Leading the protest, ace pannist Dane Gulston lamented the relatively modest turnout of protestors but was undeterred in his demands for action.

Initially an irate Gulston told reporters he had met hostility when he had entered the building to try to present a letter signed by him calling for Diaz and his executive to resign.

He alleged past disrespect shown by the Diaz administration to the calls of pannists, and call for a new interim executive made up of regional heads. Gulston read aloud his letter, hitting the executive for claiming a $1.6 million loss from Panorama 2016, and for rendering Pan Trinbago as a “sinking ship”. However about an hour later, he said two of his fellow protestors – Pan Trinbago Eastern Regional head, Gerard Mendez, and Northern Regional head, Carlon Yearwood, were engaged in talks with Diaz inside.

Concerns arose that pannists had not been paid, against a backdrop of Culture Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly saying the allocation had been sent to Pan Trinbago, against claims that Pan Trinbago is $30 million in debt and concerns about Pan Trinbago’s spending on luxury vehicles.

Among the protestors were Desperados former captain, Martin Cain; Power Stars representative, Lyndsay Tom; Roger Thomas of Moods Steel Orchestra; and a member of the Codrington Pan Family.

Cain was confident the turnout was sufficient to send a message to the executive, and once 60 percent of members sign a letter to call for the resignation, the executive would have to go. He hoped Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley could step in to resolve the impasse.

Nearby, watching the protest was former vice president, Byron Serrette, who said he had come to observe, even as he disclosed his own concerns about the Pan Trinbago administration that had led him to voluntarily resign in protest. He alleged that the administration was inept and had been unwilling to take advice that he had proffered to try to put Pan Trinbago on a more professional footing. Serrette alluded to having been met with hostility by the executive.

Asked if he’d support any call for Pan Trinbago’s governance and financial affairs to be scrutinised by the likes of the Auditor General, Integrity Commission and Parliament’s committees such as the Public Accounts Committee, Serrette said a hearty yes. While he supported pannists raising their voices for their just due, he said that it is now time for the involvement of these type of higher-level watchdog bodies. Denying that he wants to become Pan Trinbago chairman, Serrette said only a madman would want to lead an organisation that is $30 million in the red.

Dennis Singh of Edinburgh 500 Steel Ensemble vowed to boycott Panorama 2017.

Mervyn ‘Boots’ Britto said yesteryear’s panmen would not have engaged in dialogue but have got physical over their disgruntlement.

Rowley began by saying that while the past year was one for Ministers to settle into their portfolios, 2017 is now their first year for delivery.

“We are in our second year as a Government and we have determined as any serious Government would that this year, the second year – after the first year of getting the feel of things, getting to know people, putting Perm Secs in place, getting Ministers to learn their jobs – this (second year) is the first real year of delivery.” He said the Retreat’s focus is on the effecting the Government’s development programme which needs more effort to implement than routine recurrent expenditure.

“Where you are going to be creating new work, creating new entities, taking new people in, establishing new service areas for population, that is the development programme.” This latter needs “more drive, a bit more oomph, a bit more involvement”, Rowley said. It involves procurement to management to funding to utilisation, he added. Rowley said 2017 requires some corrective decisions as several national programmes are off-track. “I don’t have to tell you all that – I’m sure you know that.

Some of the Government’s national programmes have lost their way – either deliberately, incidentally, corruptly or just by being outdated,” he said.

“So there’s a requirement for this Government to look at whatever is so designated and do some course-correction. Most times that course-correction is not without pain and inconvenience, but whatever you would have done ought to leave us in a better place.

So there are some Government policy-changes to be made. Most of them will be made in 2017.” Rowley then urged Ministers and Permanent Secretaries to work well together, show teamwork and look after each other. “If the Minister and the Permanent Secretary are not getting along, are not seeing eye to eye and can’t stand one another, the Ministry will not function properly. There’s no way the PS could operate on his or her own and the Minister (is) operating on his or her own.

They have to be in lockstep.” He said a PS is the Minister’s guide and is invaluable to their Ministry’s success. “We are all guided by the Exchequer Act and the human resource regulations.

