FERDINAND: ETHEL Noeline, nee Moses, of St John's Road, St Augustine, died peacefully on Saturday 19 December, 2015. Widow of Horatius, devoted mother of Averille, Carol, Marcelle and Neil. Sister of Stella (dec.) and Gerald Moses. Grandmother of Joey and Janelle Campbell, Deneisha, Gabrielle and Maria Ferdinand. Mother-in-law of Joseph Campbell and Denise Ferdinand.

Aunt of Richard and Jackie Moses. Relative of the Moses, Davidson, Roach, Ferdinand, Julien, Pierre, Patron and Diaz families. Cherished teacher, friend and mother to many. Special thanks to the caregivers: Deborah, Josephine, Jean, Bliss and the nurses at Qualcare

Funeral arrangements will be given in a subsequent announcement. Enquiries, Lee’s Funeral Directors, 663-1010.  

FARAH: PETER Malcolm George passed away peacefully on Friday 18th December, 2015. Beloved husband of Suzette. Father of Kirk (Nickola), Rodney (Lorca), Ryan (Dominique) and Rebecca (deceased) (Jason). Cherished grandfather of Kaitlyn, Matthew, Charlotte, William, Eric, Scott, James, Ethan Y., Ethan and Liam. Brother of David (deceased) and Christopher. Son of the late George and Valmai.

Funeral mass for the late Peter Malcolm George Farah takes place at St. Finbar’s R. C. Church, Diego Martin on Tuesday 22nd December, 2015 at 10:30a.m., followed by private cremation. Funeral entrusted to Clark & Battoo, 625-1170. For enquiries, please contact Chancellor Walks Funeral Consultancy, 287-0403/4.  

The “gentleman’s game,” cricket, has adopted technology to assist on-field umpires. But it is used by the third umpire who is off-field and whose decision is overriding.

At his disposal are sensors, instruments and software that can give an indication as to whether and/or when the ball hits the bat, pads, stumps or part of the batsman’s body and its trajectory. There are also cameras in line with the popping creases at both ends, for run-out decisions. He is called upon to make a decision upon request for a review of the on-field umpire’s decision.

Considering the case of a batsmen who is given out for being caught by the wicket keeper. He is of the view that the ball did not hit his bat but rather his front pad as he drove at the ball with his bat away from his body.

In conducting the review, the third umpire starts to looks at a slow motion visual record/replay of the stroke. He tries to see if the ball did hit the bat. Many a times, because of the angle of the bat and the positions of the cameras, occlusion occurs and it is thus difficult to reach a conclusive decision. He then looks at “Hot Spot,” an infrared-based instrument. 

Wherever the ball strikes, some heat energy is transferred, to that spot. This spot heats up and it can be detected. This will usually confirm if the ball did strike the bat, or the pad or both. To further confirm this, “Snicko,” which records the sound that occurs when the ball strikes a surface, is utilised.

When “Snicko” is used in conjunction with a slow motion replay, one can determine if the sound occurred when the ball was passing the bat or in fact when it was passing by the pad thus allowing for a determination of exactly where the ball struck.

Having viewed the outputs of the various instruments, the third umpire makes a decision which is then conveyed to the on-field umpire. The entire appeal and review process can take a minute or two and sometimes more. During this time the game is held up. 

Additionally, some feel that the authority of the umpire may be undermined by this process as his original decision may be reversed upon receipt of the decision of the third umpire. In other words, he cedes his authority to the third umpire upon a review. 

The use of an artificial-based decision system to assist the on-field to make his decision may be worth considering as it places the technology in his hands. The system could work like this. When an appeal is made, the presiding umpire who is outfitted with a transmitting and receiving system, sends a signal to the off-field based AI system. This system then automatically analyses (using image/pattern recognition techniques) the very same evidence that a third umpire would have access to and then determines if indeed the ball did strike the bat. This is then conveyed to the on-field presiding umpire. 

Upon receiving the output (decision) from the computer-based “third umpire” he would be better equipped to make the best decision possible as he would have the benefit of a high tech decision support system in addition to his own expertise. This process would be faster and can certainly consolidate the authority of the on-field umpire as such a system would make the review procedure unnecessary. The need for a third umpire in this present set–up would also disappear. 

