I may lose a few friends in the Steelpan Community for this post, but either way I was never good at keeping friends.
I need to clear my chest on this on going matter. For the past 3 years, I have been the Secretary for the Eastern Region of Pan Trinbago. During that period, I have also been the music director/drill master/committee member of a band, The Silver Stars Steel Orchestra.
I find this letter to be highly disturbing on both ends of the political divide currently happening at the head office of Pan Trinbago Inc. It is in my view that there are a lot of grey areas where shadiness, hidden agendas, and unanswered questions dwell. I believe that it's time for both sides to come clean with their membership and by extension, the public on this matter of payment to the bands and the issue of player's remittance for Panorama 2018.
I have a few questions of my own to ask:-
1. Is there a document on the desk of the President to sign?
2. If there is, why isn't it signed, or are there any other document(s) from the President that counters this claim?
3. Is there enough money from the 2018 Panorama allocation to cover the payment of both the prize monies, and the player's remittance?
4. Why are all the bands/band leaders sitting silently on the side, muted and not standing outside the Pan Trinbago headquarters?
5. Why are groups such as the C.I.P etc pushing for an early elections knowing that the current executive will counter everything which will continuously stall the payment of monies to the bands?
6. Why doesn't the current executive just do the honorable thing and step down seeing that they have failed the membership on many grounds?
I'm also amazed at the players and their lack of voice (and action) on the issue.
Does Pan Trinbago even understand the expense it takes to go to Panorama? Does Pan Trinbago even understand the fact that bands are probably owing their vendors (suppliers) who did work for the respective bands to put on a great show in 2018?
I understand that it's the YEAR FOR LOVE, but Pan Trinbago must be careful that it doesn't turn into a LIGHTENING FLASH for the second half of the year, because what I see here is Pan Trinbago pissing on the Steelpan Community's back and telling them that it's raining.
I stand fully by my statement and I make NO APOLOGIES in advance for it. I am neither team Diaz, nor team Forteau. I am on the side of what's best for the Steelband community. So whether Keith Diaz is playing "de ass", or Richard Fortueau-Kublalsingh is lying, at the end of the day, there must be some way that Steelbands and pan players can be given what is owed to them.
It is time for individuals to come together and make a statement to Pan Trinbago, NCC, the Government and the public that we have had enough with This, and stand together to save the little left that can be saved.
What has....is, and what is...will be!
Marcus Ash (Tray)
Replies
No need pal.
We stop pushing about a month now, so lets see all the talkers get pan man money.
No interference from the CIP. lol
5. Why are groups such as the C.I.P etc pushing for an early elections knowing that the current executive will counter everything which will continuously stall the payment of monies to the bands?
Aquil and Gregory and Oswald: Please answer this question -- even though it is a little dated!!!
Well, coming up to PANORAMA 2018 I was ONE of a very small group CALLING FOR A STRIKE. Or in my case, calling for a BLUFF of a strike. But when the PAN COMMUNITY catch PANORAMA FEVER (as they will in 6 months) dey does get delirious and irrational.
And how come ah HIGHLY PLACED PAN ADMINISTRATOR like MARCUS ASH (TRAY) DOH KNOW that Diaz and Forteau and Michael Joseph DOH give ah BLANKETY BLANK about the PLAYERS and that they are ONLY THERE to STEAL THE MONEY. And all the MINISTER OF CULTURE care about is to be able to say "we had ah successful Carnival" (and that includes PANORAMA as a HIGH POINT) once THE CARNIVAL IS OVER -- she doh give ah BLANKETY BLANK about the PAN PLAYERS either other than them to show up and PLAY FOR PANORAMA.
But, Mr. Marcus Ash, you cannot lose my FRIENDSHIP because ANYBODY who is "DUMPING on THE CIP" is a FRIEND OF MINE!!!
well written
you may get many supporters as things only seem to change when it reaches collapse like now