Moontown

DENIS KELLMAN’S COLUMN- THE DEBATE

MAY 23, 2006

Ambush Marketing is now the catch phrase in Barbados. I was told that North Stars was not be allocated a place in the minds of the decision makers because of Ambush Marketing. I am appalled that a gentleman, who has contributed to the development of North Stars by being in the right position when employed by Barclay’s Bank, can now be heard using lame duck excuses for not allocating to North Stars first class cricket because Banks Beer contributed to the construction of North Stars. I am told that the Bank of Nova Scotia is now the official Bank of World Cup Cricket. So, am I to believe that because Barclay’s Bank financed the Hall that the official Bank was the one to stop Barbados from getting real development by hindering North Stars from getting a look-in? Am I to believe then, that the reason certain sections of the press don’t carry reports from me lately has to do with what they see as Ambush Marketing?

I was around long enough to know that Carib Beer took part in a finals at North Stars and that they were happy to be part of the new impetus that has seen cricket being hosted in Rural Barbados without traffic confusion. So impressed was the Minister of Public Works with North Stars, that he promised me to repair all the roads leading to North Stars. This would include the paving of Kellman’s Road, the widening of Sutherland Hill, the paving of the road from Nesfield to Crab Hill Police Station and from Colleton to Crab Hill. He also appreciated the potential of lands leading from Cluffs to Jordans and has already issued the necessary instructions which have seen work being started to relief the residents of Jordans and open up a new tourism frontier. I have said before that St. Lucy will make Barbados a developed country and Lucy’s Son Elmo will lead the charge.

The more I listen to persons trying to convince me that Kensington was the best place for the new complex, the more I appreciate that visionaries are not common in Barbados. Those of us who have the blessings of the Lord must appreciate that honour by behaving like mavericks in order for this country to develop. Only had we used the vision available to us, Kensington would have been the venue for One Day and Test Match Cricket against India. We would have been able to use both grounds to develop our tourism, the same National Trust that allowed the historical values of Kensington to be destroyed, would have been able to use it during World Cup to provide tours for the fans who heard so much about Kensington, but never had a chance to see it before. It would have been a wonderful thing to show on big screens those memorable moments of our past cricket as in the same setting. The National Trust has missed out on a wonderful opportunity to increase its revenue and take advantage of World Cup 2007.

This country, Barbados, which includes its tourism players and the National Trust can see the wisdom in retaining the Concorde, but cannot appreciate the legacy that has been created by the old-time planners and the cricketers. We have to learn to appreciate what is ours. It seems that we cannot appreciate anything local until it is accepted by outsiders. I begged this Government to give the new hotel to Almond, but instead, they give it to the Hilton and now that Almond is in St. Lucia, major players can now appreciate the point. The brand name Almond is not diluted but is known internationally, which means that previously, when the brand was discussed, Barbados was also being discussed. And all the goodwill associated with it came to Barbados. We as a country got 100 per cent promotion from the Almond Brand, until they opened their hotel in St. Lucia. St. Lucia has gained by the addition of the Almond brand, Barbados has lost.

We in the Caribbean have to learn that our experience in tourism is far superior to others. We cannot continue to promote external brands if we are to genuinely develop our tourism. If we are to be serious players, we must develop our local brands. These brands must suit our resources. We cannot continue to promote brands that will not give us our maximum returns for the money spent. When an international brand is promoted, it does not mean that the persons will come to Barbados because of the wide choice available to that person. When a local brand is promoted, a 100% return is expected.

Forty years and over of experience, and we are still expecting our competitors to promote us. This is occurring when the competitors have diversified their operations by adding cruise tourism and blending the two products to their advantage. Now the players are using the Hurricane season to cut back their cruise operation to our territory. This has occurred after we have allowed them to rape us. If we are serious about the CSME and the “E”, we must demonstrate that we can appreciate what we have by harnessing it.  We have not learnt from what happened to us with sugar. We need to diversify our tourism, before we continue to allow outsiders to trade for us and then dump us after all the sweets have gone.

Mr. Allan Stanford must be congratulated for what he is attempting to do for cricket, CSME and Tourism.  He must be careful though, that he is not seen as a person seeking to use our legends like how Mr.  Chavez has used our Caribbean Leaders over oil money. Mr. Chavez has been party to the increases that are now killing poor countries. In order for a country to be Independent, its people must first be independent. Unity is strength, and if we cannot buy oil from Trinidad, how can we have a workable CSME? Why should Trinidad invest in the Caribbean, or buy our goods, when we would dump Trinidad for Venezuela? How can we go to CSME meetings and talk about supporting each other? It is really time for a change in the Caribbean. Those of us who understand those great men and what they wanted for the region, must come forward and put our hands to the plough in the interest of the Caribbean, where the carrot is now more important than the fields of carrots.

The project at North Stars which adds to the Tourism calendar is the best and first joint project between a Club and Government. This project should have been seen as a test case to real development and should have been used as the impetus for other clubs. Just imagine the development that could have occurred if World Cup 2007 had gone with North Stars. Look at the traffic alternatives for the spectators and the workers. Imagine the work that could have been created in the North for the Tourism players interfacing and replacing the cruise ships. A writer in Wisden has suggested that North Stars has one of the best grounds and the best cricket wake.

