12.07.2015 Views

Image - This Web site coming soon

Image - This Web site coming soon

Image - This Web site coming soon

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS
  • No tags were found...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

02 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 www.barnaclegrenada.comBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 63.


www.barnaclegrenada.comLocal NewsBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 03.NO MORE DEAD WEIGHTPay up Before Your Dead Goes Downclinton baileyBad pay Grenadiansare owing local funeralagents a staggering EC $6 million, this shockingdisclosure was made byClinton Bailey in an exclusiveinterview withthe Barnacle.Bailey, speaking from hisCarenage office in downtown St. Georges said thisstate or affairs cannot continueand as such therewill be no credit, no partpayment, simply full cashpayment before burial fromnow on.Bailey said this problemis not new but is being addressednow because of thepresent financial struggleswhich local and other businessesare facing.He said before a body canbe buried funeral agentsare called to put out largesums of money to prepareand present the remainsfor burial only to realizethat those monies are not<strong>coming</strong> back.Clinton joined the familybusiness in 1979 and tookover at the head after hisfather became ill in 1996,he die two years later in1998.“When I came in here, I inheritedmillions of dollarsin debt and thousands ofdollars were outstandingto the Government of Grenadafor taxes,” Clintonrecalls as he explains hisinability to meet his obligationsto Government andother creditors, “We can’tcollect money for our servicesrendered, so we can’tpay taxes. It’s hard to operatethat way, he admits.<strong>This</strong> situation is not uniqueto Otway/Bailey but La QuaBrothers as well promptinga collective response fromthe undertakers who havebanded together to addressthis monster problem.Bailey said realizing thatthey cannot go on like thatthey spent the last threeyears designing a responseto this situation, “fromhence forth, you must payup before your dead goesdown. We will continue togive one hundred percentgreat, professional services,but you have to pay for everythingbefore the processgoes through.”Unlike other credit providersin Grenada Undertakersdo not have a lot goingfor them in terms of recoveringtheir expenses saysbailey who admits thatonce a body goes into theground it is almost impossibleto repossess a coffin ora casket hence, they mustensure that all paymentsare made before the burialtakes place.He said, “if you go and acquiresomething on hirepurchase and refuse to pay,the company, from whomyou take the stuff will repossessit from you. Wecan’t do that, unfortunately.We can’t go around diggingup graves and takingback coffins if persons failto pay for it.“We are operating a business,”declares Bailey whoexplains that he has a staffto pay, “we have people topay, and we have suppliersto pay. We are trying tosupport local industry here,but we still have to pay thelocal supplier. The moneyhas to turn over.”According to Bailey thepresent state of affairs isthe result of lack of soundcounseling. He said in thepast Grenadians were selectingburial packages thatwere very expensive andway out of their leaguesfinancially and no one wassaying to them buy whatthey can afford.“I always tell families whenthey come, if they do nothave lots of money, go intothe show room and choosesomething that would workfor them,” confesses Baileywho admits that familiesselect coffins and casketsthat they cannot afford topay for.“It doesn’t make sense<strong>coming</strong> and taking an expensivecasket and youcan’t pay for it at the endof the day this will leaveyou with a bill for the next5 years and I will be leftholding the dead weight atthe end of the day” he tellsthem.“We try to encourage peopleto make use of our burialsocieties (Otway/Bailey andLa Qua Bros.) so in theirtimes of need they willavoid the difficult situationof not having sufficientmonies to bury their lovedones, come join our societies.Pay $20.00 a month,other people have differentprices, when you die youget your $3000.00 worth ofservices which is about halfthe cost,” he ended.james nicholas, president of sfaFinger PointingNicholas: Don’t Blame Fishermen; Vendors are the real culpritsThe Southern Fisherman’s Association(SFA) has reacted angrily to suggestionsthat Grenadian fishermen are directly responsiblefor the high price of local fish.Recently Christopher De Allie, Private Sectorrepresentative in the Senate condemned thepresent cost of local fish saying that it was toohigh and called on Government to institutesome measure of price control so as to keep theindustry pricing structure in check.President of the SFA James Nicholas, told theBarnacle in an exclusive interview that theprice of fish sold locally is as fair as fair canbe.He said,” Everything, apart from our labor isimported, our hooks, our lines, our material tobuild our boats; we have no control over that.As our output increases so do our prices. Thefishermen have bills to pay, they have banksto pay.”According to Nicholas fishermen are not theones who increase the price of fish. “Contraryto what Senator De Allie may say or think, theprice of $ 7.50 per pound on the local markethas been there for a long time.“The fishermen did not increase the price offish; vendors are the ones who did.“The vendors said that they cannot pay thefishermen any more for their fish because thepoor people wouldn’t be able to buy it. We understandthat, but the vendor will have to cuton their profit margin of one and dollar andfifty cents if the price is to fall,” he said.For a brief moment Nicholas seamed baffled byDe Allie’s attack on the cost of fish, he cannotseem to comprehend why the fishing industrywas brought into the spotlight by a member ofthe private sector knowing full well that he isattacking his own.“Let me ask Mr. De Allie,”says Nicholas “whydid you bring this up, why are you picking onthe fishermen and the Industry? You are nota parliamentary representative, you are notelected.“Mr. De Allie, you represent the private sectorof which fishermen are part, so why areyou turning against your own. That’s what youhave done, turn against your own, he ended.


08 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 www.barnaclegrenada.comBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 57.


www.barnaclegrenada.comBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 09.


10 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009


12 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009Local NewsBETWEEN A ROCK ANDA VERY HARD PLACEGRAVEL & CONCRETE BENT ONSAVING A BRUTALIZED ENVIRONMENTGM of Gravel andConCreteMr. Ian MarsRestricting and controllingthe removal of sandfrom the nation’s beachesis nothing new.One can recall years agowhen the beaches of Brizan,Grand Mal Telescopeand just about everywhereof beach sand and GravelConcrete and EmulsionProduction Corporationdeclared the only entityallowed to legitimately removesand from the beaches.Even controlled and onemay hope scientific harvestingof beach sand byGravel and Concrete eventuallyled to some undesirableresults and the authoritiesmust once againstep in and arrest the situation.Just as the sand gatherersback then were upsetby the government’s decisionso too toady are thetruck operators who makea large percent of theirincome from transportingsand.expected to act as a deterrentto the demand forbeach sand which they areencouraging should only beused in plastering mortarwhile quarry sand will beused in concrete mixtures.Why is this action necessaryat this point? For one,environmental issues area consideration to countrieslike Grenada obtainingmonetary assistance.These are included in thestated requirements.As Mr. Mars put it EUcountries would be reluctantto give the money oftheir citizens who are complyingwith environmentallaws and regulations tocountries whose citizensare not doing so.But the anticipation ofhas been spent buildinga wall` to check a rapidlyinvading sea; the resultof beach erosion whetherby man -made or naturalmeans.In Telescope long termsand mining has destroyedan entire area of beach andgiven the salt water accessto a fresh water mangrovearea resulting in the destructionof the mangrove.There are other examplesin varying degrees of severityin several locationsaround the island.The gravel and ConcreteActing G.M. explains thatin a one year period a minimumof 150,000 tonnes ofsand would have been removedfrom local beachesconsidering what wouldhave been removed legitimatelyand otherwise takenaway.Alarming figures at a timewhen the entire world isdesperately seeking mea-pects of the environmentthat have been brutalizedover the years.As time goes on beachsand will be eliminatedfrom even the concretemixes and mine sand willbe imported from Guyanato take its place.Gravel and Concrete isworking in collaborationwith the Pest ManagementUnit of the Ministry of Agricultureand the GrenadaBureau of Standards to ensurethe quality and safetyof the imported sand.A team comprising representativesfrom all threebodies is preparing to visitthe quarry in Guyanafrom which the sand willbe <strong>coming</strong> so that they cando their own assessment ofthe product.There have been some concernsabout the suitabilityand strength of the fine aggregatein concrete makingbut scientific experimentationand precedents seemto clear this product.The Chinese constructioncompany that rebuilt theNational Stadium confirmsthat this is what it used inthat project and is using inthe Grand Harbor projectin Egmont Point and certifiesthat quarry sand isgood for concrete.Dr. Robin W.A. OsborneIt is now obvious thatquarry sand has been usedin Grenada since 1999 andseveral studies have confirmedits suitability.In fact it is considered asuperior alternative tobeach sand. The advantagesof quarry sand include;no salt to rust steel,no debris to throw away,quarry sand is pure and itis scientifically tested andcertified.The concern of local truckersis that they want thenumber of days whenbeach sand is mined to beincreased from one day perweek to two days and theywant the price reduced.Mars said he is prepared toextend the operating timeon mining days. At presentactivities take place from 8am to 4 pm. He is willingto change this to make itfrom 6 am to 8 pm.Grenadians are lovely peoplebut admittedly we area bit slow to accept change.However many times is absolutelynecessary thoughat times it impacts heavilyon life as we know it.The world is changingand as far as nature isconcerned it is changingfor the worse. We thereforeshould be preparedto make some sacrifice tosave what is left of ourcountry and our world.Coastal erosIon due to sand MInInG and Global warMInG Is a real and present danGer as see at rIver antoIne.else were <strong>site</strong>s of entrepreneurshipfor all whowished. All they had to dowas remove sand from thebeach, pile it at the roadsideand await a buyer.The government of theday, alarmed by the damageand potential damagesbeing done had no choicebut to move in and outlawuncontrolled removalTrue, an increase in pricefrom $34.00 per cubic yardto $88.00 for the samemeasurement has the potentialto shock one intoprotest but as Acting GeneralManager of Graveland Concrete Mr. EonMars explains there is anexplanation.He said the new price ismoney from the EU asideone only has to take a jauntaround the country to encounterseveral instancesof the damage beach destructioncan wrought towhole areas of the island.Telescope and River Antoineserve as particularlypoignant examples. In RiverAntoine EC$4.4 millionsures to halt or reverse theeffects of natural imbalancevi<strong>site</strong>d on the planetby the hand of man.Mars said in view of Grenadagrowing focus ontourism development theestablishment he heads iscommitted to employinga consultant to advise onhow to restore those as-of the department of Civiland Environmental Engineeringat the UWI St.Augustine Campus saidhe can confidently confirmand certify that the quarrysand produced at Queen’sPark is capable of makingsatisfactory concrete to engineeringstandards withoutany use of beach sandwhatsoever.The Gravel and ConcreteHead Man said in Grenadawe are threatening a verythriving and viable industry;tourism.He encourages Grenadiansto look at the facts andrealities of how we are beingthreatened and admitthe threats to our environment.


www.barnaclegrenada.comLocal NewsBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 13.THE MAKING OF A MOREEFFICIENT ORGANIZATIONThe Gravel Concrete andEmulsion ProductionCorporation will be movingfrom merely a functionalmode to a profitcentered mode.Acting General Manager Mr.Ian Mars vows that thingswill be different and the processhas already begun.His intention, with the assistanceand support ofthe Board of Directors is tomake the corporation into training for greater efficiencywhat he described as a lean,clean organization.gravel it is not necessarily Concrete as more than anSpeaking in an interview the market leader for productsoperation mining aggre-with the Barnacle recentlylike ready mix and congatesand manufacturingthe acting General Managersaid the main challenge ofthe corporation has been toeffectively balance its socialresponsibilities and its moralresponsibilities.He explains, “You have naturalresources that you’regiven a monopoly to extractand sell to the public to gaina profit for the state. Shouldcrete blocks.<strong>This</strong> will change though, hepromised since the institutionis now striving to takecontrol of those markets explainingthat this is perhapsthe more lucrative departmentsof the operation.Mr. Mars is appalled thatwhen he took up office hemet an inventory of overand marketing products. Tohim the corporation mustencapsulate the dreams andaspirations of the Grenadianpeople and make it intosomething concrete, pardonthe pun.The plan includes greaterutilization of the block departmentwhich is at presentabout 60% utilized andthis take precedence over 70,000 blocks although decentralizing the sales ofpreserving sustainable jobsfor decent family peoplesome of whom have beenwith the company for as longblock making is one of themost thriving small industrybusinesses in Grenada.To get rid of this pile up, inblocks.Mr. Mars operates with ahigh level of confidence andoptimism and gives the as-an to man: guys we have to do betteras 15 and 20 years?”The marketing departmenthas also been strengthened,increasing marketing with astrong team that is not onlymarketing the product butstrengthening the Graveland Concrete brand.The recently appointed actingGeneral Manager saidheads of Departments meetregularly and persons arekept abreast of what is happeningin every aspect of theCorporation’s operations andinvited to make contributionsfor its improvement.Mr. Mars said everythingis being done to ensure thatthe Corporation moves frommerely a functional mode toa profit centered mode. Thecompany will be profit drivenfrom here on he added.Mr. Mars said while Graveland Concrete has the monopolyfor mining sand andDecember a sales promotionwas held for close to 60,000blocks.The year 2009 has startedpositively said the actingGeneral Manager and alreadythings are improving.And so they should becauseif you combine prudent andefficient management withthe fact the Gravel and Concretehas the fastest blockmaking machine on the islandand the fastest blockmaking plant success is almostinevitable.To make things more promising,Mars admits that theworkers understand themission of the corporationand are prepared to workhard to help in the realizationof this mission. <strong>This</strong> ofcourse is a necessary ingredientto success for any businessentity.Mr. Mars sees Gravel andsurance that things aremoving in a positive direction.He is a leader with avision and a mission which,are multiple pronged.He intends to contribute toa turnaround in the corporationand in doing so putsome money into the nationalcoffers.He wants to help developknowledge information disseminationand develop andbuild personnel; he intendsto significantly increase production,pay special attentionto activating the staffand foster team work in theeffective running of the organization.Mr. Mars, who took up dutiesin November, 2008 saidin short, he will take thebull by the horns to ensurethat Gravel and Concretewill be a business orientedand profitable organization.Happy35th IndependenceGrenada!


14 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009CommentaryOf Ends & Beginnings: Implications for LeadersDr. Raymond S. EdwardsAccording to our patternedway of reckoning, one 12month period ebbs to a closeand another peeps in. Buthave you thought aboutwhat, if anything ends or begins;and exactly what thatmeans? Suddenly, what wedon’t know seems more glaringthan what we do know!Small wonder we depend onrituals to mitigate our unspokenwars between knownand unknown. Perhaps withbetter answers we can makemeaning of year end hullabalooslike a falling ball,gunshots, bursting bamboo,new curtains, paintedhomes; even sex at midnightDecember 31 st .Despite various cosmeticsconveying end and beginningsentiments at this timeof year- truth is, nothingstops or starts except ourpatterned calendar designations.Life and time go onundisturbed, unbroken, andunabated. Nothing essentialreally stops or starts atthe interregnum we call old/new year. So let’s be honest,there is nothing to put downat midnight on December 31and absolutely nothing topick up on January1. Whythen persist with resolutionsthat lack resolve, as ritualsof New Year transitioning?Hoping to bring change toyour life for the New Year?Hoping to ride the clock orfalling Time Square ballinto newness? The greatestNew Year gift you can giveyourself is to finally realizethat one minute into theNew Year you will still bethe same person you werethe last minute of the oldyear. No magic force attendsa recycling calendar despitemany handles of sentimentaleuphoria suggesting otherwise!I’m not necessarily discouragingresolutions for bettermentat the restart ofthe calendar cycle. But understandthat the greatestgood will come from a deepseated continuing resolveto be a better person on adaily basis in your ongoingquest of life. Whether a yearends or begins matters verylittle with regard to personalchange. The secret of personalchange is to becomea reflective practitioner ofliving. As convoluted as itsounds, a more helpful andcritical element of genuineself improvement is to developthe art of continuingwhile changing!The unfolding Blagojevichscandal does not suggest anevil individual or someoneworse than us. Instead, itsignals what we’re all capableof (as leaders or personsof responsibility whose everydaylives touch others) ifwe don’t pause long enoughto reflectively inquire whatvalues drive our aspirationsand interactions.A notable hindrance to behaviorchange in leadersand responsible persons isthe strange situation theyall seem to find themselvesin. That is, surroundedby pretense opportunistsonly interested in providinggenuflection and mindguarding feedback. Whatthey really need (thoughnot always want) are genuinecolleagues/friends whoadequately and caringlychallenge them to personaldevelopment and growth incritical areas of need.<strong>This</strong> strange situation suggeststhat for leaders andresponsible individuals toundergo personal changethey must of necessity developgreater individual capacityand responsibility forself awareness, emotionalintelligence and self regulation.For many interestingreasons (another discussion)help simply does not, perhapscannot come from thosewho typically surround leadersor with whom leader oftensurround themselves.How then can leaders andresponsible others increaseinward awareness and extendself regulating capacityin order to arrive at morenoble leadership behaviors?<strong>This</strong> is a loaded questionthat comes without easy answers(and unfortunately noteven a New Year transitioncan bring add value!) In pursuingthis loaded question,let’s first acknowledge anyattempt by leaders to movefrom long held dysfunctionalpractices to more transcendentaland noble behaviorsis quite a challenge andnothing short.It is particularly challengingbecause leadership must oftenbe exercised in complexenvironments. Further, itis particularly challengingbecause issues surroundingbehavior change in leaderscannot be simply reduced tothe domain of learning andunlearning leadership skills.Instead, personal behaviorsare often intertwined withdynamics related to mentalmodels, perceptual realities,long held habits and emotionalconstructs. In effectwe are addressing the notionof managing personal changeamidst complex realities.Sometime ago, Time magazine,in discussing the needfor a major public figure toalter his abrasive self servingleadership style, concludedby lamenting that unfortunatelythere is no suchcreature as a changed humanbeing. Can self servingleadership orientations bechanged into more noble andtranscendental leadershippractices (bearing in mindthe adage: there is no rightway to do the wrong thing)?Despite the odds, I believe itis possible for leaders withlong established patternsof dysfunctional behaviorsto transition to more nobleleadership practices. To denythis is to deny concepts of essentialgoodness, individualrenewal and transformativegrace. For leaders seekingtransformation, I suggesttwo possible approaches aslikely facilitators for desiredchange. Both approachesemphasize greater personalresponsibility for individualchange.In the first scenario I suggesta silent project of personaltransformation. Here leaderspursue quiet but steadyincremental change by developingthe discipline of earlyrising for libation exercises.That is, the pouring out ofthemselves in deep self reflection.<strong>This</strong> reflection mustinclude a review of the previousday’s conduct includingself talk on how things mayhave been handled more nobly.Early morning exercisesshould also include projection.That is, a preview of<strong>coming</strong> events along with thenoble leadership you wish toexhibit in each <strong>coming</strong> situation.Elements of trial anderror are to be expected butmust be accompanied bystudied personal review andremedy. Eventually followers/otherswill come to seeand appreciate your makeover.The second approach featuresassisted transformation.In this scenario theleader carefully selects asupport group (a key qualifyingcriterion must be mutualnon-dependency); and fullydiscloses a desire for a newdirection to his/her leadershippractice. The leadermust spell out the featurevalues/characteristics thathe/she desires and shouldentertain questions and suggestionsfrom the group forimplementation. Of coursethe leader must continue toseek out review and feedbacksupport from this group regardinghis/her transitionalprogress.In both approaches, it canbe expected that the leaderwill move back and forth betweenbehaviors to which he/she is accustomed and thenoble behaviors to which he/she aspires. In other words,there will be good days aswell as bad ones. Focus andcommitment however mustremain steady; and learningshould result from missteps.One way of minimizingmissteps is to frequentlyincrease self reflective exercisesand also catalogue instances/behaviorsfor reviewwith support group. In thisway, mindsets and behaviorsto be avoided as well as developedare kept sharply infocus.Better leadership in Caribbeancircles is possible! HappyNew Year and blessingsfor success to all!Raymond S. Edwards, Ph.D.Organizational Psychologist& Minister of Religion: is anInternational DevelopmentConsultant and ExecutiveLeadership Specialist.


