A two-bedroom town house in west Trinidad costs around $2 million. A three-bedroom house in east Trinidad costs between $1 and $2 million. With few affordable home ownership opportunities in the private sector, and a lengthy waiting period for an oversubscribed Housing Development Corporation (HDC) applicant list of over 200,000, citizens are eager to buy property—even if they are vandalised or incomplete.

Yesterday, Housing Minister Randall Mitchell told the Sunday Guardian there were approximately 900 unoccupied HDC units available presently, some of which were vandalised or in various states of disrepair.

Pressed to give a concrete figure for the vandalised homes, Mitchell declined.

“The information I have is that as at June 2016 there were about 1,490 unoccupied units. Since then, we repaired about 500,” Mitchell said.

The HDC has been the target of vandals and thieves, with some homes temporarily used by vagrants for shelter.

In HDC’s Couva Development, doors have been removed from houses and windows have been smashed.

In Oasis Gardens, Egypt Village and Endeavour, toilets, doors and kitchen sinks have been carted away and windows have been shattered in some vacant units.

Evidence of someone or some people using bathrooms in the units or sleeping on cardboard makeshift beds are visible.

Some units are clearly incomplete with just the shell of the structure and roof finished, while window and door installations remain missing.

People want discounted prices

Despite this, citizens interviewed by the Guardian said they are more than willing to accept these units.

“I would take it in the morning if I was offered,” said 30-year-old HDC applicant Jason Marcano.

Marcano, who first applied to the HDC in 2007, said he has been actively looking at options for purchasing a home for the past two years.

“It wouldn’t really matter to me if they sold it as is without tidying up or putting whatever finishing touches, I’d take one.

“Housing is so hard to get right now. To me, it’s just like buying a fixer upper and no matter how you look at it, it is going to be much less than the market price.”

Marcano said in his searches, it was very difficult to find even a two-bedroom house for under a million dollars.

“I’ve been looking for houses independently as I know how long things take with the HDC but it really is too expensive for someone with a single income source, which is really discouraging for young people,” Marcano said.

Marcano’s comments were a reflection of over 400 posts on the Guardian Facebook page in response to a question on whether people were willing to accept a vandalised or incomplete HDC house.

The overwhelming response was yes, with some asking for a discounted price.

Compared to houses sold by private developers, the HDC units, which are meant to support low-income households, are affordable.

Questioned last week about whether it was fair for a homeowner to get a vandalised house at the same rate, Mitchell pointed out that the prices for the housing units are already heavily subsidised.

He said the homes were about 40 per cent subsidised and added that the HDC did not charge homeowners for land or infrastructure.

‘Bank interests too high, I can’t afford a home’

The cost of HDC homes checked by the Guardian were under market value.

According to a 2014 Joint Select Committee (JSC) Report into the HDC the cost of housing units range from $350,000 to $450,000 generally and $764,000 to $880,000 for units located in areas like Fidelis Heights and Maracas as these units were constructed at a higher cost than usual.

Even higher costs of over a million dollars have been estimated for Victoria Keyes in Diego Martin.

Kimberley Williams, a mother of four young children, said she and her husband would eagerly purchase a vandalised home, though she admitted her husband had reservations.

“He wants it for less because he says it is unfair to pay for something that isn’t finished. We spend $3,500 on rent monthly but we didn’t qualify for any of the homes we looked at in Central, so I say if we could get one and fix it up, we should be happy.”

Tespher Francois, a 28-year-old mechanical engineer, said whether vandalised or not, the HDC had the only affordable housing option.

“There is a market for more affordable housing but all the private developers focus on building million-dollar homes and all the banks want to charge so much interest you can’t afford a monthly instalment. I don’t have options, so if they offer it like that, that’s what I’ll take, either way it’s people on a ten-to-15-year wait list.”

Francois said while the wait was long, it was the only choice for some people.

Asked whether he had explored other options for buying a home for his family, he said yes.

“But how am I affording that? When you go to the bank, it’s a big runaround and the kind of instalments they want. It’s better I buy a container and live in that and when somebody say I have to move just move my container. They leaving me with no choice.”

$8M FOR REMEDIAL WORKS IN 2010

In the 2014 JSC report, the total cost of remedial works on HDC houses for the period January to December 2010 was listed as $8,118,351.69 (VAT exclusive). Additionally, $4,491,800.00 was expended on the removal of waste water from several housing developments for the same year.

The committee also noted the demand for housing was 214,000 at the time with an estimated increase of 14,000 applicants annually.

​
The Sunday Guardian was unable to get more recent figures as to the cost of remedial works per year for the HDC.

On Queen Street, in the heart of Arima, a car with loudspeakers canvassing the district on Tuesday, blaring at people to support the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) candidates in the upcoming Local Government elections was not really necessary, given that the borough has been regarded as a long-time PNM stronghold.

“Don’t let what happened in 2010 happen again” emanated from the booming loudspeakers referring to the Congress of the People’s (COP) Rodger Samuel taking the Arima seat for the People’s Partnership in the 2010 general election, however, was a wake-up call that tomorrow’s elections will not be a cake walk. Education Minister Anthony Garcia is now the MP for Arima.

Speaking to the Sunday Guardian from Photo House studio at Woodford Street, Arima, businessman Roger Belix said, “The Arima political landscape is stifling us, we’re not seeing a togetherness, there’s a lot of divisions now and through certain business communities.

“We’re seeing that tension. A lot of people are disenchanted with politicians in general, especially the Gens d’Arimes (true Arimians), and there’s a disconnect between the people and their representatives.

“It is clear that people are not satisfied. You can hear it on the ground, they’re disappointed that their councillors did not make themselves more available to the masses and everything was like for party first instead of the people.”

He said he had hope when George Hadeed was appointed Arima mayor, but he lost faith with his manner of approach to the people of Arima when he did certain things without consultation—such as moving the Arima Borough Day parade which is traditionally held on a Sunday to a Friday on August 5 this year.

Belix said the business community incurred great financial losses, the roads were blocked off and goods vehicles had to be turned back.

When Hadeed was contacted on Thursday, he said quite a number of burgesses did not come out on a Sunday and people were informed of the road closures via a PA system.

He said in retrospect he felt that the number of streets that were closed off was excessive and that they could have allowed traffic to flow much smoother.

According to Geraldine James, a Victory Street, Arima resident, jurisdiction for the Housing Development Corporation’s (HDC) Carib Gardens apartments and the road was split between the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC) and the Arima Borough Corporation (ABC).

She said the ABC would fix its side of the road and leave the side of the street that was the TPRC’s responsibility to repair, hence the road remained cracked and unfinished.

James said she would usually vote PNM and while residents backed them up, but they came and gave them empty promises.

She said in 2011, then minister of works and transport Jack Warner promised to build a retaining wall within one week on the western side of the HDC houses to prevent debris from the nearby hill falling onto the houses during heavy rainfall. The residents are still waiting.

Kurt Cain, from Bon Air, said the PNM may win again in Arima but the arrogance and the dictatorial and autocratic approach by the leader of the party was going to destroy it.

He said, however, the perception was that all the benefits were going to an ethnic minority and low-income African people who were supposed to be the grassroot supporters of the PNM had not gained anything.

