Zalayhar Hassanali, wife of former President Noor Hassanali is among a group of prominent citizens who are calling on Prime Minister Patrick Manning not to move Parliament out of the Red House.

The collection of signatures which is being organised by Independent Senator Prof Ken Ramchand is part of the developing protest against the Government’s stated intentions of moving Parliament from the Red House to a new building to be constructed in the block between St Vincent and Abercromby, Knox and Duke Streets. The list of names is attached to a letter which Prof Ramchand has sent to Prime Minister Manning.Signatories include academics, artists, conservationists and historians. In the letter to Prime Minister Patrick Manning, the group of 46 petitioners have criticised the decision of the Cabinet to move the Parliament without public consultation. “Law may permit and Parliament may sanction but there are certain decisions that neither Law nor Parliament should carry out without direct consultation with the people,” the letter stated.

Although no formal decision has yet been taken, both Prime Minister Manning and Public Administration Minister Dr Lenny Saith confirmed that Government is considering using the Red House as the Office of the Prime Minister.On the list of names are: Bridget Brereton, Brinsley Samaroo, K O Laurence, Rhoda Reddock, Fr Anthony de Verteuil, Michael Anthony, John Spence, Harry Phelps, Kenneth Ramchand, Peter Minshall, Meiling, Selby Wooding, Leroi Clarke, Pearl Eintou Springer, Brother Resistance, Ravi Ji, Molly Gaskin, Rudyn Roberts/heritage architect, Gaylord Kelshall/retired coast guard lieutenant who founded the Military Museum in Chaguaramas, Val Ramcharan, Gerry Besson, Julien Kenny and Eden Shand. The list also includes former head of the public service Reginald Dumas, social activist Hazel Brown, chief librarian Pamela Benson, businessman Joseph Hernandes and Clive Pantin. The petitioners are asking the Government to reconsider the decision “to break the organic and historical connection between the Parliament and the Red House”.

In the letter which details some of the history associated with the Red House, the petitioners said that Government’s stated rationale for the decision to relocate — that more space may be needed in future for an expanded Parliament — was “unconvincing”. The letter also stated that the petitioners have no known political affiliations but were addressing the Prime Minister as patriots who have a right and duty to speak on national issues. The letter stated that copies of the petition were being delivered to the press to give the reading public an opportunity to follow “our” reasoning.The letter said that the signatories were a spontaneous gathering and were prepared to meet with the Prime Minister to discuss the issue. In yet another letter to the Prime Minister the group’s objections are stated more forcibly Prime Minister Manning said last week that the plan to move Parliament to larger accommodation was stated more than eleven years ago and he mentioned the need for greater space for the Parliament.

When Saith made the announcement at a post-Cabinet press briefing last week, he also indicated that there was need for Cabinet Committee rooms, public gallery and better Press facilities which could not be accommodated in the Red House. However, it was felt that the interior of the Red House could be easily redesigned to accommodate all the needs of Parliament.  Questions have also been asked about the need to move the Prime Minister’s office from Whitehall which has recently undergone expensive renovations. The construction of a new Parliament building on the block earmarked by Government will mean the removal of the existing Magistrates’ Court, the Ministry of National Security, headquarters of the Defence Force and a number of lawyers’ chambers.

“Please pray and ask God to protect my two daughters so that they can come home soon,” pleaded Ravi Hosein as he laid to rest his only son, Alex, at a simple funeral service at the Claxton Bay cemetery, yesterday morning.

Earlier, Hosein performed the Janaza, Muslim burial rites, before the open grey casket of the tiny infant, while his wife, Aarika, stifling back tears, laid a small teddy bear next to her son, the youngest of the triplets born to the couple at the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) on February 26. Dressed in blue baby clothes, the child seemed to be asleep as Imam Ishmael Ramjohn led the small gathering of friends and relatives in a special prayer for the baby’s soul, while his father laid a solitary stick of incense on the grave.

