Rodriguez was not forced out – CDC

Chair of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) Dennis Ambrose said on Wednesday that the CDC is sorry to see Cheryl Rodriguez resign as chairperson of the Beauty Shows Committee (BSC).

Rodriguez tendered her resignation last week and it became effective Sunday, July 31. She was part of the BSC for over 16 years and was responsible for the staging of the Miss St Vincent and the Grenadines and the Miss Carival pageants.{{more}}

“She took the decision on her own. She has been there for a number of years and she has done a tremendous job, but now she has opted out. Maybe she felt she had enough and she has contributed enough,” said Ambrose.

He stressed that Rodriguez has given of her time, voluntarily, and the CDC wishes her all the best.

“I really can say we wish her the best. She has done a tremendous job in the way she has done the shows. She is a hard worker and always got the job done,” said Ambrose, who noted that Rodriguez left on her own accord and was not forced out in any way.

Rodriguez’s retirement was preceded by some criticism from members of the public and calls for her to go.

Criticism had come from, among others, Maferne Mayers, the aunt of 2015 Miss St Vincent and the Grenadines DeYonte Myers, who, during an interview on Hot 97.1 FM, had called out Rodriguez for her style and method of management.

A number of callers to the programme, hosted by Chris ‘2 Cool’ Jones and Alex ‘Kubiyashi’ Barnwell, including relatives of former Miss SVG contestants, also expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which Rodriguez ran the pageant.(LC)