When asked if he had seen any trickling down effect of resources for infrastructure and employment reaching poor people on the ground, he said Cepep did not count.

Wallerfield resident Jenny Singh, an Arima market vendor for over 20 years, said successive governments did not do anything for vendors.

She said they felt numb and she was not feeling to go and vote as she was not seeing any improvement since the PNM came in power.

Singh said the Arima MP promised when he won the 2015 general election that he would “do something” for the vendors such as build them a proper facility, but they never saw him until campaigning for the local elections came up.

Another vendor, Teresa Camacho, from Pinto Road, said no matter who was in power, it was only broken promises for the vendors and “small man”.

She said the lack of parking facilities in Arima contributed to sales dropping drastically because customers preferred to go to the supermarkets and also not face the constant threat of wreckers.

Akiel Noraay, from Malabar, said she would like to see some changes take place in terms of the crime situation.

She said education and unemployment were factors to look into to combat crime and crime statistics would fall if youths had something to look forward to. 

Perhaps it was her heightened hearing as a result of being visually impaired, but Alicia Lalite could hear me approaching while standing in the doorway of the PhD Business Administration Office at the Department of Management Studies building, University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine.

Lalite, who faced many adversities—from being bullied at Carenage Girls' Government School as the “blind coolie girl” because of her dwindling eyesight, having certain individuals discourage her from pursuing her educational dreams, to facing discrimination in the job market because of her disability—is pursuing a PhD in business administration with a specialisation in human resource management.

She proudly said, “My thesis is called 'Investigation of attitudes and perceptions towards persons with disabilities within organisations in T&T and the US.'"

Lalite, who has retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a genetic, progressive disease, said she and her brother were the first to be diagnosed in Trinidad. But that never stopped her.

She said while the Blind Welfare Association specialised in handicraft and many felt that that was where visually-impaired people should be, Lalite felt it should a be a person's choice to do handicraft if he so wanted, but it should not be the only option if that person has the capabilities and qualifications to function in a “normal” environment. She felt they should not be denied other opportunities.

“When I got the opportunity to lecture, it was like a dream come true.

“After every session I feel so good like I was on an educational high and had accomplished something.”

She said she was happy that her peers and colleagues at the university had accepted her and she in turn helped sensitise them to the perceptions and attitudes towards people with disabilities.

Lalite said the Management Studies Department staff were very supportive, her lecturers were open-minded towards assisting her and she was thankful for the assistance and grateful to the helpful Alma Jordan Library (AJL) staff and security guards.

On mobility, Lalite said once blind people were familiar with their surroundings, they were fine. Lalite commutes from Carenage via maxi taxi to City Gate unassisted, then to St Augustine, and with assistance from students and campus security guards she crosses the bustling bus route. 

She said she encountered ignorance from some sighted people on how a blind person should navigate the streets.

She recounted while walking along the streets of Port-of-Spain, people would turn and tell her to feel the edge and drag her cane and go to the right side or the end of the pavement.

She said they did not know anything about mobility, the training to use a cane and they were adamant about it.

Lalite explained that sending a blind person to go to the edge of the pavement was dangerous, he can slip off, fall into traffic, a drain and the majority of light poles and concrete poles were on the edge of the pavement, risking collisions and injuries to the blind people.

She said while many students were helpful towards her, unfortunately some UWI students have not been exposed to assisting the disabled, exhibiting a kind of apathy, and had the attitude that it would take too much of their time to help a person with a disability.

ABOUT LALITE

Alicia Lalite studied at Munroe College, USA, where she graduated summa cum laude with an associate degree, then bachelor's, and finally master's in business administration

She worked at the Blind Welfare Association for ten years as a librarian, computer literacy teacher, an instructor in adaptive technology, and a trainer to people who interacted with the blind and disabled.

Lalite also did a one-month stint at Pavi (Persons Associated With Visual Impairment) until duty called at UWI and also took up an internship at the UN.

She has taught employees at Nalis (National Library and Information System Authority) the use of adaptive technology which catered for disabled people.

Lalite also taught former president andprime minister Arthur NR Robinson.

​

Four days after he went before the Joint Select Committee (JSC) of Parliament and spoke about what was needed to make the operations of the Pubic Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) more efficient, general manager Ronald Forde has been sent on immediate leave.

His leave, which took effect on Friday, would carry him to the end of his five-year contract on February 28, 2017.

Speaking with the Sunday Guardian yesterday, Forde said before he was given the letter he was told verbally that because of what he presented on Tuesday before the Land and Physical Infrastructure JSC, the ministry was forced to do "damage control."

One of the main points raised by Forde was the idea of approaching Cabinet with regards to increasing fares. However, the ministry immediately released a statement saying that in order for an official fare increase to take effect, PTSC must first consult with all relevant stakeholders, including the public.

Forde said, "I only told the truth. We have to look at the input into the service and I had to be factual and truthful."

Forde warned other senior officials going before the JSC, in future, to be careful.

“Butter it up nicely, you cannot be factual or truthful otherwise you would end up on the breadline,” Forde said.

Asked if he would do it all over again, Forde said, "The only thing I believe in is truth, my mother brought me up that way."

​

Hundreds of thousands of voters are expected to cast their ballots tomorrow for the Local Government elections, five weeks after the date was announced by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.

In 36 days, political parties and their representatives geared up for political meetings, walkabouts and campaigning, a stark contrast to the 53 days before polling day in 2013.

In 2013, according to the Report of the Elections and Boundaries Commission—Local Government Elections, there was a 43.6 per cent voter turnout. This was equivalent to 452,031 voters out of the 1,036,731 registered to vote. This was an increase of about four per cent over the 2010 Local Government election.

In 2010, out of the total electorate of 998,809, only 390,369 voters exercised their franchise. This was equivalent to 39.1 per cent.

In 2003, the voter turn-out was 37.9 per cent while in 1999, it was 38.7 per cent.

The last election was the first time that the system of proportional representation was used for the selection of aldermen to the regional corporations. It also saw the defeat of the then ruling People’s Partnership and the return of the People’s National Movement (PNM) in many of the corporations.

In 2010, the same year it won the general election, the PP won 74 out of the 143 seats contested, the PNM copped 36 and the Congress of the People (COP) walked away with 24.

Three years later, in 2013, it lost control to the PNM. Of the 136 seats, the UNC won 46, the PNM won 84, the COP captured three and the Independent Liberal Party (ILP) also won three.

In its manifesto, the UNC listed a seven-point pledge, the first being “People will be first in development.”

Meanwhile, the ILP’s statement is “to usher in the dawn of a new era on a new political platform that promised open and transparent governance and participatory politics.”

The ILP’s candidates will be contesting seats for the Chaguanas Borough Corporation. The political parties contesting seats are the PNM, the UNC and the ILP.

INCREASE IN ELECTORATE OVER THE YEARS:

*Between 1996 and 2013, the electorate increased by 219,922.

*In 1996 – 816,809 voters;

*In 1999 – 882,699 voters;

*In 2003 – 855,919 voters;

*In 2010 – 998,809 voters and

*In 2013 – 1,036,731 voters.

Long after tomorrow passes, how will the 2016 Local Government elections campaign be remembered? With recollections of roti? Or PNM’s Local Government reform?