www.barnaclegrenada.comLocal NewsBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 15.What Grenada Needs-Green TownsJohn n Telesford‘Green’ or what maybe referred to as ‘ecofriendliness’has reallyfound its way tothe top of the Grenadianagenda in recenttimes. Thanks to theinitiative of the WillieRedhead Foundation,a well known organization,that has championedthe cause ofnatural and culturalheritage preservationand conservation forover a decade now.<strong>This</strong> ambitious projectthat the foundationis about to embarkupon is aptly andtentatively named“Greening of St.George’s- Green Places,Open Spaces. Theproject was launchedbefore a large mediapresence and a fewcorporate and otherwell wishers at theCoyaba Beach ResortConference Room onJanuary 14 th 2008.resent at the conferenceere principals from theoundation, includinghe President Mr. Norrisitchell who welcomedveryone and gave arief introduction to andn historical overviewf the Willie Redheadoundation. Mr. Jamesindley a Floor Memberf the Foundation andho also has the responibilityfor the projectrovided the media withcomprehensive decriptionof the project.n essence he indicatedhat the project will beocused on conservation,ehabilitation and cretionof green and openpaces. A componentthat will address themaintenance and compensationfor loss greenand open spaces due todevelopment will also bepursued. A home gardenpromotion and competitionshould also forma part of the project.Mr. Findley reiteratedthat the intention is toget ‘buy-in and ownership’of green and openspaces in St. George’s byas many Grenadians aspossible.The clarion call wasmade by Mr. Findley toCorporate Citizens, Governmentand all WellWishers to assist theproject. He outlined thatthe success and longevityof the project hingeson counterpart supportthat can equate to amaximum of 40% of thetotal project sum. Mr.Findley indicated thatthis support could be inthe form of monetarycontributions or supportin the form of technologyprovisioning. <strong>This</strong>sort of support he saidwas already promisedby the Government inthe form of a topographicalmap of the town thatwill highlight and locategreen and open spaces.Mrs. Valerie GordonCornwall, the UNDPGEF point person, thenspoke about the UnitedNations Development-Global EnvironmentFacility (UNDP GEF),the organization thatprovided the planninggrant for the project.She explained that thisinitial grant approvedby the GEF was only tofacilitate the planningof the project. She alsoindicated that two othersuch grants were awardedfor projects, one involvingreuse of materialsfor art purposes andthe other surroundingcommunity, environmentand tourism inCarriacou.The politicians thentook the podium. Takingthe first place was Hon.Peter David- Ministerof Tourism and the ParliamentaryRepresentativefor the Town of St.George. Hon David delivereda very enthusiasticand emotional speechhighlighting the tensionsbetween developmentfor tourism and the needto preserve and conserveour natural and culturalheritage. He focused onthe contribution tourismmakes to the economy,about 30%-40% of GDPof all the OECS economies,and as such theneed for tourism to existharmoniously with theenvironment. Hon Davidwelcomed the initiativeof the Foundation andwas happy to fully supportit, especially sinceit was in his Constituency.Following on his heelswas Hon. SylvesterQuarless- Junior Ministerwith responsibilityfor Environment inthe Ministry of PhysicalDevelopment and Environment.Hon Quarless,who also placedhis unrelenting supportbehind the project, thenspoke on what his Ministrysaw as the economicbenefits of the project.He indicated thatgreen and open spacesin the city can providea cool city that personswill want to be a partof, thus stimulatingeconomic activities. Headded that the environmentalbenefits will alsobe great, since there willbe reduced air and waterpollution in the city andthe Island as a whole.He also saw the projectas contributing positivelyto the country’sefforts in mitigating andadapting to the ravagesof climate change.After a few questionsfrom the media, a voteof thanks was movedby Mr. Cecil Edwards amember of the Foundation.By John N. Telesford


16 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009ReligionThe Power Of God Changing LivesMR. DESMOND ‘DJ’ JOHN,FULL GOSPEL BUSINESSMEN PRESIDENTReal life testimoniesof men like Bishop Dr.Aaron Granville Williamsand others are extremelyimportant to the cause ofgetting men to know Godand realizing that thereis no life without Christ.Businessman Mr. Desmond‘DJ’ John is one of the menbehind the Grenada chapterof Full Gospel BusinessmenInternational.He said the organizationis made up of a group ofsimple ordinary men fromall walks of life and differentprofessions.He said one of the thingsthey realized is that menare being straddled witha fear for religion and forchurch but real testimoniesof what men have beenthrough is a practical wayto draw men to Christ onthe cross and to the bloodof Jesus because men arepractical and like practicalexamples.Mr. John the founder andManager of DJ’s Bobcat andConstruction Services saidreligion has trapped peoplefor so long that people arefed up of religious activitiesbut are looking for spiritualconnectivity therefore testimonieslike that of BishopDr. Aaron Williams andother men in Full Gospelhas been propelling the organization.John said in the last threeyears in particular thegroup has grown significantlyto the extent that it hasopened another chapter inSauteurs and members arebeing called to the schools totalk to young boys who needfather figures in their lives.He said Full Gospel continuesto do a tremendousjob and the main ingredientis practical testimoniesof the experiences of menwho have tried everythingelse; who have failed; whohave been filthy rich andhad everything they couldphysically desire but whenthey met Jesus they foundout how to utilize their resourcesto touch others andbring them to Christ.<strong>This</strong> he said helps them todevelop a relationship anda life of their own connectedto Jesus, the cross and theHoly Spirit.As explained by Mr. John,Full Gospel Businessmenhas been active in Grenadafor the last seventeen yearsbut within the last threeyears it became very prominentwhen they began toreach out into the schoolsand attracting youth andstudents.The membership at presentis as diverse as can be.There are lawyers, carpenters,bus-drivers, taxi owners,an ex-commissioner ofpolice, the Attorney General;people from all differentwalks of life.He said the organizationhas really been expandingbecause men generally arelooking for something tohold on to.What is most important thebusinessman said is thatas these men come into theorganization they have allowedJesus to build backtheir lives in layers andstrata.They have been getting apeace that gives them someconnection and have beengoing back to the churches,taking up their rightfulresponsibility in the homes,going back to the communitiesand standing theirground, back to PTA meetings,helping their childrenwith the homework, doingtheir fair share of the choresat home and generally fulfillingtheir objectives bytaking up their place in thechurches in the society, inthe communities and thenation as a whole.Mr. John said the establishmentof Full Gospel BusinessmenInternational wasstarted in 1953 by a mancalled Demus Shikarianwho had a vision.He was an Armenian residingin the USA who feltthat in every organizationwomen appeared to bestronger and having to takeup the positions that menonce held.He then decided to starta little breakfast or lunchmeeting and invite men toa session where they couldsit and talk about taking uptheir rightful places.He said members of thelocal chapter travel everyyear to the world and regionalconventions and it isquite an experience to meetbusinessmen from throughoutthe world and the regionwho have taken up theirdivinely ordained places.He said one can also see thetrickle-down effect wherea community has becomeblessed and more productivebecause of this; where familieshave become strongerthrough this.John made special mentionof Nicaragua where he traveledrecently and talked ofcertain communities wherewelders had been hired toput up burglar bars beforethe advent of Full Gospeland today the same weldersare being hire to removethose bars and wrought irongates because there is noneed for them now.The society is free he said,drug lords have come toChrist, bandits have cometo Christ and whole villageshave been liberated.He said Full Gospel is not areligion thing it is a Jesuson the cross thing, it is arelationship and the HolySpirit will move people backto any denomination thatthey feel comfortable in andwhere he wants them toperform at their best.The local recorded populationof men who are affiliatedto Full Gospel John saidis about one thousand whohave passed through notall will be present at everymeeting.However he said the organizationis very strong inthe schools; they visit theGrenada Boys’ SecondarySchool regularly and sinceDr. Williams has been herethere has been a great demandfor him by several ofthe secondary schools.In fact the students of GBSShave signed a petition to theMinistry of Education thattestimonies such as Dr. Williams’be heard in every secondaryschool in Grenada.He said the children wholack father figures haveseen Full Gospel BusinessmenInternational in Grenadarepresenting whatthey are missing. It is anorganization that is pushingthe message of yes; yes toeternal peace, yes to Jesus<strong>coming</strong> into lives and yes toresponsibility.John said businessmen areso convinced that they arebeing blessed by being inFull Gospel that they giveback generously to the organizationalthough the organizationdoes not demandanything from persons.


WWW.BARNACLEGRENADA.COMReligionBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 17.Beauty For AshesBishop Dr. AaronGranville Williams ofTrinidad and Tobagowas a fugitive from thelaw for six years in hiscountry and incarceratedfor many more andis today bringing theword of God to thousandsaround the worldwith the message thatanyone can be used byGod.The self confessed formerbank robber and notoriouscriminal said looking backon all the years he spentin prison it is a gloriousthing to be free and be ableto make his own decisionsgoverning his life.But he has found a greaterfreedom in being able togo to court he said andconfess to sixteen counts ofarmed robbery; a freedomhe found while residing ina prison, to admit to whathe really did and not disguiseor hide it.Bishop Dr. Williams metthe Lord while a physicalcaptive in prison. There hewas set free from spiritualcaptivity and is now doingGod’s work setting spiritualcaptives free.The former prisoner saysthe joy he derives fromexecuting this calling isunspeakable. He said Godhas taken his ashes andgiven him beauty.Bishop Williams paid aVisit to Grenada recentlyon the invitation of the localchapter of Full GospelBusinessmen International.BISHOP DR. AARONGRANVILLE WILLIAMS:GOD PRESERVED MEEVEN IF I WAS DOINGWRONG.While here he had speakingengagements at severalof the nation’s secondaryschools, Her Majesty’sPrisons and the local organization’sweekly Saturdaymorning breakfast meetingat the Tropicana Restaurantconference room.It was at that meeting thatThe Barnacle was able tohear the now much soughtafter evangelist’s testimonyand interview himafterwards.After speaking at thebreakfast meeting he describedas a tremendousactivity during which hefelt the presence of theHoly Ghost.Bishop Williams travelsaround the world bringingthe word of God to peoplewho do not yet know Godpersonally and about theTropicana meeting he saidhe wishes Trinidad hassuch a movement.He said for the few dayshe had spent in Grenada iswas mind boggling to seebusinessmen who usuallyhave very hectic schedulesputting aside their work tomind the things of God.He applauds the businessmenfor the efforts they areputting out to help makeGrenada a safer and betterplace; to help people tobecome believers and knowthe Jesus Christ is Lord ofLords and king of Kings.He admires the fact thatthe Grenada businessmenare not preachingreligion or denominationbut to help people into arelationship with God. Hesaid they have taken up avery important mandate tolet people know about therelationship that shouldexist between them andtheir god.Asked how he would convincemen in general butbusinessmen in particularto be more active in theworks of God Dr. Williamsreminded that men shouldread their bible and theywould realize that Abrahamwas also a businessmanas were Isaac, Jacoband Paul who was a tentmaker.He said being a businessmannow is no differentthan being a businessmanthen and he thinks businessmenin Grenada arerising to the occasion andleading from the front.The dynamic evangelistsaid a significant part ofthe message he is trying toimpart is that if men neglecttheir responsibilitiesthe whole society will growweak.He elaborated, there arechildren who are futureprime ministers, presidents,sportsmen and othervaluable people in societyand men are leaving thesechildren unattended andgoing after foolishness instead.<strong>This</strong> kind of behavior hesaid can cause these neglectedchildren to degenerateand be led into thepit of destruction.If men are strong the familiesare strong and if familiesare strong the societyis strong, Dr. Williamsadmitted but if the menare weak this leads to thebreakdown of everything.The former “bad man”advises the local group totake the bull by the hornseven giving incentiveswhere necessary to getmen involved in the breakfastmeetings and eventuallydevelop a strong relationshipwith God.He said incentives maybe the way to go becausepeople tend to grab at thematerial things of life andsometimes when they comefor it they come for it theymay encounter someonethey did not expect toencounter and that is theHoly Spirit.He said man has to do hiswork the Holy Spirit has todo its work and man maycome for cell phone as anincentive and whilst playingwith the phone theymay hear the Holy Spiritknocking at their door andmight testify years laterabout how they came intothe session for a phone andgot connected with Jeremiah33:3, a scripture hecalls the spiritual b-mobilewhich says “Call unto meand I will answer andshow you great and mightythings that you know nothingabout.”Asked about the positiveeffect he has had on manylives by taking up thiscalling, Bishop Williamsasked in turn, had Christnot taken up the task todie on the cross where wewould be.He said because of hisfaith in Jesus he cannotimagine a picture of havingrejected the calling.Bishop Williams added,the gloomiest picture thatcan be painted is of not acceptingJesus of Nazarethas Lord and Savior.


18 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009


www.barnaclegrenada.comLocal NewsBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 19.Electricity rates continue to go downCustomers of the GrenadaElectricity ServicesLimited (GREN-LEC) can expect tosee a further declinein their electricityrate this month.The fuel charge has beenreduced from 51.10 centsper KWh in December to39.82 cents per KWh inJanuary, reflecting anoverall reduction of justover 50% of the chargein August when it was atthe unprecedented levelof 80.84 cents. <strong>This</strong> haspushed electricity ratesfor domestic customersto 79 cents per KWh, itslowest level in 20 monthsand which reflects a 34%reduction in rates sinceAugust 2008.<strong>This</strong> is really goodnews for customers whowere reeling from thehigh price of electricityduring 2008, whenoil prices rose from$92.97 USD per barrelin January 2008 tothe record level ofUS$147.50 in July2008. As oil price onthe world market beganits decline in August,GRENLEC hasbeen passing on thesavings to customersthrough the reducedfuel charge since September,and the Companyis pleased thatcustomers have beenbenefiting from thethis continued reductionin the electricityrates.Throughout the periodof rising oil prices,GRENLEC hasworked aggressivelyto do all that was possibleto mitigate theimpact of the increasein the price of fuel.<strong>This</strong> effort included aspecial focus on improvingits fuel efficiencywhich is now among thebest in the Caribbean.Despite this decline inoil price, the Companywill continue to pursueits efforts to improve itsefficiency, explore theuse of cheaper fuel andpromote the use of alternativeenergy sources.The Company is hopefulthat the downwardtrend in oil prices willcontinue so that customerscan see a further declinein the fuel chargeon their bills as the yearprogresses.However, OPEC’s recentcuts in oil productionand the increasedturmoil in the Mideastare already disruptingthe downwardtrend in oil prices.GRENLEC thereforeurges its customers tocontinue to practiceenergy conservationand the efficient useof electricity.If customers lessentheir focus on conservationand energyefficiency and allowtheir consumption toincreased power consumptionpletely erode the impactof the reducedprices and so theywill not see the impactof the reductionincrease, then thiswill completelyin rates.Customers are encouragedto checkfor energy conservationGRENLEC’s web<strong>site</strong>at www.grenlec.comtips or call 440-2650/3391 for information.


20 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009LettersWE THEPEOPLEThe Leader of the Oppositionon the Budget PresentationBY SANDRA C. A. FERGUSON2009: Bits and BytesCourtesy the Grenada Advocate, issue of Friday, December 19 th , 2008, I have been affordedhe opportunity to read the response of the Hon. Leader of the Opposition, Dr. the Rt. Hon.eith Mitchell, to the 2009 Budget presented by Hon. Nazim Burke, Minister of Finance.mong the things which stood out for me in the response of the Leader of the Oppositionere the following:• The usual deliberate attempts of the Leader of the Opposition to MISLEAD and tocreate FEAR• An UNCHARACTERISTIC pre-occupation with the conduct of “civilized democracy”and professionalism in the public service• Blatant attempts to play the Minister of Finance against the Minister of Tourism-----Did not Van Brink and First International Bank principals end up in JAIL inthe United States for DEFRAUDING pensioners in the US and Canada millionsof dollars of their retirement savings?Wasn’t Van Brink’s First International Bank of Grenada (FIBG) endorsed bythe NNP and Dr. Mitchell?Wasn’t Grenada black listed internationally as a result of the FRAUDULENTACTIVITIES of FIBG?Didn’t the Leader of the Opposition (then Prime Minister) travel to St. Moritzin Switzerland to receive his “DAMN MONEY” from Eric Resteiner whoturned out to be a convicted felon?Didn’t the Leader of the Opposition (then Prime Minister) admit to the nationthat he received approximately US$15,000?. Attempts to Mislead and to Create Fear:• The Leader of the Opposition spoke of the tremendous hope and confidence whichseems to have exited with the NNP administration. The REALITY IS that neversince the Revolution have we the people felt and seen so much RELIEF, REJOIC-ING, GOODWILL AND HOPE with the changing of an administration.• The Leader of the opposition advised the Speaker – “I want to show that thisadministration continues to talk through both sides of its mouth.” We thepeople know that the Hon. Leader of the Opposition is the MASTER of “talkingthough both sides of the mouth”. The example which stands out most in my mindis when as Prime Minister, he often made EMPTY PRONOUNCEMENTS aboutreconciliation and forgiveness while deliberately and systematically fuelling politicaldivisiveness, and hate.• “Frighteningly, this is a government that will continue to do and say anythingto stay in power, even if those things are at the expense of our country’sreputation, peace, social and economic progress…………………”• “And there is no hope that the ominous wave of crime, violence and wantondisregard for human life will be <strong>soon</strong> arrested” – Persons are remarkinghow CALM the country has become since the July 8 th elections. Older, God-faringfolk are even suggesting that the 15 murders and deaths in tragic circumstancesthat occurred prior to the July 8 th elections were linked to some EVIL, OBEAH –inspired design that a certain political figure(s) may have been dabbling in2. Conduct in a Civilized Democracy:Dr. Mitchell appeared to be UNCHARACTERISTICALLY pre-occupied with “conduct in acivilized democracy”. He made a scathing attack on Mr. Lloyd Noel for making public thescandalous deal involving the conveying of 20.4 acres of the people’s property, i.e. GrandAnse beach front in exchange for the PROMISE of the use of Lewis Hamilton’s name andimage to do tourism promotion for Grenada.Dr. Mitchell declared, “If the NDC administration is trying to save the project, they mustleave the freehold with the Hamilton Group. If they are against the project, they must demandthe freehold back.”We the people ask who/what is the Hamilton Group? According to information made publicby Mr. Lloyd Noel, OUR PROPERTY has been conveyed to a company called Time BourkeHolding with head office in the British Virgin Islands. No one has yet explained to we thepeople HOW Lewis Hamilton is related to this group. We have no information which linksLewis Hamilton to the group save and except the land has been conveyed to Time BourkeHolding for the use of Lewis Hamilton’s image and name. Is Time Bourke Holding an OFF-SHORE COMPANY? The Leader of the Opposition has the AUDACTIY/EFFRONTERYto suggest that in CIVILISED DEMOCRACIES the member of the Minister of Finance celebratedTask Force, i.e. Mr. Noel, would be made to resign.Who is the Leader of the Opposition to pontificate about respect and civilized democracy?His conduct in office, while Prime Minster, suggested that he did not care aboutrespect for office nor about conduct in a civilized democracy.--Wasn’t his party the one which received a hefty contribution from the fraudsterVan Brink and his First International Bank to run a glitzy 1999 electioncampaign which saw his party’s clean sweep - after which the NNP seemed tothink that Grenada was its own personal rum shop.Didn’t the Leader of the Opposition (then Prime Minister) send a thank younote to First International Bank for its generous financial support?----Didn’t the Leader of the Opposition (then Prime Minister) tell we the people“Ah only wish he did gimme more”!Didn’t Resteiner’s security detail, Timothy Bass, testify that Dr. Mitchell, thenPrime Minister, received US$500,000, that this was the second payment andthat the payment was in exchange for a diplomatic appointment?Why did the Leader of the Opposition/then Prime Minister not appear beforethe Cheltenham Enquiry to testify and face cross-examination?Did the Leader of the Opposition sit in Parliament of Grenada while still holdingUS citizenship?What moral authority does the Leader of the Opposition have to suggest that the Lloyd Noelshould resign as a Member of the Task Force. We the people owe Mr. Noel a debt of gratitudefor his vigilance in the protection of the people’s property. Thank you Mr. Noel!3. Minister of Finance vs. Minister of Tourism:It is also apparent that the Leader of the Opposition is seeking to UNDERMINE the Ministerof Finance, SEEKING TO CREATE CONFUSION in the minds of we the people, byplaying the Minister of Finance against the Minister of Tourism. Hear the Leader of theOpposition:-----While the Minister of Finance, his Task Force and his agents were “busy makingmischief, his Minister of Tourism and his Attorney –General were runningup and down trying to see how they could save the project” (in reference to theproposed Grand Beach – Lewis Hamilton arrangement).While the Minister of Finance is expanding his empire and duplicating positionswhich rightfully belong with and fit with other ministries………While the Minister of Finance schemes and plots and connives and dithersand the “lights of St. George’s grow increasingly more dim as a tourist destination………………….thevital ministries of Agriculture and Tourism are beingshort-changed”No provision has been made for completion of the Market Square, the biggestattraction in the Town of St. George – is this reluctance because the project isin the Town of St. George?“While the Minister of Finance was making his ill-advised remarks, the Ministerof Tourism was traveling up and down the world , ostensibly trying to attracttourism investment………….If he did not intend to frustrate the work ofthe Tourism Minister, why then , or why else would he then have made suchill advised statements”Since when is the Leader of the Opposition a fan of the Hon. Member of Parliament for theTown of St. George, who also holds the portfolios of Minister of Tourism and Foreign Affairs?<strong>This</strong> is the same Member of Parliament that the NNP regime did its damnedest tounseat, squandering millions of dollars of we the people’s money to unseat our legitimaterepresentative. If I were Pedro, I would be very concerned, even ALARMED about this“about face turn” by the Leader of the Opposition. What is his MOTIVE? THIS is what youcall “talking on both sides of you mouth”!!As Minister of Tourism, Pedro has to confront all of these dubious deals done in the people’sname by the former NNP administration. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, he also has to addressthe issue of questionable diplomatic appointments. E.g. why the hell was Georges Cohenof Calivigny Island infamy presenting credentials to the United Nations Office in Genevaalmost 2 years after he had received them from the former NNP regime and 4 monthsafter a new government had come into office? Who/what gave Mr. Cohen the “green light”?What is this diplomatic appointment facilitating for Mr. Cohen?


