#Harold Hoyte Nation Barbados | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

thechasefiles · 5 years

Text

The Chase Files Daily Newscap 5/13/2019

Good MORNING #realdreamchasers! Here is The Chase Files Daily News Cap for Monday 13th May 2019. Remember you can read full articles for FREE via Barbados Today (BT) or Barbados Government Information Services (BGIS) OR by purchasing by purchasing a Daily Nation Newspaper (DN).

COUNTRY MOURNS GIANT OF A MAN – Nation builder and media titan Harold Fitzherbert Hoyte died yesterday morning, leaving the country – from the Prime Minister to regular Barbadians – mourning his passing. He was 77. Hoyte, the doyen of journalism in Barbados and across the region, and one of the founders of the Nation Publishing Co. Limited, died at 11:20 a.m. at his home in St Thomas, with his wife Noreen and sister Sheila Brewster at his side. He served as this newspaper’s first Editor-in-Chief and held various positions, including President and Editor Emeritus, the latter until his death. He was also chairman of the board of Nation Publishing and a director of One Caribbean Media (OCM), the parent company of The Nation Group. Hoyte had been ailing after suffering an aneurysm while on holiday in Florida at the end of 2017. Ten days ago, in honour of his sterling contribution to journalism in Barbados and the building of one of the most successful black companies in the country, Nation House on Fontabelle, St Michael – which officially opened on September 23, 1977 – was renamed the Harold Hoyte & Fred Gollop Media Complex. As news spread of Hoyte’s passing, tributes from across Barbados, the region and from the diaspora were pouring in, recognising his outstanding work in journalism. Media practitioners, former NATION staff, as well as members of the public also posted their own tributes to a “giant of a man”. (DN)

PM: I'VE LOST A DEAR A FRIEND – The following a statement from Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, QC, MP on the passing of Nation builder and founder, Harold Hoyte earlier today. Barbados has lost one of its great patriots and I have lost a dear friend. It was with a most profound sense of personal sadness that I learnt today of the passing of my dear friend and a true builder of Barbados, Harold Fitzherbert Hoyte at the age of 78. While Harold had been ailing for some time and the nature and extent of his medical situation served as fair notice that his end might be near, that knowledge has not been nearly enough to blunt the impact of the news. The country has lost a prized son who has contributed more than his fair share to the development of post-Independence Barbados. It would be impossible to separate the name Harold Hoyte from the path of journalism in Barbados and the Caribbean over the past 60 years. Equally, it would be impossible to separate him for the story of success of the enterprise known as the Nation Newspaper. There is no Barbadian who would fail to recognise the critical role that the Nation Newspaper has played in contribution to the safeguarding of Barbados' stability since Independence. In fact, the Nation Newspaper, and by extension the Nation Publishing Company, with Harold Hoyte as its leader, represents one of the most potent symbols and examples of business success by Barbadians in our post Independence history. Harold understood Barbados and Barbadians. We saw the evidence in his editorial judgments and his professional and indeed political commentary. It was clear to all that he never lost contact with the pulse of the people. That, throughout his career remained a defining feature of Harold Hoyte. He loved his country and was never afraid to speak truth to power in its fervent defence. I can tell you that politicians on all sides of the political divide would think twice before they dared to ignore him because they knew that if they did so it was at their own peril - for he was an astute judge of Barbadians, particular on those matters he so fondly referred to as “bread and butter issues”. In my eyes, Harold Hoyte was more than worthy to hold any and all offices in this land. He volunteered his time and intellect in ways too numerous to count, but for me one of his seminal contributions was his service on the Commission on Law and Order, established during my tenure as Attorney General. At a very personal level, my friendship with Harold became even closer in the last ten or so years where he was a pillar of strength for me and where I knew I could rely on both those virtues of which I just spoke, but also his utter discretion and wise counsel. I shall miss him as will many Barbadians for his political and editorial commentary. But above all, I shall miss him as a warm, generous and committed human being. To his wife Noreen, his children Tracy and Bobby and the rest of Harold's family I extend deepest sympathies and on behalf of a grateful nation and people I extend to them the offer of an official funeral as a small but initial token of appreciation for his immense contribution to this country. (DN)

DLP: HOYTE CHANGED POLITICAL DISCOURSE IN BARBADOS - The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) joined with those remembering the late Harold Hoyte, Editor Emeritus of The Nation Publishing Co. Ltd. Hoyte passed away earlier today, and in a statement, the DLP said his commissioning of polls forever changed “the tenor of political discourse in Barbados”. The full statement follows: It is with profound sadness and deep regret that the Democratic Labour Party notes the passing of Harold Hoyte, co-founder and Editor Emeritus of the Nation Publishing Company Ltd. Even though we were aware that he was not in the best of health in recent times, his passing has still come as unwelcome news. Harold was an icon of Caribbean journalism, an entrepreneur who staked everything he owned on a fledgling tabloid that would become Barbados’ leading newspaper and later the precursor to the regional media giant known today as One Caribbean Ltd. His visionary leadership initiated the sponsorship and publication of political polls, something previously unheard of in Barbadian media, which in itself would forever change the tenor of political discourse in Barbados. Following his sojourn in journalism, he authored a series of books chronicling the life and times of scores of local politicians as well as reviews of the roles of others; texts that are being used and will continue to be reference points for local political scholars and the merely curious. His passing will unquestionably create a void in the regional journalism and political arena. His contribution cannot be duplicated. The Democratic Labour Party would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincerest condolences to his wife, his children, siblings and close friends. May his soul rest in peace. (DN)