Ministers’ wives? Or the UNC’s manifesto proposals? Small parties’ satisfaction with the support received or plans to throw in the towel? Regrets over split votes? Or jubilation that votes were split?

Here’s the final word from some platform participants last week.

• “To stay home is as good as voting for dem (UNC)....I don’t know how they sleep at night...every time the door bell ring they looking for shiny buttons and uniform.”—Prime Minister Keith Rowley (St James, last Wednesday).

• “Kamla, when you lose this election, you could call it a day—is countdown time for you! You had five losses—you well on your way to number six! So get real. You’re a serial loser, time to roll over!”—PNM MP Marlene McDonald (St James, last Wednesday).

• “Watch Monday, the party formed from people with no government background or financiers. Watch a new dawn rising from the East ably supported by Central.”—National Solidarity Assembly leader Nirvan Maharaj (Manzanilla, last Thursday).

• “When I say come, you cometh and when I say go, you goeth— that’s the Rowley Government...if you don’t send them a message on November 28, they’ll continue to bleed T&T and make people suffer!” —Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar (El Dorado, last Monday).

• “Make sure your vote have barkhat (strength) Monday, ensure Kamla returns to power. Light them (PNM) up on election day, vote out PNM!”—UNC MP Barry Padarath (Penal, last Wednesday).

• “2016, we making the difference in Chaguanas corporation. Before and after election, we here to stay!’—ILP leader Rekha Ramjit, last Thursday).

•“To all who say Kamla must go, I say—Kamla nah leaving!”—Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar (Penal, last Wednesday).

• “We have no crime plan, we have an anti-crime plan and it starts with keeping you (UNC) out of office!”—Prime Minister Keith Rowley (St James, last Wednesday).

•“We’re not interested in who wins—UNC or PNM—we’re interested in what COP is doing. If we don’t get to control corporations, we’ll decide who will.”—COP leader Dr Anirudh Mahabir (last Friday).

• “To those thinking of not voting because they say ‘PNM ent do this’ or ‘Imbert only taxing we’—we know it’s been rough, but vote...”—PNM MP Cherrie Ann Crichlow-Cockburn (Arouca, last Tuesday.)

• “Deep disgruntlement on the ground, we’re hopeful people will talk their minds with the voting finger and translate the disgruntlement into MSJ votes.”—MSJ chairman Gregory Fernandez (last Friday)

Two people have been detained for questioning in connection with the mysterious deaths of friends Khemraj Maharaj and Mahase Motilal.

Maharaj and Motilal, who were described as rum buddies, were found bound together by the waist with rope, their eyebrows shaven off and electrical tape by a resident in front Las Vegas Recreation↔Club on Friday morning.

Both men were seen liming together by the recreation club around 8 pm, Thursday. The circumstances, which led to their deaths, are still not clear.

An autopsy at the Forensic Science Centre showed both men died from something they drank.

However, forensic pathologist, Dr Valery Alexandrov, said the substance was not lanate, paraquat or Gramoxone. Blood, bile and urine samples were sent for analysis.

Motilal’s funeral service took place under Hindu rites at the house of mourning in Tarouba and then to the Shore of Peace at Mosquito Creek where he was cremated.

Maharaj’s funeral has not yet been finalised. Detectives of the South Homicide Bureau are investigating.

The Embassy of Cuba in T&T, from today, will allow the public to sign a condolence book to honour the passing of the Leader of Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro.

Castro, who served as Cuba’s president for 42 years, died of natural causes in Cuba last Friday, at the age of 90.

Castro led the Cuban Revolution against the government of Fulgencio Batista, which triggered a bitter stand-off between the United States and Cuba that resulted in the US imposing a trade embargo on Cuba.

In a press release yesterday, the Embassy expressed its profound sadness and regret at Castro’s death.

It also informed the national population that the condolence book will be opened for signing at its premises at 74 Elm Ave, Bayshore, Westmoorings, until December 4.

Signing of the book will take place today from 2 pm to 6 pm.

However, from tomorrow, the public can sign the book from 9 am to 6 pm.

Debate has arisen on this after a young female at Piarco Airport last Friday, was seen wearing a jacket with a large logo, similar to the logo used by the terror network Islamic State (Isis).

The girl was among relatives at Piarco airport, last Friday, welcoming the five T&T men who returned from Venezuela.

The men, Dominic Pitilal, Wade Charles, Asim Luqman, Andre Battersby and Leslie Daisley were detained in Venezuela in 2014, on suspicion of terrorism. Charges were changed a few months ago to intent to commit espionage and commit a crime. They were found guilty. Time already served was factored into sentence.

Among those welcoming them back, was the girl who was seen wearing a black “hoodie”(jacket). She was seen going to greet the first of the men, said to be Asim Luqman. An older woman went to hug him. The girl followed her.

Muslim community attorney Nafeesa Mohammed, who defended the girl, claimed she was Luqman’s daughter.

Emblazoned on the back of the girl’s jacket were large Islamic sayings in Arabic, and beneath, a circle with more Arabic writing.

The design was similar to Isis’ flag logo which also has Arabic writing—“There is no god but Allah [God]. Mohammad is the messenger of Allah.” The phrase is a declaration of faith used across Islam, known as the shahada.

Underneath the writing is also a circle highlighted with more black writing, “Mohammed is the messenger of God”.

The circle is said to resemble prophet Muhammed’s seal. The logo is also on the flags of African and Middle eastern terrorist groups, Al Shabab and Al Qaeda.

The issue was also picked up by social media. Calls to the Luqman family went unanswered yesterday.

Islamic Front leader Umar Abduallah, among those at the airport, said the girl was among several present to greet the men.

He confirmed he’d told her to take the jacket off. “I told her to do so since nobody wanted to send the wrong message.”

“But such things with (Isis) symbols are all over the place, mostly youths are buying them. People wear all kinds of things in T&T. Youths normally take up all kinds of things as fashion,”

National Security Minister Edmund Dillon said, “We’re looking at the legal aspect of all aspects—anything to do with terrorism will fall under the spotlight.”

Attorney General Faris-Al Rawi didn’t answer calls concerning legislative framework on such.

However, Mohammed defended the girl, saying, “Not because something has Arabic sayings on it, means it’s Isis or it’s evil.”

“The phrases—There is no god but Allah [God]. Mohammad is the messenger of Allah‚ are the foundations of Islam.

“Many Muslims in T&T believe in these sayings as the tenets of the religion. But the sayings have nothing to do with vulgarities or abuse perpetrated by these groups (isis).”

“If you have such sayings on a jersey or jacket, it doesn’t mean you follow Isis. But some sentiments are now giving rise to Islamophobia, stigmatising everything that is Islam and misconstruing its nature. I hope people would be aware and understand we must respect each others’ beliefs.”

Scholar: Trinis like

Islamic scholar, Aziza Charles, of San Juan, who was with Mohammed, added, “The logo (on the girl’s jacket) isn’t exclusive to Isis. “

“The writing of the sayings are Arabic calligraphy. Many youths wear it. But groups like Isis ‘hijacked ‘the symbol and part of the problem also, is that everyone else around the world associates it with Isis now,”

Use of Isis’ flag displaying the logo has been banned in the Netherlands and Germany. Former British Prime Minister David Cameron had suggested it in the UK also, but that wasn’t legalised.

