Bimshaw
by Man from Baker Hill
Respect, Bimshaw, sing out your soul! Welcome to the world of the misunderstood, the short understood and the misinterpreted. The Montserrat Limited welcomes you.
(See: http://www.themontserratreporter.com/features/what-have-you-learnt)
I learned that we have to sing our songs regardless of how they are interpreted.
I learned that love for Montserrat will bring pain; and if you moan or grumble you will get enemies.
And I also learned that we must never lose our hope.
Brother, teacher Bimshaw, what do you mean that something is happening in our country? Is there something new that you need to tell Montserratians? Do not be afraid, tell us, and sing it! Montserrat needs you.
Here is a piece from me.
Yesterday, I learned that our beloved Electricity Company, ‘MUL’, is having difficulties paying Delta for fuel. The day before, I learned that the revenue at MUL was down by almost 50%; and earlier in the week I learned that the proposed manger for MUL will be one of Montserrat’s old recycled politician’s favourite. Is he a substitute for the first choice presently in St. Kitts?
And guess what, Teacher Bimshaw, Wednesday morning I returned to Manjack from the Cudjoe Head clinic to learn that my electricity was disconnected. Calypso Bimshaw, even as I write this article I struggle to learn why my electricity was disconnected. It was the second time in less than a year that my services were disconnected. Yet the records show that I pay my bills every month. I am so prompt and confident that the bills are always current that I do not even keep receipts after the bills are paid.
I mentioned my story to show empathy and fellow feeling with the ordinary Montserratians who get disconnected now and again. And of course I am just wondering what sector of the society is responsible for the fall in revenue at MUL. Is it the commercial sector or residential sector that is not paying their bills? Is it the business owners who are stifling MUL?
I believe that a home owner would have been disconnected if he were in arrears.
Do you see how easy it is to speak out? A little gossip blended with personal experience is all that is needed to speak out.
Still the big question brother Bimshaw is… what is going on in this country?
Yes, I hear you Bimshaw, but, it is not what I have learnt; rather… I want to learn if it is really true that Delta is planning to shut down MUL. I want to learn how come MUL charge so much for fuel surcharge and yet the revenue is down, so how that it can’t pay for the fuel?
And Mr. Bimshaw, I too feel the pain. You are correct; some earn so much amidst the nepotism and ‘friendism’. It seems to be all about money achievements and not enough about how to help the brother man survive these hard times. Truly, Montserrat needs a lifestyle change.
But that lifestyle change must come from the top. Montserrat needs honest and sincere leadership.
Friday morning Paul Lewis of the civil service union was on the radio begging the leaders of this island to join the people in the struggle. His lamentations were about fairness, equity and a reduction in the uncertainty and fear that pervades the atmosphere in the civil service.
Go on Bimshaw, join ranks with the unions. You bold men must seek to learn why Montserrat needs to recycle old political favourites as managers or to recruit managers and directors from the OECS when there are so many bright and capable young Montserratians just waiting for the opportunity to learn and shine.
Sir Bimshaw, back of the clouds, the sun is always waiting to shine through. Paul, even at nights, back of the clouds, the stars are always waiting to shine through. I will never lose my hope for Montserrat as long as rays of sunlight and starlight are ready to boldly sing a song for equity and lifestyle change. And you two bold men are rays of sunlight and star light.
Although many hate to hear criticism, clearly, Paul and Bimshaw you are doing ‘good’. Talk, talk, and talk to the people. You too ‘ViKie STORM’ talk to the politicians, tell them to lead from the front; but follow the people’s lamentations.
Repeat the chorus! Equity, lifestyle change, ethics and morality are more valuable than iconic wealth which brings only confusion to the family platform as we drop off this earth.
Oh, what a joy, I learned quite a lot this week. I learned that bold good hearted men are living on Montserrat too. I thank the Great Creator for their presence. Their lesson for all of us must be’ never lose hope’.
Just a song or a talk now and then, blended with patience and understanding and love and peace and humility, will see the battleship of equity ‘Vikie Storming’ from the horizon of reasonableness and mercifulness to Montserrat.
Respect, Paul, say it loud! Respect Bimshaw, sing that chorus again! Talk Equity! Talk and talk Lifestyle Change!
