UK-sponsored walk for Grenada's Olympic Team

LONDON, UK - Grenadians descended on London in a “blaze of colour” in support of the Grenada Team to the London 2012 Olympics.

The Grenada Olympic Welcoming Committee UK which was launched on November 17^th 2011, primarily to provide support to the Grenada Olympic Team and to Grenadians from around the world visiting the UK for the games, hosted a five-mile Thames Walk on Saturday 26^th May 2012, with over 23 supporters in attendance.

The walk covered five miles from Vauxhall to St. Katherine Docks near Tower Bridge in London.

Sponsors were eligible to enter a special prize draw (Trip to Grenada-Compliments British Airways)

The proceeds of the walk will assist with arrangements for the Guest Appearance of the Grenada Olympic Team at the 4^th Annual Grenadian Heritage Day (Saturday, 14^th July 2012), as part of an extensive programme of events (including the “Grenada House”) to raise awareness of Grenada, promote tourism and encourage investment.

High Commissioner for Grenada HE Ruth Elizabeth Rouse was high in praise for those who participated, as well as supported with their sponsorship, and extended special thanks to Deborah Bryant, a member of the Olympic Welcoming Committee, who laboured tirelessly to ensure a well-planned and executed Walk, and the Grenada Board of Tourism (UK) for their support.

Grenada is among the 200 plus countries expected to participate in the London 2012 Olympics (Games of the XXX Olympiad) from July 27 to August 12, 2012.

Young Grenadian track star rewarded with athletic donation

Principal Davis Adams, Shequanda Felix
& MP Glynis Roberts 

by Lincoln "Toro" Depradine

ST GEORGE’S, May 24, 2012 – One of Grenada’s most talented primary school athletes is promising to continue working to better her performance in track and field.

Shequanda Felix, 12, made the promise Thursday morning as she received a gift of track suit, spikes and other athletic accessories.

“Thank you for the donation. My goal is to keep doing my best and to try to win,’’ Felix said following the handover of items.

The presentation was done by Labour Minister and MP for St. George South, Glynis Roberts, in the presence of Davis Adams – principal of South St. George Government School.

Felix, a student of South St. George Government in Springs, will begin secondary school studies in September.

The athletic gear was donated by Clevoy Depradine, a Grenadian national living in Long Island, New York.

A former captain of Republic Bank Angel Harps Steel Orchestra, Depradine was in Grenada during this year’s athletic season and witnessed the brilliant showing of Felix in the 100, 200 and 400 meters.

So impressed was Depradine with Felix’s performance and her potential, that he decided to reward her with a donation.

“I am very happy to be here today to make this donation on behalf of Mr. Depradine,’’ said MP Roberts, a former student of South St. George Government.

“I want to encourage other Grenadians in the Diaspora to continue providing support,’’ she urged. “It may not be in athletics but in other areas to help us develop our Tri-island Nation.’’

Adams said Felix is proof of South St. George Government’s “holistic approach to education,’’ which includes producing students that are “healthy and academically prepared,’’ as well as by “zoning in on areas where they have potential.’’

He described Felix as a “wonderful talent’’ who, like Grenada’s World 400 meter men’s champion Kirani James, has the ability “to reach the highest level in sports.’’

Felix is one of four primary school athletes who will be representing Grenada at the Caribbean Union of Teachers' games in the Bahamas in July.

Kirani James to face strong field at Prefontaine Classic

By Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, May 17, 2012 - World 400m champion Kirani James will test his readiness for an Olympic Gold medal when he competes against a strong field at the Prefontaine Classic (Samsung Diamond League) in Eugene, Oregon next month.

James is set to pit his World Championship glory on June 2 against four other Olympic or World Championships gold medallists including the reigning Olympic Champion LaShawn Merritt of the United States; 2004 Olympic gold medallist Jeremy Wariner, also of the United States; Olympic 400m hurdles champion American Angelo Taylor; European 400m champion Kevin Borlee of Belgium; 2010 World Indoor champion Christopher Brown of the Bahamas and his fellow countryman Demetrius Pinder and South African blade runner Oscar Pistorius.

Men’s 400m: Kirani James (Grenada), LaShawn Merritt (USA), Kevin Borlee (Belgium), Christopher Brown (Bahamas), Jeremy Wariner (USA), Angelo Taylor (USA), Demetrius Pinder (Bahamas) and Oscar Pistorius (South Africa).

