Old Road, St. Kitts, September 4, 2018 – Declaring “Next election it will be Steve Wrensford for sure in number 4,” the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party constituents were presented with a candidate regarded as a father, humanitarian, sports and community organiser.
In presenting the Middle Island-born next Labour Party candidate, his sister Dr. Glenda Wrensford noted that Mr. Wrensford has always resided in St. Christopher 4 except for the period January 1986 to April 1996 when he resided in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands.
She said Steve attended the St. Paul’s All Age, the Verchild’s All Age, Basseterre Junior High School, was a substitute teacher at Sandy Point Primary School, worked briefly at the electricity department, NACO in 1974 where he worked until 1985 when he was terminated by then Deputy Prime Minister Michael Oliver Powell of the PAM/NRP government for exercising his right to freedom of speech and freedom of association.
Known as an organiser, Wrensford was the brain child of the MI City Festival “in which he invested his heart, finances, and sweat equity to ensure the community received a quality event.”
“The MI City Festival has been the only community festival to boast of producing a father and two sons in the same calypso competition in the federation. One of those sons has gone on to become the famous Mr. World of Small Axe fame. Even Small Axe which evolved from Vibrational Roots gained their foothold via the festival by playing alongside GI Brass International and Ellie Matt and the GI Brass,” said Dr. Wrensford.
He is also credited with the formation of the St. Thomas-Trinity Football League.
“Wrensford’s advent into politics came around 1968 when he joined Young Labour. 10th June 1967, was still buzzing and fresh on the minds in our community especially where mercenary filled boats came ashore in an attempt to overthrow the Labour government of Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw. Steve was not yet a teenager, but his convictions were of such magnitude that he enlisted the aid of his older sister and brother to facilitate his attendance at the Young Labour meetings. Attendance was consistent, demonstrating the family’s commitment to the Labour cause,” said Dr. Wrensford, who noted that during this time Sir Lee Llewellyn Moore had recently returned from studies in England and was head of Young Labour.
“Sir Lee then went on to replace Sir C. A. Paul Southwell as our sitting member of parliament. Steve went on to become Constituency 4 Young Labour president in 1980 and defacto chairman of constituency 4 Labour Branch that same year - a distinction he held until his departure to pursue his studies in 1986. When he returned in 1996, he was again thrust into the chairmanship of Constituency 4 Labour Branch until he relinquished that position in 1998,” stated Dr. Wrensford.
“Those who were part of his tenure as young labour president can attest to the robust activities that demonstrated his fearless belief in empowering oneself and identifying and showing allegiance to one's belief. Steve was once described by a colleague as being a ‘stealth bomber’ as many are lulled into a belief that he is toothless only to find they were on the wrong side too late: the effect of his interaction would be felt many years after,” she said.
While in St. Thomas, USVI, Steve Wrensford attended the University of the Virgin Islands graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Management and went on to complete a Masters in Business Administration.
Returning home in 1996 to help with the development of the federation, Mr. Wrensford was employed at the St. Christopher and Nevis Social Security Board serving until 2017.
He is also credited with tutoring several persons in preparation for the GCE O level examinations.
“In attendance were well known supporters of the PAM party and there was my brother helping. He identified a need and saw a way to help his community and it didn’t matter to him who showed up - PAM or Labour. Similarly, in organizing the MI City festival, Steve made a concerted effort to ensure that the whole community was involved. This man canvassed the young men- PAM or Labour and got them to clean up the 4-H plot and transform it into festival city. You see, for Steve community is everything and political affiliation should not hinder love for or contribution to community,” said Dr. Wrensford, who highlighted the victimization of the PAM government of then Prime Minister Dr. Kennedy Simmonds.
“In the summer of 1985, on the same day- a Wednesday, my family was dealt a decisive blow by the PAM government. Both my brothers were summarily dismissed by the PAM government - on the same day, at the same time. That's how orchestrated it was. My brother Ivor came to our mother's house with his letter first. Then shortly after Steve came with his letter. All sorts of officials from the Labour Party came to our house that afternoon and evening. And finally when it was just the family, I recall Steve saying to my mother, ‘Mom, this can’t stop me.... And it didn’t. He continued with his community involvement, he obtained his degrees, and even though he lived in St. Thomas, he returned to campaign for every election. When the popular chant was Labour dead, Steve stood like a rose in the desert- never fading, never abandoning the Labour Movement,” Dr. Wrensford said.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my immense pleasure to give you Mr. C. Steve Wrensford - my brother (and) my father figure. The man who taught me to follow the rules, to stand with conviction for one’s beliefs and values. To not compromise one’s character for the easy route. To be loyal. And to always, always give back to the community. I give you the man from 4, living in 4, works for 4! We say things are better with Labour. Well, Steve Wrensford makes Labour better. Steve Wrensford will make 4 BETTER!
"Next election it will be Steve Wrensford for sure in number 4!!,” said Dr. Wrensford to the wild and enthusiastic applause of the large audience.
Disclaimer
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)