The Forestry Department of the Division of Agriculture, Marine Affairs, Marketing and the Environment of the Tobago House of Assembly is reminding hunters that they must present a photo identification and a recent utility bill when applying. The cost of a licence is $100.

Those interested can apply between 8 am and 2.30 pm, at the Revenue Collecting Office, Victor E Bruce Financial Complex in Scarborough and at the Revenue Collecting Office in Roxborough.

According to reports, shortly after midday, police led by Senior Supt Daniel and including ASP Mervyn Edwards and Insp Birch, along with Sgt Matthew Haywood, received information that a convoy of three stolen vehicles had been seen on Soriah Trace, Cumuto.

Police went to the area and confronted the drivers of a Rover pickup, an Almera and a B 15.

The driver of the B 15 allegedly fired several shots at the police when asked to get out of the car.

Police shot back, but the man was not injured. All three suspects were taken into custody and police found spent shells at the scene.

The three vehicles were handed to the Stolen Vehicle Squad.

Officers from that unit were examining them yesterday and inspecting documents to ascertain the real owners. Police believe that with the arrest of the three suspects they may be able to solve several larcenies of vehicles in the Northern Division. They also believe the cars were being taken to Soriah Trace to be scrapped and sold.

Any member of the public who may have had one of these cars stolen is asked to contact the Stolen vehicles squad to help identify them.

The tournament had seven flights play 36 holes as individual stroke play: Championship; 1st Flight; 2nd Flight; 3rd Flight; Super Seniors; Seniors; and Women’s Championship.

Lisa Ghany, Down Syndrome Family Network’s (DSFN) chairman of events and sponsorship, was on hand to receive the funds raised via a raffle that was held over the two days. The funds will go towards offsetting the cost of their upcoming Buddy Walk 2017. DSFN is focused on providing “parents or caregivers of persons with Down Syndrome… the resources, support and answers they need to educate and develop the full potential of these individuals throughout their lives.”

It is rather unfortunate that politics takes precedence over what is good for education. Ministers simply cannot resist the political mileage that can be squeezed out of education and therefore go to great lengths to gain political capital from what should otherwise be a routine exercise such as the reopening of school.

TTUTA would have routinely engaged the hierarchy of the Ministry of Education on September 1, to ascertain the status of the vacation repair programme. In a very frank and cordial exchange, certain updates were given to TTUTA which informed its media statement. Segments of this statement seemed to have displeased the Minister of Education when he responded to media questions regarding the readiness of school for reopening.

By the ministry’s own admission, the vacation repair programme got off to the usual late start and thus their targets could not have been met. Was the minister contradicting his own technocrats? Should we now question the reliability of information from high-ranking officials of the ministry? TTUTA prides itself with having a good working relationship with the ministry. Based on this information it would have sought to advise its members accordingly.

The OSHA is very clear about who determines if workplaces are safe. Simply insisting that all schools would be reopened on time is not the same as saying they will be safe and secure according the provisions of the law.

TTUTA has a duty to protect the interest of its members within the construct of a legal framework. Its duty is to advise its members of their rights under the law and how and when these rights can be exercised.

Basic honesty and decency would dictate that we fully apprise the country of the truth regarding the state of readiness of schools for resumption. Anything less would be a disservice to the nation. Acknowledgement of the inefficiencies of the current vacation repair programme would be the first step to correcting its shortcomings.

During the 2015 election campaign, the then Opposition Leader acknowledged that the bureaucracy involved in getting such a large number of schools repaired in a narrow time frame is an arrangement that has not worked and suggested that a different approach involving the regional corporations would have been adopted if his party was elected to govern.

No discernible change in the approach to school repairs and general maintenance has been seen thus far. The same failed approaches prevail and we expect different results. Discerning minds might detect duplicity here.

No one will argue that the task is simple, given the complex ownership arrangements that govern our schools, coupled with their age. In promoting the cause of education, TTUTA, as a major stakeholder, has a duty to protect the interest of its members and if schools are unsafe or unfit for occupation by teachers and students it is duty-bound to say so. It is also duty-bound to hold those in authority accountable.

TTUTA will continue to serve its members and country without fear or favour, seeking no political mileage out of education. Its objective is not to embarrass, nor engage in a war of words. It demands to be treated with respect and stands ready and willing to work with the authorities to ensure quality education in quality schools using quality tools and teachers.

Here’s to a productive term.

When the House sat last Friday, the Opposition refused to support both motions.