T&T Guardian checks revealed some sources “access” similar garment/ items, with the same design, but they’re not sold openly.

One source said: “It’s not a big thing, it’s a fashion statement, mostly by some youths. You know how fashion or fashion statements are—Trinis just like to follow-fashion. Isis is a talking point these days, so... The style passes. Is just for now.”

Other items of apparel—black or beige headgear—associated with Middle Eastern states or with the practice of Islam, are also more popular locally now than in recent years.

Last month, a middle-aged man entering the Parliament to deliver a document to an MP was asked by security to remove his pakol (round hat used in Pakistan and Afghanistan) as he was being scanned. He declined, saying the hat was for Muslim religious purposes.

The Independent Liberal Party (ILP) has expressed disagreement with Justice Ricky Rahim’s decision to decline an application made by Sunil Ramjitsingh, election agent for the ILP’s candidate for Munroe Road/Caroni Savannah Simeon Mahabir, seeking judicial review against Adrian Ali, a United National Congress (UNC) candidate in the Local Government Elections.

“On review of the reasons given by Justice Rahim for his decision, we have observed that certain pertinent sections of the law were not given the necessary attention by the honourable judge, and on that basis, the ILP will be pursuing this matter further in due course,”ILP leader Rehka Ramjit stated in a press release yesterday.

On Friday, the matter, filed by Ramjitsingh, came up at the San Fernando Civil Court.

Ramjitsingh claimed that Ali did not meet the legal requirements to qualify as a candidate and should be disqualified from contesting the election and his name should be removed from the ballot papers.

He also claimed that Ali was not residing at Clarke Road, Charlieville, but at Mon Plasir Road, Cunupia, which was located outside of the boundaries he was contesting.

However, Rahim who had deferred his judgment on Friday to yesterday, gave his decision hours before voters go to the polls.

“The ruling this morning pertains only to an application for leave to seek judicial review and is in no way a determination of the substantive issues of the de facto place of residence of candidate Ali, whether the information he inserted on his nomination form and statutory declaration are truthful and accurate, or whether he ought to truthfully be listed as an elector within the Borough of Chaguanas,” the release said.

Ramjit said these issues were not ventilated in court and would be deliberated at a substantive hearing.

As doctors remain focused on providing the best treatment and care for pregnant patients who have contracted the Zika virus, no thought has been spared as to the impact it is having on those in charge.

In a rare but candid and soul-baring interview, one of this country’s foremost public health authorities on obstetrics and gynaecology, Dr Karen Sohan, has provided an insight into the psychological and emotional effect the virus has wrought among those charged with the responsibility of ensuring the best treatment options are available to affected mothers and their unborn babies.

Dedicating the simply titled piece, The Psychological Impact of Zika, to the women she has been serving since March 31 when she was placed in charge of the Ministry of Health’s antenatal screening programme at the Mt Hope Women’s Hospital, Sohan shared another tidbit of exclusive information as she confirmed that the number of babies in which abnormalities believed to be caused as a result of the zika virus now exceeds 20.

She said, “For the pregnant women of this country, this has been a stressful period.”

Pointing to the overwhelming evidence that links the zika virus to abnormalities in the unborn baby, Sohan said, “Despite this, there were many couples who chose to continue their pregnancies. Their motivation was the overwhelming desire for a baby.”

Sohan, the Medical Chief of Staff of the Mount Hope Women’s Hospital, said the 373 women who received a total of 773 assessments were a select group—and apart from them having evidence of the Zika infection, “They all wanted their babies.”

She recounts, “Unlike the majority of ultrasounds performed at other times which were expected to be normal and therefore reassuring, in the case of my zika patients, there was always the fear that something would be wrong with the baby. The atmosphere was one of hope but there was always the threat that something sinister was lurking.”

Revealing that some patients had contracted the virus around the time of conception, while others were about to deliver, she said, “We shared information as everyone kept up-to-date with the evolving condition. It was a unique relationship for although I have been a doctor for 24 years, the doctor-patient interaction with this group was different.”

Controlled, well-informed and confident was how Sohan described her early introduction to the virus as she acknowledged that zika was a new pathology and that it would be a learning process.

“All seemed to be going well until September 5, when the 44th patient was being examined. No matter how I tried, I could not get the head measurements to correspond to the number of weeks pregnant. The head was measuring small.

“Further, as described in the international literature there was increased fluid around the brain and calcification of the cerebral cortex.

“An overwhelming sense of panic consumed me as I battled with the thoughts flying through my head. The 18 years of practising obstetric ultrasound at the highest standards allowed me to slip into autopilot and complete the examination.

“For the first time in my career, I was relieved that my back was to the patient and her husband. By now my cheeks and ears were flushed and my mouth was dry. In my head, I rehearsed how I was going to break the news to this couple. No words can describe the next few minutes as I looked into their eyes and informed them that their most-wished-for baby was indeed affected by the zika virus.

“The room was filled with such gloom and despair, the magnitude of which I had never experienced. Sadly, this scenario would play out several more times,” she tearfully related.

Admitting the scientist in her was initially fascinated, Sohan went on, “For the first time in history, a virus carried by a mosquito could harm the unborn baby and selectively affect the brain compared to other organs.

“Further, it only affected certain areas of the brain, especially those concerned with higher learning. And now, I could identify those changes on ultrasound. These were no longer images on the Internet or in journal articles but in real time that I could detect.”

Entering into a deep-seated conflict which she says is still ongoing, Sohan explained, “As I battled with my emotions, so did my pregnant women. They, too, were experiencing mixed emotions: fear, frustration and anger. Being with them became therapeutic as their expressions of gratitude for my work provided an unbelievable strength.

“ My heart was broken into a million pieces for the women whose babies were affected. Their sorrow was overwhelming.”

Pausing for a moment, Sohan quietly said, “Without a doubt, zika has humbled me. I have seen the beauty and ugliness of mankind, for during crisis situations there are those who give of themselves and others who use the calamity to promote themselves.”

Thanking her rock of support in the form of her husband Sterling and their children, Sanjeev, Sarika and Sanjili, Sohan also credited her sisters Michelle and Lindy for their unstinting support which she says sustains her both at home and in work, and house officer Dr Cathy Ann Cyrus, who has been a pillar of strength for her during the last seven and a half months.

Valentino Singh, former Guardian sports editor None of us who were alive on November 19, 1989, is likely to forget the events of that day. It was when we were expected to qualify for the World Cup finals in Italy, which were due to kick off a few months later.

But needing a point to do so, the T&T Strike Squad lost to the United States 1-0. There was chaos at the National Stadium with the overselling of tickets and hundreds who had legitimate tickets failed to get inside.

The loss, and failure to qualify, was painful for all, and several questions were raised.

I was an investigative reporter on the Sunday Guardian Desk. My then editor Therese Mills, noting my sporting background, gave me the responsibility of finding out what went wrong and why.

So began my association with Austin Jack Warner, then a FIFA vice president and secretary of the T&T Football Association.

