DENIS KELLMAN’S COLUMN- THE DEBATE

MAY 9, 2006

From time to time, I have been warned not to predict anything, because it seems that whatever I predict comes to pass. I have said that when the planners of the new complex are finished that we would not be able to maintain that historical legacy for which Kensington was known.  I was able to hear Mr. Lockerbie referring to it as Queen’s Park and then asking himself where he was. We have destroyed Kensington, a place of great cricketing history that stood out in the world, to build a new complex for a one-off occasion which could have been built elsewhere to the advantage of the country.

What we have done is to decrease the capacity of Bridgetown by reducing the number of players in the business arrangement to accommodate a situation that could have brought future development to our resource-starved country.

Mr. Chris DeCaries said his team must be congratulated for being able to reverse the backward trend at the area called Kensington. It shows that we in Barbados are capable of delivering once the right amount of pressure is placed on us, providing that we are willing to listen to good advice. It hurts to see that for World Cup 2007, that all the traffic will be heading to town, when we could have had the workers going in one direction and the spectators going in the opposite. I have said before, that the cost of the flyovers must be added to the costs of Kensington, along with the compulsory acquisitions and the relocations that occurred.

The BTA is fortunate in that World Cup 2007 is self promoting and the BTA needs to concentrate on selling the night aspect of World Cup. The cricketing side has already been taken care of by the biggest beneficiaries who can be found outside our shores, and the BTII must be congratulated for proving the infrastructure to support tourism and World Cup Cricket.  Mr. Charles Holder and his hard working team must be congratulated for their hands-on approach. This team has demonstrated that the office must be complimented by the field, and the best approach in dealing with a problem is to eye ball it.

It is interesting to note, that our last fishing tournament sponsored by Mount Gay will also coincide with World Cup and one wonders if Lucy’s son will bring the Reggae Festival next year to coincide with World Cup. We at Moon Town will do our best to ensure that Lucy is well represented for World Cup. North Stars will have to use the opportunity to take advantage of those players who are here visiting and put a programme in place to deal with the increasing demand by English visitors. This occasion must be used to canvass other visitors to use the facilities on a yearly basis.

We know that the English visitors think highly of it and see it as the best place for after cricket, a feature which seems to have died off elsewhere. This goodwill created by North Starts must be replicated throughout the island and should not be used to destroy the originator, as has happened lately.

North Stars has acknowledged its prominence as it relates to cricket and socializing. It must encourage its sponsors to take advantage of its location by adding more pavilions and putting full closure to its Grounds. June 5, 2006 will see another cricket final being played at North Stars in the St. Elmo’s St. Lucy Sports competition which serves as the base to help clubs in Lucy’s territory to finance themselves for the BCL and the BCA tournaments.

Bristol, a northern team has won yet another cup, and it continues to demonstrate the power of the North.  Its demand to play First Division Cricket is justifiable and those who have control need to go back to the drawing board and add them to the fixtures. They have earned the right, and the location to the North cannot be a problem anymore. The only problem I have perceived is its location and that is at the Old Coleridge grounds. This name Coleridge has been creating too many problems over the years and the jealousy must cease. We in the north are supportive of their promotion and cannot see any reason to do otherwise. North Stars must open up its grounds to them as the ground that cricketers love playing on.

The stars in the North must continue to deliver and those who believe that we are now getting something to be swell- headed about, must be told that we went there already and that our standards are high. We do things to enhance others and that is why we send most of our favourite sons and daughters to help others. What looks like glory to others is natural to us. We believe in quality and not quantity.

It is time people understand the pride in Lucy’s children, because when they do, they will stop trying to insult Lucy’s children. Politicians will tell you that the most independent voters can be found in Lucy’s territory and that they believe in earning what they want. A carrot cannot be used to change them. It has to be the principle of the carrot.

Lucy has taught her offsprings the importance of being independent and having pride in themselves. Bribes are not attractive in the North, neither can they swell our heads or get us to act differently. Check yourself, because people in glass houses should not throw stones, as they may hit the target and rebound.

Peace, love, unity, humility, wisdom, understanding.

(Denis Kellman is the Member of Parliament for the parish of St. Lucy, Barbados)