The Linden scene

Jan 30, 2009 Letters

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Dear Editor,
“Life goes not backwards nor tarries with yesterday” – K. Gibron.
Anyone would much rather moving forward in an atmosphere of optimism rather than be harping back to the unpleasant. But what of a state of condition where things that should have been done or rectified, instead have been left unattended for whatever reason and remain in an ugly state of rapid deterioration.
How different then, in what positive light would one be seen by conforming to the consensus “Wha yuh gon do”, “You wan can’t change it”, “talking and writing is a waste of time”. But because of one’s conviction, one can remain steadfast. And so once again we are into a new year, but there is nothing new except the year itself with the same old same getting worse, and yes, sometimes one does get the feelings as if barking up the wrong tree, or just kicking against the pricks.
A glance at the past, present, future: Most glaring and repulsive are our roads/streets that remain in shocking condition, apart from a road or two costing enormous sums of money being done in a kind of way that doesn’t stay in shape for long. Our roads/streets are in a general state of decomposition, a most shameful intolerable and vexing state of affair. Taxi drivers are refusing to go through them, and you can’t blame them. Their condition affects everyone: the elderly, those who are ill whenever there is an emergency and all else who must use them. Many of them cannot even be referred to as roads/streets.
The scrap iron business that is done in a most reckless way, scattered along the road(s) any old how creating a hazard and a mess, and no top functionary is ever bothered, also contributes to the ill state of our roads.
The blocked drains, arid-culverts that give us a ruthless reminder since it rains a drop and now with the incessant rains, the imagination is not pressed – it’s easy to figure out. I’ve always held the view that our roads should have been one of the hallmarks of our town. I’m yet to be convinced that this mining community does not have some of the best road building materials; mountains of all types of overburden and yet our roads/streets remain in limbo.
The Police Traffic Department leaves much to be desired in a community that is easily traffic manageable. They (the police) remain basically reactive, not seeing the simple and obvious things that ought to be done: monitoring of large heavy duty vehicles along the Linden Highway, especially at nights; speed limits/signs; brightening of zebra crossing, humps where necessary; overloading of minibuses, etc. Why must there always be an unfortunate eventuality before positive action is taken?
And may God forbid! But I must repeat for the umpteenth time that maybe not until a fatal accident occurs between “Zipper” Johnson’s home just next to Greenheart Street and Bullet Wood Street along Sir David Rose Avenue will the relevant authority be forced to make that area safer. Whenever it rains this area is flooded because of the depression caused by the many heavy duty vehicles that normally park there. The flooded water extends to almost the middle of the (Sir David Rose) main road, thus every pedestrian – man, woman, child, cyclists, motor cyclists and all vehicles trafficking to and fro must contend for space on the narrow piece of strip left. Now, all the top administrators of Linden, Region Ten, pass this way daily. Good God! What’s wrong!
On the question of our water situation it is hard not to reflect on the dead past when pure crystal clear water was gushing out of every single tap in every home, apartment and building, almost simultaneously, 24/7, free of cost, as against now when one is required to pay for it and it sometimes comes in all shades with foreign matter, and regularly not at all, even as GWI boasts of installing modern water treatment systems.
What contrasting changes have taken place! Talk about “improving things for the worst”.
Our garbage disposal situation is a wretched one and cause for alarm, which is getting from bad to worse, and definitely appears to be beyond the capacity of the municipality, with increase in haphazard dumping sites that is most offending. For this council cannot be held solely responsible, since it is done mainly by those who operate businesses and need to be more caring and responsible. At any rate, something has to be worked out to correct this disaster.
And while we await the completion of the sparkling state-of-the-art hospital, the existing Mackenzie Hospital is far from performing satisfactorily. Anyways, it is hoped that with the completion of this new one it will indeed be an institution deserving of being called a hospital; that it will be fully equipped, staffed with its full complement of doctors and quality nurses; that there will be a reversal in the order where medics have replaced doctors; that we see an obvious change in the attitude of nurses bearing the hallmark of stark professionalism; that patients especially the elderly do not have to spend extended hours – “the whole day” – to be attended to; that when medics at the outpatient clinics give a prescription the hospital dispensary has it and one does not have to take the prescription to a doctor who is not about or occupied to have it endorsed before it is given; that at long last residents will be able to breathe a sigh of relief through qualitative service and treatment and feel reassured.
And once again I must repeat the contribution of councilor Eon Halls. His “Under the microscope” TV programme needs to be commended; many of the issues, irregularities and problems he brings to light ought to be acted upon in an open, objective and meaningful manner.
The castigation and dismissive way in which Halls is being treated by some of his co-councilors does not make better the problem the council has to grapple with. Halls might not be the collegiate that some of us would admire, but hell! He tries to be fair and blows fowl when he perceives it; he fights from a position of principle. His weekly “Under the Microscope” programme has gained rapid and wide support by residents, except a motley few. It finds favour with many of the frustrated, among others who can identify with the topics/issues he questions and the community now generally looks forward for this TV item for briefing on what’s going on in and about the council. And why not? Isn’t it the community’s business to be informed? Some people have even expressed the view that there should be a similar programme in other administrative bodies.
On a positive note: the construction work being done along the river bank along Co-op Cresent will certainly enhance its appearance, which is most welcome, and will allow for a bit of relaxation and river viewing. This is the direction; this is the kind of thing that the community would like to see more of from the council.
Frank Fyffe

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