Barbados National Trust, historian and conservationist Dr Karl Watson. “I would wish that an improved Antiquities Bill would help to solve the issue but, sadly, I am a realist and I think an improved Antiquities Bill may be a step in the right direction but there are other variables at play that the Antiquities Bill does not address,” he told the SUNDAY SUN. Recently, Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley had suggested that the bill, which had drawn vociferous opposition when it was first proposed, would have been the saviour of the derelict house of Roland Edwards - the man who composed the music to the National Anthem, and other houses of such historic significance. (SS)

JOHNSON & JOHNSON LEADERS AT CARIBBEAN GOLF CLASSIC – Top Barbados players James Johnson and Julian Jordan seemed on course to defend their title in the mid-amateurs division of the 2017 Caribbean Classic Golf Championships in the Dominican Republic.After the first two rounds and 36 holes, Johnson and Jordan were sharing the lead on a gross 135 with hometown players Lino Guerrero and Juan Campusano (of the Dominican Republic),  following two days of outstanding golf. After the first two rounds and 36 holes, Johnson and Jordan were sharing the lead on a gross 135 with hometown players Lino Guerrero and Juan Campusano (of the Dominican Republic),  following two days of outstanding golf.The Classic Championships, which are attracting players from across the English and Spanish-speaking Caribbean, are organised by the Caribbean Golf Association and conclude on Sunday. The Classic Championships, which are attracting players from across the English and Spanish-speaking Caribbean, are organized by the Caribbean Golf Association and conclude on Sunday. (BT)

SIMMONS RUNS HOT – LENDL SIMMONS marked his first appearance in the 2017 Indian Premier League by reaching a significant milestone in style yesterday. The Trinidadian batsman became only the second player to score 1 000 runs in the Twenty20 tournament – the first was Australian Shaun Marsh – during an impressive 66 off 43 balls for Mumbai Indians. Simmons linked up with countryman Kieron Pollard, who smashed an unbeaten 63 off 35 balls, to propel Mumbai Indians to a challenging total of 212 for three. It paved the way for a crushing victory by 146 runs and a place in the play-offs. (SS)

BAND LEADERS LAST STRAW – Crop Over could face some disruption in 2017 from disgruntled mas bandleaders. The Barbados Association of Bandleaders (BAM) is tired of what it claims are broken promises by Government, and has informed the SUNDAY SUN that if several issues are not addressed, members will protest. Their concerns are about the VAT of 17.5 per cent, the “inadequate” subvention given to the bands and prize money. President of BAM, veteran bandleader Chetwin Stewart, is claiming that each year the same situations have not been rectified and the members of the association are at the end of their tether. (SS)

COLOURS OF FANTASY – SEVERAL MAS BANDS have been hitting the ground running for the sweetest summer festival. Zulu, Colorz, Baje and most recently, Fantasy, have been among those launching. (SS)

That’s all for today folks. There are 238 days left in the year Shalom! #thechasefiles #dailynewscaps Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for your daily news. #bajannewscaps #newscapsbystephaniefchase

[sexypinkon]

                                   S    E    X    Y    P     I    N    K

                 From the Facebook page of Ras Akyem....wonderful news.

Soooo, i've been quiet for a brief "moment", but London/Scotland beckons.....  so i'm off to fulfill a uniquely important commission for TWR ("THE WORLD RE-IMAGINED") where I'll be working with such notable International art-world stalwarts as Yinka Shonibare(Nigeria), Chris Ofilli(London) Jasmine Girvin(Jamaica) etc. Eagerly looking forward to this creative cross-fertilization/collaboration of stellar talents and to share my vision with the continental art-world..... I'll certainly be keeping y'all informed on my process and the journey through this project! Guess I'll be seeing wunna in the next 2 months.

[sexypinkon]

~Sexypink~A good look.

[thechasefiles]

The Chase Files Daily Newscap 3/9/2019

Good MORNING  #realdreamchasers! Here is The Chase Files Daily News Cap for Saturday 9th March 2019. Remember you can read full articles for FREE via Barbados Today (BT) or Barbados Government Information Services (BGIS) OR by purchasing by purchasing a Saturday Sun Nation Newspaper (SS).

‘NOT ME!’ – Former minister for social transformation and parliamentarian Hamilton Lashley has rubbished reports that Opposition Leader Joseph Atherley has invited him to be part of a new political party. Lashley told Barbados TODAY that he did not know where such a suggestion came from, and indicated that as Barbados struggles to overcome economic challenges, now was not the time to talk politics. Lashley said: “I was amazed to hear that the Opposition Leader invited Hamilton Lashley to assist in the formation of a political party. That is the farthest thing away from the truth. Forming a political party? Of course not, what they want to put Ms Lashley son in?” Media reports earlier today quoted Atherley, who won a seat in last General Elections on a Barbados Labour Party (BLP) ticket, and crossed the floor just days later, as saying he has been involved in discussions with Lashley who has been showing interest in what he has been doing. The Opposition Leader said that yesterday Lashley attended a meeting with his team of spokespersons to look at matters related to culture and the arts, according to reports. Atherley said: “Whether or not he is to be identified as an official spokesperson with reference to any specific area, I am not at this point wanting to say that. “Suffice it to say we are happy with the interest level that he has demonstrated and with the input that he has been making for some of the discussions that we have been having. “We certainly would be happy to have him involved with us totally, but that is a matter, which he would have to speak to himself.” Lashley, who confirmed that he attended the meeting at Parliament Buildings yesterday, said there was no discussion about joining or forming any party. “Yesterday’s meeting was not a political discussion of any sort,” Lashley stressed. He told Barbados TODAY: “It was strictly a meeting of national interest and of national concern in terms of providing ways of assisting the transformation of the Barbadian economy, using culture and the arts. “And then on the other hand in the event that there was a national emergency, how best to deal with it and what systems they are putting in place. Of course I had an interest in that. “I think any Barbadian would have an interest in that. My thing is that I believe the good Reverend should carry these type of initiatives that he is talking about across the entire country.” Lashley, who served as a minister under both the Democratic Labour Party and the BLP, said his focus was on seeing what he could do as a community activist to help Barbadians deal with the austerity measures of the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation Programme (BERT). (BT)

BIG SHIFT – While president of the National Union of Public Workers Akanni McDowall appears set for a court battle with his general secretary Roslyn Smith, another executive member has shifted his loyalty and is making a bid to replace the leader. In an exclusive interview with Barbados TODAY, the union’s first Vice President, Fabian Jones, who at one point wholeheartedly backed the current president, announced he was ready to enter the leadership race with less than a month before the nation’s public sector workers vote for a new executive. Saying he now fears the NUPW has lost its direction, Jones argued that union leaders had allowed in-house fighting to detract from the union’s chief obligation of attending to the wellbeing of workers. He said this has prompted him to mount an election campaign that he claims is centered on unity, transparency, and renewed activism. Jones declared to Barbados TODAY: “I am a man for all seasons and I know people will understand that if Fabian Jones is breaking the ranks right now to run for president, he must have a real fundamental problem with the way how things are being done right now and that is true. In previous elections, Jones presented himself as an ardent supporter of McDowall even in the face of pressure from former union president Walter Maloney, he said. Jones added: “Some may say it looks like a back stab, but the union is bigger than any one person. It is thousands of members strong, so if I have to do that for the betterment of the majority while probably offending one person, I will, because it is a duty and I feel duty bound to do it. “I came through the youth league with Akanni. I saw him grow and develop and mentored under Walter [Maloney] and for a time I liked that the union was standing up and I was part of that and not being silent anymore. But that is only one aspect of it. The union as an institution has to be run on a day-to-day basis. There are rules to respect and there’s a way of doing things, which should always be based on consensus.” The union’s pending election of officers at its annual general meeting on April 3 is to take place amid a longstanding rift between Smith and McDowall that has spilled onto the public scene. On Thursday morning, Smith released a statement signalling her intention to sue McDowall for defamation over statements made to the NUPW’s National Council about Smith’s use of the union’s credit card. Jones described the current saga as “unfortunate”, conceding that the union needed to take better care of its finances. He said: “There was no theft or wild spending, but I would say that some procedural rules were flouted. “At the end of the day, we are talking about the members’ money and I believe that the resources of the members should be used to forward their cause. Making a case for his leadership, Jones declared: “I believe in frugality and not excess and I can assure the membership that under a Fabian Jones presidency, I’m going to lead with a conscience, fairness and love. “I want to restore confidence in the union, because as we know, membership is dwindling. “The successful operation of a union requires a certain level of harmony and I believe right now there is some tension between the current President, who is head of the executive and the General Secretary who is head of the secretariat. It’s all in the media. “I want to bring harmony between the executive and the secretariat” The trade unionist of 17 years’ experience has served on the NUPW’s youth league as public relations officer from 2011 to 2013, a floor member from 2013 to 2015, as 2nd VP from 2015 to 2017 and as 1st VP from 2017 to the present. During his most recent term, Jones said he brought many workable solutions and ideas to the table in the interest of improving the lot of local public workers. “I don’t really feel as though my views were taken and utilised. I was just like a voice in the wilderness saying ‘do it this way and do it that way’ and just being ignored.” Jones added that his plans included a major push to get young workers interested in the union’s vision by using modern methods of communication to reach them and other workers who had become disgruntled with the union’s direction. Jones said: “Young people are the future of the movement. Right now most of the members are older people and the young people are going to be a hard sell, because those are the ones who really suffer under the retrenchment programme. “The NUPW as one of the oldest unions in the region is often sought by others for guidance and if our own people are questioning our strength and our relevance, it bothers me. I want to bring more harmony to the NUPW.” (BT)

MORRIS APPOINTED PRESS SECRETARY – Veteran journalist Roy R. Morris has taken on a new role. He was appointed today by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley as her first Press Secretary. In announcing the appointment, Prime Minister Mottley said: “I am delighted that Mr Morris has agreed to serve as Press Secretary. I have taken my time to make this appointment as I believe it is a critical position in communicating our programmes to our people. With his tremendous experience in journalism and media in the private sector, I am confident that he will add value and make a difference as we work to build the best Barbados together as a people.” Morris, whose journalism career started in 1979, currently teaches a number of journalism courses at the Barbados Community College.  The former Editor-in-Chief at the Nation Publishing Co. Limited and founding Editor-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer of Barbados TODAY will take up the appointment on Monday.  (SS)

‘WILL, NO CASH’ TO FIX WOMEN’S ISSUES - At a time when political leaders seem to be paying attention to women issues for the first time in the country’s history, there is no money to fix them. Reflecting on this year’s International Women’s Day theme: Balance for Better, the public relations officer of the National Organisation of Women (NOW), Marsha Hinds-Layne, told Barbados TODAY of mixed feelings as she observed the day. For Hinds-Layne, now that there was the political will to improve the problems affecting women, the financial resources were lacking. “For the first time in the history of Barbados, we are seeing clear political will and understanding, in the political leaders of Barbados, with respect to women’s issues. She told Barbados TODAY: “It is coming at the point where Barbados is in the deepest economic recession it has ever been in. The finance and the ability to deliver on the political will now has to be worked out.” The activist said since the Labour Party won the Government in 2018, she has been having discussions with several Cabinet ministers on a daily basis, to discuss the struggles women in Barbados daily, including abuse, unemployment and lack of finance. Hinds-Layne acknowledged that she would be lying if she said they did not show a keen interest in helping, but she knew their hands were tied since the public’s purse had limited funds. The public relations officer said effort now has to be placed on finding the right balance to tackle women issues. Hinds-Layne said: “Basically now, it is how do we find the balance. And balance for a third world country is going to look very different from balance anywhere else. “This is what we are grappling with in Barbados, on this international day of the woman 2019. What does balance look like for a vulnerable Third World Caribbean island? (BT)

UWI CAVE HILL SAYS BIG TURNAROUND IN FORTUNES – While enrollment is still nearly half its peak levels five years ago, the University of the West Indies (UWI) at Cave Hill is reporting a steady increase in Barbadians studying there, campus principal Professor Eudine Barriteau revealed today. The Government’s decision to restore the payment of undergraduate tuition fees for its citizens attending UWI is paying dividends for the campus, and halting a slide in enrollment triggered by the previous administration’s policy to end 50 years of tuition-free university education. Noting that numbers are still 40 per cent lower than they were in 2014 when the policy was introduced, this year’s enrollment is up 12 per cent from last academic year, she said. Barbadians account for 71 per cent of the student population at UWI Cave Hill. Professor Barriteau, who addressed this morning’s open session proceedings of the UWI Cave Hill Campus Council meeting, said: “On June 24, the Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw articulated the policy in Parliament, reversing the earlier Government policy introduced in 2014. By the first semester of the new academic year, the total student population at the Cave Hill Campus was 5856 students, a 12.8 per cent increase on the previous year.” Students who were forced to drop out of UWI because they could not afford tuition are said to be making up a large percentage of the enrollment for this academic year. Practically crippled five years ago by lack of finance and declining enrollment. Professor Barriteau declared, that the Cave Hill Campus now stands ready to reap the rewards of prudent management and revolutionised curriculum through several key partnerships with international counterparts. She told the university council: “This morning our prospects are looking up and like our iconic blackbird, the campus is ready to soar. We are now poised to feel the sunshine of our prudent management and careful navigation of austerity. For the past four years I have reminded my colleagues and students that the UWI Cave Hill Campus is greater than and will not be defined by its combination of challenges that it had to confront and contain.” She said that much of the campus’ resurgence culminated in the last two years by prioritising limited resources towards the better delivery of services, while broadening the scope of learning through linkages with higher tertiary institutions in China and Africa. Pointing to additional reasons for the turnaround in fortunes, she continued: “It has been a productive and eventful year. In 2018 I said Cave Hill Campus has begun the dawn of our strategic planning. I spoke of mapping our recovery and being determined to achieve our goals even though we were navigating financial austerity, declining student enrollment, mounting government debt, aging plant and equipment and an IT [information technology] on the cusp of obsolescence. “We survived because we place the required overdue capital upgrades on hold, concentrated on building a first-class quality environment by prudently deploying scarce resources to enhance the teaching and learning environment, services and programmes for our students.” (BT)

HOPE FOR LIAT – LIAT may get a lifeline.Funding to keep the cash-strapped airline will be discussed by five Caribbean Heads of Government in St Vincent and the Grenadines today. Leaders from Guyana, Trinidad, Grenada, St Lucia and St Kitts/Nevis are expected to attend today’s meeting, according to a CMC report yesterday. The report also quoted a statement coming out of Antigua’s cabinet meeting as saying: “The states which enjoy services from LIAT, but are not owners of LIAT’s shares, are likely to be asked by the four contributing/ownership states to purchase shares in LIAT, or to make a financial contribution, or to enter into a minimum revenue guarantee for LIAT flights which enter their country.” The plight of the financially-troubled regional airline was a major item on the agenda at last month’s 30th Inter-Sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in St Kitts and Nevis, where a rescue plan was devised by the CARICOM Heads. In it, shareholder governments proposed to inject the additional financial resources that LIAT desperately needs, while other member states were encouraged to commit to providing necessary capital injections into LIAT and to coming on board as new shareholders. This came about as last week Friday it was reported that the airline needed $10 million to keep operations on track or close operations in ten days. The ten days would have been marked tomorrow. Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica are the major shareholder countries in the regional airline. (SS)

