A 32-year-old man was shot several times while walking through Beetham Gardens on Saturday night.

Reports revealed that around 9 pm, Curtis Greaves, of Picton Street, Laventille, was walking through Beetham Gardens when a man armed with a gun walked up to him and shot him several times before running away. A report was made to the Besson Street Police and Greaves was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he was warded in serious condition. Officers of the Besson Street Police Station are investigating.

TECLA REYES, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education said on Saturday that the recent giveaway of condoms has made the ministry look even more at the whole question of sex education and family life education in schools.

Reyes was delivering the feature address at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. She also stated that the ministry was spearheading a pilot project for the establishment of local school boards in schools, pointing out that it is one way of advising the community on the operations of the schools. CPNE is an organisation that came into existence in 2001, with a mission to engage the national community in creatively exploring, researching and sharing culturally appropriate tools and skills for parenting in Trinidad and Tobago in the new era. One hundred participants from four cycles were presented with their certificates of participation in the project alliance of Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) Families In Action, Caribbean Conference of Churches and the Choices Network.

Awardees were the beneficiaries of scholarships from the J B Fernandes Trust  and completed 126 contact hours of an intensive “Train the Trainers Parenting” programme. Reyes informed the gathering that it was Fernandes’ intention to fund another three of the 44 existing NGO’s in the nation. Also addressing the gathering was CPNE’s chief Executive Officer Joan Bishop who gave a brief history of the organisation and what the participants of the programme had to endure. She said the programme demanded a great deal of commitment of the participants’ and facilitators’ personal time. She said the training focussed on the Self in Context, the Family in Context and the Self as a Facilitator. Emphasis is on personal healing through reflection on one’s life history released from barriers that impeded their effectiveness.

ACTRESS Eunice Alleyne yesterday received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Drama Association of TT (NDATT), for her exceptional career and outstanding service to the theatre in TT.

The announcement was made at the release of nominees for the 2002 Cacique Awards held at D’Bocas Restaurant and Bar, Chacon Street, Port-of-Spain. The award was voted on by the NDATT Executive and the Cacique Committee. The following are the nominees for the 2002 Cacique Awards released yesterday.

MOST OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN – Sponsor: The Home Construction Group

Do Not Disturb – Charisse Parsons & Christine Johnson
Orphans – Richard Ragoobarsingh
The Dragon Can’t Dance – Che Lovelace
The Mating Game – Charisse Parsons & Raymond Choo Kong
The Shagaround – Gary King
Twilight Caf? – Christopher Cozier and Sean Leonard

MOST OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN – Sponsor: Clark and Battoo Limited

Do Not Disturb – Curtis Bachan
Orphans – Mark Hughes
The Shagaround – Olivia Williams
Twilight Caf? – Ken Joseph

MOST OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN – Sponsor: CL Communications Radio Network

Do Not Disturb – Christine Johnson
Orphans – Richard Ragoobarsingh and Gregory A Singh
The Shagaround – Wendell Manwarren
Twilight Caf? – Wendell Manwarren

MOST OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN – Sponsor: Artists Against AIDS

Maljo Is Back (MIB) – Errol Fabien
Man Better Man – Wayne Berkeley
The Dragon Can’t Dance – Che Lovelace
Till Next Year – Ronald Guy-James

MOST OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL MUSIC – Sponsor: Handforged Ironworks of the Caribbean
This is a specialist category and as such the result has been decided by the Cacique Award Evaluators. This decision was taken as a result of suggestions made at Cacique Symposium and on the recommendations of the Cacique Committee and the Executive Committee.

MOST OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTOR – Sponsor: Republic Bank Limited
This is a specialist category and as such the result has been decided by the Cacique Award Evaluators. This decision was taken as a result of suggestions made at Cacique Symposiums and on the recommendations of the Cacique Committee and the Executive Committee.