A wreath of white carnations wrapped with baby-blue ribbons marked the final resting place of little Alex who died on Wednesday from pulmonary hemorrhage at the San Fernando General Hospital. After the service, Hosein said his two daughters, Ariel and Ada were “doing well” at the hospital, but could not say when doctors would allow the family to take them home. And, holding onto his wife Aarika, who seemed unable to speak, thanked everyone who had visited them and offered prayers for the family. He also thanked Belgrove’s Funeral Home for their generosity in assisting the family in the funeral arrangements.

Police are investigating the cause of a fire which almost burnt flat the Rousillac Hindu School in South Trinidad. The incident happened around 8.50 pm on Friday in which damage to the $1 million building was put at $900,000.

The school located at Grants Road and managed by the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, housed 231 pupils and is no longer fit for occupation. Police said MTS security guard, Ronald John, on duty at the school at the time, was alerted to the smell of smoke and on investigating, saw the roof at the back of the building on fire. John raised an alarm but by the time residents got to the school yard, the roof was ablaze. Police said they formed a bucket brigade and attempted to put out the fire. One of the cleaners who worked at the school, Chandra Dilip, attempted to salvage valuables from the principal’s office, but collapsed due to smoke inhalation. She was rushed to the San Fernando General Hospital where she was treated and discharged yesterday morning.

When firemen from Mon Repos Fire Headquarters, approximately ten miles away, responded, the flames had already engulfed the back portion of the building. Fire tenders from the Point Fortin Sub-Station also rushed to the scene and assisted in containing the blaze. The school which is 50 years old, was refurbished two years ago at a cost of $1 million. Six of the school’s 12 classrooms were gutted, including the principal’s office, teachers’ staff room, computer lab and kitchen. The value of fittings and equipment were put at $600,000. Police and fire investigators are working on two theories as to the possible cause of the fire.

Two weeks ago, a man walked into the school brandishing a meat cleaver (Chinese chopper). The man was arrested by police. The incident triggered a protest by teachers and parents who called for 24 hour security. An MTS security guard was posted. Yesterday, Sat Maharaj, Secretary General of the Maha Sabha, said he believed that the fire was electrical. There had been electrical fluctuation at the school which damaged computer equipment, he said. A claim against T&TEC for compensation, Maharaj said, has been made by the school’s principal, Savitri Ramgolam. Maharaj said that accommodation has been made at the Rousillac Hindu Mandir next to the school, to accommodate  the pupils. Classes will continue on Monday, Maharaj said. PRO of the school’s PTA, Dennis Tara, said every effort was being made to gather desks, tables, and equipment, from other nearby schools to accommodate the children who have been asked to attend classes at the mandir.

An aggressive anti-crime initiative aimed at raiding drug dens and ridding the country of illicit drugs will be launched shortly. The areas targetted are Laventille, Enterprise, Marabella, Biche, Arima, Maloney, Pleasantville, Mon Repos, Morvant, La Horquetta, Carenage, Claxton Bay, Cedros and all ports of entry and exit.

Sniffer dogs based at the Police Canine Unit at Caroni will be heavily utilised during the exercises and officers at the Police Heliport Unit will be required to carry out surveillance on marijuana fields. Special Branch officers will also be asked to carry out intelligence duties. Sunday Newsday learned that a report compiled by officers of the Police Community Unit revealed that many of the crimes being committed by young persons in all divisions are as a result of drug addiction. The report further revealed that those persons involved carry out petty crimes such as larceny, burglaries and larceny of vehicles to support their drug habit. Police Commissioner Hilton Guy, who launched his anti-crime initiative in January, has instructed that raids be carried out all drug dens.

Police officers will also be required to carry out eradication exercises at marijuana fields throughout the country. The three-month anti-crime initiative introduced by Commissioner Guy will come to a close at the end of the month. Starting from the week of January 15th up until yesterday more than 100 drug dens were raided by the police. Recently, officers of the North Eastern Division seized 92 kilos of compressed marijuana with a street value of $563,000 and 12.4 kilos of cocaine with a street value of approximately $5 million. Eradication exercises also yielded fully grown marijuana trees and seedlings with a street value of more than $13 million. On Friday, officers of the Central Division Task Force carried out an eradication exercise in the Brasso Forest and destroyed approximately 10,000 fully grown marijuana trees. During Carnival Monday in the Northern Division, 13 persons were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana after several drug dens were raided.