www.barnaclegrenada.comLettersWord on the ground is that a number of the “new pirates”,are comforted that Pedro is Minister of Tourism – “Is weboy! No need to worry!!” And now the Leader of the Opposition,who has been in cahoots, with all manner of dubiouscharacters is seemingly BIGGING UP Pedro while trying toSHAFT the Minister of Finance. We the people TAKINGNOTE and we suggesting to Pedro that he should “STUDYHE HEAD “(as old people would say) and always rememberwho voted him into office and who STOOD UP FOR ANDWITH HIM while the present Leader of the Oppositionsought to unseat him and to demonize him.4. Attacks on Investors:The Leader of the Opposition claimed that the “Minister(of Finance), his agents, advisors and surrogates of thegovernment” were attacking the character of internationalrenowned investors. He named the following :- HamiltonGroup at Grand Beach, Peter De Savary, Paul Taylor at Leveraand George Cohen on Calivigny Island.We the people have grave concerns about all of these investors:• Hamilton Group and Grand Beach – 20 acresof the people’s property, prime beachfront land onGrand Anse beach was conveyed to Time BourkeHolding, for the PROMISE of the use of LewisHamilton’s face and name which McLaren OWNS.• Peter De Savary – we the people are still tryingto understand how come Poole Capital S.A. - whomPeter De Savary bought out - had paid for two lotsof land in the Lagoon area but five lots, includingour LAGOON were conveyed to Peter De Savary’sPort Louis for a mere EC$1 (according to the informationavailable to we the people) ??!! In additionhe has plans to BUILD COTTAGES on the Lagoonpark and has received OBSCENE INCENTIVEpackage.• Paul Taylor and Levera – According to one RoryRoss writing in the U.K.’s Independent, Paul Taylor,is a former brick layer who “fronts the QatarInvestment Authority”. He has been given asignificant portion of Grenada’s Levera propertywith Pearl’s airfield thrown in for good measure!We the people do not know HOW MUCH PROP-ERTY nor do we know HOW MUCH MONEY hasgone into the Treasury or is expected to go intothe Treasury in respect of this deal. The lands ofordinary citizens were acquired to facilitate thisproject. “Investors gone and investors come” butthese persons are STILL awaiting payment fortheir lands!!• George Cohen – this is a man who has preventedGrenadians access to the beaches on CalivignyIsland – in Grenada ALL BEACHES are PUBLIC.His security guards aided by dogs DENIED assistanceto 2 persons in distress just earlier this year.They had to swim to the other side PULLING theirboat behind them!!He was given significant tax concessions to buildhis paradise HOME on Calivigny Island on thepretext that he was building a RESORT.It would seem that the Minister of Finance does not sharethe concerns of we the people. We noted with interest andsurprise his UNQUALIFIED declarations on this issue:(i) “Government is committed to working closely withthese developers to source funding and provide other formsof support to see these projects to fruition.”(ii) “…..we are fully satisfied with the commitment ofthe developers and pledge our full commitment to the realizationof these projects”>Where are the attacks claimed by the Leader of the Opposition?Is the Leader of the Opposition “singing for hissupper” by these investors? What did he “trust” as PrimeMinister that he cannot now “pay for” as Leader of the Opposition?5. Professionalism in the Public Service – theBrussels Mission:Since when is the Leader of the Opposition concerned aboutprofessionalism in the public service? He laments the removalof the lady Ambassador in Brussels. <strong>This</strong> is the ladyAmbassador who accompanied the Leader of the Opposition(then Prime Minister) on his infamous trip to St. Moritz inSwitzerland when he collected his DAMN MONEY fromEric Resteiner. In a ‘civilised democracy’ ,as the Leader ofthe Opposition put it, not only he would have tendered hisresignation, the lady Ambassador would have as well.The Leader of the Opposition sings the praises of this ladyAmbassador for being able to negotiate sponsorship of a vehicleand a part-time chauffeur for the Mission, saving theGovernment well over five million dollars. Hmm!BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 21.Who is this sponsor? What is the sponsor getting in returnfor that “five million dollar and change” sponsorship? Is ita diplomatic title or is it a piece of Grenada? We the peopleknow that “there are no free lunches”. Is it proper accordingto public service rules for a sponsor to be meeting thesecosts? Is it the lady Ambassador that is sponsored or is itthe Grenada Mission?The Leader of the Opposition describes the lady Ambassadoras a “paragon “ of professionalism and laments that theMinister of Foreign Affairs seems to have bowed to pressurefrom his Cabinet to end her stint in Brussels.The Leader of the Opposition is the same individualwho as Prime Minister set about dismantling the institutionof the public service. The book, Walking theStraight and Narrow by Richard Duncan, former Director-General, Ministry of Finance, informs we the people of hismeeting with the staff of the Ministry of Finance in October1995 when he declared, “You see, no matter how dedicatedand committed an officer is, and no matter how hard workingand respected an officer might be, once there is no trust,then there is nothing doing.” ). It is convention that whena government changes, diplomats pack their bags and tendertheir resignation. It is a fact that we the people donot TRUST the lady Ambassador in Brussels. Perhapswhat goes around has come around!!It is clear the Leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition is havinga hard time <strong>coming</strong> to grips with the reality that his partyis out of office, that he no longer runs things!! His performancewas Machiavellian at its best, seeking to sow hisusual seeds of discord and discontent. However, I am surethat his presentation served to remind we the people WHYwe BOOTED his administration OUT OF OFFICE on July8 th . And I am grateful that unlike the Americans, we haveNO TRANSITION PERIOD!!Congratulations to the Speaker of the House, Hon GeorgeMcGuire, for the firm manner in which he called the Leaderof the Opposition to order. It rekindled hope that, perhaps,under his watch, decency will be restored to Parliament andthe people’s business will be conducted with decorum anddignity.GRENADA DESERVES BETTER! WE STANDING UPFOR GRENADA!!


22 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009The Business and Sustainability ForumUp Again, Down Again:Understanding the RollerJohn n TelesfordCoaster Nature of Electricity PricesIntroductionWe have certainly gone through a roller coaster yearin 2008 with electricity prices. And if there was ever aroller coaster that soared to extreme heights it wouldhave been this one, with electricity prices rising sharplyto a record high in August 2008. And although the pricebegan to dip in September and our power Company washappy to advertise that the lowest price for the year willbe in December 2008, a closer look at your bill will showthat the price was still significantly higher than the averageprice since 2002. <strong>This</strong> is a classic case of the effectsof a global phenomenon, impacting on us locally or asone economist called it ‘glocalization’.So what was this classic example of glocalization? <strong>This</strong>case manifested itself in the electricity market as we sawthe price of fuel oil on the global market sore to an alltime high. <strong>This</strong> was a global issue and even the Petrocaribedeal could not have saved us. On the other handwe felt the shocks as we opened our electricity bills andmonth after month most of us may have had poppingeyes as we saw the bills climb to an unprecedented high.<strong>This</strong> was the local impact, the fuel rate of our electricitybills which soared with the price of fuel oil on the globalmarket. In this forum article I will attempt to delve a bitinto our current electricity market-the place where wetrade electricity. I will provide a simple analysis of whattranspired with fuel rates since 2002.A brief look at the electricity marketAs we are aware there is only one generator and retailerof electricity on the Island and they depend on fossil fuelbased oil to generate electricity. The Electricity SupplyAct and Public Utilities Act both of 1994 govern the market.There is no independent regulator for the marketas obtained in many other markets. Anyway, electricitythat the sole company generates is sold to three mainclasses of customers; they are residential, commercialand industrial. Each of these customers is charged forthe electricity by different tariffs or methods. Generally,the tariff consists of a non-fuel rate, which coversadministration etc and a fuel rate, based on global marketprices for oil. There are other components that arerelevant to the specific customer type and levies that arenot within the scope of this analysis. Analogous to anyother market, the supplier the electricity Company, sellsa product or service-electricity, to customers, at a price.The price however, may not follow the classic case of demandand supply but is heavily impacted by the globalprice of the type of fuel used to generate electricity.The influence of the global oil prices on the fuelrateFor at least the last decade the non-fuel rate which iscomputed based on law has remained pretty stable in allthree customer categories. <strong>This</strong> cannot be said for theaverage fuel rate which as we see in figure 1 has risensteadily since 2002 to a high of 44.28 cents in 2007, anincrease of 141% in the average fuel rate since 2002. Sowhat has caused this constant increase in the averagefuel rate? Let us look at what transpired in 2008 as ademonstration.Figure 1YearsDate Source:http://www.grelec.com/Customersupport/general.htmlLooking at figure 2, we see that the fuel rate started justat about the average for 2007, rose to a peak of approximately80 cents in August and began to decline steadilyto the end of the year.Figure 2EC$Data Source:http://www.grelec.com/Customersupport/general.html and Grenada Informer 2/1/09Figure 3EC$0.50.40.30.20.1Trend in Average Fuel Rate 2002 to 200702001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 200810.80.60.40.201614121086420JanFebJanFebhttp://www.grelec.com/Customersupport/general.html and Grenada Informer 2/1/09Figure 3, which shows the actual price paid per gallonof fuel, by the power Company to their fuel Supplier, revealsa similar trend. Remember that our Company buysfuel from Petrocaribe whose prices are dictated by theglobal price for fuel.Many people are asking well now that the price of fuel onthe world market has dropped dramatically why are westill paying so much for electricity? The answer to thisEC$Fuel Rate Trend 2008MarAprMayJuneYear 2008Price per gallon of fuelMarAprMayJuneYear 2008JulyAugSeptOctNovDecJulyAugSeptOctNovDecquestion lies in the method of computing the rate. Thelaw states that the fuel rates must be adjusted by usinga three month rolling average of actual fuel prices onthe global market. In other words the rate in Decemberwill depend on the average of fuel prices in November,October and September. <strong>This</strong> is then compared to anefficiency index stipulated in law and the rate adjustedaccordingly. <strong>This</strong> method of calculation will result ina lag on the downward or even upward effects on therate. From figure 3 we notice that the price paid for fuelpeaked in June, but the rate peaked in August figure 2.Similarly, the lower rates will lag the decline in prices offuel on the world market. We will not feel the benefits ofthis decrease until maybe January.ConclusionThe electricity market therefore is greatly influenced bythe type of fuel that is used to generate electricity. Andthe type of fuel that most utility experts will argue –providesthe firm capacity that is needed for a reliable supplyof electricity. We see however, how the roller coasternature of the global price for the fuel impacts us locally.There is no doubt that the fuel rate is rising steadily. Atthe end of 2008 the average fuel rate was 64 cents. <strong>This</strong>average fuel rate increase equates to a whopping 248%increase in fuel rates since 2002 and a 44.5% increaseover 2007. The trend line in figure 1 will definitely continueto shoot upwards, as show in figure 4.Figure 4Years0.70.60.50.40.30.2Date Source:Trend in Average Fuel Rate 2002 to 20080.102001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009http://www.grelec.com/Customersupport/general.html and Grenada Informer 2/1/09So to alleviate the damning effects of these price fluctuationswe must begin to reposition the electricity market,a topic you should look out for in the future. Our soledependence on fossil fuels for the generation of electricitymust be reconsidered and energy efficiency embarkedupon. We must give this top priority or we will find ourselvesbeen unsustainable in our development. We mustbegin to think globally but act locally. In other words letus get the positives out of ‘glocalization’.EC$John n TelesfordP. o. Box 906, Grenville, sT. Andrew’sJnTelesford@yAhoo.comTel: 442 4563/406 9615


www.barnaclegrenada.comBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 23.


24 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009


www.barnaclegrenada.comBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 25.


26 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009


www.barnaclegrenada.comCoporate NewsNational Brain Bee Challengeheld for the first time in GrenadaOutline OfBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 27.The Grenada NationalBrain Bee (GNBB) Challengeis a competition forSecondary school formsIII, IV and V students,ages 12 to 18. It is fashionedafter a traditionalSpelling Bee, except thataffiliated to the InternationalBrain Bee (IBB) Competition.The GNBB event will beheld at the Charter Hall, St.George’s University, Grenadaon 21st March 2009,during the Brain Awarenesswhere winners will emergeto participate at the NationallevelThe WinnersAt the National level will goGrenada NationalBrain Bee Challengeis open to any studentschooling in Grenadawho meets the eligibilityguidelines below.Must be in forms III, IVor V as of January 1,2009. Not less than 12years and not more than19years by this date.A student can only participatein a Local BrainBee if he/she had passedand qualified throughthe Preliminary ScreeningTest.A Local Brain bee Contestshall be limited to 30contestants only.The Local Brain bee shallbe held in two phases andThe Competitionconduct the both phases.Contestants will be seatedby the badge numberorder from left to right.The Moderator and Judgesface the contestantsand audience. Questionstiming will be by use ofan electronic stop watchwith an alarm. The performancerecords of thecontestants shall bedisplayed on a screenthrough the course of thecontest. The Judges arein complete control of thecompetition and their decisionsare final.No type of recording instrument(tape recorder,mp3 player) is allowedto be on during the competition.Also, parents/teachers may not writewait until the end of thetime period.The judging panel (consistingof a Chief Judgeand Associate Judge) willdecide on the validity ofeach answer. Only challengesthat provide evidencefrom Brain Factswill be entertained. Thecontest is based aroundBrain Facts, which is thesource for every questionin the competition.Once a contestant accumulatesthree incorrectanswers, he/ she will beeliminated from the competition.However, thecontestant should returnto his/ her seat. All eliminatedcontestants will beannounced at the end ofevery round.geTTIng To Know THe braIncross secTIon of parTIcIpanTs of THe braIn beestudents answer questionsabout the brain andneuroscience research.It is designed to stimulateinterest and excitementabout brain research and isSchedule of EventsWeek. Activities for the GrenadaNational Brain Beecompetition will however,begin in November 2008with Local Brain Bee (LBB)competitions around theparishes on the Island fromLocal Brain Bee Competition Schedule In Grenadaon to represent Grenada atthe International Brain Beecompetition which has becomeincreasingly popular,recruiting young minds intothe biomedical sciences, particularlythe Neurosciences.DATE LOCATION VENUE TIMEFebruary 5 th 2009St. GeorgeÕ s IISt. JosephÕ s Convent School,St. GeorgeÕ s.Preparation For National Brain Bee Competitors2:15pmDATE LOCATION VENUE TIMEall the questions for bothphases are taken fromthe book, Brain Facts,which can be found froma link on this web<strong>site</strong>.Both phases are in oralformat. A team consistingof a Moderator, twoJudges, a Record Masterand Time Keeper willCOORDINATORMrs. Ann AntoineCOORDINATORFebruary 21 st 2009 St. GeorgeÕ s University Anatomy Dry Lab, SGU 9:00am Ð 5:00pm SGU Anatomy FacultyGrenada National Brain Bee CompetitionDATE LOCATION VENUE TIMECOORDINATORMarch 21 st 2009 St. GeorgeÕ s Charter Hall, True Blue Campus 12:00pm Dr. Francis A. Fakoyadown questions and answers.Parents and othermembers of the audiencefound to be using suchdevices and/ or writingdown questions will beasked to leave immediately.When a contestant answersa question correctly,he/ she is shown agreen card. When a contestantgets an answerwrong, he/ she is areshown a red card.Phase I (Oral):Phase I is oral. Contestantswill be asked questionsthat require one ortwo word answers. Thereare no multiple choicequestions. Most of thequestions asked requirevery specific answers.In each round, the contestantwill be requiredto come up to the microphoneand answerhis/ her question. Allcontestants have exactly15 seconds to answera question once it hasbeen asked. Time startsas <strong>soon</strong> as the proctorhas finished asking thequestion. If there is anyconfusion, contestantsshould ask for clarificationimmediately and notOnce 5 contestants remain,Phase II begins.All the five remainingcontestants are eligibleto participate in the GrenadaNational Brain BeeCompetition.Phase II (Oral):Phase II is exactly likePhase I. All 5 finalistsbegin with a clean slate:all of them begin withzero incorrect answers.As in Phase I, once acontestant accumulates3 incorrect answers, he/she is eliminated.When two contestantsare left, they will continueto answer questionsuntil one contestantcompiles 3 incorrect answers.In that case, theother finalist is namedthe champion. If bothcontestants get their 3incorrect answer in thesame round, they simplycontinue to answer questionsas if they had only2 incorrect answers.<strong>This</strong> phase will determinethe final positionsof the five final contestantsfor their prizes.However, only schools ofthe top three will receivean award.


28 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009Coporate NewsTHE G’DA CO-OPERATIVE BANK 2009 NATIONAL BRAIN BEE CHALLENGE“Will Task Their Brain on Their Knowledge of the Brain”In the fancy of most personsthe most preciousorgan in the body is theheart.Not so says National Coordinatorfor the Grenada CooperativeBank NationalBrain Bee Challenge Dr.Francis A. Fakoya. Ratherthere is no part of the bodyas important as the brain.Yes, the Brain Bee Challengehas come to Grenadathrough the initiative of theSt. George’s University andthe sponsorship of the GrenadaCo-operative Bank ,where secondary school studentstest their knowledgeof the brain.What’s this Brain Bee Challengeof which we talk andwhat is all this about brainand how important it is tothe body?Brain Bee is ten years oldexplained Dr. Fakoya andit’s an international competitionwhich takes place atnational and internationallevels.<strong>This</strong> is the conception ofMr. Norbert Mylinski anAssociated Professor in theUniversity of Maryland inBaltimore, United States.According to Dr. Fakoyathis competition is Mr.Mylinski’s contribution tobrain research and to improvegeneral awareness ofthe brain.The holding of the BrainBee Challenge in GrenadaOnly invited finalistsfrom LBBs shall be eligibleto participate in theGNBB competitionThe GNBB shall hold on21st March 2009, in CharterHall, St. George’s University,True Blue, St. George’s,from 12.00noon.All contestant MUST be registeredby 11.30amThe contest shall be in threephasesPhase IConsist of a written papercontaining 100 items multiple-choicequestions. Therules for the preliminaryScreening Test shall be applicableto this Phase I. <strong>This</strong>is an elimination round.Remaining contestants shallgo on to the phase IIPhase IIWill comprise a NeuroanatomyLaboratory componentand shall take place theAnatomy Dry Lab.represents the first time ithas happened in the entireCaribbean.The people behind the competitionwant to give theyouth a challenge. As Dr.Fakoya explained, thereare those who want to doresearch in biotechnology,nanotechnology and otherareas and those are thethings that over the yearswill lead to the growth ofGrenada as a nation.He added the nation needspeople whose minds arebroadened sufficiently to beexplorers and neuroscienceis one of the areas that canbe explored.The hope of the organizersis that by bringing this exercisewhich is fun, inspirationaland above all willhelp broaden the horizonsof participating youth; theMrs. MonDelle squires Francis executiVeManager custoMer care oF co-op BankgiVing reMaksstudents will be sufficientlyencouraged and exposed asto have some of them goinginto this area of studieslater on.In addition they hope thatbecause of the competitionthe media will bring theinformation to the generalpublic and thereby convinceat least some persons tochange their behavior forthe better.THE GRENADA CO-OPERATIVE BANK 2009 NATIONAL BRAIN BEE FINALSQuestions shall be drawn forthe identification of brainstructures on whole andsectioned brain tissues andmodels. <strong>This</strong> also is eliminationround.Candidates shall wear a labcoat for this phase and keepsame for the next phase.Remaining contestants shallgo on to the phase IIIPhase IIIPhase III is oral. Finalistswill be asked questions thatrequire one or two word answers.There are no multiple-choicequestions. Most ofthe questions asked requirevery specific answers.Questions for the Phase IIIwill be taken both from BrainFacts and the 2003 editionof Neuroscience - Science ofthe Brain: An Introductionfor Young Students’. <strong>This</strong>book is published by Britishneuroscience Association forthe European Dana Alliancefor the Brain, and can befound at the Dana Allianceweb<strong>site</strong>All other rules of the LBBshall be applicable to thisphase of the contestThe Challenge will recognizeonly the top three finalistsfor their prizes and awardsand their schools.The first place winner shallbe formal declared NationalChampion- ‘Best Brain inGrenada’ by the SpecialGuest of Honour of the occasionand presented to thegeneral public as the representativeof Grenada at thenext International BrainBee scheduled for Universityof Maryland, Baltimore,USA, in 2009Dr. Fakoya said if the manwho smokes knows thatalong with the lungs smokingalso damages the brainor the pregnant women whois drinking knows that herhabit can be harmful to theentire life of her unbornchild maybe they will decideto stop.He went on, many peopledon’t know about relaxationand how important itis to have a good number ofhours’ sleep; how to developtheir intelligence and theirbrain power.These items of information,during the course ofthe competition will becomereadily available to thepublic.How was the Brain Beestructured? The idea wasto involve student from allsecondary schools. Theybegan the implementationprocess by first arrangingthrough the Ministry ofEducation, duty free concessionsto bring in bookson neuroscience which weredistributed to schools freeof charge for the purpose ofthe competition.It was then up to the studentsto study the book toprepare for the competition.An initial screening test ofparticipating students andrepresentatives of everysecondary school in Grenadasave two took the test.Dr. Fakoya aDDresses the participants atthe launchOriginally 188 students hadregistered for the test but141 actually took it. Onehundred and thirty-sevenqualified for the next phaseof the competition, which isthe actual Brain Bee Challenge.These are distributedinto four zones.Rather than holding the entirecompetition in one placethe organizers have decentralizedit and brought it tothe communities to makeit easier for families andfriends of the various participantsto attend the activities.From each of the four zonesmentioned the last fivestanding will be invitedto the national of the localBrain Bee and this aspect ofit will be a knock out event.The format, if you missthree consecutive questionsyou are out. Participantshave 15 seconds from thetime the question is askedto answer.If they answer correctlywithin the 15 seconds theyget a green “correct” markand if it is incorrect they geta red “x”. once the participantaccumulate three x’she/she is out and returns tothe auditorium but at theend of the day they will stillreceive a consolation prizeand a certificate of participation.Five persons from each zonewill qualify for the finalswhich will be held at SGUon March 21.The actual competition willculminate with a BrainAwareness Week duringwhich several events willbe staged designed to raisepublic awareness of thebrain and appreciate its importanceto existence.The winner of the NationalBrain Bee Competitionwill represent Grenada atthe International scientificarena and Dr. Fakoya ishoping that the candidatesfrom Grenada can becomethe best brains in the worldwhich is the title conferredon the winner of the BrainBee International competition.Among the many prizes thewinner of the local competitionwill be showered withis a Super Starter EducationalInvestment Plan tothe tune of $500.00 in collaborationwith the titlesponsor, the Grenada CooperativeBank.Other sponsors of the competitionare Bryden andMinors, Air Jamaica, JonasBrowne & Hubbard, GrenadaElectricity Services(GRENLEC) and GrenadaBroadcasting Network(GBN).Dr. Fakoya says the intentionis to establish the BrainBee as an annual event andhe is looking forward to successin this the first editionof the challenge.Proposed Awards and PrizesTo serve as motivational factor and rewardfor the extra work of participationin the challenge, i.e. all winners (last fivefrom the LBB and last three at the Finals)will receive prizes and awards. In addition,the respective schools of winners(last three for the LBB and Last threeat the finals) will also receive awards toencourage a modern teaching approachto Biology as a subject, with emphasis tothe Nervous system. Some of the prizesand awards are:1. Star AwardAn all expense paid trip for the Nationalchampion, his/her Mentor to attend andparticipate at the 2009 InternationalBrain bee Championship, in BaltimoreUSA. <strong>This</strong> includes (Return trip Air ticket,Hotel accommodation and per diem).2. Other PrizesPosition Medals and Placques StethoscopesLaptop Desk top computer systemAward Trophy Cash Award Biologicalcharts Human Torso Models TheBook ‘Neuroscience - Science of the Brain:An Introduction for Young Students’.3. Special Champion’s School PrizesMultimedia Projector + Interactive biologicalteaching softwareORStudent microscopes x10OR A complete Human life size skeletonAll competitors from the LBB stage willreceive a Certificate of participation


www.barnaclegrenada.comCorporate NewsBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 29.


