The Sunday Seawall Lime has become a form of torture

BY Staff
Published: November 20, 2008 in Letters

Dear Editor,
Three Mondays ago a letter was published asking those who play loud so-called music on the seawall at the Sunday Seawall Lime, which takes place from Clive Lloyd Drive and beyond, to desist. I need to add my request to the same effect. That writer had said that “the noise affects all of us who live in the Bel Air Gardens, Bel Air Springs and the Subryanville area. It can be heard as far away as Kitty.” One can imagine therefore the affliction of those living where I do, in First Avenue, Subryanville.

We anticipate every Sunday night with trepidation. We try to sleep, but that noise penetrates in the most maddening way. Even if one manages to drop to sleep at some point, it doesn’t leave you alone, but invades your subconscious and wakes you up all over again. It causes bad dreams too. I’m not joking. And every Monday I can expect only a certain jaded, listless feeling that remains throughout the day and affects my work output. The great Seawall Lime has really become a torture.

That’s not all. We can only hope that the entrances to our homes aren’t blocked during Sunday evenings. Our vehicle once had to remain outside all night, kind compliments of the person who parked in front of our entrance.

I appeal to the police to put a stop to this noise. It can’t be that hard to ban boom boxes and loud music from the seawall. Please, we need some help. And by the way, what may be the effects of those sets (and vendors) on our sea defence embankment?
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)

Comments

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35 Comments

rambler says:

November 20, 2008 at 6:53 am

Hey, let the poor people have their fun. all week they’re working for nothing, they need to free up. This is Guyana!

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- Stephen says:
  
  November 20, 2008 at 9:32 am
  
  Yes, “rambler”. People do need to “free up” after working hard all week – but not at the expense of others.
  
  What would you have done if you were in the position of those affected by the noise?
  
  Incidentally, if “the poor people” are working for “nothing” all week, where do they get the money from to finance that type of “enternainment?
- John Smith says:
  
  November 20, 2008 at 9:55 am
  
  How can they have fun at the expense of others? This is the problem we have, “This is Guyana” and we are free to do as we please. On the other hand the upper class is getting a taste of what these revellers have be unleashing on others for the longest time. We have been trying to endure bar-b-que, curry-cue and every other cue the mind of these promoters can come up with. The only way something is going to be done is when they ruffle the feathers or pee on the fence of a government official. So let us not worry, our ear drums are going to be blown out and noise is going to be least of our problems.
- yasuman71 says:
  
  November 20, 2008 at 9:56 am
  
  “Ya Stupidy, Ya Stupidy, Ya pagalee, Ya pagalee”. Have fun, alright, but respect the rights of residents nearby.
- critik says:
  
  November 20, 2008 at 9:59 am
  
  Rambler,try sleeping in Subryanville for One sunday night and you’ll talk different. I agree that poor people need fun and that the Sunday Lime is good but there must be some form of consideration for others too.
  I’m sure nobody will agree that “poor people must have fun at the expense of others.”
  Let’s have controlled fun.
  ‘Pick pocketing’ has become a part of the lime too not forgetting the 2 occasions I know of families being traced form the seawall and ’stuck up’ on Sheriff street withing the vicinity of the cemetery.
  Have more members of the GPF and the lime will be “fair for all”
- amen-ra 173.52.9.100 not found says:
  
  November 20, 2008 at 6:10 pm
  
  rambler a joker thanks for the laugh
Wiffy says:

November 20, 2008 at 8:27 am

Simply lack of enforcement and lawlessness. The GPF can either permit these activity until a certain/reasonable time or simply ensure that these activities no longer take place here. Simple!

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A. Persaud says:

November 20, 2008 at 9:52 am

It is unacceptable that the state has failed over and over to deal with a simple problem like “noise nuisance” that affects not only the elderly but young students and in fact a majority of who prefer quiet and peace. The state should have laws to seize these equipment and even jail the owners, that torment the lives of the folks living in residential areas. The police has a mandate to maintain law and order, and to confiscate these noise nuisance equipment that disturb the ordinary citizens. It is time law and order prevail. Guyana is no lawless society where everyone can do as he or she likes.

