VOL. 7, NO.

01 January 9, 2013

618 Strouds Lane, Pickering, ON L1V 4S9 Tel: 905.831-4402 Fax: 416.292.2943 Email: caribbeangraphic@rogers.com

Baptiste Gets
uyanese consultant and trainer Sandra Ann Baptiste was recently awarded the prestigious Canadian Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation. A Specialist in Caribbean Affairs, Baptiste is also an established journalist whose Caribbean Perspectives columns have been published in the Caribbean and North America, and currently in Caribbean Graphic. The Ottawa-based Forum for International Trade Training (FITT), which grants the CITP designation, noted that it is the highest level of professional accreditation available to business professionals in Canada. FITT develops international business programs, sets competency standards, and designs certification and accreditation programs. Its strategic partners include the Canadian Export Development Corporation, the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Bank of Nova Scotia. Baptiste, a Canadian citizen, is founder and Chief Executive Consultant of Carigold Associates, a group of Guyanese professionals who provide training and consulting services in North America and the Caribbean. She specialises in management, marketing,

International Trade Credentials

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Deemed Racist
cores of Guyanese of all races have expressed concern over what they say is a highly offensive and racially charged comment made by Opposition Leader David Granger on social media. Granger stated via the social media networking site Facebook, in essence, that Indo-Guyanese were allegedly everyday literally responsible for killing, raping, maligning and murdering their fellow East Indian brothers and sisters. He also argued that those in power were failing to protect their own. Readers of Stabroek News, Kaieteur News, Demerara Waves, Capitol News, and even Guyana Times will rapidly form one stark conclusion: it is not APNU or PNC political propaganda that every day a tragically and rapidly ballooning mass of Guyanese of Indian descent are being murdered, raped, mutilated, kidnapped, hijacked, pirated, trafficked, and extorted by other Guyanese of Indian descent typically those sheltered by the very people in political power saying that apaan jhat will protect. Immediately after the comment was posted, scores of Guyanese took to their own Facebook pages expressing their dissatisfaction with the insensitive statements and the underlying rhetoric therein.

Grangers Facebook Comments

leadership and building customer loyalty. She established and was the first head of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), served as a consultant on investment and private sector development in Guyanas Ministry of Finance and was also a Consultant to Caribbean Export, the European Unions Caribbean Office and the West Indian Commission. She recently served as Event Management Consultant for GuyExpo, the national trade show in Guyana. A Graduate of City University in England and the University of the West Indies, she holds a M.A. in International Journalism, a Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations and Diplomas in Business Management and International Trade

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Others have also expressed their concerns over the distasteful comments made by Granger, who has claimed previously that his APNU party was not formed to talk race or interested in race politics but is focused merely on establishing a government of national unity. The statement made by Granger is reportedly merely an excerpt from another politically insensitive piece penned and posted on his social media page. Already some politicians have indicated their readiness to ask the Opposition Leader to explain the meaning and intent of his apparently racist comments.

Start The New Year Right, Invest In A Home-based Business

he year 2013 is here and millions of people in the world are still out of work. The economy is still in a precarious state, and graduates from post-secondary institutions are struggling to find work. Times might be tough, but when life hands you lemons, it is a perfect time to make lemonade. Home based-businesses are on the rise in North America because with home-based businesses you can create an unlimited income, set your work schedule, and concentrate on a career that you find meaningful and enjoyable. If you are eager to pursue a homebased business opportunity but you arent certain what type of business to start, think about your skills, hobbies, and interests. Home-based business owners need to be dedicated, motivated, and passionate about their businesses because if they are not, they will have a difficult time convincing oth-

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ers to take their businesses seriously. The home-based business you choose to start Akua should be one that you 100 per cent believe in. Dont start a business solely on the basis that you think you will make a lot of money with it. Your home-based business should be based upon your skills and passions. There are several avenues you can take to building a home-based business. You can choose to start a business from scratch, or you can partner with an already established company and become an independent business owner and distribute their products or services. Starting a business from scratch and operating it out of your home can be easy to do depending upon the business. A tutoring business operating from your home can be launched very quickly; just set up a home office space, distribute your business cards to people living in your area, and you can get to work. If you would rather work with an already established company, network marketing businesses offer training support, promotional materials, and a proven system to present to your customers and clients. There are hundreds of different network

Hinds

marketing companies that you can join. Searching for network marketing suggestions on the Internet will bring up many results you can explore. Sandra Dindayal is originally from Guyana and she has operated a network marketing home-based international travel booking business for 8 years. Dindayal lives in Brampton and she services clients from Canada and from the Caribbean and she also helps clients with their personal travel as well as their business travel needs. I enjoy the flexibility. Having that flexibility working from home, you can work whenever you want. Having a home-based travel business gives you the flexibility to book travel late at night when other travel agencies are closed. Youre open 7 days a week. If you have a store front you have to close when the mall closes. With the 7 days per week flexibility, I love working whenever my clients need me. You dont always work 7 days a week but I love having the flexibility to service my client. The client can access me whenever theres an emergency. Thats a plus for me working from my home and not having to say Sorry, I have to drive to my office and get your file. Its a plus for people to know they can reach me when they need me,

Dindayal said. Home based businesses offer flexibility, and most importantly, choice. The choice to start a home-based business is always available to you. Make a list of your interests and try to think of businesses that match your interests, skills, and abilities. Once you have decided on a home-based business idea, join a business networking group so that you can promote your business and form alliances with other professional business owners. It is your job and responsibility to market and manage your business, and attending networking events and trade shows is a cost effective way to gain more exposure for your company. It can be tempting to think of your home-based business as an opportunity to spend more time sleeping in instead of working, but dont fall into the trap of procrastinating; your business needs your nurturing, dedication, and attention in order to succeed.

January 9, 2013

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GCC Hosts Valentines

he Guyana Christian Charities (Canada) Inc. will be hosting the 2013 version of its ever popular annual Valentines Dinner & Dance on Saturday, February 16. Venue for this years gala will be Scarboroughs Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church Hall, located at 1490 Markham Road, just north of Hwy.401. The entrance to the Hall is from Milner Avenue, just west of Markham Road. As in previous years, music for the occasion will be provided by the popular Double Ray Guyanese combination of Raymond Lee Owns Triple Play Band, and the DJ sounds of Raymond

Dinner Dance

Come To Leelas For Food And Fuh Fun

eelas Tropical Nights will be the place to be come January 26th. The Scarborough Restaurant , most conveniently located at 1154 Morningside Avenue (at Sheppard just north of Hwy 401) will be hosting its January Jump Up, featuring live music by the ever popular Fuh-Fun, Torontos most exciting live band. Fuh Fun will be backed by the DJ sounds of Boogie Down. Ticket prices, which include Leelas sumptuous multi-item All-You-Can Eat Dinner Buffet, are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For tickets contact Leelas directly at 416-281-8222. Limited seating. First come, first served.

Bake Pereira. The $50 per person ticket price includes Hors duvres served from 7:00 7:30 pm, dinner and the chance to win some very attractive door prizes. As an event which usually sells out very quickly, the GCCs Annual Valentines Dance reportedly offers excellent value for money. Not to mention the very comforting knowledge that the Dinner Dance proceeds go towards funding the many wonderful needy causes that GCC supports. Tickets for the Gala can be obtained from any GCC member or by email to info@gcccanada.org.

