Are citizens being heard on property tax issues? A recent statement from the Prime Minister sparked doubt, leaving many wondering about the fairness of property tax implementation in Trinidad and Tobago. One newspaper reported that the Prime Minister said: “The vast majority of people loudly protesting against property tax are people who have property outside of Trinidad and Tobago”. This sweeping statement lacks evidence, leaving citizens questioning its validity and fairness.

For example, a retiree friend got a document about their property’s value, causing them immediate stress about paying taxes with their fixed pension income. This confusion is common; many others misunderstand and discuss selling their property to cover taxes.

The government needs to reassure citizens about the safety of property ownership and explain the fairness of property values to avoid further confusion.

The government must reassure people that their property ownership is safe before tax implementation. They must also clearly explain that property values are fair and will not harm future generations’ inheritance.

The lengthy estate settlement process compounds worries about property tax implications for future generations

Overall, property tax is adding significant stress and financial strain, particularly for the elderly population. While property tax has benefits, the Government should address concerns about fair property values instead of ignoring them.

Ignoring our concerns reinforces the view that the Government is acting like a dictatorship and not listening to its people. This situation reflects a missed opportunity for empathetic and collaborative governance.

This situation reflects a missed opportunity for empathetic and collaborative governance. Actions speak louder than words, and our leaders’ preference for a command and control approach mirrors criminals’ tactics. It is a stark reminder of the need for leadership that prioritizes empathy, collaboration, and transparency in addressing citizens’ concerns.

The echoes of colonial suppression resonate in the current debate over how to change the language of Trinibad music.

This move towards condemning and/or censoring mirrors the tactics employed by our former colonial rulers, stifling artistic expression under the guise of societal order. Genres like rap, hip-hop, and reggae have all faced similar censorship, yet they have endured as powerful forms of resistance and cultural expression.

While proponents of some form of condemning argue that it is necessary to curb violent behaviour, research suggests the root causes of violence lie deeper within our social structures.

The aggressive and misogynistic rhetoric of our leaders reflects a troubling attitude toward our citizens, but outlawing Trinibad music fails to address these underlying issues.

It is essentially sweeping the dust under the carpet so that everything appears clean so long as the dust under the carpet doesn’t grow into large piles.

The Trinibad genre, like other art forms, is the canary in the coal mine that is our society, letting us know there is flammable gas gathering, and we have to be careful not to cause any sparks.

Studies indicate the environment in which individuals grow up-including their homes, schools, neighbourhoods, and interactions with law enforcement-plays a pivotal role in shaping behaviour. Simply condemning a musical genre overlooks the systemic injustices that perpetuate violence and inequality.

If someone is injured, they cry out. Telling them to be silent so that we can be comfortable is a cruel and potentially dangerous thing to do. The cry of pain will emerge in some other form; history has shown us this repeatedly.

Instead of replicating the tactics of our colonial oppressors, we must strive towards a more collaborative and inclusive approach. This requires a shift away from autocratic leadership towards accountability, dialogue, and, more importantly, curative action.

We need to remember the language used by leadership is a powerful tool that can shape attitudes, behaviours, and perceptions within society. Leaders have a responsibility to use their words wisely and responsibly.

Consider, if you will, the language of our prime minister regarding women. He used the term ‘jammetry’; he said ‘a woman must be groomed like a golf course’ and suggested that to avoid violence, women must ‘choose your men wisely’.

As we approach another celebration of International Women’s Day, I hope our leaders who are our role models will embrace the theme of ‘Inspire Inclusion’ and move away from the autocratic style of leadership that now prevails, and include and engage more women in the decision-making process. If we foster a culture of respect, empathy, and inclusivity, all genders and all creatives will help create a more harmonious and equitable society.

I have sat in wedding ceremonies with my eyes filled with tears and my heart feeling heavy especially when the priest says: “Till death do us part”.  

Marriage is a wonderful hope expressing a profound commitment, a declaration of enduring love and loyalty. Yet one must pause and ponder: is this sentiment truly realistic?

