Guyana Times - The Beacon of Truth

14 to compete for Miss GDF crown

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:45:50 +0000

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) next Wednesday will be hosting a talent competition for contestants of the Miss GDF 2012 Pageant, which was launched as part of the Women Army Corps 45th anniversary celebrations.

Contestants of the Miss GDF 2012 pageant on stage at the poolside at Base Camp Ayanganna during the Swimsuit Competition

The pageant, which has 14 contestants from the major units and departments of the force, began on February 1 with the sashing of the delegates by their respective commanding officers at the auditorium in Base Camp Ayanganna.
The delegates will be judged in four areas: Swimsuit Competition, Fitness Competition, Talent Competition, and Evening Gown and Question and Answer segment. Apart from the sashing, the swimsuit and the fitness competitions were held on February 16 and 17 respectively at Base Camp Stephenson.
In the Talent Competition, contestants will be given three minutes to display a talent of their choice, and this competition will be held at the Coast Guard Headquarters at Ruimveldt. The pageant aims to showcase the diversity of military women, who, despite their commitment to service, are not neglectful of their traditional roles and displays of femininity.
The winner, therefore, must convince the judges of her excellent soldiering skills in several mental and physical activities. As such, the fitness competition is an integral component of the competition. It tests the contestants’ physical endurance, retention levels, combat readiness and marksmanship as they had to complete a three mile run, a memory test, an obstacle course, shoot down 10 falling plates, and engage in grenade throwing.
The pageant culminates with the Evening Gown and Question and Answer segment on Friday, March 9 at the National Cultural Centre at 20:00h and tickets cost $1000, $800 and $600.
Several activities have been planned by the WAC to celebrate their 45th anniversary milestone to acknowledge the invaluable contribution that its women have made and continue to make to the development of the GDF as an institution. These include a church service, the pageant, a day of relaxation, a debating competition, the distribution of hampers to retired female soldiers who are shut in at their homes or other care institutions, and the launching of a mentorship programme at the New Opportunity Corps.

Ramsaran inspects schools in Essequibo

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:44:30 +0000

Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran over the weekends inspected three respective schools, namely CV Nunes Primary, Cotton Field and Johanna Cecila secondary schools on the Essequibo Coast to get a firsthand look at sanitary facilities and garbage disposal systems.

Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran

Accompanied by a high level team from the Health and Education ministries, Dr Ramsaran began his visit at the C V Nunes Primary School at Anna Regina, where he spoke to headmistress Sybil Brandon about the school’s sanitary facilities and garbage disposal system.
Minister Ramsaran, while in discussions with the headmistress, was told that the regional administration did some maintenance work on the sanitary facilities just weeks ago, and it is now in working condition. However, the minister still inspected the sanitary facilities and checked the water supply.
At Cotton Field Secondary School, the minister and team held discussions with Headmistress Paulline Davis on the school’s sanitary facilities and garbage disposal system. The minister also instructed that two abandoned outdoor wooden toilets be dismantled and the area cleaned up to avoid the breeding of mosquitoes.
However, Minister Ramsaran was not pleased with the way the school was disposing and burning the garbage in the compound. He instructed that the system be discontinued because it is breeding flies and mosquitoes.

Keep them guessing

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:42:17 +0000

Historian histrionics
President Ramotar, whether he intended to or not, has certainly thrown the opposition into a tizzy with his frank ruminations on how the APNU/AFC combine rigged the last elections. The official opposition’s reactions we have already discussed. Granger school-boyishly screamed it wasn’t him and pointed fingers at the PPP. He also asked for more details after the president had given place (South Georgetown), time (towards the close of polls) and methodology (‘atmosphere not to have any PPP agents around’). The president also fingered some GECOM staff.
What is Granger looking for? The smoking pencil? As for Ramjattan, the best he could come up with was to threaten he might not show up at the next inter parliamentary talks! Is he for real? This is the only opportunity he gets to sit among the big boys. Like he did before, look for him to show up so early, the guards at OP wouldn’t even have opened the gates yet.
But the greatest storm and fury have come from the non-parliamentary opposition – they’ve certainly gotten their drawers into a knot. The Stabber News is beside itself. The Sunday editor (a frustrated, non-published historian) dashed off one of her patented virulent full page editorials, questioning the president’s proffered reasons for not objecting during the elections. To wit, possible violence breaking out. She would have none of it! The PPP, “obsessed with power would never “sacrifice an overall majority to avoid violence”.
Ah such pontifications! Such certitude! Such a historical nonsense! Our so distant, wannabe historian has certainly forgotten the history of PNC violence in 1998 that made the PPP agree to a truncation of two years from their term-of-office. And a raft of constitutional changes to favour the opposition.
But what was most revealing was the refusal of the Stabber’s Sunday editor to challenge the president’s charge that the APNU/AFC had conducted a ‘racial campaign’ in Linden. Could it be that they want to retain a fig leaf of credibility over their naked partisanship?

