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ISSUE NO. 28

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WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16,2016

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First Lady Sandra Granger and the youngest grandchild of proprietor Morris Wilson cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the Buxton-Friendship Guyoil gas station. Also in photo are Morris Wilson (left), Mrs. Wilson (second left), President David Granger (centre) and children of the proprietors

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

Rupununi to expand distribution of localh made beauty produets After launching less than six months ago, the Rupununi Essence Luxury Facial Cleansers project is making waves as its products are poised to grace even more distribution shelves. The success of the beauty products has also seen the receipt of over G$1M to the Rupununi body. The Institute of Applied Science and Region 2, that will produce the Morning Technology (IAST) handed over the money Glory breakfast products and nutrition bar. to the Makushi Research Unit (MRU) and The processing equipment is expected to arthe Medicine from Trees (MFT) group of rive in Guyana on January 13, 2017. Minister of Indigenous Peoples Afthe North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB). The sum represented fairs, Sydney Allicock, Sharon Patterson, profits from the sale of the products since Coordinator of the Ministry of Social Coits launch earlier in the year. hesion, representing Minister Amna Alii; The IAST has been producing the facial Vanda Radzik, trustee of the North Rupuproducts on behalf of the NRDDB, covering nuni District Development Board all production cost to remit 100 percent profit (NRDDB); Emily Allicock, Administrator to the NRDDB. of the Bina Hill Institute and Paulette AlProfessor Suresh Narine of the LAST licock, the coordinator of the Makushi Resaid that the Rupununi products are on sale search Unit, were also at the Cara Lodge at D.M. Sales, on Regent Street and at the event. Grand Coastal Hotel, East Coast Demerara. The Ministries of Social Cohesion and He noted however that the products are now Indigenous People's Affairs have thus enavailable at many more outlets in the city and tered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the IAST to utilise technology and inare ideal gifts for the Christmas season. The IAST is playing a key role in many novation to foster development and generate product development projects. Currently, sustainable businesses in indigenous and hinNarine said, the IAST is supervising the con- terland communities. struction of a solar drying and processing faMinister Allicock said, product develcility in Paramakatoi, Region 8 to sun-dry opment, "endorses the notion that developtomatoes grown in the Pakaraima valleys. ment and poverty alleviation in our The institution also supervised the construc- hinterland communities need not follow an tion of a factory building in Anna Regina, exploitative, extractive trajectory, but can be

Man

killed

man

was

FRANK Deflorimonte Jr., called 'Junior' of Lot 61 Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara (ECD) who died Sunday night in an accident on the Rupert Craig

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are ecstatic to see our grassroots efforts transported through this partnership to such a global reach." The Rupununi Essence brand of products is expected to add two new face cleansing products in 2017. Already an overseas Guyanese is seeking exclusive rights to sell the items in the US. The Rupununi products include facial cleansers, massage oil and a facial scrub made from, among other things, the shells of the crabwood. Salad dressings and marmalade are some of the other items being produced. The Rupununi group is projected to make at least G$2M in profit for the Christmas season.

Highway

Jfc,

- says mother

going to the seawall for the usual Sunday night lime. Eyewitnesses had indicated that they saw the group of bikers speeding and when they reached Lil-

entirely in consonance with principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship." This style of development must be replicated in all indigenous communities, he opined. Paulette Allicock, who received the cheque from Professor Narine, said ancient knowledge and ways can be employed for advancement. "This product from our environment stems from our ancient indigenous knowledge, and through this marvelous product, our culture, knowledge and environment shall be showcased and recognized throughout the world." Women involved with this project are from the grass root level, she said, and "we

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tor bikes and perished on his white Kawasaki dirt bike CH 7805. Deflorimonte Jr at the time of his death was reportedly with a group of bikers

iendaal they saw a body on the roadway and was told that it was a guy riding a bike. It was then they recalled seeing the same young man trailing behind on his motorcycle with the group ahead, all of whom were going at a very fast rate of speed. An eyewitness said. "The motorbike man (Deflorimonte) was speeding, and (he) run into the big man and all two of them pitch." The pedestrian, who was killed in the accident that occurred around 21:15 hrs. in the vicinity of Liliendaal. just outside of Yokohama Trading, remains unidentified. police say. At the home of the deceased. his grieving mother Jennifer Bowen told Guyana Chronicle that she last saw her son earlier on Sunday night when he left home to take his younger sibling to a relative's wedding at Beterverwagting. also on East Coast Demerara. She related that he was at the time wearing a safety helmet as he did often and rubbished rumours that he

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. ir/i — The motorcycle Deflorimonte was riding when he was killed. His helmet is close by did not have on a helmet on Sunday when he met his tragic and horrific demise. The woman, between bouts of tears and loud sobbing. said she is still in shock at the loss of her fourth of seven children whom she described as pleasant and peaceful. Bowen told Guyana Chronicle that her son returned home from the interior, where he worked for about two weeks, because he was ill with malaria and had to come to town for treatment.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

To Sir, NEW

With Love'author ER Brammite dead at 104

YORK

(AP)

—

E.R.

Braithwaite,

Reluctant at first, he quickly completed a manuscript, writing on a collapsible bridge table under an apple tree. For the title, he remembered a package of monogrammed cigarettes his students had given him. "On the wrapping of the box, they had stuck a piece of paper and written on it, 'To Sir, With Love,"' he later wrote. His other books included the novel "Paid Servant," based on his time as a social worker, and "Honorary White," a report of his visit to South Africa in the 1970s. The autobiographical "Reluctant Neighbors," with a structure similar to Amiri Baraka's explosive play "Dutchman," recounts an increasingly contentious train conversation between Braithwaite and a well-meaning, but patronizing white American businessman, who cannot fathom Braithwaite's despair and anger. At various times, Braithwaite lived in Guyana, London, Paris, New York and Washington. He taught at several schools, including New York University and Howard University, was a consultant for UNESCO and lectured in Europe in 2013 on behalf of the U.S. State Department. Meanwhile, "To Sir, With Love" lived on. In 1996, Poitier reprised his famous role in "To Sir, With Love II," a television

the

Guyanese author, educator and diplomat whose years teaching in the slums of London's East End inspired the international best-seller "To Sir, With Love" and the popular Sidney Poitier movie of the same name, has died at age 104. Braithwaite's companion, Ginette Ast, told The Associated Press that he became ill Monday and died at the Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center in Rockville, Maryland. Schooled in Guyana, the U.S. and Britain, Braithwaite wrote several fiction and nonfiction books, often focusing on racism and class and the contrast between first world and colonial cultures. He was regarded as an early and overlooked chronicler of Britain from a non-white's perspective, his admirers including the authors Hanif Kureishi and Caryl Phillips. He also served in the 1960s as the newly-independent Guyana's first representative at the United Nations and later was ambassador to Venezuela. Upon his 100th birthday, he received an honorary medal from his native country for lifetime achievement. Guyana's President David Granger on Tuesday remembered Braithwaite as "an eminent Guyanese and distinguished diplomat." To Sir, With Love," his first and most famous book, was published in 1959. The autobiographical tale about how a West Indian of patrician manner scolded, encouraged and befriended a rowdy, mostly white class of East End teens, who in turn softened him, was an immediate success and a natural for film. Poitier played Braithwaite (renamed Thackeray) in the 1967 release and the pop star Lulu was featured as one of the students. The title song, performed on screen and on record by Lulu, became a No. 1 hit. Audiences loved the movie, but critics found it too sentimental: Braithwaite agreed. He criticized directorscreenwriter James Clavell for downplaying the author's interracial romance with a fellow teacher and said Poitier's performance was too lighthearted. "The movie made it look like fun and games," he later observed. One former student, Alfred Gardner, would allege that Braithwaite himself sanitized his life. In the self-published memoir "An East End Story," Gardner described Braithwaite as a cold and rigid man who "struck fear into us by favouring corporal punishment." Edward Ricardo Braithwaite was born in what was then British Guiana in 1912, the son of Oxford graduates who grew up in relatively affluent surroundings and by the late 1930s was attending graduate school at Cambridge Univer-

sity. A pilot in Britain's Royal Air Force during World War II, he graduated from Cambridge in 1949 with a degree in physics and confidence that he was well suited for his chosen field. But, like so many black veterans, he discovered that his background meant nothing in the civilian world. He was repeatedly turned down for jobs and housing, a deeply disillusioning experience. "The majority of Britons at home have very little appreciation of what that intangible yet amazingly real and invaluable export — the British Way of Life — means to colonial people," he wrote in "To Sir, With Love." "Yes, it is wonderful to be British. Until one comes to Britain." Braithwaite was finally hired as a teacher at a secondary school in a bombed-out East End neighborhood, "hating it at first, treating it as a temporary exercise in survival until something better came along." He taught for nine years, long enough to be addressed as "Sir" by his students. While employed at the London welfare department, helping minority children find homes, he began thinking about his classroom experiences. A London couple which had taken him in as a surrogate son urged him to write a book.

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The late E.R. Braithwaite movie. A stage production of the original story toured in 2013. "I don't know if I changed any lives or not, but something did happen between them and me, which was quite gratifying," Braithwaite said of his former students during a 2013 interview with the online publication Coffee-Table Notes, adding that he believed the book still resonated. "It appeals to a lot of people. They each find what they're looking for. Each person is looking for something he or she could use in their daily life."

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016 ii «#.

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The Zena Henry Column The 2017 budget has been read, causing a lot of disquiet and anununition for those opposing the government. On the front burner is the promulgation of increased Ml

taxation, much to the credit of the Parliamentary Opposition. Concerns of tax on basic commodities such as water and electricity have been used to heighten fears. At least this is the Government's no- budget was criticized, but the administration since they say that it was the PPP/C be- tion is proud that this was done to allow tween 2009 and 2013 that undertook two preparation for the New Year. comprehensive studies on Guyana's tax Guyanese at home and abroad can system and its administration, and found now look into the country's financial future that fundamental reforms were needed, but and make decisions. Apart from the sectorthe recommendations were never imple- ial allocations, public investment projects mented. In the budget's defense, the gov- and the new taxes for 2017 budget, the government is adamant that the last ernment is also calling on investors. government undertook major tax policy reOne of the things the government is versals, when the related Act of 2003 was claiming, is that while the private sector is amended to introduce more exemptions and kicking up a storm about the taxes impleremissions, making tax administration dif- mented and the concessions and exempficult and revenue losses significant. tions they requested, but were not given, Greater buoyancy in the tax system only a small amount of persons are bringing was recommended, since revenue, as a figures or documents to substantiate their share of GDP, had not risen noticeably in claims or requests. recent decades. The new government noThe Finance Minister said if the priticed that tax evasion was rampant, many vate sector shows him their cards, he would private large and medium scale companies do the same. In other words, the minister enjoyed concessions and little enforcement said, he is willing to meet the private sector was being used to recover funds. In some and any other investor half way, once their ways new taxes will not affect the "small claims are legitimate and transparent. man" since he would barely make what is The government says that Guyana's doors are wide open for business and measrequired to make him eligible to be taxed. With all the bickering, one thing is ures are in place to accommodate locals, the nonetheless evident and that is, the country Diaspora and other foreign based investors. has a budget to work with. Even an early So much so, that President Granger has

w w

First Lady Sandra Granger and the Wilson's granddaughter cut the ribbon to open the gas station. made a special appeal for the Diaspora, in Guyanese like Morris and Joslyn (Wilson) particular, to come home and invest. The and invest and bring their talent; their treasPresident's appeal was made some days ury and their expertise to Guyana. We need ago, when he and First Fady Sandra capital to develop village life in Guyana . . Granger joined the owners in opening a . If you love Guyana, come and invest." brand new gas station on the East Coast of This was the challenge issued by the counDemerara. try's leader, "if you love Guyana, come Overseas-based Guyanese, the Wilson home and invest." family opened a gas station in the The President encouraged all interBuxton/Friendship area to the tune of $ 130 ested Guyanese to come home. "These vilmillion. The gas station and plaza will lages should not become dormitories house a pharmacy, Church's Chicken outlet, . . . They should recapture the vitality, supermarket, a medical clinic and several which made them into the powerhouses of other businesses. food production in Guyana, which they "... I feel that persons in the Diaspora onve were." should continue to see themselves as Mr. Wilson said that he believes Guyana is on a path of new growth and development, and he decided to invest in the ♦ v: i \ country. Fike the President, Wilson said he wishes that more persons from the Diaspora # :Y v * Boston Shipping would invest in Guyana. "I think Guyana is the best place right now. There is economic change and better /Enterprises, Inc. economic times are ahead. We are embarking on a new path. " We Make Shipping Overseas as Easy as Shipping Next Door "I feel that this is the time and I would encourage our Guyanese to be a part of the TO WE SHIP change, part of the economic transformaGUYANA, JAMAICA BARRELS tion. They should seize the opportunity. Guyana has economic fertile grounds and TRINIDAD & TOBAGO BOXES there is a need for industry here, so let us GRENADA, BARBADOS DOCUMENTS all be encouraged to come back and invest," -A Wilson said. ST. VINCENT LUGGAGE The government said that the 2017 ST. LUCIA, HAITI APPLIANCES Budget is an audacious one which repre& Other World Wide Destinations sents a change in the narrative that has FURNITURE dominated the Guyanese economy for the CONTAINERS FAST RELIABLE SERVICE past 50 years, and is a paradigm shift. CARS The government said that the 2017 & REASONABLE RATES Budget sets the stage for the transformation of the economy. With new regulations and the continued increase in enforcement, the BOSTON SHIPPING ENTERPRISES. INC. government has said that the country is 506 Occalur Street (Corner of Ralph Ave.) Brooklyn, NY 11233 heading toward modernization. Their claim continues to involve the activation and enforcement of policies and regulations that 718. 443.8400 Fax: 718. 443.8403 have been neglected and thus thwart the smooth functioning of the system. Licensed and Bonded as Required By The Federal Maritime Commission — For Your Protection

