12. October 2009 by admin.

BARBADOS ADVOCATE – DENIS KELLMAN’S COLUMN- THE DEBATE

APRIL 8, 2009

In the early 90s, our country Barbados was described by the Barbados Labour Party as a country in economic crisis. It was said that the Government and the Governor of the day, had created the problem. The crisis was detailed by the then Government. We were told what caused the problem and what solutions had to be implemented. The whole country was briefed on the contribution expected of each group, which included the social partners.

These groups were led to march by the Barbados Labour Party, while we were involved in discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Barbados Labour Party and their main spokesperson on economic affairs were bombarding the call-in programmes aided by some moderators who felt that persons defending the Democratic Labour Party should not be heard.

The situation got so bad, that the whole country was shut down and many productive days were lost, which resulted in the country not being able to earn the necessary foreign exchange that was required to correct the economic problem. Even though the Prime Minister of the day assured all groups that he was not going to allow the IMF to devalue the dollar, that did not stop the various groups from bringing the country to its knees.

A decade later, now that the Barbados Labour Party finds itself with a socio-economic problem, the Opposition is being blamed for unpatriotic acts, even though they have complied with all the request made of them.

This is occasioned by an appointee who has shown that juniors who have attained knowledge should not be heard and complaints of persons should not be entertained. Though they are protected from predators, who wait to create snags for new entrants, who are willing to protect their integrity by dealing with all the snags which have been created in the system that should not be allowed to snag the system.

It must be clear to one and all, that any reforms must provide for the separation of criminals, so that certain criminals cannot get their way with young offenders. This results in making them worse than when they entered the system for reform.

Reform must be positive and not negative. Prison must not be seen as an institution of higher criminal learning. Those persons who see themselves as professors at that institution must know by now that the youngsters are willing to do their time and defend their identity.

Two of the sites holding the prisoners have been identified. I am told that another proposed site might have been deemed unsafe because of the structure of the building. This property is capable of being used productively and would free up prime property in order that Government could continue its development plan.

On Wednesday, we witnessed a fire at Bromefield St. Lucy. This is a yearly occurrence. Over the years, the residents have been able to control this fire by the use of their individual water hoses.  On this occasion, though it was not a cane fire, but a trash fire, the residents were unable to contain the fire owing to a lack of water.

The water supply in the area was better than the day before, when persons have t o travel to Bourbon to fetch a pail of water in order to get a shower. Yet the pressure was so low that they were unable to control the fire.

The board of the Water Authority needs to urgently redirect the funds for the capital works programme that should have been completed some three years ago. Persons living in the Crab Hiss area can tell you about having to go back to their old time ways by having to take their showers in the back yard instead of their lovely bathrooms because of poor water supply.

Rusty water is not uncommon in St. Lucy. It would be appreciated if the Water Authority could inform us of the number of repair jobs they had to do in St. Lucy and the cost to the Authority. The population of St. Lucy has increased significantly. The Water Authority, MTW depot and all agencies dealing with water, roads and lighting on the highway and in the tenantries need to install the requested lights to enhance the security.

The demographics of the area have changed and what was headlined in another section of the press must be ignored and the meat of the story appreciated. The residents of St. Lucy have always accepted their responsibilities, but they want to continue to appreciate their unique qualities with which they have been blessed.

On Monday, I sought to get Government to appreciate that we should not go around creating permanent law to suit what was supposed to be a temporary problem, by informing the House that het Police was within their jurisdiction.  I informed them that it was the prison officers, the defence force and officers from the RSS who needed to be empowered, making Station Hill the only location for a prison, instead of creating a climate where prisons could be created without just cause.

We the citizens of Barbados must do everything to bring normalcy back to our country. As a responsible Opposition, we cannot join with anyone to stop the growth of the economy. We must not act like the politicians of the early ‘90s and at the same time, we must ensure that we do not give away goodwill to any one politician. Blame must be laid where it is due and praise must be given when necessary. This is too serious a matter for grandstanding of for TV actors.

Lucy is proud of her offspring and she does not mind being regarded as ‘behind God’s back.’ She enjoys having water on three sides, showing her love for a good water supply and having one neighbour, Peter, who allows her to keep her independence and loyalty.

Lucy’s offspring would have preferred temporary locations for prisoners instead of temporary prisons. It is time to stop insulting the intelligence of the people of St. Lucy.

(Denis Kellman is the Parliamentary Representative for the parish of St. Lucy, Barbados)

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12. October 2009 by admin.

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12. October 2009 by admin.

