St. Thomas, VI: After much in the way of controversy over financial accountability, the Virgin Islands Carnival Committee has wrapped up yet another fine celebration: V.I. Carnival 2005. The community awaits financial disclosures demanded by the V.I. government, with Senator Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg leading the charge.
At one time, it appeared that the conflict would result in the cessation of preparatory activities, resulting in no Carnival at all. The economic, social and cultural impact of such a result would have been devastating for many. While many dispute the $65M figure quoted as the benefit to the community's coffers, there is no doubt that the trail of cash generated by Carnival activities on all 3 main U.S. Virgin Islands, leads from the vendor to the retail outlet to the wholesaler to the government in the form of gross receipts and income taxes.
There was even talk of assigning the development and planning of Carnival to a government agency, with the Department of Tourism cited. Considering the over 100 persons who volunteer to head or support the various sub-committees of the V.I. Carnival Committee, this blogger is not certain that in our financial straits we could afford to compensate the kind of man-hours necessary to pull it off.
Other organizations who've been given funds by the V.I. Government have not been the subject of such scrutiny, even in the face of dissatisfied ticket holders and events that delivered less than promised. Why the V.I. Carnival Committee? If anything, there should be clearly-drawn stipulations to any grant or monetary infusion that is fueled by the tax-payers as well as proper redress for consumers who feel short-changed. The government would serve us well by implementing such criteria.
All that being said, the world was treated to a scaled-down Carnival 2005, as the fund allotment had been reduced due to budgetary problems afflicting many areas of our local government.
In the meantime, comprehensive Carnival wrapups are already online at The St. Thomas Source and The Virgin Islands Daily News. The Virgin Islands Carnival Committee has revamped its web presence with a hipper, splashier design at VICarnival.com.
|