Tickets for the 2012 Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meet are on sale now! Tickets may be purchase online at www.goducks.com

Bralon Taplin wins NJCAA Men's 400m

Lucy Fortune in NJCAA 400m Women's Final

RGPF: Major Drug Bust

ST GEORGE’S, May 16, 2012 - Members of the Royal Grenada Police Force Drug Unit, on Wednesday, 16^th May 2012 made a major drug bust in the Levera St. Patrick area.

Approximately 300 kilos of Marijuana and Cocaine were seized as a result of an early morning operation in the St. Patrick area.

One man is presently in custody assisting the Police with their investigation.

Source:        Office of the Commissioner of Police

Contact        Community Relations Department (CRD)

                       440- 3764 / 435-8918 / 405 3134 /405-7451

Date:              Wednesday 16^th May, 2012

Kirani James opens with 44.72 in Daegu

DAEGU, Korea, May 16, 2012 - World 400m champion Kirani James of Grenada opened his 2012 outdoor season with a win at the Colourful Daegu Championships Meeting in South Korea on Wednesday.

James, running out of lane 5, stopped the clock at 44.72 seconds in a new meeting record to begin his season. He was a clear winner ahead of Renny Quow of Trinidad and Tobago in 45.65 and Calvin Smith of the USA in 45.70.

James opener is the second fastest this year behind American LaShawn Merritt’s 44.19 seconds at last week’s Samsung Diamond League in Doha, Qatar.
James will next compete at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, OR on June 2.

Nine Grenadians graduate from Midwestern

WICHITA FALLS, Texas, May 15, 2012 - Nine Grenadian students earned degrees at Midwestern State University’s May 2012 Commencement exercises last Saturday. The six were part of a group of 30 Caribbean students who also walked the stage.

The ceremonial weekend also featured a concert by Jamaican singer Wayne Wonder and Claudette Peters of Antigua who wowed the crowd of over 400.  St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador, Jacinth Henry-Martin was also on hand.

Nefer McIntyre earned a Master of Education in Special Education.  She earned a baccalaureate degree from Midwestern three years earlier.

Natasha Sutherland earned magna cum laude honours and a Bachelor of Social Work and Political Science.

Nikita Jack earned magna cum laude honours with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance.

Sherie Don Noel earned cum laude honours and a Bachelor of Education in Special Education.

Frank Alexander earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance; Alice Lindy Alexander earned a Bachelor of Social Work; Dwayne Alleyne earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering; Clynt George earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics; Shonna Harris earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Karlene Rogers earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.

Keynote speaker, Jacinth Henry-Martin, St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to the US, urged the graduates to hold on to dreams and believe in miracles. She delivered a positive charge to them to be true to themselves, much to the delight of the attending crowd of over 400 parents, fellow students and well-wishers.

Over 160 Grenadian students have earned degrees from Midwestern since 1995 and 55 students are currently enrolled, making it the largest contingent from the Caribbean.  Twelve new students from Grenada will be accepted to Midwestern State University in August 2012, and will be part of the over 1,000 who have been recruited in the 19-year history of the programme. The Government of Grenada provides support to the programme.

SOURCE: Midwestern University

Boston building named after Grenadian-born CEO

By Jeremy C. Fox, Town Correspondent

Boston.com

The Action for Boston Community Development agency has announced that it will dedicate its central office building in honor of the late Robert M. Coard, ABCD’s president and CEO for more than four decades.

Coard retired in 2009, after leading the organization since 1968, and died in November of that year at 82. He had suffered from heart disease. A Globe obituary quoted former Boston Mayor Raymond L. Flynn as saying, “Boston without Bob Coard is like the Public Garden without the swan boats.”

Born in Grenada, Coard settled in Boston as a graduate student at Boston University and left his doctoral studies in city and regional planning to take a job at ABCD in 1964, two years after its founding. Within four years, he would run the organization.

Coard was known locally and nationally for his work against poverty, helping found the National Community Action Foundation and the Community Action Legal Assistance Program, and helping prevent President Richard Nixon from abolishing the federal Office of Economic Opportunity.

