About the recent Goombay Day

Pleasure to see that cultural events are coming to the Village West. As in other parts of the US diverse cultural events exist and happen all the time.  It is also great when these events are well organized with the proper permitting, insurance and all the community can go to it and enjoy. For your information the recent event did not have the proper permitting from the City; probably someone assumed that because Ken Russell was going to attend that would be enough. 

For those of us that heard of the event and were brave enough to walk in an intersection where 43 bullets have been shot so far this year; when we arrived found that the police was asking people to turn back and get off the street. Rightfully so as their were no permits in place. 

Sadly, the same organizer that was promoting the event is the same person that proclaims himself to be the voice of the community and is empowered to approve or deny a waiver for a new contruction or remodeling.

Furthermore, what does an event have to do with new development, shouldn't everyone from the Village West community participate?  Why the divide.  Why can't Bahamian Roots and the upcoming development co-exist? 

These kind of festival, new developments, history can thrive in the same streets and celebrate culture, creating a better Village West for all. 

Guillermo de la Paz 
Coconut Grove