Copycat
But the Stabber’s staff wasn’t finished. Their daily editor, Cheryl Springer, decided to weigh in a day later. Bucking for the Sunday editorship when the incumbent returns home, Springer? You were ok on the venom and nasty insinuations but you have to work on your prolixity – you have to keep up the lies and bitterness for a full page.
Springer, after quite a convoluted reasoning process – which lost us after the first few non-sequiturs and hasty generalisations and other logical fallacies – surmised that the president had in effect indicted GECOM which should be overhauled pronto. Talk about straining at a mountain to produce a gnat! Take a bow Springer. GECOM is indicted and should be cleansed so as to have a neutral and impartial election-day crew.
But didn’t your party (APNU or AFC – take your pick, it doesn’t matter, they’re one anyway) also express some reservations about other aspects of GECOM’s staffing? Make sure you’re on the same page, ok? You might even become Sunday Editor.

Riot Act man
Tacuma Ogunseye and Aubrey Norton were on an Internet radio interview. We thought Ogunseye would be giving an update on his threat to precipitate riots in the streets if shared governance wasn’t the outcome of the last elections. You remember? The PNC/APNU shouldn’t contest the elections – the PPP/C would win it massively anyway. It was “Give me shared governance or give me death!!” The disciplined forces would have stood on the sidelines since the protesters would be ‘kith and kin”. Remember?
Well Ogunseye didn’t seem to remember – and his host, who had broken the original “riot story”, didn’t remind him. What politeness! What hypocrisy! But Ogunseye and Norton jumped on the president: it wasn’t the APNU/PNC/AFC that rigged – it was the PPP/C.
So we have one question for Ognseye: “If the PPP/C was going to win by such a massive majority, why rig?”

Man in court for stealing $10,000

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:40:17 +0000

A man was on Tuesday granted bail by Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton for stealing $10,000 cash.
Shawn Lall, 34, a painter of Lot 174 BB Eccles, East Bank Demerara, made an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of simple larceny.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that on February 20 at Water Street, Georgetown, he stole $10,000 cash property of Abiola Nelson.
Lall was unrepresented and made an application for bail.
Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield had no objections to bail. The prosecutor was not required to present any facts to the court.
The magistrate in her ruling informed the court that the defendant would be granted bail in the sum of $20,000.The matter will be called again when the defendant will make an appearance in Court One on March 14.

Two in court for narcotics, firearm and ammo possession

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:39:35 +0000

Two persons were before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton on Monday for possession of narcotics, while one of them was found with a firearm and several rounds of ammunitions.
Linsley Charles of Lot 16 North Road, Bourda, Georgetown, and Winston Jones of Lot 52 Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of possession of narcotics. However, Charles faced four additional charges: possession of firearm without being the holder of a license and three counts of possession of ammunition without being the holder of a license. Both men pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that they had in their possession 13 grams of cannabis.
Charles also pleaded not guilty to the charges which stated that he was in possession of five rounds of .38 ammunition, one 12 gauge cartridge and two rounds of .38 ammunition without being the holder of a license.
Charles also pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that he had in his possession one .38 Special Rossi revolver.
Prosecutor Jairam Luckhai stated that on the day in question, the defendant along with four others were at a mining camp, and when they saw the police approaching them, Charles was seen by civilians pulling the firearm from his waist and throwing it to the ground. He added that based on information received, the police conducted a search on Charles’s belonging during which they discovered, the ammunition.
Prosecutor Luckhai objected to bail, in relation to the firearm and ammunition charges, on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the charge.
The prosecutor added that if granted bail the defendant may not return to court when the matter is transferred to Bartica.
Prosecutor Luckhai also objected to bail on the narcotics charge, stating that whilst the offence is bailable, the defendant may pose a flight risk. The magistrate informed the court that the defendants were denied bail and the matter would be transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for February 24.