BBA: HOYTE’S CONTRIBUTION TO JOURNALISM WAS WORLD CLASS – For a man who always had an interest in becoming the ultimate journalist, Harold Hoyte’s name will forever be etched indelibly on the pages of media history in Barbados. His vision for the Nation Newspaper is adequately chronicled and his first Editor Carl Moore reminds us of the precision and professionalism the profession demonstrated at the time it was established in 1973. Harold Hoyte was the archetypal journalist. He was curious about everything; astute in his observations as evidenced in his writings; amiable and affable in dealing with people, with the most infectious laugh that brought a smile to the most wooden of faces. His advice to young journalists remains as relevant today as it was when he first gave it: "If you do not bring a sense of social conscience to the job, then you’re not going to carry it out in the way that you should, because you will not be able to appreciate the role that the media has to play". Perhaps our best tribute to this eminent journalist, who often shared his political analysis in the broadcast media during elections, is to raise the bar in the quality of our local journalism. His death is a timely reminder of what world class journalism looks like. It behoves us all to revisit the tenets of the Fourth Estate and honour this noble profession. Let us all place less emphasis on being a star and more on the substance of the story; less on fake news and more on facts; less on personality and more on principle. Harold Hoyte was an exemplar for the media profession. We honour his work and salute his legacy. The Barbados Broadcasting Authority joins the media fraternity in sending condolences to his wife and children as well as his immediate family and extended media family. May he rest in peace. (DN)

ST. MARY’S RECTOR ‘WILL BE MISSED’ – While rector of St Mary’s Anglican Church Reverend Jilian Crawford is remaining mum on her imminent transfer, some of her parishioners are not. In fact, not only is Crawford going to be missed, one member of the congregation went as far as to say she was the best thing to have ever happened to that church. “She is friendly and hard-working; she has done work with the Sunday school no other priest here has ever done. I will miss her – this had me crying all the time. She is the best priest we ever had,” said Vernise Codrington. Crawford is scheduled to be reassigned after May 26 to St Peter Parish Church, where she will be assistant rector. Reports indicate Crawford agreed to move on although last year it was also reported there was tension between Crawford and the Church Council over her refusal to move into the vicarage in Rock Dundo, St Michael, after the church spent $50 000 in renovations and had been paying $2 300 a month on a rental house for her in the meantime. (DN)

MEDIATOR CALLED IN – Antigua’s labour commissioner has been asked to mediate the matter between sacked West Indies selectors Courtney Browne and Eldine Baptiste and their former employers. Browne and Baptiste are claiming damages from Cricket West Indies (CWI) for unfair dismissal after being axed when the new Ricky Skerritt administration took office in March. Baptiste and Browne, the former chairman of selectors, were served termination letters on April 10. However, their attorneys Thomas, John & Co. sent correspondence to CWI chief executive officer Johnny Grave stating that their clients were unfairly dismissed and were demanding compensation for loss of earnings, future earnings and gratuity. However, CWI hasn’t responded favourably and subsequently, the attorneys have sent correspondence to Antigua’s labour commissioner to mediate in the matter. CWI matters of this nature fall under the labour code of Antigua and Barbuda. In a letter obtained by NATION SPORT, the legal representatives for Browne and Baptiste stated: “The said termination letters of April 10, 2019, make reference to a Task Force established to review the selection system at all levels and that this . . . committee will be chaired by vice president Dr Kishone Shallow and is expected to present recommendations to the board at its next meeting in June 2019. (DN)

SPECIAL DAY FOR SPECIAL LADIES – Mothers were shown just how special they are yesterday. Many were treated like royalty by children and spouses at a number of dining spots across the island. At the Savannah Beach Hotel in Hastings, Christ Church, events manager Dionne Vaughan said they usually got a big turnout on Mother’s Day and yesterday was no different. “Today [yesterday] we booked 180 guests and it’s always a big celebration here on Mother’s Day,” she said. “It’s not only about biological mothers but people who also really play a big role in young people’s lives.” The buffet-styled luncheon also saw guests being entertained by saxophonist Mylon Clarke. At Ocean Two resort in St Lawrence Gap, also in Christ Church, mothers were greeted with freshly mixed cocktails before dining. Assistant front desk manager Katrina Cumberbatch explained that after lunch, the mums were treated to a tour of the resort that included a visit on the roof deck. The restaurant catered for 100 people, including in-house guests. Patrons also had the opportunity to win prizes, such as a day pass for two at the hotel and a day at the spa. Some of the highlights on the menu were the eight-hour, slow-baked pork leg with apple sauce, grilled Mahi with lemon caper butter sauce, and penne pasta. There was also a special Mother’s Day buffet breakfast at the hotel which catered for 60. A large Mother’s Day cake was shared among the ladies as well. Among those dining were the Inniss and Brathwaite families. Lois Inniss said her family had been celebrating Mother’s Day together for more than 20 years. She added they cherished special occasions to bond and catch up with each other. Members of her family included former deputy chief educational officer Thelma Brathwaite, former principal of Eden Lodge Primary School Samuel Brathwaite, past principal of Sharon Primary Ruth Trotman and retired journalist at the Barbados Advocate, Heather Greenidge. (DN)

For daily or breaking news reports follow us on Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter & Facebook. That’s all for today folks. There are 232 days left in the year. Shalom! #thechasefilesdailynewscap #thechasefiles# dailynewscapsbythechasefiles

0 notes

thechasefiles · 5 years

Text

The Chase Files Daily Newscap 5/3/2019

Good MORNING #realdreamchasers! Here is The Chase Files Daily News Cap for Friday 3rd May 2019. Remember you can read full articles for FREE via Barbados Today (BT) or Barbados Government Information Services (BGIS) OR by purchasing by purchasing a Weekend Nation Newspaper (WN).

