the montserrat reporter - september 12 2014

12
Price $3.00 Vol. XXIX No. 27 Today’s Scripture Week Ending Friday, September 12, 2014 Come near to God and he will come near to you. - James 4:8 (NIV) www.themontserratreporter.com Bank of Montserrat Your Bank. Your Future. www.bankofmontserrat.ms 24 HOUR ATM SERVICE (664) 491-3843 Alarming violence against children...pg 8 2 Caribbean countries in world’s top 10...pg 10 Making a case for amends...pg 10 Beyond Election 2014...pg 3 Overpaid representatives?...pg 4 Carib views:Scottish independence...pg 5 More Headlines... People’s Democratic Movement Wins the poll Story starts on page 2 ‘Putting people first’, Promising transparency . Equality . Accountability. Integrity Photo credit: Jeevan Robinson (FB)

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People’s Democratic Movement Wins the poll Beyond Election 2014...pg 3 Overpaid representatives?...pg 4 Carib views:Scottish independence...pg 5 Alarming violence against children...pg 8 2 Caribbean countries in world’s top 10...pg Making a case for amends...pg 10

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: The Montserrat Reporter - September 12 2014

Page 1Friday, September 12, 2014 g

Price $3.00Vol. XXIX No. 27

Today’s Scripture

Week Ending Friday, September 12, 2014

Come near to God and he will come near to you. - James 4:8 (NIV)

www.themontserratreporter.com

Bank of MontserratYour Bank. Your Future. www.bankofmontserrat.ms

24 HOUR ATM SERVICE

(664) 491-3843

Alarming violence against children...pg 8

2 Caribbean countries in world’s top 10...pg 10

Making a case for amends...pg 10

Beyond Election 2014...pg 3

Overpaid representatives?...pg 4

Carib views:Scottish independence...pg 5

More Headlines...

People’s Democratic Movement

Wins the poll

Story starts on page 2

‘ P u t t i n g people first’, P r o m i s i n g transparency . Equal i ty . Accountability. Integrity

Photo credit: Jeevan Robinson (FB)

Page 2: The Montserrat Reporter - September 12 2014

Page 2 Friday, September 12, 2014

PDM takes 7 seats

Premier elect makes his fi rst dec-laration, then goes to be sworn-in

cont’d on page 7

cont’d from page 1

PDM members Claude Hogan and David Duberry celebrate in the early morning with supporters

ISLAND OF MONTSERRAT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

A.D. 2014[PROBATE]

In the Estate of QUILTON HORATIO TUITT, deceased.LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that after expiration of (14) days from the date hereof, application will be made in the Registry of the High Court of Justice for an order that Letters of Administration in the Estate of Quilton Horatio Tuitt late of Palm Loop, Woodlands, Montserrat who died on the 11th of August 2014 at the University Hospi-tal, Guadeloupe be granted to Gweneth Tuitt of Palm Loop, Woodlands, Montserrat, the wife of the deceased and one of the persons entitled to a share in his Estate.

ALL persons claiming to be benefi cially interested therein are requested forthwith to send particulars to me the undersigned.

FURTHER any person objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court of Justice whose address is: Offi ce of the Registrar General, Brades, Montserrat, not later than fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice.

Dated this 4th day of September, 2014

GWENETH TUITTApplicant

Sagicor Life Insurance Inc.WE, COLLIN AND CARNIE MEADE of Barzey’s Montserrat, having made sworn deposition that Policy No. BMT328424 issued by British American Insurance Company Limited prior to transfer of such policy to Sagicor Life Inc on the life of Deceased, Joseph Meade has been lost, and having made application to the Directors to grant a duplicate of same, notice is hereby given that unless objection is raised within one month of the date hereof, the duplicate policy asked for will be issued.

Dated: 1st September, 2014

By Order

Althea HazzardCorporate Secretary

Behind a theme of newness, “Putting People First - A Fresh Start” and against the background of failed promises, where the now Premier as party leader in his party’s introduc-tory message refers to the preceding government, “a clear F, for failure…” the electorate of Montserrat’s spoke very clearly on Thursday September 11, 2014 when they elected seven of People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) and two of the outgoing Movement for Change and Prosperity (MCAP) candidates to a new Legislative Assembly.

By 6 a.m. Friday, September 12, 2014, the following persons were declared as winners with their respective vote counts in descending order: Donaldson Romeo -1695, Dr. Ingrid Buffonge - 1,615, Paul Lewis - 1,507, David Osborne - 1,356, Joseph Farrell - 1,314 (MCAP), Delmaude Ryan - 1,185, Reuben T. Meade -1,140 (MCAP), Claude Hogan - 1,112, and Gregory Willock - 1,098. It was then clear that out of the 3,866 Registered Voters the 2,747 persons who turned out to vote bought into the “Putting People First” campaign employed by the Donaldson Romeo led PDM.

The top 17 positions were held by members of either PDM or MCAP making it pellucid that the electorate voted along party lines. This can be seen where PDM candidates held the top four positions, while MCAP candidates Jermaine Wade (876 votes), Colin Riley (866 Votes), Samuel Joseph (858 votes), Leroy Greaves (802) and Brenda Daley (742) took positions 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17.

By 2:30 am when just over 50% of the votes were counted, the leader for MCAP Reuben T. Meade conceded defeat and in speaking at the panel covering the election results said, “Based on the trend it seems as if the PDM is all set to take victory in this elections. …The people have clearly spoken and we will have to accept what they are saying.” He also said that “based on the campaign from the PDM the people seemed to have bought into what they are selling…”.

He continued: “Both parties have worked hard. I would like to thank all the persons who supported both PDM and MCAP and also the independents. It was an interesting elec-tion campaign and clearly one team had to win and PDM won and again my heartiest congratulations to the entire team.”

Support for the Alliance of Independent Candidates dwindled compared with last elections as they took positions 22, 24 and 25 being Dr. Lewis - 468 votes, Claude Gerald - 275 votes and David Tuitt - 222 Votes respectively. Last election Dr. Lewis received 1000 votes while David Tuitt garnered 808. The top fi ve independent candidates were Victor James who held the position of 18 with 657 votes, Crenston Buffonge 19 with 533, Geraldine Cabey 20 with 528 votes.

Joel Osborne, Norman Cassell, Alaric Lynch, Wilford

Meade, Catherine Tuitt and Winston Pond, held the bottom 5 places. Other candidates who were unsuccessful were Independent Candidate Hylroy Bramble (105 Votes) and MCAP candidate Justin Cassell (525 votes).

(see election results table) The full results and their analysis may be viewed at www.elections.ms .

The tv and radio broadcast panel covering the results of the elections included TMR’s editor and political ana-lyst Bennette Roach, Rose Willock and media consultant Chelston Lee, anchored; Peter White and former Financial Secretary John Skerritt, Clarice Barnes, and Eugene Sker-ritt. Deone Semple, Astley Henry led by Angela Estwick provided statistical data and reports of the activities with counting of the ballots, while Chelston at one time with Kafu Cabey reported on the activities and scenes in and around the

Cultural Centre where the post elections activities took place.Later during that coverage the Premier apparent ap-

peared and made a brief statement, where he said he was calm and just trying to take in the moment. He said the trend was pointing to “a clear and convincing victory” for the PDM and appealed for a united Montserrat as the new government undertakes the task of rebuilding the island battered by a volcano.

“There is nothing in that manifesto that we cannot do. I expect us to do even more,” he told radio listeners.

Shortly after the party chair Shirley Osborne also ap-peared and told the panel that the PDM which began as a community organization will remain that way which will provide the caucus of the PDM party.

At about midday on Friday, Premier-elect Mr. Donaldson Romeo appeared live on the Warren Cassell Show where he delivered his very fi rst formal speech as the incoming Premier of Montserrat. In his speech the

was an exciting experience but PDM is determine to de-liver on our promised for all of the people of Montserrat at home and abroad.”

Premier elect said: “Beyond personal joy, collective glad-ness and sincere gratitude, I am humbled by the peoples support. The confi dence that the people of Montserrat has

He went on to ensure that they intend to, “create new jobs, build decent hous-ing establish high quality health care and emergency

Photo credit: Jeevan Robinson (FB)

given to the People’s Democratic Move-ment is a statement of mutual accountability. I am more fully per-suaded that to achieve all that we have set out to do, our only hope is to stand with and for each other in both good and bad times. Winning the elections

Page 3: The Montserrat Reporter - September 12 2014

Page 3Friday, September 12, 2014 g

Beyond election 2014 - a declaration by TMR

Geothermal results disappointing

OVERSEAS TERRITORY OF MONTSERRATIN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

A.D. 2014(PROBATE)

In the estate of PETER SYLVESTER RYNER, deceasedLEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen (14) days from the date hereof, application will be made in the Registry of the High Court of Justice for an Order that Letters of Administration with Will attached in the Estate of PETER SYLVESTER RYNER late of Banks, Montserrat, who died on the 29th day of July, 2013 at the Glendon Hospital, St. John’s, Montserrat, be granted to JENNIFER RYNER of Manjack, Montserrat, the Lawful Attorney of PHILBERT WILLIAM RYNER the Personal Representative of the deceased and one of the persons entitled to share in the Estate.

ALL persons claiming to be benefi cially interested therein are requested forthwith to send particulars to me the undersigned.

FURTHER, any person objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicants should notify the Registrar of the High Court of Justice no later than fourteen (14) days from the date of the notice.

DATED the 1st day of September 2014Chivone Gerald

ALLEN MARKHAM & ASSOCIATES

Although the Montserrat Reporter celebrates no election victory, it will not hesitate to say… Congratulations are in order for the victorious. But in the meantime, to set the records straight, the Montserrat Reporter declares its intention for 2014 and beyond.

