It was with utter dismay that I read the staff representative advisory dated March 9, 2018 signed by the President of TTUTA and sent out to staff representatives. The advisory focussed on two issues: clinical supervision and lesson planning.

The teachers were advised that clinical supervision is built on democratic principles and “cannot be coerced, demanded or used for evaluation purposes.” This is undeniably true and speaks largely to the processes involved in the conduct of clinical supervision.

The advisory also highlighted the import of clinical supervision and the essential role it plays in teachers’ professional development. However, at the same time, it indicated to teachers that they have the right to choose to engage in the process.

If clinical supervision is acknowledged as “an excellent development tool to improve teachers’ practices,” in my view, it behoves the union to encourage each teacher to participate for, as acknowledged, it can only redound to the good of each and every teacher and all the students in his/her charge.

Ultimately, then, it would result in the improved quality of teaching in the nation. I can only assume that TTUTA, for whom quality teaching must be a major goal, is working with both the MOE and teachers to make the inclusion of clinical supervision in the school system a reality, for this is something that the union should demand, given that it is “an excellent development tool to improve teachers’ practices.”

As the responsible union that we know TTUTA to be, the leadership should be engaged in a struggle for the inclusion of clinical supervision, not a fight against it, even as it strives to ensure that the conditions for its practice continue to improve and their membership is in no way deprived.

In regard to the second issue, it is alarming that in 2018, it becomes necessary to mount a defence for the inclusion of lesson planning as part of a teacher’s duty.

Teaching is a process that involves pre-teaching activities, classroom enactment and post-teaching activities. Teaching does not begin and end in the classroom. It is also a dynamic, interactive process that demands great skill from the teacher.

The range of students that can be found in any class, the varying levels of ability, the different learning styles, the multitude of interests, the very dynamism of the classroom environment demand a depth of planning/preparation that just cannot be reduced to “personal jottings.”

If that is all that TTUTA accepts as necessary then clearly we do not share the same understanding of the teaching-learning process. Again, though I acknowledge the realities of the teaching situation, I do not see that the rejection of adequate planning as an effective response. As a matter of fact, inadequate planning can prove to be mentally stressful to both teachers and learners in that classroom teaching can become even more onerous for the former and an unsatisfying experience for the learners. The solution to a problem should not lead to the creation of greater problems.

TTUTA continues to speak loudly for the teacher. Who speaks for the students? If they are given an opportunity to speak, what would be their views on this issue?

Our children are our greatest resource. Let history not record that, at any moment in time, we lost sight of that. We place our greatest resource in the hands of teachers. Collectively we, the union, the Ministry of Education, educators all, must strive to ensure that in front of each child is placed the most competent and the best prepared teacher that is possible.

EXPERIENCED EDUCATOR

O’BRIEN; ANtONIO. Husband of Wendy. Father of Lisa Creece and Ricardo. Father-in-law of Andy and Vanessa. Grandfather of Jesse, Daniel, Joseph, Jordan, John, Joshua and Krystyn. Brother-in-law of Brian and Amena Austin, Ian (deceased), Joan Auntin, Trudy and Doltan Ramsubeik and Charles Austin. Uncle of Michael Perkins and family, Brenda and Stephen Hospedales (Canada), Stanley O’Brien (USA), Tracy, Tenelle, Nicholas, Rocky and Ryan Austin. Cousin of Jocelyn Spencer-Clark, Patsy De Silva (deceased) and Louis Bodu. Funeral at 9.00 A.M. a.m. on Friday 23rd March, 2018 at St. Theresa’s R.C. Church, De Verteuil Street, Woodbrook followed by interment at the Woodbrook Cemetery, Mucurapo Road. For enquiries, call C&B 625-1170 or visit http;//www.clarkandbat-too.com

HARARE, ZIMBABWE—Talismanic West Indies opener Chris Gayle says he is thrilled to be playing in next year’s World Cup in England, and says he will be focussing on his fitness in the interim as he prepares for what will be his final global 50-overs tournament.

The left-hander was part of the Caribbean side which defeated Scotland on Wednesday in their final Super Six match of the ongoing ICC World Cup qualifiers, to clinch one of the two available World Cup spots.

