The same can be said for the water leaks on St Lucian Road in Diego Martin, Blue Range Avenue in Blue Range, Henry Pierre Street in St James and many others throughout the country.

We have gotten used to hundreds of leaks left unattended for exceedingly long periods.

We are no longer alarmed by murder, misappropriation of public funds, failing infrastructure or the inability of our State institutions to function efficiently.

The Joint Select Committee of Parliament’s enquiry into the operations of the port has demonstrated endemic levels of incompetence that seem to permeate most of our government institutions.

What is extremely disturbing is that rather than seek solutions to our problems, both politicians and party supporters seem to be seeking ways to gain political mileage from what is clearly a very troubling set of affairs.

The wastage of our limited financial and other resources is no political football. Families are in pain as they struggle with criminal activity in their communities, deteriorating healthcare, poor water distribution, debilitating traffic congestion, an absence of quality long-term employment opportunities for our youths, and failing infrastructure. Most of this pain can be reduced with better planning and finance.

We cannot and must not continue to tolerate the irresponsible wastage that has plagued our governance over the decades. There are simple solutions to fixing leaking water lines, implementing better management practices, diversifying our economy, and reducing criminal activity in communities.

Our politicians know this.

The obstacle to progress lies with the leadership of our major political parties. One can conclude that the major political parties are not as concerned with the needs of the country or their supporters as they are with the concerns of their financiers.

It is possible that since the financiers are largely responsible for the success of politicians at elections, it is their agendas that are addressed when political parties are elected to office.

That must change if TT is to emerge from the burden of incompetence that threatens our very survival. We must unite to save our nation. Labour, our public servants, our business community, one percent, two percent and every other percent must all unite in embracing a new political direction with new leadership dedicated to the welfare of TT .

STEVE ALVAREZ via email

ONE of the popular events of the parang season, Start De Parang, was held at the Lions Cultural centre last Sunday. The event, was hosted by the reigning national parang champions Voces Jovenes

Richards copped bronze in the men’s 200-metre event and gold in the men’s 4x400m relay at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London last month.

Local athletes have been pleading for more support from Trinidad and Tobago, including Richards’ teammates at the 2017 World Championships such as Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Michelle-Lee Ahye.

The local athletes are saying that a lack of support is preventing them from excelling.

In an interview with Newsday, Richards urged local athletes to not lose hope.

“I would always say to put everything in God’s hands. I believe that if you pray for something that it would come to past, because there is nothing that God can’t do,” Richards said.

“Outside of that you don’t give up if it is something that you really want to do, don’t give up and keep working hard because without struggles you would not enjoy success.

The measure of your success is based on your struggles and you will really enjoy it more when you know where you came from and where you are now. Never give up is what I will say to younger athletes.” Richards is thankful to Adidas as it was always his dream to be a professional athlete. “I am really grateful to God for this opportunity.

Since I started track and field it has been my dream to become a professional athlete. To actually begin my career right now I really am thankful for the opportunity that I had and the blessings that God has bestowed upon me.” Richards, who did not want to reveal the details of the contract, said the contract will give him an extra boost in his career. “It really gives me a big boost because now I can actually pick some of the races that I would be able to run. I will be running against at an elite level of athletes that are also professional.” The World Championship double medallist is counting on TT to give more support to local athletes.

“I hope the local companies pay more attention to the local athletes because in Trinidad and Tobago there are a lot of talented kids and sometimes we need the support.

Not just financially, but also for people to be there and come out and support kids at the track meets.

With the support of the country we could go really far.” Earlier in the day Richards thanked all his supporters on Twitter.

“After such a successful 2017 season representing the University of Alabama and also representing Trinidad and Tobago in the 2017 World Championships, I will like to thank my family and friends and everyone for supporting me this year, without you all it would not be possible.”

For some reason this got me thinking about preambles. A contemplation that was fuelled further by a recent lecture by Justice Peter Jamadar on the “Caribbeanisation” of legal education.