You (PSs) are the Minister’s guide and in some cases the Minister’s mouthpiece. Permanent Secretaries are required to look after their Ministers, as Ministers are required to look after their Permanent Secretaries.” An accompanying OPM statement said Rowley declared that Ministries must not falter in their delivery of service to the citizenry, despite the country’s economic circumstances. He also spoke of the accountability of State Enterprises, said the statement. The retreat continues today.

According to police reports, at about three o’clock yesterday morning, several gunshots were heard at Angelina Terrace in Morvant. And when residents cautiously checked, minutes later, they found the body of Simeon Selvon, 37, lying on the ground in a pool of blood.

The Morvant police were alerted and officers from that station as well as detectives from the Homicide Investigations Bureau visited the scene. The District Medical Officer (DMO arrived a short while later and ordered the body removed to the Dorensic Science Center in St James for autopsy. No arrest has been made and investigations are continuing. The murder toll for 2016 stood at 462.

Candidates of the four political parties gearing to contest the elections: the People’s National Movement (PNM), the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP), the Movement for Transformation (MFT) and the Tobago Forwards, turned out at the various offices of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) to submit their nomination papers.

The PNM, PDP and Tobago Forwards will each contest all 12 electoral districts, while the MFT, led by former parliamentarian and government minister, Eudine Job-Davis, will contest three of the districts.

All 39 candidates filed the necessary documents and paid their $2000 deposit making them the legitimate bidders in the election ring.

While six candidates for the East districts filed their papers at the Rockley Vale office, the other candidates for the West filed theirs at the Main Street office.

Three of the four political parties turned up with much fanfare as scores of supporters dressed in party colours, waving banners, flags and other paraphernalia accompanied by large music trucks.

All the candidates indicated that the process went fairly smoothly as this followed a dry run session which was held one week ago.

Speaking with reporters, Political Leader of the PNM Tobago Council, Kelvin Charles, accompanied by his wife Kathryn and sons Kelvon and Kelson said that the nomination process made way for a series of campaign meetings.

“We have been on the ground and generally the responses have been very favourable, so we are quite confident that we would retain control of the Tobago House of Assembly,” he said.

Charles noted that the island’s affairs was well handled under the current PNM-led THA over the last four years. Political Leader of the PDP, Watson Duke, said Tobago has had enough of the PNM after 16 years and is now ready to get rid of them.

“We are fully confident of victory in at least seven seats,” Duke said.

“We are still working on five more seats to make the 12 because we need to balance the curse the PNM has placed upon Tobago over the last 16 years,” he said. A confident Duke said one of the safe seats for the PDP is the Roxborough/ Delaford electoral district.

“There is no chance of Watson Duke not being successful at the polls and when I say at the polls, the seat Roxborough/ Delaford is already taken that is a marked seat and it is marked Watson Duke seat on that and nobody can take that away from me.” On the other hand, Political Leader of the Tobago Forwards, Christlyn Moore, said that the work has started.

Though her idea of unity among the parties opposing the PNM failed, Moore said she respects the wishes of the leaders.

“We are on the ground and we are very excited,” Moore said. “In the early days, we held extensive talks with Ashworth Jack and, in the more recent part, we have had conversations with Watson Duke whose position is adamant that he is a standalone entity and we respect that.” The MFT’s Political Leader, Eudine Job-Davis, is vowing to provide Tobago with the best form of Governance possible.

“Integrity in public life seems to be a thing of the past and we are hoping that we can bring that back into politics. Further, we are also looking at the Tobago House of Assembly and the Chief Secretary,” Job-Davis said. “There is a present Chief Secretary sitting there for like 16 years and we think that this should not happen at all.

Therefore, our political party has borrowed from the American system where we are going to limit anybody who ascends to the office to two terms.”

He came from a distinguished musical family from Couva that included his late father, Isaac, an exponent of East Indian classical styles; his late brother Sharm; and his brother, Rakesh, a three-time National Chutney Monarch.

Yankaran’s offerings ranged from the devotional to the celebratory.

He offered up religious bhajans, such as the joyous yet contemplative, Pawan Putra Hanuman. His more festive songs included the up-tempo Nanda Baba, Bjola Bhola and particularly, Zindabad Trinbago which became an anthem of sorts for one popular local beverage.

