Cheryl here. Chaguanas. I had to put down my phone three times before I could write this today.

THAT LITTLE GIRL AT PIGEON POINT

I cannot. I cannot. Seven years old. Her name was Angelica. Her mother brought her to the beach on a Wednesday. A Wednesday! A normal family Wednesday at Pigeon Point, which is supposed to be one of the nicest beaches in all of Tobago, and a jet ski come and take that child’s life.

I have been to Pigeon Point. I have brought my nieces to Pigeon Point. Every time I am there I watch those jet skis and I wonder who is regulating what and when and whether anyone is in charge of the distance these things must keep from swimmers. Apparently the answer is: not enough people, not strictly enough, not on that day.

Farley Augustine is thinking about a ban. Think faster, Farley. The Maritime Association wants legislation. Pass it. Nobody needs to study this for six months. A seven-year-old is dead at a beach that charges an entrance fee. That entrance fee implies a standard of safety. The standard was not met. Everything else is details.

KAMLA GOING TO CARACAS!

Okay I will be honest. When I heard this I felt something. Because you know what? T&T needs that Dragon gas. We have been going around and around with Venezuela for years about those cross-border resources and the previous government was so careful, so careful, tip-toeing around the recognition question, and all the while Kamla is now just — delegation, Caracas, just share. That is the energy I appreciate. Direct. Purposeful. Bring back the gas.

The Venezuela situation is complicated, yes. The political transition in January was not without controversy. But T&T’s relationship with Venezuela is about geography more than ideology. We share a sea. We share resources. We need to share an agreement. Go, Kamla. Bring something back.

SIX FIRE TENDERS!

Did you see those tenders? Six of them! Brand new! The fire service in Penal has been working with whatever they had for so long that when I saw the photos I actually felt emotional. These are the people who go into burning buildings when everyone else is running out, and we have been sending them to do that in vehicles that were older than their children. $69 million. Worth every cent. The PM was there for the handover and she should be — this is the kind of governance that doesn’t make headlines but keeps people alive.

THE SEAN SOBERS SEASICKNESS DRAMA

Look. I am going to be charitable. Ralph Gonsalves is a man who has been in Caribbean politics for forty years and he knows exactly what he is doing when he says a minister missed a retreat because of seasickness. He is not reporting a medical condition. He is making a point about T&T’s participation in regional diplomacy. Sobers called it a “big bold lie.” That is a strong phrase. One of them is wrong. Caribbean politics is very small and they will be in the same room again soon. That conversation will be interesting.

POINT FORTIN CANNOT AFFORD ITS OWN BIRTHDAY PARTY

The Borough Day situation in Point Fortin is genuinely sad. These aldermen are working hard to celebrate their community and the money is not there while the MP is apparently having events that are being facilitated just fine. I understand about constituency funds and government support and all of that. But Borough Day is Borough Day. Give Point Fortin its party. Let the community celebrate itself. Is that too much?

Auntie Cheryl is satire. Her feelings about Angelica Jogie are not.