Warner was chief, cook and bottle washer of T&T football, and every finger pointed in his direction. As mandated I found the answers which eventually led to a Commission of Enquiry.

The revelations caused much embarrassment to the T&TFA, and pain to Warner.

It was a watershed moment in my career, and a few months later I was elevated to the position of sports editor which I held for most of the rest of my stay at the Guardian.

Ironically, I wrote two biographies for Warner, —Upwards Through the Night, in 1996, and Zero to Hero, in 2006.

By that time, Warner had risen in the FIFA hierarchy and was first vice-president. He had also taken over as president of CONCACAF, in a hostile election in 1990.

The invitation to do his first book was surprising, since until then Warner and I had never spoken after the misfortunes of 1989.

As I researched Warner’s life, there was a lot to think about. Warner is as Trini as one could get, and I mean this in every sense—good and bad.

After we qualified for the World Cup in 2005, Warner hosted a media cruise aboard The Jolly Roger—a well-known party boat. We were on the seas for more than an hour when a young guest approached and reprimanded him for not having a certain drink on board. Warner promised to fix that before the cruise ended. I shrugged it off as ole talk since I was convinced that it was not going to happen and I got back to the business of enjoying the evening.

Imagine my shock when 20 minutes later a speedboat pulled up alongside and two men climbed aboard with a case of the drink which the young woman desired.

Since I was there when she complained, Warner sought me out, and shaking the bottle of Dom Perignon White Gold like a trophy, he noted: “When I say we have everything you want to drink in this party, I mean everything.”

Warner supports Argentina while I support Brazil in World Cup football. Our differences earned me a fully autographed shirt from all members of the Brazil team, which won the tournament in 2002. It’s another of the priceless items which I possess—thanks to Warner.

There’s also the Dwight Yorke autographed shirt, signed by “Anna’,” (Yorke’s nickname in Tobago) which was worn in the Manchester United treble year of 1999.

Yorke, like Lara, wrote a column for the Guardian, as did George Bovell, our only non-track and field athlete to have won an Olympic medal.

Yorke’s stint was during the World Cup in France in 1998. But I have to admit, it was difficult. Just as he was on the field of play, the former Manchester United man was hard to tie down, often disappearing at crucial moments when you needed him to provide information.

I remember the look on his face when I picked him up from the Hyatt on Ash Wednesday after he went to check in to the hotel and discovered there were no rooms available.

Not even that “Smiling Assassin” charm could buy him a room, and poor me had to drive him around for ten minutes, with that disappointment weighing down the moment, as he searched for somewhere else to stay.

I was hopeful that I could spend some space on some of my favourite people from West Indies cricket, apart from Lara. There is, of course, Sir Garfield Sobers with whom I enjoyed a coaching session as a young cricketer. He is still as witty as ever: “Well, I could not have been a very good coach, eh. I coached Valentino and he didn’t amount to much.”

And Sir Curtly Ambrose of “Curtly speaks to no man” fame. I was privileged to be one of the few sportswriters to have interviewed Sir Curtly during his playing days. “I was in a good mood that day,” Sir Curtly joked to an audience of young students at the Cascadia Hotel last year.

And there’s the eccentric Colin Croft and people such as my Queen’s Royal College heroes, Deryck Murray and Lincoln “Tiger” Phillips, two men with diplomatic skills that could be used to save a third world war.

And I still have not reached Ato Boldon whose confidence as a brash young boy was matched only by dedication and commitment to achieving his goals.

Unfortunately it is not possible to tell all the wonderful off-the-field tales with the hundreds of outstanding sportsmen and women whose careers I put the spotlight on during my stay in the sports editor’s chair.

I hope these few anecdotes help to provide an idea of the wonderful world in which I was honoured to have existed over the past three decades.

Political leader of the Independent Liberal Party (ILP) Rekha Ramjit yesterday slammed the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) for informing her party mere hours before today’s Local Government Elections that three polling stations in the Chaguanas Borough Corporation had been shifted.

So annoyed was Ramjit, she promised to write the EBC a letter tomorrow about the disturbing issue.

“We came into the office lunch time today (yesterday) and found a hand delivered letter, signed by one of the EBC’s returning officers, which was stuck under our door indicating that tomorrow (today) the locations of three polling stations in Felicity/Endeavour had been relocated,” an upset Ramjit said yesterday.

The stations have been moved from Montrose Vedic Primary School to Presentation College at Yves Street, Chaguanas.

Three polling stations are 2905, 2906 and 2010.

In the 2013 elections, Ramjit said, of the 104,000 votes the ILP had captured, in these three polling stations, they won the most votes.

“We were ahead of the People’s National Movement and United National Congress by about 50 votes, which was sufficient to make a difference.”

The ILP is contesting seven of its eight seats in the Chaguanas Borough Corporation. In 2013 they won two of the eight seats they vied for.

Ramjit said she was most annoyed by the last-minute change, since she felt the EBC could have notified the ILP way in advance.

She said delivering such a letter at the “eleventh hour” of an election would no doubt cause disarray among its voters and create confusion for the party.

“Why did we get our letter after working hours? My position is that...arrangements would have been made by the ILP to take our voters to these stations. Or they would go there themselves. This is a turn off for voters now.

“People would not want to go to these polling stations to cast their ballots. This late notice will work against us. Is this really unfair to us? Why were letters not delivered to all parties at the same time?”

On Saturday, leader of the United National Congress Kamla Persad-Bissessar told supporters at the party’s rally in Couva that they too were notified by the EBC that these polling stations in Chaguanas had been shifted.

Ramjit claimed the move was one way of stifling the efforts of the minor parties, who were challenging the PNM and UNC.

Stating that the outcome of today’s elections was difficult to predict, Ramjit said while people are annoyed with the UNC and PNM, they would still support them.

“Because voters feel these are the parties that have the power to give them a hand out. They recognise the ILP has no power in Central Government.

“It’s all about being able to get something from who has the power. We are trying to make a change in Chaguanas.”

Leader of the Movement for Social Justice David Abdulah said the party had a smooth transition for the election campaign..

“We had a few motorcades today and everything went smoothly,” Abdulah said.

Debate on the Foreign Account Tax Compliance agreement with the US (Fatca) bill will resume in Parliament soon, Finance Minister Colm Imbert says.

Yesterday, Imbert assured the controversial legislation—which facilitates US dealings with local financial entities on US citizens’ accounts—would be presented next month.

“The precise date hasn’t yet been finalised,” Imbert said.

Parliament, on a break, resumes this Friday. Parliament officials said focus will be on other matters—not Fatca.

Following the 2017 budget, Government placed the Fatca Bill high on the Parliament’s agenda.

Yesterday, UNC MP Dr Bhoe Tewarie said the Opposition has amendments for the legislation.

He added the US’ recent Donald Trump Presidential win and implications of that for the legislation, must be factored into debate.

“Given the likely position of the Trump aspect, I don’t know where this Fatca legislation in the US is going to lead,” Tewarie said.

“So reality demands we take this into consideration, even as we move diligently to ensure T&T and financial institutions are secured and security interests concerning finances are also managed.

“For instance we may have Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Caribbean FATF considerations regarding Fatca.”

The proposed T&T law pertains to the US’ Fatca agreement centred on US tax law to combat offshore tax evasion by US citizens with accounts and/or investments with foreign and non-financial entities.