The journey toward a successful marriage requires mutual understanding, patience, tolerance, and acceptance. Couples must acknowledge that they cannot satisfy each other’s every need. Instead, they must strive for a balance, recognizing each other’s uniqueness and limitations.  The cornerstone of a lasting union requires an understanding of each other’s complexities and even resolving conflicts equitably. If we are to succeed at marriage, or indeed life in general, these mental survival tools must be taught to our children from toddlerhood to teens, and even beyond.

Setting clear and agreed-upon rules becomes extremely important. These guidelines provide a framework for communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution. With shared expectations and boundaries, couples can navigate challenges more effectively, fostering a harmonious partnership.

Yet, despite the best intentions, marriages can still encounter difficulties. Years of struggle and silent pain need not be the norm. Open communication, empathy, and a willingness to seek help when needed can prevent unnecessary suffering. Whether through couples therapy, marriage counselling, or personal reflection, addressing issues early can prevent them from festering and causing irreparable damage.  Often, couples need to ask the question: is the  argument more important than the relationship? 

Marriage is a journey filled with challenges and rewards. It requires commitment, effort, and a readiness to adapt and grow together. Marriages will withstand the test of time if these principles are embraced, and there is a commitment to enrich each other’s lives. As we navigate the complexities of marriage, let us remember that small changes can yield big rewards, and with dedication and understanding, “till death do us part” can indeed be a realistic promise.

Massy announced the early retirement of Gervase Warner in a well-designed newspaper advertisement and showed the transition to a new CEO.  It attempted to portray the transition as part of a positive corporate strategy aimed at maintaining normalcy.  From a corporate communication viewpoint, well done!  From a common-sense point of view, the early retirement of Gervase Warner raises questions about the situation within Massy and the implications for its future. 

Less than 8 weeks ago, Massy’s former executive Vice President of business integrity and group general counsel used the Annual General Meeting to voice concerns about the company’s executive leadership programme. The subsequent launch of an investigation into her claims, followed swiftly by her resignation makes it even more concerning.

This sequence of corporate goings-on brings to question the role of the Chairman of the Board.  Should the Chairman be providing a more transparent approach to what is happening behind the scenes?  Perhaps overseeing the investigation into the allegations and ensuring accountability within the company’s executive ranks?  Should he be reforming the systems, processes, and procedures to protect the company from a future recurrence of this predicament? Or should the Chairman follow Gervase Warner and move away from a situation that occurred under his leadership?

Massy has an opportunity to use this moment for transformation and restructuring. By acknowledging and addressing the concerns raised by the former executive, the company can demonstrate a commitment to accountability and ethical leadership. This could involve reassessing its corporate culture, improving governance practices, and reevaluating its executive leadership development programs.

As major shareholders, we the taxpayers deserve to be informed about company developments. Massy should prioritize transparency and communication with shareholders, providing regular updates on the status of this investigation and any actions taken in response to its findings. Open dialogue with shareholders can help rebuild trust and confidence in the company’s leadership.

The early departure of Gervase Warner and the events surrounding it highlights the need for scrutiny of corporate governance practices within Massy.     The company must seize this opportunity to address underlying issues and chart a course toward greater transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability. 

Does the current Chairman have the credibility and trust to lead this transformation?

In 2015, Adrian Winter showed up in our country as Advisor to the Honourable Minister of Tourism.  The public then saw him move to Coordinator of the Traffic Enforcement Centre of the Ministry of Works and Transport and then a sudden ascension to the post of CEO of the National Self Help Commission.  Today he holds the esteemed position of CEO at Trinidad and Tobago Television Limited (TTT).

Winter’s transition to the leadership of TTT raises questions about the alignment of his background with the demands of leading a television station. The move follows the tenure of David Roberts, who served as CEO for approximately two and a half years before transitioning to another public service role within the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). Notably, previous CEOs of TTT, such as Ken Ali, Wendell Constantin, and Lisa Wickham, boasted backgrounds rich in both media experience and leadership.

Trinidad and Tobago Television Limited encompasses a broadcast media facility that includes its flagship free-to-air television station and three FM radio stations. Given the historical trend of TTT CEOs with a background in media and leadership, Winter’s appointment prompts scrutiny regarding the strategic rationale behind appointing a former political advisor to such a pivotal role.