On Carnival Tuesday in the Southern Division, 11 persons were arrested for possession of drugs. ACP Crime Oswyn Allard said the public and police have formed a partnership to reclaim their communities. He added that any information on illicit drug activities will be welcomed by the police and he heaped praises on those persons who have been tipping off the police in the fight against crime.

A family of seven was left homeless when fire gutted their house at 164 Union Road, Marabella yesterday morning. According to an eyewitness report, the fire started around 10 am in an upstairs back room and quickly engulfed the entire two-storey concrete and wooden structure. By the time fire tenders from the Mon Repos Fire station responded to the blaze, the house was well alight. The house was owned by Ena Edwin, 64, who lived in the house with her two sons, Ezekiel, 36, Robert, 34, and four grandchildren.

When Sunday Newsday visited the scene Robert Edwin, who lived in the downstairs apartment of the house with his four children said the family had lost everything in the blaze. “We weren’t able to save anything. The children’s books, clothes, uniforms, everything gone,” he said, including household appliances and furniture. Edwin said he was in the backyard tending to the family’s ducks when he heard his mother screaming for help and on reaching the back room saw it already ablaze. “The mattress was already on fire, and the flames were already in the roof and my first thought was to get my children to safety,” he said. Edwin also sustained a gash on his left forehead when he ran into a protruding iron post while freeing some animals. And while fire officials say investigations have to be conducted to determine the cause of the blaze, Edwin said an electrical fault may be to blame for the blaze. He said since the beginning of the year residents along Union Road have complained to TTEC about frequent power surges in the area. He said the last big power surge occurred in January, destroying a number of their appliance and televisions. “And all TTEC did was to tell us to send in our claims to their insurance company and that was it,” he said.

The Right Honourable  Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Dear Prime Minister,

We wish to make some observations on the decision by Cabinet,  without public consultation, to move the Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago out of the Red House on completion of the renovations now in progress. The built heritage and institutions of a country often serve as strong unifying influences. In Trinidad and Tobago there are built structures dating back to the early part of the nineteenth century, some important for their architectural significance, some for their  profound historical and cultural associations. The Red House is the most important of our heritage buildings on two counts: firstly, its inner and outer architecture;  and secondly,  its intimate association with every phase of our history since the middle of the 1840s. For its historical significance and its architectural grandeur, our Red House has been listed by the Organisation of American States as one of the monuments of the Antilles. Its story needs to live in the minds of our children.

After the destruction of Port-of- Spain by fire in 1808, Governor McLeod on February 15, 1844 laid the foundation stone for new government buildings — two main blocks connected by a double archway much like the Red House of today. In 1848 the Council Chamber was formally inaugurated by Lord Harris, and thus began the history of the Red House as the seat of legislation and the people’s platform. Additions, alterations and ornamentations were effected in the 1890s. In 1897, as Trinidad prepared to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, the buildings were given a coat of red paint and became for the public, “the Red House”.

The direct ancestor of today’s Red House was burnt to a shell in the Water Riots of 1903. Rebuilding began in 1904, and the new Red House with a cooling fountain in the centre of the rotunda was opened to the public on February 4th 1907. The Wedgwood Blue ceiling in the Council Chamber is only the most striking feature of an altogether remarkable interior design and fabrication. The Red House has always been the seat of law-making. The Government that first occupied the Red House, however,  was an unrepresentative Government consisting of the British Governor and his Council of Advice.

The Government that has occupied the Red House since 1961 is an elected Parliament. This democratic  take-over began in 1956 when Dr Eric Williams’s party won the majority of seats in the Legislative Council,  and it was completed in 1961 when a “Legislature”  was established, the name being changed to “Parliament” in 1976. The Red House has always been the home of Parliament, and according to the Constitution,  it is our people’s Parliament that is the Government. The Red House is the repository of deeds done, speeches made, and documents executed that identify crucial episodes in the heroic story of our evolution from Crown Colony or Imperial rule  to representative Government in 1956, then to Independence in 1962. We celebrate the “capture” of the Red House as a marker of the political evolution of our country. We cannot give blessing to any action that would deny the meaning of that process or turn a living institution into a relic.