Defending a paltry 198, West Indies had reduced the Scots to 125 for five in the 36th over when a thunderstorm forced the abandonment of the contest.

Scotland were five runs short of the Duckworth-Lewis- Stern par score.

“I am so happy to have qualified for another World Cup. I just have to stay fit now and we have a young team, but it will be my last World Cup that is for sure, so I am looking forward to it,” an elated Gayle said afterwards.

He added: “I need a couple [of ] months to get properly fit and especially I love playing in England and Wales. Lots of the Windies fans over the world are sad that we are in this position, where we have to play the qualifiers.

“But, cricket is like life, you have ups and downs, and nothing is guaranteed in life.”

Gayle is the leading one-day player in an otherwise inexperienced Windies side, with 9 575 runs from 280 One-Day Internationals.

His 123 against United Arab Emirates was the 23rd hundred of an illustrious career, now in its twilight years.

The 38-year-old Gayle has played in four World Cups but has been missing from ODIs in recent years. In fact, he played just six of the Windies 23 ODIs last year, returning for the tour of England following a 2 1/2 year break.

Gayle said the World Cup provided him with an opportunity to appease the appetite of committed fans.

“The fans drive you, people always say, ‘Chris we want to see you back in Windies colours, want to see you play Test cricket in the whites again’, and I say one more time I will do it for you guys,” the Jamaican said.

“I will take on the journey and next year will play for them again and I look forward to it.”

Gayle has had mixed success in the qualifiers, with his century against UAE being the high point. Against Scotland, he was dismissed off the first ball of the match, caught at the wicket off a beauty from speedster Safyaan Sharif.

Nevertheless, the former captain said he had enjoyed the tournament, especially with the Windies having qualified.

“It has been a great tournament, the support here in Zimbabwe is always fantastic,” he said.

“It has been quite a while since I have been here, the people have been fantastic. We have come and accomplished what we came for.” (CMC)

Showdance Kid gets another chance of long-awaited success today in a twelve-runner mile aged handicap on Lingfield polytrack, mount of Chris Lee, outstanding last year when his claim was reduced from 7lbs.

Four days ago Showdance Kid was tipped in this column, a wellbacked 6/1 shot, Kevin Frost’s charge came through to lead 300 yards out only to be outpointed, decisively, by the impressive surge of Air Of York; winning distance three lengths!

Air Of York is obviously on a challenging mark, expect him to be out within the next few days, carrying a penalty, in defiance of the handicapping system.

That effort over seven furlongs at this Surrey venue proved Showdance Kid had been looked after since being switched from yard of veteran Neville Bycroft but, unfortunately, they came across a wolf in sheep’s clothing!

All the best plans can go astray in this game, there is always someone just as cute lurking and trainer John Flint doubtless knew the strength of his Vale Of York gelding.

A negative is draw ten but Showdance Kid will probably be produced late, off an expected strong pace; keep fingers crossed he goes one better.

Another respected veteran trainer, Milton Bradley, is still adept and the old boy will drive his horsebox containing Kyllukey to the races for an aged sprint handicap over five furlongs; he’s booked AWR champion jockey, Luke Morris, clear of his rivals again following a clutch of winners during the last few days.

The ubiquitous Morris researches every mount, absolutely dedicated to his cause and you can bet he’ll have a plan for ex- Charles Hills-trained course winner, Kyllukey, a solid each-way proposition.

Morris is the thorough professional; he talks well and articulates but never tells us anything which probably explains why he rides principally for Sir Mark Prescott!

Natch attempts to retrieve recent losses in a six-runner Novice Stakes over twelve furlngs but John Gosden’s charge is limited and disappointing which is why we place significance on fact Michael Bell has recruited Jamie Spencer for twice-raced Artarmon, clear best in on the time-handicap despite an absence of 142 days.

What police can do Last Saturday, what was progressing as a well-produced and extremely enjoyable musical treat ended on a sour note as Jazz Artists on the Greens came to an abrupt end at 10.15 pm.

Blessed by perfect weather and “the Greens” at WASA Grounds in St Joseph almost completely carpeted by an enraptured audience, the police informed event organiser Production One Limited that the programme had passed its licensed 10 pm ending.

As bemused jazz fans exited the compound one could overhear much angst among them as many felt that the limb of the law could have been more accommodating, seeing that the final act had approximately half hour left in its repertoire.