The law enables all local institutions to identify and report to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on the accounts of US clients.

All banks will have to report clients with more than US$50,000 to the IRS.

Failure to comply with Fatca would mean all financial institutions and US citizens will be subject to a withholding tax of 30 per cent applied to all US-sourced income.

The legislation was urgent since lack of passage would have failed to implement the agreement and T&T’s banking sector and online financial transactions with the US would have halted, affecting the economy and T&T’s diplomatic relations with the US.

Agreement in principle was reached on the issue during the past PP Government’s tenure

The current PNM Government had hoped to finalise it by September. The bill requires a special majority, including at least three Opposition votes for passage.

But parliamentary debate in September time failed since the Opposition UNC expressed concerns about invasion of rights and other aspects of the issue.

The Opposition stated it appreciated the legislation’s importance and T&T’s international obligations and pledged to support it—but raised specific concerns.

The Opposition recommended scrutiny by a Joint Select Committee.

Imbert had said the Government would seek an extension of time from the US to comply with Fatca.

He pledged to resume debate after the 2017 budget debate, assuring the JSC would be established.

The Government had informed the US of the situation.

Imbert said the US Treasury stated since T&T had signed the agreement, showed resolve to comply and enact legislation, and submitted an action plan for Fatca compliance, T&T is now considered to have an agreement “in effect” with the US.

He stressed the US made it clear T&T will be monitored into 2017 and if progress isn’t made to achieve full compliance by the next (2017) reporting deadline, T&T would be blacklisted.

US Ambassador John Estrada has also appealed to the Government to pass the law by February 2017.

Political parties continued campaigning with motorcades down to late yesterday, ahead of today's Local Government Elections.

Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) chairman, Mark Ramkerrysingh, said the EBC had fine-tuned systems for today's polls.

"We've examined aspects and processes and feel confident—keeping fingers crossed—that everything will run to plan,"

"T&T is a much more mature electoral democracy and we're comfortable in the knowledge of that electoral process. It is citizens' democratic right to vote. We trust the law will be observed," Ramkerrysingh added.

And rain or not, there's no question of extended voting hours following recent court rulings that the EBC exceeded its power in extending hours in the September 2015 general poll.

Polls open at 6 am and close at 6 pm.

Seven political parties and four Independents are contesting today.

Campaigning climaxed yesterday with motorcades in the 14 corporation areas.

Prime Minister Keith Rowley led a motorcade in Sangre Grande while Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar was in Felicity. Both Sangre Grande and Chaguanas are election battlegrounds

The fight is largely between Rowley's ruling People's National Movement (PNM) which controls eight corporations and Persad-Bissessar's Opposition United National Congress (UNC) which holds six.

Each is trying to gain ground or take each other's turf. The PNM has a full slate of 137 candidates. The UNC has 134.

The PNM has already won Mon Repos/Navet by default. PNM's candidate Patricia Victor-Wilson is unopposed following the withdrawal of UNC candidate Daryl Soodeen, due to ill health. Soodeen and Victor-Wilson were the only contestants there.

As a result, voting will be occurring only in 136 of the 137 seats in the 14 corporations, EBC's chief election officer Ramesh Nanan confirmed.

Also, since the Mon Repos/Navet electorate—6.044—no longer has to vote, that electorate has been subtracted from the total Trinidad electorate which initially stood at 1,060863.

Following the subtraction of Mon Repos, the total electorate for today's exercise in the other 136 seats is, 1,054819, EBC said.

EBC has notified three parties contesting in Chaguanas—the PNM, UNC and ILP—of a relocation of four polling divisions in Chaguanas.

The four were relocated from Montrose (APS) Vedic Primary school to Presentation College, Chaguanas. Authorities had closed the school for health and safety reasons last week.

A section of the William Benn Memorial Baptist School, New Grant, will be used as a polling station since the school was being refurbished

Battlegrounds: East, South, Central

The ruling PNM holds corporations of Port-of-Spain, Diego Martin, San Juan/Laventille, Arima, Tunapuna/Piarco, Pt Fortin Sangre Grande, San Fernando.

The UNC holds Chaguanas, Siparia, Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, Penal-Debe, Mayaro/Rio Claro and Princes Town.

Battlegrounds are expected to be the UNC -controlled Siparia and Chaguanas corporations which PNM has targeted. Also at focus is PNM-controlled Sangre Grande corporation where the UNC is seeking to regain seats. Chaguanas features a three-way fight among the PNM, UNC and Independent Liberal Party's seven candidates.

PNM hopes to route the UNC from Sangre Grande while the UNC seeks to regain ground there which was lost in 2013 to the ILP.

The Grande fight is among the PNM, UNC and National Solidarity Assembly's five candidates.

The NSA is also contesting (one seat) each in Princes Town and Mayaro-Rio Claro corporations, where the UNC and PNM are also vying.

NSA will also be fighting the PNM and UNC in Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo .

Calypso Rose is a figure of historic dimensions in calypso. A series of firsts follows her name as a woman in calypso with a more than 50-year career that shows no sign of stopping. In 2016, she has gone beyond the normal confines of the glob-al calypso spread—inside the Americas, North and South—by being the recipient of the Womex 2016 Award, and a gold recording artiste in France.

The catalyst for the renewal of her global popularity and her exciting commercial entrée into music markets in Europe is her new album Far From Home, re-leased regionally by Maturity Mu-sic (Jean Michel Gibert/Trinidad) and Stonetree Music (Ivan Duran/Belize) and internationally by Be-cause Music out of France/UK.

The music on Rose's album harkens back to the melodies of early calypso with covers of songs by Roaring Lion, Lady Iere and Lord Pretender, and new songs that reflect and integrate the zeitgeist of the fabled golden era of calypso of the early to mid-20th century with the aural milieu of a modern era.

Producer Ivan Duran recruits Drew Gonsalves, chief architect of Toronto-based proto-calypso band Kobo Town, to shape the songs and sound of this record. calypso with a more than 50-year career that shows no sign of stopping. In 2016, she has gone beyond the normal confines of the glob-al calypso spread—inside the Americas, North and South—by being the recipient of the Womex 2016 Award, and a gold recording artiste in France.

The catalyst for the renewal of her global popularity and her exciting commercial entrée into music markets in Europe is her new album Far From Home, re-leased regionally by Maturity Mu-sic (Jean Michel Gibert/Trinidad) and Stonetree Music (Ivan Duran/Belize) and internationally by Be-cause Music out of France/UK.

The music on Rose's album harkens back to the melodies of early calypso with covers of songs by Roaring Lion, Lady Iere and Lord Pretender, and new songs that reflect and integrate the zeitgeist of the fabled golden era of calypso of the early to mid-20th century with the aural milieu of a modern era.

Producer Ivan Duran recruits Drew Gonsalves, chief architect of Toronto-based proto-calypso band Kobo Town, to shape the songs and sound of this record.

Fixed beats in the tempo and rhyming couplets in the lyrics make for pleasant listening, singing along and dancing.

The melodies on songs like  Abatina, Calypso Queen and popular single Leave Me Alone spring from the simple re-minor (pronounced “ray minor," which is D minor) harmonies evident in the calypso style of the earliest recordings, and hang on Rose's septuagenarian voice, a mix of power and fragility.