STILL IN RECESSION – Barbados remains in recession, with the economy contracting by an estimated 0.2 per cent in the first quarter. And while economic growth is predicted to be no more than 0.25 per cent this year, Central Bank Governor Cleviston Haynes says he believes the island can achieve the “spurt in growth” it needs. He also announced that a team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be in Barbados next week to check the progress of the economic reforms, as Government prepares to receive another US$49 million from the Fund. (WN)

TV STATION PERMITS ON THE CARDS – Government will be permitting other entities to apply for licences to operate television stations, as Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley says it is “wrong” to allow the state-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation to continue to operate as a monopoly. “One of the areas in which our country has lagged seriously has been with respect to the audio-visual access that we have given to our people through the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation remaining a state monopoly,” Mottley said during a ceremony to rename Nation House the Harold Hoyte & Fred Gollop Media Complex yesterday. “We have committed to removing that because it is wrong, wrong, wrong,” she declared. (WN)

IT’S PRIVATE – Government is set to introduce a law to protect personal information, especially data stored by the state on the Internet, the Prime Minister announced today. An information ombudsman is also to be appointed, should funds permit, who will be responsible for enabling access to Government Information. The Prime Minister also announced that the television airwaves, the sole preserve of the state since 1964, are to be opened up to competition. As she addressed the renaming of the Nation Publishing Company’s headquarters after two of the newspaper’s founders, the late Sir Fred Gollop and Harold Hoyte, Prime Minister Mottley said: “Cabinet has also discussed a Data Protection Act, and we hope to bring this to both Houses of Parliament before the end of June, because it is important that we respect people’s privacy in a world where information is shared by the minute, and every time we go on a website, we leave “digital footprints” which can be used to trace us. “We want to work with all economic interests to protect people’s privacy, because our Constitution does not address these matters since they were not an issue in 1966 when it was drawn up.” The Prime Minister added: “My Government is committed to allowing people to have a say in how this country should be run and the direction which its development should take, and as soon as our financial position permits it, we will be creating the post of Information Ombudsman, who will ensure that information will flow in an unbiased fashion.” Ahead of tomorrow’s commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, the Prime Minister commended the two media giants for ensuring fair and unbiased coverage of all political organisations in the country, suggesting that they pursued Errol Barrow’s policy of “Friends of all and Satellites of none” as they went about their work. Mottley revealed that Government was committed to giving Barbadians more choice in locally based television, but wanted to ensure these stations would truly represent all Barbadians and not be partisan in nature. Said the Prime Minister: “We have committed to removing the state-run monopoly of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation, but we want any new television stations to be public companies in which Barbadians can purchase shares and thereby own a stake in them. (BT)

MINIMUM WAGE LAW ‘ON THE TABLE’ – A national minimum wage is still on the cards, Minister of Labour Colin Jordan has declared. Jordan gave the assurance as he spoke with the media during May Day celebrations at the Barbados Workers’ Union Solidarity House headquarters on Wednesday. A Minimum Wage Advisory Committee has been holding talks on the “mechanics” of a national minimum wage law, one of the labour party’s election promises, he said. Under the current law, the Shops Act, a minimum wage is only in effect for shop assistants. Jordan told reporters: “We have spoken to the employers representatives at a committee meeting and we have indicated to them that like we have done in Government since we came into office, there is going to be a sharing of information but also a sharing of the burden of adjustment. “We have been very clear to say that the burden of any adjustment must not be on the backs of workers alone, so workers have had to bear some of the weight of adjustment but capital – businesses – have borne some of it, [and] tourism businesses have had to pay increased taxes.” But the labour Minister stressed that a national minimum wage must not be rushed and should benefit private sector workers. Jordan said: “Like we did when we gave a pay increase for public workers very early on in our term of office we also recognise that those in the private sector will also have to get something but we will not do it rashly. “We will consider it in a tripartite way… where we engage all sectors…. We will engage in the tripartite structure which is the minimum wage board…. We will work through what is possible and we will work through the mechanics of it and the timing of it but it is on the table. “We are not doing this in an off-handed or rash or erratic kind of way; it must be thought through so as much as I am the Minister of Labour and a champion for workers there is an understanding that if an increase is to work, if it is to be sustainable then the businesses who have to pay it, must also be in a position to be able to pay it on an ongoing basis. So all things have to be considered before we make a decision.” The Minister for the Social Partnership Relations further maintained that the Government had also sought to share the burden of structural adjustment across all sectors so workers would not bear the brunt of the island’s fiscal woes. He said: “A significant part of the burden has been borne by creditors. People who have loaned Government money at a period of time when Government had an insatiable appetite for borrowing money and coming out of that we have asked capital creditors, lenders, to bear some of the burden with us. “If they had not borne a significant portion of the burden, the impact on workers would have been unthinkable and that was a position we could not take.” (BT)