MOST OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCRIPT – Sponsor: Neal and Massy Foundation Limited

Five Foolish Friends in Shhh…it is Christmas – The Cast
Maljo is Back (MIB) – Errol Fabien
Till Next year – Joan Belfon
Twilight Caf? – Tony Hall

MOST OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS – Sponsor: VA Films and Production Company

Debra Boucaud-Mason – as Mary in The Mating Game
Nikki Crosby – as Kelly Huggins in This Thing Called Love
Cecilia Salazar – as Cleothilda in The Dragon Can’t Dance
Cecilia Salazar – Multiple Roles in Do Not Disturb

CATEGORY – MOST OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR – Sponsor: Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation

Raymond Choo Kong – as Harold in Orphans
Raymond Choo Kong – as Eugene Chung in This Thing Called Love
Glenn Davis – as Donald in The Mating Game
Brian Honor? – as Philo – The Calypsonian in The Dragon Can’t Dance
Richard Ragoobarsingh – as Treat in Orphans

MOST OUTSTANDING ACTRESS – Sponsor: CCN TV6

Mairoon Ali – Eleanor Gomez in This Thing Called Love
Joan Belfon – as Jab Jab in Till Next Year
Cecilia Salazar – as Anna Lucky in Sex, Lies and Money
Cecilia Salazar – as Sal in The Shagaround
Cecilia Salazar – as Woman/Sarah in Twilight Caf?
Maxine Williams – as Sylvian in The Dragon Can’t Dance
Maxine Williams – Multiple Roles in Vagina Monologues

MOST OUTSTANDING ACTOR – Sponsor: Scotiabank

Wendell Etienne – as Man/Stanley in Twilight Caf?
Arnold Goindhan – as Phillip in Orphans
Lutalo Masimba (Bro Resistance) – as Aldrick The Dragon Can’t Dance
Richard Ragoobarsingh – as Michael Gomez in This Thing Called Love
MOST OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR – Sponsor: Angostura Limited

Raymond Choo Kong and Richard Ragoobarsingh – Orphans
Rawle Gibbons – Till Next Year
Tony Hall and Louis McWilliams – Man Better Man
Tony Hall – Twilight Caf?

MOST OUTSTANDING DRAMATIC PRODUCTION – Sponsor: Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited

Man Better Man – Centre for Creative and Festival Arts
Orphans – RR Productions
The Shagaround – The Baggasse Company
Twilight Caf? – J&N Productions/The Baggasse Company

MOST OUTSTANDING COMEDIC PRODUCTION – Sponsor: The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago

Do Not Disturb – The Baggasse Company
Five Foolish Friends in Shhh…it is Christmas – T?te-?-T?te Th??tre
The Mating Game – Funny Farm Factory Productions
This Thing Called Love – Raymond Choo Kong Productions

MOST OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION – Sponsor: RBTT Bank

Do Not Disturb – The Baggasse Company
Orphans – RR Productions
The Shagaround – The Baggasse Company
Twilight Caf? – J&N Productions/The Baggasse Company

THE LAUNCH OF THE NOMINEES – Sponsor: First Citizens Bank

THE NDATT CARIBBEAN AWARD
This award was inaugurated last year. It is given to groups or individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the development, integration and exploration of theatre in the region. It is presented to Cynthia Wilson of Barbados.

THE NDATT VANGUARD AWARD
This award is voted on by the Executive Members of the NDATT and the Cacique Committee, and is given to persons and individuals whose work has, and continues to affect the landscape of national theatre. It is awarded to pioneers whose belief in the medium, and whose contribution to its development continues to blaze a trail along which the theatre of Trinidad and Tobago progresses. It is presented to Zeno Constance.

FORMER ATTORNEY General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj yesterday vowed to fight government all the way to ensure all citizens enjoy  their rights. In that regard, Maharaj said legal action will be taken soon against the Cabinet of the current PNM Government if the Equal Opportunities Tribunal is not established. Maharaj was at the time speaking at the national conference to protect the interest of the less fortunate in the society at the Queen’s Park Savannah. The conference was organised by the National Committee for the prevention of homelessness and the Workers Action Committee of which he is lead counsel.