30 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009Local NewsTime for a Sustainable Prison Rehabilitation ProgramBy: Oliver PatrickSuccess will depend on thesupport of a wide crosssectionof society includingemployers, community leaders,churches and the widersociety in accepting and assistingex-inmates in the reintegrationprocess.Over the last two decadesor so the educationsystem at Her Majesty’sPrisons, which is spearheadedand coordinatedby the “Grenada Seventeen”,has been benefitinginmates.We are about to see the releaseof the final batch of the“Seventeen” and it is thereforethe right time for prisonofficials to take measures tofill the inevitable void thatwill be created.Persons incarcerated at thisinstitution have been privilegedto participate in coursesranging from basic literacy,school-leaving, CXC/GCEO’ levels, small businesscourses, and various degreesand diplomas.In the absence of a systematicprison rehabilitationsystem the education systemhas been filling the void.Many former and presentinmates can testify of thepositive impact the prisoneducation system has madeon their lives.The time and effort put intothe process by the “Seventeen”has significantly contributedto the success rateenjoyed by both the institutionand the participants.Inmates at a graduatIon ceremony In the small busIness programme at her majesty’s prIsonOne very positive step takenby the Prison was the appointmentof a Principal asthe overall coordinator of theeducation process.However, it is high time forour Minister of National Securitytogether with otherstakeholders to collaborateand institute not just a sustainableprison educationsystem but a comprehensiverehabilitation program.It is conceivable that therewill always be inmates withvarying levels of qualificationwho can be enlisted astutors for the prison educationsystem.However, as we are aboutto see the release of the finalbatch of the “Seventeen” it isnecessary to solicit the servicesof qualified tutors fromthe outside. Fortunately forthe Prisons, its educationsystem has a fulltime Principalin the Person of Mrs.Ursula Antoine, MBE.It is not too early for Mrs.Antoine to be given the mandateto design a permanentand relevant education programand to source tutors forthe various subject areas andlevels. There are resourcepersons currently servingtime, including the remainderof the “Seventeen”, whowill be more than happy toassist in the process of settingup this program.In the absence of a prison rehabilitationprogram we seethese offenders return to societyand before too long, thecycle of drug abuse, crime,arrest, and eventual incarcerationis repeated. Theobvious solution to end thisvicious cycle is a rehabilitationprogram, utilizing ourqualified professionals.Contrary to popular belief, itis extremely difficult to breaka drug habit. The issue ofchemical addiction requiresThe stigmatization andside-lining of ex-inmates oftenlead to undue hardships.We need to acknowledgethat former prisoners havepaid their penalty and thatwe owe them a debt of forgiveness.Everyone deserves a newbeginning. In many instancesex-inmates are refusedemployment. <strong>This</strong> obviouslydenies them the opportunityto make an honest living.The result is undue hardshipand frustration, catapultingthem back to criminal activityin order to survive. <strong>This</strong>can be avoided.It is unfortunate but evenour churches have difficultyin accepting ex-inmates.They are treated with suspicionand in many instancesare made to feel unwelcomein the fellowship of manychurches.As the body of Christ, thechurch has a responsibilityto display the love of God toall and sundry. That in noway means that church folksmust be naïve when it comesto dealing with ex-prisoners(or anyone for that matter).However, our churches haveto play their part in the reintegrationprocess.prIme mInIster, hon. tIllman thomas tours the prIsonThere are also many graduatesfrom our tertiary institutions;TAMCC, SGU andUWI; whose services can besolicited on a part-time basisto provide tuition for inmates.While benefiting the prisoneducation system this willalso serve as a temporaryform of employment for ourmany qualified graduatesand thereby easing theirfrustration as they awaitemployment.Together with a sustainableeducation system it is alsohigh time for a comprehensiveprison rehabilitationprogram. A large percentageof inmates are multiple repeatoffenders. In most casestheir crimes include pettyoffenses such as drug possession,housebreaking, stealingamong other things.extended professional help.The time has come when ourauthorities need to employprofessional counselors andinstitute a counseling anddetoxification program foroffenders with drug and alcoholaddiction. <strong>This</strong> is sureto cut back on the rate of repeatoffenders.The aim of the prison educationand rehabilitationprogram should be to haveoffenders reintegrated insociety; leading meaningfuland productive lives. Withthis objective it is necessaryto solicit the support of societyat large in the rehabilitationprocess.A sustainable and comprehensiveprison rehabilitationprogram involving education,counseling, detoxification(as necessary), and thesupport of the wider societyis necessary to curb the rateof repeat offenders.It is also necessary to assistex-prisoners as they endeavorto take up their rightfulplace in society. For such aprogram to be successful itneeds to draw from the resourcesof many persons anddepartments working in collaborationwith each other.Such departments as theRGPF, the education sector,Legal Aid and CounselingClinic, Social Services, employers,churches, to name afew, are all stakeholders inthe process. The time to actis now, before we have a serious“crime problem” on ourhand.


www.barnaclegrenada.comBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 31.


32 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 www.barnaclegrenada.comBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 33.


34 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009


www.barnaclegrenada.comBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 35.COMMOM ENTRANCE PRACTICE QUESTIONS - PAPER 3Read the questions carefully. Choose the correct answer and blacken the circle with the corresponding letter. Please follow this example:-1. The Olympic Games are held every ----years. (a) two (b) four (c) ten (d) five (a) (b) (c) (d)HISTORY1. In the 19th Century, these people came to the Caribbean in large numbers.(a) Africans (b) East Indians (c) Amerindians (d) Lebanese (a) (b) (c) (d)2. The inhabitants that the French met in Grenada were the (a) Spaniards (b) Mayans (c) Amerindians (d) Caribs (a) (b) (c) (d)3. In which year did Grenada become a British Colony? (a) 1650 (b) 1763 (c) 1967 (d) 1974 (a) (b) (c) (d)4. The Maroons settled mainly in the island of ------ ? (a) Haiti (b) Cuba (c) Jamaica (d) Grenada (a) (b) (c) (d)5. The monarchs of which European country helped Columbus on his voyages? (a) Spain (b) France (c) England (d) Portugal (a) (b) (c) (d)6. Christopher Columbus was born in the city of (a) Genoa (b) Lisbon (c) Madrid (d) London (a) (b) (c) (d)7. St. Christopher is also referred to as the island of (a) St. Vincent (b) St. Croix (c) St. Kitts (d) St. Lucia (a) (b) (c) (d)8. <strong>This</strong> island is referred to as the ‘Helen of the West’. (a) St. Kitts (b) St. Lucia (c) Grenada (d)Dominica (a) (b) (c) (d)CULTURE/SPORTS1. “Grenada: Island of Conflict” is a book written by: (a) Glen Mark (b) Francis Alexis (c) George Brizan (d) Keith Mitchell (a) (b) (c) (d)2. A popular West Indian folk character is : (a) Brer Anancy (b) Sparrow (c) Ajamu (d) Louise Bennet (a) (b) (c) (d)3. Which of the following does not belong to the group? (a) Reggae (b) calypso (c) soca (d) classical (a) (b) (c) (d)4. With which sport would you associate a bouncer (a) tennis (b) cricket (c) basket-ball (d) football (a) (b) (c) (d)5. All of these are West Indian authors except (a) Naipaul (b) Baldwin (c) Walcott (d) Salvo (a) (b) (c) (d)6. Work in Grenada involving helpers and lots of food and drink is called a (a) festival (b) fete (c) maroon (d) exhibition (a) (b) (c) (d)7. Haile Selasie is considered a prophet by the (a) Rastafarian (b) Moslem (c) Hindu(d) Christian (a) (b) (c) (d)8. What type of family consists of father, mother and children? (a) extended (b) nuclear (c) single parent (d) visiting (a) (b) (c) (d)COMMERCE/ECONOMY1. Grenada’s chief Caricom trading partner is (a) Trinidad (b) St. Vincent (c) Dominica (c) Jamaica (a) (b) (c) (d)2. Asphalt is produced in a pitch lake in (a) Tobago (b) Grenada (c) Barbados (d)Trinidad (a) (b) (c) (d)3. The yen is the currency used in (a) China (b) Japan(c) Belize (d) Dominica (a) (b) (c) (d)4. Which major hurricane severely damaged Grenada in 2004? (a) Janet (b) Emily (c) Lennie (d) Ivan (a) (b) (c) (d)5. The National Re-construction Levy was implemented after Hurricane (a) Ivan (b) Dean (c) Katrina (d) Lenny (a) (b) (c) (d)6. Dominica manufactures a variety of soaps. They grow much--------- there.(a) cocoa (b) sugar-cane (c) spices (d) coconut (a) (b) (c) (d)7. The demand for and availability of an item will affect its (a) style (b) price(c) texture (d) colour (a) (b) (c) (d)8. Another term used for money is : (a) price (b) bill(c) percentage (d) revenue (a) (b) (c) (d)POLITICS/GEOGRAPHY1. The plans and programmes of a political party is found in its (a) agenda (b) Constitution (c) minutes (d) manifesto (a) (b) (c) (d)2. The head of a political party is called the (a) Governor (b) political leader (c) Prime Minister (d) Chief (a) (b) (c) (d)3. A person’s right to vote in a general election is called? (a) adult suffrage (b) voting (c) politics (d) rites (a) (b) (c) (d)4. The Richter Scale measures ------- (a) temperature (b) pressure (c) earthquakes (d) hurricanes (a) (b) (c) (d)5. Grenada is not a member of the : (a) U.N. (b) O.E.C.S. (c) E.U. (d) O.A.S. (a) (b) (c) (d)6. In CARICOM, Guyana and Trinidad are ----------------- (a) republics (b) colonies (c) counties (d) parishes (a) (b) (c) (d)7. In Grenada, the Senate and the House of Representatives make up the (a) Parliament (b) Cabinet (c) Houses (d) Government (a) (b) (c) (d)8. Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Lucia and Dominica make up the ------- islands. (a) Leeward (b) Windward (c) A.B.C. (d) Greater (a) (b) (c) (d)


36 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009COMMOM ENTRANCE PRACTICE QUESTIONS - PAPER 3NATURAL SCIENCE – ANIMALS1. Mammals are animals which are : (a) cold blooded (b) warm blooded (c) fish (d) huge (a) (b) (c) (d)2. <strong>This</strong> animal is an invertebrate (a) fish (b) centipede (c) lizard (d) snake (a) (b) (c) (d)3. <strong>This</strong> animal is an insect (a) cockroach (b) scorpion (c) spider(d) millipede (a) (b) (c) (d)4. A vertebrate whose early life is spent in water is an (a) insect (b) invertebrate (c) amphibian (d) alligator (a) (b) (c) (d)5. All these animals are reptiles except: (a) alligator (b) lizard (c) frog (d) turtle (a) (b) (c) (d)6. Which of the following animals have no teeth? (a) cattle (b) sheep(c) birds (d) rats (a) (b) (c) (d)7. Animals which fly around light bulbs and lamps are (a) flies (b) moths(c) beetles (d) roaches (a) (b) (c) (d)8. Chickens that mature in 6 - 8weeks and grown for meat are (a) broilers (b) layers (c) dual purpose (d) breeders (a) (b) (c) (d)PLANTS1. The gas carbon dioxide is taken into plants through their (a) stomata (b) flowers (c) roots (d) ovules (a) (b) (c) (d)2. Which of these plants does NOT bear flowers? (a) bamboo (b) fern (c) aloe (d) sugar-cane (a) (b) (c) (d)3. Which part of the green plant makes plant food? (a) root (b) stem (c) leaves (d) flowers (a) (b) (c) (d)4. An example of a monocot plant is (a) bouquet (b) bunch (c) inflorescence (d) group (a) (b) (c) (d)5. The process by which a seed changes into a young plant (a) germination (b) growth (c) shooting (d) formation (a) (b) (c) (d)6. Green plants need --------------- to make food. (a) sunlight (b) seeds (c) oxygen (d) fertilizer (a) (b) (c) (d)7. Plants take in carbon dioxide but give out: (a) nitrogen (b) oxygen (c) litmus (d) hydrogen (a) (b) (c) (d)8. Another term which can be used for moisture is: (a) health (b) soda (c) oxygen (d) water (a) (b) (c) (d)PHYSICAL SCIENCE1. H2O is the symbol for (a) hydrogen (b) oxygen (c) water (d) air (a) (b) (c) (d)2. An instrument which increases the speed at which work is done is a (a) bamboo (b) machine (c) factory (d) force (a) (b) (c) (d)3. The force produced when two surfaces rub against each other is called: (a) magnetic (b) friction (c) mixture (d) gravity (a) (b) (c) (d)4. Ice changed into water produces a --------------- change. (a) chemical (b) physical (c) mechanical (d) worthy (a) (b) (c) (d)5. Burning a piece of paper into ash produces a ----------- change (a) chemical (b) physical (c) mechanical (d) biological (a) (b) (c) (d)6. A screw driver is a type of: (a) axel (b) wheel (c) lever (d) crowbar (a) (b) (c) (d)7. A bar magnet has : (a) 8 poles (b) 4 poles (c) 2 poles (d) 6 poles (a) (b) (c) (d)8. Which substance will a bar magnet attract? (a) iron (b) rubber (c) wood(d) paper (a) (b) (c) (d)HEALTH SCIENCE1. The following teeth are used for cutting food: (a) canines (b) molars (c) pre-molars (d) incisors (a) (b) (c) (d)2. The stomach is found in the : (a) chest (b) intestines (c) abdomen (d) colon (a) (b) (c) (d)3. Which external para<strong>site</strong> lives in the hairy areas of humans? (a) flea (b) tick (c) bedbugs (d) louse (a) (b) (c) (d). Citrus fruits are a good source of Vitamin ----- : (a) K (b) C (c) A (d) B (a) (b) (c) (d)5. The process which gets rid of waste matter from the human body is : (a) excretion (b) digestion (c) ingestion (d) absorption (a) (b) (c) (d)6. The most common disease among young children in Grenada is: (a) malaria (b) mumps (c) measles (d) gastro-enteritis (a) (b) (c) (d)7. The house-fly can spread this disease (a) measles (b) dysentery (c) mumps (d) malaria (a) (b) (c) (d)8. Fish is a valuable source of this class of food. (a) vitamins (b) proteins (c) fat (d) carbohydrates (a) (b) (c) (d)


www.barnaclegrenada.comBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 37.COMMOM ENTRANCE PRACTICE QUESTIONS - PAPER 3EARTH SCIENCE1. Which one of these is nearest to earth? (a) moon (b) sun (c) Venus (d) Pluto (a) (b) (c) (d)2. The sun is a (a) planet (b) star (c) satellite (d) meteorite (a) (b) (c) (d)3. The earth -------------- on its axis causing day and night. (a) rotates (b) revolves(c) runs (d) rivets (a) (b) (c) (d)4. The instrument which shows wind direction is the: (a) barometer (b) gauge (c) weather vane (d) arrow (a) (b) (c) (d)5. When water vapour in the air condenses it forms (a) clouds (b) rocks (c) winds (d) waves (a) (b) (c) (d)6. Which type of soil cracks when it becomes dry? (a) sandy (b) clayey (c) loamy (d) chalky (a) (b) (c) (d)7. Which one of these is not found in Grenada? (a) mountain (b) river (c) desert (d) lake (a) (b) (c) (d)8. Dead creatures found in rocks or soil are called ---------- (a) corpses (b) fossils (c) animals (d) plants (a) (b) (c) (d)LANGUAGE ARTS SPELLING1. He ------------------ the parcel yesterday. (a) received (b) recieved (c) receved (d) recivied (a) (b) (c) (d)2. The Grenadian footballers ------ the game. (a) one (b) warn (c) won (d) wan (a) (b) (c) (d)3. <strong>This</strong> is the teacher who ----------- me to read. (a) thought (b) tot (c) thot (d) taught (a) (b) (c) (d). Many students were ------------- rude to the policemen. (a) being (b) been (c) beening (d) bein (a) (b) (c) (d)5. You are ------------ talkative. (a) two (b) to (c) too (d) tow (a) (b) (c) (d)6. I ------------- some water unto the young plant. (a) pored (b) poored (c) poured (d) poued (a) (b) (c) (d)7. We were asked to give the past ---------- of three verbs. (a) tence (b) tense (c) tance (d) tennce (a) (b) (c) (d)8. We went to --------- on a mission’s trip. (a) Haiti (b) Hiati (c) Heiti (d) Haitti (a) (b) (c) (d)ENGLISH GRAMMAR1. With ------------ do you live? (a) who (b) whom (c) whose (d) which (a) (b) (c) (d)2. Everyone ----------- the correct answer. (a) knows (b) know (c) known (d) have known (a) (b) (c) (d)3. ---------- father gave me my book. (a) She (b) Her (c) We (d) He (a) (b) (c) (d)4. The boy ---------- leg is broken is my brother. (a) whose (b) who (c) that (d) which (a) (b) (c) (d)5. The box of oranges --------- stolen. (a) are (b) was (c) have been (d) were (a) (b) (c) (d)6. Neither John nor Mary ------ been selected for the games. (a) are (b) has (c) have been (d) were (a) (b) (c) (d)7. Have you ------------ the letter? (a) written (b) write (c) wrote (d) writing (a) (b) (c) (d)8. Each Grenadian athlete ------ given a medal. (a) are (b) was (c) have (d) were (a) (b) (c) (d)PUNCTUATION AND CAPITALISATION1. St. Joseph’s Convent is a ------------- school. (a) girls (b) Girls (c) girl (d) girl’s (a) (b) (c) (d). --------------- wrong with you. (a) whats (b) What’s (c) Whats (d) What’is (a) (b) (c) (d). ----------------- you done enough? (a) Have’nt (b) Haven’t (c) Havent (d) Havent’ (a) (b) (c) (d)4. ---------------- shouted the corporal. (a) “Silence” (b) “Silence!” (c) Silence (d) “Silence! (a) (b) (c) (d)5. She lives at Main Street, Sauteurs, ----------------- . (a) St. Patrick’s (b) St Patricks (c) St patricks (d) st patricks (a) (b) (c) (d)6. Have you read the story --------------------- (a) kidnapped (b) ‘Kidnapped’? (c) Kidnapped (d) Kidnapped? (a) (b) (c) (d)7. The -------------- dog was found lost in the woods. (a) children (b) childrens (c) childrens’ (d) children’s (a) (b) (c) (d)8. “I suppose ------------- all right.” (a) it’s (b) it’is (c) its (d) its’ (a) (b) (c) (d)