In a eulogy, Congressman Ed Markey said, “For generations of Boston politicians … Ed Markey included, ABCD didn’t stand for Action for Boston Community Development; it stood for Anything Bob Coard Desires.”

Scheduled for 11 a.m. on June 21, the dedication of the headquarters building at 178 Tremont St. will honor Coard’s service to the anti-poverty agency and the City of Boston but also mark the opening of ABCD’s 50th anniversary celebration.

“We have been here, on the ground, giving those in need a chance for better lives, for 50 years,” said current President and CEO John J. Drew in a press release. “We hope the entire Boston-area community will join ABCD in celebrating that significant milestone and laying the groundwork to continue our work with many partners in a time of critical need.”

The non-profit serves more than 90,000 low-income residents of Greater Boston through programs including Head Start centers, food pantries, family planning sites, fuel assistance, home weatherization, child care services, education programs, career development, housing services, health services, and elder services.

It was founded in 1962 with a $1.9 million grant from the Ford Foundation, funding from the Permanent Charity Fund (now The Boston Foundation), and support from other private funders. When President Lyndon Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act in 1965, it became the city’s official antipoverty agency.

The anniversary celebration will continue through the spring and summer with a series of events including the annual Head Start Parade and Foster Grandparent Luncheon. It will climax in the fall, with the agency’s Community Volunteers Celebration in late September and the 50th Anniversary Gala at the Boston Marriott Copley Place on Nov. 2. 

"A PLACE CALLED GOUYAVE"

You Are Cordially Invited To The

BOOK LAUNCH OF "A PLACE CALLED GOUYAVE" BY TONY DECOTEAU MEET & GREET TONY DECOTEAU AND COLLECT YOUR AUTOGRAPH COPY SUNDAY, MAY 20, 5:30 PM, BROOKLYN, NY WHEN:            Sunday, May 20, 2012 @ 5:30pm WHERE            1 Grand Army Plaza           (New glass building tower; opposite Brooklyn Public Library on Eastern Parkway) Literary lovers, you don't have to be from  Gouyave, Grenada, to enjoy this book. http://outskirtspress.com/aplacedcalledgouyave     Around October or November, Anthony DeCoteau, known by his Grenada Boys Secondary School (GBSS) friends and hostel mates as "Cortex," downloaded me the manuscript of A Place Called Gouyave. I planned to watch the New York Giants that evening but instead found myself reading and enjoying DeCoteau's book. Early next morning I finished and called DeCoteau to congratulate him and to discuss some of the episodes. For example, he discussed Hurricane Janet. The morning of September 22, 1955, Headmaster Eli Peters closed the Anglican School and I suspect schools around Grenada were ordered to do the same thing. Since most adults in Gouyave did not believe a hurricane was approaching little boys, including me, went to bathe in the sea until early afternoon when the sea was becoming real rough and some responsible adults commanded us to leave. Yet, A Place Called Gouyave is more than a chronicle about growing up in this small and historic town in Grenada. Most Caribbean persons regardless to island of birth or where raised would enjoy and appreciate DeCoteau's book.  What someone recently wrote about the book is so true, "At the end don't be surprised if your mind reverts to your own hometown and smile at the things you used to love. But as one reviewer noted, A PLACE CALLED GOUYAVE leaves room 'for a learning moment among the more sophisticated readers who seek to understand the fundamentals of the Caribbean people in general.'  In other words A PLACE CALLED GOUYAVE is a book that will surely bring back a flood of memories about your own hometown."  You are not in NY! No problem because you can order A Place Called Gouyave, see the author and get more info by clicking http://outskirtspress.com/aplacedcalledgouyave

RGPF: Police officer in custody, assisting in shooting incident

ST GEORGE’S, May 14, 2012 - Police officers of the Criminal Investigation Department St. George’s are investigating the circumstances which led to the shooting of a 25 year-old female resident of Darbeau, St. George.

The incident is reported to have occurred late Saturday night, 12th May, 2012, on the Carenage St. George’s when Shenelle Phillip of Darbeau St. George was shot in her abdomen. She was rushed to the General Hospital where she was operated on and admitted as a patient.

In the meantime, Police Constable 915 Nigel Wilson, attached to the Traffic Department Carenage St. George’s is currently in police custody assisting with their investigations.

