SVG Constitution – St.Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution

Archive for the ‘SVG Constitution News and Updates’ Category

Kendra Homer was born to Gloria Homer James & Kenmore James on April 6th 1991.  She was raised in Walvaroo located under the wings of Sion Hill. She obtained her primary education at the Sion Hill Gov. School and is a past student of the Bishop’s College Kingstown.

While there, she would have gained some recognition; some of which includes her experience in her school’s pageant, where she copped the 2nd runner up position, in 2006 was the president of the Young Leaders, Form 5 prefect and represented her school in the ECGC cooking competition. She would have place 2nd in the final Carigold Cooking Competition. She was Food and Nutrition student of the year. In 2008, she obtained her Tertiary Education at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, Division of Technical and Vocational Education, graduating with a certificate in Hospitality Management.

Kendra is a member of CHLP-Caribbean Healthy Lifestyle Program.  She aspires to work as a Tourism Communication Officer or Nutritionist.

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On November 14, 1991 Terranza Franklyn, the first of three children, was born to Lillian Franklyn and Terrance Small.   At the tender age of 13, she set her sights on becoming an accountant, entering the Miss SVG Pageant and becoming a model.

Terranza attended the St. Bethel Pre-school, and the Chateaubelair Methodist Primary School; followed by the Petit Bordel Secondary School, graduating at the top of her class, as student of the year and valedictorian.   She recently completed her post secondary education at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College – Division of Arts, Science and Humanities in the field of Management of Business, Economics, Communication Studies and Caribbean Studies.

During her high school years she became a Prefect and was awarded the George Phillips Excellency Award for her school.   She was an active member of the Petit Bordel Secondary Young Leaders, a member of Scouts, and president of the Chateaubelair Adolescent Group.  She participated in numerous courses and activities such as Behavioural Change Workshop, HIV Peer Educator Retreat, voluntary beach cleaning up, the Coast Guard Camp, Lime Internet Course, Fashion Designing course, pedicure and manicure course, and job readiness workshop.   She also completed a Microsoft program course at the North Leeward Learning Resource Centre, which eventually led to a part-time voluntary job to teach Microsoft programs at age 15.

Terranza grew up in the quiet village of Golden Grove, Chateaubelair.  She has always enjoyed the quiet things of life.  She enjoys the company of members of her wonderful family who are always there for her comfort, support and guidance.   She is a humble but active and ambitious individual.  She likes to associate herself with positive people.  She enjoys travelling in and out of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, modeling, meeting and interacting with others using social networks.  She also likes outdoor activities.

At age 11 Terranza entered her first Pageant, the Miss CMS 2003 where she placed 1st runner up.  Three years later she entered the Miss PBSS 2006 Pageant and later represented her high school at the Miss SVG Teen 2008 Pageant.  She was the winner in both shows.   She is the reigning Miss North Leeward 2010.

At age 14, she joined the Image Modeling Agency and is still an active member.   From photo shoots, to the many runway shows, to job promotions, Image Modeling Agency, through its guidance and support, has created the opportunity for her personal growth and development.

Terranza’s intention is to gain her ACCA/CPA/CGA which will enable her to fulfill her career goals toward becoming one of the many successful entrepreneurs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  In entering the Miss SVG Pageant she hopes not only to capture the title with the university scholarship, but to become a proud ambassador for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

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Shanique Browne – Miss Lotto – Twenty-two year-old Shanique Coricia Browne is a teacher at the St. Joseph’s Convent, Marriaqua.  She is a resident of the picturesque community of Enhams.   She is the elder of her parents’ two daughters.

Shanique, who is a past student of the Belmont Government School and the St. Vincent Girls’ High School respectively, asserts that the formal and informal education she received at these institutions, in addition to the example of her mother, has set her on the right path to becoming an exceptional woman.

As a student she was actively involved in extra-curricular activities, having been a Young Leader and a Ranger while a student at the Girls’ High School and having been a member of the SVGCC Performing Arts Society.   Currently, she is a Girl Guides teacher at the St.  Joseph’s Convent, Marriaqua.

Shanique, being an avid reader, has won several writing competitions as a student and cites reading as not only a leisure activity but a catalyst to good communication skills.

While her primary motivation to enter the pageant is the offer of a scholarship, she acknowledges that entering a pageant has many advantages from which she intends to benefit.   Shanique lists determination and passion as personal attributes which will propel her forward in her endeavour to win the crown.

