#Technically one sticker has yet to be stuck but it has a temporary home for now :)

[tireflavoureight]

Finally put up all of the @transmonstera, @sweatermuppet, and @samsketchbook stickers and prints I bought

[bastardnev]

That Guy Next Door

im finally fuckin posting this dad au fic im losing it, i meant to post this earlier but tumblr kept glitching so!!! here it is!!

anyways as i’ve said a few times already, this fic will be updating on a weekly basis, which means that there’s gonna be one new chapter every friday until all of them have been uploaded. i hope you all enjoy this fic as much as i enjoyed writing it!!

link to ao3

tagging: @tylerblacks @joonhobi @rivela @aliciasfox @sailor-slam-dunk @kidvoodoo @smolsammich  @simulated-heat @douglas-leon-michael (lemme kno if you wanna be added to my tag list!!)

Chapters: 1/16 Fandom: World Wrestling Entertainment, Professional Wrestling Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Mustafa Ali/Pac | Adrian Neville, Other Relationship Tags to Be Added Characters: Mustafa Ali, Pac | Adrian Neville, Wade Barrett, Original Child Character(s), Other Character Tags to Be Added Additional Tags: Rating will go up, wink wonk, Parenthood, Single Parents, Post-Divorce, Alternate Universe - Parents, god for a sec i didn't think there was a parent au tag on here and i was gonna be so confused, First Meetings, Other Additional Tags to Be Added Summary:

"yo" "do me a favor when you get home" "i can see there’s someone new moving in next door" "introduce all of us to him plz n thx"

Single parent Neville was convinced that he would never find love again following his divorce. Little did he realize just how much these four texts from Wade would change his life.

The more that time passed, the more it seemed like Neville was never going to be able to escape this stupid little office.

He was never going to get away from his desk. From his computer. From his phone that never seemed to want to stop ringing for thirty goddamn seconds. From the sounds of his co-workers typing away on their own keyboards. From his boss who almost always seemed to have some new, pointless assignment for him to complete whenever he passed by his cubicle. Such were the woes of working for such a big company…

He told himself that this job was only temporary. Every day he would remind himself that he was only going to be there until he was back on his feet following his divorce. As difficult as this was, it wasn’t going to last forever.

But then a time where he was financially secure enough to start looking for a different job arose, and Neville didn’t jump on the opportunity to leave. He had wanted to stick around for awhile longer to make sure he had completed everything, so that the poor bastard who took this secretary -- no, administrative assistant -- position after him wouldn’t be swamped with missed deadlines and unfinished projects. He didn’t mind staying for a few more days.

Those days turned to weeks. Those weeks turned to months. Those months turned to years.

It had been almost three fucking years since he had the chance to quit, and yet there Neville was, still typing out emails and arranging appointments for higher-ups who couldn’t give any less of a shit about him if they tried.

Sometimes he would stop while in the middle of working, staring intently at his mouse cursor, debating just walking out and leaving this hell behind and never looking back. No one appreciated him. It would make more sense to go elsewhere, wouldn’t it? Where he wouldn’t have to work unnecessarily long hours just to earn a decent pay? Where a boss would actually seem grateful for the work that he puts in?

It was as he would have these thoughts, however, that he would catch sight of the pictures resting next to his computer monitor -- those of two little girls, smiling at the camera and looking so full of life.

His little girls.

The older one was Jennifer, though she was only ever called that when she was in serious trouble (which wasn’t often, now that Neville thought about it) -- otherwise, she was simply known as Jen. She was definitely more like her mother, from having the same light brown hair to the same headstrong personality. Though she was only nine, she was incredibly independent -- almost too independent, however, as she was often too stubborn to ask for help when she was in tough situations.

Then there was Daisy -- ‘Daddy’s favorite,’ as she claimed whenever Neville would do something nice for her (even if he had also done the same thing for Jen). She was six, and even at such a young age she was already showing signs of being just like her father. That is to say, she was becoming a bit of a smartass. True to the little sibling stereotype, she essentially lived to spite Jen, always making sure to say whatever it was she least wanted to hear just so that she could appreciate her over-the-top reactions.

These two lovely children were depending on him. Neville couldn’t quit and risk losing out on money when he knows that they’re counting on him to take care of them.

With that thought in mind, he continued typing.

 If he was lucky, then Neville’s drive from the office back to his home was relatively short, the traffic scarce despite it technically being rush hour.

Unfortunately, that day was not his lucky day.

Despite never actually having met the driver of the minivan that he was stuck behind, Neville felt like he was deeply familiar with their personal life, considering the amount of bullshit on the back of it. There was a stick figure family decal on the back window -- a father, a mother, two little boys, and one little girl. Down on the bumper there were multiple stickers proudly announcing to the world that there were two honors students in the family. What about the third kid? Neville found himself thinking, fingers tapping impatiently on the steering wheel. Are they not good enough for a sticker?

His phone vibrated in the cup holder next to him, and he glanced down at it for a moment before focusing back on the road, pulling up a little once the traffic started to move. He heard the phone vibrate a second time. A third time. By the time the fourth vibration occurred, Neville looked back down at the device and took it in his hands, wondering just what in the hell was so urgent that it required sending that many messages.

Then again, considering that the only person who ever texted him nowadays was Wade, there was no way it was actually anything of substance.

Wade “Freeloader” Barrett: yo

Wade “Freeloader” Barrett: do me a favor when you get home

Wade “Freeloader” Barrett: i can see there’s someone new moving in next door

Wade “Freeloader” Barrett: introduce all of us to him plz n thx

Typical. Wade was once again trying to get Neville to do something for him. It seemed like all that Wade had done since moving into the downstairs apartment in Neville’s house was try to butter him up for something. That man truly has not changed since college…

Though Neville ribbed Wade for his tactics, even going as far as to jokingly refer to him as a freeloader in his phone, the truth was that he didn't have any negative feelings towards him at all. In fact, he was actually incredibly grateful for him. Wade had been employed when he moved into Neville’s home after his divorce, but he’d been laid off not too long after, and he’d had no success finding a job ever since. It seemed like every time things were looking up for him and he might have found something other than the occasional odd job, the position was always given to someone else, and as such he was never able to pay his share of that month’s rent.