Source:        Office of the Commissioner of Police

Contact        Community Relations Department (CRD)

                       440- 3764 / 435-8918 / 405 3134 /405-7451

Date:              Monday 14^th May, 2012

Top marks for Grenadian athletes at Conference Meets

Kurt Felix (Boise State)

By Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, May 13, 2012 - It has been a very busy weekend for Grenadian track and field athletes in competitions across the United States.

Among the major achievers were Kurt Felix, Kanika Beckles, Colleen Felix, Sherine Wells, Daryl Baptiste, Neisha Bernard-Smith, Akeisha Dumont, Paul Williams, Rawle DeLisle, Elston and Leston Alexis and Jomo Bullen.

Kurt Felix of Boise State swept the men’s awards at the 2012 Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Air Force’s Cadet Track and Field Complex in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Felix earned the MW Men’s High Point Performer and Men’s Outstanding Performance Award.

He earned his second title of the meet, winning the javelin and picking up his second all-conference honour. His mark of 63.18m was a one-metre win over the second place finisher.

At the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Outdoor Championships in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Colleen Felix was second for the University of Georgia in the Women’s Triple Jump (12.98m) and third with a season-best throw of 45.61m in the Javelin.

At the Big 12 Outdoor Championships in Manhattan, Kansas, Kanika Beckles was second for Texas A&M University in the Women’s 400m in 51.93 seconds. On Saturday, she posted a personal best and Olympic B Standard Qualifying time of 51.72 in the preliminaries.

Also, Sherine Wells of the University of Oklahoma finished 4^th in Heat 3 of the Women’s 200m in 23.76.

In more results, Daryl Baptiste (University of Akron) was 4th in the Men's Long Jump (7.33m) at the Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championships in Michigan and Neisha Bernard-Smith opened her season at the Ponce Invitational in Puerto Rico Saturday night with a 5th place finish  in the Women's 800m.

On Saturday at the Road to London Twilight Series at Icahn Stadium at Randall’s Island, New York, Akeisha Dumont, running for Central Park, finished fifth in the Women’s 200m in 25.24 while Paul “Kim” Williams of Zenith Velocity Athletic Club was fifth in the Men’s 100m (10.59) and Rawle DeLisle, with CPTC New Balance, finished sixth in 10.90. Williams also copped a third place in the 200m in 21.54.

At the City University of New York (CUNY) Championships at Randall’s Island which ended on Sunday, there was a pair of victories for Elston Alexis of Medgar Evers College (MEC). Alexis won the Men’s Javelin (49.70m) and the Shot Put with 13.54m. His brother, Leston, copped the second spot in the Shot Put with 12.50m and the third position in the Javelin (46.80m) while Jomo Bullen, also of MEC, was fourth (44.78m).

The Alexis brothers also featured in the Hammer Throw, with Leston taking the fourth spot (26.91m) and Elston, fifth with 26.57m. Leston was also second in the Discus Throw with 36.59m and Elston fourth (35.06m).

Bullen also competed in the Long Jump (9^th, 5.88m) and seventh and fourth in the 200m (23.03) and 400m (51.14) respectively.

Meantime, Bralon Taplin (South Plains College), who has expressed a desire to represent Grenada, is highly favoured to win the Men's 400m at the NJCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships, starting on Tuesday in Levelland, TX. Taplin, who has Grenadian roots, clocked 45.36 seconds at the Red Raider Invitational last weekend.

Grenada's Kurt Felix takes charge at MW Conference

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, May 10, 2012 - Grenada’s Olympic-bound Kurt Felix kicked-off the 2012 Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Wednesday, finishing day one of the multi-events in first position at the Air Force’s Cadet Track and Field Complex.

Felix, a senior at Boise State University, won four of the day's five events in the decathlon to lead the competition by 268-points. He has totaled 4,201-points with five events to go, sitting just 11-points shy of his day one total when he hit the Olympic "B" Standard earlier this year. 

Felix, a redshirt senior, began his day with a third-place finish in the 100-metres, running 11.16-seconds. He went on to win the next four events jumping 7.27m (23'-10.25") in the long jump, throwing an outdoor career-best of 13.75m (45'-1.50") in the shot put, clearing a season-best 2.11m (6'-11") in the high jump and smashing his recently-set career-best in the 400-metres with a time of 48.63-seconds. 