GROUNDED LIAT COULD HURT TOURISM – The financial state of regional airline LIAT is of such grave concern to Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados Cleviston Haynes, that he is worried that if the carrier goes under it could deliver a body blow to tourism. The rising cost of air travel is being blamed for the country’s continued struggle to maintain visitor arrival numbers from the rest of the region, according to the central bank’s latest report. As he delivered the country’s first quarter economic report card, the Governor eyed the high fares charged for inter-island travel – made up mostly of taxes and Government fees. Up to March 31, while overall tourism arrivals grew by 2.2 per cent, arrivals from Trinidad declined by one-tenth and other CARICOM visitors were down by 4.6 per cent. “In general, the regional market is grappling with the issue of travel cost,” said Haynes. The Governor said LIAT’s ongoing troubles could further harm the country’s tourism performance and that of the wider region, but declared optimism that a solution is in sight. The Governor told reporters: “The LIAT situation is obviously one that is concerning and I know that regional governments are in the process of discussion trying to find a resolution. “Not having [the] regional airline impacts not only Barbados, it impacts all of the regional economies that depend on tourism. “Our ability to move from one country to another will be severely impacted in the absence of [this] regional airline.” There have been mounting fears that the island-hopping airline could go out of business if officials did not come up with a way to inject US$5.4 million in emergency capital. Haynes said: “Such an airline has to be one that is economically viable. Clearly, our own financial situation and the financial situation of several of the other governments is not one in which one can continually have to inject funds into LIAT, and certainly Barbados has had to inject substantial amount of funds over the years in order to keep it afloat. “I think the governments are really trying to find a more even approach to the financing of LIAT such that it can keep afloat and can continue to service the various islands. Yet despite his concerns, Haynes said he remained optimistic that regional officials will come up with a viable solution. “At this stage, I feel optimistic that we will find a durable solution to the regional air transport problem and therefore in that sense I anticipate that we will not be adversely impacted by a further fallout of regional tourism,” he said. Airline executives and governments across the LIAT network are currently taking part in back-to-back discussions about the need for all the territories served by the airline to contribute to a minimum revenue guarantee model. Barbados is the majority shareholder, with other major shareholding countries being Antigua and Barbuda, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica. On Monday, LIAT’s Chief Executive Officer Julie Reifer-Jones gave the assurance that despite the challenges facing LIAT it continues to maintain its full flight schedule. (BT)

GARBAGE PILES UP AGAIN ‘AMID OVERTIME BAR’ – Two bank holidays in a week have left residents across a number of St Michael communities having to put up with rising mounds of refuse. But Sanitation Service Authority spokesman Carl Alff Padmore attributes the unsightly pile-up on SSA workers not being granted overtime among other issues. “We had four bank holidays falling very close and we are not paying overtime to our workers. We do sincerely apologize for the backlog, but we are working around the clock to address the situation in and around Barbados,” he said. When a Barbados TODAY team visited a number of communities across the parish, the stench of neighbourhood trash heaps rose with the afternoon heat. But Padmore reasoned that some of the foul odour was because Barbadians fail to sort their garbage at source. “We still are having that problem where Barbadians feel that they should throw every and anything out in the garbage receptacle. If they get into the operation at home they would be less garbage going into the landfill and it is more environmentally friendly.” At Westbury Road, there was a pile of debris just outside the St Leonard’s Anglican Church. Sharon Bowen, the owner of a nearby babysitting service, said the SSA did attempt to remove the debris but the truck was full. Bowen declared the garbage pile was caused by people from other communities in and around the St Michael area illegally dumping their waste in Westbury Road. A Barbados TODAY team witnessed an SSA truck picking up garbage along the Westbury Road stretch. At Bridge Gap, Eagle Hall, residents seemed to disregard the ‘No Dumping’ sign as a heap of garbage was piled directly in front. Outside the Ann Gill Memorial Methodist Church in Fairfield, there was another garbage pile which included household items. At Denton Road, Grazettes, a homeowner told Barbados TODAY: “As you can see this is a problem. The garbage ain’t get pick up and we are fed up.” A resident of Lattice Road, Grazettes, St Michael said: “[They] come and move garbage from Grazettes Resource Centre and the truck [became] full and I was told that is why they did not pick up out here.” SSA spokesman Padmore told Barbados TODAY that sanitation workers were heading to several St Michael districts tonight so that by tomorrow the areas should be restored to a state of normalcy. (BT)

