The flagpole at Bell’s Lookout Point has been standing empty for the past few weeks, after recent prolonged strong winds kept ripping the hoisted flags to shreds. It’s no secret that not everyone was happy with the project just after the catastrophic passage of super-Hurricane Irma, which destroyed Harold Jack’s snack bar that used to be located there too.
People felt that – certainly in such an emergency situation – there were more important priorities. Because of the widespread damage also to nature, others took exception to the clearing away of vegetation on the hilltop in question, while there were conflicting reports about the exact cost and who was paying for it, which in the end turned out to be mostly Government-owned companies.
But although former Minister Christophe Emmanuel took quite a bit of flack over the issue in the beginning, persons grew fond of the huge flag that could be seen from far away, and started missing it when suddenly gone. A real “SXM Strong flag” of very storm-resistant material is obviously needed, but Government should waste no time in providing it.
Some suggest the delay had to do with the political campaign, but there is no evidence of that. In any case the election dust has settled, so even if that was the reason it’s no longer valid and – weather permitting – what has become known as “Emmanuel’s flag” should be put back sooner rather than later.
In the end, whatever one may have thought of the idea, the pole is a reality and purposely leaving it bare would make little to no sense at all.