Of course, post mortem reviews can provide useful information for training and deepening the expertise of umpires. The technology for developing a system like that described here exists and therefore the R&D associated with it is doable. Further, AI-based decision support systems are being applied with great success in a fields ranging from finance to security, warfare to medicine. Why not cricket?

After working in the public service for over 30 years it’s a shame and disgrace that upon retirement as public officers people have to wait from eight months to a year, sometimes more, to receive their gratuity and pension. It’s real torture for retirees.

I am appealing to the relevant authorities to address this situation. Retirees have financial commitments too; mortgages to pay, loans, utility bills, families to take care of who are solely dependent on us and everyday living expenses to maintain.

It is unfortunate that some of us lose our homes and vehicles, and have our electricity and telephone services disconnected due to an inability pay the monthly installments. 

There is no negotiating with creditors for a suspension of payments for up to a year, until what is due to us after our years of hard work is finally received. The banks and other financial institutions are not so understanding!

What could possibly be the reason for such a long wait? Retirement papers are filed at least six months to a year in advance. Relevant taxes are paid and up to date. Perhaps the Public Services Commission needs to hire more staff to deal with this department so that the process between application and actual retirement date can be fast-tracked for the benefit of thousands of retirees. 

Why should it take months for a file to be opened so that a file number can be assigned to a retiree and then appear on the computer data base after documents reach the Pension and Leave Department of the Ministry of Finance? Why should it take months after the file number has been assigned for the Computations Department to send the file to the Auditor Generals Department?

In many instances files are ready to be moved from one stage of the process to another and just need an employee to physically take it from one desk to another. If that employee is sick or took a day off or is on vacation, then these files will sit there until that person returns. Don’t we have others who can take over so that the process continues smoothly and with the sense of urgency it requires? 

Retirees should be allowed to adjust to their new status in life without added stress at this stage of their lives. Is it too much to ask for our gratuity and pensions to be made ready for payment within one month of retiring? I think creditors will be willing to wait one month before moving in like sharks for the kill. 

While retirees are thankful to the government for free bus rides, it is unfair that when we come off the bus we cannot go to the grocery or pay our bills! Please, Mr Minister of Finance, tortured retirees need your intervention now.

Annmarie Daley, 
San Fernando

Former national player Colin Murray has called on the West Indies selectors to recall Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard to the Werst Indies test team.

His call comes after Australian selector and ex opening batsman Mark Waugh, on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the West Indies team and singled out senior players Marlon Samuels and wicketkeeper batsman Denesh Ramdin for the poor spate of performances on their tour of Australia currently taking place. The regional team lost their opening  four-day match by 10 wickets to an Australian XI and later were hammered inside three days by an innings and 212 runs in the first Test  in Hobart. 

In a report, Waugh questioned Samuels and Ramdin’s roles in the struggling side and was of the view that if the team continues with such a performance, it will again be beaten within three days in the second Test which starts on Boxing Day (December 20).

Murray however had some choice words for the selectors, saying they continue to pick players who do not want to fight for the team, in spite of the situation. 

He wants to see Trinidadians Dwayne Bravo and Keiron Pollard back in the regional team as well as other players who want to play cricket and are willing to show true grit in the face of challenges. 

“They have said that Bravo and Pollard are not Test material, but I can guarantee them that both players will fight for the regional team much more than what we are seeing here today. Our bowlers cannot bowl a consistent line and length and our batsmen are not showing grit to make runs,” Murray added. 

Murray described it as unfortunate that a foreigner had to say something that should have been said by the members of the selection committee. “I blame them, the selectors for what is happening because they continue to select the same players inspite of the results. They were recently beaten in Sri Lanka, but they selected the same team for Australia with the expectation of getting a different result. That makes no sense whatsoever. It seems as though they do not care what is going on, so the players are behaving the same way,” Murray said. 

He lashed out at selectors for constantly picking Samuels, saying his body movements on the field are like a school boy. “He appears to be someone who is approaching the end of his career and is just going through the motions. He does not fight for the team and he appears to be in his own little world,” Murray said. 