The 16th edition of the show was served by some delectable performances with its appetiser being provided by Jeanine Ruiz and the J9 Quartet. Performing pieces from Ruiz’s This is Me CD, the instrumentals were beautifully embellished by vocals provided by a quartet comprising sisters LeAndra and Tylah Head, Louise Clarke and and Janine Charles-Farray.

A standout on Saturday evening was the Aidan Hagley Project, and aggregation that impressed all last year in Blanchisseuse at the North Coast Jazz production. I was moved to get up and take a lil jig when The Project interpreted Voice’s Cheers To Life.

The men of The Project lived up to their reputation of being some of the best musicians in the land. Teaming up with pianist Hagley were Mikhail Salcedo (pan); Tony Paul (alto sax/flute); Joshua Pasqual (trombone); Daniel Ryan (tenor sax); Miguel Charles (guitar); Rodney Alexander (bass); Dareem Chandler (drums); and, Sheena Richardson (percussion).

The featured “non-Trini” act at this year’s show was Bajan native, US-based saxophonist Elan Trotman. Many in the crowd were comparing him to fellow Bajan Arturo Tappin, who blew away last year’s 15th edition. Comparisons apart, Trotman wooed his Trini audience when he did a jazzified interpretation of Kes’ popular 2018 hit Hello.

The Jazz Artists on the Greens All Stars was the evening’s final act, promising a Tribute to Ralph MacDonald. Led by Tony Paul, the set was roughly 30 minutes when the law intervened and showed “what de police could do.”

Production One Limited personnel have informed Pulse that this unfortunate turn of events will never be repeated at one of its events as the required legal paperwork will be obtained. The organisation also apologised profusely to disappointed patrons.

Women in Jazz 2018

The Jazz season is upon us and Fiesta Plaza at MovieTowne, Port-of-Spain, has continued the tradition of featuring the best of T&T’s women jazz artistes during the month of April. Women in Jazz 2018, now in its eighth year, is now a staple on The Fiesta Plaza performance calendar. This event is followed by many who look forward to this genre of music every year with a sweet Caribbean touch.

This year the Plaza management team is highlighting four very young and talented artistes who are all bringing something different to the stage.

LeAndra Head will open the series on April 7, at 8.30 pm.

Head’s jazz style is heavily influenced by Ella Fitzgerald and Etta James and has also shared the stage with Hugh Masekela singing Etta James’ signature hit At Last at the San Fernando Jazz Festival. Last weekend she guested with the J9 Quartet at Jazz Artists on the Greens. Internationally, Head has performed in the stage version of Porgy and Bess in the Living Arts International Inc production in Budapest, Hungary.

Rosezanna Winchester, also known as LA Rose, will hit them stage on April 14. This young and dynamic performer has already produced her own one-woman show—A Rose’s Song—and recently released a single—SuperNova—which was produced by Ultimate Rejects and Madmen Productions.

Winchester, who left the audiences at The Brian Mc Farlane’s Christmas shows spell bound, is no stranger to the stage and is looking forward to her big night at the Fiesta Plaza when she will be taking her audience on a nostalgic ride of many jazz hits.

Candice Caton is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma in Music at the University of T&T specializing in voice. Caton started singing in church choirs from a very early age then went on to perform with the Bishop Anstey High School choirs and also The Lydian Singers. During her time at the UTT she has developed a love for jazz music and thinks that the time is now to share this love with the Fiesta Plaza audience. She will be performing on April 21.

NISA, as she prefers to be called, will bring the curtain down on the series on April 28. NISA describes her style as classic jazz fused with gospel and a tasteful blend of neosoul.

This combination has made her one of the most sought-after artistes on the jazz circuit and has been signed by the Royalty and Respect Management Company in Miami Florida.

All shows are free but dinner reservations are advised by contacting any of the Fiesta Plaza’s restaurants. For further information: visit MovieTowne’s website or Fiesta Plaza’s Facebook page or 627- 2002 (ext. 1165) Awakening the Taste with Cousoumeh III The third instalment of the Cousoumeh Festival showcases the undeniable talent of Siparia and its environs. Carded for the opening night of the well-renowned Siparia Fete celebrations, Cousoumeh III relives the history of the Siparia Fete and the transformations of a village and its people.

