Caribbean Times 12.29.2016

Times 

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -- There 

are 182 Trinidad and Tobago nationals 

suspected of being involved in terrorist 

activities, according to a Financial Intelligence 

Unit (FIU) report. 

This was revealed on Thursday by 

Times 

One People Under The Sun 

production@caribbeantimesnews.com | December 29, 2016 - January 11, 2017 | FREE 

182 Trinidadians suspected 

of terrorist activity 

ST 

This YouTube video grab shows an ISIS terrorist identified as Abu Abdurahman al-Trinidadi (L), 

an apparent reference to his Trinidadian heritage, along with another Trinidadian identified 

locally as Shazam Mohammed 

minister in the Office of the Prime 

Minister Stuart Young during the post 

cabinet briefing, the Trinidad Express 

reported. 

Young said that, when parliament resumes 

on January 6, the minister of finance 

will disclose the 2015-2016 report 

from the FIU, and outline several issues, 

including financing of terrorism, money 

laundering, private members club and 

financial institutions. 

He said the FIU, which is an independent 

international monitoring body, 

reported that Trinidad and Tobago has 

received a total of 739 suspicious transaction 

reports (STRs) and suspicious 

activity report (SARs), a 21.3 percent 

increase from last year’s report. 

Young noted that, of the 739 suspicious 

transaction reports and suspicious 

activity reports received, 670 were related 

to suspected money laundering while 

69 were related to suspected financing of 

terrorism. 

“For the review period the FIU completed 

an analysis of 533 STRs and SARs 

of which 490 were related to suspected 

money laundering activities and 43 

related to the financing of terrorism. 

The analysis of these STRs and SARs 

generated 209 intelligence reports of 

which 170 related to suspected money 

laundering and 31 related to financing 

of terrorism. Of the 209 intelligence 

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GEORGE’S, 

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Debourg, 66, was charged with two 

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Continued on page 26 Continued on page 25

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news 

3 

United States revokes 

Haitian presidential 

candidate’s visa 

Jean-Charles Moïse 

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti -- Jean-Charles 

Moïse, the candidate for the Pitit Dessalin 

party, one of the three challengers to the 

winner Jovenel Moïse in the first round of 

last month’s presidential elections in Haiti, 

has confirmed that his US visa has been revoked 

by the US Embassy, and he could no 

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, – Magistrate 

Christine Charles has imposed a 

TT$20,000 fine on a newspaper journalist 

who pleaded guilty last week to unlawfully 

benefiting from a contract awarded 

to his company under the controversial 

but now-defunct multi-million dollar 

Life Sport Programme that led to the resignation 

of a government minister a few 

years ago. 

Senior sports reporter Walter Alibey 

appeared before the magistrate on Tuesday 

for sentencing and was also ordered 

to repay the TT$33,000 he illegally recovered 

in Value Added Tax (VAT). The 

company he owned had received a contract 

from the Life Sport Programme, 

and was not registered with the Board of 

Inland Revenue (BIR). 

The journalist, a father of four and director 

of Agro Aggressive Organisation 

longer travel to the United States. 

Moïse nevertheless minimised the impact 

of this revocation: “As long as a man has not 

discovered something for which he would 

be ready to die, he is not able to live. Haitian 

people as I have always told you, a visa is a 

courtesy, it does not make me hot or cold ... 

revoking the visa of Jean-Charles Moïse will 

not prevent the movement to continue until 

the end,” without, however, explaining the 

reasons for such revocation. 

What is known is that Moïse was summoned 

on Wednesday to the US embassy, 

where he was told that his five-year visa, 

which had expired last November and was 

the subject of a renewal, had been revoked, 

HaitiLibre reported. 

Moïse recently announced plans for a 

series of demonstrations in front of the 

American Embassy on Saturday 24 and 

Thursday, December 29, 2016, in protest 

against the publication of the preliminary 

results of the elections, while the American 

ambassador said that these elections 

were credible. 

T&T journalist fined 

$20,000 for misconduct 

and Maintenance Services, received a 

government contract for TT$832,703.50 

on July 1, 2013, to carry out refurbishment 

and maintenance work at the Valencia 

Community Centre by the Ministry 

of Sport. 

The company issued an invoice in the 

sum of $253,000 to the Sport Ministry 

Continued on page 22 

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Caribbean Times | December 29, 2016 - January 11, 2017

4 


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commentary 

Parades of the wannabes 

I have always been curious 

over why(extremely) rich 

(AGED) men and women 

would sacrifice their (SE- 

NIOR) happy and comfortable 

lives, in order to compete 

for elected office(s), or now, to 

participate in Mr.Trump’sinterviewing/(probably) 

recruitment 

parades in search 

of Cabinet, Public-Sector and 

Diplomatic appointments... 

How could these minds and 

bodies feel so entitled?.?.?.? 

In some cases some of those 

engaging in Mr.T’s parades 

(who did not make the cut)- 

just looked as if they were being 

(deliberately) played. 

Talk-Show host, Chris 

Matthews is characterizing 

these parades as”well-scripted 

and staged re-runs of Celebrity-Apprentice”, 

he feels that 

Mr.Trump was once more living 

out the realities of hiring 

and firing human beings. 

I often wonder what that 

HUMAN need it is, that 

would push (old) rich men 

and women who already 

possess significant (material) 

wealth and holdings, to want 

to preside over other men’s, 

women’s, and children’s lives, 

as well as decision-making 

policies, procedures and processes. 

These beings sit on significant 

Public and Private sector 

Boards of Directors; they 

maintain retentions for legal, 

security and Consulting/lobbying 

work that they do for 

local and overseas clients; and 

they hold poles of influence 

over their employees, admirers, 

and favor-seekers. 

Apart from the personal 

sacrifices that those Aspirants 

have to make with their own 

and their families’ existences--by 

having to be absent 

By Carlyle Harry 

quite often from their homes; 

they also have to be prepared 

to have their personal business 

exposed to the public. 

They have to be prepared 

to be mocked at on Talk- 

Shows, and shows like ‘Saturday-Night-Live’. 

THE PARADE 

And now that Mr. Trump 

is parading elderly rich and 

powerful men and women 

through his Towers and 

Clubs, as they look for Cabinet, 

Civil-Service and Diplomatic 

positions...I am even 

more puzzled as to what the 

stimuli or motivations could 

be. 

I need to add that some of 

these aging-personnel have 

already served as Governors, 

Mayors, U.N.Emissaries, and 

American Diplomats....Why 

do they want another bite of 

the cherry, and why do they 

want to block younger persons 

from getting their first 

bites at the cherry. 

Then, They are driving me 

to recall that saying that I 

used to hear while I was growing 

up in Guyana”Only a dog 

returns and eats its own vomit”...For 

example, Mr.Romney--a 

‘Never-Trumper’, and 

sharp-critic of Mr.Trump 

during the election campaign, 

( he had (for example described 

the President(elect) 

as “a phony and a fraud”).... 

Some analysts and commentators 

are calling the former 

Governor, ‘a shameless person’ 

to have gone and met 

with Mr.Trump in search of 

a job. 

Journalist-Josh Greenman 

opined “Donald Trump is a 

man who boasts of having ‘the 

best words’, who knows as well 

as anyone in recent memory 

how to stir up followers, and 

to insult those for whom he 

lacks respect...When he finds 

something reprehensible 

about someone, he manages 

to muster an impassioned 

takedown.” 

