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Business start-up made easier

By
Shaqueal Benti
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From left, Head of European Delegation in Jamaica, Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, Fayval Williams, Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Therese Turner-Jones, General Manager, Country Department Caribbean Group, Inter-American Development Bank, and Diane Edwards, President of JAMPRO, at the launch of the Electronic Business Registration Form (eBRF) by the Companies Office of Jamaica at The Jamaica Pegasus in New Kingston on August 7.

COJ launches Electronic Business Registration Form (eBRF)

Entrepreneurs wanting to start business in Jamaica will now have the option of doing so at their own convenience with the launch of the Companies Office of Jamaica’s online platform, the Electronic Business Registration Form (eBRF).


The eBRF will convert the paper business registration form into an electronic version, and will allow business operators to register their business name and company from wherever they are in the world and from the convenience of their home.


For persons without Internet access or a computer, the COJ will have kiosks set up at Tax Administration Jamaica offices, at the Companies Office of Jamaica and the Jamaica Business Development Corporation office.


Speaking at the launch at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on August 7, Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Audley Shaw, under whose portfolio the COJ falls, informed that the launch of the eBRF represents the first online business name registration platform in the Caribbean.


“This is a major achievement for the COJ and Jamaica on a whole towards the modernization and transition to offering world-class service to our clients. The ability to register easily as part of the ease of starting a business is a significant initiative heading in the direction of getting more formality in the economy,” Minister Shaw said.


FOCUSSING ON CRITICAL AREAS


Minister Shaw added that the Government is committed to further improvements in the business environment and that we have to continue the momentum and focus on other critical areas such as the cost and ease of paying taxes, and trading across borders.


“We cannot become complacent. We are committed to working with all stakeholders to improve our business environment, create more jobs, and make our country the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business,” the Minister added.


Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who gave the keynote address, commended the work of the COJ. He noted that the Government is moving in a very deliberate way to integrate technology in its daily operations.


“This agency of Government has led by example by being one of the first agencies that has embraced the use of technology, and has re-engineered its business process to improve its efficiency. We are now on the upswing of the digital era. Let us take advantage of it. Let us embrace it. Let us not fear it,” the Prime Minister added.


The eBRF is a project of the Companies Office of Jamaica and the Office of the Cabinet, implemented under the Public Sector Transformation and Modernization Programme, with funding from the Inter-American Development Bank.

Audley Shaw (right), Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, converses with Prime Minister Andrew Holness, at the launch of the Electronic Business Registration Form (eBRF) by the Companies Office of Jamaica at The Jamaica Pegasus in New Kingston on August 7.

RITA MARLEY AND SIZZLA HONOURED

By
Shaqueal Benti
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15
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (centre), congratulates Jamaican Entertainer, Mr. Miguel Orlando Collins, also known as Sizzla Kalonji (left), after accepting his Reggae Icon award at the Jamaica 57 Independence Grand Gala, held at the National Stadium on Tuesday (August 6). Sharing in the moment is Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Fayval Williams.

On Tuesday, August 6, at the Independence Grand Gala, held at the National Stadium in Kingston, two of Jamaica’s biggest stars, Alpharita Constantia ‘Rita’ Marley, OD, and entertainer, Miguel Orlando Collins, also known as Sizzla Kalonki, were honoured for their contribution to the development of the music industry by the Jamaican Government.


Both stalwarts received the Reggae Icon Awards, which were presented by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness; Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, and President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency, Uhuru Kenyatta, during the Jamaica 57 Independence Grand Gala.


Prime Minister Holness said that Rita, widow of one of Jamaica’s pioneers of reggae, Bob Marley, was chosen for this award because of her contribution to the development of the foundation of reggae music, while Sizzla was awarded because he is one musician who has built on that foundation with positive music.


Sizzla, who gave the response on behalf of both awardees, said he is grateful to the Government and the nation, by extension, to recognize him for his contribution to nation building.


“I’m most honoured and most thankful in receiving such an award from such [a] noble nation, people and beautiful Government in the Western Hemisphere. It comes as a bit of [a] surprise,” Sizzla said.
Sizzla was born on April 17, 1976. He was raised in August Town where he still resides. He emerged on the reggae and dancehall scene in the late 1990s with hit singles, such as ‘Black Woman and Child’, ‘Thank you, Mama’, ‘Dry Cry’, ‘Just one of those days’ and ‘Solid as a rock’.


