I guess the police commissioner can’t say no to the premier’s decision to allow larger motorbikes into the territory. So he suggests some conditions for importation and regulations for use.

But, thinking of the future, picture this: At 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve in Sea Cows Bay, a group of riders made so much noise outside St Paul’s Episcopal Church that the midnight service had to be halted for some time. A little later, the riders were tearing up and down the Hannahs straightaway opposite Nanny Cay, performing wheelies and leaving a lot of rubber on the road as evidence. I guess most of them don’t know that there is the famous “Hangar straight” at the Silverstone racetrack in United Kingdom.

At 5 p.m. on Christmas Day in Sophie Bay, what seemed like some 80 bikes came round the corner together, very fast. Only a very few riders wore helmets, and many were wearing only flip-flops on their feet.

Will these riders trade up to bigger bikes? Or will allowing bigger sizes mean even more bikes on the roads? Can we expect the same behaviour? These activities will not be curtailed if organised drag racing is introduced.

Premier’s bodyguards

Sometimes government is its own worst enemy. Take the premier’s bodyguards. Assuming they were considered necessary, he should have done one of two things: never mentioned them, even when “found out;” or explained that they were temporary right from the start. As it was, the amount of vitriol and criticism on social media was extraordinary, and most of it was highly critical. All of that could have been avoided.

Of course, we would all like to know why he needs bodyguards. The previous premier liked to drive himself, so he even dispensed with his allocated police driver — and never had a bodyguard. Before that, Ralph O’Neal never learnt to drive, so he had a police driver, but no bodyguard. The governors have always had just a driver. This is probably why the police never had any officers trained in personnel protection.

 

Marijuana plan

Then again, it would be good if members of government could speak with one voice. After much criticism, the premier announced that the government would legislate for the growing of marijuana, but not be involved in the production of medical marijuana. Then a minister said that government would provide 40 acres of land, select and train 40 farmers, tell them which variety of plant to grow, and be involved in the sale and taxing of the weed. If that is not being involved in the production, I don’t know what is.

I am no expert, but I question whether 40 acres is enough to grow a viable enough crop so that the refined product can be competitive in world, or even Caribbean, markets. Of course, there are those potheads who will have a field day stealing the weed for a quick spliff.

 

Unfinished projects

We are still waiting to hear of the completion of the incinerator, the Iris O’Neal clinic, the fire stations, the rehabilitation of the postal services, and on and on.

Happy New Year, everyone!