The current disastrous floods in several parts of the country has brought to the fore quite clearly the need for decentralising rescue and preventative activities. Thus while there would always be a need for such bodies as the OPDM, as a co-ordinating agency, and the Ministry of Works and Transport, one cannot doubt the fact that properly functioning local government bodies, fitted with the necessary wherewithal, would be able to respond more quickly and responsibly than bodies further away from the scenes of impending or possible disasters.

In the case of preventative actions in respect of floods, who can be better aware of such issues as clogged drains and the like than local government councillors?

Perhaps the government, (and indeed the Parliament at this budget time), will be now convinced of the need for local government reform even in this relatively small area.

Changing of personnel at the OPDM is but a panacea. Fundamental root- and-branch establishment of a properly operational disaster management function is required. Indeed, even the notion that “God is a Trini” must be dispensed with.

ERROL O C CUPID,
TRINCITY, TACARIGUA

If we are not careful and do not do something urgently, our once striving agriculture industry can become a thing of the past. If this ever takes place it will be a very sad day indeed in Trinidad and Tobago. The global climate change is giving this industry a serious beating locally. We have that evidence right before our very eyes where acres of crops are no longer fit for the market because of the persistent rainfall over the past few days. Crops totally ruined.

Now there is absolutely nothing we can do to prevent the rain from falling and with the abundance we are having. However, more emphasis needs to be placed on those involved in this industry. What you are hearing coming from our local farmers is simply discouragement, with many wondering if they should remain in this line of work.

This is not good for an industry which has the great potential of bringing in foreign exchange and reducing imports if handled properly. Too often our farmers are left out in the cold to fend for themselves when there is a natural disaster despite many promises made.

I am calling on all, including financial institutions and even the business community, to do all that is possible to support our local agriculture industry. If we are serious about diversification this industry is rich in potential for we have what it takes to make this a very striving business. There is the right soil type, climate, products and a people who have the know-how. What is needed is the encouragement and the help financially, etc.

Let us as a country not allow this industry to be something that we read about in history books. Together we can save it. I can only see us benefiting as a nation if we do so.

ARNOLD GOPEESINGH,
SAN JUAN

The tide is certainly changing within the PNM. This was displayed when the Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Allyson West, told the Senate in her budget presentation, that the total revenue collected by Government in 2017 was some $10 billion less than budgeted. She certainly did not mince her words by being blunt and direct and may, in the foreseeable future, pay the price for her utterance of truth. There is nothing better in politics than telling it as it really is.

This is the sort of politician we need to enable the nation to recover from what has been lost in our local political life.

I look forward to hearing more from this politician.

GA MARQUES

Breast cancer awareness received a tremendous boost with the staging of The Pink Tea 2017, an event hosted by former Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe and founder of The Pink Tea Movement, Danielle Jones-Hunte. The inspiration for the Pink Tea was Jones-Hunte’s mother Denise Jones who lost her battle with breast cancer 13 years ago.

The event which was held this year at Chaud Cafe, One Woodbrook Place, gained a lot of traction since its inception last year when it attracted 80 people. This year, it was a sold-out affair with over 200 guests, most of whom dressed in pink with the theme, #Slayforacause.

One of the highlights of the event was the fashion, as some of T&T’s top designers chose “muses” who they dressed specially for the occasion. Meiling, Christian Boucaud, Shop Shari, Harts Carnival, Lost Tribe and Tobye & Shoma were among the designers whose chosen muses graced the pink carpet.

The true essence of the Pink Tea 2017 was raising money for the hardworking group, Associates of Radiotherapy Centre, St James, who have provided support for the staff and patients of the Radiotherapy Centre in St James for several years.

From October 27-29, Coco returns to Queens Hall for its ninth dance extravaganza. Each year in a juried collection of new dance pieces, Coco presents a number of local artists and international guests. This year the featured international group is Toula Limnaios from Berlin, Germany who will be making their first tour to the Caribbean. On Friday night they will present an extended work, tempus fugit, a meditation on the passage of time with music by Ralf R Ollertz.

Saturday and Sunday mainly feature the work of T&T choreographers with some guests from the US. On Saturday, members of his Venezuela-based company will also perform the work of the late Venezuelan choreographer, Carlos Orta. Saturday’s show also includes the final of the Dance-de-Coco Dance-Off. Friday night things get started at 5.30 pm, Saturday at 7.30 pm and Sunday at 6.30 pm.

Coco stands for Contemporary Choreographers’ Collective. It started in 2009 when four local choreographers Dave Williams, Nancy Herrera, Nicole Wesley, and Sonja Dumas came together with a desire to showcase their work and that of other choreographers in the country. From the start, it got a strong response from dancers and dance companies, as they wanted a forum to present new works. Since then it has become the premiere event of its kind in the Caribbean. Both new and experienced local choreographers will premiere new works.

Aviance Bain who has been dancing since she was six is excited as this is her first time presenting her work at Coco. Her piece is a social commentary that focuses on “the unadulterated mindscape of the heavily stereotyped woman.” It is set to Ntozake Shange’s choreo-poem ‘Someone almost walked off wid alla my stuff’ and Dance Lessons by Trinidadian poet Omavi Langevine. For her, Coco offers indispensable “opportunities, experiences and connections.”

Choreographer Keanu Mohammed first attended Coco as a supporter and did Coco workshops learning different dance styles over the years. He has been impressed how Coco allows one to experience been presented other styles of contemporary dance and experience each choreographer’s individual style. “I am truly honoured to be directly involved in the this year.” His piece is a duet called Dyad. “It sheds light on the social issue of violence against women in three movements.”

