Former National Security Minister, Gary Griffith, has thanked all those who offered him words of encouragement on his nomination to the post of Commissioner of Police, by the government.
A total of 19 government MPs voted in favour of Griffith during the motion which was brought in the Parliament on Monday. 13 Opposition MPs who were present abstained while no one voted against.
In a statement issued less than an hour after the vote, Griffith said he needed no “honeymoon period” as he intended to work hard to gain the trust of the public and work alongside the police to ensure the safety of citizens.
“To those law-abiding citizens who have been sceptical of this decision made, it is my intention to win over your trust and support in the very near future. To those within the Service who may also share concerns, I assure you, I am well aware that I can never do this on my own, and I am certain, despite what is reported in the mainstream media, those who took the oath to protect and serve, will do so with pride. We are all aware that a team is as strong as its weakest link, and part of my role is to ensure all links are bolstered.”
Griffith said he is aware that the post of Commissioner of Police comes with great responsibility, a challenge he is willing to meet.
He also outlined some of his plans to do all that is required to achieve this feat.
“I am intent on utilizing Leadership, Management, Accountability and Measurement of Performance as standards of practice, whilst implementing methodologies that will advance a strategic, future-oriented, targeted approach to crime control, focusing upon the identification, analysis & management of persisting and developing problems or risks, also known as Intelligence Led Policing.”
He said, however, that he will not give further details as he awaits the official transition and handover period from current acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams of whom he praised for his service to country.

Port-of-Spain has quite a compelling history, with nuances and facets that we see every day without actually knowing their origins.
Before the Twin Towers, there was Freetown. Before the International Waterfront, there was Puerto d’España, a port kept under wraps from pirates and enemies of the Spanish. 
The city of Port-of-Spain is 104 years old and for the month of June, the Port-of-Spain City Corporation will be hosting a number of events to celebrate this anniversary. 
To help commemorate, we dug up some pretty interesting facts about the nation's capital. Here are 10 facts about the city you probably didn't know.
1. Belmont was previously called Freetown
The British abolished the slave trade in 1807 but the British Royal Navy were ordered to patrol the African West Coast and prevent the illegal transportation of slaves by British ships. As a result, a number of Africans were freed and some of them were brought to Trinidad.
Coming from tribes including Yoruba, Rada, Mandingo, Ibo, and Krumen, they were brought here, not as slaves, but as free men and given land in Belmont. Belmont became known as Freetown for a while, extending from the East Dry River at the north end of Circular Road, and up into the Belmont Valley Road.
2. Before there was St. Ann’s, there was Belmont Asylum
The Belmont Asylum was founded in 1851 and was located on Circular Road, opposite to where the secondary school is today. It was eventually moved to St. Ann’s and became known as the ‘Mental Hospital’.
3. The capital was intentionally kept uninhabited at one point
Under Spanish rule in the mid-16th century, Trinidad was a strategic outpost to the Orinoco delta. In an attempt to avoid drawing the attention of pirates and other Spanish enemies, the Spaniards kept Trinidad unpopulated, keeping the island as just a port to keep Spanish ships safe in the Gulf of Paria. They spread rumours that Trinidad was dangerous and was a catchment for diseases like yellow fever and malaria. The main anchoring place didn’t even receive a proper name but was just called a ‘Harbour of Spain’  or Puerto d’España. 
4. The 'jamette society' originated in Port in Spain
At one point, the streets of east Port-of-Spain were known as the ‘French Shores’, and those who inhabited them were known as jamettes (from French ‘diamètre’). The term referred to those outside the circle (the ‘diameter’) of polite society. In the eyes of the colonial government, the jamette society was outrageous, vulgar and obscene.
5. Everyone and everything was thrown in prison
The Royal Gaol on upper Frederick Street was completed in 1812 where criminals, along with debtors, the insane, and even animals were thrown into it.  
6. Governor Woodfood passed an interesting law to protect the streets of Port-of-Spain
After he became Governor in 1813, Sir Ralph Woodford was keen on modernising the face of Port-of-Spain. Sidewalks were constructed and paved with gravel. To preserve the new (and expensive) streets, a law was passed in 1824 forbidding the keeping of pigs in the city. Additionally, cows, goats, horses, and mules had to be kept in compounds and were not allowed to roam the streets anymore.
7. The first boys' school opened in 1823
The first primary school for boys was opened in Port-of-Spain in April 1823 followed by a primary school for girls in 1826. 
8. Queen's Park Savannah was initially intended for cattle 
Governor Woodford purchased Paradise estate in 1819 from the Peschier family. The area, originally called 'The Savannah' was cleared ‘for the recreation of the townsfolk and for the pasturage of cattle’. It was later officially changed to 'The Queen's Park Savannah' in 1845. 
9. The Botanic Gardens had Far East influences
The Governor bought additional land from the Peschier estate at St. Anns, which was constructed for the new Government House and the Botanic Gardens. Botanist David Lockhart was hired to design the Botanic gardens; he introduced many trees from the Far East into Trinidad, the most notable being samaan tree. 
10. The Queen's Park Savannah was used for many sporting events
In addition to being an open pasture, the Savannah provided the residents of the town with their first golf course and the game was played with the grazing cows and running horses. 
Horse-racing was also introduced in 1828; by 1854, after the erection of the Grand Stand, horse racing was held annually. The Savannah was quite the multipurpose venue, with cricket, polo, football and other sports taking place in the open space. 
Source:  The Loop