The looming question revolves around Winter’s readiness for the responsibilities and challenges associated with leading a television station. Will he bring a nuanced understanding of the media landscape, or will he be perceived as a mere “yes man” in the lead-up to the 2025 general elections? As the CEO, Winter’s role extends beyond traditional media management to influencing the station’s strategic direction, programming decisions, and overall impact on the public. Observers are keen to understand how his background and experience will shape TTT’s trajectory and contributions to the media landscape in Trinidad and Tobago.

Good luck Mr. Winter!  If you wish to prevent this appointment from becoming the winter of your professional career perhaps you could articulate a vision for TTT and go after the low hanging fruit.  For example, upgrading the correct use of grammar and pronunciation.  Just a few days ago Neil Guisseppi (former head of News at TTT) posted on fb … “A note to the announcers at the pan semi-finals. The word is ORchestra not orCHESTra”.

Farmer Nappy’s “Chippin down de road” song comes to mind when I think about couples and their disagreements.  He sings “I chippin’ down de road with meh own woman.”  One way for couples to agree or minimize their disagreements is to take on board chipping down the road with their own partner.

The vibe of “chippin down de road” can be a vibe of collaborating, understanding, and having mutual respect.  Couples chippin down the road, are gracefully moving together, and are unlikely to be in conflict.  It is difficult to chip down the road with someone unless you synchronize with them.

Couples counselors have used the analogy of dance for couples to find the middle ground while not compromising their own values.  It has been used to synchronize movement where two persons learn to navigate the steps of disagreement in harmony. In a dance, effective communication is the essential music that guides the couple through the routine and each partner takes a turn leading and following, expressing their perspectives with grace and openness.

The analogy of dance emphasizes the importance of collaboration. Like dancers who must synchronize their steps to create a seamless performance, couples must work together to find common ground. This involves active listening, where each partner acknowledges and respects the other’s feelings and viewpoints. It’s a dance of vulnerability, where both individuals expose their true selves, allowing the relationship to deepen and strengthen.

Mutual respect is the elegant twirl that elevates the dance. Recognizing and valuing each other’s uniqueness, opinions, and emotions fosters an environment of trust and understanding. As our Carnival journey unfolds, let’s work on “chippin down de road” as an opportunity to strengthen our relationships, collaborate with our partners, and strengthen our bonds.  Happy Couples Carnival to all!

Jahllano … Medz Boss … Tafari  … Congratulations if you know any of these names because they are some of the global trending performers in Trinibad music.  You may not like their lyrical content nor their messaging but the Trinibad music genre is a true reflection of our environment. Trinibad is related to dancehall music, and the reality is that the artists often attract millions of views and comments on YouTube. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K3q9Qj04cc&ab_channel=PunzEntertainment

A person’s creative expression is influenced by their surroundings, experiences, culture, and their interactions at all levels. In the same way a plant bends toward the light, and even at night, you can see the bend in the stalk and know which way the light will fall during the day, you can listen to these artists and sense their struggles caused by their environment. 
Cementing his position as belonging to the 14th century, the Prime Minister threatened to ban Trinibad music some time ago; a decree which in today’s world is completely unenforceable.  Fortunately, he seems to have moved away from that kind of thinking because if you want to add fuel to the flame, banning would certainly have done so. 

Another attempt at de-emphasizing the music was Minister Ayanna Webster Roy’s recent glaringly tone-deaf request to Trinibad musicians to be more positive in their creations.  
Like it or not, Trinibad music reflects the reality of our society.  If we want to change Trinibad music we have to change the environmental experiences of our people.  Such environmental transformations will occur neither overnight, nor by command. 
What is needed is a strategy to grow Trinibad, but the development of such a strategy means thinking far out of the box and requires identification of a strategic thinker with an interest in the positive development of our country.  If that strategic thinker was inspired to move from strategy to action, they would focus on changing the social environment and creating opportunities for collaborations, and conversations to introduce new ideas and perspectives fostering creative thinking. If that strategic thinker understood the potential future of Trinibad music, they would take action to ensure that our education system was restructured to improve student outcomes, whether academic or otherwise. That strategic thinker would invest time and resources into helping us understand the historical context of our country. The creation of our steelband industry is based on how we reacted to our cultural and historical realities. Trinibad music will continue to rise in popularity because it incorporates local slang, soca, chutney, calypso, and dancehall beats while reflecting the anger, anxiety, and violence which is our current reality.  A strategic thinker would recognize Trinibad music as a litmus indicator and create an action plan to help our society navigate our dismal reality and emerge as a re-energized people of fun and enjoyment.  