Avril Noel is another first timer for the festival and sees the festival as a place dancers and choreographers all get to learn from each other. Her piece, Forgotten Voices, looks to the challenges of growing up in an orphanage and uses a classic R&B number sung by Dinah Washington, This Bitter Earth. She got her degree at UTT specialising in dance and has been dancing since small. Sherma Burke based in San Fernando has been dancing for the past 30 years, teaches in secondary school and her group, the IBIS T&T performers, have been in existence for the past 14 years. Dancing is her life. “Dance is my safe haven where I can be true to who I am without feeling insecure or inadequate.” For her, whose work has been featured many times, Coco offers choreographers a chance “to showcase their vision and every year for all to see without any inhibitions.”

She created Celestial Solace, a piece about enduring loss “but finding comfort within that moment.” The music is a traditional gospel number Mary Don’t You Weep by Aretha Franklin. Burke finds, “The dance like the song,” Burke notes, “takes on a more spiritual feel that speaks about putting all your pain in the Lord.”

Founding member Nicole Wesley, who was the first Programme Leader and also one of the foundation instructors of the Dance Programme at UTT’s Academy for the Performing Arts, is a performer, choreographer and teacher based in Austin, Texas. Her new piece this year is called Echoes of the Skin and arose from “group discussion and physical responses to Tolerance, both socially, culturally, politically and racially.” Wesley always looks forward to coming back to Trinidad.

“I love coming back to the festival each year for many reasons. One of the biggest is to see those young students who used to be in class at the university now for fronting their own companies and sharing their own artistic statement on the stage. It is a beautiful evolution and I am happy to see it continue to evolve and sustain.”

More info

Tickets are available from the Queen’s Hall Box Office (624-1284 ext 1) open from 10 am to 6 pm and from Coco choreographers and dancers. For further information, contact Cocodancett@gmail.com.

This month’s Making it Work mom is no stranger to the spotlight. She is sassy, classy and a whole lot of jazzy. Her Facebook posts chronicling her life and moments with her son (small man as she often refers to him) are a real source of laughter. She has a way of turning tears into joy and you help but feel the outpouring of love she has within her.

There was no way I could deny our readers the opportunity to read her stuff so I decided to do a Q&A rather than an interview so you could get a taste of Jazz sensation, Vaughnette Bigford

Do you hide your age or are you proud of it?

I am 43. Extremely thankful and extremely proud of my age.

What’s your main occupation?

I am an Occupational Safety and Health Professional, have been in this field for the last twenty years.

Do you do anything on the side?

Not on the side - of equal importance is the fact that I am a practicing musician, My instrument is voice.

What about your husband - occupation/side gigs:

My husband is a Production Supervisor with a local oil and gas company.

Let’s talk children - how many, ages, stages and sex:

One CHILDREN - because he sure feels like more than one. He just turned four.

Describe a typical day in your life. Maybe a typical week so we can get a contrast of weekday versus weekend.

Generally, I wake up at 5:45 am, get prepared for work which starts at seven, take my son with me, drop him off to his Aunty Sandra and head to work, pick him up from school, head home, cook (on occasions)(very rare occasions)......, try to spend some time with small man, till we get ready for bed at nine…….till the next day. If I have gigs then the day will include some time rehearsing, practicing and preparation specific to the music/gig.

How do you fit it all in? How do you make it work?

Honestly, it is not too hard. The husband plays an active role in taking care of Isaiah so I depend on him a lot for that. We try to balance it so that we both don’t

Vaugnette Bigford. Photo: ELLIOT FRANCOISend up exhausted. I wish I had more discipline for exercise and or some physical activity though. When the gigs are frequent and I rehearse during the week it gets a bit more hectic trying to shuffle work, rehearsal and home responsibilities.

What are some of the challenges you have faced or have to face as a result of “doing it all.”

I have been lucky, the challenges are not many. One major one would be finding time to spend with my 93 year old grandfather who raised me. He likes to see me every single day and even though I live five minutes away, it is tough trying to juggle two jobs, home responsibilities and still find the time to spend with him. That upsets me at times.

What support systems do you have, if any?

An extremely supportive partner, a really big family that is so supportive and chips in when the need arises, really great friends that help me to maintain my sense of self, wonderful colleagues at work who understand my need to be and do everything and supports the effort, wonderful musicians that make up a beautiful band, a Facebook family that makes me smile, all the time.

What are your coping mechanisms, if any?

The occasional night out, my friends take me out dining, we love to eat out, talk about life and spend time with each other, I am always re-energised after one of those outings. Broken, but re-energised.

What advice would you give to a young girl watching on thinking she wanted all just like you?

Be you, find you, Do SOMETHING that makes you extremely happy at all times.

Do you think women can “have it all” or do we inherently sacrifice some things for the other (maybe family life suffers for work or vice versa).

Of course we can have it all, but do we really want to have it ALL. Or maybe have a lil bit of everything. Balance is so important. Finding the balance that makes you happy is the best thing that you can do for yourself.

A new trend is to blame teachers for everything that happens. No one else especially parents is taking the blame. So I created a checklist

1. If your child comes home from school with a complaint and you get mad and come in school cussing or better yet go on Facebook without finding out the facts.............you are the problem.

2. If you say teachers like too much money so ah not sending no twenty dollars for photocopies............you are the problem.

3. If you send your child in the wrong uniform EVERYDAY (wrong colour shoes, mini skirt overalls)..............you are the problem.

4. Brazilian in your hair and acrylic on your nails but no books in your child’s bag..............you are the problem.

5. School starts at 8:30am but your child strolls in at 9 and 9:30 EVERYDAY.............you are the problem.

6. You know that your child is sick and you STILL send them and vex because the school call you to pick them up.................you are the problem.

7. Always changing your number like you own Digicel but vex when something happen to your child and no one call you................you are the problem.

8. You keep the child home for a week because the principal call you and send him after the week like if the school have amnesia.................. you are the problem.

