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Opinion #2:
Phase II Not Moving 02.19.06
Phase II has a definite case which can be won easily in the courts of T&T. The City Council knows this, and the HCL developer knows this. It is not that Phase II wanted to disobey and stay on “state lands”. Phase II readily complied and negotiated with HCL to relocate. In their negotiations one thing was agreed upon and a completely other thing developed.
In comparison to the size of the area of Phase II and Starlift new yards on the same location, Starlift has by far bigger land space and is adequate for a big band to hold concerts in their yard and store their pans. It is very perfect and ideal. When one looks at the yard space given to Phase II it is very small and fenced with steel links. It has as its very close neighbors, a dog pound and City Council with its smelly rubbish trucks. Together the two neighbors produce a sick smell of decay. These two neighbors were never agreed upon by Phase II. The size of the land space also was not agreed upon.
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Phase II Pan Groove on
stage for the 2006 Steelband Panorama Semi-Finals in Trinidad |
It was agreed that a size and area similar to Starlift was to be given. Instead between HCL and City Council - they lied to Phase II. A court would agree on this almost immediately. So HCL and City Council are hoping that they frighten Phase II out of their present location. Also, because of the time spent on the state lands, Phase II also has to be compensated financially as well as getting a new location, in order for them to move out. Why compensated? Because if they were not there, the land would be big bushes with snakes in them or vagrants and drug addicts would have lived there. Phase II spent monies up-keeping the state lands, and thus giving it real estate value, so that HCL would later desire it for their high-rise homes. Phase II knows all this and therefore they refuse to move out to go to a smelly and small tract of land off the Audrey Jeffers Highway.
Really, the move out of Phase II's current yard is at least a 10 million TT $ move. HCL knows this because of what they wish to place there. But HCL is hoping that Phase II executives and Len Boogsie Sharpe are darn fools. But they are not, they are all well informed persons because Phase II fans boast some of the country’s finest society persons made up of businessmen, lawyers, accountants etc. So let’s see who can reach where first.
Phase II will not move without a proper location and adequate space and housing for their millions of dollars worth of proprietary right, music and pans over the thirty-two years they are on that lovely spot, produced for the people of T&T. Phase II is most likely the most valuable steelband in terms of their fan base. Phase II is a culmination of the famous Western sound of steel. Phase II is a chip off the old block but with a sexy groove instead of violence. It never was involved in a pan fight with another band. It is a crack-shot steel band loved by other steel bands and started by pan’s genius arranger Len Boogsie Sharpe, a child star born in the yard of Symphonettes Steel band. Therefore, as a going concern it has tremendous value.
Do you see where the 10 million TT$ price tag for moving lies? That isn’t any large sum for CL Financial. That’s only $1,587,301 US dollars. Chick feed. HCL knows this. Phase II will stay on the present land or HCL will have to build something of value there for them. That is the true settlement. Ultimately, the high-rise apartments will be very sexy apartments with the Phase on the ground floor all sound-proofed and air conditioned and with cool bar for weekend limes with pan music. Why not? It can be built right there. If HCL touches one pan of Phase II, they will be drawn into a long legal battle which will at the end cost them more than the 10 million TT dollars. So come on HCL, build the sound-proofed steel band center and bar right there. Folks living in the high rise won’t hear a thing in there, and they can slip across on weekends to lime and have a drink while listening to pan music. This will set the stage - 21st century pan centers - you darn fools HCL. Can you not see this?
Steve. T- WMPC Riff
Jammz jazzy panz designer.
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