Homepage Mobile - Magazine PRO - Page 1195 of 1196 - The St Kitts Nevis Observer (2024)

• Editorial

October 21, 2005

The month of October has been proclaimed as the Month of the Elderly. Yes, the Federation’s elderly should be recognised for the part they have played in the development of the nation.

It will take more than just one month to give the elderly in the nation their recognition.

After all they were there before us and they kept the country running as bankers, secretaries, bus drivers, politicians and in other occupations. They deserve our respect and admiration for the past obstacles that had to be crossed and for the wisdom they have obtained, wisdom that can only be attained through experience and the passage of time.

So why is it that the Cardin Home for the Elderly is not one of the most distinguished structures in the Federation? Have we forgotten our elderly in the name of progress?

In the month of October, as we celebrate our elderly, the Government needs to make a major contribution.

The Government should set up a special fund for the beautification of the Cardin Home, especially the grounds.

The grass on those grounds should be the greenest in the Federation. There should be flower gardens, ponds with elaborate springs and even a swimming pool or two.

Also shaded areas on the grounds where one can just sit and watch nature in all its glory.

Yes the Federation is growing and developing at a rate admired by most nations in the Caribbean. However, in our development let’s not forget the people who got us here.

That home needs attention. That home needs a crew of four to six people to just handle the grounds and keep the area maintained. Perhaps even a botanical garden will do well there.

Where is the money going to come from? Bear in mind this is for the elderly, so maybe a tax on a service or product will be able to fund such a project.

In this situation I don’t think money is the issue. The issue here is if we are willing to give our elders the best of the best. Are we willing to give our elderly the best possible care and comfort?

Or are we just willing to do nothing? After all, who is complaining?

• Law

October 21, 2005

Planning Law

By Paul Lawrence

Planning Law is practised throughout the whole world in order to ensure that the development and various forms of land use are utilised for the maximum benefits of the local inhabitants. It is not used for the purpose of taking away the rights, benefits, and privileges that were enjoyed by generations after generations. On the contrary,it is used to restore rights, benefits, and privileges that have been denied or wrongfully taken away from aggrieved parties by officials either by carelessness, negligence or simply by lack of foresight and experience.

Here in Nevis, there is a semblance of some form of planning law that has not been enacted in our legislative assembly by our elected representatives, but by others perhaps in the pseudo federal house, or being imposed upon us by a kind of delegated legislation that comes out of the Organisation Of Eastern Caribbean States.

The central authority for planning comes from legislation that has been debated and passed by majorities in local sovereign parliaments. For laws to be relevant, they must address local problems and offer positive remedial solutions.It therefore follows that if the framers of our planning laws are not locals who have intimate knowledge of the nagging problems that face Nevisians, then the planning laws that are enacted elsewhere are not relevant and cannot be effectively applied to the solution of Nevisian problems or even to prevent the development on new ones.

We have seen here in Nevis two demonstrations by some Nevisians in general, and by residents of the Village of Jessups in particular over their rights of access to land. The first one was staged by the members and friends of the Pentacostal church over the denial of their rights of access to their Burial Grounds. The second demonstration was staged by the fishermen and their supporters from the village and other Nevisians.This demonstration was about the threatened denial of access to the beach and also access to the fishermen’s boats.

The problems that sparked off the above demonstrations are deeply-rooted in ineffective planning laws. The problems have their roots in: zoning, prescriptive law, and ancient rights that have been acquired by prescription.The right to the free movement of the fishermen of Jessups and to all the other people of Nevis to access the beach and also their boats existed from time immemorial; i.e over a time in excess of thirty years or more. Since it could be proven that the use of the land was effected by the following features: (1) without fear, (2) without secrecy, and (3) without being forced to traverse the land, then the right exists at law and could not be taken away that easily by anyone. Not even the local planning officer can connive with the present land owner to remove the prescriptive rights of the users.

Problems have arisen, are continuing to arise, and will ever continue to arise in the future especially with foreign investors who believe that they need to acquire plots of land by the sea-side. Invariably lands by the sea-side are burdened or encumbered by the local inhabitants who have acquired prescriptive rights to access the beach and any other public places.It is, again another principle of law that a purchaser who purchases burdened land,also purchases the burden; i.e the burden goes with the land and it would be illegal for the purchaser of the burdened land to personally strip the users of their rights. Our physical planners must carry out their searches to find out if there are any easem*nts that are attached to the land that a prospective foreign purchaser wishes to buy and inform them of the presence of such encumbrances.

In addition to the above, we can expect a lot more challenges to prescriptive rights in Nevis along the western coast because this is the area that is much sought after by foreign purchasers of land. Development is apparently taking place at an alarmingly rapid pace and we have not got the desired sophisticated planning laws to deal with the severe problems that are currently being created.

I would suggest that one method of preventing the escalating problems that are being created by the purchasers of encumbered land is for planners and lawyers to encourage vendors to highlight the burdens that are attached to the land and to insert restrictive covenants in the transfer documents to safeguard the public. Failing this, there must be a mandatory Public Inquiry with recourse to appeal should in case the outcome of the inquiry goes against the public.

This is the first of many articles that I propose to write on Planning Law. In my next article I propose to write on the real meaning of Development and the Central Control (or) the Central Administration of Planning.

• Law

October 21, 2005

Last week, we dealt with aiders, abettors, suborners and false statements with reference to marriage, births and deaths, which are all offences that fall under the St. Christopher and Nevis Perjury Act Number Two of 2005.

This week, however, we shall continue our discussion on Perjury but within the context of false declaration to obtain registration and forms of indictment.

In continuance of our discussion, the DPP said that the law reads, “Anyone who procures or attempts to procure himself to be registered on any register or roll kept under or in pursuance of any enactment for the time being in force of persons qualified by law to practice any vocation or calling; or

“Procures or attempts to procure a certificate of registration of any person on any such register or roll by wilfully making or producing or causing to be made or produced, either verbally or in writing, any declaration, certificate or representation, which he knows to be false or fraudulent, commits an offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years, or a fine not less than EC$5,000 and more than EC$10,000 or both.”

Addressing forms of indictment, the DPP noted that in any indictment punishable under the Perjury Act, it should be sufficient to set out the substance of the offence charged and before which court or person the offence was committed, without setting out the proceedings or any part of the proceedings in the course of which the offence was committed, and without setting out the authority of any court or person before whom the offence was committed.

He said those indictments included: “The making of any false statement or false representation; the unlawful, wilful, false, fraudulent, deceitful, malicious or corrupt taking, making, signing or subscribing of any oath, affirmation, solemn declaration, voluntary declaration, affidavit, deposition, application, notice or other writing; and the wilful making of inconsistent or contradictory statements on oath in a judicial proceeding.”

