Infamus to Perform in Florida at SNAF Ball

St. Kitts & Nevis : Local rising star, Infamus, has been invited by the St. Kitts and Nevis Association of Florida (SNAF), Inc. to perform at its 12th Annual Independence Dinner & Ball commemorating the Federation’s 27th Anniversary of Independence.

The event is slated for Saturday 18th September 2010 at the Fort Lauderdale Airport Hilton, Dania Beach Florida. The singer will join a long list of artistes from the Federation who have participated in the gala event in the past including Konris, Meeko, Ellie Matt and Jazzique Chiverton among others.

The Independence Dinner & Ball is the organization’s signature fundraiser and all proceeds will benefit the SNAF Scholarship Fund. Kittitian or Nevisian students pursuing degrees in the State of Florida are invited to apply for the award by visiting www.sknaf.org.

The St. Kitts and Nevis Association of Florida, Inc is a Non Profit Organization, founded in 1998, which seeks to strengthen the St. Kitts and Nevis community in the state of Florida, establish cooperative partnerships with other groups and communities within the state and further the development and international awareness of the two-island Federation through programs that focus on healthcare, education, sports and culture.

Hearing to strike out Lindsay Grant’s Election Petition enters Day Two

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, – Prominent lawyer, Dr. Henry Browne, who is representing the Hon. Glenn Phillip, who won the St. Christopher #4 Seat in the January 25th General Elections, contends that the arguments in the petition by the defeated People’s Action Movement (PAM), Leader, Mr. Lindsay Grant “are incurably bad and totally uncorrectable at this stage.”

Browne made the comment on Wednesday at the end of day one of a hearing at which he and the lawyer for the Supervisor of Elections, prominent Dominica lawyer, Mr. Anthony Astaphan, S.C. and Mr. Andranauth Gossai, for three members of the Electoral Commission, are seeking to have the petition struck out before the matter goes to a full hearing.

“We have issued a preemptive strike to knock the petition out. That is what this issue at bar is about,” said Browne.

He said the lawyers representing Mr. Phillip and the other respondents are confident that the various charges in the petition alleging corruption, bribery and treating are sound in criminal law and could not be made out at all because “several accusations are of limited scope and each lack specificity to the extent that the allegations are so vague against my client.”

“There is no way that he can begin to understand what he has to answer and there is a fundamental precept of any charge against the man which exposes him to prison or any other like punishment must be pleaded with a specificity that it leaves no doubt in the mind of the client as to what his answer should be.

He has to frame his defence based on the allegations made against him. for example you cannot say diverse persons from various countries were bribed to come into St. Kitts and Nevis in order to vote for him to prevent Mr. (Lindsay) Grant from winning, there is really no basis for this scurrilous charge,” said Dr. Browne.

He pointed out however, that in the unlikely event that the learned judge does not agree with the entire argument, the respondents have a second strike to look at the evidence to see if the evidence connects with the allegations in the petition.

Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan said he was happy with the written and oral submissions by himself and Dr. Browne Wednesday and looks forward to the response by Mr. Grant’s lawyer, Mr. Terrence Byron.

Mr. Astaphan described as nonsense Mr. Grant’s allegation of collusion between the lawyers representing the respondents.

“That I thought is nonsense and I think that they appreciate it is nonsense, that was just been political. They were trying as usual to taint the relationship between myself and Dr. Browne and were trying to show that it is all part of a conspiracy of all parts of the government and the State to corrupt the election process. In my view it is just to state the obvious that such an allegation is totally, totally, nonsensical and absurd to suggest that there is collusion on my part or Dr. Browne’s part or anyone’s part in relation to the preparation of this case. We are professionals,” said Mr. Astaphan.

Jenna Evelyn gains MBA from Nova Southeastern University

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, June 30, 2010 (Press Release) – Twenty-four-year-old Kittitian born Jenna Evelyn graduated on June 12th, 2010 from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. She was conferred an MBA with a concentration in finance.

Prior to this blessed achievement, Jenna graduated from Florida Memorial University in May of 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. These monumental accomplishments, according to Jenna, are as a result of hard work and God’s blessings.

Jenna’s scholastic journey came to the forefront in 1988 at age two when she attended Miss Martin Pre-School, located on George Street, Newtown. According to Miss Martin, “Jenna became her first pre-schooler to act as a class monitor; she took over the entire class with her leadership skill and displayed an unusually high level of intelligence. She was just natural.”

