Claude,
I realize that the possible rise to the head of Pan Trinbago may soon be done by a WOMAN - Mrs Beverley Ramsey-Moore. It also seems (to me) that the gender and geographical location has a part to play with your concerns about this development.
About six (6) days ago, I was right here on this forum announcing my interest in running as an INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE for the post of Education Officer in the upcoming Pan Trinbago elections. Yesterday, news of Mrs Beverley Ramsey-Moore's slate would have broken and I can only imagine how many people would have been shocked to see me on the slate - TEAM REBUILD!
The question now begs; What is the reason for the joining between Marcus Ash, Beverley Ramsey-Moore, and TEAM REBUILD?
As I've mentioned previously, right here on WST, Beverley (up to this moment) has NOT released an OFFICIAL manifesto. However, I do also believe that a manifesto is in no way, a promise to anyone - at the end of the day, words is wind! (Please take note for all who are running in the elections).
My choice for joining Beverley started by me paying attention to what each person has DONE (not plan on doing). Earl Lovelace once asked, "What have you done, with what you have done?" The point I'm making is simple:
•Beverley has built Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra from a simple "pan side" in Black Rock, Tobago into a huge PRODUCT where businesses were born, where Steelpan is more than just Music. She took the charity and blessings that colleagues such as Edwin Pouchet, Boogsie, etc gave to her and developed her home (Katzenjammers) to be a pride of Tobago. With that track record, I believe she can make an economic difference in Pan Trinbago.
•Beverley was abused, ridiculed, and deserted after standing up to the very same people that the Steelpan community now wants nailed on a cross SIX YEARS before everyone else saw the reality.
Due to the aforementioned, It was an easy decision for me to join with Beverley Ramsey-Moore for the following reasons: -
•She approached me VERY respectfully, with all her ideas and visions which I believe are needed to improve the fraternity.
•There is NO history of her mismanaging/tiefin/stealing/misappropriating/et al any funds.
•Beverley has been an advocate against corrupt practices (Like myself) and as long as I am on the executive it WILL remain that way where I am concerned.
Claude, I promise you this; when Beverley releases her manifesto, I give you full permission to drag me into the question and answer segment.
With regards to geographical location, I'd put it in TWO simple points:-
•I believe Beverley knows the economic crisis of the organization at this time and will do what is best to adapt to the situation.
•I would prefer to hear $100,000.00 spent on travelling, etc for someone who is actually WORKING and IMPROVING the organization, than hear it spent on LEGAL FEES between fractions where EVERYTHING from the JUDGEMENT to the BANK ACCOUNT ends up at ZERO!
At the end of the day Claude, I Marcus Ash, son of Ray Ash, grandson of Neville Ash, great grandson of Cecil Ash, great-great nephew of Dennis Ash, also known as TASH (the longest playing Double seconds player at Desperadoes Steel Orchestra who has played in ALL Panorama finals which they made and placed 1st on 11 occasions with them) has only ONE thing to lose, and THAT is MY NAME!
So have no fear my brother! I will continue travelling in a red band maxi, being a vegetarian, and keeping the players of Silver Stars Steel Orchestra fully disciplined and full of vibes while I keep my name clear of mismana-tiefin. And dont worry, yuh still getting the job when Beverley wins....i will make sure!
Blessed Be!
Marcus Ash
Yuh PADNAH for LIFE !
Replies
odw that is kaiso kaiso! Claude your agenda is will not succeed because if you do your home work as I would have done you would have known that Beverley have more experience than your candidate in governmental matters. Ask if you do not know. My peeps told me Beverley run community Development and Culture in Tobago Government and was a best leader so don't compare. By the way I was told last night that Claude's candidate mother is Tobagonian so let us not get tie up because all ah dem is one family but ah still voting Beverley.
Not only was she the Secretary in THA for community development and culture for EIGHT YEARS, she also left without a question mark, blemish, scar, or dirty hands.
Beverley run a STEELBAND!!! How much people in Trinidad run STEELBAND. My Candidate run a WHOLE CITY -- THE CAPITAL CITY!!!