He was always willing to babysit whenever Neville needed him to, however -- which was fairly often, seeing as his job sometimes required that he stay late at the office. Had it not been for him, Neville would have had to worry about paying a sitter on top of all of the bills and everything else. Difficult as things may be, he was glad to have a close friend like Wade.

Someone actually bought that house, though? Neville thought. It’s been on the market for ages. He could only vaguely remember the small family that used to live there before they abruptly moved because of the father’s job. Though the last thing that Neville wanted to do was give Wade what he wanted, he had to admit that he was just as curious as he was about this new neighbor…

 Me: And why should I do that? Can’t you go over there yourself?

Wade “Freeloader” Barrett: your texting while you’re supposed to be driving??

Wade “Freeloader” Barrett: dangerous

Wade “Freeloader” Barrett: tsk tsk

Me: *you’re

Wade “Freeloader” Barrett: SHUT UP

Me: Also I’m in traffic, asshole. Now tell me why you can’t do it yourself?

Wade “Freeloader” Barrett: because i just woke up from a nap and have a killer headache and am in no mood to actually socialize

Me: What makes you think I’M in the mood to socialize? I just had a long day at work.

Wade “Freeloader” Barrett: because you’re the cuter one between the two of us and it would be better if he saw your pretty face instead of mine

Wade “Freeloader” Barrett: you could win over anyone with those eyes of yours

 It was at that moment that Neville placed his phone back down in the cup holder -- partially because the traffic was beginning to move and he needed to start driving again, though mainly because he’d read enough. Wade always tried to compliment him whenever he was too lazy to do something for himself, and Neville was ashamed to admit that this strategy worked more often than not.

This time was going to be different, however. After a long day of typing away at his desk and going straight into bumper-to-bumper traffic, it was going to take a lot more than some sweet talking to get him to introduce himself to a total stranger.

Neville finally pulled into his driveway about fifteen minutes later, turning the car off and leaning back against the seat with a sigh. Somewhere along the way it had started raining, the droplets of rain tapping rhythmically against the windshield. He loved the rain -- that is, when he didn’t actually have to go walking through it. It was a short walk from the car to the front door. Even so, he was not looking forward to getting wet…

As he gathered his bearings, he took a quick look out of the passenger side window, and he noticed that there was a light on inside of the house next door, and there was an unfamiliar car parked in the driveway. So Wade was telling the truth when he said that there was a new neighbor. Wonder what their story is.

The neighborhood that Neville lived in wasn’t bad by any means, but he didn’t think that it was an area that anybody would want to willingly move into. Most of the residents tended to keep to themselves, the extent of their interactions with one another being a quick ‘hello’ and nothing more. Wouldn’t someone looking for a place to start their new life look for someplace more interesting? Whoever this new person was must have had no other options.

...Then again, it wasn’t like Neville really cared about what this new person thought. He had more important things to worry about then whatever was going on in their mind.

Neville resigned himself to his damp fate and exited the car, making sure to lock it before trekking through the rain and up the front stops until he reached the door. Despite it being closed, he could hear what sounded like a commotion inside -- just what he needed after the day he’d had. What are they fighting over now ? He clicked his tongue and opened the door, bracing himself for whatever the latest controversy was.

“Jen, you said yourself that you didn’t care if she ate your leftovers or not.” The first voice that Neville heard was that of Wade, who was clearly trying to mediate an argument between the two girls, standing in front of Jen while Daisy hid behind his back.

“I said I didn’t want them! I never said she could have them!” Jen had her arms crossed.

“I never ate them, though!” Daisy peeked out from behind Wade, clutching his shirt, dark brown curls falling over her face. “I swear! Why would I want something that you touched?”

“Uh… Hello?” Neville decided to speak up, prompting the three of them to look over in his direction.

“Daddy!!” Daisy let go of Wade and went charging towards him, now opting to hide behind him instead (and prompting a “What, am I not a good enough shield for you?” from Wade). “Jen’s bullying me again!”

“I am not!” Jen insisted. “She’s the one that did something wrong! She ate my food!”

Of all the ridiculous arguments that these two could have had, they had to have one over chicken tenders? Were fights over toys going out of style? “Okay, listen,” Neville started. “Jen, you did say that you didn’t mind if someone else ate them. And Daisy, you shouldn’t insinuate that anything your sister touches is dirty.”

Daisy blinked at him. Neville couldn’t imagine why she looked so confused, seeing as he made a perfectly good point.

“Nev,” Wade said. “She’s six. I don’t think she knows what ‘insinuate’ means.”

“Right… Okay, how about this -- don’t say that anything she touches is dirty. There, is that better?”

Daisy nodded this time. Neville knew her too well, though. It may appear as if she understood, but in reality she was plotting her next move. Chances are she had plenty more insults ready to unleash the moment that Neville’s back was turned.

Jen made a disgusted sound and stormed into the hallway, bounding up the stairs towards her room. Now that her enemy had disappeared, Daisy deemed it safe enough to emerge from hiding, heading towards the kitchen. Neville pushed his glasses up his nose as he watched her go. “How did that argument even start, anyway?” He asked.

“Hell if I know.” Wade shrugged. “I was minding my own business when Daisy came running in here claiming that Jen was going to kill her. Again.”

“Did she even eat the leftovers?”

“No, she didn’t.”

“Then who…” He squinted at Wade. “ You ate them, didn’t you?”

“...Maybe…”

“Of course you did.” Neville sat down on the couch, rubbing at his temples.

“What, did you expect me to speak up? Angry Jen isn’t fun to deal with. The last thing I wanted was to be on the receiving end of her wrath. She clearly got that gene from you.”

“Ha ha, very funny.”

Wade took a seat next to him. “Enough about that, though. What happened with the new guy next door?”

“I didn’t talk to him.”

“What?” He looked disappointed. “Not even after I asked you so nicely?”

“Trying to get me to do something for you by buttering me up isn’t always going to work, Wade. I told you that I had a long day today and I wasn’t up for introductions. I’ll get around to it when I’m not exhausted.”