The Maurice Hillier Memorial School (formerly Epworth School) was next on Jenna’s academic journey. Here is where Jenna started to blossom into a beautiful, pleasant, ambitious young lady and she continued to show exceptional brilliance in her schoolwork. Jenna turned out to be a good ambassador for the MHMS as her grades were always excellent and she took part in the different sporting events that were part of the school’s program. She was the darling of her teachers and schoolmates, but after completing her education at the MHMS, Jenna went to a higher altitude of education at a secondary school.

The Washington Archibald High School was next to being blessed with Jenna’s God-given intellectual ability. Jenna maintained her habit of being in the top classes and continued to excel with outstanding grades. In the meantime, Jenna became a favorite amongst her peers, who appreciated her for not just her academic prowess but, for her good sense of humor, positive approach to sports education and her usefulness in social gatherings. The WAHS was definitely better off with Jenna on its roster in more ways than one; an opinion shared by her last homeroom teacher, Ms. Jasmine Welsh.

Jenna is of the opinion that passing her math exam at CXC level was a great feat. This she did at age fourteen, while still in 4th form at the WAHS. This triumph was quite satisfying for not only Jenna and her family, but the entire staff and her schoolmates at the WAHS. After successfully sitting a full slate of subjects at CXC level, in 5th form, many educational pundits were persuaded that Jenna was destined for brilliance at any reputable university. They were right; Jenna came out on top, on her way to attaining a Bachelors of Science degree and an MBA.

In order for Jenna to successfully complete her challenging voyage, she had to rely on the grace of God. As Jenna said, “I would like to thank the Almighty God, from whom all blessings flow. Without being connected to the vine my fruits would be spoilt.”
Jenna has not forgotten the many people who afforded her their expertise, encouragement and dedication during this phase of her career. Thanks must go to her mother, Tamena Byron, and her father, Keith A Evelyn. Jenna would also like to thank her siblings Cleo, Paolo, Nekeita, Dylan and Jaskei for their support and love through good times and difficult situations. Cleo’s excellent academic achievement was the perfect example and Jenna certainly made Cleo proud.

Thanks as well to the Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas, Mr. Starret Greene (OAS Director) and Mr. Jeffrey Hanley for their relentless assistance in procuring scholarships to enable Jenna to realize her dream. Jenna appreciates the contribution made by the entire Evelyn, Byron and Stapleton families, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Warner and her favorite aunt Lucina Byron. Recognition must go to FB Armstrong and the C&C group of companies, as well as LIME (formerly Cable & Wireless, St. Kitts Nevis Ltd) for providing part-time employment when Jenna travelled home for College breaks. Gratitude is extended to Miss Martin and all the primary, secondary and college teachers who worked with Jenna. To her many school and church friends, Jenna says, “Thank you.”

Jenna also has some advice for school goers: “Be strong, pray daily, practice discipline, choose your friends carefully and realize your true potential in order to reach your goal.”

Jenna would also like to appeal to the young people to always respect and honor their parents as “this is right in the eyes of the Lord”. Jenna remembers the hard work that her mother did to help her through school and this she really think is invaluable.

ST. KITTS AND NEVIS AVOIDS CORNED BEEF SCARE

Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 23, 2010 (SKNIS): Grace, Libby’s and Goya Corned Beef sold in St. Kitts and Nevis have been pronounced safe to consume.

The products were pulled from the shelves last month after the animal drug, Ivermectin had been found in samples of the product manufactured by Brazilian firm SIF 337.

The Consumer Affairs Department via the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service has now unequivocally advised that with immediate effect; trading of the aforementioned products can resume.

A Consumer Affairs Official expressed that this renewal resulted from communication with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA has affirmed that samples of Grace, Libby’s, and Goya Corned Beef sold locally, before the recent recall, were not subject to that recall issued for products entering the United States.

Notwithstanding this positive development, however, the Ministry is aware that the Brazilian firm SIF 337 is still delisted by the USDA. Its beef products are not being allowed to enter the United States. Consistent with that action, Government through the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs will continue with the local ban on imported beef products from the Brazilian firm SIF 337 until the USDA rescinds its import restrictions.

Agents and distributors are also so advised to purchase beef products from alternative firms in Brazil or from other sources. In addition, they are guided to keep their meat inspection certificates on file so that in the event of a future recall, the necessary information can be extracted.

The Best way to implement VAT - “I Think”

In the space of 24 hours I have read two independent articles that espouse the views I hold on the implementation of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) in the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. The first, in two parts, is the articulation of celebrated Kittitian icon Mrs. Willa Franks-Liburd on the merits of the reintroduction of personal income tax and the second is a Jamaica Observer newspaper article which reports on the presentation of Former Jamaican Prime Minister, Percival James Patterson to CARICOM Heads on Monday this week.

