By Steve Alvarez
The only way for Trinidad & Tobago to move on to prosperity, safety and food security is to adopt innovative ways to do things. One cannot continue to do the same things that were practised over decades and hope that change and improvement would suddenly emerge.
Communities need funds to survive. The answer cannot be to continually fine and tax people. That can have negative social consequences. Here are some things that can be done to earn funds for communities.
In major townships where parking on the streets is a common practice, the community management can arrange for paid parking. The days of parking machines are over.
Machines placed at strategic locations can be accessed to print parking tickets that indicate how long one is legitimately allowed to park. Paying for these tickets can be done by using electronic payment or cash at the machine.
Cars without a legitimate ticket or with expired times on the ticket can be ticketed. Parking attendants can be employed from the area by the community.
Daily parking can raise thousands of dollars and bring comfort to those seeking to park on the community streets.
The communities with natural attractions like rivers, beaches, hiking trails and waterfalls, can ensure that their facilities have running water, toilet facilities and waste disposal bins. Additionally, they can ensure that there are guides to help people respect the environment.
Parking and access to these facilities should be paid for by these visitors. The funds collected can pay the attendants and raise additional money for the communities.
Chaguaramas has a plethora of such sites where funds can be raised for using bicycle trails, accessing the Gasparee caves and trips to Chacachacare.
Every community can find what is unique about their town or village and promote that aspect to raise funds. Laventille for example is a diamond in the rough. Their first challenge for that community is to erase the stigma of it being a crime hot spot.
With the appropriate action Laventille can be safe and people can access the forts, the Shrine and enjoy the beautiful views of the city. The food and other culinary delights that emanate from the area can be a major source of income.
Communities must find new and innovative ways to raise funds including heavy investment in agriculture that can lead to food security. A mental reset is necessary.
God Bless Our Nation.