It is before the Red House that people with causes have come for over a century. It is to this place that Tubal Uriah Buzz Butler marched to remind the Colonial  authorities of the human rights and economic needs of the people of our country.  It is at the Red House that the British flag was lowered and the flag of Independent Trinidad and Tobago raised in 1962. It is here at the Red House and in Woodford Square “the front yard of the Red House”  that people come in  the period of self-rule to address our legislators, and here that a major assault  upon our democracy was repulsed in 1990. Here on July 26, 1991 an eternal flame was lit and still burns to symbolise “the need to be ever-vigilant  in the protection of our democracy”. We cannot  close our eyes to the distressful meaning of the eviction of Parliament from the Red House.

It is hard to think of any good reason why the Parliament of the people of Trinidad and Tobago should be removed from its traditional home, why a building custom-designed for our Lawmakers should  be  peremptorily given over to other uses,  why the association between the people’s building and the “University of Woodford Square” should be disrupted without  consideration for the people’s views. Law may permit and Parliament may sanction but there are certain decisions that neither Law nor Parliament  should carry out without direct consultation with the people. The exterior of the building must be repaired and preserved but  that would not save enough of the architectural value of this building. The unique interior including the Parliament Chamber, originally the Legislative Council Chamber, the Justice Chamber, and the Rotunda are three features that simply cannot be converted to other uses without severe irreversible loss of  heritage.

The argument that more space may be needed in future for an expanded Parliament is unconvincing. The Red House is not fully occupied at present, and the vacant southern wing can more than accommodate a Senate Chamber if necessary. It is our considered opinion, based upon professional advice, that for the foreseeable future, the existing space in the  Red House can accommodate two Chambers and all the ancillary sections that need to be there. We also believe that the seating in the present Chamber can be re-designed without loss of heritage. We have noted with great concern that the Judiciary which would be affected, and the Parliament which would be shifted have not been consulted, either formally or informally. When the Cabinet makes a decision like this by itself,  the Judiciary and the Legislature are diminished, and the disrespect in  the action can easily stretch to the population as a whole.

We are convinced that the Red House, if fully restored, can serve for several decades and continue to grow as a national shrine to our ancestors who have built this country, and as an archway of vision of the future for our citizens yet unborn. Above all, it can and should be a strong unifying force for the present generation. We therefore urge you and your Cabinet to reflect on these views and reconsider the decision to break the organic and historical connection between the Parliament and the Red House. The proposed action would diminish both and deny the country of one of its greatest unifying elements. Signatories:  Peter Minshall, John Spence, J S Kenny, Reginald Dumas, Selby Wooding, Rudlyn Roberts, Val  Ramcharan, Earl Lovelace, Bridget Brereton, Gerry Besson, Brinsley Samaroo, Michael Anthony, KO Laurence, Father Anthony de Verteuil, Adrian Camps Campins, Rhoda Reddock, Diana Mahabir-Wyatt, Hazel Brown, Zalayhar Hassanali, Eden Shand, Pamela Benson, Gaylord Kelshall, Willi Chen, Kenneth Ramchand, Israel Khan, Eugene Laurent, Alex de Verteuil, Jennifer de Verteuil, Christine Miller, Molly Gaskin, James Aboud, Leroy Clarke, Pearl Eintou Springer, Valerie Belgrave, Meiling, Pat Turpin, Sharon Laurent, Kirk Meighoo, Dana Seetahal, Shamshu Deen, Clive Pantin, Joseph Fernandes, Rhett Gordon, Ravi-Ji, Harry Phelps, Brother Resistance

 

 

 

 

 

“Just like various brands of cars which would obviously look alike because all must have doors, a hood, a trunk, it’s the same thing with Carnival costumes,” said Poison’s costume designer Michael Headley in an interview with Sunday Newsday.