The Montserrat Reporter will use no platform from which to ap-peal to the voters. It will use no manifesto to list or explain the plans for Montserrat. And it shall cower neither to DFID nor to the local elected representatives.

The Montserrat Reporter merely seeks to level its concern on issues that are relevant to the good governance and development of Montserrat. And, lest the newly elected legislators get carried away with the victory of the moment, the Montserrat Reporter will quickly steer the political ship to get on course and issue the following warning.

Be aware! It is DFID; it will be DFID that control the purse which agrees the course for Montserrat. And hence, below is a direct extract from the Aide Memoir between DFID and the past, present or future Government of Montserrat. Be guided! Here is what DFID wrote.

Limited progress in collecting tax arrears and little sign of an improvement in tax effi ciency and compliance. Overall domestic revenues in 2013/14 are around $EC1½ million lower than assumed in the budget set at the beginning of the fi scal year.

Legal action by GoM to pursue tax arrears is anticipated in the next six months. GoM has confi rmed that there are now no legisla-tive constraints to taking forward prosecutions, and that holding places can be made available for confi scated property. This would help send a

strong message about GoM’s intention to pursue defaulters and improve tax compliance more generally. The DFID team would welcome further detail on the analysis underpinning GoM’s tax arrears write-off and collection strategy.

We agreed that further analysis would be undertaken by the time of the mid-year budget review to assess the impact of pipeline capital investment projects on economic growth and tax revenues in the medium-term. GoM has no plan to signifi cantly change the tax framework next year. More marked progress in pursuing tax arrears is expected which should improve tax compliance.

The mid-year budget review will also include an assessment of progress in this area.

Montserratians, please be aware, the journey with DFID must obviously and unavoidably continue no matter which road we take; or

who is steering the bus. And remember their promise to get us out from under their wings by 2020. That was confi rmed since 2011, three years later we are not one step closer because of our failure to understand that every penny (cent) they donate must be to grow the economy and not make a select few wealthy.

So, the agenda begins with taxation and tax compliance, all spheres. As soon as the newly elected GoM restarts the journey, Montserrat will have to provide to DFID the list of those persons who benefi ted from the so called tax forgiveness. Recall, if you can, the Montserrat Reporter requested that list a couple years ago.

Another matter already on the agenda, is to discuss and agree whether Montserrat should pay monthly $1,000.00 social welfare cheques unless we want to send home 250 civil servants.

In consideration for the next agenda item, is the matter of outsourc-ing. And The Montserrat Reporter will share its views on this subject matter in future publications. (We invite you as a beginning to the article and in particular the section dealing with that previous paragraph: Septem-

ber 7, 2014, “Proposals to Reduce Public Expenditure, Improve Effectiveness & Effi ciency and Increase Public Revenue”.

Nevertheless, having said all of the foregoing, the Mont-serrat Reporter and the Man from Baker Hill congratulate the nine victorious candidates in the 2014 elections. We continue to extend the hands of cooperation just as before, now to the People Democratic Movement (PDM) government.

We ask that you please understand and respect the Montserrat Reporter as a vital partner for the good governance and development of Montserrat. And in good faith ‘The Montserrat Reporter’ assures all its partners in the democratic process for good governance and development of Montserrat that it will continue to make valuable political contributions beyond election 2014.

CRM Far from impressed with the geothermal production results. They will hold a press conference this week where they will speak to a Statement they have prepared to provide informa-tion to the public. They will seek to show that the development in which they have brought about through much initiative and been involved with and encouraged for many years, is not the success it should have or could have been.

The following is a summary of what the public can expect to hear much more about.

The Committee for the Re-development of Montserrat (CRM) is a registered non-government or-ganisation established to promote and facilitate the reconstruction

CRM reveals – a failure at best, disappointingof Montserrat after the volcanic eruption that began in July of 1995.

At this point in time, CRM is putting on record its considered opinion that the results of the project funded by the British Government in the amount of 8.5 million pounds to drill 2 geothermal production wells on island, have been at best disappointing if not bordering on failure.

It is necessary to summarise critical events preceding the Brit-ish Government’s release of the project funds as well as CRM’s connection with the entire geo-thermal enterprise.

The Summary begins: After the CRM led demonstration in March 2006 which caused the

John Osborne led administration to change its decision to give away control of Montserrat’s geothermal resource to a foreign owned company for a mere 4% royalty, CRM met with the coali-tion government headed by Dr Lowell Lewis to discuss the future of geothermal development. The Hon. Reuben Meade and his col-league the Hon. Charles Kirnon were members of that coalition administration. At that meet-ing, the government decided to establish an Energy Committee charged with the task of taking forward geothermal development. Represented on that Commit-tee were two CRM members (initially Jim Bass and Ray Tyson or their alternates). Other mem-

bers were the Director of Public Works (Chairman), the Managing Director of Montserrat Utilities, a representative of the Depart-ment of Environment, and a DFID representative (at that time the engineer Mr. Steve Price).

An Energy Committee was formed by Government, members of CRM served on this committee which took the resource search for geothermal energy to fruition.

‘Production Well DrillingProduction wells whether

they are drilled for exploration rea-sons or as a part of a development program, are larger diameter wells designed for producing steam and /or hot water on a continuous basis to supply a power plant.

Advantages of Production Wells

For any geothermal develop-ment these are the only wells that can produce fluids to a power plant.

With the proper drilling rig they can handle any adverse drilling conditions such as high temperature and pressure as well as bad drilling formation.

With directional drilling more production wells can be drilled from a single drilling pad. In ad-dition directional drilling allows second and third wells to be completed from the same well which can signifi cantly reduce the resource risk.

Proposed Rig TypeThermaSource recommends

using an Atlas Copco Predator Drilling System or C1000. There are many truck mounted rigs throughout the world but only a few can handle the weight of the

casing that will be run. A truck mounted rig is ideal for an island location because there is no need for a large 100+ ton crane. The production well rig should have a lifting capacity of 200,000 lbs or greater. ‘

That DFID’s Dr Kimbugwe, DFID Adviser Michael Allen and Energy Committee Chairman Beardsley were preparing the contract to drill the production wells was revealed when in June 2012 Chairman Beardsley emailed CRM representative Ray Tyson a draft tender document for a drilling contract. Given the very precise procedures for tender preparation and the technical imperatives inclusive of directional drilling, drill rig power and other specifi cations set out in the EGS fi nal report, CRM representatives considered the draft tender contract to be severely inadequate.

CRM representatives on the Energy Committee were never allowed to see the fi nal tender document. They subsequently understood that only a 750 horse power drill rig was tendered for instead of the EGS recommended Atlas Copco Predator Drilling System or C1000 which approxi-mates to 1000 horse power. ( Note: Many persons within the island community are of the view that it is a 520 horse power drill rig that has been used to drill the production wells in Montserrat. Messrs Kimbugwe and Allen should confi rm whether or not this is so). Most shocking however, is that a copy of the tender docu-ment obtained after the contract was signed and drilling was well

under way, clearly shows that no directional drilling capability was requested.

The CRM concludes:11. CRM has provided the

factual information above to support its contention that after the preparation of the Business Plan and the British Government’s provision of the 8.5 million pounds to drill the production wells, CRM representatives and other mem-bers of the Energy Committee were effectively excluded from meaningful participation in the procedures leading up to the actual drilling process by Chairman Ron Beardsley, the Head of the DFID offi ce on Montserrat, Dr Kato Kim-bugwe and Mr Michael Allen, who prepared the Business Plan. The disappointing if not failed results from the production wells drilled to date are their responsibility alone.

Presently, at the end of June 2014, the 8.5 million pounds have provided to the people of Montser-rat, production wells Nos. 1 and 2 demonstrating clearly limited or in our view disappointing perfor-mance. Well No 1 at the entrance to the road leading to Foxes Bay has had to be stimulated with pumped water. At well No 2 situ-ated on the Corkhill road across from the former Seventh Day Adventist School, as stated by the Ministry of Communications and Works engineer monitoring the drilling exercise, the internal diam-eter of the drill pipe at the bottom of the well is only 4 inches. This diameter, as pointed out above within the EGS feasibility study is inadequate for conventional commercial operation.

Page 4: The Montserrat Reporter - September 12 2014

Page 4 Friday, September 12, 2014

In God’s PresenceCome near to God and he will

come near to you. - James 4:8 (NIV)As my parents age, they are

becoming more and more dependent on my help. I do what I can, but it is not easy since I work and have responsibilities in my own immediate family as well. Because life has become such a struggle for Mom and Dad, our every visit or phone conversation has become focused on the next list of requests they have for me. Sometimes I feel I have become merely a facilitator of all their needs. I’m happy to help as much as I can, but I miss just chatting and laughing and doing things together

the way we used to.This may be how God feels when I

pray only when I have a list of requests. I know that God cares about my needs, and I often mention them in prayer. But I very seldom pray just to worship and be near God. I regret looking to God merely as a facilitator of requests. More and more I am realizing that God wants more than my requests; God wants my heart.

Julie Gilleand (Indiana)Prayer: Dear Lord, reignite our

hearts with love for you. Remind us that our times of communion together can be not only about our needs but about spending time with you. Amen.

Our Scripture Verse TodayOur Scripture Verse Today

Letters/Opinion

Published by: Montserrat Printing & Publishing, Inc. - Editor: Bennette Roach - Offi ce: Davy Hill, Mailing Address: P.O. Box 306, Davy Hill, Montserrat, W.I.Typeset and Printed by Montserrat Printing & Publishing, Inc. - [email protected]. (664) 491-4715 Fax: (664) 491-2430 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] - Web Site: http://www.themontserratreporter.com

The Montserrat Reporter

E D I T O R I A LPDM comes to Government

on a high from the electorateNo one thought of it then, but if there is any similarity between

the outcome of this just concluded General Elections is the close re-sult where the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) raked in seven out of nine in this election and Movement for Change and Prosperity (MCAP) grabbed six in 2009 leaving the Independents who numbered nine to get the other three.