9. Your child going to school and we NEVER see you after infant registration..............you are the problem.

10. Your child beating up other children and when the principal and teachers talk to you about it your child not wrong/you defend the behaviour.... you are the problem.

11. Your child not doing the school work and when the teacher talks to you about it you make excuses ....... you are the problem.

12. Your child leaving home 7am lime by d corner till 9 reach to school 10 reach back home after 11pm and you don’t ask a question…….you are the problem.

13. You never once go a P.T.A meeting nor do an impromptu visit to the school but vex when the child get suspended……..you are the problem.

14. You drop the child to school at 7am and want to pick her up at 6pm and vex that the teachers not on the compound watching your child...........you are the problem.

15. Your child comes home with someone else’s pencil, eraser, sharpener, book, container, lunch kit and you leave them with it “because they done bring it home already”....you are the problem.

16. Your child comes to school with a toy and loses it or it gets confiscated because it is against the school rules, and you come in school hot to trot arguing for the principal to give back the child his/her item... you are the problem.

I could add even more...........Before we check someone else some of us need to check ourselves. The problems in Trinidad and Tobago is a PARENTING ONE.

The author of this is a teacher at a Government Secondary School and is standing up for all good teachers.

A.G. FERIERA
 

Bullying is not new to T&T. Students have been taxing students as far back as I can remember. The only difference is, now it’s posted to social media. And the end result of this?

Absolutely… nothing… whatsoever.

Adults need to understand that most young people today don’t care what adults think. They consider them dinosaurs and are unafraid of anything they’ll do to them. And do you know why?

Because they’re right.

They know they’ll probably have to sit through some counseling, say they’re sorry; maybe watch a few videos and listen to people tell them it’s wrong; then they can get back to what they were doing before.

Unfortunately, the only lesson they’ve probably learned is to not get caught the next time.

Intelligence is an aspect of information and young people today have access to more information than ever before. And this has made them realise that the system is bending so far over backward in fear of traumatising them that it cannot touch them. And they use this to their advantage.One benefit of being a gamer is I live in their world and see and hear things most adults don’t. As such, here are some facts.

That angel you have at home? Unfortunately she probably has more boyfriends online than you had in a lifetime.

Most of them two to three times her age. And that quiet son? He curses online worse than a seaman; and has more online sex and has seen more sex webcams than the average adult.

Using 20th century tactics with 21st century young adults doesn’t work because they’re playing you; and have been for a while now. And they’ll keep doing itThese young adults are
overstimulated, over-sexualised, over informed and, as the old saying goes, force ripened in a way most
people don’t understand.”until adults realise they’re not dealing with the average kid they grew up as.

These young adults are overstimulated, over-sexualised, over informed and, as the old saying goes, force ripened in a way most people don’t understand.

And the ONLY way to effect valid change is to change the entire paradigm.

First. Punishment. Suspension doesn’t work. That’s simply a vacation and a badge of honour; upping their street cred and adding to their threatening nature. Instead of suspension, let them do community work.

Let them cut grass, or paint a house, or something to help the community. In other words, let them pay for what they’ve done in a tangible way.

Making them stay home and watch cable and play games is NOT punishment.

Second. Victim safety. Most kids feel the system does more for the offender than the victim. And that reporting can make life more dangerous for them. They need systems in place to allow them to make a report and not feel like they’re putting their lives in danger.

Third. Parents need to understand that they are DIRECTLY responsible for their children’s behavior. Minors are unable to do ANYTHING without their parent’s consent; so it stands to reason that parents should be accountable for a minor’s actions. The child does the crime? The parent pays the fine. Any parent having to pay for their child’s misbehavior will quickly put a lock on that. FAST!

We need to stop mollycoddling these young adults (notice I refused to say kids.) and start dealing with the problems. In the past two years, speaking at over eighty schools, one concrete thing I’ve taken away from meeting all these kids is they don’t care about Bullying ads, or popular stars saying it’s wrong, or posters and clips on YouTube.

They want ANSWERS... and SOLUTIONS!

Maybe it’s time to get off our collective butts and start giving it to them.

ANTHONY PETIT
 

The Ministry of Education yesterday released the names of the 2017 scholarship winners for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). Veshala Goon, of Lakshmi Girls's Hindu College, and Sanjaali Maharaj, of St Augustine Girls' High School, were announced as the joint President's Medal winners. Below is the full list of scholarship winners.

ASJA Boys' College, San Fernando

Andy Burke, Natural Sciences, Open

Joshua Raghoo, Natural Sciences, Open

Lindon Samuel, Natural Sciences, Additional

ASJA Girls' College, San Fernando

Arielle Ramadharsingh, Humanities, Open

Merlisa Bharath, Mathematics, Open

Latisha Jahoor, Business, Additional

Sahra Ramdath, Business, Additional

Allissah Mustaphar, ICT, Additional

Meera Madhavi Ram, Mathematics, Additional

Samara Mohammed-Khan, Natural Sciences, Additional

Raheema Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

ASJA Girls' High School, Charlieville

Vasishma Persad, Natural Sciences, Additional

Bishop Anstey & Trinity College East 6th Form

Danicia Solozano, ICT, Open

Keiswanna Pierre, Business, Additional

Tai Rosemin, ICT, Additional

Raphael Superville, ICT, Additional

Jade Noriega, Mathematics, Additional

Laura Martinez-Garavito, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tia Gilkes, Natural Sciences, Additional

