Monday, 6 August 2012

Skullduggery Afoot.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "A Comment Deleted":

I'm still not certain, what exactly is the substance of the "snub"? That provincial and federal politicians attended in the company of only certain town councillors?

Please explain the precise nature of the perceived snub
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The event was held  in  the  Town of Aurora Park.

Town facilities, bandshell, park, washrooms and parking have been the venue for the  St.Kitts Jazz Festival since it started, when it was  nothing more than a promotional event  for the Farmers Market.

The idea of a Music and Arts Festival was presented to the Leisure Services Advisory Committee by a resident without  connection to St Kitts Enterprises.  

Some among us suspect  the Market was moved from the downtown location for no other reason but to exploit the park and bandshell.

In the years after the move, the town contributed  to the Market for promotional events. The ex-Mayor had control of the funds.

Eventually,  promotional events became a Jazz Festival. 

The Town contributed sponsorship  which  more than  covered  user fees for the bandshell.

Last year, despite not having received a financial  accounting, the Town rejected staff advice to provide a $3,000  grant ..

Susan Morton Leaonard appeared before Council and complained it wasn't enough. Council upped it to  $5,000. 

A financial accounting for the 2011 Festival revealed revenue of $150,000. Council decided there was no basis for further financial support from town resources. 

The Provincil Minister of Culture and the Honorable Member of Parliament were undoubtedly invited to be guests at the Ceremonial Opening.

 In 2011, a Trillium grant of $75,000 was received. 

In 2012, a Federal Heritage grant was awarded of somewhat less value. 

In turn, despite support for the Trillium grant, direct financial support  and  free venue provided from the beginning, the town was criticized in some obscure festival web site publication for failing to shovel in more funding. 

No invitation was extended to be part of the ceremonial.

Councillor Ballard was not delegated to represent the Town in  official capacity.

There lies the snub.  Deliberate and pronounced.

Protocol demands  the Number One Citizen of the Town  providing all the amenities, the Mayor or his representative, was entitled to be present and recognized. 

By withholding  invitation, the Town was insulted by the St Kitts and  St Leonards and whatever other supporters are still out there of the Mormac regime.

Granger was sighted on the eve. Wilson was spotted at the Market on Saturday, in conversation with the Jam Lady.

Councillor  Gaertner was collecting fees for admission.   

No lingering doubt  remains of political  intrigue.

Skullduggery lurks. 

No call to be mistaken, for what it is not.   

7 comments:

  1. It sounds like a plethora of Saints, devils and hangers on in a cult that no longer exists, although the spirit has not yet given up the ghost.

    The reference to Saints (St......) brings to mind the American gospel hymn "When the Saints Go Marching In."

    According to a bit of quick research the hymn has taken on something of folk music aspects.

    While making its debut as a Christian hymn, people today will more likely hear it played by a jazz band.

    Traditionally its use is as a funeral march and in New Orleans it was often called the "jazz funeral" as it accompanied the coffin to the cemetery. Following the dirge-like rendition, on its way back from the internment, the band would switch to the more familiar upbeat "hot" or "Dixieland" style.

    How the above fits into Aurora's Jazz Festival I am not quite sure, but Saint and jazz seem to be synonymous.

    It does seem that Saints (St.....), jazz and ignorant behaviour somehow all go hand in hand.

    Too bad we can't leave them all at the cemetery.

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  2. Thank you, 2:49 PM ! Really funny!

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  3. I heard that the # of volunteers was away down this year. Perhaps that might explain why former & current councilors were selling tickets? Seems the kids have already gotten their extra credits or plan to get them elsewhere. Lots of events all summer & this one is no longer of such interest? Just a suggestion. We will never know as the figures are always elusive for the event.

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  4. Thank you for the weekend romp.

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  5. It is a matter of time and the festival will tip.

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  6. I was just glad that we left for vacation on the eve of the festival.

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  7. Thank you for the outstanding posts!

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