It came as a great relief last month when Fernandez Smith, chairman of the Trelawny Parish Council, which is controlled by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), threatened to have promoters who deny the public free entry to the popular Burwood Beach in the parish between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, prosecuted.

Smith’s assurance that the council along with the police would ensure them free access to the facility during the prescribed opening hours was greeted with joy by the general public, because for far too long promoters who rent the facility to have functions – usually stage shows – have been charging beach-goers exorbitant fees to enter the facility, particularly on public holidays during ‘beach hours’.

Over the years, previous parish council administrations have been harshly criticised by the general public for their inability to stamp out this unscrupulous practice.

But it seems the agency did not have the balls to take action against the promoters’ obviously illegal actions.

Although commendations were in order for the

council due to Smith’s announcement, several questions went a-begging.

What took the council so long to make the announcement?

Was the length of time due to the council’s preoccupation with raking in thousands of dollars from the promoters at the public’s expense?

After more than three years in office, the JLP-dominated council should have known that the promoters were barring

the public.

So too should the previous council which had been dominated by the People’s National Party (PNP).

But did the council’s bold warning deter the promoters of the stage show held at the Burwood Beach on Christmas Eve, from charging beach-goers an entrance fee to the facility?

The answer: a resounding “no”.

Neither council officials nor the police were on hand to ensure that beach-goers were able to access the facility free of cost before 5:00 pm.

Instead, scores of persons, including visitors to the island were turned away when they refused to pay the promoters the $500 fee that was being asked.

A handful though, made the sacrifice and paid.

Now I can understand your embarrassment, Mr Smith, but, certainly the forfeiture of the promoters’ security deposit will not appease the scores of beach lovers, many of whom journeyed long distances in vain to enjoy the beach.

To many of them, utterances from the lips of politicians can no longer be taken at face value.

It seems to me that apart from the threat that heads might roll at the administrative level of the council, an apology must be tendered to the public.

Additionally, the council must take the necessary steps to regain the lost trust and confidence, arising out of the incident.

It is my view that if the council cannot guarantee beach-goers free access to the facility during the prescribed hours, then the local authority should desist from renting the facility for special events.

By doing so, the public and the local body would be saved further embarrassment.