FORTRESS UPBEAT AFTER ‘WEAK’ 2018 – Despite recording an “unusually weak” 2018, Fortress Fund Managers is still positive about  growth for its mutual funds’ investments this year, Chief Investment Officer of Fortress Advisory and Investment Services Peter Arender has told investors. Speaking last night during the 9th Annual Fortress Investment Forum at the Frank Collymore Hall, which focused on regional and global investment updates, as well as the performance and outlook of Fortress’ range of funds, Arender said he was optimistic about the future after a disappointing 2018. Arender told the forum: “The year 2018 was an unusually weak one in which the Fortress funds held their value reasonably well, but still saw declines. “The lower prices go, however, the greater the potential for future gains. The end of the year gave us a ’20 per cent off’ sale in many areas and we responded in the Caribbean Growth Fund by steadily investing cash which had been saved for just such an event.” While a director at Fortress, Roger Cave, gave a similar positive summary of the investment climate, he revealed that the company’s assets remained steady at $650 million across 11 different funds with regional and global investments. Cave said that with excellent value across its global equity investments, Fortress was more constructive on future returns now that it had been in some time, borne out by strength in the first weeks of 2019. He said Fortress would be focusing on pensions and global funds which “continued to grow very nicely”. Cave said Government’s move to implement the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) programme was a positive step in the right direction. “I think there is positive in it. We got an IMF [International Monetary Fund] programme done in the shortest possible time and I think it is a better alternative than what could have been,” Cave said. The director also noted that the completion of government’s bond restructuring, the corporate tax reductions and work on economic reforms gave Fortress hope that there would be better opportunities in “its own backyard”. (BT)

BREATH TEST – The workers of the Arawak Cement Company Limited in St Lucy – about 100 in all – will have to subject themselves to breathalyser testing on arrival at work from Monday, March 22, according to an internal memo obtained by Barbados TODAY. But before that, the company is to begin carrying out random testing, the workers were told. In the memo dated today, new general manager Yago Castro said those workers who fail the test are to be barred from entering the compound. A source at the company familiar with the decision told Barbados TODAY that the testing was scheduled to be implemented today against a workers’ protest. But following a last-minute meeting with management it was agreed to reschedule the date and involve the Barbados Workers Union (BWU). As a result, the protest was also called off for the time being. While not mentioning the protest, the memo confirmed that a meeting was held on Wednesday, March 6 to inform the staff that the testing would begin today, but that it has been rescheduled. But the source claimed that up to late this afternoon, the union had not been informed. In explaining the procedure, the memo explained that the tests are to be administered using a hand-held breathalyser and employees entering the facility will be required to blow into the device as directed by security guards. The circular went on to say: “A negative result verified by the appearance of a green light on the device means that the employee will be admitted on the compound. This means he or she has an acceptable blood alcohol concentration of below 0.08 per cent. “Employees who have a positive result indicated by a red light, will not be admitted on the compound, as their blood alcohol concentration would have exceeded 0.08 per cent at the time of the test.” Turning specifically to the implications for testing positive, the circular stated that once an employee is tested positive and is subsequently prohibited from entering the compound, the security officer will submit a report to the firm’s Health and Safety Coordinator (HSC). It noted that the HSC would then send a report to the employee’s supervisor and copy the Employee Relations Officer and Human Relations Manager. “Each time an employee is not permitted on the compound, the company will record it as an uncertified sick leave/casual leave day. The employee will be expected to return to work at the beginning of his or her next scheduled work day,” the Arawak Cement Company staff were told. Upon returning to work, the memo added, the Supervisor will be required to hold discussions with the worker and record that meeting on a special discussion form. “If the employee exceeds three positive results in one month or uses all of his or her uncertified sick days due to positive results, he or she will be scheduled to meet with the Human Resources Manager who will decide on the next step,” it read. The circular said such steps could include an internally-designed programme set up for the employee to monitor his or her progress; drug treatment and counselling through the company’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) or progressive discipline. “The three occurrences in one month may be adjusted due to evidence or trends suggesting abuse of this restriction,” the memo said. The document noted that even though treatment or counseling was not mandatory, it is considered a step that the company was taking to assist the employee to bring him or her in line with its policy. “If the employee refuses the efforts made to assist him or her, the company may need to resort directly to the company’s progressive disciplinary progress,” it warned. When contacted tonight, General Manager Yago Castro confirmed to Barbados TODAY that the breathalyser testing was in fact being implemented with one purpose in mind. “Our first priority is for the health and safety of our people,” Castro said. “That is the only purpose. That is why we are investing heavily in the plant . . . last month and last year . . . . You can come and see the improvement in the equipment and the facility; that is the most important thing for us is to keep our people safe. The company has invested over $2 million dollars in the last two years, he said. (BT)

APRIL 1 DEADLINE FOR PLASTICS BAN REMAINS – The April 1 deadline for the importation, wholesale and retail of petro-based plastics remains in place, and Government will be closely monitoring the prices being charged for alternative products. Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Kirk Humphrey, made this clear as he addressed a media sensitization workshop at the Ministry recently. However, he expressed concern for vendors who purchased petro-based single use plastics and styrofoam plates at discounted prices from large suppliers without fully understanding that they would be unable to use them after April 1. “Perhaps, we need to have a conversation around how do we accommodate them after April 1. We extended the moratorium on plastic bags for a whole year because I never wanted to affect local manufacturers and people who are on the street trying to make a dollar. “Perhaps that is a conversation that we are going to have to see how best we can accommodate them - can we find a way through the other agencies of government to help them deal with the loss, or do we give them a little more time; just that very small group,” the Minister stated. However, Humphrey was firm in his resolve that the importation, wholesale and retail of petro-based single use products and styrofoam from April 1 would not be allowed, unless he said differently. He acknowledged that the law did not speak to people who had styrofoam and single use plastics in their personal possession, but urged persons to recognize the purpose behind what government was doing and join in the effort. Humphrey also told members of the media that government met with wholesalers and retailers from the beginning and had even made adjustments to allow them to get rid of existing stock. He added that most large scale wholesalers were fully aware of government’s position on the matter, and had already started importing alternative products. “The fact is that Barbadians are not going to stop using cups, plates and bowls; they just will not be using the petro-based ones. So, there will still be a market for all the things that they import; it will just be a different quality product,” he said. (BGIS)

NO MORE EXCUSES – In an impassioned plea in the wake of the recent jump in gun violence, Prime Minister Mia Mottley today urged young people and parents to make choices that would best serve them for the future. Speaking this afternoon at the opening of the Chesterfield Brewster Youth Empowerment Centre, Silver Hill, Christ Church, the Prime Minister told the gathering that Government was determined to give young people and their parents a wider range of positive things to choose from, as opposed to the negative alternatives that currently wreak havoc on society. Mottley declared: “We have a duty to raise young people in a way that their lives can be productive and where they can make a difference. “Life is about choices and I ask the people of Silver Hill to make the choice to take your children and determine if you want to see them in a youth service uniform or you want to see them on a platform singing, entertaining and making you proud. But you don’t want to see them in the middle of the road bleeding.” The Prime Minister referred to the new youth centre, which was built by the Maria Holder Trust, at a cost of $2 million, as one of the new positive options now open to young people. She also noted that Government has approved $5 million for sports and cultural training across the island, adding to the significant number of initiatives including trust loans and the restoration of free tertiary education. The Prime Minister said: “We as a Government made the choice to pay for your children to go to university or the polytechnic if they want to go. They must not be prevented from going because people cannot afford it in this country. This is who we are as a people. “We have equally made the choice that the training that regrettably stopped [in the last ten years] that used to happen across Barbados, will not only be resumed, but will be significantly enhanced.” Mottley suggested that the pool of excuses for poor choices was fast shrinking, as several keys have now been provided to unlock entrepreneurial and creative talent among the youth. She said: “Life is fundamentally about choices, even in terms of building back the economy we were so concerned about giving you the right to choose because freedom is choice. Quite often when you can’t make choices it is because something is curtailing you. “I want the people of Silver Hill to be able to say that even though things were hard along the way, you stayed the course and your children have now achieved and are making you proud.” But she warned that these choices will only remain available if individuals play their part by properly maintaining facilities or repaying the trust loans, so that all Barbadians can benefit and not just a few. The Prime Minister said: “Whether we can continue depends on everybody understanding that we have a role to play together. So for example if the people who benefit from the trust loans don’t pay it back then the country won’t have the opportunity to keep it going. “The Maria Holder Trust is prepared to create a public space where children can go into and learn. We don’t want to see anybody come and put garbage around this building because we are going to make the choice to take care of this building and make the choice for our children to enjoy this building.” (BT)

LEAD POLICE FORCE REFORM, SERGEANTS TOLD – Police sergeants were today told to be agents of change in a 183-year-old constabulary “in serious need” of reform. The officers received the charge during a closing ceremony for the Sergeants General Duties Training Course at the Regional Police Training Centre. Two dozen police sergeants from Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda and Belize, who completed the course, were warned that their attitude to members of the public desperately needed to change. During his address, commandant of the training centre, John Maxwell, criticised frontline police supervisors for sometimes taking a hands-off approach to important matters. Commandant Maxwell said: “When a member of the public telephones or goes to the police station, it is because he needs our assistance. By the very oath of office that we took, we swore that we would provide the best quality service that can be given. You must ensure that your charges treat these people with respect and respond promptly to their reports. “As sergeants, you must be familiar with your respective force’s rules, policies, standards and procedures and of course the laws of your countries,” said the commandant. “It serves no good to procrastinate or worse yet become discourteous by bluntly refusing to ensure that reports are addressed promptly. Failure to take the appropriate action can at worst result in bodily harm or death.” During the two-week training programme, participants were required to display critical thinking skills, better understand their roles as sergeants and improve efficiency in the execution of their duties. The syllabus covered a diverse array of topics including the issuing and receiving of firearms, communication and public speaking, briefing and debriefing and drafting charges. Deputy Commissioner of Police Lila Strickland  warned that with the local force struggling to increase its recruitment numbers, the sergeants needed to better nurture younger officers who join the force. The deputy police chief said: “Serious reform must come and come soon to the organisation. We must in short order conduct a serious audit of our resources and our quality of service. We cannot continue doing business as usual. Drastic changes must be implemented if we are to remain on the cutting edge of service delivery.” She also urged the officers to ensure they act within the confines of the law, maintain high ethical standards and lead by example at all times. “All [senior police officers] should make every effort to handle all disputes of a domestic nature,” she said. “You have many years of training and experience and could better guide on these matters.”  (BT)

APPEAL COURT HAS BAIL SAY – A landmark decision by the Court of Appeal could open the floodgates for several accused who have had their bail applications turned down by a High Court. On Thursday, murder accused Pedro Deroy Ellis and his attorney Queen’s Counsel Larry Smith scored a victory when president of the Court of Appeal, Andrew Burgess, held that the appellate court did have jurisdiction to hear an appeal stemming from a bail application and then set aside the High Court judge’s decision to deny Ellis bail. However, Justice of Appeal Burgess, who presided with Justices of Appeal Kaye Goodridge and Margaret Reifer, refused to release the accused. The court said the strength of the evidence that [Ellis] had committed the killing; that he had admitted to it, albeit claiming it was done in self-defence and the fact that he had a previous conviction for manslaughter “weighed very heavily in favour of refusing bail to [Ellis]. “It must be that the public has every right to expect to be protected from persons who repeat offences involving the taking of human life.(SS)

PENSIONER’S MOUTH LANDS HIM BEFORE COURT – A pensioner believes he would not have landed before the law courts – for alledgedly assaulting a senior police officer – if he simply talked less and stayed at home to do his chores. Elwin Leon Young, 74, of Trellis Walk, Grazettes, St Michael expressed that view to Magistrate Douglas Frederick earlier this week when he appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court charged that he assaulted Superintendent of Police Margaret Stephen as she executed her duty on March 5 as well as telling her to “move your **** off the sidewalk. I went to Central (Police Station) and get unfair . . .” He pleaded not guilty to the charges but Sergeant St Clair Phillips stated that Young looked as though he was in need of an intervention at the Psychiatric Hospital where he is an outpatient. The prosecutor also revealed that the accused man’s antecedents showed that he had a propensity for challenging members of the public and the police. “I does talk to much. I should be at home washing my clothes. I came to town to have breakfast,” Young stated before he was remanded to the Black Rock, St Michael institution for observation until March 26.  (BT)

UNABLE TO AFFORD CAR INSURANCE, PLATES, FINES – A 46-year-old St Joseph man who appeared in the District ‘A’ Traffic Court today was unable to pay fines after pleading guilty to a number of offences – including not having motor insurance he claims he could not afford. Derek Delisle Bullen, of Blackmans Development, St Joseph, admitted to Magistrate Graveney Bannister to driving without due care and attention, without reasonable consideration for other road users, fraudulent use of number plate and registration card, no insurance and failing to register the vehicle. PC Kevin Forde told the court that Bullen was driving along Canewood Road, St Michael, going to Lears junction when he veered into the path of traffic and collided with another vehicle. Police responded to the accident and a check revealed that the registration disc and licence plates did not match that of Bullen’s car. Bullen explained that he had bought the car and had possession of it for the last six months but “did not have the money for the insurance”. Describing the situation as bizarre, the magistrate imposed fines totaling $2,250. (BT)

‘BACKPACK CRAZE’ – The recent fad of young men walking around with haversacks has caught the attention of Bridgetown Magistrate Douglas Frederick, so much so that the judicial officer wants to know what is the fascination with the backpacks. “Why it is that every young person has a haversack on their back. What is contained in those haversacks — weapons, drugs?” the Magistrate asked Oswaldson Erickson Hutson Small in the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court today. “Mine had in drugs sir,” the Lot No. 1 St Christopher, Christ Church resident responded moments after he had pleaded guilty to charges of possession, possession with intent to supply and possession with intent to traffic cannabis on June 7, 2015. Police were on patrol along the ABC Highway when they had the occasion to stop the vehicle that the accused was driving. The marijuana – estimated to fetch $90 on the street – was discovered in Small’s haversack after he consented to a search. “That was a case of helping out somebody. The person that own the car was drunk,” said Small who also disclosed that he used the drugs for about six years. “But I don’t do drugs or nothing so no more, sir. That’s why I come and deal with this. My girl caused me to change. I realise that to get a better life for myself I had to stop certain things,” he told Magistrate Frederick. Small’s conviction card revealed he had received chances in the past when he appeared before the court on two occasions for the same offence, resulting in a conviction, reprimand and discharge. This time around he was slapped with a $700 fine, which he must pay in one month if he wants to avoid spending one month in prison. (BT)

LIMIT CWI PRESIDENCY – There should be term limits on the presidency of Cricket West Indies (CWI).Speaking on Wednesday at a conference call press briefing streamed to regional media, presidential challenger Ricky Skerritt said no president should exceed six years in office.  “The first change we (his team) would like to make if elected, would be to have term limits put in place. We believe that no president needs to serve longer than six years continuously. “Some people have said two three-year terms or three two-year terms, that will have to be discussed, a constitutional review committee will have to be put in place, and that has to be done internally without nay pressure from outside. “We are not going to be reacting to Caricom governments. We are going to be communicating, collaborating and cooperating with all stakeholders including Caricom governments and we have no doubt that we can find the kind of approaches that meet the needs of a future dynamic and progressive CWI,” he said. Jamaican, Wycliffe “Dave” Cameron, 47, is running for a fourth consecutive term as CWI president after being first elected back in 2013 when he took over from St Lucian diplomat Julian Hunte. He will be partnered again by vice-president Emmanuel Nathan. (SS)

WOEFUL WI BADLY BEATEN – England dismissed West Indies for just 45 – the second-lowest score in T20 internationals – to win the second T20 by 137 runs inSt Kitts and wrap up the series with a match to spare. Chris Jordan took four for six, the best figures by an England bowler in T20s, to skittle the dismal hosts in 11.5 overs. Sam Billings earlier hit a career-best 87 and Joe Root made 55as England recovered from 32- to post 182-6. England have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Only the Netherlands have scored fewer runs in a T20 international, making just 39 against Sri Lanka in the 2014 World T20. This was England’s biggest margin of victory by runs in T20s and the fourth biggest of all time.  (SS)

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The Chase Files Daily Newscap 9/17/2019

Good Morning #realdreamchasers. Here is your daily news cap for Tuesday, September 17th, 2019. There is a lot to read and digest so take your time. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS), Barbados Today (BT), or by purchasing a Daily Nation Newspaper (DN).

