The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Montagu is the only remaining public beach on the eastern end of the island. It’s used by a wide cross section of Bahamians, particularly from the Montagu and Free Town districts. It’s within walking distance of communities of diverse economic groupings and it provides recreation for many families, especially those without transport. Visitors also use the beach.

Visit Montagu any morning and you’ll find people exercising, swimming and enjoying a quiet moment of meditation and prayer. People use the area for a quiet lunch hour and in the evening, to exercise, “catch the cool” and unwind.

I agree with your editorial of July 11. Montagu must be respected as a park and public beach and not subjected to crass commercialisation.

There are so very few places left on the island where the people can enjoy the natural beauty we are blessed with - a soothing refuge removed from the haggling hustle of this congested island. A place where people can breathe the fresh sea air and recharge their life battered batteries.

The commercialisation of the area and the loud music at events is an assault on both the environment and the people’s right to enjoy the beauty and peace of the area.

The litter situation is even worse. Snorkel off the beach and enjoy the garbage that litters the seabed. Watch the little girl retrieve an empty potato chip bag from the piles of litter strewn seaweed on the beach and turn it into a toy water vessel.

Listen to the comments of visitors after they’ve snorkeled off the beach and sat in the dirty sand.

“You have such a beautiful island. Why is it so filthy?”

Look at the vacant lot across the street (owned by the Numbers Boys?) with the disgusting carpet of bottles, cans and styrofoam containers.

Is this The Bahamas we want to live in? Is this The Bahamas we deserve?

Every year, the Ministry of Tourism pumps huge sums of money into promoting The Bahamas.

It is a Bahamas of undeveloped pristine beaches and water in exquisite shades of blues and turquoise.

Why are there two classes of beaches - the beautiful, peaceful stretches of clean sand for visitors and the dirty, squalid beaches for Bahamians?

Why are people allowed to litter without consequences?

Are we unable to manage our own beaches and enforce our litter laws?

I sincerely hope the new government will get a handle on the unregulated development of this small strip of prized beachfront property called Montagu and help create a beach the tourist brochures are made of.

It’s time to show some respect to the people and particularly the residents of Montagu and Free Town whose constituencies host this beach park.

ATHENA DAMIANOS

Nassau,

July 16 2017