Cousoumeh III will be staged on April 15 at the panyard of Siparia Deltones Steel Orchestra, at 6 pm.

Speaking to Pulse this week, co-producer Alpha Sennon said: “It has been many years of successes and failures. We have climbed the peaks and crawled through the trenches.

Through it all we have lost some of who we were but the journey has been a steady one of realising our truth.

“The Siparia Deltones, in collaboration with the Deltones Institute of Steel Drums and Music, invites everyone in Awakening the Taste of Siparia.”

Sennon said: “This year the festival slightly changes form and takes on a more theatrical outlook, while still maintaining the essence of the celebration and the objectives that it aims to accomplish.

“Cousoumeh III tells the unedited and most humbling story of Siparia and all the influences that are at play. It showcases the coming together of a people and the rekindling of community spirit through music, dance, the steelpan and drama.

World renowned Carlton Zanda Alexander and the Coal Pot Band, the Petrotrin Siparia Deltones Steel Orchestra, Mistah Shak and Faces of Culture are only a few of the features acts at the festival.”

For just $80, you will be making firm your commitment toward preserving our cultural heritage.

Your attendance will demonstrate an appreciation to the various art forms that will be displayed and the youths of our country. Cousoumeh III tells the history of Siparia, but it actually is a story about each one of each, regardless of where we may have originated in this paradise of a space.

For more information contact Akinola Sennon (267-0876); Alpha Sennon (382-5780); or Email: deltonesinstitute@gmail.com

On Sunday, April 1, singer/songwriter Ruth Osman, jazz guitarist Theron Shaw and singer/guitarist Nigel Rojas of Orange Sky fame, will combine their musical talent for the first instalment of Love Warriors: The Concert.

Osman, who is producing the show in collaboration with MIRO Productions, says that she had come up with the concept a few years ago when a promoter asked for the name of her band “I half-jokingly said ‘Ruth Osman and the Love Warriors’ but then it occurred to me that Love Warriors could be a call to action, a rallying cry for people who want to make a difference, and also a salute to cultural icons who have positively impacted this space.”

The Guyanese singer, who has been living in Trinidad for more than a decade, says that she has met persons who fit that definition.

She added: “The musicians that I have worked with over the years: Marva Newton, back in our Jacoustik days, Gillian Moor, and more recently Wayne Guerra, Makesi Richards, Sheena Richardson and of course, Theron Shaw. These are people who use their craft to send out positive vibes.”

Osman says that those who come to the show will experience that positive energy through her collaborations with Rojas, Shaw and their band of musicians.

She said: “I am very excited to be working with Terry (Shaw) and Nigel (Rojas). They are stellar musicians and composers in their own right. And blending our voices and unique styles will make for a beautiful and interesting experience.”

The event will be held at Kaiso Blues Café, a space which, under the management of Carl Jacobs at 85 Woodford Street, Newtown, has become a mecca for local artistes and musicians.

“I would really like to thank Carl for all that he continues to do for the local music scene,” Osman says. ‘He is the epitome of a Love Warrior.”

•For more information, visit ruthosman.com or Whatsapp 468-3095; 290-4428.

In the face of allegations of fraud and misconduct before a US Supreme Court against him, National Security Minister Edmund Dillon doesn’t believe he needs to step down although he values his integrity.Dillon yesterday admitted he is a party in a civil matter in the New York Supreme Court, in which he is accused of defrauding an elderly man, Neville Piper, of a valuable condominium in Manhattan. Piper was originally from La Brea before migrating to New York. The documents also point to several cash and bank transactions, including a US$5,000 cheque made out to Dillon’s name.

Addressing the media the Ministry of National Security, Port-of-Spain, Dillon, 62, said he knew Piper for over 45 years and he was “almost like an uncle.” He said their relationship grew stronger over the years to a point where he stayed at Piper’s apartment whenever he travelled to New York and also served as Piper’s “driver” when he came to Trinidad for vacation. He said he called Piper almost every day for friendly conversation, including to discuss T&T and US politics.Dillon said he was gifted with Piper’s apartment last year after he (referring to Piper) insisted that he accept.