From an analyst point of view there are many differences in this election where there were two parties. The result showed that the electorate responded to fi rstly, a desire for change of those things had become unbearable, jobs, high prices and generally cost of living and no effort or sign of relief in the near future.

Then there is what the opposition led by the now Premier Donaldson Romeo harped on all the time the lack consultation and information for the benefi t of the people.

It didn’t help that this newspaper kept complaining on the issue and more so Premier Reuben T. Meade posturing that he doesn’t have to consult with ‘anyone’ to include his ministers, who will in cabinet validate his decisions.

Meade, who served as Chief Minister from 1991 to 1996, is ex-pected to be sworn in as the country’s leader later today and may select his Cabinet as well. The other successful MCAP candidates he can draw from are Easton Taylor-Farrell, Charles Kirnon, David Osborne, Colin Riley and Jermaine Wade.

It was really easy while PDM mounted one of the best campaigns, if not for all time, certainly in the last 30 years, where in the last month the confi dence of victory was so high they began referring to the MCAP government as the ‘outgoing’ government; and at their last rally the entry of the candidates was one of pomp. The swearing ceremony of the Premier was attended by a crowd of well-wishers and supporters, diffi cult to remember.

Easy because the campaign was built on a theme which said: “Putting People First – A Fresh Start” that will refl ect, Transparency, Equality, Accountability and Integrity. These are ideals that this news-paper has been preaching since 1994 and particularly the last 14 years.

Easy because of the failure of MCAP to honour its Premiers com-mitment from 2009: “Our commitment to you is that we will: build a new prosperity in which all would share. Restore the dignity and self-confi dence of our people…”

As well as: 1. “We pledge a new approach to leadership, with a team of strong, competent and compassionate leaders who reject ‘one-manism’ and embrace the concept of team spirit and shared responsibilities.”

2. “We will restore the public trust in government through the passage of integrity legislation and the institution of procedures and mechanisms for ensuring transparency and accountability in policymak-ing, planning and programme management. We will protect no interest except the public good.”

With the failure to produce anything positive in these and others of the 12 commitments and 11 pledges, PDM, following the Premier’s near admission of one-manism and a motion of no confi dence in that regard, had little diffi culty in launching their platform against MCAP.

Of the outgoing Ministers there is at least one among them who should have left the MCAP government, if not sooner when David Osborne did so, later and more recently, when he was encouraged to do so after suffering at the obvious attempts to make him irrelevant. His performance at the polls was the worst of the four ministers, in fact placing last of the fi ve remaining for MCAP.

Proposal to reduce public expenditure, improve effectiveness & effi ciency

and increase public revenue

Are our elected representatives overpaid?

cont’d. on page 9

cont’d. on page 9

Here are some suggestions for the next govern-ment to consider

1. Repeal the GOVERNOR’S SALARY AND ALLOWANCES ACT. This will save at least $133,584 per year. After all, why should anyone, much less a public servant, receive two salaries for one job?

2. Review and rationalize all legislators’ salaries and allowances, eliminating immediately the undeserved housing allowance paid to each minister as well as the unjustifiable duty allowance paid to all legislators and the Speaker. $390,000 will be realized immediately by eliminating housing and duty allowances. Extra savings should also be achieved if, as suspected, legislators are unable to prove they legitimately spend the amounts they receive in allowances for entertainment, travel and telephone, now totalling an ad-ditional $163,200 each year. Leading by example will make MCAP’s public exhorta-tions about the need to tighten our belts a lot more credible. Last but not least, there’ll be savings from the reduction of legislators’ pensions which is currently based on salary plus all taxable allowances.

3. Dismiss all non-performing public servants immediately. If as the Premier says, it’s unfair to increase the amount paid to social welfare benefi ciaries when civil servants have not increased a pay increase for 8 years, it is inexplicable why they are still on government’s payroll especially when HMG is pressuring government to reduce the nominal roll. However, if the terminated

Based on their performance, does anyone think that any of our elected legislators deserve the amount of money they receive as pay each year from the public purse?

And, could someone please explain to the public why combined, all elected legislators receive $234,000 a year for something called a duty allowance (which so far, no one can defi ne for me) plus another $144,000 a year for living in their own houses.

Each month, the Premier alone receives $5000

employees are unable to fi nd alternative employment and so as not to reduce our population through further emigration, amend the Social Welfare Act so they’ll qualify for benefi ts. Let’s assume, con-servatively, that the median annual civil service salary is $36,000 ($3,000 a month) and that 192 (20% per governor’s estimate) employees on the nominal roll of 960 full-time-equivalents (number approved per DFID 2014-15 Aid Memoire) are performing below expectations or are ‘non-performing’ as the premier minister puts it. If we multiply 192 by $36,000, this translates to an annual waste of $6,912,000. If all 192 so-called indolent persons join the social welfare roll with each head of household receiving $900 each month ($10,800 a year), it will only cost $2,073,600 resulting in a savings of $4,838,400 which could then be invested in improving education, healthcare services, performance increments, etc.

4. Rather than asking civil servants to cut back expenditure so they can benefi t from the savings in the form of bonuses, instead encourage them to use all the money to improve and increase the de-livery of high-quality and timely services to intended benefi ciaries.

5. Means-test all persons requesting grants and income tax/customs duty ex-emptions (including those granted to MPs and senior civil servants. It is fi scally irre-sponsible to give across-the-board grants and tax emptions without regard to actual need.

a month as duty allowance plus $3000 for housing, amounting to $96,000 a year and this does not include his other allowances or salary!

If you check the fi gures below, every Minister gets more in total allowances than his salary, collec-tively receiving $451,800 in allowances in addition to $392,952 as salary. This is supplemented by the additional income most of them make from other sources. No wonder so many people are contesting the election this year.

Page 5: The Montserrat Reporter - September 12 2014

Page 5Friday, September 12, 2014 g

By: Warren Cassell, Jr.Can wealth be created by in-

vesting in making the world a better place? The sole reason people invest is to create wealth. Everyday money is put into the real estate, stock, bond and commodities market with the hope of it growing . Investing allows us to live in the manner we please. It also ensures that our loved ones are protected in the event of a crisis. But what if it was possible to achieve good fi nancial returns while creating positive social outcomes?

Social Impact Investing is a form of socially responsible invest-ing. The idea is simple: There are countless social issues plaguing the world. Some of these issues include, lack of waste removal services and lack of access to education. With

By Sir Ronald SandersIf the people of Scotland

vote for independence from the United Kingdom on September 18, they will be buying a one-way ticket to their own misfortune, and with consequences that will go beyond their borders affecting Commonwealth countries.

Notwithstanding the argu-ments of the Scottish National Party, the Scottish economy cannot sustain an independent Scotland that can deliver the welfare system the country now enjoys and pay for all the appara-tus required for defense, security and participation in international affairs. Scottish nationalists do the people of Scotland no favour by glibly urging them to go it alone.

If the Scottish voters opt for independence, they will quickly learn what many independent Caribbean countries understand well -– being small has very few and limited advantages in a world where military or economic power reigns supreme. Of course, Scot-land’s economy is bigger than all of the Caribbean economies, and its wealth and human resources are much greater. In this context, it would have a better chance of survival as an independent State than many Caribbean countries. That argument is true, but even with its greater resources, Scot-land will still be a small country with little bargaining power and even less coercive muscle in the international community. It will quickly learn the disadvantages and marginalization of being small and ignored.

Scotland’s reality is that it has a population of 5 million people as against the present 63 million in the UK who share the cost of Scotland’s pension pay-ments, unemployment benefits and free heath care. Scotland would be far better-off by securing

The following ‘Open letter to the Chief Minister of Montser-rat’ appeared in this newspaper, one week after Reuben T Meade, incumbent for over a year was elected to head the MCAP (Move-ment for Change and Prosperity) government.

It was written by one, who having held discussions on, made observations, suggestions and rec-ommendations on the way forward for Montserrat and its people, found it necessary at the end of four and a half years to become involved in the formation of a party to ask The People to reject the Chief Minister (now Premier) along with his cohort from offi ce.

It is well known that her brother successfully campaigned with the MCAP party, but, primarily as a result of his (now deceased) father’s encouragement and en-dorsement, with near 45 years’ experience, many of those as Chief Minister himself. He soon after confi ded his regret and his son left the party a good while after his death in disgust and dissatisfi ed with the actions and direction of the party. Most Montserratians and residents alike will recall that the new CM had been rejected for leadership and that in unreported untoward circumstances regained that leadership while the MCAP’s popular leader relinquished her position to him.

Open letter to the Chief Minister of Montserrat’ – (Sep-tember 18, 2009)

A little less than a year ago, I had the rare pleasure of a brief, very brief, discussion with you, and with your permission I’d like to pick it up again for a little bit, if you don’t mind. It was begun in public, so I hope you will have no objection to my continuing it in that same space.

You might remember, I was

Capitalism with a conscience - awak-ening the Social Investment Giant

Caribbean view: Scotland’s September 18 Referendum: Its consequences

Disappointing, after an encouraging call for ‘Action’ of “some really

good decision-making - 5 years ago

These problems include; the lack of fl exibility that revolves around the use of grant money, the lack of an easy access to strong capital markets, and a lack of effective funding models. This results in road-blocks for innovation and growth. Added to that, many entrepreneurs are dissuaded from their venture due to donors refusing to cover any bit of overhead which makes scaling up virtually impossible as most social ventures are perennially underfunded.

