Blog 2.0

Colleague,

We acknowledge receipt of the ABPA update re - proposed amendment to
National Panorama Rules for the 2013 National Panorama scheduled for
1st August, 2013.

LIME Hells Gate Steel Orchestra is of the opinion that ABPA proposed
amendment is clearly a sign of retrogression on the part of the ABPA.
We are also fully aware that as individuals or organizations, we do have
the right to choose whether or not we progress or retrogress and
certainly, the LIME Hells Gate Steel Orchestra will not stand in the
way of any individual or organization that chooses retrogression over
progression or who continues to stand in someone else's shadow in
preference of their own.

To this end, and in an effort to salvage what little pride we have as
nationals of Antigua and Barbuda in regards to valuing, respecting,
preserving and growing our local talents, the LIME Hells Gate Steel
Orchestra, submits the attached response to the ABPA's proposed
amendment.

Regards,

Stafford Joseph

I forwarded this portion of our rules to Mr. Maurice Merchant

Greetings

This is how the members of the Pan Association is looking at this particular rule for 2013 Panorama ... it is rule 7, primarily the main area of change for this year.

PLEASE NOTE that this is a PROPOSAL and the Pan Association wishes to meet with you, Mr. Merchant, Ms. Wanda Clarke, Mr. Dave L. Payne and any other member to discuss this particular matter.

The Pan Association has seven bands earnestly preparing for the 2013 panorama and would be desirous of settling this matter of adjudication soonest.

Thank you so kindly

Your in Pan Music

Patrick "Stone" Johnson

Suggested Amendment to rule 7 (A) & (H)

(A) Composition of the adjudicating panel for panorama:- A panel of seven (7) judges will be selected to adjudicate the Antigua and Barbuda Panorama competition; two (2) judges shall serve as alternates, to substitute for one (1) or more of the five (5) judges, if necessary. This determination is to be made by the Chairperson of the Judges Committee of the ACDC.

The panel of adjudicators shall comprise the following: Four (4) overseas judges and three (3) local judges whereby one (1) of the local judges shall serve as an alternate judge and one (1) of the overseas judges shall serve as the remaining alternate.

At all times, where it is necessary to do so, a local judge should be replaced by the local alternate and an overseas judge should be replaced by the overseas alternate.

(B) Procurement of judges: - With respect to the procurement of judges mentioned in A, the ACDC is responsible for sourcing all suitable overseas judges in consultation with Pan Trinbago. With respect to local judges, the ACDC is responsible for sourcing all suitable local judges in consultation with the ABPSA.

The A.C.D.C is responsible for expenses of the adjudicators and to furnish the A.B.P.A. the name and profile (resume) of the adjudicators no later than twenty days before the day of the panorama competition.

Please note the h in the heading is referred to as b in the reference of the amendment.

Yours in Pan Music

Patrick "Stone" Johnson

 LIME Hells Gate Steel Orchestra would be obliged if the ABPA would fully explain the rationale for the proposed amendment (indicated in red) to the existing National Panorama Rules. Clearly, we are yet to be notified as to what preliminary effort was or is been made to source all local Adjudicators. Additionally, should a “genuine need” arise which necessitates the sourcing of overseas Adjudicators, LIME Hells Gate Steel Orchestra would agree to a panel comprising of seven (7) Adjudicators, with one (1) local adjudicator serving as an alternate to the local adjudicators and one (1) overseas adjudicator serving as an alternate to the other overseas adjudicator. Five (5) local qualified and reputable adjudicators sourced and agreed upon by the ABPA and the ACDC; and two (2) qualified and reputable overseas adjudicators sourced in consultation with Pan Trinbago and approved by the ABPA and the ACDC. A brief bio of ALL seven (7) selected and approved adjudicators must be submitted to the captains of ALL the participating Steel Orchestras, at least twenty (20) working days before the scheduled date of the 2013 National Panorama].

We would be obliged if the ABPA could explain the rationale for submitting the proposals to the ACDC, before the membership of the ABPA had arrived at a consensus on the proposed amendments.