MAY 08

Members of the new executive of the Grenada Veterans Association (GVA) were sworn into office last Friday amidst controversy about the way the election was conducted to select the body.

The ceremony, initiated by Social Affairs Minister Yolande Joseph, was held downstairs the GVA headquarters on Scott Street, St. George's. At least one member of the association is taking issue with the manner in which Claude Bartholomew-led executive was voted into office.

Veteran Cosmos Cape told GRENADA TODAY that some of the people on the executive were hand picked by Bartholomew, a former Sergaent-of-arms in the House of Representative. Cape said the post of President was not contested since Bartholomew had announced during the election that he was "President for life."

He felt strongly that Bartholomew should remove himself from the leadership of the association because of several alleged irregularities. He said the main reason why the newly elected President is holding onto the top post is because he wants to attend the meeting of Veterans of the Commonwealth to be held later this year in Canada.

Both Bartholomew and GVA's Public Relations Officer (PRO), Michael Mc. Sween declined to comment on the issues raised by Cape when they were interviewed by this newspaper.

Mc. Sween admitted that there are problems but said he would not like to speak on them at the moment since he had just taken up duty. In administering the Oath of Office, Social Affairs Minister Yolande Bain-Joseph encouraged members of the Association to work together.

She said her ministry is impressed with some of the plans of the GVA and wants to work closely with them to initiate some of their projects. Minister Joseph disclosed that her ministry is currently working on a Policy for the Elderly which among other things will seek to review government's services to groups and organisations to see whether or not they are relevant.

In his brief remarks, Bartholomew promised to work closely with the Ministry of Social Affairs to ensure that veterans on the island can benefit from some of the programmes being offered by the ministry.

The new executive of GVA includes Claude Bartholomew as President, Vice-President James Dumont, Secretary Annette Ragbasingh,Treasurer Cuthbert Wilson, PRO Michael Mc. Sween, and Trustees Francis De. Gale, Elaine Moore and Emmanuel Saralie.