Many people spoke and paid tribute to the former independent senator including Arima businessman and activist Roger Belix who spoke about Horne’s contribution to Arima and to the country. He suggested that a wing in the new Arima Hospital be named after her.

Belix of the Jonathan Belix Foundation said Horne who is a founding member of the foundation spent a lot of time lobbying for a hospital in Arima. He said he felt it necessary to celebrate Horne’s birthday with her.

“It was important that I had to be here you don’t give up somebody because of senior years. It is very important that we respect our elders and that is what I’m hoping will transcend throughout the country,” he said. After giving his suggestion, Deputy Speaker and Tunapuna MP Esmond Forde told Belix he would mention it to Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh but encouraged Belix to put it in writing.

Horne was born in Arima on May 13, 1913 and taught at the Arima Boys’ Government School for several years. She was later handpicked by late President Sir Ellis Clarke to serve as an independent senator in the Upper House from 1976 to 1991. Also paying tribute to Horne was her adopted son Lennox Pierre. He said she made full use of the 104 years God has given her. He said she played a big role in his development.

“She would buy books for me and be a counsel not only to me but to my sisters and my family. She is an exemplar in the sense that that generation they give you a sense of class. A sense of themselves. A sense of being in charge. A sense of making a contribution. She also taught all of us that you need to believe in something and stand for something. And you would realise just listening to her she was no pushover,” he said.

Mark made this charge as he responded to Finance Minister Colm Imbert during debate on the Finance Bill 2017 in the House of Representatives.

After rejecting the figures provided by Imbert about the current state of the economy as “questionable data,” Mark dismissed Imbert’s explanation about the Central Bank tells commercial banks about how to prioritise the foreign exchange which it injects into the financial system.

Claiming there was a divergence of views between Imbert and Economic Advisory Board chairman Dr Terrence Farrell on this matter, Mark asked where would the foreign exchange for manufacturers which Imbert spoke about, come from.

He wondered whether Imbert would go on another road show to raise the money or, “raid the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund” to give foreign exchange to manufacturers.

Mark was cautioned by Senate President Christine Kangaloo when he spoke about circumstances which led to the dismissal of Jwala Rambarran as Central Bank governor in 2015.

Kangaloo reminded him this matter was currently before the court.

Mark then claimed another former governor is serving as Imbert’s advisor.

He further alleged that this person failed to put measures in place to prevent the Clico debacle in 2009. Mark said this has cost TT some $20 billion. He also alleged that the country’s foreign reserves had fallen from US$10.5 billion last September to US$9 billi

Order of TT McArthur Sandy-Lewis (Calypso Rose) and Winston Bailey (Shadow), calypso Earl “Barney” Rodney, pannist, composer, and arranger and Leroy Calliste (Black Stalin), calypso

Chaconia Gold Sonja Dumas, dance; Michelle Lee Ahee and Cleopatra Borel, athletics Neville Jules, pannist and arranger Michael Boothman (guitarist), calypso, jazz, and art Jones P Madeira, Winston Maynard and Eddison Carr, broadcast journalism Winston Peters (Gypsy), calypso, extempo, and public service

Medal of Merit Michael Paul, boxing and community service Edwin Ayoung (Crazy), calypso and parang Francine Edwards (Singing Francine), calypso Winston Henry (Explainer), calypso Daniel Brown (Trinidad Rio), calypso Donrick Williamson (Funny), calypso Sylvester Lockhart (Poser), calypso Learie Joseph and Tommy Joseph, comedy Phillip Murray (Black Sage), calypso and extempo Fortunia Ruiz (trumpeter), music and calypso

These are deserving heroes of TT .

KEITH ANDERSON via email

The Judiciary plays an indispensable role in this type of political system since an essential pillar of democracy is the rule of law. Political morality can never be aspired to, far less claimed, without regard to the paramount importance of the rule of law.

The legitimacy of the institutions of the legal system in a democratic system of governance is intimately intertwined with the perceived importance of the rule of law.

The latter comprises a number of principles of a formal and procedural character, which addresses the way in which a community is governed (Stanford). If we acknowledge that there are norms to which we must adhere, and which pertain to how society is governed, then the inescapable reality must be that there are commensurate procedural principles that must be adhered to with equal vigour and by which these norms are administered.

These procedural principles, if they are to be followed, require institutions such as courts and an independent judiciary that are perceived at least to be credible.

So, on the one hand, we have a prospective judge plucked out of many others like her, through a process that is as opaque as an aged cataract, by a handful of retirees who seem to have bungled the process.