“I accepted a gift of the remainder interest in an apartment after his death. The effectiveness is given to me through well-established attorneys of law in the United States in the presence of witnesses.”

But Dillon’s statement appears to contradict the information contained in the documents submitted to the US court, in which Piper claims not to have any recollection of having given such interest in his apartment to Dillon. In a general response regarding the allegations made against him, Dillon said there are two sides to the story and his side “will not be known until such time as required by law to do so.”“They are only allegations until proven otherwise and the matter is still pending before the court,” he said.Asked if he spoke to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley about the matter, Dillon said yes but did not go into the details. He did not say whether he was asked to step down or not, or whether he believes he should step aside while the matter is determined.

“I prefer not to go into details of the conversation. It is confidential,” Dillon said.

Asked if he did not see stepping down as a means of keeping his integrity intact, Dillon said, “I value my integrity at all costs and I would have to prove my integrity as the case stands right now.”Asked if he was aware Cabinet members contacted the Piper family to keep the matter quiet, Dillon said he was not.However, he reiterated that he did not take advantage of Piper.Piper’s niece, Esther Nicholls, has made an application for the appointment of a guardian for the property, in which it is alleged that based on a power of attorney, a transfer of an undivided 50 per cent interest in Piper’s condominium was made by Piper to Dillon on August 21, 2017, but that Piper lacked the capacity to make such transfer validity.

Further, it claimed the purported signature of Piper on the deed and transfer documents were not his and he denied any knowledge of the transaction. It adds that Piper also had no attorney and no guardian for said transaction, that there were several large transfers and withdrawals from Piper’s account, which is inconsistent, uncharacteristic and contrary to his history, practice and norm and that Piper may have been the victim of elder financial abuse, exploitation and fraud.”

The court evaluator’s report states that Piper, who is now at a home, does not recall any visits by his family members and would not know them if he had seen them.The court has ordered that until the proceedings are concluded, Dillon is prohibited and restrained from transferring any interest in the New York condominium, including any interest which Dillon may claim pursuant to the deed related to the property.

kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt

Homicide investigators are expecting advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) today on whether to charge a 38-year-old Guapo mason for last week’s quadruple murder in La Brea.

Investigators confirmed that they were in possession of a file containing statements, excerpts and evidence against the suspect in the murder of his ex-lover, Abigail Jones-Chapman.

Jones-Chapman, 41, a Spanish teacher at the Southern Academy of the Seventh Day Adventists, La Romaine was beaten to death at her apartment at Khani Settlement, Sobo Village on March on March 6.

Her daughter, Olivia Chapman, 16, a student of the Point Fortin East Secondary School was beaten and stabbed, Olivia’s visiting classmate, Michaela Mason, 14 suffered a slit to her throat while Jones-Chapman’s landlord, Michael Scott, 69, a retired teacher, was bashed across the head.

The suspect’s attorney, Fareed Ali, said he met with his client at 10.30 pm on Thursday at the San Fernando Police Station where he was kept in custody for the past six days. Ali said when a preliminary file was submitted to Deputy DPP Joan Honore-Paul, she requested the pathologist’s report and associated documentation be included in the file before she makes a determination.

Ali said that in a conversation around noon yesterday, the investigators were still at work in providing the DPP’s office with the latter request.

“At this stage in the investigation, there is no confirmed position as to whether charges may be laid or not. It is now confirmed that the suspect was interviewed for three hours on Wednesday 21 March and through the course of that interview, he exercised his right to silence,” Ali said.

Ali said that his client exercised his right to remain silent throughout the investigation and confirmed that the CCTV footage was shown to him, placing him in La Brea. However, Ali said the video does not tie his client to the murders.

“The police probe has proven a great intrusion into the suspect’s liberty as officers have been attempting to embark on a formal interview given allegations of his involvement.”

Ali said he was disappointed that one media house carried in its article, that his client has confessed to the murder and made a request to attend the funeral of Jones-Chapman.

He said this was not true and believes the sensationalism of carrying press coverage of this nature does not add value to the police investigation

The three relatives who were arrested along with the suspect on suspicion of hiding him from the police have been released.

Members of T&T’s Law Enforcement Agencies, including the T&T Defence Force and the Police Service, are getting ready to undergo an intense training exercise on crisis response next month.