Impact investors tend to focus on investing in these eight sectors:

(1) alternative energy,(2) agriculture and agribusi-

ness,(3) transportation including

ports, island roads, and inter-island

would be misleading to say that social impact investing is not hap-pening in the Caribbean. A number of private investors have begun to actively pursue opportunities within the region. These investors include Leopard Capital and Portland Pri-vate Equity which was founded by Jamaican-billionaire, Michael Lee-Chin. Haiti has received the majority of global media attention, and thus it has enjoyed most of the social investments that have been directed towards the region.

However, a lot more work still needs to be done. Caribbean governments must actively seek to work with investors to increase the level of investment in the Caribbean. Private capital is needed in order to grow a sustainable Caribbean

sitting in the studio at Radio Mont-serrat, a guest on Rose’s (Willock) Saturday morning show, and you called in to respond to a member of points being made about the admin-istration and development of, and the quality of life in, Montserrat, by me and others of Rose’s guests.

We were all, including you, of the very strong opinion that all was defi nitely not well with Montserrat. You and I, both, agreed, as I recall, that a number of matters of great import are in urgent need of redress. You said that the effective handling of these would require the making of some “tough decisions.” You were saying that the people in the Government would have to make these decisions, and I happen to be-lieve that this has to be undertaken by both Government and People.

Well, Sir, you are now in the position in which you get to make these decisions both as “govern-ment” and as “people”, and while I do, of course write to congratulate you on your victory in the last elec-tions, I also, muchmore importantly write to remind you that you did, during the discussions , declare pub-licly, that you would, indeed, make those “tough decisions”. Active democracy, and my commitment to my island, requires that I hold you to your word. My understanding of democracy suggests that I have the right to, and my management of my personal relationships requires that I do.

I do so despite the fact, too that I have been informed, and by a very close friend of mine, no less, that I have no right to demand good governance, accountability and the consistent exercise of good principles. I could not, she declared, take issue with any incompetence, poor administration, or lack of com-mitment, or exercise any right to doubt, question or interrogate the

Government or people of Montser-rat, “from outside.”

I was unsettled by this at-titude, to put it mildly, no least because I am, unchangeably and forever, one of The People of Montserrat. Moreover, I remember having been relieved of my job at the Department of Tourism because I once dared to express displeasure at some of the workings (or lack thereof) of the Ministry of Educa-tion, Health, and Social Services. And that, at a time when I was a full-time resident of Montserrat!

I think I don’t need to tell you that those of us on the “outside” are willing and fully able to contribute meaningfully and consistently, and are all too aware of the blocks, hurdles, and stonewalls that are, almost invariably thrown up when-ever we offer our services and sup-port. It is not my imagination that the general attitude is to resist our advances, to oppose our positions to thwart our contributing, to assert that we do not have the right, to insist that we ask permission and then deny it when we do. I have experienced it, personally, too many times to count, and too recently to have forgotten.

I believe this is a dangerous standpoint. It is a shortsighted and insidious purview. It is deeply offensive, unjust, and, in this age of instant communications and real-time news, also altogether groundless. It smacks of parochial-ism and unawareness.

And it is only one of the many frustrations faced by Montser-ratians who are deeply committed to the development of our island, and who are also fully capable and highly competent.

So, C.M. Meade, how this pervasive and generally-accepted sentiment will jibe with your govern-

greater devolution from the British government and legislature of au-thority over the key matters that most deeply concern the Scot-tish people. They have virtually achieved much of this by the fear that separation has engendered in the political establishment in Britain. The leadership of the Conservative and Labour Parties in a desperate effort to avert Scotland’s separation has pledged greater authority to the Scottish Parliament and administration.

The political leadership of Britain has good cause for wanting to keep Scotland in the UK. As I have argued before, it is not only Scotland that will be diminished and made vulnerable by a vote for independence, the rump United Kingdom (UK) will also be reduced in stature as an economic and mili-tary power. In turn, a shrunken UK will have a less legitimate claim to its current occupancy of a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, and as an infl uential member of the Executive Organs of international fi nancial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Even with the European Union and the Com-monwealth of Nations, the UK’s position will be undermined. For instance, in the Commonwealth, the UK, without Scotland, will become a smaller economy than India.

The fi nancial sector in Brit-ain has already reacted badly to the possibility of Scotland’s independence - re-enforced by recent opinion polls that indicate a sharp rise in pro-independence sentiment. The value of the British pound fell sharply against the US dollar and international investors have been warned to pull their cash out of Britain to protect themselves against the impact of Scotland’s independence.

Undoubtedly, leaders of the UK’s main political parties have been very worried for some time about the impact of a positive vote for independence by Scotland. But, while the vote against such a possibility appeared unlikely, none of the principal political leaders sounded any alarm for fear of creating precisely what is now happening -– anxiety that the UK will fragment with a cataclysmic effect on its economy. John Major, a former Conservative Prime Minister, articulated the deep concerns of British political leaders by saying: “The vote next week is about far more than the future of Scotland. It is about the future of every part of the United Kingdom”.

As polls show a distinct swing toward a vote for indepen-dence, both the British Conser-vative and Labour Parties have pulled out all the stops to reverse the trend. The Labour Party has called into actively campaigning in Scotland its former leader and Prime Minister, Gordon Brown -– himself a Scot. It has to be hoped that, in the end, the push of nar-row Scottish nationalism will be tempered and trumped by the pull of benefi ts within a wider union.

The rest of the world should be very concerned about a UK that is smaller in economic and military terms and as an infl uential voice in the world. The UK still has an important role to play in contribut-ing to peace and security in Europe and in the world’s most troubled spots. It will not be able to do so unless it has the means.

For countries in the Carib-bean, a shrunken UK has several consequences. One of them is as basic as contributions to the Commonwealth Secretariat and its Fund for Technical Coopera-tion. At present, the UK pays the

Warren Cassell Jr.social impact investing, capital is de-ployed in companies, organizations and funds with the intent to create benefi cial social and environmental impact.

Socially focused entrepre-neurs in the Caribbean have been faced with a number of problems.

transport,(4) tourism,(5) cultural industries,(6) microfi nance,(7) SME development,(8) ‘base of pyramid’ basic

needs.All of these eight sectors

are large contributors to the de-velopment of the Caribbean. This suggests that our region stands to make enormous gains, both econom-ic and social, from impact investing. Social investors have fl ocked to deploy capital in the same sectors in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. We can certainly offer these same investment opportunities to them.

Although the size of impact investing in the region is relatively low compared to other regions, it

economy. Our region cannot com-pete on a global stage if we focus on the government to be the largest investor. Fortunately, we live in a world awash in capital. There is no shortage of money. The United States alone has $700B in founda-tion assets.

The Inter-American Develop-ment Bank (IADB) is the oldest and largest multilateral lender in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB group is the primary partner for private sector ventures and projects that seek to combine fi nancial and social returns to reduce poverty and contribute to sustainable de-velopment. They offer a variety of grants and programs that can help a vying entrepreneur get started.

cont’d. on page 9

cont’d. on page 9cont’d. on page 9

Page 6: The Montserrat Reporter - September 12 2014

Page 6 Friday, September 12, 2014

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Page 7: The Montserrat Reporter - September 12 2014

Page 7Friday, September 12, 2014 g

Premier-elect Romeo is sworn in...cont’d. from page 2

services resolve our access prob-lem, revitalize our economy ….and use sports as an av-enue for our young people to soar to build life skills.” Other PDM can-didates also spoke on the WCS thank-ing their support-ers and ensuring the public that they will in fact be put-ting people fi rst.

Shortly after

Hon. Premier Donaldson Romeo shares day with family , friends and sup-porters as he is sworn in.right: Governor Adrian Davis

cont’d. on page 12

Photo credit: Merle Tracey-Galloway (FB)

Page 8: The Montserrat Reporter - September 12 2014

Page 8 Friday, September 12, 2014

Adapted: TMR – How can we read stories like these and not believe that we have completely “missed the boat” with ‘ambitious’ plans that are nothing more than fantasy. Our government through its MCAP leader, covered up what will turn out to have been the better of two plans, the modifi ed A plan, put on the table when the near infamous Charette took place here in 2011. That plan provided for a resort hotel in Rendezvous Bay.

See Editorial (Sept. 5, 2014)With APD reformed and visi-

tor numbers up, this has been a strong year for the region, says the Carribean Tourism Organisation’s Carol Hay

This year has been a remark-able one for the Caribbean so

Report fi nds alarming violence towards children in Latin America and Caribbean

It’s great to see the Caribbean on the rise

Homicide is largest cause of death for 10-19 year old boys in many Latin American and Carrib-bean countries.

A UNICEF report released Thursday has shone a light on the ongoing violence, including homicide, towards children world-wide, with shocking fi ndings for Latin America and the Caribbean.

At least 27 children and teenagers are killed for every 100,000 people in El Salva-dor, making it the most violent country for children in the world according to the “Hidden in broad

daylight” report.In addition, 33 percent of

Salvadorean female teenagers ages 15 to 19 have suffered physical, emotional, or sexual vio-lence from their partners, while at least 43 percent of Salvadorean school children have suffered bullying in the form of robbery, insults, threats, or physical ag-gression before fi nishing primary school.

“This is uncomfortable data, which no government nor parent would like to see.” said Anthony Lake, UNICEF’s Executive Direc-

tor, in the press release.Most worryingly, homicide

is the “leading cause of death among males between 10 and 19 years old in Panama, Venezuela, El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Guatemala and Colombia.”

The study gathered data about violence against children and teenagers -anyone under 20 years old- from 190 countries, highlighting the immense impact that it has on their lives. The report forms part of UNICEF child violence awareness initiative #ENDviolence.