He agreed with Waugh’s comments but feels that the time has come to do something about it. “Basically we have to choose players who would go on the field and give a fighting performance for the team, whether they lose or not.” 

  According to Murray, Ramdin has been badly out of form with the bat and from all indications, Samuels seems to be playing because he is being selected. “I feel really sorry for captain Jason Holder, who I felt should not have been given the captaincy in the first place, but I feel sorry for him because he does not have the support of the senior players around him and the results seem to be obvious,” Murray explained.

​WALTER ALIBEY

GEELONG—Rain marred West Indies’ final match practice for the critical Melbourne Test starting Boxing Day, when it allowed only 58 overs on the final day of their two-day tour match against a Victoria XI here yesterday.

The tourists declared their first innings at their overnight 303 for eight but hopes of giving their fast bowlers an extended work out were then scuppered by the adverse weather.

Victoria XI ended on 169 for three with Jake Hancock unbeaten on 80. Tom Donnell made 34 and captain Ian Holland, 29.

There was time enough, however, for Devendra Bishoo to pick up two for 60, to be the Windies’ best bowler.

West Indies started brightly when fast bowler Kemar Roach claimed Travis Dean for three to a catch by Jermaine Blackwood at point, fending off a short ball with the score on 13. The Caribbean side were then held up by two stubborn partnerships. Opener Hancock, without a first class game to his name, then added 73 for the second wicket with Donnell and a further 46 for the third wicket with Holland.

Hancock, who faced 173 balls and struck seven fours and three sixes, was missed at 22 when Jerome Taylor missed a catch at fine leg.

West Indies clash with Australia in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in five days, hoping to atone for their miserable outing in the first Test at Hobart which they lost by an innings and 212 runs inside three days. (CMC)

Scoreboard

Zauffaly won’t be a surprise if he causes one in the Maiden Stakes over a mile of Chelmsford polytrack today. Significantly his third run, at this venue, was undoubtedly a career-best!

Ed Dunlop’s charge, backed into second favourite, beat the odds-on jolly, Zio Gianni, decisively but was no match for newcomer Sweet Temptation, a Stuart Williams-trained Amadeus Wolf filly which stormed three lengths clear under talented apprentice, who claimed 5lbs allowance.

Jones is set for glory next year with ordinary luck. Earlier this year, one persuaded a friend to contact Williams and utilise his services, a tidy gamble was landed in the coolest style imaginable for a teenager. You were told about Drive On! 

Whether or not Aaron rides Sweet Temptation again is open to question because she’s destined to reach a high level, which means an experienced, profile, jockey will be sought. Apprentices are not allowed to claim in group and listed races.

Zauffaly was obviously taking on a real cracker but improved several pounds on a previous useful effort on Wolverhampton Tapeta; he’ll need to replicate that to gain one of three placings.

Twice-raced trio, Imperial Aviator, Palmerston and Raven’s Quest (drawn wide!), all improved as a result of first-up appearances. They will, almost certainly, be on the premises for what promises to be an intriguing and informative event.

An extra furlongs should be ideal for Zauffaly, expect Oisin Murphy, to ride this Zoffany gelding patiently for a late surge, and glory! 

Incidentally, if the BHA persists with the ridiculous champion jockey format next year from May to October young Murphy is a serious runner as sole contract jockey for Qatar Racing!

Wolverhampton stages another eight-race programme tonight and Krystallite looks a special nap in the 2-y-o Maiden Stakes over five furlongs. What beats him will win and that’s also the case with Highest Quality in the eight-runner aged Maiden Stakes over six furlongs.

Highest Quality is trained by Williams, mount of Jones! 

Captain of the Harvard Club’s Under-19 rugby team Odell Bacchus has again been named as the junior member who best epitomises the Spirit of Harvard Awards (SOHA).

The announcement was made at the legendary outfit’s Annual Dinner and Awards held at its club house on Serpentine Road, St Clair, on December 12.

He was bestowed with the honour alongside senior member Isaac Cannon. Jerry Legal was the senior member in receipt of the award last year.