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

Bother

Things

As Christmas approaches, certain questions come to mind. Is Christmas a celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth? Is it a time to exchange gifts, to drink and be merry? Is it a time for family reunions? Or, is it a pagan festival? ORIGIN Saturn was the Roman god of agriculture, liberation and time. He was the son of Caelus (Ruler of the sky) and Gaea (Ruler of earth). Caelus was a tyrant and Saturn overthrew him and took his place. He was told by priests that he would, in turn, be overthrown by one of his children. To prevent this, he ate each at birth. After losing 5 children, his wife Ops hid her sixth child Jupiter on the island of Crete and offered Saturn a large stone wrapped in cloth in his place. After swallowing the stone, he vomited and, in the process, discharged the children he had swallowed. Jupiter later overthrew Saturn. To honour Saturn, the Romans held festivities (Saturnalia) from 17th - 23rd December, sacrifices were made to him at his temple in the Roman Forum. After a public banquet, there was private giftgiving and continual partying. Masters served their slaves. Emperor Domitian (AD 51 -96) extended the festival to December 25th. Another popular Roman festival and a central part of Mithraism, a Roman religion which sprung up in the Mediterranean the same time as Christianity) was dies natalis solis invicti, birthday of the Unconquered Sun. This was observed on 25th December. Before 200 BCE, the following gods were born on December 25th: Horus, Osiris, Attis, Mithra, Heracles, Dionysus, Tammuz and Adonis. There were other virgin births in the ancient world. Krishna was born of the virgin Devaki. Dionysus was born of the virgin Semele. Buddha too was born of the virgin Maya. The Teutonic goddess Hertha was a virgin impregnated by the heavenly Spirit and bore a son. Scandinavian Frigga was impregnated by the All-Father Odin and bore Balder, the healer and saviour of mankind. Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus (Constantine the Great, Roman Emperor 306-337 ACE), was supposedly converted to Christianity in 312 ACE, but was not baptised until 337ACE on his deathbed. He is credited with making

Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire and mixing pagan traditions with Christianity. One of his acts was to make 25th December the date on which to celebrate Jesus' birth. There is no certainty about when Jesus was born. Based on its history, many Christians consider Christmas a pagan festival and do not celebrate it. They argue that Jesus never celebrated his birth and did not instruct his Apostles or Disciples to do so. Additionally, the early Church did not observe his birth. The first known celebration of this date as Jesus' birthdate was in 354 ACE by the church in Rome.

CHRISTIAN FAITH The arguments for not celebrating Christmas are sound. However, those for celebrating it are also as sound. The fact that Jesus could not have been born on one of the coldest days in Judaea, the fact that it was blended with pagan traditions, the fact that it has more to do with commerce and wine than with joy are not reasons for not setting aside a day to celebrate the birth of the Messiah, the One who volunteered to come to earth to save us from our sins. I have always celebrated Christmas. Does it bother me that many persons do not have the means to celebrate this greatest celebration of the Christian world? Does it bother me that many children cry on Christmas morning because their unemployed mothers and drug-adducted fathers do not have money to buy them gifts? Of course, it bothers me. I also wish that the day was more Christcentered. However, Fll try to be merry on the only day I have a genuine excuse for having a Stolichnaya and club soda. As a born Guyanese, T must have my pepper-pot (made with the real deal, not the burnt sugar they sell here) and garlic pork with home-made bread. The ginger beer will come hours after I eat the pepper pot. From childhood, I was taught that if I ate pepper-pot with ginger beer, the toilet would be my day-long friend. Have a wonderful holiday. May this be the best one you ever had and may all your dreams come through in the New Year. And, as Tiny Tim observed, "God bless us everyone!"

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

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Id Liar In Chid Nigel Williams Editor Godfrey Wray Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com Kiiigcl 10cÂŤi hotnijil.com gnnlcditorialcu gmail.com For All Publishing and Advertising in New York consult our New York Representative: Dennis A. Nelson dennisnelson.nychronicle@yahoo.coni Teh 917-379-6590

Ctitorial

GuySuCo's

future THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) as a national entity is interwoven into the structural development of Regions Three, Four, Five and Six. Examining the industry's present status and decision as to its future cannot ignore this framework. Sugar also has its historical development dating back to slavery and indentureship, two systems that have shaped our political behaviour. Discussions on the future of the sugar industry ~ even as it cannot be ignored the systems of slavery and indentureship ~ is likely to reap more dividends utilising less emotion which can create breathing ground and political opportunity for divisions and cleavages. The divide-and-rule policy that characterised the culture of the plantation society and relations among diverse groups, must only serve as lessons to avoid, not repeat. Recent debates in the National Assembly on GuySuCo's future have seen the emergence of sharp divisions between the Government and Opposition benches. It would have been better for this nation's diversity and simmering divisive political culture had it not happened. GuySuCo's financial and economic performance, its structural development and activities cannot be dealt with separately, given the interhnked relations. In the legions mentioned above, this company has developed and maintained community centres, play grounds, and healthcare infrastmctures. These serve not only the workers, but also the general public within the communities and adjoining areas. Several canals along the coastland that are managed by the company are interhnked with major canals and rivers managed by central, regional and local governments. Over the years, central Government has been giving GuySuCo significant financial assistance (tens of billions) to meet its operational costs. To arrive at national consensus on its future may require all the tiers of government taking over the support services dehvered. This means the health clinics/dispensaries, community centres and playgrounds, and the canals that run through residential conununihes. Doing

Diplomacy

will

prevail

- as Guyana robustly defends territorial integrity against Venezuela DESPITE the many challenges in "Guyana cooperated fully with the resolving the border controversy with secretary-general and made every effort Venezuela, Guyana will allow diplo- to bring his proposals to fruition Mr. macy to prevail, Foreign Affairs Min- Speaker, unfortunately. Venezuela did ister Carl Greenidge told the National not do likewise and in the end I dare say Assembly on Thursday as he stood to frastrated the secretary-general's best debate the 2017 National Budget. efforts. "The way fonvard proposals He said the Foreign Affairs Ministry envisaged a conclusion at the end of the has sought simultaneously to maintain year..." a robust programme in defence of GuyIn the developments surrounding ana's sovereignty and its territorial integrity, and to promote Guyana's developmental agenda internationally. "Members will -5, not be surprised that one of the ministry's first and most important pre-occupation over the last 12 months has been our relations with [The] Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. It has been a year in which we have been actively engaged with the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in his very personForeign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge al endeavours to find a way forward in our controversy with Venezuela." the the border controversy, the Government Foreign Affairs Minister told the House. had ensmed that the representatives of "The way forward." is the title given the Opposition and representatives of by the outgoing Secretary-General Ban civil society were apprised and consultKi moon, for the menu of proposals ed in the preparation and pursuit of the he had made for the resolution of the country's case with the UN. Similarly, controversy between Guyana and Ven- he said, when the decision is made by ezuela. the UN. both parties will be briefed on Minister Greenidge told the House the decision. that while Guyana continues to cooperNevertheless, he said notwithstandate with the Secretary-General. Venezu- ing the limited finances and human ela continues to pose a challenge. resources available to the ministry, it this in the first instance will free the company of these financial responsibilities, and secondly, allow it to attend only to its core operations and attendant costs. The idea of dis-aggregahng sugar into four or five companies ~ initially proposed by the Guyana Trades Union Congress to Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder and subsequently echoed by GuySuCo Chairman Professor Clive Thomas ~ may be worthy of in-depth discussions as to its feasibility. GuySuCo conhnues to be a national focus and solutions of national character need to be found in determining a way forward. None can honestly deny that the company, and also the Government, have made some bad decisions (e.g. the Skeldon Factory). The consequences of these conhnue to see scarce dollars being diverted its way at the expense of pushing other national projects. That having been said, it is in Guyana's and every Guyanese interest having arrived at where we are today to recognise that finger-pointing and emotive arguments will not deliver solutions, which are badly needed. To arrive at common ground requires bringing forth the better

has successfully maintained a high level of success, especially in terms of garnering support for Guyana's position on the matter of the controversy. Minister Greenidge said. "We have also coordinated Guyana's response to the development and challenges globally and regionally, and continue to seek support for the promotion of a better life for all Guyanese." he added. It was explained that this level of success was achieved through a structural realignment of the organisational structure of the ministry, which placed great emphasis on areas central to the promohon of the ministry's economic diplomacy programme and the safeguarding of the country's national interest. "I would like to say that the purpose of the realignment was not only to ensure value for money in the deployment of human resources, but to enhance the realisation of the ministry's strategic objechves." Minister Greenidge noted. In 2015. the ministry started the process of recruiting ambassadors, and while that process has since been completed, there has been increased emphasis on economic diplomacy and the need for the acceleration of trade and investment during its training programmes. But training in the area of economic diplomacy must be fast tracked, he said.

angels within us. This would mean reaching across the aisle and acknowledging the importance of every stakeholder in bringing together diverse talents, vision, and abihties to make definitive decisions. When this is done, outside of being another defining moment in our history when we can come together on common interest, it will bring about the much needed consensus to address the problems plaguing the industry, once and for all. As it was when the Forbes Bumham Government the Cheddi Jagan Opposition, and other stakeholders worked together in the nationalisation of the industry, so too must it be today in determining what next ought to happen to the industry. A national united force on sugar's future is missing. Any decision made outside of consensus will present fodder for one group to advance its own divisive purpose. We must strive, as a people with common historical bonds to sugar, to see beyond the issues that divide us by acting in a manner that can unite us. There exist no doubt Guyanese who are capable of achieving this.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

A view from New York Sadly WITH MICHAEL DEREK ROBERTS i,obertsconsulting@gmx.com * (347) 279-6668

Don't

If you're the Democratic Party in 2016 it's easy to wallow in the sad pit of self-pity and come up with all kinds of reasons and rationales as to why you lost an election that you SHOULD have won. Still shell-shocked and dazed, America's Democratic Party is struggling to right the ship and make it float again. But it's not easy given the sheer scope and breath of that loss, especially when the party had the most experienced, most prepared candidate. But in the post election shellacking, to use President Barack Obama's word to describe what happened to Democrats in the 2012 midterm elections, the Democrats are finding it exceedingly difficult to come together and craft a coherent way forward. This is so for a number of reasons: one, the top leadership of the party is still in disarray and while many are lining up behind a candidate for leader of the DNC it's hardly a done deal or a solution. Two, the Bemie Sanders wing of the party will hardly just "go along to get along" because of the deep anger and distrust of the DNC's leadership that they see as having cheated their candidate out of the party's nomination. Weighing in on his party's poor performance and the present state of affairs. President Obama opined that the loss had nothing to do with his policies. "We Democrats have," he said, have "better ideas." Adding: "But I also believe that good ideas don't matter if people don't hear them." So, in other words, blame stupid people for voting for Donald Trump — its no fault of the Democrats. Hillary Clinton we can deduce from the President's words just didn't work hard enough on the "good ideas." This is just one more item on a growing list of "reasons" why Democrats lost the elections. This doom and gloom list includes such things like "the problem was Hillary's schedule," or not enough "get-outthe-vote organizing, or FBI Director James Comey's last-minute interventions and finally the racist and sexist voters in fly-over, rural America, who are too daft and ignorant to understand their own interests. To be sure there are kernels of truth in some shape or form in all these scenarios. But making these cumulative claims and consoling themselves that these were the

Democrats

pivotal and main reasons for the Democratic loss is just plain delusional and unclear thinking. Claiming that it wasn't the product that failed but other tactical issues like "messaging" can amount to a dangerous and misleading conclusion: that all the Democrats have to do now is to organize better and simply wait out a mistake-prone Trump Administration to fail and implode.

Get

things we're all Barack Obama's fault. No, these issues started under George W. Bush and were the result of an incompetent administration staffed by many people clearly "in it for themselves." They were also the fruits of a culture of the implicit — and at times, explicit—contempt for working-class America, that has been spreading through much of the Democratic Party's leadership for several decades, starting with Bill Clinton. The party has deliberately ignored America's working class in favor of a fatted, feted, and opportunistic meritocracy that is more aligned with the neoconservative policies of Wall Street. They are contemptuous of the party's poor. Black, immigrant and diverse working class. It was this abandonment and ignoring of the party's base that

The Bemie Sanders wing of the Democratic Party was fired up about a platform that included raising the national minimum wage, relief from staggering collage debt peonage, opposition to America's perpetual wars, misgivings about education in general, and America's unilateral support for Israel and its policies of building settlements on Palestinian land. Hill-ary Clinton did not initially campaign on these issues and her messaging was not linked or synchronized with the pain that working class America — both on the Left and on the Right Such thinking clearly demonstrates that Democrats still just don't get it. If it's that Democrats have "better ideas," as the President said, then that says that the people who voted for Donald Trump clearly cannot tell the difference between good and bad ones. So let's put some of these "good ideas" to the test. The Trans-Pacific Partnership is definitely not a "better idea." Neither was the failure to prosecute Wall Street's reckless and criminal class of fat-cat CEO's after the fraud-driven financial collapse that brought on the Great Recession. Nor was the very timid fiscal recovery stimulus that stranded millions of poor, working class Americans in the slowest recovery on record. Now I'm not saying that these

allowed for two unique developments. One, the rise of Bernie Sanders on the Left who seized the progressive mantle of the party, and Donald Trump on the Right who galvanized white working class support on the Republican Right. The Bemie Sanders wing of the Democratic Party was fired up about a platform that included raising the national minimum wage, relief from stag-gering collage debt peonage, opposition to America's perpetual wars, misgivings about education in general, and America's unilateral support for Israel and its policies of building settlements on Palestinian land. Hillary Clinton did not initially campaign on these issues and her messaging was not linked or synchronized with

Still

the pain that working class America — both on the Left and on the Right. The "right or better message" when compared to the Republican camp is moot and irrelevant, with great respect Mr. President, in the context of an out-of-touch meritocracy that ran a top down campaign with sterile messaging and an uncoordinated attack against the worst presidential candidate in American electoral history. Ivy Leaguism and the attitude of the credentialed class was the undoing of the party, ironically culminating in the defeat of one Clinton by a system started by the other Clinton. If Democrats are to regain their position in this flawed American electoral system, then the party MUST get back to its roots of caring for and defending the working class, protecting the middle class, and struggle for fairness and equality for all. The million dollar question is this: Can a party that has abandoned its sacred mission and has been so wedded to Wall Street's big money ever regain the trust of working class America? Indeed, the Democratic Party is little different from the Republican Party in that BOTH parties are organizations of the American Right. Their differences are ONLY about degrees of separation and nuanced politics. For example. Democrats often accuse Republicans of pandering to the wealthy and of giving Wall Street tax cuts and tax breaks. But when they are in power these same Democrats NEVER repeal the tax cuts and breaks often striking compromises and accommodations that keep things in place. President George W. Bush and his cronies helped create the Great Recession. President Barack Obama baled out Wall Street, threw pittances at Main Street, and did nothing to bring those to justice whose criminal behavior and activities caused the recession. So Democrats ponder their political future, a little history lesson may be in order. When Republican Ronald Reagan's defeated Jimmy Carter in 1980, Democrats went into shock (continued on page 25)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

EMPHASIS ON TRAVEL AND TOURISM ^9

Roraima

build

'massive

hotel'

CJIA

.. .cops Diaspora Chamber of Commerce award By Shauna Jemmott RORAIMA Group of Companies plans to execute an expansion programme in 2017, which includes the construction of a massive hotel facility near the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Timehri. This is according to Roraima's Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Captain Gerald Gouveia. who told the Guyana Chronicle in an interview on Tuesday that "We are looking to expand our air operations and build hotel facilities near the airport." He said Roraima Airways is also gearing up for the year-end season, increasing several flights. While other flight improvements are on the cards, weekly flights to Cuba will increase from five to ten. Increase of flights to other destinations will be announced later this week. "We are very optimistic about the future, the future for tourism and business and we are moving full speed ahead." Captain Gouveia told the Guyana Chronicle.