Headley was responding to claims made by onlookers and masqueraders alike that the design of Carnival costumes, particularly women’s, from year to year have become monotonous. “Yes, it’s a fact that there’s a similarity… The order of the day is that women go to the gym and want a costume to embellish their physique. Anything that becomes cumbersome, they are not going to wear it.” Poison’s “Fleurs de Passion” featured 32 sections with more than 6,500 members — the Carnival band with the most revellers. Headley said that while the costs of costumes were as high as $1,800 all-inclusive, material which had to be purchased in the Far East was expensive.

Thais Hart of Harts Limited said that “costumes from a certain era all look alike, it depends on the trends that are in at the time. Back in the 1970s, women didn’t take part (in Carnival) as much as men.” She said that in recent times, women feel free to play Carnival in whatever they want and with the little that they wear, they take it off after they cross the stage at any rate, and that makes it harder to design something innovative. “It’s not that we’re shortchanging them. It’s not less of a costume.They’re smaller and more expensive because it takes much more with a bikini to add a lot more braids, beads, rhinestones than something with more material that wouldn’t need embellishing,” said Hart.

This year’s theme “The Strip” featured the section, “Jubilee Leaders” which cost $2,000. Barbarossa’s bandleader and costume designer Richard Afong agreed that the costuming needs more creativity. “This is one area I can’t defend.” However, he attributed the similar trends to “an evolving mas”. He said: “We’ve played everything historical. We are into the realm of fantasy.The beads have become full circle. I don’t think we can do anything more.” Afong said that the influx of women playing mas greatly influenced the look of the costume. “They want to look beautiful and sensual but it is not an excuse for lack of creativity or imagination.” He came up with a solution: “What we should do is revisit traditions and use imagination. We have to put more creativity in concepts and design.”

Afong said that despite the cost of his costumes, this year he “broke even”. “One large ostrich plume costs $35-$40. A basic bikini costs $40-$60 depending on who does it for you. Add music, labour and security and now they demanding all-inclusives, they want drinks.” He cited crime as a reason for the decrease in masqueraders this year. “Last year it was election, next year it might be trouble in the Middle East.” Afong said that for Carnival celebrations to be properly managed, Government must support bandleaders. “There is an escalating cost of raw material, added to that we have to pay VAT and duty. “Carnival brings in close to $800 million and Government invests $40 million. We create employment. We need the Government to sit down with the bandleaders and make it more viable.” Winner of 2003 Band of the Year bandleader and costume designer Mike Antoine (Legends has four Band of the Year titles to date), whose costumes ranged from $800-$1,400 refused to pander to comments of “monotony in costumes” saying that was foolishness and negativity in Carnival. However, he said that the “world is evolving, things are modern”, hence today’s trends.

Commenting on the win of King and Queen of Carnival, he said: “I am happy with it. They spent plenty money. We are doing something to help the nation. It’s our culture and it’s embedded in us. I want to see the Government manage it properly.”

The drivers of three vehicles escaped serious injuries following a three-vehicle collision at the Western Main Road, Cocorite yesterday.

Reports revealed that around 9.50 am, Wellington Noel, the driver of TBJ 6068 was proceeding west along the Western Main Road, when the driver of another vehicle stopped suddenly. Reports revealed that Noel negotiated his vehicle in such a manner to avoid hitting that vehicle, but Noel lost control of the vehicle and struck a culvert bursting a chain link fence. The vehicle ended up on the east bound lane of the Western Main Road and collided with TBB 3097, a white Kia van driven by Dion James and vehicle PBC 2455 driven by Patricia O’Riley. Vehicle TBB 3097 overturned after being struck. No one was injured and police officers from the St James Police Station were called out. The collision caused a massive traffic pile-up and traffic officers took control of the situation. The drivers of the three vehicles were treated at hospital for cuts and bruises and the vehicles were towed to the St James Police Station.

PC Charles visited the scene and recorded statements from the three drivers. Investigations are continuing.

Yesterday, The body of Ken Marcelle, a 21-year-old sign painter, who drowned while bathing at Toco last Sunday, washed ashore eight miles from where he drowned.

