Growing our own food is to be encouraged as the local produce is much better than processed, chemically sprayed imported foods. Michelle Obama, America’s outgoing First Lady, encouraged children to plant and reap their own food.

Are our Health Minister, health institutions, dietitians, school/ hospital food planners paying close enough attention to the meals they allow to be served to children who continue to get fatter? They are consuming sweet drinks from the school canteens instead of being served coconut water/fresh fruit juices.

It is taxpayers’ dollars that are used to care for the diabetic patient and citizens with other illnesses, many of whom are obese, falling for the fast food slogan of “for a few dollars more you can get a 16-oz sugary soda drink,” full of more calories, instead of the regular eight-oz size.

We are what we eat.

Patricia Blades via email

First-time offenders will now pay $12,000 and the fine increases to $22,000 for a second offence.

The fine for speeding has been increased by 50 percent to $6,000 and anyone caught driving without a permit will now pay $15,000, an increase of 1500 percent from the previous fine of $1,000.

This is a welcome sign that will hopefully help to reduce the road carnage.

But what about PH drivers and the imposition of that law as it is also an offence to use one’s private car for hire? I am yet to see any administration with the political will to impose that law. But here in “sweet TT ” the law is the law when it suits us.

C Peters via email

Are the contractors and architects out of the island and baffled.

Also, are the people who line the beach with lounge chairs an arm of the Tourism Development Company’s drive to increase income? Or are they private entrepreneurs who may be abusing the public domain? No stubs are given when monies are paid for the use of these comforts.

Who is taking advantage? Prime space is being overtaken, for when a family walks with its own chairs and umbrellas, some of these men become aggressive. Aggression is our mentality as usual.

Another issue at the beach is the brownish/blackish water which comes down from, maybe, a village and has a foul smell akin to sewage, and this runs straight into the sea. A real “vai-que-vai” situation and the baffling continues Has the Public Health Department observed this or will it be the Environmental Management Authority’s portfolio or “all two both”.

For the hundreds of people who visit this particular beach on holidays and weekends, what is really the deal, TDC? There appears to be carelessness and no intelligent planning.

Are the people there just “pushing pen and paper”? The parking is quite a mess, but maybe the Licensing Office and the police are quite baffled. So we continue to fall deeper into the abyss and remain forever Third World. This is our Trinidad, get cracking on issues and stop squabbling in Parliament.

With due respect to all concerned, let us get with the programme, which is keeping TT thriving and making future generations proud of what we can hopefully pull together and do for them.

C Leekong via email

A more cautious approach is needed and I think the Prime Minister as chairman of the National Security Council should discuss the increase in homicides with the Minister of National Security and find ways to reduce the murder rate.

I am disheartened to see the increase in killings and in my opinion the Minister of National Security should be held responsible for his inability to solve crime.

His move to call out more soldiers to join in more police patrols is a backward step since it was done before and didn’t work.

Everyone in our country is affected by the increase in killings. As citizens we need answers to solve and reduce crime and make this country a better place for everyone. I call on the National Security Minister to put country first and bring the crime rate to an acceptable level.

RASHEED KHAN Coryal Village

Come people, get your act together. We need to view these games live. We are endeavouring to qualify for the 2018 world cup in Russia.

Country before dollars.

Note well our FIFA ranking. Who is to blame? Exposure to the African tournament can only benefit our declining football. Let us look and learn, people.

Football is a national team sport.

AV RAMPERSAD Princes town

I myself have been more than vocal on many occasions, providing torrential tongue-lashings about my disdain regarding their general lack of civility, etiquette and respect for the average citizen when conducting exercises.

You know to what I’m referring — the high waist, “bad-john” policeman who bounds around arrogantly bullying the innocent.

However, I believe that today I have been granted the privilege to put my belt down and openly praise our boys in blue. This is one occasion I am pleased to swallow my humble pie with a refreshing glass of cool, crisp hope.

You see, recently, I witnessed one of our guys in blue passionately attempting to keep our streets and schools safe by dealing with “paperweight crime” in front of a school gate.