He is one of the most commercially and critically successful contemporary reggae artistes, noted for his high number of releases. As of 2018, Sizzla has released 56 albums.


Outside of the music industry, Sizzla has contributed to community development by establishing the Sizzla Youth Foundation which assists youth in August Town in overcoming their struggles and providing a haven from violence.


He also established ‘Judgment Yard’, by turning his August Town home into a Community Centre where he welcomes the community and organizes community activities.


Rita was chosen for her award not only because she is the matriarch of the Marley family, but also because she has been a leading member of the Jamaican music industry from her early days as a singer, to her collaboration with Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffiths who formed the ‘I Threes’ – the former backing vocal group for Bob Marley and the Wailers.


She was also chosen because she has pioneered the development of reggae as a musical form and for contributing to its growth and popularity in Europe, Africa and around the world.


Rita, who was born in Cuba to Leroy Anderson and Cynthia Jarrett, grew up in Greenwich Town, Kingston. Her musical career began in the 1960s. In 1986, she converted Bob Marley’s home into the Bob Marley Museum, which is currently the number one tourist destination in Kingston. She is also the Founder and Chairperson of the Robert Marley Foundation and the Bob Marley Group of Companies.


In 1996, Rita was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican Government. In 2000, she created the Rita Marley Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to alleviate poverty and hunger in Jamaica and other developing countries.


She received the Marcus Garvey Lifetime Award in 2010, and on August 3, 2013, she was made an Honorary Citizen of Ghana by the Ghanaian Government. In November 2015, she was awarded with an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree by the University of the West Indies.
On Tuesday, the Government also announced that Rita will be honoured with the fifth highest award in Jamaica, the Order of Jamaica (OJ), on Heroes Day in October.

Alpharita Constantia “Rita” Marley, OD (in wheelchair), accepts her Reggae Icon award from President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, during the Jamaica 57 Independence Grand Gala, held at the National Stadium on Tuesday (August 6). Sharing in the moment are: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right); Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (left), and relatives of Mrs. Marley.

WILLIAMS WINS JAMAICA LUNG SUPPORT 5K WALK

By
Shaqueal Benti
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2
INAUGURAL WINNER: Tyrone Williams from AZUL Beach Resort in Negril smiles as he accepts the first place trophy from Marie Scott , Support Coordinator at Jamaica Lung Support after winning the inaugural staging of the Jamaica Lung Support 5K Walk held in Montego Bay on Emancipation Day.

Tyrone Williams of Azul Beach Resort in Negril won the inaugural staging of the Jamaica Lung Support Pulmonary Disorder 5K Awareness Walk, staged in Montego Bay on Emancipation Day.

Second place went to Keith Fegan, while Williams’ teammate, Denva Montique, brought further glory to the Azul Beach Resort by placing third.

The walk commenced and ended at Gantry Road at Fairview Shopping Centre, onto to Howard Cooke Boulevard and to the Urban Development Corporation’s playing field and back to Gantry Road.

Marie Ricketts-Scott, Support Coordinator, Jamaica Lung Support, indicated that the 5K walk was staged as part of efforts to raise awareness about the seriousness of respiratory diseases and bring attention to challenges facing those affected by respiratory disease .

Ricketts-Scott further explained that despite lung diseases killing 4 million people every year, most people are ignorant about lung diseases.

“Most people, when they think about the lung, think about lung cancer. However, there are diseases which can affect the lung outside of cancer. One such is Pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is the progressive scarring of the lung for which there is no known cure and, in most cases, the cause is unknown. The disease is termed Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) when the cause cannot be identified,” she explained.

She noted that there are currently no facilities in Western Jamaica catering to individuals living with respiratory diseases; such as interstitial lung diseases, COPD, or Pulmonary Fibrosis, etc. Individuals living with these conditions are forced to travel to Kingston for care.

The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) mortality causes report shows respiratory disease as the fifth biggest killer in Jamaica.

TEAM MEMBER OF THE YEAR LANDS ANOTHER WIN

By
Shaqueal Benti
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266
Sandals Negril’s Club Sandals Manager, Shenade Quarrie (former concierge agent) (centre), collects her awards from resort General Manager David Latchimy (left) and Hotel Manager, O’Brian Heron, after being named Diamond Team Member of the Year at the Annual Prestige Awards.