It was another great year for young Bacchus who was voted the Most Disciplined athlete in his sport for the second consecutive year and Player of the Year.

Following in the winning ways of their U-19 captain, Enrique Garcia was named the Most Improved, while Isaac Small was voted Rookie of the Year.

Honours to the ruggermen began with Mark Griffith copping the Most Improved award; Brandon Greenidge, the Most Disciplined trophy, while Keston Earle won the coveted Player of the Year prize.

But according to the honour roll published, Bacchus was not the only junior athlete under the Harvard Club banner who had been consistently outstanding in a sport. 

Hockey player Nia Cumberbatch was the other athlete delivering all-round exceptional performances and conduct.

In 2014, she was declared the Most Outstanding U-19 Player and went on to cop the Junior Player of the Year prize. This year, however, she started her climb on awards night by first capturing the Most Valuable Player prize, before proudly accepting the Junior Player of the Year 2015 accolade.

Of the three awards presented to the Cricket Reserve Team Randy Harvey captured two. They were: Best Batsman and Cricketer of the Year. His team-mate Jerome Simpson was adjudged as the Best Bowler.

When time came to salute hockey’s Championship team Chemika Ellis was called as the Most Improved Player, while Kwylan Jaggassar was adjudged the Most Disciplined.

Honours in the Trinity Team Division went to Jeannette Clare, being the Most Improved athlete and Fiona Le Blanc, the Most Disciplined. The Junior Team saw honours bestowed onto Britney Pope–Most Improved and Micaiah King–Most Disciplined; while Shania Gajadhar’s journey in the spotlight was a direct result of her ability to score the Most Goals.

Hockey completed the night’s programme by raising the award for Most Outstanding Sporting Discipline for 2015. 

​

The Honour Roll

CRICKET

RESERVE TEAM

Best Batsman    Randy Harvey

Best Bowler    Jerome Simpson    

Cricketer of the Year    Randy Harvey

HOCKEY–CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM

Most Improved    Chemika Ellis

Most Disciplined    Kwylan Jaggassar

TRINITY TEAM

Most Improved    Jeannette Clarke

Most Disciplined    Fiona Le Blanc

JUNIOR TEAM

Most Improved    Britney Pope

Most Disciplined    Micaiah King

Most Valuable Player    Nia Cumberbatch

Most Goals    Shania Gajadhar

Junior Player of the Year    Nia Cumberbatch

RUGBY 

UNDER 19

Most Improved    Enrique Garcia

Most Disciplined    Odell Bacchus

Rookie of the Year    Isaac Small

Player of the Year    Odell Bacchus

SENIOR TEAM

Most Improved    Mark Griffith

Most Disciplined    Brandon Greenidge

Player of the Year    Keston Earle

SPIRIT OF HARVARD AWARD (SOHA)

Junior Member    Odell Bacchus

Senior Member    Isaac Cannon    

FOOTBALL

Most Improved    Landon James

Most Disciplined    Shaquille Coombs

Most Outstanding     Hakim Du Bois

Footballer of the Year    Kyle Jones

Football Special Award    Johann Mendoza

SPECIAL AWARDS

TABLE TENNIS

George Lee Shee, for his commitment and dedication to Table Tennis

BASKETBALL 

Grantley Auguste , for his commitment and dedication to Basketball

HARVARD HARPS

Carl Daly, for his commitment and dedication to the band from 1993 to present

MOST OUTSTANDING SPORTING DISCIPLINE

Hockey

MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Dexter De Souza

​

Sport is an important social dimension to demonstrate genuine inclusion for persons with disabilities. According to the United Nations Enable “The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is the first legally binding international instrument to address the rights of persons with disabilities and sport.  

Article 30 of the Convention addresses both mainstream and disability-specific sport and stipulates that “States Parties shall take appropriate measures to encourage and promote the participation, to the fullest extent possible, of persons with disabilities in mainstream sporting activities at all levels".  