This was disclosed at a joint media briefing yesterday with Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon and the US Embassy Charge d’Affaires John McIntyre.

The briefing took place at Temple Court, Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain. The Governments of T&T and the United States will be collaborating to host a bilateral crisis response training exercise titled Fused Response 2018 from April 16 to 26.

Exercise Fused Response is a simulation exercise designed to build capacity and strengthen capabilities in T&T.

The exercise should be able to put the country’s emergency response plans under much scrutiny, validate processes and identify any possible gaps.

Exercise Fused Response is an annual routine exercise that has been sponsored by the US Government via the US Southern Command since 2012.

Similar exercises have been hosted over the years in the region. T&T accepted an invitation offered by the US Government in 2017 for this country to host Exercise Fused Response 2018.

The exercise is being funded by the US Government, with minimal cost to T&T.

Gregory Hannays, a senior tax partner at Ernst & Young yesterday appeared before a Port-of-Spain magistrate charged with wounding with intent.

Hannays appeared before Senior Magistrate Nanette Forde-John in the Fifth Court. He is accused of wounding attorney Ravi Dolsingh on February 4 at Victoria Gardens, Diego Martin.

It is alleged that Dolsingh was struck in the face with a drinking glass, causing major blood loss due to injury to a major artery in his face. Dolsingh received 50 stitches.

Hannays, who surrendered to the Four Roads Police Station on Thursday, was granted $100,000 bail bond by a Justice of the Peace at the police station after the charge was laid

That bail was endorsed by the magistrate yesterday.

Hannays was not called upon to plead.

The court prosecutor submitted to the court that the prosecution, while they had no objection to Hannays being granted bail, the accused should be made to surrender his passport.

However, Hannays’ attorney Senior Counsel Gilbert Peterson objected to this application.

Peterson told the magistrate that because of the nature of his client’s job he is required to travel out of the country regularly.

The matter was adjourned to June 5.

Naparima MP Rodney Charles says the incompetence of the Government has been costing taxpayers and the economy more than $10 billion annually to fight crime.

Charles made the statement as he delivered his contribution on a motion titled Failure to Diversify the Economy in Parliament yesterday.

He said Government had collapsed in managing the economy and businesses were struggling to keep afloat, stating that it was shocking to learn that 34 Tobago businesses had closed their doors due to a seabridge fiasco and a sharp decline in tourist arrivals.

“Deputy Speaker, the only growth industry in Trinidad is funeral homes. I would direct the Minister of Finance if he wants to raise money…tax the funeral homes because the murder rate is increasing. We dying and suffering and that there is money to be made there.”

He said the cost of crime in the country was in the tune of billions of dollars.

Calculating the costs, Charles said if on average there are 500 murders yearly, with each burial or cremation costing $20,000, this would amount to $10 million.

The other cost would be the national security budget of $6.2 billion, including collateral damage, loss of external investments, reduced tourist arrivals, retaining security guards, installing of security cameras, burglar proofing, Blink and GPS system on cars.

He said the cost of losing a breadwinner to criminals and the family’s psychological trauma could not be calculated.

“The incompetence of that Government is costing this economy more than $10 billion annually. Their policy is tax, tax, tax and waste. If I was spending my own money I would be more careful than this Government. Would I spent $400 million on a useless highway? Would I rent One Alexandra place at $700,000 a month when I have an office at the Ministry of Agriculture that is empty? At this stage it is immoral to be spending that kind of money.”

Charles became emotional when he told the House that he wrote Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat last August after a chicken farmer in his constituency suffered losses as a result of a river next to his business which needed dredging.

Charles said he got no reply from Rambharat, stating that there was a cry among the poor for help.

“But that Government would not even acknowledge the suffering people. I am almost in tears.”

Chairman of the T&T Cancer Society George Laquis says his organisation is willing to sign an agreement accepting $1.5 million from the Government but will not forget the $6 million which the Government owes the society.

Laquis said the Government has not contributed any funds to the organisation for the past three years and was currently owed some $6 million. In an interview yesterday, Laquis said he was “disgusted” by the outcome of events.

“We are going to accept the money which is just a subvention from the work we do and this is a public work.

