A moment from last year's celebrations in Clifford Park.
By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
ORGANISERS of the country's 44th independence anniversary celebration are promising a festive and memorable experience, this despite plans to have its budget slashed by an estimated $900k amid country's current financial climate.
Fort Charlotte MP Mark Humes, who was appointed as Chairman of the Independence Committee earlier this month, on Friday made the announcement during a press conference at the Churchill Building, downtown Nassau.
"The budget for this year's activities has again been reduced. I think we are aware of the economic climate in the country right now. We need to, sort of, tighten our belts," Mr Humes told reporters when questioned on the budget allocation for this year's schedule of celebrations.
He later added when pressed on the extent of the cutbacks: "A ballpark of how much it has been reduced by, I will say about $900k."
This declaration would place this year's budget at around $100k.
The former government spent around $1m in 2016 and an estimated $1.1m in 2015.
The lowered budget is expected to cover festivities hosted and planned for New Providence, with an announcement on budgets for family islands and international celebrations is expected in the coming weeks.
Notwithstanding the budget restraints, Mr Humes said this year's celebration, under the theme "Toward the Rising Sun: One God, One People, One Bahamas", will "remain at the same level or far exceed the ones we have done in the past".
He added: "As usual, the anniversary week is a major production carried out by a large number of individuals and so it, therefore, gives me great pleasure to introduce you and the public to some of the individuals, the movers and shakers, who have come together as programme planners, event organisers, project executors and policy advisors for this herculean effort."
According to organisers, festivities are expected to commence with the start of the annual Junkanoo Summer Festival at Arawak Cay on Saturday, July 1.
A day later, a national beat the retreat will be hosted in Rawson Square at 5:30pm, followed by a National Children's Choir concert on July 3 at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts.
Later that week, July 6, officials will open the Bahamas Press Club Art Exhibition at the Central Bank, which is expected to continue until July 28.
National Pride Day celebrations are scheduled to take place on July 7, in Rawson Square at 10am.
The traditional Clifford Park events will begin on Sunday, July 9, at 8pm, with an ecumenical service, and culminates with the flag raising at midnight.
The People’s Love and Unity Rush is also scheduled for midnight on Bay Street.
On Monday, July 10, a State Reception will take place at Government House from 6-8pm.
Other events on the calendar include Culturama - Liturgical Dance Parade and Concert, July 10; and the Commonwealth Youth Games, July 18 through 23.
The celebrations come to an end on Saturday, July 29, with the conclusion of the Junkanoo Summer Festival at midnight.
Comments
MassExodus 6 years, 10 months ago
Thank god! Finally a government with some sense....
John 6 years, 10 months ago
Should some (certain) songs be banned from local radio stations? For example there are several songs that are promoting the use of the drug Percocet. This drug is intended use as a pain killer. But also know as 'hillbilly cocaine'. (Don't break the bank her) when abused it gives a feeling of high, delusional euphoria. Some of the lyrics say 'don't need a prescription, just need drugs in my system'. Another line says 'I shared Percocet with a hooker' And these songs are played all day constantly on our radio stations. Yet we question why there is a drug (and crime and murder) problem in this country. The demand for Percocet has grown so much in some parts of the US, some people have started making the drugs illegally. And because there are no set standards, the fake drugs are killing people who overdose on them. Others end up with severe medical and psychological conditions, kidney failure being a common one as is drug induced psychosis. Before the Percocet became popular there were several songs that promoted 'Baking soda, I gat baking soda' which is the code name for cocaine. And you could hear even the little toddler singing this song, and prompted by their parents. If you have a legitimate business and want to promote it or a product you sell, you must pay these radio (and tv) stations hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Yet they sit back and promote illicit drugs, crime, violence, guns and gangs for free. And you wonder why we have to call Houston and say 'We have a problem?'
ashley14 6 years, 10 months ago
Great points! Also with the financial state of the Bahamas at the present time, how do they justify spending a million dollars on entertainment. If I'm uniformed and don't realize that this investment brings in profit then I misspoke. That isn't the case or so that's not what is usually reported after the events.