NO QUICK FIX – Government will be making a huge mistake if it moves ahead with plans to incorporate ZMs (maxi taxis) into the Transportation Augmentation Programme (TAP), says the head of one association. Instead, chairman of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT), Roy Raphael, is urging Government to come back to the negotiation table with terms that make better business sense for the route taxi owners, originally targeted for the programme. As a matter of fact, Raphael is of the view that the introduction of the ZMs into the system will only serve to overwhelm an already saturated aspect of the public transportation industry. He argued that with the increase in bus fares from $2 to $3.50, route taxis were already seeing significant falloff in ridership. “Having ZMs enter the TAP programme is not going to be a quick fix as it will create more problems for both ZMs and route taxis. Right now, the route taxis are competing against each other, but to take a ZM and put it in the bus terminal will create issues for the other operators plying the route. “For example, let’s say you put three ZM vans on the already crowded Jackson route, the other Jackson operators will not be happy about that. We have seen a decline in the number of commuters catching the bus since the increase in bus fare,” said Raphael, who predicted an inclusion of ZMs will only lead to more chaos on the roads. The AOPT chairman also contended that since the 75 per cent hike in bus fares, there has been an increase in the number of ZMs illegally operating routes, adding to the rat race culture which has blighted the sector’s reputation for many years. “These vehicles are supposed to operate from a garage, seaport, airport or a place of attraction. The route taxi is only supposed to pick up persons along a route. Since bus fares have gone up, we are seeing an increase in ZM vans plying routes and this is already causing problems on the road,” he explained. Earlier this week, then chairman of the Transport Board, Gregory Nicholls, revealed that failing to gain sufficient buy-in from route taxi owners, the organisation is now turning to ZMs to supplement the low bus complement of the state-owned transport service. Nicholls has since resigned as chairman. His observations followed closely on revelations by chairman of the Transport Authority Ian Estwick, who claimed sabotage by some operators. He admitted that with the programme, which was set to start last Sunday, the goal of contracting 100 private public service vehicles (PSVs) by that time was unlikely. He estimated that around 20 PSVs would have signed onto the programme. However, Raphael told Barbados TODAY that more PSV operators would be willing to sign on to TAP, had Government followed through on a number of initial promises when discussions about the programme first began. “Initially we were looking at 20 minibuses and ZRs to start the project with. We were supposed to run the project for eight months then look at how other persons can get on board. Then we were told that because of the issues at the Transport Board, Government wanted 40, then later than number went up to 100. “There were a number of points of agreement between the PSV owners and Government. These would have been duty-free concessions, an additional permit for persons entering the project and neutral transport co-ordinators, paid for by AOPT, to ensure that everyone is treated fairly,” he said noting while a verbal agreement was established, the PSV owners were yet to see anything in writing. Additionally, Raphael explained that his organisation wanted assurances that the additional persons brought into TAP, who were not members of AOPT, would also be required to equally contribute to the upkeep of the transport co-ordinators. “As it stands Government has fallen away from all three of these issues. We are hearing it in talk but they are not putting it in writing,” he stressed. Governor of the Central Bank Cleviston Haynes today gave his blessings to the TAP, saying it was perhaps the most viable option at this point for the troubled public transportation sector. He was responded to questions from reporters during the Central Bank’s economic review. “The government is looking at the possibility of bringing electric buses in order to supplement the existing stock. As you would appreciate the fleet has grown old and tired and therefore there is a low level of buses on the route on any given day,” said Haynes. “The prime minister would have also announced the desire to integrate the private sector and the public sector and that is probably going to be the more sustainable route because already, the private sector commands about 75 per cent of the overall bus fleet,” he explained. Haynes said it was critical that the quality of service in the public transportation system improves so that commuters can rely on the bus being there at a particular time to take them from point A to point B. (BT)

‘INSENSITIVE’ BUS BEES – The Bees are being chided over 15 Transport Board buses used for Monday’s Heroes’ Day picnic on the same day that commuters complained of being left stranded by a bus shortage. Opposition spokesman on transport, Sylvan Greenidge, today accused the Barbados Labour Party of putting the party’s agenda ahead of the country. At a news conference convened in the Opposition offices of Parliament this morning, Greenidge told journalists: “The decision by the Transport Board to charter 15 buses from its already skeleton fleet was an extremely poor and callous management decision. “And for the Government, who only weeks ago visited the bus terminals and heard the cries from frustrated commuters about the ridiculous hours they spend waiting for a bus, to allow the management of the Transport Board to send 15 buses to support their fun and frolic at the East Coast Road, leaving workers stranded in the bus terminal, is an act in party paramountcy. “Simply put, the interest of the Barbados Labour Party has now been set above the interest of the country.” Greenidge declared he was equally aghast by what he deemed an insensitive response to the cries of the stranded commuters by Minister of Transport Dr William Duguid, who was quoted as saying: “You cannot negate the opportunity for charters, as these bring in more profits for the Board than routes.” Greenidge called on the Prime Minister to hold her Transport Minister to account for the statement. The Opposition spokesman said of Duguid’s response: “What a loaded statement. Just imagine sitting in the bus terminal for hours waiting on a bus, having just completed a gruelling eight-hour shift. The following day you question your Minister about the reason for the long wait and you receive what the Minister reportedly said as your answer? “How in 21st century Barbados a minister of the state, fully cognizant of the challenges currently facing the country, the massive retrenchment and unnecessary high taxes imposed on the backs of the working class – all part of a seven-year austerity programme, would make such an insensitive and reckless statement?” The Opposition spokesman contended that Government was essentially rudderless on a path to ease the country’s urgent transport woes. He took issue with the recent suggestions that Government is moving towards granting duty-free concessions to route taxi owners, who are willing to sign onto a seemingly unpopular Transport Augmentation Programme (TAP) which involves shifting private operators to under-served routes. Declaring the move as discriminatory, Greenidge said it not augur well for private-public collaboration on transport. “We are not certain if this is a matter agreed to by Cabinet or if this is another ad-hoc suggestion. We feel the suggestion is discriminatory and goes against the formulation of a strong transport system,” he said. Following a series of meetings with Public Service Vehicle owners, Government failed to gain sufficient buy-in to TAP, which was supposed to yield 100 route taxis to supplement the 50-70 buses at the Transport Board. The Transport Authority has claimed that the success of the programme was being undermined by the PSV’s associations. But Greenidge charged that “meeting some challenges in getting full buy-in from the private operators may have more to do with the high-handed attitude of the Transport Authority rather than the lack of co-operation from the private operators. He added: “Until the Transport Authority is prepared to talk to rather than shout at the other players in the sector, then attempts at restarting the augmentation programme will continue to fail.” (BT)

