The Editor, Sir:

One of the greatest beach locations in the United States is Virginia Beach in the state of Virginia, which I visit whenever I am not visiting my beloved Jamaica. Virginia Beach is a wonderful beach, and many Jamaicans/Americans go there every year. One of the things I noticed about Virginia Beach though is that it's not only those folks like myself who rent hotel rooms on the beachfront who have access to beautiful Virginia Beach, but the regular folks of Virginia also have access to the entire beach; there are walkways between each hotel where folk are able to walk to the beach.

The reason I am telling you this is because of the way Negril beach, one of our natural national treasures, is set up and operated. The Negril beach, all seven miles of it, should be open to the people of Jamaica, and to Jamaicans visiting from abroad. Whenever I visit Jamaica, I do not stay in hotels, but that doesn't mean I should not have access to Negril beach.

The Government should not allow private ownership of Negril's white-sand beaches, and nationals should have full access to it. The Government of Jamaica and the local authorities of Westmoreland and Hanover need to draft legislation to bring this into full effect. Build your hotel on the beachfront yes, but the white sands belong to all of us. My beautiful Jamaica, my beautiful people.

I am, etc.,

PASTOR SYLVESTER

WALLACE

nassjam@juno.com

Elmont, NY

Via Go-Jamaica