This resulted in two tied votes, as Government and Opposition each had 17 MPs present in the Parliament Chamber.

Speaker Bridgid Annisette- George exercised her casting vote in both situations, voting with the Government.

Annisette-George also voted with the Government a third time when the Opposition refused to support the House’s adjournment to Friday.

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and Leader of Government Business Camille Robinson-Regis said the Opposition’s actions were dictated by the fact that both sides had equal numbers of MPs.

Robinson-Regis said both bills do not require special majorities for passage.

Government is expected to have all its MPs, with the exception of La Horquetta/ Talparo MP Maxie Cuffie, in the House on Friday.

Cuffie is recuperating at St Clair Medical Centre after experiencing a medical episode last Tuesday.

Friday’s sitting will also see Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley field questions from the Opposition in Prime Minister’s Questions, which happens at the second sitting of the House every month.

The Public Administration and Appropriations Joint Select Committee (JSC), which is chaired by Annisette-George, held an in-camera meeting yesterday at Tower D of the Portof- Spain International Waterfront Centre. Tomorrow, the National Security JSC will hold a symposium on the private security industry in TT in the J Hamilton Maurice Room at Tower D from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

In the San Fernando High Court yesterday, Seepersad held that 69-year-old handyman Layne Gordon of Clifton Hill, Point Fortin, was unlawfully locked up by police, charged and prosecuted.

Gordon is to be paid compensation which is to be assessed by a Master of the High Court. Seepersad said Godron was, more than likely, arrested in January 2011 at 4 am at the house than on the road as claimed by the police.

The police said they were patrolling Clifton Hill in response to reports of break-ins in the area.

They claimed they saw Gordon on Ridgeway Drive, Clifton Hill and arrested him when they found on him a pair of shears and latex gloves. Gordon spent three days in the Point Fortin station before being charged. However, the charge against him was dismissed by a magistrate for want of prosecution.

Attorney James Philbert, a former commissioner of police, and attorney Carl Mattis represented Gordon in the lawsuit against the State.

Clifton Cadogan, who owned the house in which Gordon lived, flew to Trinidad from the United States to testify on Gordon’s behalf.

Seepersad said he believed Gordon’s version of the events, but lamented why the conduct of the police should have to be subjected to a judge or magistrate to determine truth on a balance of probabilities.

The conduct of police officers on raids for example, the judge said, should be a matter of fact and the recent issuing of body cameras is of paramount importance.

At the July launch in which the TTPS linked with Trinidad and Tobago Telecommunications Limited, 60 cameras were expected to be distributed across all nine policing divisions, by August 1.

Seepersad said,” When body cameras are available, it is used to protect the citizens and, more particularly, it protects the Police Service whose members are always subjected to unreasonable, unfair and unjustifiable criticisms in how they engage their activities.

Dire efforts have to be made because we cannot function effectively if the society, which you take an oath to protect, does not trust you.

The event which marked the end of a three-day long workshop which sought to improve dialogue and networking between local and regional stakeholders in the agriculture sector in establishing a standardised framework for the trade of produce. Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Clarence Rambharat during his feature address reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to ensuring safe and affordable food to the nation and the region, adding that food security was everyone’s concern.

“I think that food safety systems cuts across everything that we do and if politicians don’t believe that it is their business, then they are not consuming food. It is something that affects all of us.” Rambharat added that food safety was especially important to the workforce as it has been shown that food borne illnesses have been responsible for a disproportionately high incidence of absenteeism in TT.

He also addressed claims of the Moringa plant as a potential treatment for serious ailments, urging consumers to do the necessary research on products before consuming them.

“I believe that at a minimum and with a big push, Moringa can be considered to be a food supplement.

I am not technically qualified to pronounce on it but I know Moringa does not qualify to be a cure for cancer, a cure for diabetes.” “I don’t think that anyone who is out there in flea markets who are advertising Moringa as a cure for all these things should be dispensing the sort of medical advice that they dispense.” The Minister said that in addition to the health and trade aspect of food security, the necessary precautions ought to be taken to protect consumers from fraudulent claims about produce.

Chilean Ambassador HE Fernando Schmidt also extended his congratulations to TT for taking the first steps towards regional dialogue on establishing the Codex Manual and Strategic Plan which are geared towards food security.

He said that the project was testament of Chile’s continued commitment to promoting regional sustainability adding that TT had enormous potential for growth in the agricultural sector.

