Black Immigrant Daily News

Nearly four years after the original version of the Liquor Licences Act 2019 was introduced in the House of Assembly, government has once again been soliciting feedback on the bill.

To that end, officials including Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley and Deputy Speaker Neville Smith hosted a series of public meetings this month.

“I don’t want you to think that this is a finished product,” Dr. Wheatley said during an Oct. 12 meeting at the Flax Administration Building on Virgin Gorda.

He added, “These laws don’t belong to us. These laws belong to the people. Our job is to go out and change them on your behalf.”

The bill was scheduled for second and third readings during an HOA sitting that started Sept. 27, but it was bumped to allow for the consultations.

The delay wasn’t the first. The proposed law has been before the HOA at least twice before — once in early 2019 and again in June 2020 — but legislators decided both times to defer it for further consideration.

Provisions

Among other provisions, the bill would grant liquor vendors longer licence periods and allow for more frequent opportunities to get a licence. But it also comes with higher application fees and stiffer penalties.

Additionally, the bill would establish the Liquor Licensing Board, which would be responsible for overseeing vendors and administering licences for small retailers, wholesale retailers, nightclubs, member clubs, hotels, restaurants, bars and vessels.

As part of its duties, the board also would maintain a Liquor Licence Register, meet for licensing days, and enforce penalties for violations.

The Virgin Gorda meeting was attended by industry stakeholders including bar and night-club owners, restaurateurs, and tourism representatives.

Attendees said they were satisfied with some of the bill’s provisions, but suggested amendments to others.

Several stakeholders, for instance, requested that opening hours be extended for most business types. They also expressed concern about the composition of the licensing board, suggesting the addition of a tourism professional and a sister-island representative.

Other provisions were also discussed, including the procedure for obtaining licences; requirements for preserving order; and penalties for permitting drunkenness.

Government also hosted similar meetings on Oct. 11 at Elmore Stoutt High School; at Oct. 13 at Foxy’s Bar on Jost Van Dyke; and on Oct. 14 at the Emile Dunlop Community Centre on Anegada.

Feedback on the bill can be emailed to premieroffice@gov.vg.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

A high-level manhunt is under way by the police for Simeon Sutherland, the man charged in connection with the murder of then People’s National Party (PNP) Member of Parliament (MP) for East Portland, Dr Lynvale Bloomfield.

Sutherland absconded bail on Wednesday.

He was to stand trial in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston for the politician’s 2019 stabbing death at his home in Portland, this after several months of delay.

However, when his name was called at least three times to come inside the courtroom in downtown Kingston on Wednesday, Sutherland was nowhere to be found.

The court was informed that before the start of court, the accused and his parents were at the office of his lawyer, Peter Champagnie.

Sutherland’s mother reportedly claimed that her son was dropped off at the entrance to the Supreme Court building, but said she noticed that he did not go towards the building.

Instead, the accused man man reportedly walked away and did not stop, even while his parents attempted to drive him down.

Sutherland’s mother was ordered by High Court Judge, Justice Leighton Pusey, to be taken into custody to pay her son’s bail bond of $800,000.

A bench warrant was also issued by the judge for Sutherland’s arrest.

Champagnie has also asked the judge to release him from the matter.

Speaking to reporters after the court proceedings, Champagnie expressed surprised at the actions of his client.

“What took place in court today is absolutely surprising, that’s the first thing, and barring any… reasonable excuse for the absence of Mr Sutherland, I would not want the message to be received that it is okay for you to have access to legal representation in the form of myself…, to take leave of the process and re-engage at a subsequent occasion time… and believe that you can have access to representation.

“It doesn’t work like that. We are a part of the justice system and it ought to be respected,” declared Champagnie.

When asked if Sutherland was set to plead guilty ahead of the scheduled start to his trial, the attorney said he would not want to say “yes or no” to that question.

He said if Sutherland is brought back to court, he would not want to prejudice the matter, resulting in members of the public being “sensitised” relative to “a course of action”.

Bloomfield was found dead with multiple stab wounds at his home in Passley Gardens, Portland on the morning of February 2, 2019.

Sutherland was arrested by investigators assigned to the Major Investigative Division (MID) days later, but after denying knowledge of the murder, was initially released by the police.

He was re-arrested shortly after evidence reportedly linked him to the scene of the crime.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

November 30, Barbados’ Independence Day, will now be observed as Barbados National Day.

Minister of Home Affairs, Wilfred Abrahams announced the major change today during a press conference at Ilaro Court on celebrations for November.

“The Cabinet of Barbados took the decision to henceforth observe November 30 as Barbados National Day commemorating our independence from Britain in 1966 and our transition to parliamentary republic in 2021,” said Minister Abrahams.

Throughout the month, the island will be a hive of activity with a myriad of events including sports, culture and heritage activities.

The Home Affairs Minister stated that the National Events Calendar will be released later this week, however, he noted that the National Independence Festival for Creative Arts (NIFCA) and Spirit of the Nation will be back in full swing.

Abrahams also disclosed that for the first time, a Toast to the Nation Reception, hosted by President Dame the Most Honourable Sandra Mason at State House will be held to honour new national awardees.

The inaugural Barbados National Day Ceremonial Parade will take place on November 30 at 8 am at Kensington Oval. Uniformed groups will march from the Oval to the National Heroes Square where they will salute the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.

The festivities will culminate with the first Barbados National Day Concert to be held in the capital, Bridgetown.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

The University of the West Indies (UWI) Blackbirds flew into the finals of the Barbados Football Association (BFA) Women’s Super League Cup competition last Saturday evening at the BFA Wildey Turf.

UWI outplayed and outscored the youthful RF Prime 4-1, to earn a place in the November 12 final.

The Blackbirds’ opponents in the final will be Fitts Village Football Club (FVFC) Femini, who overcame a nervous penalty shootout to defeat Kickstart Rush Genesis 4-3.

On Saturday evening, the Cave Hill ladies displayed their experience and technical superiority on their way to a comfortable victory.

Rianna Cyrus sent UWI into the lead in the 25th minute, but that lead was short lived as Kerisha Catlyn leveled the score a minute later.

Cyrus restored UWI’s lead in the 28th minute and it would remain this way until the interval.

Shanice Stevenson came to the party in the second half and scored twice to seal the victory for the UWI ladies.

Stevenson’s first goal came with a bit of fortune, as RF Prime goalkeeper Christina Wharton mishandled a timid free kick from the national midfielder, and the ball trickled over the line in the 45th minute.

UWI’s fourth goal came with the final kick of the game, when Stevenson was granted too much time and space to unleash a powerful right footed shot from 35 yards.

Regular time nor extra time could not separate FVFC Femini and Kickstart Rush Genesis, so the dreaded penalty shootout was the decision-maker.

FVFC players were more clinical and were rewarded with a place in the final, after scoring four of their five spot kicks, while Kickstart Rush Genesis converted three.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

R?agir ? cet article

NewsAmericasNow.com