On the other, those responsible for the process of selection have presented a “matrix of fact” through which they attempt to convince the citizen that it is the “product” that is tainted while the process was impeccable.

Citizens recognise clearly that the process was inherently and patently sloppy and find it difficult to internalise the nature of the defect ascribed to the product. After all, in the specific circumstance, it is akin to being presented with an automobile that has no wheels.

And the Prime Minister, whose quintessential concern ought to be the nurturing of Aristotle’s “good citizen,” shrugs off the debacle with stultifying indifference by simply telling the nation that “the Government will have no probe?” That is the type of arrogance that emanates from a head that knows nothing of governance but everything about power for its sake.

STEVE SMITH via email

We had a billion cubic feet of deficit,” he said.

On oil production, he reiterated that Government’s target is to increase production to a minimum of 100,000 barrels a day by the end of 2019. Oil production is now 75,000 barrels a day.

In the debate on the mid year review of the budget during yesterday’s Senate sitting, Khan said that BP Juniper project is due to produce its first gas next month.

“Juniper’s peak production should occur in 2018 with 590 million cubic feet a day.” That would be taking away 590 million from billion.

The joint venture between the EOG and Sercan, he said, which is already on stream, started production last month.

“In a couple of months time, production will peak at 275 million cubic feet a day,” he said.

An additional, 200 is expected from Atlantic LNG Trinidad Onshore Compression (TROC) project this year.

Beyond this year, he said, the Angelin project is expected to bring on stream in the first quarter in 2019, about 500 cubic feet a day. Beyond Angelin, Khan said, BP continues is now drilling in two exploration wells – Savannah and Macadamia.

“There is only one way known to man to produce oil and gas, that is, by drilling wells,” he said.

At present, he said, BP has three rigs drilling offshore and EOG has one. “Four offshore drills. That has not happened for years.” Shell will be bringing two rigs at the end of this year, he said. “All things being equal, we are looking at five to six offshore rigs operating offshore on Trinidad’s east coast,” he said.

The Ocean Bottom Nodes (OBN) seismic system (an imaging technology of the ocean floor), he said, will improve chances of success in exploration.

Shell will also be doing OBN work and drilling on the Dolphin platform while BG is in the process of developing the Starfish prospect.

He said there had been some issues with the Starfish project but that has since been resolved” in the Houston labs”.

BHP has announced a gas sign in the LeClerc well. On the quantum and the economics of the development, Khan said, “That has to be worked out. I won’t say more on that right now.” Noting the need to increase oil production, Khan said, “Because of the state of Trinidad and Tobago, oil is still a better business than gas.” he said that there is no query about the price of oil.

“Every single crude in the world,” he said, “is benchmarked with a reference price. We produce good crude here.” TT is fortunate that its gas resources, he said, will be managed by three of the top energy companies in the world — BP, Shell and BHP, an Australian company.

PNM supporters are being asked to show some love for the party. The Food Inclusive/Bush Lime put on Saturday by Diego Martin West is the one to beat.

On a scale of 1 to 10, Diego Martin West pulled off a 20.

Great venue, great atmosphere, exceptional live bands (Xavier to Blaax) giving us some great music and with a DJ to die for, they had everybody smiling and jamming late into the night. Soca, calypso, jazz and some long-time rent-a-tile romantic music, it was a bush lime with plenty style down in Chaguaramas.

Supporters walked with their own coolers. There was excellent security for vehicles and a shuttle service was laid on.

Good food including pork, crab and dumpling, curry goat, doubles and pelau; you could not ask for more.

When it got dark and the lights in the trees came on, Diego Martin West constituency “eat them raw.” Plenty people did not want to go home.

The gauntlet has been thrown down for all other constituents on both sides of the divide to prove who really loves “dey party.” Give value for money and supporters who can afford to help will happily put their hands in their pockets. The way things are looking the project to get funds for upgrading Balisier House is a done deal.

Make a guess which fete promoter was smiling from ear to ear.

LYNETTE JOSEPH Diego Martin

Batting first, Hillpiece tallied 95 runs for six wickets while NMO replied with 95/5.

A ‘Super Over’ was required and, with tension at fever-pitch, Goolie took the responsibility of bowling the first over. Avin Bissoondath was run out off the second ball while Ravi Samaroo scored a single – the first run of the over – off the third ball.

Devon Duncan was dropped off the fourth delivery while the fifth ball was a wide. However, Goolie redeemed himself to have Duncan caught by Bisham Gobin.

With only four runs required for overall victory, left-handed Goolie flicked the first ball from Shammi Mahase to the fine leg boundary to spark wild celebrations from their supporters.

