On one of my recent frequent visits back to the island, I was truly saddened at the state of our world famous Hellshire Beach. In exchange for the satisfaction of our cultural taste buds for fish and festival, we have allowed the infrastructure of Hellshire Beach to slip into decrepit and disorderly conditions. The layout of stalls are crammed, parking is a free for all, and sanitary conditions are questionable at best. All these conditions usurp the unquestion-able authenticity of one of our culinary institutions.

Restore order

Would it be too much to ask for our parliamentary leadership and tourism authorities to revisit a possible plan on the best avenues to restore some order and maintenance to this beloved destination? I humbly suggest that consideration be given to present the current population of Hellshire with a renovation-layout plan that would enhance profitability for vendors and the experience for visitors.

With parking entrance fee and shared vendor leasing, both vendors and visitors could contribute to collaborative funding of maintenance and sanitary infrastructure. Likewise, I am sure the vendors could collectively develop a brand of 'Hellshire' products of sauces and merchandising where they could collectively share the profits.

I sincerely hope that this is not a symptom of our culture where we simply accept things how they are and creep further into mediocrity. Our culture and heritage sites deserve better. I am willing to pull out my dollar for a parking or site entrance fee to support a collaborative restoration before Hellshire becomes closer to the shore of 'hell'. Are you?

We can do better.

I am, etc.,

MARLON HILL

mhill@delancyhill.com

Miami