EARLY CLOSURE -The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training is reminding parents and guardians that all public schools will be closed today, Tuesday, September 17. Schools will close at noon to facilitate meetings called by the Barbados Union of Teachers and the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union. (BGIS)

BELMONT BLUES – Teachers were falling sick. Parents were sick of the situation. And even the minister responsible for the environment was bemoaning the conditions at Belmont Primary School yesterday. Staff and parents gave the My Lord’s Hill, St Michael school a failing grade as classes had to be suspended because two teachers fell ill after allegedly inhaling paint fumes.Belmont Primary was one of 20 public schools which were not ready for the start of the school term last week Monday due to incomplete maintenance work.Over the weekend, teachers learnt that the summer repairs programme had not been completed and as a result, many of the classrooms were still in disarray up until Sunday.Some also became upset and said they felt insulted on learning they would be required to use chemical toilets after a plan to have adequate bathroom facilities in time for the start of school fell short.(DN)

PLEASANT SURPRISE – The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) appears to be throwing the weight of its membership behind a longstanding fight by their secondary teacher colleagues who are demanding payment from the main regional examining body for payment for marking School-based Assessments (SBA). For more than a decade the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) has been agitating for Barbadian teachers to be compensated for marking the SBA component of the Caribbean Examinations Council’s (CXC) examination which forms part of several subjects offered across the region. The hierarchy of the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) say they are pleasantly surprised that their sister union has finally come around to their position. “We have been fighting this at the level of the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) since 2006 and the BUT never spoke up on this and never encouraged their members to take a stand. So, I am very surprised now at the fact that they have. I don’t know if things have changed because there is now representation from the secondary school level in the leadership of the BUT and now persons have firsthand knowledge of the problem,” said BSTU President Mary Redman, noting that Spencer, who ascended to the presidency of the BUT two years ago, would be among the persons involved in marking SBAs. The SBA issue is to be one of the main agenda items when the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) meets tomorrow at Solidarity House, resulting in all public schools being closed from midday. It was reported that BUT president Sean Spencer made it clear that his union would not be relenting on the issue. However, in an interview with Barbados TODAY this afternoon, Redman noted that the BSTU had been battling with the CXC on this matter since 2006 on their own, leaving them to wonder what could have inspired the BUT’s change from their non-interventionist position 13 years later. She contended that the BUT members would have been disadvantaged by not having this type of representation until now, as a fragmented approach among the teaching fraternity did not augur well for the chances of success. Redman also revealed that her union has always been open to dialogue with the BUT regarding a plan of action to tackle the longstanding issue and that offer still stands. “The BUT has not discussed anything with us besides the statement that they have made in the press. We do not know what position they intend to take up. This was a discussion that we were trying to have with them for years and we have never closed the door for such discussions to take place,” she said. However, the outspoken trade unionist made it clear that the added support will only make a difference if it means that this time around that teachers are prepared to make a unified stand on the matter. She pointed out that each year CXC has been offloading more of its responsibilities on teachers and it appears that the council won’t stop until teachers are being made to carry the entire burden. “This is now a purely industrial relations matter and the buck stops at the hand, the feet of the teachers in this country. They must do what they need to do if they intend to ever get compensation. The solution rests with the action of the teachers. Besides having made complaints to CXC, they continue to add more and more responsibilities, to the point where they now have the schools responsible for registering the students online as well as all of the data entry on grading,” said Redman. (BT)

NEW PROGRAMME TO TRAIN JOB SEEKERS – School leavers and the unemployed will get a shot to enter the job market and to be better equipped for the world of work. This is after the launch of the Clarkeson Foundation Inc life and work skills programme at the Weston Community Centre, Weston, St James on Saturday.Minister of Home Affairs Edmund Hinkson said even though a job could not be guaranteed, it was sure that those who stayed for the approximately ten sessions will become more employable.“The skills that this will give you will bring about self-esteem, the ability to relate to an employer, to understand that because someone offends you, you don’t have to start world war three.”He also admonished those tempted to use of drugs that marijuana has not been legalized and it messes with the mind.“Men when you go for a job interview you should not go with your pants all down there. The employer would say that you will not be ready. And women, you with the straps and short skirts. So we will help you to know how you should approach the employer.”Hinkson spoke of a previous student who received three prizes at the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) and added that the programme was there to help those who had small business ideas.For new employees, the programme will provide financial counselling.“It is good to see the change in confidence and those who were once shy and how they have [transformed.]” At the end of the programme those who graduate will receive a certificate as well. (BT)

TOURISM UPSWING – Long-stay visitors are up, as well as the money they have spent in the first seven months of the year. This was reported yesterday by Minister of Tourism Kerrie Symmonds while addressing the launch of Tourism Week at Pelican Village in The City. He expressed satisfaction with the 433 363 arrivals, an increase of 20 666 from January 1 to July 31, compared to last year. During that period long-stay arrivals from the United States were up by 11 per cent.Symmonds said visitors from CARICOM had increased by just one per cent, having experienced a dip earlier this year that had now stabilised.Though the minister did not give specifics, he said he was particularly pleased to see, according to the Central Bank, an increase of 5.5 per cent in visitor spend over the same period when compared to 2018. (DN)

PORT PINCH– The business community is feeling the pinch as the Customs and Excise Department continues to battle implementation challenges with the new ASYCUDA World system. While Government has been appealing for patience, a number of importers and exporters yesterday voiced frustration that their goods were stuck in the Bridgetown Port, in some cases for up to three weeks. Businessman Eddy Abed, one of those affected, stressed that with the “peak shipping season” starting next week, an urgent solution was needed, otherwise the Christmas shopping season could be affected. Merchants are also facing thousands of dollars in demurrage charges, with their cargo in some cases having already exceeded the allotted time at the Bridgetown Port. (DN)

HOT SALES – Scorching summer temperatures have been netting huge profits for stakeholders in the air-conditioning business. Corporate, residential and even automobile clients have reportedly been flocking to stores, which sell A/C units, fans and other cooling systems leaving some local businesses out of stock and contemplating expansion. “From August and September 2018 to 2019 sales have actually gone up 33 per cent because of these heat waves that are passing,” Director/Owner of Subzero Services Ltd Allan Hodgkinson reported. “People are saying that they just can’t take the heat and the lack of wind. We actually had someone coming in from Bottom Bay. I never sold an air condition in Bottom Bay before but if Bottom Bay is hot, then everywhere is hot in this island because that is where the wind comes from first.”    At popular chain Cost-U-Less, a supervisor said the popular 16-inch LASKO fans were completely sold out, leaving just a “couple” Tower Fans, and a gap of over a week before more stock arrives. “All small A/C units are sold out… there are only 10,000 and 12,000’s [air conditioning units] left,” the official reported. “The majority of questions we’re hearing are about fans and even on a day like today [Monday] when rain is falling, customers are still coming in to ask about the fans.” Automobile Air-conditioning units have reportedly also been selling “like crazy”, according to Managing Director of Cool Air Auto Clinic Kandrew Callendar. (BT)

PORK, POULTRY CASES ‘MAY HEAD TO WTO’- The global free trade watchdog, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), may soon be asked to back a preferential trade agreement for Barbadian pork and poultry products, Minister of Small Business Entrepreneurship and Commerce Dwight Sutherland has said. Sutherland has hinted that some manufacturers may be in line for similar support while contending that pork farmers have for too long been priced out of the market by cheaper imports. Although the WTO generally disapproves of preferential arrangements and similar protectionist measures, its rules do make provision for exceptions in cases where regions, sectors and industries may be unfairly disadvantaged. Sutherland told Barbados TODAY: “We have the capacity and the scope in my view to be self-sufficient in pork production in this country, but having said that, we are signatory to the WTO regulations and indeed the technical barriers to trade, require that we have imports. “However, we need to create the policy space through the WTO trade law mechanisms, whereby we can indeed build out our industries. “Not just the pork industry but also poultry and some manufacturing industries as well.” The Minister noted that while there must be exceptions, it was imperative that local producers are allowed the space within their home market, otherwise they would be forced out of business. He said: “There are certain manufacturers that need to import certain parts of the pigs for their products and indeed we cannot stop that, but what we can do is discussed with the WTO through their trade law mechanism to create that policy space that we become self-sufficient in pork production. “Those special cuts that come into the country that are being used in manufacturing and the hotels must still be allowed to come in. “So we have to sit with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Ministry of Commerce to see how we can create that policy space.” He continued: “For the year thus far we had 1.1 million kilograms of pork imports. That represents $6.3 million going out in foreign exchange. In 2018, we produce 2.8 million kilograms of pork and in 2016 and 2017, we produce 2.5 and 2.6 kilograms of pork respectively. “So, you can see that the space is there for us to empower our small pork producers. We can’t have persons selling in this country, what would be termed in other countries as a dumping price. “I understand pork was on the shelves for less than $5 per kilogramme. Our local producers cannot bring pigs to market at that price.” The Minister’s pronouncement should be music to the ears of pork producers, as two months ago they complained through CEO of Barbados Agricultural Society, James Paul, that the market was being flooded with pork. They called on Government to immediately address the issue. At the time the farmers reported a slump in the number of pigs being slaughtered on a weekly basis as a result of the imports. According to one farmer, his numbers fell from 40 carcasses per week, to eight. Another farmer said that his numbers decreased from 100 per week, to between 60 and 25, contending that the situation was simply untenable. Farmers complained that the market was being flooded with pork from the United States and Germany, resulting in a severe slump in their sales and threatening their survival.(BT)

JACKMAN BREACHES BAIL CONDITIONS – Andre Omar Jackman, known as Lord Evil, has been granted bail by the High Court, even after breaching the conditions of his bail last weekend. He was arrested by police from the Northern Division on Saturday.He was released under the same bail conditions originally set, which include a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, and the case was adjourned until September 26. Jackman, 40, of Stroude Bay, Crab Hill, St Lucy, was seen by police who were at the Alexandra School in Queens Street, Speightstown, St Peter, around 1 a.m., which was outside his curfew hours. When he was approached by the officers he ran off but was later apprehended. He was taken to the District ‘E’ Police Station where he was kept in custody before going before the Supreme Court today.(BT)

REVENGE ROBBERY – An act of retaliation, carried out over three days, has landed a 30-year-old pregnant woman on remand. Stancha Clerona Augustine, of No. 78 Crystal Heights, St James was remanded until October 14 when she will learn her fate on a burglary charge. The nail technician admitted to trespassing in the house of Thelma Warren between April 7 and May 8 and stealing $5,413.10 in items including a fan, rice cooker, convection oven, stereo set, binoculars, hand mixer, food grinder, electric oven, blood pressure unit, five sheet sets, food items and alcoholic beverages. According to the facts presented by police constable Victoria Taitt the complainant returned to Barbados after a month abroad to find his apartment ransacked, with the laundry room door broken and the lock on the bedroom door “knocked out”. A check was made and Warren discovered foodstuff, household items, personal documents and other items including meats from the freezer missing. Augustine admitted to police that she broke into Warren’s house over a three-day period and removed the property. According to the prosecutor, Augustine also told lawmen that she threw away the items in various garbage cans and dumps as she left the residence.  None of the property was recovered. The woman also explained, according to Constable Taitt, that Warren broke her finger among other things earlier this year and she reported the matter. When the matter was brought before the court a magistrate ordered that Warren pay her $800 in compensation. However, the woman said she did not believe that the sum awarded was enough for her pain and suffering and as such she decided to get revenge on the complainant by breaking and entering his house and stealing his property so that “he could suffer the way she suffered.” After hearing the facts, Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant remanded Augustine pending sentencing. However, she also has another theft matter before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court to which she pleaded not guilty. Augustine is accused of entering De Hill Mini Mart and Sports Bar as a trespasser and stealing several items including 30 bottles of assorted alcohol, 140 packs of cigarettes, deodorants, cornflakes, a case of mincemeat, hot dogs, shampoo and conditioner totaling $4,642.50 belonging to Francina Reece. The crime is alleged to have been committed between April 15 and 16. She was granted $2,500 bail in that matter.(BT)

ST GEORGE MAN CHARGED WITH CAUSING SERIOUS BODILY HARM -   Police have charged 31-year-old Willis Andrew Ifill of Melverton, St George, with causing serious bodily harm to Shawn Hunte, 39, of Upper Brighton, St George. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. at Mount, St George, on September 12.  Ifill appeared at the District ‘C’ Magistrates Court, St Matthias, Christ Church before Chief Magistrate Christopher Birch, where he was not required to plead to the indictable offence. He was remanded to HMP Dodds and is scheduled to return to court on Wednesday, October 9.  (DN)

REHAB CHECK FOR ACCUSED – A 52-year-old will spend the next three weeks at the Psychiatric Hospital’s drug rehabilitation section being evaluated following a request for professional assistance for his addiction. Richard McNeil Cheltenham, of no fixed place of abode, pleaded guilty to possession of apparatus for the misuse of cocaine when he appeared before Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant today. According to the facts, police responded to a report about 12:15 a.m. on September 15 where they saw the accused. A search was requested and he handed over a plastic container containing a small bottle with burnt wire mesh and white residue suspected to be cocaine. “That is my lil apparatus, I ain’t get no stones though give me a break man,” Cheltenham reportedly said to lawmen. When he appeared in the No. 2 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court attorney-at-law Lesile Roberts submitted that Cheltenham was a person who was “right” for drug treatment or drug rehabilitation. Cheltenham, who is known to the court, also told the magistrate that he wanted help, as he had never received any in the past. He will make his next appearance before Cuffy-Sargeant on October 7 to find out whether he is a suitable candidate for drug rehabilitation at Verdun House.(BT)

TRIDENTS BROKEN BY THE TALLAWAHS –Veteran opener Chris Gayle surpassed 13 000 Twenty20 runs as Jamaica Tallawahs broke a four-game losing skid with a four-wicket victory over Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League last night. Playing in steamy conditions following a 1 p.m. (2 p.m. Eastern Caribbean time) start at Sabina Park, Tallawahs stifled the Tridents with spin, restricting them to 140 for nine off their allotted 20 overs. Ashley Nurse, batting at number seven, top-scored with an aggressive 18-ball 37 while South African left-hander JP Duminy struggled for fluency in his 31 which required 35 deliveries. They were the only two to pass 20 as left-arm spinner Zahir Khan weaved a web around the Tridents batsmen to end with three for 20 from his four overs.(BT)

There are 106 days left in the year Shalom!  Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for your daily news. #thechasefiles #dailynewscaps #bajannewscaps #newsinanutshell

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The Chase Files Daily Newscap 5/19/2019

Good MORNING  #realdreamchasers! Here is The Chase Files Daily News Cap for Sunday 19th May 2019. Remember you can read full articles for FREE via Barbados Today (BT) or Barbados Government Information Services (BGIS) OR by purchasing by purchasing a Sunday Sun Nation Newspaper (SS).