Danissa McLeod-Irish, Natural Sciences, Additional

Bishop Anstey High School

Jenia Cunningham, Creative Arts, Open

Maya Hinds, Languages, Open

Kai Seale-Sloane, Mathematics, Open

Anastasia Francis, Natural Sciences, Additional

Bishop High School, Tobago

Keizel Hayling, Mathematics, Open

Safiya James, Natural Sciences, Open

Lloyen Scotland, General Studies, Additional

Phia Rochford, Natural Sciences, Additional

Couva East Secondary

Katrina Samaroo, Environmental, Open

Sameerah Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Open

Chernell John, Environmental, Additional

Leandra Ramjattan, Environmental, Additional

Kadeem Ali, Natural Sciences, Additional

Krishna Kesarisingh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Cowen Hamilton Secondary

Ian Sooknanan, Natural Sciences, Additional

El Dorado East Secondary

Ajay Ramjit, Natural Sciences, Additional

Fatima College

John-Michael Herrera, General Studies, Open

Gyasi Husbands-Vialva, Humanities, Open

Isaiah Colthrust, ICT, Open

Adam Alexis, Mathematics, Open

Liam De Verteuil, Mathematics, Open

Damani Garcia, Mathematics, Open

Daniel Cockburn, Environmental, Additional

Christopher Voss, Environmental, Additional

Steffon Lewis, General Studies, Additional

Cian Coonai, Natural Sciences, Additional

Joshua Gooding, Natural Sciences, Additional

Muhammad Ibrahim, Natural Sciences, Additional

Xavier Lezama, Natural Sciences, Additional

Hillview College

Jordan Ramcharitar, Environmental, Open

Dominic Hernandez, ICT, Open

Isaiah John, ICT, Open

Harold Raghunandan, ICT, Open

Stephanie Chadee, Mathematics, Open

Aidan Gajadhar, Mathematics, Open

Reshawn Maraj, Mathematics, Open

Christopher Mohammed, Mathematics, Open

Ishmail Mohammed, Mathematics, Open

Denison Mylon, Mathematics, Open

Ronald Ramdeen, Mathematics, Open

Suhaas Vadigi, Mathematics, Open

David Abraham, Natural Sciences, Open

Adilla Bekele, Natural Sciences, Open

Jonathan Hosein, Business, Additional

Zane Mohammed, Business, Additional

Raemus Rampaul, Business, Additional

Sayyid Ali, Environmental, Additional

SItara Rambarran, Environmental, Additional

Anton Greenidge, ICT, Additional

Dillon Salick, Mathematics, Additional

Stephen Akaloo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Christian Chamaroo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Nabeel Khan, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tariq Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

Xian Ramdass, Natural Sciences, Additional

Revash Ramtahal, Natural Sciences, Additional

B'jon Shallowe, Natural Sciences, Additional

Varun Singh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Holy Faith Convent, Couva

Amelina Ramlal, Mathematics, Open

Priyanka Kissoonsingh, Natural Sciences, Open

Shivani Ramnath, Environmental, Additional

Ronica Jagbir, Natural Sciences, Additional

Kristal Manboadh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Nikita Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

Sonya Mulchansingh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shania Saunders, Natural Sciences, Additional

Samantha Simboo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Holy Faith Convent, Penal

Celeste Alexander, Business, Open

Cristal Bernard, Environmental, Additional

Chevelle John, ICT, Additional

Sapphire Sookram, Languages, Additional

Jinelle De Gannes, Natural Sciences, Additional

Karisma Samaroo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Holy Name Convent, Port-of-Spain

Taylia Henderson, ICT, Open

Dominyque Mohammed, ICT, Open

Kyra Lewis, Business, Additional

Siann Questel, Business, Additional

Diane Sooklal, Creative Arts, Additional

Shenelle Ashton, Environmental, Additional

Crystal Hackshaw, Environmental, Additional

Tamera Mendez, Environmental, Additional

Soleille St Louis, Environmental, Additional

Iere High School

Karishma Harrykissoon, Mathematics, Open

Lakshmi Girls' Hindu College

Veshala Goon, Business, Open

Jordan Singh, Business, Open

Himlata Sumair, Business, Open

Ansara Balgobin, Environmental, Open

Devi Mahadeo, Environmental, Open

Vanita Ramnarine, Environmental, Open

Nickarlet Jeffrey, Mathematics, Open

Evanna Dadd, Natural Sciences, Open

Ashni Maharaj, Natural Sciences, Open

Aryaa Ramnarine, Natural Sciences, Open

Sherissa Budhram, Business, Additional

Cherisse Gomez, Environmental, Additional

Arissa Singh, Environmental, Additional

Ashrena Arman, Humanities, Additional

Karishma Balsingh, Humanities, Additional

Renesha Ramkissoon, Mathematics, Additional

Aliyah Ali, Natural Sciences, Additional

Keeara Bhagaloo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Parveen Dookie, Natural Sciences, Additional

Riana Kandhai, Natural Sciences, Additional

Danae Khan, Natural Sciences, Additional

Runella Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

Malini Rajcoomar, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shivana Sankar, Natural Sciences, Additional

Naparima College

Ronaldo Lee Justin, Creative Arts, Open

Timothy Singh, ICT, Open

Addesh Bhagwandeen, Mathematics, Open

Vinai Birbal, Mathematics, Open

Adam Cassie, Mathematics, Open

Kavir Gopaul, Mathematics, Open

Matthew Kowlessar, Mathematics, Open

Kevon Seechan, Mathematics, Open

Kevan Singh, Mathematics, Open

Avinash Dass, Natural Sciences, Open

Danté Frett, Natural Sciences, Open

Rajiv Gangoo, Natural Sciences, Open

Emmanuel Singh, General Studies, Additional

Vasisht Ramnath, Mathematics, Additional

Luke Armoogum, Natural Sciences, Additional

Kameron Chatoor, Natural Sciences, Additional

Imran Khan, Natural Sciences, Additional

Matthew Ragbir, Natural Sciences, Additional

Siro Rajnath, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jeremy Ramjohn, Natural Sciences, Additional