Caption: A 6-year-old Nicaraguan rape survivor jumps rope at the Nidia White Women’s Centre which provides shelter for children and women who have experienced sexual ex-ploitation or other forms of abuse (Photo: UNICEF)

The Guardian,Dozens of frogs reared in UK

zoos have been returned to their Caribbean home in a painstaking operation, fi ve years after their parents were airflifted out to escape a deadly fungus.

A total of 51 Leptodactylus fallax, known as mountain chicken frogs because they reportedly taste like chicken and make a clucking-like noise, were released on the Jersey-sized island of Montserrat, a British Overseas Territory.

In 2009, conservationists rescued a population of the criti-cally endangered frogs from the island to avoid them being wiped out by a chytrid fungus which has devastated amphibian numbers worldwide. The mountain chicken frog population has also dwindled due to people eating them – the species is the national dish in Montserrat and nearby Dominica.

Following a breeding pro-gramme with the rescued frogs by London Zoo and Durrell Wild-life Conservation Trust, which produced 76 frogs from just two females, 51 frogs in July were put in custom-built shipping contain-

Mountain chicken frogs offspring return

to Caribbean homeers, fl own to Antigua and then by a smaller plane to Montserrat. On arrival at their remote forest home on the volcanically active island, they were kept in tents for several days to avoid being stressed by their new environment, before being released into the wild.

Ben Tapley, head of herpe-tology at the Zoological Society of London, said the demanding logistics showed the dedication of the conservation efforts. “As the frogs were being held in the run-up to release [on Montserrat], they had to be fed. We ordered a massive load of insects, and to avoid introducing an invasive pest to the Caribbean, someone had to sort through the crickets, throwing out the females so we only sent males. We checked it three times, and sent 5,000 male crickets.”

While not the fi rst ever re-introduction of the frogs to the island, Tapley said it was the fi rst during the wet season, when he hoped frogs would be more dis-persed than in the dry season, and therefore less likely to contract the disease caused by the fungus, Chytridiomycosis, which infects

the skin through which many am-phibians drink and breathe. In the dry season, the frogs are thought to congregate around scarcer water sources and thus come into closer contact with one another.

“The fungus hasn’t gone away,” warned Tapley. “But frogs are surviving [the fungus]. It could be because they’re tiny popula-tions. It could be because they are living in microclimates that are not ideal for the fungus. Or they could be developing immunity.”

The freed frogs will be tracked by radio tags to map their movements, with batteries that will last a few months, as well as a team of conservationists in the fi eld.

Jeff Dawson, Durrell’s am-phibian programme offi cer, said: “The data collected will help our understanding around the dynam-ics of this disease in the wild which will be vital in guiding our future conservation actions for this amazing species.”

In July, scientists reported that they had discovered that a certain type of toad could acquire immunity through contact with dead fungi.

The Caribbean is reaffirm-ing that it can offer so much more than being a leading beach destination, with culture, heritage and sustainable travel becoming key components in holidaymakers choosing it.

Alongside our members, we have led the way in offering trav-ellers the opportunity to have authentic experiences that also benefit the destination. Nevis, for example, is developing a geo-thermal project that will make the country one of the greenest

far. Starting with the news of a two-band Air Passenger Duty, the growing number of cruise pas-sengers and fl ights to the region - it’s great to see the Caribbean on the rise.

We have maintained our popularity and position as the world’s premier year-round warm-weather destination, and fi gures suggest arrivals from the UK in the fi rst quarter rose by more than 6%.

There have been some chal-lenges along the way, but we have seen a growing demand for the Caribbean, especially from Italy, Russia and Scandinavia, and a 5.5% increase from Europe as a whole. This can be attributed to the confidence in economic stability in the eurozone and com-

petitively priced deals across the Caribbean.

At the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, we work with more than 30 Caribbean destinations, plus hoteliers, airlines, cruise companies and operators in the UK.

We want to ensure that there is better knowledge-sharing among members and continually offer op-portunities to network, take part in workshops, roundtables, and awareness and risk preparation training related to the region.

The Caribbean Travel Guru programme has been a fantastic resource: designed to boost knowl-edge of the region, it is integral to our campaign and this knowledge can aid travel agents to generate more Caribbean sales.

in the world, while the eco-luxury retreat Rosalie Bay offers guests a chance to take part in sea turtle conservation efforts in Dominica.

There has also been substan-tial investment in a host of open-ings and refurbishments. This year alone has seen more than 10 luxury resorts open, including Malliouhana in Anguilla and St Kitts’ Kittitian Hill, with Baha Mar in Bahamas set to open at the end of the year.

The cruise industry is also helping to boost tourism in the Caribbean and creating opportuni-

ties for employment and economic advancement across the region.

With so much choice and so many exciting new developments, there should be plenty to recom-mend and sell in the Caribbean this year.

Help is on hand at our web-site, caribbean.co.uk, through our training programmes and newslet-ters, as well as events within the CTO’s UK chapter.

Carol Hay is director of mar-keting UK and Europe at the Carib-bean Tourism Organisation

Page 9: The Montserrat Reporter - September 12 2014

Page 9Friday, September 12, 2014 g

cont’d. from page 4 cont’d. from page 5For instance, the Premier’s recent announcement about granting $40,000 in the form of customs duty ex-emptions/rebates to persons constructing homes who had not previously received grant assistance from government.6. MPs’ and govern-ment officials’) actions should always be above reproach, leading by ex-ample. They must be seen as persons of high integrity who respect, abide by and enforce our laws rather than bend-ing or breaking them. They must also treat the people they serve and each other with respect, keeping us informed of their decisions along with forthright explanations for those decisions. This would go a long way to re-store confi dence and public satisfaction while reducing the time and effort wasted debating speculations.7. Create employment and reduce potential li-ability by restoring all gov-ernment-owned and recently sold dilapidated properties to a state of good repair, not just the Force-10 buildings, starting with those housing vulnerable persons like the warden-supported apart-ment complex.8. Supplementing the above suggestions, and in the spirit of openness , for those who didn’t get an opportunity to read DFID’s 2013-14 Budget Aid Mem-oire, here are their recom-mended budget enhanc-ing measures (paragraphs 32-33):“GoM should intensify ef-

forts to maximise revenues and minimise expenditures. DFID has identifi ed a number of areas in

ELECTED LEGISLATORS ANNUAL REMUNERATION PACKAGE

Elected Legisla-tors

Total Pay Package Salary

Allowances

HousingEnter-tain-ment

Duty Travel Tele-phone

TotalAllowance

Ministers Reuben Meade 233,004 103,404 36,000 10,800 60,000 19,200 3,600 129,600 Charles Kirnon 203,916 96,516 36,000 10,800 42,000 16,800 1,800 107,400 Easton Taylor-Farrell 203,916 96,516 36,000 10,800 42,000 16,800 1,800 107,400 Colin Riley 203,916 96,516 36,000 10,800 42,000 16,800 1,800 107,400

Total Ministers 844,752 392,952 144,000 43,200 186,000 69,600 9,000 451,800

Non-Ministers Donaldson Romeo 83,880 60,480 - - 12,000 9,600 1,800 23,400 David Osborne 83,880 60,480 - - 12,000 9,600 1,800 23,400 Jermaine Wade 83,880 60,480 - - 12,000 9,600 1,800 23,400 Victor James 83,880 60,480 - - 12,000 9,600 1,800 23,400 Lowell Lewis (pension) - - - - - - - -

Total non-Min-isters 335,520 241,920 - - 48,000 38,400 7,200 93,600

GRAND TO-TALS 1,180,272 634,872 144,000 43,200 234,000 108,000 16,200 545,400

support of this, including (but not limited to):

Stepping up efforts to boost tax compliance and re-duce tax arrears, which DFID views as priority areas in need of urgent attention. Use of bailiffs and prosecution should be made where appropriate. Tangible progress in recent years has been disappointingly slow and less than EC$0.5m of tax arrears has been collected since the last Budget. [MCRS advise that the level of outstanding arrears up to 31 March 2012 is EC$21.3m. However not all of this is collectable and GoM plans to produce a revised total by 31 March 2013.] GoM anticipates that the trial case currently going through the courts will be a springboard to delivering in these areas.

Reducing FTE headcount from 959 to 952 in January 2013 by deleting 7 of the 18 un-funded vacancies. Beyond this, the continuing rationalisation of public services, including through the planned GoM organ-isational review and outsourcing, [Areas currently under consideration include Elderly Care, Cleaning Services (Phase 2), Security, Ministry of Agriculture Nursery Operations, and Laundry Services.] should produce signifi cant reduc-tions in headcount. DFID remains willing in principle to provide fi nancial support to allow GoM to reduce the public sector.

Implementing recommen-dations from the actuarial review of the Civil Service Pen-sion scheme to ensure afford-ability in the short and long-term. Consideration should include the introduction of staff contribu-tions.

Completing the rationali-sation of membership and payments to regional bodies to ensure they are essential and represent value for money.

Improving economic and statistical capacity, particu-larly at a senior level (through the recruitment of a Chief

Economist and Director of Statistics), so that more robust and timely budget analysis and forecasts feed through to de-partmental settlements and other policy decisions.

Ensuring that 3-year budget plans include settling arrears and realistic provi-sioning for increasing costs due to, amongst other things, pensions, maintenance and infl ation. Ministries should not be allowed to carry over invoices and payments into the following fi nancial year.

Considering whether to make further changes to tax policy should domestic revenues remain below expectations. In particular, GoM appears to have underestimated the nega-tive impact on revenue of the Income Tax re-banding that took effect in 2012: this also underlines the need for enhanc-ing analytical capacity.