ON RIGHT PATH, SAYS ECONOMIST – Barbados is on the right economic path, says visiting American economist Dr Linda Tesar. However, Tesar, who is the Central Bank’s 2019 Distinguished Visiting Fellow, cautioned that the country remained vulnerable to “external shocks”, including the escalating trade war between the United States and China. In an interview with the Central Bank’s chief of corporate communications Novaline Brewster on Friday, Tesar also said Barbados needed to have its “domestic house in order” to ensure it could meet commitments to foreign commercial creditors. “From what I have read, it really seems that Barbados is taking the right steps and, of course, working with the [International Monetary Fund] to make sure that the international community is also in agreement that these are the right steps,” said the professor of economics at the University of Michigan.  (SS)

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES MEASURES TO CURB BAD BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOLS – Prime Minister Mia Mottley tonight announced a slew of measures aimed at improving the conditions in schools, making them more conducive to teaching and learning. They were agreed upon following a closed door meeting with officials in education, the teachers' trade unions and other stakeholders at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw, who has been receiving cancer treatment in the United States, flew home for the intervention. Mottley said while the near ten-hour meeting would not solve the issues in one go, they set out measures to guide officials. Among the measures agreed upon, Mottley said, would be to save the 500 most vulnerable families across the island.  Social workers, the schools and those in the criminal justice system would identify the at-risk families and interventions would be made at the level of the Welfare Department, Child Care Board, Ministry of Youth and the Ministry of Small Business, among others. Addressing violence in schools will be another step. The Prime Minister said children had to understand life was about choices, but choices had consequences. She said there would be “zero tolerance” to violence. As a result, the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) and the Royal Barbados Police Force will step up joint patrols around the problem schools, along the routes the children travelled and in the bus terminals. Millions of dollars have been allocated in the Budget to not only upgrade the physical plants, but also put some of these programmes in place. In addition to the Government officials, there were also representatives from the Barbados Association of Principals of Public Secondary Schools (BAPPS), the Association of Public Primary School Principals (APPS), the Barbados Union of Teachers and the Barbados Secondary Teachers Union.  (SS)

MORE MONEY TO SPRUCE UP SCHOOLS – Over the next few months, schools will undergo a major spruce-up. Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced last night that Government would make a few million dollars available for a school improvement and repairs programme over the summer holidays. She was addressing the media following a near ten-hour meeting with officials in education, the teachers’ trade unions and other stakeholders at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. The Prime Minister said the Primary School Summer Programme would now receive $5.5 million, instead of the $3.5 million originally voted in the Estimates. (SS)

ALLEYNE IS NEW PRINCIPAL AT BCC – There’s a new principal at the helm of the Barbados Community College. She is Annette Alleyne, a Barbadian educator with over 30 years’ experience at the tertiary and secondary levels. Alleyne took up her new duties on May 3, this year, and is now leading the oldest community college in the region. She holds a Masters in Education from Miami University; a Diploma in Education (Dist.) from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill; and a BSc. in Chemistry and Biology (Hons), from UWI, Cave Hill. For the past 19 years, she has been part of the faculty of the BCC, where she served as a Chemistry Tutor; Chemistry Coordinator, Tutor 1; and more recently, Senior Tutor in the Division of Science. Alleyne spearheaded a number of fund-raising initiatives, as well as innovative practices in the delivery of science education, infused with an interdisciplinary approach to learning. Prior to joining the Barbados Community College, she taught at Queen’s College and at a secondary school in Bermuda, where she also served as Vice President of the West Indian Association of Bermuda. Alleyne believes that varied interests and competence in a range of disciplines fuel a creative approach to problem-solving. She is the author of textbooks in Chemistry; has acted as both examiner and assistant examiner for the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), and also served as a member of the Regional Review Panel for CXC Chemistry. Alleyne has also authored children’s storybooks and has been the writer, producer and director of stage plays, screen plays, skits, sketches and monologues, which have won national awards, inclusive of a NIFCA gold award for film. She is currently the director of the multimedia production company GR8T GIRL, and has been an administrator for a number of associations and enterprises in the performing arts, sports and tourism. (BGIS)

TREE PLANTING PROJECT GETS BOOST  - The Walkers Institute for Regenerative Research Education and Design (WIRRED), a local non-profit organization that focuses on improving communities and the natural environment by supporting a range of ecosystem services, has received a major boost from the Cable & Wireless Charitable Foundation (CWCF). The grant will assist WIRRED to achieve the goal of one of its major projects to plant 285,000 trees in Barbados, or ‘One Tree for Every Bajan’. The project is geared towards building communities and stronger ecosystems in the wake of threats from natural and manmade hazards. The CWCF was established by C&W Communications (C&W), the parent company of Flow and C&W Business, in the aftermath of the devastating hurricanes of 2017. Since then, CWCF has been partnering with organisations across the region to help with recovery and sustainability programs. This latest donation of US$100,000 to WIRRED is a continuation of this regional commitment. In addition to the cash donation, the partnership will also leverage the communications assets of Flow and C&W Business to help create a sense of urgency around the need to protect and rehabilitate the island’s natural resources. “Partnerships with the private sector are critical to development at the local, national and regional levels, and WIRRED’s partnership with C&W is a perfect example of the key role that the private sector can play in stewarding environmental consciousness and responsibility,” said Kiesha Farnum, Managing Director, WIRRED. “We are proud to partner with the CWCF and Flow as we work towards connecting and reconnecting individuals, communities and organisations to their environment in Barbados and the wider region.” The partnership with WIRRED also coincides with Flow’s recent announcement of a market-leading approach for consumers to create moments that “Move Us Forward” through its new triple-play bundles. “This is a doubly special moment for us as we continue to find new and exciting ways to delight our customers while demonstrating our commitment to national development,” said Marilyn Sealy, Senior Manager, Communications, Southern Caribbean, Flow. “We are proud to support the important work of WIRRED as we demonstrate our commitment to move ‘Upward and Onward’ in our investments, our customers and the broader community.” WIRRED is committed to enhancing the ecosystem to help communities adapt and be resilient in the face of climate change and is currently managing ‘The Walkers Quarry Regeneration Project’ by actively returning quarried areas to ecological health as operations come to a close at the site in St. Andrew.  (BT)

WATER BILLS DELAYED FOR MAY – The Barbados Water Authority has advised that there has been a delay in the preparation of the water bills for the month of May. This delay is due to necessary upgrades which were made to the authority’s Customer Information System. As a result, customers may receive their bills after the payment due date, and are advised to settle these balances as soon as possible. Customers with a brought forward balance on their account, or those following a payment agreement should pay their bills promptly to avoid disconnection. Persons may visit the Customer Service Centre at the Pine headquarters, The Pine, St. Michael, to make enquiries and payments. Bill queries may also be directed to 434-4292, between 8:30 a.m. and 12 midnight every day. Water bills may also be paid at SurePay, all branches of the Republic Bank (Barbados) Ltd., the Barbados Public Workers Cooperative Credit Union Ltd. and all post offices. Online payments may be made via the Bank of Nova Scotia, First Caribbean International Bank and the Royal Bank of Canada. The authority wishes to thank customers for their patience and understanding. (BT)

CARICOM MUST UNIFY TO RESIST IMPOSITION OF OAS BOSS – Readers of this commentary, particularly those in small countries, might wonder why they should be concerned about who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of any multilateral or international organisation. It could be claimed that the disposition of the person holding such an office is far removed from the existence of people who are focused on the necessities of living and improving their lives. They would be wrong to dismiss interest in the holders of these positions. Caribbean small states are already marginalised in the world with little account being taken of the significant threats posed to their well-being. Among those threats are climate change, global warming, exclusion from access to concessional funds for development, very poor terms of trade, increasing erosion of their sovereign rights over matters such as the rate of taxes they charge and the incentives they offer to businesses so as to remain globally competitive in the industries that provide employment and the opportunity for ownership. In this context, it is vitally important to people in small and vulnerable countries that the CEO’s of inter-governmental organisations are persons with a commitment to reducing poverty, advancing economic development, improving access to education and training, and promoting international arrangements that allow developing countries to compete in the global community. It is also important that such CEO’s be genuinely interested in safeguarding human rights, protecting citizens from abuse by governments, and upholding democracy and freedom of expression. These are the qualities that heads of multilateral and international organisations should possess if they are to serve the interests of the global community, particularly the people of small and vulnerable nations. Inevitably, however, governments of larger and more powerful countries dictate the persons who end up in these positions. These governments select candidates who serve their interests, and using their greater financial resources and capacity to pressure others, they ensure their appointments. In the cases of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, the European Union and the US have long since arrogated the posts of heads of these organisations to themselves through an understanding between them that the US will hold the headship of the Bank and the Europeans the headship of the Fund. Invariably, the holders of these posts are then in thrall to their patrons and, over the decades of the existence of the two organisations, few of them have strayed far from the positions of their sponsors. There are only a few organisations in which Caribbean countries have a genuine opportunity to influence who is elected as their chief executive. The Organisation of American States (OAS) is one of them. Repeatedly, I have called for the 14 member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), that are also members of the OAS, to nominate one suitably qualified Caribbean candidate for the post of Secretary-General or to agree on a non-Caribbean person who would be mindful of the importance of Caribbean interests. It is alarming that, counter to all electoral arrangements that have ever been instituted for the election of the OAS Secretary-General, certain governments are busy promoting the idea that, at the OAS General Assembly in Colombia in June, 18 countries should force through the re-election of the incumbent, Luis Almagro, for a second term – one year before such an election is due, and for which no proper arrangements have been made. This process is usually called “rigging”. Such an action would be as unprecedented as it would be wrong. A forced re-election of Mr Almagro, one year before an election is due, would be highly improper. But, it could be done. The rules allow for the nomination of a candidate up to the morning of the day an election is held. And, if, as has been the recent experience, 18 countries vote to hold such an election at the General Assembly in June, it can be done. In this way, any possibility of an unprepared CARICOM nominating a single Caribbean candidate or coalescing behind an approved non-Caribbean candidate, would be scuttled. The decision of the 18 would prevail, and the interests of the Caribbean and the Caribbean people would be swept aside. That is why Caribbean people should be interested in this matter, and in the position that their governments take. The behaviour of Mr Almagro as Secretary-General of the OAS has left much to be desired. He is a very bright and clever man, and with a different attitude, he might have served well the OAS and all its member states. But, instead of ending divisions by building bridges between states and working to garner consensus within the organisation, Mr Almagro has become a divisive figure. Further, his disregard for the Permanent Council which consists of the representatives of governments, and his readiness to pronounce his own strongly held views in the name of the OAS, have compromised the organisation, depriving it of a role in resolving conflicts within member states of the organisation and between them. Additionally, the Caribbean has suffered under his stewardship through the absence of any advocacy on his part to maintain funding for Caribbean programmes. Beyond the necessity for a challenge to him, given his record, his forced re-election by any foisted process would leave the OAS in tatters. It may even cause some member states to reassess the value of their continued membership of an organisation which is ruled by the will of a simple majority and the officers they impose. For previous elections of a Secretary-General, including Mr Almagro’s own election, the Permanent Council of the OAS put rules and procedures in place. Amongst those rules were that a date for elections would be set by the Permanent Council and member states would nominate candidates who would make public presentations to the Organisation on their proposals and initiatives prior to the elections. It has never been envisaged, as is being done now by some governments, that the preparation for elections of the Secretary-General would not follow established rules and that a fully democratic process would not be adopted. CARICOM states will have to assert themselves immediately in the OAS in nothing short of full regional solidarity and unity to insist on a Permanent Council meeting that sets the rules for the elections on a democratic and consensus basis. Anything less than full CARICOM unity will hurt the region’s interests. (The writer is Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own.) (BT)

TAXI OPERATORS GETTING SHORT END OF THE STICK – President of the Bridgetown Port Taxi Co-Op Society Ltd Adrian Bayley says taxi operators at the island’s sole seaport are getting the short end of the stick. Speaking with members of the media at the association’s beach clean-up at Holetown Beach on Saturday, Bayley said taxi operators were receiving 20 per cent of the business from cruise arrivals, leaving them at a disadvantage. “They have cut into a large proportion of our work. These coaches are directly involved in day-to-day tours of Barbados [and] they are still doing the transfers to and from the airport,” Bayley said. He noted that in 2003 the percentage of coaches to taxi operators providing transportation services was 60:40, however, it’s dramatically changed with coaches providing 80 per cent of the transportation services at the seaport and airport. He stated that the unfair divide has resulted in intense competition between members and non-members of the association and taxi operators offering innovative tour packages to visitors. “We created a basic niche where we would have offered ten passengers or 15 passengers in a ZM vehicle to do an island tour, shopping, and beach,” Bayley revealed. He also went on to suggest that sunset tours packages were lucrative and ought to be explored by more taxi operators as a means to survive. Bayley said the Bridgetown Taxi Co-op Society is attempting to get the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport to “get back a percentage of the work that is owed to us”. Forty members of the Bridgetown Port Taxi Co-op Society Ltd participated in the inaugural beach clean-up this morning. Taking note of the debris and overgrown foliage at the West Coast attraction, Bayley stated that the island’s tourism product was being compromised. Describing the environs as “rustic”, Bayley said, “It makes no sense for persons coming to Barbados and go to a filthy beach”. Trevor Prescod, Minister of Environment and National  Beautification called for Barbadians to emulate the taxi operators and create a greener environment. “We need to have people all across the country, groups, churches, organizations all across the country contributing in this way, in an effort to improve the quality of our physical environment [and] helping to develop a green environment,” Prescod stated.  (BT)

A FAMILY DISEASE – Katrina Alleyne has been living in pain for many years. Actually, she would tell you that her body is growing tired of that intense pain that sometimes causes her to be hospitalized for weeks, as extremely strong medication is pumped into her body. Katrina often wishes for the day to come when she would get some ease from the painful disorder that affects her reproductive organs. Twenty years ago, the 37-year-old was diagnosed with endometriosis. “Sometimes I don’t think people understand the magnitude of the pain I am in. Sometimes I am hospitalized for weeks with this pain. You are in so much pain that you can’t work. I used to miss so many days of work that I had to start working for myself. I can’t plan my life. “One minute I may be planning to go out and enjoy myself, but the next minute I might be in so much pain that I have to cancel the plans. So you don’t only suffer from physical pain, but you also suffer from that pain of uncertainty. Endometriosis is a serious disease. Sometimes people don’t believe you when you tell them what you go through, but my motto is I am not ‘ovary’ acting,” Katrina said, as she outlined some of the effects of living with endometriosis. Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue that is similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other places in the body. These patches of tissue are called implants, nodules, or lesions. They are most often found on or under the ovaries, on the fallopian tubes, behind the uterus, on tissues that hold the uterus in place, on the bowels or bladder. In rare cases, the tissue may grow on the lungs or in other parts of the body. The condition is most commonly diagnosed in women in their 30s and 40s. But it can affect any female who menstruates, often leading to infertility. Laparoscopic surgery is the only way for a woman to know for sure that she has endometriosis. Katrina, who is known to have one of the more severe endometriosis cases in Barbados, has had many surgeries. Yes, Katrina’s journey with the condition has been a long road that she is still travelling on. Recently, the young woman with the bubbly attitude sat down with Health TODAYto share what she has been doing to cope with the condition, and also how she has been educating Barbadians about the disease. Katrina made it clear that despite the pain, she was not giving up on the fight. “Everybody says that endometriosis is a woman disease, but honestly, endometriosis is a family disease because it affects families, it affects relationships and from experience, I know it can make you lose partners whether you are married or in a serious relationship. “Sometimes families don’t understand how it is affecting you. Sometimes they are not educated enough to understand why you are always sick, why sometimes you don’t want to have sexual intercourse because some people have it in the vaginal cavity. They don’t understand that sometimes you are in so much pain it is difficult for you to even think,” she said. Endometriosis can also have a detrimental impact on a woman’s life, Katrina who operates a bar at her St Philip home pointed out. It causes some women to feel invaluable, and may even hurt her self-esteem, she added. “And then you may have a partner that tells you some of the most derogatory things as a woman. Some women can’t have children so you know you would hear ‘oh, you can’t get pregnant’, and things that make you feel less of a person. For me, after having a partner for 17 years, I would not say everything was perfect, but sometimes situations turn beautiful things into disasters,” she said. “But what I would say is there is hope out there. I used to always see endometriosis as a curse and one of the reasons why things didn’t work out for me. But I believe it is a blessing because I get to help so many women in Barbados with the condition. I help from teenagers to middle-aged people,” Katrina added. Katrina is the president of the Katrina Endometriosis Fund Association of Barbados, a registered entity formed to educate the public of this incurable disease, and to help those living with it survive day-to-day struggles that make them sometimes want to let go of hope, and in some cases, even life. The Association has done many outreach programmes, including fundraising events, seminars and empowering lectures. Her Endo project at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) provides women with packages containing personal hygiene items. “My slogan is always ‘giving up is not an option’. For me, if you give up, it means you have let endometriosis dictate how you want to live your life. I know sometimes you can’t do everything, but just believe in yourself. If you have a key support system sometimes the major things in life seem so simple that you can just snap your fingers and have everything fixed. “My family is there for me. But there are women who have no one to lean on, no one to depend on, and they need help. Once I know of these women, I try to be there for them,” she said. The endo warrior believes that the island’s healthcare system is doing its best with the resources it has, to care for women who live with the disease. But she believes that more can be done to support the medical needs of women who have endometriosis. Katrina is looking forward to the day when the QEH introduces a rapid response centre for endometriosis patients who rush there seeking relief from severe pain. “Most people would have gone to other doctors before they go to the hospital. Sometimes you go to the doctor and you are thinking that the drips the doctor gives you are going to work. “But then the doctor has to call the ambulance to take you to the hospital because the pain is not subsiding. The pain has to be addressed urgently. Therefore, we need proactive solutions for the pain on arrival at the QEH.” Katrina recently received the Endo Hero Award 2019, at this year’s EndoFest hosted by the Yellow Cape Endometriosis Association, in New York. “I am very proud of this accomplishment. I would have been chosen from a long list of women from across the world. It means that the work I am doing here is valued. I want to thank all those who assist the worthy cause,” she said, assuring that Barbados and the world can expect great achievements from her Association. Endometriosis has no cure, but its symptoms can be managed. (BT)

