Police officers led by Senior Superintendent Simbonath Rajkumar and including Superintendent Mohammed, ASP Bailey, Insp Lezama and Corporals Solomon and Maharaj, went to Alexander Street near the Valsayn Teachers College and surrounded the house.
Deyalsingh was speaking on Wednesday at the Metal Industries Company Limited (MIC) Administrative Professional Symposium titled Unlocking Your True Professional Potential at the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, UWI Campus, St Augustine.
The symposium was launched in 2008 in commemoration of Administrative Professionals Week, and this year’s theme is Excellence, No Exceptions.
Quoting from Proverbs 12:11, Deyalsingh said those who work the land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
“Let us not take the land literally, lets just say those who work, whether you work the land or in the office or you work for yourself, washing cars for a living, will have abundant food. That means you will not go without.
And don’t take abundant food literally. Those who work will have a sense of purpose. But those who chase fantasies, blame others for their circumstance, depend on the government of the day for their daily bread, have no sense.” He continued, “What the government will do, is put everything in your path to take advantage of opportunities so that you can work. Free education, subsidised electricity, subsidised water, free health care.
Take advantage of the opportunities so that you can work the land.” Deyalsingh told his audience they must have a plan and execute the plan in order for the entire1.3 million citizens here to excel.
He said the duties administrative professionals do go beyond the value of their pay check.
“We are in the business of building a nation.” Other speakers included chairman MIC-IT Professor Clement Imbert, former education minister Hazel Manning, dean at the Faculty of Law, UWI Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antonie and motivational speakers Luke Quamina and Akosua Dardaine Edwards.
Imbert said the issues to be dealt with include whether the property tax is a new tax; how the system differs from the one used prior to 2009; processes for valuation and property tax assessment; what is the annual rental value and how is it calculated; what is the annual taxable value; do all properties in TT have a rental value; who is responsible for the valuation of the property; how often will a valuation be conducted on properties and explanation of the relevant provisions of the Valuation of Land Act and the Property Tax Act.
Imbert was unable to provide a cost for this ini tiative but promised to do so if the Opposition posed the question correctly to him. However, he added, “I am certain that the returns would be at least 100 times the cost.” Later in the sitting, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal questioned whether 238 new jobs were created through the employment of people at valuators for the property tax.
Moonilal also scoffed at Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s comment that squatters would have to pay property tax.
“How much revenue do you expect to get from squatters?” he asked.
“It is not going to remove any of the problems that have been created by this appointment because, as the law stands, it is very clear to me on a number of authorities that Marcia Ayers-Caesar cannot resume those matters that were part heard.” Ramdeen was speaking at a news conference at his Cornelio Street, Woodbrook office .
“The chief magistrate, whether sitting as chief magistrate or sitting as magistrate in the magistracy, cannot resume those partheard matters and seek to continue them from the position that they were in when she resigned as magistrate to take up the position as a judge.” Deeming the move illegal, Ramdeen said the attempt by the commission “to cure what is a scandal and a stain on the administration of justice” would provide no relief to people who were in the Port-of-Spain Magistrate’s Court this week complaining about not having their matters heard in a timely fashion .
“One would think that the chief justice and the other members of the JLSC, having been faced with this situation and having been faced with a resignation of a judge of the Supreme Court, don’t you think that it would have been prudent for the JLSC to take some time and figure out what was the right procedure to adopt to try to alleviate this position and provide solution to this problem?” he asked .
“What they have done is compounded the problem that they created in the first place.” Ramdeen, who is also a UNC senator, called on Chief Justice Ivor Archie and the JLSC to explain to the public the decision to reinstate Ayers-Caesar as chief magistrate .
“Who did the JLSC consult before making this decision having regard to the circumstances that led to this decision being made?” He said he had contacted the head of the Criminal Bar Association who, he claimed, also had not been consulted on Ayers-Caesar’s reappointment .
“There is a president of the Law Association and he owes a duty to all of us and not only to the members of the legal profession, to indicate whether there was any consultation after the resignation and the decision by the JLSC .
