The Editor, Sir:

I read the article about the residents of Silver Hill in Portland and that they are disappointed that the MP and the NWA stopped their collective project aimed at fixing the bridge within their community.

Well, maybe we should take the time to try to understand each party's point of view and try to figure out a solution, and with a solution as my main aim, I would like to try to understand the situation.

(1) Maybe the residents were trying to fix the bridge to prevent the loss of lives. Example: a child falling over. (2) Maybe the MP and the NWA stopped the residents from working on the bridge to prevent the loss of lives. Example: the residents aren't necessarily bridge engineers and might in fact make a bad situation worse by tampering with the structure of the bridge. Remember, this is just a wild guess - what do I know?

Maybe this could be the solution. The MP and the NWA could have a meeting with the residents, just to get some understanding and come to a suitable agreement between both groups. Maybe the MP and NWA weren't ready to fix the bridge due to lack of funds. Let us use lack of funds for not fixing the bridge because it sounds non-judgmental.

Maybe the residents could donate the material and the basic labour needed, while the MP and NWA donate the blueprint, expertise and leadership. Maybe the bridge could be fixed with a solution of this manner saving a child's life, saving the residents a few sleepless nights, and saving the MP and NWA's image and ego.

Bridge fixed, now we can all live happily ever after!

I am, etc.,

OMAR JUMP

123@hotmail.com

Irving, Texas

Via Go-Jamaica