In April last year, Justice Frank Seepersad delivered a written judgment in a lawsuit filed by a company known as Graphix Advantage Limited (GAL), against the TT FA, the Local Organising Committee South (LOC) Africa 2010 Limited.

The judge ordered the TT FA and the LOC to pay the monies due and owing for work done by GAL in the Under 17 Women’s 2010 World Cup. Former Government Minister and adviser to the then- TT FF (TT Football Federation) Jack Warner, was also sued but the judge did not find him personally liable to pay the monies. Warner had given evidence in the trial before Justice Seepersad. When the monies were not paid up until last month, Senior Counsel Hendrickson Suenath representing GAL, filed a Garnishee application in the High Court, to freeze the bank accounts of the TT FA held at First Citizens in Port of Spain. There was a hearing and attorneys for the bank indicated that they would comply with whatever order the court made. The judge urged the attorneys, as well as those representing the TT FF, to settle the matter before the court moves to freeze the latter’s bank accounts.

Justice Seepersad had held that the TT FA was liable to pay the monies for advertising goods and services which GAL had provided for the staging of the World Cup.

Though Warner was chairman of the LOC 2010 South Africa Limited, the judge ruled that he was not personally liable to pay the monies.

Since Justice Seepersad’s judgment on April 30 2015, the monies have not been paid to GAL and as a result, the Garnishee application was filed.

Yesterday, the matter came up for hearing before Justice Seepersad and attorney Anand Misir appeared for the TT FA. Suenath told the judge that a consent order had been entered between the parties and it was agreed that the defendants would pay GAL $262,413.19 on or before December 31. The order further stated that thisis to be followed with a payment of $200,000 for five consecutive months commencing from January 21 2017.

And, it was further ordered by consent, that they are to pay $145,333.58 which represents interest and that is to be paid before February 28 2017.

It further ordered that the final interest on the $1.2 million judgment, must be paid bore June 2017, and that is expected to amount to $239,858.48.

There was no order as to the legal cost for yesterday’s hearing of the Garnishee application, but if there is to be any default on the payment, the Consent order stated, then the entire sum would become due and owing plus interest.

Yesterday members of San Juan North, including coaching staff and other school officials were honoured by Carmona at the Office of the President in St Ann’s. San Juan North were crowned Intercol champions on December 6 when they defeated Presentation College San Fernando 1-0. San Juan North’s visit follows the visit Shiva Boys made on November 1 after winning the Shell/First Citizens Secondary Schools Football League Premier Division competition.

San Juan North were the unlikely winners in the Coca Cola Boys Intercol competition as they just survived relegation in the Premier League earlier this season. San Juan North finished 12th among the 15 teams in the Premier League avoiding relegation as the bottom three teams fell to the Championship division.

Carmona in his address to the players said, “let that trophy inspire you all individually for the rest of your lives knowing fully well that as a team collectively and individually that we can succeed and that we rise to excellence.” Carmona told the players that they are talented and have the ability to make it to the next level.

“It is indeed a great moment that I am in the presence of potential international footballers because I indicated to (your) captain just a while ago that I feel that there is a need for us to increase our vision in terms of where our next top footballer is going to come from. I am convinced that the senior national coach of the TT team must begin to look at the national colleges league to include young footballers on that team because I have seen your magic.” Carmona told the footballers that they will face adversity but encouraged them not to give up. “The road is going to be bumpy, the road to success is a long one but it will be a successful one if you persevere and always keep courage and hope.” Captain of San Juan North Lukman Brooks presented a San Juan North t-shirt to Carmona. Brooks told Carmona, “I will kindly like to thank you for inviting us to your wonderful office and celebrating this victory with us and giving us inspirational words to continue our football careers.”

It will be at the sixth Atlantic/ Manchester United Football and Life Skill Development Camp from today until Monday.