Building on the successful implementation of the Online Visa application system and the Geographic Information System, by expanding online services to other areas of Govern-ment such as property and income taxes. This will improve both the effi ciency of delivering services and the enabling environment for business.

Formalising with UWI the payment position on the EC$5.6m of arrears to UWI, including any agreed write-down.

Pursuing potential for cost recovery in health through a revised medical fee structure.

Delivering against commit-ments to maximise revenues and minimise expenditures is important not only to improve public sector efficiency, but also to demon-strate to UK Ministers that GoM is serious about getting value for money, a key component of DFID decisions on any investments.”

Rubbish Questioner

Proposals for new government Capitalism with a conscience

Overpaid reps?...cont’d. from page 4

Overpaid reps?...cont’d. from page 4

It is my humble opinion that like public servants, elected of-ficials’ remuneration should be

ary but also on all their taxable allowances. (The only non-taxable allowances they receive are travel and entertainment.) This will pro-vide signifi cant relief from future pressures on the public purse.

A’so Me-see’um

They actively will work to open lines of credit so that a person may get a start on their dream of making a social impact via owning or investing in a business. The IDB group alone has aided in awarding over US$27299.25 million in the social investment sector alone. In Haiti, IDB has provided US$14 million for the modernization of Agricultural Health Public Services, and in Barbados US$35 million has been awarded for enhanced access to credit for productivity project.

Although it would be ideal to have locals invest in the local com-munity, we cannot limit ourselves just to local and regional investors. It is absolutely vital to search for international investors as well. Some governments around the world have begun exploring the potential for social impact bonds. These will be fi nancial instruments that will pay an investor if the cost or incidence of something is reduced, literacy or foster care for example, with comparable or better results than a government program. Social Impact mutual funds could also be created to pool capital from Caribbean residents and members of the Caribbean Diaspora to deploy in viable sectors. This will alleviate the large amount of taxpayers dollars that are being spent in sectors that can be run by private persons.

In recent years, social impact investments funds have been gen-erating decent returns to investors. The Haas Socially Responsible Investment Fund is one success

story. From 2011-2014, the fund beat the market by almost 5%. It has achieved over 50% return on investment since its inception. It is my emphatic belief that wealth can be created while trying to make the world a better place.

The key here is to encourage more investors to pool their money with others to invest in socially focused funds and investments. This will allow more capital to be put in a larger number of deals, and therefore risk can be spread. If the amount of capital placed into impact investment funds increases, returns would typically be higher as well. This is because investments can be higher and better diversifi ed.

A common trait among per-sons in the Caribbean is that they are stuck with a handout mentality. Yes, the role of any government is to provide public goods to its citizens. However, a government cannot be the largest investor in the majority of a country’s sectors. This will only drain resources and create market failure.

One way to change this men-tality is to establish educational programs that share a series of success stories or narratives. Case studies on countries that are suc-cessfully using capital from impact investing can be used to show poli-cymakers, entrepreneurs, investors and residents of the Caribbean what can be done.

Education is a huge part of the impact investment sector and can be easily broken into. By education I do not mean to imply school houses,

although that is needed in some areas, but in some cases all there needs to be is a non-governmental organization, or a not-for profi t that educates locals on good fi nancial habits or fi nds them good lines of credit so they can open businesses. Education is a very broad and easily applicable title for a section and it can readily be remade under the umbrella of another sector. For example; if you educated people on issues concerning agriculture or agribusiness then that could potentially fall under two sectors and may have more potential grants or loans available.

Overall, it is vital that Carib-bean countries begin to look more at the private sector to solve their social and economic issues. Coun-tries in Latin America, Asia and Africa have been benefi ting from impact investing and it is about time we look to benefi t from it as well. There is a limit to how much capital the government can deploy in the economy without increasing taxes, however the amount of capital that private investors have to offer is almost limitless.

About Warren Cassell, Jr.Like most adolescents, War-

ren balances his time between schoolwork and extracurricular activities, but that’s probably the most he has in common with his peers. At fi fteen years old, War-ren is the author of ‘The Farm of Wisdom’ and holds investments in a number of globally diverse sectors including the asset management and fi nancial services industry.

ment’s intentions for the offi ce of “the Diaspora: becomes then a quite intriguing question, to wit, will your administration be speaking with this “Diaspora” just for the sake of talking, to give the appearance of engagement while effectively denying actual involvement on the part of the said “Diaspora”, or will your administration be taking full advantage of the resources that these people command, engaging with purpose, shared vision, a division of competencies, and an equitable distribution of tasks:

Will this “Diaspora” be a full and recognized partner in the development of our island, or is this an offi ce of appeasement and pacifi cation? In other words, will this be a lime or some serious work; Acton or just ol’ talk:

But, I am jumping ahead…Let me come back to the matter of our radio exchange.

At the time, we did not ex-actly exhaust the entire list of maters that would require studied attention, and I could not do here either, but allow me, please, to share with you of the issues that

I and many others, (although) I speak now only for myself) believe should be at the very top of your administration’s agenda and should receive immediate and decisive at-tention. We can compare notes…see if it matches your list. I am making no prescriptions or even suggestions about how they might be best handled. I only note them, and in no particular order.

Migration – emi- and immi-gration, and ease of travel to and from Montserrat, or the lack thereof.

Violence – domestic, against women, in school; intimate partner and child abuse; community violence and statutory rape.

Education – order and safety in schools, socialization and social behavior, academic exploration, cul-tural investigation, and intellectual expression.

Health – medicine and medi-cines, doctors and nurses, diet and nutrition, stress relief, mental health, solid waste disposal. And tilapia.

Recreation – public spaces, socializing activities, creative ex-change, and cultural expression.

Communications, tele-com-munications.

Youth – mind-stretching ac-tivities, mentors and role models, and safety and security.

Suffrage – for those Montser-ratians who had to leave and those

who chose to come.Agriculture.Fisheries (Tilapia is not really

fi sh, is it!!)Women (All I want to say

about this particular topic, at this point, is that the Government of Montserrat needs some.)

I know that you don’t need me to tell you about the sys-temic corruption, kickbacks, illegal back-rubbing, and untoward hand-washing that, in the personal view of some, is by the Government of Great Britain and its Dependent Territories, considered valid and ample cause for re-colonialisation. And quite understandably so too.

In our radio exchange, we also agreed, I seem to remember, that the handling of these issues would require clarity, commitment, truthfulness, decisiveness, resolve, courage, honesty and integrity. I, however, do not necessarily agree that they require any “tough” decision-making. I believe that they require, quite simply, the making of good decisions, or perhaps the good making of decisions. There is no “tough” part to being good. Good is easy. It is not hard to do. To be good is to do the right fair, and just thing,

For the good of all Montser-ratians, including you, of course, C.M., I look forward to some really very good decision-making.

Respectfully,Shirley Osborne.

based on actual performance. Furthermore, if they are not per-forming satisfactorily, they should

be fi red immediately (not returned to offi ce), particularly since their pension is based not just on sal-

Page 10: The Montserrat Reporter - September 12 2014

Page 10 Friday, September 12, 2014

By Bert Wilkinson At least four Caribbean heads

of governments, legal representa-tives from Europe, academics from around the world and civil society activists are to attend a key prepara-tory meeting in Antigua next month to prepare the region’s case to make European nations pay compensation for the Trans Atlantic slave trade offi cials said this week.

Caribbean governments in July, through Barbadian Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, formally wrote to countries like Britain, Spain, France and The Netherlands demanding a high level summit to set the stage for compensation payments with Europe before the end of this year or early next year to discuss its collective push for repa-rations. Stuart is the lead regional prime minister on reparations.

Regional reparations activist Eric Phillips said that details about such the Caribbean-Europe confer-ence are to be announced at the Antigua three day meeting starting on Oct. 12.

The meeting is being billed as an experts conference and already representatives from Britain, Den-

Making a case for amends

Doc: no Ebola in Caribbean but urges

no complacencyTrinidad ExpressBy Michelle Loubon

There have not been any cases of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Caribbean, Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) executive director Dr James Hospedales said yesterday.

He made the statement during a news conference at CARPHA headquarters at Jamaica Boulevard, Federation Park, Port of Spain, where he was accompanied by Dr Babatunde Olowokure, director Surveillance Disease Prevention and Control.

Hospedales added that it was important to continue to moni-tor the situation.

CARPHA is responsible for providing strategic direction, analysing, defining and responding to public health priorities of Caricom, in order to prevent disease, promote health and respond to public health emergencies.

Giving an update on Ebola, Dr Hospedales said: “The current outbreaks of ebola are limited to West and Central Africa. The animals (monkeys, chimpanzees) which carry the disease are not found in the forests of the Caribbean islands and there have not been any cases of Ebola in the Caribbean.”

He said: “The overall risk assessment of ‘low risk’ for the Carib-bean region remains unchanged at this time. Be that as it may be, this is not the time for complacency, because the consequence of an imported case, though unlikely, could be serious for both population health and the tourism industry in the Caribbean.”

Hospedales also said, “There is currently no vaccine to prevent the transmission of Ebola, but developmental work is ongoing and some trials in monkeys show promise, with protection from the virus being generated for months after vaccination. Prevention consists of avoiding all contact with potentially infectious bodily fluids, objects or surfaces”.

He said: “The virus, however, is not tough. It is easily inac-tivated by common disinfectants. Surfaces and reusable objects that have been contaminated with infectious bodily fluids may be cleaned by appropriate concentrations of diluted bleach to prevent transmission.”

CARPHA will continue to monitor the situation and advise its member states to continue their efforts to attain a level of preparedness.

Hospedales said, “The level of risk may change as new infor-mation becomes available.”