Having read both has vindicated, in my mind at least, my positions on the VAT and the conditions best suited for its implementation.

I must for necessity put the caveat that I am and has always been an advocate for the implementation of VAT in St. Kitts-Nevis. It has been my belief that the present tax regime is too cumbersome and there are too many taxes and duties on imported goods that are by necessity calculated in the cost of procuring these goods to the detriment of the consumers. I however hold reservations against any VAT implementation until two matters have been addressed and clearly resolved.

The first is the reintroduction of Personal Income Tax.

A progressive Personal Income Tax as described by Mrs. Franks-Liburd in her recently published two-part discourse, A case for re-introduction of personal income tax in St. Kitts and Nevis, “does not seek to penalize those who excel or through their own efforts or otherwise earn high incomes, nor does it try to make their income after taxes equate with those of lower incomes.” What it does she contend is generate “government revenues in an equitable or fair manner, according to one’s ability to pay as reflected in one’s earnings.”

The abolition of personal income tax in this country was a political tool and may well have been an economic policy whose usefulness has run its course and now needs to be overhauled. It was in the February 1980 election campaign that the PAM party seeking government gained the popularity needed to win by pledging to abolish personal income tax.

Over the years we have instituted and increased the rates of a number of indirect taxes, levies and duties. I have listed as many as I could recall - social services levy, withholding tax, interest rent tax, environmental levy, vacation timeshare tax, island enhancement fund, public entertainment tax, proceeds from lotto tax, parcel tax, duty free shops tax, customer service charge, telephone tax, cable tv tax, insurance premium tax, stamp duty, fuel tax, and taxes infinitum.

This basket of indirect taxes has caused a greater portion of the income of ordinary folk to be paid in comparison to their more affluent neighbours. The contrast is that with all the savings that have resulted for the more prosperous and higher income earners there have not been significant local investments that initiate and drive economic growth.

Additionally, many of these taxes affect the prices of goods and services, further increasing the cost of living for the ordinary consumer who already pays more in taxes, as a percentage of his/her income.

The Central Bank reports continue to show that in St. Kitts-Nevis public sector spending is heavily depended on to drive the economy. The ECCB’s 2009 September Economic and Financial Review points to a correlation in a contraction in the GDP of St. Kitts-Nevis and the construction sector, that has lead the economy for years, citing that “activity in the public sector was subdued, as some major road projects were completed and a number of projects planned for 2009 were postponed due to funding constraints. Reflecting the decline in overall construction activity were decreases in the volume of cement (45.3 per cent) and other construction related materials (33.8 per cent) imported.” (pg 42)

The same report goes on, on page 44, to speak of increases in government spending primarily in the area of outlays on personal emoluments, “which accounted for 43.1 per cent of current expenditure, rose by 6.1 per cent ($9.2m) on account of an increase in the number of civil servants.”

At the same time our nation’s involvement in international free trade will cause us to relax certain taxes that are already considered, under new and emerging trading regimes, as discriminatory and unfair. Our movement away from this basket of unfair taxes, made expedient by global, regional and other external factors, has given us the opportunity to make right our tax laws.

The re-introduction of personal income tax ahead of VAT implementation will assist our nation in repealing more than the 12 taxes proposed in the VAT White Paper of April 2010.

Additionally it can cause the rate of VAT, at implementation, to be lower than the rate will be levied if VAT alone is implemented. Some economists and tamarind tree economists, like me, believe that the VAT rate could be 3 or 4 percentage points lower, if personal income tax is re-introduced before or along with the VAT implementation.

The missing link in all this is the convenience of numbers. I am convinced that implementing VAT with a sustained tax net of about 50,000 people is a recipe for hardship. This is where significant immigration reform is needed.

VAT, when well implemented, encourages stronger domestic economic activity. The government will always be at a disadvantage if businesses produce predominantly for export, as exported goods and services are zero rated items, for which businesses can “claim a full credit [from the government]for taxes paid on inputs used in the production or business activities relating to [their] supply.” (White Paper on VAT, pg 11) VAT success therefore demands greater domestic consumption and production of goods and services.

St. Kitts and Nevis upon implementation will become the smallest economic space to use this consumption driven levy to raise government funds. The diseconomies of scale found in a population of 50,000 would be strongly mitigated if St. Kitts and Nevis pursues migration policies that PJ Patterson only on Monday of this week termed as “good migration”.