Shanique possesses a positive attitude and believes that in all things, one must put one’s best foot forward, maintaining that one should never give up on his or her dreams since “All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them” – Walt Disney.

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Today was a historic day in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, it was the launching of the New Revised Laws of Saint Vincent & The Grenadines 2009.  A grand opening cerem0ny was held at the House of Parliament, where various dignitaries were present and many lawyers were present.  Petras Compton representing the company that was tasked with the job handed over the first copy of the new revised laws to he Attorney General Miss Judith Jones Morgan who then passed it on to The Prime Minister of SVG Dr Ralph E Gonsalves.  Lawyer Arthur Williams also spoke as a senior member of the SVG Bar Association to was given the opportunity to speak.  Mr Williams who was a previous Attorney General of SVG welcomed the new revised laws , he says the revision is  a progressive step by the Ralph Gonsalves administration, he reminded the audience that the last time the laws were revised was in 1990.  According to Mr.Williams because of the numerous amount of new laws and ammendments the ULP administration made this revision was necessary.  The new revised laws of SVG comes into effect on June 1st 2011.

Another speaker of the event was Ronald Marks who gave a brief history of the laws and he displayed examples of how  lawyers kept up with changes in the laws.

The Honorable Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves also spoke.  He reminded the audience that his administration has strongly promoted the maintenance of law and order and enhance juctice in SVG.  He stated that amidst certain outside pressure the death penalty is still on the books of SVG and he believes the death penalty is a deterent to crime.  In displaying a new copy the new books are in binding format, where additions of new laws and ammendments can be inserted easily.

Other highights of the ceremony were artistic performences from Eustace Francis and Belinda Fransis and Ken Isles.  Noted also was the short presentation of praise for Ralph Gonsalves by Rochelle Forde and a similiar praise for Judith Morgan by Michelle Fife.

Miss Judith Jones Morgan also addressed the gathering where she praised persons who assisted her during the past 10 years while she served as Attorney General.  Mr Gonsalves was given a celebratory magazine by the AG who claimed that her staff went around the clock for the past few weeks in getting the document ready.  She was also given a bouquet of flowers and a ornamental plaque by her staff.

The Revised Laws of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2009 will me made available in hard copy or lose leaf format.  Soon, it will be online for even more world wide acces.

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Anticipation about  the results of the SVG Referendum 2009

It seems like almost everyone to whom I have spoken and who have emailed me is predicting a negative outcome for the 2009 referendum/constitution/election results.  I literally had to shout over the  phone in order to calm down friend who was on her way to get panic attack, she feared that this constitution bill will not pass.  She eventually calmed down when I told her that the majority of people of St.Vincent and the Grenadines are God fearing and whatever the results of the referendum it is the will of almighty God.

Only a few hours to go before the results of the SVG Constitution 2009 results are known.

Persons have been voting online on this website for or against the SVG Constitution Bill 2009 and results have been very close thus far.  So if you have not taken the referendum poll click on the link below and vote YES or NO.

As of 3:30 today 46% YES – 54% NO. What would the real world results be?  80 minutes to go before the polls close here in SVG.  By midnight tonight the preliminary results will be known.  In the mean time, participate in the poll below.

http://www.svgconstitution.com/svg-referendum-question/

The Results are in
Yes 43.13%
No 55.64%

The SVG Constitution 2009 has been rejected by the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

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Referenfum Day in SVG

The day has finally arrived.  Today Vincentians in St.Vincent and the Grenadines will be voting on the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution Bill 2009.  In order for this new Constitution to become effective, 67% of persons casting their votes must vote YES, if just 34% of persons successfully cast their ballots  and vote NO to the new referendum, Vincentians will have to do good with the old 1979 SVG Constitution and wait until a few years from now to pursue this task again.

From all reports, up to midday today, the various polling stations have had no serious incidents.  The voters are orderly and patient.   Even though rain has been pouring continuously around the island, the turnout appears to be in the big numbers.

History is in the making, no matter how the results will eventually be.  It is now a fact that more than 70% of  persons living in St.Vincent and the Grenadines are now even more aware of the Constitution and that it exists to protect their rights and govern them.

I must say that the sad part of the process was that it was tarnished by politics, especially in the past month.  There were accusations between both parties, threats on rally podiums to ordinary citizens, lies, deception, deceit, irrelevant debates and rants and scare mongering tactics and I can go on and on on some of the negatives, which mostly came from the opponents of the bill.