Keiron Ramkissoon, Natural Sciences, Additional

Naparima Girls' High School

Zari Dowrich, Business, Open

Rachel Trotman, Business, Open

Pyria Kissoonsingh, ICT, Open

Steffi Maharaj, ICT, Open

Chela Aufderheide, Languages, Open

Manisha Balkissoon, Languages, Open

Allisha Rahaman, Languages, Open

Michaela Joseph, Mathematics, Open

Alyssa Ramsubir, Mathematics, Open

Chelsea Sobransingh, Mathematics, Open

Naveela Sookoo, Mathematics, Open

Christiane Dookie, Natural Sciences, Open

Shalini Jagdeo, Natural Sciences, Open

Marianna Lalgee, Natural Sciences, Open

Kenya Lewis-Alexander, Natural Sciences, Open

Kerissa Ramasar, Natural Sciences, Open

Janessa Campbell, Business, Additional

Christin Mohammed, Creative Arts, Additional

Chelsea Sanatan, Creative Arts, Additional

Farhaana Dan, Environmental, Additional

Aleema Mahabir, Environmental, Additional

Meagan Gopaulsingh, Humanities, Additional

Adana Racham, Humanities, Additional

Aasha Ramlal, Humanities, Additional

Kimberly Gookool, Mathematics, Additional

Saveeta Paray, Mathematics, Additional

Charisse Alexander, Natural Sciences, Additional

Vanell Benimadho, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tricia Bissoo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tishelle Boodoo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shanaya Chadee, Natural Sciences, Additional

Amanda Deonanan, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jenine Dhoray, Natural Sciences, Additional

Melanie Dookhantie, Natural Sciences, Additional

Daniella Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

Sasha Omadally, Natural Sciences, Additional

Samantha Parmasar, Natural Sciences, Additional

Dana Ramsingh, Natural Science, Additional

North Eastern College

Arti Ramroop, General Studies, Open

Presentation College Chaguanas

Savio Keith, Business, Open

Nevash Maraj, Environmental, Open

Krsn Ramsumair, Environmental, Open

Reece Bajnathsingh, Mathematics, Open

Marc Bhopalsingh, Mathematics, Open

Adrian Chitan, Mathematics, Open

Rajeev Parmasar, Mathematics, Open

Adrian Ramlal, Mathematics, Open

Kieran Ramlogan, Mathematics, Open

Jaron Ramsundar, Mathematics, Open

Rohan Ragbir, Natural Sciences, Open

Ahmad Rahman, Natural Sciences, Open

Mikel Rajkumar, Natural Sciences, Open

Kristoff Sahadeo, Natural Sciences, Open

Mahendra Singh, Natural Sciences, Open

D'jean-M'onteil Murray, Environmental, Additional

Zachery Ragoonath, Environmental, Additional

Vikash Surujbally, Environmental, Additional

Darren Fung, Mathematics, Additional

Josiah Gosyne, Mathematics, Additional

Vivek Barran, Natural Sciences, Additional

Majel De Coteau, Natural Sciences, Additional

Suraj Deodath, Natural Sciences, Additional

Rajeev Harripaul, Natural Sciences, Additional

Joshua Manickchand, Natural Sciences, Additional

Siddique Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Additional

Matthias Rambally, Natural Sciences, Additional

Wesley Ramnarine, Natural Sciences, Additional

Mohammed Shaddy, Natural Sciences, Additional

Presentation College San Fernando

David Craig, Mathematics, Open

Gregory Jaggernauth, Mathematics, Open

Joseph Simon, Mathematics, Open

Joel Kissoon, Natural Sciences, Open

Riyad Khan, Technical Studies, Open

Gregory Cassim, Environmental, Additional

Richard Bernard, Mathematics, Additional

Alario Mendoza, Mathematics, Additional

Ronaldo Mills, Mathematics, Additional

James Bhola-Singh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jelani Borrel, Natural Sciences, Additional

Anthony De Silva, Natural Sciences, Additional

Dariel Maurice, Natural Sciences, Additional

Akshay Pawar, Natural Sciences, Additional

Dominic Tam, Natural Sciences, Additional

Queen's Royal College

Brandon Ramkissoon, Creative Arts, Open

Okera Duncan, Languages, Open

Brandon Joseph, Mathematics, Open

Jonathan Paul, Mathematics, Open

Rio Claro West Secondary School

Chelsea Sudama, Environmental, Additional

San Fernando Central Secondary School

Meenakshi Saroop, Natural Sciences, Additional

Saraswati Girls' Hindu College

Jyvanti Ramroop, Business, Additional

Gabriella Sookram, Business, Additional

Shiva Boys' Hindu College

Suraj Sakal, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tyler Seudath, Natural Sciences, Additional

Signal Hill Secondary School

Selena Campbell, Environmental, Additional

St Augustine Girls' High School

Amanda Wiseman, Environmental, Open

Rochelle Bally, ICT, Open

Joanna Boxill, ICT, Open

Maryam Ali, Mathematics, Open

Kaitlin Latchu-Rampersad, Mathematics, Open

Sian Lee Kitt, Mathematics, Open

Saanjali Maharaj, Mathematics, Open

Nicola Ramdass, Mathematics, Open

Vishanna Balbirsingh, Natural Sciences, Open

Alyssa Brathwaite, Natural Sciences, Open

Chelsea Hosten, Natural Sciences, Open

Rachel Madoo, Natural Sciences, Open

Saacha Mohammed, Natural Sciences, Open

Stachenne Ollivierra, Natural Sciences, Open

Kevelle Cooper, Business, Additional

Amanda Mitchell, Business, Additional

Naveena Persad, Business, Additional

Lindsay Siriram, Business, Additional

Caitlin Boodram, Evironmental, Additional

Anala Deo, Environmental, Additional

Alyssa Khalawan, Environmental, Additional

Atiyyah Newaj, Environmental, Additional

Khadeejha Rajkumar, Environmental, Additional

Karishma Saith, Environmental, Additional

Paige Scott, Environmental, Additional

Khendrea Sambury, Languages, Additional

Safiyah Ali , Natural Sciences, Additional

Komal Bhola, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jenelle Boodoo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Kelsey Ganessingh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Christine Jagroop, Natural Sciences, Additional