I certainly do not attempt to represent here the views he expressed during his lecture. Rather, for me the nagging question is why bother with a preamble? Why not just cut to the chase and deal with the minutiae in the Constitution. The real meat of the matter for rule-oflaw considerations is in the rest of the Constitution, from Article 1 onwards. Preambles are generally believed to have no significant force in law, so why bother? We bother because preambles give context; they articulate our aspirations and our expectations as a nation and as citizens. I recall as a member of the UN mediation team in Cyprus, our largely unsuccessful attempts to get the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to sit together to draft a preamble to the Constitution to a future united Cyprus.

They preferred instead to hammer out the details of the legislative provisions to protect each other from the other. In fact, we dared not even refer to the people of Cyprus in any document as Greek and Turkish Cypriots, each side standing strong on the principle of being different. Thankfully, in this country we are very far along in the evolution of embracing our diversity, a fact that must never be overlooked. Preambles are important.

When the rule of law breaks down and institutions begin to falter, it is in the words of the preamble that we can find the source of our discontent. It is to the preamble that we should return to guide us back to what is our common purpose.

The very, very first words of the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are, “Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world…” These sentiments are reflected in the preamble of our own Constitution, which begins by establishing that the Constitution is intended to uphold the will of the people, individually and collectively. It begins, “Whereas the people of Trinidad and Tobago” and then affirms the dignity of the human person and the equal and inalienable rights with which all members of the human family are endowed.

It goes on to declare our respect for the principles of social justice and to require that the operation of the economic system should result in the material resources of the community being so distributed as to subserve the common good.

It asserts our belief in a democratic society and recognises that men, women, children and institutions remain free only when freedom is founded upon respect for moral and spiritual values.

Only after articulating all the hopes of the people of Trinidad and Tobago and the desire that their Constitution should enshrine these principles and beliefs does the Constitution begin to articulate how this should be done: “Now, therefore the following provisions shall have effect…” Preambles are important because only with the fuller and common understanding of our context can boundaries established by the rule of law have meaning as being in the service of the ideals of the people.

It is only with that picture of how we each fit into the whole that we can move forward as one.

The commemoration provides a useful chance for all of us to reflect on how, in matters involving the suicidal, the smallest gesture can mean the difference between life and death.

According to one estimate, Trinidad and Tobago has the 41st highest suicide rate in the world. That’s more suicides per 100,000 people than even the United States (which ranks at 50 out of 170 countries).

Regionally, we are exceeded only by Guyana and Suriname.

Disturbingly, while we have been ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world, our suicide rate has increased in recent years. And more and more young people are affected.

Many of these tragic deaths have been attributed to failed relationships and family issues. Economic problems have also been a contributing factor, according to Prof Gerard Hutchinson, Head of Clinical Medical Sciences at the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Globally, more than 800,000 people die by suicide every year and up to 25 times as many make a suicide attempt. But behind all these statistics are the individual experiences of those who have, for many different reasons, privately questioned the viability of their own lives. And those who may have made a suicide attempt that went undetected.

Each one of these individuals is somebody’s mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, partner, friend, neighbour. Each exists within a community. Some may have great social ties and a perpetually expanding Rolodex. Others may be less social, and some may be ostracised and isolated. Regardless of the situation, we all have an important role to play in supporting those who are vulnerable.

It is a myth that a person who exhibits suicidal behaviour is beyond assistance. One effective method of suicide prevention is making sure individuals do not have access to the means to take their lives. This would include placing restrictions on the purchasing of deadly pesticides, backed by rules and laws that are properly and consistently enforced.

Another strategy is to ensure individuals are aware of services available and where they can turn to for help. For example, services such as Lifeline are valuable in suicide prevention. Anyone in need of counselling or support can contact the suicide hotline at 645-2800 or 645-6616.

A comprehensive, multi-sectoral suicide prevention strategy should be adopted by both the public and private sectors.

