Luce Hodge-Smith & Melville Lettsome lambasted in 2013 Festival report!
It was on Thursday September 25, 2014 at the Tenth Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly (HoA) that Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn laid on the Table the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee 2013 Annual Report.
In fact because of his absence from Parliament on Thursday, the report was presented on Hon Walwyn’s behalf by Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool.
Festival Secretary - Director of Culture disconnected & tardy
The report on page 12 lambasted the Director of Culture Luce Hodge-Smith who acts as the Festival and Fairs Committee Secretary who took over in 2013 from the former Acting Director of Culture Brenda Lettsome-Tye.
According to the report now a public document “there seems to be a disconnection when the Secretary was changed from the Acting Director of Culture back to the Director of Culture. The transition did not work out as smooth and efficient as we would have liked.”
The report went on to claim “many Committee members expressed their dissatisfaction with the tardy manner in which request were handled. For example, records and files that were requested from the previous year were slow in coming and some members had to resort to creating templates from scratch” the reported concluded.
Director of Culture Ms. Hodge-Smith could not be reached for comments as of post time.
Department of Culture’s role in Festival only when asked?
The report stated that it appeared that the role of the Department of Culture became less defined regarding its purpose, involvement and role for Festival. The conclusion was made that the Department of Culture only got involved when they were asked. It should be made clear of the function of the Department regarding Festival as the committee relies heavily on the Department for the success of Festival, the report states.
Chairman of the Festival and Fairs Committee Mr. Marvin 'MB' Blyden said in the report that “I strongly believe that the VI Festivals and Fairs Committee is to be operated year round and manned by personnel of the Department of Culture who will be able to share and receive information pertaining to Festival”.
Treasurer Melville Lettsome avoiding committee members
The report also went after the Festival Committee Treasurer Mr. Melville Lettsome. On page 12 it said; “during many instances, many of the committee members as well as Sub-committee chairs felt it was almost impossible to get in contact with the Treasurer. Several Sub-Committee members complained of not being able to get answers regarding funds for their outstanding bills”.
In lashing out at the Treasurer Mr. Lettsome the report stated that “Sub-committee Chairs became increasingly frustrated when they had to resubmit invoices on numerous occasions via Email and hard copy. They felt that the Treasurer was avoiding them intentionally when they had queries about the availability of funds”.
The 2013 Festival report on page 13 stated that “the committee was extremely frustrated by the tardy submission of the Treasurer’s financial report”.
According to the report it was suggested to the Treasurer that he utilize accounting software that would allow ease of the large amount of paperwork; accurate reporting of outstanding bills; and cash balances availability.
Mr. Lettsome in his defense said in the report that he was still receiving bills from the Festival activities and as such an accurate report could not be submitted.
Who to blame?
Since becoming Chairman of the Festival and Fairs Committee following the 2011 general elections Mr. Blyden’s Committee continues to be controversial with some scathing reports throwing everyone under the bus and avoiding the responsibility and interference of the Minister for Culture Myron V. Walwyn.
Many Festival committee members over the three years have told our news room that the biggest challenge is the Minister who allegedly continues to micro-manage the Festival Committee.
Further they stated that the second challenge is lack of funds to carry out the Festival's mandate and activities.
Some have called for the resignation of the Festival Committee Chairman Mr. Blyden including entertainer, businessman and Showtime Band Leader Eustace ‘Boss’ Freeman.
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27 Responses to “Luce Hodge-Smith & Melville Lettsome lambasted in 2013 Festival report!”
M. and my..n always looking for ah fall guy!
The Festival and Fairs organization is trouble. In the best interest of the committee and the territory, it is best if Marvin resign. He can no longer lead the organization. One cannot just be a leader on paper. A leader must have a guiding philosophy, set expectations, provide resources, provide organizational guidance and structure.....etc.
As for the treasurer, please clear the air, something is fishy.
Myron no different as far as festival is concerned..
Then he must come n say GGood Job MB..
cause he ain going paint his own face with dirt,.
Busy using others to cover their own Folly..,
The time has come tho.
Yall going see a new beginning as it is written.,,
N Nobody want to see some of them ppl.
They can find time to be pointing fingers but for yrs cant find time to treat their own ppl will respect,
Owing them monies,disrespect them at the festival gates,,treat them like they're nobody,
while every outsider always come n leave good "with all the monies"..,
Get them corrupted ppl out of here. #Time for a new