Maharaj told his audience which comprised “the less fortunate” — flood victims, casual workers, vendors, squatters — that the government has to implement the Equal Opportunities Act and other Land Acts in a bid to alleviate the existing problems as it related to land issues and the Equal Opportunities Commission. He said government was acting illegally in not establishing the commission and vowed to use the courts to “stop them.”
He said within a week or the next ten days, legal action will be taken against Cabinet for not establishing the Equal Opportunities Tribunal under the Act. He also spoke of class actions on behalf of vendors, squatters and farmers to be undertaken. He said the court must give what is due to citizens. He said he was prepared to fight the battles and lose if he must. But he warned the fight will be taken all the way to the Privy Council and already he had spoken to several persons locally and in London to get “public spirited lawyers” to work on a pro bono basis to ensure victims of  injustices get redress.

He advised those present that they must not succumb to the pressures of government but fight against them by uniting and saying enough is enough.
Maharaj said within 14 days government must give an undertaking that no homes on State lands will be demolished unless there is a court order; the measures it intends to take to prevent slave labour; and action to redress the injustices against casual workers as well as give a public assurance to prevent future flooding, among other things. Maharaj also announced the committee’s intention to mount a national campaign from August to April next year, in which meetings are held in all communities to educate citizens of their rights. He said the lawlessness of the government demonstrated why crime continues unabated in the country. At the conference, several persons spoke of the injustices they have suffered, including Clifton Modeste, a visually impaired man, who spoke of having to move his account from a Marabella bank because he had insisted that he be able to use a toilet.

THE Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) within recent times has placed great emphasis on quality training at the Teachers’ Colleges, as they believe if quality education is to be facilitated, it must be done by highly qualified persons.

According to TTUTA President Trevor Oliver, “We believe that because of our efforts, the situation at these institutions has been greatly approved.” Today’s hero is a recent graduate of the Corinth Teachers College, who currently teaches at the Salazar Trace Government Primary School, Point Fortin. Ann Marie Girdharie, of Esperance Village, San Fernando, has been described as an excellent teacher by many. Questioned as to what attracted her to the teaching profession, Girdharie replied that she always had a love for teaching, and that this was a wonderful way to help develop the nation’s human resources. She revealed that she applied to primary schools because “I felt I would make more of a difference in the formative years of the child’s education.”

Having been schooled at the Pleasantville Junior Secondary and the Pleasantville Senior Comprehensive schools, Girdharie graduated with seven CXC subjects, and achieved success at Advanced Levels in Geography, History and Literature. However, before moving on to mould the minds of our young people, Girdharie taught adult education classes at Pleasantville Senior Comprehensive for a number of years, while teaching English Language at private secondary institutions at the same time. She also taught at the St Phillip’s Government Primary School in Port-of-Spain for three years, before going to the Corinth Teachers’ College in 2000. Ann Marie was successful in garnering several awards while at Corinth, but said the award she earned in Practical Teaching was the most cherished award.

This, she claimed, indicated that she was able to deliver the curriculum competently, while the Maths, Sociology and Psychology aspects prepared her to deal with some of the negative ills of society, which affected some of  the children in school. Additionally, this afforded her the confidence and self assurance to enter the teaching service, she claimed, as she interacted with many different children on a daily basis. Girdharie said while teaching at various schools, she met many children of different backgrounds, and that it was a learning experience for all persons involved.

Ann Marie also excelled in the following areas of Literature, Maths and Science, while majoring in Guidance and Counselling. Girdharie believes that these areas are of critical importance, as they help teachers to deal with indiscipline and violence in children at school, as well as enabling the teacher to cope with these persons. She expressed hope that more teachers would be trained in these areas, as they were now being required to be able to deal with increasing violence among persons at school, on a daily basis. Wife of well known chutney singer Rooplal Girdharie, and mother of two, Ann Marie was named “Female Teacher of the Year” from 2000 to 2002.

Asked to give a bird’s eye view for the educational sector in TT, Girdharie said she one day hopes for a multi-faceted one, which caters to the needs of different types of children, and which prepared children to become productive individuals in a globalised environment, able to contribute to the well-being of the country. Ann Marie revealed that she enjoys reading, cooking and drinking tea while socialising with persons, and that her personal motto was “Believe in Yourself.” She concluded by revealing that her personal belief was that “Every child has the potential to be a great individual, and that as good teachers we must find ways and means to help each child reach that potential. We must view children not as empty vessels to be filled, but candles to be lit,” Girdharie added.

