“Community Development Programmes are programmes that always demonstrate love in action and focuses on how to reach people and groups.” These words were some of the sentiments expressed during the official Opening Ceremony and Staff Summit hosted by the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs on July 3, 2009 for the Community Development and Culture Divisions of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).

The ceremony took place at the Ministry’s Community Education Information Training and Resource Centre located in St. Anns, Port of Spain.

The occasion marked the start of an Exchange Visit Programme between the staff of the THA Community Development and Culture Divisions and the Community Development Division of St. George East, Trinidad.

Clean jokes are hard to come by but thanks to the Rotary Club of London West Ontario, we have these.

In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these. - Paul Harvey

Two little boys, aged 8 and 10, were excessively mischievous. They were alwaysgetting into trouble and their parents knew all about it.

If any mischief occurred in their town, the two boys were probably involved.
The boys' mother heard that a priest in town had been successful in disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys. The priest agreed, but he asked to see them individually. So the mother sent the eight-year-old to see the priest first in the morning, with the older boy in the afternoon.

The priest, a huge man with a booming voice, sat the younger boy down and asked him sternly, "Do you know where God is, son?"

The boy's mouth dropped open, but he made no response, sitting there wide-eyed with his mouth hanging open. So the priest repeated the question in an even sterner tone, "Where is God?"

Again the boy made no attempt to answer. The priest raised his voice even more and shook his finger in the boy's face and bellowed, "Where is God?"

The boy screamed and bolted from the room, ran directly home and dove into his closet, slamming the door behind him.

When his older brother found him in the closet, he asked, "What happened?"

The younger brother, gasping for breath, replied, "We are in BIG trouble this time! GOD is missing, and they think we did it."

Jennifer's wedding day was fast approaching. Nothing could dampen her excitement -- not even her parent's nasty divorce.

Her mother had found the PERFECT dress to wear and would be the best-dressed mother-of-the-bride ever!
A week later, Jennifer was horrified to learn that her father's new young wife had bought the exact same dress as her mother!

Jennifer asked her father's new young wife to exchange it, but she refused.
'Absolutely not, I look like a million bucks in this dress, and I'm Wearing it,' she replied.
Jennifer told her mother who graciously said, 'Never mind sweetheart.
I'll get another dress. After all, it's your special day.'
A few days later, they went shopping and did find another gorgeous dress.
When they stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked her mother, 'Aren't you going to return the other dress? You really don't have another occasion where you could wear it.
Her mother just smiled and replied, 'Of course I do, dear. I'm wearing it to the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding.'

NOW I ASK YOU - IS THERE A WOMAN OUT THERE, ANYWHERE, WHO WOULDN'T ENJOY THIS STORY?

INNER PEACE

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can get going without pep pills,

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,

If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,

If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,

If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs ...

Then you are probably the family dog!

And you thought I was going to get all spiritual with this, huh...?

Another upgraded and state of the art community centre has been delivered to the people by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. The residents of Bamboo and Duncan villages, located in La Romaine were the proud recipients of one of the multi-faceted units being provided by the Government. The formal rededication ceremony took place on Saturday, July 11, 2009. The upgraded centre was formally opened by Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, the Honourable Junia Regrello, who took "great pleasure to formally open the Bamboo/Duncan Community Centre and dedicate it to the people of the community."

Also in attendance were Permanent Secretary (Ag.) Diana Rutherford, Deputy Permanent Secretaries Vel Lewis and Hermia Tyson -Cuffie, as well as other officials from the Ministry.

This Ministry, on behalf of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago continues its mandate to take the nation to developed country status by the year 2020. In so doing, the Ministry has embarked on an extensive programme of constructing and modernizing community centres nationwide, with the ultimate goal of creating an innovative people and nurturing a caring society.

The community centre will be used to host community related activities designed to boost the development of the Bamboo and Duncan communities and will also serve as the ideal venue for cultural functions, outreach and skills training programmes and sporting competitions undertaken by the Bamboo/Duncan Village Council.