With a calmly confident demeanour on stage, his voice was a perfect balance of gentle melody and clear diction, at times soaring as a kite bobbing on a breeze and at other times racing along to the galloping pace set by the accompanying tabla.

Many will cherish the calmness of his bhajans and the passion of his chutneys. He preserved ancient words and rhythms from village India that came to the Caribbean shores where he gave them new life to cross over to new audiences.

Having won national acclaim at a relatively young age with the award of the Chaconia Silver Medal in 1991, he began to tour overseas taking his hits like Nanda Baba and Jho, and in 2000, moved to New York where he was able to do collaborations to take his music even further afield to new audiences.

This work has surely benefitted Trinidad and Tobago by promoting the nation abroad, surely attracting hundreds of visitors over the years to attend the Chutney Monarch and Soca Chutney Competitions, a veritable mini-industry.

His contribution is recognised in the tributes that have begun to pour in.

Reigning Chutney Monarch, KI Persad, praised the help in the music industry given to him by Yankaran.

“So much could be said about him – his passion, his love for people and culture, his dedication to the art form, having hits after hits in the chutney arena,” effused Persad.

Culture Minister, Dr Nyan Gadsby- Dolly, said Yankarran’s music reflects the depths of TT’s local culture. “In addition to his golden voice, Mr Yankarran was a musician whose songs promoted the preservation of our nation’s East Indian heritage through instruments like the dholak, harmonium and tabla,” she said, “He helped to take chutney music across ethnicities and across our national borders.

We will forever remember his voice and the authenticity he brought to the industry.” Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad- Bissessar said, “He followed the Indian classical genre of music but was also attracted to the chutney style, which blended the best of East and West to become a unique musical style in TT.” She recalled that he was never shy about his art and when he performed he had audiences joining in and asking for more. “He had a unique style and was a gifted performer, and his passing has left a void in the culture of Trinidad and Tobago.” Persad-Bissessar hoped his music will continue to be enjoyed by future generations, and be a source of inspiration for youngsters.

We have no doubt at all that Yankaran’s family members, the music fraternity and his fan base in TT and abroad will indeed keep alive Yankaran’s legacy and will in fact build on his music. We salute him as a cultural icon. May he rest in peace.

THE MEDICINAL and psychoactive effects that we associate with marijuana are caused by unique chemical structures called cannabinoids found in the plant.

To date, there have been 86 cannabinoids identified in nature and others have been synthesised chemically. The major psychoactive ingredient in marijuana is commonly referred to as THC.

Other cannabinoids, in addition to THC, also have medicinal or psychoactive constituents. One of the major concerns with the use of matijuana is the possible effects it has on the developing brain of young people under the age of 25 years. This is a concern expressed by some Canadians which will be decriminalising marijuana in 2017.

On December 10, 2013, Uruguay became the first country in the world to completely legalise marijuana.

The law provides for the growth,sale, and price of the herb to be controlled by the government.

However, to date the system has not been fully implemented.

In Colorado the retail sale of marijuana was legalised on January 1, 2014; in Washington State the retail sale was legalised on July 8, 2014 ;in Washington DC it was legalised on February 26, 2015, and in Oregon on October 1, 2015. Marijuana is now legalised in nine states: Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada and Washington DC.

Thirteen states have decriminalised marijuana: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Thirty states have legalised medical marijuana: Alaska, Arizona, Arksansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois,Louisian, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Washington, DC. In the US, the price of marijuana varies with the quality, the THC content, and its classification as premium grade, mid-grade or low-grade.

The price also depends on the supply and demand for the product in various states. In January 2016 the average wholesale price in Denver was $1,800 a pound but by June 2016 it had declined to $750 a pound because of an over supply. It is not unusual for a premium grade to be sold for $2,200 to $2,500 a pound. In the dispensaries as the pot shops are called the average retail selling price is $15 to $20 for 1/8 ounce .Two joints sell for $14. The wholesale price of medical marijuana which attracts a sales tax of 2.9 percent has remained relatively stable at $1,600 to $1,800 a pound.

There are 110,000 to 115,000 medical marijuana cardholders in Colorado.