Dem want de “fat tax” get “slim”

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:37:35 +0000

A professor from North America calling fuh a tax pun fatty foods fuh save people lives. He calling it a “fat tax”. He sehin that de “fat tax” money could help mek healthy food cheaper and advertise fuh healthy eating. It sound good, but when some hear “tax”; dem does balk. Some sehin that people must be free to eat what dem want and free to get fat! Fat people worried that de tax “stigmatising” dem because dem big. Dem want fuh know why “fine” people mustn’t pay tax. De “fat tax” supporters seh that no tax in de history of taxation is ever “fine”. That ended that argument.
With some one-third of de people in de states obese, de professor see that as good enough reason fuh introducing de “fat tax” so it can reduce risk of cancer, high blood pressure, strokes, and sleeping problems. But just like that one-third, dem big ones here meking noise about this new “fat tax”. What dem forget is that Guyana already gat an old fat tax because one-third of yuh pay does end up out yuh pocket leffing a “fine” salary! This local fat tax does wuk in de reverse. It does mek some can’t sleep and give dem high blood pressure when dem see how much dem can’t tek home!
Long now plenty here calling fuh this fat tax fuh get “slim” so that dem can buy more fatty food and other things. De professor thinking that if people here eat more fatty food, he could use that fuh “fatten” he “fat tax” case in de States since de problem gon be getting global. So he gon lobby fuh a “slimmer” tax here! People rushing fuh buy red carpet fuh welcome de professor. Dem even planning fuh have a float pun Mash day fuh advertise dem cause. With one-third of dem pay not theirs, cost fuh de float is a problem. Dem looking fuh a one-man float. Dem calling those famous fat men. De phones ringing out! Ting-a-ling-a-ling…Friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie!

Courts hosts show to celebrate art and fashion

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:36:11 +0000

In keeping with the theme “Mashin with pride, keepin we traditions alive”, Courts Guyana Inc hosted a celebration of local art, music, fashion and furniture at its Main Street branch on Tuesday.

: Participants at the Courts celebration of local art, music, fashion and furniture at its Main Street branch. Also in the photo are former Miss Guyana India Worldwide Roshni Boodhoo, and model/dancer Melessa Payne, a former Miss Guyana World

Courts Guyana Inc joins the rest of Guyana as she celebrates 43 years of becoming a republic. The atmosphere at the show was festive, punctuated by popular soca music and lively chatter as patrons and other members of the public were treated to a 45 minute presentation on local furniture and other Guyanese cultural items.

On display was expertly made furniture, created from local soft woods including Crabwood and Silver Bali, and other local materials, some of which were hand crafted.
A section was set aside for the display of skillfully made ceramics, these contributed by the talented Evar Austin of the Burrowes School of Arts. Among his work were mixing bowls, storage jars and goblets, all of which can be traced as far back as slavery days. Equally interesting were the various wall paintings done by students of the University of Guyana, and Jofesa Valz of the Women’s Art Association.
Guyanese and Caribbean fashion designer and entrepreneur, Sonia Noel, was also in attendance and assisted in chairing the programme with former Miss Guyana India Worldwide, Roshini Boodhoo.

: Fashion models displaying their various outfits at Courts Guyana Inc exhibition on Tuesday that celebrated fashion, art, music and furniture

Models treated the audience to an eyeful as they showcased clothing by Noel and the former queen. Carib beer was also represented by models in their eye catching blue and yellow Mashramani costumes.
Not to be forgotten was the expressive Ruqayyah Boyer, who recited a thought-inducing dramatic poem entitled “Another One Bites The Dust”. And finally, onlookers were entertained by students from North Georgetown Primary when they performed renditions of folk songs on steel pans. This presentation was the first of its kind for the company and plans are in place to make it an annual event.

