Grenada has lost a man that can be safely called the ‘Grand-Father of Broadcasting in Grenada’. So deep was his passion for the field that he went all out to be properly trained. Then was able to train many in the field to keep a high standard in on-air delivery. Jerome ‘Jerry’ Romain passed away Thursday (September 09) after being treated for a short while at the General Hospital.
But still with the media, before we get into Jerry’s story, we must pay tribute to one of our former workers –Lydia Robertson who passed away on Monday of this week at the age of 68. She began her employment as an Assistant Graphic artist in December 1987 and retired as a Graphic artist in December 2017. During her tenure, she also assisted with proof reading and writing editorials. Lydia, was described as “everything at the Grenadian Voice” at one period. With a great interest in her job, she self-taught herself with PageMaker and the old Mac Computers. The mother of four will always be remembered for her pleasant demeanor. Unfortunately, she also passed away while being treated at the General Hospital.
Now back to the story of Jerome D M Romain, Journalist/Broadcaster –Fellow of the College of Broadcasting who, according to a 1995 local newspaper, was born at Green Street, Saint George’s January 01, 1935 and grew up in Saint David’s for a while. His primary schools were St Dominic’s at Perdmontemps, St Theresa’s at Vincennes and St David’s RC. He received Extra Mural studies under Margaret Blundell at then Extra Mural Dept at UWI and Pupil Teachers training course supervised by Foster Gittens. As a staunch member of the Catholic Faith, his career in teaching took him to St Dominic’s RC School at Perdmontemps, Grand Anse RC and Morne Jaloux RC in St George.
Another area he touched on which is not widely known, was Agriculture and he got some training at Bennet College, Sheffield England through a one-year apprenticeship course. As a member of the Civil Service then, Jerry became an Agricultural Instructor at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Now for getting his feet wet in the media, Jerry joined the staff of the Windward Islands Broadcasting Service (WIBS) as Announcer Operator and later Programme Director. He was quickly awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship where he underwent training in mass communications, Public Relations and Educational Broadcasting. While in England, he successfully underwent training leading to the fellowship of the College of Broadcasters (FCB) and was seconded to the staff at the British Broadcasting Service as producer of the Caribbean Service of the BBC.
At the end of his contract, Jerry returned to Grenada and was appointed manager of Radio Grenada with the Grenada United Labour Party in power under Sir Eric Matthew Gairy. By then WIBS was dismantled as the islands started their own radio stations. It was there that he took many young people under his wings for training in different areas. With his accommodating personality he shared the understanding and concept of news, programme content to meet the Target Audience and yes, he was particularly careful about even the tone of voice and articulation that should be used when reading obituaries.
He will certainly be remembered for his excellence in doing outside broadcasts such as the opening of Parliament and other state ceremonies including funerals. His voice, tone and knowledge of protocol of the event were all commanding and authoritative. Josephine Mc Guire is among those trained by Jerry Romain before the Revolution and to date she still holds him up as the most impressive manager she has ever worked with in the media.
The 1979 Revolution interrupted his career as he along with many were jailed without trial on the premise that they were strong supporters of the overthrown Sir Eric Matthew Gairy. Mc Guire remembers sadly watching him as well as Members of Parliament being hand-cuffed in Studio 2 at Morne Rouge which was used as a holding cell before they were transported to Richmond Hill. At the end of the Revolution in 1983 with the chaos caused by the US intervention they were able to walk free and by using one of those school buses which was parked in the yard, they escaped to their homes. As Grenada settled down Jerry rejoined the Public Service as Chief Information Officer- a post he held at the Government Information Service (GIS) until 1993.
In the field of Social Services, Gloria Payne remembers his name being big in another area which is almost unknown. She shared that he was a founder member of the National Youth Council, and later became president. He attended conferences at Aarhus and Copenhagen Denmark, Brussels, Belgium and Tokyo in Japan where he was elected Vice-President of the International Organisation. Jerry Romain later became president of the World Confederation of Youth with its ten million members drawn from all political, religious and ethnic organisations in one hundred and twenty-five countries.
It was in 1995 that Romain decided to take a chance in the political arena. His political philosophy is recorded as based on a system of equality of opportunities for all -based on their aptitude, ability and loyalty to Grenada. Under the Star, he ran on a GULP ticket for the constituency of St David. He came up against Michael Andrew -NDC the Heart, Joslyn Whiteman -NNP the House, Maria Williams -TNP the Hands, Wilton Allard -MBPM the plane and Peter Thomas -URP the Cow. Interestingly while some candidates’ votes were counted in single numbers, Jerry, whose youthful days worked for him as he was quite known in the area, received over 300 votes. But unfortunately, Michael Andrew got the most votes.