This is a matter of public health.

It is also a moral issue: all nations should treat with priority its most vulnerable.

There can be no doubt that changing attitudes in relation to mental health are also a key precursor for a more effective suicide prevention strategy.

Too often are mental health issues poorly understood. The discourse often veers between caricatures of people who are mentally ill to outright dismissals of the profound and tangible impact a mental health condition can have on someone’s quality of life.

Talking openly about suicidal feelings and the question of mental health is a positive step. Therefore events such as next October’s Youth Suicide Prevention Awareness Walk & Campaign Launch — organised by the Youth Ambassadors TT group — are most welcomed.

With the nascent recognition of the deleterious impact of social media on the mental health of millennials and those who have been raised in an Internet age, parents must also be mindful of State-issued guidelines about the management of social media.

Let’s all remember how even small things can add up and save lives.

Keep in mind some of the challenges you may probably encounter such as a lack of support from your household, food dislikes, emotional issues, higher food prices, unemployment, shortened work hours and cooking skills among others.

The willingness of individuals to work together whether through choosing nutritious foods, preparing healthy dishes and snacks with local produce, can be helpful in achieving success.

Perhaps, being motivated again can help you to achieve your goal. This process is quite simple –make small changes daily – aim to drink more water, cut back on sugary beverages and energy drinks; add veggies to your daily menu; participate in physical activities such as walking, running, aerobics, cricket, football and so on weekly.

Eat fresh fruit, less concentrated sweets and incorporate more fibre-rich foods in the diet, such as peas and beans, ground provision, starchy fruits, whole grains and whole grain products.

Opting to make one change at a time can help you to get one step closer to replacing unhealthy practices with healthy ones.

Dietary habits To adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle include not only dietary habits but physical activity habits, as well as economic, social and environmental factors.

The total diet or an individual’s dietary pattern is the primary focus of healthy eating.

Eating practices can be powerful, some practices may be very good but some will need to change –such as skipping breakfast and other meals, crashed dieting and so on. Dietary habits may be influenced by several factors including weight management, time, availability of food, media messaging, cultural attitudes and beliefs.

Eating habits The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested that to improve eating habits, people should reflect on their eating habits both good and not so good, and what might possibility trigger poor food choices. You can create a list and highlight what causes you to overeat. Make the effort to swap unhealthy eating habits for healthy ones and reinforce the new healthy eating habits.

Therefore, in working with individuals, the following can be looked at: even though guidance is provided, include their ideas – always allow them to have input and work with the recipes. Make it fun and focus on variety, moderation and proportionality in the context of a healthy lifestyle.

The aim is to plan well-balanced meals and show them how to include foods from the different food groups. Ensure that people understand meal planning –how to choose nutritious foods and prepare them. Schedule a visit with a registered dietitian or nutritionist and work with them on meal planning and grocery shopping. Practical nutrition messages can be much more beneficial in helping people to make lifestyle changes.

You can win Studies show that adopting a healthy lifestyle may lower one’s potential risk for chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) or even help those already diagnosed. This, of course, may help them to improve their quality of life and to better manage their weight, improve blood pressure, blood glucose (blood sugar) and cholesterol levels. In addition, stress management at home and at work is also essential.

You should take time to relax, considering work-life balance-time. Add downtime to your schedule, include physical activity but first check with your medical doctor, dialogue with managers and adjust work schedule if possible. Be sure to take a few minutes to relax at lunchtime. Enjoy family time and special events with colleagues.

Be sure to catch up on sleep as it is vital throughout the life cycle in maintaining good health.

Getting adequate sleep at the right times can aid in protecting mental and physical health, quality of life and safety. Sleep deficiency can increase your risk for some chronic health problems; it can affect how you think, react, learn, work, and get along with others. So, then be determined, make the commitment to improve your health, and enjoy life.

