RADHICA DE SILVA & INNISS FRANCIS
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
There was disorder in San Fernando for Monday Night Mas, as some bands went to be judged at Harris Promenade, only to find the area desolate and devoid of judges.
When the first band crossed the judging point around 12.30 am, they expressed outrage that the route had been changed without the bandleaders' knowledge.
But speaking to Guardian Media, San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello explained that the decision to change the route for Monday Night Mas was a cost-effective move taken at the last minute.
Responding to criticisms from bandleaders that the route had been shifted from Harris Promenade to the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts without their knowledge, Regrello said he was not part of the decision-making. However, he explained why the decision was made.
“They shifted from the Promenade because of the lighting towers. It required additional lighting for there and supporting infrastructure and they were saying that you already have a lighting system down here (SAPA). Remember there is a cost (to set up additional lighting)," the Mayor explained.
He added: "Now, you had a judging point here yesterday morning and yesterday during the evening and the night. So, if you have to move back there, the whole lighting infrastructure, there is a cost to it and given the limited funds we have, we tried to make two ends meet. It requires a compromise here and a compromise there."
Told that the final route was not shared with some bands, Regrello said: "The decision was made yesterday around lunchtime and from what I gather, I wasn’t involved."
He said the bands could have easily made their way to SAPA once they realised there was no judging point on the Promenade.
"In any case, if you have five hours to play with, you have more room to play your mas, it's not a case where you are limited, so I see this not as a negative but a positive," he added.
