St. Maarten Private Eye

During carnival I am a spectator. Not a contributor. I don't have the time nor the inclination to organize a troupe, compose and sing a calypso nor run a carnival booth. But I do enjoy seeing, hearing and partaking of the contribution of others who are so inclined. I am happy because of them. And I thank them from the bottom of my heart for their hard work, dedication and especially their creativity. Carnival for them is a true labor of love.

So if these contributors are upset with the SCDF and demand the board step down else they will boycot next year's carnival, then as a spectator and many more with me, I tend to side with them. There appears to be irreparable and irreconcilable differences between the SCDF board and the people who are supposed to be the biggest stakeholders in carnival.

Forget about the general public. We know where they stand. They showed it clearly during this year's carnival: they stayed home. That's sad. That situation should be rectified. Let the people with a stake in carnival's future success and it's biggest and hardest working contributors decide what's best for carnival. And right now they want to hand the SCDF board their walking papers. If that's best for carnival 2009, then they have my support.

What purpose does it serve to cling to a position wherein you lack the necessary confidence and trust of your supporters? Is it about you? Or is it about them? Or is it about the people who want a chance to celebrate 40 years of carnival in St. Maarten? Like I said I am a spectator and I am basing my opinion on what I see. And the signs are clear. The sign says WALK.