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- Theo says:
  
  November 20, 2008 at 3:54 pm
  
  Persaud, unfortunately GT is a lawless society. No law is enforced once the perpetrators have money. My last trip to GT I was pulled over by 4 cops (don’t know how they all fit in one car) for momentarily driving in the wrong lane (right hand side). I only had my NJ license and could not find the paperwok for the car (rental). Once they heard the accent, they made their desires known and I drove home minus $6k. The seargeant was such a fool, I talked him into giving me his name and phone number- I was going to report him, but I pretended it was for in case I find my self in a similar position. All he saw was dollar bills. Now how stupid are these officers ? and what example the senior rank setting for lower ranks? Point is- Laws will never be enforced in GT while bribes can be passed.
- Georgie says:
  
  November 20, 2008 at 5:14 pm
  
  Welcome to the city, my man. Ha! You are lucky that activity does not take place every night. Or, some construction company erecting a skycsraper the same distance away, driving piles day and night.
Mme Defarge says:

November 20, 2008 at 10:57 am

“Rambler”’s reply is the classic embodiment of the attitudes of many Guyanese and, sadly, ne’er the twain shall meet. It’s the same reaction you get when you ask a minibus driver to turn the “music” down. Half the country couldn’t care less about people who love peace and quiet in their homes. We are on the way to being a nation of deaf people.

Reply
- John Smith says:
  
  November 20, 2008 at 3:52 pm
  
  I read Rambler’s three comments and I now know why he has embraced that pseudonym.
- rambler says:
  
  November 20, 2008 at 6:20 pm
  
  your peace and quiet is affecting the enjoyment of my music. now turn up the volume
- Ulric says:
  
  November 20, 2008 at 7:11 pm
  
  What we need in addition to the current loud music are: tassa and African drums. Also get the Rasta boys to entertain. Get the police band to play and when they stop playing anybody caught playing any loud music should have their equipment taken away like they do in New York. Come on Mr. Police Commissioner act. I really enjoyed the seawall three weeks ago, but the loud music went on too late (2:00am) I was told. ISNM
rainbowsend says:

November 20, 2008 at 11:04 am

Work which hard for nothing? After the Sunday Lime……..nobody work Monday,
Tuesday; lucky if they show up Wednesday; by Thursday they would show up for an advance in pay for Friday………that’s Guyana! Why take worries, it is cheaper to use their cell phones to call NY and TO asking us fools for a raise and they will tell you to send it Western Union too.
Getting back to the noise……that is lawlessness! What happen to permits, time limit; parking permit etc. and the garbage on Monday morning. Have fun yes but have consideration and respect for others and the environment.

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- rambler says:
  
  November 20, 2008 at 6:27 pm
  
  please work harder …Banks just raise
K says:

November 20, 2008 at 11:51 am

Gosh…that is why Guyana can’t have anything good. On my last visit to Guyana I enjoyed liming on the sea wall, because there is nothing else to do on Sunday evenings besides get drunk!

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K says:

November 20, 2008 at 12:15 pm

That is why people don’t want to go back to Guyana!

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- SOESDYKE says:
  
  November 21, 2008 at 8:27 pm
  
  Speak for yourself. There are worst places than Guyana. One question, if Guyana is so bad, why are so many Brazilians and others flocking there.
Dude says:

November 20, 2008 at 12:20 pm

This is appaling!!! I remember the good ole days when my friends and I had so much fun just hanging out there, enjoying the cool breeze, chatting and yes I have to admit, ‘bird watching’. There was no need for loud music.

Anyways, the authority should enforce the law. I do not know why this simple issue is so difficult. Loud music disturbs the peace and that is unlawful, dudes.

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William J says:

November 20, 2008 at 1:39 pm

I went a liming spot in Boa Vista a Sunday night. The environment was so relaxing, there was food/drinks, children playing, people gaffin, couples doing there thing, but no loud music.

I think Guyanese have a wrong concept of “freeing up” You don’t need explosive music and a throw down to free up. use thing with headphone if you want loud music.

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Thereal_Kanaima says:

November 20, 2008 at 2:05 pm

Rambler needs to get a real life and endure the ear bashing music these so called poor ppl play at the seawall. Mind you, I’m all for some good music and good fun but not next to a residential neighborhood! Whatever happen to having your music at a MODERATE level..it is beyond me why ppl must IMPOSE on me their music..and believe I want to listen to their music.There are no zoning laws in GT or should I say lack of enforcement. It tells a whole lot about a country and its people how far we have “progressed” from 1966.