The DPP added that in an indictment for aiding, abetting, counselling, suborning or procuring any other person to commit an offence specified in this section, or for conspiring with any other person, or with attempting to suborn or procure any other person to commit any such offence, it should be sufficient:

“Where such offence has been committed, to allege that offence, and then to allege that the defendant procured the commission of that offence; and

“Where such offence has not been committed, to set out the substance of the offence charged against the defendant without setting out any matter or thing which it is necessary to aver in the case of an indictment for a false statement or false representation punishable under this Act.”

He also stated that an individual could not be convicted for any offence against this Act or for any offence declared by any other enactment to be perjury or subordination of perjury, solely based on the evidence of a single witness as to the falsity of any statement alleged to be false.

Proof of certain proceedings on which perjury is assigned was also explained by the DPP.

He said that following prosecution for perjury alleged to have been committed on the trial of an indictment for felony or misdemeanour or procuring or suborning the commission of perjury on any such trial, “The fact of the former trial shall be sufficiently proved by the production of a certificate containing the substance and effect omitting the formal parts of the indictment and trial purporting to be assigned by the Registrar or other officer having the custody of the records of the court where the indictment was tried, without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed the certificate.”

Additionally, the DPP stated that where the making of a false statement is not only an offence under this Act, but also by virtue of some other enactment is a corrupt practice or subjects the offender to any forfeiture or disqualification or to any penalty other than imprisonment or fine, the liability of the offender under this Act shall be in addition to and not in substitution for his liability under such other enactment.

“Nothing in this Act, however, shall apply to a statement made without oath by a child under the provisions of the Juveniles Act. And where the making of a false statement is by any other enactment, whether passed before or after the commencement of this Act, made punishable on summary conviction, proceedings may be taken either under such other enactment or under this Act. The perjury Act (Chapter 57) will then be repealed (revoked),” Merchant said.

The National Assembly passed this amended Perjury Act of St. Christopher and Nevis on February 24, 2005.

• Local News

October 21, 2005

By Stanford Conway

The Observer

Chairman of the People’s Action Movement (PAM) and shadow minister of Agriculture, Housing and Land, Chesley Hamilton said that Prime Minister (PM) Douglas failed to plan properly and adequately for recent changes experienced by residents of the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Hamilton, at the time, was commenting on the PM’s recent statement the Government could not continue to subsidise fuel at its current cost and plans were afoot to seek alternative energy sources and, “…very shortly we have to make the necessary adjustment to the prices so that this is not borne by the Government but by the people.”

The PM also said the same would be done with regards to electricity, noting the energy charge, to date, was not passed on to the consumers.

Hamilton said that the PM did not have all his ducks in a row and, “he continues to fly by the seat of his pants in handling the economy, the electricity problem and the challenges of a changing global environment.”

He added that the PM failed to plan properly and adequately for those changes and in addition to the sugar industry’s aftermath, the electricity problem was testimony to the Government’s incompetence.

“It is the Prime Minister who fired Halva Hendrickson a few days before the election. He gave a rebate of $500 and said that the electricity problems would be fixed…they are not fixed, they continue to get worse because we are still renting generators at escalating costs.

“We cannot cope with subsidising, yet the Government, in its haphazard planning, has two statutory corporations in the Frigate Bay Development and the White Gate Corporation that has now ended in the electricity business for the LaValle Project when the general population cannot afford electricity,” Hamilton said.

Meanwhile, President of the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Anthony Abourizk, said that the Chamber understood the difficulty faced by the Government in subsidising fuel cost, but it was concerned with the impact it would have on the cost of living.

“Based upon what the Prime Minister stated in his press release, dated October 12, with the statement that they will no longer subsidise electricity prices in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and that they can no longer afford to subsidise fuel cost in the federation, it is somewhat of a concern, and understandably so, to the private sector.

“We understand that it is very difficult for Government to subsidise with the given facts that fuel cost has been spiralling in recent times, however, we must take into consideration how it is going to impact the cost of living of both people and businesses in the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, which already faces huge costs due to the import and other duties structure,” said Abourizk.

The PM said that the Government normally spend some EC$15M annually on diesel and other associated products, but that amount had already been expended in the first half of the year and an additional EC$10M had to be provided for the purchasing of petroleum for the remaining six months.

Douglas intimated that because of the escalating cost of fuel, the Government was actively pursuing a number of initiatives with regards to alternative fuel sources.

Hamilton said that the people of the Federation was dealing with a lot of smoke screens and mirrors created by the Government to cover its impotency and incompetence and, there was a need at this time for the dispensation of new ideas.

Going back to the Halva Hendrickson’s case, Hamilton said the Government was recycling failures.

• Sports

October 14, 2005

By Stanford Conway

The Observer

Australian High Commissioner to the CARICOM region John Michell said he wanted to profile his country in the Caribbean and assured the relationship between St. Kitts-Nevis and Australia would grow stronger through sports.

In an exclusive interview, the High Commissioner intimated that the upcoming Commonwealth Games would provide an excellent platform to showcase the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis before the commencement of Cricket World Cup 2007.

He said with former 100M World Champion Kim Collins and Tiandra Ponteen participating in the Games, Australians would be sensitised on their track records and the country from which they came via the local media.

Commissioner Michell promised that in addition to the Commonwealth Games, he would personally ensure materials of and information on the Federation were available to the Australian public and he expected that action to be reciprocated not only by St. Kitts and Nevis, but also other countries in the region.

Michell said he was aware of the Federation’s economic transformation and expressed the view that the Australian tourist population might venture to visit long before Cricket World Cup 2007.

He explained that many people around the world only know Australia as the country of good cricketers and kangaroos but there was much more for them to learn about the continent.

“To many people, the image of Australia is that of a land of cricket and kangaroos but they need to know that the continent is of a cosmopolitan nature where its 20 million population comprises over 200 different ethnic groups.

“In recent years, Australia has had one of the most outstanding economies of the world and as a high-growth, low-inflation, low-interest economy, it is more vibrant than ever before with an efficient government sector, a flexible labour market and a very competitive business sector,” Michell said.

He added that Australia is the sixth largest country in the world in land mass, the 13th most industrialised nation in the world and, just like St. Kitts and Nevis, it is being run by a democratic-type government with a federal-state system recognising the British monarch as sovereign.

Michell said his High Commission moved from Barbados to Trinidad in 2004, where it could be more intimately involved in overseeing Australia’s commercial investments in the twin-island republic.

At the time of the interview, the Australian High Commissioner was on a two-day visit to St. Kitts where he met with students of the Democratic Institute Workshops at the Foundation for National Development on Tuesday, September 27.

The Democratic Institute Workshops are conducted by the Department of Gender Affairs and funded by the Australian High Commission through its discretionary aid programme.

It was launched on June 14 and comprises 14 weekly sessions and will conclude with a graduation ceremony on October 11.

