Your editorial today, ” No celebrating just yet” is most appropriate and very pointed.
As you stated, ” only after the ticket money has been collected and counted will the public truly know whether all the changes were indeed a success or a bust.”
It must be remembered that Minister Wisdom and this PLP government made Junkanoo’s main purpose to make money. To be as profitable as humanly possible with little regard, if any to the National Cultural event it is.
Rather than balance the need to at least break-even so that the event does not cost the treasury while still making the event more widely affordable Minister Wisdom and the PLP government decided to go for the profitability of the event solely.
Therefore, at the end of the day, as your editorial suggests, what will matter most is whether as Minister Wisdom said $2.00 was going to be made on a $1.00 investment.
Less we forget, it was Minister Wisdom and this PLP government who put making money over the widest possible group in the community being able to afford Junkanoo tickets. Clearly, families who were previously able to afford Junkanoo can no longer afford it – a National Cultural Event!
I would also add that not only when the money is collected and counted but more importantly when all the expenses are tabulated, even if not paid. We the people deserve to know, to get a full, complete and accurate accounting of all the Parades, reported Parade by Parade indicating whether the events were profitable or not.
A big show that limits a lot of Bahamians from participating because they cannot afford it which is unprofitable – is truly a government expense borne by those who cannot afford it for those who can. Imagine that from Prime Minister Perry Christie and his “New PLP” government.
Yours etc.,
A very interested citizen.