MUM’S GREIF – A cricket ball which was hit for six has left a young mother grieving the death of her baby. Odeoinger Cunningham, 24, who was seven months pregnant, said she was struck in the stomach by the ball during a Premier League cricket game at Valery Pasture, Brittons Hill, St Michael, last November. Cunningham was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) where she said doctors told her the baby had received a blow to the head and they had to perform a C-section right away since there was a 50/50 chance that either she or the baby could die. The baby, who was to be named Tadre’s, died the next day at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Six months after that ordeal, which also resulted in Cunningham being placed on the Psychiatric Ward, she is still trying to comprehend the situation. (SS)

WORLD CUP SQUAD UNCHANGED – West Indies selectors are sticking with their original 15-man squad for the World Cup. Cricket West Indies on Saturday announced the final squad days before the deadline to submit teams for the showpiece event slated for May 30 to July 14. Batsman Sunil Ambris and all-rounder Raymon Reifer, however, have been called up as cover for a training camp which starts today in Southampton. They were part of the just concluded Tri-Nation Series in Ireland. Ambris is available as cover for Evin Lewis, who has recently recovered from a viral illness, and Reifer will cover for the bowling group as part of workload management. The four-day camp, involving the entire 15-member squad for the marquee tournament, will include an additional warm-up fixture against Australia, which will be played on May 22 at the Ageas Bowl, the home of Hampshire County Cricket Club.  THE SQUAD: Jason Holder (captain), Chris Gayle (vice-captain), Kemar Roach, Darren Bravo, Andre Russell, Shai Hope, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shannon Gabriel, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Shimron Hetmyer, Fabian Allen, Oshane Thomas, and Nicholas Pooran. (SS)

TWIN SISTERS ON THE RISE – It’s significant to see one pair of twins on a cricket squad, but to see two is simply rare. That was the case when the recent Cricket West Indies Super 50 and T20 Blaze in Guyana saw female cricketers Kycia and Kyshonna Knight and Shai and Shaunte Carrington selected for both Barbados squads. The Knights, 27, are veterans, both having represented West Indies, while the Carringtons, 18, are now emerging. The Carringtons revealed that their love for the sport began after witnessing their brother play the game while they were at Bay Primary School. “Our brother Shaquon Carrington used to play cricket so we wanted to play cricket also. After we started, we actually stopped playing for a little while because we weren’t really getting to play, so we started playing football. But we remained passionate about cricket and in 2014 we started playing consistently again,” said Shai, a wicketkeeper/batsman. Bowling all-rounder Shaunte, the more talkative of the two – she joked it was because she was the first to be born – said passing for the Lester Vaughan School drew them back to the cricket pitch.  (SS)

REGION BETTER OFF KNOWING HAROLD HOYTE – Harold Hoyte’s impact across the journalism landscape was not only felt here in Barbados. The former Editor-in-Chief and later Editor Emeritus was also highly respected across the region. Jamaica’s RJRGleaner Communications Group shared the following tribute. The members of the RJRGleaner Communications Group join the people of Barbados and the wider Caribbean in saluting the life and distinguished contribution given to our media industry by veteran journalist and media owner/manager Harold Hoyte. Harold was a first-class journalist, an excellent media manager, a patriotic Barbadian who was also a true regionalist. He demonstrated his support for democracy through his commitment to a free Press, and his support to journalism development through training and uplifting of media workers. Co-founding THE NATION newspaper in Barbados and ensuring that it remains a bastion of good journalism are more than could have been asked for. His friendship with the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper and Radio Jamaica was strong through his relationship with the Hon. Oliver Clarke and the late J. A. Lester Spaulding of those two respective media organisations. His support for the establishment of the Caribbean School of Media and Communication (CARIMAC), at the University of the West Indies, Mona, has been hailed for many years. We are all better off for having known Harold and will honour him with unbridled support for the things he stood for in our industry. We share our loyal support to his family at this time of personal loss. (SS)

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The Chase Files Daily Newscap 12/14/2018

Good MORNING #realdreamchasers! Here is The Chase Files Daily News Cap for Friday 14th December 2018. Remember you can read full articles for FREE via Barbados Today (BT) or Barbados Government Information Services (BGIS) OR by purchasing by purchasing a Weekend Nation Newspaper (WN).

CORPORATE BARBADOS TO BWA’S RESCUE – Two days after contracting company Innotech Services Limited uprooted the community water tanks it had leased to the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) over millions owed by the utility company, members of corporate Barbados today started pouring in donations of replacement tanks and other materials. It is understood that the state-owned BWA owes Innotech some $18 million accumulated over a 14-month period for the provision of various services, including arrears for the tanks which are leased at $51,000 per month for five years and rental of the headquarters building in the Pine for $1 million a month for 15 years. Chairperson of the BWA Leodean Worrell told a news conference this afternoon she was unusually lost for words to see the overwhelming generosity of Barbadians who had come to the rescue of the residents of water-scarce St Joseph, St Andrew, St John and St Thomas who have been deprived of access to potable water supplies. Unofficial spokesman for corporate Barbados and businessman Hallam Nicholls, who was present at the news conference assured chairperson Worrell, BWA general manager Keithroy Halliday and board member Andrew Dickson that whatever the BWA needs would be supplied. “Yesterday when we got the news that these tanks had been taken, we immediately sprung into action. With me today is Mark Roach from Williams Industries and many other businessmen. They called me to say, look, we want to help. I understand there are 104 tanks owned by Innotech that are leased to the water authority. What I can tell you that all of the tanks or more will be supplied by corporate Barbados. All,” Nicholls declared. He revealed that Mark Maloney, head of construction firm Preconco will supply the concrete for the base on which the tanks must be placed. He said that construction magnate Sir Charles Williams, who is in Argentina called him to pledge his support. “There are too many to mention. But what I can say to you is that whatever the water authority needs to combat this situation will be achieved with the help of corporate Barbados. I think is very unfortunate. As a matter of fact, I am prepared to say it is unpatriotic of Innotech and also insensitive for them at this time, having been the recipient of many contracts from the BWA, to take this action,” the businessman added. Roach, a director of Williams Industries and a top official of sister company H&B Hardware, told the news conference they donated four tanks yesterday and another 12 today. Roach, too, echoed the sentiments of Nicholls regarding the actions of Innotech. “As Mr Nicholls has just said, we realize that this is a very insensitive decision by the people at Innotech. We just felt we had to step forward and I am sure that’s the view of many other people in corporate Barbados,” Roach said. Paul Bridgeman, who represented Jose y Jose Liquid, Solid Waste Management Inc and Project Recycle pledged five water tanks, while Chris Maloney of Automotive Art said his company was giving 12. Like several of his business colleagues, Maloney suggested that the removal of the tanks left a bad taste in the mouth of many. “Barbados is not the place for any of our people to be so disadvantaged, that the safety supply and emergency access to water is not available to them, Christmas of otherwise. Automotive Art is here to pledge its support…we can pledge 10, 11, 12 tanks to the cause,” he assured. President of the Senate and legal luminary Sir Richard Cheltenham was also at the news conference with a cheque to buy five tanks. “The people who are directly impacted by this are people who I have represented for nearly 15 years as their Member of Parliament for the people of St Joseph…some in St Thomas, some in St Andrew, some in St John. All of those areas form part of the constituency of St Joseph, because it is below the average of constituencies in the country,” said Sir Richard. He said he would be “very” unhappy to know he was enjoying his Christmas and these people could not have access to basic amenities such as water. But the support for the state-owned water company did not only come from outside, but within as well. Flanked by members of the BWA’s division of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), spokesman for the employees and president of the division Carl Boyce said they were contributing two tanks. “The staff at the BWA and the BWU through its executive council and our general secretary, we all are onboard in this gesture. And we, both in the union and as staff, are putting out money where our mouths are and we are donating two tanks to help with this exercise, because we also have members of staff in those areas,” Boyce said. While not providing a date, BWA chairperson Worrell informed reporters that the new tanks will be in place as soon as possible.  (BT)

BWA CONTRACT TALKS IN PROGRESS –The Barbados Water Authority (BWA) has started renegotiating its contract with Innotech Aquaserve Ltd for the $44 million headquarters complex. The BWA management revealed it was tied to a contract which would see the authority paying more than $171 million over 15 years before the authority could own the building. “Discussions commenced yesterday (Wednesday) with the Innotech team and the external negotiators appointed by the Government,” BWA chairman Leodean Worrell said on Thursday at the BWA’s Pine, St Michael headquarters. “They are progressing quite well. We have not yet gotten a full report, so at this point in time I can’t exactly indicate where it is, but there are indeed contracts that have to be renegotiated and this one in particular is one that needs to be renegotiated,” she added.  (WN)

COMPROMISE SOUGHT – Innotech Equipment Inc. offered to give up two years’ billings for the Rapid Response Units community tanks stationed in water-scarce areas of Barbados if the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) would pay up on its outstanding debts for 2017 and 2018. The company’s offer was made five months ago in a letter dated August 24, 2018 when its Director Anthony DaSilva also proposed that the new deal take effect at the end of that month once the BWA agreed. The letter of compromise was addressed to the BWA Chairman Leodean Worrell and copied to the BWA General Manager Keithroy Halliday and former Communications specialist Joy-ann Haigh. Innotech, now wrapped in a row with Government over the State’s outstanding debt, would have been giving up close to $1.2 million which represented $51,000 per month for at least 24 months of the initial five-year contract approved under the former Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Government. A copy of the letter obtained by Barbados TODAY and which had as its subject “RRU Community Tanks” also put forward two other conditions of the offer in addition to the requirement that all outstanding invoices for 2017 and 2018 would be paid “as soon as the BWA’s cashflow permits”. The letter also stipulated: “BWA will take possession of the Community Tanks currently remaining out in the field and the community tanks and the associated equipment remains the property of Innotech Equipment Inc. A source close to the situation said this “olive branch” was extended to the BWA in good faith and was the company extending its hand to save the authority and the taxpayers at least some costs. In fact, the August letter stated: “Further to communication between the BWA and Halliday/Da Silva and Worrell, we write to confirm our willingness to put the above captioned in abeyance and to forego any future monthly billings due under the contract as at the end of August 2018.” On Tuesday Innotech, in an apparent attempt to force the authority’s hand on the debt payment, started to remove the community tanks. BWA Chairman Worrell expressed shock at the development and noted that the BWA was “not given a courtesy call,” while adding that several attempts were made to bring Innotech to the negotiation table in recent times but to no avail. When asked today to explain her claim that Innotech was unwilling to negotiate against what appears to be evidence to the contrary, Worrell explained that a correspondence conveying a demand was not negotiating. “You are telling me that you are giving me the tanks that BWA paid $51,000 per month for since 2015 but we must pay up to date when the BWA does not have the money. So that is not a negotiation,” she told Barbados TODAY. She explained that it was imperative that Innotech come to negotiation table to rationalize aspects of the contract. She further noted that among the questions raised about the contract was the reasoning behind ordering 2000-gallon tanks, which were double the cost of the 1000-gallon tank. The tank size posed further logistical problems as the BWA only has one super tanker capable of transporting more than 1200 gallons and this meant that water trucks needed to make two trips to fill one tank. In addition, clarification was needed on certain clauses within the contract as it pertains to exclusivity, she said. “A lot of it did not make sense so we needed to have a sit down. The price difference between a 2000-gallon tank and 1000 gallon is tremendous. There is the fine print that we also need to go through such as the issue of exclusivity because we were essentially being held hostage. So from the time they took up the tanks that in law is repudiation because I would prefer that the water tanks belong to the BWA,” said Worrell. Barbados TODAY also contacted Innotech chairman, Anthony Da Silva, who said “The Innotech Group of Companies has operations and companies in Barbados, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and in Dominica. It is not the habit of Innotech, in the past and it will not be in the present or the future, to comment in the public domain or privately on the confidential affairs between itself and its clients.” Barbados TODAY understands that there have been attempts today to reach some solution to the impasse between the BWA and the equipment company. Chairman Worrell confirmed that talks had started with Innotech on all contracts which she said will be renegotiated, particularly the one involving the tanks. “Discussions commenced yesterday with the Innotech team and the external negotiators appointed by the Government. They are progressing quite well. We have not yet got a full report, so at this point in time I cannot say exactly where it is. But there are indeed contracts that have to be renegotiated…this one in particular is one that needs to be renegotiated,” the BWA chair said.  (BT)

IN THE RED – The state-owned Barbados Water Authority (BWA) said today it is facing a deficit of $10.3 million a month. In making the announcement at a press conference at the BWA’s Pine, St Michael headquarters, general manager Keithroy Halliday attributed this position to a series of contracts which it had entered into over the past several years which did not profit the company. “Suffice to say, the net effect of it has been that the BWA now faces a monthly deficit of about $10.3 million. And this is the result of a number of contracts which we find to be very challenging and which we, over the months, have been trying to move away from and negotiate a position that at least allows all parties to benefit going forward,” Halliday said. He noted that the community water tanks was one of those contracts which gave birth to the rapid response unit at the height of the chronic water outages and shortages experienced by residents in the north and north eastern part of the island. Halliday said the unit was drawn from personnel within the distribution department, but has since been restructured to bring it in line with the company’s strategic intent which is to make sure the authority delivers on its mandate for a safe supply of water and do so in a “complete and holistic way” as far as customer service is concerned. He conceded that the BWA reached a point where it could no longer meet its financial obligations to the contractor who leased the tanks to the water utility. “The simple fact of the matter is that given the challenges the BWA has had and given the fact that we have had to take several hard decisions, one of the areas that would have been impacted would have been the inadequate equipment. We were not able to meet all of the timely payments to the contractor in respect of services delivered…in particular for the community tanks,” the general manager said. He also pointed to the fact that the BWA is required to fork out $1 million a month to pay rent for the next 13 years under a 15-year agreement for the building at the Pine that houses the headquarters. “The arrangement with the building is what we call a lease plus arrangement. There are two components. There is a rental figure of $701,000 a month and then there is a service charge figure that runs between $230,000 and $250,000 a month. So every month conceivably, the BWA has been trying to make a million dollars in payments towards inhabiting this particular establishment,” Halliday lamented. He argued that the water works was earning an average $11 million a month and was waiting on a loan. (BT)