On Monday, December 

fifth, we even had former 

Vice-President-Al Gore going 

to the Tower in order to have 

discussions with Mr.Trump’s 

daughter-Ivanka about his 

pet project-Climate--Change/ 

Global-Warming...I figure 

that for these wealthy and influential 

folks, it comes down 

to”the end justifies the means”. 

(That meeting indicated 

Ivanka’s proximity and involvement 

with and in the 

new Administration). 

On Monday, December 

fifth, we also learnt that former 

Senator and Vice-President, 

Joe Byden announced 

that he was going to contest 

to be the Democratic-Party’s 

Presidential-- Candidate 

“Donald Trump is a man who boasts of 

having ‘the best words’, who knows as well 

as anyone in recent memory how to stir up 

followers, and to insult those for whom he 

lacks respect...When he finds something 

reprehensible about someone, he manages 

to muster an impassioned takedown.” 

 

— Josh Greenman 

in 2020... Again, I ask, what 

could me stimulating and motivating 

these folks’ ambitions 

and aspirations. 

In conclusion, before I 

utter my queries, let me remind 

that Matthew (v) says 

“if you think it , you may as 

well say it, because the Lord 

already knows what you are 

thinking”...after looking at 

the slew of millionaires and 

billionaires that were being 

displayed by Mr.Trump, on 

the other hand, I looked at a 

week-long documentary on 

the poorest locations in the 

world,...I was dismayed and 

pained at the inhumane conditions 

under which the African 

brothers and sisters are 

existing. 

That forces me to ask the 

Creator how there could be 

such living-disparities in the 

world based on hair, skin-color, 

and race. 

Meanwhile, Time Magazine 

in their headline, announcing 

Donald Trump as 

its ‘Man of the Year’...deemed 

him”President of the DIVID- 

ED States of America”. 

to advertise your business, or event contact us at (718) 909-1841 

or email production@caribbeantimesnews.com

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7 

JetBlue boosts service to 

Bermuda with more flights 

NEW YORK, USA -- JetBlue is increasing 

service to Bermuda with two 

year-round daily flights and a third summer 

seasonal roundtrip flight between 

the popular island destination and the 

airline’s northeast focus cities. In addition 

to the added flights, the airline will 

now operate all Bermuda routes using 

its 150-seat Airbus A320 aircraft in place 

of its 100-seat Embraer 190 aircraft. The 

move further advances JetBlue as the 

fastest growing US carrier in Bermuda. 

“This is a big win for our loyal JetBlue 

customers on all sides of these routes 

whether in New York, Boston or Bermuda,” 

said Robin Hayes, president and 

chief executive officer, JetBlue. “With 

more flights, larger aircraft and a variety 

of flight times to accommodate customers’ 

needs, JetBlue – with its affordable 

fares and award winning service – is positioning 

itself as the top choice for travel 

to and from Bermuda. I’d also like to 

extend a special thank you to Bermuda 

Tourism Authority CEO Bill Hanbury 

who was instrumental in helping make 

this announcement possible.” 

“This announcement today will provide 

further opportunities for our East 

Coast guests to visit our shores and help 

meet the increasing demand for airplane 

seats,” said minister of tourism, transport 

and municipalities Sen. Michael Fahy. 

“This has been a very positive year for 

tourism in Bermuda and I am thrilled for 

2016 to conclude on such an encouraging 

note.” 

Bermuda, just a two hour flight from 

the northeastern US, stretches for 23 

miles along turquoise waters in the Atlantic. 

Known for its pink sand beaches 

such as Elbow Beach and Horseshoe Bay, 

the island offers an array of activities 

ranging from championship golfing to 

deep sea fishing. Accommodations on 

island range from luxury resorts to intimate 

guest cottages and family-run inns, 

which each incorporate the sophistication 

and hospitality unique to the Bermuda 

experience. 

“The Bermuda Tourism Authority is 

proud to be a marketing partner with 

JetBlue, creating incremental business for 

our island and for the airline. We have 


Jamaican 

workers to split 

US$2m under 

settlement with 

US resort 

SOUTH CAROLINA, – About 

240 Jamaican workers at a luxury 

golf resort in South Carolina are to 

share US2 million under a deal to 

settle a lawsuit alleging that for two 

years, their employer wrongfully 

deducted money from their pay. 

The order signed on December 

16 by US District Judge Richard 

Gergel applies to a pool of Jamaican 

workers employed to Kiawah Island 

Golf Resort on H-2B visas. 

The H-2B visa programme allows 

US employers to bring foreigners 

to the country to fill temporary 

non-agricultural jobs. 

Several of the workers filed a 

class-action lawsuit last year accusing 

Kiawah of failing to properly 

pay them minimum wages because 

it deducted housing and transportation 

costs from 2012 through to 

2014. 

The workers argued that the deductions 

were not put in writing 

when they were hired for jobs at the 



Air Canada inaugurates twice-weekly, non-stop 

service between Montreal and Costa Rica 

MONTREAL, Canada -- Air Canada 

on Thursday inaugurated new 

twice-weekly flights between Montreal 

and Costa Rica. The morning departure 

of Air Canada Rouge flight AC1844 began 

non-stop service from Montreal 

to Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International 

Airport that will operate until 

April 23, 2017. 

“Air Canada is very pleased to inaugurate 

this new, seasonal service between 

Montreal and Costa Rica, providing customers 

even more options when travelling 

to this popular Latin American 

vacation destination. The new flight complements 

Air Canada’s existing Toronto-San 

Jose service and our flights from 

Toronto and Montreal to Liberia in Costa 

Rica. It also serves to further support 

Air Canada’s ongoing global expansion, 

which has seen capacity grow from its 

strategic Montreal hub by 20 per cent 

over the past two years,” said Benjamin 

Smith, president, passenger airlines at 

Air Canada. 

Air Canada’s San Jose flights will be 

operated by Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada’s 

vacation carrier, with a 282-seat 

Boeing 767-300ER featuring two classes 

of service with 24 Premium Rouge seats 

and 258 seats in Economy Class. 

Air Canada is Canada’s largest domestic 

and international airline serving more 

than 200 airports on six continents.

8 

letters to the editor 


There were always close 

links between Barbados 

and Guyana 

Dear Editor, 

Barbados celebrated its fiftieth anniversary 

of Independence on Wednesday, November, 

30th. 

The 166 square mile Island joined Guyana 

in celebrating its golden jubilee during 

May of this year. 

Guyana’s President-David Granger journeyed 

to Bridgetown, in order to take part 

in Barbados’ celebrations. 

President Granger was reciprocating, because 

Barbados’ Prime Minister-Freundel 

Stuart had visited Guyana in May of this 

year to attend and participate in that South 

American country’s celebration of fifty years 

of Independence. 

There has always been close links between 

Guyana and Barbados, for example, 

Prime-Minister, Errol Barrow who led Barbados 

to Independence, was very close to 

Forbes Burnham of Guyana; and the friendship 

between the two countries goes on. 

I recall as a little boy, there were thousands 

of Barbadians (Bajans) who were living 

in Guyana--most of them living in the 

Hinterland, and doing Agriculture. 

Nowadays, there are thousands of Guyanese 

Professionals working and living in 

Barbados. 

Several of those Guyanese Professionals 

were honored during the recent Independence 

anniversary celebrations. 

 

— Oscar Ramjeet 

What Trump’s Presidency 

Holds? 

Dear Editor, 

Much has been written about the recent 

U.S. Presidential elections. 

My Candidate of choice-Hilary Clinton 

won the popular vote, but lost the Electoral 

College, and the Presidency to Donald 

Trump. 

What a shocker this was to many of us, 

but the electorate has spoken, and Donald 

Trump is the legitimately elected President 

of the U.S.A. 

