@ Walkers | November 18, 2011 at 2:05 PM |
Come on, guv’nor! I thought you were the last of the 4 great W’s! What’s wrong with your brain bank? Is your brain bank running out of ideas? Go print some grantley’s to help out with this deficit in the central vortex of public finance. Better yet take a walk up to UWI and visit Sir Frank’s grave where you can take in a panoramic view of the CCB tall building overlooking the pierhead and then you can figure out who “what’s his name” is.

Open Letter to Mikey Hulsmeier and The Empire Strikes Back fb Group

Dear Mikey…..I believe we share a common desire to see the Empire fully restored, however I do have a concern that our respective agendas and intended outcomes for this Sundays meeting may differ. I cannot put at risk or jeopardize the efforts and progress that BEAT Foundation have made to date with respect to our proposal and plans for the Empire Restoration and so I am writing to have your assurances we are on the same page.
I wish to clarify our intention for Sunday and to make very clear our position prior to making any presentation to your invited group. While I respect and admire that you have taken the initiative to create such rapid interest, and now have many people in your group with a desire for action and public awareness with respect to the EMPIRE, I also am ever mindful that the EMPIRE has the potential to quickly become a political football and thus we must proceed cautiously if we are to come together.
First off BEAT must work in a cooperative manner and in partnership with Government if we are ever to get to a YES. As such we (BEAT) are not willing to be a part of any assembly or a gathering that may have the appearance or that could be construed as a protest whether intended or not. Thus I need your assurances there will be a non-political moderator on hand and that no such activity will be allowed to unfold if we are to attend.
BEAT have presented our proposal to Government, and at this time we are fine with being patient for their decision. In fact no decision as yet is actually very good news for our proposal as we continually have the opportunity to strengthen any perceived weaknesses and are taking such actions and critical steps to that end. We (BEAT) are aware of and understand the process that is being undertaken by Government Staff to review these proposals and it is one that in our view is a responsible course of action. Accordingly making a presentation is strictly for informational purposes only and in no way is intended to put pressure, or to encourage the audience to bring pressure to bear on the MINISTERS or on government for a “quick decision”.
Approval of our proposal still remains the Ministers perogative and therefore I cannot state our position any more clearly. BEAT is not pressing for a decision here and we ask that your audience does not press either. Questions from the audience and stating of concerns are great. Sharing of Ideas, generating public awareness and endorsements or provisional pledges of support are great. However pressure or protesting is something we cannot and will not endorse.
Now for the GOOD NEWS!!! Government has granted BEAT permission to utilize the stage at OISTINS every Saturday Night. This is now an opportunity for the creative community to unite and demonstrate that it can come together, to be independent and self directing. The stage at OISTINS provides the perfect opportunity to show that BEAT and the CREATIVE COMMUNITY are aligned, can do something progressive and positive, and thus can demonstrate they are worthy of having the opportunity to restore the EMPIRE. Let us all see OISTINS as a Test we can begin immediately.
In the end my hope is that the EMPIRE will not be used as a political football. My hope is that the EMPIRE is worthy of transcending the notion of being a project of this Party or that Party. My hope is that the Empire may become a beacon of hope and one that will inspire every Politician from every Party to publically support and agree to endorse this initiative. The Empire has the potential to galvanize and unite the entire country. The EMPIRE Rising again will remain a highly visible and symbolic ICON to usher in a new era of revitalization, renewal and prosperity for Barbados.
…therefore our clear agenda in coming this Sunday is not only to share our proposal for the EMPIRE but to also give an opportunity to those who are ready and willing to support the Empire Project to come on board and perhaps help with the Oistins project. Oistins can begin now – while waiting on the Empire decision – and Oistins can be a positive first step forward towards getting to YES for the Empire.
Mikey – I would appreciate your confirmation our agenda is acceptable to you and that we have the same understanding here.
I trust you will understand the need for me to put this into the public domain.
Best Regards – Jim

Walkers | November 18, 2011 at 2:36 PM |

You would be surprised how many “medicated’ fellows are at the top of the food chain! You really feel that these guys in the talk shop operate on their own steam? No need to go public for a fix! Many doctors (along with the pharmaceutical business) see this as a very profitable income stream to keep these public figures running on verbal diarrhea to impress you lot.
Seethru too has moved somewhat away from his liquid medicine to a pill popping approach to politricking. PAC no longer means “public accounts committee” but “pharmaceutical addiction conference”.

The Empire Theatre should be restored by the owner of the building.

It should be leased to a company that will install the required equipment to restore it to its former function as a movie and live show theatre.

The business model must be one that allows for continuous use and maintenance of the building and a good roi.

@ ac

Go back in your political cage.

You think you can scare big people? Wake up my boy, this is a whole new world. You ain’t see that the Empire Strikes Back got the Minister’s attention.

It is clear that someone got to JIM. I must confess that Jim’s blog above was totally unwarranted.

@Hants

You are on the right track. There is the law which gives tax writeoffs for philanthropy on Barbados. The stage is set! Who will step up?

@passin thru

If you have never heard of Mikey then it means you know nothing about the music industry in Barbados. Then again we all know your MO. You are mashing the crease.

@Me Too Is For Responsible Culture Discussion

If not for Mickey the minister would probably not feel contained to bring this matter to the public space.

Secondly while the Empire matter is being used to promote a cause there is also the bigger issue of rallying the artistes in Barbados.

Long overdue!

@ Me Too Is For Responsible Culture Discussion

Perhaps it is the knowledge of how long it takes government to do any thing sometimes. For example FOI and/or integrity legislation.

@Me Too Is For Responsible Culture Discussion

While we are at it let us know if an FB page has to be started to lobby the government when FOI and Integrity Legislation coming.

After all it was promised so you should not need any reminders.

Also what about the culture bond of 50 million.

Do you need a reminder for that as well?

@ passin thru

You’re a class act. Ignorance is bliss.

While BEAT is disclosing their plan put forth to government….the words of this song should be adhered to….later on you can open mouth once mind has been put in gear….let us get some real work done this morning..

♥close♥your♥mouth♥and♥open♥up♥­your♥mind♥

Open Letter to Jim McGowan and The Empire Strikes Back fb Group

Dear Mr. McGowan,

You were given a wonderful opportunity this morning to show the artistic community that your interest in the restoration of the Empire Theatre was genuine. Unfortunately you didn’t take advantage of the opportunity but rather you give into cowardism and have demonstrated that you’re interest may not go beyond a commercial financial interest.

YOU ARE NOW A WALKING TALKING PERFECT EXAMPLE FOR ALL OF US SEE WHY WE CANNOT PUT OUR HERITAGE ASSETS IN THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO WITH LESS THAN GENUINE INTENTIONS.

You went out of your way to solicit the help of the Empire Strikes Back facebook group, it was NOT the other way around. Good luck, I am sure you will need it now more than ever.