Ashley Debysingh emerged as the 4th Runner-up in last years 2012 Miss West Indian Canadian Pageant. She is currently studying Fashion Arts at Humber College. She has also completed courses in Applied Science and Technology, as well as Practical Nursing. An active music student for over 8 years, Ashley plays the harmonium and is also engaged in vocal training. She is very proud of her Trinidadian heritage.

Caribbean Jewel Caribbean Jewel

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January 9, 2013

Awake: A Jamestown Story

t has been said that the purpose of pain is to birth a change. The bloodshed, loss of life, and devastation that has followed the Jamestown/Rexdale neighbourhood for many years has been a source of great anguish to its residents. Perhaps Awake, which is a documentary drama (docu-drama) based on a terrifying true story, could be perceived as a symbol where transformation and reconciliation can begin to emerge within the community. Every word that was said during this 90 minute production was initially declared by the individuals who knew first-hand about the tragedy of Amon Beckles. He was a young man that was just 18 years of age when he was shot and killed at church on November 18, 2005 while attending a funeral service of his best friend who too had been gunned down the week earlier. Close to 100 people were interviewed

to create Awake. Those who participated in this project included current gang members and adolesChristine cents who are in programs designed to provide a way out of gangs. Child and youth workers, law enforcement officers and mothers who lost their children to gun violence contributed to this production. In 2011 at the Toronto Fringe Festival, Expect Productions launched Awake and it is now flourishing again at the Factory Theatre Mainspace at 125 Bathurst Street in Toronto beginning January 2-13, 2013. At first glance, Awake deals with the subject matter of guns, violence and death. However the purpose of the play is not to promote such an agenda. The docu-drama helps to draw awareness to the serious issue of gun/ gang violence in at risk communities. Viewership of the play should not be confined to those who are affected by gun violence but by all those who truly

Reid

care about our country and the citizens within. Although Jamestown is extensively known as an economically depressed neighbourhood weighed down by violence, Awake makes it evident that is not the final characterization to affix on the residents of this area. This

dramatic piece, infused with dancehall, gospel and hip hop music illustrates that despite the ever increasing challenges of eradicating gun related offenses amongst young men in the prime of their lives, there still exists a strong sense of hope, inspiration and togetherness within this community.

Caribbean Perspective CARICOMs On-Going Challenges and Priorities for 2013

year ago CARICOM Chairman at the time, Surinames President Desi Bouterse, called for 2012 to be a significant year of change for the regional integration movement which will be marking its 40th anniversary this year. The outgoing Chairman St. Lucias Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony gave a harsh assessment of CARICOM in a recent address to the Barbados private sector, which left little doubt that the regional integration boat is drifting and still very much in need of a lifeboat. The St. Lucian leaders CARICOM review titled CARICOM:QUO Vadis was strangely enough the identical title of an earlier assessment of the integration movement by Caribbean affairs expert Dr. Anthony Bryan, the former Director of the Trinidad and Tobagobased Institute of International Relations at the University of the West Indies. He said as an institution, CARICOM is neutered and further stated that CARICOM member countries tend to pursue their different development and political strategies pragmatically, without consultation or coordination with other member states. As an example, Bryan observed that

January 9, 2013

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the management of CARICOM relations with Venezuela is not approached Sandra Ann collectively. St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves recently called on Trinidad and Tobago to be more engaged with CARICOM and address how its fuel subsidy is affecting the rest of the region in terms of trade and air transportation. His St. Lucian counterpart Dr. Anthony said Trinidad and Tobago has to live up to its responsibility as a regional power. He contends that Trinidad and Tobago has a unique opportunity to re-define its vision and its role in an emergent but troubled Caribbean. Guyanas President Donald Ramotar agrees that Trinidad, which has the strongest economy in the region, can play a much bigger role in the regional integration movement especially in the area of investment. He believes the Port of Spain administration is beginning to be more aware of the extremely important role it can and should play. He noted that Trinidad and Tobago is among those countries in the region finally sitting up and taking notice of the critical issue of food security in the region and the role that Guyana can

Baptiste

play in addressing this problem. Ramotar has also indicated that he is encouraged by recent exploratory talks with a high-level Trinidad Ministry of Agriculture team on agricultural investment opportunities in Guyana. In addition, the Jagdeo Initiative on Agriculture is being accelerated. On observations by other CARICOM member states that Trinidad enjoys a significant trade surplus with its CARICOM partners and calls for a more level playing field in intra-regional trade, Ramotar said the private sector in the region needs to play a stronger role in addressing this persistent issue. Ramotar reported progress in the area of free movement of persons within the region, including long-standing complaints of poor treatment of Guyanese at the Barbados airport. On the current negotiations for a trade and development agreement with Canada, he stressed the importance of Canadian development assistance, especially to equip the region to improve its competitiveness, given that the accord will provide reciprocal duty-free access for goods. The state of the regions economies has not improved significantly over the past year but there are indications of incipient growth in some countries, according to the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). CDB President Dr. Warren Smith has

said that the Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) are beginning to take concrete steps to diversify their economic structures, pointing to a new sizeable agro-industrial development in Antigua and Barbuda and investment in medical tourism in Barbados. Smith has also seen progress with countries strengthening their financial and regulatory systems, one of the CDBs concerns he highlighted last year. The CDB President has cautioned against expectations of significant growth in the regions economies, noting that as long as the U.S. is in recession or emerging recession and the Euro Zones debt crisis continues, Caribbean economies will be hard pressed to be on a robust growth path, with the exception of commodity exporting countries such as Guyana and Belize. For 2013, CARICOM Secretary General Irwin La Rocque has identified the restructuring of the CARICOM Secretariat as one of the priority areas. It would be interesting to get an update on the 2012 priorities and how many of these have been advanced or implemented. The new CARICOM Chairman, Haitis President Michael Martelly, who is a newcomer to the CARICOM fold, will have a full plate of challenges over the next six months.
(Sandra Ann Baptiste is a Business Consultant and Specialist in Caribbean Affairs)

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January 9, 2013

No Resolutions, Only Rituals!

he urge to make resolutions to improve our lives in some desirable manner is often associated with the advent of any new year. 2013 having dawned, engagement in such activity would likely have been primary for many of us within the past week or two. This year I am adopting a different approach. As opposed to engaging in the folly of developing a bunch of resolutions, only to see them broken by February, completely abandoned in March and totally forgotten come April, I have decided instead to simply become more ritualistic in my behaviour. Among the Dictionary definitions of rituals are a) A detailed method of procedure faithfully or regularly followed e.g My household chores have become a morning ritual and b) Being part of an established routine e.g. a ritual glass of milk before bed. The often unappreciated thing about rituals, however, is that they are commonly practiced by almost everyone who can be defined, to any degree, as successful. Think of any person you know thats been outstandingly successful in their field of endeavours. Ill bet you that their engagement in some form of ritualistic behaviour is part and parcel to their success. Whether it be something as simple as getting up each morning at a specified time, or religiously adhering to a sophisticated program of daily activities. Experience teaches us that when things are done

