Calypsonians will be paid ...on time

PRESIDENT of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO), Michael “Protector” Leggerton yesterday gave the assurance that calypsonians appearing at all TUCO-sponsored events for Carnival 2003 will receive all monies due to them.

Leggerton’s assurance came as reports surfaced about a possible boycott by calypso finalists at last night’s Dimanche Gras Show at the Queen’s Park Savannah, due to the prize monies being offered to them. But in an interview with Newsday at the Savannah in the midst of Dimanche Gras preparations yesterday, Leggerton said TUCO has $1.7 million set aside to pay prize monies to calypsonians and expects to receive additional revenues. “People are going to be paid their money. It was bandied around that the prizes should be cut but it’s not necessary to do it. For the first time, the calypsonians will get their money on the night of the presentation.” he said.

The TUCO president attributed the reports to persons within the organisation who are resisting efforts by his executive to clean up the organisation. “I found that there has been a URP mentality where people believe that the taxpayers of this country must continue to hand out to them year after year with absolutely no returns. I refuse to endorse that. We put out over $300,000 to each zone for its operations for Carnival. When I called for figures, I am told that each of the zones has not been bringing in more than $30,000 per year. Total madness! I have been micro-managing and once you start to micro-manage, people will get upset,” Leggerton declared.

He stated that TUCO has a financial shortfall every Carnival and he intends to get to the bottom of the matter before the end of the season. Leggerton said Carnival 2003 will be a turning point for TUCO and outlined some of the measures being taken by his executive. He said while TUCO’s average returns from the annual Calypso Fiesta in Skinner Park has been around $350,000, this year TUCO’s revenues from the show were approximately $400,000. The TUCO president attributed this success to arrangements with  a security company not to make tickets for Calypso Fiesta available to the public until the day of the show. Leggerton also said TUCO was also able to boost its earnings from this year’s extempo finals.