Btw Claude, we can disagree and you WILL still be my Pardna for LIFE. Nobody can fight THAT. And whoever gets jealous can join team REBUILD and support Beverley (Like you will eventually do). LOL
(Nice PASSAGE, Marcus!!! Watch how yuh treating meh so nice and calling me "PADNAH for LIFE!" since you might make some people jealous.)
I only have one issue with your whole passage and that is the SECOND SENTENCE: "It also seems (to me) that the gender and geographical location has a part to play with your concerns about this development."
I don't have a GENDER PROBLEM with the LEADERSHIP of PAN TRINBAGO. I have spoken about the GENDER PROBLEM for SIX YEARS now because in assessing a WINNER of a PRESIDENTIAL RACE -- I don't see this MACHO STEELBAND CULTURE voting a WOMAN into THAT OFFICE. I have stated that in so many ways -- I could see how people could get the wrong impression from the repetition. And as I write to you today, I still hold the position that a WOMAN will not win the 2018 PAN TRINBAGO ELECTION.
Having used the expression "no woman from Tobago could win that election" when she ran against KEITH DIAZ (The Right Honourable Keith Diaz)-- I could see how people could link the geographic issue. But that too is UNTRUE. If you check the records in the newspaper leading up to the first election with PATRICK ARNOLD -- you will see that I played a very significant role in him winning that first election. And Patrick Arnold is from TOBAGO!!! So that chosen sentence does not apply to me.
I recently took a look at the cost to PAN TRINBAGO because of the GEOGRAPHY in these LEAN TIMES when frugality should be a primary issue and I expressed concern about the EXPENSES. And to me that was a STAND ALONE ISSUE. But I could see how people could make all those linkages which do not represent my positions on gender and geography.
Now, I do have a problem with BEVERLEY'S PERSONALITY -- the very same problem I had with Hillary Clinton ... and not because she is a woman. (I wanted to see BILL CLINTON back in the WHITE HOUSE so bad, you cannot imagine; he was my favourite president between 1970 and 2018.) So I joined the TRUMP CAMPAIGN just to beat HILLARY. And I am feeling a little DEJA VU because I am going to join SOMEBODY'S CAMPAIGN -- just to BEAT BEVERLEY. I think that BEVERLEY is going to do MORE STRUTTING than WORKING if she wins the election. And I have put too much time into this forum to sit and watch and aid and abet another error like that in PAN TRINBAGO.
And that is the NATURE of POLITICS -- people choose different sides.
The organization needs real hands-on management and not some empress-like LEADER sitting on a THRONE.
Claud3, I really believe you do not know Beverley. When she wins the election, I think I will fly you back here and find you a nice Tobago woman....just like Beverley. LOL
Claude I'm confused by yuh statement...
"I do have a problem with BEVERLEY'S PERSONALITY -- the very same problem I had with Hillary Clinton ... and not because she is a woman. (I wanted to see BILL CLINTON back in the WHITE HOUSE so bad, you cannot imagine; he was my favourite president between 1970 and 2018.)
So I joined the TRUMP CAMPAIGN just to beat HILLARY."
If Hillary had won the election VOTERS would've gotten a 2 for 1 deal, a win/win, a Rhodes Scholar and the GOP worst nightmare, the FIRST female PRESIDENT in the White House.
Pan musicians are progressive THINKERS, willing to outgrow what no longer fits, we all have to adapt to the CHANGING TIMES, there are some things you have to LET GO (MACHO STEELBAND CULTURE) in order to move FORWARD.
The organization needs real hands-on management and not some empress-like LEADER sitting on a THRONE.
•Beverley has built Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra from a simple "pan side" in Black Rock, Tobago into a huge PRODUCT where businesses were born, where Steelpan is more than just Music. She took the charity and blessings that colleagues such as Edwin Pouchet, Boogsie, etc gave to her and developed her home (Katzenjammers) to be a pride of Tobago. With that track record, I believe she can make an economic difference in Pan Trinbago. Marcus Ash
Her Marjesty, the Oueen...