The youngsters, all selected from the eight educational districts, including sister-isle Tobago, who played in this year’s Atlantic LNG Primary Schools Football League, will get some grooming by Eamon Mulvey, head coach at the Manchester United Academy, coach Kevin Ward and exstar player Brian McClair. National Primary Schools Football League president Kelin Nancoo will make some welcome remarks at the launching of the coaching programme at the Courtyard Marriot, Movietowne, Mucurapo, at 7.30 this morning.

Later, coaches Mulvey and Ward will address the young aspiring footballers before Atlantic CEO Nigel Darlow.

McClair will deliver the feature to wrap up the launch of the programme.

Ramjitsingh and the South Zonal Council members of the TT CB earlier this week called for the immediate resignation of the entire executive of the TT CB in particular, the president Azim Basarath for what can only be described as highly improper and irresponsible conduct by their failure to treat with a very serious matter in a timely manner.

It is the zone’s understanding that Bassarath and his executives received a copy of a report claiming alleged misconduct by a cricket official towards a TT youth team player earlier this year.

Ramjitsingh stated, “South Zonal Council believes that the failure of the TT CB’s executive members to immediately resign will do irreparable damage to the game especially where the young players, sponsors and parents are concerned. The TT CB executive members have betrayed the trust and confidence placed on them and nothing at this stage will change that fact.

“The South Zonal Council will continue to monitor this depressing situation and will take all necessary steps for this matter to be dealt with in a satisfactory manner. We will not relent given the seriousness of this matter as the future of the game is at stake,” he further stated.

In a report yesterday Bassarath called on Ramjitsingh to resign and said he should not ask others to resign. Bassarath said the TT CB only received the report in October and not six months ago that was stated previously.

Ramjitsingh said the South Zonal Council is being victimised by the board claiming they have not received all of their subventions for the year. Ramjitsingh said, “we are doing well and we are being victimised by the board because we are not supporters of Azim Bassarath. We are the only zone right now in Trinidad and Tobago that have not received all our subventions for the year yet, not all to have our presentation function.”

The legendary Calypso Rose did it backto- back in 1977 and 1978 with “Tempo” and “Soca Jam” respectively. Twenty-two years later in 1999 Dempster won the prestigious title with “River”.

Fast forward to 2016 and Dempster is at it again this time she has rebranded herself as SD and she comes with a band – Brass to the World which is led by Burt Marcellin.

Last Thursday, Dempster launched a new release for 2017 “Feel Good” the second for the season. Her first being “Washer Woman”. The strictly by invitation launch took place at Marcellin’s Roof Top, King Street, St Joseph, where other musicians and members of the media took in a performance from SD.

Also launching a new release was General Grant (Curtis Grant) as he performed “No Limits”.

Both artistes gave a very good performance with General Grant being his usual self, mingling with the audience while he worked. SD does not seem to have lost the winning touch as she too went down very well with the audience.

“Feel Good” is a song in the soca chutney vein which was composed by lead singer of Brass to the World, Snakey (Heaven Charles).

Speaking about the new band Marcellin said the idea for a brass band came about successful.” presentation, General Grant on Carnival Tuesday when he stood in the city and watched mas bands with thousands of masqueraders dancing to DJ music and scores of musicians were standing by. Marcellin said: “Musicians were telling me, look what this thing come too, if you go to Miami, New York, Grenada or any where Carnival is the same, DJ music.

“Trinidad Carnival was unique because of its mas and music, brass music.

“I simply told myself, I will bring a brass band to play music on the road and with that Brass to the World was born, for me and as much musicians as possible.

“I hope the mas bands would get excited again and hire the brass bands,” said Marcellin. “Honestly I went out and seek sponsorship for the event and I have been True to his word Marcellin is in negotiations with K2K Alliance and Partners to be their road band for their Carnival 2017 At The Helm.

Burt is just following in the footsteps of his father, veteran brass bandleader Michael “Mano” Marcellin.

In his address to the employees country manager Gladston Cuffie said, “You have worked hard all year and it is only fitting that you are rewarded for your efforts.” Awards were given out in several categories .