Despite Trump’s triumph, life goes on, 

and as President Obama has said”The sun 

will continue to rise each morning”. 

But we now have to be concerned about 

what future does a Trump Presidency hold 

for the Caribbean diaspora in the U.S., and 

the Caribbean itself. 

This topic was well examined in early December, 

during a meeting of the Caribbean 

Central American fortieth annual Conference...There 

was much discussion and questions 

on what the Trump Presidency means 

for the Caribbean and Central America. 

Only time will tell 

 

— Wesley Kirton. 

Scrap the Electoral 

College 

Dear Editor, 

The decisive margins by which Hillary 

Clinton defeated Donald Trump in the popular 

vote, screams for Constitutional amendment, 

to scrap the electoral college, and let future 

elections in America be decided by who 

wins the popular vote. — Dale Burns. 

Not Real Literature 

Dear Editor, 

Lauding Bob Dylan as the winner of the 

Nobel Prize for literature is misplaced. 

If no guidelines and definitions are maintained, 

then dismiss,the award. 

The iconic songwriter had won an Oscar, 

Grammy, Pulitzer, Medal of Freedom, and 

he is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

All deserving, but this latest award should 

go to people who actually write books, just 

as the prior hundred plus Nobel winners 

had done. 

To dismiss the millions of authors around 

the world, and shun them from the prize, 

they are actually qualified to win, is an insult 

to them. 

May be, next year, they will award the 

Nobel for tweets. 

I believe that the Decision Makers do not 

want to bother themselves with doing the 

actual reading, writing and analyzing that 

should precede the award of prizes, so they 

are taking the easy way out. 

 

— Kathy Chapman 

Winter Workshop Series 

Shola Robertson and Autumn Scoggan 

are local Dance Educators at Madiba 

Prep Middle School and the School of 

Integrated Learning. As well as earning 

their Masters in Dance Education at 

Hunter College as Lincoln Center Scholars, 

a fully funded Scholarship program. 

Their passion for the artform runs deep. 

“We are working on a partnership that 

gives our students a professional level 

dance opportunity, exposure to new 

dance teachers and dance styles, opportunities 

to work with other Brooklyn 

youth and to build professionalism in the 

art form. The Winter Workshop series 

called Kə’nekSH(ə)n: the Workshop 

Series does just that. 

“There has been a big push to get 

dance and art in every New York City 

School! This is a new initiative and with 

the current political climate we are always 

needing to promote Arts Education 

and the work we are doing with 

our public school students. Dance helps 

give EVERY STUDENT a well rounded 

education and high quality art training! 

Dance promotes self-awareness, creativity, 

confidence, culture and so much more 

that benefits our students and community.”, 

said Ms. Roberts. 

Ms. Roberts is a firm believer that 

learning does not always have to take 

place in the four walls of a classroom. 

“Giving them that experience can open 

their eyes and minds to a better awareness 

of what’s going on in the community, 

what classes are being offered, what 

techniques are out there and what other 

students are learning.”, she said. 

Ms. Roberts hopes to see Kə’nek- 

SH(ə)n: became a citywide program 

and become a model workshop to other 

educators; reaching out to community 

members, politicians, teachers, family 

members and community based organizations. 

“We’re going to be doing 

this in Manhattan, the Bronx; inviting 

neighborhood schools and reminding 

the community that students aren’t only 

sitting behind a desk in a classroom, but 

interacting with each other and being 

social and gaining social skills that make 

them better human beings.” 

I Live 

Dedicated to Moses Ignasius 

Kingston 

This dry and arid land 

Cold and odorous 

Is moistened by my spirit 

poetry corner 

The Crouched silhouette 

took aim at my dream 

stamped upon my shadow 

and punctured the Barren 

land upon which my shadow lay 

Indeed the mind is bridled 

by the master it serves.. 

Inevitably my spirit lives 

it lives within and beyond 

The confines of these boundaries 

For while you can puncture the 

barren Land 

you cannot Quell my 

Indomitable spirit 

or Quench my love for life 

— Noel Moses 

Prosperous, 2017 

Good-bye, 2016, 

Welcome 2017. 

Forget what has been, 

Plan for the unseen. 

The new year starts Saturday, 

Go to church and pray 

for sustained good health 

along with sprinkles of wealth. 

As we enter next year, 

There is no time to spear 

formatting resolutions 

for our respective conditions. 

As we move at full steam, 

see visions, scheme dreams, 

Maintain your self-esteem 

regardless of how things seem. 

We, from the Caribbean Times 

join the line 

to wish you a 2017 of stability, 

peace and prosperity. 

 

— Carlyle Harry 

Please submit your poems for consideration. 

We are here to take NOTE and to promote.

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organizational profile 

11 

By Carlyle Harry 

Linden Fund USA (LFU), which was 

launched in 1999, is a membership-based, 

charitable organization that assists the 

town of Linden in Guyana (South America). 

It is registered as a non-profit in the 

State of New York, but it is a national organization 

that mobilizes members of the 

Linden/Guyanese diaspora across the U.S. 

and the Caribbean. 

MISSION 

The mission of the Linden Fund USA 

is to help play a meaningful role in the 

revitalization of Linden/Region 10, with 

particular focus on health and education. 

The Fund forms strategic partnerships 

with other developmental and grassroots 

organizations in order to accomplish its 

pursuits. It provides funding for projects 

and initiatives that help to promote and 

enhance the development of the Linden 

community, and Region 10 as a whole. 

LFU BOARD 

An elected Board guides the organization. 

The current LFU Board of Directors 

consists of Paula Walcott-Quintin – Chair; 

Keith Semple - Vice Chair; Shona Wright 

– Secretary; Steve Henry - NY Chapter 

Chair; Michael Campbell - NJ Chapter 

Chair; Dr. Francine Brotherson – Director; 

Eustace “Sammy” David – Director; 

Lawrence “Bradar” Griffith – Director; 

Ernest Joseph – Director; and George 

Parris – Director.The LFU has State-chapters 

in New York and New Jersey. 

The state chapters have their own management 

structures of consisting of a 

Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary. 

The State Chapter’s Chair automatically 

becomes a member of the LFU’s Board. 

In order to ensure a free flow of communications 

between Chapters and the 

leadership, and vice versa, the Board 

maintains a combination of face-to-face 

and tele-conference meetings every two 

months; while chapters are free to do a 

combination of conference calls and/or 

face-to-face meetings, as needed. 

PROJECTS IN THE LOCAL 

COMMUNITY 

Funds for annual projects in Linden/ 

The Linden Fund, USA 

Clockwise from top: 2016 LFU Teachers’ Workshop for Region 10’s teachers; Celebrating Guyana’s 

50th. Independence anniversary at LFU’s Breakfast Social in Brooklyn, New York; L&B Social 

Club dancers perform at LFU’s Breakfast Social in Brooklyn, New York. 

Region 10 are primarily raised through 

fund-raising events and membership 

contributions. 

These projects currently include a 

weeklong Teachers’ Workshop and a 

competitive Spelling Bee to support elementary 

schools; these are held during 

the annual Town Week celebrations in 

Linden. In addition, a collaborative backto-school 

project supplies youths with 

needed school items for the start of the 

new school year. 

The LFU is now considering a number 

ofNew projects to be undertaken with 

other local organizations. The LFU has 

an office at the LEN Building in Mackenzie, 

Linden. 

COLLABORATIONS 

In 2016, the LFU collaborated with the 

Regional Education Department, For The 

Children Sake Foundation, Ansa McAl, 

Ituni International Association, Hudson 

Rehab Spa, Brusche’s Basketball Foundation 

and the Bauxite Century Planning 

Committee to plan the Bauxite-centennial 

(1916-2016), and to do other Developmental 

activities. 