Cherisse Persad, Natural Sciences, Additional

Aliea Ramjag, Natural Sciences, Additional

Tattyana Samlal, Natural Sciences, Additional

Johleen Seedansingh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Trishana Seemungal, Natural Sciences, Additional

St George's College

Megan Lawrence, Business, Additional

Azanna Mohammed, Business, Additional

Adam Ali, Natural Sciences, Additional

Rehanah Ali, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shania Chadee, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jewel Mulrain, Natural Sciences, Additional

Abigail Ramlal, Natural Sciences, Additional

St Joseph's Convent, Port-of-Spain

Corrise Belasco, Business, Open

Matthew Chong Sing, Business, Open

Gia Borley, Environmental, Open

Akilah Wade, Environmental, Open

Ananda Whittier, Environmental, Open

Jewel Lee Foon, General Studies, Open

Nishanna Ramberran, General Studies, Open

Shiyan Cato, Mathematics, Open

Maia Nieves, Mathematics, Open

Celeste Sambrano, Mathematics, Open

Fayola Thompson, Mathematics, Open

Laurelle Lee Young, Natural Sciences, Open

Pooja-Devi Maharaj, Natural Sciences, Open

Chelsea Rodriguez, Natural Sciences, Open

Jihanne Shepherd, Natural Sciences, Open

Brittney Alvarez, Business, Additional

Leigha Clarke, Business, Additional

J'vana Peters, Business, Additional

Gabrielle Alleyne, Creative Arts, Additional

Arianne Buckradee, Environmental, Additional

Serah-Marie Maharaj, Environmental, Additional

Jordan Taylor, Environmental, Additional

Kerese Smith, ICT, Additional

Sabrina Lingo, Languages, Additional

Abigail Affoo, Natural Sciences, Additional

Danae Byer, Natural Sciences, Additional

Kimlin Chin, Natural Sciences, Additional

Arianne Chung, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shelleen Gowrie, Natural Sciences, Additional

Gyshan Latchman, Natural Sciences, Additional

Kaitlyn Mitchell, Natural Sciences, Additional

Sabrina Mitchell, Natural Sciences, Additional

Mariah Nakhid, Natural Sciences, Additional

Shivani Ramsaroop, Natural Sciences, Additional

Khadija Smith, Natural Sciences, Additional

St Joseph's Convent, San Fernando

Malika Cooper, Languages, Open

Amanda Chatoor, Mathematics, Open

Saeeda Doolan, Mathematics, Open

Keereyea Phagoo, Mathematics, Open

Tiffany Rampersad, Mathematics, Open

Alexia Suite, Mathematics, Open

Brittany Thackorie, Mathematics, Open

Chelsea John-Williams, Natural Sciences, Open

Shania Robinson, Natural Sciences, Open

Caitlyn Hassanali, Business, Additional

Kimberlee Ramsundar, Business, Additional

Sarah Maharaj, Environmental, Additional

Vishalla Maharaj, Environmental, Additional

Alyssa Kangoo, Languages, Additional

Caron David, Natural Sciences, Additional

Vanah Mohan, Natural Scienes, Additional

Tanya Rampersad, Natural Sciences, Additional

St Joseph's Convent, St Joseph

Celine Da Silva, Business, Open

Mary-Rebekah Reyes, Creative Arts, Open

Naiomi Rambarack, ICT, Open

Laquesha Bailey, Languages, Open

Keira Hackett, Languages, Open

Jayda Maingot, Natural Sciences, Open

Britney Campo, Business, Additional

Ana Lisa Jack, Business, Additional

Leshawn La Borde, Business, Additional

Valini Marcial, Business, Additional

Praveen Rajcoomar, Business, Additional

Thalia Vidale, Languages, Additional

Soraya Alfred, Natural Sciences, Additional

Christin-Marie Baksh, Natural Sciences, Additional

Aliyah Hazel, Natural Sciences, Additional

Alexandrea Jones, Natural Sciences, Additional

Jahlisa May, Natural Sciences, Additional

Nelisia Noel, Natural Sciences, Additional

Amanda Perryman, Natural Sciences, Additional

Marie-Danielle Regis, Natural Sciences, Additional

St Mary's College

Tryreke Cooper, ICT, Open

Angelo Morales, Languages, Open

Alister Matthew, Mathematics, Open

Omari Newton, Mathematics, Open

Caleb Vidal, Mathematics, Open

Luke Walker, Mathematics, Open

Richard Lim, Environmental, Additional

Sachin Ramesar, Mathematics, Additional

Sebastian Hadeed, Natural Sciences, Additional

St Stephen's College

Joshua Parris, Natural Sciences, Open

Rehsma Ramsoondar, Natural Sciences, Open

Kayle Diljohn, Environmental, Additional

Rhevelle Newton, Environmental, Additional

David Deonarine, Natural Sciences, Additional

Folasade Hinds, Natural Sciences, Additional

Rinaldo Ramkissoon, Natural Sciences, Additional

Vishnu Boys' Hindu College

Avinash Mohammed, Business, Additional

Overall Market activity resulted from trading in 8 securities of which 2 advanced, 2 declined and 4 traded firm.

Trading activity on the First Tier Market registered a volume of 170,845 shares crossing the floor of the Exchange valued at $1,953,825.77.