38 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009COMMOM ENTRANCE PRACTICE QUESTIONS - PAPER 3VOCABULARY :Synonyms1. Jane was a valiant opponent in the contest. (a) hostile (b) brave (c) cowardly (d) weak (a) (b) (c) (d)2. Mr. Thomas was not the original owner. (a) true (b) first (c) new (d) legal (a) (b) (c) (d)3. The fighting has stopped but it is expected to resume <strong>soon</strong>. (a) end (b) start again (c) resolve (d) dissolve (a) (b) (c) (d)4. His record of punctuality is a good. (a) lateness (b) attendance (c) promptness (d) waiting (a) (b) (c) (d)Antonyms5. The batsman played a rash stroke for four runs. (a) hurried (b) cautious (c) feeble (d) risky (a) (b) (c) (d)6. Notice: Smoking is prohibited. (a) cancer (b) permitted (c) forbidden (d) wanted (a) (b) (c) (d)7. The window was quite transparent. (a) opaque (b) permitting (c) clear (d) beautiful. (a) (b) (c) (d)8. The television signals were quite faint. (a) hard (b) feeble (c) poor (d) strong (a) (b) (c) (d)COMPREHENSIONRead the passage and answer the questions which follow.The capacity to do work is called energy which can be divided into two classes, kinetic and potential. Kinetic energyis produced by bodies that are in motion. A bullet fired from a gun has enormous energy because it travels ata great speed. Potential energy is that which a body has because of its position or state. A rock at some distanceup a hill has potential energy because of its position. If it were to fall, it would cause danger or destruction in thearea below, in proportion to its size.Sources of energy include running water and wind. Chemical energy forms organic compounds such as coal, oiland gas. Chemical energy is by far the most important source. It does not matter whether a country is developedor developing. It will be largely dependent upon petroleum products.Recently there has been much discussion on Solar energy. The idea is to tap the vast resources of heat (energy)in sunlight and put them to commercial as well as domestic use.1. The power to do work is the same as: (a) heat (b) speed (c) strength (d) energy (a) (b) (c) (d)2. These products are very important in any country (a) petroleum (b) icy (c) manicure (d) potential (a) (b) (c) (d)3. The term ‘enormous’ can be replaced by the word (a) large (b) helpful (c) great (d) full (a) (b) (c) (d)4. The most important source of energy is: (a) chemical (b) solar (c) nuclear (d) physical (a) (b) (c) (d)5. A rock on a high hill has ----------------- energy (a) potential (b) kinetic (c) nervous (d) chemical (a) (b) (c) (d)6. The word ‘tap’ is used to mean (a) strike (b) draw with (c) connect (d) make use of (a) (b) (c) (d)7. The topic ‘Solar Energy’ is : (a) brief (b) current (c) difficult(d) obsolete (a) (b) (c) (d)8. “A bullet fired from a gun’ is an illustration of -------- energy. (a) Kinetic (b) potential (c) chemical (d) wasted (a) (b) (c) (d)


www.barnaclegrenada.comLocal NewsBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 39.ROBERTS RETIRES AFTER 26 YEARSAfter an impressive26-year span of invaluableservice andleadership, DanielRoberts, ManagingDirector, RepublicBank (Grenada)will proceed on preretirementleave onFebruary 2.Consummate bankerand professional, Robertsheld the positionof Managing Directorfor the last seven yearsand was a pivotal figureduring several ofthe Bank’s historicmilestones.Most noteworthy ofthese were the acquisitionof the NationalCommercial Bank(NCB) by TrinidadbasedRepublic Bankand subsequent rebranding;the listing ofthe Bank on the EasternCaribbean SecuritiesExchange (ECSE),being the first local institutionto do so andthe relocation of theBank’s St. George’sBranch to new stateof-the-artpremises inthe city.Over the last sevenyears, championingthe Bank confidentlyinto the future, Robertswas instrumentalin the Bank achievingsteady improvementsin profitability andcommanding marketshare. Additionally,through his leadership,the Bank raisedthe bar of social investmentthroughout thetri-island state, havingwon the Eastern CaribbeanCentral Bank’s(ECCB) “Best CorporateCitizen amongCommercial Banks”an unprecedented fourtimes.The Board of Directors,Management and Staff ofRepublic Bank (Grenada)Limited, and the entireRepublic Bank Group sincerelythank Mr. Robertsfor his sterling contributionsand wish him all thebest for the future.mr. daniel robertsREPUBLIC BANK (GRENADA) LTD.ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OFNEW MANAGING DIRECTORmr. keith johnsonThe Board of Directors,Management andStaff of Republic Bank(Grenada) Limited extenda warm welcometo newly appointedManaging Director,Mr. Keith Johnson.Prior to this appointmentMr. Johnson wasa Senior Manager at RepublicBank (Guyana)Limited, with over 32years of experience. Hehas functioned in severalmanagerial positionswhich have resulted ina strong knowledge basein Branch Operations. In2005 he was seconded toRepublic Bank (Grenada)Limited for a short stint,following year he servedGroup’s subsidiary in thewith responsibility forBank Operations. Thefour months at theDominican Republic.He holds an ExecutiveMBA from the Universityof the West Indies (CaveHill), a B. Sc. in Accountancyfrom the Universityof Guyana, and is anAssociate of the Instituteof Canadian Bankers.Mr. Johnson’s appointmentcomes into effectfrom February 2, 2009.


40 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009


www.barnaclegrenada.comBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 41.


42 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009


www.barnaclegrenada.comJr. BarnacleBrief History ofGrenada IndependenceBefore the arrival of Europeans,Carib Indians had driven themore peaceful Arawaks from theisland. Columbus landed on Grenadain 1498 during his third voyageto the new world. He namedthe island “Concepcion.” The originof the name “Grenada” is obscure,but it is likely that Spanishsailors renamed the island forthe city of Granada. By the beginningof the 18th century, thename “Grenada,” or “la Grenade”in French, was in common use.Partly because of the Caribs, Grenadaremained un-colonized for morethan 100 years after its discovery;early English efforts to settle the islandwere unsuccessful. In 1650, aFrench company founded by CardinalRichelieu purchased Grenada fromthe English and established a smallsettlement. After several skirmisheswith the Caribs, the French broughtin reinforcements from Martiniqueand defeated the Caribs.The island remained under Frenchcontrol until its capture by the Britishin 1762, during the Seven Years’War. The Treaty of Paris formallyceded Grenada to Great Britain in1763. Although the French regainedcontrol in 1779, the Treaty of Versaillesrestored the island to Britainin 1783. Britain overcame a pro-French revolt in 1795, and Grenadaremained British for the remainderof the colonial period.During the 18th century, Grenada’seconomy underwent an importanttransition. Like much of the restof the West Indies it was originallysettled to cultivate sugar, which wasgrown on estates using slave labor.But natural disasters paved the wayfor the introduction of other crops. InThe Court of ArmsThe official Coat of Arms of Grenadawas adopted by the islandnation in 1974 following independence.It shows a shield, which isdivided into four parts by a goldencross. In the center of this cross is adepiction of Columbus’ ship SantaMaria.In the first and last section - upper leftand lower right - there is the goldenBritish lion on a red background, in theother sections there are golden crescentmoons out of which a lily grows. Uponthe shield there is a golden crown, uponwhich several branches of the Bougainvillebushes are located. Within the garlandlie seven red roses, which stand forthe seven communities of Grenada.Holding the sign are an armadillo which1782, Sir Joseph Banks, the botanicaladviser to King George III, introducednutmeg to Grenada. The island’s soilwas ideal for growing the spice, andbecause Grenada was a closer sourceof spices for Europe than the DutchEast Indies the island assumed a newimportance to European traders.The collapse of the sugar estates andthe introduction of nutmeg and cocoaencouraged the development ofsmaller landholdings, and the islanddeveloped a land-owning yeomanfarmer class. Slavery was outlawedin 1834. In 1833, Grenada becamepart of the British Windward IslandsAdministration. The governor of theWindward Islands administered theisland for the rest of the colonial period.In 1958, the Windward IslandsAdministration was dissolved, andGrenada joined the Federation of theWest Indies. After that federation collapsedin 1962, the British Governmenttried to form a small federationout of its remaining dependencies inthe Eastern Caribbean.Following the failure of this secondeffort, the British and the islandsdeveloped the concept of associatedstatehood. Under the AssociatedStatehood Act of 1967, Grenada wasgranted full autonomy over its internalaffairs in March 1967. Full independencewas granted on February 7,1974.After obtaining independence, Grenadaadopted a modified Westminsterparliamentary system based on theBritish model, with a governor generalappointed by and representing theBritish monarch (head of state) anda prime minister who is both leaderof the majority party and the head ofgovernment. Sir Eric Gairy was Grenada’sfirst Prime Minister.stands before a corn stalk; on the otherside a pigeon, which stands before abanana plant. All of this is located ona grass land with a lake, on which a ribbonis located bearing the motto: “Everconscious of God we aspire, build andadvance as one people.”THE GrENADA FLAGMr. Anthony C.George designedthe National Flag ofGrenada which wasofficially adoptedon February 7, 1974.Designer George isfrom Soubise, St. Andrew,Grenada.The National Flag ofGrenada was designedas an emblem of the nation:The Colour Red: Representsfervour, courage,vitality, and burningaspiration. The red borderrepresents dedicationto preserve harmonyand unity of spirit.The Colour Green:Symbolizes fertility ofthe land, lush vegetationand agriculture.The Colour Gold/Yellow:Gold is the colourof wisdom; the warmsunshine and people ofGrenada, the islands inthe sun.The Nutmeg: Representsthe economic cropof Grenada, and Grenadaas the Isle of Spice.Note that the core ofthe nutmeg in the officialNational Flag isthe colour orange, notblack. The nutmeg iswithin the left sidegreen triangle on theflag.Six of the [7] Gold Starsstand for the six parishesof Grenada, listedbelow in alphabeticalorder:1. St. Andrew2. St. David3. St. George4. St. John5.6.7.SymbolicSt. MarkSt. Patrickrepresentation,in the GrenadianNational Flag, of theislands of Carriacouand Petite Martiniquehas a presence onlyif you conclude thatthe seven stars, in all,count 6 parishes andCarriacou/Petite Martinique.Historically,the center star representedthe capital city,St. George’s.One possible way forTHE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCEI pledge allegiance to my flagAnd to the country for which it standsWith liberty, justice and equality for all.I pledge also that I shall defendAnd uphold with honour,the dignity and laws andInstitutions of my countryTHE NATIONAL ANTHEMBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 43.In 1974, Hail Grenada was adopted as the National Anthemof Grenada. The words are by Irva Merle Baptiste and themusic is by Louis Arnold Masanto.Hail! Grenada, land of ours,We pledge ourselves to thee,Heads, hearts and hands in unityTo reach our destiny.Ever conscious of God,Being proud of our heritage,May we with faith and courageAspire, build, advanceAs one people, one family.God bless our nation.clarify and define alllocations of Grenadawould be that four starson top and four starson the bottom wouldbe changed to includenot only the 6 parishes,plus one additionalstar for Carriacou andanother additional starfor Petite Martinique.The central gold starcould be symbolic of theunity of the nation.The flag was designedduring Gairy-time. Asymbol of the GrenadaUnited Labour Party[GULP], Gairy’s party,was the star; thus, theprevalence of stars. Reportsare that designerMr. Anthony Georgesaid his original designcontained only one starin the middle, but theFlag Committee wantedthe six additionalstars added, followingthe request of Sir Eric.


44 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009Jr. BarnacleList of Grenada Governors- General1. Sir Leo Victor de Gale (1921–1986) was the first governorgeneralof Grenada, fromFebruary 7, 1974 to September30, 1978.Leo de Gale was born in St.Andrew’s Parish, near Grenville,Grenada. He served asacting governor of Grenadafor two weeks before it officiallyachieved independencein February 1974 and he becamegovernor-general. Heretired the year before the1979 Grenada revolution.In the 1960s, Dame HildaBynoe who was the existinggovernor of Grenada appointedLeo de Gale as thecting governor of Grenada because she had to take care of someusiness in a foreign country.ir Leo de Gale became the first governor-general during the reignf Prime Minister Sir Eric Mathew Gairy. Sir Leo de Gale reignedrom 1974 to 1978. He was then followed by Sir Paul Scoon (1978o 1992).. Sir Paul Scoon, GCMG, GCVO, OBE (born 4 July 1935) wasGovernor General of Grenadafor 14 years, from 1978 to 1992.Sir Paul was born on 4 July 1935in Gouyave, a town on the westcoast of Grenada. He attendedSt. John’s Anglican School andthen the Grenada Boys’ SecondarySchool. Scoon then receivedan external degree from theUniversity of London before goingon to study at the Universityof Leeds, England and gainingan M.Ed. at the University ofToronto, Canada. He returnedto Grenada to teach at the GrenadaBoys’ Secondary School.ollowing a career rising from Chief Education Officer to finallye<strong>coming</strong> Secretary to the Cabinet, the head of Grenada’s Civilervice, he was awarded the OBE in 1970 and in 1973 he returnedo London to fill the post of Deputy Director of the Commonwealthoundation. In 1978 he was appointed Governor General of Greadaby Queen Elizabeth II.. Daniel Charles Williams, GCMGborn 1935) is a former Governor-Generlof Grenada. He was formally appointdby Queen Elizabeth II on August 9,996 after having been nominated byrime Minister Keith Mitchell.3. Sir Reginald Oswald Palmer,GCMG (born 1923) was the governor-generalof Grenada from August6, 1992 to August 8, 1996.5. Carlyle Arnold Gleanis a Grenadian politician,currently serving as Governor-Generalof Grenada. Hewas the Minister of Educationin the government ofNicholas Brathwaite from1990 to 1995. He was appointedGovernor-Generalin November 2008.Knowing your Prime MinistersSir Eric Matthew GairySir Eric MatthewGairy (February 18,1920 - August 23,1997) was a Grenadianpolitician wholed Grenada eitheras Premier oras Prime Ministerbetween 1967 and1979. He was bornin St. Andrew’s Parish, near Grenville,Grenada.Maurice BishopBishop was the sonof Rupert and AlimentaBishop. Hewas educated at theLondon School ofEconomics and hadan extensive backgroundin studiesof the black powermovement. Returning to Grenada, hebecame active in politics. In 1973 hebecame head of the Marxist New JewelMovement political party. He was electedto parliament, and for several yearshe held the position of leader of the oppositionin the Grenadian House of Representatives,opposing the governmentof Prime Minister Eric Gairy and hisGrenada United Labour Party (GULP).Herbert BlaizeHerbert AugustusBlaize (February26, 1918–December19, 1989) wasa Grenadian politician.He served asthe Chief Ministerof Grenada from1960 until 1961and from 1962 until 1967, and later hewas Prime Minister of Grenada from1984 until his death.Ben JonesBen Joseph Jones(August 5, 1924 –February 10, 2005)was a Grenadianpolitician. He was alawyer before beingelected to Parliamentas a memberof the New NationalParty in 1984. In 1984 he beganserving as foreign minister in the governmentof his party’s leader, HerbertBlaize. When Blaize died in December1989, Jones became prime minister ofGrenada. He served until March 1990,when his party lost elections. He alsogave up his position as foreign ministerat that time, but was reappointed laterthat year. Though his party was out ofpower, Jones continued serving as foreignminister until 1991.Sir Nicholas BrathwaiteSir Nicholas AlexanderBrathwaite(born July 8, 1925)was the prime ministerof Grenadafrom 1983 to 1984and from 1990 to 1995. Brathwaitewas born in Carriacou, Grenada. Followingthe 1983 invasion of Grenada,Brathwaite, a member of the NationalDemocratic Congress, was appointedby Governor-General Sir Paul Scoon toreestablish the Grenadian government.He became prime minister and chairmanof the advisory council in December1983, when American troops withdrew.He led Grenada’s return to democracy,and served as prime minister for a year,until his party lost the December 1984elections. The NDC won the 1990 elections,and he served as prime ministeragain from March 1990 to February1995. He also served as foreign ministerduring some of that time. He resignedshortly before the 1995 elections,which the NDC lost. He was knightedin 1995.George BrizanGeorge Brizan (born1942) is a Grenadianpolitical figurewho served as theCaribbean islandnation’s interimPrime Ministerfor four months in1995. He moved tothe top post in February,upon the resignation of NicholasBrathwaite, and remained in office untilKeith Mitchell was inaugurated on22 June.Keith MitchellKeith ClaudiusMitchell (born November12, 1946) isa Grenadian politicianwho served asPrime Minister ofGrenada from 1995to 2008. He is theleader of the NewNational Party (NNP) and the Leaderof the Opposition in Parliament.Tillman ThomasTillman JosephThomas (born June13, 1945[1]) is aGrenadian politician,currentlyserving as PrimeMinister of Grenada.He is also theleader of the National Democratic Congress(NDC).


www.barnaclegrenada.comJr. BarnacleThe Banker and the PauperOnce upon a time there lived a pauperand a banker. The first was as poor asthe second was rich. So it was inevitablethat the rich man will be happierthan the pauper. But their natures wereoppo<strong>site</strong>, for the poor man was happywhereas the banker was not. The bankerwas annoyed of the fact that while hetossed and turned in his bed at night,the pauper slept peacefully and alwaysawoke rested and full of energy.One day the banker could stand it no longer. He decided to findout why the pauper was a happy man inspite of his poverty. Sohe summoned him to his house and asked him his yearly incomebecause he believed that happiness could only be measured interms of wealth.“I don’t count too well, nor do I really care. I live each day as itcomes and never worry about the next.”“Well, then, just tell me how much you earn in one day,” insistedthe rich man.“I earn what I need. And even that would be too much wereit not for all the Sundays and holidays when I must close myshop.”The banker liked the pauper. He wished to thank him for <strong>coming</strong>to his house, so he presented the poor man with a bag ofhundred gold coins.Now, to the pauper these coins, whichmeant so little to the banker, seemed agreat fortune. He decided to hide thebag, so that he would have the money ifever he should need it. So, when he returnedto his house, he dug a big hole ina secluded corner of the garden, threwthe bag into it, and covered it with dirt.But from that day on, the poor man’s lifechanged- he began to worry about thesafety of his money. Every night he slept a little less, and eachtime he heard the slightest sound, he became anxious aboutthe safety of his coins.Finally, he could bear his unhappiness no longer. He went to thegarden, dug up the coins and returned them to the banker.The pauper had learned an important lesson, and so has thebanker.The Boy Who Cried WolfA shepherd-boy, who watched a flock of sheep near a village,brought out the villagers three or four times by crying out,“Wolf! Wolf!” and when his neighbors came to help him, laughedat them for their pains.The Wolf, however, did truly come at last. The Shepherd-boy,now really alarmed, shouted in an agony of terror: “Pray, do comeand help me; the Wolf is killing the sheep”; but no one paid anyheed to his cries, nor rendered any assistance. The Wolf, havingno cause of fear, at his leisure lacerated or destroyed the wholeflock.There is no believing a liar, even when he speaks the truth.BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 45.The Two GoatsOver a river therewas a very narrowbridge. One day agoat was crossingthis bridge. Just atthe middle of thebridge he met anothergoat. There wasno room for them topass.”Go back,” said onegoat to the other,“there is no room forboth of us”.“Why should I goback?”, said the othergoat. “Why shouldnot you go back?”“ You must go back”, said the first goat, “because I am strongerthan you.”“You are not stronger than I”, said the second goat.“We will see about that”, said the first goat, and he put downhis horns to fight.“Stop!”, said the second goat. “ If we fight, we shall both fallinto the river and be drowned. Instead I have a plan- I shalllie down, and you may walk over me.”Then the wise goat lay down on the bridge, and the other goatwalked lightly over him. So they passed each other, and wenton their ways.Tips to be<strong>coming</strong> a great writer<strong>This</strong> guide will help you to becomea better story writer.Story Writing.To write a good story, there arethree steps you must follow.Step 1. A. Preparation:- <strong>This</strong> includesBrain Storming or thinkingor talking about what you want towrite or even jotting down whatyou want to write about.B. Planning:- <strong>This</strong> is making anoutline or a plan on paper or in yourhead. A plan or outline includes (a)the characters (b) the setting – time& place (c) the problem or issue (d)resolution or solution.Step 2. A. Writing or Drafting –<strong>This</strong> is where you need to rememberthat a story must have a goodbeginning, middle and end.Think about trying to get to theother side of a mountain. You startat the base.The climb to the top might betough. You get to the top and youare happy.The journey to the bottom on theoppo<strong>site</strong> side is always easier andshorter.<strong>This</strong> is how you should thinkabout your story.(b) Write your rough draft. Avoidrepetition. Read it through. Youcan change things. You can crossthings out or move them around.You can even add new information.Step 3. A. Edit your work. Re-read/Read over. Check and correct spelling,grammar and punctuation.B. Write out a neat copy.Look out for an editing checklistnext month. Do try to follow theseguidelines and you will become agreat writer.PORTANT IF YOU WANT TOREMEMBER, IT IS VERY IM-BECOME AN EXCELLENTWRITER.