The workshops were initiated with the aim of increasing the participation of the Federation’s women and youth in the political processes by preparing the 20-plus participants to run for elected offices, manage political campaigns and/or work as political organisers.

According to the Department of Gender Affairs, the Federation currently has no woman elected to political office, which places the country at the bottom of the international ratings for United Nations members in gender equality in politics.

Other Caribbean countries have increased the number of women in the political sphere by conducting similar fora to the democratic Institute module.

In addition to his meeting with the participants of the workshops, the High Commissioner paid courtesy calls on the Minister of State with responsibility for Sports, the Hon. Richard “Ricky” Skerritt, and Commissioner of Police Robert Jeffers.

He said during the courtesy calls he was appraised on a number of issues in connection with the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 and was satisfied with the accommodation and security arrangements.

The High Commissioner was taken on a conducted tour of Warner Park and expressed his satisfaction with the progress seen in the construction of the new state-of-the-art stadium to host Cricket World Cup 2007 matches.

• Sports

October 14, 2005

By Jaedee Caines

The Observer

Nevis’ league football gets underway this weekend, said newly elected president of the Nevis Football Association (NFA), Raybo Smith.

In a meeting held on October 3 the new executive body of the Nevis Football Association was selected.

The body comprises Errol Blake, vice president; Tasha Parris, secretary, Joshua ‘Sil’ Richards, treasurer; and Vaden Jones, assistant secretary/treasurer.

Cable TV’s Bath United is the league’s defending champions.

Smith said all of the teams have not yet registered, and have until Friday to do so.

He is confident that the league will be successful and encourages the general public to attend the games on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The games commence at 5:30 p.m. this Saturday at Grove Park.

• Sports

October 14, 2005

The Renee Diguilio end of summer female league is expected to come to an exciting end this weekend as the NATBANK SKABA female league champions the Lady Blue Devils takes on the female summer league regular season champions the Horsfords Girls of Ghetto Roots. The 3 game final series will feature some of the top SKABA female league players including SKABA female MVP Leondra Cotton. Game 1 is expected to be played on Thursday 13th at Basketball City while game 2 will be played this Saturday. If necessary Game 3 will be played on Tuesday. All games are subject to change due to the unpredictable weather conditions. However league officials have indicated that the public will be kept informed of any time or venue changes. Game 1 on Thursday is expected to be preceded by the 3rd place match-up as the surprise Lady Tuff Knots will battle Cayon for the leagues 3rd and 4th place positions. The lady Tuff Knotts have been a huge surprise for the season as they have won against top teams like Sandy Point and have held there own against the finalists teams Ghetto Roots and the Lady Blue Devils.

Amanda French of the Lady Tuff Knotts has been exceptional during the 6 week long tournament averaging a massive 16 rebounds per game to go along with 2 block shots and 2.5 steals per game. Amanda along with Tenielle Lapsey of the Horsfords Ghetto Roots who averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds are front runners for the end of summer female league MVP. The league ending individual stats leaders are:

POINTS

Shamica Baker-17.33ppg

Leondra Cotton – 16.5 ppg

Tenielle Lapsey-13.13 ppg

REBOUNDS

Amanda French-16.13 rpg

Yissel Battista-10.13 rpg

Tenielle Lapsey-9.63

ASSISTS

Shacarma Warner- 3.83 apg

Ethel Thomas- 2.63 apg

Amanda French-2.13 apg

STEALS

Amanda French-6.13 spg

Emmelita Warner-5.00 spg

Shamica Baker- 5.17 spg

BLOCKS

Shacarma Warner- 2.67 bbg

Leondra Cotton-1.14 bbg

Amanda French-1 bbg

• Sports

October 14, 2005

By Celeste Hull

The Observer

Still fresh in the memory of Kittitian fans is the final amazing game between the Village Superstars FC and Elco St. Peters FC that led to Superstars taking the crown of the 2004 – 2005 National Football League.

Now, with the 2005 – 2006 League ready to blast off on Sunday, the question on everybody’s mind seems to be “Can the Village Superstars repeat their championship, or will they be forced to step aside and relinquish their crown to a better team?”

Franklin Maitland, President of the Village Superstars FC, wishes to assure fans that the team has every intention of retaining their title regardless of some developments in the team’s make-up.

Terrance “Zico” Condor, their most outstanding midfielder last year, has left the team to pursue academic studies in the U.S.

On the other hand, they celebrate the addition of Iroy “Congo” Jeffers, a new midfielder who has transferred from the ranks of Village’s lifetime rival Newtown United.

Also, one of their most remarkable strickers, Jevon Frances, will be returning from overseas in the next two weeks to compete with the team.

Wayne “Johnny” Queeley who did not play last year due to a leg injury, will show face in this year’s cup. Fans can also look forward to an outstanding display of skill from players such as Glen “Pepper” Nisbett, the Village’s star goal keeper, and midfielder Floyd Hodge.

The Village Superstars have been busy adding other titles to their name as well.

They won, for the first time since the Premier League started in 2000, a record of five competitions. The Champ of Champs, Premier League, Playoffs, F.A Cup and Soccerama are all competitions the team has been victorious in.

It seems as if the defending champion’s two most dangerous rivals this season will be Newtown United, a team the Superstars have a long history of intense competition with, and Elco St. Peters, last year’s final rivals for the cup. Both have created a name as brilliant teams in their own right.

Maitland went on to comment, “Superstars is obviously a team which takes pride in its game and we have a very loyal community behind us. We hope to continue playing at our best and bring pride and glory to the team.”

The team will be traveling on Friday to the BVI where it will participate in an Invitational. There, they’ll face up against two teams, the Valencia FC which is last year’s BVI Championship holder and the BVI Eleven.

• Religion

October 14, 2005

They will be intelligent and fervent. There will be more constant confidence in Jesus, and a daily, living experience in His power to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him.

As we meditate upon the perfections of the Saviour, we shall desire to be wholly transformed and renewed in the image of His purity. There will be a hungering and thirsting of soul to become like Him whom we adore. The more our thoughts are upon Christ, the more we shall speak of Him to others and represent Him to the world.

The Bible was not written for the scholar alone; on the contrary, it was designed for the common people. The great truths necessary for salvation are made as clear as noonday; and none will mistake and lose their way except those who follow their own judgment instead of the plainly revealed will of God.

We should not take the testimony of any man as to what the Scriptures teach, but should study the words of God for ourselves. If we allow others to do our thinking, we shall have crippled energies and contracted abilities.

The noble powers of the mind may be so dwarfed by lack of exercise on themes worthy of their concentration as to lose their ability to grasp the deep meaning of the word of God. The mind will enlarge if it is employed in tracing out the relation of the subjects of the Bible, comparing scripture with scripture and spiritual things with spiritual.

There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than the study of the Scriptures. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts, to give vigor to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible. If God’s word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose rarely seen in these times.