Wade huffed, propping his feet up on the coffee table (and having them shoved off by Neville a few seconds later). “All I’m trying to do is help you get back out there…”

Neville looked at him, eyes narrow. “Excuse me?”

“Oh, did I say that out loud? Oops.” Wade was acting as if that were an accident, but it didn’t take a genius to figure out that he’d clearly meant for Neville to hear him.

“What do you mean that you’re trying to help me ‘get back out there’?”

“Well, y’know…” Wade began to play with his nails, avoiding Neville’s gaze. “I thought you and the cute new guy next door might want to chat for awhile, maybe hang out sometime, that’s all.”

“You-- Wait, you actually want me to date this guy? This guy who I’ve never even met? Are you kidding me?” Neville had learned so much about Wade in the years that they’d known each other, but never once had he shown any interest in trying to play matchmaker. “Why do you want this so badly?”

“I just thought it would be nice! I know you’ve been lonely lately--”

“And just how would you know that?”

“Nev, I’ve been your friend since college. I’ve been living with you ever since you and Marina split. The last few years have been rough for you romance-wise, and it’s obvious that it’s taken a toll on you.”

Neville swallowed at the mention of his wife’s name. “How do you know ?” He repeated, growing a little impatient.

“I feel like I hardly ever see you smile anymore,” Wade continued. “It’s not that you never smile, it’s just… genuinely happy smiles are pretty rare for you these days. I thought that maybe finding you a nice guy to hang out with would help lift your spirits a bit -- and who knows, something great could come out of this. You should give him a chance.”

Neville knew that he was probably being rude, but he still rolled his eyes, shaking his head and once again pushing his glasses up his nose. He knew that Wade didn’t mean any harm. He was one of the few truly good people that Neville knew, and he would never do anything to hurt him.

This, on the other hand, while it didn’t hurt him by any means, was on a whole different level. “Wade, listen… I understand that you’re just trying to help,” Neville started. “I appreciate that you’re looking out for me. But I know I’ve told you before that I’m not interested in finding a partner at the moment. I have a family to support, and I don’t have time to be fooling around with romance right now.”

“Okay…” Wade’s shoulders drooped. “Sorry if it seemed like I was forcing you into something that you didn’t want.”

“No need to apologize.” Neville stood up from the couch, stretching. “I gotta go get changed. These clothes are so damn uncomfortable.”

“It’s times like these where I’m almost glad I don’t work,” Wade commented, watching Neville as he made to leave the room. “Otherwise I’d have to wear stuff like that .”

“I envy you, I won’t lie.”

Neville arrived at the top of the steps and started to make his way down the hallway. He briefly stopped in front of the door to the girls’ room, knowing that Jen was most likely still stewing inside. He knew that she would get over it eventually, but it still bothered him knowing that she was angry with the wrong person. Maybe once she calms down we can tell her… Though Wade will probably be scared shitless while we do it.

He continued down the hall and made it to his own room, taking off his jacket and tossing it onto the bed. He was about to start undoing the buttons on his shirt when he noticed that the window was open, and he let out a little annoyed noise. Great, now the floor is wet…

It was when he went over to close it that he once again caught sight of the house next door -- in particular, his eye was drawn to the window. He could see that there was someone moving around inside, but he was only able to see his back. There he is, the man of my dreams… or so I’ve been told.

Neville wasn’t in the mood to be accused of being a creeper, so he quickly shut the window and closed the blinds, resuming his undressing. Whoever the hell this new guy was, he wasn’t interested in watching what he assumed were his dinner preparations (nor was he willing to strip right where he could see it).

For all the complaints that Neville had about his job, there was one thing about it that he did like -- the fact that he was able to work from home on Fridays.

He was set up at the kitchen table, lazily scrolling through the emails that were gradually piling up in his inbox. Most of them didn’t even concern him -- in the beginning they were about figuring out what time would work best for everyone for the next meeting, now most of them were people debating which day of the week would be better between Monday and Tuesday. I’m stuck in that office anyway regardless of the day, so what does it even matter? Neville thought to himself, taking a sip from his coffee mug as he went to work deleting some of the messages.

“What a sight to behold.” Neville looked up from the screen and found that Wade had entered the room. “You’re still sitting here working and drinking from that ‘World’s Okayest Dad’ mug. Don’t you think you should give yourself a break?”

“I already took my break earlier,” Neville replied just as he heard another chime ring out from his laptop -- the meeting would officially be on Monday, despite numerous complaints. Incoming shitstorm.

“Take another one. What’s stopping you? It’s not like anyone can tell that you’re not working.”

“They’ll tell when I’m not responding to any of their emails.”

“So if you don’t respond immediately after they send it to you then they’ll know that you’re slacking off? Sounds rough. Glad I’m not working there.”

“You’re not working, period .”

“Exactly, and who would want to with those regulations?” Wade went to the fridge and dug around inside until he came back with a bottle of water, unscrewing the cap and taking a sip. “Hey, where are the girls? I haven’t seen them all afternoon.”

“Outside in the yard.” Neville nodded his head in the direction of the back door. “I’m surprised they’ve been playing for so long without getting into a fight.” Right as Neville finished saying that, he heard a thud and the unmistakable sound of Daisy yelling “Ow!” “Ah, I see I spoke too soon.”

A few moments later, both girls stumbled into the kitchen through the back door. “Daddy, Daisy threw the ball over the fence again,” Jen complained, elbowing her sister in the side.

“Ow-- It wasn’t my fault! She was the one who threw it.”

“You said you were ready for me to throw it!”

“No I didn’t!”

“Yes you did! Daddy, didn’t you hear her say she was ready? She’s lying again--”

“Alright, alright, that’s enough,” Neville interrupted her before she could say anything more, and he pushed back his chair. “You two head back outside and wait in the yard. I’ll go get the ball for you.”

Jen and Daisy looked at each other before they both walked back outside, the two of them getting into a brief scuffle in the doorway since they couldn’t decide which of the two of them got to go through first (Jen ultimately won by reminding Daisy of who the older sibling was). Neville pinched the bridge of his nose once they were gone, letting out a sigh. “What am I going to do with them…”

“Well, you can start by getting their ball,” Wade said.

