Dear Editor,
Years ago when Emancipation Park was conceptualised, I was happy with the idea. Nowadays, I just wish that the park could be lifted and placed elsewhere.
I was advised by park management that events held at the park had to end by 10:00 pm in order for the maintenance staff to clean up and close by 11:00pm.
So while those of us who live in close proximity to the park suffer during some events, at least we look forward to the 10:00 pm cut-off time. For the most part, this is what obtains, except during the month of February. Since the month began, events to mark Reggae Month have been taking place on Wednesday nights.
On February 6, there was the Reggae Month event. The very next night was the tribute to Bob Marley. I am surprised that this event was allowed to take place there. The crowd that descended on the park spilled over onto the streets and was reminiscent of the Digicel Rising Stars event that was scheduled to take place there some years ago.
What short memories we have. There is a reason why the park closes at 6:00 pm on public holidays. Every owner of a Digicel phone was advised of the tribute, so the magnitude of the crowd should not have been a surprise. Was it safe? I feel that Digicel could have afforded a venue that could have comfortably accommodated that throng. The crowd is not the only problem. Organisers of these events seem to be of the view that no one will hear the performers unless they try to make everyone deaf.
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The noise level is intolerably high and this prevents us from enjoying the comforts of our homes. Forget about sleeping. So far, none of these events have ended by 10:00 pm. In fact they have continued until way past closing time. Something is wrong. When dignitaries/officials sit in the audience after 10:00 pm, thereby condoning the flouting of the rules and regulations, then something is wrong.
When access can be given to the park to organisers of the Sigma Run so that they can set up and conduct 'testing, testing, 1,2,3' at 3:00 am, something is really wrong. There was even a time when music was piped as soon as the park opened, as the joggers had requested it. Never mind that they would have left their families snug in bed, resting comfortably. I would like to think that the rules and regulations are for everyone, with no exceptions.
Any attendee at any event can leave at any time. We can't. We live here. The event this past Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, started at a tolerable level, but the volume increased as the night progressed. It did not end at 10:00 pm, nor even11:00. Peace and quiet came at 12:50 am! To compound matters, Heineken Startime was held at the Liguanea Club on Saturday night, February 16, ending at 3:00 am. The Sigma cacophony commenced at 6:00 am. There must be some way we can all co-exist without trampling on the rights of each other.
Sleepless
New Kingston
Nights of hell in New Kingston
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Years ago when Emancipation Park was conceptualised, I was happy with the idea. Nowadays, I just wish that the park could be lifted and placed elsewhere.
I was advised by park management that events held at the park had to end by 10:00 pm in order for the maintenance staff to clean up and close by 11:00pm.
So while those of us who live in close proximity to the park suffer during some events, at least we look forward to the 10:00 pm cut-off time. For the most part, this is what obtains, except during the month of February. Since the month began, events to mark Reggae Month have been taking place on Wednesday nights.
On February 6, there was the Reggae Month event. The very next night was the tribute to Bob Marley. I am surprised that this event was allowed to take place there. The crowd that descended on the park spilled over onto the streets and was reminiscent of the Digicel Rising Stars event that was scheduled to take place there some years ago.
What short memories we have. There is a reason why the park closes at 6:00 pm on public holidays. Every owner of a Digicel phone was advised of the tribute, so the magnitude of the crowd should not have been a surprise. Was it safe? I feel that Digicel could have afforded a venue that could have comfortably accommodated that throng. The crowd is not the only problem. Organisers of these events seem to be of the view that no one will hear the performers unless they try to make everyone deaf.
javascript:void(0);
The noise level is intolerably high and this prevents us from enjoying the comforts of our homes. Forget about sleeping. So far, none of these events have ended by 10:00 pm. In fact they have continued until way past closing time. Something is wrong. When dignitaries/officials sit in the audience after 10:00 pm, thereby condoning the flouting of the rules and regulations, then something is wrong.
When access can be given to the park to organisers of the Sigma Run so that they can set up and conduct 'testing, testing, 1,2,3' at 3:00 am, something is really wrong. There was even a time when music was piped as soon as the park opened, as the joggers had requested it. Never mind that they would have left their families snug in bed, resting comfortably. I would like to think that the rules and regulations are for everyone, with no exceptions.
Any attendee at any event can leave at any time. We can't. We live here. The event this past Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, started at a tolerable level, but the volume increased as the night progressed. It did not end at 10:00 pm, nor even11:00. Peace and quiet came at 12:50 am! To compound matters, Heineken Startime was held at the Liguanea Club on Saturday night, February 16, ending at 3:00 am. The Sigma cacophony commenced at 6:00 am. There must be some way we can all co-exist without trampling on the rights of each other.
Sleepless
New Kingston
Nights of hell in New Kingston
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