While some responded favourably saying her new portfolio as Minister of Public Utilities will enable her to provide jobs for constituents, others described her as a non-performer with an unapproachable disposition.

Resident Rolston Baboolal, a vocal and involved member of the community, said Mc Donald’s new role augured well for government and the people.

“Marlene Mc Donald is one of the best MPs that I see who is really bright and bring forward many things to the Cabinet and also to the people of Trinidad and Tobago,” Baboolal told Newsday along Picadilly Street, mere footsteps away from Mc Donald’s constituency office.

He said as Public Utilities minister, Mc Donald will be able to assist unemployed youth in the troubled area.

“She will be able to take people behind the bridge and put them in places like WASA and T&TEC. I feel proud for my MP. I have a great love and understanding with her and I am glad she come back an MP.” Mc Donald, an attorney, had previously held the housing ministry portfolio after the PNM won the September 2015 general election.

Baboolal, who lives near to the Clifton Street Towers, dismissed the view that Mc Donald was a non-performer.

“She is a performer but people don’t understand the woman.

I deal personally with Marlene Mc Donald and I am telling you that she will be the next MP and political leader of the PNM.

“Once people listen to what she say, everybody will get work in the Port-of-Spain South area.” Fifteen months after she was relieved from the Cabinet for her alleged role in the approval of grants to the Calabar Foundation as Minister of Community Development under the former Patrick Manning administration as well as the issuing of a Housing Development Corporation home to her friend, Michael Carew – matters which were before the Integrity Commission – Mc Donald was returned to the Cabinet late on Wednesday, replacing Fitzgerald Hinds as Public Utilities minister.

Hinds has been appointed Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs.

The foundation in a release reported on on a free spay and neuter clinic held for the Las Cuevas and Maracas communities. The Animal Health and Beach Stray Population Reduction Project, a joint initiative of the Animals 360 Foundation Incorporated and Blue Flag National Coordinator and sponsored by the Tourism Development Company, launched on May 19.

The foundation explained the project formed part of the efforts for Las Cuevas Beach to maintain Blue Flag Status which it has been awarded since 2014 under strict criteria, including the control of the stray animal population.

“The source of the stray animals is mostly the unrestricted reproduction of pet dogs and cats and indiscriminate dumping of unwanted dogs in the area,” the foundation added.

According to Animals 360, a visitor survey at Maracas beach in 2010 revealed that the vast majority of local and international visitors “are appalled by the condition of the stray animals and wish to see a humane approach to reducing the population.” The foundations stressed that the level on which a tourism-focused community deals with its stray animal population demonstrates proactive community management, improves the overall aesthetic impression of a village and reduces health risks. The foundation pointed out that Las Cuevas Beach remains the only Blue Flag certified beach in the southern English- speaking Caribbean.

On the initiative, Animals 360 reported that it consisted of a school outreach programme where representatives taught standards two to five students at Las Cuevas Primary School about the importance of spaying and neutering their pets as well as responsible pet ownership practices,.of material provided by the Animal Welfare Network. There was also a vet field clinic at the Maracas Community Centre provided to the communities of Maracas and Las Cuevas on May 20 and May 21. The field hospital, led by Dr Raymond Deonanan, spayed and neutered 54 dogs and cats as well as de-wormed, treated against ticks and fleas, vaccinated and treated for injury another 32 within the two day time frame. This is the second year of the project, which saw over 100 animals sterilised and treated in June 2016.

This year, the target of 50 animals was well exceeded, the foundation noted.

He said: “When I was 14/15 years, I would get my cousins during the July/August holiday and had everyone doing a test.

When we finished with the tests we would play Miss Universe. We would grab our mother’s sheets and make an evening gown with it.

It was from then come up.” “One of my friends had a show, Miss Diego Martin, and I judged that show and I then I said I am going to do a show for myself and that was when I started in 2001.” He is set to host another, Miss Talented TT Pageant at Cascadia Hotel and Conference Centre, Ariapita Road, St Ann’s tomorrow.

For Ross hosting this is simply a wider part of aiding in the enhancement of people across the country. He said to Newsday, “I have been doing pageants since 2001. I have found myself encouraging people with different talents, whether it is in pageantry or karaoke, which I am also very active in.

For about 16 years, I have created forums for people to showcase their talent.

“Most of the time people have the talent and they don’t have the basic forum for development and exposure. I found myself doing it verbally and creating the platform for people to showcase their talent and allow them to develop.” The first Miss Talented TT was held last year also at Cascadia Hotel with Melissa McCallister being crowned Miss Talented TT . This year, 13 finalists were chosen to compete for the crown, with the hope that, “[you] train and develop them with the intention to have them move on to the national pageants to represent TT at the Miss World and Miss Universe competitions.” Last year’s winner, he said, went abroad during her reign but upon returning auditioned for the local Miss Universe screening and made it to the top 20.

While many might believe, pageants have no place in today’s world, Ross disagrees. For him pageants uplift and add to the self-esteem of those who participate.