Claudette Mitchell, PhD, RD – Assistant Professor, University of the Southern Caribbean, School of Science, Technology and Allied Health

Facebook commentators say the five-day suspension instituted by his principal, during the first week of school, was unwarranted and called for the Ministry of Education to take action against the principal. The Ministry of Education has confirmed it is investigating the suspension and will also be providing assistance to the student through the student support unit of the ministry. “We have forwarded the posting and spoken to the school supervisor and they are interacting with the principal.” However, officials said it is unlikely there will be any significant action taken against the principal based on the structure of the public service regulations.

The student whose identity is being protected, wrote on line, “The school is being dismissed at 11:30 am since the beginning of the term. That’s barely enough time to hand in homework and receive new assignments.

How long will this go on for?” United National Congress (UNC) Senator Khadijah Ameen in an online post questioned what he did wrong asking, “Did this post bring the school into disrepute? Did the student chastise the principal or teachers? What is the ‘offence’ here? This cannot be right. I am seeking guidance on this.” She called for the reinstatement of the student and for the Minister of Education Anthony Garcia, to deal with the real problem of hundreds of students being deprived of an education due to no fault of their own.

The Ministry also confirmed that the child is back in school and that the principal and his parents are engaged in dealing with the situation.

President of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) Lynsley Doodhai, who has been highlighting the problems at this school for a long time, said he did not want to rush to make any comments with respect to the suspension as he did not have all the details..

“What I can say is that this school has had some serious air condition issues going on for years and it needs to be fixed.” He said the school was designed to operate with this central air condition unit which has been experiencing no shortage of problems. He said for the entire April to July term, classes were continuously disrupted resulting in teachers leaving school at 9 am almost on a daily basis.

Doodhai said because of this problem the school population has dwindled to about 400 students with a staff of about 50.

“Teaches complained of rashes on their skin, skin abrasions and even sought medical attention and received medical certificates attesting to that.” He said it is his understanding that the ministry owes the contractor and the contractor is refusing to do any work unless he is paid.

Rowley returned home early yesterday morning on a red eye Caribbean Airlines flight out of New York.

Rowley was supposed to return home on Monday but, his return was delayed because of the closure of Miami International Airport due to the passage of Hurricane Irma.

Government officials said Rowley was not in office yesterday but has been keeping abreast of developments which took place during his absence.

Confirmation of Rowley’s return was given in a statement issued yesterday by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

The OPM has been handling the administrative functions of the Public Administrations and Communications Ministry since regular line minister Maxie Cuffie fell ill last Tuesday.

Cuffie is recuperating at St Clair Medical Centre and his family has asked for privacy while he recuperates.

On Sunday, officials said Rowley will “attend to further interim arrangements for that portfolio” when he returns.

Newsday understands a decision may be taken after Thursday’s weekly Cabinet meeting at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s.

The OPM said the objective of “Conversations with the Prime Minister” forum is to, “engage the national community as we continue to work together and navigate our challenging circumstances towards a brighter future.” Among the issues which Rowley may deal with tonight is an allegation made by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar about a fake oil scandal at Petrotrin.

Per s ad-Bi s s es s ar claimed a lease operator had defrauded Petrotrin of almost $100 million by inflating the figures for oil it was supplying to the company.

She also claimed the operator was a People’s National Movement (PNM) financier.

Energy Minister and PNM chairman Franklin Khan rejected Persad- Bissessar’s allegations at a news conference on Monday.

Rowley may also respond to a threat of legal action against him from Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal.

At a news conference at Piarco International Airport on September 1, before he left for California for a medical check-up, Rowley said Moonilal may have questions to answer in connection with the alleged mishandling of more than $400 million at the Estate Management and Business Development Company Limited (EMBD) in August 2015, just before the last election. Moonilal has threatened legal action against Rowley because of these remarks.

Senior government officials have since indicated, “While Dr Moonilal is free to approach any court, he will be met with all the necessary responses when required.”