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- rambler says:
  
  November 20, 2008 at 6:23 pm
  
  i cant hear you…the music is too loud..
PAUL says:

November 20, 2008 at 8:53 pm

I AGREE THAT THE ELITES R FROM THE AREA ,HOWEVER THE SEAWALL IS THERE FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY AND I BELIEVE IN FAIRNESS TO THE RESIDENTS, THE CHILDREN AND THE PETS LOUD MUSIC SHOULD BE CURTAIL BEFORE MIDNIGHT.

THE SEAWALL IS NOW A SANCTUARY FOR LOW INCOME GUYANESE AND EVEN FOREIGNERS ARE NOW ENJOYING THEMSELVES THERE EVERY SUNDAY AND I DO NOT INTEND TO CREATE FEAR TO THE RESIDENTS THERE BUT SOONER OR LATER THE SEAWALL WILL HAVE REVELLERS EVERYNIGHT-

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Caesar Agustus says:

November 20, 2008 at 9:05 pm

I believe that the relevant authorities, the City of Georgetown, especially the Mayor,should be contacted regarding this matter. Residents cannot be inconvenienced because of public anxiety caused by others. Georgetown has Planning and Zoning laws, and I am sure that these laws do not include what is happening on the seawall.

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truth b told says:

November 21, 2008 at 7:08 am

GIVE ME A BREAK!!! The rambler is right. I visit the seawalls just about every Sunday and I hear nor see anything to complain about. The music is usually turned off before midnight and is not played at a deafening level, it is very moderate, in fact from some points of the same area, you dont even hear the music, so i dont know how they can complain about noises in their mansions, many of them airconditioned and sealed. And to the fool that said this is one of the reason many persons cannot come back to Guyana, go shove it, the reasons you folks cant come back is because you cant afford it. thats the reality. I visit New York and Toronto at least 6 times every year and i work and live in Guyana, well educated and holding a good job. I can affford it. dont blame noise for your economic down fall, blame bush.

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- John Smith says:
  
  November 21, 2008 at 3:13 pm
  
  Not a very educated response. The truth needs to be told about how you can afford to buy plane tickets to go to North America at least 6 times a year. I have a very good job and I am well educated too and have only a wife that depends on me so you should tell me what is your secret. All I can think about is your company paying for the business trips or you are extremely wealthy .Let the ‘truth b told’.
- Caesar Agustus says:
  
  November 28, 2008 at 8:59 pm
  
  You should live on the sea wall then.
Judge says:

November 21, 2008 at 4:00 pm

Ok Calm down every body..There will be no more music on the seawalls after 11:00 pm so save your energies to get to work on Monday…

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rambler says:

November 20, 2008 at 1:29 pm

elitist

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Georgie says:

November 20, 2008 at 3:07 pm

Again, these individuals still think that Bel Air Gardens, Bel Air Springs, Subryanville etc. are suburbia. Don’t worry, sooner or later it will turn into a tourist attraction like The Strip

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rambler says:

November 20, 2008 at 1:30 pm

nowhere in the constitution does it talk about a citizen having rights to peace and quiet. now turn up the volume

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Thereal_Kanaima says:

November 21, 2008 at 11:55 am

good..then keep it loud so u can get deaf …works for me..obviously you are a provacateur…

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A. Persaud says:

November 21, 2008 at 10:03 pm

Hi Rambler And others who like their loud music.
What is so wrong in giving some consideration to the feeble, elderly, sickly, students, etc. resting or recuperating, or preparing for some exam and really need their peace and quiet? This might sound stupid, but would you like someone to set up loud speakers next to your house with your family inside and turn up their music very loud so as to affect your family when they are resting? It is people like you and me who have to work together to change our country for the better. It is you and me who have to teach our youngsters respect for each other. So even though we may all enjoy the loud music we, must know where to draw the line out of respect and consideration for neighbors.

Finally I hope the police are paying attention to the noise nuisance and are taking action and not turning a blind eye because of some ulterior reason. Come on, lets make Guyana a place we can all love and have respect for each other.

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A. Persaud says:

November 21, 2008 at 10:12 pm

Theo you are right. Bribe seems the law of the day! But not for all our police officers. There are some decent guys out there who are upholding the law. Primarily I believe though: It is the supervisors of the police officers and the Gt Mayor who has to follow up on citizens complaints and take necessary action to rid our country of noise nuisances promulgated by a few who have lost their respect for others along the way.

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