Felix sits 268-points ahead of New Mexico's Richard York who holds the second-place spot in the field of nine competitors. 

Felix will continue his multi-event competition on Thursday, May 10. He will begin his five-event day at 12 noon (MT) (2:00 p.m. ET) with the 110-metre hurdles. 

SOURCE: Boise State 

Business plan competition launched for Caribbean, diaspora entrepreneurs

BY JACQUELINE CHARLES

Miami Herald

Ever thought of expanding or creating a new business in the Caribbean?

The U.S. State Department in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank and others has launched a business plan competition for the Caribbean. The plan is aimed at promoting jobs and economic growth in the region, and forging partnerships between members of the Caribbean diaspora in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, and entrepreneurs in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Idea Marketplace challenge fund will provide a $100,000 grant to each of the ten best business plans focused on business partnerships in the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

The competition opened in March, and interested entrepreneurs must submit concept ideas by May 30. Organizers will then select the best concepts and invite those entrepreneurs to submit an actual business proposal. Each will received $10,000 to help with plan preparation. The Caribbean Idea Marketplace competition was touted Friday at a University of Miami Center for Hemispheric Policy event in Miami.

Marie Gill, president of the Jamaica-USA Chamber in South Florida, called the program “a very exciting opportunity.”

Among the qualifications: the company in the region must have $100,000 in assets, and the diaspora partner must be a legal resident or citizen of the U.S., Canada or the United Kingdom, or have a relevant connection or experience in the Caribbean. Applicants must be interested in expanding an existing business in the Caribbean or establishing a new one.

This is not the first time the U.S. government has launched such an initiative. In 2008, the U.S. Agency for International Development announced that it had set up a $2 million investment fund to assist members of the Haitian diaspora who had a sustainable business plan and were willing to partner with Haiti’s private sector to create jobs. That fund was known as the Haiti Diaspora Investment Challenge Facility. It has since ended, say USAID officials.

For more information on the Caribbean Idea Marketplace business competition email diasporacim@iadb.org or go to www.caribbeanidea.org

RGPF: Police investigate death of teenager

ST GEORGE’S, May 9, 2012 - Officers of the Criminal Investigation Department have launched an investigation into the death of 13 year-old found at her Springs’ (St. George) residence on Wednesday 9^th May, 2012.

The teenage Secondary School student was found in her bedroom with a scarf tied around her neck.

Another scarf tied to a small rope attached to the ceiling was also seen in the same room along with a personal diary.

A post mortem is scheduled to be performed tomorrow (Thursday 10^th May, 2012) to determine the cause of death.

Source:        Office of the Commissioner of Police

Contact        Community Relations Department (CRD)

                       440- 3764 / 435-8918 / 405 3134 /405-7451

Date:           Wednesday 9^th May, 2012

LIVE VIDEO: Cayman Invitational

Live stream videos at Ustream

The Cayman Invitational is a professional track meet that comprises of eleven track and 2 field events. The May 9th one-day competition takes place at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex in George Town, Grand Cayman.

Kirani James to open 2012 outdoor season in South Korea

By Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, May 9, 2012 - The World 400m Champion Kirani James of Grenada will open his 2012 outdoor season next week when he competes in the IAAF World Challenge at the Colorful Daegu Championships Meeting in South Korea.

James, who ran a blistering 43.8 second-leg split for his national team’s 4x400m Relay at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia two weeks ago, is yet to face the starters in his outdoor individual 400m event.

The 19 year-old, who lifted Grenada’s first title at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Daegu last summer, has been preparing for end of semester examinations as a full-time student at the University of Alabama.

He had to skip invitations to compete at last weekend’s JN Jamaica International Invitational and the inaugural Cayman Invitational scheduled for Wednesday at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex.

James will instead focus on opening his season on the same track he won his first World Championship in August 2011. It’s his only competitive race this month but expected to start June competing at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon at the Samsung Diamond League, scheduled for June 2.

James appears to be the only certainty in the quarter-mile for Grenada this season since Rondell Bartholomew, who skipped the indoor season, remains on the injured list and may have a late start to his outdoor campaign.

Triple Jumper Randy Lewis will jump at a small meet near his training base in Leverkusen in Germany on Saturday but will officially open his season on May 20 in Garbsen, with another meet in Wesel on May 28.

