FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025
VOLUME 119, No.07
Responses to vaccine ruling Page 3
www.thevincentian.com
HFMD alert is on Page 4
Orcas go free Page 15
EC$1.50
Heritage Month Pages 16&17
Homicides 4&5 Page 32
GOV’T WINS
VACCINE MANDATE APPEAL
Gerhard Wallbark handed down a 2:1 ruling, in favour of the government, with Justice Wallbank being the dissenting vote. The matter ruled upon was one dating back to 2021 in which public servants took the government to Court seeking redress for their dismissals and/or full reinstatement, for not having taken the Covid19 vaccine, that was legislated as a mandatory requirement for public servants. The Public Service Union (PSU), the St Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union (SVGTU), and the L-R: Justice Paul Webster and Justice Gerhard Wallbank. Police Welfare Association (PWA) were by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ Grenadines and a team clients all available sponsors of the lawsuit, ANTHONY of lawyers representing options, including an which was filed in the public servants is appeal to the Privy names od dimissed [ublis PERSONS EMBROILED in heading. Council.” secotr workers: Shanile the Covid vaccine matter According to a release The development Howe, Novita Robert, have to wait some time for from Jomo Thomas, one comes in the wake of a Cavet Thomas, Alfonzo the fiasco to settle. It of the lawyers ruling handed down on Lyttle, Brenton Smith, looks like the Privy Council representing the public Wednesday February 12 Sylvorne Olliver, will have the final say. servants in the matter. in Kingstown, by the Shefflorn Ballantyne, That’s where, it there are plans to “get a Eastern Caribbean Travis Cumberbatch, and appears, the matter better appreciation of all Appeal Court. Rohan Giles. involving the the views expressed in The Court, comprised The appellants named government of St. the decision. Thereafter, of Justices Eddy Ventose, in the matter were: the Vincent and the we will discuss with our Paul Webster and Minister of Health and
Justice Eddy Ventose the Environment, the Public Service Commission, the Commissioner of Police, the Attorney General and the Police Service Commission. March 13, 2023, Justice Esco Henry ruled
that the decisions of the Public Service Commission, and the Commissioner of Police under the government’s Statutory Rules and Orders No 28 of 2021 Continued on Page 3.
APOLOGY HAVING ACKNOWLEDGED that we erred with a particular reference in last’s week’s front page article headlined “Road Fatality #1: Wish comes True?”, we are moved to offer this apology to the mother, other relatives and close friends of Normanie Duncan, the focus of the article. We acknowledge that our reference to a Facebook posting which read, “I want to get drunk, have an accident on my way home, and end up in a coma for 3 months. When I wake up, I won’t know anyone,” as having been made by Normanie was incorrect, and in fact we have since verified that the posting did not in fact originate in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. For the discomfort we would have caused Normanie’s mother, in particular, his relatives and close friends, we apologise most sincerely, and assure that the referenced concerned was not used with any ill-intent. THE VINCENTIAN PUBLISHING CO. LTD.