“We shall not be moved,” is the battle cry from calypsonians, who are at an impasse with the Carnival Development Committee (CDC) over money matters.
The statement came from President of the Calypsonians Association Adelza “Lypstick” Sheridan, who said the fraternity “will just do what we have to do.”
The bump in the road comes after top of the week talks between the association and the CDC ended without either side yielding.
Sheridan said among the issues is the cash prize for the monarch, which at $7,800 is the same sum unplaced contenders received.
“There is no cash value on the crown,” Sheridan said. “And when you look at the costs the calypsonians have to put in, from the beginning of the season to the calypso competition, $7,800 — that’s disrespectful for a monarch prize.”
The calypsonians are also contending that the car, which is donated by a corporate citizen, should have no bearing on a more substantial take for the winner.
Sheridan said her group has no issue with the $24,000 and $21,000 purse for the runners-up.
But, as indicated, the talks got nowhere, and now the association has signalled intent to ramp up their lobby, though Sheridan declined to be specific.
“We have other things in mind but we have decided we are not moving from our grounds; what we have decided upon, when the time is right, we will do what we have to do,” Sheridan said.
All she would say of a timeline is “when the time is in a few days.”