BARBADOS ADVOCATE – DENIS KELLMAN’S COLUMN- THE DEBATE

APRIL 1, 2005

Last weekend the public was invited to a panel discussion sponsored by the Coleridge and Parry in the interest of the public. The panelists were able to present arguments for and against the formation of a Republic at this time, with some believing that identity comes through the presidential style of government and would give them true independence.

I told the audience to understand the foreign policy as stated by the father of our independence, where he felt that Barbados should not be a pawn for any one country. Any change should be through the development of the country, taking all groups into consideration.

The present system pleases all, those who support the monarchial system and those who support the republican system, because of the hybrid developed by that great mind when we got independence. The population of this country must be praised for having a system of government that does not side with any country, but allows principle to guide its foreign policy.

It is clear that this country is divided over the proposed changes. With our economic situation as it is and World Cup 2007 on our doorsteps, we must unite and build the country instead of dividing and destroying it.

The present confusion surrounding our cricket is enough and we should do everything in our power to ensure that the Caribbean is a place where all views are appreciated. Self interest cannot be the focus and this present Government must be protected from destroying the restructuring that started in the 90s.

The focus cannot be the interest of too few. A country must be judged by the way it treats those persons who do not exercise their political power after elections and those who can change the economic power. Another point mentioned was the importance of the army to the President with a change of the system; and how at present if you had a problem with the Prime Minister you had the Governor General, but if the system changes, it will be the President. We also need to know whether we are going to have a ceremonial President that cannot do anything or an Executive one that has all the power that allows the holder to protect himself from the rest of the society.

I will support changes, but it must be better that the system we gave ourselves in the 60s where the country came before personality. I am proud that our great late leader felt free to have a relationship with President Castro while at the same time being able to maintain his friendship with the Prime Minister of England.

We should never allow ourselves to be judged by the over reaction of our army, who sometimes is so efficient that their reaction time is shorter than the police in matters where law and order is concerned. The army must be congratulated for their reaction to the prison uprising and the speed with which they got out their public announcements.

We the public are observing how they continue to create firsts in everything that is occurring in Barbados. Those persons who questioned the importance of the Governor General would have heard that he had to sign the decree to justify the actions of an over alert Army.

I have already written and spoken about creating a hybrid between the Army and the Police. It is clear that he police force needs some of the resources that the army has. Too often the police force seems to be helping the army.

One of the things a future DLP Government will have to look at is het creation of a stronger Coast Guard and a hybrid between the army and the police force. Our resources must be used effectively. No society should feel that its police force is not effective. Please let us give the police that respect and power that they had previously.  Let the m continue to rely on themselves.

Please remember, St. Lucy is no dumping ground!

(Denis Kellman is the Member of Parliament for St. Lucy, Barbados)

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12. October 2009 by admin.

PEAS AND RICE; MACARONI PIE

BAKED PORK; BAKED CHICKEN

FRIED SNAPPER; FRIED DOLPHIN

GRILLED KING FISH; STEAMED VEGETABLES

LAMB STEW; FISH GRAVY

PICKLED GREEN BANANA; TOSSED SALAD

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12. October 2009 by admin.

Greeting the crew members and passengers of the first US Airways flight back to Barbados were Neville Boxill, Aviation Consultant, BTA (second left); Averil Byer, Director Marketing Sales; Denis Roach, Director, BTA; and, Joseph Johnson, airport manager. A plaque was presented to the captain of the flight, Captain Tony Wulf, to commemorate the occasion. BRIDGETOWN, Barbados –  US Airways’ customers have benefited from more non-stop flights to Barbados from its Philadelphia hub since October 1, 2009, when the airline began its four days a week flights to Barbados and beginning December 19 there will be a daily service. Senior Vice President, East Coast, International and Cargo Operations Suzanne Boda said on announcing the reintroduced service, “Barbados is a wonderful Caribbean destination, and we’re thrilled to expand our selection to it from our hub and international gateway in Philadelphia. These offerings will allow for great connections at Philadelphia, and will be a fitting addition to existing Barbados service from our largest hub in Charlotte, North Carolina.” The increase in airlift capacity will assist Barbados in penetrating critical segments of the major United States market. “We are very excited to once again have increased US Airways service from Philadelphia to Barbados,” said David Rice, president and CEO of the Barbados Tourism Authority. “We’re looking forward to bringing more visitors to Barbados from the important US market.” The US Airways flights will be operated by Airbus A319 aircraft, with 12 seats in First Class and 112 in the main cabin.

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12. October 2009 by admin.