2013 - CARICOM irrelevant or essential?

he curtain rolled down on 2012 with the Caribbean ComSir Ronald munity and Common Market (CARICOM) institutionally weak and its 15 member governments doing little more than paying lip service to the process of economic integration. It seems that the only reason that several governments do not declare CARICOM irrelevant and walk away from it is that they dare not. To do so, they would have to explain their action to their people. It is a discussion few government leaders would relish. In recent years, Governments have simply opted not to utilise the benefits of regional arrangements, preferring instead to pursue separate deals in the hope that such deals would allow them to maintain national power. Just a few weeks ago at the opening of a meeting of CARICOM Trade Ministers, the Deputy Secretary-General of CARICOM felt constrained to say: While as individual sovereign States we would be preoccupied with the responsibilities within our national borders, it would also be to our advantage to look to our regional arrangements as supportive even when they seem to add additional responsibilities. It is not as if the economic conditions in the majority of CARICOM countries are good. Barbados and the six independent countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) have dangerously high debt to GDP ratios of over 65 percent and some are well over 100 per cent. Jamaicas economy has been in dire straits for years and there appears little hope of a dramatic improvement anytime soon. Indeed, many of these countries are already failed states, surviving only by grants and assistance given to them by external agencies. As 2013 dawns, apart from Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Suriname, the prospects for the national economies of CARICOM states are bleak. None of

a certain way results can be almost guaranteed. Study well for an exam and your chances of achieving a good grade will be that much greater than if you dont. So the key making life enjoyable and ultimately more meaningful could simply be to discover and engage in the rituals that can contribute to your success. Read any book on the achievement of financial success and somewhere in its pages the suggestion to pay yourself first will inevitably appear. So if financial well being has become one of your lifes goals, developing and engaging in the ritual of putting aside a decided percentage of every dollar you earn, would be a practice well worth pursuing. Similarly, if healthier living is a concern of yours, likewise identify practices that will help you achieve that goal and simply engage in such with ritualistic frequency. It could be something as simple as watching what you eat as means of controlling your weight, or engaging in regular exercise. Personally- in the words of Robin Sharma author of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari - I have some Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs), Id like to achieve this year. Thirteen in number, to be exact. To get anywhere close to full completion of that list by December 31 therefore, I will have to be at my most resourceful, not to mention being far more efficient than Ive ever been before.

As such I see the development and engagement in my own set of rituals, as key to the achievement of my desired objectives. On the flipside Ill also have to be cognisant of the necessity to studiously avoid any engagement in practices which clearly havent worked before. As some wise person once said, the definition of insanity is to repeatedly engage in unfruitful activity with the expectation of different results. I wouldnt want to give any of you additional reasons to label me mad than you may have had already. As lengthy as my not to be repeated list of mistakes may be, you can therefore rest assured that my attempts to avoid such will indeed be ritualistic. With regards to the actual desired list of BHAGs, first and foremost amongst those would be to give readers sufficient reason as to make Caribbean Graphic their number one choice from amongst all the available Caribbean Community newspapers! Regardless of their nationality or ethnicity. To do so we will of course have to dislodge some that have now been around for decades longer than we have. So if any of you know of any specific rituals that can get us to that goal, Im all ears. Happy New Year. May 2013 bring each and every one of you all thats desired.

Tony Mc

Sanders

the 12 other CARICOM members has the means to provide the financial stimulus to grow their economies and stem the rate of unemployment which is expanding and will get worse in 2013. It is not a convincing argument for CARICOM governments to constantly point to the global economic situation as the principal cause for their countries economic decline. Many of them were already on a slippery slope before 2009 when the financial crisis began to bite. Further, other countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America have done well despite being subject to the same global crisis. Economic growth in many of these countries has exceeded 7 per cent at the same time that the economies of the majority of CARICOM countries shrunk. Making matters worse, with the exceptions of Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, CARICOM countries have become reliant on Hugo Chavez - Venezuelas President - for deferred payment for their oil needs under the Petro Caribe scheme. With President Chavezs illness casting grave doubt over his ability to continue to lead Venezuela, even if he manages to be sworn-in as President on January 10, the likelihood of continuing benefits under Petro Caribe is not at all certain. To add to this troubling scenario, the Caribbean Development Bank long respected internationally and trusted with funds from international financial institutions and donor governments for on-lending to CARICOM states was downgraded twice in 2012 by Standard & Poors, dragged there by the failure of borrowing governments to repay loans. Then there is the EU which has been a generous aid donor to CARICOM countries for over three decades. Faced with its own debt problems among some of its member states, the EU has introduced austerity measures domestically. In that situation, it has announced that upper-middle income developing countries will no longer be eligible for EU aid. While, so far, CARICOM countries, as part of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group, have been shielded from ineligibility by the Cotonou AgreePublisher/Editor: Editorial Consultant : Contributors: Legal: Graphic Design:

ment, there is no guarantee that this will continue after 2015 when the Agreement is reviewed. At that time, all but Guyana (lower middle income) and Haiti (low income) will be adversely affected. The question that poses itself is: Haiti apart, why should a region of 6 million people with vast natural resources such as oil, gas, diamonds, gold, bauxite, uranium, tourism, financial services, fisheries, agriculture (including sugar and rice), forestry and huge potential for renewable energy, be poor and suffering? The answer lies in the failure of our governments to perfect a single market and to work steadfastly toward a single economy. No one pretends that this task is easy. SecretaryGeneral Irwin LaRocque has said that: Many of our member states face constraints both technical and political which cannot be ignored or easily overcome. Given the validity of that statement why has the Secretariat not sought a mandate to establish a team of competent persons to examine these constraints wherever they exist and to identify practical measures to deal with them within an agreed time frame? It cannot be sufficient to acknowledge the problem and yet to take no meaningful action to solve it. If this backward march continues, many CARICOM countries will go over the cliff, and eventually CARICOM will be abandoned by those member countries that can do better by economic and political arrangements with others. In particular, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Suriname may well find it beneficial to integrate their own economies more deeply and to jointly pursue arrangements with Brazil, Venezuela and other Latin American nations. 2013 can be the year of CARICOMs final slide to oblivion with disastrous consequences for the majority of its member states, or it can be the year when leaders recognise the folly of shunning deeper regional integration and so take positive steps to reenliven and deepen CARICOM.
(The writer is a Consultant and former Caribbean Diplomat) Reponses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com

Tony McWatt Malcolm Cliffe Sandra Ann Baptiste, Beverly Brown, Akua Hinds, Christine Reid, Sir Ronald Sanders, Oumarally and Baboolal Susan Zelinski

618 Strouds Lane, Pickering, ON L1V 4S9 Tel: 905.831-4402 Fax: 416.292.2943 Email: caribbeangraphic@rogers.com www.caribbeangraphic.ca

July 25, 2012 January 9, 2013

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July 25, 2013 January 9, 2012

Out Again
BRIDGETOWN, For the second consecutive year, teachers at Alexandra School who are represented by the Barbados Secondary Teachers Union (BSTU) will not be reporting for work at the start of the Hilary term. They are expected to be joined by all other teachers who have been issued transfer letters as part of the shakeup at the St Peter school, which saw close to 20 teachers, including embattled principal Jeff Broomes and deputy Beverley Neblett-Lashley, being reassigned to different schools. While stressing that no industrial action was being taken, BSTU president Mary Redman has told the local me-

Barbados Beat

Polyclinic By March

dia that the teachers were invited to the unions Belleville, St Michael headquarters for a January 7 meeting. Redman has already indicated that at least three teachers, who are covered under a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Education and the International Labour Organization Convention 135, will be returning to Alexandra School.