Teen gets bail for stealing gold chain

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:34:01 +0000

A teenager was granted bail on Tuesday by Magistrate Hazel-Octive Hamilton for stealing a gold chain.
Deon Granville, 19, a bartender of East Ruimveldt Squatting Area, Georgetown, made an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of larceny.
The defendant was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that on February 17 in Georgetown, he stole from the virtual complainant (VC), Marcia Williams one gold chain valued $65,000.
Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail on the ground of seriousness and prevalence of the charge, stating that the stolen article was recovered on the accused after he was apprehended by public spirited citizens. The prosecutor added that the VC was sitting in a mini-bus when the incident occurred. Granville was unrepresented in court and made an application for bail.
The magistrate overruled the prosecution’s objections, and granted the defendant bail in the sum of $150,000. The matter was transferred to Court One for March 15.

Two in court for issuing threats, assaulting each other

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:33:02 +0000

A man and woman were granted bail by Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton for assaulting and threatening each other. Lynden Roberts, 42, of Lot 42 Durban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, and Toniya Wickham, 38, of Lot 8 De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara, both appeared at Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday.
Roberts pleaded not guilty to the charge of threatening language, which stated on February 17 at Commerce and Water Streets, Georgetown, he made use of threatening language to Wickham whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned.
Meanwhile, Wickham also pleaded not guilty to the charge of abusive language, which stated that on the same day and location, she made use of abusive language to Roberts whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned. Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield had no objections to bail but asked that both parties undertake to keep the peace, since they both work in the same place.
Both parties gave the court the undertaking to have nothing to do with each other during the continuance of the proceedings.
The Magistrate then granted both defendants bail in the sum of $10,000 each. The matter was transferred to Court One for March 14.

Man attacked by pit bulls recovering

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:32:14 +0000

The elderly man, Mobarak Ali who was viciously attacked by two pit bulls early Monday morning is on the road to recovery.
Ali was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital on Monday morning where his arms were operated on to repair muscular damage that was caused by the dog bites.

Mobarak Ali is recovering after surgery on his arms to repair tissue damage

“I am feeling much better, but it was so frightening,” Ali said. He noted that the two pit bulls appeared in front of him charging aggressively; before he could run, they attacked aiming for his face and throat. Ali defensively held his arms up around his face and neck shielding himself from what could have been a fatal attack.The pit bulls continued to bite Ali on his back, stomach and shoulder before neighbours came to his rescue. Cowlin King rushed out of his home after hearing Ali’s screams, “I come out deh house and grab a piece of wood”. King also stated that he grabbed buckets of water from another neighbour which he threw on the dogs. Yet another one of the Ali’s neighbours, who did not want to be mentioned by name, grabbed a chain from the fence, but “the dogs finished with him and ran”.
King told Guyana Times that the dogs “had killed three dogs and cats already…they killed people’s pets”. Ali’s wife, Khairoon, stated that she went yet again to the Kitty Police Station to ensure that a complaint had been filed after being notified on Monday that no complaint had been brought to the station for the day. “I went to them again and told them what happened, and they said they would talk to the owner,” noted Ali’s wife.
She went on to tell this publication that the dogs have since been removed from the residence, but she feels like the owner was able to sell them or “he gave them away and they are dangerous so they need to be put down, not left to do this again”.
The dogs’ owner was unavailable to make a comment when this publication attempted to reach him multiple times. Although the dogs has exhibited aggressive behaviour in the past, Ali and neighbours all stated that they were usually in the yard except for the past few weeks when they were seen roaming the street at night. Ali was on his way to the Kitty masjid when he was attacked.
His wife said: “My husband has used this same route to go to masjid for over 40 years,” she went on to say solemnly, “I never thought something like this could happen to him.”
Ali’s wife noted that while her husband is doing very well, he is still in severe pain and doctors noted that he will need physiotherapy in the future.