Ramdeen called on the members of the JLSC to resign for putting the legal fraternity and country in an “embarrassing position.”
The exhibition, according to Medulla Art Gallery’s co-director, Michael Mouttet, “is an observation of this type of process, an artistic and personal process whereby the artist’s personality is deeply entrenched in a back and forth emotion, negotiating the parameters of how much or what to let go and what to keep.”
The exhibition which opened on March 23 will come to a close on May 11. It features four female artists, Mouttet said, who were familiar with each other’s work. Mouttet said the exhibition’s genesis also sought to pay homage to, “established artists such as Anna Serrao, Wendy Nanan, Irenee Shaw, Abigail Hadeed and Susan Dayal, as the inspiration for contemporary artistic expression.” Michele Isava, Alicia Milne, Jaime Lee Loy, and Nadia Huggins are the exhibiting artists. The 18 pieces on display come in paintings, sculpture and photographs, including video presentations and multi-media installations. All of these artists, he said, have been featured in both Caribbean and international publications and residencies.Mouttet said the exhibition was produced by artists, “who have been active in producing work that is conceptually independent of traditional forms and distinctively personal.” He said while the exhibited works were chosen with the group in mind, it also represented the artists’ individual and personal investigations.
Each artist was personal in their expression, from Milne’s observations of a post-colonial Trinidad privileges; Huggins’ look into her personal identity; Isava’s interest in the female body and nature; or Lee Loy’s practice of art therapy in confronting past trauma. He highlighted that, “each work displayed is deeply personal to each artist and tells stories that are not only important to their personal interests or struggles, but that have the power and accessibility to transcend and to connect to larger audiences. These artists came together to speak of the process of letting go yet still holding on to, whether it be notions of sexual identity, national identity or traumatic memories, it allows for transformation through an honest process of expression…,” he said. When asked about the exhibition’s title, Mouttet said, it came from artist Lee Loy, who mentioned she read a story called What we Save by Julie Orringer and the exhibition’s title was a development of that. Orringer’s story told of a woman nearing the end of her life who lets go of a lifelong secret relationship. Simultaneously, her daughter entered adolescence and grapples with not just the loss of her mother, but the loss of her former innocence after she is sexually assaulted by a young boy.
Mouttet had originally suggested Against the Grain but the artists found it defensive. But of equal important to the message/s being sent, Mouttet said, was that the work of these artists was an investment in private and corporate collections. He added that, “too often Trinidad and Tobago’s contemporary artists find recognition outside of Trinidad and Tobago and, because of their ‘non-traditional’ expression, are ignored locally.”
Joseph had patrons in stitches with his jokes about everyday living in Trinidad and Tobago.
Calypsonian Brother Alpha (Alpha John) continued in the humourous vein with crafty songs, Wrong Funeral and Ah Jump.
Sexy Suzie (Natasha Nurse) followed with Headmaster and How to Keep Your Man, and she too had patrons rolling with laughter.
Kid Kalalloo (Julien Hunte) and Myron B (Myron Bruce) brought down the curtains on the first half of the show.
Hamidullah (Hamidullah Waheed) opened the second half of the show, and was followed by Brother Ebony (Fitzroy Joseph) and Johnny King (Johnson King).
In France presently, the retirement age is 65 years, and in Denmark it is expected to be increased to 70 years of age, because life expectancy is higher there and people are living well into their 90s. It should be emphasised that those are countries with a cooler climate, a higher standard of living and a better quality of life.
In TT we have seen people living into their 80s and 90s.
Those people grew up during the time of no automobile transport, they were therefore more mobile, did more physical work than people do now, and they walked long distances to school and also to fetch transport to work. Also, their nutrition was far better than the eating habits that got established since the early 1980s.
In France, where the retirement age is 65, one candidate in the recent election campaign, Jean Luc Melenchon, proposed to lower the pension age to 60 and the weekly working time to 32 hours, give employees a sixth week of holiday, raise the minimum wage by 16 percent and force the State to give everyone work.