Bees Not Ready

BRIDGETOWN, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart still sees the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) as doing a lot of window-dressing. During a January 6 Rally, Stuart, the president and political leader of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), advised the party faithful to completely ignore what he called the facade being put up by senior members of the BLP, pretending they like each other, just to win the next general election. Stuart claimed that former Prime Minister Owen Arthur was so desperate to get rid of ex-Opposition Leader Mia Mottley that he went as far as asking the DLP to invite her into its fold. The Prime Minister made the charge in Belleplaine, St Andrew, where he officially opened the new campaign office of St Andrew candidate Irene Sandiford-Garner.

LIME Fight Brewing

BRIDGETOWN, Telecommunications giant LIME has been put on notice by the islands largest trade union that if it wants a fight they are prepared for battle. LIME, the trading name of Cable & Wireless (Barbados), was told by the Barbados Workers Union (BWU) on January 7 that it was prepared to launch an island-wide strike against the telecommunications company if it did not recall the 97 letters of dismal issued earlier this month to workers. LIME was absent from a January 7 meeting scheduled since December 31, 2012, that was held between the BWU and the Minister of Labour Esther Byer-Suckoo. Sir Roy said the absence of the representatives of LIME was an insult to the entire island. On January 2 LIME announced that it would be laying off 97 employees with immediate effect. Managing Director Alex McDonald said substantial losses have forced the company to make the cuts.

BRIDGETOWN, St. Johns residents will be able to access health care at the soon to be completed polyclinic during the first quarter of 2013. According to Minister of Health Donville Inniss, construction of the facility that would provide a wide range of health care services at the primary level, would be completed by year end and should be in full operation before the end of March. Inniss was speaking to the media during a January 6 tour of the facility

along with the Minister of Family, Culture, Sports and Youth Stephen Lashley, representatives from the Ministry of Social Care and parliamentary representative Mara Thompson. Inniss said the multi-purpose community complex, which would also house a constituency council office, Welfare Department, branch library, and Barbados first decentralized ambulance service, was $3 million over budget, having been initially estimated at $16. 4 million.

15 Injured In Bus Crash

BRIDGETOWN, Fifteen people were injured on January 4 when a Transport Board bus and a tow truck became involved in an accident on the narrow portion of Reeves Hill, in St. James. Medical officials at the scene told reporters that 14 of those were travelling in the bus going out of the City. The truck was driving behind the bus when the incident occurred. One person was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital a female passen-

Barbados Still Tops

ger of the bus. She complained of lower back pains. All the others were treated at the scene by a team of four doctors and paramedics under the supervision of Medical Director of the Emergency Ambulance Service, Dr. David Byer. Neither of the two drivers was injured, but a man who was sitting in a car which was being transported by the tow truck, was hurt. He was treated on the spot. Five ambulances responded to the mass casualty.

BRIDGETOWN, Although it has dropped one point this year, Barbados remains one of the 10 top selling travel destinations for 2013. In its Travel Trends Report 2013, globally-recognised tour operator, Kuoni, put Barbados at number eight as world-wide destinations of choice. Vice-President of the Barbados Tourism Authoritys UK Office, Petra

Roach, has said that Kuoni was a very strong partner of the BTA. The BTA vice-president pointed out that Kuoni, which has world wide distribution reach, had done a lot of work with Barbados, especially in the area of training. She said the leading tour operator has global distribution presence that reached potential markets in Switzerland and as far as India.

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Hoping For Assistance

ROSEAU, Dominican governmentsays it is hoping to sign an agreement later this year with the US-based Clinton Climate Initiative on the further developing the geothermal energy sector programme here. The islands ambassador to the United Nations, Vince Henderson, speaking on the stateowned DBS radio on January 4, said the Clinton Foundation has shown support for the multi-million dollar programme. Henderson said that the Roosevelt Skerrit government hopes that by 2015, the geothermal plant would also reduce the islands green house gas

EC Review

Senior Official Charged

ST GEORGES, Grenada - The main opposition New National Party (NNP) has confirmed that a senior member of the party has appeared in court on domestic violence related charges. NNP public relations officer Terry Forrester did not name the individual, but indicated that the party has been made aware of a domestic incident involving one of our caretakers that has received the attention of the police. But Forrester said that the party as a general point of policy, categorically denounces any acts of violence, particularly against women, regardless of circumstances. Media reports said that the endorsed caretaker for the St David constituency, Gabriel Henry, had been charged with using a dangerous instrument in assaulting a female companion. He is on EC$6,000 (one EC dollar = US$0.37 cents) bail and is to appear in court on Monday January 7. The NNP is preparing for a general election that Prime Minister Tillman Thomas has already acknowledged would be held this year.

emissions. Last month, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the government has spent more than EC$33 million (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents) in developing the geothermal industry. He said investment in the geothermal programme will help the island address a number of issues in the future including a reduction in the energy costs. Skerrit said that this would allow for greater economic activity on the island and we will see a growth in our economy and we will also see the creation of thousands of jobs within the Dominican economy.

Be Bold And Brave

CASTRIES, St. Lucia - Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony has said that St. Lucia has the largest fiscal deficit in the Caribbean as he prepared to address the nation on January 6 on the economic challenges facing the island. In his address Anthony, who is also Finance Minister, was expected to outline the economic difficulties facing the island amid calls from public sector trade unions for increased salaries for their members. Prime Minister Anthony had cautioned that some order must be brought to the public finances through consolidation, and acknowledged that the country must be bold and brave in attracting investment. Anthony had earlier said that the wage negotiation is not solely a matter between the gov-

Share Purchases Urged

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonslaves is urging nationals to purchase shares in the Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines that on January 6 launched an initial public offering (IPO) hoping to raise expansion capital of more than EC$17 million (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents). The former state-owned bank, is offering two million shares at a price of EC$8.64 and Gonsalves told a news conference it is not a bad investment. In November 2010, the government announced it had sold controlling interest in the financial institution to the East Caribbean Financial Holding Company Limited (ECFH), parent company of the Bank of St. Lucia at a cost of EC$42 million. Gonsalves said then that the government would retain 49 per cent of the shares and divest 29 per cent of those shares to the countrys National Insurance Service and citizens of SVG and the region within the next 12 months. On January 7, he defended the decision to sell the shares to the

Temporary Relief Forthcoming

ST. JOHNS, Antigua - The Antigua and Barbuda government says it is designing a project that offers temporary economic relief to unemployed people in the country. Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer has said that the three year project, which is being established with technical and financial assistance from the World Bank, will benefit at least 1,200 low-income unemployed people between the ages 17 and 50. Spencer said the overall objective of these interventions is to increase employment and incomes, remove people from hardship and at the same time helping them to maintain a dignified life. He said that the global crisis has shown that social protection policies

ernment and the public sector unions, but it involves the entire country. The unions are seeking a 16 per cent wage increase for the 2010-2012 triennium, and called for the intervention of the prime minister after government negotiators said they had no mandate to increase their offer of zero per cent increase and a onetime payment of EC$1,000 (US$) One EC dollar= US$0.37 cents).