Neville made a little frustrated noise and stood up, though it was as he was about to leave that he noticed the cocky smirk on Wade’s face. “What’s up with you?”

“Nev, how did you get the ball the last time they threw it over the fence?” he asked, leaning back against the counter.

“Uh… I went into the yard and got it?”

“You realize you can’t do that anymore, right? Since there’s now someone living there. That’s trespassing.”

“What’s your point?”

“My point is that you’re going to have to get the new neighbor’s permission to go back there and get it. You two are finally going to meet.”

“Oh God, are you still on this?” Neville huffed. “I told you that I’m not interested in being in a relationship right now. Let it go .”

“I never said you had to date him. Just that you’re gonna be meeting for the first time.”

“Maybe so, but I know you’re thinking it.” He waggled his finger at him. “And let me tell you this: I’m going to go next door, ask for the ball back, and then come right back here. No bullshit, no stopping inside for coffee or whatever, no nothing . You got that?”

“Whatever you say, mate.” Wade still didn’t look entirely convinced, but he didn’t press the issue any further and left the kitchen, leaving Neville all by himself.

What a pain in the ass… Neville shook his head as he watched Wade retreat downstairs. He waited until he was gone before exiting into the hallway and walking towards the front door.

The moment that the early-August heat hit his face, Neville immediately regretting going outside. God, how have those kids been playing out here for all this time? He despised the thought of meeting his new neighbor while drenched in sweat, so he decided to stop wasting time and briskly started the trek over to the house next door.

“It won’t take him much longer, calm down!” Neville could hear the faint sound of Jen reprimanding her sister from his own yard.

“We’ve been waiting foreverrrrr…” Naturally, the next voice he heard was that of Daisy.

Five minutes. It’s been five minutes since they asked. At most.

Neville looked up at the house that was now in front of him, and he marched up to the door with authority, determined not to let Wade’s nonsense get in the way of what he came here to do. He didn’t come here to flirt or do anything of that nature -- he was not going to let the wannabe matchmaker that lived in his basement cloud his judgement.

He rang the doorbell and took a step back, crossing his arms and waiting for some sort of response. He could still hear the sounds of Daisy and Jen bickering from the yard. He debated taking out his phone and asking Wade to keep an eye on them, but it was right as he reached for his pocket that the door opened.

“Hi, I’m—” Neville stopped himself once he got a good look at the man now standing in the doorway, his mouth hanging open slightly.

“Um… How can I help you?” The man asked, brown eyes narrowed in confusion, like he couldn’t figure out why this stranger was gaping at him on his doorstep. It was those same eyes that Neville found himself suddenly lost in, momentarily forgetting just why the hell he was there in the first place. That’s a good question -- how can you help me?

Neville cleared his throat, shaking his head and snapping himself out of his trance. “Excuse me, I’m sorry to bother you, but my kids accidentally threw their ball over your fence. I was wondering if we could get it back.”

“Oh, that’s what that was?” He smiled. “I heard yelling coming from next door and was wondering what had happened.”

“Ah, well, you know how little girls can be sometimes…”

“Trust me, I do. I work with them. I can toss the ball back over for ‘em.”

“Thank you.” Neville returned his smile. “Again, sorry to trouble you. I know you’re still busy unpacking.” Neville could see the moving boxes that were sitting in the hallway. “Don’t mean to interrupt.”

“Don’t worry about it, it’s not a problem at all. Hey, what’s your name, by the way? I’m Mustafa.”

“Mustafa…” Neville repeated. It was a nice name. “I’m Adrian.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Adrian.” There was that infectious smile again. Neville found himself quite liking how his name sounded coming from his mouth -- and he normally hated his first name. “You’re the first person around here that I’ve actually spoken to, you know that?”

“That doesn’t shock me.” He frowned. “The people around here aren’t exactly the nicest. They don’t really do things like greeting new neighbors.”

“That’s a shame… But at least I have one nice neighbor in you . That makes up for it.” Mustafa shot him a wink. “I should probably go get the ball now -- I’ll catch you later, okay?”

“Okay! I’ll, uh… see you around.”

With that, Mustafa shut the door, and Neville let out a breath that he didn’t even realize that he was holding. Finally, it was over . He had done what needed to be done, and now he could go back home and rub it in Wade’s face.

I didn’t linger at all. Neville thought with a sense of triumph as he went down to the sidewalk. Wade was so sure that I was going to fall head over heels for him within thirty seconds of knowing him. Not even close.

…Still, Neville thought it was a bit strange how he had acted when Mustafa first opened the door. Everything about their conversation was normal with the exception of the beginning. Neville had been completely entranced by him, especially those eyes … What was that all about?

Neville’s moment of contemplation didn’t last very long, as he was interrupted by the gleeful sounds of his daughters, whose ball had just been returned to them. He was overthinking things, as usual. He only felt this way because Wade planted the seeds in his mind.

This was nothing to dwell on.

[thechasefiles]

The Chase Files Daily Newscap 1/20/2019

Good Morning #realdreamchasers. Here is your daily news cap for Tuesday, October 1st, 2019. There is a lot to read and digest so take your time. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS), Barbados Today (BT), or by purchasing a Daily Nation Newspaper (DN).

LICENSING NIGHTMARE – The temperature was hot at the Barbados Licensing Authority’s (BLA) office in The Pine, St Michael, yesterday – and it was not just due to the searing heat in the atmosphere. Hundreds of Barbadians who turned up to beat the September 30 licensing deadline, as well as pay the second half of their income tax bills at the Barbados Revenue Authority’s (BRA) office in the same complex, not only had to contend with long, snaking lines well beyond the entrance, but also a protest by BLA staffers claiming one of their colleagues was being overlooked for promotion. Upset customers said they were left stranded when workers exited simultaneously and went on their lunch break, leaving them just to stand in the heat idle for an hour. Barbadians were rushing to secure licence plate tags that were to be placed on all vehicles by yesterday, with non-compliance resulting in $5 000 in fines at the Traffic Court. (DN)