Meanwhile, for its admirable dedication in areas of Tourism and Aviation, Roraima Group of Companies was honoured with another business award, this time by the Guyanese American Chamber of Commerce (GACC) at a gala in Florida. United States of America. Gouveia received the award Saturday night from Caribbean Central America Action Vice President. Jennifer Nugent at the Bonaventure Resort. In a statement. Captain Gouveia of Roraima Airways, on accepting the award thanked the GACC for the recognition given to his company's dedication and contribution to Guyana' tourism and aviation industry since 1992. He said Roraima is dedicated to creating jobs, making Guyana better, helping people and promoting Guyana as a tourism and business destination. The company has saved hundreds of lives this year through its collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health for medical evacuation of persons in the hinterland.

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The company is also planning on providing 520 new jobs for Guyanese. increasing its staff of 260 by 200 percent. "... That will mean we need to expand Roraima Airways to thrice its size. We are investing more in the aviation sector with the aim of r i meeting the current and projected BONA\ demands of passengers and cargo capacity. Guyana is expanding and we are ready to grow with it. We will do it!" Gouveia told the diaspora. According to the statement. Gouveia also pointed out that though Roraima's contributions have been great since its launch 24 years ago. he believes that the company has not yet reached its full potential. Gouveia "reiterated that despite its recent partnership with Easy Sky out of Honduras to increase Shopping Tourism in Guyana and two additional Aircraft this year, the company is now taxiing on the runway for take-off." Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle. Captain Gouveia said the awards speak to the faithfulness and excellent performance of the Roraima staff and team members and their Gerald Gouveia displaying his award loyalty to Guyana's development. This he said has been recognized point Nature Resort, has been awarded at home and internationally through the Year 'Resort of the year' by the Tourism and of Jubilee, as the company also received two Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) other prominent awards locally, and its CEO. in June, while in November the Guyana being honomed by President David Granger Tourism Authority (GTA) bestowed the with one of Guyana's highest National Award, Tourism Entrepreneur of the year Award the Golden Arrowhead of Achievement. on Captain Gerald R. Gouveia, Roraima's The company's chief resort, Arrow- CEO.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

Google

Signs Internet Deal With

Cubans

Telecommunications Monopoly Google signed an agreement with the Cuban govern-

ment on Monday granting internet users on the Communist-run

island

quicker

access

its

branded content. Eric Schmidt, chairman of Google's parent company Alphabet Inc, signed the deal with Mayra Arevich Marin, president of state telecommunications monopoly ETECSA. It grants Cubans speedy access to the Google Global Cache network, which stores content from sites like Gmail and YouTube on servers located closer to end users. In a country where public internet access is limited to slow and expensive Wi-Fi hot spots, it was not clear how the deal would actually impact service in the short term. 'This deal allows ETECSA to use our technology to reduce latency by caching some of our most popular high bandwidth content like YouTube videos at a local level,' a Google statement said. 'This may improve reception of cached materials, but not for example email which depends on local bandwidth,' a local telecommunications technician said, requesting anonymity for fear of losing his job.

Google and ETECSA were not immediately available for comment. President Barack Obama has made improved internet access a central part of his efforts to normalize relations with Cuba, first announced two years ago. However, Cuba to date has balked at allowing U.S. companies to participate in wiring the country, citing national security concerns. Whether because of a lack of investment or concerns about the flow of information in a Communist state that monopolizes the media, Cuba has lagged behind in internet usage. Only 5.6 percent of Cuban homes had either intranet or internet access last year, according to a U.N. agency. The Google deal comes as officials in Havana and Washington are working to wrap up pending commercial accords before President Barack Obama leaves office next month. President-elect Donald Trump

. ^

O V a, \

has threatened to scrap detente between the Cold War foes unless Cuba makes political and other concessions. Improved bilateral relations have been accomplished through executive orders circumventing trade embargo laws and can easily be re-

versed by Trump. The Obama administration has said it hopes increased commercial links between the two countries will make it difficult for future administrations to undo the recent warming in U.S.-Cuba relations. - VOA

Mazaruni Prison to accommodate 500 more IN AN effort to ease overcrowding at the Georgetown Prisons, the Mazaruni Prisons will be expanded to accommodate an additional 500 prisoners, President David Granger has said. Speaking on his weekly television programme The Public Interest the President said the prison infrastmcture in Guyana is of the Victorian era. while the Georgetown and New Amsterdam Prisons were built in mban areas with no space for expansion. Noting that prison officials live on Mazarani with their families, the President said the area is almost like a little village. "We are going to develop the farm, so that the Guyana Prison Service becomes more reliant on its own produce. We will develop the workshop so that prisoners can be rehabilitated. We are going to have more secme facilities, so the likelihood of riots in the future will not be a big concern," the Head of State said. He said a permanent solution is being sought to address

President Granger the overcrowding problem, and offences are not let loose on the he noted that the sentencing public." he said. policy will also be examined, The 2015 U.S. State Deas minor offences will be ad- partment Human Rights Report dressed without incarcerahon. said a total of 963 prisoners "We are aware of the prob- were in the Georgetown Prislem. and the solution is not on, whereas that facility was to build more prisons, but to designed to hold 550 inmates. "Overcrowding was in consohdate what we have and spend on Mazaruni." he said. large part due to a backlog of Acknowledging that the pre-trial detainees, who conshMinistry of Public Security tuted approximately 11.3 per has challenges, the President cent of the total prison populasaid the police, prisons and fire tion," the report detailed. services have taken up a lot of Overall, the report stated the budget as financing in these that the Guyana Prison Service sectors is important to provide reported that, as at October citizens with the security and 2015. there were 1.944 prisoncomfort they need. ers in five facihties which had Long-term, hardcore pris- a combined designed capacity oners will be incarcerated at to hold 1.640. Mazaruni. he disclosed. Following prison unrest "I would say [the] George- in March of this year, Prime town Prison ought not to have Minister Moses Nagamootoo more than 500 prisoners, but led an executive ministerial sometimes it goes up to over delegation to meet with rep900 prisoners. It is incumbent resentatives of the judiciary, on the administrahon to provide including (acting) Chancellor accommodahon for 500 more Carl Singh; Chief Magistrate prisoners at Mazaruni. We Ann Me Lennan, and Direcdon't want to increase the pris- tor of Public Prosecutions, on population, but. at the same Shalimar Ali-Hack, to find time, we want to make sure that ways to address the backlog persons who commit serious of cases.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

GROWTH AND

Dr. Basil Springer's

TAXATION

Column

"By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

— Galatians 5:22-23

The purpose of government is to look after the people's general welfare, indeed, to provide for their well-being and happiness. Specifically, government's role may be partitioned into two components "regulatory" and "service". Government is elected to determine policy and makes laws to regulate the governance of the country in support of this policy; and government collects taxes (direct and indirect) and obtains loans to provide a myriad of services. It may be argued that government may anchor its exchange rate at any fixed level as long as it is prepared to support it with the appropriate macroeconomic policies. Human beings engage osteopaths to one global family, why should govemreview total body health by treating and ment, similar to the osteopath, not review strengthening the musculoskeletal frame- its economy at regular, if not frequent, work, which includes the joints, muscles times? and spine. The aim is to positively affect This adjustment should give the the body's nervous, circulatory and lym- government a new lease on life and phatic systems. should be accompanied by an aggressive In the same way that the osteopath will structurally adjust the body, a government will be called upon to make structural adjustments to the economy which will hopefully include innovative ways of long term borrowing from the non-traditional global partner family. In other words, in the case of Barbados, the government might want to consider the 2014 United Arab Emirates (UAE) proposal, with mutually beneficial negotiated conditions, rather than the traditional IMF route with "one brush paints all countries" conditions. Given the changing global environment which impacts every country, since we are

export policy, since small countries cannot grow significantly on their own market footprint. This innovative policy must be grounded in diversification and high growth ("DNA of an Elephant") private sector-led enterprise development, supported by other enterprises in the economic gearing system. It is imperative that these innovative policies must be designed to unlock private sector money supported by "Shepherding as Collateral". Successful growth strategies will give people more money to invest which will then put economies on a sustainability growth path.

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Taxation policy, without successful structural adjustment, is an exercise in futility. If a government continues to tax a static or shrinking economy it is a recipe for disaster. An important vision for taxation policy is to "tax the outputs and not the inputs". When you increase taxes on inputs, goods and services cost more and the country becomes less competitive. The strategy must be to grow the economy and then increase the taxes on the outputs after the economy has grown. There will be an inevitable loss in taxation income when input taxes are reduced but that is why significant, creative structural adjustment strategies are paramount to address this issue. Part of this solution is reduce income taxes and increase indirect taxation.

WITHOUT A VISION THE PEOPLE WILL PERISH. Why is it that we have so much difficulty collecting taxes in such small economies in this information age? Let us not pursue the acts of the flesh which will lead us down a path of decay and destruction but instead let us embrace the fruit of the spirit, which is love, and live in a world of unlimited potential. Let us as countries discover and fulfill our Divine potential. (Dr. Basil Springer GCM is ChangeEngine Consultant, Caribbean Business En terprise Trust Inc. - CBET. His email address is basilgf57@gmail.com and his columns may be found at www.cbetmodel.org and www.nothingbeatsbusiness. com.)

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over the fruits. Leave to soak for a day or longer (up to three months). 4. Grease and doubly line an 8 inch cake pan. 5. Cream sugar and margarine. Add eggs one at a time (beaten or unbeaten). 6. Add fruits and stir well. Add enough caramel to make it as dark as desired. 7. Sift flour, baking powder and spice together. Add a little at a time and fold in. Mix to a soft dropping consistency using wine or rum. 8. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake in a slow oven, 300oF for 2 hours (on middle shelf in oven). 9. Pour wine and rum over immediately after cake is baked. Repeat three or four times. N.B. Caramel may be bought.

What sex of flies are bothering you? A woman walked into the kitchen to find her husband stalking around with a fly swatter. "What are you doing?" she asked. "Hunting Flies" He responded" Oh. Killing any?" She asked. "Yep, 3 males, 2 Females," he replied. How can you tell the sex of the flies you killed, she asked. He replied "3 were on the beer can and 2 were on the telephone."

Beware of Rookie Johnson There was a case in one hospital's Intensive Care ward where patients always died in the same bed, on Sunday morning, at about 11am, regardless of

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

FAST

by JAMES SYDNEY x THE

GUYANA KISKADEE

A VERY BOLD BIRD Many Guyanese would tell you that their favorite bird

the

kiskadee,

sometimes

spelled

kisskadee. It is an unusually bold bird. Its boldness and its prevalence make the Guyana Kiskadee (Lanius sulphuratus) one of the best-known birds in the country's rural areas and in its towns and villages. This bird has practically color, the breast and under wing named itself. It loudly, and sometimes incessantly, calls out kis-ka-

feathers a bright yellow, and the throat is white. The head is black

dee, kis-kis-ka-dee from its perch - which may be a telephone wire or on a roof or a tree or myriad other places. It often issues its piercing call and its shrill chatter even in the heat of the day, when other birds are quiet.

surrounded with a broad white band. There are other kinds of kiskadees in Guyana, notably the Cayenne Flycatcher and the Greyheaded Kiskadee. Other kinds of kiskadee, including the Great Kiskadee, are

The Guyana Kiskadee is about eight inches long, with the back and upper parts brown in

found in many parts of the world. They are found almost anywhere

South

America

and the Caribbean in locations where there are rivers, streams,

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the fence. They repeated the act several times before leaving. They

they live from extreme southern Texas (lower Rio Grande Valley) southward. The Kiskadee builds a large nest with its entrance at the side. It is made from all kinds of plant-material, such as sticks, grass and bark. Kiskadees eat mostly insects, but also lizards and even fish. They also eat palm and pepper seeds as well as occasionally ripe

seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed themselves Kisskadees can be infuriating. They can destroy prized fruit,

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Flycatchers have the dexterity to snatch flies and other insects out of the air, but kiskadees will also dive straight into the water for fish. Both kiskadee parents defend

