The case was dismissed by Deputy Chief Magistrate Maria Earle Busby-Caddle after Seales’ attorneys Pamela Elder, SC, and Owen Hinds Jr argued that during a televised interview in 2015, Insp Seales did not explicitly call on members of the association to dissent against the government.

In the eighth court, they argued that during the interview, Seales’ use of the word ‘they’ did not specifically refer to the government and therefore failed to prove the State’s claim that a charge of sedition was committed. On being charged, Insp Seales was placed on suspension from active duty. His comments were aired on TV6’s morning edition show in which he addressed the PSWA’s concerns on the snail’s pace of wage negotiation at the time.

Magistrate Busby- Caddle agreed with the defence lawyers’ submissions and dismissed the case. As Insp Seales walked out of the courthouse, he told reporters that he bore no grudge against anyone for his two-year ordeal and thanked his family, lawyers and PSWA members for the support he received during the duration of the case.

“The experience has been a humbling one and I would like to stress that I hold no malice towards anyone and I have no business conspiring against anyone…

that’s not my business.

I am just Michael Seales and all I can be is loving and forgiving.

I cannot hold anything against anyone.” Seales called on Ag Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams to reinstate him to his substantive position within the Police Service now that the charge has been thrown out by the courts. Seales said he intends to speak with Commissioner Williams on the matter as well as payment of cash allowances owed during his suspension.

“I need to talk to the Commissioner now and say that he needs to make a public statement and he needs to reinstate me immediately because I am still on suspension officially. I was suspended the very same day of the incident so I would want to be reinstated the very same day of the dismissal of the case,” Seales said.

The game was confirmed by the TT Football Association (TTFA) yesterday and will serve as a final build up for coach Dennis Lawrence and the Warriors ahead of there all-important September 1 World Cup qualifier at home to Honduras.

Jamaica are coming off their CONCACAF Gold Cup runners- up performance after losing 2-1 to the United States in last month’s Final and their coach Theodore Whitmore will be hoping to avenge his team’s 2-0 defeat to TT when both teams last met, in a friendly, in the Mucurapo venue on November 19 2013.

For TT, the game is all about preparations for Honduras and Panama in early September.

“This game comes at an ideal time for us in preparation for Honduras,” Lawrence said yesterday.

“Jamaica are in a good moment after coming off a very positive showing at the Gold Cup and they will come here looking to maintain that form which means they will give us the kind of test we are looking for at that stage of the preparations, a week before we face Honduras.

“We will start training on August 14 for the matches coming up and this will obviously be a critical period for us which we are all anticipating a great deal,” Lawrence added.

TTFA president David John-Williams relayed that both the TT and Jamaica governing bodies are discussing the possibility of turning the encounter into an annual affair to mark their respective Independence Days (Jamaica – August 6; TT – August 31).

Tickets for the T&T versus Jamaica friendly will cost $100 (covered stands) and $50 (uncovered) and will be available at all NLCB Lotto Locations nationwide from tomorrow.

In a statement, Amcham called on the trade unions to return to the Tripartite Council and said that economic and social decay has been the result in every country where a minority has been persecuted, in an attempt to shift power or influence to another group.

The business group also said that Roget’s call was not in the interest of the very workers that the unions are supposed to represent.

Amcham, in the release said, “We acknowledge that trade unions have a very important part to play in protecting and promoting the rights and best interests of their members.

“This can only be done through dialogue leading to constructive solutions. In that regard, we too would like to see a return to multi party dialogue in a manner that allows all stakeholders to participate in a meaningful and constructive way.

The National Tripartite Advisory Council (NTAC) was that vehicle, but it is not functioning as intended.

Amcham stands ready to assist and participate (in) its reformation to facilitate meaningful dialogue and a path forward.” The statement said that the world is in the midst of an economic crisis, with new political and social disruptions occurring almost daily and that at this time, the country needs leaders including those from within the trade union movement, who are willing to look past all differences and seek solutions to the challenges faced by the country.

“We believe that this is not the time for pointing fingers, but instead a time of increased collaboration and dialogue. Myopic viewpoints and unreasonable demands that seek to promote specific agendas rather that finding innovative solutions should not be the first course of action,” Amcham said.

To this end, Government must demonstrate high levels of transparency and be sensitive to the need to foster a culture of good public procurement practice. It must err on the side of protecting the Treasury, and underline measures taken to ensure the safety of the vessel to demonstrate a commitment to health and safety issues.

We do not condemn or criticise any agency in relation to the transaction involving the Cabo Star and the Ocean Flower.

Nor do we accuse any official of corruption in relation to the reported lease of these vessels from the entity described as Bridgeman Services. On the contrary, if we are to understand the complaint that has been forwarded to the Integrity Commission by an Opposition politician, there is not enough information available on which a reasonable person can base an opinion on these matters.

