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Local musician stages protest @ TPP

- David G. Smith said he has not been allowed to play @ TPP since current tourist season opened
David G. Smith alleges that he has not been allowed to play music at the Tortola Pier Park since the current tourist season opened. Photo: VINO
Police were on the scene talking to Mr David G. Smith and advising him to take his protest outside of the premises or face the law. However, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works Anthony S. McMaster invited Smith to a meeting at his office today at 2:00 pm where it is hoped that the issue could be thrashed out. Photo: VINO
Police were on the scene talking to Mr David G. Smith and advising him to take his protest outside of the premises or face the law. However, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works Anthony S. McMaster invited Smith to a meeting at his office today at 2:00 pm where it is hoped that the issue could be thrashed out. Photo: VINO
Mr David G. Smith said he has been providing musical entertainment at the cruise pier for the past 16 years. He said he mounted a protest today March 2, 2016 at Tortola Pier Park because he is allegedly not being allowed to play his music there. Photo: VINO
Mr David G. Smith said he has been providing musical entertainment at the cruise pier for the past 16 years. He said he mounted a protest today March 2, 2016 at Tortola Pier Park because he is allegedly not being allowed to play his music there. Photo: VINO
According to Mr Smith, the person in charge of the scheduling is picking and choosing who to play at the Tortola Pier Park, which has seen him unable to play there for the new tourist season. Photo: VINO
According to Mr Smith, the person in charge of the scheduling is picking and choosing who to play at the Tortola Pier Park, which has seen him unable to play there for the new tourist season. Photo: VINO
WICKHAM’S CAY I, Tortola, VI – A local musician, who said he has been providing musical entertainment at the cruise pier for the past 16 years, mounted a protest today March 2, 2016 at Tortola Pier Park, saying he is not being allowed to play his music there.

David G. Smith alleges that he has not been allowed to work since the current tourist season opened.

According to Smith, the person in charge of the scheduling is picking and choosing who to play.

“They do this knowing very well that I have been doing this for 16 and a half years,” said Smith, speaking with this news site.

“Sometimes I play for free for my country but these new people in this pier park situation have decided that they will take my rights and rule supreme over me right here in the workplace,” he said.

He believes the treatment meted out to him shows that the person or persons in charge have no regard for the contribution he has made to his country.

Police were on the scene talking to Smith and advising him to take his protest outside of the premises or face the law.

However, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Works Anthony S. McMaster invited Smith to a meeting at his office today at 2:00 pm where it is hoped that the issue could be thrashed out.

According to Leasing and Marketing Manager of Tortola Pier Park Limited, Ms Meslyn M. Allan, the Tortola Pier Park is an equal opportunity employer and that Smith was being unreasonable in his requests.

“We have an equal opportunity policy whereby when persons apply to be a part of our entertainment programme we allow them to do so. But we provide documents in relation to our schedule which they have to sign,” she said.

“As for the person today, they were on our entertainment schedule but they became a bit unreasonable as it related to their requests so the Ministry is taking charge and dealing with that situation,” said Allan.

It is not clear what "requests" Mr Smith was reportedly making to Tortola Pier Park.

39 Responses to “Local musician stages protest @ TPP”

  • sahameful (02/03/2016, 12:54) Like (22) Dislike (5) Reply
    There will be many more protsesting. You can only oppress a man for so long!
  • wize up (02/03/2016, 12:55) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
    well sa!!! what is the purpose of development if VI Landers can not share in such development... this is really funny ( my question does anyone really care)....
  • Well (02/03/2016, 13:04) Like (16) Dislike (5) Reply
    An example of myopic enitlemeneint mentality personified.
    • ***** (02/03/2016, 21:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      " myopic entitlement mentality personified"..…....translation,please somebody!
      • wize up (03/03/2016, 07:34) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ ***** just another fool living in paradise: every other country in this world looks out for their citzens: some among us think when the VI Landers make certain statements because them from here they are looking handouts but the devil will always be a liar...every other country in this world give priority to its citzens but the citzens of the territory must sit down and shut up because when you open your mouth some in this territory begins the entitlement stupid talk..
  • Curious (02/03/2016, 13:05) Like (28) Dislike (2) Reply
    That man have been playing music there for the tourist for years, as soon as they reopened the dock earlier last year, with out corresponding with the man they brought their friend to play music there for a salary and just threw the guy aside. .....that's where the man have been making a living for years. Ģive the dammm man a chance let him earn a living and stop being unfair to him........
    • SUSS (03/03/2016, 07:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      them old people here is from way back when and Reginald smith alas superway the old man and the donkey well he knock out now ayu wise them man da a from foundation them start the way
  • ... (02/03/2016, 13:20) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    Guess he didn't support NDP at the last elections.
    • shutup (02/03/2016, 15:06) Like (3) Dislike (24) Reply
      everything for ayo is NDP NDP, if you don't wipe your ____ is that NDP's fault too? Get a life for Peter John and Paul's sake.
      • Trafalgar Law (02/03/2016, 15:22) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply

        YES IT'S THEIR FAULT! I COULDN'T WIPE MY BA*PSIE BECAUSE THEY RAISE THE TAX ON THE TOILET PAPER IN THE STORE!

