Clearing up some issues about West St. George

Fri, Aug 27, 2010

Editor: I write in my capacities of Chairman of the West St. George Development Council and Chairman of the Arnos Vale-Villa Development Council in response to two articles that appeared in The News newspaper of August 13, 2010. For the sake of information, the Development Councils were set up in April/May 2001

by the Hon. Mike Browne, Parliamentary Representative for West St. George. Nine Councils were established, one for each polling division in the constituency.{{more}} These Councils are a form of local government and are the democratic voice of the West St. George constituents, providing advice and support to the Representative.

Firstly, the article titled, “What’s happening to the people in Poleyard?” by Vinnette Frederick. The Arnos Vale-Villa Development Council, which I chair, had worked closely with Minister Mike Browne to do the following:-

a) Cleaning the Arnos Vale (Warrawarrou) River from the bridge at the Round-About down to the Greathead Beach;

b) Distributing thirty (30) concrete latrine units to the Poleyard residents;

c) Distributing food-baskets to residents;

d) Representing Poleyard residents regarding the strong, offensive smell from the electricity poles stored there and the smell of diesel oil in the river from run-offs at the Vinlec plant when it rained. The management of Vinlec made some adjustments to effectively address the problems and invited the Council to tour their facilities at Cane Hall to confirm adjustments;

e) Campaigning for pipe-borne water connections to the houses at Poleyard. The Council was aware that the residents were squatting on Government lands and that the necessary infrastructure could not be put in place. However, the Council’s immediate concern was to lobby for the installation of at least a stand pipe so that residents could have access to clean, pipe-borne water. Representation was, therefore, made by me on behalf of the Council to the then Manager of the Central Water and Sewerage Authority, Mr. Daniel Cummings, for the installation of at least one stand pipe. At the time when the representation was made, Mr. Cummings was attending a West St. George Conference as part of a panel discussing the development of the West St. George Constituency. His response was negative, stating that under no circumstances would he approve the installation of a stand pipe at Poleyard, a squatting community. I am also aware that the Hon. Mike Browne had unsuccessfully sought the approval of the CWSA for a communal bath and washing facilities for Poleyard.

Secondly, the article captioned “Problems at Browne’s Crescent “still on the books”. As with our work at Poleyard, the Hon. Mike Brown and the Arnos Vale-Villa Development Council worked closely on issues at Browne Crescent. The following should be noted:-

a) Browne Crescent was one of some 40 roads named by the Council-a project costing some $15,000;

b) Residents living on that road were/are also members of our Council;

c) The Council cleaned the stream running through the area from Warner Tire Shop down to the beach. A chain saw had to be used to cut up the large trees which fell across the stream and were blocking it. Over time, dating back to the NDP administration, there was a serious build-up of garbage and stagnant water that formed a breeding ground for flies, mosquitoes and rodents. Residents complained bitterly and repeatedly to the NDP Administration — to no avail. The conditions were so adverse that manpower could not manage to clear that section of the gutter —

a back-hoe belonging to Mr. Ken Thomas had to be engaged to assist in the cleaning operation. For 17 years, the NDP administration ignored the pleas and the suffering of the residents of that area. It took Hon. Mike Browne and the Arnos Vale-Villa Development Council to resolve this problem.

d) There is another drain in the area that runs down from the highway at the Shell gas station in Arnos Vale (below Villa Lodge Hotel) and also passes down at the Shell Installation Plant. The earthen section of this drain was completely blocked by debris, dirt and empty gas cylinders from the installation plant, causing a problem with flies, mosquitoes and rodents. The Council was instrumental in having the drain cleared.

e) The Council executed a number of community beautification projects, including clean up of the Great Head beach on two occasions.

f) At our last Area Council meeting, which was attended by the Hon. Mike Browne, and which was reported in the Searchlight Newspaper, Brown Crescent residents were notably absent. It should be pointed out that at these meetings, residents prioritize the list of things that need to be addressed in their particular area.

Eli Francis
Chairman
Arnos Vale – Villa Development Council