46 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009Manufacturingcalled for more local manufacturingespecially in thearea of agro industry?And how many times have weopined that more trained andskilled locals living abroadshould come back home andmake a contribution to nationaldevelopment?For the past ten years Grenadianborn, Howard Universitytrained chemistnamed Kenneth Thomas,with many years of experiencein a number of capacitieshas been turning out anincreasingly long line of veryimpressive locally manufacturedproducts.In fact Mr. Thomas has beenone of the few persons sat-es and obstacles that had tobe overcome.It is usually a story of fortitudeand endurance; a storyof patience and tolerance;a story of focus, focus onachieving the goals that onehas set oneself but it is alsousually a story of adjustmentand strategy if one is to beatan entrenched system that isdifficult to breach by conventionalmeans.<strong>This</strong> last forced our Mr.Thomas, as a graduate topretend to have only twoyears of college under hisbelt in order to get a job in achemistry related field in theUnited States.A past student of the Tivoliemployer seemed to be askingfor experience.His quest took him to Houston,Texas but change of addressdid not spell changeof luck, still no successprompting him to respond toa newspaper advertisementfor someone way below hisqualifications and was ableto fool the employers...for ashort time anyway.Within a year Thomas advancedskill and knowledgeof chemistry sold him outbut the fact that he cameclean when confronted byhis superiors in addition tohis willingness and dedicationto his work not onlysaved his job but earned himSince there was no functioninglab now he was chargedwith cleaning up a huge oilspill and did such an excellentjob and he was elevatedto chemist and manager ofEnvironmental Affairs.A year after that the Legislatorof the Virgin Islandsmoved the Department ofPublic Works to the Waterand Power Authority andThomas was made InterimManager before taking up aposition as Director of WaterProduction and Distributionand distinguished himselfbefore retiring in 1997.Thomas had joined the companyin 1980 as a chemist/lab supervisor and retiredbership to this club is wideopen, it is never too late tostart making them a regularaddition to your shoppinglist.While space may not allowus to list all of them we cancertainly introduce you tosome and a call or visit tothe company will furnishyou with the rest but try thisby way of whetting the tastebuds.Wines made of Aloe Vera, cashew,noni, sorrel, five fingeror carambola, almond gingerand bois bande.Also try burgundy wine,spice wine almond rum, coconutrum, herbal rum, Gaghealth drink, Kay Tea herb-so far and is planning andnegotiating the strategic distributionof the product tofar more extensive marketsregionally and internationally.Having started this businessas a hobby, Thomas’ now hasa good vision of the futuresaying that once he has goodmarketing the sky is thelimit.To him the more people getconscious of the productthe more thee will be an attractionfor it and it will beopened up to bigger and betterthings. He believes thatthe future is bright locally,regionally and internationally.Natures’ best in a BottleBarguna Enterprises a Wine/Spirit Tasters DelightKenneth thomasHow many times have wetasted or otherwise useda product and because ofthe quality assumed thatit was imported?How many times have weisfying all three questionsraised at the beginning.So impressive have beenBarguna Enterprises’ Kenowines and other spirituousblends and Kay Tea and sosatisfied have Grenadiansbeen with their quality thatthey now occupy and irreplaceableposition on theshelves of supermarkets andgrocery shops everywhere.It is even possible that theybeen so taken for grantedthat it is possible to overlookthe fact that they are maderight here in Tivoli, St. Andrew’sGrenada through theentrepreneurship innovationand expertise of a Tivoliman, none else and what’smore they are manufacturedusing a large percentage oflocal raw materials.Behind every work ofachievement there is a historyand that history is mosttime wrought with challeng-R.C. School and the PresentationsBrothers College, Mr.Thomas also taught at hisprimary level alma mater beforemigrating to the US andbeing accepted into HowardUniversity in WashingtonD.C. where he pursued a degreein chemistry followingwhich he did post graduatework in Microbiology.Completing his studies Mr.Thomas took a break andcame back to Grenada for ayear and a half jaunt duringwhich he taught chemistryat the St. Andrew’s AnglicanSecondary School.On returning to the Statesthe young chemist began tolook for work in chemistryand chemistry related activitiesbut found this muchmore difficult than he hadanticipated. The fact that hehadn’t done any entry levelin chemistry posed a problembecause every potentiala promotion to the positionof chemist.But the enterprising lad <strong>soon</strong>set out for greener pasturesaccepting, at the invitationand facilitation of a buddy, aposition with Hess Oil basedin the US Virgin Islands asa blender of products likegasoline, jet fuel and thingsof the sort-grueling work.Mr. Thomas eventually tookup a job with the Water andPower Authority as a labchemist and although it paidless than his previous jobhe enjoyed it admitting to afascination with the desalinationplant and corrosioncontrol in the power plant.Thomas was eventuallypromoted to chemist in twoislands and laboratory supervisorin both islands andthen along came HurricaneHugo and the entire distributionsystem was shutdown.17 years later as a directorof the company.When Thomas returned toGrenada he of course wantedto get into a business thatinvolved his beloved chemistryand hit on the idea ofmaking some indigenousproducts that could be usefulbut not before the obligatorystruggle.During this dry patch Thomasdabbled in a little gardeningas a hobby cultivatinglemon grass and other herbsand packaging them.His dream has become realityand the wide range ofproducts is there as testimonyto this perseverance andinnovationBut while the proof of Mr.Thomas’ achievement can beviewed the testimony of theirquality is in the tasting.If you are one of the fewtherefore who have not yettasted these products, mem-al and fruit tea and the everpopular Pep wine.In fact Pep wine was the answerto another wine <strong>coming</strong>from Trinidad and Tobagowhich was very popular andpeople who were skeptical atfirst are now admitting thatthe local thing is better.It has done so tremendouslywell that Thomas is nowat the point of exportingand has an agent in Londonworking on distributionthere. He has also receiveda call from a businessmanfrom New York who wouldlike to market the productthere if the factory can satisfythe capacity that wouldbe required.A sticker for quality Thomasputs that ahead of income intendingto make his productseasily affordable to membersof the general public.He is very pleased with theresponse of the local public


www.barnaclegrenada.comBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 47.Happy IndependenceGrenada!www.moviepalace.gd


48 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009EducationWhy students ‘fear’ Math?In support of the commemoration of MathematicsMonth, Jan 2009, by the Ministry of EducationBy: John (Johnny) N.TelesfordWe are all ‘Mathematicians’-Math is for Life<strong>This</strong> student has a Mathphobia or a fear of Math. Iam almost certain that youwould have heard thesewords before. Many people Ihave met, in many walks oflife have also expressed thisfear. I have also met peoplewho are good in Math. Theyare usually labeled ‘bright’,‘wizards’, ‘nerds’ or ‘boy thischild have brains we’. Butwhy do so many studentsfear Math? Before I delveinto what I see as the mainreason for this fear, let mededicate a few words to thefact that we are all Mathematiciansand that Math is apart of our daily lives. Thereforewe must not be afraid ofMath.First of all barring aside anylearning difficulties that alearner may have everyonecan learn Math. And Mathis a language that allows usto function as normal humanbeings in our society. So thefundamental functions ofaddition and multiplicationand their sisters subtractionand division are used everysingle day as we go about ourlives. We measure things, wehandle money and we count,as we go through each andeveryday. Some of us as welook at this article may decideit is too long or shortand notwithstanding theheadline may decide to readit or not to read it based onits length. We will need tohave a good appreciation ofMath to do this estimate thatwill dictate the decision thatwe make. So being mindfulof the opening sentenceof this paragraph, we all dohave the ability to learn andapply Math at a basic andfunctional level.The ‘Math wizard’ locking usinto a vicious circle of MathphobiaIn the more formal setting,primary, secondary, tertiaryeducational levels, we areexposed to the subject Math.I think it is still taught at allthese levels and is a commonfeature on standard testssuch as the common entranceand is offered formallyas a subject on exit fromsecondary school. And someuniversities, been mindfulof its importance test theirentrants in the base skill ofMath. An understanding ofthis subject is extremely importantif one has decided tomove up the academic ladder,whether it is to studybusiness, arts or science.Unfortunately though, it ismy opinion that it is at theseformal levels that the fear ofMath is instilled. I may notbe very popular for this opinionbut let me try to showyou why I think very stronglyabout this.There is a vicious circle existingin the teaching and learningof Math. <strong>This</strong> vicious circleconnects the three formaleducational levels, with fearand apprehension of Math. IfI were to pinpoint a startingpoint of the circle I will putit at the primary level. Andso vicious is the circle thatremedial (primary school)Math is taught to learnerswho just left secondaryschool and are entering universities.It is this viciouscircle that has created thefear of Math in our studentsand society. <strong>This</strong> is what thecircle looks like.The teachers of Math areafraid of Math themselvesand especially in the primaryschools where I thinkall teachers teach Math thisvicious circle is manifested.Many of these teachers havepassed through Math teacherswho have instilled fear.These teachers have passedthrough the hands of teacherswho may have said/actedin a manner that has said tothem that: ‘Math is for thestudent elite, those who musthave the brains’. Let me saythat this is a very wrongapproach. Being a sage onthe stage, wielding a stickof chalk as a ‘math wizard’making numbers and lettersappear and disappear willonly appeal to the ‘bright’,while the others remain inawe. At the end of the daythe ‘bright’ passes the examsand emulates his/herMath wizard teacher. Wellthe others fail or even pass,but may still be teachingMath at least at the primarylevel. Both sets of studentsgo through the system beingfooled into believing thatMath is for wizards and theycontinue to pass this on tothe other educational levelsand younger students whobecome teachers themselves.The elitist attitude is propagatedand nurtured and thecycle continues, locking usinto a vicious circle of Mathphobia.Breaking the cycleI can hear the teaching fraternityscreaming: well whatrole should the society andespecially parents, play?Remember the majority ofparents out there will haveencountered a ‘math wizard’or two in their time. Believeit or not the society and parentsare a part of the circleand the fear for Math alsoexists out there. So I willlike to humbly submit thatthe circle will only be brokenwhen the approach to theteaching of Math is revolutionizedand radicalized. Wemust not be bogged down bysyllabuses. The last time Ichecked, a syllabus providesus with topics and objectives.What we need to do is usethe topics to create what Iwill like to call ‘happy Math’or thinking and communicatingMath. Teaching personshow to think and communicateusing Math and withinthe subject itself must be thefocus. My advice to us is to be‘guides on the sides’.And the circle must be openedup at the primary level to addressthis ill. Students mustbe aware that Math is an everydaylanguage and skill requiredfor life. If it is taughtthat way, believe it or notthe ‘bright’ will exceed theirpotential and the learnerswith apprehensions will beso comfortable that they willsurprise us all.A word to the policy makersletyour best Math teachersbe trained to deliver ‘happymath’ at the primary andlower secondary levels atleast. And if this approach istaken at the upper secondarylevel, ‘passing Math’ will be abreeze. Your ‘best’ teachers,those capable of facilitating‘happy Math’, should at leastbe at the primary and lowersecondary levels, if we are tobulldoze an opening into thisvicious circle. As we move towardsa student and societythat fear not Math!Here is to a successful MathematicsMonth, please do notlet it die.


www.barnaclegrenada.comBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 49.


50 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009


www.barnaclegrenada.comEventsBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 51.Feast of St. David FestivalOn March 1 st buses,rucks, vans, cars,onkey carts and justbout every form ofransportation, ladenith parishioners, Greadiansand visitorslike will converge athe Belle Vue playingeld for the much anicipatedSt. David Dayelebrations.he Feast of St. David009 will be a grand eventnd already the organizrsare moving full speedhead with plans for thisear’s festivity.r. Peter Radix is a memerof the steering comitteeof the St. David’say Festival and he is exitedabout the prospectf showcasing the people,ulture, cuisine, historynd rich legacy of a parshthat so many of usnow so little about.St. David is a sleepingiant. And once the giants awakened you wouldee the real potential,”ays Radix, who promiseso put the diversity andepth of culture that isesident within the peoleand the parish, thats called St. David on dislayfor all to see.n 2008, the St. David’say festival was re inroducedafter a 22-yearbsence much to the deightof the parishionersho participated by dislayingtheir talents infood exhibition of theost popular dishes andelicacies produced in thearish.he dexterity of the paishionerswas also onhow as the handicraftakers bedazzled everyone with their thoughtfulcreations.The main attraction oflast year’s event was acultural extravaganza,which featured many ofthe culture groups thatexist in St. David. Amongthem St. David folk group,the Island Girls, CaressBand, Front Page Band,Corinthian steel bandand wild Indian fromCoals Gap.Radix said this year willbe more of the same exhibitionof food, craft, locallygrown plants, cultureand drinks and numberof other attractions in onelocation for one day.“We had flowers for salelast year and they weresold out. Now personshave been saying to usthat we need to have bothflowers and flower pots.“<strong>This</strong> year we are invitingthe guys who make concreteflower pots, balusters,bird baths and thosepeople who make wroughtiron stands for flowers.“We are talking to the furnitureco-ops and have invitedpainters, people whodo craft, whether they dobeads and necklaces andbracelets, leather beltsand leather sandals. Weare trying to bring out alleven photographers, heassuredMost parishes in Grenadaare named after a saintand have a rich historyand a town. St. David’shas no town and theirhistory is largely nondisclosed.<strong>This</strong> has to change, thehistory of St David mustbe brought to the forefront says Radix as helectured the Barnacle ona number of historic <strong>site</strong>sthat lies un-promotedwithin the parish.“To my mind there are anumber of historic <strong>site</strong>swhich we can boast of,”says Radix, “I do not knowthem all,” he admits “but Iknow there is a slave penin one location, there aresome burial <strong>site</strong>s that areof historic importance”.He said “There is a largestone in La Sagesse whichI believe marks the locationwhere an attemptwas made by the Britishsome 400 years ago toestablish Grenada’s firsttown”.Despite that initiative St.David’s is still without atown and according to Radix“we want to see somechanges made in that regard.”Although the activitiesare to commemorate thefeast day of St. David itwill serve as a wonderfulopportunity to bring attentionto the parish andall that is taking placethere.Peter Radix has a speciallove for St. David’s, afterall he was born in theplace and he wants to seethe best form of planneddevelopment take placein the parish.“I was born there, I grewup there, in a place calledPetit Esperance, actuallymy father used to be thedistrict doctor for St. David’s.I attended the StDavid’s primary school,“says Radix as he recallshis childhood days in thevillage, “Well I still rememberplaying aroundthe surrounding areasthere had lots of cocoatrees, lots of vegetation,lots of big trees, fruits,that was lots of fun.”He explained to Barnaclewhat he will like to seewhile the parish is beingdeveloped,”I want to seethe parish develop But,careful. I want developmentin the parish tomaintain a certain ruralsort of nature. I want it tobe carefully balanced.”One of the highlights ofthe festival will be theSt. David’s Day FestivalQueen Show which willbe held on February 27 th2008 at Pomme Rose. Thefollowing are the contestantsrepresenting variouscommunities of theparish.Menesha David-La TanteSt. David’sGiselle Greenidge –Central St. David’sShereen Parsoo –Windsor ForestSt. David’sNicar Morain – PommeRoseSt. David’sSurana Telesford- VincennseSt. David’sSimone Bowen – PerdmontempsSt. David’s


52 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009EventsMessage from Chairman ofSt. David’s Day FestivalMarch 1 st St. David’sDay, is of particularsignificance to allPerson who have interestin the parish ofSt. David’s. Mindfulof this, the annual St.David’s Day Festivalhas been establishedwith the followingobjectives:To Commemorate andCelebrate the feast Dayof St. David.To showcase the skillsand cultural heritage ofthe people of the parish.To provide opportunitiesfor community interactionand economicactivity.To educate the publicabout the many historic<strong>site</strong>s located with in theparish.The St. David’s Day FestivalCommittee takesthis opportunity to recognizeand complementthe contributions of theCommittee , Dr. Peter Radixmany individuals andorganizations that overthe past decades haveassisted in making theSt. David’s Day Festivalthe success it has beenthus far.It is the responsibility ofall of us to ensure thatthe festival continuesto be an annual event,with an important featurebeing ContinuousImprovement.While this goal is certainlyachievable, theFestival requires thesupport of all personswho wish to help shapethe future developmentof the Parish of St. David.dr. peter radixThe St. David’s DayFestival Committee isgreatly encouraged bythe broad support andinterest demonstratedthus far and we inviteeveryone to support andparticipate in all the activitiesof the St. David’sDay Festival 2009.Very Best Wishes,ChairmanTwenty Places of Interest in St. David• Old sugar mills – Westerhall, Content, Syracuse, Requin• Beaches – La Sagesse, Petit Etang, Petit Bacaye, Belle Isle, Petit Trou• Natural Springs – Providence, Bowie• Herb & Spice Garden – Laura• Carib Stone – Apprestoute• Grenada’s Oldest Nutmeg Pool – Thebaide• Mount Gozo Mountain – Mount Gozo• Mud Ovens – Apprestoute, La Tante• Grenada’s First Harbour – Requin Bay• Peach Sand Beach – La Tante• Workers monument – La Tante• 200 yr old Hampstead House – Hampstead Estate• Eye of the Needle Rock – Galbi• R.C. Church Altar – Petit Esperance• Bird Watching Areas – La Sagesse• Megrin Point – La Sagesse• Museum – La Sagesse Natural Works• Plant Propagation Stations – Ashindew, La Sagesse• The Standing Stone- Megrin PointCATHOLICENCYCLOPEDIASt. David:Bishop and confessor,patron of wales. He isusually representedstanding on a littlehill, with a dove on hisshoulder.From time immemorialthe Welsh have worn aleek on St. David’s day,in memory of a battleagainst the Saxons, atwhich it is said theywore leeks in theirhats, by St. David’sadvice, to distinguishthem from their enemies.He is commemoratedon 1 st March. Theearliest mention of St.David is found in atenth- century manuscriptof the “AnnalesCambriae”, whichassigns his death toA.D. 601. Many otherwriters, from Geoffreyof Monmouth down tofather Richard Stanton,hold that he diedabout 544, but theiropinion is based solelyon date given in variouslate “lives” of St.David, and there seemsno good reason forthe setting aside thedefine statement of the“Annales Cambriae”which is now generallyaccepted.Little else that canclaim to be historical isknown about St.David.The tradition that hasborn at Henvynyw(Vetus-Menevia inCardiganshire, is notimprobable.He was prominent atthe Synod of Brevi(Llandewi Brefi inCardiganshire), whichhas been identical withthe important Romanmilitary station,Loventium.Shortly afterwards, in569, he presided overanother synod held at aplace called Lucas Victoriae.He was Bishop(Probably not Archbishop)of Menevia, theroman port Menalia inPembrokeshire; lateknow as the St David’s,then the chief point ofdeparture for Ireland.St. David was canonizedby pope CallistusII in the Year 1120.


www.barnaclegrenada.comTravel & TourismGRENADA’S MIN. OF TOURISMIMPRESSED BYPRICKLY BAY WATERSIDEGrenada’s TourismMinister Hon. PeterDavid has expressedhis enthusiasm tothe management andstaff of the PricklyBay Watersideproperty for creatingwhat he calls “atrue five star luxurydevelopment.” TheMinister made thecomments after hetoured the propertyon Thursday January22nd. The Ministerwas met byPrickly Bay WatersideDirector Peter“Champie” Evans,Sales and OperationsManager HarrisonMilborne, and Salesand Marketing DirectorKeith Devenport.The tour, whichlasted just over twohours, was designedto give the Ministera detailed update onthe operations of theproperty. Sales andMarketing DirectorKeith Devenporttold the Ministerthat the first phaseof building would befinished by the endof February. “Someof our units have alreadybeen sold andHon. PeTer daVId meeTIng wITH THe PrIcKlY baY Teamwe are continuingto see lots of interestfrom prospectivebuyers. Theyare attracted by theunique design of theproperty and our attentionto detail,”said Devenport.The Minister told thePrickly Bay team thataside from the tourismaspect, he was mostproud to know that theconstruction of the projectwas done primarilyby Grenadian workers,“Every single workerwho contributed to thisproject should be extremelyproud of themselves.The quality ofwork I have seen hereis second to none andcan stand up to scrutinyin any part of theworld. <strong>This</strong> is not onlya great achievementfor our tourism but forthe masons, carpenters,landscapers, andothers who are workinghere, “the Ministerremarked.The Minister alsomade comment on theunique designs whichthe property offeredand said that he wasconfident that buyerswould be impressed.“<strong>This</strong> type of developmentputs Grenada in aposition to compete forthe most exclusive buyersand visitors fromany part of the world.I am confident that thePrickly Bay team willbe very successful andI look forward to theirofficial launch on February20th.”The conclusion of thisyear’s Caribbean Marketplace,which washeld in Gros Islet, St.Lucia from January18 – 20, has resulted inraving reviews fromparticipants aboutits success. With Grenadafielding a recordattendance of twenty-four(24) participants,all indicationsare that expectationswere met relative toopportunities thatwere available forfurther business.Quizzed on the participationof the GrenadaBoard of Tourism, itsSenior Marketing OfficerMrs. Nicole Moultriereported that it was “agood positive meetingwhere the major nichesof dive, wedding & honeymoon,and yachtingwere articulated to thebuyers”. She also spokeof the successful meetingsconvened with thetour operators, and theClients of top luxury tour operatorsin the U.K. can expect morehands-on information regardingGrenada’s appeal as a tourist destinationthat suits their needs.<strong>This</strong> comes as a result of the currentvisit of an eight-membergroup of British tour operatorswho the Grenada Board of Tourismis hosting, in conjunctionwith the Grenada Hotel & TourismAssociation. They compriserepresentatives from Elegant Resorts,Tropic Breeze, PremiereHolidays, Kuoni, Q Holidays,Harlequin Worldwide Holidays,and Wellbeing HolidaysThe intention is to fully acquaintthem with various aspects of Grenada’sluxury product that will beof value in their efforts to promoteencouraging sentimentsexpressed by the airlinerepresentatives fromVirgin Atlantic, BritishAirways and MonarchAirlines regarding prospectsfor on-going servicesto Grenada fromthe United Kingdom,which is Grenada’s largestsource market.Speaking on his impressionsof the event,Mr. Lawrence LambertCBE General Managerof the Flamboyant Hotelwas high in praise ofit. He commented that“although fewer buyersattended, it was an excellentproductive showwhere I was able to conductvery good businesswith new buyers, andrelate on a one-on-onebasis with establishedbuyers who were able toprovide interesting feedbackabout ways to improvethe products andservices being providedto visitors”.BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 53.CARIBBEAN MARKET PLACEDUBBED VERY SUCCESSFULA further high point forGrenada during CaribbeanMarketplace wasthe recognition of Mr.Albert Gurley, the HeadHouseman at the SpiceIsland Beach Resortas the ‘Caribbean Employeeof the Year’. TheGrenada Board of Tourismapplauds Mr. Gurleyfor his achievementafter 22 years at theResort, and wishes himcontinued success in thefuture.Dubbed the most importantmarketing event inthe Caribbean region,Caribbean Market Placeattracts a significantfollowing from CTOmember states. It involvesseveral businessappointments with touroperators, advertisers,media personnel andtrade representativeswho see it as a criticalconduit to establish thelinks and contacts thatare so necessary to drivebusiness to the region.UK & German Travel Professionals visit GrenadaGrenada to their clients. They havetherefore been visiting several attractions,so that they can comfortablyadvise their clients about Grenada’sappeal as a destination that Britishnationals would enjoy visiting.Also scheduled to visit Grenada thisweek are two groups of travel relatedprofessionals from Germany. Amongthem is a two-man team from VanityFair who will be here researchingthe destination to write articlesabout it.All of these activities are part of theoverall plan of the Grenada Board ofTourism to capitalize effectively onevery available opportunity to showcasethe destination to as many travelwriters, tour operators and travelagents as possible.GBT CONDUCTS GRAND ANSE BEACH SURVEYThe Grenada Board ofTourism has launcheda ten-day survey tobetter understandsome of the issues,needs, practices, andconcerns regardingtourism activities onGrand Anse Beach.It will examine visitorarrivals by landand water-based taxis,and monitor theflow of visitors to theGrand Anse Spice &Craft Market. It willalso evaluate theavailable facilitiesfor rental of chairs onthe beach.A cadre of researchershas been trained tostrategically implementan observation-type approachto measure andcalculate these activitiesin a manner thatwould not be obtrusiveto visitors and users.Esther Thomas, Head ofResearch and Planningat the GBT says “Weare aware that since theGrand Anse Beach is thenucleus of Grenada’sTourism industry wehave a responsibility toensure that the serviceson offer are at levelsthat would meet the expectationsof users. <strong>This</strong>survey will eventuallyallow us to better appreciatewhat happens onthe beach and positionus to improve on the visitors’experiences”.The Grenada Board ofTourism appreciates thecooperation of the generalpublic in ensuringthat this data collectionphase of the survey runssmoothly.