That dedicated officer on foot (no bike, car, or van was visible) stood in the blazing morning sun ushering students through the school gate, ensuring they were on time and that their entrance was mannerly.

He took his time and patiently rounded up latecomers in a line while he reminded them about the necessity of timely arrival at school. He urged the youth to fix their uniforms by tucking their shirts neatly into their pants and he pointed out the great difference a hair comb can make.

Now you may think so what? However, consider the possible long-term effects of such a simple exercise.

He perhaps by his presence and diligence removed any hint of obstinate/violent behaviour for that period; he imparted positive values; he may have even tipped the scale in that brief moment in the minds of a few young men so much so that they decided to stay a positive course, thus keeping them from becoming societal menaces later on.

I am a dreamer and whenever I see silver linings I begin to fantasise about a safer, better country. Consider this statement, “…

the unsubdued heart has not within itself the elements of rest and contentment. The mind and heart must be disciplined and brought under proper restraint…to harmonise with the wise laws that govern our being…” (Ellen G White).

Hence, the act of kind discipline bestowed upon our youth by that officer may have done its job of quenching any rage for that morning by providing balanced restraint.

Our men and women in blue may not be able to solve all our problems, I am certain, as many of them spill from the home into society.

They may not be able to catch every thief or even save every life.

Indeed, they do not always have the luxury of being allowed to effectively carry out their duties. But to the officers who, despite negative social noise and ridicule, still trod on bravely and honourably, doing what they can, I say thank you.

Citizens must never underestimate the value of our officers.

We must work with and help them by supporting the seemingly small acts like: putting schoolchildren into taxis rather than letting them lime; taking part in the Police Youth Clubs; going to Neighbourhood Watch meetings at our local stations.

We can take our country back from the vermin. Hats off to that officer. I am well aware that no organisation can be totally free of corruption (sad I know) as the human condition is most times morally frail, but let’s not let “Peter pay for Paul”.

I have come to appreciate the “paperweight” anti-crime measures as they are preventative; after all, prevention is better than cure. To the officers who are able to wade through the crud of corruption and madness and focus of the tasks at hand, every day, to try to keep us safe from ourselves, don’t give up or give in to despair. You are making a difference and you are appreciated.

Kezia Reece via email

Included in the big field for the 1800 metres race with a total purse of $75,000 are last year’s Derby winner Academy Award and fourtime Horse of the Year Bigman In Town.

The Merlin Samlalsingh-owned Academy Award has changed stables from Anthony Nunes and is now being prepared ny ace trainer John O’Brien.

Also in the field are Magical victory, King Arthur, Black Onyx and Man to Come.

The co-feature is a 1100 metres sprint for horses rated 80-60 with the game Swept Away, Takeoneforjoey and Big Five O holding the engagement.

A total of 121 horses have been entered for the 10-race programme.

The ARC has produced an 10- race programme for the day, which comes after a one-week break.

Turfites preferring the Hi5 betting are being offered a single winner bonus of over $8,000 while the single winner bonus for the Superfecta there is a bonus of over $44,000.

First race on the day’s programme is timed to start at noon.

Christine and Roberts were attempting to reconcile their relationship when she met her death yesterday.

The couple recently became estranged following an incident in which Roberts is said to have burnt up all her clothes including her work uniforms.

They endured a stormy relationship which often became violent and according to relatives there are numerous reports filed at the Gasparillo Police Station against Roberts.

As they always do after a break-up, the couple once again met in an attempt to reconcile. Joseph’s body was discovered yesterday morning by police. She was stabbed several times and her throat was slit.

She was found on a couch inside Roberts’ Parforce Road Extension, Gasparillo home.

Roberts’ uncle Roland King was on his way home from work and it was he who raised an alarm after hearing a voice crying out for help inside Roberts’ house. “I didn’t make him out,” a distraught King told Newsday. “I hear the person in the bathroom calling for water. I say, ‘who are you?’, and he said, ‘is Keyon’. All he was saying was, ‘bring water, throw water on me’. I got water and threw it on him and called my mother and the police,” King said.

Roberts, a construction worker reportedly set himself on fire after murdering Joseph.