“They (the Government) said they can’t pay us what they owe us and we will accept that but we are not forgetting the payment. They saying forget it. “

“They have a problem. We (referring to the Government) continue to build buildings we don’t know what the hell to do with,” he said.

He added: “I don’t know what the hell we doing with the buildings and there should be lifestyle changes to prevent diseases and early detection.”

Laquis said it cost the society when a man gets cancer and dies which in turn costs society to lose 25 years of productivity.

“Their focus is wrong. None of them understand healthcare delivery. It is simple as that. They don’t understand, they think putting up buildings cure disease.

“I am very disgusted, we have patients to see about. We can’t have pride and ego in this things. The politicians priority are different from ours,” he said.

Laquis stressed that the Government is more considering buildings because buildings make them look good.

“They have a million roads with pothole and building roads. The politicians want to win the next election. They do not know how to govern a country. Its all of them not only PNM,” he said.

He said the Cancer Society will be accepting the $1.5 million funds by next week and start the new arrangement which began from January 2018.

“It is a three-year agreement. We are grateful because we need the money and lived off the private sector for the past 48 years and our support was always good from the general public or individuals. That is how we survived.

“The subsidy from Government helped us keep our prices low. Its all about early detection and prevention. That’s the game its a simple formula,” he said.

Laquis said the Cancer Society told the Government that they could not forget the $6million owed to the society and we would not try to collect it at the moment.

Oblivious to the sad reality that they are homeless, three-year-old twin sisters Waynesha and Wayneka Hosten were contented as they sat on their grandmother’s lap yesterday drinking their bottles given to them by a neighbour.

They were among nine children and six adults who were left homeless after three houses were burnt down during a fire at at Cipero Road, Ste Madeleine on Thursday.

Irene Valentine, 63, who lives next door suffered burns after the fire damaged the front of her house.

Sitting on the steps of a neighbour’s house looking at the rubble where their homes once stood, the twin’s grandmother Donna Coombs-Smith said they spent the night by different relatives.

She said they have to depend on friends , relatives and neighbours for food, clothes and shelter. “It is not nice what we going through. A neighbour give us two bottles and give us some milk and that is how they are drinking some tea. We hot it in the neighbour microwave.”

Coombs-Smith said although they live within the constituency of San Fernando East, they are yet to hear or see their MP Housing Minister Randall Mitchell.

“I dip my finger and made sure my family and children dip their finger so he could get that position. Where are you? Look at my plight. We need him to come. We need his help,” she lamented. The cause of the fire which started around midday on Thursday has not yet been determined by the fire officers.

Coombs-Smith was in her kitchen with her friend Martha Sheppard when they smelt something burning. They realised that smoke was coming from the back section of the house where the twins lived with their mother Tamika Charles, three sisters ages 13, 12, 10, and 17-year-old brother.

The fire quickly spread to the two other houses where Charles’ sons Russell Grant, 20, and Jamile Cooper, 21, lived with their families. Cooper’s two month old daughter and common-law wife were alone home, but managed to get out safely.

Grant was by a neighbour when he saw the fire and ran into the house to help his family. He jumped through a window with his one-week-old daughter, his common-law wife threw their three-year-old son for him to catch before she jumped out..

When contacted Mitchell said employees from his office went out on the field yesterday morning trying to locate the families. He said they were in contact with one of the victims. “We will be assisting the families as best as possible,” he assured.

Mitchell said he also intends to visit the victims.

Officers of the Oropouche Police Station yesterday showed a softer side to policing when they distributed 25 food and cleaning supplies hampers to needy families in the community.

The initiative, done at the police station in collaboration with Neighbours Inc, a community-based group, brought smiles to the faces of recipients, many of whom were women.

Senior Supt Neville Adams said at the Oropouche Police Station there is a station council led by Sgt Anslim George, It is comprised of representatives from community and religious groups.

He said the station council meets once a month, decides on a community event or project.

He said, “We recognise policing is gone from what it use to be which is just the punitive side where we arrest people and put them behind bars, we see people in need, we want to bridge that gap between the police and the public so we decided this is one way by which we do that.”

Urging the community to partner with the police, he said, “You see something, you say something.” With regards to reports of domestic violence, he said the police officers in the division have been treating with those reports in a timely manner and “we have not seen anything untoward where this is concern.”

He boasted of a good detection rate in the south western division.