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bananas and other fruit. It is entertaining to watch the Guyana kiskadee. The bird is a member of the flycatcher family. R&D

the nesting area vigorously and even if they have no nest they are aggressive to other birds. It is quite a common sight to see a kiskadee chasing large vultures high up in the sky. But, strangely, a hummingbird might chase away a kiskadee. The author had a rather interesting experience with kiskadees

papayas for example, right before one's very eyes. In a picnic setting, they can take food off the table. In Bermuda, kiskadees are called "bandit birds." A poem by Dr. Prem Janmejai translated into English from the original Hindi by Trinidad's poetess and radio personality Sumita Chakraborty Brooms says in part: O dear little bird Kisskadee having shattered the barriers of language what is the song you sing the strings of my heart say this, yes this is the very song I heard just before I got here. The Guyanese song Way Down Demerara, composed by R.C.G.Potter says: When you're wakened in the morning by a cheerful kiskadee. And you see a sackiwinki by a mukka mukka tree. And the very

one hot dry day in Guyana. A few kiskadees alighted on a fence as he was watering his garden plants.

homely features of the slimy manatee, You can know that you are down in Demerara. Demerara, Demerara, you can know that you are down in Demerara

One by one, the kiskadees left their perch on the fence and flew fear-

The kiskadee or kisskadee, however you spell it, has made an

lessly into the stream of water from the garden hose then back to

impact everywhere Caribbean.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

...99,000 carats reported at the end of November D

amonds

By Shauna Jemmott ALTHOUGH gold production has risen to greater prominence, reports from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) have revealed that diamond production has been on the climb for the past five years, with some 99,000 carats being the latest production figure up to the end of November. Minister of Natural Resources. Raphael Trotman. disclosed earlier this month that for the first quarter of this year. Guyana's diamond production and declaration were already 38% ahead of the expected target of 61.380 carats, being recorded at 99.000 carats. With the industry experiencing a renaissance; with the Netherlands. Belgium and the Arabian countries remaining big buyers of Guyana's diamonds; and with the country maintaining a clean slate in the industry. it is expected that more miners will develop an interest in diamond production even as Government moves to push production levels higher. The Mineral Production records of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) show that Guyana's diamond industry has been experiencing a steady climb over the past five years, after falling from

52.273 carats in 2011 to 40.764 in 2012. The year 2013 saw a declared production of 55.928 carats, while 99.950.50 carats were produced in 2014. By the end of this year, it is hoped, diamond production will surpass last year's figure of 118.450.79 carats. The diamond industry performed better between 2001 and 2009. when more than 2.558.000 carats were produced of the 3.555.270 carats produced between 1979 and 2015. The diamond industry was at its best in 2004. when in that year alone Guyana produced 444.940 carats. The industry experienced a significant fall in production in 2010. when production fell from 143.982 carats to a mere 49.920 carats. According to the GGMC 2010 Mineral Review, the industry experienced a decrease in declarations, and diamond output had declined by 65.3 per cent. The report stated that though there was no fall in demand and price for diamond on the world market, there was a steady "reallocation of resources from diamond production to gold production, due to the attractive gold price." Diamond price had indeed increased by 4.7 per cent with an average value of US$156.09 per carat of Guyana's rough diamonds in 2010. the same year pro-

* Rough diamond extracted from Guyana's hinterland (photo credits of GGMC) duction fell significantly and overseas trade in diamonds decreased significantly by 51.2 per cent: from 94.831 metric carats in 2009 to 46.253.21 metric carats in 2010. Belgium and the United Arab Emirates have been faithful buyers of Guyana's diamonds. Guyana had since not been able to reach the 100.000 mark, until last year, when it produced 118.450.79 carats of the

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precious stone. Guyana has been declared a model country in the Kimberly Process, producing some of the most trusted diamonds in the world; and it is believed that, should production increase significantly, the country may have a chance at reaping much greater economic rewards in the industry. "The checks and balances are good, but the dealers who have to comply with

the checks and balances of the Kimberly Process would always say that it's onerous. And part of the reason is that it takes a little time for us to confirm and to satisfy ourselves that what they have submitted to us is genuine." a reliable GGMC source told the Guyana Chronicle. The source said anyone exporting diamonds must produce documentation and proof to show where the minerals came from, and

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GGMC officers would investigate to confirm. "If where you said these diamonds come from there is no evidence that the operation has been going at the point and time when you said, that's the end of your diamonds; because we're gonna seize them." the source told this newspaper. He said that while Government is working to significantly raise production levels in the industry, and companies question why GGMC is undertaking to prove that diamonds are not 'corrupt diamonds' or 'blood diamonds' smuggled at the tripartite-border state, Guyana is also interested in preserving its 'model country status by the Kimberly Process. The source said GGMC has this year seized small portions of diamonds from diamond producers on ground that it was not established that the diamonds came from the place mentioned by the producers. "We have seized on the ground of (their) not being able to establish (that the diamonds came from the place mentioned by the producer)... where we were unable to establish from the reporting that a certain amount can be established. And what we try to do is find some mechanism of extracting," the source said.

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99 FOR

BUSINESS -MIN. GASKIN

Minister of Business with responsibility for Tourism, Dominic Gaskin said that Budget 2017 is a progressive one. The Minister was at the time speaking on the programme 'Budget in Focus' aired on Friday evening. Minister Gaskin said that the budget balances very carefully people's needs, as well as businesses'. "It's our biggest budget ever, $250 Billion and with revenues of $218 Billion which is a deficit of $32 Billion which, in the general scheme of things, is not abnormal or anything like that, nothing to be alarmed or concerned about for a developing country such as Guyana," Gaskin said. Industrial Estates Minister Gaskin,highlighted some of the key long- term investments one of which is the Single Window Automated Processing System which swaps with trade facilitation measures. Fie highlighted the Industrial Estates, stating that the Ministry of Business is developing the industrial estate in Lethem using a new model. Minister Gaskin noted that it is an ongoing project that he would like to see conclude early in mid-2018.

As it relates to investors for the estate, with the right strategies, the right investors will come, which will be a boost for the local economy he opined. Gaskin noted that work will be done with the Bureau of Statistics to ensure that particular entities are properly resourced so that they can function and efficiently provide data. "We have indicated that with the recent Public Service College (launch), we are serious about improving the way the Public Service works through better monitoring and evaluation, management systems and of course, to inform decision making," he said. He noted that in 2017, compliance certificates will be largely issued by GRA and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), which are valid for three months. Between 2015 and 2016, Guyana upgraded by 16 places on the ranking of the World Bank's Doing Business Index. This has been the largest single improvement achieved in the country's history of being on the Index. The Minister explained that there are a number of interventions, noting that access to

HON. DOMINIC GASKIN MINISTER OF BUSINESS

credit was the area that Guyana scored badly in the previous year, however the Credit Reporting Act was amended to allow for the use of Credit Bureau. The hanks are now mandated to utilise the services of the Credit Bureau which means that the risk to banks and lenders have now been reduced. "The banks now have access to credit report, and they are now mandated to provide information to the Credit Bureau and that has created significant improvement in the index," the Minister noted. Minister Gaskin said affordable energy is always an issue, however he has been assuring the private sector that the Government is investing in renewable energy, and it will become cheaper.

The Business Minister was asked if he believes that the private sector is ready to help diversify the economy. He responded thus; "With the right conditions and right investments, incentives, infrastructure, business environment and also political stability, those are some of the factors that create an environment for investments and I think that we will see more investments in the productive sectors and that is what we are deliberately and strategically targeting such as tourism, agriculture and agro processing among others," the Business Minister said. Gaskin concluded by saying that "Guyana is ready for Business, Guyana is open for Business and Guyana means Business."

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

BUDGET

2017

COALITION

GOVERNMENT'S Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan has called out the "prognosticators of dooms' that have been in overdrive denouncing 2017 Budget and calling for its removal. The Communities Minister, speaking in the National Assembly in support of Budget 2017, pointed out that since the budget presentation, "members on the opposite side of this House have been busy , deriding and decrying this budget to be anti-working class, anti-business, ominous and all manner of epithets."

The Minister said that the reality could not be further from the truth. He said instead Budget 2017 is "the best of the three budgets that have been presented by this administration." He pointed out that the 2017 Budget is transformative in nature, as well as structure and, "It is pro-working class, with equity promoting measures." Minister Bulkan said that "the progressive tax rates that it (the budget) introduces put more money in peoples' pockets." He pointed out that "even the 40 percent tax rate for persons earning more than

PEOPLE'S

BUDGET

MORE MONEY IN GUYANESE POCKETS

• VAT REDUCED!

3* NO VAT! i • INCOME TAX REDUCED!

pkvj

^ A

• OLD AGE PENSION INCREASED!

1+ 29.1 BUDGEta^

■

BILLION

FOR PUBLIC SECURITY

GUYANA'S POPULATION BY REGION z

Q.IL O O 0.

Region 1

- 27,643

Region 2

- 46,810

Region 3

- 107,785

Region 4

- 311,563

Region 5

- 49,820

Region 6

- 109,652

Region 7

- 18,375

Region 8

- 11,077

Region 9

- 24,238

Region 10

- 39,992

BEST

$2.16 Million, annually, would see them taking home more under the current regime, given that one-third of their income is now non-taxable," the Minister said. Minister Bulkan said that the Ministers and Government Members of Parliament "are proud of the 2017 Budget." He said that the purveyors of doom are no different than Chicken Licken, who was quick to jump to wrong conclusions and told everyone she met, that the sky was falling."( Chicken Licken, is an international folk tale with a moral in the form of a cumulative tale that makes light of paranoia and mass hysteria or mistaken belief that disaster is imminent). He added that, "We know from that story what happened to all those who followed Chicken Licken, they were eaten by the fox," the Minister said, pointing out that in the final analysis, it would be the people and not the opposition, who would be the ones who pronounce on 2017 Budget, as well as the next two that would follow, and give their final verdict in 2020. Minister Bulkan said that Govermnent recognises that the "members on the opposite side of the House are looking for political space," but government however, is focused on the future. Minister Bulkan also called out Opposition MP and former Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Ganga Persaud for some remarks he made during his presentation to the House on Budget 2017. Persaud, who spoke just prior to Minister Bulkan, said that the Local Government Elections (LGE) are still incomplete. Persaud during his presentation had noted that there are still six Local Government areas in which the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has failed and continue to fail to resolve these elections. Further, he also pointed out that "the Minister of Communities' imposition of Mayor in the township of Mabaruma and the imposition of chairpersons in those tied Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) is something that is still engaging the attention of the Court." He asked then, how can, Government boast of having successfully completed the LGE. Minister Bulkan in responding however pointed out that what Persaud failed to tell the House is that following the ties in the LDOs;

V I

HON. RONALD BULKAN MINISTER OF COMMUNITIES an offer was made by the Government to the Opposition, "to honour the democratic principle whereby the party that obtained the greater number of votes in those tied areas would be entitled to the chairmanship." The Minister said that the records would show that "that offer was refused by the Opposition." He said this refusal is what led to the lack of a resolution on the elections, and what necessitates the need for him as Minister of Communities to name the Mayor in the case of Mabaruma and the chairperson in the LDOs. During his presentation, Persaud had also referred to Budget 2017 as "a great disappointment to all in the country." He had said that "when the dust is settled, there will be more than 75 percent of Guyanese in the country who would say that Budget 2017 was one of the gravest Budgets that would have brought onto the shoulder of people." Like the Members of the Opposition party that spoke before him, Persaud also joined the call for the Minister of Finance to withdraw Budget 2017 and come with a "proper financial proposal that would ensure growth and development in the country." Minister Bulkan however denounced these statements, pointing out that the "transformative nature of Budget 2017 is infectious and contagious." He said that it is also "irreversible." The Communities Minister invited the Opposition to be more dispassionate. He called on them to partner with government, noting that this would only bring benefit to the country.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

Nand

Persaud

Communications NAND Persaud International Communications (NPIC), a member of the Nand Persaud Group of Companies of East Berbice/Corentyne, Region Six, received The Special Award for Excellence in Service Exports when the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) hosted its second Caribbean Exporter of the Year awards ceremony recently at the Hilton Resort in Barbados. The awards ceremony was funded by the Euro-

pean Union (EU) via the 10th European Development Fund Regional Private Sector Development Programme, which seeks to recognise and promote the contributions of outstanding exporters to the region's economy. Established in 2002. Nand Persaud International Communications is the first locally-owned and operated near-shore contact centre that boasts a wide portfolio of international clients, especially in the USA and Canada. With its base at Tain. Corentyne.