LAST MINUTE LAG – Scores and scores of motorists stood in long lines today to try to beat the deadline to have the Barbados Licensing Authority’s registration tag attached to their license plate. But those who didn’t endure the long wait, a broken system and unbearable heat, will have to hope that Government extends the September 30 deadline. While the last-minute motorists flocked to the six Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) offices today in a mad rush for the stickers, many were unsuccessful due to extremely long lines. When Barbados TODAY visited BRA’s Warrens, St Michael and Holetown, St James branches this afternoon, snaking lines even stretched outside of the building. This was compounded by the fact that today was also the deadline for employees and pensioners to pay the second half of their Personal Income Tax (PIT) for 2018. The long lines were particularly bad at BRA’s office in Warrens where the system was unavailable for over an hour due to technical difficulties. That system went offline around 9 a.m. and was restored just after 10:30 a.m. While efforts to contact Minister of Transport, Works and Maintenance Dr William Duguid for comment proved unsuccessful, Minister in that ministry Peter Phillips told Barbados TODAY investigations would first have to be carried out before a determination could be made on whether the deadline would be extended. “I’m not in a position to comment right now. We will have to do some investigations and have discussions with BRA which is the agency responsible for collecting revenue, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, before a decision is made,” Phillips said. One woman who was seen in the line at the Warrens location told Barbados TODAYshe had left the Pine office because the lines there were simply too long. “The lines here are bad, but nothing compared to the one at the Licensing Authority at the Pine,” she complained. “It’s going to be a long wait but I don’t want to pay that $5,000 fine so I’m going to wait until I get through,” she added. Another man, while frustrated at the long wait, accepted some of the blame for being stuck in the long line. He called on BRA to open the offices on Saturdays, even if for a few hours to accommodate persons who worked during the week. “I know Bajans like to wait until the last minute to do things, so it is not all the licensing authority’s fault. But for people like me who work from Monday to Friday, it is hard for me to get away to come and do this,” he explained. “Even if BRA opens up two branches for two or three hours on a Saturday, that would be real helpful.” Unfortunately for those persons who still have not paid their PIT, there is no plan to offer an extension. This was made clear by BRA’s communications officer Erica Lazare, who told Barbados TODAY an extension was unlikely. She blamed today’s long lines on the fact that motorists had waited until the last minute to conduct their business. (BT)

CHURCH SCHOOL – Class three and four students of Sharon Primary School appear to be quickly settling into a new learning environment. But uncertainty looms over operations at the St Thomas institution with over half of the school’s roll still out of the classroom at the beginning of week four of the new school year. Early this morning, Pamela Small-Williams, Principal of Sharon Primary was busy with teachers and parents preparing rooms at the Jackson Seventh Day Adventist Church for the new school week. The churchyard was a hive of activity as guardians dropped off their children and paused to ensure everything was in place before heading off to their daily occupations. “It wasn’t a good feeling to know that my daughter is soon sitting exams and wouldn’t be able to get the schooling that she needs, but I guess it has worked out,” said the mother of a female student in class 3. Rhea Kellman, another parent meanwhile told reporters she was frustrated that her daughter in class four was unable to attend classes adding it was difficult finding people to “keep” her children while she was at work. She also stressed that authorities needed to tread carefully when tackling the environmental problems at the school. “If something is wrong with the school, come out straight and tell us what is the problem… just tell us what it is. If need be, just shut down the school, send everyone to another school or something. Don’t leave us puzzled and wondering what it is. It is just too confusing,” said the frustrated parent. “I would like them to work fast in clearing up the area so that everybody could be back in one location,” said Kerryann Ellis, who has two children, a class one student, and the other, a class three student. “I was a bit frustrated but I am glad the one in class 3 is back in school. I am happy for that.” Dozens of class four students will be tutored in a room upstairs the Adventist church while their schoolmates in class three will be taught downstairs. Forty-three class two students have also started classes at the Holy Innocent’s Anglican Church. “We know that for as long as we are here… as I have told the children, we shall assume a thankful spirit. It could have been worse; therefore we are thankful and we pray that soon we will resume our accommodation at Sharon Primary School,” Principal Pamela Small-Williams said. Despite promises from acting Minister of Education, Senator Lucille Moe last week that officials were looking for two buildings to house the students, Sharon’s Principal could offer no word on when the school would reopen and what provisions would be made for children from Reception to Class one to receive their education. “The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training has instructed me what is happening this week,” Small-Williams disclosed while adding she was not privy to the arrangement between the Ministry of Education and management of the temporary locations. “Anytime there is uncertainty, the natural thing is to worry about the future. Today we are thankful. We know we are going to be here this week, so we are going to go step by step and we are going to assume positive attitudes and a positive demeanor because our children learn more from us by our behavior and attitude.” When questioned about the extended problems facing the school, Small-Williams argued they were not uncommon to any other school and expressed faith the relevant government agencies tasked with fixing the problems were working assiduously to do just that. The outspoken principal however acknowledged they were some lessons to be learnt from the saga which has taken months to be properly resolved. “It does not matter how you deal with a situation, because of the humanistic characteristic of man, someone will complain. Whatever I did yesterday and I reflect on it, I am sure I can improve in one area or another. I am saying, I believe that parents were expressing genuine concern,” she said of the manner in which parents responded to the problems. Admitted nothing could substitute classroom attention she said Sharon’s management responded well to the challenges by distributing “work” to students via the internet “How you respond shows your tenacity and your motive and we have not put our hands in the air in this situation,” she declared. “ So even though I am concerned about the fact that students from reception to class 1 are still at home, I am yet thankful that teachers are sending work to these children and the parents are also assisting.” (BT)