ZOE Anthony added yet another gold medal to her impressive haul when she won the Girls 3K open water swim on the penultimate day of races at the CCCAN Swimming Championships in Aruba, yesterday.
Anthony, who won the most individual medals in the girls 11-12 age division, completely dominated the open water to win in 46 minutes, 16 seconds, well ahead of her teammates Savannah Chee-Wah (49:07) and Gabrielle Vickles (51:19), who rounded off the top three spots.
On the boys’ side, Nikoli Blackman also added to his heavy load of medals with the 3K gold. He finished in 45:14, with Daniel Mair of Jamaica coming second in 48:08.
The 5K was staged soon after, but no TT swimmer placed in the top three. Today, the final day of competition will see the Boys and Girls 10K open water events.
Even before yesterday’s stunning performance from the TT swimmers, the team was in line to finish with the overall team prize, which takes into account scores from the CCCAN’s various water sports, including diving and synchronised swimming.
Along with Anthony and Blackman, Zarek Wilson’s performances have been exceptional. Wilson has the most medals in the TT camp, most of which are gold including the 50m and 100m backstroke double; 200m and 400m freestyle; 50m backstroke; 200m IM; and the 400m freestyle and 400m medley relays.
The event will finish today with the boys and girls Open Water 10K.
Source:  TT Newsday, July 5, 2018

The Airports Authority is calling on the owner of an abandoned twin-engine turboprop plane to come forward and claim its aircraft.
The YS 11 aircraft has been at the Piarco International Airport for some time without any communication from its owner/s.
During this time the aircraft has racked up storage charges.
The Airports Authority’s records on the aircraft have not made things clearer, reportedly unable to reveal any current information on the owner/s.
A Public Notice has been issued to the owner/s or persons with a legal interest in the aircraft to remove same by July 9, subject to the payment to the Authority of outstanding storage fees accumulated for the aircraft.
In the event that the aircraft remains unclaimed or the fees unpaid by this date, the Airports Authority said it will be donated to the Chaguaramas Military History and Aerospace Museum.

​A Trinidadian man pleaded guilty to bank fraud involving numerous home equity line of credit loans today in the United States of America, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement yesterday.
The Justice Department statement said: "Garth Anthony Gardner, 49, a citizen of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, has pled guilty to charges involving a scheme in which he made misrepresentations to apply for and obtain more than US$3 million in multiple home equity line of credit loans."
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu and Acting Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Washington D.C. Field Office.
Gardner pled guilty on July 2, 2018, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to two counts of bank fraud. Each charge carries a statutory maximum of 30 years in prison and potential financial penalties. Under federal sentencing guidelines, he faces an estimated range of 51 to 63 months in prison and a fine of up to US$100,000. The plea agreement calls for him to pay US$3,165,294 in restitution to 24 financial institutions. It also calls for him to pay a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of US$2,048,446.
U.S. Judge Christopher Cooper scheduled sentencing for September 24, 2018.
According to the government’s evidence, in October 2003, Gardner purchased a property in the 5100 block of 13th Street NW, using the Social Security number of another person and falsely representing himself as a U.S. citizen.
The Justice Department said: "In May 2005, he used a corporation that he owned to purchase a second property in the 1300 block of Dexter Terrace SE. Gardner transferred ownership of the second property from the company to himself for US$10. Next, Gardner applied for a series of home equity line of credit loans using the two properties as collateral."
By settling these loans in close proximity to each other, Gardner minimized the banks’ ability to learn about the other loans. From August to October 2004, Gardner obtained 12 home equity line of credit loans from 12 different banks secured by the 13th Street property, totaling approximately US$1.4 million.
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Between March and April 2006, Gardner applied for 13, and obtained 12, such loans from 12 banks, secured by the Dexter Terrace property, totaling approximately US$1.9 million, the Justice Department said.
Around February 2008, Gardner stopped making payments and defaulted on all of the loans. "The banks discovered Gardner’s fraudulent conduct after initiating foreclosure proceedings on the properties," the Justice Department said.
Gardner admitted that he used a portion of the proceeds from the fraudulent scheme to purchase 15 silver bars, which the government recovered and liquidated for about US$1.1 million.
Gardner was arrested in Frankfurt, Germany in May 2017, and was extradited to the District in February 2018, to face the charges that had been pending since 2014. He remains in custody pending his sentencing.
In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Liu and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jackson commended the work performed by those who investigated the case from the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Washington Field Office of the U.S. Secret Service and the Office of the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Bradford, David A. Last, Diane Lucas and Denise A. Simmonds, and Paralegal Specialist Aisha Keys.