Trinidad and Tobago, the time is now for us to pivot towards the development of the creative industries. This means exploiting the interplay between ‘human creativity, intellectual property, knowledge, and technology’ to diversify our economy. Trinibad can help us. 

In traditional marriage ceremonies, the Priest says that the two shall become one but never gives a timeframe.  This journey to becoming one is often marred with differences and conflict.  A successful marriage requires that you answer the following 4 questions:

1. What are our shared goals?
2. What will our sex life look like?
3. Are we interested in parenting?
4. How will we manage our money?

Shared Goals
The early establishment of shared goals can create excitement and purpose as the marriage journey unfolds.  These shared goals not only guide the couple’s path but also foster excitement for a future built together.

Sex Life
Equally vital is open communication about sexual preferences, frequency, and boundaries.  Too often couples are embarrassed to talk through the details of how their sexual activities will unfold and this can negatively impact their need for intimacy.

Parenting
Parenting should never occur as an accident.  Bringing a human into the world is so important that it requires a deep discussion to ensure that the couple is aligned on the number of children, the timing, and even the approach to discipline and development.

Finance
Goal setting, sexual preferences, and parenting will only be successful if there is a meaningful discussion about financial compatibility.  Couples should openly discuss spending habits, savings, and financial goals, even if it results in maintaining separate accounts. Transparency becomes the bedrock, avoiding secret accounts and preserving trust. Honest communication ensures a clear understanding of how money will be spent and saved.

Becoming One
Understanding and addressing these aspects early on will create a solid, unified foundation for a successful long-term relationship. Failure to engage in these discussions may lead to future conflicts, separation, or divorce. It is crucial for couples to openly communicate and find common ground in these key areas to build a resilient and enduring relationship.

Author: Dennise Demming, MSc, MBA
Wellness Therapist, Communications Coach, Speaker
868 761 9426

The money you work for, taken from you by way of taxes, is being used for strange things. Would you approve using scarce foreign exchange for a management programme which allegedly includes training employees to communicate with the dead and self-heal with ‘white light energy’?

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GOTT) is a shareholder in multiple companies and conglomerates, which means the money they have taken from us is being invested in companies that may not be handling their resources transparently.

One example is the Parisot-Potter/Massy Holding issue which led to her resignation as Executive Vice President of Business Integrity and Group General Counsel.  Her resignation may have closed the door on Massy’s opportunity to investigate her allegations, but it does not end the matter. This case extends far beyond Angelique Parisot-Potter and is a powerful reminder of the systemic changes required to begin building a society founded on trust, integrity, and transparency.  Both private and public sector organizations should see it as a prompt to re-evaluate several issues, from the selection of service providers to the allocation of the use of foreign exchange.

The Parisot-Potter/Massy Holding issue can be viewed as a rallying cry which highlights the urgent need to change the way we work in both public and government sectors. We must put procedures in place that have built-in checks and balances to ensure that no chain of events can occur that can’t be later examined in detail. Every step of every procurement must be traceable, with clear evidence of how money or other resources are spent.

The (GOTT), as a major shareholder in Massy Holdings should be interested in the levels of accountability and transparency which are implemented in the organization.  To be clear: GOTT shareholding means citizen shareholding, making it necessary for citizens to understand what happened with Parisot-Potter and what were the key learnings. It is the money of citizens that is possibly being misspent.

Regulatory bodies and government institutions play a pivotal role in this process, establishing and enforcing stringent guidelines that hold organizations accountable for their actions. Companies, too, must proactively adopt ethical standards, conduct regular audits, and engage in responsible business processes.

Calling for a reset goes beyond mere rhetoric; it demands concrete actions and practices. Collaboration between the public and private sectors becomes paramount, to foster a shared commitment to rebuilding a society founded on trust, integrity, and transparency.