THE OPPOSITION United National Congress (UNC) yesterday began screening candidates for the 126 seats to be contested in this year’s Local Government elections. The UNC’s screening committee comprising five members of the National Executive and chaired by UNC Chairman Wade Mark, began the screening exercise yesterday at Rienzi Complex. The exercise got underway just after 1 pm. Over 60 persons were expected to be screened. The exercise is expected to be completed early this week. When the party meets today for its National Executive meeting from 3 pm and its Parliamentary Arm meeting at 5 pm, both at the Rienzi Complex, the elections manifesto and other issues relating to the elections are expected to be high on the agenda for discussion.

UNC officials said it expected to finalise its candidates well in time for the elections. The date for the elections is yet to be announced by Prime Minister Patrick Manning. It is expected that the elections will be held in early July. The Act to validate the fourth report of the Elections and Boundaries Commission under the Elections and Boundaries Commission (Local Government) Act, Chap 25:05 for the purpose of Local Government elections is expected to be passed in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The passage of that legislation will pave the way for the elections.

OFFICERS of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad admitted yesterday that they have no leads in the kidnapping of 21-year-old Terri Greaves. Greaves is the daughter of Newsday’s senior reporter Debra Ravello-Greaves. Greaves said yesterday that the kidnappers have not telephoned since Thursday, and she has been praying for the safe return of her daughter. She added that her daughter was ill and in need of medical treatment. Police investigators again issued a call yesterday to kidnappers to release the young woman. Greaves was kidnapped on Wednesday night by four men claiming to be police. A man who was detained for questioning was later released.

ROBINSON CRUSOE Ltd/Club Pigeon Point management, acting on behalf of property owners Ansa McAl, has offered to assist the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) in securing medium term loan financing at special interest rates for the establishment/maintenance of a fishing facility at Pigeon Point. They are also proposing to provide one acre of beach front property on the north-eastern boundary of the estate for this purpose. Further, RCL has said it will also provide financial assistance for the restoration/rehabilitation of the existing Bon Accord road leading to the proposed fishing complex. The offers are contained in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prepared by Pigeon Point management and forwarded to the THA for agreement. The THA has not signed the document and THA Chief Secretary Orville London claimed that after two years of talks among all the parties concerned, Pigeon Point management cast aside the set of proposals agreed upon and came up with its own MOU and proposals. Following is the full text of the MOU document:

“This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is made this ………. day of …….. 2003 between Robinson Crusoe Limited with its registered office situate at 60 Independence Square, Port-of-Spain (hereinafter called ‘RCL’) and the Tobago House of Assembly, a body corporate established by and under the Tobago House of Assembly Act, with its offices at Jerningham Street, Scarborough, Tobago (hereinafter called ‘THA’). RCL and the THA have had discussions on accelerating a settlement of all disputes, controversies and claims with regard to Pigeon Point. RCL and the THA agree that they have a mutual interest in creating an environment where all sectors and interests at Pigeon Point can co-exist and in that regard have agreed as follows:

1  ACCESS TO THE PIGEON POINT BEACH:

(1) RCL will provide unhindered pedestrian access to and egress from the Pigeon Point beach by allowing the use of a strip of land approximately 6 to 10 feet wide above the high water mark along the western coastline of the Pigeon Point Estate between the Swallows (beach south of Pigeon Point) and the existing Dive Shop building. There will be no structures of any kind erected on the strip of land.

(11) RCL will allow persons currently listed as bona fide fisherfolk and marine operators free access along the paved roadway running through the Pigeon Point Estate for a period of three years from the date hereof.

2  FISHING FACILITIES:

(1) RCL will give to the THA a 99-year lease of one acre of beachfront land situate at the north eastern boundary of the Pigeon Point Estate and lands owned by the Mt Pleasant Credit Union for the development of a Fishing complex.

(11) Once the fishing complex has been established, the parties agree that it will be maintained to an international standard and managed exclusively by the THA.

(111) If requested by the THA, RCL will assist the THA in obtaining a medium term loan at special interest rates for this purpose.

3 ACCOMMODATION FOR BONA FIDE FISHERFOLK:

(1) It is envisioned that RCL will continue to facilitate the existing operations at Wind Hole with special passes for vehicular traffic to and from Wind Hole for a period of three years, by which time the fishing complex would have been completed.

