I think Mr. McTaggart asked some great questions in his letter in Wednesday's Caymanian Compass.

While I do not agree with everything that was said, I think some valuable points were made, especially concerning the rent and fees that accompany a floating bar at Stingray City. Is there any rent or fees for a floating bar? Does this open the doors for competition and more floating bars or shops at Stingray City? And to my next question...where is the line drawn?

Just because people already anchor at Stingray City in their private boats with coolers full of alcoholic beverages, does that really justify making alcohol available to those who it wouldn't be available to in the first place? Does it make it right? Is it now OK to give everyone the opportunity to get intoxicated in the water with no thought to the many negative consequences?

Secondly, the floating bar should not only make us stop and think about its impact on Stingray City, but it should also wake us up to the bigger questions at hand. Is Stingray City being operated with the care and concern it should be handled with right now? Are we planning our future with the next seven generations in mind? I do agree that we should be thinking about the wider issues, concerning our environment and tourism. Maybe the floating bar was exactly what we needed to wake us up to the problems!

I applaud everyone who joined the protest on Monday, signed the petition, honked their horns against the floating bar and took part in the debate. Whatever the outcome may be, it's comforting to know that there are people who want to stand up and make a difference. I hope that we don't stop at the problem of the floating bar, but continue to fight for the protection and preservation of our seas and environment. We need to accept the things we cannot change but always...always try to change the things we can.

Natasha Kozaily