International

cops

top

next to the University of Guyana Berbice campus. NPIC currently employs more than 500 employees. In 2015. the company recorded a massive 31 per cent increase in export of its services. This leap in export has given NPIC the nod over all the other companies in the region, and has resulted in the company being recognised for this accomplishment. "Its commitment to excellence has caused NPIC to gain a strong reputation for quality, which has differentiated it from the

export

award

JHmuuLiamLAr L F c

■m Managing Director of the Nand Persaud International Communications Inc, Darren Ramdial (left); and Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-lnvest), Owen Verwey (centre), pose with the award received from Deputy Executive Director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency, Escipion J Oliveira-Gomez (right)

—-r

Mpic

blu e I

competition, and has been critical in its success." part of the citation read. NPIC and the Nand Persaud Group of Companies are not strangers to success, as they have won several awards since their

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establishment. According to NPIC Managing Director Galdram 'Darren' Ramdial. the key to NPIC's success has been its unwavering stance on quality. which is paramount to the success of the industry; and its forward-thinking initiatives which always place the NPIC one step ahead of its local counterparts. "This award means a lot to us. and it's good to know our hard work is being recognized." he said. "We will continue to set the bar higher, to provide higher quality services to our clients." he said. The company recently invested US$528,000 — the equivalent of more than Gy$100M ~ to go 100 per cent solar. The investment has seen the company acquiring a 220KW solar plant, making it the first commercial enterprise to go 100 per cent green. The award is the second the company has received in as many years, having won the Green Exporter of the Year Award at the inaugural awards in 2015.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

Emphasis on Real Estate,

How

Credit

Scores

Taxes and Business S TAXES

The Edgar Henry Column

Affect

The year 2017 is fast approaching. Opportunities lost cannot be regained. Therefore it is essential that you grasp them now before it's too late. It could really be a horrendous task sitting before a loan officer when applying for a mortgage. The first question that comes to mind: - Am I creditworthy? To make that judgment call, mortgage lenders will review your all important records, such as your credit report and credit score to make that determination. CREDIT AGENCIES This is how it works. Each of the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, collects data from your lenders about your history of borrowing and paying back credit. They compile that information into your credit report, which any lender can access whenever you apply for a loan. The Fair Isaac Corp. is the major producer of credit scores. They take the information from those credit reports, apply their own trade-secret formula and, based on the three credit reports, distill three credit scores for you into one score ranging from 300 to 850. A recent credit scoring system has been developed by the three major credit bureaus called the Vantage Score. These scores are not a direct substitute for each other and mortgage lenders continue to look at FICO scores when reviewing mortgage applications. Borrowers with high FICO scores, where the top tier ranges between 760 and 850, can expect lenders to offer borrowers lower interest rates and more loan choices. Scores of 620 or lower usually place a borrower in a middle category, and they can expect to be quoted significantly higher interest rates and may be offered fewer varieties of loans. A FICO score of about 500-520 is generally the minimum that will qualify for a mortgage. For example, here's what a borrower could have expected to be charged on aloan based on his credit score, according to current 2016 interest rates: FICO Score 720-850 690-719 660-689 620-659 590-619 500-589

APR 5 803 % 7.459% 9.472 % 13.239 % 18.042% 18.556 %

Mcnthly Payment $910 $933 $961 $1j014 S1J035 $1p93

Total Interest Paid S2 759 S3 574 S4 581 SS 514 $9 067 $9 346

Such variations in interest rates can add hundreds of dollars to your monthly payments and can make a big difference in the amount of loan for which you can be qualified. BEYOND CREDIT SCORES While scores are important, they are not the only thing lenders take into consideration when approving a mortgage. Low scores aren't insurmountable obstacles. The FICO is one of the factors, but not the only one. Other "offsetting factors" can balance a low credit score, such as a large down payment, large cash reserves or an overall

low debt-to-income ratio. The important thing is that borrowers not assume they can't get a mortgage because of a low credit score, or that they limit their loan search to lenders that specialize in loans to people with troubled credit. From a credit standpoint, people would normally harm themselves by prejudging their situation because they thought they wouldn't qualify. Hence, you should search for a lender who does not charge a fee just to take your application and qualify you for a loan. There are a lot of other lenders out there who will accommodate you in that regard simply as a customer service appreciation. SCRUTINIZE YOUR CREDIT REPORTS Of course, you need to make sure that your credit score is the one you've truly earned. If there are mistakes on your credit reports, they will translate into lower scores. At least six months before you intend to apply for a loan, get updated copies of your credit reports from Experian, Equifax and

O.G.

Your

TransUnion, plus a copy of your FICO score. All borrowers are entitled to one free copy of each credit report annually through the www.annualcreditreport.com. So you're in the market for a major purchase in your life, you need to rent an apartment, or you're trying to land a job, knowing what your credit score is and just how good your credit score is essential. Having a good credit score can make your life much easier, your score will allow you to obtain the lowest available interest rates, and encourage someone to put more trust in you. SO WHAT IS A GOOD CREDIT SCORE? The range of what people consider to be a good credit score can vary. You will find that many different sites on the net will all be answering the same question with different answers. The reason is that there's no real explanation to what exactly a good credit score is. It's all determined by lender/person and their guidelines. Review each of your credit reports for errors. Sometimes other people's credit information can mistakenly make its way to your credit report. Common names and family members' information can show up where they don't belong. There also can be errors about your payment history, such as a notation of a missed payment when you can prove that you actually paid the bill. Contact the lender involved with the error to straighten out the record. Normally it can take months for that information to make its way into your FICO score. But if you're already in the mortgage application process, your lender can request that the credit report

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Mortgage companies do a "rapid rescoring" of your credit and have such errors corrected within 72 hours. Lenders normally pay the credit bureaus for that service. BUMP UP YOUR SCORE You also can improve your FICO score by paying down outstanding balances on your credit cards. If you're only interested in improving your FICO score, you should start with accounts that are closest to the credit limits. Even if you never miss a payment, borrowing a large percentage of the credit that is available to you hurts your credit score. Financial advisers usually recommend paying off the credit lines that have the highest interest rates first, and use the interest savings to pay down your closest-to-thelimit debts. DON'T CLOSE ANY ACCOUNTS What you should never do in hopes of boosting your credit score is to close any credit accounts. Closing an account will never improve a FICO score, and in some cases it can inflict harm on a credit score. That's because, if you've closed one or two credit accounts, but not reduced your overall borrowing, you've boosted your ratio of indebtedness compared to the total amount of credit available. Believe it or not, lenders prefer to see that you have lots of credit available but relatively little of it actually borrowed. "ft is always better to have information and not need it than to need it and not have ity

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

$25,000

tax-free

- Gov't announces bonus for public servants By Svetlana Marshall PUBLIC servants here will have more cash in hand this Christmas. Finance Minister Winston Jordan has announced payment of a one-off, tax-free bonus of $25,000 to all employees of ministries, departments and regions who are earning less than $500,000 per month. Minister Jordan made the announcement on Friday as he wrapped up the debate on his 250-billion-dollar National Budget for 2017. presented in the National Assembly a week earlier. "We ask all Guyanese to be patient with us as we clear a

Birth

path to the good life. The future is indeed bright!" he told the House while addressing Speaker Dr. Barton Scotland. This one-off. tax-free bonus comes approximately tw o months after the salary increases of one to 10 per cent took effect for public servants. As of October 1. 2016. public servants earning $99,000 or less began benefiting from a 10 per cent increase; while persons earning between $100,000 and $299,000 were offered six per cent increase; public servants earning between $300,000 and $799,000 have been offered five per cent increase; those earning between $800,000 and

$999,000 have been offered two per cent increase; and those earning more than $ 1M have been offered one per cent salary increase. In wrapping up the debates. Minister Jordan rebuked the People's Progressive Party (PPP) for being highly critical of. and pessimistic about, the budget. He said the contributions of the Opposition Members of Parliament have been confusing. disjointed, or simply and blatantly erroneous. "Adopting scaremongering tactics akin to Chicken Licken. theirs was a litany of feeble laments strong together one after the other in an incoherent fashion. In a

certificates

now

cult-like manner, all of them ended their presentations with a demand/plea for the Coalition Government to withdraw the Budget." the Finance Minister told the House. He said what was truly lamentable, pitiable and laughable was Opposition Leader Bharat Jagdeo portraying himself as the Champion of the Poor. "It is said that only those who feel it know it. So how can an individual swimming in luxury be able to know, feel and emphatise with the poor?" Minister Jordan asked as he pointed to the former president's earnings before and after demitting

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birth certificates and is working to computerise its records ~ a task which has so far seen 3.5 million records being transferred from paper to electronic format. Records have been compiled for the period 1987 to 1997. Minister of Citizenship. Winston Felix, told the National Assembly on Tuesday as the Committee of Supply perused the 2017 budget estimates for the ministry he heads. Felix said the ongoing exercise will see the unit carrying out similar works for the 100-year period: 1896-1986. after prospective contractors failed to meet the required stipulations.

The sum of $3.5M has so far been expended on the exercise, and the GRO internal staff will be tasked with undertaking additional volumes of work spanning the 1896-1986 period. Felix told the House. "We have been calculating our progress by years." he said, as Opposition Members of Parliament queried the sum of $194M which has been allocated for such works for the fiscal year 2017. Following a period of back and forth in regard to questions and answers. Felix informed MPs that the sum of only $3M has been spent on the compilation of data for the 10-year period. "The

^,i (Buyana

office. "Mindful of the General Elections that were scheduled in 2006. and uncertain about his political future, then President Jagdeo. now the Honourable Opposition Leader, caused to be introduced and passed the Ex-Presidents Pension Bill in 2004. The Bill was signed into law the same year by Jagdeo. Jagdeo's salary in 2006 was $223,783. which would have given him a pension of $195,810. Having won the elections in 2006. Jagdeo set about fortifying himself financially." the Minister of Finance pointed out. He added that between 2006 and 2011. Jagdeo's salary increased from $223,783 to $1,304,503. or nearly 500

security

money is still with us; we will now mobilise internally to proceed with this project", he said, noting that the tw o entities which had indicated interest in the project did not meet the requisite standard. He said the remaining $191M will be returned to the Consolidated Fund and the sum of $194M budgeted for 2017 will be utilised for the continuation of the computerisation process. Meanwhile, persons have been receiving upgraded birth certificates, which are being produced with added security features, making the document difficult to be replicated. As details of the current expenditure came in for perusal on Tuesday. Felix was grilled by the Opposition on the projected sum of

per cent. It was noted that during that period, the minimum wage increased from $26,069 to $35,657. or a paltry 37 per cent in five years. "In just 7.5 months, this Government increased the minimum wage by that same percentage: from $42,703 to $55. 000." Minister Jordan said, as he compared the increases offered to public servants by the PPP Government and this current Administration. Minister Jordan said that based on the PPP performance during their 23 years in office, it is clear that they have no guiding, coherent vision for the future ~ no concrete plans for achieving better economic and social outcomes for our citizens.

features

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix $37.5Mfor 2017. as opposed to the $9.5M which were set for the funding of print and

non-print materials for 2016. "Mr. Speaker, the cost went up because there was need for us to provide or produce a birth certificate that is secure." Felix said. He told the House that the quality of paper used is of a high standard and cannot be easily replicated, and the security features have also been upgraded. Meanwhile, a sum of $4M has been set aside in the 2017 budget for a minibus which will aid the GRO to carry out its functions. Felix informed the House that, for many outreaches, the cost of moving staff using rental vehicles "is an expensive one." As such, he noted the rental cost will be erased with the purchase of the agency's own vehicle.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016 HARRIS

INTERNATIONAL HORSE RACING SLATED FOR

@ If

LARGE (Ed Harris Column)

VIEUX FORT, SAINT LUCIA IN 2017!!!

r ■ Ihe Festival of lights is usually celebrated in the evening of December 12 and precedes National Day — December 13.

The year 2016 should have special significance to St. Lucians in general and Vieux Fortians in particular. Saint Lucia is named

1 Port internatlonally e to er ons 111 I . P ® eluding politicians about the project but was unsuccessfui. Finally, I shelved the

after its patron Saint, St. Lucy, and December 13th is annually eel-

idea. Hopefully, now that the

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

ebrated as National Day. Observed the night before the holiday is

sport of the Gods will be es-

the National Festival of Lights and Renewal in honour of St. Lucy of Syracuse, who is also the Saint of light. As part of the celebra, .. 1 , . , ... . . r., tions, decorative lights, mostly represented with a Christmas theme, ' 7 ^ r 7 are lit in Castries, the capital city. In time, this activity should take place in every community around the island.

Ulbllsllc in St

Lucia with an PPea1'maybe it is the right time to begin a , , conversation once again to introduce commercial Goat Racing for the little guys.

The Pearl of the Caribbean project being promoted by Desert Star Holdings Limited is scheduled to commence its US$2.6 Billion investment in St. Lucia early 2017. If all goes as planned, major infrastructural works will commence and the horse racing track will be a reality, welcoming international horse racing fans and owners of horses to our shores in the last quarter of 2017. We expect to see our regional people involved as well, as the sport of horse racing is very popular in Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados and Guyana. A new day dawns for Vieux Fort which has been dubbed the New Frontier for decades. It is expected to light up all of St. Lucia and the Caribbean. St. Lucia is about to host the mother of all projects in the region. Can you imagine the transformation that will take place in the South. Castries, Gros Islet and Soufriere have all gone ahead and established their mark in the tourism sector. Now is Vieux Fort's turn. Truly, the best has been left for last. Many decades ago, Vieux Fort was made ready to receive the boost that is being talked about today. The international airport, the electricity and telecommunications infrastructure, the roads and other infrastructural facilities were all put in place. Some may say it took too long, but nothing ever happens before its time. When the time is right the bridegroom

will appear. There are lots of issues still to be officially placed in the public domain regarding this mega project but in time, we will all know the real facts. Horse racing has some pleasant memories for me. I watched the final race at the Durban Park Race Track, Georgetown, Guyana many years ago when I was in my early twenties, and ended up winning in an upset that gave me enough money on that beautiful Sunday afternoon to attend a concert with my cousin at Queen's College, featuring the top artistes in Guyana at that time. The late, great MC Pancho Carew was in his glory. Then there was my frequent visits to the Horse Racing Betting Shops where I won with a 5/8 combination that paid a few hundred dollars. I had fun with my friends for the rest of the day. I also had an interest in Goat Racing. I had the opportunity to attend a few races at the Bourda Cricket Ground in Georgetown where the boys from Lodge dominated the sport. Several years later, I used my little knowledge of the sport and began a crusade to introduce commercial goat racing in the Caribbean. I made at least two trips to Tobago at my own expense. I wrote several newspaper articles, highlighting the benefits of Goat Racing. While I was writing on the subject, an Irish gentleman spotted my articles and made a proposal to promote the

Here are a few benefits that will accrue from a Goat Racing project. 1. Self Employment - rearing of goats, 2. ST.LUCIA Training for persons involved in all aspects of the 13 December (National Day, sport, 3. A tourism attraction, 4. Production of Goat Meat independence from United and Goat Cheese, 5. Sales of Goat meal and racing gear, Kingdom 1979; the saint's day) 6. Pride in ownership, 7. Sponsorhips, etc. Most im% portantly the little man having a stake in the economic and cultural activities of the Nation. I wrote this article on *1. ^ National Day and I feel that I am in the right place at the right time. This opportunity is www.oneslu.com taken to invite you to own a piece of the rock. Take massive and imme- Lucia Tourist Board. Remember always to Keep the diate action. Land in Vieux Fort is between EC$15.00/US$5.52 and EC$20.00/ Faith, knowing that God is in Charge US$7.36 per square foot. I am ready to pre- Dream Big and Expect Miracles! dict it will be doubled in five years. Edward Harris: Biblicist, Author/Publisher, There are lots of troubling signs in Business Consultant, Real Esthe world today but I implore you to look tate Agent/Broker, Networker, CSR/Small Business Advocate on the bright side - there is money to be & Motivational Speaker. made. Read my book www.knowledgesharinginstitute.org There is a chapter on Email: jobfreelife72@yahoo.com Real Estate. Website: www.stluciasimplybeautiful.com This week's recommended website Facebook Page :www.facebook.com/ed harrisbiz is www.stlucia.org The site of the St.