ECFH, in keeping with the policy of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) to consolidate indigenous banks, telling reporters that a few years ago, a Trinidad-based bank, which he did not name, had offered EC$500,000 for the entire bank. He told reporters that as a listed company, the bank allows stock holder access to a regional market place with greater liquidity. Gonsalves said that the St. Vincent and the Grenadines government holds 40 per cent of the shares in the bank and has already received dividends of more than EC$1.6 million during an 18 month period. He said given that the dividends for the first half of last year amounted to EC800, 000, he is anticipating a similar figure for the remainder of 2012.

are a critical element of national economic and social policies at all stages of development. The Initiative requires governments to put the people first in economic policies, crisis management and in the development policy agenda, he added. Prime Minister Spencer said the government pledges to adhere to the principles of the initiative by providing societal insurance against perpetuating poverty and will continue to design tools to mitigate and overcome the effects of the economic crisis as well as to strengthen economic resilience.

PAGE 10

CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC

July 25, 2013 January 9, 2012

2012 A Good Year For Tourism

GEORGETOWN, Officials of the Tourism Ministry have disclosed that last year was a very good one for tourism and that the Rediscover Home campaign was a significant contributor to this success. This was revealed at a January 4th press conference hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce at the Ministrys board room to highlight the Ministrys strategy and tactics for the first quarter of the year. Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh said that these tactics and strategy are put forth by the Ministry in an effort to boost tourist arrivals, increase occupancy and to create and sustain a demand for one of the largest tourism campaign Destination Guyana. Acting Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Irfaan Ali stated that everyone would have recalled that in 2012 the Ministry campaigned under the Rediscover Home campaign, and as a result of the success of that campaign, the

Guyana Digest

Airport Spat
GEORGETOWN, The Ogle Airport Inc. and Air Services Limited (ASL) are embroiled in yet another aircraft fuel-related controversy that could see the airline having to pay the airport for remedial works if its found that a fuel-line duct was not done to specifications, OAI officials have said. ASL Operations Manager, Annette Arjoon-Martins said her company had long received permission to dig up the taxiway to bury an electrical cable for its own fuel farm. OAI Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Mekdeci said approval had been granted but ASL did not provide the airport authority with a design to ensure that the work would have been done to specifications. Arguing that ASLs action amounted to a major breach of procedure, OAI intends to call in

GEORGETOWN, Richard Barrow, who was shot by police after he had escaped from custody, has been slapped a total of 22 years imprisonment after he confessed to four counts of robbery under arms. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to a charge of escape form lawful custody when he appeared before Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo in the New Amsterdam Court on January 4 . However, he will serve only ten years behind bars. Barrow, who was sent to the New Opportunity Corp as a juvenile, went on a robbery spree during 2012 on January 27 in company with others. Armed with a gun, he entered the business premises of Indranee Ramnarine of Number 7 Village, East Coast Berbice, robbed her of a quantity of artificial jewellery valued at $6,000, gold finger rings, ear rings and chains valued at $86,000 along with four wrist watches and a cellular phone valued at $17,000. Barrow also took away Digicel and GT&T phone cards valued $226,600. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment. Less than a month after the con-

22 Year Sentence

ministry will continue under the Rediscover Home campaign this year, however, the fly line Celebrate Your Life- Celebrate Your Home will be added, so it will be known as Rediscover home, Celebrate Your Life, Celebrate Your Home. He also pointed out that the Rediscover Home campaign is such a successful model, it has resulted in Trinidad starting the year in the Diaspora, by advertising extensively to their Diaspora market and the Ministry will continue to press that market, as it has tremendous potential for Guyana. Ali noted that year 2012 saw an average of 17.2 percent in arrivals, over that of the previous year because at the end of November 2012, the arrivals added up to approximately 161,000, which compared to 2011 around the very same period of time, there were just 137,000 arrivals to Guyana.

Monument Site Proposal Rebuffed

GEORGETOWN, The Coalition of African Guyanese Organisations on Sunday rebuffed assertions by sculptor, Ivor Thom that the Kitty Seawall Road is the best site for the 1823 Demerara Slave Revolt monument. Thom had explained the process and rationale for using the seawall site, saying that location would give it greater visibility to persons travelling up and down the East Coast Demerara. But Dr. Melissa Ifill, speaking on behalf of the coalition, accused Thom of being more concerned about how many persons would see the monument rather than the historical significance of Parade Ground. The Coalition, faced with blunt rejections by government for the

its own engineering consultant to consider whether the area should be dug up and replaced at ASLs cost.

vict was apprehended, but managed to escape from the custody of Constable Webster, who had detained him on a robbery under arms charge at Central Police Station , from where the charge of escaping from lawful custody was instituted, to which he pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to twoyear imprisonment for the offence. On February 3, the repeated offender, pretending to be a passenger en route from New Amsterdam to Corriverton, while in the vicinity of the Number 19 roadway, robbed the driver Chetram Shrikissoon of $200,000 which was the property of James Ross. Another five-year jail term will run currently with the prison terms for previous convictions. Barrow also robbed Demerara Distilleries Ltd (DDL). employee and passenger Thekoordial Koshdhal the sum of $14,000. An additional five year custodial sentenced was imposed for this conviction. Barrow, further had an additional five-year sentence for stealing a mini bus valued $2M. However, the two latter sentences will run concurrently, totalling ten years of imprisonment.

Bandits Forced To Retreat

GEORGETOWN, On the morning of January 6 an 18-year old man resisted two armed bandits, taking away their cutlass and shotgun from them and forcing them to beat a hasty retreat, police said. Guyana Police Force spokesman Ivelaw Whittaker said about 1:30am on January 6 the men armed with a shotgun and a cutlass pushed open the door and entered the home of a man at Wismar, Linden. At the time the man was at home with his reputed wife and her 18-old son and daughter. Whittaker said that the youth

monument to be located on Parade Ground, plans to build one of its own there because they say there is where slaves were tried, convicted and executed. Ifill reiterated that the grouping of African organisations would ignore the government-financed monument and build one of its own on Parade Ground. She dismissed concerns by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony that a monument on Parade Ground would obstruct the playing of a number of ball games.

confronted the man with the cutlass and took it away from him, during which he received minor injuries. The lad then confronted the man with the shotgun, while armed with the cutlass, and wrested the firearm from the bandit. During this scuffle a round was discharged which struck the roof of the building. Both bandits made a hasty retreat and escaped, the police force spokesman added. The firearm, a 12 gauge shotgun, along with the cutlass were handed over to the police who are conducting investigations.