It also calls upon Governments, States party to the Convention, to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to sport and recreational venues—as spectators and as active participants.  This also requires that children with disabilities be included in physical education within the school system “to the fullest extent possible” and enjoy equal access to "play, recreation and leisure and sporting activities”. www.un.ord/disabilities/default.asp?id=1563

Earlier this year (April 23rd-24th) Roy McCree (UWI) presented a paper entitled “Sport and disability in Trinidad and Tobago: An exploratory study,” at a conference hosted by the Network and Outreach for Disability Education and Sensitization (NODES) and the Disability Studies Unit, UWI. The theme of the conference was “Towards Social Integration: Rights, Roles, Recognition of persons with Disabilities.”

McCree’s presentation entitled pointed out several challenges facing the development of disability sport and recreation. 

Mc Cree argues that Differently Abled Athletes (DIAA’s) use sport as a means of challenging the dominance of the abled bodied. In other words, sport provides a space for persons with disabilities to express themselves and showcase their abilities and talents just as able bodied persons do. Therefore, DIAA’s require equity in the access to all resources and the manner in which they are treated.

However, persons with disabilities are faced with several major challenges in general let alone in sport and recreation. These include:

1)    The absent of facilities that cater thoroughly for the needs of persons with disabilities who may be athletes, administrators, officials and the general spectators. Are the upgrades to recreational grounds incorporating the needs of persons with disabilities? What if a foreign sporting team through a school and or a club were to visit? Will they feel at home and or disadvantaged? Sport Tourism must also cater for persons with disabilities.

2)    Funding- there is no clear defining policy as it relates to funding to athletes with disabilities. Furthermore, a question should be raised as to whether or not there is any clearly defined strategy as part of the sport for development policy that includes purposefully persons with disabilities? 

3)    Public attitudes and stereotypes- Persons with disabilities are faced with many traditional views and stereotypes that not only marginalises but also serves to provide severe emotional and psychological pain. Too often persons are made to feel responsible for their disabilities. 

McCree made several recommendations that can go a long way toward integrating the abled with persons with disabilities in sport. These included:

1)    A public education campaign to sensitise the general public about persons with disabilities

2)    Including a course on DIAA’s as part of the Disability syllabus at the UWI

3)    Need to develop a separate sport policy on persons with disabilities. 

4)    The hosting of a conference on Sport and Disability to bring to the forefront the research that has been conducted elsewhere in the world. Such a conference can assist technocrats and other administrators in the developing of a sport policy that is very much inclusive and not exclusive to the abled.  The major disappointment on the day of the conference was the absence of relevant personnel from the Ministry of Sport who wield power on shaping national sporting policy. The last political administration talked a lot about the power and potential of sport but lack any proper strategic plan for developing sport and sport development. There were too many ad hoc disconnected plans many of which the successes cannot be objectively identified.  

It is expected that Sport and Youth Affairs Minister Darryl Smith consultative approach will extend beyond discussion resulting in all sporting policies, strategies and implementation plans strategically including sportswomen/men with disabilities.

Caribbeing filmmaker Yao Ramesar’s latest feature Haiti Bride, shot in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, premiered at the fourth Ghetto Biennale in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, last Wednesday night, receiving what Yao described as “An incredible reception,” in an interview with the T&T Guardian. “Viewers generally felt that they had not seen or heard Haiti(ians) on screen quite like this before. Some said it was the most truthful depiction they’d experienced so far…the Haitian audience said the Kreyòl dialogue was natural and full of great detail and thought the film had to have been made by a Haitian with a very sophisticated and unique style.” Undoubtedly part of the film’s appeal was “this story was contemporary, situated right after the earthquake, which makes it particularly poignant.”

 Still riding the vibes of the previous night’s screening (on a large inflatable screen in a closed-off street in Port-au-Prince’s Ghetto Lanne) attempting to equate the event in Trini terms Yao suggested; “Think a T&T Film Festival screening in Sea Lots of a film made by a Haitian director, that’s the closest approximation I can think of in terms of the experience.”

Established in 2009, the Ghetto Biennale is “a cross-cultural art festival hosted by the collective Atis Rezistans and has been held every two years since 2009 in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince. One of the primary objectives was “to enable often excluded Haitian artists to display their work to an international audience. The event strives to transform “un-navigable” spaces into creative platforms to enable artists from a broad range of socio-economic backgrounds to come together for artistic production.”