Reports revealed that around 1.10 pm yesterday, bathers at O’ Halloran Trace, Toco, saw a body being washed ashore. A report was made to the Toco Police Station and a party of officers along with a District Medical Officer went to the scene. Marcelle was a member of a Seventh-Day Adventist camp of youngsters who were spending the Carnival weekend at Cumana. Reports revealed that around 1 pm last Sunday, Marcelle and his friends finished bathing in the sea, but Marcelle decided to take a ‘last dip’. The boy’s father, Michael Marcelle, said he had asked his son not to go on the outing but he was anxious to go to Toco. Toco villagers and the Coast Guard were called out to assist in locating the body to no avail. Relatives of the dead man were at the beach front yesterday when the body washed ashore.

Margaret Hinds and Associates made it six in a row (1998-2003) when their presentation “Calypso Classics — A Tribute to Calypso Rose” copped the Band of the Year and People’s Choice titles in Carnival Tuesday’s Parade of Bands in Tobago. Additionally, “Calypso Classics” also took the King of the Bands and Male Individual of the Bands titles with portrayals by Kerry Alfred (“Pan Is Mih Jumbie”) and Kareem Alfred, respectively.

Placing second in both Band of the Year and People’s Choice was “Tru D Years” — a presentation of Gloria Stoute, which also copped the ‘Band of the Day’ special award. Third in the Band of the Year was “Dance Africa,” a production of the cultural group Rhythmic Vibration, followed in fourth spot by “The Joys of Neville Hinds” ( a tribute to the noted Trinidad Mas Band Leader), a presentation of Fantasia Mas Production — led by Martin and Monica DeLeon. “The Joys of Neville Hinds” took the Queen of the Bands title with Monica’s portrayal “Pink and Sweet.” Runners-up in the Queen of the bands were Candace Chang (“Tru D Years”), followed by Tessa Alfred (“Calypso Classics”) in third place. While among the Kings, Keshion Roachford placed second, with Martin DeLeon (“Joys of Neville Hinds”) third. Akiel DeLeon (“Joys of Neville Hinds”) took second spot among the Individuals, followed by Alphonso Melville. Again, Female Individual of the bands went to Latoya DeLeon from “Joys of Neville Hinds,” followed by Susan Franklyn and Leslyn Fraser, respectively.

In Jouvert celebrations, Andel McIntosh and Marcellin Edwards were King and Queen of Jouvert, respectively; while among Jouvert bands it was “Wet Mi Down” in the top spot, followed “Before Dawn,” led by Trevor “Laglee” Armstrong, and “Go Round So,” in that order.
“World of Sports and Games” was the top band in Monday Night Mas, followed by “We Culture” and “Limers.” In the Junior Parade of the bands in Scarborough on Monday afternoon, the top band was “From the Land of Calypso,” followed by “Festive Flames” and “Fantasy of the Deep,” respectively. Meanwhile, among the Juniors at Roxborough, East Tobago, on Carnival Sunday, Scarborough RC Primary’s “Festive Flames” took the Band of the Year title, followed by “From the Land of Calypso” — Annette Alfred, with “Fantasy Out in the Deep,” a presentation of the Roxborough Police Youth Club (RPYC), in third spot. Still among the Juniors at Roxborough, Kleon McPherson won the King of the bands title, followed by Theron Stoute and Darrion Tyson, respectively. Queen of the bands was Vanita Orr, followed by Vanessa Stoute and Akelsia Reid. 

Darrio Clement took the Male Individual title, with Justin Gordon in second spot, followed by Richardo Seales, while the band “From the land of Calypso: copped the Female Individual category followed by “Soca Parang” and Ovion London in that order. And, among the adult bands in east Tobago, “Rainbow People” copped the Band of the year title, followed by “Fancy Sailors” and “Indians and Africans.” Male Individual was Andel McIntosh, with Alphonso Melville, second, followed by Andre Kennedy.  Rhena Riley took the Female Invidual title, followed by Leslyn Fraser and Lindy Davidson respectively. ing of the bands was Delbert Orr, followed by Donovan Brooks and Keith Elliot; while Stacey Hercules took the Queen of the Bands title, followed by Alana Hazel and Irma Phillips in that order, according to the listing of Carnival results released Thursday at the offices of the Tobago branch of the National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA) in Scarborough.