In our nation’s public affairs, there is very often a tendency on the part of State officials — mandated to serve the public, not private interests — to politic. Too often a tit for tat ensues. One side may raise an issue and the other side flippantly dismisses the issue as frivolous. Only citizens lose when this occurs. True, there are often clear instances where those elected to act in the public interest seem bent on simply scoring political points. Their attitude potentially damages the country in the long run as it may result in the boy that cries wolf syndrome.

But no Government, when faced with a project that engages the twin issues of public procurement and safety, can afford to cavalierly dismiss questions as Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan has done recently when questioned by Newsday over a complaint lodged by former UNC Minister Devant Maharaj. It is well-known that Maharaj comes from a certain political party and that he served in an administration dogged with controversy after controversy relating to the use of public funds.

But Sinanan must rise above politics. He must assure the public, through an appropriate degree of transparency, that all rules and procedures were followed in this instance and in the circumstances. If we are not assured of this, how can we feel safe aboard these vessels? This does not mean a disclosure of any sensitive commercial information (though taxpayers have a right to that too). It simply means a more thorough disclosure of the processes which led to this procurement. The best way to handle a frivolous complaint is to show how frivolous it is. It is the taxpayer who has the most to lose if not.

The moment is also right for the State to advance the public procurement agenda by updating us as to the status of efforts to implement the historic procurement legislation.

Ironically, while this matter has been placed in the hands of the Integrity Commission, it is actually the Government that has an opportunity to further its agenda of restoring integrity to public life.

Richards clocked the fastest time in the heats after clocking 20.05 seconds to win heat two.

Richards, who slowed down as he approached the finish, finished ahead of American Kyree King (20.41) and Jamaican Rasheed Dwyer (20.49).

The top three qualified for the semi-finals.

TT runner Kyle Greaux also advanced to the semis after finishing second in 20.48 in heat five. Sydney Siame of Zambia won the heat in 20.29, while Italian Filippo Tortu was third in 20.59. The top three in each of the seven heats plus the next three fastest athletes advanced.

The semi-finals will take place tomorrow, while the final will run off on Thursday. Women’s TT runner Sparkle Mcknight advanced to the semi-finals of the women’s 400-metre hurdles.

McKnight finished fourth in heat one in 55.46 to earn the last automatic qualification spot from the heat.

American Dalilah Muhammad won the heat in 54.59, Canadian Sage Watson was second in 55.06 and Denisa Rosolova of Czech Republic finished third in 55.41. Fifth place finisher Leah Nugent of Jamaica also qualified for the semis after finishing in 56.16. The top four in each of the five heats plus the next four fastest athletes advanced to the semis. The semi-finals will take place today and the final will be held on Thursday.

Today, Michelle-Lee Ahye, Kayelle Clarke and Semoy Hackett will compete in the women’s 200m event.

He said the ministry discriminated against several organisations including The Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, International Day of Yoga Committee, Caroni Hindu Mandir and The UWI’s Film Programme Department.

“The omission of 11 major Indo-Trinidadian cultural events is a damning exposé of the narrow conscienceness of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts.

The revelation opens a can of worms about the practices and policies of the ministry.

The disclosure in the calendar raises a number of critical questions.

For example, is there ethnic equity in the top hierarchy of the ministry’s staff,” he said.

He said the failure to recognise these events is also an indication the ministry is not likely to provide funding to the organisations.

Through her sobs, mother of four Basdaye Lall-Ragoo yesterday said she could not believe that despite the quick work of three doctors, who happened to be at the beach at the time Natalia’s limp body was pulled out of the water, she still did not survive. The girl, one half of a twin, was pronounced dead at the Pt Fortin Area Hospital.

“It was the police who came to the beach and carried us in a jeep to the Cedros Health Centre. There were no doctors there or anyone else who could have helped my child. We had to wait 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive to take us to Point Fortin Hospital. By that time, ‘mama’ was gone,” Lall-Ragoo said.

Natalia was a pupil of a preschool in Bonasse Village, Cedros.

She lived with her mother, father Ancil Samuel and three brothers at Sylvester Street in Fullerton Village.

According to police reports, at about 5.30 pm on Sunday, Natalia and relatives where bathing at Columbus Bay when the girl disappeared under the water near the shoreline.

Minutes later, a man pulled Natalia out of the water.

“I just turned around for a few seconds and when I turned back and watched the water, my child was not there. I did not think about going into the water because I thought she had walked off further along the beach. I believe that as I spun around, mama may have stepped off a little, fell into the water and got water into her lungs,” Lall-Ragoo said. Frantically she raised an alarm and a beach goer pulled the child from the water. Despite her loss, Lall-Ragoo yesterday thanked the three doctors who were at the beach who quickly performed cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the child. “She was still alive then. They really tried their best. It took 45 minutes for an ambulance to reach to take us to hospital,” Lall-Ragoo added.