In May, when one of Sandals Negril’s Club Sandals Agents, Shenade Quarrie, was announced as the Diamond Team Member of the year 2018, the ballroom at the Negril Hills Golf Club erupted with cheers and screams as she undoubtedly deserved the coveted title. And last week, Quarrie triggered even more screams, cheers of glee, hugs and congratulations when she was announced as the new Club Sandals Manager for Sandals Negril, leading a team of 18 persons.


Club Sandals is the department responsible for giving guests personalized concierge services that may include preparing vacation itineraries, making reservations, handling guests activities on and off resort, as well as hosting special events for guests.


“Even with the absence of a manager and a supervisor, Shenade has really been carrying the Club Sandals mantle efficiently and with pride,” General Manager, David Latchimy said, ahead of the announcement.
He was right. Quarrie’s team underwent a transition recently and she was quick to jump in and fill the gap. This saw her handling the arrival of club level and butler guests, preparing her team’s weekly schedule, representing in Heads of Department meetings, daily shift meetings and other things required of a supervisor, while still carrying out her assigned tasks as a club sandals agent. She is well rounded.


In fact, people will see her assisting with tasks outside of her job description and admit they wouldn’t extend themselves the way she does. But she is never deterred by that as she is a positive human being at heart and that is evident in her day to day approach on resort.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHO IS WATCHING


“I always share with my team members that people will try to spew negativity but we should never allow that to slow us down because in all that noise, you never know who is watching,” she said.
Her work ethic has been unmatched ever since she stepped through the gates of the Sandals owned Beaches Negril as a hospitality trainee in 2009.


“After graduating from the Hospitality Training Programme, they never actually had me wait for a call back; I just continued working at the front desk. I think this was because I was an outstanding trainee,” she shared.


Quarrie was later sent to Sandals South Coast (then Sandals Whitehouse) to work in the Concierge department after being recommended by a manager at Beaches Negril. There, she worked assiduously, copping several awards before leaving in 2011 to assist a family member who had started a customer service business.


WON ALMOST EVERY AWARD


She rejoined the company in 2015, this time at Sandals Negril where she has since been a booming success story. Quarrie’s list of accolades is illustrious. She has won almost every team member recognition award from approximately 15 categories observed on the resort on a monthly basis.


“It always makes me so proud whenever I win anything. Everyone knows I cry easily and this is because I know my journey has been met with its fair share of challenges. There were days when I had to cry or just take a walk. I’ve even felt like giving up but I have grown and now I know how to maneuver challenges,” Quarrie explained.


Apart from her latest award- her promotion, Quarrie is still basking in her Team Member of the Year moment and says she is happy she did something great in the eyes of her four year old son.


“On the night when my name was announced as Diamond Team Member, my son was the first person who came to my mind. I was like, ‘I did it for us, Amairy’,” she shared.

A smiling Shenade is captured after her recent promotion to Club Sandals Manager was announced to the team.

$8.4b Rhyne Park Housing

By
Shaqueal Benti
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346
TURNING THE SOD: Signalling the start of construction of Rhyne Park’s $8.4 billion housing development by jointly turning the sod are (from left): General Manager of Henan Fifth Construction Group (HFC), Baoguo Chen; Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr; Prime Minister Andrew Holness; Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett and Housing Agency of Jamaica Chairman, Norman Brown. – CWP photo

Some 754 families and individuals hoping to have their own homes, will have that opportunity over the next three years through an $8.4 billion investment at Rhyne Park in St James.

Ground was broken for the development last Friday with Prime Minister Andrew Holness heading the list of those turning the sod. He said the mix of housing solutions will include 100 one-bedroom apartments at $7.9 million each; 60-two-berdroom apartments at $12.3 million each and 426 two-bedroom single family homes at $12.4 million each. There will also be 122 townhouses being sold at $14.5 million each and 46 three-bedroom townhouses for $18.5 million each.

The development is a project of the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ) in a joint venture agreement with the Chinese conglomerate, Henan Fifth Construction Group Company Ltd.

The multi-billion dollar budget cost covers provision of residential amenities, as well as infrastructure of a road network, water supply system, drainage and central sewerage.

Prime Minister Holness stressed that the partners had to stick to the joint venture agreement and ensure the project finished on time and on budget, as failure to do so would not be a cost on the Government of Jamaica.

He noted, however, that given the terrain and location of the 96 acres, there were issues relating to access that had to be carefully considered and addressed by the St James Municipal Corporation, the National Works Agency and the HAJ. Approval has already been given by the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA).