But there is but little benefit derived from a hasty reading of the Scriptures. One may read the whole Bible through and yet fail to see its beauty or comprehend its deep and hidden meaning.

One passage studied until its significance is clear to the mind and its relation to the plan of salvation is evident, is of more value than the perusal of many chapters with no definite purpose in view and no positive instruction gained.

Keep your Bible with you. As you have opportunity, read it; fix the texts in your memory. Even while you are walking the streets you may read a passage and meditate upon it, thus fixing it in the mind. We cannot obtain wisdom without earnest attention and prayerful study. Some portions of Scripture are indeed too plain to be misunderstood, but there are others whose meaning does not lie on the surface to be seen at a glance.

Scripture must be compared with scripture. There must be careful research and prayerful reflection. And such study will be richly repaid. As the miner discovers veins of precious metal concealed beneath the surface of the earth, so will he who perseveringly searches the word of God as for hid treasure find truths of the greatest value, which are concealed from the view of the careless seeker.

The words of inspiration, pondered in the heart, will be as streams flowing from the fountain of life.

• Local News

October 14, 2005

By Stanford Conway

The Observer

After some 10 years of dormancy the St. Kitts National Youth Council, under a new name – Sugar City Youth In Action (SCYIA) – is back on track.

SCYIA was officially launched two Saturdays ago in McKnight outside the building which formerly housed the Women’s Training Centre.

According to the youth organisation’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Adviser, Mutryce Williams, the building would now be used as SCYIA’s headquarters after some minor repairs, which would be funded by the Peace Corps and the AIDS Project, BITE, among others.

The event also realised the launching of the organisation’s Strategic Plan for 2005-2010, which includes Vision for the SCYIA, Reports on initiative to revive the St. Kitts Youth Committee, Excerpts from National Youth Policy, Crime and Socialisation, Education, Health and HIV/AIDS, Economics and Employment, Youth Adult Partnerships and a number of developmental projects.

The PRO intimated that in keeping with the Copenhagen Youth Declaration adopted at the World Summit on social development, the World Programme for youth to the year 2000 and beyond, endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in November 1996, the remaining members of the Steering Committee for the National Youth Council recommended that a recommitment be made towards the re-establishment of the NYC.

She noted that the NYC should be the collective voice of young people in St. Kitts and must include all regardless of sex, race, religious beliefs, geographical location, occupation or political preference and, “the Steering Committee should represent the wide range of diverse youth in St. Kitts.”

The PRO said that despite the annual EC$5,000 the Government would give in support of the NYC, the organisation would still be faced with several challenges including mobilisation of resources.

She suggested that the Government and all other social partners should commit themselves to providing adequate office space, which was already acquired, and at least one paid officer to perform administrative duties.

In delivering the feature address, Assistant Secretary of International Trade Deidre Daniel urged the executive body of the SCYIA to seek ways in widening the organisation’s membership.

“With Regional Integration on our doorsteps, St. Kitts and Nevis and other Caribbean nations will be now embracing new cultures, ideas and residents. It is by this end that I urge the new executive of the council to look into the widening of our membership structure.

“Bear in mind, from next year, we will not only be representing Kittitian youth but young talented Caribbean citizens, who operate under the CSME. It is my belief that they too must have a national body representing their issues and challenges. Therefore, membership to all non-nationals to the council with the full right of voting at general and annual meetings of the council would indeed be a proactive step,” Daniel said.

The former Federation’s CARICOM Youth Ambassador and youth development advocate opined that 2006 would be a prosperous but challenging year for the council and advised that the organisation’s agenda should seek to address specific needs and issues confronting the nation’s youth.

“More than ever before in the council’s history,” she added, “it is now faced with the challenge of ensuring that the youth of St. Kitts and Nevis are adequately represented at the highest level of voluntary service, at a time where phenomena such as globalisation, trade liberalisation and an ever-growing global moral decline affect the very traditional and patriotic way of life we as Kittitians and, by extension, CARICOM citizens have become accustomed to enjoy.”

Daniel further urged the council to address the dilemma of the dying love for volunteerism in St. Kitts, noting that it would be an arduous task without foot-soldiers working on the ground, addressing the social and economic needs of the nation’s youth.

She advised that the strengthening of existing community groups should be high on the agenda to combat that situation, by hosting a series of monthly comprehensive institution/community building programmes ranging from public speaking and information technology courses to economic empowerment and global market preparedness.

The Assistant Secretary of International Trade also suggested that the church should be called upon to join in the fight for the holistic development of the nation’s youth.

“We, as young people, believe we cannot do it alone and the church must take up its role as the premier spiritual institution in St. Kitts. Lest we forget that if God has given you a task to accomplish and it has been neglected, an account has to be given,” Daniel said.

She commended the council for its initiative and advised its members to always be at the forefront of ensuring that the concerns and aspirations of the nation’s youth were championed.

“You are and must be the voice of this country’s young people,” declared Daniel.

Among the small gathering that attended the launching ceremony were the Minister of National Security, Immigration, Justice and Labour, the Hon. Dwyer Astaphan, and Director of Youth Jeffrey Hanley.

• Local News

October 14, 2005

By Trisha La Place

The Observer

A Panamanian vessel, more than 650 feet long, caught fire last Sunday in the federation’s territorial waters.

The Maritime Rescue Co-ordination of Martinique first responded to the disaster. The St Kitts-Nevis coast guards were then alerted to gave assistance.

According to director of Maritime Affairs, McClean Hobson, the MV Chang exploded in flames between around midnight last Saturday.

It was reported that the fire broke out in the engine room of the vessel, damaging 70 percent of the cabins and broilers.

Hobson said due to the quick response of the local coast guard and the St. Eustatius Tug Apollo, the fire was easily controlled.

Hobson stated according to Captain Chang Zhang Jialu the engines rooms were sealed off and the carbon dioxide system was then activated to try help to contain the fire.

The mess and pump were used to supply water.

Coast guard officials were able to extinguish the fire by 8:45 a.m. that Sunday.

Hobson said the Panamanian vessel had 26 crew members aboard and that two received minor injuries and were immediately treated aboard one of the coast guard ship.

An engine assessment was made by the coast guard and the vessel left the federation about 3:10 p.m. to St. Eustatius that day.

The MV Chang An was traveling from China with a load of copper heading to Netherlands when the explosion took place.

Hobson said about a month ago a 47-foot catamaran the SV Philae caught fire in Sandy Point while taking students on a dive excursion.

He pointed out that dangerous accidents such of these underline the importance of the coast guard of the federation. Hobson said there is a need for continued training in fire and rescue or any other types of emergencies at sea.

• Local News

October 14, 2005

By Trisha La Place

The Observer

The Department of Maritime Affairs has detained the MV Mark Twain for failing to pass safety inspections.