According to LFU Chair, Paula Walcott-Quintin, 

the LFU has to continue to 

form partnerships with local and national 

Government entities, as well as international 

and local NGOs, especially those 

organizations that are tasked with pursuing 

education, health, and social services. 

The organization is continuing to build 

capacity in its operations by seeking help 

from personnel with organizational-development 

know-how to share their expertise. 

Our annual Fund-Raising events for 

2017 will include: 

Spring Dance – March 18 (New York) 

Breakfast Social – May 20 (New York) 

Family Fun Day – July 16 (New Jersey) 

Tea Party – August 19 (New York) 

We use a wide range of communications’ 

tools to keep our members engaged 

and informed. The LFU produces an annual 

printed calendar, a quarterly newsletter 

called The Lindener, and it has a 

Facebook page, a website and a robust 

email presence. 

Th e-mail address is lfu_secretary@ 

lindenfund.org or visit its website www. 

lindenfund.org. 

If you are a leader of an organization and would like your group to be featured in The Caribbean Times Newspaper, please 

contact us at (718) 909-1841 or email us at production@caribbeantimesnews.com. 


12 

news 


Jamaica government promises memorial 

site for victims of 1860 cholera epidemic 

KINGSTON, Jamaica, December. 22, 

2016 (CMC) – The government of Jamaica 

has promised to establish a memorial 

site for victims of the 1860 cholera epidemic 

that led to the deaths of approximately 

40,000 persons. 

According to Health Minister, Dr. 

Christopher Tufton, the monument 

would serve as a reminder to Jamaicans. 

“I am making a commitment here 

that we are going to take it up and have 

discussions, find an appropriate place to 

memorialise that particular issue, in the 

interest of history and public safety, going 

forward,” he said. 

Tufton was speaking at a recent town 

hall meeting, where concerns surrounding 

the development of the cholera cemetery, 

located in the Corporate Area, were 

discussed. 

The planned development has already 

been approved by the Kingston and St 

Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAC) 

after the Corporation received formal advice 

from the National Environment and 

Planning Agency (NEPA) and the Ministry 

of Health. 

Dr. Tufton pointed out that the land in 

question is privately owned, and the government’s 

influence and control over the 

property is only to ensure that it is not 

used in a way that may be injurious to the 

general population. 

“That’s what the approval process does. 

It goes through a process of assessment 

and analysis, and once all of those things 

are clear, there is no basis on which to 

dictate to the private owner what to do 

with the land that they own,” Dr. Tufton 

noted. 

Cholera is an infectious disease that 

causes severe diarrhea, which can lead to 

dehydration and even death if untreated. 

It is caused by eating food or drinking 

water contaminated with a bacterium 

called Vibrio cholerae. 

The Health Minister’s ministry is also 

being hailed by residents of Clarendon 

for its implementation of the Public Sector 

Pharmacy Partner Program in the 

parish. 

The initiative, which is being piloted 

over the next three months, aims to reduce 

the waiting time for medication at 

public hospitals and clinics. 

It is being spearheaded by the National 

Health Fund (NHF) and involves 

collaboration with select private-sector 

pharmacies to fill prescriptions for public 

patients. 

The pilot includes five pharmacies in 

Clarendon and nine in Kingston. 

The service will attract a nominal $200 

user fee to cover the pharmacies’ operational 

overheads. It is intended to complement 

the NHF-run DrugServ pharmacies, 

which offer cost-free services at 

the public hospitals. 

Mayor of May Pen, Councillor Winston 

Maragh, welcomed the initiative. 

He said residents using the Lionel Town 

Hospital have complained about delays 

in the dispensing of medication. 

“Persons have indicated that they are 

unable to get through, either because the 

hospital’s pharmacy is too full of customers 

or doesn’t have all items listed on their 

prescriptions. As such, this (new initiative) 

is a welcome move. I know it will 

benefit the citizens of, not only May Pen 

and the entire parish… (but) eventually, 

the entire country,” Councillor Maragh 

said. 

He was speaking at the launch of the 

initiative by the Health Minister, Dr. 

Christopher Tufton, at the Health First 

Pharmacy on December 19. 

Osborne Store resident, Leopold 

Green, who was the first client to have his 

prescription filled under the program, 

expressed pleasure at the move. 

“I am so happy, because I probably 

wouldn’t have gotten through yet, if I had 

gone over by the pharmacy at May Pen 

Hospital because of the amount of people 

who use it,” he said. 

Green said he was “overjoyed” that 

Health First was able to provide all the 

items on his prescription and believes 

that the initiative is a good one that can 

work. 

Another resident, Janett Davis, had 

high praises for Dr. Tufton, whom she 

said, “is doing good for us” by establishing 

the program. 

“He is going into the hospitals and 

visiting the people (and) seeing their 

needs, knowing that at times some of us 

have difficulty getting the medication we 

need,” she said. 

Davis said the $200 user fee that will 

be charged to access service at the private 

pharmacies is “reasonable”. 

“Affordability is the key for progress… 

and we thank Dr. Tufton very much for 

considering us and considering our 

needs,” Davis added. 

Senior citizen, Henry Osbourne, who 

also embraced the program, said that “it 

can work” and is hopeful that “it will continue 

for a very long time”. 

Lillian Davis, who voiced frustration 

over the delays at the public pharmacy, 

also expressed optimism that the program 

“will work out for the best for us”. 

The other participating entities in 

Clarendon are GSD Pharmacy, Jenny’s 

Pharmacy, Miller’s Pharmacy and Newland 

Pharmacy. 

In his remarks during the ceremony, 

Dr. Tufton acknowledged the great demand 

on the DrugServ pharmacies to 

meet clients’ needs, noting that “invariably, 

there is a long wait (of, on) average… 

three hours”. 


Braata’s ‘Ole Time Grand Market’ 

2016 in NYC a major success 

Braata Folk Singers 

NY: “I have forgotten much, but still remember the 

poinsettias red, blood red in warm December…” how 

many a Caribbean national living in the Tri-State 

area without a hope of going back home for the holidays 

often think on McKay’s words. The separation 

from one’s land of birth at Christmas can take quite a 

toll on the psyche. For those who turned out in their 

numbers recently at the Holy Family Church Auditorium 

in Brooklyn, the yuletide nostalgia of a warm 

Caribbean December was turned all the way up! Everything 

flowed like fountains of fine wine, from the 

food, to the gifts, to the performances. 

The sound of drums, flute, and grater welcomed 

the patrons as the Jonkanoo revelers exploded with 

electrifying energy into the hall – the Set girls, House 

Boat, Pitchy-Patchy, Bellywoman, Jack in the Green 

and Devil were all on hand with all the characters 

to twirl, jump and spin their way into our hearts. 

With such a wonderful beginning, the evening only 

got better as more people streamed into the venue. 

Kizzy’s Playhouse representing Trinidad & Tobago 

brought us drama, song and dance, as did the Garifuna 

Performing Arts Company from Belize (by 

Continued on page 26

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producer, and member of Ziggy Marley 

& The Melody Makers. And Damian 

Marley, Bob Marley’s youngest son is a 

three-time Grammy winner. 

In a statement issued this week, Freddie 

McGregor continued “When we allow 

non-Jamaicans to be the judge of our 

own Jamaican music, we have certainly 

lost it, and the reggae Grammy is officially 

a toy and a play thing for the West 

Coast of the United States”. 