Societies are undergoing a demographic transition the world has never seen. It is also true that work provides cognitive health, slows mental decline and lessens isolation, but in this country, working conditions and daily life are stressful to many and even unbearable in some cases. For decades, the daily stress of travelling alone has wrought a tendency towards absenteeism, unpunctuality and reduced manpower. Older workers eagerly look forward to gaining control of their life at retirement.
They do however wish for some kind of engagement to prevent atrophy, but they certainly do not see themselves working 8-4 at 60 years of age.
Being able to work beyond 60 years depends on sound physical and mental health. Many young people in their 40s are afflicted with some ailment; be it obesity, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol or chronic back pain, which is now increasing in numbers. Depression medication is now listed on the CDAP programme, indicative of a condition prevailing in the country.
Then there is the creeping condition of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, which is affecting some people in their 40s. Alzheimer’s, it is said, manifests 20 years before symptoms are detected.
All of this mitigates against raising retirement age. The annual increase in budgetary allocation for health in this country is testimony that the country is neither robust nor healthy.
Many people after retiring find themselves at a loss to adjust to a life of failing health and dependency.
Over the past 30 years, I have observed government workers who die within three to five years after retirement, because they were limping along during the last years of working.
Because this is a very hot and humid country, the toll exacted on people every day, makes the point that retirement age should not be increased. In fact a case may well be made to lower the retirement age.
RONALD BHOLA via email
The group held a ten minute protest shouting “Venezuela”, “Libertad (freedom)” opposite the Embassy at Victoria Avenue. They carried Venezuelan flags and a placards including one which read, “Maduro we suffer and die while you dance and laugh.” Another read, “Maduro is killing our students.” There were also several police officers present during the protest.
In Venezuela there have been days of massive protest marches against Maduro and the unrest has left 29 dead. Yesterday outside the Embassy Heidi Diquez told reporters her parents migrated to Venezuela “but we are all coming back because Venezuela is unbearable to live.” She said the Maduro government cancelled their democratically elected national assembly.
“So that is it for Venezuela. It is a dictatorship.” She said they were also protesting statements by Venezuelan Ambassador to this country Coromoto Godoy-Calder?n. Diquez reported that at a Cuban event on Monday, Godoy-Calder?n “minimised the situation going on in Venezuela.” She said Godoy-Calder?n said Venezuelans are “dreaming” if they believe they will defeat Maduro.
“We are here today to tell them we are dreaming but we are dreaming for a free Venezuela. We are dreaming for our kids to stop dying because Venezuela does not have any medicine.
We are here to tell the international community to please implore the humanitarians to help Venezuela.” She said the Embassy played loud revolutionary music during their protest.
“Is that respectful? We are all Venezuelans. The Embassy belongs to us as well not to a party.” She referenced the planned Organisation of American States meeting on the Venezuela unrest which resulted in Venezuela announcing a pull out from the group.
Asked what she believes this Government should do, Diquez advised that they listen to the international bodies and no longer abstain from speaking out.
We understand there is a lot of diplomacy and trade involved, but stop to think about the humanitarian crisis we have right now.” She said more than 100 people wanted to be at the protest yesterday but stayed away because they fear repercussions.
Local psychic Yesenia Gonzalez claimed there has been ill treatment of Venezuelans arriving at legal ports of entry, particularly Cedros.
She said they also want to know government’s position regarding Venezuelan refugees fleeing the country out of fear of persecution from the Maduro government.
She said many Venezuelans are seeking to go to other Caribbean counties like St Lucia and Saint Maarten.
“They running away because they being dragged down into the ground for fear. No food. No medication.
Desperate. No money. Persecution right through over a dictator who is Maduro.” She predicted the situation will turn into a civil war but believes it can be avoided. She called on Maduro and Godoy-Calder?n to be more compassionate and for Godoy-Calder?n to apologise for what is happening in Venezuela.
