And elsewhere, would we continue to see the same “incompetence” ,with the media continuing to foist the “same ol, same ol”, on an increasingly literate leadership, with many so predictable in their myopia, like the UWI experts so uncompromisingly pro Kamla and UNC as much as another of the same clientele expectedly so pro-African, and yet another, not so intellectualy endowed but often presuming to be so, indulging in his favourite ploy of denigrating those who really are, in a futile attempt to bolster his own diminished ego?

And what of that demonstrable disparity between those who have and those who have not , some in the former category legitimately so out of hard work, but many flaunting a newfound wealth which belies their capacity to amass such except through fraudulence and political patronage, while those who took the straight and narrow path of achieving social mobility lie fallow in the sun, with no few legitimate opportunities to do so? And, would we continue to see the killing fields on the nation’s roads and in our daily living?

This society seems to have resigned itself to incompetent leadership at all levels as if we can’t do better.

Dr Errol Benjamin via e-mail

The People’s National Movement (PNM) is in a comfortable position going to the polls as the incumbent.

Some say they have nothing to gain, as they are currently seeking re-election for all 12 seats. The campaign slogan titled “Let’s go further” is aimed at letting Tobagonians know that the journey to developed status continues.

The dynamic of a new political leader of the PNM in Tobago creates a fresh face for the party going into this election. Kelvin Charles has the mammoth task of leading the PNM to regain its 12 seats.

The PNM has started its marketing campaign and will do an official launch on Sunday.

The Tobago Forwards (TF) has filed nomination papers for all seats. Led by Ms Christlyn Moore the party has been on the scene for some time and opened their party headquarters in Scarborough. The recent addition of former People’s Partnerships member Dr Delmon Baker may or may not add political capital to the campaign but that is left to be seen.

The TF has decided to go after the PNM directly with their campaign.

The party uses the colour blue. The use of a “blue soap” to wash the red out, is a cultural campaign strategy being used by the TF. How they project themselves as an alternative to a 60-year-old PNM party with 16 years control of the THA will determine how they emerge in this race.

The Watson Duke led Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) has emerged as a serious contender, as reports confirm they are building momentum. Nominations were filed to contest all seats on Tuesday.

Duke has a radio programme on every morning in Tobago titled “Rumble in the Jungle” promoting his PDP party. The campaign slogan “Fight for a better Tobago” and a direct attack on the PNM’s tenure in the THA puts the party in combat mode. Labour leaders usually have a tough transition to politics.

The ability of Duke to convince the electorate that he has what it takes to lead the THA will be a major issue that the party will have to resolve with the electorate. All that being said, the fight for Tobago will be won by the party able to best translate their campaign into votes and win the most seats on Election Day.

All parties led a strong contingent to the nomination office as a show of force. The Tobago people will decide on January 23 which political option will best represent their affairs.

Ronald Huggins St Joseph

The persons benefitting from this largesse were the very people who brought the company to its knees with their incompetence and bad management decisions.

Instead of being held accountable, they have been rewarded by decisions of the Gillette board, and he has the gall to talk about “responsibility to T&T”? How dare he? It is because of the behaviour of people like Gillette that the country finds itself in this position- that one can make decisions affecting the financial and managerial viability of a state organisation without being held accountable and then “pass your mouth” in public on the persons who have given their service to the development of the company .

The sooner the country calls people like these to account, the sooner real progress will be made towards national development.

Karan Mahabirsingh Carapichaima

There are some areas that leave a lot to be desired and I will like to share which areas they are with the objective of improving Port-of-Spain. First of all, the unclean conditions which exist should not be, our Capital at no time should appear as a slump. Food places dispose of their garbage in the most despicable ways, stores place empty boxes on the sidewalk.

What adds to this in many instances is the garbage left overnight which creates an untidy appearance.

This needs to change and the businesses, food outlets and vendors are responsible.

Then we have the issue of vagrancy which, no one seems to want to take real responsibility to change. Yes, I agree it is a touchy topic but and the end of the day the homeless sleeping, eating and doing all that pertains to life on the streets of our capital is not good for anyone. I recognise there is the humane aspect to this but, we should not allow emotion to hold us back from doing what is right, there can be a win-win position.

Finally, the general appearance in Port-of- Spain needs addressing and while you cannot compel anyone to uplift the appearance of their buildings, there are structures under the control of the Government in power, for example, the “Red House”.These key land marks must stand out in the capital at all times.

While there may be other ways which can enhance our capital, we must start somewhere.

I do hope that the authorities who can assist in this matter will also take note.At the end of the day, we all will be the benefactors.

Arnold Gopeesingh San Juan

I also take the opportunity to thank the various heads of department at the Ministry of Works Head Office and Sangre Grande Office for assisting me in having a manhole on the Ojoe Road covered. This eliminated the safety risk that pedestrians could have faced if swift action was not taken to circumvent any untoward accidents occuring. The prompt response of these two agencies has eliminated any distress faced by these burgesses and for that I am eternally grateful.

I look forward to continuing the relationship with WASA, other state agencies, community groups and all stakeholders with a view of uplifting the lives of people.

PAUL MONGOLAS Sangre Grande

Speaking at the promotion ceremony, Chief Fire Officer Roosevelt Bruce said promotions were made in every rank in the Fire Service except for the rank of Chief Fire Officer.

“This large promotion is really historic because in my research I have not found at any time we have had in excess of 235 persons being promoted at the same ceremony,” Bruce said.

“So it is good that we have so many people being promoted but I also see it as a negative. If we were doing what we were supposed to be doing all along we would not have reached to this point where so many people are to be promoted,” he said. Bruce said things are being put into place to prevent another huge promotion ceremony from taking place.