The revelation surfaced recently that 

Israeli-born manager and wife of Ziggy 

Marley, Orly Agai Marley was elected a 

governor of the Los Angeles chapter of 

the Grammys executive, the largest such 

chapter nationally that decides on eligientertainment 

Two caribbean 

nationals star 

in Bodyguard 

A remake of the Warner Bros. film- 

-’The Bodyguard’, is now playing until 

January first, at the Papermill Playhouse 

in Milburn, New Jersey.. 

Two of the main actors in this Musical--Douglas 

Baldeo, and Deborah 

Cox carry Caribbean heritage. 

Mr.Baldeo who has Jamaican roots 

is playing the role of Fletcher, he is being 

described as “a natural Dynamic on 

stage, with a crystal-clear voice”. 

--He is no stranger to the stage, having 

acted in Kinky-Boots; So You Think 

You Can Dance; and Motown-the tour; 

Douglas has also been a regular on the 

Sesame Street Float of the annual Macy’s 

Thanksgiving-Day parade. 

Deborah Cox who is playing Whitney 

Houston in the play, was born in 

Toronto, Canada, she is of Guyanese 

heritage...Her acting has been described 

as”absolutely awesome”. 

The role of the Bodyguard was originally 

played by Kevin Costner in the 

Movies. 

Jamaica-born 

photographer 

Ruddy Roye is 2016 

instagrammer 

of the year 

NEW YORK, – They are faces of joy 

and contemplation, fathers with sons, 

children at play, people living. The subjects 

are almost always black, and resonate 

the truth of the man who shoots 

them. 

“An alcoholic father, a person who 

feels disenfranchised, a person who 

feels like on some level this country 

doesn’t acknowledge the spirit of 

blackness the spirit of black culture, 

the spirit of black communities,” said 

Ruddy Roye, 47. 

The Jamaican-born father of two 

began photographing his neighbors in 

Reggae Grammy 

An embarrassment of indescribable magnitude 

to reggae music: Freddie McGregor 

By Dave Rodney 

In perhaps the most blistering attack 

on the reggae Grammys to date, Jamaican 

reggae icon and veteran singer Freddie 

McGregor has lashed out at the 59-year 

old American institution, calling the reggae 

arm of the organization that typically 

rewards excellence in the music industry 

“an embarrassment of indescribable 

magnitude to reggae music”. 

This week McGregor became the latest 

voice in a growing chorus of grumblings 

over the annual picks for best reggae 

album. The albums selected for reggae 

nominations have been harshly criticized 

in the past for being obscure and lackluster, 

and for being out of touch with 

the core of the Jamaican reggae music 

reality. The albums selected for the 2017 

award taking place on February 12, 2017 

are from Devin Di Dakta, J Boog, Ziggy 

Marley, Raging Fyah, Rebelution and 

Soja. 

Looking back at past reggae Grammy 

winners, the Marley family has dominated 

overwhelmingly. Since the inception 

of the reggae category in 1984, Ziggy 

Marley, Bob Marley’s eldest son, has won 

four solo Best Reggae Album Grammy 

Awards. Ziggy has also won three Best 

Reggae Album Grammys with the Melody 

Makers, a group that included his 

brother Stephen and sisters Sharon and 

Cedella. Stephen Marley is himself a sixtime 

Grammy award winner as an artist, 

Continued on page 18 Continued on page 18 

17 


18 

entertainment 


Parang party brings holiday 

cheer to caribbean supporters 

(NewsUSA) - When YouTube first 

made its Internet debut in 2005, no one 

could This have year—2016 predicted the Christmas global affect Parang it 

would & Steelband have for Concert, musicians was or entertaining record labels. 

and full of Christmas spirit. Sweet Sensation, 

The Parang King—a Calypso Icon, 

Crazy—Edwin Ayoung, energized the 

show, as he gave us a short history of 

beautiful Christmas songs, and Trini, 

Parang Singer--Fuki, did an excellent 

job warming up the audience with sevnabe 

Fast-forward steel pan to side, present opened day, and the wan- 

show, Parang Soca, and started with putting eral Parang Soca favorites. 

as DJ recording Papa Rocky artists was are on-board, exploiting kicking 

out site tracks to broadcast and mixing their Parang, music with to said, ‘we never compete with Parang 

the ‘Jesus in your Christmas’. Uncle Crazy 

Kenny J—Kenwrick Joseph-- performed 

‘The Paintbrush’, one of his 

dot.com 

the Soca world all night. and to The get host, noticed MC Wassy, by record kept Soca’, everyone celebrates Christmas 

well-known, Parang songs, along with 

companies. us going as he danced, and performed, with love. Crazy, 73y, had everyone on 

throughout One case in show. 

many others to a room full of Parang 

point is Euro dance artist their feet, when he sung, ‘Maria’, the 

Abie The Flinstone, artists: Calypsonian a 19-year-old Poser—Sylvester 

from Lockhart, Lommel, 74y, Belgium, and singing who over has along-Christmas was in the house. Cra- 

the Parang-Christmas Party, in Tropical 

wunderkind 

first Parang Soca, many revelers sang lovers, who danced and sang along as 

been 50 years. likened Known to an for Asian his “Bus female Conductor’ 

and tune, has he used is a Parang YouTube Icon to from her ad- 

the a sample… 

Thank you to the promoters: Colin Rae- 

Eminezy 

has over 1500 songs, and only gave us Reflections Ballroom, was full of Glee. 

vantage. beginning of time. 

For her efforts and marketing acumen, 

Flinstone’s reward is that she has 

been signed by New York-based Big 

Cheryl V, from Grenada, sang many burn and Martin Douglas. 

ruddy 

Continued from page 17 

Brooklyn 

Jake Music, 

in 2002. 

an indie 

He now 

record 

shares 

label 

his 

and 

images 

part on of Seven Instagram. Arts Music. Recently, parent 

“The company picture Seven is in my Arts head, Entertainment I just have 

to announced get it out,” that Roye it said. will start marketing 

Continued on page PB 

But this year was different. Moved by 

the deaths of young black men on the 

streets, he considers himself a journalist 

on a mission. 

“The message is more important, the 

emotion that is in the image is most important,” 

he said. 

And it seems to be resonating. After 

zig-zagging across the country, Roye has 

acquired 265,000 Instagram followers. 

And TIME Magazine named him its Instagram 

photographer of 2016. 

“I wanted to broadcast them so that 

other people would recognize that… 

strip me of my color and I’m your uncle, 

I’m your brother, I am your neighbor,” 

he said. 

The irony, Roye said, was that only by 

looking beyond his lens did he see that 

himself. 

“I didn’t once go to coal country and 

tell the story of people who are also losing 

their jobs, people who are also disenfranchised, 

people who are also hungry, 

people who don’t look like me, but are 

to advertise your business, or event 

contact us at 

(718) 909-1841 or email 

production@caribbeantimesnews.com 

also going through the same struggles 

that I’m going through,” he said. 

Struggles he intends to capture in the 

new year. 

Roye calls 2016 the year of protest, 

and he hopes 2017 will be the year of 

healing. 

grammy 


bility for nomination and for consideration 

for this coveted music crown for 

NARAS, the National Academy of Recording 

Arts & Sciences. Insider sources 

say Mrs. Orly Marley is also the current 

chairman of the Reggae Grammy Committee. 

“I think what is happening is a slow 

deliberate deletion of our music form 

and if we don’t have Jamaicans on a panel 

to determine the best reggae album, 

how can white people decide that for us? 