These calypsoes fit the singer without attempting to create any radically different framework for the Calypso Queen of the World.

This review, by its nature, is from the perspective of the island native accustomed to and knowledgeable about calypso and Rose's place within the genre.

An objective analysis of this album, however, would consider the merits that serve the function of any commercial recording: to sell copies more than to display the art of calypso.

The labels'“aesthetic formula was directly shaped by the commercial imperatives of achieving airplay by developing a crossover sound,” to quote professor of popular music, Mike Alleyne. One can't fault that.

A lynchpin for the outward vision of the production and marketing of this new album is the presence of French-Spanish anti-establishment agit-rocker and music rebel, Manu Chao.

He is global pop's most important star, a Bob Marley-like figure, and he stamps his “third world troubadour” persona on these songs, which all have his name on as co-writer, additional producer or arranger, the perquisite of a modern music business.

Chao's name lends a kind of hoped-for certainty that this music finds a listener base in markets out-side the norm for calypso, namely Europe and Latin America. We hear on some of Rose's compositions—

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, I Am African and Wah Fuh Dance!—the urge to break free and jam in that old soca way, but this is not soca.

This is World Music: exotic and hedonistic to the foreign ear.  The spirits of Ed Watson and Art DeCoteau are hemmed in sonically and emotionally. Authenticity gives way to commodity.

World Music, that label that bundles the “other” music into a category for sales and unique marketing, is both a godsend for and a mockery of calypso. It is said that the “World Music” genre has allowed artistes to gain international record sales, tour income, boosts to their self-esteem and local economies and often their very culture, in organised commercial international markets.

The commercial streamlining of the music which sanitises its “emotional dynamics” to render it homogeneous and formulaic is also noted.

Both self-styled “tropical gangster” Kid Creole & the Coconuts (Annie, I'm Not Your Daddy) and neo-swing band Squirrel Nut Zippers (Hell) were imitating Cab Calloway and bringing early calypso melodies into pop music in the 1980s and 1990s, and were selling plenty records.

Far From Home brings the sonic aura of those acts into the 21st century.

This music is the revival of the cult of nostalgia, not solely of the style of the calypso music, but of the veteran artist making new waves in the global music industry almost as an anecdote to a storied career.

Ageing "Third World" music stars are resurrected late in their careers, are scrubbed, repackaged and discovered by a new audience.

In the 1990s, Cesaria Evora, The Jolly Boys, and Buena Vista Social Club enjoyed late career international acclaim and performance opportunities outside their home-lands. (Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones, ironically, don't get bundled into this category.)

In 2016, Calypso Rose has an opportunity to join this illustrious company of global stars whose light has never diminished despite being unseen by the world for decades.

A secret no more, an adoring public awaits as she steps on the world stage far from home.

REPACKAGING CALYPSO

The image of Rose on the album cover is a cartoonised version of an original Richard Holder photo-graph obscuring the true image of the artist.

Vintage calypso records imagined calypso music as un-peopled where the singer was in the back-ground and the idea of hedonism, the hint of sexuality, the thrill of the exotic, and the caricature of the tropics were given prominence.

Sinewy dancers, puff-sleeved natives in straw hats and come-hither women graced album covers, in the main.

Miles Davis and James Brown have had their faces removed from album covers and replaced with white models to sell their product in the US.

Rose was removed from a cover of her 1968 album Queen of the World, not to be replaced by an inanimate object, but reimagined as a dougla siren.

We hear on some of Rose's compositions— Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, I Am African and Wah Fuh Dance!—the urge to break free and jam in that old soca way, but this is not soca.

This is World Music: exotic and hedonistic to the foreign ear.  The spirits of Ed Watson and Art DeCoteau are hemmed in sonically and emotionally. Authenticity gives way to commodity.

World Music, that label that bundles the “other” music into a category for sales and unique marketing, is both a godsend for and a mockery of calypso.

Complaints and accusations about election irregularities arose in various places yesterday, but one thing all political parties noted alike was an initial low voter turnout.

The late opening of some polling stations, sudden shifts of others and alleged canvassing were all part of yesterday’s Local Government election issues.

Complaints came mainly from United National Congress officials as well as some People’s National Movement areas.

A very slow voter turnout in the morning picked up a bit in the evening before close of polls.

Among complaints, UNC attorney Saddam Hosein said police were called in after he lodged a complaint that a PNM mock polling station was situated too close to the real polling station at ASJA complex, Charlieville.

“Rules are clear, there must be no gathering 100 yards from the station and the PNM’s election paraphernalia was in clear sight. Election and Boundary Commission officials measured it and PNM’s station was moved. Our station across the road was also moved,” Hosein told the Guardian.

Hosein said a similar situation occurred at the Charlieville Presbyterian school, where he also filed a report to the EBC on alleged canvassing by people dressed in blue in a station wagon.

The EBC came in for stiff criticism from the National Solidarity Assembly (NSA) and the UNC regarding late notice on a shift of polling stations in the California-Pt Lisas seat.

The EBC issued notice of this around mid-morning yesterday. Polling station 3185 was shifted from Esperanza Primary School to the Dow Village Primary School. Polling station 3190 was shifted from Dow Village Primary to Esperanza Primary.

NSA leader Nirvan Maharaj, also noting a low turnout even in the afternoon, said the shift affected NSA voters who were unaware the stations were shifted and some returned home.

UNC MP Rudy Indarsingh, at 4 pm, said, “We’ve filed a complaint with EBC’s CEO Ramesh Nanan. It’s highly suspicious, shifts were done so suddenly in this PNM-held seat. EBC didn’t notify any level of the UNC. Voters were confused and upset—totally unsatisfactory on EBC’s part.”

UNC MP Barry Padarath said the polling stations at Presentation College, San Fernando, didn’t open until nearly 8 am—instead of the mandated 6 am time—due to late police presence. He noted low turnout also.

In Princes Town, Padarath said the Corinth and Cedar Hill stations were split and shifted and UNC officials weren’t notified of this until yesterday morning.

“When we asked why, the returning officer said the EBC was supposed to tell us. We reminded him he was an EBC representative. We asked him to put in writing the date of the late notice, which was done without consultation, in order for us to report it to EBC.”

Movement for Social Justice Leader David Abdulah, acknowledging low turnout also, said the presiding officer in two Point Fortin areas refused to allow MSJ polling agents into the station. This was resolved.

Some negativity occurred - EBC

Some “negativity” occurred in yesterday’s Local Government election due to administrative error concerning the California-Pt Lisas seat, Elections and Boundaries Commission chief election officer Ramesh Nanan confirmed.

He was commenting on the switching of polling stations in Esperanza and Dow Village which was done yesterday morning. He said it was an error by the Returning Officer for that seat.

He said minor hiccups and “human error” affected processes in some areas yesterday.

Asked about other alleged issues—including the shift of stations in Princes Town—Nanan said any report would be attended to. He said the EBC had had reports that voting was a “bit slow, but continuous.”

PNM HITS ALLEGED UNC CANVASSING

PNM officials in St Joseph brought in legal assistance yesterday to deal with alleged complaints of Opposition canvassing, the T&T Guardian was told.