 While most of the audience at the screening of Haiti Bride were “Haitians of modest means, who loved it,” many of the visiting Biennale artists (hailing from Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, France, Germany, the UK, Hong Kong, Italy, Jamaica, Martinique, Mongolia, Oman, Peru, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland and America) also attended, giving the event a decidedly eclectic feel.

The lead actor Lentz Durand “was amazed at the finished film…as from a screen actor’s perspective, they don’t know how it’s going to look and sound, especially after the edit,” Yao explained. Also in the audience were “the core cast” for Yao’s next Haitian feature and there was “also talk about a Haiti Bride sequel, set 20 years on, when the children of the two ‘brides’ reach out to each other; one in America and the other in Haiti. Think Afrofuturism,” Ramesar said tantalisingly. 

Given that the theme of this year’s Biennale is Kreyòl, Vodou and Lakou (the communal –often Vodou- compound) Haiti Bride set off multiple resonances. The dialogue is in Kreyòl and the sound track features traditional Vodou songs sung by Cathy Francois, a 21-year old (at the time of shooting) from Jacmel. “One of the most beautiful moments during the screening was when five Haitian girls perched on top of a Tap Tap (a painted taxi) sang along to the Vodou folksong Erzulie (lwa of love). It brought tears to my eyes,” Yao recalled. Another tearful moment came with the reception of the recently deceased Raf Robertson’s song La Croix Beach—“Raf lives in Haiti,” said Ramesar in tribute to his fellow artist and Caribbeing comrade.

The screening in Haiti represents part of Yao’s “journey” as a Caribbean filmmaker committed to “the primacy of the Caribbean in the frame…the illumination of its landscape and people.” Like many regionalists or Caribbeings, Ramesar regards Haiti as “the ultimate destination of Caribbean culture and history. The first country to have  successful Balck Revolution …all roads and veins lead to Haiti, the source.” When the earthquake struck in 2010, he was shooting a (Mandarin language) feature in Barbados. The night of the quake he had a dream “of a bride and groom standing in muddy clothes in the rubble of a church (which became one of the opening scenes in the film) and decided “My next feature would be made there. I felt more than ever I needed to go there, tell stories there…some months later I arrived in Haiti, camera in hand.”

For Ramesar, Haiti Bride represents “a natural progression of Caribbeing aesthetics”, not only for its use of Kreyòl but also for what he calls the “Eyealect”—a visual correlative for our spoken dialect, a visual creole as it were…visual idiosyncrasies played out…to the cadence of a creole song and/or dialogue.” He mentions a couple of scenes from the film: “Like a blind man combing his beard with a white plastic fork in a particular rhythm” or a hairdressing scene which features two sisters, one singing to Erzulie while the other talks of love, as she is groomed for a tryst with her back yard suitor.

Bouyed by the reception, Ramesar insisted that “my work is acting out, articulating an indigenous form of its own.” Looking south and with a touch of Trini picong he mentioned local plans for economic diversification and expressed the hope that in the event of a “billion dollar film industry” he’d get a call up. “The  journey now start,” he concluded.

As we begin to collectively reel under the impact of drastically slashed national income streams and a most testing economic time, I would like to offer some thoughts on how we can best navigate through and emerge stronger in this very challenging situation.

Firstly, we must immediately have a national conversation involving all interest groups and individuals at all levels in the highest pursuit of the deepest, participatory democracy. 

And we must get as close as possible to a national consensus on the way forward.

As a resourceful, creative people, let’s look to shift from “employment and unemployment” to “entrepreneurship, risk-readiness and creativity.” So how about the workers at ArcelorMittal working with government and other interest groups to take over the steel plant?

And, who is willing to take up the challenge to generate foreign income by the daily export of appropriately pre-packaged doubles, bake and shark, bake and smoke herring, bake and buljol and mini roti for sale at specially set up retail outlets in the USA?

Or imagine, a number of mini Ambakaila-type groups leaving here every week to perform at various universities and cultural centres worldwide. 

What about a national double shift work system from, say 6 am to 12 and from 12 to 6 pm where pay cuts will be commensurate with work–hour cuts and salaries are paid weekly. 