‘NO GAMES’ – Residents of St Joseph have issued a warning to Government and the Barbados Water Authority (BWA): don’t “play games” with their water supply. Amid the ongoing debt standoff with the BWA during which the property management firm, Innotech, removed community tanks from rural districts over unpaid debt, villagers are holding the water utility accountable for any disruption in service. While many have grown accustomed to life without steady running water in the hilly, remote area, the thought of losing their community tanks is an offence for which the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) will not be forgiven. Instead, residents in Chimborazo, Horse Hill and Branchberry, St Joseph say they have entered into a contract with the BWA for the supply of water. Having been reduced to heavy dependence on outdoor tanks, they appear in no mood for excuses. Sobie, an elderly resident of Chimborazo, went as far as saying that he supported the position taken by Innotech, while calling on the BWA to improve its services. “Once they [the tanks] haven’t been paid for, I agree with them [Innotech]. If [BWA] haven’t paid me, then I am withdrawing my services. That is a fact. But so long as I’m paying my water bill, you have to let water come through here [the taps], and if there’s no water coming through my main and coming out of the tap, you don’t get a cent from me. I am different to the other people that like a lot of talk. If I can’t get nothing, you can’t get nothing. Simple as that,” he said. Earlier this week, Innotech took the drastic step of removing its water tanks in an apparent bid to force the BWA’s hand over the debt, which is reported to be at $18 million. The move was met by a defiant Minister of Water Resources, Wilfred Abrahams who said Government will not be bullied over the outstanding debt, while accusing Innotect of breaching its contract with the BWA. But rural residents who spoke to Barbados TODAY were not impressed. “We don’t know about the contracts, nor the nitty-gritty with the tanks. The tanks were a great idea. We weren’t getting any water, but if we could start getting some water through our taps and not from the tanks, we could still pay our bills, because we got water . . . . But you aren’t getting any through your taps, nor through the tank. I am not giving them a ‘yin’, not a ‘yabba’,” said Sobie. Winston Gable, another Chimborazo villager, argued that the supply of water to ‘poor’ Barbadians should not be put in jeopardy by the BWA. “If you’re not getting paid for the uses of the tank, you still have employees to pay . . . we who are paying for water are getting nothing . . . I got little animals and on mornings, you can’t get a bath, you can’t have a cup of water unless you dip it from a bucket, when you are paying for water. It is not good. “said the pensioner, who engages in small farming. “Down by Government House got water. Why must St Joseph and St John always suffer for water?” asked Henderson Cox. At Horse Hill, residents recounted receiving horrifying news that their source of water was in jeopardy. “We woke up on Monday, the water was off, and the water truck came and gave us some water at around 8:15. Then the people from Innotech came and took up the tanks. We assumed they were going to clean them and bring them back, but the people said the tanks weren’t paid for, so they’re carrying away their tanks,” said one man. “The men that moved the tanks showed some remorse. They honestly didn’t want to move it . . . because they understand our situation, but they had to do it, that is their job. Innotech had no right holding us for ransom though. They had no right holding the poor man for ransom,” he added. Those sentiments were shared by businessman James Edgehill, manager of Caribbean Consultants Ltd, who said such a move was not in keeping with corporate social responsibility as he donated 12 water tanks procured from Rotoplastics (Barbados) to the water authority. While the residents are happy to hear that they will have access to water from other tanks, they again appealed to the BWA for a permanent fix to the problem. Krystal Grant, another resident of Horse Hill, said the lack of running water continued to make life difficult, noting that over the past three years, her relatives and neighbors were even forced to endure dry taps on Christmas Day. (BT)

SOUTH COAST FIX APPEARS CLOSER AT HAND – A BREATH OF fresh air should soon be coming to Worthing, Christ Church. Likewise, the days of treated effluent flowing into the sea near the now-closed Worthing Beach from the Graeme Hall Swamp should also soon be a thing of the past. That’s because a Barbados Water Authority team – along with Ward Drilling and Morenco, ably assisted by equipment from C.O.Williams Construction – yesterday laid an 18-inch ductile iron pipe from the treatment plant to the beach. There is three times that length of 16 millimetre thick pipeline already placed outside the reef, and that length again from the beach to the reef already in the sea. The pipeline will be connected to the iron pipe tomorrow, Thursday, December 13, to allow the treated effluent to flow out to sea beyond the breakwater.  (WN)

BHTA CALLS FOR PERMANENT FIX TO SEWAGE PROBLEM – With two days to go before officials complete a temporary fix to the south coast sewage problem, tourism officials are calling for a long-term solution, complaining that the closure of the Worthing Beach has already resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in losses to hoteliers in the area. Minister of Energy and Water Resources Wilfred Abrahams had indicated that officials were working towards a December 15 deadline to have a temporary fix to the ongoing problem, and that a temporary outfall pipe should be functioning by early next week. After the fixes to the force main leading to the Needhams outfall failed about a month ago, officials have been working on the short-term solution from the Worthing Beach area, which resulted in a closure of the beach. However, while welcoming the news of a temporary solution, Chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) Stephen Austin told the association’s fourth quarterly general meeting on Wednesday there was a need for a permanent fix. “Since the closure of Worthing Beach, we have had some members suffering from loss of business of over $60,000 in one month alone. This ongoing situation is a tragedy for any business in the area and we will do all possible to continue to agitate for a permanent solution to this challenge,” he told members gathered at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. He said government has given the assurance that it was actively seeking funding for a permanent outflow that should be in place by September next year if all goes according to plan. However, Austin insisted “We also need to look for a more permanent solution in terms of a tertiary treatment plant and our hope is that government will source the necessary funding in the not-too-distant future. “We support the efforts of the minister and look forward to continued updates from the authorities once this temporary fix is completed,” he said, while thanking the Barbados Water Authority for its recent work in “keeping the sewage off the street”. In March this year, when the problem was more severe, Chief Executive Officer of the BHTA Senator Rudy Grant had revealed then that some of the BHTA members had lost up to $200,000, as visitors fled hotels and other accommodation in the affected areas. Without naming the properties, Grant had said a survey in December 2017 and again in February 2018, revealed a “higher level of cancellations” during that period. Member of Parliament for Christ Church South Ralph Thorne has vowed to put pressure on the BWA to quickly rectify the sewage issue affecting the Worthing Beach which is in his constituency. Officials have already indicated that immediately after the mitigating fixes were completed, rehabilitation of the swamp should take place. This would include flushing the swamp’s effluent into the sea. (BT)

GAIA TO OFFER WORKERS SHARES – Workers at the Grantley Adams International Airport Inc. (GAIA) are being offered the opportunity to become shareholders in an arrangement which will also see the airport being run by a concessionaire. In a meeting with the workers on Wednesday, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley revealed that significant infrastructural work was on the way for the airport and Government was in talks with the private sector arm of the World Bank, called the International Finance Corporation, and about to conclude an agreement. She disclosed that the proposed structure, which was yet to be formally approved by Cabinet, would allow Government to retain ownership of the airport, while issuing a concession to “an outside entity that will be bid internationally”. She said this was being done to allow for significant expansion of the airport, including the addition of just under 30 000 square metres in order for Barbados to become “the hub of choice for the southern cone”. (BGIS)

SUTHERLAND BACKS VENDORS – A Cabinet Minister has apparently broken with his own ministerial colleagues on the decision to curtail the vending at the Grantley Adams Memorial School, even as he announced a national policy aimed at encouraging the sale of more nutritious options to children. Breaking his silence this morning on the issue, which captured national attention last month, Minister of Small Business Dwight Sutherland blamed instead the school’s administrators and sided with the vendors. He described as unreasonable the barring of vendors from selling on the school’s compound – a decision that was backed by the Ministry of Education. But the commerce minister contends that there is more than enough room for the school canteen and vendors to exist harmoniously. The decision led to a protest by students and staff during a two-week standoff. The stalemate quickly gained national attention, leading the Barbados Association of Retailers, Vendors and Entrepreneurs (BARVEN) to demand the Prime Minister’s intervention. Sutherland said the new initiative is intended to prevent another crisis by embracing the vendors and widening the healthier choices available to students, as Barbadian authorities with a rising epidemic of childhood obesity and related health issues. “The vendors now have to get on board with the nutritional value of vending, the minister told journalists. “So as opposed to eliminating, we have to integrate and make sure that they [vendors] provide nutritional value to the students. We have the space for all of them and the Minister of Education, Santia Bradshaw, and I have spoken about it. So I know that she has a plan, which will be executed with the help of BARVEN shortly. So we won’t see anymore challenges around the issue of school vending because we recognise that it is part of our culture.” he stressed. Sutherland, drawing on his own experience as a high school student, said: “I don’t think that one canteen can serve all of the students at a school, it is impossible. I went to [The] Lodge School and I bought number of my hamcutters, cheesecutters and drinks from the vendors because some days the lines in the canteens were so long that it would take half-an-hour to be served. So in order to maximise my recreational time I had to go to the vendors on the outside,” said Sutherland, who spoke to reporters following a walk-through of the Swan Street shopping strip on Wednesday. Last month, Grantley Adams students were locked in the school’s compound to prevent them from patronizing vendors on the outside during their breaks. At one stage police were called in to remove the vendors. Among the reasons cited was the competition that the vendors were posing to the canteen. After acting Minister of Education Senator Lucille Moe supported the decision, it took an intervention by Education Minister Santia Bradshaw to finally resolve the impasse, granting access only to the longest-serving vendor while others had to apply to the school board for permission. But the minister said that the argument of unfair competition did not hold water, as both business entities have shared the same customer base for decades. “This existed for years and I have never heard of school canteens not making money. I know these are tough economic times and people have to hold but my belief is that there is economic space for everyone at the schools. When you look at Grantley Adams, there were people who were working there for eons. So you can’t now tell me now that you are not making profit at this time when you were making profit before,” he argued, noting that in his experience vendors and canteen operators often existed harmoniously for the students’ benefit. (BT)

FAIR TAX – A veteran businessman hopes government would start charging Value Added Tax (VAT) on online transactions at least by April next year, to create a level playing field for local businesses. Managing Director of major swan street store, Abed’s and former Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Eddy Abed was responding to news that implementation of the tax would be postponed for the third time this year. On this occasion, the delay is due to Government’s urgent need to meet the December 31st deadline to pass legislation for the convergence of local and international tax rates to bring them in line with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) initiative, amid threats of sanctions. The disappointed businessman said while he understood government’s rationale for again pushing back the date from December 15th, the tax needed to be introduced sooner rather than later, to ensure fairness in the local market. “This clearly is competition that has gone on for too long without being on a level field. So I look forward to it. I think it’s important that we do it sooner rather than later, but equally I want to make sure that the mechanism is fair for all and that there is absolute clarity so there is no ambiguity,” he said. Abed also told Barbados TODAY that while he was eager to see the tax finally implemented, he wanted it to be rolled out in a sensible manner. “What we are keen to see is that the tax is implemented in a manner that is without any obstruction or any ambiguity, so that business flows. We’re still unsure as to the mechanism that government will use to collect VAT on these purchases and we would’ve liked the opportunity to discuss this with the ministry of finance in particular. Of course it must be done in a manner that will ultimately assist the brick and mortar businesses that are paying VAT, paying staff, paying overheads in Barbados,” said Abed. Indicating that government’s decision to implement the tax so late in the year, would have allowed shoppers to take advantage of Christmas shopping online before the December 15th implementation date. Abed said he hoped it could be applied well before Crop Over. “People would gear up for Crop Over perhaps two months before, so in my mind it would be somewhere around April this should be implemented, at the start of government’s new financial year. “I cannot see any advantage to implementing it in the next three months. I’d love to see it implemented for the reasons I have explained…but the reality is that you’ve missed the largest selling period,” said Abed. The businessman also dismissed as a “red herring”, a recent argument that the online tax would bring hardship to the country’s small businesses. “The discussion needs to be about right versus wrong, not big versus large. We can no longer sit idly by, when our country is in such terrible financial woes, and accept that small businesses, and I am not clear what a small business is, can import goods without paying the necessary VAT and duties. That’s just unacceptable.  If you’re going to operate in the retail industry in this country, then all businesses need to operate on a level playing field,” he said. In fact, he argued that small businesses were in some cases better equipped to absorb the cost of VAT, than larger ones. “The advantage a small business has over a larger business is that they have less overheads, and they are extremely nimble. Larger businesses have to put in orders three to six months prior to getting delivery…If it is an item that is fashionable, it may go out of fashion, and you are stuck with it. So there are advantages and disadvantages of both, but frankly an advantage of a small business cannot be that it has the opportunity to import without paying VAT. That is just unacceptable,” he said. (BT)

CONMAN PREYING ON SENIORS –The elderly are being warned to be on their guard against a well-dressed swindler prowling a St Michael district. Flagstaff, St Michael residents are on alert for a middle-aged man targeting mostly elderly people and tricking them into giving him money. The man convinces them he is either a relative or a friend of a relative and needs a loan for various reasons before disappearing with the cash. It appears he asked around the neighbourhood for information on his next victim before striking. The police have been notified about the scam, and Minister of Elder Affairs Cynthia Forde has condemned it.  (WN)

FIRE GUTS HOME IN HARTS GAP – A Guyanese family is now devastated after their home in Harts Gap, Christ Church was completely destroyed by fire. Roopchand Gopaul and the two female occupants were not at home when the fire started in the insured wooden structure owned by Mohammed Adams. Two water tankers and 11 fire officers from the Worthing and Bridgetown divisions of the fire department responded to the blaze just after 10 a.m. This is the second fire to occur in the Christ Church area in a week. Last Wednesday fire officers responded to a mysterious blaze at Ice Complex, Hastings Christ, Church which impacted four businesses housed in the building. Barbados TODAY spoke to neighboring residents of Harts Gap who said they heard a “hissing” coming from the home before seeing the house ablaze. One neighbor said he took measures to try to safeguard his family home by throwing water on the galvanize. Another neighbor told Barbados TODAY that when he arrived at his residence located a few yards away from the burning structure, the firemen had brought the blaze under control. Police were still on site when the Barbados TODAY team left the area just after midday. Police investigations are still continuing. (BT)

YARDE ON DRUG CHARGES – Roderic Al Yarde was granted bail on a drug charge yesterday, but he still has to face even more serious drug matters in the District ‘F’ Magistrates’ Court. Yarde, 56, of Mellows Hill, St Joseph, denied having cannabis in his possession on December 11, when he appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court yesterday. Magistrate Douglas Frederick released him on $2000 bail and ordered him to return to court on May 29, 2019. However, Yarde is also facing the additional charges of trafficking, supplying and cultivating cannabis on the same date. Those offences allegedly took place in St Joseph and will be heard in the District ‘F’ Magistrates’ Court. (BT)

$10,000 BAIL FOR VINCENTIAN – After spending three months on remand, a Vincentian walked down the steps of the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court today with his adoptive mother after being granted bail. Curtis Bernard Bute will be enjoying Christmas on the outside after he was released from HMP Dodds on $10 000 bail by Magistrate Douglas Frederick. The 48-year-old Bute of Holders Land, Brandons, St. Michael had been on remand since September, facing charges that he had intended to maim, disfigure or disable Deque Gittens and Devere Gittens to do them serious bodily harm on September 15, 2018. His attorney Rhea Layne, in her bail application said her client was willing to give up his passport and was also applying to have his status regularized. Once Bute’s passport was produced and prosecutor Station Sergeant Carrison Henry informed the court that the two virtual complainants were recovering from their injuries, the magistrate granted him bail, but not before issuing him a warning. “If you see them on the road, cross over to the other side. You also need to make sure that you sort out your status with Immigration,” Frederick said. Bute is scheduled to return to court on May 30, 2019. (BT)

