Concerned citizens take action in Kingstown

A citizens’ clean-up of Kingstown, the brainchild of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ consul general in Toronto Fitz Huggins, began last Sunday and is expected to continue next Sunday on Bay Street.

Huggins, aided by a number of persons, power washed the sidewalks on both sides of Halifax Street, while the group also cleaned a number of drains.

According to Huggins, the idea for the clean-up came one morning earlier this month, while he was driving to work in Toronto and listening online to BOOM FM radio station in St Vincent.

“A pastor had a message about complaining about everything and doing nothing and he was saying the answer lies in everybody to change their circumstances and then after someone was talking about how dirty Kingstown was,” explained Huggins, who there and then decided to do something about the situation in the capital.

He said that he contacted a number of persons, including his cousin Art Huggins, his brother Spencer Huggins, Garnes Byron, Lennox Bowman and Joel Huggins and they all agreed that the clean-up was a good idea.

Huggins said that they looked at the logistics and decided they would need power wash machines and Art Huggins, who owned three, said that he would loan his equipment to the task. Munroe “Daddy” Peters also donated his time and machine and on Sunday the group descended on the capital, where they managed to start the process that Huggins is hoping catches on.

“We wanted to show to people that the answer lies within everybody. Forget about race and party and work for the country.

All we have to do sometimes is devote our time; don’t leave everything for the Government. We gave our own resources and we are hoping that this shows people that their time, energy and willingness to work is good and can do wonders,” said Huggins on Monday.

The consul general said that they did not touch the buildings, but concentrated on the sidewalks and drains and he is hoping that the initiative appeals to the various business operators in town.

“If everybody takes care of their property and the space in front their businesses, the town will be cleaner. People can help out on Saturdays or Sundays or businesses can hire somebody to do the cleaning,” said Huggins.

The initiative was supported by among others, Ian Veira (SINGER), Coreas Hazells Limited, the Fire Department of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (Sergeant Smart), KFC, Rondy Luta Mc Intosh, Glenroy Phillips, Hailes Castello and Michelle Doyle.

Huggins said that a number of persons have agreed to continue the process this coming Sunday, with the focus being placed on Bay Street.(LC)