In 2015, the value of recreational and medical marijuana sold in the US was estimated at $5.4 billion an increase of $4.6 billion over sales for 2014. Sales for 2016 are estimated to be $6.7 billion. In Colorado sales for 2015 were valued at $996 million and the estimate for 2016 is $1.3 billion. The first $40 million in tax revenue collected is allocated to school projects. In Washington State the first two years of marijuana sales, from July 2014 to July 2016, exceeded $1 billion which brought in $250 million in excise taxes for the state.

I must mention that despite these high volume of sales in legal marijuana, because of the lower price, there continues to be an illegal or black market trade. A study done in the US nearly ten years ago, before marijuana legalisation was even on the table, found that considering the average annual upkeep per prisoner was $31,286, decriminalising illicit drugs by taking away criminal prosecution for simple possession and use would significantly reduce the prison population and save taxpayers around $20 billion a year. I am of the opinion that our prison population will be significantly reduced should the possession of small quantities of marijuana be decriminalised. How many young persons in Trinidad and Tobago have had their future destroyed for being in possession of a small quantity of marijuana, while the “big fish” remain free?

She was last seen at her residence at about 7.30 pm last week Thursday.

Lalla is described as being of East Indian descent, 5 feet, 3 inches tall with black shoulder length hair and a tattoo of the letter ‘N’ with stars, behind her right ear.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lall is asked to call 800-TIPS or contact the police at 555, 999, 911 or any police station.

Salazar appeared before Senior Magistrate Gloria Jasmath in the First Court, who read the charge to him that on Sunday last, at St John’s Trace, Marabella, he did attempt to suffocate Candace Wilson in an attempt to render her incapable of resistance with intent to commit an arrestable offence.

Court prosecutor PC Cleyon Seedan, told the magistrate that the charge was laid indictably and that Salazar had a record which the prosecution still needed to check in order to determine if there were previous convictions against his name.

The magistrate read a second charge to Salazar that on that same day, he had in his possession a knife for the purpose of committing an arrestable offence.

Magistrate Jasmath remanded him into custory to reappear on January 12.

According to reports, at about 5 pm, officer led by Insp Ken Lutchman and including Cpl Randy Castillo and PC Amit Samuel and others were on patrol when they observed a man in dark clothing acting in a suspicious manner. Officers attempted to detain the man but he ran into the forest. During a chase a mile into the forest, the officers came across the remains.

The suspect managed to elude capture.

The remains were clad in a black short pants and a jersey the front of which had the words ‘Bone Crusher’. The remains were removed to the Forensic Science Centre in St James where an effort would be made to identify the remains via teeth still embedded in the skull. Investigations are continuing.

Giselle Galindo Morales, 30, of Havana, pleaded not guilty to the charge that at the Immigration Office, Knox Street in San Fernando, she had the passport which was allegedly tampered with.

Morales appeared before Magistrate Kerry Ann Byer who read the charge which was laid under Section 40 (j) (1) of the Immigration Act. The magistrate was told that Morales got married to a Trinidadian last month, but attorney Ainsley Lucky who pleaded for bail to be granted, was challenged by the police prosecutor, who told Magistrate Byer that there was a risk that the defendant could flee in a boat and return to Cuba.

The charge alleges that Morales committed the act of tampering with the passport, on Wednesday December 28. Magistrate Byer asked the accused woman’s husband Russel Stephen Anthony, who was present in court, to show some form of identification and he produced a marriage certificate.

The case was stood down as Anthony was allowed to go to his car to fetch his Driver’s Permit which he produced to the court when the case was recalled.

Magistrate granted Morales bail in the sum of $85,000 with a surety and adjourned the case to January 31. The magistrate was told, however, that in any event, Morales would be taken to the Immigration Centre because the date stamped on her passport for her last day of stay in this jurisdiction is today.

Attorney Lucky then told Magistrate Byer that he was quite curious as to why the alleged act was committed on December 28, but Morales was only brought to court yesterday as today is her last day to stay legally in Trinidad and Tobago.

Lucky asked Magistrate Byer to issue a summons for Arleen Kareem of Critchlow Street, San Fernando to attend court on the next occasion, because it was his view that she has answers to certain questions about the alleged committal of the offence.