Dear Editor,
Those who have orchestrated the reset of August Monday for the past few years now have brought the event ahead by several decades. From an ordinary event geared towards the indigenous people of the island, as an emancipation celebration, combined with the national sport of boat-racing, the scope of the August Monday activity on Sandy Ground beach has transcended the interest and consciousness of our people, and have rippled throughout the region as a monumental celebration of ethnicity and collaboration of all people from all walks of life; descending on Anguilla for one major national event, perhaps the largest of its kind in the region.
It demonstrates how all people, working together, can make an enormous difference in the evolution of human consciousness and advancement. People of one kind, from one place looking out for one’s self are not calculated to broaden the perimeters of human effort. By working together with good will and determination towards goals that encompass and appreciate human effort, it actually broadens the scope of humanity which we all benefit in so many different ways. Assisting in commendable efforts to stretch the burden, where we all make sacrifice, we all benefit more.
August Monday has become the natural phenomenon of our times on Anguilla.
Growing up as a boy, I never missed an opportunity to go to Sandy Ground beach on an August Monday. Many of our forebears have not lived to see what this event has become. Whether or not they would approve of its evolution, one must admit that this event has accomplished an important goal – it has brought Caribbean people of all kinds in one place, on one day, for one major national, regional, and international event on one of the most acclaimed destination in the world, to celebrate that all important legacy, and the history of a people, people of our region. The emancipation of a people, Caribbean people demonstrating a strong will to endeavour and break down those barriers that seem will forever keep us apart.
Those who have put innovative organization in place to stimulate, and maximize the interest in our people, and those of the region, must be commended. St Maarten / St. Martin are the Gold star winners here. They dominate this event on this day on Anguilla.
When we watch the continuous expanding range of beach front being totally and fully occupied by the pleasure boats and Yachts from SXM only, staying put until the last bit of activity has been exhausted, then pull up anchor and head back South, our wonderful, neighbour makes us proud each and every year for decades. This is extraordinary and extremely commendable; we simply cannot ask for more from a neighbouring community.
Speak truth to power that this friendship could be exemplified with the addition of an official meet on the eve of August Monday, where the governments in representation of our people, Anguilla / SXM meet in an official commemoration of the natural coexistence and friendship between we, the people, of all three territories. We must be aware that a significant portion of the population of SXM is of natural born ancestry of Anguilla, making that significant portion, naturally Anguillian. Thanks to the people of SXM and Anguilla for such a peaceful coexistence for all our lives.
Without doubt, government has come up short on its general planning and advancement of this great event for the island. There is actually nothing we can point to as positive contribution towards its great transformation for the island. We know that government is actually the major contributor in funding, but as we know, in the evolution of mainstream society much more than dollars and cents are required to make that dynamic impact.
Where is the master-plan for a community like Sandy Ground? Which will undoubtedly, overwhelm us all, including government in the next few years with its new construction and developments on the way, literally changing that community before our very eyes. It appears that there is no plan or provisions in consideration for the ever expansion and growth of the August Monday event. No plans for improved parking access or traffic management. I got trapped in traffic backed up as far as George Hill. There appears to be no planning for better accommodation or organization of this massive occasion, other than the natural assembling on the beach front.
Not everyone attending the event wants to walk on the beach or bath in the crystal clear water of Sandy Ground and not everyone is there to be entertained by the massive set up for performing artists and consistent wave of international music.
We have boat race enthusiasts, those who are jamming all day, all night, and some are just there to enjoy the dynamic atmosphere created on Sandy Ground Beach for that one day. A massive display of food and drinks, as large as they come, it seems to be not enough to accommodate the people, and not enough food to serve them all. More can be done to capitalize on this overall development.
It is perhaps time for government to put in place a master-plan that would guide the continued evolution of this major event on the island, and be engaged in creating and improved the surrounding environment, contributing to the overall Sandy Ground community.
What about a modern, well-engineered plan for modern containment of the salt pond, while creating better parking zones and recreational possibilities? In fact, there is a world of improvement that can be imagined for this area that can work sufficiently for modern development, and also planning toward this massive August Monday event consolidated, and creating a master piece for the community in environmental upgrades and general community improvements.
Elliot J. Harrigan
