Wallace Creates History – Captures Three Major Festival titles
Newcomer calypsonian Baptiste Wallace created history when he captured three major titles during the 51st festival celebrations, which included the coveted monarch crown, and by so doing etched his name in the annals of Montserrat calypso competition.
Wallace set the stage for this outstanding triple-title feat by capturing the Soca Monarch title on December 26, 2013 and then followed it up with the calypso monarch title on December 30, 2013 and the road march crown on New Year’s Day.
The Dominican born Wallace, sang his two songs “Who will it Be?” and “Dracula System”, stole the spotlight and walked away with the title in front of an enthusiastic and supportive crowd in the park. He pulled a rare feat similar to Trinidad’s David Rudder in 1986, sweeping the Soca Monarch, Calypso Monarch and Road March titles.
Pundits said Wallace stayed close to the other competitors in the first round and then took festival Village by storm with the ever-popular “Dracula System” to put his position beyond doubt.
Sylvina “Khandie” Malone was first runner up, while Steve “Iceman” Weekes finished second runner up. Veteran and former monarch Herman “Cupid” Francis who was defending his crown was beaten into fourth place. The other calypsonians placed as positions – Maggie D. 5th, 2+2 6th, Rakatang 7th, Rondell 8th, Tabu 9th and AJ 10th.
Tazio Briscoe wins crown as Miss Festival 2013/14
Montserrat’s newest Festival Queen is Miss Tazia Briscoe. The Jamaican born 18-year-old who lived on Montserrat since age six was crowned on December 29, 2013 at Festival Village. She outpointed three other contestants, Azrudee Lindsey, who took the 1st Runner up spot, with June-Ann John and Alexia Allison being the other contestants.
The elated Briscoe danced and performed a dramatic monologue for her talent in support of ending child abuse, earning her best talent. She also won; Miss Photogenic, best evening and swim wear, carrying also the best question and answer segment.
Power outages a money issue
When Mr. Yogesh Gupta for Angelique Int. Ltd. with Peter White for MUL signed the contract which was due to begin from that day, December 5, 2013, we learned that it would not be for another 18 months before we will know that soon after, Montserrat would be likely to experience continuous electricity without the kind of power outages that were common.
At that time we also reported that the “news comes with the damper of the power outages for which official sources (say) there is no immediate solution, as the engines in service are either almost beyond repair and just cannot standup under the strain, especially for the Christmas season.
But, the outages continued through December and since then the problem became more exasperated and the public outcry demanded that we seek to tell them what the future holds. The Montserrat Utilities (MUL) manager, Peter White expressed his repetition about the tired engine.
White explained that in 2006 when they were forced to retire one of the major engines they obtained a used engine which itself is now passing its usefulness, while the others that were there when they got the used engine have long outlived their usefulness.
Mr. White confirms that there are proposals before the Government, being considered as to the way forward. News just before press time, a report on ZJB said that a decision had been made which said, Cabinet (who usually meets on Thursdays) is seeking funds for a short term solution to the electricity outages being currently experienced on island.
In the meantime CRM members are besides themselves that three years later after sending several proposals and suggestions how to solve the now crisis problem to the government copied to DFID, they have not yet had the courtesy of an acknowledgement or response. This, a spokesman says was in 2010 around the time when the Premier had shown or expressed disinterest in geothermal development, It was also the time when the acquisition of a new engine was being discussed. More so, the spokesman says it was obvious at the time the generating plant was deteriorating.
The latest information from official sources, is that work on the new generation plant will begin next month with the designing of the plant to include the engine, beginning of. We ask, “Does that mean, July 2015?”
2014 Victors Montserrat Debating Team
Leeward Islands Debating eighth-time winners – Montserrat beats St. Kitts in the 2014 Competition.
The 2014 Leeward Islands Debating Competition ended with the high that pertained throughout. Team Montserrat comprising of Leader, Tiffannie Skerritt, Carlton Braithwaite, Christum Weekes, Sharese Allen, Trichelle Spencer and Vanice Tuitt emerged as victors in a relatively close finals contest against their ‘worthy’ opponents from St. Kitts.
The 2014 Debating competition took place at the Montserrat Cultural Centre in Little Bay from Thursday, February 27 to the Sunday March 2, 2014, fielding seven countries: Angullia, Antigua, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Kitts and St. Marten.
Team Montserrat was led by Tiffannie Skerritt, with Sharese Allen, Trichelle Spencer, Carlon Braithwaite and Christum Weekes. Dr. Samuel Joseph of the Montserrat Community College was the lead staff supporter.
At the closing ceremony of the LIDC on Sunday, March 2, Minister of Education, the Honourable Colin Riley commended the debaters for their excellent performance and the well-researched topics.
Court grants permission to sue Deputy Covernor
The High Court of Montserrat has granted leave to Mr. Thomas Buffonge to file Judicial review against the Deputy Governor. The Application for leave is the first step in the process of seeking relief from the High Court in matters of Administrative law. This process is a filtering one where the court ensures that frivolous and vexatious matters do not waste the court’s time.
Mr. Buffonge, now 70 years-old, sought leave to file Judicial Review proceedings seeking several reliefs including:
- A declaration that he is entitled to be paid a pension in accordance with the Pensions Act; and
- An Order of mandamus requiring the Deputy Governor to pay according to law the Applicant’s past and current pension with interest upon past payments at the rate of 10% per annum or such rate as the honourable court shall consider fit and proper.
In addition, Mr. Buffonge asked the court in the meanwhile to order that he is paid a lump sum of $50,000.00 on account of the pension entitlement or alternatively that the Respondents commence payments of his current pension entitlement.
Buffonge’s action arose from the fact that he worked in various departments of government from 1964 and ended up as Manager of Montserrat Industrial Enterprises (MEIL).
Jus wonderin
Jus wonderin if the Gov. know or understand anything about what the AG say about God. “He will now step in and finish it decisively, justly and on His terms.
Jus wonderin if he know when they tell him about people doing witchcraft, it is usually God’s way of settling things – have nothing to do with man’s actions, but rather their own misdeeds.
Jus wonderin how many cleaners employed by government work fulltime and can qualify to become permanent and pensionable especially when these positions are being outsourced and public works workshop crews going next.
Jus wonderin the DFID rep mentions the geothermal “Business Case” on at least 4 occasions, why in that case did he and his “TECHNICAL EXPERT” not do what was specified in that document.
Jus wonderin that we have also been told by Comms and Works that the conduits from Belham to Brades are complete, if the section from Cassava ghaut to Fogarty has been completed.Jus wonderin if fear is just False evidence appearing real and that God’s word negates fear.
Jus wonderin if de Charrette was supposed to be for 3 days and one of its purposes was to develop ideas for rebranding Montserrat as an exclusive tourist destination.
Jus wonderin why the Premier doesn’t change his ways when he admits he’s an
awful person.
Jus wonderin if a true he tell him ministers he nar change anyway.
Jus wonderin if is everybody he can insult like that.
