Panama's carnival will get government funding
(newsroompanama.com) The carnival that no one in Panama wants on their doorstep will be run by the government in 2011 and will get funding of between $1million and $1.5 million.
Tourism manager Solomon Shamah said Tuesday,( November 23) that Martinelli’s decision was "just taken" and details would follow.
In October 2009, says La Prensa, Martinelli said that under his administration government money would not be used to fund the carnival. saying that if the Executive Branch did not provide money for carnivals in Las Tablas, Capira or Penonomé, neither would it for the capital. "We are all equal," he said.
Following this, a private group was formed to operate the carnival in the capital and from the outset ran into problems through lack of funding and the surfacing of the NIMBY (Not in My Backyard) syndrome. There was widespread opposition to the route for parades and sideshows, with complaints about noise, litter and drunkenness.
The controversy continued after the event with people complaining that they has not been paid for four days of work.
The Cabinet Council approved $ 200,000 to help pay debts.
During the administration of Martin Torrijos (2004-2009) $1.3 million was spent to fund the event and the previous administration of Mireya Moscoso (1999-2004) spent $1.8 million. During the presidency of Ernesto Pérez Balladares (1994-1999) $1.7 million went from the public purse.
Carnival time is when thousands of residents flee the city. Away from the carnival activities, the streets are a driver's paradise, but many favored restaurants are closed.
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Original Source: Newsroompanama.com
Date Retrieved: November 24, 2010.