TOURISM WORKERS TARGETED

Member of Parliament for East Central St James and Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, welcomed the development, noting it would help to meet the growing demand that the tourism industry was creating in that area. Tourism workers, teachers and other professionals are being targeted for sale of the houses.

He said Rhyne Park would become part of a bigger dormitory community development which already has over 2,000 houses in another part of Rhyne Park and Rosevale. With ground to be broken sometime soon for a 1700-room Hard Rock casino hotel on the beach front opposite Lilliput, and another major development in the pipeline, Mr Bartlett saidthe accommodation subsector had to expand to meet the needs of the workforce for the over 6,000 hotel rooms that will be operating in the Rose Hall area.

Speaking with an interpreter, General Manager of HFC Baoguo Chen committed that as developer, the company which has an enviable worldwide reputation for quality and engineering production, would focus on meticulous construction to guarantee the smooth completion of construction work on schedule.

Financing has been approved by Bank of China, the design almost finished and the construction team already in place and 70 percent of the workforce will be Jamaicans.

Also speaking at the ground breaking ceremony were Chairman of HAJ, Norman Brown; Mayor of Montego Bay, Homer Davis; Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr and HFC partner, Patrick Wong, with Custos of St James, Bishop Conrad Pitkin giving the opening prayer.

While the Rhyne Park development will respond to the housing needs of low to middle income earners an existing informal settlement on the property will be integrated with the greenfield development.

Flashback to Emancipation Day Vigil 2019

By
Shaqueal Benti
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2
These women seemed to have been locked in a competition as to who could do the Ska better.

The Annual Emancipation Vigil was held at the historic Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay on Wednesday, July 31. The vigil featured performances from 2017 Big Stage Winner Jada Messam, Hiya Sight, Ras Bagga, Singer J and the Inspiration Band, with the inimitable Ernie Smith closing the entertainment segment, unleashing a plethora of hits including, “Life is Just for Living”, “Pitta Patta”, “One Dream” The Living Years” as he had the audience begging for more.


Mayor of Montego Bay Councillor Homer Davis who gave the official welcome urged the citizenry to do all in their power to secure and protect the children, while advocating for the full brunt of the law to be meted out to the offenders.


Custos Rotulorum of St. James, Bishop Conrad Pitkin, read the official Emancipation Declaration at midnight and Councillor Dwight Crawford, Community and Civic affair Chairman of the St. James Municipal Corporation, lit the symbolic Flames of Freedom, a practice which has roots to the Kensington Estate being set ablaze in South St. James in 1831, to signal the slave rebellion.

Cambridge win table-topper

By
admin
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1174
MOVING AWAY: Stephen Hood of Flanker (right) moves away from the incoming tackle of Rennair Barnes of Cambridge, in action from the Sandals Resorts International St. James Football Association Under-20 Football Competition, being played at the UDC playing field. Cambridge clipped Flanker 2-1 in that encounter. Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts photo

Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts

Cambridge’s impressive stroll in the St. James FA’s Sandals Resorts International Under-20 Football Competition has continued following an efficient 2-1 victory over the previously in-form Flanker at the UDC field.

The prolific Shaquille West and Okeeno Allen struck the back of the net for Cambridge as they won the battle of the top two and opened up a solid four-point advantage with two rounds of matches to go.

Cambridge roared to a fifth win of the campaign, netting 13 goals in the process, while conceding three.

In a robust and very physical contest which saw some reckless challenges, especially in the middle of the park, both teams battled to a 0-0 draw in the opening 40 minutes which yielded four yellow cards, two for either side.

Cambridge settled quickest and were by far the better of the teams, but were not lethal when in front of goal.

The red and white-clad team turned their domination into goals and broke the deadlock four minutes into the resumption through the speedy West.

West, darting down the right flank and eluding the tackles of three defenders, unleashed a thunderous left foot shot which crashed into the corner of the net, stunning the Flanker faithful and quieting the very vocal supporters.

They were further ahead 17 minutes later, widening their advantage to 2-0, this time through the dangerous and fleetfooted Allen, who darted down the middle, getting on the end of a defense-splitting pass, to slot home the ball on the run across the goal against the sprawled Flanker keeper and a well-beaten defender.

Chances came and went for the Cambridge team well in control of the affair, before they allowed a late goal to their opponent.

Eighty-four minutes into the contest, a long ball over the top to be cleared by the Cambridge team was allowed to bounce, and the Flanker  player capitalized on the miscommunication,  darting  between  a defender and the stand-in goalkeeper to put the ball into the net, cutting the deficit, but it came a little too late.