But additionally, Sunday’s thrilling victory over the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots showed us just how important it is for all individuals to persevere. Individual excellence is key to any team effort.

Who cannot be inspired by Man of the Match Kevon Cooper and his tearful admission of the struggles that led up to his pivotal performance? “Super Cooper” inspires with something that is unusual in the roughly-hewn domain of sport: vulnerability.

“Well for me, I was being emotional because I’ve been here with this team from day one – five years,” said Super Cooper. “I’ve been through ups and downs in my career with my bowling action… and a day like this, in a big final, to contribute to my team is always something special. It just shows I’m really a strong person.

No matter what comes my way I always try to overcome that hurdle.” He took the Knight Riders across the finish line.

Congratulations to the team, including captain Dwayne Bravo, wicketkeeper/batsman Denesh Ramdin – whose patient 26 not out from 31 balls also contributed to the victory – and new coach Simon Katich. The victory is the second for the team in five years, saying something about the consistency of its players as well as talent.

Perhaps the regional West Indies team can learn some lessons from the Trinbago Knight Riders. The West Indies has constantly been embroiled in conflict and notwithstanding occasional good results has never quite managed to shake off the perception of being in the doldrums.

For long-suffering West Indies fans here, it is a particularly good feeling to be able to back a team that wins.

The venue of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) finals was also notable, representing a test of the newly-opened Brian Lara Academy. As with every major sporting event in the land, there were reports of traffic problems going into and after the match – a matter that calls for attention by the authorities.

It is little use putting on a fun, word-class sporting event if all pleasure to be derived from it dissipates during the two-hour crawl away from the game in traffic.

What the Trinbago Knight Riders victory also highlights is the abundance of talent in the region, talent which does not always get a chance to shine on a regional level. Which begs the question: are the regional systems working properly to nurture, enhance and showcase talent; to put individuals to the test? Sport is a complex field, but in theory, if the Trinbago Knight Riders can be so good, why can’t the West Indies replicate this? The local team places even more pressure on the region to place the West Indies Cricket Board under scrutiny.

Still, this year’s energetic tournament speaks to the changing face of the game where there is now a lot of attraction in relation to the T20 and One-Day International formats. The face of cricket has profoundly changed and it is good to see renewed interest in the sport. It is for the State, communities and civil society to capitalise on this and perhaps continue encouraging youth to turn to the sport.

Certainly, as “Super Cooper” demonstrated, we as a society can do with more positivity and can all benefit from the lessons the game teaches us about strength of character and personal achievement. Well done all!

In a statement, Maharaj asked what made his complaint unpatriotic and “even traitor-like.” Asking whether citizens were not allowed to question the actions of the Government or use constitutional provisions to investigate national issues, Maharaj claimed Young’s reaction “is deeply disturbing for the freedom of expression in our democratic society.” Maharaj agreed with Young about the proposal for the construction of a Sandals Resort in Tobago being at the initial stage and no decision being taken on the project. However, Maharaj claimed Young did not indicate how Sandals was selected in the first place.

He asked if this process differed from one taken by the Urban Development Corporation of TT when it employed a transparent and public request for proposal for a Port of Spain hotel.

This hotel is being proposed for the site of the former agriculture ministry in St Clair.

Maharaj said while Young said Government had publicly committed from the onset to provide full details about this project, “The public is still awaiting these details.” He reiterated that all his complaint did was ask for an investigation into how Sandals was selected, “as it appeared to be hand-picked by the administration without any procurement processes.”

Rambharat made the statement yesterday while speaking to reporters at the closing ceremony of the Technical Cooperation Project for Latin America and the Caribbean held at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain.

He said in light of declining oil and gas prices, agriculture remains a viable means of revenue and urged citizens to support local farmers however they can.

“Trinidadians and Tobagonians need to make a decision as to whether they want to support local farmers or whether they want to support people growing fruits and vegetables in countries that they don’t know and they don’t see the production or the farmers.” Rambharat said while the economic downturn has affected everyone, the ministry continues to work closely with farmers to ensure optimal value for products productivity at a price everyone can afford.

“You will go to all the markets and see there is fresh fruit and vegetables available for sale are zero rated, which means that its not trapped in Value Added Tax. We are able to work with farmers to keep the prices at the level that consumers can buy.” Asked what his expectations were for the mid year budget, he said he was not at liberty to divulge what specific requests were made, but said he was prepared to work with whatever was allocated to him, for the betterment of farmers.