Dr. Hospedales said Africa was “grappling with the largest outbreak in history” since the discovery of ebola.

He said: “There is an outbreak in western Africa affecting five countries including Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria and Senegal to varying extents. This outbreak is the largest since the discovery of the Ebola virus in 1976, with 42,293 cases and 2, 296 deaths as at September 6, 2014. There is also an unrelated outbreak of a different strain of EVD in the Congo where 24 people have been affected and 13 have died, as at the last available update, on August 27.”

CMC reporting out of Trinidad adds the following reporting on the same press conference adds the following:

Dr Hospdales said that while the risk level remains low “it is important that each member state takes the opportunity to ensure that several mechanisms are in place to mitigate the potential impact of its arrival.”

He said these measures are included in the international health regulations (IAHR) that came into force in 2005 and include appro-priate communication messages to be disseminated to the general population, to travellers and to health workers ensuring that people know how to reduce their risks.

“This is key, we will have other problems beyond Ebola in the future, achieving compliance with the international health regula-tions is the way to be able to be prepared,” he said.

Dr Hospedales said that while the Trinidad-based organisation will not be able to carry out tests to determine whether a person had contracted the deadly virus, international arrangements have been made with the United States Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the Public Health agency in Canada for such testing.

He said CARPHA is also bolstering regional preparedness by establishing an incident management team here “to facilitate coordination of the regional response.

Obama renews US Embargo on Cuba

teleSUR The 54-year old com-

mercial ban on the island will be extended for at least one more year.

On Friday, White House of-

Regional postal administrators to meet in Bermuda

HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC - Postal administrators from the Caribbean will examine the sustainability.

Bermuda’s Postmaster General, Wayne Smith, said the annual Caribbean Postal Union conference could also kick-start major changes in the island’s postal service, which has been struggling to make ends

Two Caribbean coun-tries in world’s top

ten suicide list

Scottish Independence

KINGSTON, Jamaica –Two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries headed by Guyana have featured in the highest suicide in the world, according to fi gures released by the World Health Organiza-tion (WHO).

Guyana has the highest estimated suicide rate for 2012 globally, and close by Suriname is the sixth highest on the WHO’s list.

However in the WHO Region of the Americas, estimated suicide rates are generally lower than in other regions, the organisation said.

It added that in low-income countries, elderly women have higher rates of suicide than their counterparts in high-income countries. In richer countries, three times as many men die by suicide than women.

Suicide by intentional pesticide ingestion is among the most com-mon methods of suicide globally.

Countries with the highest suicide rates include Guyana, China, Republic of Korea, India, Suriname and Lithuania.

Jack Lew, Obama approved of extending the 64-year old embargo saying “I believe that the extension of the embargo against Cuba for one year [is] for the national interests of the United States.”

The ban limits U.S. companies from doing business with Cuba, which critics argue is an inter-ventionist measure that has been detrimental to both countries.

fi cials published a letter from U.S. President Barack Obama extending the commercial blockade on the caribbean nation of Cuba.

In the memorandum directed to U.S. Secretaries of State John Kerry and Secretary of Treasury

Economic sanctions by the United States on Cuba are enforced by several U.S. laws, including the 1992 “Torricelli Act” that banned food shipments to Cuba.

Since 1992, the United Na-tions General Assembly has passed a resolution opposing the embargo every year. The only two countries to consistently oppose the resolu-tion are the United States and Israel.

single largest share of these costs. If its economy is reduced in size, contributions will have to be recalculated placing a heavier burden on all member states including those in the Caribbean for which the Commonwealth is an important instrument in pursu-ing their foreign policy objectives. The 12 Commonwealth Caribbean countries also need a strong UK in the European Community and in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development as an advocate for Caribbean interests. Belize and Guyana in the Caribbean community also have a vested interest in the UK remaining a robust voice on the UN Security Council because of their border controversies with Guate-

mala and Venezuela respectively.Beyond the international po-

litical role that a strong UK plays for the Commonwealth Caribbean, there are a host of economic link-ages including tourism, investment and development assistance that a less well-off UK will certainly be forced to curtail. And, then there is the contention of reparations for slavery. If Scotland were to choose independence in the referendum, Caribbean countries would have to add Scotland to the list of possible litigants. There were many Scottish plantation and slave owners in the Caribbean and they too benefi ted from huge ‘compensations’ paid to them at slavery’s formal abolition.

Hopefully, good sense will prevail in Scotland on September 18.

cont’d. from page 5

meet as more people turn to elec-tronic means of correspondence.

Three of Bermuda’s sub-post offi ces - St David’s, Harrington Sound and Somerset Bridge - are due to close on November 1.

The theme of the conference is “Sustainability in the 21st cen-tury” and delegates will “examine the global challenges emanating from the electronic age in which Bermuda and Caribbean postal administrations operate, consider potential solutions to mitigate these challenges and provide op-tions for repositioning Bermuda and Caribbean postal administra-tions for sustained future growth.

“It is anticipated that the 17th annual Caribbean Postal Union conference will not only generate visitor revenue for the is-land, it will help be the catalyst for substantive change in the postal sector in Bermuda, throughout the Caribbean region and globally.

“The decision to host this conference demonstrates that the Bermuda Post Offi ce is thinking strategically and introducing initia-tives with benefi ts to Bermuda far

beyond mail delivery,” Smith said.He added although the con-

ference presents professional de-velopment opportunities for post offi ce staff, “it will also provide an infl ux of business travellers at a time when visitor arrivals tradi-tionally decline, as well as a huge cash injection that our economy so desperately needs.”

mark, France and other countries have indicated plans to attend, signalling some interest in hearing what the Caribbean has to say about its claim.

In July, British legislators invited, Sir Hilary Beckles, the prin-cipal of the University of the West Indies’ Barbados Campus and head of the regional reparations commis-sion to make the case before the British House of Commons on the reparations issue. His presentation was reportedly well received and ended with a standing ovation among MP’s.

Phillips dubbed the invitation from Britain “as an indication” that the case is being taken seriously and that a resolution could be found starting with the high level summit whenever it is held.

He said the leaders who have already hired the British law fi rm of Leigh Day law fi rm to push their case. The fi rm has become famous ever since winning a court ruling that forced Britain to compensate Kenyan tribesmen for genocide against them in the colonial era.

Its representatives have at-tended several high level meetings with CARICOM and other leaders and thinks there is a case to win here.

The mini mid October summit will refi ne a 10-point to challenge to Europe including arguments that Eu-ropean planters were compensated for losing slaves after emancipation in the 1830s but not a cent was paid to those enslaved and have also refused to acknowledge that slavery was a crime among other complaints.

He also said that the meeting will refi ne plans to grow the repa-rations effort into a global move-ment that would include Americans Blacks and others living outside the region, saying that there would be no turning back to win compensa-tion for the slave trade.

Page 11: The Montserrat Reporter - September 12 2014

Page 11Friday, September 12, 2014 g

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, – RBC Wednesday, Sept. 3, announced that Suresh B. Sookoo, CEO, RBC Caribbean Bank-ing, has decided to retire, effective October 31, 2014.

Sookoo, a career banker for more than 35 years, has led RBC’s Caribbean operations since 2008, when RBC acquired the RBTT Group, creating one of the most expansive banking operations in the Caribbean, from The Bahamas in the North to Suriname in the South. Sookoo will continue to sit on the Board of RBC Financial (Caribbean) Limited, the holding company for RBC’s Caribbean business, and has agreed to remain available as an advisor to its leadership team.

With Sookoo’s retirement,

Suresh Sookoo to retire as CEO, Caribbean Banking, RBC; Kirk Dudtschak named Head, Caribbean Banking

Caribbean increased infl ux of tourists in fi rst half of 2014Kirk Dudtschak, currently President,

Caribbean Banking will assume the role of Executive Vice-President and Head, Caribbean Banking.

Dudtschak joined RBC in 1986 and has held a variety of se-nior and executive roles since then. As President, Caribbean Banking, he has worked alongside Sookoo over the last 18 months to strengthen the performance of the business and position it for sustainable growth. Previously, Dudtschak held a variety of senior positions within RBC’s branch network and head offi ce, with experience in strategy, human resources, sales, operations and

risk management. In his new role, he will be responsible for driving the overall strategic direction and business performance of Caribbean Banking, while also ensuring close and effective collaboration between the Caribbean business and the rest of RBC.

“Suresh is a trusted leader who dedicated his career to serv-ing our clients, developing our employees and supporting our communities,” said Jennifer Tory, Head of Personal & Commercial Banking, RBC. “He has also con-tributed greatly to the growth and development of the banking sector

Prensa LatinaBridgetown, (Prensa La-

tina) Nearly 14 million tourists visited the Caribbean in the fi rst half of 2014, which according to experts, today represents a strong growth of that industry in the region.

Arrivals of tourists in the Caribbean region increased 4.3 percent in the fi rst six months of this year, compared with the same period of 2013, according to data released by the Carib-bean Tourism Organization (CTO), whose headquarters are in this capital.

Accord ing to Winf ie ld Griffi th, CTO director of technol-ogy research and information, six million 870 thousand visitors came from the United States, the strongest market for the region.

European and Canadian visi-tors also showed improvement, with an increase of six percent and 4.3 percent, respectively.

The Caribbean cruise indus-try also showed an eight percent increase in the arrivals of pas-sengers in the same period.

About 25 million people visited the region in 2013.

Between 17 and 19 Septem-ber, leaders of tourism in the Carib-bean will meet in St. Thomas, the US Virgin Islands, to discuss and design strategies that allow to position tourism of the area at an international level.

The Conference on the State of the Industry, of CTO, will summon renowned international speakers and of the area to analyze problems, identify solutions, and, in general, develop courses of action that will benefit the so-called smokeless industry in the region.