He said: “Yes there is still a place for pageantry. I believe it is a stepping stone. Once you come here and you win a pageant, there is power in the crown. Everyone wants to be associated with a winner.” Being in pageants could branch an individual onto different career paths such as modelling and acting among others. But outside of that, Ross believes being in a pageant gives anyone that extra bit of self-confidence.

“To me it sums up to an area where it lends confidence to individuals.

That is why I have not only the Miss Talented TT but also the Miss Talented Mum, Miss Fabulous Plus, Mr Impressive and Little Miss Elegance… You can be beautiful if you’re a mum. Beauty continues after motherhood. You can be beautiful if you’re a man.

You can develop yourself, you can be confident.

“What we have found with a lot of the people who have been through the pageants. When they leave and you see them on the streets, even if they are casual, there is a certain image, there is a certain step and there is a certain confidence. There is a certain yes, I am going to go and launch out into what I always wanted to accomplish,” he added.

Ross has also handed over some of the franchises he developed to previous winners. While, eventually, he has hopes of doing grander and bigger pageants, Ross’ main focus at the moment is encouraging others and positive development.

The delegates would compete in the swimwear, evening gown and Q&A segments with judges assessing personality, looks and intelligence.

Winner of the previously held talent segment would also be announced. The 13 finalists are vying for a main prize of $10,000.

Tickets cost $125 in advance.

For more info: 321-3037.

Unfortunately, there were no displays for recent public holidays, including Indian Arrival Day and Labour Day.

I am suggesting that steps be taken to resume the staging of these exhibitions in an effort to disseminate historical information to the general public and visitors to the country, and also to make the airport more attractive.

Hopefully, the Airports Authority, the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, and the Ministry of Works and Transport would be able to address this matter so that the staging of exhibitions could be resumed.

In a related matter regarding the promotion of history outside the classroom, one wonders why the Museum of the City of Port of Spain and the Central Bank Money Museum have remained closed for so long.

IAN GREEN Couva

Imagine a newscaster on national radio, referring to the recent floods, spoke about the recession of the water.

So, taking a cue from what used to be, at least in the days of Trevor McDonald and Hazel Ward, impeccable sources of sound English viz radio and television, the next time my friends want to make fun about my receding hairline I will tell them to use the noun recession instead.

There seems to be no turning back. This is one occasion when one longs for a return to the bad old days of colonialism when newscasters, editors, sub-editors and teachers at all levels made it their business to speak and write English that was internationally acceptable.

I must also note that language in the media and in common usage has even taken a nosedive in the land of our former colonial masters.

This is not meant to pooh-pooh our creole English or the myriad versions of the language that one hears across Britain. Our own creole is a distinctly beautiful brand that has its place.

How lovely it would be if we all were to master both brands — the vernacular and the internationally acceptable one. We can only do so when we know and understand the difference between the two.

JAN WESTMAAS via email

He was on Wednesday sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour for his crimes.

Shairo Khan appeared before Magistrate Cheryl-Anne Antoine in the San Fernando First Court to answer charges laid against him.

The charges read to Khan alleged that on June 18, he broke into his uncle’s house at Sumiah Trace, Debe and stole gold jewelry and other items, together valued $42,425. Another charge read that he had in his possession 1.7 grammes of cocaine. Court prosecutor Cleyon Seedan told the court that on June 17, Khan’s uncle secured his house and left. The uncle returned hours later to find his house broken into and a check revealed a gold ID band, gold chain, cutlass and a gas tank were missing.

The victim made a report to police and Constable Trevor Rampersad conducted investigations. On June 26, while on mobile patrol, PC Rampersad arrested Khan who was seen in a car that was proceeding along Sumiah Trace.

Khan was searched and the drugs found in his pants pocket.

Khan confessed to PC Rampersad that he broke into his uncle’s house and stole the items. Khan, who was unrepresented, told the magistrate that he started using drugs at the age of 12 when it was introduced to him by a cousin.

He also told the magistrate that he dropped out of primary school while in Standard Four. Khan said he stole the items to purchase drugs. The court also heard that in 2014, Khan was sentenced to 12 months for larceny of a dwelling house.

In 2015 he was also charged with house breaking. His criminal record also showed he has four previous convictions. He told the magistrate that when he wakes up in the morning, he goes for a smoke.“You need some kind of reali ty check,” Magistrate Antoine said. On the charge of possession of cocaine, Khan was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment with hard labour and on the charge of house breaking and larceny he was sentenced to five years.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

What he would have wanted to tell reporters about his, if he wasn’t so overcome with grief, was intimated by other relatives. Little Videsh Subar was a boy well-loved by his family with those who accompanied his father to the Centre, saying the youth was a person filled with potential.

“He could have made a difference to this country. He was an exceptional boy. But now we will never know, will we,” said Videsh’s uncle Ramlal Koon Koon. It was revealed that Videsh was looking forward to spending August vacation with family in Canada before starting Secondary school in September.

Now, those relatives would be journeying to Trinidad to attend his funeral.

On Wednesday, the bodies of Videsh and his neighbour and care giver Hafeeza Rose Mohammed were found inside Mohammed’s Ajim Baksh Trace, Malabar home.

Both of their throats were slit.

Videsh who lived next door, stayed at Mohammed’s home whenever his parents Veena and Lennon were away at work or running errands.