Meantime, Kurt Felix is ranked eighth among Decathletes on the IAAF Top List. Felix, who is in final year at Boise State University, pushed himself inside of the World’s Top 10 when he won the Decathlon at the Mt. SAC Relays in Azusa, California on April 19.

His career-best score of 7,972 points was a Grenada national record as well as a school record and qualification for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The other Grenadian athlete listed on the world rankings is Kanika Beckles. The quarter-miler, who is coached by Alleyne Francique at Texas A&M University, posted a personal best of 52.92 seconds at the Miami Hurricane Alumni Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida on April 14.

The Men’s 400m is led by American LaShawn Merritt with his 44.73 seconds clocked in Guadeloupe last Tuesday.

RGPF: Major breakthrough for St David Police

ST GEORGE’S, May 9, 2012 - St. David Police has realized a major breakthrough with the arrest of two local residents.

Terry Thomas, 24 years old of Marlmount, and Javon Ferguson, 22 years of Requin, both unemployed have been jointly charged for housebreaking and stealing articles valued at two hundred and twenty-six thousand and fifty dollars ($226 050.00 ECC).

Both men will appear before the Grenville Magistrate Court at 09:00 am on Thursday 10^th May, 2012.

Quantities of items were reported stolen from British national James Post during the period April 29^th and May 1^st 2012 at La Tante, St. David.

The men were apprehended following an operation conducted by Officers attached to St. David’s Police Station during which four cordless drills, two boxes of spark plugs, one box of fuses, seventy bottles of Grand Moment wine and fourteen empty drill cases were recovered in a bushy area in La Tante, St. David. The items were amongst the following reported stolen goods:

                                90 - Drill sets 25 of which are cordless}

                                32 - Power saws                               }              Brand – Trade tool

                                19 - Grinders set                               }

                                15 - Cases Grand Moment Champagne

                                28 - Cases Rovellats Imperial Wine

                                2 – Cases Spark plugs

                                1 - Case Automotive fuses

                                1 - Case Halogen bulbs                  

Police are continuing with their investigations and are seeking the cooperation of persons with information to contact the St. David Police on 444 7070 / 6224 or the nearest police station. Persons who may be in possession of any of the stolen items are also encouraged to contact the police.

Source:        Office of the Commissioner of Police

Contact        Community Relations Department (CRD)

                       440- 3764 / 435-8918 / 405 3134 /405-7451

Date:           Wednesday 9^th May, 2012

RGPF: St Andrew man dies following traffic accident

ST GEORGE’S, May 9, 2012 - 39 years old Clive Neptune, Laborer of Grand Bras, St. Andrew is currently assisting police with their investigations following a road traffic accident which left another St. Andrew man dead on Saturday 5^th May, 2012.

Sheldon John, 30 years of Lakabakae, Paradise, St. Andrew reportedly succumbed to injuries sustained as a result of being ran over by a vehicle which was driven by Neptune. The incident occurred at approximately 04:50 a.m. 

John was found lying on the side of the Lakabakae road.

An autopsy report revealed that he died owing to hypovolemic shock and multiple injuries to the body as a result of a motor vehicle accident.

Neptune who failed to remain at the scene of the accident has since been charged for driving without a driver’s license, driving an unlicensed motor vehicle and driving an uninsured motor vehicle.

John’s death is the first recorded vehicular traffic related accident for the year.

Source:        Office of the Commissioner of Police

Contact        Community Relations Department (CRD)

                       440- 3764 / 435-8918 / 405 3134 /405-7451

Date:           Wednesday 9^th May, 2012

Fostering cultural cooperation between CARICOM and Canada

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, May 9, 2012 - Identifying technical assistance to build capacity in cultural cooperation and trade and innovation was one of the areas focused on at a consultation for negotiations between CARICOM and Canada.

Officials of CARICOM and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) visited the island recently to meet with local stakeholders to hear first-hand the concerns specific to Grenada to include in the negotiations with Canada.

Some of the areas under technical assistance in the draft text include the development of digitalisation of audio visual archives; and the development of film animation and video art capabilities.

Grenada also reported keen interest in securing technical assistance in facilitating compliance with international and regional standards to ensure compatibility and interoperability of audio-visual technologies, and in the development of international theatre technology standards.