Meanwhile, Bogue temporarily missed out on the chance to go into second spot after their showdown against third-from-bottom Norwood FC was rained out.

The teams had been locked at 0-0 seven minutes into the resumption when a heavy downpour forced the players and officials off the waterlogged field.

Sanjay Patterson twice had the chance in the opening 40 minutes to send Bogue ahead but missed, once when put clean in on goal.

The Norwood keeper was also called upon to make three outstanding saves early on, once diving full stretch to his left to deflect a goal-bound shot around the post for a corner kick.

Bogue who occupy third spot on 11 points, just one behind second placed Flanker and five off the leaders, created and wasted several good scoring chances in the first half which they dominated.

Denise Brown: Shipping guru in the making

By
admin
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7
Denise Brown

Prior to joining the Sandals Resorts International family as the Group Shipping Clerk, Denise Brown had worked in Purchasing at another resort. She thought she had mastered the art of coordinating and navigating the many intricacies of purchasing and shipping, but it wasn’t until her journey with Sandals began in 2015 that she tapped into her true potential in the field and realized there was much more to learn.

“Being at Sandals is a different ball game”, she said, “It has truly been a learning experience and a very good one. I can say I’ve become an expert in the field thanks to my experience at Sandals and I love it.”

As Group Shipping Clerk, Brown, who hails from the Rosemount community in Montego Bay, is responsible for calculating costs and processing all documents pertaining to the clearing of all company shipments which arrive in Jamaica by sea or air. The Procurement Division, of which Brown is an integral part, handles all of Sandals Resorts International’s purchasing and shipping needs and it is Brown’s responsibility to ensure that all shipments are received and cleared according to plan and that all relevant paperwork is prepared and processed.

This requires her to be fully versed in shipping laws and regulations, duties and waivers and sees her in continuous dialogue with Government officials, customs brokers and buying agents. Though she studied Business Administration, Brown quickly fell in love with shipping and logistics. “I love getting results”, she said, “When I’m presented with a challenge and I can work through it, find a solution, get it done and everyone is satisfied, I love that.”

SENSE OF SATISFACTION

Though the job is a demanding one, Brown would have it no other way. “This job allows me to think outside of the box and keeps me on my toes and that’s what drives me. I always say I could never sit at my desk and do the same thing every day and in shipping no two days are the same. It gives me a sense of satisfaction.”

Brown would receive an even greater sense of satisfaction in May when she was named the top team member or Diamond Team Member of the Year (2018) for Sandals Resorts International. Still in awe of the achievement, she said, “I don’t even think I’ve fully wrapped my mind around it yet. It was really a surprise. I was up against two very strong contenders so I had no idea that my name would be called but I am really grateful. I challenge and push myself, not that I expect a reward, but it’s just my nature.”

Brown’s manager, Stephen Kerr, the company’s group shipping manager, agrees that going the extra mile is in fact in her nature. He said, “Denise is a no-nonsense person as it relates to her work. She takes her job very seriously and she will definitely go above and beyond. She is extremely knowledgeable about shipping and is one of our go-to persons here. Denise is always one step ahead of the game. She is diligent, meticulous and always has the company’s best interest at heart.”

Motivated by her 19-year-old daughter, who is about to begin tertiary studies in Computer Science, Brown is hungry for even more growth. “I would say about 90 per cent of what I do is for my daughter, or even more than 90 per cent. Everything I do is for her. I just want to motivate her and ensure that she knows that anything is possible.”

Brown continued, “When I told my family that I was a nominee for the Diamond Team Member Award they believed that I would be named the winner. My daughter said ‘mommy, you are going to win this’. The dress I wore on that night is actually her dress. She saved and bought that dress for her graduation but she gave it to me to wear on that night. She always encourages me.”

ULTIMATE TEAM MEMBER

Having been named Diamond Team Member of the Year, Brown will now go on to compete against the top team members for all resorts and companies in the Sandals/ATL Group for the title of Ultimate Team Member of the Year. If she wins the Ultimate title, she will walk away with US$20,000, a crystal trophy and an upgrade to her previously-won five-night trip for two to any Sandals/Beaches Resort in the Caribbean. This upgrade will include luxury return transfer from her home to the airport as well as first class airline tickets to her destination of choice.

