Informed sources are whispering in closed social circles that the 2020 Medium band Panorama Finals in Tobago may have already been cancelled because of the inability of the main stakeholder to present any ballpark zero based budget as a pre requisite for consideration for funding for that ground breaking event. It is alleged that PanTrinbago is demonstrating what is interpreted as its inability to efficiently tentatively plan and coordinate a show of this magnitude which requires significant government funding. That in turn frustrated economists at both the Ministry of Culture and Finance in their fiscal year 2019 - 2020 budgetary preparation.
Sources are also reporting that some persons are suggesting that this minister of culture is going nowhere until general elections 2020, and that in any event, Beverley could go, But Rowley must stay, and the government will not chance endorsing and financing another failed cultural event in Tobago that is perceived to be to the advantage of a specific demographic of our society in a general election year, while funding is cut back for other cultural activities favored by other segments of the population. it is expected that the government will sacrifice panmen, slapping them with austerity measures at the expense of the wider population when it comes to election handouts.
As astute politics demands:
When faced with apparent death, the veteran will rush in head first (protected), with a distraction. CARIFESTA provided that distraction.
Pawns must be positioned to shield any onslaught. Gregory Lindsay and Oswald Alexander were resurrected as front row pawns for protection at the commencement of open warfare, by a Rook whose progress depends on the forward movement of the pawns in a war which may have already been lost in the boardroom.
Hear Marcus Ash:
“It was never the intention of the executive of Pan Trinbago to start a war with the Minister of Culture or the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. As a matter of fact, the President of Pan Trinbago was adamant about keeping the peace. There were days when members of the fraternity such as Oswald Alexander and Gregory Lindsay, among others were ready to defend the central executive against the powers that be when Pan Trinbago was going through trying times but again, the President insisted that things could have been resolved peacefully.”
Then while apparently still furious over the CARIFESTA blank, Mr. Ash slips in:
“Of course, additionally there was the announcement of the change in the Panorama scheduling that made its way viral across both social and print media.
Now let's get to the straw that broke the Camel's back….”
The allegation that Minister of Culture is saying NO to PANORAMA IN TOBAGO may be the straw that broke Pan Trinbago’s silence, and not CARIFESTA, where Pan is well represented, and into which Steelband month was integrated. Pan loving high level public servants in the loop believe it may be the reason why Mr. Ash in concluding a well prepared overdue official press release, although MONEY is not a factor in the CARIFESTA equation, encourages:
“For that reason I urge members/fans/friends/family of the Steelpan fraternity to look at our own history and unite, for those who forget it are doomed to repeat it. George Goddard was persecuted while we looked on because he had a different opinion. In 1979 panmen made a stand and got their respect then. It is time to stand and remind the powers that be what we are capable of. In no way are we promoting begging/demanding a handout from the government. Money or no money, it is time for the Steelpan fraternity to right a wrong, put differences aside, unite, respect ourselves and elevate TOGETHER!!!
What has...is, and what is...will be!”
IS TOBAGO PANORAMA OFF OR...?
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So Mr. merrytonestodebone, Medium Band leaders suppose tuh start TENTATIVELY preparing dey bands fuh de DRAFT (Trump did dodge it) Tobago Panorama?
Buh wha kinda ting is this I hearing here? These people not considering that
Among others TUSTY tuh ride ride de boat next year, an Pan Tinbago cyar confirm nutten yet because dey eh have no money tuh underwrite nutten.
Meanwhile, dey not calling ah meeting tuh appraise de membership, because dey hoping that de government will pass ah change in de budget tuh pull dem out.
Pan Trinbago, please withdraw this D R A F T & T E N T A T I V E calendar of events for 2020 especially as it relates to what you propose for Tobago, and communicate with your membership something you can
C O N F I R M.
Waaaaayyyyyyy! Steelband business in T&T is a big joke. Gone no place and no place to go.
Considering the current climate, this is not a reprimand.
Everyone is not on the Eastern Main Road in Laventille, or interested in Carifesta, quote me on that, and what I am hearing is that; "Nyan" (that's how they call her) is insistent that NCC interest groups must become accountable and transparent under her watch (Minister Gadsby-Dolly said allocations to the NCC are to be used be.... Her knowledge of hierarchical organization demands that she practice a direct chain of command from the top of the organization to the bottom. Senior management makes all critical decisions, which are then passed down through subsidiary levels of management. That means The Minister's first and last point of contact is The Chairman and CEO of The NCC in that order (interest groups may be entertained as a matter of courtesy, not policy).
The above describes to me, and by extension to the steelband fraternity what lies at the root of what is erroneously reported as irregular communication between the Minister and Pan Trinbago as described by Mr. Ash et al. This lady has no intention of any underhand, backroom dealings (she is not into bad mouthing the NCC, her government appointed that body, they did not appoint Pan Trinbago's Executive), her upbringing taught her to do everything above board. She will not be baited into deviating from what is expected of her stewardship.
Ah tell allyuh that BEVERLEY RAMSEY-MOORE was in WAY OVER HER HEAD -- and NOBODY BELIEVED ME!!!
ONLY UNINFORMED PAN MEN taking BAIT FROM BEVERLEY and not politically sophisticated enough to SEE THE LIGHT IN 2019-2020.
How meh GOOD PARDNER GREGORY LINDSAY loss he HEAD following BEVERLEY is a MYSTERY TO ME!!!
But I disagree with ANYBODY who calls the RIGHT HONOURABLE DOCTOR DOLLY: NYAN!!!
DOCTOR DOLLY deserves MUCH MORE RESPECT THAN THAT!!!
Do you ever refer to Cecil Hinkson as Mr. Hinkson on a regular basis, or ever sir? Have you not documented your acquaintance with the gentleman dating back decades sir, do you both not have friends of friends. I never knew of the minister before her emergence as a MP. Trinidad is a small country, people from Goodwood Park and Guaico share the same alma mater, and people from Plum Road taught at Mission Road. I am reporting what was shared with me verbatim, and I can assure that there is no disrespect in the use of the honorable minister's first name as described.
Party Done (before it start)???
The President could save face if she organize the North Zone large bands to roll through the savannah for panorama preliminaries. This will create a massive steelband party, good clean Sunday afternoon family entertainment...Success guaranteed.
I am in total agreement with you, I have been saying this for some time. This will also eliminate the rushing and grid lock running from band to band and having to miss one or two in-between.
Jennifer Jagbir, the bands oppose this because they feel that they could make more money selling beer and Tshirt in they yard...
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