Political stalwart pass on* Nicholas Simonette,

political stalwart pass on*
Published on Dec 30, 2016, 8:12 pm AST
By Ria Taitt
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nicholas Simonette, who was the first general secretary of the People’s National Movement (PNM), has died.
Simonette who celebrated his 91st birthday on December 5, died on Thursday night.
Party stalwart Ferdie Ferriera yesterday described Simonette, who was the longest-serving general secretary of the PNM, as one of the forgotten heroes of the PNM.

Ferriera said when the party won the 1956 elections and all its top officers entered the government as ministers, the party’s administrative and political structure suffered terribly.

He said it was in disarray, until Williams persuaded Simonette to resign his job as a senior school teacher, “sacrificing a pension and financial security”, to take the important administrative and political role of general secretary.
Ferriera said Simonette, who inherited a vibrant but disorganised political structure, was responsible for the reconstruction of the party machinery.

You were my teacher at Cipero RC School , you then left to become PNM secretary
under Eric Williams.

You and two others stood up against Eric Williams when he wanted changes after the
black power protests. Eric Williams then demoted you in the PNM , but you fought .

I came to Balizer House when I needed someone to sign a document so I could get a passport.
You welcomed me into your office and we spoke for about 30 minutes, you signed that document.

You fought for us in T&T

Rest In Peace