“She was the only daughter I had.

Anywhere I go, she was with me.

She does not leave my side.

She is my only daughter and now she is gone,” the grief-stricken mother cried.

An autopsy will be performed today at the mortuary of the San Fernando General Hospital. Cpl Blackman of the Cedros Police Station is spearheading investigations.

Councillor for Cedros Shankar Teelucksingh yesterday called for the re-establishment of a district hospital in Cedros saying it takes almost an hour to reach the nearest health centre in Cedros. He believes Natalia may have survived if she had proper medical treatment. He also called for lifeguards to be placed at Columbus Bay which is a popular bathing spot especially during the school vacation.

Natalia is one of at least three children to drown within the past few weeks. On July 16, three-yearold Messi Gorkin of George Street, Port of Spain, drowned during a family outing at the Boardwalk in Chaguaramas.

Police reported that at about 5 pm, his father Atiba Gorkin was standing on the steps leading to the Boardwalk where he turned his back while speaking with friends.

Minutes later, Atiba realised Messi was nowhere to be seen and a frantic search ensued. Little Messi’s body was found floating in the waters off Pier I, the next day.

On July 26, seven-year-old Riberto Heeraman drowned at his home at Millennium Park, Trincity, after his right hand got stuck in the pump inside the pool.

Police said that Riberto and other siblings were bathing in one of two pools when they decided to take a break. Sometime later, a relative made the discovery.

Opposition Leader and UNC political leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar led a legal team representing retired police officer Fazal Ghany in that matter. In a statement, the UNC said, Persad- Bissessar restored the protection that the law provides to these officers and their families.

The party also said the ruling has vindicated the rule of law and defended the administration of justice.

Noting the committee is established under the Protective Services, (Compensation) Act, the UNC said it was the former Basdeo Panday administration that was responsible for the passage of this legislation 21 years ago.

The UNC claimed Government’s inaction in failing to appoint the committee over the last two years, “rendered nugatory” the provisions of the Act which was enacted to “provide compensation for officers who each day are called upon to put their lives at risk for our country.”

Speaking with Newsday, comedienne Nikki Crosby said her grandfather always told her, “All you have in this world is your name”, and insisted that in these times one has to leave a good family name. She said he was truly a family man and referred to him as “Mr Manners.” He taught his children and grandchildren lessons such as responsibility and the difference between right and wrong with no gray areas.

To grandson Kevin, his grandfather “prided himself on being one of the first black businessmen on the (Western) main road of St James.” According to Nikki and Kevin, their grandfather’s first business was a bike store. The reason for that was bikes were the primary mode of transport back then, and so he catered for the people in the area.

He then went into the hardware business before settling in the music industry with the Crosby Music Centre store along with his late son, Earl Jr who died on August 3 last year from pancreatic cancer.

However Kevin and Nikki joked, that before the bike store and music business, their grandfather was a wedding photographer while his wife made wedding dresses.

“They were the wedding couple,” said Nikki, who added that over the years her granddad became a respected businessman and was very kind-hearted. “He was a pure gentleman, a pure classic man,” she said.

Speaking about Earl Snr’s final days, son Victor said his dad was not really ailing but required assistance to get into a wheelchair and get into bed, therefore he was put in a home a week ago to receive that proper care. He added his dad was barely talking. Yesterday, at about 7.15 am, the family was called to the ALCL, as Crosby senior had just passed.

Victor said of his father, “Regardless of what problems he had, he would reach out to others. A lot of people remember him for that.” As for the life lessons that he has taught his family, Kevin said: “Honesty is work and honesty is pain.”

Union president general Nirvan Maharaj, in a media release, stated that the ATGWTU was registered as a trade union on November 24, 1937 by Adrian Cola Rienzi, its first president general.

It was then known as the All Trinidad Sugar Estates and Factory Workers Trade Union and had its origin in the sugar estates.

Maharaj said anniversary celebrations will take place on November 24. He said this year represents a significant watershed in the union’s history, having represented thousands of workers for better wages and working conditions.

He stated, “The union, formerly the ATSE FWTU, had its historical origin in the sugar estates of Trinidad and Tobago and was born out of the battles, protests and demonstrations for more work, better wages and improved working conditions for those who laboured in the plantation fields.

“Moreso, in the sometimes violent encounters of the 1934 and 1937.” Former prime minister Basdeo Panday, was a former president general of the union since the 1970s, until the United National Congress (UNC) which he formed, won the general elections in 1995. The union was not limited, Maharaj said, to industrial relations, but made a valuable contribution to the social, economic, cultural and political landscape of the country.

The union, he added, gave birth to two political parties – the United Labour Front which eventually became the United National Congress and lately, the National Solidarity Assembly (NSA), led by Maharaj.