WATER WOES INTENSIFY FOR ST. JOSEPH RESIDENTS – With the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) now resorting to water rationing in order to combat the severe water outages in high elevation areas, residents of St Joseph say they are feeling little ease with any efforts. Last week, Minister of Energy and Water Resources Wilfred Abrahams revealed that the shutoffs, which began on Friday, were designed to allow the Golden Ridge reservoirs time to refill and it would mean that areas that had steady water supply will now experience outages as a result of the rationing system. When Barbados TODAY visited the Horse Hill community this morning residents complained that while last weekend was the first time that they were able to get water through their taps on a weekend, much more needed to be done to ease their hardship. “This is the first weekend in a long time that we were able to get water, but it went back off on Sunday. We were hoping that it would be different because every Sunday water normally goes off and that is the day that you really need the water because you have so many things to do. You have to wash the children clothes, but you can’t get any water at all,” said long-time resident Samantha King. “We have to get up at 5 a.m. when the tanks are getting filled up. One time we used to get water tanks coming to the houses but now they only filling up the community tanks. So, people that live higher up the hill have to come down to fill up and carry it back up. Some of the guys in the neighbourhood have to help the ones that are not able to fetch water, “she said, noting that the fact that they still receive water bills, remains a sore point for residents. They lamented that community tanks, which augment the service, are of no use to them as it relates to their cooking and drinking needs, as they claim that the tanks have not been cleaned since they were installed by the BWA last year. “It has only been about two months ago that the tanks get listed for cleaning. They have not cleaned those tanks since they put them down. Every now and then we see chlorine tablets drop in it,” said one resident, who referred to himself only as John. Persons complained that when the tank water levels are low, black sediment could be seen floating in their buckets whenever they fetched water. “Right now, nobody drinks water from those tanks. We buy bottled water to cook with, to make tea or to drink. The water from the tank, especially when the levels low, is not even fit to bathe with but normally we just don’t have a choice. When you get to the water at the bottom of the tank, you only seeing all kinds of black things floating around in your bucket,” said another resident, who did not want to be identified. “I am convinced that St Joseph is not on the map of Barbados. The only time it is on the map is when you talking about Winston Hall or when election come around. These are the only times that I know about but other than that St Joseph is not rated in anything. Right now, we suffering more than the people that get the hurricane in Bahamas,” a lady, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, lamented. Barbados TODAY made several attempts to reach the minister as well as General Manager of the BWA Keithroy Halliday but without success. On visits to areas in St Thomas and St George residents revealed they were doing their best to adjust for the most part, acknowledging that Government had limited options as it relates to the country’s water scarcity. (BT)

SAGICOR TO GET CLICO, BAT & TT BUSINES – Sagicor Life Inc is set to deepen its foothold in Trinidad and Tobago by taking over the insurance portfolios of both collapsed giants, Colonial Life Insurance Company [Trinidad] Limited (CLICO) and British American Insurance Trinidad Limited (BAT), the company has announced. Back in March, Finance Minister Colm Imbert declared that after two bid rounds, the two main bidders for the companies were Sagicor and Maritime, with the preferred bidder being Sagicor. The Government in Port of Spain had taken emergency control of CLICO/BAT when the parent conglomerate, CL Financial, approached the State in 2009 for a bailout that eventually cost taxpayers approximately $23 billion. In a statement today, Sagicor Group’s president and CEO, Dodridge Miller,  said: “We are pleased to welcome the policyholders to the Sagicor family and assured them of the same level of protection and service that our existing policyholders enjoy upon the completion.” Claire Gomez-Miller, chairman of both CLICO and BAT in Trinidad and Tobago, said: “Sagicor emerged as the preferred buyer in an open and very competitive tender process with guidance from independent global industry experts.” (BT)

GET SMART BUSINESSES TOLD – As Government continues its digital transformation of the public service, Prime Minister Mia Mottley is urging the private sector to do the same. At the same time, she is cautioning Barbadians not to get lost in the process. The Prime Minister, currently in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, gave the advice in a video message at a reception for the inaugural Smart Barbados Conference at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Monday night. She said: “Our partnerships in the public and private sectors are the bedrock upon which we will transform Barbados from an analogue society to a digital society. “It is our future to grab and we have to bring along our children and to ensure that as we introduce them to new forms of technology that they do not lose sight of the morals and ethics that make them who they are. “We can become digital citizens while remembering who we are and continue to be rooted by the values that make us who we are. The technology, after all, is just a tool. “We expect that we can see the transitioning across all our public services but we also want to see it in delivery of our private sector services and goods. “We also want to see it with respect to how we literally ask our youngsters to create because we must not simply be the users of other people’s goods, but it is within our power to create and make a better future.”  Pointing to the changes already being made to transform government processes including in Cabinet, Mottley said she hoped that “the rest of Barbados, in whatever station, doing whatever you can, can best utilise the technology to make your life easier and more efficient and to ensure that there is greater productivity for this nation”. She declared: “I say to you that as we do that, never forget why we are here and what we are intending to do and who we are to serve because technology cannot replace the essence of our being.” The Smart Barbados Conference was organised by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology in association with a number of private sector organisations. The conference, which will run until Friday, will cover a range of topics on digital transformation, including presentations by a number of overseas guest speakers. Minister of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology Senator Kay McConney said she was hoping to see more private-public sector partnerships as Barbados continues its digital transformation. She said: “Smart Barbados then, is not just about what we do with technology but fundamentally it is what we do with our minds, how we create, how we design and how we problem-solve for this country.” She also told the gathering, which included a number of ministers and officials, private sector bosses and other dignitaries, that for Smart Barbados to thrive, children must be involved. During the four-day event, students are expected to visit the exhibits as they get a closer insight into some new technology. During the conference, results of a consultation are also expected to be released, as officials identify impediments and come up with strategies to address them by way a roadmap that would include all stakeholders. (BT)

RETROFIT FOR GREEN ENERGY – Small businesses are being encouraged to retrofit their operations for renewable energy, as the nation’s small business leader urged providers to help facilitate the process. The president of the Small Business Association, Wayne Willock, made a series of recommendations to boost the sustainability of small businesses in a changing 21st-century environment at the end of a “successful” Small Business Week of activities which included a youth forum and special conference. In a brief interview, Willock told Barbados TODAY: “Businesses need to be thinking about the fact that oil prices will be going up in the near future. “They should be looking at alternative ways of doing things that will not let the oil price impact their business as much. “Electricity may go up, gasoline and fuels will increase and businesses which depend on those things need to put things in place even if it means looking at renewable energy. “There are a lot of savings in renewable energy and the more businesses which have onboard we will have less strain on the economy.” The SBA president also called on businesses which facilitate renewable energy solutions to work more closely with small businesses. He said: “I believe there’s enough information on it that people would take it onboard. “But the providers need to find ways of getting packages for small businesses that will allow budgeting for that alternative.” Willock also encouraged small businesses to focus on digital and technological solutions to better facilitate commercial transactions and business interactions with Government. He also recommended succession planning to ensure small businesses do not collapse on the death of owners as well as health insurance plans to reduce the financial cost of illness, particularly in old age. He also promoted the recently-launched health insurance initiative organised by the SBA, in collaboration with insurance giant Sagicor and the non-profit music licensing body, the Copyright Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (COSCAP). (BT)

