EDITOR, The Tribune

I have, for my own purposes, visited Cabbage Beach prior to the lawless demonstrations that took place on Monday. We should all hang our heads in shame.

Cabbage Beach, at least the piece that is in dispute, is no paradise. It is cluttered with an array of vendors selling anything from hair braids to massages and everything in between including the illicit, all in an unsanitary environment. It is a menagerie of solicitation that no sane person would wish to occupy their property. That is fact. From the behaviour exhibited on Monday, there is no contesting that reality.

I have also come to learn that the government, both under the FNM and PLP, initiated the whole concept of “licensing” vendors to be on what is private property. What next: will government force the owners to build bathrooms and parking lots? What we may be witnessing is that last nail with respect to doing business here.

You can bet the Cuban government would not allow this degree of free fall. And while the “white foreigner” is scapegoated once again, the government hides in the shadows and both parties see short term political mileage incoming to the rescue of the “small man”.

Does the “small man” have a right to occupy private property without the owners permission? If so, does the “medium, large and extra large man” enjoy the same right?

The only thing “small” in this country is the mentality of simpletons that parade themselves off as leaders as they act solely for their own benefit and could care less about the long term ramifications. Their zeal for blue plates overshadows what they should be doing to promote “blue skies” for this nation’s future.

We must be viewed by outsiders as dishonourable, corrupt or at best insanely insular. None of which are characteristics investors as desirable attributes. The same investors that create an environment for vendors to benefit in the first place.

Is the government of The Bahamas on its next investment junket going to now be saying come to The Bahamas, purchase some land to develop it and after you do, we will commit to taking it back to allow our citizens to do what they wish on it? I am sure they will be lined up in droves ... not!

This is not about beach access. It is evident that persons wishing to enjoy the beach can continue to do so. This is about commercial rights. Can a citizen occupy a publicly-owned beach for commercial gain with the government’s permission? Why does the government enjoy a right that private property/beach owners don’t?

ASHAMED ON THE BEACH

Nassau

March 1 2016