According to a media release from the department on Wednesday July 27 the Maritime Affairs carried out an inspection on the MV Mark Twain.

The release stated that like any other vessel in the federation the Mark Twain was inspected by three Maritime officials in order to be permitted to travel with passengers.

“In doing this it was detected that of the thirty safety deficiencies put in place by this department fourteen which includes life saving and fire fighting formats were not present,” the release stated.

These deficiencies were then noted and brought to the attention of the vessel’s owner as a prior warning to get this matter immediately rectified or the boat would be detained by the Maritime Department.

Two months later, on Oct. 5, the department again inspected the vessel. According to the release the inspection was to ensure that all of the outstanding safety deficiencies were rectified.

“After carefully examining the vessel it was detected that the boat was still not fit to make various departures between the twin island federation of St. Kitts and Nevis,” the release stated. “The Department of Maritime Affairs took it upon themselves to detain the MV Mark Twain until all the safety deficiencies are rectified and fit for travelling.”

Director of Maritime Affairs, McClean Hobson, said he would not comment further on the matter.

• Local News

October 14, 2005

By Stanford Conway

The Observer

It is time to meet the commander of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force, Lt. Col. Patrick Wallace.

Do you know him?

He is the top brass in the Force. Above him there is no other. And below more than a battalion strong await his orders.

Well! If you do not know who Wallace is now is the time; for while you are asleep in the comfort of your warm beds, he and his venerable corps of officers and other ranks toil throughout the nights, sometimes under adverse weather conditions, to ensure the safety of the nation.

Born Feb. 13, 1958, to Nellie Wallace and Monroe Greene on St. Kitts, Lt. Col. Wallace is a product of the defunct St. Kitts-Nevis Technical College (SKNTC) and steps to his graduation from that institution began at the Basseterre Boys School thence to Basseterre High.

Shortly after his stint at the SKNTC, the nagging urge for adventure coupled with patriotism motivated the ambitious young Wallace to enlist in the Regular Corps of the SKNDF, where he served conscientiously until disbandment of that unit in 1981.

At this juncture of his early working life, Wallace had to make a career decision; he either returned to civilian life or accept posting to the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.

He chose the latter.

During his tenure in the Police Force, Wallace was transferred to the Marine Unit in 1984 and within that same year he successfully completed the Basic Officer Training Course at the Coast Guard Officers Candidate School in the United States of America.

Wallace, who strongly believes that success comes through hard work, sacrifice, dedication and commitment, was posted to the Coast Guard Cutter “STALWART” as First Lieutenant on return to his homeland on completion of the overseas course.

He also held the appointments of Navigation Officer, Executive Officer and Commanding Officer while serving on the STALWART.

Wallace’s expertise on water was not confined to the Federation, for in 1990 he served as a Seamanship and Navigation Instructor with the Regional Security System and, some two years after he was appointed Commanding Officer of the Police Marine Unit, which was then called the St. Kitts-Nevis Coast Guard.

Wallace also believes that the sky is the limit in everything he sets out to do and. “If you cannot get there then let the clouds be your cushion of solace.”

In addition to his basic and advanced training while in the Coast Guard, Wallace successfully completed the Patrol Craft Commanders Course conducted by the Canadian Coast Guard College in 1988 and, six years after, he graduated with distinction from the Naval Staff College of the US Naval War College.

With the re-establishment of the SKNDF in 1997, Wallace returned to the Regular Corps and was elevated to the rank of Major and appointed Commanding Officer of the Force’s Coast Guard unit.

In 2003, Wallace again moved up the hierarchical ladder of the Federation’s military institution as a Lt Col but with the appointment of Commander.

He is happily married to the former Telca Daniel of Cayon Village from which union produced two daughters, Jervique and Shai.

Lt Col Patrick E Wallace, a strong advocate of discipline, noted that training is the lifeblood of all successful armies and the SKNDF is no different.

He added that the Force’s administration was not only deeply concerned with annual concentrated training of its members from the military perspective but also with their welfare and personal development.

The Commander also said placed great emphasis was being placed on making members of the Force multi-dimensional officers and soldiers who were not only committed to serving the nation, but also participating in regional exercises, “Tradewinds”, and assisting sister CARICOM countries in times of disasters and crises such as the one in Grenada last year.

• Local News

October 14, 2005

By Stanford Conway

The Observer

It is time to meet the commander of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force, Lt. Col. Patrick Wallace.

Do you know him?

He is the top brass in the Force. Above him there is no other. And below more than a battalion strong await his orders.

Well! If you do not know who Wallace is now is the time; for while you are asleep in the comfort of your warm beds, he and his venerable corps of officers and other ranks toil throughout the nights, sometimes under adverse weather conditions, to ensure the safety of the nation.

Born Feb. 13, 1958, to Nellie Wallace and Monroe Greene on St. Kitts, Lt. Col. Wallace is a product of the defunct St. Kitts-Nevis Technical College (SKNTC) and steps to his graduation from that institution began at the Basseterre Boys School thence to Basseterre High.

Shortly after his stint at the SKNTC, the nagging urge for adventure coupled with patriotism motivated the ambitious young Wallace to enlist in the Regular Corps of the SKNDF, where he served conscientiously until disbandment of that unit in 1981.

At this juncture of his early working life, Wallace had to make a career decision; he either returned to civilian life or accept posting to the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.

He chose the latter.

During his tenure in the Police Force, Wallace was transferred to the Marine Unit in 1984 and within that same year he successfully completed the Basic Officer Training Course at the Coast Guard Officers Candidate School in the United States of America.

Wallace, who strongly believes that success comes through hard work, sacrifice, dedication and commitment, was posted to the Coast Guard Cutter “STALWART” as First Lieutenant on return to his homeland on completion of the overseas course.

He also held the appointments of Navigation Officer, Executive Officer and Commanding Officer while serving on the STALWART.

Wallace’s expertise on water was not confined to the Federation, for in 1990 he served as a Seamanship and Navigation Instructor with the Regional Security System and, some two years after he was appointed Commanding Officer of the Police Marine Unit, which was then called the St. Kitts-Nevis Coast Guard.

Wallace also believes that the sky is the limit in everything he sets out to do and. “If you cannot get there then let the clouds be your cushion of solace.”

In addition to his basic and advanced training while in the Coast Guard, Wallace successfully completed the Patrol Craft Commanders Course conducted by the Canadian Coast Guard College in 1988 and, six years after, he graduated with distinction from the Naval Staff College of the US Naval War College.

With the re-establishment of the SKNDF in 1997, Wallace returned to the Regular Corps and was elevated to the rank of Major and appointed Commanding Officer of the Force’s Coast Guard unit.

In 2003, Wallace again moved up the hierarchical ladder of the Federation’s military institution as a Lt Col but with the appointment of Commander.

He is happily married to the former Telca Daniel of Cayon Village from which union produced two daughters, Jervique and Shai.