Cops

haul

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) has recorded a 16 percent decrease in serious crimes at the end of November 2016, a release on Tuesday noted. According to the force, the continuous monthly reduction in serious crimes is testimony to the excellent collaboration among the many stakeholders and the public at large, coupled with the strategies employed by the force. According to the statis-

tics provided by the force, there was a break-even in reports of murder, with a clear up rate of 64 percent; a 6 percent decrease in robbery under arms where firearms were used with a 15 percent clear up rate; a 17 percent decrease in armed robberies where other instruments were used by the perpetrators with a clear rate of 23 percent. It was also revealed that there has been a 25 percent decrease in robbery with

mlemalU)nal a

illegal

violence with a 27 percent clear up rate; a 9 percent decrease in robbery with aggravation with a 32 percent clear up rate; a 14 percent decrease in robberies where no instraments were used with a 8 percent clear up rate along with a 32 percent decrease in larceny from the person with a 24 percent clear up rate. Additionally, there was a 21 percent decrease in rape with a 31 percent clear up rate; a 20 percent decrease

guns

in break and enter and larceny with a 20 percent clear up rate and a 12 percent decrease in burglary with a 18 percent clear up rate. The statistics also revealed that ninety-six unlicensed firearms were taken off the streets by the police for the reporting month. These include 42 pistols. 28 revolvers. 24 shotguns and two rifles. In November. Head of State. David Granger had dismissed concerns about the spate of criminal

- say crime down by 16% activities, noting that the situation is being exaggerated and Guyanese will have a "safe and comfortable Christmas." The President pointed to mounted patrols in Black Bush Polder and in the Rupununi with the hope of reducing violent crimes. He also spoke to the increase in policemen on the ground, a move which began on November 15. 2016 and will ran until January 15. 2017. During the Christmas sea-

son. more ranks of the Force are placed on the streets, given the hive of activities that take place. Government had said that the Guyana Police Force and the Joint Services will continue to "scale up security activities in targeted areas to ensure the security of residents and visitors across Guyana as the country enters the holiday season and in light of the uptick in criminal activitv."

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

Talk

less,

invest

— President tells diaspora at opening of $80M Buxton-Friendship gas station By Ravin Singh A GUYOIL gas station constructed at Buxton-Friendship, East Coast Demerara (ECD) at a cost of US$400,000 (Gy$80M) opened its doors to business on Sunday, and is expected to provide jobs for more than 70 Guyanese. Overseas-based Guyanese Morris Wilson, who embarked on the investment — which he said is not yet fully completed ~ explained that a Church's Chicken franchise will be erected just next to the gas station; a Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) branch will also be there, as would a medical building which would be equipped with two Cuban-trained doctors and a pharmacy. Now resident in the USA, Morris is originally from Buxton. President David Granger has lauded the investment, calling it an '"economic renaissance". ""When I come here today, it is an emotional time for me, because I believe it is a form of economic renaissance. Even though it

is small, I believe it is very significant because it occurred here," the President said, adding that the area has played a major role in promoting village life over the years.

migrants who came into the country. At one time, we were exporting mules, fish, cocoa, etc," the Head of State said. And this is the climate the Head of State hopes can be recreated in

mm Hp— ijnr -

GASOLENES 178 DIESEL s 160 <ER0 S TJI

MINI MKT

-'5

The newly opened Buxton-Friendship gas station It

President David Granger urges overseas-based Guyanese to return home and invest He also expounded on the fact that villages such as Buxton and Friendship were producing products which fed immigrants. ""These villages fed im-

the near future. ""As I come here today, it is a journey of hope ~ that this initiative will trigger other activities by other members of the diaspora

who want to see the country of their birth prosper," the President said. Noting that he loves and has great respect for the diaspora, President Granger said the diaspora possesses capital and tremendous determination, while Guyana has the land and labour. He noted that members of the diaspora need to ""do more than talk and write... [and] put their money where their mouths are," by investing in Guyana. ""Guyana is divided in two; half (of the population

ImT-J-H.1

MINI

|m|-

i ART

A *

A A section of the gathering at the opening of the gas station at Buxton-Friendship, East Coast Demerara

is) living in South America and half in North America. But I don't see any distinction. I think those persons in the diaspora should see themselves (in the) same way and invest," he opined. But even with investment, the President pointed out, there is need for these villages to play a supportive role in promoting and fostering economic growth and development. ""I see Buxton and other villages as economic powerhouses," he said, adding that without land, residents of these villages will be confined to wage labour forever. He underscored the need for innovation, which he contended frees people from wage labour. The President reasoned that too many people rely on waged labour and shun enterprise. Some of these people, he said, see comfort in getting a small wage at the end of the month, and being satisfied. However, he noted that if one wants to take advantage of the bounty of this country, then one must take advantage of the opportunities available. ""Go into the hinterland and start production of the major commodities which are needed for our growing

population," he encouraged. He also stressed the need for infrastructure development, and emphasised on other factors which help to encourage investment. One of those factors, he said, is literacy, which is critical in determining employment rates, particularly with foreign investors. Also speaking at the ceremony was Chairman of the Board of Guyoil, Lance Carberry, who welcomed Wilson to the ""Guyoil family". With Guyoil being a state-owned company, since most of its shares are owned by NICIL, Carberry explained, the main role of the company is to ensure that Guyanese are supplied with affordable quality fuel. The chairman also revealed that the self-financed Guyoil has a net value of $2B, and is expected to introduce an electronic inventory in the near future. Ele noted that the business environment has become increasingly competitive, but Guyoil has been working assiduously to ensure it remains in the competition while providing Guyanese with quality products and services.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

US$10M By Ariana Gordon GOVERNMENT has signed a concessionary loan agreement with the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) on Wednesday to the tune of US$10,432," 263 for a number of agriculture-related interventions. The identified amount, which is part loan and grant, is aimed at providing the communities of Buxton, Ithaca. Beterverwagting and Mocha-Arcadia with much needed assistance to restore and upgrade drainage and irrigation canals, provide farming equipment, as well as to install pumps in the identified communities. Technical assistance will also be provided to farmers. The programme targets 1200 male and female farmers in economically challenged communities that have a history of agricultural production and will impact the lives of approximately 35.000 persons. Approximately 155 kilometres of drains will be constructed (both new and rehabilitated structures) along with 14 kilometres of fair-weather dams to ensure farmers reclaim some 2500 acres of abandoned lands and bring them back into cultivation. The project provides Guyana with an opportunity

Wales

to restore its agricultural export capacity within CARICOM and farther afield, while servicing the domestic market. Chief Executive Officer of the CDF. Rodinald Soomer. told reporters that the investment in Guyana's agricultural development is by virtue of the country making its US$3. 807. 263 contribution to the fund, thereby allowing for access to US$10.4M. He said additional resources have been received from other CARICOM countries. The total cost of the programme is US$12.43M and Guyana has contributed US$2M to it. The loan received stands at US$6.63M. while the grant stands at US$3.81M. representing a grant element of 36.5 per cent. Guyana has made a promise to enable CARICOM to become more food-secure by way of producing and exporting health foods at affordable prices. Meanwhile. Agriculture Minister Noel Holder noted that the identified beneficiaries are in urgent need of intervention, as there are inadequate drainage systems. Those communities, he said, are severely affected by flooding. Holder disclosed that

estate

By Ariana Gordon WALES estate sugar workers who opted not to continue working following the merger of that estate with Uitvlugt estate earlier this year have received $80.1M in severance pay following the withdrawal of the injunction filed by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers' Union (GAWU). Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo made this disclosure on Friday during the wrap-up of the 2017 budget debates. GAWU had. on May 6. 2016. filed an injunction blocking the payment, which was to be made by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). Government and the sugar company had decided earlier this year that in view of efforts to restracture the industry, the Wales factory would be merged with Uitvlugt. That decision resulted in widespread criticism from

boost

agriculture

j Finance Minister Winston Jordan (left) and CDF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rodinald Soomer (right) exchange signed agreements on Wednesday in the presence of Agriculture Minister Noel Holder (centre) as part of the programme, a fruit, vegetable and dairy farm will be established at President's College to promote and develop climate-resilient agriculture in school. He noted that with improved drainage systems, and access to new farmlands, a new horizon awaits the production of crops and fraits. He said too that the project will result in increased

workers

both workers and the unions that represent sugar workers across the country. Notwithstanding the protests. GuySuCo had committed to paying severance to those affected by the merger, but was barred from doing so after GAWU filed an injunction blocking the payment, which was to be made on May 13. The Prime Minister told the House that the workers met him following the submission of a petition and after several protests, and he noted that after speaking with them. GAWU withdrew the injunction on September 26. 2016. "On October 14. 2016. ninety-three workers got $80,155,000. and the union went silent." said Nagamootoo. who accused the union and the PPP of using workers as voting machines who pay "union dues to the labour bureaucrats". GuySuCo has been operating at a loss for a number of years, as a result of the world market price for sugar; and as

incomes and reduced unemployment in the identified communities. Finance Minister Winston Jordan expressed much satisfaction at the signing of the agreement and said the project will see significant improvement to the agriculture stracture for small-scale farming in Regions Four and Five. Government's invest-

receive

$80IVI

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo such a macro approach was taken in relation to the Wales Estate. Billions of dollars have

been plugged into the sector, which in the past contributed significantly to the country's

ment in the project is to ensure that it develops significantly. noting that Guyana's performance on a previous loan was "extremely impressive." as projects were completed on time and within budget. "Guyana was the first country to pay up its contributions. leading us to where we are today... I hope this project can take lessons from

the one at Parika. Ruby backdam area and be able to be completed on time and bring benefits." he stated. The Finance Minister told reporters that the project builds on the overall plan for the agriculture sector, which is to broaden and deepen small-scale agricultural enterprises, enhance value-added, agro-processing and agro-industries, promote self-sustaining enterprises and enhance the livelihoods of neglected communities, while providing rural food security. According to Jordan, the project serves as a "building block" for Guyana to regain its market share of providing fresh and processed foods for the Caribbean and beyond. Additionally, the Finance Minister said the project will build on the Sustainable Agriculture Development Programme, which has been approved by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to the tune of US$15M and the US$10,890,000 Hinterland Environmental Sustainable Agriculture Development Programme. Taken together, he said the projects will enhance the country's agriculture sector by encouraging technology adaptation, diversification of agriculture, and supporting the country's green agenda.

severance

economic stability. With Government's decision to close the Wales factory and merge the Wales and Uitvlugt estates, there is hope that the Uitvlugt factory would operate at 100 per cent capacity. Government had announced that feasibility studies are being conducted in the areas of cattle rearing for dairy purposes, orchard crop cultivation, and aquaculture. to name a few activities proposed to be undertaken at Wales. And the Prime Minister has addressed insinuations made by the Opposition People's Progressive Parly Civic (PPPC) that it is the intention of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government to cast the sugar industry aside and close all estates. "They say that this APNU+AFC Government is killing sugar. How do you kill a patient if you inject into the patient $12B in 2015? How do you commit economic

pay

genocide if you inject another $11B months after, in 2016? How do you destroy the livelihood of sugar workers if you throw out a new life-line of $9B in 2017?" asked the Prime Minister, who asserted that his administration is not anti-sugar. Prime Minister Nagamootoo described the coalition Administration as a "caring doctor" who conhnues to "treat the sugar patient, "which we found shackled to a death bed with an $85B debt chain", allocating $32B to that patient's care. Instead of criticising Government's push to diversify the industry, the Prime Minister said, the opposition should have proffered suggestions that would ensure the advancement of the industry. "Now, same story: not a single suggestion or new ways!" declared the Prime Minister amidst loud thumping of desks from the Government side of the House.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

Moraikobai:

the

prime

tourist

destination '3-

Fact-finding mission impresses GTA

US' » Mlfe

By Navendra Seoraj

Safari from Georgetown to Moraikobai. The trip from Georgetown to Moraikobai through the sand trail begins at the Linden/highway junction and allows the visitors to enjoy an adventurous ride as they watch the terrain change from clay to sand while approaching the village. Added to that the thrill of getting stuck and having to find alternative

LUSH greenery, the rich Arawak culture, numerous activities and exciting trails caught the attention of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and tour operators who, over the weekend, sought to explore the tourism offerings of Moraikobai in Region 5 (Demerara-Mahaica).

volves a two-hour boat ride down the placid Mahaicony river, later connecting to the Francois Creek which leads visitors straight to the landing at Moraikobai. One interesting feature of the village is that tourists are welcomed therein by a sign which reads. "Welcome to our home paradise." Based on its being labelled a paradise. Haralsingh has indicated.