See related: It’s great to see the Caribbean on the rise (pg 8)

Suresh B. Sookoo, CEO, RBC Caribbean Banking

across the region, especially in Trinidad and Tobago. We will miss his experience and expertise, and wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Tory added: “Kirk is a proven, respected and experienced executive with a deep knowledge of our business. He understands the Caribbean markets and the needs of our clients in the region, and I am confi dent that he will drive our business towards sustainable, long-term

success.”Sookoo and Dudtschak will

continue to work together in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

“As I prepare to retire, I’m confi dent we have turned a corner in our company,” said Sookoo. “We now have strong regional and local leadership in place across all of our markets to take this business for-

ward, supported by RBC’s strength and risk management discipline. I have had a tremendous experience with RBC and have worked with some of the best talent in the industry. I look forward to continu-ing to contribute to the success of the Caribbean in other capacities.”

Dudtschak said: “This is a great privilege and honour for me. We have a great and diverse

Learnit tablet is the brain child of Caribbean teachers, parents, businesses, technologists and oth-ers who are committed to fi nd solutions that will help our children from Kindergarten through Primary learn the basics of: reading, writing and arithmetic. It is at this stage that children must to learn to read so that they will be able to read to learn.

MISSION: T h e m i s s i o n

of Caribbean eBook Ltd and Unicomer, its regional distribution partner for the Learnit tablets, is to bridge the digital divide by providing every child between 2 and 12 years of age, interac-tive digital education without Internet con-nection.

For those who have not heard about the Digital Divide, it is briefl y the gap be-tween those who have access to technology and those who do not. Learnit is specifi cally designed to get Ca-ribbean youngsters from two to twelve years old involved with hands-on technology-based learning.

Page 12: The Montserrat Reporter - September 12 2014

Page 12 Friday, September 12, 2014

Election Results 2014

James ‘Slabbry’ Hogan

19 people died on June 25, 1997 or the fatal and near fatal accidents involving Fly Montserrat, while the rest of their promises wither away slowly into nothingness.

Jus wonderin…. Will HMG will punish only me for making the above comment in spite of my plea to please leave the rest of our population out of it because unlike me, they are most grateful for HMG’s assistance?

Jus wonderin how long a we a go ha fu live wid de tem-porary evacuation docks at Little Bay and Heritage Quay?

Jus wonderin if Operation Exodus is still in active operation.

Jus wonderin what the status is on the $150,000 MDC invested in Fly Montserrat, the $500,000 MDC and GoM ($250,000 each) invested Twin Islands Ferry Service, and the unknown amount our Social Security Fund invested in the Davy Hill housing project.

Jus wonderin who started the colour thing (yellow, I think).

Jus wonderin how come when MCAP vilifi es PDM it is considered to be positive and true but when PDM attacks MCAP’s record it is considered to be negative, divisive and character assassination.

Jus wonderin if we’ll ever receive balanced news reporting from the media so we hear what every party and independent candidate ha fu say.

Jus wonderin.... Considering all the divisiveness, abysmal performance, fl agrant lies, unrealistic promises, and unsub-stantiated slandering being delivered by most of our current crop of politicians and some want-to-be politicians, should all those who cast a vote for any of them on September 11th be struck off the electoral roll on the ground of unsound mind!

Jus wondering if some politicians are praying to win their seats and then stamp their authority for leadership.

Jus wondering if they are playing dead to catch cobo. Jus wondering if it is memory lost, being under the infl u-

cont’d. from page 7

www.themontserratreporter.com

Premier Romeo’s fi rst activity one of looking after the vulnerable

JUS WONDERIN Jus wonderin wha happen and who won the

battle, the Pull Down Montserrat party dubbed by the More Crime and Poverty party, Malice Corruption and Pomposity (Psychopathic)and All Idiots Combined

Just wonderin if after all anyone else could fact-check this.

Jus wonderin who de dunce be dat don’t know that de Minister is responsible for setting policy as to what produce should be unda licence, when de voter challenge he for saying that farmers are producing more and more when de statistics show differently.

Jus wonderin de saying bout ‘grabbing at straws’ sayin effi gy bout premier at rally holding breadfruit incite violence mong de children.

Jus wonderin…. Should we help spread the wealth by voting in the new scamps in order to get rid of the old ones?

Jus wonderin if all nominated candidates should be professionally certifi ed to ensure they meet all the quali-fi cations required to stand for elections.

Jus wonderin if we have at least a hundred thousand (100,000) reasons to disbelieve certain candidates.

Jus wonderin…. Did Reuben resign as Director of De-velopment to run for elected offi ce or was his resignation due to the accusations arising from his effectiveness and effi ciency in disposing of the sea-island cotton as well as his failure to provide a satisfactory explanation for being found in possession of a car he knew was stolen?

Jus wonderin if holding high offi ce enhanced Reuben’s

ability to dispose of valuable government metallic assets even more effi ciently and effectively, without the consent of the Legislative Assembly.

Jus wonderin why none of the newly created scrap metal fi rms obtained a license to operate as required under the Old Metals and Marine Stores Ordinance.

Jus wonderin if it’s easier to avoid criminal conviction if you are government minister.

Jus wonderin if HMG wanted to abolish the right to trial by jury in the Montserrat constitution because they observed that jurors have delivered (as they put it) ‘perverse judgements’ in cases involving ministers of government, even when there’s overwhelming evidence of their guilt.

Jus wonder if GoM will try to recruit Reuben for the vital post of Chief Economist or if he should be left to spend his retirement engaging in his favourite hobby, construction work.

Jus wonderin…. Is it true that the most important natu-ral resource for development is what lies between our ears and that it’s foolish to neglect it or take it for granted?

Jus wonderin if it’s true that rhetoric is about making what is worst appear to be the better.

Jus wonderin if a true wha sweet nanny goat hear poison e mind.

Jus wonderin if HMG dispenses aid based on the risk-of-embarrassment model, only rushing to partially fulfi l the least-costly one from amongst their raft of strategically delayed promises when faced with shame like when the

Jus wonderin column is compiled from contributions by readers and from de community. Please send by email or letter, or by calling.

Candidate Party Votes1. Donaldson Romeo PDM 1,6952. Dr. Ingrid Buffonge PDM 1,6153. Paul Lewis PDM 1,5074. David Osborne PDM 1,3565. Joseph Farrell MCAP 1,3146. Delmaude Ryan PDM 1,1857. Reuben T. Meade MCAP 1,1408. Claude Hogan PDM 1,1129. Gregory Willock PDM 1,09810. Charles Kirnon MCAP 1,07011. David Duberry PDM 1,04512. Emile Duberry PDM 97813. Jermaine Wade MCAP 87614. Colin Riley MCAP 86615. Samuel Joseph MCAP 85816. Leroy Greaves MCAP 80217. Brenda Daley MCAP 4218. Victor James I Independent 65719. Crenston Buffonge Independent 53320. Geraldine Cabey Independent 52821. Justin 'Hero' Cassell MCAP 52522. Dr. Lowell Lewis AIC 46823. Joel Osborne Independent 32024. Claude Gerald AIC 27525. David Tuitt AIC 22226. Hylroy Bramble Independent 10527. Norman Cassell Independent 7928. Alaric Lynch Independent 7729. Wilford Meade Independent 6730. Catherine Tuitt Independent 3131. Winston Pond Independent 25

the Honorable Romeo at-tended a swearing in ceremo-ny at 2 p.m. at Government House in Palm Loop, Wood-lands. A large number of supporters and well-wishers and PDM were in attendance where the atmosphere was gleeful and threatening with immense hope as Montser-rat’s ‘fi rst’ elected Premier addressed the more than 200 persons gathered.

Shortly after being sworn in as Montserrat’s Pre-mier, the honourable Don-aldson Romeo demonstrated that he was serious about

ence, maybe, home problems, job, election pressure or is he just a DAMN liar!

Jus wondering if they can take another fi ve years of being trampled on by the man they all complain about.

Jus wondering if he was afraid of the truth about him or the lies that his partner in crime is capable of telling.

Jus wondering why are there so much lying and fabrica-tion in the 2014 elections.

Jus wondering who is the main culprit. Jus wondering who is sleeping with who, not sleeping

with who and who beating up who, who putting up with and who leaving who, in that soap-like at the top behavior.

Jus wondering when the book will be published, or re-enactment put on screen.

Jus wondering if, the Primier knowing he is a liar, but, pretends he is not a liar, knowing full well that he is a liar, is a damn fool.

the People’s Democratic Movement’s theme of ‘put-ting people fi rst’. In what seemed like an unplanned move, the Premier invited ZJB’s Viona Alexander-Smith, MNI Alive’s Editor in Chief Jeevan Robinson and Montserrat Reporter’s Warren Cassell to witness the presentation of a wheel chair to James ‘Slabbery’ Hogan in St. Peter’s.

James who has been housed in a temporary hous-ing unit in St. Peter’s since 1997 is unable to walk as a

result of an accident in the early 1960’s.

In a statement to the media, at James Hogan’s residence, the newly appointed Pre-mier said all houses that are not hurricane wor-thy must be declared as shelters. He states that it is time for Montserrat to empty such shel-ters. In answering the question whether this was the part of “Put-

ting People First”, the Premier said “absolutely, the man at the bottom must have hope.”

James Hogan was thankful for the wheel chair but stated that he won’t be able to use it outside of his home because of the slope of the land on which his house was built. None-theless, he informed the media that when he is relocated to a new home in Salem, as promised by Premier Romeo, he will

be able to make use of the wheel chair. While grateful for the assistance, James contended that he was not seeking hand outs, as he tries his best to remain self suffi cient through his fi shing trade and carpentry.