We should always have our own reggae 

award but when one lives in a country 

where governments don’t like or support 

the music culture, the music will die. No 

wonder Jamaicans in Jamaica don’t buy 

music anymore. It is a disgrace that the 

country that has created such a powerful 

music is now relying upon foreigners to 

tell us what is good reggae music”, Mc- 

Gregor added. 

Roger Steffens, the founding chairman 

of the Reggae Grammy Committee from 

1984 to 2011 was asked to clarify the process 

to determine a winner for the reggae 

category and his explanation is the following. 

“The Reggae Grammy Committee is 

for screening albums only and members 

listen to the records that have been entered 

for consideration. The albums chosen 

are placed on a list sent to all of the 

approximately 14,000 members and the 

top five vote-getters in each category become 

the formal nominees for the Grammy 

award. A second ballot is then mailed 

and the album with the highest number of 

votes wins. We have no idea of how many 

votes are actually cast in the Reggae category. 

My observation over the 27 years 

I served is that the person or group that 

wins is usually the best known, thus the 

near-constant wins anytime a member of 

the Marley family is nominated”. 

As it happens, some of the most talented 

iconic global legends of the reggae music 

industry like Freddie McGregor himself 

and Beres Hammond, Dennis Brown, 

Gregory Isaacs and Barrington Levy have 

never won a Grammy. This year, Mc- 

Gregor’s critically acclaimed album True 

To My Roots failed to make the top six. 

So a fundamental question lingers that 

Freddie McGregor continues to pose: are 

those making the decisions really in tune 

with what’s happening in the world of 

reggae music? 

Email us at production@ 

caribbeantimesnews.com

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news 

21 

Guyana pledges to deal 

with trafficking in persons 

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, December 21, 

2016 (CMC) – Prime Minister Allen 

Chastanet led the tributes for prominent 

local businessman, Christopher Renwick, 

who died in Trinidad and Tobago, where 

he had gone for medical treatment, last 

week. 

He said Renwick, 78, the founder and 

managing director of Renwick and Company, 

truly embodied the entrepreneurial 

spirit, as evidenced in the success story 

of his company that was established 50 

years ago. 

“His passing is a huge loss for the business 

community, and our condolences go 

out also to the Rotary Club, the Chamber 

of Commerce and, of course, the 

management and staff of Renwick and 

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, December 

19, 2016 (CMC) – The Guyana 

government says it remains committed 

to collaborating with all stakeholders, 

including those overseas, in combating 

human trafficking here. 

In a statement following a two-day 

training course, the Ministerial Task 

Force on Trafficking in Persons said it 

wanted to thank organisations, such as 

the International Police (INTERPOL), 

the United States and the Task Force 

member agencies, “for their unwavering 

support in the overall fight against 

trafficking in persons in Guyana”. 

It said that the objectives of the training 

course were to equip local stakeholders 

with information regarding 

the nature of the crime of trafficking in 

persons; how to identify, assist and refer 

victims; and best practices for investigating 

the crime and create a network 

for exchange of information among 

frontline officers and other stakeholders 

in different regions of Guyana, who 

may come into contact with potential 

cases of trafficking in person. 

The Ministerial Task Force said that, 

in 2017, it intends to target other relevant 

entities, such as the judiciary, 

media and the general public in its coordination 

of similar training courses 

and implementation of sensitization 

initiatives as it seeks to increase the effectiveness 

of the government’s efforts 

to tackle the scourge. 

“The Task Force remains committed 

to collaborating with all stakeholders, 

local and international, in combating 

trafficking in persons in Guyana,” the 

statement added. 

In its 2016 Trafficking in Persons 

Report, the US Department of State 

noted that “Guyana is a source and destination 

country for men, women, and 

children subjected to sex trafficking 

and forced labour. 

“Women and children from Guyana, 

Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Suriname, 

and Venezuela are subjected to 

sex trafficking in mining communities 

in the interior and urban areas. Victims 

are subjected to forced labour in 

the mining, agriculture, and forestry 

sectors, as well as in domestic service 

“Women and children from Guyana, Brazil, the 

Dominican Republic, Suriname, and Venezuela 

are subjected to sex trafficking in mining communities 

in the interior and urban areas. ” 

Company,” Chastanet said, noting that 

the company “is an institution in St. Lucia, 

and has weathered the fluctuations of 

the business sector and shown resilience 

throughout the years, which is a testament 

to his business acumen. 

“Through his efforts and business savvy, 

Renwick and Company remains one 

of the most respected businesses in the 

private sector, and Mr. Renwick’s drive 

and passion will never be forgotten.” 

In a statement, the St. Lucia Chamber 

of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture 

described Renwick as “a great stalwart of 

the business community” and acknowledged 

the “critical role” he played “in the 

economic landscape of this country and 

also as a role model for many young and 

and shops.” 

Washington said that the Guyana 

government “does not fully meet the 

minimum standards for the elimination 

of trafficking; however, it is making 

significant efforts to do so”. 

It said one person was convicted and 

given a three-year prison sentence and 

that she was required to pay the victim 

restitution, “the first time restitution 

has been ordered for a trafficking offender 

in Guyana”. 

St. Lucia government and private sector 

mourn death of prominent businessman 

aspiring entrepreneurs”. 

In 2008, Renwick was awarded the Order 

of the British Empire (OBE) for his 

contribution in the field of business and, 

in 2015, he received an Honorary Award 

at the St. Lucia Business Awards, hosted 

by the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce 

Industry and Agriculture. 

“Renwick was a reserved, simple and 

conservative man, who sought neither 

publicity nor fame, but went quietly 

about his business, working hard and 

helping others do well whenever he 

could,” the private sector group said in 

the statement. 

Renwick is survived by his wife, Marjorie, 

two children and several grandchildren. 

memorial 


“Waiting (for) hours after a doctor 

prescribes medication to help to cure 

you, may contribute to your ailment. 

Psychologically, it’s a difficult thing to do, 

especially when you are not feeling well 

and you feel you need the attention, and 

the doctor confirms (this),” he argued. 

The Minister said a “critical plank” of 

improving customer service in public 

healthcare delivery is to give quicker attention 

to filling prescriptions, so that the 

patient gets better care. 

“We have concluded that there is no 

better way to do that than to engage our 

stakeholder partners in the private sector,” 

he added. 

Dr. Tufton contended that “if you have 

to pay a $200 administrative cost to access 

service at the private pharmacies, it’s 

worth it, given the limited time that you 

want to spend… and then move on”. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Tufton said the 

DrugServ pharmacies, though challenged, 

have a “good system” in place, 

which continues to administer services 

to thousands of persons island-wide. 

The Ministry is expected to make a 

decision on the rollout of the program 

at the start of the 2017/18 fiscal year in 

April, once the pilot is completed. 

Dr. Tufton believes that over the long 

term, “this is going to eliminate extended 

waiting in our pharmacies at the 

DrugServ windows”. 

“Therefore, it will make the DrugServ 

window even more efficient because they 

will have fewer people to deal with… (allowing 

them) more manageable crowds,” 

he added. 

Persons accessing services under the 

program are required to have a government 

of Jamaica (GOJ) or NHF health 

card. 

NHF Chairman, Christopher Zacca, 

said that this will facilitate monitoring 

of the system’s usage, including the particular 

groups taking advantage of the 

service. 

In his remarks, NHF Chief Executive 

Officer, Everton Anderson, described the 

program as a “bold initiative”. 

He pointed out that more than 90 percent 

of the persons participating in a survey 

conducted by the agency indicated a 

willingness to pay a fee of between $200 

and $300 to access the services. 

He also lauded the participating private-sector 

partner pharmacies. 

