By Clive Simpson, Freelance WriterCHAIRMAN OF the St. James Parish Council's Civic and Community Affairs Committee, Councillor Richard Solomone, is angry over the disgraceful state of Montego Bay.
While expressing delight at the transformation of verges and traffic islands along Howard Cooke Boulevard with the landscaping being done as part of the dualisation, Councillor Solomone is of the view that people are treating the resort city as if it is a 'one-horse town'.
He voiced his concern at Monday's regular monthly meeting of the committee, pointing specifically to the disgraceful sight that greets persons approaching the Sangster International Airport from Sunset Boulevard and Queens Drive.
Councillor Solomone said he felt ashamed whenever he goes abroad and sees how beautiful other cities maintain approaches to their airports, only to leave Sangster International and be greeted by the bushy plots that flank the airport.
UPGRADING PROGRAMME
The committee instructed Public and Community Relations Officer Suzette Brown-Johnson to find out from MBJ Airports, operators of Sangster International, if they had plans to beautify the approaches to the airport as part of the major upgrading programme they have been undertaking. Also, the committee endorsed a recommendation that Councillor Solomone made to explore with a landscape architect, the possibility of creating a plan for the beautification of Montego Bay.
Committee members also voiced their disgust at the lack of civic pride among the city's inhabitants who make it unsightly. One member noted that some persons being paid to clean the streets were just as guilty as they throw garbage into the sea along the city's coastline.
In an interview after the meeting, Councillor Solomone reiterated that "almost all of Montego Bay" was in a disgraceful state. He added, "I think the situation needs urgent attention, it's chronic right now; nothing for any of us as citizens to be proud of."
Councillor Solomone pointed out, however, that "with the lead role being taken by the Parish Council and our involvement of the other agencies National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), the private sector through the Chamber of Commerce etceteras we can approach this thing together and let Montego Bay start to look clean, start to be a town that we are all proud of."
He noted that "obviously there is going to have to be enforcements because there are still persons who go around Montego Bay and still throw their garbage wherever they want. This makes it very difficult for the people who have to come after and clean; it's a threat when there is heavy rain and the gutters are blocked, the gullies are blocked."
Amidst his concern, Councillor Solomone sought to give an assurance that "proper measures are being put in place, and the Council, with all the other groups working together, is very supportive in trying to clean up Montego Bay."
In terms of the beautification of the Howard Cooke Boulevard, Councillor Solomone described what has been done so far as "extremely commendable". He also issued an appeal, "to our citizens and anybody who comes to our city to enjoy it, to admire the plants and not to remove them as I've heard is being done."
He also wants to see an end to stray animals roaming through the city and feeding on the plants.
