There will be many kudos printed about Ken Valley, the minister, the dedicated PNMite, the people's man, the author of the success of the best of the PNM years. But what about Ken who could practically lock down Glencoe with his backyard fetes? For many visitors from all corners of the world, arriving in time to attend a Valley fete was the highlight of the Carnival season. Ticket orders were not for only two, you ordered 20 at a time, early o'clock, or you did not get in the front gate. Parking was at a premium. The fete-goers accepted that sometimes you had to park two miles from Ken's residence. It was a PNM fundraiser par excellence as well as the yardstick by which you measured how good your personal Carnival was going to turn out.
Security was tight because the Prime Minister and his entourage were in attendance. The only complaint was that you could hardly jump up in the "wall-to-wall" crowd. But the behaviour of patrons was exemplary. I cannot remember anybody complaining about anything besides somebody "dancing" on your foot or the long wait at the bar. With no overheads for renting a venue, tickets were cheap and you paid for the excellent food catered by some of his constituents. Ken, year after year, threw the cheapest and best organised fete in town.
If there is any equation of Valley among Carnival personalities, think of George Bailey and Minshall. When he stopped giving his fete it was like when Minshall exited the Dimanche Gras arena. The nation has not only lost a supreme politician, we have lost some of the flavour of what is part and parcel of being a true Trini to de bone. To steal a line from Frank Sinatra, don't cry for Ken. He had very few regrets, he lived his life and he did it his way.
Lynette Joseph
Via e-mail