San Fernando mayor Kazim Hosein says major changes are coming for Carnival 2015 that will see hundreds of people from South Trinidad opting to stay in the southern city over Port-of-Spain.
“We will bring back people from Port-of-Spain to San Fernando,” Hosein declared before masmen and women gathered at the San Fernando City Hall yesterday. After witnessing his first Carnival as mayor, Hosein proposed to transform the Rienzi Kirton Highway from Skinner Park to the National Academy for Performing Arts, South Campus into a Carnival hub featuring a line-up of bleachers, washroom facilities, parking, a stage and free coverage for international media. Hosein said the area will give masqueraders and spectators a theatre-like experience.
“What I have observed is that everybody is asking for a stage at Rienzi Kirton, in front of the judging point. We will have a stage there next year because people want to show off their costumes, so they will have that experience,” Hosein said. As chairman of the San Fernando Carnival Committee, Hosein already has the support of several mas leaders, who applauded many of his plans. He announced that a new committee will be established within the coming weeks to plan ahead for next year’s festivities. Among other changes, he said the route would be altered so that mas does not pass through High Street, because of its incline. Hosein said a meeting will be held with all stakeholders to ensure 2015 Carnival runs smoothly.
Masmen: no respect from police
While Hosein praised the protective service, saying they made sure the celebrations were relatively safe, mas leaders complained that the police were quite disrespectful over the two days.
Dexter Jennings, leader of Dexter Jennings and Associates, said while they had no issues with the officers’ work, police jeeps were passing through the bands while they presented before the judges. He added that the attitudes of some of the senior officers were upsetting, as they threatened to suspend the licences of some of the bands. One steelband member said while playing before the judges, police told them to move their racks so police cars could pass.
NCBA Results
BAND OF THE YEAR (SENIORS)
Small
1 Before the Europeans Revisited – Tribal Connection Cultural Promotions
2 The Saga of Jason Griffith – Belmont Exotic Stylish Sailors
3 Mystic Warriors – De Midas T&T
Medium
1 Jus Wee and Friends – Jus Wee and Friends
2 Tabanca – Mas Passion
3 Reclamation – De Core T&T
Large
1 Sailors on Shore Leave At a Tropical Fiesta – Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra
2 Centrestage – Paparazzi Carnival
3 Nature’s touch – Legacy