There are a number of public abuses and nuisances that are negatively impacting the Anguillian community but, despite well-placed complaints, nothing is being done to remedy the situation.
Part of the concern is that, to some extent, the negatives are affecting Anguilla as a tourist industry, the locations and services of places and the peace and quiet of the island.
The Rt. Rev. Errol Brooks made mention of the situation while making a point, during the Service of Thanksgiving for the late Leroy Vanterpool at The Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary on January 25, on behavioural patterns in Anguilla.
“There was a time [in our society] when persons paid due regard for the area around the church, the school, the hospital and other public buildings,” he stated. “Today, there is scant regard for these places and there are vehicles blaring loud music; loud-sounding horns; revving-up of engines – all seem to be the order of the day. Aren’t there laws against these things? Yes, there are. People have no regard for sacred places anymore.”
Referring obviously about the Food Strip outlets, just across the road from the Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary, Bishop Brooks continued: “Don’t talk about the loud music coming from businesses during church services. How often have we had to call the police, or send a parishioner, to ask the players and the proprietors to lower the music until we have completed our time of worship?
“Our society smashes not only sacred days and places, but the sacred relationships where God has always been present. People, believe it or not, come to make arrangements for their wedding and are brazen enough to say we don’t want the name of God in the vow. In the institution of marriage, a man and a woman committing themselves unconditionally for a life together, is a gift from God and therefore it is sacred.”
The Bishop added: “For one thing, when nothing is sacred, there is no ground for moral and ethical behaviour. The Ten Commandments, for example, can be summed up in this one word – ‘reverence’. [That is] reverence for God; the Name of God; for God’s Day; for parents; for life; for property; for personhood; for truth; for others; and even for ourselves.”
Meanwhile, it should be pointed out that, in a recent conversation Bishop Brooks told The Anguillian newspaper that he had no problem with food being sold at the Strip. What mattered to him were its location and the disturbance affecting the church.
There has been much talk in government circles about relocating the Food Strip, as well as improving its appearance and other conditions, but much remains to be addressed.