DreamerX 6 years, 10 months ago
Nothing should be banned from the airwaves in my opinion. Advertisements need to be market controlled through pricing. If Songs want to promote hate or love, they should be equally allowed however. Our drugs are controlled heavily. Speaking as the relative of a pharmacist, there are times when even non party drugs such as those for ADHD for kids get temporarily blocked from import due to increase of usage in periods of time. Please don't assume we have the same issues as USA for prescription drugs. They heavy use of "Syrup" (codeine cough medicine) caused the pharmacists to pull the only version available which already had limiters on abuse due to it being paired with a heavy sleeping agent (Tuscosed). Now, only unscrupulous pharmacies even admit to carrying it unless prescribed. Don't be lazy and watch Channel 7 news then use it to examine our country.
banker 6 years, 10 months ago
Scholarly papers in pediatric research tends to support John's view that music deeply affects young people. However as a libertarian, I believe that one should have the choice, be that smoking, alcohol, marijuana, or even Red Bull. Exposure to other types of music might work. However I tried playing some Mozart for my 11 year old niece, and she was bored. She was already programmed for hip-hop and rap.
From AAPediatric Publications:
Regarding the effects of popular music on behavior, several studies have demonstrated that preference for certain types of music could be correlated or associated with certain behaviors, such as the association of drug and alcohol use with “rave” music or electronic music dance events. Roberts et al performed a study in 1997 at an adolescent clinic, and their results suggested that probably the best predictor of risk in adolescents related to music is their self-report of negative feelings or emotions when listening to any type of music. The authors of that study described an association between negative emotional response to music and risk-taking behaviors and even suggested that what triggers risky behavior in some adolescents is the negative emotional response rather than the type of music. Scheel and Westefeld supported this suggestion in 1999. Heavy metal and some rock music have been associated in some studies with an increased risk of suicide. Fans of heavy metal music have been reported in the literature to have more problems with school authorities and teachers than students who are not fans of that type of music. Heavy metal music-listening has also been associated with increased depression, delinquency risk behavior, smoking, and conduct problems. Fans of heavy metal and rap music showed a greater tendency to engage in reckless behavior than their peers who were not fans of those types of music. A study performed to explore the possible effect of heavy metal music containing either sexually violent or nonviolent lyrics on males' attitudes toward women revealed that those exposed to heavy metal music, with either sexually violent or nonviolent lyrics, showed significantly more negative stereotyped attitudes toward women than those in a group instead exposed to classical music. Likewise, in a study performed by Fischer and Greitemeyer, men who listened to misogynistic lyrics showed increased aggressive responses toward women as well as a more negative perception of them.
realfreethinker 6 years, 10 months ago
I wonder how much Ian Poitier,the "cultural" consultant was going to get for these celebrations?
sheeprunner12 6 years, 10 months ago
$400,000 per year ............ His contract was already guaranteed by Perry
He made as much money as ALL of the Department of Culture employees
OMG 6 years, 10 months ago
Let the cost cutting continue across the board. These PLP numbskulls especially the couple left in Parliament refuse even now to face the truth and God help the country if they were still in power . Why do we need a cultural consultant , as we must have a bunch of qualified people in tourism collecting great salaries and kicking their heels with nothing to do ?
sheeprunner12 6 years, 10 months ago
It does not matter how much money is spent on July 10 ceremonies .......... If Bahamians are not willing to follow the Six Operating Principles of the Preamble of The Constitution
No amount of money can make a person proud of his country ........ It must be internalized
OMG 6 years, 10 months ago
Never was a truer word said.
banker 6 years, 10 months ago
You make people proud by have a quality country.
TalRussell 6 years, 10 months ago
Comrades! I'm surprised the cut was only for $900,000 as obviously only but a handful members from any of the three previous Red Shirts administrations have demonstrated any desire amid country's good and bad financial climates for attending any Independence Day celebrations anyway, so they know little about how to plan a "It’s the People’s time" 44th Independence Day celebrations.
I seem remember Papa Hubert and most his red shirts cabinet ministers taking their designated off-the-islands holiday vacations to coincide with the nation's Independence Day celebrations. They say red shirts could be spotted in places all over the USA and at the world's most attractive expensive vacationing and shopping spots - that is except being spotted any where's in and around places in our own Bahamaland's chain 700 islands - whilst even pretending to be celebrating our glorious Independence from the English. {There is no need make this up}.
sheeprunner12 6 years, 10 months ago
We have had enough Public Treasury sponsored parties in the past five years to last a decade .......... Bahamians need to stop looking for cheap entertainment and freebees and learn to get back to being socially responsible and hardworking (like pre-Independence)
Sickened 6 years, 10 months ago
Come back to us Tal... you are drifting away again!
banker 6 years, 10 months ago
PLP pillocks never change their stripes.
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