Think about the drop in traffic; the free time available to workers to recreate or do other jobs; the new excitement and wealth-generation capabilities of this faster-moving, double-rhythm system.

And instead of a fear of “scarcity” and “recession,” how about us talking and expressing a new way of being—a mind change—if you like, which speaks of abundance, rediscovery and renewal.

Let’s see what possible if we dare to change the conversation.

Rudolph Williams,

St James

SALANDY; Lloyd Henry - born: Monday, April 20, 1931 died: Saturday, December 19, 2015 Son of Eugene and Laura Salandy (deceased). Husband of Margaret Urla (nee Coggin), deceased. Brother of the late Rolly and Sybil Salandy. Father of Carol, Susan, Gillian, Brian, Collin and Donna Salandy.

Nephew of Olive and Ellis, Foster Parent of the late Richard and Karlene) Salandy. Uncle of twelve, Cousin of many; Grandfather of Khristopher, Terrence, Steven, Marvin, Crystal, Soraya, Nicholette, Kai. Great Grandfather of Nathan Salandy. Brotherin- law of Jean Coggins-Simmons (deceased), Clayton Coggin (deceased), Claire Picou and Grace Young. Relative of the Salandy, Coggin, Lawrence, Assivero, Mendez, Superville, Picou, Young, Mollineau, Moolchan, Lezama families, Carol and Faith.

Funeral will be held on Wednesday, 23rd December, 2015 at St. John's R.C., Church Street, Diego Martin. Service begins at 9:30.a.m., sharp. Private interment. No flowers by request. For enquiries, call C&B 625-1170 or visit clarkandbattoo. com  

I am spurred to respond to the recent developments in the food vending issue around the Savannah, the latest being the complete cessation of the activity. I am of the opinion that more options could have been visited, such as more dialogue and practical solutions, and less highhandedness.

The mayor has put forward the claim of rat infestation, which I totally reject because rats generally do not proliferate in such areas and more so, because no one has been able to produce a single rodent as evidence. The mayor has offered his sympathy and understanding of the vendors’ plight, but I don’t think they believe he is being genuine in this regard.

It may be that the mayor and PoS City Corporation have a problem with the manner in which the vendors arrived there in the first place, without their consent. It’s just possible that the vendors may be caught in the crossfire between the Ministry of Agriculture and the City and hence become the casualties of war. 

If the City had a problem with the lack of running water and toilet facilities at the venue, then they should have shouldered that responsibility to provide same, in the national interest. The City would have become more visitor-friendly which would have been beneficial to our local people.

My point is, the situation could have been handled differently without running the risk of open and adversarial confrontation, in which the law enforcement agencies might have to play a part. Great responsibility means not using all the powers that you are invested with in the name of compassion and human understanding, but acting with restraint and wisdom, keeping in mind the bigger picture.

Why do we, as a people, sometimes turn down opportunities to progress alongside global trends that benefit all stakeholders. All cities of the world have areas set aside for every type of activity and nobody in authority makes it their purpose in life to make others miserable. 

Come on, let’s have a change in attitude. San Fernando has made great strides in this regard, with its row of night vendors south of Skinner Park. No one has sought to close them down for lack of running water and toilet facilities. Problems are only problems if you don’t overcome them.

Joel Quintal,

San Fernando

FURLONGE: CARL CECIL passed away peacefully on Friday 18th December, 2015. Husband of Joan; father of Christine Claverie (deceased), David and Karen. Son of the late Edward and Anita Furlonge. Brother of Jean (deceased), Hammond and Kenny. Brother-in-law of Patsy, Robert Regis (deceased), Maureen Todd and Myrna. Father-in-law of Jeffrey Claverie and Kim Furlonge. Grandfather of Samantha, Jason and Justin Claverie, Dominique and Janae Diaz. Great-grandfather of Jacob. Uncle of Lisa, Christopher and many others.

Funeral Service at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday 23rd December 2015, from St. Anthony s R.C. Church, Petit Valley, thence to the Mucurapo Cemetery. For further enquiries please contact C&B 625-1170. To send condolences, please visit http://www.clarkandbattoo.- com/.  