The time has come that we seek to woo the many tens of thousands of Kittitians and Nevisians and their descendants to come back home. (Not just to languish and waste their time waiting on the bantering bureaucracy.) The time has come for us to identify many skilled persons in craft, the arts and business development to live and set up here in the federation. To achieve the latter, I have always subscribed to allowing, on a sustainable basis, up to 1,500 skilled Haitians to settle in St. Kitts and Nevis with priority in wood carvings, farmhands in agriculture and other areas deemed necessary for national development.

The realisation of a migration policy that grows the population by 30,000 means in every sector of the economy there is to be growth of 75% at least. GDP will grow and once borrowing and budgetary deficits are contained, the public debt to GDP ratio will be cut significantly. Businesses that flow on the migration policy may also assist government by hiring folk at present in the public sector.

With this increase in the population, consumption may reach to rates that may allow the government to lower the intended rate of VAT implementation by 1 additional percentage point.

The adage “many hands make light work” has always been true. The national economy will grow no larger and become no more robust if we do not prioritise in the areas of national development that would create growth and sustain development.

I know there are dislocation and other issues that this recommendation harbours already in the minds of readers, but what possibilities are eluding us in this country because we prefer to be among those “secure from thinking may climb safe to liners, hearing small rumours of paddlers drowned near stars.”
(Derek Wallcott, The Harbour, lines 13 and 14)

Country building will not come about by the quick fixes that IMF and the World Bank and the other Bretton Woods sidekicks throw unto our developing economies. There is need for a more thoughtful rational.

Perhaps the solution is not in my thoughts as expressed here. Perhaps it lies in further consideration and greater planning. Where ever the solutions lie, they need to be pursued with care and the understanding that the best interest of the nation is at stake.

VAT when implemented can be a driving force for true and lasting advancement of the nation. It however needs to be implemented as a part of clear and needed tax reform, with personal income tax, and with policies that grow market size and overall consumption.

Hearing to strike out Lindsay Grant’s Election Petition enters Day Two

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 22ND 2010 (CUOPM) – Prominent lawyer, Dr. Henry Browne, who is representing the Hon. Glenn Phillip, who won the St. Christopher #4 Seat in the January 25th General Elections, contends that the arguments in the petition by the defeated People’s Action Movement (PAM), Leader, Mr. Lindsay Grant “are incurably bad and totally uncorrectable at this stage.”

Browne made the comment on Wednesday at the end of day one of a hearing at which he and the lawyer for the Supervisor of Elections, prominent Dominica lawyer, Mr. Anthony Astaphan, S.C. and Mr. Arudranauth Gossai, for three members of the Electoral Commission, are seeking to have the petition struck out before the matter goes to a full hearing.

“We have issued a preemptive strike to knock the petition out. That is what this issue at bar is about,” said Browne.

He said the lawyers representing Mr. Phillip and the other respondents are confident that the various charges in the petition alleging corruption, bribery and treating are sound in criminal law and could not be made out at all because “several accusations are of limited scope and each lack specificity to the extent that the allegations are so vague against my client.”

“There is no way that he can begin to understand what he has to answer and there is a fundamental precept of any charge against the man which exposes him to prison or any other like punishment must be pleaded with a specificity that it leaves no doubt in the mind of the client as to what his answer should be.

He has to frame his defence based on the allegations made against him. For example you cannot say diverse persons from various countries were bribed to come into St. Kitts and Nevis in order to vote for him to prevent Mr. (Lindsay) Grant from winning, there is really no basis for this scurrilous charge,” said Dr. Browne.

He pointed out however, that in the unlikely event that the learned judge does not agree with the entire argument, the respondents have a second strike to look at the evidence to see if the evidence connects with the allegations in the petition.

Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan said he was happy with the written and oral submissions by himself and Dr. Browne Wednesday and looks forward to the response by Mr. Grant’s lawyer, Mr. Terrence Byron.

Mr. Astaphan described as nonsense Mr. Grant’s allegation of collusion between the lawyers representing the respondents.

“That I thought is nonsense and I think that they appreciate it is nonsense, that was just being political. They were trying as usual to taint the relationship between myself and Dr. Browne and were trying to show that it is all part of a conspiracy of all parts of the government and the State to corrupt the election process. In my view it is just to state the obvious that such an allegation is totally, totally, nonsensical and absurd to suggest that there is collusion on my part or Dr. Browne’s part or anyone’s part in relation to the preparation of this case. We are professionals,” said Mr. Astaphan.

He said there were allegations made against all of the respondents and there was an obligation as officers of the Court to meet and discuss the matter and agree on other matters."