54 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009Travel & TourismCARIBBEAN MARKETPLACEWILL HELP REVERSE TOURISMSLUMP, SAYS HOTELIERSt. Lucia’s recent stagingof Caribbean Marketplace,produced bythe Caribbean Hotel &Tourism Association,will help give tourismthe lift it needs in today’schallenging internationaleconomicenvironment says Caribbeanhotelier FeollaChastanet.Chastanet, the managingdirector of the three yearoldCoco Palm - one of St.Lucia’s top boutique properties- said the island’sability to showcase newand upgraded accommodationsand attractionsto a discerning audienceof tour operators, travelA twenty-four (24) memberGrenada delegation,comprising hoteliersfrom 14 establishments,a tour operator, andtourism officials, attendedthe Caribbean MarketPlace in Gros Islet,St. Lucia which was heldfrom January 18 – 20,2009.agents and elite mediarepresentatives is a lucrativeinvestment that isalready paying off for theisland.“We found it extremelyproductive,” said Chastanetof this month’s regionaltravel meeting whichattracted more than 400booths and close to 1,500delegates who gatheredto brainstorm strategiesto increase Caribbean demandin the global marketplace.The hotelieralso congratulated theSt. Lucia government forunveiling its new brandstrategy and designinitiative to boost theisland’s position significantlyin the marketplacewhile promoting sustainabletourism developmentthat benefits the island’speople and communities.Feolla Chastanet oF CoCo Palm (seCond From right) talksbusiness with Julie suehiro oF the Canada-based westJetVaCations. in baCkground (From leFt) are Claudia edgar andClaudine gilbert oF CoCo Palm.Dubbed the most importantmarketing event in the Caribbeanregion, CaribbeanMarket Place attracted asignificant following fromCTO member states. In2008 there were 397 boothswith participants from 32countries and a total of1,515 delegates.The event involved severalbusiness appointmentswith tour operators, advertisers,media personnel andtrade representatives. Participationin this event fitsinto the overall objective ofthe Grenada Board of Tourism,to pursue marketingactivities within the Caribbeanregion that would beinstrumental in its thrustto stabilize arrivals fromCoco Palm recentlyopened up newly renovatedrooms, family suitesand a conference centerin Rodney Bay Village inthe north of the island.Located in the heart ofSt Lucia’s entertainmentcapital, the award-winningCoco Palm caters tothe savvy traveler lookingfor a chic boutiquehotel with affordablerates and uncompromisingstandards of style andservice.STRONG GRENADA DELEGATION FOR CARIBBEAN MARKET PLACEthe region during the ensuingthree-year period.Meanwhile the HonourablePeter David, Ministerof Tourism, attendedthe Meeting of the Councilof Tourism Ministers andCommissioners, while Mr.William Joseph Directorof Tourism, participatedin the 51 st meeting of theBoard of Directors of theCaribbean Tourism Organization(CTO), both of whichwere convened in St. Luciaon Sunday January 17,2009.Prickly Bay Waterside To Help KeepAmerican Airlines Flying To GrenadaPrickly Bay Watersidehas made a commitmentto assist the GrenadaHotel and TourismAssociation withair transportation.Prickly Bay Watersidemade this commitmentto help over the Christmasperiod after a requestfrom the GrenadaHotel and TourismAssociation for membersto contribute towardsthe bond used asa guarantee for AmericanAirlines flight serviceto Grenada.In making the commitment,Sales and MarketingDirector Keith Devenportsaid that Prickly BayWaterside, though not aPrickly Bay Watersidehas joined forces withthe different bus andtaxi associations andis promoting the PricklyBay Properties onthe sides of buses andtaxis. Taxis and busesare being contractedby Prickly Bay Watersideto place a PricklyBay Waterside stickeron the sides of theirvehicles as a meansof making the publicmore aware about theproperties.The sticker being placedon the sides of the busesand taxis reads,” Ask meto take you to PricklyBay Waterside.” “TheseGrenada has the proudreputation of being themost hospitable destinationin the Caribbean.Furthermore, oursafety status is the envyof many other destinations.The Grenada Board ofTourism is pleased atthe successes achieved ingrowing visitor arrivals toGrenada over the last tenyears. Much of this growthhas been stimulated by thegeneral endorsement ofGrenada by visitors whohave enjoyed an experiencefree of harassment and molestation.The Royal Grenada Policehotel, will make a contributionto show strongsupport for Grenada’stourism product. “We atPrickly Bay Watersidewant to see the tourismproduct get stronger andmore competitive. Ourhomes are not typicalhotel rooms that dependon large numbers of arrivals.The purchasers inour development have theoption to rent their unit,if they desire. <strong>This</strong> sponsorshipis more about ourcommitment to Grenada,”Devenport said.Prickly Bay has committedten thousand US dollarsto the GHTA for theAmerican Airlines bond.The money is expectedForce contributes tremendouslyto Grenada’s tourismstatus and has beenable to do so due to theirunderstanding of, and sensitivityto, the needs of theindustry.Recent remarks attributedto the Commissioner of Policedo not reflect an officialintention to cause embarrassment,curtail freedomor otherwise cause visitorsto be uncomfortable in anyway.It is the case, however, thatthe Police are required bylaw to maintain public orderand, in this respect, doexercise judgment regardingthe limits of personalto be transferred to theGHTA fund in the nextfew days.Prickly Bay has also beensponsoring the GrenadaBoard of Tourism AirportMeet and Greet. <strong>This</strong> yearthe Meet and Greet is beingextended throughoutthe winter tourist seasonas a result of the PricklyBay Waterside sponsorship.Prickly Bay will officiallylaunch its completedluxury homes and apartmentsin February 2009with a grand launch party.Prickly Bay Watersidewill be one of the first newfive star developments toopen in Grenada.Prickly Bay WatersidePartners with Buses and Taxisstickers were designedto give us a noticeablepresence and to create agreater awareness aboutour properties. The ideais to invite Grenadiansdown to the property tohave a look,” says Salesand Operations ManagerHarrison Milborne. “Weare one of the only newproperty developmentsto be in the final stages ofcompletion, and we wantto make people aware ofthe exqui<strong>site</strong> product thatwe have created at PricklyBay. We believe thatadvertising on the busesand taxis will create thekind of visibility andproduct recognition thatwe want, while supportinglocal businesses bygiving additional revenueto the bus and taxi owners,”Milborne remarked.Hundreds of Grenadiansand visitors have alreadyvi<strong>site</strong>d the new PricklyBay Waterside propertiesto patronize their restaurant,which boasts someof the best pizza in Grenada,and to have a lookat the properties.Tours of the completedshow homes can be arrangedby calling 473 5331943. The properties willbe officially opened inFebruary and some of theunits have already beensold.STATEMENT FROM THE GRENADA BOARD OF TOURISM ON COMMENTSBY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE RELATING TO DEPORTMENT IN PUBLICbodily exposure within thesociety as a whole.The Grenada Board ofTourism’s promotional materialsdo make it clear thatpublic decency is requiredon the part of all visitorsparticularly with respect totheir mode of dress.Actions by the Police inthis respect have not previouslygiven cause for alarmor complaint. Accordingly,the Grenada Boardof Tourism gives the assurancethat no improper,unlawful or discriminatoryaction will be taken whichmight affect visitors’ enjoymentof our beautiful andwel<strong>coming</strong> destination.


www.barnaclegrenada.comBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 55.


56 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009


58 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009


www.barnaclegrenada.comHealthBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 59.Just a Touch of the HandsInterview with Lynnel Gilbert Manager of Body MassageHow long have been inbody massage therapy?I have been involved in massagetherapy probably forthe last year, via studyingand opening my own business.Why have you chosenmassage therapy?I chose massage therapybecause I wanted to get outof the box; everybody wasdoing business, economics,this and that and I wantedto do something different.I wanted to do somethingthat helps people because Ihave experienced it. I hadtherapy myself for a periodof time and I know what ithad done for me therefore Iwanted to do the same forothers and in the processtry to make some money outof it.What are the prospectsfor success in this field?Well, in Grenada it could begood but people have to getmore involved in it. Therapistshere need to get peopleinvolved in massage, treatingtheir body well, thatkind of thing. The prospectsfor it are not generally bad,but people need to knowabout it, what it could do forthem. I guess things will getbetter from there on.What can it do and howcan massage therapyhelp me?Massage therapy; what canit do for you? It can do you aworld of good because it doesnot only deal with the physical,but mentally. It reducesstress and deals with pain.It helps the nervous systemit actually addresses all thesystems of the human body,mostly with the reduction ofstress, pains and aches inthe body.What are some of the casesyou are called to dealwith?Most frequent cases is alot of lower back pains andneck pains.What are the causesin your view of thosepains?Well, for the lower back painmost persons have officejobs so they are at a desk forabout 7 hours a day and areprobably not sitting withgood posture, that’s what Ibelieve causes the back painand the neck pain is badsleeping habits.What is a proper sleepinghabit as far as you areconcerned?I don’t sleep well myself, butlynnel gilbertas far as I see it is how youfeel more comfortable. Theproper way to sleep is to lieon your back. Most personsfind that difficult to do. Ifyou put a pillow or two belowyour knees then youwill find it more comfortablethan just laying on yourback, because the pillowwill take some of the strainof just lying down straighton your back.Tell us what is a medicalmassage?All right, medical massageis for people with medicalproblems. You have peoplewith diabetes and highblood pressure and thatkind of stuff and medicalmassage can specifically addressthose problems.In the case of high bloodpressure, you can actuallyreduce it if you know whatyou are doing, if you don’tknow what you are doingthen the pressure could increase,but if you know whatyou are doing then you canhelp reduce the pressureand help with circulation.That will also fall undermedical massage. Peoplewho have circulatory problemsthe medical massagewill address that too.What is a Swedish massage?Swedish massage is a generalor a basic massage whichis really to relax, distress.What is a deep tissuemassage?Deep tissue massage is apainful, vigorous form ofmassage used to treat problemslike back pain and,sport injuries and stuff likethat.What is lymphatic drainage?Lymphatic drainage is thedraining of toxins from thebody, so as to allow cleanblood into the lymph nodesand different parts of thebody also with circulationand water retention and allof that, lymphatic drainagewill cover all of that.And sports massage?Sports massage is massagedone in the field of sports.Sports massage is normallydone on <strong>site</strong> before and aftersporting activities. Whateverproblem you encounter atmassage therapy can do you a world of goodthe sporting <strong>site</strong>, the sportinggrounds, at practice andstuff like that.Spa Foot massages?Spa foot massage is a veryrelaxing, rejuvenating sortof massage. It involves soakingyour feet and using rubbingalcohol to rejuvenatethe feet and the use a bodyscrub on the feet. It’s a goodkind of massage, very relaxing.Most times when yourfeet are feeling good, therest of your body tend to feelbetter.Many of us are of the viewthat for hypertension wehave to take medication.With the massage thatyou offer, how does itdeal with hypertension?How the massage can addressthat is; when the bodyis worked up doing this andthat, you don’t really findtime to relax. When you getthat massage the serenityof the place will relax you,bringing the pressure downsmoothly. It’s just a matterof relaxing and bringing everythingdown to a balance.Whether it is too high or toolow the relaxation wouldbring it to a balance.What does your clinicseeks to do?What we seek to do is to offera holistic treatment for thebody. We don’t give medicationsor vitamins or this orthat or the other. Just simplythe human touch. I don’tuse any other equipment,just the hands. With thehuman touch it just bringscomfort and relaxation toanyone who wants it.Why should a personwant a massage?To feel good, to treat yourbody well, because whenyou get a massage you aretreating you body. Fromyour skin to your tissues toyour cells. When your bodyis feeling well then you willfunction properly.Before you became amassage therapist whatwere some of the fieldsyou were considering?Some of the fields I wasconsidering were sales. Ilike sales; I like marketing,event management, eventplanning which I still do alittle of. That’s what I wasinto.Well actually I alwayswanted to do massage. Evenbefore getting massagesfor my problem I alwayswanted to do it. When I wasabout 11 or 12 years a friendof the family would come toour home and give mom ordad a massage then we childrenwould jump up on thebed.It is something that I likedbut I kind of moved awayfrom it. After my treatmentI realized that I had to goback into; so I went to Trinidadto study it. I could havestayed in Trinidad, I couldstill go back to Trinidad towork but I chose to comeback here and offer my services.Are you making a difference?I hope so, I think I am.What is gong to bring successto your operation?More people, more money.But are you prepared forthe challenge?Yes.Do you understand thatthis is a process whichwill take a lot of yourtime? How will you manageyour time both sociallyand work. Your fieldis one that you could becalled on any time. Howare you preparing forthat?Well I am taking it step bystep because, as it comes Itake it. There are some daysI don’t have anybody. Thosedays I do research, read articles,jot down stuff, findingways of getting clients, gettingto people.What form of marketingare you planning, howare you bringing awareness?Actually I got in contact withsome of the other therapistsaround, trying to form anassociation; with that associationwe would be biggerand better. There are about7 persons I know in Grenadawho do massage, I don’tknow much about them butI know that they are thepersons that are involved inmassage here outside of thehotels.So am trying to get that associationgoing, I believethat with forums, programs,TV ads and whatever elsewe can get Grenadians willbecome more aware of massageand how it can benefitthem.The future looks bright.With the help of the Barnacleand other agenciesI thrust that good thingswould come out of it.Who are some of the peoplewho are driving you,encouraging you in yourdreams?Well my parents and friends,because much people didn’tknow what I was going tostudy.Where did you study?I studied at the Trinidad &Tobago College of TherapeuticMassage.How was your experience?It was very challenging,more challenging than Ieven thought it would be.There were days I calledand told my father that Iwanted to come back homebecause this thing was toohard. We had to undertakelots of assignments lots ofprojects, lots of typing, lotsof researching.I never thought that it wouldhave been so hard. I startedfeeling like if am doing medicine.I then said when I amdone here I should just go toSt. George’s University to doPre- medicine because thisset of work they’re givingme was overwhelming buthard work pays, I graduatedwith honors.So when you came backwho was you first customer?When I came back my firstcustomer would have beenmy father. The first nonpayingcustomer I shouldsay.When you are not doingmassage therapy whatdo you do?Well am home, or in town oron the internet. Sometime Imight be in church if I haveto help my father do anything.If I am on work andnot doing anything then Iam on the internet lookingup stuff.Where is the clinic locatedand what are youopening hours?We are located in GrandAnse, Morne Tout area,just before the laundry insideMorne Tout, the easierway to find it is if you passthrough Food Fair side.Opening hours are from8.00 am to 5.00 pm Mondayto Friday.You don’t open on a Saturday?No.Why?Because the person I amrenting from is an Adventist.So what if I want a massageon this day what amI supposed to do?Well I will come to yourhome. Home visits are available,preferably after 6pm.It could also be done duringthe day once I am available.