PRISON TIME FOR DRUG TRAFFICKER – A female drug mule who was caught twice in three months trying to bring illegal drugs into Barbados will spend the next three years incarcerated at HMP Dodds. The sentence was handed down to 29-year-old Laurel Charles of 1st Avenue, Rockley, Christ Church, by Magistrate Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell, when she appeared in the District ‘F’ Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. Charles, who was represented by Romain Marshall, had earlier pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis, as well as trafficking, importing and intending to supply the drug on December 9, 2018. She was sentenced to three years for trafficking and convicted, reprimanded and discharged on the other offences. In giving the facts, prosecutor Station Sergeant Glenda Carter-Nicholls said Charles left Barbados on December 5 and returned four days later on December 9 on a LIAT flight from St Marteen. She arrived at the Grantley Adams International Airport around 6:44 p.m. and cleared Immigration, but was checked by Customs officers. The search turned up 17 black packages containing vegetable matter in a false bottom of her suitcase. The drugs weighed 7.6 kilograms and had an estimated street value of $33,000. The prosecutor revealed that Charles had been given a 12-month suspended sentence for two years for similar offences on September 20, 2018. That sentence will run concurrent to the three-year sentence. (BT)

JOBLESS MAN STEALS GUINNESS – A recently-retrenched Government worker was so stressed out that he walked into a supermarket, took up four bottles of Guinness and walked out without paying. That proved to be a costly error for Neil Linton as he was remanded to HMP Dodds after he could not find a surety to sign his bail. When he appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court today, the 40-year-old of St. Barnabas, St. Michael, guilty to stealing four bottles of Guinness on December 12. The stolen property belonging to Chanell Enterprise Limited was valued at $15.86. The first-time offender told Magistrate Douglas Frederick he had recently been laid off from the Barbados Water Authority (BWA), where he had worked for two and a half years. “I have been under a lot of stress since being laid off from the BWA. What I did was a stupid and a foolish thing,” Linton admitted. “I am very sorry and it was foolish of me. I apologized to the manager at the supermarket and I am apologizing to this court.” The puzzled magistrate then asked Linton how stealing the Guinness would have helped his cause. “I only went for one, but the other three came along,” was Linton’s response. “Came along? I’ve never seen Guinness walk before,” Frederick quipped. He then asked Linton if he had someone to sign his bail. However, after making several phone calls, Linton was unable to secure a surety which resulted in him being remanded until Tuesday. The court heard from prosecutor Station Sergeant Carrison Henry that Linton went into the Chanell’s supermarket on Collymore Rock, walked around and left. He returned later that evening and was kept under observation by a security guard. He was seen going into the section where the hams were kept before moving on to the section where the Guinness was located. Linton was then seen taking up the beverages and putting them in his pants pockets. He proceeded to exit the supermarket but the guard shouted and alerted the manager, who stopped Linton as he attempted to leave and the drinks were found in his pants pockets. (BT)

CHARGE AGAINST EX LOVER DISMISSED – A dispute between two former lovers which resulted in one party being charged was dismissed on Wednesday when the complainant had a change of heart. Rondell Trotman, 36, of Forde’s Road, St Michael, had been charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend Jamelia Daley on December 11. But when he appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Douglas Frederick, Daley said she no longer wanted to proceed with the matter. After Frederick read the charge to Trotman as he stood in the dock, before he could get a chance to reply, Daley, the mother of his three-year-old baby asked to speak. “We had a dispute, but I don’t want any charges filed against him,” she told the magistrate. It left Frederick with little choice but to dismiss the matter. (BT)

HUSBANDS SET FOR SECOND SURGERY – Marquee Barbadian jockey Patrick Husbands needs another surgery in order to make a full recovery from a broken pelvis suffered during a fall in Toronto last month. The 45-year-old underwent a successful first surgery but told Barbados TODAY, that despite his improvement, there was a remaining issue which would require a small operation. Also, Husbands said he was battling severe nerve pain in his leg which now needed to be corrected, and was due to have a consultation with doctors shortly. “From the fall I still need to have surgery behind it. I still need one more surgery,” Husbands said in a telephone interview. “I was looking forward to coming to Barbados on January 30th and now I have an appointment on the 26th of January to tell me the date of my next surgery. I was actually booked [to return home] the 18th of December but unfortunately, I fell down on the fifth of December so I changed my flight. “So I have to wait and see what day they are going to schedule the operation. There are two things that I am battling with — the nerve and the operation. The operation is not a big operation. They told me that in a month’s time I am good to go.” He added: “It is just when I entered the hospital there was a little error that should have been dealt with and I just get an extra month on me because of that. It is unfortunate I have to go back for another surgery and I just have to wait on the date. “But things do happen — no one is perfect. If they [had gotten] the diagnosis right, I would not have to go back for the surgery.” Husbands is Barbados’ most celebrated jockey and one of the leading riders at Woodbine racetrack – Canada’s most prestigious oval. However, his season this year was cut short when he was thrown by three-year-old filly Islay Inlet in the parade ring, resulting in the injury. Husbands said he was now faced with severe nerve pain which doctors were trying to address. “The [first] surgery, everything went smooth, everything went well. I only have two small problems. The left side there is a muscle … I have to go on Monday to get it diagnosed,” Husbands said. “This muscle is very painful so they have me on a lot of medication — plenty medication. Since the five to six weeks with my injury, last week is the first week that I got any sleep since the fall, due to the fact that [I] have this nerve that is bothering me down my leg.” Husbands said he has had difficulty sleeping and in the 28 days he was at Sunny Brook Hospital following his injury, he had hardly slept because of the nerve pain. “That pain was quite severe. I went over to West Point Recovery Home and the first three days they kept me from 9 am to 3 pm. I had to deal with no sleep the rest of the days. I was there for three weeks. Last week Monday, they got it figured out and I got to sleep,” he explained. He continued: “At the end of the day, it is just this nerve that has me. I have to go on Monday for them to figure out what kind of nerve it is and so on. I had two visits which is one visit today (Thursday). “The visit today did not go to well. The visit today I thought it was the prep for the surgery so when I went back he told me to come back on the 26th of January and they will prep me for the surgery. “Which means on the 26th they will run through my body and put me [through] all kinds of tests and then they would tell me what time to come back for the surgery.” Nevertheless, the champion jockey said that he was anxious to return to the irons. “I cannot wait to get back riding. This is all I know; this is all I love; this is all I do. Sitting in a room and looking at the ceiling and you cannot sit on a horse, is very hurtful,” he said. Husbands assured his fans, however, that he would be back in action for the start of the new Woodbine season in April next year. “I would just like to say to all of my fans throughout the whole world to not worry. [I] will be back at opening day at Woodbine Racetrack and it is only these little issues in my off-season and it is amazing how it ended,” he said. “I prayed to God that I would not like to be crippled. I had this feeling from God that if I moved my toes, I would have been cripple. I know a lot of riders in the 34 years I was riding that have gotten crippled.  The Lord was there with me and he did not want to cripple me.” Husbands is one of the most successful jockeys in the history of Woodbine, with 3 285 victories and nearly CAN$160 million in winnings. He was the last jockey to win the fabled Triple Crown in 2003 with the legendary Wando, and was also good enough to win the Queen’s Plate four years ago with Lexie Lou.  (BT)

CERTIFICATE OF CHARACTER OFFICE RELOCATION – The Royal Barbados Police Force wishes to inform the public that the Office of 'The Certificate of Character has been relocated to Central Police Station. The office will be opened from 10:00 am on Thursday, December 13. The Royal Barbados Police Force wishes to thank you for your kind cooperation.  (BGIS)

GLEBE POLYCLINIC CLOSING EARLY TOMORROW -  The public is advised that the Glebe Polyclinic, The Glebe, St George, will close at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, December 14, to allow staff to attend a function. The Ministry of Health and Wellness apologises for any inconvenience the early closure may cause. (BGIS)

MINISTRY OF LABOUR TO CLOSE FOR CLEANING ON DECEMBER 14 – The Ministry of Labour and Social Partnership Relations, Third Floor, Warrens Office Complex, Warrens, St Michael, will be closed for industrial cleaning this Friday, December 14. Members of the public are therefore urged to conduct their business accordingly. It is expected to reopen on Monday, December 17, at 8:15 a.m. The Ministry regrets any inconvenience which may be caused. (BGIS)

‘SIR DON’ GONE – The sudden death of legendary calypsonian and prominent business executive, Sir Don – real name Don Jose Lamont Marshall – has plunged the entertainment community into a state of mourning and shock. Calypso lovers and artistes were jolted Thursday morning as they awoke to the news that the lyrical icon had died in his sleep overnight. The veteran performer and impresario is being remembered for a gift of language and dry wit as an extremely talented writer, composer, recording artiste, calypso analyst and Crop Over Stalwart awardee. He first catapulted into the limelight at the age of 24 in 1963 with his tunes Tax Dodgers and 20th Century Husbands which earned him the Calypso Monarch title in the then Barbados Carnival. He went on to be a four-time calypso king before his last on-stage performance in 1981. A profound presence in the calypso arena, Sir Don devoted more than 50 years of his life to mentoring and sharing his talent with the likes of Romeo, Dr Anthony Mighty Gabby Carter, Colin Spencer and the reigning Pic-O-De-Crop monarch Anderson Mr Blood Armstrong. He penned calypsos for several veteran and junior calypsonians over the years and acted as a judge of the Pic-O-De-Crop competition and Richard Stoute Teen Talent Contest. In an interview with Barbados TODAY, Gabby declared Sir Don as “the real calypso king”, “a musical giant” who held the art of kaiso in high esteem.  Gabby said that he first met Sir Don in 1965 when he started competing in calypso at the age of 17. “He was teaching us how to stand up for standards and quality. All back then he was showing you that you have to respect the art form because back then nobody was respecting the art form,” Gabby recalled. “Don always talked about quality, how to dress well, speak well, look well, have manners, don’t walk about and get drunk. He said ‘They don’t have no choice but to respect you,when you respect yourself’ and that is lesson he gave me – it was a lifelong lesson,” the cultural ambassador added. Sir Don was revered for his entrancing storytelling capabilities, cleverly weaving words into humourous lyrics. Gabby praised his lyrical prowess, describing it as one of a kind. “His style of writing was always about wit and humour. His way of telling a story was unique, different, it was bright, it was special. It had an indelible mark. “Nobody can question Don’s ability to write and his ability to understand calypso,” Gabby commented. Sir Don’s love for calypso was a reflection of his father’s Trinidadian influence. Gabby told Barbados TODAY of Sir Don’s private collection of calypso recordings which was huge and dated back to the 1920’s. He was also a huge fan of Trinidad’s Mighty Spoiler who he imitated during the early years of his career. “Spoiler was the person he admired most because Spoiler was so clever and so brilliant at writing humorous songs,” Gabby recalled. Mr Blood was struggling to come to grips with Sir Don’s death when Barbados TODAY contacted him. For nearly a decade, the lyrical mastermind was the pen behind some of Mr Blood’s songs. “When I first met him I can remember thinking to myself, ‘I have the legend Sir Don in my living room, offering me a song’. We have worked together every year since then. Even when I opted to take songs from someone else he was always there to offer advice. He never gave up on that goal we had of me winning the crown,” Mr Bloodrevealed. Mr Blood referred to his mentor as “a happy spirit that you could not help but to love”. He also reminisced about how Sir Don started referring to him as King Blood years before he won the Calypso Monarch. He was speaking their dreams into existence. “My heart is heavy and I try to hold back the tears. . . I will miss him dearly,” Mr Blood continued. Barbados Ambassador to CARICOM, David Comissiong also praised Sir Don for his contributions to the local calypso scene and the development of island’s young creative talent. Comissiong shared that Sir Don was a familiar face during the Crop Over Festival and the Richard Stoute Teen Talent competition having acted as a judge and a composer. “Without a doubt, Sir Don lived a life of great integrity, purpose and meaning, and made a deep and lasting contribution to the development of his nation and fellow citizens. It is now up to us to ensure that we add additional value and meaning to the life of this extraordinary Barbadian by embracing the wonderful artform of Bajan calypso and positively building upon the brilliant creative foundation that Sir Don did so much to construct for this artform that he loved so much,” said Ambassador Comissiong. The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) issued a statement of condolences to Marshall’s wife and children. The NCF also remembered Sir Don for his sartorial elegance and his boasts about the talents of his longtime tailor in Bridgetown. “He put great store on appearance and presentation and was often sought for advice and guidance by the younger members of the entertainment fraternity. “His charm and wit were legendary and he would deliver the most hilarious of quips with nothing more than a quiet chuckle while the others were bent over with laughter. He was a man of deep and abiding faith who loved life and his country, his family, calypso and the Combermere School in particular,” the NCF statement said. (BT)

For daily or breaking news reports follow us on Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter & Facebook. That’s all for today folks. There are 18 days left in the year. Shalom! #thechasefilesdailynewscap #thechasefiles# dailynewscapsbythechasefiles

[stephaniefchase]

Bajan Newscap 1/7/2017

Good Morning #realdreamchasers! Here is your daily newscap. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Today (BT) or by purchasing a Saturday Sun Newspaper.

 COMBERMERE MYSTER SOLVED - After more than a year of disruptions, the mystery surrounding the foul odour that has permeated the Combermere School compound has finally been solved. Following “an extensive and fairly rigorous” examination, a team of technical specialists has concluded that chemical waste from Science labs, was one of the main reasons behind the pungent smell that forced the school’s closure last November. This was the assurance given to parents and guardians who attended a meeting convened by the Ministry of Education at the school just after 1 p.m. Friday. The research team, made of five Combermere old scholars and headed by Health and Safety Environmentalist Brian Reece, also examined air quality, moisture levels and storage practices at the Waterford, St Michael institution. The group, which also included Chemistry lecturer Dr Leah Garner-O’Neale, civil engineer Greg Parris, industrial hygienist Ian Weekes and occupational physician Dr Euclid Morris, also suggested that inappropriate storage and management of chemicals in the Science block may have contributed to the noxious odours that were noticeable for months. However, parents were assured parents that measures had been taken to prevent a recurrence and that a clean-up initiative was currently in motion. During the meeting, Chief Education Officer Karen Best was adamant that Combermere School would be ready to receive students on Tuesday, saying, “There is no but”. Her comment was met with thunderous applause by parents who expressed concern that teachers were still not fully onboard with the school’s re-opening. In the meantime, the return of teachers will depend on the outcome of a tour of the compound by members of the Barbados Secondary Teachers Union (BSTU) on Monday. Friday, the union met for three hours with officials of the Ministry at its Constitution Road headquarters. Following those talks which ended just after 7 p.m., the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Senator Harry Husbands, expressed optimism that all teaching staff would be present for Tuesday’s reopening. However, BSTU President Mary Redman suggested that the matter was not a done deal. She told reporters that it was the prerogative of the ministry to “open and close schools”. However, she said the final decision on whether teachers return to Combermere would be revealed after their tour on Monday. (BT)

 PARENTS STILL CONCERNED - The gates of Combermere School will swing open bright and early on Tuesday morning. However, whether or not teaching will occur at the Waterford institution may be another matter. That was the concern hundreds of parents of Combermerians had as they packed the Major Noot Hall yesterday afternoon at a just over three-hour meeting with the executive of the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU), teachers, officials of the ministries of Education and Labour and volunteer experts shed no further light on the mystery. But even before the BSTU sets foot on the Waterford compound for the scheduled 10 a.m. tour of the facilities on Monday, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education Senator Harry Husbands made it clear last night that “school is open for business”. (SS)