What is wrong with the North? Is it because of our propensity to produce greatness or is it to do with our unexpected ability to rise to the occasion? Or, is it our ability to ignore the talent among ourselves by looking elsewhere, only to be disappointed? Do not worry, it happened when Christ came to this World. Barbados and St. Lucy will be developed when we learn to listen to our own, without looking elsewhere, because the project at North Stars has shown our capacity to be different. North Stars and Moon Town, two originals of which we should be proud. It is only the tip of the iceberg.

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

SPLIT PEAS AND RICE; MACARONI PIE

VEGETABLE CHOWMEIN; CREAMED POTATOES

BBQ SPARERIBS; BAKED CHICKEN

BAKED PORK; FRIED STEAK FISH

GRILLED STEAK FISH

BEEF STEW; STEAMED SNAPPER

STEAMED VEGETABLES; TOSSED SALAD

Dr. Sir Prince Ramsey, local AIDS Clinical Care Co-ordinator (ACCC), is advising the country that there has once again been an increase in the number of new infections in men between the ages of 18 and 27 years of age who have sex with other men in Antigua and Barbuda.

Ramsey was unable to give the most recent figures but he did point out, however, that a study conducted in Antigua and Barbuda approximately two years ago, showed that over 800 men, both married and single, admitted to having sexual intercourse with other men. Continuing on the occurrence of homosexual activity among men, Ramsey referred to the discovery of the disease and the fact that the first diagnosis was of homosexual men.

“The first examples of prevention efforts were in the gay communities which were hardest hit early in the epidemic.  They reduced the number of sexual partners and acts of unprotected anal intercourse” Ramsey said.

He went on to say that not too long ago, there had been a reduction in the number of cases resulting from the homosexual activity of the men on island but they seem to once again be increasing. The ACCC said that young people continue to take part in risky sexual behaviour as they see the disease as one that can be addressed with the help of treatment.

“We can expect a reduction in transmission in the Caribbean and worldwide, if we see a reduction in risky behaviour in our youth and the practice of routine HIV testing and counseling.”  Ramsey said.
He ended by saying that leaders in the gay community need to step up prevention efforts by encouraging safer sex and put an end to the stigma against men having sex with men. (Antigua Sun)

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad  – The Guyana-based Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat says it is not yet prepared to condemn the Electoral Council in Haiti over the decision to ban a number of political parties from participating in parliamentary elections next year.

“We need to wait a little bit longer to get a sense as to where all of this is going,” Assistant Secretary General Colin Granderson told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

“We need to wait and see what will be the reactions of the political parties that have been banned,” he said recalling that in the past those political parties were re-admitted after making representation to the authorities. (Antigua Sun)

Obtaining duty-free concessions for motor vehicle purchases will be made more difficult following the discovery of “rampant fraudulent transfers” of the concessions by some individuals who sell the warrants.

Now the Minister of Finance and Economy Harold Lovell, while announcing there will be new rules that will guide the issuance of duty-free concessions, sounded a warning that the government intends to go after those who commit the fraudulent act of selling the warrant.

“This is no less an offence than businesses charging and collecting the ABST and not submitting the funds to the Inland Revenue Department. The government is determined to stamp out this practice and has commenced an in-depth investigation of this matter.

“Such fraudulent behaviour will not be tolerated at any level. In the same way we are going to deal with those taxpayers who fail to comply with the ABST legislation, we will bring the full weight of the law to bear on those who perpetrate the fraudulent use of duty-free concessions,” Lovell warned.
One of the practices that will be stamped out with immediate effect is revalidating of concessions. That was done for individuals who did not use the concession within the year of receiving it. But the finance minister said the duty free documents will only be accepted if it bears the name of the person to whom it was granted. This after Lovell said he has personally made calls to some persons questioning whether they had used the duty-free only to find out it was sold.

“Any warrants presented for processing that are associated with duty-free concessions that are still valid will only be processed if presented by the individual whose name appears on the warrant. Finally, all individuals in possession of a duty-free concession are advised that these will only remain valid until 31 December, 2009.

“These persons are therefore encouraged to make use of the benefit on or before 31 December, 2009 since they will not be able to carry over the concession into 2010.”

A moratorium on discretionary duty-free concessions was introduced by the government in May, 2009, in response to the significant decline in revenue brought about by the global financial meltdown.

The government has announced that the moratorium will remain in place until the fiscal situation is “turned around,” but more stringent measures will be implemented. However, persons who were granted concessions before 15 May, 2009 will have them honoured. The ministry of finance, the finance minister pointed out, will routinely process warrants for individuals, who may be changing the vehicle for which the duty-concession was originally granted or re-validate a concession for someone who may not have had the opportunity to use it within the 12 months of receiving it.
A policy is expected to be adopted by the government relating to duty-free concessions given for motor vehicles. (Antigua Sun)