THE EDITOR, Madam:
THE GOVERNMENT often says "when you no do, dem cuss you and when you do, dem cuss you same way", but despite all of that, one cannot ignore their obligations to society and refrain from highlighting how carried away we can get in an attempt to do good.
I must commend the government for its bold attempt to provide employment for people in the surrounding communities. Many sidewalks and curb walls have been renovated, several areas have been cleared up and trees replanted and even some roads have been given a 'face lift'. This is truly a remarkable step taken by the government and I am sure many Jamaicans feel the same way despite the negative comments made by some members of the public.
But while one of the responsibilities of the government is to improve the environment and beautify the surroundings, it also has a responsibility to cater for the safety of its citizens. One cannot deny that the planter boxes enhance the beauty of the sidewalks. But while this is so, they also create a number of hindrances.
They restrict the movement of pedestrians.
Leave little or no room for people who are physicallychallenged especially those persons using wheelchairs, and
Minimise the space for school children and forcing them to walk in the streets.
Many of the sidewalks are already very narrow and to add planter boxes will only force us (pedestrians) into the streets.
I am therefore imploring the government to immediately look at this matter carefully and to decide whether or not some of these sidewalks should remain without the planter boxes.
I am, etc.,
MICHAEL N. BROWN,
Hughenden,
Kingston 20,
E-mail:
newman94@hotmail.com