In the end, it will be the Vincentians who go to the polls that decides if the 1979 Constitution is kept or if the 2009 Constitution passes the test.  Sixty Seven percent (67%) is a tall order to achieve and if that is accomplished fairly, it will be the grudge of the modern civilisation and history.

Will the St Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution Bill 2009 be successful?  Lets wait and see.

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The Prime Minister of St.Vincent and the Grenadines the Honorable Dr. Ralph Gonsalves held a press conference today with regards to some new developing information.

What is this new information?

Basically the press conference was a call out to the leader of the opposition, the honorable  Arnhim Eustace of the New Democratic Party, the prime minister wants Mr Eustace to disclose how is the NDP ”Vote No Campaign” being funded.  He has brought to the attention of the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines that there is a possibility that a company, Strategic Communication Laboratories (http://www.scl.cc)  , a company from UK is somewhat behind the no campaigns in St.Vincent and the Grenadines for the NDP and he just want the opposition leader to deny or confirm this information.

He also disclosed that Arnhim Euastace hurriedly made a trip to St.Kitts over the weekend.  Why?,  is the question asked by the PM.

Also, the prime minister stated that if the referendum is passed successfully on Wednesday 25th, there will be bank holiday on Monday 30th November 2009.

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Some Reasons to Vote Yes for the SVG Constitution 2009

Below are just some of the reasons to vote yes for the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution 2009.

1. The preamble begins with the words “Whereas the Peoples of the Islands of St.Vincent and the Grenadines, who are known as Vincentians have affirmed their Nation is founded on the belief in the supremacy of God and the Freedom and dignity of man”

2.  A new chapter spelling out the “Guidelines of State Policy” which emphasis, among other things, that “the people” (not the Queen) are sovereign and elevate a host of progessive consideration to constitutional status, in the people’s interest.

3.  The new constitution does not take away or subtract one single fundamental right and freedom which we enjoy today.  In fact it adds to the bundle of rights and freedoms, including: the right to effectively restoring the death penalty; the right to private property; the right to collective bargaining; and the explicit right to freedom of the press.

4.  The new Constitution establishes a home-grown non-executive President (to replace the Governor General) with consitutional safeguards

5.  The establishment of an Independent Human Rights Commission (to address abuses of citizens human rights); an Independent Integrity Commission (to oversee “the integrity of parliamentarians, senior public/police officers); an Independent Ombudsman (to address the administrative abuses of peoples’ rights); an Independent Parliamentary Commission (to exercise the Perogative of Mercy and other functions); an Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and an Independent Chief Electoral Officer; an effective system of Local Government with special provisions of Grenadines.

6.  The strengthening of the Judiciary by replacing the Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice and providing for a security of tenure for Magistrates and thus for their Independence.

7.  Deepening and widening Parliamentary democracy and representative government by: A mixed electoral system of constituency elections and proportional representation nationally; participation by civil society in parliamentary debates; compulsory reportage by elected representatives; extraordinary oversight powers over government spending by the opposition dominated Public Accounts Committee; increasing the size of the parliament from 21 top 27 members; limiting the size of cabinet to 12 members plus the prime minister; setting a more or less fixed date for general elctions after the expiration of 4 years 9 months of the 5 year term; outlawing “crossing the floor” in the House;  making the Prime Ministed removable after a vote of  no-confidence in the House and before the general elections following; permitting ministers of religion to contest elections;  and allowing Vincentians with dual or multiple citizenships to run for elections.

8.  Reducing the powers of the Prime Minister and increasing the powers of the Minority Leader (Leader of the Opposition).

9.  Makig the appointments to the Public Service Commissions less political and more transparent.

10.  Establishing the Teaching Service Commission.

11.  Denying citizenship for foreigners based on “marriages of convenience” between them and nationals.

12.  Making access to the High Court on constitutional matters much easier.

13.  Facilating deeper regional integration.

14.  Protecting the range of public offices from political appointment or supervision

15.  Building mechanisms for more extensive consultation and consensus-making in and between several public authorities.

16.  The new constitution is a Women’s Charter, a Youth Charter, a Workers Charter, a poor People’s Charter, a Believer’s Charter, a Charter for the Elderly, a Children’s Charter, a Property-Owner’s Charter, a Charter for Justice and Freedom, a Charter for Democracy and Good Governance.

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