Contributing writer Dickson Igwe
This week’s newspaper review of the BVI Beacon of April 19, 2012, looks at garbage, motorcycles, communal safety, and Virgin Islands cruise ship guests
Reading a newspaper is not simply a looking for news, or searching out the interesting story. It is so much more. A newspaper is a looking glass into any community and society, especially its recent and immediate past.
A newspaper is also a social and political forum allowing the man on the street some input into the great issues of the day. And there is much that can be learned by looking, reading, and thinking on the lines of print in a daily or weekly, and what these convey.
In fact, and very interestingly, this Layman has found out that a lot more is learned by reading between the lines. What is not said many a time says a lot more than what is actually said! And so begins a journey in Virgin Islands newspaper analysis.
‘’Plato’s Newspaper Review, is an odyssey that will hopefully enrich not only this Spectator of Life, but all who make the effort to read the national newspapers, print and online, and in depth.
And so it was, that on a cool evening in paradise, in late April, 2012, he was doing just that: reading a newspaper. An article on the front page of the BVI Beacon of April 19, 2012 headed, ‘’ Cleaning the Coast,’’ caught his attention. This story was a glimpse at the dirty habits of some residents in the British Virgin Islands.
It was also a narrative about a ten year old, Richard Haripersad, who was on a beach in Baugher’s Bay. Young Master Richard assisted Conservation and Fisheries Department staff in cleaning up the litter strewn shoreline that day.
And yes, there is a problem with refuse and litter spoiling the pristine beauty of Virgin Islands public parks, beaches and shores, among other places. This ‘Thinker’ cannot understand some people. Are they simply irresponsible, or willful, in throwing plastic bags filled with garbage out of a car window on to the road, or over a bridge into the sea, or on a white sand beach frequented by locals and tourists alike?
And despite this Government’s efforts to clean up the island, how many times have you driven along the road, happy to be living in the world’s most beautiful and pristine country, only to discover that some ‘philistine’ has thrown a garbage bag filled with refuse out his car window, or left it to fall off a car bonnet or truck ramp. Does this not anger you? It certainly does this island dweller!
Throwing away refuse anywhere else other than in a requisite dustbin and dumpster tells a lot about the individual, and sadly in a negative way. Now this narrative in the BVI Beacon described how rubbish discovered ‘’ included shoes, disposable plates, bottles, plastic cups, and wood debris.’’
Environmental Education Officer, Cyanara Duncan described how ‘’ we are finding all types of stuff on the beach- glass bottles, plastic, buried items.’’ It is a noble effort cleaning the coast and shoreline, but it also shows how irresponsible some residents are.
So those residents in the habit of throwing your refuse every, and anywhere, please stop it! And by the way why, are there still public venues such as the soft ball stadium by the band stand, and similar areas, with insufficient, or nonexistent garbage bins?
And isn’t it time some of these large firms start a sponsor a bin programme, imagine a bin with your businesses name and mission advertised on the outside? That gives the business a social cause does it not: helping clean up the environment! And the manager could go empty the bin when the bag inside is full, or some other staff member of the business, this is good community spirit in action, yes. It is time for some imagination!
On a much different note, another writer in the Beacon of April 19 believed that it was time to get rid of the law that states ‘’ you cannot ride a motorbike with more than 125cc.’’ Interesting! Mike Masters, in an opinion piece titled ‘’ biker claims discrimination,’’ complained that ‘’ in the Virgin Islands you can drive a 50 foot go fast motorboat, in other words a powerboat, and plough through anchorages at high speed with a 1000 horse power motor.
Or you can drive a super heavy pickup, or a Humvee,’’ but you cannot ride a
Photo courtesy bikerholic.com
decent motorbike. This wannabe Harley Davidson biker totally agrees with Mr. Masters. And his assertion that it could help tourism, lifting the ban on jet skis, and all terrain vehicles needs to be considered. The BVI is an ideal location for a motor bike and all terrain vehicle type tourism, an aspect of travel and adventure that would be supported by visitors who want to ride the latest small toys: two, three, and four wheeled machines over hilly terrain or rugged roadway. This could be good for the economy and jobs, not so?
Let’s do this thing I say, but strictly enforce the law in terms of illegal bike activity. The innocent must not suffer on account of the guilty! In any case with the price of gas going through the roof these days, a motor bike is a great option. Yes, this Villager is seriously considering becoming one of those Harley Davidson types: how cool!
Now, on a much more serious note, Writer Theodore James in another opinion piece of April 19, 2012‘’ the cost of safety in the Virgin Islands considered,’’ takes the reader back to a past when, and I quote, ‘’ many of us left our doors unlocked and returned home or to our vehicles, and nothing was missing. In the past, we agreed to disagree without the thought of bloodshed, but today this is not the case.’’
Well said Mr. James. The Writer exhorted these Virgin Islands to ensure that safety is a critical priority, and I would add this: a safer BVI would be a boost to tourism, financial services, and the local and domestic economy.
Roger Harris, a frequent contributor, had a suggestion about improving the cruise ship business in his contribution: ‘’ cruise pier expansion considered.’’ He asserted that ‘’ Craft Alive should be rethought altogether- it is too far from the dock.
We need to make the secure area at the dock much smaller and build a good quality retail park with modern buildings, and shops; incorporate the craft stores and the tent vendors; toilets; a tourist advice bureau; refreshment bars, and so on.’’ I totally agree with Mr. Harris on this. The cruise ship pier area needs to be transformed into a state of the art reception facility for cruise ship visitors.
BVI Beacon Editor Freeman Rogers writes what I call funny pieces. But there is always a serious message that underlines his superb prose. The BVI’s resident satirist in his column: ‘’Dateline Paradise,’’ a witty piece of satire headed ‘’ survival kits for cruise ship tourists,’’ writes a public letter to the cruise ship visitor.
It goes like this: ‘’ Dear valued Cruise Ship Tourist. Thank you for coming to these beautiful Virgin Islands, where the weather is always warm, the water is always blue, and the smell of raw sewage is only temporary!’’
‘’The capital is under construction, so please use caution. We apologize in advance for inconveniences you might face, which could include wild chicken attacks, dilapidated sidewalks, and disgruntled vendors. The VI assumes no responsibility for adverse incidents. However, if you come back at this time next year, we can assure you that Road Town will be the spitting image of St. Barts.’’
Now, ‘’ the most important item in the kit would be a three ounce bottle of 100 proof rum, which tourists should be encouraged to drink immediately. This treat would either send them right back to the ship to pass out, or make them so drunk that their entire visit to Road Town would seem fun, no matter what happened. And who knows, they might even fall asleep somewhere, and become overnight visitors.’’ What a thing Freeman!