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: One of the cultural dances being performed A \ Led by Director of Tourism. Indranauth Haralsingh. members of the team, comprising the General Manager of Rainforest Tours and Coordinator of the North and South Rupununi Safaris. Frank Singh; Project Development Officer for Wilderness Explorers. Salvador De Caires; Birding Expert Leon Moore and other officials of the GTA. explained that the aim of their visit to that Indigenous settlement in the Mahaicony River was to check out information they had received regarding its potential for tourism, particularly the possibilities of introducing a

trails piques the interest of those who are involved. And according to Haralsingh and Frank Singh, the overland trek (the trail) presents an opportunity for tourists to experience a different atmosphere from what obtains in the Rupununi Safaris, thus they would, in Febraary. be seeking to take a group of tourists on a four-by-four safari to Moraikobai. given that the village can accommodate at least 20 vehicle loads. However, persons who are not interested in participating in a safari can still be enticed to visit the settlement by another path, which in-

Facility By Alva Solomon THE AUTHORITIES will, in 2017, partner with local bakeries to integrate the use of cassava flour in the baking of starch products, such as bread and pastries. According to the Food Safety Network, cassava flour is considered an ideal source of carbohydrates, ranking closely behind sugar cane in this regard. Globally. mainly on the Asian sub-continent, the staple is utilised in most households, as opposed to wheaten flour. Mild and neutral in flavour. and not grainy or gritty in texture, cassava flour, with its soft and powdery texture, can be matched on a

persons, after reading the sign, can expect the best from the village and its villagers. This has been proven in many ways: from the hospitality of the people, to the rich Arawak culture displayed by the morethan 1000 villagers, to the other natural aspects of the village. In an effort to portray their village as a paradise, the villagers had. within hours, put together a cultural programme which included dancing, singing. and other cultural activities which had the members of the team ready to abandon their seats and join in the festivities.

process

1:1 ratio with wheaten flour in many recipes, making it a preferred flour for gluten-free. grain-free baking and cooking, according to reports from studies conducted in Asia. Agriculture Minister Noel Holder has revealed that, in 2017. a cassava flour processing facility will be established and become operational at Parika on the East Bank of Essequibo. He told the National Assembly during his 2017 Budget Debate presentation last week that cassava processing is rare, with limited value addition undertaken in Guyana. The staple is cultivated in most regions, especially in hinterland areas, but its

P ,

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r I The GTA team sharing a moment with some of the villagers In addition, a competition to grate cassava was held to demonstrate the skills of the Moraikobai ladies. Skills in the area of cooking were also demonstrated, as team members were treated to a variety of delicacies, such as cassava bread, stewed Lukanani. and other mouth-watering dishes. Villagers also harvested the Tacoma worm from the Ettai tree, to the delight of men. women, children, and even members of the team, who indulged in the resultant feast. "Moraikobai's culture is very alive and rich. They have

what tourists are looking for. and we just need to tweak some areas to ensure betterment in every aspect of its tourism product." Haralsingh explained. Besides the obvious impact villagers can make on tourists, the natural aspects, such as the creek, also present an opportunity for Caiman spotting, exploring other wildlife; and there is also potential for bird watching, owing to the fact that Moore listed over 50 species of birds during the visit. This alone. Haralsingh

,-v A youngster attempting a back-flick ' off of a rock into the Francois Creek

cassava

by-products are currently not exported. "The result is depressed prices due to a glut in the market." Holder said, adding that, in the coming year, the Agriculture Ministry will undertake to establish and make operational at least one processing facility to produce high quality cassava flour. This, he said, will effectively reduce Guyana's high import bill for wheat, which currently stands at US$21M. Holder said the touted initiative to partner with the bakeries to incorporate cassava flour in baked products would bring several benefits. These include a reduction in post-harvest losses, the

flour

creation of market opportunities for fresh produce, and gainful employment with associated foreign exchange savings through a reduction in wheat imports. This root tuber is considered an essential source of carbohydrates, he said, and its composition shows a 60-65 per cent moisture content. a 20-31 per cent carbohydrate content. 1-2 per cent crade protein content, and a comparatively low content of vitamins and minerals. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will, in 2017. support the Government in its hinterland agricultural development drive ~ initiatives which Minister Holder said will continue to

said, confirms that the Village has potential to be a major tourist attraction. "We are keen on diversifying Guyana's tourism product, hence our focus on community-based tourism will grow as time goes by." Haralsingh stressed. Haralsingh also sees opportunities for employment, training, and even boosting the community's income generation from its main economic activities: small-scale agriculture and logging. People. he iterated, are seeking a paradise with new things to offer; hence, in an effort to satisfy this need and promote "Explore Guyana." the GTA. along with its partners, is seeking to develop the tourism products of other villages, such as St. Cuthbert's Mission and Orealla. Moraikobai Toshao Colin Adrian has welcomed the GTA effort to develop tourism, not only in the community but also nationally. "This is the first visit of its kind to this village, and we are happy that we are being recognised... Recently, we had a group of bikers who expressed their interest in starting a trek to the community," he explained.

be an important facet on the Government's agriculture development agenda. He said that emphasis was this year placed on finalising plans for expansion of the agriculture station at Ebini in the Berbice River and establishment of a new station at Pirara in Region Nine; and work will continue in 2017 to make the two agricultural stations become a reality. "Emphasis will be placed on cassava, peanut and orchard crops, and cattle at Ebini; whilst at Pirara the focus would be on cattle, rice, orchard crops and cassava." the minister added, as he revealed that projects will receive the support of

year

the IDB. He reported to the House that orchard production was increased at Ebini in 2016. At Hosororo. in the North West District of Region One. a farm has been created to test and produce planting material for the cultivation of turmeric, black pepper, avocado and citras. he revealed. He said the intention is to ensure that the nation becomes self-sufficient in spices within the next three years. "Our farmers, especially in Region One, would be the beneficiaries of these interventions. We currently import over US$1 million in spices for the processing sector," Holder added.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

Silas

Duane

when

Boston

sons

said

charged

with

they saw

murder

him

kill

'caught

victims'

A yachtsman charged with murdering a young British couple in the Caribbean almost 40 years ago was reportedly betrayed to police by his sons. Detectives in California were investigating Silas Duane Boston, 75, over the death of his former wife, Mary Lou, who was shot dead in Sacramento in 1968, when they stumbled across the couple's murder by chance. Detectives in California were investigating Silas Duane Boston, 75, over the death of his former wife, Mary Lou, who was shot dead in Sacramento in 1968, when they stumbled across the couple's murder by chance. Boston's son Vince told police their father had moved them away from Sacramento to avoid rape charges and ended up in Belize, which was still a British colony at the time and was known as British Honduras. ABC 10 reported that Vince, who was 13 in 1978, and his 11-year-old brother Russell said their father gave boat tours off the coast of Belize, despite not having a license.

Police were probing the death of Boston's former wife, Mary Lou Boston (pictured above). The boys distinctly remembered their father taking Christopher Farmer and his girlfriend Peta Frampton, who were both 25, on a trip to Mexico. They said he lost his temper at one point and stabbed Mr. Farmer before throwing him and his girlfriend into the sea, where they drowned. Boston allegedly attached weights to them and covered their heads before pushing them into the water while both were still alive. The Times reported that the US investigation was assisted by crucial letters which Miss Frampton, a junior doctor, had written to her family and which had been kept by a retired policeman in Manchester, England. Farmer and Frampton, both from

Manchester, England, were fresh university graduates who had decided to take a year off to travel. The couple had left in December 1977, but they wrote regularly back to their families. In June 1978 Miss Frampton wrote to her mother from Belize saying they were going to sail to Mexico on a yacht called the Justin B, which was skippered by an American called Dwayne. Frampton in a letter dated June 29, indicated it was not always smooth sailing on the boat as Boston's two young sons, who were also on board, squabbled frequently and he had a short temper. Another letter arrived after the couple's bodies were found on July 8, 1978, floating off the coast of Punta de Manabique in Guatemala Vince and Russell told police their father posted the letter because he thought it would throw the police off his trail. Boston was tracked down by the FBI to a convalescent home in the town of Paradise in northern California, where he was arrested last week. He appeared in federal court in a wheelchair and entered a not guilty plea. Boston allegedly later bragged about the killings, telling a former friend how he had tied the couple, put bags over their heads and dumped them overboard. Federal prosecutor Phillip Talbert on Thursday said the persistent efforts of investigators, notably the FBI and the police in Sacramento, had allowed the case to go forward. 'Nothing would have happened if the Sacramento Police Department had not thought to consult with this office about what could be done with a 38year-old homicide in the Caribbean sea,' he said. A 38-YEAR OLD COLD CASE ♦ British couple Christopher Farmer and Peta Frampton, both 25, took a year off to travel in 1978. ♦ June 29,1978: Frampton sent a letter to her parents saying they had met Boston and were chartering his boat from what was then British Hon-

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Silas Duane Boston, 75, has been charged with the 1978 murders of British couple Christopher Farmer and Peta Frampton when they were sailing on his boat in the Caribbean Sea, duras to Mexico. She said his two sons were also on board and Boston regularly lost his temper at them. ♦ June and July 1978: Sometime after the letter was sent, Boston allegedly murdered Frampton and Farmer. He allegedly beat them before weighing them down and throwing them overiy

4 '4.

♦ It became a cold case until it was relaunched thanks to an investigation into the 1968 disappearance of Boston's former wife, Mary Lou Boston. ♦ December 1, 2016: Boston is arrested over Farmer and Frampton's deaths. L" 'MS-

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r / British tourist Christopher Farmer (middle) was allegedly beaten and bound before being thrown overboard by Silas Duane Boston. The alleged killer's two sons, Russell and Vince (also in picture), were on board the boat at the time. board to drown. ♦ July 8, 1978: The bodies of the coupie were found off the coast of Guatemala.

^ December 8, 2016: He was charged with their murders and faced court to enter a not guilty plea. _ Daily Mail

advertise

newspaper

this

call;

917-579-6^90

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

ISSUE 27 CROSSWORD ANSWER 2 3 4 6 7 10 11 New York Cluroaicle Horoscope O H M ■A D J ■' ' ■' ■N A 2 N A T S E E s H O O " ARIES (Mar. 21 - April 20) L I L A S S N 0 G L 5 O R D E R E A S T Do your own thing and everything will settle down. Try to stay calm and 1" " 18 19 H20 „ L G E H O M 1 N understand both sides of the situation. You will impress new friends and ac1 H S I E L D T E P 1 quaintances with your intellectual wit. This will not be the time to have !2 23 24 25 26 27 C H E F E M O K minor surgery. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Sunday P E E L S 18 G R A N D E 29 32 33 R A D I O S S R 1 " ■" 14 35 36 37 T s P S G L A Z TAURUS (Apr. 21 - May 21) ■ O A H u1 L 1 E U R E 39 40 Travel and communications will not run as smoothly as you had hoped. 18 F L A P L 1 E 1 R 1 ■ ■" Don't give up what you have until you can be certain just what it is you're ; ^■44 45 A I N O D O L v T Jk getting. Children may be difficult to deal with. Don't get involved in un1 2. Major engineering school 47 6 48 49 50 51 certain financial ventures. Put aside any decisions concerning your posi(abbr.) ■ 53 tion at work. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Saturday. 12 .. 55 56 57 3. Easy to assemble ■ 4. Trucker's truck 18 59 60 GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) K| 1 5. Deceitful 62 63 Focus on what's important rather than spreading yourself too thin 11 6 1 and accomplishing little. You are best to avoid confrontations. ■ 7. Suffix for kitchen or major 34. Angle Minor accidents could occur if you don't take precautions. Your ACROSS 8. Holds off 1. Diamond figures, for 36. Offensive animals health may have suffered due to neglect or abuse. Your luckiest 9. Rare (4 wds.) short 38. Rind events next week will occur on Sunday. 10. Juicy fruit 5. Distort from a true 39. Perfume bottle 11. Makes edging value 41. Rustic stopover 19. Bestow CANCER (June 22 - July 22) 9. Select 42. Animation frame 22. Circle segments Creative educational pursuits will payoff. Try to visit friends or relatives 12. Beget 44. Celebrated '60s leader 23. Appearance you don't get to see often. You should be putting in some overtime. Don't 13. " smile be your (abbr.) 25. Mr. Griffin prejudge. You may get drawn into a personal situation that will not be to umbrella" (2 wds.) 45. Author Tolstoy 27. April's season (abbr.) 14. Teachers' gp. 45. Three kind (2 your liking. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Saturday. 30. The Office 15. Pipe part wds.) 32. Ponderosa 16. Mythical monster 48. Cleopatra's snake 33 LEO (July 23-Aug 22) 17. 50. Scale note 35. TX to NY dir. Don't upset elders in your family who don't understand your present 18. Holiday pudding fruit 52. A above the rest 37. Caribous' cousins situation. If you're preoccupied, be careful while operating a vehicle or 20.peeve 55. Speak imperfectly 40. Hinder any kind of equipment or machinery. Beware of someone who is trying 21. Taxman's agcy. 58. Giggle sound 43. Roping need m to make you look bad. Be prepared to neutralize any threats. Your 22. Fla.'s neighbor 59. Coke or Pepsi 46. Eight, to Eduardo luckiest events next week will occur on Sunday. 24. " Believer" (2 60. Cashmere source 47. Auto's need wds.) 61. Ancient 49. biz VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 23) 26. ID digits 62. "Closer" actor Clive 51. Lingerie brand Find out all you can; secret enemies may lead you astray. Try not 28. Commit a stickup 63. Connecting words 54. Bachelor, e.g. to discuss important matters with colleagues. Stress may cause 29. Presidential power DOWN 56. Lamentable minor health ailments. Concentrate on spending quality time with 31. Mama's partner 1. Abbr. on a navy vessel 57. Parts of qts. children and friends. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Thursday. N o T G N 1 H S A W R 1 A K O A E E S R G E G E B R L A LIBRA (Sept 24 - Oct 23) Don't use the interstate as a racetrack. Emotional upset may prevail on the domestic scene if you have neglected your duties or your mate. You can convince others to follow suit. Spend time with youngsters this month. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Thursday. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Beware of individuals who are not that reliable or well known to you. You will be in the doghouse if you are being. You may have a tendency to put on weight. Don't trust coworkers with important or personal in formation. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Thursday Jjll\

fVN

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21) Don't prejudge. You may get drawn into a personal situation that will not be to your liking. You can make financial deals, but it may be best if you're not using your own cash. Contracts will not be as lucrative as you think. You may want to plan physical activities that will help bum off some of their excess energy. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Wednesday. CAPRICORN (Dec 22. - Jan. 20) Changes in your residence will be favorable in the long haul. Try looking into new ways to make extra money. Dazzle them with your intellectual conversation. Overspending or unexpected bills could set you back. Your luckiest events week will occur on a Sunday. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) Don't let your partner put you down. Insurance pay outs, tax rebates, or just plain luck. Your changing attitudes may be causing concern for your partner. You'll be angry if those you live with aren't pulling their weight. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Wednesday PISCES (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) You should focus on moneymaking matters and stay away from emotional disputes. You may find your nights sleepless due to bad dreams. You will impress others with your initiative and ability to accomplish while on short business trips. Don't count on correspondence to clear up major problems. Your luckiest events next week will occur on Tuesday.