When contacted yesterday a representative from the Venezuelan Embassy said a statement would be issued between yesterday and today. Attempts to contact Foreign Affairs Minister Dennis Moses yesterday were unsuccessful.
“Magic Nights is going to be intriguing with a bigger cast and grand illusions that were once performed by world-renowned magicians, such as David Copperfield and Jonathan Pendragon.
The show will keep spectators at the edge of their seats and they can also look out for a brand new illusion designed by me and the team, as well as a never before seen acts,” said Kess, who has come full circle, having performed as the opening act for international illusionist, Darcy Oake, at last year’s instalment of Decibel.
“What you will witness this year is nothing short of what you have seen on TV or at a Las Vegas stage, right here in your own country; Trinidad and Tobago.
Not only is it important to support local talent but it will also remind upcoming artistes that we can be as entertaining as any international act.” Speaking about its sponsorship and continued commitment to the three-day entertainment festival, Camille Campbell – vice president, Marketing, TSTT , stated, “We believe it is extremely important to encourage our youth to explore the many different sides of the creative industry and where better to do that than at Decibel, where the country’s top creative minds and budding artists unite on common ground.
DEF continues to be a huge success and we are always happy to lend our support to initiatives which shine the spotlight on youth, culture and education.” Magic Nights, which is carded for May 5 – 7 at Queen’s Hall at the RBL Decibel Entertainment Festival, will be opened by Trinidad- born, US based comedian, Jean Paul. Known for his unique style of wit and humour, Paul has been hailed by award winning film director and producer, Igal Hecht, as “one of the smartest and funniest comedians I’ve ever had the pleasure to see and hear.” He has appeared in several television shows and films, including Home Again and A Universal Language.
In a letter to Newsday, Ramroop said a large number of people could lose their lives or limbs if emergency response is not appropriate. Dealing with the issue of whether the country is prepared to handle a stadium collapse, Ramroop said a lot of work dealing with such disasters and with events featuring large crowds had been done in the past with tournaments such as the Under 17 FIFA Soccer World Cup, the ICC World Cup Cricket and major events such as the Summit of the Americas and Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference (CHOGM). But, he said, a lot of the standard operating procedures developed for those events had not been practised and shared among the heads of the fire, police, military and ambulance services.
He said while any stadium is being built or renovated, mitigation procedures must be provided and especially in a country such as this with a high risk of earthquakes, structural mitigation should be embedded in the planning for any large event or function. Even in a building which cannot sustain a major earthquake, it is equally important, he said, for people to be able to evacuate the building quickly, and proper safety systems should be in place.
He said it was also important to have police and private security and fire officers on hand to ensure that safety and security protocols and laws are followed.
The arrangements should include a venue operating centre staffed by a senior commanding officer from the police, fire, ambulance, venue security and operations, event organiser and communications officers from the venue and the event.
This permits better exchange of information and decision- making and has been found to save more lives and limbs than even having 100 safety officers with no proper system of communication amongst themselves and between the different agencies controlled and co-ordinated by the members of the venue operating command centre.
He said large crowd events can present many hazards, among them poor security checks at entrances and infrequent monitoring, which could allow people with dangerous weapons to enter the venue and cause panic and even stampedes leading to building and stage collapses with deaths and serious injuries.
Whenever there is a large crowd event, he said, hospitals in the area must be prepared and have the capacity to accept an increased number of admissions, usually called a surge capacity, amounting to about 20 percent of their normal operating capacity.
The hospital’s emergency department should also have a field response team in place and ready to deal with any mass casualty event – usually defined as an event involving serious injury to more than 25 people.
If the event does materialise, Ramroop said, it is better to stabilise victims at a safe place near where the incident happened rather than at the hospital, because this prevents a large number of people with minor injuries from being sent there at the expense of the critically injured.
He said more lives and limbs are lost that way and where there are large numbers of victims, it is better for trained medical personnel to assess them at the scene and perform life-saving procedures there rather than transferring all the victims, which increased the possibility that some who could be saved might die en route.