        • M&MS (03/03/2016, 02:19) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
          Well if you could not afford toilet paper because they raise taxes on toilet paper, I'm quite sure a wet paper bag would work just as well.
  • foxy (02/03/2016, 13:22) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Poor we locals
  • Slim Jim (02/03/2016, 14:14) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Job at Road Town Police station, zumba music to get those fat officers slim.
    • ABC (02/03/2016, 16:44) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      Slim john this is a serious issue.If you don't have anything positive to contribute close your trap. This man is a local who has played over there for a long time. Why throw him out now? Some of the persons who are now playing over there are I hate to use this word......outsiders. Let him make some money too!!!!
  • +++ (02/03/2016, 14:21) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    loyalty out the window. Anyone remember the original Nature Boy who was the ambassador for tourists with his music and dancing? He included everyone and made people happy and didn't charge. Look at TPP. the architecture might as well be Fish Bay.
  • as far as i see (02/03/2016, 14:35) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope when he goes to that meeting he does not sell out stand out and speak out!
  • musician too (02/03/2016, 15:04) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    someones are going to have 'coconut grove' played on their heads...
  • Well Sah (02/03/2016, 15:10) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    No wonder myron said and i quote "we can no longer pass laws protect locals"
  • Walter (02/03/2016, 15:33) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Get up stand up for your rights. A one man protest just like Lloyd. Many will benefit even the unpaid musicians.
  • Woe B (02/03/2016, 16:06) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    Women in charge all they do is destroy. Look around its obvious. Out festival. On and on and on..They do things to get attention and man. They need to leave the daxxmn man alone.
    • WOWWWW (03/03/2016, 02:08) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
      Women in charge destroy? Who destroy more than men. Can't take it when a woman is in charge. And buy the way, a woman don't have to be in charge to get a man and attention. Also, a woman don't need a man for anything. Not even for you know what.


    • (03/03/2016, 14:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You Male Chovonist P..
  • Right to protest (02/03/2016, 16:09) Like (21) Dislike (4) Reply
    Is the BVI pier park private property? If not then why is police interfering with the man..if its not private property the man has a right to protest he is not troubling anyone.
  • bb (02/03/2016, 17:57) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The lil people catching hell under thos gang
  • Full Moon (02/03/2016, 18:04) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    The entitlement virus or perhaps the dependency is an anomaly in these VI. From lil Dix to the Government to the street musician .
    no one wants to accept that they are not entitled when bossman says go!
    Folks,become your boss so that you would be the one to fire de wuk instead of you begging to remain on the plantation.
    Either that or muster a lil pride and run with your freedom towards new horizons.
    • @Full Moon (03/03/2016, 10:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      When you're your own boss, you still can't print legal money, so you still have to work for money and invest it, so if you are not paid for your services or get a return on your investment, where are you?
  • Budhoie (02/03/2016, 18:13) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    Obstructing order and the economy is a crime and as such he is a public nuisance.
    • Shame on Budhoie. (03/03/2016, 02:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ budhoie. You calling the man a public nuisance. The man is obviously talented and the man has rights like all of us we need to stand up for our rights. Shame on u budhoie. Seems like u getting personal.. U and the authorities are more a nuisance than the man is.
    • Curious (03/03/2016, 06:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Budhole, you're a real budhole, who feels it knows it , and the man wasn't in no one way, get your facts together .....in fact mind your own business, it will serve you better.
      • Budhoe (03/03/2016, 12:43) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        This man paid with taxpayers dollars for sixteeen and more years and wanting to continue is definitely my business. The place just open up and he is there creating negativity with the intent of hurting revenue at the Pier. He is most definitely a nuisance. What would you think if a ast occupant ...tent city.....was on site demanding to set up shop because he had a tent there for decades...this is a new owner and a new day and new requirements .Either he fall in line or remove himself and make room.
    • hi (04/03/2016, 11:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      By. Definition,the mand has made himself a public nuisance .,He is also making it bad for other musicians.
      Bottom line is ,the park needs no musicians,nonbe whatsoever.
  • KITTITIAN (02/03/2016, 21:37) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Did anyone sat with Mr, Smith or offered to sit with him prior to the opening of TPP, and simply explained to him, that TPP is a corporation or government managed entity, designed to promote the BVI as an organized cruise ship destination, hence all activities or operation at same, have to be scheduled through its management office, and that such schedule is shared with cruise lines and passengers, so they do not feel mobbed by different person offering service etc? If it was not done, it should have been and he is owed an apology! This should be an entitlement for natives especially one who is well known to have plied his trade unfettered for years without hindrance!
  • vex (02/03/2016, 22:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    --- the TPP stated its decision was based on “sound, clear and competent legal advice” what damm equal employmnet with a St. Lician heading up the place?
  • Lilly (02/03/2016, 22:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can mr smith play good music.
  • Hey there (03/03/2016, 09:06) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    To those who may not know the full extent of the situation, its more than what you think. Mr. Smith should have provided the schedule that he was given that shows the dates he would be playing. Mr Smith should also tell the media about how he feels entitled to do what he wants because he claims that he had been there for 16 years. Mr Smith should also relay how he wants to set the schedule as to who plays, where and when.. When you try to create structure and give everybody a chance, those that FEEL Entitled because somebody tell them to do so, dont care what advancements or ideas you have.
  • Bushmaster (03/03/2016, 20:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    All for a little mess of pottage from the treasury


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