Felix Logie, of Neighbours Inc, said the police and his group collected funds to purchase the hampers and was hopeful their efforts will help the families.

“We know things are tough but we will try to help as much as possible,” he said. The 25 hampers were donated by H&R Drugs in Point Fortin.

A desire to ensure there is change in the standard of officiating in MMA, Sambo, Grappling and other combat sports in T&T, has led Warren Gill to flee from the sport of Jiu Jitsu as a fighter and into officiating.

He was only 31 years old when an unfavourable decision during a hotly contested fight left him in tears, and eventually brought his promising career to an end.

Gill, 43, is set to work alongside world renown Herb Dean, the American mixed martial arts referee and former fighter, as the lead officials for the Caribbean International Invitational Combat Sport Championship to be held at the National Cycling Centre (NCC) in Balmain Couva on April 28-29.

T&T fighters are set to face the best of the world in MMA, grappling, sports sambo (self-defence without weapons), combat sambo, kick boxing, wrestling and boxing. The fighters will come from from 27 countries inclusive of Australia, Aruba, Venezuela, Brazil, England, United States, Russia, Colombia, Mexico, Holland, Jamaica, Aruba, Curacao, Antigua and Grenada, among others.

Gill believes local officials are not properly equipped with the knowledge to enhance the combat sport. He feels also that they are not always fair in their judgement at tournaments.

Gill, who now owns his own jiu jitsu clubs in St James and Barataria which has its head office in Virginia, United States, said he intends to champion the cause for change in the quality of officiating by ensuring that local officials are certified and competent to conduct the affairs of the sport in a fair an unbiased manner. This he believes will only auger well for the sport.

"In my opinion a lot of teachers in the sport are not skilled and lack the understanding about fighting sports. Because of this I have decided to get involved and make a difference," Gill said.

With the championship set to be streamed live to 87 countries worldwide, coupled with live coverage from international sports television networks Flow Sports 1, Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), Carib Vision, Condado Broadcasting, ABC Sports and CBS, Gill will be exposed to the globe, while showcasing the quality of officiating one can expect from the twin-island republic.

He believes T&T will have a great chance of a clean sweep in the fighting Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Sambo, due mainly to the experience gained over the years by its fighters. T&T will be represented by Keron Bourne, Joash Walkins and Martin Joseph, among others, all of whom have won medals at international competitions. A number of new fighters from T&T will also be exposed at the international championship.

The feature event of the championship will be the Ruff & Tuff MMA Title fights and Gill is calling on T&T to come out and support the C'ship.

The Harriram Gobin trained five-year-old grey horse Errazuriz yesterday wore down the 9-1 shot - Eye See You - to win the feature Modified Benchmark Handicap for horses rated 90-70 over 1750 metres on the main track at Santa Rosa Park, Arima.

The Shivam Maharaj owned horse was sent off as the 7-5 favourite to beat his five rivals, but had to work hard under Prayven Badrie to prevail by a length from the favourite - Eye See You.

When the starter sent the six horse field on their way on a fast main track, Rock In Peace was the first to show from Eye See You with Transpire back in third. These were followed Leading Lady, Errazuriz and Peace N Glory was contented to view from the rear.

Going down the back-straight Transpire sneak through at the rail to hold a narrow lead from Eye See You and Rock In Peace with Errazuriz and Leading Lady five lengths back, with Peace N Glory showing no signs of wanting to get closer.

At the far turn Transpire was coming under pressure and Rock In Peace and Eye See You went on but that moved was covered by Errazuriz and Leading Lady as they both moved closer to the leaders.

At the corner it was a four-horse war as the leaders fanned out across the track with Eye See You holding a narrow advantage from Leading Lady as Errazuriz made his move on the outside with Rock In Peace fighting on the inside.

However, inside the final 200 metres Prayven Padrie got Errazuriz into the lead and he galloped away for a well deserved success. Rock In Peace stayed on for third with Leading Lady in fourth.

The winner's time was 1:52.12 for the trip.

Riding honours for the day were shared between Wilmer Galviz and apprentice jockey Ri Hernandez.

Training honours were also shared between Harold Chadee and Harriram Gobin both of whom saddled two winners.

There will be no racing on Saturday as racing resumes on Easter Monday.