“Partnerships are important and this 

has really been undertaken in a spirit of 

cooperation,” Anderson added. 


22 


$3,000 in grants being 

offered for community and 

school projects 

The Citizens’ Committee of New York 

City is supporting Grassroot-Groups 

across New York City. The Committee 

is giving out $3,000 grants to approved 

groups to work on community and 

school projects, especially in low-income 

neighborhoods. 

Free Crochet and knitting 

classes 

* The Jamaica Bay Library is continuing 

to offer free crochet and knitting classes 

on Thursdays from 6.00 to 7.00 p.m. 

at 9727, Seaview avenue. 

Fundraiser to support 

service projects 

The Queens Village Lions club is 

holding a fund-raising event on Sunday, 

January 15th to support its 2017 service-projects. 

The club will be showing the Musical--Sister-Act’ 

at the Broad-Hollow 

Theater, 700 Hempstead Turnpike. 

what’s happening 

with Carlyle harry 

Donations for Haiti 

Senator Roxanne Persaud’s Office, and 

the Little Hope Community Center 

are continuing to collect donations for 

Haiti’s hurricane victims...Priority items 

are powdered goods; canned items; 

feminine products; and first-aid kits. 

Fundraiser 

Bishops High school and Queens College 

Old Scholars Associations are holding a 

twelfth-Night fund-raiser on Saturday, 

January 14th., from 6.30 p.m to 1.00 a.m. 

at the St.Peter and Paul Banquet hall, 231, 

Milner avenue, Scarborough, Canada. 

New school opening 

A new school will be opened in 

District 22 next year September. The 

new school being built at 501, Coney 

Island, will have seats for 757 students, 

and will be equipped with a spacious 

cafeteria, a library, a gymnasium, and a 

state of the art medical-suite. 

Community Church offers 

services and activities for 

local community 

Word Aflame Community Church, located 

at 1880 Rockaway Parkway, Brooklyn 

is introducing a number of community-programs, 

they include a boys’ club; 

a women’s support group; family-counseling; 

and praise-dancing for girls...For 

information, call 718-763-2744. 

NYPD coat drive 

The NYPD’s coat-drive will end on Saturday, 

December 31st...Coats could be dropped off 

at any NYPD precinct, 24 hours a day. 

Paralegal Certificate 

Program 

The New American Chamber of Commerce 

is offering another Paralegal Certificate 

Program from January 14, 2017... 

For information, call --718-722-9217. 

Cub scouts and young adults 

meeting 

Mary Queen of Haven Church, situated 

at 1395, East 56th street, Brooklyn, has 

cub/scouts meetings every Friday from 

7.00 to 8.00 p.m. Youth Group meetings 

every first and third Thursday from 7.00 

to 9.00 p.m...and young-adult meetings 

on the first Sunday of each month. 

New Year’s Eve Mass 

The St.Alban’s church, 9408, Farragut road, 

Brooklyn is holding New Year’s Eve mass on 

Saturday, December 31st. from 11.00 p.m. 

Memorial Service 

The International Humanitarian Outreach 

Ministries, in collaboration with 

the Consulate-General of Haiti is holding 

its seventh annual Memorial service 

for Haiti on Thursday, January twelfth, 

2017 at the Hamilton U.S. Customs 

House, One, Bowling Green, Manhattan. 

Haiti was hit by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake 

on December 12, 2010. 

Fighting cholera 

The United Nations’ Secretariat has 

obtained an additional $400 million to 

fight cholera around the world. 

The money will be primarily spent on 

the improvement of environmental sanitation, 

and increasing critical Health- 

Care services. 

Producer George A Brash 

Events Such As: 

• Vending 

• Workshops 

• Party Promotions 

• Fundraisers 

• Small Businesses, etc. 

Our rates are affordable 

• 1 minute spots 

• 30 second spots 

• Live interviews spots, etc. 

Culture Zone Radio Show 

Culture Zone Radio Show 

Saturday 4 to 9 PM Live On The AIR 


Saturday 4 to 9 PM Live On The AIR 

Culture Zone radio program on WPAT 930am is a program dedicated to building a strong 

community for today and tomorrow through motivation and exposure to different aspects 

of American and Caribbean life. By that we bring to the airwaves experienced and qualified 

professionals in their field to give guidance during our weekly magazine broadcast 

segment of Culture Zone show. Culture Zone program is independently produced by 

Culture Zone Company that is solely responsible for its contents therefore all financial 

responsibilities for air time and cost of programming is the responsibility of Culture Zone 

Company. 

Program airs every Saturday sponsibility from 4 PM to 9 of PM Culture with the best Zone in American Company. and Caribbean 

music. 

Contact us at 

(646) 269-9820 

www.wpat930am.com 

P.O. Box 230173 • Jamaica, NY 11423 

journalist 

Culture Zone radio program on WPAT 930am for payment, is a program which was approved dedicated and re-tceived 

on September 6, 2013. 

building a strong community for today and tomorrow through motivation 

It was later revealed that Agro Aggressive 

was and not Caribbean registered for life. VAT By despite that 

and exposure to different aspects of American 

we bring to the airwaves experienced and billing qualified the Ministry professionals $33,000 for in VAT their on 

field to give guidance during our weekly magazine its invoice. broadcast segment of 

Culture Zone show. Culture Zone program is Alibey independently was spared a jail produced term by Magistrate, 

Charles, for its who contents told him therefore 

that as a 

by 

Culture Zone Company that is solely responsible 

well-qualified person academically, it was 

all financial responsibilities for air time and cost of programming is the re- 

no excuse to say he relied on bad advice. 

The convicted man was given until Friday 

to pay TT$5,000 and the balance of 

Program airs every Saturday from 4 PM to the 9 PM fine with by January the 30. best If in he American 

fails to pay 

and Caribbean music. 

the fine, he will be sentenced to two years 

in prison. 

He was also ordered to repay to the BIR 

by March 29 or spend two years in prison 

if he fails to do so. 

This is the first conviction under the 

controversial Life Sport Programme that 

rocked the then People’s Partnership government 

and led to the resignation of 

then Sports Minister Anil Roberts.

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news 

25 

jet blue 


grown vacation air arrivals out of New 

York by 44% this year – and we have also 

been successful at attracting a younger, 

more adventurous traveler to Bermuda,” 

said Bermuda Tourism Authority CEO 

Bill Hanbury. “Savvy cooperative marketing 

has been an important component to 

success, and we look forward to continuing 

that partnership. Additional capacity 

out of JFK puts us in an even stronger position 

for further growth in 2017. We are 

also thrilled with their decision to now 

fly year-round from Boston because inspiring 

travel to Bermuda throughout the 

seasons is an important mandate.” 

Starting May 18, 2017, JetBlue will 

operate daily year-round flights between 

New York’s John F. Kennedy International 

Airport (JFK) and Bermuda’s L.F. Wade 

International Airport (BDA) with an 

evening departure from New York and a 

morning departure from Bermuda. Additionally, 

the airline will operate a second 

daily roundtrip during the summer peak 

with a morning departure from New York 

and an afternoon departure from Bermuda. 

Together, the enhanced New York 

flight schedule and additional service will 

expand JetBlue’s current once daily yearround 

service and offer more travel options 

for customers on both sides of the 

route. This ensures a well-timed schedule 

for the Bermuda-based customers every 

day of the year. 

Also starting May 18, 2017, JetBlue will 

increase its current seasonal summer service 

between Boston Logan International 

Airport (BOS) and Bermuda to yearround 

daily service. 