FERDINAND: Ethel Noeline, nee Moses, of St John's Road, St Augustine, died peacefully on Saturday 19 December, 2015. Widow of Horatius, devoted mother of Averille, Carol, Marcelle and Neil. Sister of Stella (dec.) and Gerald Moses. Grandmother of Joey and Janelle Campbell, Deneisha, Gabrielle and Maria Ferdinand.Mother-in-law of Joseph Campbell and Denise Ferdinand.

Aunt of Richard and Jackie Moses. Relative of the Moses, Davidson, Roach, Ferdinand, Julien, Pierre, Patron and Diaz families. Cherished teacher, friend and mother to many. Special thanks to the caregivers: Deborah, Josephine, Jean, Bliss and the nurses at Qualcare.

Funeral service for the late Ethel Ferdianand takes place at 10:00 am on Wednesday 23rd December 2015 at at the Holy Saviour Anglican Church, Frederick Street, Curepe. Enquiries, Lee's Funeral Directors, 663-1010.  

FARAH, PETER MALCOLM GEORGE passed away peacefully on Friday 18th December, 2015. Beloved husband of Suzette. Father of Kirk (Nickola), Rodney (Lorca), Ryan (Dominique) and Rebecca (deceased) (Jason). Cherished grandfather of Kaitlyn, Matthew, Charlotte, William, Eric, Scott, James, Ethan Y., Ethan and Liam. Brother of David (deceased) and Christopher. Son of the late George and Valmai.

Funeral mass for the late Peter Malcolm George Farah takes place at St. Finbar s R. C. Church, Diego Martin on Tuesday 22nd December, 2015 at 10:30a.m., followed by private cremation. Funeral entrusted to Clark & Battoo, 625-1170. For enquiries, please contact Chancellor Walks Funeral Consultancy, 287-0403/4.  

PATINO EDWARD George died on 7th December 2015 in St. Albans, England at the age of 79 years. He was the husband of Mary. Father of Ann. Grandfather of Zoe, Riley and Bill. Brother of Carlyle, Timothy, Zuleika, Anthony, Patrick (all deceased), Hyacinth, Kenneth, Valence, Rosalie, Patricia, Rosemarie, Stanley, Elizabeth.

Funeral service and cremation will take place on 22nd December, 2015 in St. Albans.  

Carmen Guy: Formerly of Third Street West Cane Farm Ave. departed this life on Friday 18th December, 2015. She will be lovingly be remembered as the: Mother of: Bernadette Guy and David St. Clair. Sister of: Helah Thorpe (Dec) and Montgomery Guy Snr. Aunt of: Wayne James, Sterling Samuel, Montgomery Guy Jnr, Lerone Guy (Dec) and Adrian Guy. Friend of: Elizabeth Lynch(Dec), Lenore Proute, Marjorie Piggott, Adelyn Phills, Carl Charles, Claudette Yipp, Stephanie Seales, Nelton Williams, The Findley family and many others.

The funeral service for the late Carmen Guy takes place on Wednesday 23rd December, 2015 from 2:00 pm at The St. Mary's Anglican Church, Eastern Main Road, Tacarigua followed by an interment at The St. Mary's Anglican Church Yard Cemetery. 223-2178 Ext. 556. To offer condolences to the family please go to www.belgroves.com 

BLACKMAN: FRANCIS of 18 Bay Road, St. James passed away peacefully on 16th December 2015. Husband of the late Urena Williams-Blackman. Father of Vellon, Dixie- Ann, Ricardo & Carleen. Grandfather of Naomi, Jehiel, Patrice, Aaron, Gregory & many others. Brother of Deon, Jerris, Horace & Ivan (all dec d). Brother-in-law of Joyce Blackman & Talmadge Williams. Father, Uncle, Nephew, Cousin & Friend of many.

Funeral Service at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday 23rd December 2015, from Clark & Battoo s Chapel, 11 Tragarete Road, P.O.S., thence to the Lapeyrouse Cemetery. For further enquiries please contact C&B 625-1170. To send condolences, please visit http://www.clarkandbattoo.- com/.