Lt Col Patrick E Wallace, a strong advocate of discipline, noted that training is the lifeblood of all successful armies and the SKNDF is no different.

He added that the Force’s administration was not only deeply concerned with annual concentrated training of its members from the military perspective but also with their welfare and personal development.

The Commander also said placed great emphasis was being placed on making members of the Force multi-dimensional officers and soldiers who were not only committed to serving the nation, but also participating in regional exercises, “Tradewinds”, and assisting sister CARICOM countries in times of disasters and crises such as the one in Grenada last year.

• Local News

October 14, 2005

By Stanford Conway

The Observer

Local core stakeholders and small businesses will have a piece of the pie when four teams, including world champions Australia, play six first round matches of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup tournament at Warner Park Stadium in 2007.

Stakeholders in St. Kitts and Nevis were appraised of this lucrative venture when the ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 Incorporated (ICC CWC WI 2007 Inc.) office in Jamaica, in collaboration with the Local Organising Committee (LOC), hosted a Stakeholders Roadshow last Tuesday at the Marriott Beach resort.

The Roadshow is a 12-day tour across the region by the ICC CWC WI 2007 Inc., visiting each of the nine host venues aimed at informing and updating core stakeholders, re-igniting positive mindset, engendering a sense of size and scale of the event, fostering a feeling of unity and demonstrating the importance of the role each stakeholder has to play in the upcoming tournament.

In addition to an overview and organisational review of the event, the ICC and WI cricket officials told the gathering that within 47 days 51 matches would be played in the Caribbean region and the ICC had sold the rights for some US$550 million.

They noted that cricket was the third most viewed sport in the world and the 2007 tournament was expected to have a viewership of over 2.2 billion people from 200 countries.

The officials also explained that contractual arrangements were made between the ICC and its 98 membership countries, which included the West Indies, and advertising of Caribbean products and services would be done throughout the 2007 tournament.

Project Officer Stephen Price said the owners of small businesses within the countries that would be hosting matches for the 2007 tournament would also gain from the venture.

He said arrangements were to be made for them to form a small business organisation and make an official application to gain rights for the marketing of their products and services during CWC 2007.

Price also indicated that the afternoon session of the Stakeholders Roadshow was geared for information sharing with front line associates, supervisors from the airline, hospitality, transport, tour operations, the Customs and Immigration Department and owners of small businesses.

• Local News

October 14, 2005

By Jaedee Caines

The Observer

Events were cancelled, roads were blocked, ghauts were overflowing but none of this came close to the drama that unfolded at the Charlestown Secondary School on Monday.

Last weekend’s heavy showers flooded an entire block at the school which forced postponement of those classes.

Block ‘C’ which was recently renovated houses classes 2A3, 2A4, 3A1 and 4A1, said principal of the school, Edson Elliott.

“Students were sent home for two reasons; to get them away from the damp area and to fix the problem,” Elliot said. “Bearing in mind that there are fragile kids, we didn’t want to make the situation any worse.”

Although the problem was not solved, students of those forms returned to school on last Wednesday to resume classes.

Elliott told the Observer that the block had flooded before.

“When it happened before, there were no classes inside,” Elliott said.

He said he is happy to report that the matter will be addressed as a contractor visited the site in search of ways to alleviate the problem.

• Local News

October 14, 2005

Linkon Maynard, chairman of the board for the St. Christopher Air & Sea Ports Authority, has announced the establishment of an Airport Project Management Committee to oversee the successful completion of the upcoming Expansion and Upgrade Project at the Robert L. Bradshaw Int’l Airport.

The Project, which is expected to begin within the next three months, will see the resurfacing of the airport’s runway, the coating of existing aircraft apron, and the construction of a new aircraft apron to accommodate six (6) large wide-bodied aircraft.

A major objective of the newly established Airport Project Management Committee is to recommend the selection of a contractor for the Project, amongst several pre-qualified contractors that have already submitted their bids for review.

In addition to selecting a contractor, the Committee will assess the Project’s contractual arrangements and recommend a structure that ensures the successful completion of the Project according to specifications, within budget, and on time.

Mr. Samer Jumean, Senior Advisor to the Authority since June 2004, has been appointed as Chairman of the Committee. In addition to Mr. Jumean, the members of the Committee include General Manager, Mr. Donald Cable, Airport Manager Mr. Denzil Jones, Asst. Airport Manager, Mr. Robert Warner, and Senior Project Officer Ernest Robinson.

At an estimated cost of EC$50 million, the project is slated for completion before the end of 2006, to ensure readiness ahead of the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

• TOP NEWS STORIES

October 14, 2005

By Stanford Conway

The Observer

A father and daughter died last Monday in St. Kitts and one man hospitalised following a traffic accident involving two cars on the island’s main road in Mansion Village.

Fifty-three-year-old Ebenezer Edmeade and his 21-year-old daughter Delsa of Saddlers Village lost their lives after the vehicle in which they were travelling collided with another while on their way home.

According to the police, on Monday, October 10, the accident occurred around 9:15 p.m. and involved motorcars PA4856, owned by Garfield Michael of Cayon and driven by Jerome Michael of the same address, and P775 owned and driven by Ebenezer Edmeade of Saddlers Village.

The vehicles were travelling in opposite direction when the accident occurred.

The police added that the senior Edmeade was pronounced dead at the scene, while his daughter was transported to the Joseph N France General Hospital where she succumbed to injuries the following morning.

Both vehicles were extensively damaged and Michael is a patient at the same medical institution undergoing treatment for his injuries.

Resident pathologist Dr. Rual Santiago performed autopsies of the bodies of the two deceased at the JNF General Hospital last Wednesday and found that the senior Edmeade’s death was due to a ruptured aorta – the great arterial trunk that carries blood from the heart to be distributed by branch arteries through the body, while his daughter’s death was due to a ruptured liver.

This is the seventh road fatality in the Federation for 2005 – six in St. Kitts and one in Nevis – one more than that of the previous year.

The bodies of the Edmeades will be laid to rest at the Saddlers’ Recreation Ground next Wednesday and, among those left to mourn their death are wife and mother Brenda, daughter and sister Dahlia and her brother Delvin.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Robert Jeffers said that plans were afoot to implement seatbelt laws in the Federation in an effort to minimise the number of injuries caused during vehicular accidents.

• Letter

October 14, 2005

Dear SKN Observer 10 Oct, 2005

Hello from Brasil, or Bom Dia! as we say here.

Fred Davis from Morning Star reporting in.

While travelling to see the largest waterfalls on the planet at Iguacu, Parana State, Brasil I found a bit of Nevis St Kitts news.

The huge series of waterfalls more than a mile wide are located at the junction of the borders of Brasil, Argentina, and Paraguay in central South America. Also located there is the world’s largest hydro-electric generating facility at Itaipu, 14,000 megawatts!

