Community festival may lead to employment scheme
Former Community Affairs Minister Dale Butler is hoping the success of a local festival can be the springboard to set up a scheme finding work for the unemployed.At least 1,500 people visited Angle Street to enjoy a variety of music and buy goods from vendors at the Bermuda Triangle Cultural Festival on Saturday.Mr Butler, who said he was delighted with the turnout after complaining about apathy in the run-up to the event, said community spirit can help tackle some of the problems facing Bermuda today.He said the Angle Street Community Association is now considering creating an employment agency which will help people into jobs.“There are no instant solutions to community development,” he said.“If the committee agree, the agency will be as simple as registering those with skills and then having residents post on a bulletin board what jobs they need done. Those looking for jobs can contact them to do the work.“It is one of many next steps the committee will be asked to consider.”Mr Butler said many former residents of the Angle Street area returned for Saturday's festival, while Pembroke East MP Walter Roban, Hamilton Mayor Charles Gosling and Opposition leader John Barritt were also in attendance.“The festival was a huge success with lots of vendors and musicians,” said Mr Butler.