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM) – A three-year project in St Kitts and Nevis, which linked tourism to agriculture, has been described as successful and has shown that the merging of both industries should ensure parallel economic growth in the urban and rural sectors of the economy. Cedric Liburd, Minister of Agriculture (Photo by Erasmus Williams) Speaking at a one-day seminar under the theme “Strengthening the Tourism Sector through the development of Linkages with the Agricultural Sector of the Caribbean,” which brought the curtains down on the trilogy project jointly funded by the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation in Agriculture (IICA), St Kitts and Nevis Minister of Agriculture, Cedric Liburd said the partnership demonstrates the profoundness of the old adage that unity is strength. “The collaboration of these two giant organizations signals the attention and commitment that is required to establish and cement the link between two economic engines – tourism and agriculture,” said Minister Liburd, who hoped that following the series of meetings and consultations, a critical mass of stakeholder interest will develop to spur agro-tourism in St Kitts and Nevis. He said since the consultations began three years ago it has shown that sector integration is required if a micro economy is to achieve sustained development. “Such linkages are required not only to induce internally propelled development activities, but also to generate additional employment and incomes, as well as to incur saving of foreign exchange,” said the Agriculture minister. “This is a win-win scenario, if we can realize the full potential of impact of both sectors. By making them more sustainable and competitive, the incomes of our citizens will increase as no doubt will be the quality of their lives. A successful linking of tourism and agriculture can become an effective poverty reduction tool,” he said. Liburd pointed out that the Caribbean has evolved into a world class tourism mecca and the countries of the OECS sub-region have all embraced tourism as the major driving force for economic development, with agriculture. “Studies have shown that the impact of agriculture in the region has declined but findings from the consultations associated with this agro-tourism awareness initiative, have shown that the economic impact of tourism is more far-reaching if it is twinned with agriculture,” said Liburd.

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12. October 2009 by admin.

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12. October 2009 by admin.

MONEY TALK: Cecil Sylvester, management consultant and trainer, left, talks to Brian Moore, president of the Cooperative Credit Union League of Trinidad and Tobago, and Ronald Bobb, president of the Eastern Credit Union at La Joya yesterday. -Photo: Stephen Doobay The local credit union movement must band together and “close ranks” as it prepares for coming legislation that seeks to assume control of credit unions’ financial operations. Ronald Bobb, president of the Eastern Credit Union, made this appeal as he addressed members of the credit union movement at a ceremony to mark the official opening of “Credit Union Week” at the La Joya Complex, St Joseph yesterday. Bobb said the credit union movement remained concerned about clauses in the Credit Union Act policy document. He said the proposed policy, if passed as is, “could lead to the demise of smaller units”. It was a concern expressed by stakeholders during the recent public consultation on the policy document hosted by the Central Bank. Bobb said the movement must “close ranks” to ensure that those clauses are modified. “We have to come together and work to ensure that the end product is best suited to the movement otherwise we would be in trouble,” he said. Bobb said that it was only a unified movement that could survive the “challenges and turbulent times” that lay ahead- a sentiment echoed by a number of other credit union leaders yesterday. Brian Moore, president of the Cooperative Credit Union League of Trinidad and Tobago, said the credit union movement welcomed any initiatives to upgrade and modernise its regulatory framework. He added: “The prescription must be measured appropriately and result in an environment that allows credit unions to survive and grow to better serve their membership. We are afraid that there are still some provisions in the policy document that spell a great danger to credit unions.” Moore also said they were “still uncomfortable with the fact that there will be two pieces of legislation to cover this one credit union movement. We all know the difficulty in serving two masters and more directly in trying to separate the financial activities of credit unions from their development activities.” Moore told stakeholders yesterday that they may have to start a “loud and public defence of our institution”.

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12. October 2009 by admin.

Ramesh, residents protest in Gasparillo Nikita Braxton South Bureau

FACE-OFF: Gasparillo residents surround workers at the site where the cell tower is being erected in the area yesterday. -Photo: TREVOR HACKETT TABAQUITE Member of Parliament Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj yesterday called the building of a cell tower in a residential area “State-activated murder”. Maharaj joined residents of Ramdass Street, Gasparillo, as they protested against a cellular tower being erected near their homes. “No cell tower!” more than 50 residents, including children and senior citizens shouted as they converged at the site where workers constructed the metal towers. The residents said they planned to block the road today to prevent the workers and material from entering the dead-end street. Maharaj said the tower was in the vicinity of two schools with more than 1,000 children and there was the risk that those in the community could develop brain tumours and cancer. Pregnant women could have miscarriages should the tower become operational, he said. He called on environmental organisations to join the protesting families. Residents told the media no consultation was done before the start of construction last Tuesday. This was wrong, Maharaj said. Consultation and the environmental impact assessment should have been completed before work started, he said. Maharaj said he plans to write Prime Minister Patrick Manning for intervention to have the work stopped. He said should construction continue protest action will be taken to Woodford Square, Port of Spain, opposite the Red House. Before joining residents in their protest, Maharaj met former Caroni (1975) Ltd workers at the Chaguanas West constituency office of MP Jack Warner. The issue of the interest allegedly promised to the workers on their Voluntary Separation of Employment Packages (VSEP) which was invested on the workers’ behalf by the Agricultural Development Band (ADB) into the Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) six years ago was discussed. The workers had been told by the ADB that the investments did not grow enough to pay out the promised interest. “It may be necessary to file legal action as there has been no explanation why there was no generation of funds,” Maharaj said yesterday. A committee was appointed during the meeting to implement strategies and actions for the former sugar workers, Maharaj said.