Emily Pasqual was numb yesterday at her Arima home as she struggled to come to terms with the loss of her sister Melan June Salvary-Doyle who along with her (Salvary-Doyle) grandson Oliver Robert-Gedio, three, were swept to their deaths in raging flood waters when Irma unleashed her fury on the tiny island of St Martin last Wednesday.

“I am in denial. I am just trying to cope,” Pasqual told Newsday during an interview at her Hall Street, Sherwood Park home. Even more disheartening, Pasqual said, is her family’s inability to contact Salvary-Doyle’s daughter Daphne Doyle since the tragedy occurred at the latter’s 32 A, Rue Round The Pond French Quarters in St Martin.

Pasqual said Daphne was not at home at the time of the tragedy as she had been taking care of a newborn grand-daughter at a house a short distance away. “I haven’t seen anything or spoken to her,” Pasqual said of her niece Daphne. “I am only saying what other people told us because there has been no communication.

It was just what you what other people told us. There was no communication directly to her.” Pasqual said the family has been able to rely on her own daughter, who lives in the United States and a niece in Canada, for information concerning Salvary-Doyle and the toddler. “They have been getting in contact with us and relaying messages.

We have just been getting second and third party information.” In the interim, Pasqual said a wake to celebrate the life of Salvary- Doyle, 64, and her three-yearold grandchild had been planned for last night at her Sherwood Park home. Pasqual disputed claims on social media that her sister, a Trinidadian national, died while on vacation in St Martin.

“She did not go on vacation but her daughter (Daphne) lives up there and she would sometimes make two trips a year. Daphne has been living up there for the past two decades,” Pasqual said.

Pasqual said Salvary-Doyle, a mother of six who lived in San Fernando, left Trinidad about three weeks oge Hurricane Irma hit St Martin last Wednesday. Police in St Martin confirmed Salvary-Doyle and the toddler’s deaths on Sunday.

Pasqual said the family was told that when the house Salvary-Doyle was in began falling apart when Irma touched down, she and the rest of the family decided to leave for another house a short distance away.

Pasqual said that just before her sister and the toddler reached the house, “the flood waters and sea came in and the waves took them.” Pasqual said since receiving the grim news, she has not been sleeping well. She expressed sadness for all who died during Irma’s passage in St Martin and other Caribbean islands. Yesterday, Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Stuart Young said the Government was saddened by the deaths of Salvary-Doyle and her grandson.

He said the helicopter service was able to evacuate about 50 people from St Maarten on Monday, including several children who sat on their parents laps. These included 19 Trinis, five Antiguans, four Dominicans and several Barbadians.

While it was not confirmed by TT Foreign and Caricom Affairs, despite requests made by Newsday, Fernandez said several Trinidadians returned home on Monday and others were expected yesterday.

The minister said some of the people being evacuated were experiencing problems because they did not have travel documents with them.

“There are road blocks because of what is happening now. People who do not have travel documents or passports are having difficulty in getting past the road blocks.

The King of Netherlands visited the Dutch section of the island, St Maarten on Monday and security was quadrupled,” Minister Fernandez said. Fernandez added that TT evacuees were being housed at the Halcyon Cove and Courtsland Hotel in Antigua. “We are not sure if they have the funds to come out so we are getting their names and sending it to the TT Government to approve for them to go out on a flight to Trinidad. The minister said even before the evacuees even arrived they processed them by name and meals and water were provided for them at the hotels at the cost of the Antigua/Barbuda government. Contacted yesterday, TT’s Ag Foreign Affairs Minister Stuart Young said the government is continuing to evacuate nationals from Tortola. He said an official request had been sent to the British Government requesting assistance for nationals in the British Virgin Islands. Asked if TT would be offering any financial aid to the besieged islands, Young said the TT Government had not given any active consideration to that. “At this stage we have not addressed that and TT ourselves are in constrained financial circumstances, so we sent a helicopter with crew and we are assisting as best as we can,” Young said.