CRAIGWELL’S FINAL WORDS OF LOVE – I love you my dear sister’. Those were the last words Maureen Forte heard from her brother David Craigwell on Saturday night. Hours later, on Sunday afternoon, he died suddenly in the parking lot of Pricesmart on Green Hill, St Michael. In an interview with Barbados TODAY, Forte, Craigwell’s older sister said their final exchange perfectly summed up their relationship over the last 63 years. But according to her, his loveable personality extended to his son and his adopted daughter Shelley Griffith, his ten siblings, his colleagues at the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) where he served as a petty officer for many years and his close friends. She added that while he was never married, her brother had many close female friends. “If you met David and you were a friend, even if you two were no longer intimately involved, he would still be a good friend. Some of them called me this morning crying,” she revealed. “His life was caring for people and being out there… he was community-minded.” The older sister said Craigwell was a committed member of the Lions Club of Barbados, the Barbados Legion, and was active in the training of BDF cadets. “People would say ‘Craigwell doesn’t make sport, he was a serious man.’ He would make you fill a tub with a spoon in training or make you run around the Garrison with an egg and a spoon. He was thorough in whatever he did. When they had the poppy day, he would go and help count the money. He was a very committed person,” she said, while adding in his later years, he focused on photography and enjoyed nature. Forte, who lived just a stone’s throw from her brother in Newbury, St. George said despite their close bond, her brother had been very secretive about his sickness but would complain of pain to his feet if he stood for long periods. “He had tests and everything. He went to doctors and I think he hid his actual sickness from me but I could look and see he wasn’t well. I guess he probably wanted to protect me from knowing because of how close we were,” she said reflectively. The two last spoke on Saturday night and as usual, he was complaining about his pain and said he was experiencing a “funny” feeling. “He didn’t say if he was leaving home or anything like that. When I finished speaking to him on Saturday night, he said ‘I love you my dear sister’ and I said ‘I love you my dear brother’ and that is why when I heard what happened on Sunday I really cried but I am trying to be strong for everyone. I am going to miss him,” she said tearfully. Hours later, she received a call from a relative indicating her brother had fallen ill in his vehicle while at Pricesmart. According to reports, he received assistance at the scene but failed to recover and was pronounced dead at the scene. “It was a sad moment, not only for us as a family but for lots of people in this country,” his sister concluded. (BT)

JUDGES DAY – The long-awaited additional judges for the High Court and Court of Appeal moved a step closer to easing the backlog of cases on the courts’ docket with their official swearing in today. Attorney General Dale Marshall says their appointments will result in a major dent in the thousands of cases over the next 24 months. Five men and two women took the oath of office at Government House, before Governor General Dame Sandra Mason, friends and families and journalists. Appointed were one Court of Appeal Judge Rajendra Narine; two temporary High Court Judges Laurie-Ann Smith –Bovell and Carlisle Greaves; and four High Court Judges Barry Carrington, Cicely Chase, Christopher Birch and Cecil McCarthy.(BT)

ANTI CORRUPTION MEASURES COMING – Protections for whistleblowers and an update of a 90-year-old law are among a range of measures the Government plans to introduce in a “few weeks” to go after crooked public officials amid rising public perceptions of lingering corruption in Barbados, the Attorney General has told Barbados TODAY. Dale Marshall was responding to the recently released Global Corruption Barometer for Latin America and the Caribbean, which stated that 37 per cent of Barbadians believed corruption had increased in the last 12 months. But the survey, which had a sample size of just over 800 people, also showed that a majority – 55 per cent – believed the Mottley administration is doing a good job in fighting corruption. About one in four respondents – 29 per cent – believed Government was doing a bad job and 16 per cent said they did not know. In a brief interview, Marshall gave an assurance that the foundation was being laid to help address any outstanding issues of corruption. The Government’s chief legal adviser declared he would be announcing some major initiatives “in the very near future”. He said: “Within the next few weeks we are going to be introducing into Parliament, this is not just words, a new Whistleblower statute, which is going to be more comprehensive than what we had in the Integrity in Public Life Bill. “We are going to be introducing a new Prevention of Corruption statute, which will modernize our landscape in terms of our laws, and increase significantly the kinds of penalties that would be imposed.” Pointing out that the existing law, dating back to 1929, classifies a corrupt act as a misdemeanor, Marshall said this alone “speaks volumes about the attitude that people had toward the act of corruption”. But, with stiffer penalties and new definitions to be introduced, the Attorney General said he expected the new laws to act as a major deterrent to corrupt practices. He also noted that in addition to introducing a new legal framework, there were “some other things” that Government would be doing “which will see Barbados improving by leaps and bounds in terms of how we deal with corruption”. He described as a shame Barbados being one of only two countries yet to accede to the UN Convention against corruption. He promised the Government would ratify the treaty “before the end of the year” – 15 years after signing it, December 2003. In its recommendation, the Global Corruption Barometer called for advocacy for stronger political integrity, especially around elections, improved transparency of political finances; strengthening of judicial institutions; reduction in enablers of bribery, especially in public services; empowerment of individuals, civil society and media, to report corruption. The report also called for officials to recognise and address specific gendered forms of corruption and implement the Lima Commitment, an anti-corruption declaration of the leaders of the Americas made last April at their summit in the Peruvian capital.  (BT)