The matter occurred at polling stations at Cipriani Labour College, Valsayn.

PNM general secretary Ashton Ford also said he’d noted a low turnout, but declined comment on what might have caused it.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, who had noted a low turnout when he voted around 8.30 am yesterday in Westmoorings, was asked about alleged UNC campaigning. Rowley said he hadn’t heard of it himself, but wasn’t surprised.

“If this (complaint) is so, it’s a matter for the authorities. If there were complaints in any particular district, we have observers and scrutineers who will handle that.”

On perceived election violence, including the alleged recent shooting of an Independent candidate,Rowley said the violence was a disturbing development.

“Nobody wants the contest for office to get beyond verbal exhortations. Violence of any kind is to be abhorrred,” he said

“I saw comments from security authorities regarding Palo Seco where it might not be attributed to the election campaign. But a candidate being shot in elections can only be listed as election violence unless you can show evidence to the contrary. This is a very serious development which ought not to be encouraged and the perpetrators ought to be found and dealt with immediately.”

Tobago police are probing the circumstances surrounding the murder of 29-year-old Crystal Tobias-Busby, a registered nurse attached to the Scarborough General Hospital.

According to reports, Tobias-Busby had an altercation with an estranged male relative at her Plymouth home around 3 am, when he stabbed her several times about her body while her two-year-old child was next to her asleep. The child was unharmed.

Close family friend and neighbour Leiba Mathews-Julien said she heard someone shouting to get the ambulance and initially thought it was the victim’s grandmother who had died.

“I ran up the street and I saw her (Tobias-Busby) sitting on a chair in a corner of the porch just drenched in blood,” Mathews-Julien said, adding she had to call for help to apply pressure to the several stab wounds as best as possible until the ambulance arrived.

She was rushed to the Scarborough General Hospital where she died. Sources said she was stabbed in her chest, which punctured her lungs, abdomen and inner right thigh.

Tobias-Busby, a midwife attached to the Scarborough General Hospital, would have celebrated her sixth wedding anniversary today.

Close relatives and friends described her as a jovial, humble and loving individual. However, Mathews-Julien said the victim was in an abusive relationship, causing Tobias-Busby to seek a protection order.

“It was an abusive relationship. She has had numerous reports in the station,” she said.

The T&T Guardian understands that the 32-year-old male relative was arrested at his Canaan home a short while after the attack and is assisting investigators with their enquiries. In an unrelated incident, despite heightened police patrols in the Enterprise, Chaguanas area over the past week, Celestine Lewis was killed in the open.

According to police reports, Lewis was standing along Dass Trace around 4.40 pm when a gold-coloured car pulled alongside him. Two men came out and shot him, got backinto the and escaped.

Police officers were up to late last night at the scene carrying out investigations.

President of the Inter-Religious Organisation Bro Harrypersad Maharaj says that T&T has lost its moral and spiritual values.

Maharaj was commenting on two recent robberies at churches along the East/West corridor in the past month.

The latest incident took place on Sunday, when a bandit pretending to be a member of the congregation robbed the Arouca RC Church after collection was taken up by parishioners.

In an interview yesterday, Maharaj said this was a cause for concern since the main chalice (a goblet) was stolen from a Catholic church in San Fernando years ago and Fr Jacques Hamel was killed during a morning mass in France in July by Islamist extremists.

“Generally people have lost the fear for God and they go and break into these places (churches). The priest had his throat slit.

“It is unfortunate where religious leaders are faced with demons when you look at crime and the murder.”

He said the IRO’s peace march held this past weekend was to bring some sense of morality to society.

“I condemn the theft of these places of worship. People make sincere donations to serve society and when they don’t have funds it will deprive society and the community,” he said.

Maharaj said the general public and parishioners should be careful and monitor strangers.

“Welcome them but you will monitor when and if they leave, you have to be careful when you see strange people around.

“Maybe they should start having armed guards around and sometimes the police can’t catch up with these people,” he said.

He said this was a matter of concern for the Government as criminality could be blamed on a lack of jobs and frustration.

“It is getting really bad and no one is safe any longer. We are living in different times and it is unfortunate,” he said.

A member of the Arouca RC Church congregation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the money was stolen after church members collected the tithes and offerings.

“He (the bandit) pretended to be a parishioner. Is not to say he was outside. He was seated with the congregation and grabbed the money.”

She said a scuffle ensued between the thief and the usher before he revealed his hidden firearm.

“He showed him his gun and other parishioners ran behind. We should change the way we handle the cash. We can’t be afraid to live for our life, I go with God,” she said.

The parishioner said the church had many who introduced themselves but no one would expect such an occurrence.

“It is different now and things have really changed,” she said.

ARCHBISHOP TO HOLD SECURITY MEETING

Roman Catholic Archbishop Joseph Harris said that he will be holding a meeting with his fellow members of the clergy today (Tuesday) to discuss the issue.

“I heard a fellow (bandit) walked out with the basket. I have a meeting with the vicars tomorrow and we will talk about it.”

Harris said that this problem was due to a lack of respect.

“Of course, it is a lack of value and the sense of the sacredness so that no place is sacred any more. There is a coalition between respect for the human person and sacred places.

“There is sense that the church is a sanctuary therefore the presence of law enforcement does not seem to be appropriate. I will discuss with our clergy,” he said.

Newly assigned Northern Division head Snr Supt McDonald Jacob said the police went to the church to investigate the incident but no official report had been made.

He said officers heard about it and visited the area where they found a plastic gun.

“We didn’t get anyone to interview to get all the facts and no official report was made except through 999 (emergency hotline),” he said.

Jacob said it could be one individual, a copy-cat or the same person and officers would pay attention to the churches when they have services.

An acting police superintendent and female Special Reserve Police (SRP) officer appeared in court yesterday charged with misconduct and perverting the course of justice.

Acting Supt Wayne Thongs and SRP Dara Spencer appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Nanette Forde-John in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court on charges arising out of an investigation into Spencer’s salary claims to the T&T Police Service.

Spencer is accused of misconduct in public office through dishonestly obtaining $481 from the TTPS by falsely pretending to have performed duties using falsified duty sheets.

Spencer, 40, who was last assigned to the Rapid Response Unit (RRU), is alleged to have submitted the false claim in February last year while she was on duty at the Mon Repos Police Station.

Unlike full-fledged police officers, SRPs are required to complete 40 four-hour tours of service a month before they receive their salary.

Thongs, 55, last assigned to the Western Division, was charged with perverting the course of public justice by instructing a police officer to give Spencer a document which was part of the investigation into her affairs.

Both officers were not called upon to plead to the charges which were laid indictably. On Friday, Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard gave police instructions to charge the two after reviewing the investigator’s file.

Thongs and Spencer were detained separately by Fraud Squad detectives last Thursday and were released on $80,000 and $60,000 station bail respectively after being charged on Saturday.

As they were already on bail when they made their first court appearance yesterday, Forde-John merely certified the station bail they received from a Justice of the Peace over the weekend.

Thongs was represented by Ian Brooks and Dr Kenneth O’Brien, while Cedric Neptune appeared for Spencer.

They are expected to reappear in court on February, next year.