THE EDITOR, Madam:
I WOULD like to speak briefly on what I would call our authorities' misguided measure of what a successful event is about. This brings me to the Portland Jerk Festival which was held recently. This was to my mind a poorly organised event, which if it was not for the good nature and high tolerance of the people who attended, the event could have turned out to be a major embarrassment for Portland.
The idea was well-conceived, but it appears as if the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) had some pure theorists organising the event. I think the JTB has done more damage to the mystique of Boston jerk. Yet still all the official reports so far are saying how much of a success the event was. Again the officials are using the wrong measure of success. Having a large crowd trampling one another, with minimal sanitary conveniences and to top it off NO JERK PORK IN BOSTON was a crying shame, not a success. Using the excuse of being a first-time event is totally unacceptable.
Considering all the media hype the JTB should have anticipated a large crowd, but as is the norm in this country, authorities seem not to consider the public at large and their convenience and safety. A thousand more lines could have been written about the things that went wrong at the Portland Jerk Festival, but let no more be said and I pray that the JTB will see the light the next time around.
I am etc.,
DAVE CARRUTHERS
5th Salmon Way,
Braeton, St. Catherine
E-mail: Harmoney@cybervale.com