January 9, 2013

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Bright 2013 Promised

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has acknowledged that while the record of her ruling Peoples National Party (PNP) over the past 12 months has not been perfect her government came to office at a difficult time and has since restored trust, brought back respect and decency to governance while making important progress in some key areas. In a January 6 nationwide radio and television broadcast, Prime Minister Simpson Miller said the mission of uplifting the population and working towards economic independence was challenged during the past year by the slippage of the Jamaican dollar. She said Jamaica successfully reduced the rate of murders, shootings, robberies and sexual offences. There was an 18 per cent increase in the recovery of firearms and a 14 per cent increase in the recovery of ammunition. In relation to unemployment, she said the government

Jamaica Yard

Gangster Acquitted Find Chungs Killers

KINGSTON, Christopher Linton, the reputed leader of the Dog Paw Gang, was on January 3 acquitted of gun-related charges in the High Court Division of the Gun Court. Linton, who goes by the alias Dog Paw, was freed on a charge of illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. The gun and ammunition were allegedly found in a refrigerator at a house in August Town, St. Andrew, where Linton was held by the police on January 24 last year. The acquittal, however, does not mean that Linton will be set free, as hes to face trial in the Home Circuit Court on January 18 for his alleged role in the killing of a family in Bedward Gardens, August Town, in 2010. Two other men Yannick Ellis and Donald Allen are be tried along with Linton in relation to the murders. Killed in that incident were 49-year-old bus driver Mornest Hylton, 31-year-old Dania Forbes, and six-year-old Jahame McKay. The bodies were burnt beyond recognition. Before his apprehension, Linton headed the police list of most wanted men. KINGSTON, Trevor Heaven, president of the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association, has urged persons who can assist the police in finding the killers of businessman Melvin Chung to come forward. Heavens call comes as the police deepen their search to apprehend the killers of the 52-year-old Chung, who died on his fathers birthday, leaving a wife and four children the youngest being six years. Chungs wife, who had to seek medical assistance because of the news of his callous murder, was too grief-stricken to speak with the media. Chung, who operated five Total service stations in the Corporate

supported JEEP programme surpassed the original phase-one target of 5,000 people and employed over 17,000 by July last year. She spoke of the developments in road rehabilitation and the millions of dollars spent in repairing the infrastructure and providing assistance to people affected by the passage of Hurricane Sandy last year. She said an agreement with Cuba will see that country providing Jamaica with almost 500 additional health professionals including doctors, nurses, medical technologists and nursing tutors. But she told the nation that 2013 promises to be a year of exciting economic initiatives noting that the construction of the US$160 million north-south link of Highway 2000, an injection of more than US$200 million in the tourism sector with the construction of various projects including leisure hotels Riu Palace and Fiesta Phase Two as well as Shanghai and Marriott business hotels.

Issues Not Addressed

KINGSTON, Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Planning, Growth and Economic Development Audley Shaw has said that Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller failed to address the most critical issues facing the nation in her national broadcast. Shaw said Simpson Miller failed to address the crisis of a rapid deterioration in the economy with rising prices for basic food items and other commodities, devaluation of the Jamaican dollar, the emergence of a black market for foreign exchange, slippage in the Net International Reserves, and four consecutive quarters of negative growth. He said she provided no new information concerning the time frame for securing a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is a key factor in restoring confidence in the economy, and that this silence on the IMF issue is disturbing as the opposition had called on the government to state categorically

the details and timetable of prior action requirements of the IMF in order for Jamaica to secure a new agreement. Shaw noted that the prime minister instead ignored these major issues and repeated projects that had already been announced in the 2012/2013 budget and the sectoral debates of last year. Shaw said the prime ministers presentation was disappointing to critical stakeholders in the economy, including investors and small business owners who have lost confidence, as well as consumers who are suffering daily from sharp and punishing increases in the cost of living.

Rambo On Most Wanted List

WASHINGTON D.C. United States, The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has identified a Jamaican among 12 convicted felons on its Most Wanted list. ICE said that Clive Dixon, 45, also known as Rambo, is wanted for unlawful re-entry after removal. The immigration agency said that on or about October 2, 1991, Dixon was convicted of criminal possession of a loaded firearm in the third degree in Kings County (Brooklyn, New York) Supreme Court. The ICE states that on April 5, 1993, Dixon was deported from the United States to Jamaica. At some point, he re-entered the

Area, was attacked and shot multiple times outside one of his places of business, on East Street, on the afternoon of January 5. Two firearms belonging to his security firm, Melan Security Services Limited, were stolen, along with cash estimated to be over $2 million, Superintendent Steve McGregor, who heads the Kingston Central Police Division, told local media. McGregor said also that investigators will be looking into extortion as a motive. Regarding the issue of extortion, McGregor said the police have brought the scourge to a low in the downtown business district over the past two years.

United States, and on July 27, 2010, Dixon fled from ICE officers when they attempted to arrest him. ICE warned the public not to attempt to apprehend him, stating that if they have any information about him to contact the local ICE office or call the national hotline as soon as possible. The agency describes Dixon as dark-skinned, 5 8, with brown eyes and black hair. His last known location was Greensboro, North Carolina, or possibly in Brooklyn.

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January 9, 2013

Teen Girls To Blame

PORT OF SPAIN, The increase in teenage girls being reported missing is one of the major reasons why sexual offences for last year were the highest in the last five years. So said Deputy Police Commissioner Mervyn Richardson as he addressed the first police press briefing for the year, which was held at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain on January 6. Last year, 1,020 sexual offences were reported, according to statistics from the Crime and Problem Analysis Branch of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. There were 241 more sexual offences re-

Trinbago News

New President To Be Elected

Green Seasoning Curry Powder Kuchella Mango Polourie Mix

Fete frenzy

ported last year than in 2009, which accounted for the second highest figure in the five-year period. Asked to comment on the rise in sex crimes, Richardson said: Young girls engaging in sexual activities and sometimes they leave home, they are reported as missing, and then when we go and investigate we find that they are in a relationship. Richardson said teenage girls, ranging in age from 14 to 16, were the main culprits.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobagos fifth President will be elected on February 15 and some top candidates are in the race, according to sources. They are House Speaker Wade Mark, former head of British Petroleum, Robert Riley, and political analyst Dr. Hamid Ghany. Communications Minister Jamal Mohammed, at the January 6 post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair, announced that a meeting of the electoral college will be convened on February

15 three days after Carnival for the election of a new President to replace George Maxwell Richards. Sources said Mark, Riley and Ghany, as well as Senate President Timothy Hamel-Smith and Chief Justice Ivor Archie, were being considered.

Tobago Opposition In The Dark

SCARBOROUGH, Tobago, The main opposition Peoples National Movement (PNM) said it is in the dark regarding plans by the coalition Peoples Partnership government to table legislation on January 7th providing for more autonomy for Tobago. It is a high point of vulgarity, lack of class, and crassness that washes this country when you see a government calling the Parliament to session to lay in the Parliament a bill to give Tobago internal self-government in the height of an election. As Opposition Leader, I have no idea what the Government is going to lay in the House, Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley said on January 6 at the launch of PNM candidates for the January 21 Tobago House of assembly (THA) election.