TTNGL was the volume leader with 64,553 shares changing hands for a value of $1,510,047.70, followed by GraceKennedy with a volume of 57,103 shares being traded for $165,096.97.

JMMB Group contributed 36,410 shares with a value of $67,398.50, while NCB Financial Group added 9,542 shares valued at $56,784.00.

TTNGL registered the day's largest gain, increasing $0.23 to end the day at $23.39.

Conversely, Scotiabank T&T registered the day's largest decline, falling $0.40 to close at $58.10.

Clico Investment Fund was the only active security on the Mutual Fund Market, posting a volume of 13,215 shares valued at $277,515.00.

Clico Investment Fund remained at $21.00.

Local ITF officials Michael Annisette, president of the Seamen and Waterfront Workers’ Trade Union, and maritime attorney Nyree Alfonso surveyed the vessel following receipt of a report from Estonian engineer Edurak Lasuk about safety issues on the Cabo Star.

Among other things, Lusak complained of leaks of a combination of hazardous oils and fuels on the vessel and and said he did not “feel safe” working in the “environment.” Another engineer who has since left the vessel expressed similar concerns.

Within recent weeks, truckers have reported that the vessel has “slowed down considerably” and on Thursday it was travelling at nine knots an hour. Truckers aboard the vessel on Thursday said while on route to Scarborough work was being done on it and it eventually docked just before midnight, more than eight hours after it left the Port of Port-of-Spain. It made the return trip from Sacrborough at 1.45 am and was due to sail again at 2 pm yesterday.

Port officials confirmed repair work on the vessel will be undertaken today and tomorrow. A plan for a late sailing of the vessel tomorrow was cancelled after consultation with the Tobago Chamber, which wanted to ensure the maintenance work to be done was completed before the vessel set sail again on Monday.

The T&T Guardian understands the 28 trucks which were booked to leave on the vessel tomorrow will now leave on Monday when the vessel returns to service.

In a brief statement yesterday, the public relations manager of the Inter-Island Transport Company, Vilma Lewis-Cockburn, confirmed maintenance works will be undertaken on the Cabo Star this weekend and the Sunday sailing was cancelled. She said the vessel will return to service at 2 pm on Monday from Port-of-Spain and 11 pm from Tobago.

The Cabo Star was leased in June this year on a one-year contract at a daily cost of US$22,500.

Meantime, the group Fixin T&T, which has been running an online petition against the Cabo Star and the Ocean Flower 2, has written to Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley requesting an independent assessment of the Cabo Star. Leader of the group Kirk Waithe said the matter is of “urgent national importance,” describing as “deeply disturbing,” reports that engineers are refusing to work on the vessel because of “safety considerations.”

Suspended without being given a chance to be heard, Harry Ragoonanan opted not to attend this week’s interview with the Investigations Committee of the ruling People’s National Movement.

Ragoonanan was due to appear before the committee yesterday but told the T&T Guardian he did not go.

The T&T Guardian understands Ragoonanan had requested his attorney also attend the committee hearing, but committee refused the request. Former Port-of-Spain mayor Murchison Brown, the committee’s chairman, yesterday told the T&T Guardian, “This is an internal party matter. It is between the party and the aggrieved person and we don’t have third parties at these sessions.”

Brown spoke just before 6 pm yesterday, when the committee was still awaiting Ragoonanan’s arrival.

Asked what would happen if Ragoonanan failed to attend the committee hearing, Brown said, “We are the Investigating Committee, we will submit a report to the general secretary and he takes it from there.”

Ragoonanan, a long-serving member of the PNM, was suspended from the party on October 14 following a meeting of the PNM general council. The announcement to the media was made before Ragoonanan was informed. Ragoonanan, who is a sitting member of the general council, did not attend the meeting on the day he was suspended. Also absent on that day was political leader, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.

The official letter informing Ragoonanan of his suspension, dated Monday October 16, accused him of attempting to solicit business from a Chinese businessman on the basis of his position in the PNM and his relationship with the then PTSC chairman Terrence Beepath.

The letter, signed by PNM general secretary Daniel Dookie, told Ragoonanan the matter was referred to the Investigations Committee on disciplinary matters and his suspension was pending the determination of the matter by the general council. - Rosemarie Sant

JENSEN LA VENDE

The Prison Officers Association (POA) was yesterday tracking down all their members living in west Trinidad following the murder of one of their colleagues and attempted murder of another who recently retired.

According to the POA, Gideon Granger was with a friend heading out of Cocorite yesterday when the friend’s car was shot at twice. The shooting took place one day after an inmate at the Port-of-Spain Remand Yard warned that officers living in the west would be killed after a cell search at the facility.

Hours after the search, officer Glenford Gardner, 44, was ambushed around 7.30 pm and murdered while outside a house he owned at Sea Trace, Savannah Road, Diego Martin. When the T&T Guardian visited the area yesterday, residents said Gardner did not live in the area and only came to collect rent. One resident said Gardner, the captain who transported prisoners to Carrera Island Prison, had a land dispute at one of the three homes he owned in the Bagatelle area, but did not believe his killing was linked to that.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday, Granger, who resigned from the service last December, said there is nowhere prison officers can hide if they are wanted by criminals. Granger said he was a friend heading out of Waterhole, Cocorite, where he lives, when he heard the gunshots and the vehicle being hit around 10.15 am. He said the incident solidified his resolve to leave the service. Asked if he was now considering leaving the West he said yes, adding he has a pending Housing Development Corporation (HDC) application awaiting relocation.

“It have nowhere safe you know, because it is a network, they could get you wherever you go,” Granger said.

The officer, who spent 19 years in the service, said the death of Gardner, who joined the service with him, will be treated as the other murdered prison officers, with temporary anger then it would be back to normal.