60 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009HealthLupus in MenSystemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) is an autoimmunedisease. These arediseases in which peopledevelop antibodies againsttheir own cells, resulting intissue damage. The tissuesin the body become inflamedand trigger a wide rangeof symptoms. The diseasecan be mild or life threateningand its cause is stillunknown. Lupus most commonlyappears in women ofchildbearing age, for reasonsunknown; around ninetimes more females thanmales have lupus. Becauseof this, most of the researchand literature about lupusis geared towards women.<strong>This</strong> can leave men whohave the disease with lessinformation and support.Lupus organisations aroundthe world are trying to redressthis imbalance.Lupus and genderTypes of lupus include:• Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) - SLEcan affect any tissue or organand can produce a widerange of symptoms. No twopeople with SLE will experiencethe same manifestationsof the disease. SLEis the type of lupus that ismore common in women.• Discoid lupus erythematosus(DLE) - DLE (ordiscoid) is confined to theskin. Symptoms includereddened and scaled patchesof skin that may inducehair loss (alopecia) if theyappear on the scalp. Mostpeople with DLE are sunsensitive. DLE is the typeof lupus that is more commonin men. DLE may be amanifestation of SLE.• Drug-induced lupus- certain medications canprovoke SLE-like symptoms,which then disappearonce the medicationsare stopped. Drugs that areknown to cause lupus-likesymptoms include certainhypertensive (high bloodpressure) medications anddrugs for heart abnormalities.Men are more likely toexperience drug-induced lupusbecause they take moreof these particular medicationsthan women. Someresearchers suspect thatgenetic susceptibility mayplay a significant role.The significance of sexhormonesWomen are more prone tolupus than men, and lupusratios between the gendersshow a clear pattern frompuberty to old age. Thesefactors indicate to many researchersthat sex hormonesmay play a role in the developmentof the disease. Theprinciple hormones underinvestigation include thefemale hormone oestrogen,which is made by the ovariesand triggers ovulationevery menstrual cycle, andthe male hormones calledandrogens that are responsiblefor masculine physicalcharacteristics. Researchfindings include:• Both oestrogen and androgensmay be metabolizeddifferently in people withlupus than in the generalpopulation.• Women with lupus metabolizeandrogens muchfaster than women withoutthe disease.• Low levels of male hormonesat pre-puberty andold age may contribute tothe incidence of autoimmunediseases in males ofthese age groups.Progression of the diseaseThe symptoms of SLE aremuch the same for bothwomen and men at the onsetof disease. Research isdivided on whether SLEprogression differs betweenthe sexes. Most researchersconsider the course of diseaseas the same, but somepreliminary studies suggestthat men are more likelythan women to experiencedamage to the kidneys, nervoussystem and vascularsystem.Coping with having a‘woman’s disease’Men may react differentlyfrom women when the diagnosisof lupus is given.<strong>This</strong> may be because of themisconception that lupus isa “woman’s disease” givingrise to the idea that a manwith lupus is less masculinethan his colleagues withoutlupus. <strong>This</strong> is not true. Asfar as sex hormones and sexualfunction are concerned,most men with lupus are nodifferent from those withoutlupus. Men with lupusare usually sexually active,potent and have normal reproductivehistories. Theremay be some interruptionin this when the disease isvery active or with the useof certain drugs, especiallycyclophosphamide whichcan affect fertility.Many of the day-to-daystresses in life are emotionallyequal for men and womenwith lupus. However, insome ways it may be moredifficult for men to cope withhaving lupus because of thepressures created by whatthey think their family,friends and society expect ofthem. They may not be ableto work or follow hobbies inthe environment previouslyexpected of them (e.g., inthe cold due to Raynaud’sphenomenon). There may bedifficulties in performing activitiesthat require physicalstrength and a change ofrole in the workplace may benecessary but not available.Historically it has been themale who is the provider forthe family. If a man with lupushas to stop working orchange job this may resultin significant financial andemotional stress. However,with earlier diagnosis andbetter treatment, many patientscan remain in work,although some will have tochange job, modify duties,or reduce their hours comparedwith their colleagues.Combined advice from anoccupational health physicianat the workplace andthe lupus physician may berequired to establish whatis appropriate work for anindividual with lupus. Similarly,lupus patients mayhave to discuss with theirfamily and consultant howto adjust their leisure activitiesand hobbies, as it is essentialthat they get enoughrest and remain as physicallyand emotionally fit aspossible.Another aspect of the diseasethat men (and women)have to cope with is thechange in physical appearance.Rashes, unexpectedhair loss and weight loss orgain may not be appreciatedas being as important tomen as to women. However,they may result in furtherloss of self esteem and thefeeling of loss of masculinity,particularly in youngmen. More serious problemssuch as disability are evenharder to cope with and maycause profound depressionthat needs active treatmentas well as physical rehabilitationby physiotherapists.Since most people with lupusare women, men mayfeel they don’t belong infemale-oriented supportgroups. They can appreciateone-to-one informal chatsmore than taking part inpredominantly female meetings.The above stresses,coupled with the fact thatlupus is commonly referredto as a “woman’s illness,”only makes it more difficultfor males to cope with thischronic disease. Lupus associationsrecognize this lackof support for men and areworking to redress the imbalance.Where to get help• Your doctor• A specialist (often a dermatologist,rheumatologist,nephrologist or immunologist)• Lupus Foundation of GrenadaThings to remember• Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosusor SLE) is anautoimmune disease.• Men are more likely to developdiscoid lupus or druginducedlupus.• Around nine times morefemales than males haveWeight loss or poor appetite:Weight loss over theprevious year is commonlyreported by people who arenewly diagnosed with lupus.Weight loss and poor appetitecan be caused by the illnessitself or by some medicationsthat may cause stomachupset or mouth sores (alsocalled mouth ulcers).Your doctor or nurse willassess your weight loss andother related problems andsuggest changes in your dietto be sure that you are eatingright and have no furtherweight loss.Weight gain: Weight gainmay be a problem for peoplewho take corticosteroids.These drugs often increasea person’s appetite, and, unlessyou are careful, unwantedweight gain will occur.Your doctor or nurse will assessyour diet and other relatedproblems and can suggesta program to help youcontrol your weight and loseany unwanted pounds. Theprogram will probably includea low-fat diet, exercise,and behavior modification. Aregistered dietitian can helpIf you are having GI problems,tell your doctor ornurse immediately. Becausemany of these problems arerelated to how and when amedication is taken, the doseor schedule can sometimesbe changed to reduce or stopthe unpleasant side effects.In some cases, the doctormay change the drug. Manymedications can be takenwith food, which helps reduceside effects. If you havemouth ulcers, liquid formsof the drugs you are takingmay be available. In addition,anesthetics you can usein your mouth can decreasethe pain of mouth ulcers andmake swallowing easier.Osteoporosis: Osteoporosisis a condition in which thebones of the body becomeless dense and break easily.Although this condition oftenaffects older, postmenopausalwomen, it can alsoaffect anyone who takes corticosteroidsfor a long periodof time.Your doctor or nurse will reviewyour medical history,treatment plan, diet, and anyrisk factors you may have.Measurements of your bonedensity may also be taken.Recommendations to preventor reduce the problemwill probably include a dietNutrition and LupusGood nutrition is an importantpart of the overall treatmentplan for your lupus. Awell-balanced diet providesthe necessary fuel for yourbody to carry on its normalfunctions. Although there areno specific dietary guidelinesfor people with lupus, thereyou evaluate your food likesand dislikes and eating patternsand can design a dietspecifically for your needsand lifestyle.Difficulty taking medications:Several medicationscan cause gastrointestinalhigh in calcium (1,000-1,500mg/day) and vitamin D (100-500 mg/day) and an exerciseplan that is appropriate foryou. Calcium supplementsmay be prescribed by yourdoctor if the calcium in yourdiet is not enough.are some nutrition issuesthat you should know about.If any of these issues becomea problem for you, talk withyour doctor or nurse. Theywill be able to provide youwith additional informationand can refer you to a registereddietitian if necessary.(GI) disturbances, such asheartburn, upset stomach,nausea, vomiting, or painfulmouth ulcers.Steroid-induced diabetes:Diabetes is a conditionin which your body does notproduce enough insulin tomaintain a normal blood glucose(sugar) level. Long-termuse of corticosteroids maycause diabetes, which mustbe treated in the same wayas it is for other people withdiabetes.After a thorough physicaland dietary exam, your doctorwill probably place youon a special diet. You shouldconsult with a registered dietitianwho can help you understandthe various aspectsof the diet, and learn to planyour meals more easily. Youmay also have to take a drugto help keep your glucoselevels within normal limits.For some people, a pill maybe prescribed; for others, insulingiven by injection maybe necessary.If you are diagnosed withsteroid-induced diabetes,ask your doctor or nurse torefer you to a diabetes educationprogram. These programshelp newly diagnosedpeople with diabetes learnabout their disease andmanage their condition sothat they continue to live ahealthy and productive life.If a program is not availablewhere you live, a registereddietitian should be able togive you the information youneed.Kidney disease: Becausethe kidney is often affectedlupus.ConclusionMen, like women, will needto discuss their lupus diseaseand its likely effectson their health and lifestylewith their consultant.Every case is different butcertain generalizations willbe possible based on theclinical picture (the parts ofthe body affected) and theresults of blood tests andother investigations. Thereis no definite evidence thatthe disease is more severein men than women, or thatmen with lupus have morefemale hormones or lessmale hormones than thosewithout lupus. Fertility isnot usually affected but activedisease and certaindrugs may affect sexualfunction and this needs tobe discussed openly by thepatient and his physician.Article SourcesLupus Australia FoundationThe Lupus Site (UK)by lupus, your doctor willprobably order a variety oftests every so often to seehow well your kidneys aretermines that your lupushas affected your kidneys,the goals for treating theproblem will be to preserveas much kidney function aspossible and prevent the conditionfrom getting worse.Along with other treatmentoptions, you may be placedon a low-sodium (salt), lowpotassium,diet. A registered dietitiancan help you plan meals forworking. If your doctor de-or low-proteinthese diets.Cardiovascular disease:Cardiovascular complicationsof lupus include atherosclerosisand high bloodpressure. Atherosclerosis isa condition in which fatty depositsbuild up on the insideof the arteries. These depositscan reduce or block bloodflow. High blood pressure increasesthe risk of having aheart attack or stroke. Highblood pressure can happenwhen lupus damages thekidneys, which help regulateblood pressure.If your doctor determinesthat you have risk factorsfor atherosclerosis, you willprobably be placed on a lowfatdiet and an exercise plan.These will help you loweryour blood cholesterol leveland maintain a good bodyweight. If you have highblood pressure, you may beplaced on a low-sodium diet,medication, or both. Thesewill help reduce your bloodpressure to within normallimits.Article Sources: “The NationalInstitute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletaland Skin Diseasesof The National Institutes ofHealth. Nutrition and Lupus.Lastrevised, January 26, 1999.(Online) http://www.nih.gov/niams/healthinfo/lupusguide/chppis9.htm”


www.barnaclegrenada.comHealthBARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009 61.More than Five Million People WorldwideStruggle with Serious and Life-Threatening DiseaseMay is Lupus Awareness MonthMore than five millionpeople worldwide, mostlywomen, face an unpredictablefuture as theystruggle daily with theoften debilitating healthconsequences of lupus,a potentially life-threateningautoimmune diseasethat causes the immunesystem to attackthe body’s own healthytissue. Facing the potentialof strokes, heart attacks,disabling pain andfatigue, disfiguring skinrashes, and other serioushealth problems associatedwith the chronic disease– often in the primeyears of life – peoplewith lupus from aroundthe globe have bandedtogether to call for moreresearch on lupus, saferand more effective treatmentsfor the disease,and improved healthcarefor those affected by lupus.Lupus is an UrgentInternational HealthProblemLupus is a disease thattargets a group of peoplewho otherwise should behealthy – namely individualsbetween the agesof 15 and 44. The diseaseoften goes unrecognizedbecause its primarysymptoms – joint pain,fatigue, skin rashes, andfevers – mimic many commonillnesses, which cancause people to receivetreatment for conditionsthey may not have. Atthe present time, lupushas no cure and can befatal. It spares no organ– every part of the bodycan be affected by lupus,including the skin, heart,lungs, kidneys and brain.There have been no newdrugs for lupus in over40 years. Drugs used tocontrol the disease areborrowed from other diseases.Early Detection andDiagnosis Key to ImprovingSurvival andQuality of LifeAlthough first recognizedby medical sciencein the late 1800’s, publicunderstanding of lupuscontinues to be belowthat of other life-threateningconditions. Lupusis under-recognized as aglobal health problem bythe public, health professionalsand governments,driving the needfor greater awareness.Early detection, diagnosisand treatment oflupus can help to slowthe debilitating effectsof the disease. Improvingawareness of lupussymptoms will savelives.The Global Impact ofLupusLupus has a considerableimpact on the healthcaresystem and on society,due to the complexityof the disease and itstreatment. Dependingon which organs are affected,and the frequencyand severity of diseaseactivity, individuals withlupus may have to take anumber of medicines andtherapies, be treated byphysicians from severalmedical specialties dependingon which organsare affected, undergo numerousmedical evaluationsand procedures,and be hospitalized severaltimes per year.Issues for LupusAwareness MonthMany physicians worldwideare unaware ofsymptoms and healtheffects of lupus, causingpeople with the diseaseto suffer several yearsbefore they are able toobtain a correct diagnosisand treatment. Thereis a deep, unmet needworldwide to educate andsupport individuals andWomen with lupus areat great risk of developingheart disease. Severalstudies have confirmedthat women withlupus have a five- to tenfoldincreased risk ofcoronary heart diseasecompared to the generalpopulation, especiallywomen with lupus whoare younger than 55.Ninety percent of peoplewith lupus are womenand the 80 percent ofnew cases of lupus developamong womenages 15-44.Researchers comparedcardiovascular risk factorsin women with lupusto groups of equallymatched healthy women.Although the groupswere matched for ageand other factors, thefamilies affected by lupus,and an urgent needto increase awareness ofthe symptoms and healthconsequences of lupus.Medical research on lupusand efforts to developsafer and more effectivetherapies for the diseaseare under-funded in comparisonwith diseases ofcomparable magnitudewomen with lupus weremore likely to have riskfactors traditionallyassociated with heartdisease, including hypertension,and higherlevels of triglycerides,low-density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol andhomocysteine, an aminoacid found in the blood.These factors are associatedwith inflammationcaused by lupus andlikely contribute to theincreased risk of coronaryheart disease.and severity. No new safeand effective drugs for lupushave been introducedin more than forty years.Current drugs for lupusare very toxic and cancause other life-threateninghealth problems thatcan be worse than theprimary disease. Thesetreatments include highdoses of corticosteroids,anti-malarial medicines,Several decades ago,when women with lupusdied shortly after developinglupus, their deathswere attributed to previouslyundiagnosed anduntreated active lupus.But when they diedyears after their diagnosisof lupus, the causeof death was attributedto atherosclerotic heartdisease. Atherosclerosisis now considered an inflammatorydisease andlupus is the prototypicinflammatory disease.Inflammation plays amajor role in causingatherosclerosis, whichresults when fatty deposits,cholesterol andother materials accumulatein the blood.The combination of atherosclerosisand lupusgreatly increases therisk of cardiovasculardisease among women.A lupus flare or autoimmuneresponse maycause inflammation toblood vessels. Inflammationstretches cloggedarteries, causing tearsimmunosuppressive andanti-rejection drugs thatoriginally were developedfor cancer and organtransplant patients.Why Observe LupusAwareness Month?Now in its thirty-firstyear, Lupus AwarenessMonth is observed to distributemedically soundinformation about lupus,increase public understandingof the physical,emotional, and economicimpact of the disease, andprovide support, services,and hope to all people affectedby lupus.Hope on the Horizonfor LupusOnly a few decades ago,little research was beingdone on lupus andalmost no biotechnologyor pharmaceutical companieswere engaged indeveloping and testingpotential new therapies.Today, however, the futureappears brighter. Inresponse to efforts by individualswith lupus andlupus organizations andtheir advocates aroundthe globe, there is a glowof hope on the horizon foran improved quality oflife for people with lupus.- Information providedby Lupus Foundation ofAmerica, Inc.-Heart Disease among Women with Lupusin the artery walls andallowing blood clots toform. These clots canblock blood supply to theheart and can trigger aheart attack.Researchers are studyingpotential therapiesthat will reduce the riskof heart disease in womenwith lupus, includingcholesterol-loweringdrugs and aspirin therapy.However, womenwith lupus also can takemore traditional stepsto lower their risk: loseweight, stop smoking,lower blood pressureand homocysteine levels,and get moderateaerobic exercise.Article Source: LupusFoundation of America,Inc.


62 BARNACLE FEBRUARY 2009HealthA Healthy FamilyA Healthy WorldChildren learn from example. So ifyou want them to be healthy from dayone, then you will have to incorporatehealthy eating habits and an active lifestyle into your family schedule. Makethis a team effort, because the gift ofhealth goes a long way. Rememberthe more natural you make it the moregood habits you will encourage, withoutany pressure at all.If you cook healthy foods, then your childrenwill eat healthy. If you incorporatefruits and vegetables into their daily diet,then the children will reach more often forthese to snack on rather than a bag of chips.Give your family options when you can, andcreate a different variety when planningyour menu. Remember it never hurts to becreative. It is important that you sit downto eat at least one meal together as a familysince most families do not eat lunch togetherduring the week. The act of sitting downtogether is like a meditation in itself ofgiving thanks for your meal and for havingeach other. Breakfast especially should beeaten together, before you separate for theday, and dinner or supper at the end of theday when you return home. You will be sittingtogether for the most important mealof the day, when you sit together to haveyour breakfast. Children cannot functionwell in school if their stomachs are empty,and in fact may get sick! Also you will beencouraging them not to skip meals whichcreate terrible eating habits in the long runand sets in long term physical and evenemotional distress. Dinner or supper getsthe family together to enjoy a meal, andcommunicate with each other about howtheir day went. Set the time for supper anddinner for 6pm and try to stick to it. Thereason for this is to keep the family fromeating late at night. A last game in front ofthe house or even a walk before bath timeshould be encouraged. Then let then settledown with a book or watch a short TV showtogether. Set a time for bed and stick toit. Encouraging your children to go to bedearly and on time, helps in deterring themfrom late night snacking, and getting therest that they need.Physical activity is so important for everymember of the family. Be creative, andhave fun in planning activities for yourfamily. Active play is great for everyone.Mom and Dad go walking every morning,and as the children get older they takethem along for their daily walk. Everyweekend the family goes to the beach, oreven on a hike. During one day of the weekDad or mom plays soccer or another sportwith the children, or spend some eveningsweeding in the garden. Even taking thedog for a walk out side of the yard is a goodway to get them interested in going for awalk. Or you may choose to encourage thechildren to play fetch with the dog withinthe safety of the yard if you have smallerchildren, or live near a busy street. Petsare wonderful for keeping children physicallyactive. Some children have differentinterest due to their gender and or personality.The boys may want to play basketball,or go to swimming classes every Saturdayand the girls may choose to play net ball,or tennis. Remember let the children playa part in choosing which sports they willlike to part take in. Never force a child tojoin a club or team that you think is bestfor them, the important thing is that thechild or children are active and most importantlythey are enjoying what they aredoing. If joining a team, or club does not fityour schedule or your pocket book, then justencourage your children to spend more timeplaying in the yard. Get the children waterguns, soccer and or a basket ball, put up abasketball ring, and teach them the gamesyou played as a child. Most importantly,join them as often as you can in active play.Remember children learn from example,and getting involved is a sure way of influencingthem in a positive way and creatinga life long healthy life style. The benefitsare not only physical, but emotional as well.Your children will become confident, handlestress better, and you will be amazed at theimprovements in grades due to the effectsof their high self esteem. Playing with yourchildren also creates memories for a lifetime, and a strong bond as a family. Doingthings as a team teaches your children tosocialize, encourages them to be corporative,and even inspire each other to do thebest that they can. The activities that theychoose to part take in should be encouragedand supported, since each child should beseen as an individual. Apart from the dayor days that the family plays together, eachchild should feel free to go ride their bike,roller skate, make some hoops, even plantsome flowers, or join a club or team of theirchoose. These are healthy patterns in theirdevelopment. Mom going to her Aerobic orSpinning class at Body <strong>Image</strong> Health Club,or Dad playing table tennis or cricket canbe an inspiration for the children to parttakes in a table tennis or cricket, or a sportor some physical activity of their choice. Infact if they are already teenagers they cantag along with mom to the gym and workoutwith her or even join Body <strong>Image</strong>’s challenging,yet cool Boxing class! Rememberif you enjoy what you do you will do it moreoften, and the results will be amazing foryou and your loved ones.Below is a review of the benefits of physicalactivity of children by Mary L Garvin MD(January 2006).Benefits of Being ActiveWhen kids are active, their bodies can dothe things they want and need them to do.Why? Because regular exercise providesthese benefits:strong muscles and bonesweight controldecreased risk of developing type 2 diabetesbetter sleepa better outlook on lifeNot only that. Healthy, physically activestudents are more likely to be academicallymotivated, alert, and successful. And physicalcompetence builds self-esteem at everyage.What Motivates Kids?So there’s a lot to gain through regularphysical activity, but how do you encouragekids to do it? The three keys are:Choosing the right activities for a child’sage: If you don’t, the child may be bored orfrustrated.Giving a child plenty of opportunity to beactive: Kids need parents to make activityeasy by providing equipment and takingthem to playgrounds and other active spots.Keeping the focus on fun: Kids won’t dosomething they don’t enjoy.When kids enjoy an activity, they want todo more of it. Practicing a skill — whetherit’s swimming or riding a tricycle — improvesa child’s abilities. The child feelsaccomplished, especially when the effort ispraised. These good feelings often make thechild want to continue the activity and eventry others.What’s Age-Appropriate Activity?The best way for kids to get physical activityis by incorporating regular exerciseinto their daily routine. Toddlers to teensneed at least 60 minutes on most (preferablyall) days. <strong>This</strong> can include free playat home, active time at school, and participationin classes or organized sports.Here’s some age-based advice:Preschoolers: Preschooler need play andexercise that helps them continue to developimportant motor skills — kickingor throwing a ball, playing tag or followthe leader, hopping on one foot, riding abike, freeze dancing, or running obstaclecourses.Although some sports leagues may beopen to children as young as 4, organizedand team sports are not recommendeduntil a child is a little older. Preschoolerscan’t understand complex rules and oftenlack the attention span, skills, and coordinationneeded to play sports. Insteadof learning to play a sport, preschoolersshould work on fundamental skills.School-age: With school-age kids spendingmore time on sedentary pursuits likewatching TV and playing computer games,the challenge for parents is to help themfind physical activities they enjoy and feelsuccessful doing. Activities can range fromtraditional sports like baseball and basketballto scouting, camping, hiking, andother outdoor pursuits.In the early school-age years, while kidsare learning basic skills and simple rules,there may be only a few athletic standouts.As kids get older, differences in abilityand personality become more apparent.Commitment and interest level often goalong with ability, which is why it’s importantto find an activity that’s right foryour child. Schedules start getting busyduring these years, but don’t forget to setaside some time for free play.Teenagers: Teens have a wide array ofchoices when it comes to being active —from school sports to after-school interests,such as yoga or skateboarding. Withteenagers, it’s important to remember thatphysical activity must be planned and oftenhas to be sandwiched between variousresponsibilities and commitments.Do what you can to make it easy for yourteen to exercise by providing transportationand the necessary gear or equipment.And don’t overlook workout clothes. Insome cases, the right clothes and shoesmight help a shy teen feel comfortable bikingor going to the gym.Your Child’s Fitness PersonalityIn addition to your child’s age, it’s importantfor parents to understand a child’sfitness personality. Personality traits,genetics, and athletic ability combine toinfluence a child’s attitude toward participationin sports and other physical activities,particularly as they get older. Whichof these three types best describes yourchild?The nonathlete: <strong>This</strong> child may lack athleticability, interest in physical activity,or both.The casual athlete: <strong>This</strong> child is interestedin being active but isn’t a star player andis at risk of getting discouraged in a competitiveathletic environment.The athlete: <strong>This</strong> child has athletic ability,is committed to a sport or activity, andlikely to ramp up practice time and intensityof competition.If you understand the concepts of temperamentand fitness types, you’ll be betterable to help your child find the rightactivities and get enough exercise — andfind enjoyment in physical activity. Somechildren will want to pursue excellence ina sport, while others may be perfectly happyand fit just being casual participants.The athlete, for instance, will want to beon the basketball team, while the casualathlete may just enjoy shooting hoops inthe playground or on the driveway. Thenonathletic is likely to need a parent’shelp and encouragement to get and stayphysically active. That’s why it’s importantto encourage kids to remain activeeven through they aren’t top performers.Whatever your child’s fitness personality,remember that all kids can be physicallyfit. Your positive attitude will help thekid who’s reluctant to exercise. Be activeyourself and support your child’s interests.If you start this early enough, your childwill come to regard activity as a normal —and fun — part of your family’s everydayroutine.From our family to your family,BODY IMAGE HEALTH CLUB.


printed by the nation publishing co. ltd., fontabelle, st. michael, barbados for the barnacle of grenada

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!