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12. October 2009 by admin.

Athaliah Reynolds, Staff Reporter
Sonny Bradshaw spearheaded the big-band craze in Jamaica in the ’40s. - file

Legendary Jamaican bandleader and jazz instrumentalist, Sonny Bradshaw, who stamped a lasting footprint on the island’s musical landscape, has died. The celebrated trumpeter, who was 83 years old, passed away in a London hospital on Saturday night.

Bradshaw suffered further complications from a stroke he had two months ago and died at 11 p.m. GMT at the Queen’s Hospital in Renford. Bradshaw had been struggling with a heart condition for nearly 10 years.

His wife, Myrna Hague, told The Gleaner yesterday during a telephone conversation from her home in London, England, that the news came as a shock to her and the family.

“It’s a hard time for us,” she said. “I have lost a husband, his children have lost a father, and his friends have lost a confidant and a mentor for whom he was still a great inspiration in their lives.”

Hague said Bradshaw had been gradually recovering from the debilitating stroke he suffered in August, but had remained in “good spirits” and was doing very well.

The stroke had been the result of a blood clot, causing severe damage to Bradshaw’s brain cells.

Signs of hope

He also sustained damage to the right side of his body.

Hague, however, said her husband had recovered significantly and was responding quite well to physical rehabilitation.

“He was lucid, he talked, heard and could move. He was left-handed anyway, and his left side was functional,” she said.

Hague continued: “I was with him in the morning (before his death) and he was in very good spirits. We had a wonderful visit together.”

She said when she got the call from the hospital at 10:45 p.m. that he was having complications, she was left in a daze.

“I (rushed) to the hospital to find that he had already passed,” she said. “You go into shock and I would say for the past 12 hours it’s been hard. We’ve all been having a very hard time,” said the distraught widow.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Bruce Golding sent his condolences to the family.

“We are losing the creators and promoters of our music, arts and culture all at once. It has indeed been a very sad period for Jamaica these past few weeks as we receive news of so many of our cultural icons departing this life, one by one,” Golding bemoaned.

Since last month, a number of cultural figures, including Wycliffe Bennett, Trevor Rhone and Norma Soas, have passed away.

Big band

Bradshaw is survived by two children, who are both living in the United States.

He was one of the last links to the big-band craze that took place in Jamaica during the 1940s. His contemporaries include saxophonists Tommy McCook and Joe Harriott, who were his colleagues in the All-Star Band.

Saxophonist Bobby Gaynair, who lives in Canada, is now the only survivor of that band.

Bradshaw formed the Big Band in the early 1950s and also directed the Sonny Bradshaw Seven in which a number of leading musicians, including sax man Dean Fraser and drummer Desi Jones, got their start.

Bradshaw was also a former president of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians and wrote a weekly column, ‘Musicman’, in THE STAR, The Gleaner Company’s afternoon tabloid.

‘Ochi’ jazz festival

Since 1991, Bradshaw and Hague have promoted the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, an annual event held in June throughout that resort town as well as Kingston.

Over the years, it has featured traditional jazz performers like Jimmy Smits and Herbie Mann.

Sonny Bradshaw was awarded the Order of Distinction for his contribution to Jamaican music.

athaliah.reynolds@gleanerjm.com

Myrna Hague performs at Jazz in the Gardens last year while husband Sonny Bradshaw looks on. - file

The music community reacts to the passing

Sound system operator/musicologist, Winston ‘Merritone’ Blake:

I am going to miss him. He was a pioneer and we have lost a great resource person, someone who holds a lot of knowledge of the history of the development of Jamaican music.

As we go forward as a people, we need a greater understanding of where we’re coming from, and I think he was one of the most authentic sources to provide that information.

Musician and producer, Dean Fraser:

A real teacher, trumpeter, bandleader and composer. He has been one of the greatest influences in my life as a musician, and whatever I have today, was based on his contribution.

He paved the path for me and other younger musicians. He is responsible for the whole way I approach music, my professionalism, everything. He was like a father to me in more ways than one.

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