Hello NEVLEC!! It is an amazing facility and in the visitor centre is a chart showing the number of visitors from different countries all over the world. I was surprised to note our St Kitts/ Nevis Flag and that there had been one visitor from our Island nation. I wonder who number one was, and hereby send you a picture of visitor number two!!

All the best, see you soon on ‘de rock’!

Fred Davis

• Health

October 14, 2005

By Dr. Franz Browne

Why weight control?

If you weigh 10% more than you should. It can be detrimental to your health. 20% more, and your weight becomes a serious medical complication. Yet about half of us weigh too much, and one in ten of us is severely overweight or obese. Overweight people can die sooner and are more prone to disease of the cardio-vascular system, kidney, liver and gall bladder than their lean friends.

If you are overweight, you are also more accident prone and more likely to get diabetes and other degenerative illness, not to mention having to deal with the emotional pressure the heavy person has to cope with in our ‘lean-oriented’ society. That’s all the bad news. The good news is that all these hazards disappear when excess pounds are shed by weight control.

The habit of losing weight.

The habit-forming approach to losing weight is simple; regardless of built-in tendencies to gain weight, most excess poundage is the result of bad eating habits developed over many years. Why these habits develop is a complicated subject, and the reasons vary from person to person. Forget the background for the moment. Instead, deal with the results; too much fat. We may not find it easy to understand why we want to eat three portions of chocolate cake but we can learn to control ourselves and eat something with less calories.

It doesn’t demand great willpower, yet the habit control techniques can be effective in getting you slim and staying that way. Surprisingly, overweight people seldom have the pangs of real hunger that people of normal weight feel. They eat too much out of boredom, unconsciously nibble while watching television, or eat rapidly whatever food has been put on their plates.

This curious ‘habit-eating’ can be turned to advantage; become aware of exactly what habits are causing the trouble, and work to change bad habits to good ones. It is a question of self-education, that’s all. It may sound too simple to be true, but such techniques are now successfully used to manage all kinds of problems from smoking to drug addiction. The following check chart approach provides the perfect tool for appetite control to go with any of a sensible weight loss diet. It is also something you can do yourself, without a lot of bolstering up. Forget ‘I can’t diet no matter how I try’ you can!

Before you begin any diet, use a weekly chart to note down when, where and how you eat (no matter how small a nibble or even a taste) and your feelings before and after each meal. It is important to be honest – this will make you aware of what habitually makes you want to eat. Perhaps you absentmindedly pick up a few nuts or a piece of fruit while you are on the telephone, especially if the bowl is too near, or every time you come into the house you automatically head for the refrigerator. These things don’t happen by chance.

Learn to know what you do, then using the basic steps listed, change your response, and if necessary your surroundings – move the fruit bowl, go into your bedroom instead of the kitchen, and so forth.

To begin with you will stop picking at bits of food that add up surprisingly quickly. Then with new habits and better planning any good diet will work. If you need added reminders make a new check chart for yourself once a week, or once a month, to hold on your new habits and keep yourself slim and healthy.

<> Step one – put everything on record. Keep track of your progress, your slip-ups, your difficulties, then you can take conscious steps to re-arrange external stimuli so you replace old negative habits with positive ones.

<> Decide to record your eating habits, decide to record your exercises, deicide to record your personal reactions.

<> Step two – where do you eat? It matters a lot. Overweight people are stimulated to eat by outside factors, the time on the clock, the sight of food, a feeling of loneliness. Limit the number of places you eat in and you’ll limit your food in take.

<> Decide to eat in only one room, decide to eat in only one place in the room, decide to do nothing else while you’re eating.

<> Step three – what do you eat? Everyone has special temptation foods. Eliminate temptation foods from your shopping list.

<> Step four – how does your food look? Research shows that the overweight person is strongly affected by visual contact with food. Food served on a small platter tends to make them feel more satisfied than food served on a big one. When it is attractively presented it is also more satisfying.

<> Decide to use measured quantities of food so you know how much you are eating, decide to make your food look as good as possible.

<> Step five – how fast do you eat? Eat slowly and you will eat less and feel more full.

<> Decide to put your fork down after each bite, decide to chew each bite at least twenty times. Decide to take no more food into your mouth until what is already in is chewed and swallowed.

<> Step six – how do you keep your spirits up?

<> Many overweight people eat from boredom, fatigue or depression, eating food compensates for other parts of their life they neglect. Decide to eat regular meals with a timetable, decide to get enough sleep and relaxation, decide to increase your anticipation in activities not connected with food.

<> Step seven – the exercise factor. Exercise not only burns calories, it also raises your spirits and increases metabolic efficiency.

<> Find an exercise or sport you enjoy and stick to it. Decide to walk briskly as much as you can every day.

I conclude with a Psalm of David. Psalm 103: 1-5. ‘Bless the lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who groweth these with loving kindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles.’ Let us praise the lord for he is our health and salvation. Amen.

For further information, treatment and training in massage therapy, do not hesitate to contact Nevis Holistic Massage Centre at Farms Estate, Charlestown Nevis Telephone 469-5464

• Newspaper Cover

October 14, 2005

• Entertainment

October 14, 2005

By Jaedee Caines

The Observer

The popular Nevisian night spot, Spotlight Night Club came alive last weekend with the ‘St. Kitts-Nevis Reggae X-plosion’ on Friday.

The dance, which commenced around 10 p.m. featured Nevis’ own Recklife Movement, Triple S Sounds of St. Kitts, Ibis from Antigua and Stone Love International out of Jamaica featuring Selecta MC Rory.

Raga Lox, Killa Face Sounds, DJ Flexx, DJ Yardy and Evolution Sounds were also featured on the line-up but did not appear. Despite the weather, a large crowd turned out to the dance and partied until dawn. The Observer was on hand to partake in this DJ Bash of Reggae X-plosion.

The dance was videotaped by 2Links and organised by Laughton Browne of Brown Hill.

• Entertainment

October 14, 2005

By Suelika N. Buchanan

The Observer

T.N.O Sounds has reloaded and is now new and improved.

Members of T.N.O have matured and have now taken on the responsibility of organizing and promoting dances at the Golden Torch Restaurant now turned night club.

This Friday evening, Oct. 14, the top ranking sound will host a dance entitled “Tuck Een You Belly” which was taken from the popular song by Leftside and Esco.

“We expect people to come and have a good time, we’re trying to make Golden Torch as a new place to hold events, it’s a new and safer place and we hope this dance would be the beginning,” said Cheddi Bradshaw a member of the promotional team and main selector of the sound.

Other rankng soundings performing that night include DJ Yardy of Energetic, Exhibit A and Culture Blend.

Ladies are free before midnight while the regular admission is $10.

There is also a special request that is asked of the ladies.