STRICKEN CRUISE SHIP ‘NOT DOCKING HERE, SAYS MOH – The Ministry of Health assured today that a cruise liner currently held under quarantine in St. Lucia after a single outbreak on board is not scheduled to dock at Bridgetown. On Monday, health officials in Castries ordered 300 passengers and crew members on the Freewinds, a vessel owned by the Church of Scientology, not to leave the ship after determining a female crew member had come down with the highly contagious illness. The ship was due to leave Castries today. But in a Government statement, the ministry stepped up its call to anyone still not immunised against the disease to visit the nearest polyclinic or GP, for the two-dose measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine. The Ministry of Health stressed that while there has been no measles outbreak in Barbados, with the last known case recorded in 1990, there have been reports of outbreaks in North America, the United Kingdom, Europe and the Americas. The outbreaks have followed the rise of the “anti-vaxxer” movement of opposition to immunisation. The MMR vaccine is generally given to Barbadian one-year-olds. But Senior Medical Officer of Health Dr. Karen Broome cautioned that travellers planning to go to an area where there is an outbreak should ensure that children from six to 11 months receive a dose of the vaccine. Adolescents and adults must also ensure that they have had their MMR vaccine, the health official said. Two doses of the vaccine fully immunise against measles. Past measles sufferers have life-long immunity. (BT)

KILLER MUST SERVE AT LEAST 25 YEARS – Sentenced to six concurrent life terms for killing six young women in the 2010 Campus Trendz clothing store fire, confessed manslayer Renaldo Anderson Alleyne must now serve a minimum 25 years behind bars before any consideration is given to letting him back on the streets. That was the judgment handed down today by this country’s final court of appeal – the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) – which dismissed Alleyne’s challenge to the 2012 sentence imposed on him by the local High Court. It is the first time a recommendation has been made about the minimum time a prisoner serving a life sentence in Barbados should remain in jail before being eligible for release. CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders, in a concurring judgment, said that Alleyne’s crime “was a serious one deserving of a stiff sentence”. His colleague Justice Denys Barrow, who also agreed, said that sentences should reflect the principles of retribution and deterrence and the court’s position was strengthened by a recognition of the importance of the society’s sense of justice. In September 2010, the killer, now 29, along with an accomplice, robbed the Campus Trendz story on Tudor Street, The City. Alleyne, of Prescod Bottom, Hindsbury Road, St Michael, threw two Molotov cocktails into the boutique which caused a blaze. The young women, who had hidden inside the store during the robbery, died as a result of smoke inhalation. Alleyne admitted his role in the robbery in a statement he wrote. He was charged with six counts of murder, but in June 2011, he pleaded guilty to six counts of manslaughter. This was accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions. In reflecting on today’s CCJ’s ruling and the near 10-year tragedy, founder of the September 3 Foundation attorney at law David Comissiong told Barbados TODAY that even though justice had been served, the events of that fateful day still leave him with feelings of depression. Comissiong, who is Barbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM, lamented that the message of the foundation that urges consideration for each other’s lives does not seem to be getting through to people since the callous acts of the two young men behind the Campus Trendz killings. “In the years since then and we look at some of the senseless acts of violence that we are still perpetrating on each other, we really have to wonder whether anything has been learnt from the Campus Trendz tragedy,” he said. The matter of Alleyne’s appeal was heard by the regional court on December 5, 2018. However, shortly after hearing the case, it came to the CCJ’s attention that Alleyne may have been involved in another matter of a similar nature. The court convened a hearing on January 10, 2019 at which the lawyers on both sides confirmed that he had indeed been involved in the robbery and firebombing of the Chicken Galore building, less than one month before the Campus Trendz incident. The court was satisfied that as the appellant’s guilty plea in the Chicken Galore incident was not finalized until 2013, it was not relevant at the time of his sentencing for the Campus Trendz matter in 2012. However, based on legislative authority, the CCJ considered that it could take this information into account. The court was satisfied that the trial judge in the local High Court had considered all the relevant mitigating and aggravating factors and statutory provisions in imposing the sentences. Further, the actions of Alleyne in two incidents of a similar nature, revealed a callous and reckless disregard for human life that must attract stern condemnation from the judiciary. The appellate court considered in its judgment that “in discharging its judicial function to fashion an appropriate sentence” when imposing a life sentence, the court “not only has the authority, but, we venture to say, the responsibility” to recommend the tariff or minimum period of sentence to be served for purposes of deterrence and punishment. Accordingly, the CCJ recommended that Alleyne serves at least 25 years before being eligible for consideration for release. The killer was represented by attorneys Arthur Holder, who is also the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Shadia Simpson, Adonica Spence and Danielle Mottley, while acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Anthony Blackman and Senior Crown Counsel Olivia Davis appeared for the Crown. (BT)