He explained that they already have a chairman of the assessment committee to assess fire-fighters to the position of Sub Officers and to assess officers for the position of Sub Station Officers.

“We will have a list so when the vacancies arise, it can be filled immediately.

It will no longer be a long wait. Some of you have acted in the rank of Sub Officer for a considerate length of time, some of you have not been paid. We have already started the approvals for persons acting in the rank of Sub Officers and Sub Station Officers.

These approvals will come and you will be paid for the length of time you were acting,” Bruce said. He urged the promoted officers to perform the jobs that they all have been promoted to, and be the best fire officers they could be.

Bruce noted that for the first time in a promotion ceremony, they had among them a brother and sister, and husband and wife being promoted at the same time.

Siblings David Bobb and Suzanne Bobb- O’Brien, joined the service in 1996 and 2000 respectively and have been waiting more than 15 years to be promoted.

Bobb-O’Brien said, “I was acting since 2008 and I have been waiting ever since to be promoted.

I joined the service in 2000 and have been waiting. Ever since we have been younger, we have always followed in each other’s footsteps and we still have the passion.” Meanwhile, Rex Thomas and his wife Natalie Jervis-Thomas gave thanks to God for their promotions.

“We met in the service about 17 years ago and everything just unfolded.

I have done the promotion exam in 2009 and my wife did hers in 2005 and we have been waiting ever since.

It means a lot to us to know that things are happening in the Fire Service and we are grateful for this opportunity to move forward and to move up.

“We have been promoted to the rank of Fire Sub Station Officers,” Thomas said.

The week-long itinerary mixes cultural experiences (dancing to soca music and tasting that national dish, roti) with jungle adventures and beach lazing,” the article stated. Other countries on the list included Georgia, which placed first, Oman, Langkawi, Malaysia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Idaho, Jordan, Aarhus, Denmark and Colombia.

Yes, change will come but not overnight. Rather than join the “mad rush” to experience Cuba now, head to Trinidad and Tobago.

“The islands’ unique mix of wild nature and distinct culture make them a refreshing alternative to the typical Caribbean beach vacation.

Katalina Mayorga, the trendsetting owner of El Camino Travel, was so blown away when she visited Trinidad and Tobago last year that she immediately developed a trip for 2017. The weeklong itinerary mixes cultural experiences (dancing to soca music and tasting that national dish, roti) with jungle adventures and beach lazing.” TT was named as the Caribbean alternative to visit as opposed to Cuba. In the introduction to the article it defined TT as, “a Caribbean destination with just as much culture as Cuba, minus the crowds.” The other countries and states to make the list are Georgia; Oman; Langkawi, Malaysia; Madagascar; Sri Lanka; Idaho; Jordan; Aarhus, Denmark and Colombia.

Eighteen years ago “Miss” Richards, as she is still called by her former pupils, with a former parent, Heather Garcia, sat to give me the information about the uncharted territory Trinity College was about to enter. They were hesitant yet excited and eager to raise funds for their assisted secondary school, which does not receive 100 percent funding from the Ministry of Education.

In order to fulfil many of its goals fund raising has become a major priority at Trinity Moka.

Says Richards: “Soka in Moka has evolved over the years as the major event, whereby funds generated from this all inclusive fete have facilitated the realisation of many of the facilities needed to enhance a well rounded education.”And although stringent adjustments have been made due to the current economic climate, the entertainment still remains top-notch with performances by Raymond Ramnarine and Dil-E-Nadan, Roy Cape with Ricardo Drue and Blaxx, special appearances by Voice, Orlando Octave and many more surprises.

The environment at Moka contributes to an enjoyable event complete with an enviable ambience, especially when the courts are illuminated as darkness falls.

The food flavour remains international with Chinese, Creole and Indian dishes on the menu, and as usual a premium bar. A shuttle service will be provided to take patrons to and from the event, where an enhanced security service will ensure the safety of patrons.

For the past 17 years, the Soka in Moka Foundation has contributed significantly to the development of the college. The Soka In Moka Foundation also contributed to the college’s cultural and sporting activities, which included production of Derek Walcott’s Ti Jean and his Brothers at the Little Carib Theatre; support of the football and dragon boat teams; and funding of the Explorers’ Club and the Foreign Languages department on overseas trips.

Says Richards “As always, our foundation continues to strive towards helping the college maintain its mission and vision of continuing to be one of the best colleges in Trinidad and Tobago, where each student can achieve his/her highest potential. So as you party please think of your contribution to the education of the youth in this country.” For more information call Trinity College 629-2073.

The gala affair was attended by several diplomatic representatives.

Trinre’s executive chairman, Rani Lakhan-Narace in her address said that despite the economic challenges, TRINRE was able to see a number of strategic initiatives come to fruition. These she assured would continue to chart a clear course of continued success for the organisation.

Expanding further, she shared that premium financing for TRINRE’s customers was recently added as a value added service and signaled the company’s strides towards expanding its product offerings to the life insurance sector to fulfill market needs in an entirely new way. Lakhan-Narace expressed that significant progress was made towards completing a state of the art insurance software which, having been assessed by a global financial institution, was found to meet rigorous international standards, particularly in the area of data security and real time service delivery.

She also highlighted the company’s ever present social conscience, evident through the TRINRE Foundation’s initiatives such as “Help Haiti Again”, “Christmas Cheer” and the “Joy of Reading Programme”.

Each year TRINRE seeks out new and upcoming talent to provide its entertainment. For this edition, the appreciative audience was treated to the musical sounds of new band, The Flick, who kept the energy soaring and feet tapping as their versatility shone through a diverse genre of songs.