“We want the ladies with the flattest belly to come out and show it off, others can come too of course, but keeping in mind with the theme of the dance, we will be giving a prize to the lady with the flattest belly,” Bradshaw said.

Security will be tight and another advantage the club has besides it’s beautiful setting is the parking space.

Members of the sound say T.N.O represents the young people because the group started as several friends who hung out together and were still attending high school.

It all began in 1999, with the passion and love for music.

“I wasn’t a member of the Sound at the time but we were all friends, and the popularity of the Sound stemmed from the attraction from our peers and other young people, so I guess they felt the Sound represented them,” he said.

T.N.O began playing for private and house parties, until finally they developed enough popularity and supporters to start hosting their own parties at the Girls Guides Headquarters.

According to Bradshaw, the Sound has gone through a number of changes and restructuring of the members. He said back then the mind set of the members were probably about playing music and the love for it, but now it’s different, they are more focused and more business minded.

“Now we’re more into the business side of things where we are into organizing bigger and better events that we plan to do in neighboring islands and with neighboring artists,” said Merisa Grant who is also a member of the promotional team.

The Sound also had a radio segment on Elements of Surprise which is a positive youth radio program organized by the Department of Youth and hosted by youth.

“The program really helped us transform into a more positive Sound, and we began playing for more youth related activities,” Bradshaw said.

The members of the Sound are Calvin Harris, who acts as Manager of the Sound, Miguel Knight a.k.a. MK the Sound’s main mc, Reo Warner as a selector, Dwayne Ferguson a.k.a. DJ Flames as a mc, Jaime Adams as consultant/marketing person along with Bradshaw.

Grant said that Bradshaw is really encouraging the changes that have occurred in the Sound group.

“He’s decided to take his music very seriously, there’s a saying that says, ‘Your Company reflects who you are’ and so this is T.N.O rising to that other level,” she said.

The Sound also boasts to be one of the few if not only DJ Sound that can mix clean and smooth.

“Our main M.C also has an outstanding voice, whether it’s on the radio or in the club, he draws attention,” Bradshaw said. “And know one mixes as clean as we do, it’s not necessarily our equipment but the skills we have.”

• Entertainment

October 14, 2005

By Suelika N. Buchanan

The Observer

Live Wire Promotions in conjunction with Tombstone International and Energetic International will host a “Fearless” Pre-Halloween party at Oasis Sports Bar at Frigate Bay on Friday Oct. 28th.

The party is expected to be one of a kind and unique as organizers Kareem Morton and Osric Liburd explained that special decoration and music will be put in place to make the event a memorable one.

“It’s going to be a different feeling and we’re going to decorate the place with the Halloween theme in mind,” Liburd said. “We really want to see the crowd reaction and see what they come up with.”

Both Morton and Liburd said that they have seen costumes and masks that people can purchase that are being sold at the Toy Store on West Independence Street.

Liburd expects people to show up as witches, goblins and creepy crawlers at the “creepy” decorated.

The first DJ to perform will be DJ Shaggy of Big Link Sounds, and the rest of the night will belong to Tombstone and Energetic Sounds, in no particular order.

“We are inviting everyone to come out and see how deejaying is done, people have been complaining about going to dances and hearing one DJ play followed by a next DJ who will play the same set of songs that DJ played before, but, this will not be so at our party,” Morton said. “There will be a variety of music being played that everyone will enjoy.”

The duo also added that they are currently working on surprises for the best costume and most scariest, “we want people to come as fearless as they can.”

The best and latest dances out of Jamaica will also be on display by some Jamaicans living on the island.

Liburd said that they are positive that people will come out to this event even though Halloween is indeed an American holiday.

“People will react, they like different vibes, they’re Americans living here and some going to the colleges here so we’re also promoting our party there as well, we’re pretty much catering to everyone,” he said.

The next event they plan to have is in December around the Carnival activities when they plan to bring a Jamaican artist.

• Entertainment

October 14, 2005

By Suelika N. Buchanan

The Observer

The Gem Family Rave will once again return to St. Kitts.

Gem Radio plans to host Nov. 6 a beach bashment event and concert at the Frigate Bay Beach.

The beach event, which will begin at about 2 p.m. and run until 11 p.m., will be a part of Ocean Fest.

Ocean Fest is one of the activities for St. Kitts’ Tourism Week organized by the Ministry of Tourism.

Since the re-launch of the New Gem Radio six years ago, the company has used the rave as an event to increase their listening audience.

The Gem Family Rave is a day of fun, music, games and other exciting activities that attracts thousands of people, said Audley Goodwin, an executive at Gem Radio.

Goodwin said the last rave to be held in St. Kitts was in 2002. He said that rave was an overwhelming success and that the event attracted hundreds of new listeners to the show, as well as new advertisers.

He said visitors from Montserrat, Nevis and Antigua also participated in the rave.

Goodwin described the rave as a day of fun on the beach involving different types of games, including balloon tossing, tug-of-war, sac racing and special races for the kids. Also Goodwin pointed out tons of give-a-ways will take place as well as a special clash of the bands competition.

Goodwin said in preparation for the rave a Gem pre-rave dance would be held to get people into the festive mood. He pointed out that in the past pre-rave events have included performances by Third World.

• Editorial

October 14, 2005

Always Obey The Highway Code

The tragic death of a father and daughter last Monday puts a bright spotlight on the importance of safe driving in the Federation.

The police is not doing enough to put a stop to bad driving on our roads.

It is unacceptable that nearly every month that someone has to die from a traffic accident. It simply means people are driving too fast and without due care.

Drivers it seem have no regard for the consequences of bad driving.

Fifty-three-year-old Ebenezer Edmeade and his 21-year-old daughter Delsa of Saddlers Village lost their lives after the vehicle in which they were travelling collided with another while on their way home.

No one witnessed the accident and the police do not know what led to the accident. However more and more people are complaining that people are just driving too fast on the main roads.

The Ministry of National Security needs deploy more patrol cars on the road with radars to catch speeding motorists.

Also, instead of cutting back on subsidizing fuel maybe the Government need to draw up policy that would allow the police to issue more tickets for traffic violations for extra revenue. This idea may not be practical but a typical day in the Federation one can easily spot eight to ten traffic violations. Where is the police to write the tickets?

Yes, the tragic accident has many unnerved and maybe one should not be so quick to lay blame on the police.

Blame should rest with us, for we allow our friends to speed unnecessary or we allow the bus drivers race one another on the main road. We need to stop speeding and we need to drive more responsible with a greater sense consideration for one another.

It does not matter who maybe in the wrong, because when a death occurs it almost useless to assign blame, especially in instances where a simple and easy act of courtesy would have avoided the whole matter.

We tender our condolences to the Edmeade family and hope that motorist young and old will sit up, open there eyes and drive more carefully, more responsibly and with more consideration. How hard can that be.