ACCUSED TO CHANGE RESIDENCE – A 62-year-old upholsterer was granted $3,000 bail when he appeared in court recently on a wounding charge. It is alleged that Frank Martin Worrell, of Baycroft New Road, Carrington Village, St Michael did serious bodily harm to Cecil Worrell with intent to maim, disfigure or disable him or to do some bodily harm to him on April 27. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which was read to him by Magistrate Douglas Frederick. There was no objection to bail from Sergeant St Clair Phillips who however raised concern that the two men resided at the same residence. “They are fighting . . . some injuries were sustained including a fractured nose,” the prosecutor revealed. However, the prosecutor’s fear was quickly settled when Worrell’s surety informed that court that he would also accept the responsibly of finding a place for Worrell to rent. That undertaking resulted in the magistrate granting bail to the accused whose case continues before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on September 23.(BT)

CITY MEN BAILED – Two 20-year-old men were granted $5,000 bail today after they appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on separate charges. They are Daniel Antoine Shaquan Stoute and Keanu Nathaniel Harris, both of Lightfoot Lane, St Michael. Stoute pleaded guilty to unlawfully entering on the premises of Akyem Wharton’s on April 26 when the occupier had forbidden him to do so. He however told Magistrate Douglas Frederick he was not guilty of damaging a chair belonging to Akeila Wharton on the same date. On an indictable charge of statutory rape – Stoute and Harris who are charged separately – were not required to plea to the allegation that they had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl on the same date. Harris meanwhile pleaded guilty to unlawfully entering the premises of Akyem Wharton, which is occupied by another person, in a wanton manner. Sergeant St Clair Phillips disclosed that the complainant secured the house in the early morning on April 26 and returned around 12 p.m. where he saw Harris and another person in the house. He asked them to leave and they complied. He returned later and found out that Stoute was also at the house and warned him against coming at the residence. When the complainat returned to the house around 5 p.m. however, he again saw both accused, a female minor and others at the house. The police were called in and the young men arrested. In mitigating on her clients’ behalf attorney-at-law Angella Mitchell-Gittens told Magistrate Douglas Frederick the two had owned up to some of their charges and where remorseful of their actions. She submitted that Harris was unknown to the law courts while Stoute had one prior for cannabis. “It appears to be an abandoned house where young persons with too much time on their hands find themselves,” the attorney revealed just before the magistrate ordered that Stoute pay the court a fine of $500 in one week or spend a month in prison. Harris was ordered to perform 120 hours of community service. The two return to court on September 24 in connection with their other charges. Stoute must also report to Central Police Station every Wednesday by 10 a.m. (BT)

BURGLAR CONFESSES – Twenty-five-year-old Dario Arlington Hollingsworth, who admitted to a burglary spree over the past three months, has been remanded to HMP Dodds for the next 28 days. The No. 42 Golden Rock, Pinelands, St Michael resident appeared before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court today and pleaded guilty to nine of ten charges, which occurred in the District ‘A’ and ‘F’ jurisdictions. Appearing before Magistrate Douglas Frederick, Hollingsworth, who was the subject of a recent wanted man police bulletin owned up to entering the home of Avril Peyton and stealing items and Barbados, Canada and US currency totaling $6,015. 71 between February 16 and 17. Between March 2 and 22, the self-confessed burglar also trespassed in Johanna Pelaez’s home and stole three items worth $160. He also entered the home of Christiane Flynn and stole two items and US$300; the home of Nicholas Neilands, and stole jewelry and other items along with BDS$400 totaling $1,573.39 as well as the home of Stephanie Acoca where he stole several items along with US$1,000 and CDN$400 totaling $4,341. Hollingsworth, who back in 2017 claimed that he could not walk and was wheelchair bond, stood unaided in the docks today and admited that between April 3 and 9 he trespassed in Daniel Luke’s home and stole a tablet, BDS$150 and a laptop totaling $3,850. He also entered the home of Marie Kavenagh and stole three bags, a wallet, a car key and a passport all valued at $1,740.42. He also pleaded guilty to damaging a door belonging to Sweetfield Manor without lawful authority or reasonable excuse; entering the house of Clemen Buter as a trespasser with intent to commit theft and burglarising the business known as Bananaquit where he made away with a television and remote control belonging to Sweetfield Manor and a decoder box and remote control belonging to the Caribbean Media Corporation totaling $1,490. However, he was not required to plea to the indictable charge of burglarising the home of Matias Osca where he allegedly stole property belonging to six people inclusive of electronic devices, jewelry, medication, a bikini and other clothing totaling $21, 970. Hollingsworth is also facing an indictable joint charge with 39-year-old Louwayne Joel Eugene Branch, of Monroe Road, Haggatt Hall, St Michael. The two were not required to plea to the charge that they entered the home of Stephen Harrison as trespassers and stole a number of items worth $20,886. The accused will appear in the District ‘F’ Magistrates’ Court on May 10 on that charge which allegedly took place between April 19 and 20. Branch is separately charged with dishonestly assisting in the disposal of two laptops worth $6,000 and a $400 tablet for the benefit of another person knowing or believing that the devices had been stolen. He pleaded not guilty to the charge which is alleged to have occurred on April 20, 2019 as well as that of putting off a bill of exchange on August 16, 2018 in the amount of $2,429 purporting to be a CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank (Barbados) Limited cheque payable to Altimar Wholesalers Inc. and drawn on the account of First Class Car Rentals and Taxi Services knowing it to be forged. Branch also denied the charge that he obtained from Altimar Wholesalers Inc on the same day snacks and drinks totaling $2,429. 32 via a forged CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank (Barbados) Limited cheque payable to the company and drawn on the account First Class Car Rentals and Taxi Services knowing it to be forged. The accused also denied a joint charge with 32-year-old Shekira Kelly-Ann Best of Monroe Road, Haggatt Hall, St Michael which allegedy occured on August 8, 2018. The two are charged with obtaining from BRC West Indies Limited 280 bars of Rebar Steel worth $3,413 via a forged FirstCaribbean International Bank (Barbados) Limited cheque. Best pleaded not guilty to the charge as well as a separate charge of allegedly uttering the forged cheque on the same day. Station Sergeant St Clair Phillips objected to bail for Branch on the grounds that he was currently on bail and was now before the court on more allegations in two different jurisdictions. But Branch’s attorney-at-law Kyle Walkes argued that his client was still a proper candidate for bail as he always attended his court hearings, was gainfully employed and had a fixed place of abode. The attorney also claimed that his client had been in police custody for the past 12 days and “he indicated that he had been beaten by police . . . and has suffered injuries . . . and is passing blood. Walkes also urged the court to grant Branch bail so “his family can take care of him”. He further stated that two of the charges, which were presented to the court, were alleged to have occured almost a year ago and his client was willing to surrender to any bail conditions that the court was willing to impose. After mulling over the submissions Magistrate Douglas Frederick ruled in favour of the prosecution and remanded Branch. There were no objections from the prosecutor in the cases against Best although she has a pending matter before the court. She was granted $5,000 bail which she secured with one surety. All three accused will reappear in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on May 30 when the magistrate is excepted to make a decision on sentencing for Hollingsworth who was also remanded to Dodds. (BT)