PORT OF SPAIN, It was a fete frenzy over the January 5 weekend, as Tribe and Fantasy heated up Port-of-Spain on with the first round of parties in this years 2013 jam-packed short Carnival season. Defending Soca Monarch and

Road March champ Machel Montano sent fans wild at Fantasys Cooler Fete, Pier I, Chaguaramas, while Bunji Garlin, a former Soca Monarch, got party-goers ready for the road at Tribes Ice Cooler Fete, Jean Pierre Complex.

Montano Promises Stadium Presence

PORT OF SPAIN, Machel Montano has promised his fans that he will be at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on February 4 when he holds his annual Carnival event, Machel Monday. Montano spoke during his Carnival 2013 debut in the early hours of January 6 at the Fantasy cooler fete, titled Savage Saturday, at Pier 1, Chaguaramas. The reigning Soca and Road March Monarch made his remarks during an energy-filled set lasting more than three hours, in which he delved into his vast repertoire of hits, past and present, and also shared observations with his fans without actually referring to his present situation. Montano was last month found guilty of assault and is due to be sentenced on January 17. He faces a possible jail term. They can take everything away from me but they cant take the music, he said. In addition to performing his Road March contender, The Fog, which has a pace made for the road and the double entendre opening line This one going and fog up the place, Montano shared the stage with Drupatee for a naughty and mesmerising performance of Indian Gyal, their second collaboration, which comes several years after their first, Real Unity. To the awe of the crowd, Drupatee so aptly demonstrated the chorus of wuk up the latie that even Montano had to pause for breath. He also shared the stage with the HD dancers and fellow HD family members Farmer Nappy and Patrice Roberts.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, who heads the four-party coalition that includes the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) that is seeking to end the 12-year rule of the PNM in the sister isle, said the new legislation would be introduced on January 7 with the debate starting on January 17. She told TOP supporters that Cabinet in October had considered all the recommendations during consultations with Tobagonians and has drafted the Constitutional (Amendment) (Tobago) Bill 2012. She said the legislation, which would require the support of the PNM in the Trinidad and Tobago parliament, would amend the Constitution to enhance the legislative and executive powers of the THA with a view to promoting internal self-government for the sister isle.

Election Battle Launched

PORT OF SPAIN, The Peoples National Movement (PNM) has gone into full election battle gear, with political leader Dr Keith Rowley speaking of a possible alliance with Tobago heavyweight Hochoy Charles and former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj to run the country. Rowley was speaking before a large January 6 crowd at Market Square in Scarborough where the PNM presented its 12-member slate for the January 21 Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election. Rowley was responding to claims by Tobago Organisation of the People leader Ashworth Jack that the PNM was financing Charles, a former THA chief secretary under the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) government, to split the TOP votes. Rowley, who was ushered onto the platform with confetti and flagwaving, also put Tobagonians on notice that the PNM will not be rushed to support any legislation for internal self-government for the island as he criticised the indecent haste of the Peoples Partnership Government to bring a bill to the Parliament this week. He chastised the TOP leader and his team for treating with the issue of internal self-government as a joke. He warned that it is a serious matter, adding that in any country, any move to amend the Constitution was serious business. During the presentations of candidates, several political calpysoes punctuated the launch, which started as a rally from Scarborough Port to Market Square.

Belly Bustas Take 3 Wife Whipping

Three men were sitting in a bar talking about how whipped they had their wives. The first two kept bragging about how they could get their wives to do anything. They looked at the third man and he said, I have my wife so whipped that the other day I had

January 9, 2013

CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC

PAGE 13

her crawling towards me on her hands and knees. Both of the other men were very impressed and asked him how he had managed that. The man replied, Well, I was lying under the bed and she crawled over and said, Come out and fight like a man!.

Fully Owned and Managed by Joe & Sandra!

Bill Payment
Walking up to a department stores fabric counter, the pretty girl said, I would like to buy this material for a new dress. How much does it cost? Only one kiss per yard, replied the male clerk with a smirk. Thats fine, said the girl. Ill take ten yards. With expectation and anticipation written all over his face, the clerk quickly measured out the cloth, wrapped it up, then teasingly held it out. The girl snapped up the package, pointed to the old geezer standing beside her, and smiled, Grandpa will pay the bill.

Bachelor Blues
Two confirmed bachelors sat talking, their conversation drifted from politics to cooking. I got a cookbook once, said one, but I could never do anything with it. Too much fancy work in it, eh? Asked the other. You got it. Every one of the recipes began the same way - Take a clean dish.

Happy Hour Sat & Sun 5 - 8pm Domestic Beer $3.00 each Thur & Fri Specials Any 4 beers DJS ! y y Frida
1 Order of Wings $20.00 Mix Drinks $3.50

Ever

he laws in Ontario with respect to losses occasioned as a result of a motor vehicle accident are complex and convoluted. In what follows, I will like to address specific instances where your insurance company may deny you coverage for loss or damage to your vehicle: The Facts: 1. Mr. Leon is a middle aged gentleman, who has had motor vehicle coverage with Acme Insurance for over 20 years. 2. On a wet and rainy night in November, Mr. Leon loans his vehicle to his son, Leroy. 3. Leroy is 21 years old and resides with Mr. Leon. 4. During the course of operation of the vehicle on a major highway, Leroy loses control of the vehicle and crashes into a guardrail and a light pole. 5. The ambulance and fire service is called to the scene of the accident and Leroy is transported to the hospital. 6. Based on police interviews at the hospital and blood samples, Leroy is charged with impaired Driving and having Over 80 mgs of alcohol. 7. Mr. Leon is not advised by Leroy that he consumed alcohol or that he was charged with a criminal offence. 8. The vehicle is a total write off and Mr. Leon put in his claim for the loss. 9. The insurance is not made aware of the charges and within 2-3 months, pays out the value of the claim as well as the repair to the guardrail and the light pole. 10. Some months later, the insurance company finds out about Leroys criminal charges and insists that Mr. Leon pay back all of the money received by him. 11. Mr. Leon refuses and the company sues Mr. Leon and his son, Leroy for the return of all of the money paid out. Can the insurance company refuse to pay out a claim given the circumstances in this case?

Home Affairs Insurance Law

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January 9, 2013

Can the company recover the money they already paid? The main contention of the insurance company is that Leroy was operating the vehicle with the conSelwyn R. sent of his father, the insured and. 1. He was operating the vehicle with greater than 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milligrams of blood contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada; and 2. He was operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Section 7.2.2 of the Ontario Automobile Policy stipulates that the insurer will not pay for loss or damage caused in an incident if the driver is unable to maintain proper control of the automobile due to being under the influence of intoxicating substances. The insurer will not pay for damages or losses if the driver is convicted of certain offences under the Criminal Code of Canada. These offences include, causing death by negligence, causing bodily harm, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stop at the scene of an accident, operation of a motor vehicle while impaired or with more than 80 mgs of alcohol in the blood, refusal to comply with the demand for a breath sample, causing bodily harm while impaired or over 80 mgls and operating a motor vehicle while disqualified from doing so. It is important to note that if another person drives or operates your vehicle with your permission under any of the preceding conditions, the insurer will not pay for any loss or damage that might occur. In the case discussed, although Leroy was not convicted of the criminal charges, Mr. Leon was never the less obliged to pay back the insurer the money they initially paid out to him to cover the loss. The foregoing is intended for information purposes only and you should consult a lawyer if you need legal representation or a legal opinion.

