And our last two items tonight - are a sort of farewell to the September Celebration season. First, we look at the remarks made by Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber who chaired the September Celebrations Commission for the first time this year. On Independence day, he conceded he had learned some tough lessons - including not to have the tenth day jump - up and parade on a Sunday:...
Hon. Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister
"When I took in this task I had no idea what I was signing up for. I certainly thought it would have been on the easier side of the workload, but as it has turned out it has proven to be one of the more challenging segments of work. Such challenges included the need to amend the route of the carnival, hearing the church's plea for not celebrating the 10th on a Sunday and of course the Queen of the Bay debacle. But less you think that I am complaining on day when we ought to be celebrating, let me say that I am proud to have presided over an extensive lineup of patriotic events under the theme "Confronting challenges, celebrating triumphs - renewing our resolve.""
"On the matter of our major challenges in this year's September festivities, allow me to report that the new route of the carnival worked well and allow me to pledge publicly to my lord bishops and to the various denominations Christian denominations that from here on forward when such a conflict arises that the official ceremonies will be held on the 10th day itself, while the parade and bramming will fall on the Monday."
The Council of Churches had publicly criticized the decision to have the tenth day parade and jump up on the Sabbath. They encouraged their faithful to ignore the festivities and go to church.
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