Dear Editor,
As a concerned citizen of this Island St. Maarten, I would like to address the following in
my opinion. We’ve experienced one of the most devastating hurricanes about 7 months ago and we’re ready to celebrate Carnival.
In my opinion, they could have skipped Carnival this year, and have just 2 weekends of entertainment with our local artistes at the Festival Village and collect a small entrance fee to help those in need.
Some would say by having Carnival, people would be visiting our Island to enjoy our carnival and I agree, but where would the visitors stay while 90% of our mayor hotels are down? Some would say, Government didn’t give any funds, but funds were given by someone to get our Carnival going.
I do believe it is a time when everyone should be saving to help each other instead
of having to support those foreign artistes who will be preforming and collecting their big portions, and not contributing anything back to our Island. No disrespect to the promoters, but there are people who still need help. Remember, we are just about a few steps away from the next hurricane season and it doesn’t look good.
This year the Heineken Regatta contributed to our Island and we do need more people like that who would have this Island at heart. That was a good example.
I agree that we should have a little fun to get some of Hurricane Irma’s stress off our minds. God forbid we get another hurricane this year, what will happen? I’m asking for everyone please to respect my opinion as I respect everyone else’s opinion.
Lemuel Fleming