COURT MAY SIT LONGER HOURS – With roughly 22,000 cases filed in the Magistrates’ Court in Barbados annually, Attorney General Dale Marshall believes the introduction of night court is still a possibility. However, he promised that before judges are put on a shift system, Government would ensure better use of existing facilities. Marshall said he believed Government was able to do more work in the Supreme Court building to be able to have all courts functioning in the day time. “We recognize that with bringing in new judges we simply did not have adequate court space, but we have looked at the flow of traffic, our efficient and better use of the existing facility, and we believe that we will be able to put in a few more courts at a minimum cost to be able to fully utilize the facility,” he explained. At the same time, he said: “We are going to have to look seriously though at the question of evening courts in relation to the magistracy. “We have a small number of magistrates but every year about 22,000 cases get filed in our magistrates’ court. So multiply that by about two years, three years or four years, and the overwhelming majority would be traffic matters. “So we have to come up with some new responses to be able to allow our magistrates’ courts to function more efficiently and I believe that now that we have put things in place to begin to solve those problems for the High Courts we are now going to turn our attention to the magistrates’ court and in that context we really may have to swell the ranks of our magistracy by doing what is done in other places, additional magistrates who will work another shift,” he explained. The promise of evening court sittings in Barbados was made earlier this year, when Marshall pointed out that it was necessary in order to have justice delivered more efficiently and affordably. At the time, Marshall said it was likely that matters heard in the evening would be civil since “criminal matters done in the assizes would not be amendable to that kind of extension”. He had also noted that it would first be discussed with the tripartite Social Partnership, which include labour unions, Government and the private sector.   (BT)

70 MURDER TRIALS A PRIORITY – The 70 murder cases stuck in the criminal justice system are in for some special attention. That was the message sent out by Attorney General Dale Marshall yesterday after seven new judges were sworn in at Government House by Governor General Dame Sandra Mason. He said having five Supreme Courts sitting simultaneously would go a long way in trying to bring some relief to accused people as well as families of victims, by tackling the 70 murder cases which were stuck in the system, along with another 900-plus cases. “Those 70 murder cases are not statistics we should in any way be proud of. I expect that over the next year and half to two years, we would be able to break the backlog of both civil and criminal cases in Barbados,” the Attorney General said. (DN)

THREE BULLET WOUNDS FOUND – Thirty-year-old Alex Romel Samuels died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. Pathologist Dr David Gaskin, who performed a post-mortem on Samuels, was among four witnesses who gave evidence today when the murder trial of Baggio Kristidi Decourcey Daniel, of Block 1A Factory Avenue, Wildey St Michael continued in the No. 5 Supreme Court. Daniel is accused of murdering Samuels on February 1, 2012 on a minibus along the Pine East West Boulevard. Justice Jacqueline Cornelius is presiding over the case in which Principal Crown Counsel Krystal Delaney and Crown Counsel Neville Watson are the prosecutors. Marlon Gordon is the accused’s defence attorney. Dr Gaskin told the court he examined Samuels’ body on February 9, 2012. The doctor said he found three wounds on the body which was identified by a female cousin. The deceased had been shot in the upper body and had three separate entry wounds – one at the base of the neck, another at the front clavicle and the third in the anterior folds of the right arm. A bullet, the doctor told the 12-member jury, was retrieved from the deceased and handed over to police. Firearms expert Sergeant David Leslie also gave evidence during today’s sitting. He revealed that two rounds of ammunition were handed to him for testing but stated that he could not determine whether it was from a 22 revolver or a 22 semi automatic. Under questioning by Crown Counsel Watson about the term spin barrel the Sergeant Leslie responded, “I have heard the term spin barrel used in Barbadian parlance but in actual fact I have never experienced or seen a spin barrel.” He added: “Usually you attribute that term to a revolver. A barrel of a firearm does not spin. What spins is the cylinder of a revolver.” The case continues tomorrow. (BT)

PUNISHED FOR BOND BREACH – Unable to pay a forthwith $1,500 fine for breaching a 12-month bond a 37-year-old man will serve four months in prison. O’neal Sylvester Farmer of No. 122 Midway Lane, Pinelands, St Michael also had a two-month consecutive period at HMP Dodds attached to that sentence for having cocaine apparatus. The sentence on the bond, which was imposed back in August for a preadial larceny offence in connection with five pounds of hot peppers, was triggered today when Farmer pleaded guilty before Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant, in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court for having the drug paraphernalia on September 29. (BT)

TECHNICIAN GRANTED $3000 BAIL – A 38-year-old technician was granted $3,000 bail today on two charges. It is alleged that Rodney Alexander Cox, of Promenade Road, Bank Hall, St Michel assaulted police constable Joseph Green in the execution of his duties on September 28. He is further accused of resisting police constable Pedro Morris on the same date. Cox pleaded not guilty to the two offences when he appeared before Magistrate Alison Burke. When it came time for bail there were no objections from the prosecution and he was released after his surety was accepted. The case against him continues in the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on February 10, 2020. In the meantime, he must report to the Black Rock Police Station every Wednesday by 10 a.m. with valid identification. (BT)

WILLIAMS AND BRATHWAITE ADVANCE TO SEMI-FINALS AT IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2019 – Barbadians Sada Williams and Shane Brathwaite have both advanced to the semi-finals of their respective events at the IAAF World Championships in Doha,Qatar. Williams finished second in 52.14 seconds in heat one of six, in the Women's 400m behind defending champion Phyllis Francis of the United States who won the heat in 50.77 seconds. Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson (51.13) and Stephenie Ann Mcpherson (51.21) have also qualified for tomorrow’s semi-final. Meanwhile, Brathwaite came fourth in heat two of the Men's 110m hurdles with a time of 13.51. Defending Olympic champion Omar Mcleod is also into the semi-finals with the fastest time of 13.17 seconds. (DN)

STOUTE TEARS INTO STARS – Some of Barbados’ top entertainers have come in for a tongue-lashing from Teen Talent founder Richard Stoute, who accused them of turning their backs on the show that “made” them. But alumnus like Caribbean Soca Queen Alison Hinds and Edwin The General Yearwood, who Stoute called out by name, have rejected his claims. Stoute broke down in tears before a large audience at the 6 to 12 final of the Richard Stoute Teen Talent competition at Barbados Museum & Historical Society on Sunday night. He expressed disappointment that past contestants were not returning to support the 43-year-old contest. (DN)

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