THE EDITOR:
Now that the Jazz Festival is over I would like to give two pieces of advice to the St Lucia Tourist Board.
As a state organization, you have the added responsibility for the governance of St Lucia and you can exercise it by being a responsible organization. I fail to understand why you should hold the opening of Jazz in a residential area like Marchand and proceed to have a fireworks display so late in the night (9 p.m. to be exact).
I object because there are too many senior citizens homes in the area: The Marian Home, St Lucy’s Home and the Frances and Adelaide Home. In addition there are hundreds of other old people living in private dwelling houses in places like Marchand, Water Works Road, Leslie Land etc. Where is your conscience, SLTB? Do you believe it is all right to shatter the evening’s quiet for these senior citizens with this racket? Why do we have to have a fireworks display for the launching of jazz, anyway?
My second point: St Lucia is already reeling under the weight of a lot of anti-social problems: crime, drugs, prostitution, alcohol abuse etc. etc. Why in heaven’s name do you find it fitting to bring to us artistes who can easily be identified with these evils? Is this what you believe the young people of St Lucia need at this time? Proponents of lifestyle that have already destroyed the youth psyche of our island? Do we needed to continue encouraging these artistes and their culture?
I just find it shameful that a national organization like the St Lucia Tourist Board could identify itself with these kinds of retrograde behaviours. St Lucia deserves better.
–Richard V. Pologne