Water fuh all… is not ah FETE

As the carnival season approaches, locals and foreigners alike are in for a long season, carnival carded for March 7th and 8th. All would be treated to the many fetes that the various promoters put on. Many trinbagonians look forward to this time of the year where they can celebrate the greatest show on earth.
However, at what expense should we be able to enjoy ourselves? Should we be allowed to ignore others? Should we be allowed to disturb the sick, the children/babies? Is there a balance? Is there a compromise/alterative?

Is there a SOLUTION where everyone wins?
Recently the annual WASA fete has made the news, not for promotional purposes, in fact it made the news as Member of Parliament for St. Joseph and minister of Justice Hubert Volney tried to have the fete stopped, claiming that he has received several complaints about noise levels emanating from the venue. Another issue relates to crime, claimed the St. Joseph MP, "They (fetes) bring a host of crime with them. Murders have been known to have happened. Killings, stabbings and shootings during and after the party and that sort of conduct I don't propose to tolerate in the constituency of St Joseph, of which I lead,"
This fete, like several others have in fact seen its share of violence, in 2009 Mark, 21, was shot dead at the corner of Eastern Main Road and Railway Road in St Joseph on February 1, shortly after he left the WASA fete. His relatives reported being told by police that he was killed for wining on someone else’s girl at the fete. I must point out here that I am not at all suggesting that this is enough to shut down an event that has become an annual feature of the Carnival season, am simply pointing out the reason preferred as objections to the event.
As the debates took over the several talk shows and social media forums, one line of argument was that this fete “poor man’s” fete was being targeted. And that if there was an issue in terms of noise for example, this Should be applied to other fetes, namely the “all inclusive”. This argument to some extent is well placed, in that all must be treated equal. However, what is missing in this is the component of objections, as with the WASA fete, I have not heard of any complaints related to the all inclusive events.
It would seem that in this country, the real issues always tend to get lost in the maze of frivolous arguments that prevail. What is necessary if we are serious about the development of this country, is for all to look at such issues with the view to addressing them so that we all win in the end. One suggestion via the social media forum is that a Carnival Village of sorts should be created whereby all fetes can be accommodated. This village would obviously be away from residential areas. The opportunities that this can offer outweighs the discomfort many contend with for two months thereabouts. A Carnival village can create employment, re: tourism, a place for artists/promoters/mas men to have concerts/fetes/shows throughout the year.
Over the years, am sure all would have heard the several complaints about our local artists not having a means to earn a living at home. Why? because we don’t have the right facilities. Our local artists would usually have to travel abroad if they are to earn an income after our season is over. Why not Harness this so that we can earn an income via tourism.