Of the 24 branches, Tobago was the most outstanding collecting the awards for Salesperson of the Year (Shannon Blackman) and Branch of the Year (Trinidad and Tobago) .

Other winners included Branch of the Year Trinidad, Arima; Most Improved Branch, Port-of-Spain; New Branch of the Year, Ariapita Avenue; Department of the Year Central Loan Approval Office (CLAO) and District Manager of the Year, Kevon Gittens .

Entertainment was provided by The Soca Unit, dancers from the Dance Academy and D Guardian and Island Finance’s own Marie Hospedales.

Pan music will be included for the first time making it “A Christmas Pan Parade”. The route has been extended to include Port-of-Spain and the parade starts at the bp Renegades panyard on Charlotte Street heading south, around Piccadilly Greens, across Duke Street through to Victoria Square along Ariapita Avenue to De Verteuil Street into Damien Street and then onto the Western Main Road, St James and to George Cabral Street.

Bands expected to perform are Silver Stars, Newtown Playboys and Western Stars Philharmonic.

Along the way, the bands and will be accompanied by Santa Claus and his helpers on motorbikes and a music truck with artistes including Jason “Fridge” Seecharan and friends performing Christmas music.

The parade begins at 11 am and ends at 5 pm.

It is ironic that the Minister of Education Anthony Garcia should remark in Parliament that “it was not necessary at all for these schools to be closed and we wonder why these schools were closed.” This minister was once the president of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA), the teachers’ union which supported its members whenever they decided to take industrial action, whether rational or not.

Since the minister was once head of the union, some teachers have been looking for the slightest reason to walk out of school, stay away from classes or take industrial action.

The reasons may be as simple as schools having mosquitoes, rats, stray dogs or cats or even dust in the air.

So where in this country can one go and be free of these elements? Some individuals are simply over-exaggerating ordinary conditions. However, it is a fact that the majority of teachers in the country are indeed hard working and conscientious.

Today, some teachers are holding fast to the role of TTUTA representative just to get away from their real responsibilities and at the same time are encouraging other teachers to do the same.

Perhaps the focus of the union is different but there are employees who are taking advantage of the situation. This is why proper screening of wannabee TTUTA reps is necessary and also training in being good role models is a must.

TTUTA finds itself in a very funny position in supporting these reps who over a period of time have gained the support of the membership.

The union needs to change this approach and the Minister of Education has the opportunity to turn around an already bad situation.

It is hoped he will take the bull by the horns.

WKS HOSEIN Chaguanas

The conditions are quite clear and states that without the written permission — within a specific time frame — from the authorities it is illegal to use or set off fireworks within any town which includes the cities and boroughs and “every part of the area within two miles of the boundaries of such city or of either of such boroughs, and also any place or area declared by the minister, by order, to be a town or to be deemed to be included within a town for the purpose of the said section.” It adds, “Any person who throws, casts, sets fire to, or lets of any fireworks into, in, or upon any street not being in any town, or into, in, or upon any place being within 60 feet of the centre of any such street, is liable to a fine of $400.” So here is a government ministry saying to citizens, and explaining the conditions under which fireworks and the like can legally be used, “to develop a culture of care for their neighbours and elderly” when in fact what it should be saying, in simple terms, is that it is illegal to use fireworks etc without written permission and supervision as specified in the Act and that the law will be enforced.

Is there any wonder that we find ourselves in the lawless state of affairs we are in today when the powers that be don’t seem able to implement a simple law to regulate the use of fireworks? C Peters via email

What concerns me here is the exit off the highway.

I well remember when the villagers of Indian Trail created a makeshift exit near the Indian Trail overpass.

It was deemed illegal and the police moved with alacrity to block it off. Is it different for the new exit? Assuming the exit is legal, perhaps the villagers now have a case for the Ministry of Works to construct a proper exit for them.

Noel Kalicharan via email