“This is a nightmare from which none of us can wake up from. He was his parents’ life as he was their only child. He was talented. He could play the maracas, the tassa and the Flute. He was also a fan of sports. He was a FC Barcelona fan and loved to play cricket. We got a brand new cricket bat for him a couple weeks ago. Now who will use it,” another relative said.

They said that the day before he was killed, Videsh was invited to spend a few days at the home of a relative but the youngster declined saying he wanted to stay with, “aunty Hafeeza.” Autopsies confirmed that both the boy and woman died from massive haemorrhaging due to their throats being slashed.

At about 11.55 am on Wednesday Shariff Mohammed, Hafeeza’s husband, went to their Ajim Baksh Street, Malabar home for lunch, as he usually would. However, when he got home he noticed that his house was broken into. When he made further checks, he discovered Subar’s body on the kitchen floor, and his wife’s body in the bedroom.

Their hands were bound, their mouths were covered with tape, and their throats were cut. A TV was stolen and the assailants used Mohammed’s car to escape the crime scene, but police later found the stolen vehicle. No arrests have been made yet in the case, but police assured that they were doing everything they can to catch the killers.

Speaking at yesterday’s post-Cabinet press briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, Rowley said when these sort of violent crimes occur there is a demand that the government do something about crime.

“And that demand is understandable because people want to feel safe, people want to feel secure and they want to know that their families and their communities are protected from these things but the interventions by individuals who make a decision to carry out these kind of activities shock us all the time because whatever we have in place, whether it is police, whether it is prison, whether it is court, we are always surprised by these kinds of developments,” he said.

Rowley said the police was the agency the Government relies on to secure the nation. He said they have to do things that allows the country to have a better police service.

“That is why right now the police service is being comprehensively reviewed by the Deosaran committee where we are trying to identify the areas where certain actions can and must take place to bring about better policing and that is why incompetence in the police service and corruption in the police service are matters that cannot be exposed to be anything but zero tolerance,” he said.

It is this vibrancy and colour which would flow through Qurux Africa 3 Under the Trees at the Hotel Normandie, St Ann’s on Sunday. Qurux Africa 3 is a part of the Emancipation Support Committee’s (ECS) major events.

Athaliah Samuel, Miss Trinidad and Tobago 2012 is the event’s headline model.

The ECS is working with fashion and entertainment company, Fashion Focus to manage and produce Qurux Africa. They have been partnering for the past two years on the event.

As the committee celebrates its 25th anniversary, it sees the show as an avenue to highlight the richness of African culture and identity.

Its executive director, Zakiya Uzoma Wadada said: “With 25 years of commitment to the development of the African consciousness in Trinidad and Tobago – we see this show as an opportunity to reach our brothers and sisters allowing them to see themselves in the best possible light.” Michael Christopher, lead consultant for Qurux Africa said: “One of the main goals of Fashion Focus is to create an innovative angle on the presentation of fashion, one that is more fluid, dynamic and engaging.

Shows like this allow the patron to enjoy a show, select items that appeal to them and purchase items at the pop-up shop. There will be a variety of styles, evening wear, business, casual both male and female and even a kids’ line.” Patrons could look forward to a celebratory anniversary presentation entitled Thanksgiving by Robert Young of The Cloth.

Valmiki Maharaj of The Lost Tribe is also scheduled do a special presentation. Other creative presentations are also expected from local designers Andre Lovelace of The Nubian Experience, Deron Attzs Designs, Donna Pemberton, Afrikan Ark Jewelry by Johan Mohamed and Mahogany Stuff. The latest Ghanian fashion is going to be displayed through designers Josephine Hayford of Haylooks and Faustina Ansong. Both designers have participated in the Emancipation festival for many years and continue to provide the latest in African fashion to TT. After the show, the outfits could be directly purchased from the designers while checking out the available pop-up booths. Traditional accessories such as headwraps, jewelry, handbags and craft would also be available.

Activities begin at 4pm with a cocktail reception followed by the African and African-inspired presentations.

For more info: 628-5008 or info@emancipationtt.org, www.

emancipationtt.com or on Facebook at Emancipation Support Committee-ESC.

Through the tournament, the TT CA wants to promote networking among its local and regional partners and also raise funds for non-profit organisations within TT .

The tournament will be contested by 44 teams from throughout the Caribbean. A strong contingent is expected from Barbados, including West Indies cricketer Dwayne Smith and his partner Sean Edey, while long-standing participants Anderson Payne and Chris Pitt are back again.

The tournament format will be the two-ball better ball, which will utilise players’ full handicaps.

This year, the proceeds will go to the Lady Hochoy Home (Gasparillo branch).

A major feature of the event is the opportunity for a lucky golfer to win TT $325,000 for a holein- one from 180 yards on hole 17. Prizes will be awarded to the top 10 teams.

There will also be closest to the pin prizes on all par threes, while those not winning prizes will get a further chance in the lucky losers draw.

Major sponsors are Lifetime Motors, Trinidad Cement Limited, Lifetime Solutions, Caribbean Airlines, Suriname Airways and Royal Westmoreland.