The consultation also sought to increase the awareness of the private and public sectors of the CARICOM-Canada Trade and Development Agreement.

Malcolm Spence, Senior Coordinator of the Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN) of the CARICOM Secretariat said the concerns gathered from Grenada and other regional member-states will fast-track efforts to meet the deadline to complete an agreement with Canada.

The Senior Coordinator of the OTN said Canada has a current waiver in place for CARICOM which will expire at the end of 2013. He also noted that Ministers of Trade in the region have requested a report by the end of July this year to have a clearer understanding of how negotiations will likely unfold.

Grenada’s Minister with responsibility for Information, ICT and National Mobilisation, Sen. Glen Noel, indicated that discussions for the new trade and development agreement between CARICOM and Canada began in 2001.

He said CARICOM Heads of Government proposed to their Canadian counterpart for negotiations that would lead to a more mature trading relationship to enhance existing arrangements, and to fulfil the objectives of the economic development of CARICOM countries.

The objectives include broadening the scope of the current instruments of trade and economic cooperation; deepening disciplines to improve market access for CARICOM exports of goods and services; and providing a more secure and predictable environment for bilateral trade.

Mrs Sally Anne Bagwhan-Logie, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Trade, noted that trade and culture play an important role in the socio-economic development of Grenada.

She said fora, such as the CARICOM/OECS consultation, give calypsonians, playwrights and other artistes an opportunity to share information on barriers faced when seeking to export cultural services.

The Permanent Secretary said the Ministry welcomes additional inputs from stakeholders in driving the process forward.  
SOURCE: Kareen Morain, Public Relations Officer
Ministry of the Environment, Foreign Trade & Export Development

Immigration and Passport Department wins UN Award

ST GEORGE’S, May 8, 2012 - The Immigration and Passport Department of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) has claimed a personal victory by emerging second place winners in the 2012 United Nations Public Service Award Programme.

The Department placed second from over four hundred participants in the category of “Improving the Delivery of Public Services.”

The UN Public Service Awards is an annual event which promotes the role, professionalism and visibility of public service.

It is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service and rewards the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions to a more effective and responsive public administration in countries worldwide.

Nominations for the UN awards have to be made by another entity than the institution being nominated.

Source:        Office of the Commissioner of Police

Contact        Community Relations Department (CRD)

                       440- 3764 / 435-8918 / 405 3134 /405-7451

Date:           Tuesday 8^th May, 2012

RGPF: Wanted Man Captured

ST GEORGE’S, May 8, 2012 - Ashley AUGUSTINE, aka “Bower / Black Boy”, 33 years old of Hope, St. Andrew has been captured.

Augustine, who was wanted by Police for questioning in connection with the offences of RAPE, & HOUSEBREAKING & STEALING, was captured at about 8:30 p.m. last night (Monday 7^th May, 2012) on Lucas Street, St. George’s by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department.

The Royal Grenada Police Force would like to thank the media and public for their assistance.

Source:        Office of the Commissioner of Police

Contact        Community Relations Department (CRD)

                       440- 3764 / 435-8918 / 405 3134 /405-7451

Date:           Tuesday 8^th May, 2012

A CARIBBEAN BICKLE AT PENN

By: Andrea Daley

New York, May 7, 2012 - The Penn Relays are behind us; hard to believe, especially from my vantage point. Months of planning by Team Jamaica Bickle, preparing for the entire contingents from Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, seem to have whizzed by over the three days—just like that.

Days morphed into one as teams started arriving in Philadelphia on the Monday for the Thursday start of the relays.  In the two team hotels, Wyndham Gardens and Ramada, an active vibrant bunch of pubescent and post-teen athletes, (a la UWI, Utech & G.C. Foster), all ready to compete, consort and socialize, kept the place abuzz. Socialize, you say? Yes of course. Did you think it was all about the competition? But that’s a whole other conversation. For almost a week the two team hotels were alive with the sights and sounds of athletes; a beautiful sight!

As cold and damp as Philly was, the warm Caribbean spirit enveloped Franklyn Field, particularly  the Big ‘Bickle’ tent; the enthusiasm ramped up a few notches with the anticipated visit of Jamaica’s Prime Minister, The Most Honorable Portia Simpson Miller, O.N; M.P.