The following is the verbatim address delivered by the Honourable Junia Regrello at the rededication ceremony last Saturday:

The following is a verbatim statement from the Honourable Patrick Manning Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

“I have discussed with the Attorney General John Jeramie his offer to resign from the Cabinet.

I noted that his offer to resign was prompted in part by a motion of no-confidence in him passed by the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago and also, by the Attorney General’s desire to adopt a principled position in offering his resignation in order to enable the Prime Minister to make other arrangements if he so desired.

I consider the motion to have been politically motivated and not grounded in any legal interpretation of the role of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General, in which the Attorney General committed any serious infraction in the performance of his duties. As an example, I cite the congratulations by the Leader of the Congress of the People thanking the mover of the motion for carrying through the motion at a meeting of the Law Association.

I wish to applaud the Attorney General for the stand he has taken in offering his resignation and hereby advise that I have decided not to accept it. I also take the opportunity to publicly reaffirm my confidence in him.”

With the National Awards 2009 less than two months away, several persons and organizations have already been nominated based on service to their communities and the country.

All citizens of Trinidad and Tobago and non-nationals of distinction, alive or deceased, as well as organizations, are eligible to be considered for a National Award.

The National categories are:

The Order of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago – The country’s highest award usually given for some outstanding national achievement.

The Chaconia Medal – For long and meritorious service to Trinidad and Tobago that promotes the national welfare or strengthens the community spirit.

The Humming Bird Medal – For loyal and devoted service beneficial to Trinidad and Tobago in any field of human endeavour or for gallantry of other humane action.

Medal of Merit – For outstanding and meritorious service in the Public Service, the Defence and Protective Services or with Statutory Bodies performing national functions.

The nominations are now under consideration by the Office of the Prime Minister and the awards will be handed out during a ceremony at President’s House on Independence Day.

The Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs in collaboration with Pan Trinbago will launch a new initiative designed to give pan lovers a chance to get up close and personal with their favourite steel orchestras. The news conference takes place at the Ministry’s Education Centre at #1 La Fantasie Road, St. Ann’s, Port of Spain on July 15, 2009 from 10:00 - 11:00 am.

At the launch, Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, the Honourable Marlene McDonald will deliver the feature address; Parliamentary Secretary, the Honourable Junia Regrello, the opening remarks; and Pan Trinbago President Patrick Arnold will bring greetings.

The programme has two objectives:

- To promote camaraderie among the steelbands; and

- To promote local tourism

Through the programme, three steelbands from different zones will perform a series of concerts every weekend in different areas across Trinidad and Tobago, enabling them to reach pan lovers who never had the chance to witness their performances “live.” These areas include Toco, Sangre Grande and Rio Claro.

The initiative will also promote local tourism, as fans attending the concerts would seek accommodation at guest houses and resorts, while taking in the sweet sounds of steel.

This would provide much-needed revenue for the local hospitality industry.

The Ministry is pleased to be associated with such a programme, which would provide entertainment for pan lovers, while giving a boost to tourism.

The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs (MSYA) wishes to express its disappointment about recent events on the field of play in the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League. A violent incident between players of Joe Public FC and United Petrotrin in a Round One Match Day Eight match is a disgrace to the sport and to the League.

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, the Honourable Gary Hunt (right) said of the incident that it shows “complete disregard for the game of football and the high standards to which the League aspires. This incident cuts to the heart of the ideals of sport and send the wrong message to the Nation’s youth.”

The Disciplinary Committee met yesterday to consider the situation and recommend further action by the League. Consequently, the MSYA endorses the imposition of fair but harsh penalties for the indiscretions of athletes on the field of play. Professional footballers should not exhibit such negative conduct, especially as the Pro League is in a formative stage and seeks to be a leader in the region as far as professional football is concerned.

If there is one arena where rules, discipline and fair play must obtain, it is sport. The children and youth of Trinidad and Tobago depend on the adults to set the right tone and example. As the largest contributor to the Pro League, the MSYA therefore urges a balanced but strict approach to dealing with disciplinary matters of this nature.

Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, the Honourable Marlene McDonald addresses the regional meeting.