Making Home Renovations Work

or many of us, home renovaBianca tions will be a big project this year. Whether you are thinking about finishing a basement, redoing a bathroom or adding another floor, the following are tips for tackling a home renovation project:

Baboolal

Aziz

Check municipal building regulations. Building regulations vary from municipality to municipality. Before beginning, find out what building permits you will require. Be realistic about the size of your project. Make sure you have enough time, money and supplies to complete the job. If you cannot live in your home for a period during the renovations, extending that period could become costly. Do some homework before you hire a contractor. It is important that you are comfortable with the contractors ability to complete the job. Ask for referrals. Ask those you trust about their home renovation experiences. Do not overextend yourself With interest rates as low as they are, now may be a good time to look at financing options to help complete that your contemplated renovation project. There are a lot of financing options out there, so make sure you find the appropriate one for you. Be realistic about the amount you can borrow and your ability to repay.
*The information in this article is not intended as specific investment, financial, accounting, and legal or tax advice for any individual.

Selwyn R. Baboolal is a partner at Oumarally Baboolal practicing in the area of litigation for the past 18 years.

Happy New Year

January 9, 2013

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Caribbean T20
PORT-OF-SPAIN, The final edition of the Caribbean T20 Tournament was officially opened on January 6 with cricket fans all over the world being treated to a cultural show at the Queens Park Oval, Port-of-Spain. The opening ceremony, which started at 5pm, was broadcast live by ESPN as the first half of the prestigious competition began in grand style. In a true representation of the melting pot that is Trinidad and Tobago, fans were treated to calypso, chutney, soca, African dancing, Indian dances as well as belly dancing. There were energetic performances from Kees Dieffenthaller, Chucky and Rikki Jai to name a few as the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Sport and Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism merged culture and sport as they had promised. Meanwhile, Minister of Sport Anil Roberts welcomed the world to Trinidads shores and said he is looking forward to an amazing tournament. Welcome to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago where you shall enjoy some of the greatest cricket our region has to offer with our Carnival atmosphere, he declared. Roberts also took the opportunity to congratulate the WICB (West Indies Cricket Board) and the Windies team for their success in the World Twenty20 tournament last year but is now imploring them to focus on bettering their performances in Test cricket which he deems the holy grail. The Sports Minister noted that cricket is not just a game to people in the region and implored the WICB and regional Governments to work together in harmony to lay the foundation for success.WICB CEO, Michael Muirhead, was also present and hailed the partnership with ESPN which will provide the means for persons across the globe to see the best the Caribbean teams have to offer. He also commended the Government of TT and Minister Roberts for their keen interest cricket and also congratulated the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket board (TTCB) for co-hosting CT20 as well as putting on a fantastic ceremony which he feels has raised the bar even higher.

Rampaul Out
PORT-OF-SPAIN, A knee injury has ruled West Indies fast bowler Ravi Rampaul out of the Caribbean Twenty 20 starting this weekend. Rampaul is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks, and his place in the Trinidad & Tobago squad has been taken by quick bowler Rayad Emrit. After a medical assessment and an MRI scan, it was decided that he would not be fully fit for the tournament, T&T manager Omar Khan said, and the recommendation is to rest him rather than taking a risk and playing him and he breaks down during the tournament which could put him out for a longer period of time. T&T are defending champions of the Caribbean T20, and have a squad full of renowned players, including Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine. Still, Khan said the ab-

Mohammed Targeting 100 Wickets

BASSETERRE, St Kitts - Talismanic West Indies Women offspinner Anisa Mohammed will be targeting 100 wickets during the current One-Day International against South Africa. The wily Trinidadian has taken a record 85 wickets from 54 matches and believes she can achieve the coveted landmark during the five match series. Im looking for 100. I pay close attention to the details in the game and I am 15 wickets away from 100. My aim is to look to get to 100 or as close as possible during the series against South Africa, Mohammed said. The 24-year-old has been the consummate match-day performer for West Indies, and has taken 28 wickets in her last ten ODIs. Only last April in Barbados, she snatched a five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in the opening ODI of the three-match series that the hosts went on to win by a 2-1 margin. Before every year I set myself goals and before every series I set myself targets. Last year one of my goals was to help the West Indies improve as a team and try to win the World T20 in Sri Lanka, she explained. Mohammed will be one of the key

Samuels, Warne Clash In Big Bash

MELBOURNE, Australia - A nasty on-field confrontation with star Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne on January 6 has plunged West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels into controversy yet again. The incident saw Warne throwing the ball directly at Samuels and striking the Jamaican who responded by tossing his bat in the legendary Test players direction. And the ruckus, which erupted during the Big Bash game between Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars, was further compounded when Samuels top-edged a bouncer from Lasith Malinga into his face and was forced to retire hurt. He was subsequently taken to hospital with a bloodied face. The melee overshadowed the result

sence of Rampaul will be a big loss. It is a disappointment because Ravi is a West Indies bowler and he is one of our main bowlers in terms of opening the bowling and bowling at the death. We obviously have to make some adjustments and the technical staff will be looking at different strategies having lost Ravi as an option. T&T opened their campaign on January 6th against Jamaica, another of the front-runners for the tournament.

of the Melbourne derby which saw Samuels Renegades emerge with a comfortable nine wicket victory and continue at the top of the Big Bash standings. Opting to bat first, the Stars tallied 146 for nine off their 20 overs, with England opener Luke Wright top-scoring with 29. In the sixth over, Samuels seemed to restrain David Hussey, who made 23, from taking a second run and the two exchanged words over the episode. The off-spinner finished with one for 26 from three overs. When Renegades batted, Warne welcomed Samuelss arrival at the crease in the ninth over with an obscenity laced rant and the tension escalated with the ball and bat throwing incident.

Knight Joins Twin Sister In World Cup Squad

Twenty-year old Kyshona Knight is the only uncapped player in West Indies 15-member squad for the upcoming Womens World Cup in Mumbai. Kyshona will join her twin sister Kycia Knight in the team led by wicket keeper-batsman Merissa Aguilleira. It is a great feeling to be selected in the West Indies team with my sister, Kyshona said. This is a dream for both of us. I wanted to join her from the time she made the team last year and Im pretty excited right now that our dream of playing together for the West Indies has been realised. Not many sisters, especially twins, play the same sport and achieve similar success. West Indies are placed in Group A along with hosts India, Sri Lanka and three-time champions England. They will play the hosts in the opening match at the Wankhede Stadium on January 31. West Indies squad: Merissa Aguilleira (capt and wk), Stafanie Taylor (vc), Shemaine Campbelle, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Kycia Knight, Anisa Mohammed, Subrina Munroe, Juliana Nero, Shaquana Quintyne, Shakera Selman, Tremayne Smartt, Kyshona Knight, Natasha McLean, June Ogle

players as the Windies take on South Africa in the upcoming series. Mohammed said she was confident the Caribbean side would do well against the Proteas.

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January 9, 2013