LOCAL DOMINOES has got its boss.
Finally.
Hindsbury player Callum Barnard is the new president of the National Domino Whist and Hearts Clubs’ Association, but only just, having beaten Gregory Blenman in a run-off during Sunday’s long-awaited general elections at the Wildey Gymnasium.
The surprising elevation of the relatively unknown Barnard finally brings an end to a very uncertain time in dominoes, as the body’s annual general meeting was put off by a month due to some undisclosed issues revolving around last year’s hosting of the World Championships.
With incumbent Cedric Alleyne declining to seek re-election, Barnard and Blenman, the first vice-president of the World Council Domino Federation (WCDF), initially tied with 35 votes, while former president Rodney Inniss and WCDF head Dudley Harris finished further down the field.
Barnard then came out victorious when he and Blenman were pitted against each other in a two-man run-off.
“It is a very good feeling to have won the presidency but I know I have a lot of work ahead of me because we are starting late even if I am up to the challenge,” said the senior exchange control officer at the Central Bank of Barbados
“I truly believe the players and clubs have placed their confidence in me to make a difference, so it is up to me to correct some of the mistakes that were made in the past and get dominoes up and running by the first Sunday in March.”
Blenman eventually was appointed to serve as the second vice-president after David Brathwaite was voted in as the council’s first vice-president. Sophia Thorpe took up the mantle of treasurer while Veda DeBelotte was made the general secretary.
Noel Barrow and Kirk Straughan were appointed as the secretary treasurer and public relations officer, respectively, while Cicely Payne and Shurlan Bovell are set to serve as floor reps.
