I read in one of the local media outlets that the Georgetown kite-flyers will soon have to pay to use open spaces, quoting the city administration "Citizens who use the areas would be required to pay a minimal fee to offset expenses, and to assist with after event cleaning activities."
I am in total disagreement with enacting a new law and fee to further penalize Guyanese and essentially rob them of one of the few, free, available recreational legacy activities.
At every public event, there is revenue generated by the participants who avail themselves of the goods and services provided by vendors and advertisers at the venue. Those vendors (and advertisers) who benefit from public participation and the subsequent purchasing, should be charged a fee. The revenue collected, including VAT should be used to clean and maintain the venue along with the rates and taxes collected from all business and homeowners. The government should be encouraging the general public to come out and spend their hard earned money; commerce is good for everyone, including the economy. It should not be the default to place additional burden on society by reducing their already limited finances, and ability to enjoy time with family and friends.
Additionally, it is hard to believe that the logistics of collecting the pittance from little kids and their parents will net a revenue gain and not a deficit. Adding more laws and additional policing may ultimately lead to the creation of petty criminals out of otherwise law abiding citizens, who suddenly find themselves scrambling to ensure they pay fee. If this measure is enacted, will there next be a charge for using the creeks and swimming at the seawall?
I spent one month in Guyana last November/December and spoke with many individuals about their concerns. I had a first-hand opportunity to observe the tremendous efforts and resulting improvements in the appearance of many areas. There was a renewed optimism, and many were making their own great efforts to keep their surroundings clean but, there were still others who were guilty of littering. The government must be able to keep the enthusiastic momentum going and urge others to get on board, not create additional tax burdens and laws to trap people in poverty and steal one of the few free avenues of enjoying a traditional pastime.
The public should not agree to potentially criminalizing citizens with the burden of additional laws and taxes for participating in the use of public spaces. Trash collection and management can be supplemented with improved modernized collection methods and citizen education.