(11) RCL will provide financial assistance in the restoration and rehabilitation of the existing Bon Accord road leading to the fishing complex.

4 OCCUPATION OF LAND BY SQUATTERS AT THE ENTRANCE TO CLUB PIGEON POINT:

(1) RCL agrees to rehabilitate the beachfront situate between the Conrado Hotel and the gated entrance to the Pigeon Point Estate exclusively for sea-bathing.

(11) The THA shall within 3 months from the date of this Memorandum relocate all persons and/or establishments at present situated at the entrance to the Pigeon Point Estate to the recently-constructed craft building facility. When this has been achieved RCL will instruct its attorneys to discontinue its ejectment actions against those persons.

5 JETTY:

Though RCL’s position in law regarding the ownership of the jetty differs from that of the THA, the parties however share a mutual interest and concern in the preservation of this national icon and are committed to continue to co-operatively resolve concerns raised in litigation between them. The parties have agreed as follows:

(1) The jetty will be managed rexclusively by RCL in consultation with the THA. Mutually agreed guidelines will be formulated to guide day-to-day operations of the jetty.

(11) The parties agree that the jetty cannot be effectively managed without the proper disposal of garbage and refuse and 24-hour supply of water, electricity and security.
In that regard the parties agree that RCL will continue to maintain all services in relation to the jetty.

RCL and the THA are committed to (complete) the tasks outlined in this Memorandum and will continue their discussions in good faith with a view to implementing this MOU”.

WITH a smile on his face, Dr Anand Chatoorgoon yesterday left the office of the Medical Chief of Staff of the San Fernando General Hospital after acting in the position for the last two weeks. “It wasn’t always easy, it was even frightening at times,” Dr Chatoorgoon admitted to Newsday as he packed his files and belongings to vacate the office. Two weeks ago, Dr Chatoorgoon took up duties as Acting Medical Chief of Staff upon request from the Ministry of Health. Permanent Secretary of the Health Ministry, Hamid O’Brien, requested he fill the position in the absence of Dr Austin Trinidade, who was asked to go on compensatory leave.

Dr Chatoorgoon said that he had written a letter to the ministry expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to hold the post and informing them that he would be willing to act again if called upon. “I had tremendous support from my superiors, from the Ministry of Health and the South-West Regional Health Authority. In particular, the acting PMOI Dr Deepak Mahabir and the Chief Executive Officer of SWRHA Vade Mohammed who were always available to listen, guide and advise.” Dr Chatoorgoon revealed that his major challenge in his two-week stint was keeping SFGH on track during the doctors’ impasse, which ended last Monday.

“On my second day, a pregnant woman came in bleeding and I had to find doctors to attend to her. That was a frightening experience. Otherwise, during the impasse I think I was able to get through to the doctors that I had a job and a role to play and that I too am a doctor. That it was my duty and responsibility to ensure health service and care to poor and needy.” Dr Trinidade is expected to return to his duties as Medical Chief of Staff today.

POLICE SUPERINTENDENT Roland Phirangee has left a half a million dollar estate. Phirangee, 55, died at his San Fernando home on January 27 without leaving a will. His widow, Eleanor, has since applied to the court for letters of administration through her attorney Wesley Gopaul. Most of Phirangee’s estate does not consist of cash but land and an order for damages in a law suit he had won against the State. His estate consisted of two  parcels of land in Siparia valued at $60,000 and $25,000; a B14 motorcar valued $55,000; shares in Republic Bank valued $19,908 and in Police Credit Union for $17,466.63. He also had an insurance policy for $104,954.82 and his  benefits from the Police Service amounted to $31,164.14.

The judgment order for damages in the sum of $284,005 was awarded in 2001.In 1992 while Scotland Yard detectives were here investigating corruption in the Police Service,  Phirangee was arrested and charged by Insp Winston Sylvester with fraud. The following year the case against him was dismissed and Phirangee eventually sued the Attorney General and Insp Sylvester for wrongful arrest.  He claimed Sylvester maliciously and without reasonable cause had a warrant issued for his arrest. At the time of his death he was the Superintendent in charge of Traffic Branch.