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It is with much regret and disappointment that I put fingers to keyboard to let panists and leaders of Steel bands know that there seems to be a strained relationship existing between the executive of the South/Central Region of Pan Trinbago and the Mayor of the borough of Point Fortin. 

This is the only conclusion that can be derived from the total show of disrespect and contempt for the Steel band fraternity displayed by His Worship and his council to the new executive of this region. After all these years of struggle against the colonial masters to carve out our space, today some of the greatest obstacles to our progress are placed in our way  by some so called friends and brothers and people you think should know better.

Since coming into office in the South/Central region of Pan Trinbago, the new executive under my chairmanship wrote to His Worship the Mayor of the Borough of Point Fortin requesting a meeting for introductory purposes and to discuss outstanding financial matters between his corporation and the region.

To this day his Worship is too busy to meet with us. Bands with outstanding matters arising out of the borough celebrations that are held the first week in May yearly continuously request our intervention with the Borough Corporation…and rightly so. Over the years and under past Mayors, officers would boast that it was never this way. The Steel band fraternity was always treated with respect and allowed to function according to its Laws Bye laws and Act 5 of 1986.

For Borough celebrations 2013, the goodly Mayor of Point Fortin and his council have decided to approach individual Steel bands, most through their sponsors, and not involve the World Governing Body for steel band. They are within their rights to so do, however, the executive of the South/Central region has taken a position that in light of the new approach by the Mayor and his council, we are left with no other option but to withdraw our support from the Point Borough celebrations Steel band segment 2013 and to advise our membership accordingly.

This group of hard working dedicated men and women, who sacrifice time and energy most of the times for gratis, sees no reason to tolerate the contemptuous and disrespectful behaviour as displayed by these esteemed autocratic functionaries. We are all adults and are expect to be treated with some form of respect and dignity while in the performance of our duties and obligations. For us it’s a labour of LOVE for which we cannot expect more.

So, our position is that any of our members rendering their services to the Pan on D move programme in Point Fortin Borough celebrations  is doing so as an independent entity and is not authorized to represent  Pan Trinbago  South/central region.  Our only concern at this time is for the goodly Mayor to settle all outstanding financial matters affecting the region post haste.

Michael L Joseph

Chairman

South Central Region

Pan Trinbago