 BUT & BSTU UNITED - THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION could soon be feeling the full weight of the two teachers’ unions. Coming out of a joint historic meeting at Solidarity House yesterday morning, which saw the two unions meeting as one for the first time since 2005 over the environmental issues at the now defunct Louis Lynch Secondary School, members of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) and the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) resolved to come together to fight several issues, which they have been dealing with separately for quite some time. Speaking to members of the media after the more than three-hour meeting, president of the BSTU, Mary Redman, said they would be joining forces on the issues of compensation for correcting School Based Assignments (SBAs), support for the teachers at the Combermere School and the reinstatement of pay for members of the BUT whose salaries were docked for attending two union meetings last year. (SS)

 MARIA HOLDER TRUST NURSERY OPENS - The first of six nursery schools being constructed by the Maria Holder Memorial Trust opened yesterday morning, providing additional opportunities for early childhood education for Barbadian children. Government representatives joined officials of the Trust for the formal opening of the Maria Holder Nursery School in Gall Hill, Christ Church, a modern, state-of-the-art facility catering to up to 150 students between the ages of three and five. The Gall Hill school is the largest of the six, with the other facilities expected to accommodate between 90 and 120 students. The Trust’s second school will open next Friday in Oldbury, St Philip, and will begin to welcome children at the end of this month. Construction on schools at Government Hill, St Michael; Holders Hill, St James; Sayers Court, Christ Church and Deacons, St Michael will begin between “sometime this year” and next year, with the project set to be completed in 2020, Trust Chairman and co-founder Christopher Holder said. Holder added that by June this year the Trust would have trained about 75 nursery school teachers, including special needs teachers. The trust chairman did not provide the cost for the buildings, being constructed in conjunction with the Ministry of Education. However, the estimated cost has been placed at approximately $2 million each. The Maria Holder Memorial Trust is expected to embark on the development of a nursery school in Antigua and Barbuda later this year, followed by more schools in other regional territories. (BT)

 3 YEAR OLD LEFT ON STEP - A child abandoned on a doorstep earlier this week is in the custody of the state as police investigate the matter. On Tuesday, the Child Care Board (CCB) moved in and took away the three-year-old boy left on the steps of a home in Christ Church. Inspector Roland Cobbler, the police public relations officer, confirmed that they were investigating the circumstances under which the child was found in the district. However, he did not say the nature of the investigations being conducted. The officers from the District “B” Police Station and the child protection agency were summoned to a Fairview, Christ Church address on Tuesday after a woman pulled up in a taxi, dumped the child on the steps and left in the waiting taxi. (SS)

 MISSING WOMAN TRACED - A young woman who was reported missing this week has been traced. Police say Vincentia Isidore has been found and is safe. Isidore 23, of Allmans Road, Checker Hall, St Lucy, was reported missing on Tuesday. In a media release, police thanked the members of the public and the media for their assistance in this matter. (SS)

 PROBLEM CHILD - The grandmother of 28-year-old Jermaine Ricardo Clarke of Bequest, St Philip who was killed shortly before Christmas says he was a problem child. Clarke’s lifeless body was discovered on December 23 lying face down in a grassy area next to a track at Mill Road, Eastbourne, in the same parish. While his death stung his grandmother, she told Barbados TODAY it did not come as a surprise since her grandson had begun to court trouble since his mother’s death a few years ago. “I put him out because I couldn’t stand him, He got very rude and had no respect for his aunt,” said the grandmother who did not want to be identified by name. Speaking frankly about Clarke, the elderly woman explained that even before his uncontrolled behaviour, she had had problems with his mother. “I had eight children and his mother used to give me trouble and I told her two women can’t live in one house. She pack up and she went.” The grandmother is a regular churchgoer and she would often encourage Clarke to attend services with her at the nearby Redemption Ministries. She said after attending on a few occasions, the young man said he had nothing to gain by going to church. “He went on a rare occasion, then his uncle offered to take him to the New Testament Church, [but] after a few weeks of service he told his uncle God ain’t do nothing for he,” she said. Having been asked to leave his grandmother’s home, Clarke went to live with his great grandmother. However, it was not long before she, too, had had enough of him, the senior citizen said. “[The great grandmother] brought back his clothes and tell he she can’t handle him. So he beg me for a chance and I said ‘okay, he is my grandchild’, and I give him a chance.” She said when she was first told Clarke may have been killed, she playfully brushed it off. An emotional grandmother said a relative then informed her that earlier in the month Clarke had been showing off a firearm. It was not known where, or from whom, he had obtained the weapon. “I feel that is what he get kill for,” she surmised. However, the grandmother said her grandson had one good quality. “He was a good electrician. He worked with his uncle, he learnt from his uncle,” she said. (BT)

 WALCOTT STEPPING DOWN - The Barbados Employers’ Confederation (BEC) executive director Tony Walcott is leaving the organisation after serving in that position since May 18, 2009. During his tenure Walcott served on the ACP-EU Follow-Up Committee of the European Economic and Social Committee from 2010 and will continue until October. He was elected to the governing body of the International Labour Organisation as a deputy member for the Employers’ Group for the period 2014-2017. Walcott is retiring on June 30 following a distinguished career in the private sector with major international corporations in both human resources and general management roles. His association with the BEC dates back to the 1980s when he served on the council. President of the BEC, Marguerite Estwick, in commenting on Walcott’s retirement, lauded him for his sterling contribution to the organisation. “Tony has been a conscientious and committed leader within the BEC for four decades. A skilful industrial relations negotiator and knowledgeable advocate for employers, Tony has played a major role in the Social Partnership and the development of new labour legislation. He has also sought to promote professional human resource management practices within the private sector,” she said.  (SS)

 BWA CONFIRM CHANGES - The much-maligned Barbados Water Authority (BWA) has confirmed that changes would be made to the leadership of the state entity. Barbados TODAY Thursday night reported that Acting General Manager Dr John Mwansa would go as part of a major management shake-up. The BWA Friday issued a one-page statement confirming some existing managers would be redeployed to lead or hold new portfolios. It did not identify the top-level posts which would be affected. It made no mention of the fate of Mwansa, who will be replaced by a non-national who was educated here, but currently works in Trinidad and Tobago, according to an official source. The statement also failed to address reports that biochemist and water quality expert Patricia Inniss would take up the newly-created post of manager of waste water, with responsibility for sewage matters. However, it said the BWA had recently received approval for the implementation of a new organizational strategic plan. The state-entity also said it looked forward to improving service to customers through increased engagement and positive collaborations.  (BT) 

VENDORS STILL IN THE DARK - With the January 3, 2017 deadline now expired, vendors who operate at the River terminal say they are still in the dark about their pending relocation. The move, which was originally scheduled to take place last November 6, is to facilitate construction work on Phase 2 of the Constitution River Terminal Redevelopment Project. However, the vendors, who had earlier complained short notice and the likely impact of the move on their businesses, said they were still awaiting word from the Ministry of Transport & Works on its plans for them. A spokesman for the vendors told Barbados TODAY Friday afternoon several attempts had been made to get information from the Director of Transport Alex Linton. However, up to Friday afternoon no official communication had been received on the relocation. (BT)

 PM OUT OF TOUCH WITH POTHOLE CRISIS - Insensitive to say the very least! That’s how the Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) has described Prime Minister Freundel Stuart’s response to what it is calling “Barbados’ pothole epidemic”. Sutherland also accused Minister of Transport & Works Michael Lashley of coming with a “flash-in-the-pan response” to a problem for which there is simply no “quick-fix” solution. However, Sutherland reserved his harshest criticism for Stuart, who suggested during a reception for visitors at Ilaro Court on Wednesday night that the entire pothole situation, which has generated national outrage, had been blown out of proportion since potholes should be viewed as an understandable and expected “inconvenience”. “Clearly he does not find time to travel across Barbados incognito as much as he suggested he does, or he would realize that potholes are more than just an inconvenience to motorists and cyclists,” Sutherland said in response to the Prime Minister. However, Sutherland was adamant that “it can’t be approached in this hot and sweaty manner by minister Lashley, as if he is Rip Van Winkle now waking up to realize that his Government’s eight years of not doing any serious maintenance work on the roads can be erased overnight just by patching potholes.“It can’t work so,” Sutherland insisted. “What the minister needs to do is to get his technical people to examine how the three loans totalling nearly $40 million that Government has been able to secure, which he has made a song and dance about, can be best utilized to rehabilitate the worst potholes’ infected highways and primary roads first,” he said, adding that “the public would likely tolerate this inconvenience, to use Prime Minister Freundel Stuart’s words for potholes, as it would be a long-term solution in their interest”. (BT)

 THIRD PARTY LINE UP - Barbados’ newest political party, Solutions Barbados, is warning that it should not be written off in the next general election due next year. Political Leader Grenville Phillips II has revealed that the party had already confirmed 14 candidates for the poll, all political novices, with a full slate expected by the time Prime Minister Freundel Stuart sets the date. However, Phillips told Barbados TODAY the identities of the candidates would not be released just yet in order to protect jobs, since many of them hold contracts for major Government projects. “I cannot identify the 14 candidates at this time mainly because some have contracts with the Government and they do not want to put their employees at risk. I encourage them to lay low, but when the elections are called then they can disclose their identities,” Phillips said in an interview this week. Phillips, one of Barbados’ leading young businessmen, suggested that proper management of Government departments and agencies would be the first step towards reducing the debt and returning the country to growth. The party had also posted the equivalent of a manifesto, offering solutions to various problems facing the country, including improving governance, the criminal justice system, transportation, education, health care and welfare. Its solution to violent crime, for example, includes a minimum three-year sentence for first offences and a minimum ten-year prison sentence for subsequent offences, as well as fines ten times the value of the offence. The party also promised to privatize the transportation system, although students in uniform and seniors will be allowed to travel free; institute a flat tax of ten per cent of gross income, with one deduction; pay full tuition at the University of the West Indies for those with seven CXC general passes grades I or II) and three CAPE passes for the normal duration of a marketable Bachelor’s degree; remove taxes on healthy foods and impose a health tax on all unhealthy foods.  This, he argued, was within the level of competence of the 30 candidates Solutions Barbados intended to present as alternatives to the established parliamentarians. (BT)

 33 KILLED IN BRAZILIAN PRISON RIOT - At least 33 inmates were killed in a prison riot in Brazil on Friday, officials said, possibly in retaliation after members of a powerful drug gang were targeted in the worst prison massacre in decades that left 56 people dead earlier this week. Several of the dead were decapitated, had their hearts cut out and their bodies burned on a bonfire, the Estado de S.Paulo newspaper reported, citing security officials. State officials said the riot in Monte Cristo, Roraima state’s largest penitentiary, was brought under control by elite police forces. Violence between rival drug gangs in the prison had ended with ten dead in October. At least 93 prisoners have been killed in three separate prison riots this week in Brazil, sparking fears that months of violence between drug gangs who control many of the country’s prisons was spiraling out of control. The top security official in the state of Roraima, Uziel de Castro, speaking on BandNews radio, blamed Friday’s violence at the state-run prison on the Sao Paulo-based First Capital Command (PCC) drug gang, which was targeted in Monday’s massacre at a prison in Amazonas state. Brazilian Justice Minister Alexandre Moraes said, however, the killings in Roraima were the result of an internal PCC feud and not connected to Monday’s prison massacre in Amazonas. He insisted that Brazil had control of its prisons. Security experts had predicted more violence in Brazil’s gang-controlled prison system in the wake of Monday’s massacre. (BT)

 EVIL SPIRIT - Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday made a strident call to citizens to desist from supporting criminal elements in their families and communities, noting that crime was having a serious impact on the country’s economic growth. He surmised that an evil spirit had taken possession of some men in the society, causing them to do savage things. Making his address at the 12th staging of the Heal the Family, Heal The Nation annual gathering, which was held at the National Arena in Kingston yesterday, the prime minister said that he was perturbed by the incidents of crime, which saw more than 1,300 persons being murdered in 2016. Holness said that having wholesome and functional families will be critical in solving some of the gruesome acts of violence that continue to rock the nation. “We can’t continue in a society where when we act, we have persons coming out defending the criminals. We can’t continue in a society where when we act, we hear that he was a good man and a protector of the community. The only protector of the community must be the Government of Jamaica, the police force, and Jesus Christ the Almighty Saviour,” he declared. “We don’t need any dons and criminals to protect us. Now is not the time for any separation, politically, in terms of our unity in addressing the issues of crime and violence. Now is the time when the law-abiding and God-fearing Jamaicans must turn their backs on the criminals,” he continued. He urged persons to ensure that there is a balance between their pursuit for material development and their moral conscience. (BT)

 FORT LAUDEDALE SHOOTING -Gunshots erupted at the Fort Lauderdale airport on Friday, leaving multiple people dead. Authorities say the gunman, who appeared to be acting alone, is in custody. Five people are dead, and eight people were transported to a hospital, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office said on Twitter. Former White House spokesman Ari Fleischer also tweeted: “I’m at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. Shots have been fired. Everyone is running.” Parts of the airport were apparently evacuated following the incident. Aerial footage from CNN affiliates showed large groups of people standing outside on the tarmac. In November 2016, nearly 2.5 million travelers passed through Fort Lauderdale’s airport, according to a government report on the facility. (BT)

 FIFA REGIONAL OFFICE MOVING TO BARBADOS - Football’s world governing body, FIFA, has made a decision to move its regional office to Barbados, a move that should be completed by the end of next month. And president of the Barbados Football Association (BFA), Randy Harris, believes the move would assist the country and the region at large. “The move is a plus for the country and the region, and I am hopeful that the countries of the Caribbean will be in a better position to get a lot more assistance than previously. FIFA now has a director of development for Africa and the Caribbean, Veron Mosengo-Oomba, who has shown that his interest is in the development and future of the developing nations of FIFA,” he said. The current office is in Jamaica. (SS)

 VETERANS TURN ON THE ROAD – The father of road tennis will be honoured when the inaugural Lance Bynoe Veterans Road Tennis Tournament takes off next week. At a launch at A One Supermarkets, Black Rock, on Thursday night, managing director Andrew Bynoe said he was pleased the company was taking the lead role in cementing his late uncle’s legacy. The tournament runs from January 14 to 22 at the Rubis Sports Club in Brighton. Bynoe said the game, which was invented by Lance Bynoe in the 1930s, first using his hand as a racket, has developed greatly since its beginning. “The game has moved along significantly since then. Today it is seen as Barbados’ indigenous sport, designed and pioneered by Lance Bynoe to suit and encourage the participation of every boy or girl in our nation regardless of wealth or station in life,” he said.  (SS)

 KING STUMBLES IN ADELAIDE – It’s on to the Australian Open. Darian King’s run at the City of Onkaparinga Tennis Challenger is done. The top-ranked Bajan tennis player lost his quarter-final match against American Denis Kudla yesterday in Adelaide, Australia. Playing a warm-up for the upcoming qualifying rounds of the Australian Open, the 24-year-old King fell to the third seed 6-2, 6-2 in the searing Australian heat. Kudla will face Peter Gojowczyk in the semis after the German downed giant killer Ruben Bemelmans – who took out world No.88 Donald Young in the first round – 7-6(6), 6-4 in an earlier quarter-final. King, ranked No.152, is likely to open qualifying rounds of the year’s first Grand Slam on Monday or Tuesday. (SS)

 HOLDER OFF ON FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP - Najee Holder is the proud recipient of a full scholarship to the Alderson Broaddus University in West Virginia, United States. The 18-year-old national football player was awarded the scholarship after attending a recruitment summer camp at the Missouri State University last July. Over the one-week period Holder performed exceptionally well, being named the Most Valuable Player of the camp. After the coaches at the university recognised his talent he was referred to another coach and a number of universities became interested in him. However, he selected the West Virginia University to undertake his four-year undergraduate programme. Holder told the SATURDAY SUN he was satisfied with his achievement and was ready to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer.  (SS)

 There are 27 Days until Girlfriends Expo & Arts Festival (February 4th & 5th) and you can purchase your tickets from Ticket Pal. Well that’s all for today folks. There are 358 more days in the year ;) Shalom! #thechasefiles #dailynewscaps