POLICE NEED HELP IDENTIFYING INJURED MAN – Police are seeking the assistance of the public in identifying a man who was injured in an accident round 6:05 p.m. yesterday at Vauxhall Road, St James. The man is in critical condition in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He was involved in a collision with minibus B148. When asked, he gave his name as Michael Blackman, Shawn Blackman and Charles Blackman. He is about 5'8" tall, medium built with a dark complexion. He has black and grey hair, a broad mouth and appears to be in his mid50s. Anyone with information which can assist with identifying this man is asked to contact Holetown Police Station at 4191700, police emergency at 211, Crime Stoppers at 1800TIPS or any Police Station. (WN)

WORLD RELAYS OUT – Barbados’ silver medal team from the last International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Relays will not be taking part this year. Some of the island’s top athletes have not been released by their schools for the biennial meet, which will be held in Yokohama, Japan, from May 11 to 12. President of the Athletics Association of Barbados (AAB) Catherine Jordan said several factors contributed to the decision. The international governing body for the sport of athletics recently released the 47 teams participating and Barbados was omitted. “The board of the Athletics Association of Barbados Inc. (AAB) after much consideration, has decided that it would not be sending a team to the World Relays this year, since some of its fastest athletes who are in school could not be released in May to travel to Japan to represent the country,” Jordan said. (WN)

PM’S MESSAGE FOR START OF RAMADAN – The following message was issued by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, QC, MP, to mark the start of Ramadan 2019 in Barbados. Today, as members of the Barbadian Muslim community join with more than a billion of their colleagues around the world to mark the start of the holy month of Ramadan, I cannot help but note that they are doing so in what is clearly an increasingly intolerant and chaotic world. And while it may be coincidental that Muslims are starting these holy celebrations just one week after the very tragic loss of more than 200 lives in a series of bombings in Sri Lanka on Easter, a similarly holy occasion on the Christian calendar, the world ought not to lose this opportunity to promote love — love for self, and love for others. Throughout this month, Muslims will engage in intense prayer and dusk-to-dawn fasting, all part of a regime whose aim is to stimulate physical and spiritual purity. They do this by refraining from the bad habits that have helped to push the world in a direction that many of us so abhor. We certainly would all live in a better world if more of us practised in our everyday lives the personal restraint that members of the Muslim community emphasize during Ramadan. How much more caring our world would be if we all placed less emphasis on self-indulgent habits and more on empathy for the less fortunate, patience and the observance of strong, positive family values — all of which will no doubt feature prominently in mosques and wherever else Muslims gather this month. I therefore take this opportunity to wish all members of the Barbadian Muslim community, and Muslims all over the world, a happy Ramadan and trust that as you reach the holiday of Eid al-Fitr you would all be able to declare that the month has indeed brought you all closer to God. (WN)

For daily or breaking news reports follow us on Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter & Facebook. That’s all for today folks. There are 242 days left in the year. Shalom! #thechasefilesdailynewscap #thechasefiles# dailynewscapsbythechasefiles

0 notes