Police said that while Roberts was in a tumultuous relationship with Joseph, he was still with Leisha Andrews, mother of his children threemonth- old Kerdeen and three-year-old Kaydeen.

Yesterday, Andrews told Newsday: “He used to sleep by me but he was a confused and frustrated man. He wanted to tie the knot with me but she (Joseph) would not leave him.” Andrews said she and Joseph often crossed swords over the phone.

“On Saturday when I talked to him, Keyon told me he was going to kill that girl (Joseph) and then himself.

I kept telling him that is not the way to go because he has children. I tell him I have children for him and that we should make a commitment.

But he was frustrated as that other woman did not want to give him up. She still went back to him although he burnt up all her clothes,” Andrews said.

Joseph’s grieving mother Roxanne, 45, and stepfather Peter Boatswain, 44, disclosed that they often begged her to leave Roberts, but she was smitten. “She with him since she was 16. She was too harden.

He was not nice…he was possessive and abusive.

They were always fighting,” the weeping mother said. The bodied were removed to the Forensic Science Centre in St James for autopsies.

Investigations are continuing.

This is the second shooting incident near a police station with the first taking place last week in which two men were shot dead outside the Maracas Police Station.

The victims of yesterday’s shooting incident have been identified as Devanand Deosaran, 32, and Damian Augustine, 37. According to police, at about 4.30 am, officers at the police station heard gunshots on the road outside the building and responded. On checking, the officers saw a silver-coloured Mitsubishi Lancer car along the roadway.

When they checked further, they found Deosaran of Charlieville in the car.

Augustine of Chaguanas was making his way into the police station, bleeding from several gunshot wounds.

The two men were taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EW MSC) in Mt Hope where they were treated for gunshot injuries and remain warded in serious but stable condition. Last week Thursday, Kurland ‘Mice Man’ George and Shameel Ali were shot dead while they were on their way to the Maracas police station.

George, a reputed drug lord was on his way to the police station to sign the attendance book as a requirement for bail being granted to him.

It is believed that a contract was placed on his life and that his murder was a ‘hit’. Ali, police added, was collateral damage, losing his life for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The gunmen who shot Deosaran and Augustine remain at large while those who gunned down George and Ali are also at large.

Meanwhile, the hairdresser who was shot in her face on Sunday afternoon remains warded in critical condition at the EW MSC. At about 2.30 pm, Essenese Sambury alighted from her car and was about to enter the yard of her Palm Drive, Trincity home when a car pulled up nearby and one of the occupants fired several shots. Sambury was struck on the right side of her face and neck.

The announcement was made by chairman of the National Carnival Commission (NCC), Kenny De Silva, at the launch of Carnival 2017 held at the QPS on Friday. De Silva noted that it was one of the new initiatives being put in place for this year’s festivities.

“We will be giving out tickets to all hotels so that foreign guests who never saw traditional mas will be able to come and view,” De Silva said.

“Because of the challenges with the economy, in the VIP area of the respective stands there will be a paid bar for you to buy whatever you want to eat or drink.” He explained that the only areas that are going to be served are the President’s Box and the Prime Minister’s Box.

For the Parade of the Bands on Carnival Tuesday, the fee to enter the North Stand will just be $50.

De Silva said the parade route for 2017 remains the same as last year and the mandatory judging point is at the Queen’s Park Savannah while the other judging points are at Victoria Square, Down Town and Piccadilly Greens.

Among the changes being made is the relocation of the Kaiso House calypso tent from the QPS to the old Globe Cinema at the corner of St Vincent and Park Streets, Port of Spain.

“It has the capacity of 800 seats which is more than what existed at the Queens Park Savannah, under the tent. The NCC and its staff is doing whatever is required to bring it to what a calypso tent should look like in terms of decor.” On the decision by the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) to have 16 finalists for the National Calypso Monarch competition, De Silva said he believes it is “reasonably a good idea”.

He indicated that there has been a 25 percent cutback in Carnival activities this year but assured that the season is in a reasonable state of readiness.

“I think people realise that it is not business as usual in terms of where the economy is at, however there will be no cutbacks on the enjoyment of locals and visitors during Carnival 2017, and we want all to enjoy it and have fun.”