The new and expanded flights will 

allow for even more nonstop service 

throughout the year between JetBlue’s 

northeast focus cities and Bermuda. The 

flights will also benefit connecting customers 

in Bermuda and across the JetBlue 

network. 


banker 


posits from the bank, which was owned and 

operated by DeBourg. Capital Bank received 

a licence from the Grenada government, but 

was not regulated by the Eastern Caribbean 

Central Bank (ECCB). 

Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), 

Christopher Nelson, describing the sentence 

as “first of its kind,” said that the argument 

put forward was strong and the judge in going 

through the evidence said that though 

Debourg tried to make himself innocence of 

the charges the evidence showed otherwise. 

Each of the charges carried a maximum 

sentence of between five or seven years. 

In 2014, the then Keith Mitchell administration 

announced that it would reimburse 

persons who had under EC$500 deposited 

in Capital Bank International when the institution 

was put into the court order receivership 

and Nevis, which ended on May 3, 

2016, “the idea of establishing a mechanism 

for managing the savings which the government 

has generated as a result of the overall 

surpluses that were achieved to date” was 

discussed. 

settlement 


resort property. 

It said for years, the workers left their 

homes and families in Jamaica and spent 

considerable money and effort to go to 

the United States to work for Kiawah. 

Under the agreement, roughly 240 

Harris added that, in accordance with the 

government’s medium-term fiscal framework, 

the administration decided to establish 

the growth and resilience fund. 

“The medium-term macroeconomic 

objective of this strategy is to use the accumulated 

savings to build policy buffers 

against exogenous shocks that could result 

from hurricanes, downturns in key tourism 

markets and adverse developments related 

to the CBI [Citizenship-by-Investment] inflows,” 

Harris said. 

This assessment mirrors the opinion of 

the IMF, which in its July 26, 2016, press release 

titled IMF Executive Board Concludes 

2016 Article IV Consultation with St Kitts 

and Nevis said that “Establishing a ‘growth 

and resilience fund’ can help preserve the 

accumulated savings from the CBI program, 

while providing a contingency buffer for future 

shocks, such as costly natural disasters.” 

The prime minister also noted that “Another 

objective [of the growth and resilience 

fund] is to maintain adequate fiscal space 

to support the implementation of a robust 

public sector investment programme (PSIP) 

while limiting the accumulation of public 

sector debt.” 

housekeepers, cooks, bellmen and other 

service workers would share US$2 million. 

The workers were employed in kitchen, 

dining room and housekeeping jobs. 

Kiawah has agreed to pay an additional 

$300,000 in legal fees. 

Kiawah officials have, however, denied 

the allegations. 

The Publisher and 

Staff of 

Caribbean Times 

would like to wish all 

our readers a 

Happy & Healthy 

New Year!

26 


news 

Police commissioner 

of Jamaica to resign 

KINGSTON, Jamaica, December 

22, 2016 (CMC) – Commissioner of 

Police, Dr. Carl Williams, will be leaving 

office next month. 

The Jamaica Gleaner reports that 

it has obtained a copy of a letter Williams 

wrote to the Police Service Commission, 

in which he indicated that he 

will proceed on early retirement on 

January 6. 

The Gleaner says Williams indicated 

that his decision to step down is 

based on personal reasons. 

“Having enlisted in the JCF (Jamaica 

Constabulary Force) in February 

1984, it has been my honour to have 

given more than three decades of tireless 

service to my country,” Williams 

said. 

The Commissioner is preparing to 

leave the JCF as the country grapples 

with a high crime rate. 

Police figures for the period January 

1 to September 21 this year, show that 

894 murders had been committed, averaging 

at least 100 murders a month. 

In an interview on RJR’s Hotline 

call-in program on December 17, 

Williams said domestic murders 

were causing a great worry within the 

force, and that the increase in murders 

comes amidst a reduction in the number 

of all other serious crimes. 

He said there were escalating problems 

in gang-controlled areas and 

crime hotspots, such as Kingston 

Western, Spanish Town, Montego Bay 

and Westmoreland, as another factor 

“Generally, the 

problems that we’re 

facing across Jamaica 

with gangs have 

resulted in a number 

of killings that have 

contributed to the 

100-plus (increase in 

murders).” 

contributing to the increase in the 

number of murders. 

“Generally, the problems that we’re 

facing across Jamaica with gangs have 

resulted in a number of killings that 

have contributed to the 100-plus (increase 

in murders),” he said, adding 

that he does not intend to quit his post 

after two-and-a-half years. 

“I have some months, perhaps a 

year, or even more… We’ve been having 

discussions from very early in my 

tenure about succession planning… 

but at an appropriate time I will speak 

to the public about exactly where we’re 

going,” he said then. 

Williams was appointed Commissioner 

in September 2014. 

Terrorist 

BraAta 


reports which were generated 150 were 

sent to local law enforcement agencies, 59 

were spontaneous disclosures which were 

disseminated to foreign law enforcement 

agencies, foreign FIUs and local competent 

authorities,” Young said. 

Young said that the total monetary value 

of the 739 suspicious transaction reports 

submitted to the FIU was TT$805.5 

million (US$119 million) for 2016, a 127 

percent increase over 2015. 

In relation to financing of terrorism, 

Young said it was a global concern that 

had significantly increased. 

He said: “The global landscape with 

respect to terrorism and the financing 

of terrorism continues to evolve with a 

phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters 

whose local impact was evident in a 

significant increase of 331.3 percent in 

suspicious transaction reports. So what 

we found between the period last year to 

this year’s period, we’ve had an increase 

in what appears to be the financing in 

foreign terrorism fighters of over 331 per 

cent. So it’s increased from 16 into 2015 

to 69 in 2016, and at the end of the 2016 

reporting period FIUs intelligence has 

revealed 182 citizens of Trinidad and Tobago 

being suspected of being involved in 

terrorist activities. 

“So for the period of 2016 what the 

FIU has picked up in their STRs and 

SARs is that approximately 182 Trinidad 

and Tobago citizens may be involved we 

suspect they are involved in the financing 

of terrorist activities.” 


way of St. Vincent & the Grenadines), 

Haitian-American artist Smax, the powerful 

Andrew Clarke, and the ever-popular 

Braata Folk Singers with a sterling 

Christmas Caribbean suite. It was Ophelia 

Carter direct from Jamaica who 

brought the house, and the curtain down 

with patrons dancing in aisles and on 

their way out. Among the booths added 

this year was FaceVu TV where patrons 

were recorded sending greetings to their 

loved ones and friends to be broadcasted 

online and on a local access television. 

This will definitely be talked about as one 

of Braata’s best Grand Markets yet. 

Braata is developing quite the track 

record for these kinds of events that promote 

Caribbean Folk Culture while stirring 

within its patrons a sense of pride 

about their native Caribbean territories. 

Every Caribbean island was represented 

in some shape or form, from cuisine, to 

song, dance and drama, and the wide 

variety of vendors to the latest enhanced 

feature this year: the mini exhibition. 

Braata hopes to expand on this in the 

coming years with more images and displays 

reflecting the rich, diverse way the 

holidays are celebrated in the Caribbean. 

Despite the snow that fell for most 

of the evening, it is truly a testament 

to the Braata brand that they were able 

to almost fill the hall to capacity. If you 

hadn’t come through the snow on your 

way to the venue and braved the frigid 

temperatures, you wouldn’t have known 

that there was inclement weather because 

inside the Holy Family Auditorium it was 

pureness! 

to advertise your 

business, or event 

contact us at 

(718) 909-1841 

or email 

production@ 

caribbeantimesnews.com

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