As she looks forward to heading off for the Ultimate Award Ceremony, Brown is also planning for the future – a future which includes intentions to pursue studies in Shipping and Logistics at the Caribbean Maritime University. “I believe I have mastered the practical side of shipping so now I want to learn more of the theoretical aspects”, she said. She is also desirous of learning more about the shipping laws and regulations in the other islands where Sandals and Beaches operate, in order to assume a more regional role in the company’s shipping and procurement operations.

“I am not looking to go anywhere else”, she said, “I want to stay here and grow in the company. I want to learn more and take on more responsibilities, all in the name of the company.”

Bench warrant issued for accused dildo thief

By
admin
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182

A bench warrant has been issued for Garcia Gillette, the St. James man accused of breaking into a woman’s house and stealing her dildo.

Gillette, 25, of a Granville, St. James address, was scheduled to appear before the St. James Parish Court on Monday, July 29 to answer to a charge of housebreaking and larceny, but due to his failure to attend court, presiding judge Sandria Wong-Small issued a warrant for his arrest.

The incident reportedly took place on January 19, 2019 sometime after 3:30 p.m. after the woman locked her two-bedroom dwelling house in Granville and left.

Her son returned home from school and saw Gillette inside and left immediately to call his mother. The woman could not gain access upon her arrival at the premises as Gillette had bolted a latch on the inside.

Gillette was later seen at the side of the house and fled upon seeing the complainant.

She managed to gain entry, and upon entering her room, she noticed a black handle ratchet knife that did not belong to her, a Slam condom, as well as her underwear and a bottle of Essence Oil. She also noticed that her dildo was missing.

The police were alerted and while they were at the premises, Gillette returned to the premises and was chased and held. He was found in possession of a pink object resembling a penis, which the woman identified as belonging to her.

Flanker all the way

By
admin
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0
MOVING UP: A broad-smiling Linroy Mundle, captain of the Flanker team, accepts the winners’ trophy from Donovan Cragie, a member of the sponsors team, while President of the St. James FA, Gregory Daley (at left), looks on following their victory in the final of the St. James FA Guardian Group Division Two final played last Sunday, July 28, at the UDC field. Flanker clipped King Gate 1-0 to lift the title. Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts photo

Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts

Adrian Peart’s towering header was enough to for Flanker United as they strolled to the St. James FA Guardian Group Division Two Football title, clipping King Gate 1-0 in the grand final on Sunday, July 28, at the UDC field to hoist the crown.

Flanker, with the victory, walked away with the $100,000 purse money, medals and the championship trophy, while their beaten opponents took home $70,000 and silver medals.

The two finalists also gained promotion to next season’s Division One League.

Flanker, the installed favourites for the title, lived up to expectations, avenging their only defeat to the said opponent, dominating the King Gate team all the way to the final whistle and ending their unbeaten run.

Jermaine Irving of Flanker takes possession of the ball ahead of his opponent in the Guardian Group Division Two finals.

Without a team in any league in the parish since the fall of Fogo, Flanker were smooth in attack and dominated all the way to the finish, despite not being lethal in front of goal, missing a flurry of chances.

Peart’s vital goal came in the 25th minute, rising unchallenged between two defenders to power home from a corner kick.

The nippy, speedy Jermaine Irving who was named joint Leading Goal-scorer, Norman Street and Danique Clarke had the big misses for Flanker, who held out for the victory with stout defending.

Flanker were in the driver’s seat from the  opening whistle and should have opened the scoring when Clarke, in on goal after a driving run down the flank by Irving, saw the ball taken off his toes by an advancing King Gate goalkeeper.

Irving also missed the chance to get on the score-sheet, failing to get a boot to a loose ball at the back post on a drop off which saw him almost on the goal line.

King Gate played in spurts and offered little by way of attack.

PRESENTATONS

Meantime, Better Tomorrow and Rosemount finished third and fourth, collecting 40 and 30 thousand dollars respectively.

Tajae Blake, who again was outstanding for the Flanker team, walked away with the top award of the day, being named the Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Irving of Flanker, along with Lesroy Williams of King Gate, each with four goals, were named joint leading scorers. The Fair Play plaque went to Better Tomorrow.

Gregory Daley, President of the FA, said despite not being around for a few of the games, the season was a good one. “It started out a bit slowly with the teams struggling to get a rhythm, but it heated up in the middle with the top teams separating themselves. The finalists were clearly the better of the lot and in the end I believe the better team won.

“They were a bit more prepared, organized and played like a unit and it paid off in the end. They should cause a few upsets in the Division One,” Daley also a coach added.

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