POA secretary Gerard Gordon, who trained with both Gardner and Granger, said the officers are tired of their colleagues being murdered and the deafening silence of those in authority. The association has threatened a mass exodus of officers if their safety concerns are not adequately addressed.

Gordon said on average 300 inmates are relinquished into the custody of police officers to be taken to court and some inmates have returned with fast food and other things they could not get on their own. He said some contraband will be missed in the “never ending game of cat and mouse,” but it was not only rogue prison officers who facilitate the influx of contraband, which is a flourishing business in the prison.

“This thing bigger than the jail. We do not have society’s help. So today is us and who is next? Who will the criminal be offended by, so they will come to kill? I am fed up! It is too much too soon,” Gordon said.

Both Gordon and Granger described Gardner as a “cool one” who was not into social media and posing for photographs. The father of one, they said, loved his job and lived alone. Gardner’s killing comes 19 days after fellow prison officer Richard Sandy was killed by an ex-convict at a bar in South Trinidad one day before his birthday on October 8.

National Security Minister Edmund Dillon yesterday condemned the killing and assured all resources are being used to “treat with this heinous act.” In a release, Dillon said attacks on service members will not be tolerated since they work tirelessly in maintaining peace and security in the country.

“No stone will be left unturned in bringing all perpetrators of attacks against national security officers to swift justice. These criminals will feel the full brunt of the law. Members of the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service and all arms of law enforcement are assured that the Government will be giving priority attention to strengthening the safety and security of officers,” Dillon said. (See editorial on Page A16).

Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams also condemned the killing, adding he had committed all the required resources needed in pursuing Gardner’s killer/s, “to bring them to justice within the shortest possible time.”

Luke Walker warmed up for the Judo National Championships with an easy victory at the Queen’s Park Judo Challenge this week. This tournament is one of the final dress rehearsals ahead of local judo’s biggest tournament of the year.

In the Senior Male Open category, Walker scored a total of 30 points, which included three ippons and three waza-aris. His best match was against rival Xavier Jones, who finished in second place with ten points.

Christian Victor also had ten points with Jelanie Boyce finishing below the pack.

Walker told Guardian Media Sports, “Any opportunity to compete is very valuable because in judo, competition is very different to training, so it’s a certain mindset you have to have in competition. It’s a switch and you have to practice turning it on and off.”The senior females comprised of just Christie Modeste and Nikita Chinapoo. Modeste scored a total of 20 points to top her opponent. In the Girls Under 16 >57kg, Tiffany Revere scored three waza-aris and three ippons as she topped the division with 30 points. Coming in second was Giselle Choon with six waza-aris and an ippon, totalling 15 points. Khya Headley, who dominated the first Schools Judo League matchday of the new school term, also finished with 15 points, but in third.

Among the Boys Under 16, Samuel Roberts beat out Giovanni Lopez and Courteney Rooks, but this was a low scoring category. Roberts had a waza-ari and an ippon to total 15 points. Lopez had a single ippon to finish in second.

Among the juniors, Aidan Greaves scored 15 points to edge out Nicholas Siu Butt in the Boys Under 12. In the girls’ category, Abigail Chin Lee dominated her sister Inara, scoring two ippons. Her score of 20 was good enough to finish at the top.

According to Queen’s Park Judo Club’s chief instructor, Mark Littrean, this tournament gives a good indicator of who will be on the podium come national champs. He said, “What we try to do is keep the interest in the National Championships alive. This tournament gives a good idea of who might come out as the national champion, and that’s why we hold this tournament very dear to our hearts.”

Eastern Boys Government School yesterday made history when it won both the Under-12 Boys and U-15 Boys titles at the Atlantic Port-of-Spain and Environs Sports Council football competition at the Hasely Crawford training field in Mucurapo.

Both finals were quite competitive with Eastern Boys defeating Dunross Preparatory, 2-0 in the U-12 division in the opening match and then its team in the U-15 category edged Diego Martin Boys RC, 2-1.

In the opening affair, Eastern Boys and Dunross battled hard and despite a number of close chances on either end, the scoreline remained goalless at the half-time interval.

However, on the resumption the Nelson Street-based unit was first to go on the scoresheet through a brilliant strike by Andel Fraser in the 24th minute. Moments later, Zachary Joseph sent the large group of Eastern Boys supporters jumping for joy when he struck home for the winner.

Dunross mounted a number of runs throughout the second half in search of a reply but it never materialised as it was unable to find the back of the net.

The win sees the Eastern Boys team advance to the quarter-final of the Atlantic National Primary School Football League (NPSFL) on November 7, to meet the winner of the North Eastern Education District in the quarter-final of the Boys’ U-12 competition.

In the second match, the Eastern Boys senior team was given a flyer when a Diego Martin Boys RC defender deflecting a ball into his own goal.

However, the Diego Martin Boys squad did not stay down for long and responded thanks to a goal from Hashim Portillo, levelling the scores 1-1.

Ryan Radellant, who was later named the “Most Valuable Player” (MVP), remained his consistent scoring self and netted the winner for Eastern to help them progress to the quarter-final of the Boys U-15 competition of the Atlantic National League and will play the winner of the Caroni District on November 9.

School Supervisor II and Port of Spain and Environs Sports Council vice chairman Simonetta Williams and School Supervisor I, Carl Thomas were on hand with along with chairperson of the sports council Abeyola Akowe to present trophies and awards following the matches.

Fraser was named the MVP of the U-12 boy’s competition

St Agnes, the Girls’ U-15 winner, will play the champion of St Patrick on November 8.

All NPSFL matches will be played at at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

RESULTS

U-12 Boys
Eastern Boys Government 2 (Andell Fraser, Zachary Joseph) vs Dunross Prep 0
U-15 Boys
Eastern Boys Government 2 (Ryan Radellant, own goal) vs Diego Martin Boys RC 1 (Hashim Portillo)