Machel Montano has been honoured for his work promoting Caribbean culture.
The soca superstar was honoured on Friday night at the Los Angeles 2nd Annual Caribbean Recognition Day which was held ahead of the Hollywood Carnival parade today.
Montano was honoured along with Puerto Rican actress Jeimy Osorio.
The ceremony was held by Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson in association with the Los Angeles Culture Festival.
In his post on Instagram, Montano expressed thanks for the recognition.
"Flew in from Chicago this morning and made it to City hall just in time. I’m honoured to receive recognition from the City of Los Angeles today on LA's Caribbean Heritage Day!! Come celebrate our heritage all weekend with us at @hollywoodcarnival," he wrote. 
Source: The Loop, July 3

For the seventh time, Trinidad and Tobago has copped the title of Caribbean National Culinary Team at Taste of the Caribbean.
The annual culinary competition took place from June 22 to June 26 at the Hyatt Regency Miami. Team T&T also captured the titles of Best Non-Alcoholic Cocktail, Caribbean Bartender of the Year, Caribbean Chef of the Year (Beef Category).
The winning team includes: 
Team Captain: Jeremy Lovell (Courtyard by Marriott)
Senior Chef: Rondell Thompson (Chaud Cafe)
Senior Chef: Tricia Gregoire (Kiddies Cook Culinary Program)
Junior Chef: Zaria Sealey (Heroes Restaurant and Sports Bar)
Pastry Chef: Anton Lee James (Hyatt Regency)
Bartender: Shana Rajahram (Shana Stirs it Up)
Alternate Bartender: Dale Sebro-Jospeh (Trini Bartenders)
Trinidad and Tobago bested Barbados, the reigning champions of 2017 and several other Caribbean territories including Bahamas, Belize, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Suriname, and Turks and Caicos. 
Hosted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), each team selected their best chefs and mixologists from their country to vie for several titles including Caribbean Chef of the Year, Caribbean Bartender of the Year, Caribbean Pastry Chef of the Year, and Caribbean Junior Chef of the Year.
The members of the T&T National Culinary Team 2018 were an immediate hit at the CHTA’s ‘Caribbean305’ event held on June 23 at Jungle Island. Their mouth-watering offerings of geera pork, curried chicken, eggplant and tomato pholourie (with a range of sauces), and a sorrel swizzle rum cocktail were all in high demand by patrons from both the Caribbean and Southern Florida, and their booth was cleared out within the first hour.
For the Team of the Year competition dinner held on June 24, the National Culinary Team presented a scrumptious, well-executed three-course dinner offering that creatively infused many of Trinidad & Tobago’s local flavours and spices, much to the delight and appreciation of the judges and diners alike. Trinidad & Tobago won a Gold medal for this dinner offering.
Team members also participated in several Individual competitions where they amassed six additional medals including one Gold, one Silver, and 4 Bronze. 
Trinidad and Tobago has a known track record for performing exceptionally well over the years at the competition, with a total of 87 medals (including 40 Gold, 31 Silver, and 16 Bronze), numerous individual titles such as Caribbean Bartender of the Year; Caribbean Junior Chef of the Year; Caribbean Chef of the Year; and Caribbean Pastry Chef of the Year.
The country has also earned the coveted title of Caribbean National Team of the Year six times--2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2016--a feat that continues to be unmatched by any other participating destination.
"The THRTA recognizes the pivotal role that its hospitality training institute, the Trinidad & Tobago Hospitality & Tourism Institute (TTHTI) continues to play in achieving these successes, given that five of the six members of the 2018 T&T National Culinary Team are either past or present students of the TTHTI. The THRTA and the TTHTI remain committed to the development of Trinidad & Tobago’s youth by providing them with a regional platform and relevant training to expand their culinary and bartending skills," according to a media release by THRTA on Wednesday. 
"The THRTA sees this continued culinary excellence as a compelling value proposition for Destination T&T to attract international tourists to share in our cuisine, culture and local experiences. Additionally, the continued, demonstrated success on the international stage creates opportunities for the development of our young citizens and the establishment of defined career pathways within the local hospitality and tourism sector."
Source:  the Loop, June 27, 2018