This year saw a number of new and exciting elements with the addition of two more Caribbean nations; Grenada & The Bahamas, joining Trinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent and The Grenadines, under the big ‘Bickle’ tent. It was fun meeting and interacting with the coaches, members of the teams and officials representing the various governments; the atmosphere of music, Caribbean food and people priceless.

The excitement reached a crescendo on Saturday when the prime minister visited the tent. It was a crush of photographers, and people all angling to see, to capture the historic moment, to touch, to engage the PM whose warmth personality and engaging spirit, are legendary.

The introduction of the KiDz HuB junior broadcasters from Jamaica, added a whole new dimension to the Bickle village.  The bunch of smart, savvy pre-teens was on their first trip to the Penn Relays to broadcast live and package reports for various stations across the Caribbean and the US. They had some big ‘gets’ as they say in the business; the biggest of them all, Prime Minister of Jamaica, The Most Honorable Portia Simpson Miller. They interviewed Grace and LIME Executives, Chas Dorman of the Penn Communications office (a first by Caribbean media, I am told) and countless others; the two standouts of that team; Joshua Dillon and Inzingha McCarthy.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister of Tourism, Wykeham McNeill and Delano Franklyn, special advisor to the Prime Minister. 

Also welcomed to the Bickle tent were newly appointed Consul General of Jamaica to New York, the Honorable Herman G. Lamont, Deputy Consul General, Sharon Burrell Green, Jamaica’s Honorary Consul for Pennsylvania, Dr Alston Meade; former Jamaica Consul General to New York, Dr. Basil Bryan and community relations officer, Jamaica Consulate NY, Christopher Castriota.

Counted among the dignitaries were representatives of various Caribbean countries: Messrs. Cecil McKie, Minister of Wellness and Sports, St Vincent & the Grenadines; Derrick James, Consul General of Grenada and Paul Johnson, Brazil’s honorary Consul General, Philadelphia.

Members of the business sector were also out in full force, especially on Saturday with several executives from Grace Foods, and Grace Kennedy Remittance Services in attendance as well as representatives from LIME, JAAA, ISSA, Tower Isle, UWI, UTECH, MVP, the Diaspora Board among others; a fitting collective for Jamaica 50, as we celebrated proudly, another year at Penn. 

PHOTO CAPTION II – #45

The Grenada Team with (front row l-r) Irwine Clare, Sabrina HoSang, Derrick James, (CG-Grenada) Vincent HoSang & Blane Stoddart 

Photo credit: Donovan Gopie

PHOTO CAPTION I-# 2784

Members of the T&T contingent pose for the cameras 

Photo credit: Collin Reid

PHOTO CAPTION III – 0032

The STVG team with the country's Minister of Wellness & Sports Cecil McKie (3rd left)

Photo credit: Dennis Hinkson

RGPF: Man wanted by Police

ST GEORGE’S, May 7, 2012 - Police is seeking the assistance of the general public in locating Ashley AUGUSTINE, aka Bower / Black Boy, 33 years old of Hope, St. Andrew.

AUGUSTINE is wanted by police for questioning in connection with the offences of RAPE, & HOUSEBREAKING & STEALING.

A description of the subject is set out hereunder:- 

DESCRIPTION

NAME:                  Ashley AUGUSTINE

ALIAS:                   “Bower, Black Boy”

AGE:                                      33 years

ADDRESS:                            Hope, St. Andrew’s

OCCUPATION:   Construction Worker

COMPLEXION:   Dark

HEIGHT:                               5ft  9in.

RACE:                    Negro

BUILT:                   Medium

FOREHEAD:        Flat

NOSE:                   Broad

MOUTH:                              Big

EYES:                                     Brown

HAIR:                                    Black

Anyone seeing this man or has any information about him is asked to get in touch with the nearest Police Station, South St. George Police Station on 444-4454, 444-1535, 439-4483 or C.I.D. on telephone Nos. 440-3921, 3999, 2266, Police Emergency 911.

NB:         AUGUSTINE is armed and dangerous and should not be approached.

Source:        Office of the Commissioner of Police

Contact        Community Relations Department (CRD)

                       440- 3764 / 435-8918 / 405 3134 /405-7451

Date:           Monday 7^th May, 2012