N E E Y D S E V A N

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AMBASSADOR

Information

APPOINTMENT

LAWS

CIA

NEWS

CONFER

PHOTO

CONGRESS

PRESIDENT

CRISES

PRESS

DATA

REPORTER

DIGNITARY

SIGNATURE

DISPATCH

SPEECH

FBI

TALK

GREET

VETO

HANDSHAKE

WASHING:

HOT LINE

WHITE HOUSE

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H E N G

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

COUNCILMAN WILLIAMS HOLDS RALLY FOR INCREASED TEMPERATURES IN RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS NEW YORK, NY: On Dec. 12, Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, Deputy Leader, and Chair of the Housing and Buildings Committee, held a rally on the steps of City Hall to call for the Administration to move forward with Intro 0722, which amends the minimum temperature to be maintained in residential dwellings y A' overnight. The bill would also remove the outside day time and night timetemperature trigger, which normally prompt when inside heating should kick in. Council Member Williams was joined Intro 0722 is essential to remedying by Manhattan Borough President Gale this problem by raising the inside temperaBrewer, Senator Bill Perkins, the Flatbush ture to 62 degrees (up from 55) between the Tenant Coalition, Housing and Family hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Services of Greater New York, and imUnder this bill, the outside temperapacted New Yorkers from Midwood Senior ture trigger of 40 Degrees would be reCenter. moved, thus allowing for a minimum "Most people don't realize how cold it temperature of 62 degrees at all times, rehas to be outside to legally be able to get gardless of outside temperature. months for the impact study needed before heat," said Council Member Williams. "We "Winter is here, and too many New we pass this bill, and we don't even have a focused on what we have the ability to Yorkers are cold in their homes when they timeline yet. The administration shouldn't focus on, which was the nighttime temper- don't have to be," said Manhattan Borough keep New Yorkers waiting in the cold." ature. Right now in order to get heat, it has to be 40 Degrees outside, and inside it has to be 55 Degrees, which is not a comfort^ i. able temperature. There are a lot of seniors ' and young people who cannot deal with 55 Degrees. It's very confusing for tenants who think they're supposed to receive additional heat. "We've spent nine months trying to get information on when the environmental study will start and that's unacceptable. I'm ft appreciative that the Administration has n verbally committed to this study, however, words without action mean nothing." N In order for Intro. 0722 to move forV, ward, the Administration must conduct an environmental impact study. The City Council has been waiting for this review since March 2016, and to date the City has Midwood Senior Center Vice President Lenox Hudson (center) standing with not given an expected start date. Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (left), Manhattan Borough President Gale As we enter the full-fledged winter Brewer (back right) and housing advocates. Photo Credit: Vania Andre, NYC season, thousands of New Yorkers struggle Council to stay warm. Tenants have a right to ade"Adequate heat is a matter of health quate heat from October 1 to May 31; yet President Gale A. Brewer. "Our bill would and safety that poses daily risks to thouthe current heat mandates are not sufficient increase temperature minimums, and make sands of New York City's tenants. Our City enough for a number of residents, who still heat enforcement simpler and fairer. New must be committed to doing all it can to encomplain they grapple to keep warm. Yorkers have been waiting more than eight sure apartments are sufficiently warm for

Sadly

Democrats

(from page 7) and were in a depressed state similar to what they have experienced in the last month or so. Ronald Reagan pushed a long articulated GOP dream of privatizing Social Security, ran a racist campaign against the "welfare queen riding in a Cadillac," and appeared willing to bring America to nuclear war with the Soviet Union. Then, as now, Democrats went into political rigor mortis. If there is any consolation, Donald Trump is not Ronald Reagan. And 2016 is clearly not 1980. The only similarity between the two is that BOTH elections were lost by tonedeaf Democratic elites who dis-

missed the economic anxieties of the poor and working class. In Carter's case, as the unemployment rate began to rise in the winter of 1979-80, progressive Democrats appealed to him for a jobs program to offset the damage being done by the Federal Reserve's high interest rates. Carter rejected the idea because Wall Street would not accept more spending. Poll after poll showed that voters were most concerned about unemployment. In the end, gut-punched Democrats blamed their defeat on Carter's lack of charisma and the Iran hostage crisis. Then the party moved to its institutionalized arrogance, literally

Still

our children and families, including studying an increase in minimum temperatures during the heating season as well as exploring innovative sensor technology to monitor the behavior of bad-acting landlords," said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. "I applaud Council Member Williams' continuing commitment to the welfare of our city's tenant population." There have been more than 65,000 heat complaints already for this current number heat season, which runs from October 1 to May 31. Owners who fail to maintain heat at the current 55 Degrees overnight are subject to civil penalties ranging from $250 - $ 1,000 per day for heat violations. "It's important that seniors have the right temperature because they are the ones suffering, and it lead to other kinds of health issues," said Vice President of Midwood Senior Center Lenox Hudson. "No one should have to live like this, and so it is my hope that this bill gets passed as soon as possible." "I fear for long-term tenants, who have been here for many years," said Patricia George, Tenant Leader for Flatbush Tenants Coalition. "There is no reason why we should have to complain about getting adequate heat, it should be our right."

Don't

telling its base what was good for them. They were confident that Reagan's loony economic policies, like Trump's, would limit him to one term. Just like then Democrats felt that the blue-collar workers that they abandoned, and who voted for Reagan, would soon come back home. They were mistaken. When Barack Obama won the 2008 election as an "agent of change," many felt that Democrats would control government for the next 40 years. But he quickly renewed the Wall Street-Democrat alliance, persisting in the trade policies that had decimated the Democratic base in the industrial

Get

Midwest. Capitalist America can live with the politics of race, gender, and sexual identity. But it is rigidly hostile and opposed to organized labor. The neoliberal Democrats got the message. As the unionized factories closed and labor's membership dwindled, the Democratic Party—while it happily took union members' dues and votes by arguing that Republicans would be worse — did virtually nothing to help. Democrats miscalculated in 2016 agreeing with their Wall Street funders who saw "the enemy" as the rural white voter, especially white males —the "loser" in the New Economy.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

The DIASPORA SHOULD WALK THE WALK Peter Haynes Column AND STOP JUST TALKING THE TALK emment in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The project would support ten (10) eligible Guyanese entrepreneurs to visit Guyana, expenses paid, in November to explore the opportunities for setting up small and medium size enterprises. The project entitled "Go See Visit 2016" was intended to attract/invite Guyanese residing abroad to Visit Guyana in November 2016 to explore prospects for establishing small- and medium-sized businesses in their home country. The visits was designed to also help to es-

The term Diaspora comes from an ancient Greek word, meaning "to scatter about" and that is exactly what the people of a Diaspora do, they scatter from their homeland to places across the globe, spreading their culture as they go. The Bible refers to the Diaspora of Jews exiled from Israel by the Babylonians. Does a Diaspora, have meaning beyond the community of transcultural individuals? One might expect from the study of its definition that a Diaspora can have different meanings. It is true that Diaspora has a number of kindred terms that reflect on its definition from unique perspectives. For example, trans-nationalism, globalization, post-colonialism and trans-culturalism are related terms pertaining to communities of people in host societies. Having stated the definition and meaning of the term Diaspora, we have Guyanese who through migration did so to seek work or citizenship. In many cases, we have a large percentage of these individuals who for a variety of reasons, never returned home in decades. This fact is mentioned because they were never part of the struggles between 1992 and 2015, but they are now demanding to enjoy the successes of the struggle, not by entering at the lower levels, but want to enter somewhere near the top, if not at the top. Subject to correction, I ask if you are unaware of where we came from, and how we arrived at this juncture of the struggle, i.e. the oath taken to overcome some of the challenges, how would you know where we want to go and how we will get there. Again I ask: Is your Diaspora exposure enough for you to qualify for a position at the top? Certainly whatever contribution made either financial or otherwise, does not make you qualified for the top position. The exposure while in the Diaspora will certainly present challenges dealing with some of the definitions listed above, especially globalization and culturalism. This is not an assumption. A similar mistake was made back in the sixties when we had scores of comrades returned from London and New York to make their contributions but were faced with culture issues. I am amused to read and hear

from members of the Diaspora who label the President and members of the Cabinet as leftists. Without any hesitation, I would say that whatever fortunes they accumulated abroad do not qualify them to make such accusations. Clearly they don't know the President. To go further and say that the Minister of Foreign

I would like to point the mischievous individuals in the Diaspora to the fact that the back

desk at the Ministry as far

August

this

year

invited

members of the Diaspora to consider their

eligibility

project

under

the

participate Guyana

Govern-

ment in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The project would support ten (10) eligible Guyanese entrepreneurs to

visit

Guyana,

expenses

paid,

November to explore the opportunities for setting up small and medium size enterprises. Affairs does not have the knowledge to set up a Diaspora desk tells the intelligence or lack thereof, of these selected individuals in the Diaspora. There is a desk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the individuals so assigned to deal with the Diaspora. I would like to point the mischievous individuals in the diaspora to the fact that the desk at the Ministry as far back as August this year invited members of the Diaspora to consider their eligibihty to participate in a project under the Guyana Gov-

tablish networks, and build mutual confidence, thus opening opportunities for new and innovative entrepreneurship incentives, including those

geared to increase employment in low income communities in Guyana. There are a number of criteria which outlined the selection process, including a motivational letter detailing experiences, key business achievements and key interest areas for the visit. Other expectations are that the candidates must be a Diaspora entrepreneur who is a citizen or legal resident residing outside of Guyana. There are other expectations, mentioning them at this stage would be reserved for interested parties. Having heard the remarks from some members of the Diaspora recently, I decided to return to this project this week, despite the fact that the second extension for the receipt of applications closed earlier this week. The original closing date was September 30, 2016. The second extension closing date was December 15, 2016. I am unaware of the reasons for the extensions, but it would be reasonable to conclude that the response from prospective applicants between August 2016 and November was very paltry or none at all. But, there we have individuals being critical of the Government for its dealing with the Diaspora. In basic Guyanese terms, "those members of the American Diaspora don't want to put their money where their mouth deh". They want jobs as big ones with the feeling that whatever contribution(s) they make to the elections justify their selection. With this opportunity for the Guyanese Diaspora to return home and really make a contribution to the rebuilding of our country, go begging as it seems today, or will my countrymen and women not just talk the talk, but will walk the walk? The final response by the individuals in the Diaspora will be provided soon.

The Management and Staff of the New York Edition of the Guyana Chronicle wish all our Advertisers and Readers â€” Good Tidings for this holiday season.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 16, 2016

Chase-Green By Telesha Ramnarine FOLLOWING the re-election of Mrs. Patricia Chase-Green as Mayor of Georgetown and the election of Councillor Lionel Hanoman-Jaikaran as Deputy Mayor, Councillor Welton Clarke said he was hoping that their "impeccable" styles of dressing last Thursday was an indication of how their performance will be in 2017. Deputy Mayor She rod Duncan pulled out of the race against Chase-Green merely hours before the elections and after ChaseGreen was nominated by Councillor Gregory Fraser and seconded by Oscar Clarke, nominations were closed for the position of mayor. Chase-Green was then escorted to sit at the helm of the horse-shoe table in order to preside over the elections of the Deputy Mayor. Councillor Malcolm Fer-

reira nominated Councillor Carolyn Caesar; Councillor Phillip Smith nominated Lionel Jaikarran and Councillor Selwyn Smartt put up his hand for Malcolm Ferreira. Councillor Alfred Mentore declined the nomination by Councillor Carlyle Goring. Three councillors voted for Caesar. 17 against and eight abstained; 24 voted for Jaikaran. 9 against him. and four abstained; three voted for Ferreira. 14 against him and 11 abstained. Councillor Jaikaran. who represents Constituency One (Kingston/Queenstown). was then escorted to sit at the right of the mayor, while Duncan in turn took Jaikaran's chair. However. Duncan will remain in his capacity as Deputy Mayor until March 31. 2017. at which point Jaikaran will assume office. Although this came as a "shock" to Duncan. Town Clerk Royston King noted that this was in keeping with the Municipal and Dis-

trict Council's Act. Chapter 28:01. "The persons who would be elected mayor and deputy mayor today would be mayor-elect and deputy mayor-elect because the term of office of the incumbent mayor and deputy mayor have not expired. That term will expire on March 31. 2017. and the according to the law. the time is one year; and according to the interpretation of the law. one year in the law means 12 months." King stated. Therefore, the term of office of Chase-Green and Duncan have not yet expired. The methodology of voting used for the elections Thursday at City Hall was a show of hands after 21 councillors voted in favour of this and seven voted against. The other proposal. by Councillors Carlyle Goring and Khame Sharma. was a secret ballot for which seven councilors voted for. 20 voted against, and two abstained.

still

Mayor

T "

Mrs. Patricia Chase-Green

Lionel Hanoman-Jaikaran

The new deputy mayor for 2017 promised: "I will not let you down. I will be the same person I was yesterday that I will be on March 31. 2017. I'm not a politician and I'm not a magician. Things will not change overnight with me." Meanwhile. Duncan said he was forced to withdraw his candidacy for mayor

because of "ministerial intervention" in the process. He said it was his belief that councillors have been coerced to give their support in a particular direction to maintain the status quo; undermining the democratic process. "This and the use of municipal resources to campaign for the incumbent

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does not auger well for our local democracy, and presents an unleveled playing field; a selection of Mayor and not an election. These factors have caused me to reevaluate my candidacy for Mayor. I therefore withdraw my candidacy for Mayor of Georgetown." Duncan said. He further noted that he would not be contending for the Deputy Mayorship "as this position requires someone more in tune with the incumbent Mayor's thinking and work ethic." "Serving the Municipality of Georgetown as Deputy Mayor has been a rewarding experience for me and an education. I have enjoyed the support of Councillors across the political divide, the Coalition Government's confidence, (the Government continues to have my unswerving support) and I am humbled by the support of the residents of the Municipality of Georgetown."

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