Duncan and Samaroo scored 27 each as Hillpiece – Duncan faced 16 balls and struck a six and three fours while Samaroo also lashed a six and three boundaries, off 14 deliveries.

Goolie claimed two wickets for 17 runs while Avinash Ramjohn took 2/20.

The left-handed Goolie had thrilled the crowd with his belligerent strokeplay and piloted his team to a strong position.

He blasted a quick-fire 52 that was studded with three sixes and seven boundaries off 21 deliveries.

Goolie was adjudged the Man of the Match, and collected a beautiful trophy and a Smart TV presented by Courts Commercial Director Roger Rambharose.

NMO’s captain Avinash Gobin collected the Courts Trophy from Member of Parliament for the LaBrea constituency Nicole Olliveirre, who was among the hundreds of spectators who remained until after midnight for the conclusion of the keenly- contested grand finale.

Finance Minister Colm Imbert said his ministry had requested the Central Bank to give priority to manufacturing and trade whenever it “intervenes” in the market.

If the truth be told, the bank has always had this prerogative to redirect the disbursements to the area where they are needed.

In 2015, we recall the outcry when parents were unable to access foreign exchange to pay tuition for their children at foreign universities.

The then PP government was advised that this mechanism could be utilised to alleviate the concern and anxiety and was an ideal opportunity, pre-election, to show the population it really was interested in the betterment of all citizens.

Sadly, it chose to do nothing but instead allowed the perception that payment for goods and services to North and Central America was of greater importance.

Perhaps that’s one of the reasons it lost the election and why it is now confined to languish in a forlorn state in opposition.

The Minister of Finance can never be accused in the last 20 months of having any idea of how to move the economy forward, instead choosing to blame the past administration for its misdeeds.

This proposal at least warrants deliberation as, for the first time, support is being directed to the productive sector to encourage growth. In the worse case, if it does not have any positive benefits it can always be withdrawn.

In fairness, praise should be given to the minister for at least keeping his promise to assist the manufacturing sector to access foreign exchange. Trying something is better than the nothing done over the past months.

I have always had the highest regard for the opinions of Farrell but his displeasure about the proposed system may expose the fact that he has missed the point of how to kickstart the economy and this can only happen when incentives are given to the productive sector.

Unless he can offer a good reason why foreign exchange should, for example, be given preferentially to import a new car rather than for raw material to produce locally manufactured goods, then he should be quiet and support the proposal.

R BALLARD Diego Martin

Today, with the brand poised for international expansion, Angostura Lemon Lime and Bitters has launched a new, redesigned packaging, supported by an advertising campaign — “Live Love Be” — which communicates the brand’s core attributes to its many consumers.

The new packaging, designed by Good Creative UK, retains the striking lemon and lime colour palette that is intrinsic to the brand, while elevating the iconic Angostura logo to the head of the design, making it a key focal point.

“The packaging redesign strengthens the connection between Angostura Lemon Lime and Bitters and its ‘mother brand,’ Angostura aromatic bitters, through elements such as the yellow tab,” says Angostura CEO Genevieve Jodhan.

“The effect of this will be to reinforce the fact that Angostura Lemon Lime and Bitters is the only carbonated soft drink in the world that contains Angostura aromatic bitters,” Jodhan adds, “Our goal is to align the look and essence of the brand in all of our markets as we build the brand globally.” In-depth consumer research guided the brand’s Live Love Be campaign, which recognises that Angostura Lemon Lime and Bitters consumers are socially active and focused on the enrichment of life and inclusiveness.

“The Live Love Be campaign includes a well-rounded combination of media and promotional activity and a very strong presence in our trade channels,” says brand manager Lawn Davis, “It reflects the personality of Angostura Lemon Lime and Bitters consumers: They Live by being aware and involved in every actual, waking moment; they Love whole-heartedly and go for it with all that they’ve got and Be, by staying true to who they are.” The new packaging and advertising campaign rolled out on May 11

Displays were of a high standard and featured many spectacular, high quality plants.

Three TT OS awards of quality were awarded. Awards of Merit were given to Wilmotteara Hamlyn’s Glory “Sara Rehana” 83 points; Dendrobium antennatum “Gran Couva”, 82 points. This plant also captured the Best in Show trophy, Best Cultural Award and a Gold Medal. A Highly Commended Certificate was awarded to Vanda lamellate var boxialli ‘Reza” HCC/TT OS, 79 pts.

The TT OS’s second biannual show will be held in Port-of- Spain in October