Lee doing a great job

J.M. FLETCHER

Since the appointment of Mayor Lee, gullies and drains have been cleaned. The scenery on your way to Hellshire is worth the drive and the roads are fixed in such a way that when it rains, it drains into the gullies.

As a people, we are quick to bash people and slow to commend. Oh, how we enjoy bashing so much. I will endeavour to be different, however, and give credit where it is due. Mayor Lee, we cannot thank you enough.

Kudos to Kerlyn Brown and CVM

MARLENE HEMMINGS

Retreat, Brown's Town PO, St Ann

On behalf of Jeniviene Campbell, daughter of Joyce Lynch in Brown's Town, St Ann, I am saying thanks to Kerlyn Brown for helping Jeniviene. Thanks also to all those persons who made telephone calls or sent letters to CVM TV.

I feel so good that somebody else saw her need and helped her.

Since Kerlyn Brown began the programme 'Inspire Jamaica', it has brightened the lives of our children. Miss Brown is determined to do her best and has strived to make the children of tomorrow happier.

I wish Kerlyn all the best and God's guidance, strength and support from all Jamaicans.

My heart goes out to the little girl from Ocho Rios who has to wear an artificial foot.

Fix Golden Spring road now!
NIKOLA

I live on Arthur Leon Drive in Golden Spring, St Andrew.

We plead with Transport and Works Minister Dr Omar Davies to help us. Our roads are the worst in the country. Please take a look at the river bed we call road to walk on. We have to use two pairs of shoes every day, every time we leave the house.

The road is most deplorable. Look at the accompanying picture of the bruise on my legs after I fell down walking home on the road.

nikola25jm@yahoo.com

Nepotism, cronyism rife at teacher-training institution

CONCERNED CITIZEN

I am appalled at the lack of moral integrity and the act of cronyism, as well as nepotism, demonstrated by the president of a teacher-training institution in Jamaica.

The official has abused work ethics and has carried out atrocities that are in violation of the labour laws set out to run all public-education organisations in this country.

I have worked at the said institution for several years, and currently my job security has been threatened, because of my utterly vocal opposition to the official's colonial divide-and-rule style of leadership. A big problem in the workforce is that there are no job opportunities for young professionals and college graduates, because retired workers are holding those positions hostages.

For instance, the official only employs retirees from other institutions who are loyal and will support the official's decisions, be it good or bad. This is a public institution, not a private one. Anyone who challenges the official has to leave, be it lecturer, support staff, or administrative staff.

On several occasions, the abuse of power has resulted in staff members being unduly fired. For example, in May 2011, a director was inhumanely escorted from the campus by security based on false allegations.

no transparency

Given the emphasis of the Ministry of Education that there should be transparency in the operations of all public-education institutions, the question must be asked: How can one individual be made to run a public government institution with such subjectivity? Is this individual autonomous? Doesn't the official answer to a board or to the Ministry of Education?

This is an institution with a vision and mission to serve Jamaica but, if placed under serious scrutiny, would be found wanting.

Additionally, in 2010, the services of two lecturers were terminated against the background that one of them constantly challenged opinions in meetings.

At the same time, the practice of nepotism is rife. The official has relatives employed to the institution. Were they interviewed? Were the positions ever advertised?

For an institution that is contributing to the teaching fraternity each year to be mired in controversy, will it not have a negative impact on those who are being prepared to go out and contribute to the education system?

I must ask against the background of all these issues that the Ministry of Education investigate these institutions that are given public funding to contribute to nation building.

Acadia Drive infested with rats

CONCERNED CITIZEN

This is an open letter to Kingston Mayor Angela Brown Burke, Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson, and CEO of the National Solid Waste Management Authority, Jennifer Edwards.

There exists a squatter settlement bordering the gully that runs parallel to Acadia Drive from Barbican Road to Olivier Road. The area is not accessible to vehicular traffic. Garbage and other materials are dumped either in the gully or scattered in the area. This has resulted in a major infestation of rats - the size of cats!

Residents of the community are now victims to the multitude of rats which roam the neighbourhood. Several dogs have died from leptospirosis, and it's just a matter of time before some resident will succumb to this disease.

Setting rat poison is of little use, as the rodents keep coming from the squatter settlement. This situation will continue until the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation, or whichever relevant agency, does something about garbage disposal in the squatter settlement, which is growing at a very fast rate. This has increased the health hazard.

Grenada Crescent businesses should help maintain law and order

K. LEWIS, Kingston 5

Many people think that corporate social responsibility starts and ends with charitable giving. However, corporate social responsibility has to do holistically with the way organisations interact with their environment and all their stakeholders.

It involves taking responsibility for all elements of their operation and the effects and consequences of their existence on people, communities and on the built and natural environment, etc.

Some of Jamaica's most successful and important companies have offices located along or just off Grenada Crescent in New Kingston. Businesses such as Jamaica National, Flow, MC Systems, FirstCaribbean and Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS). and FirstCaribbean Bank operate ATMs from their locations.

At nights, there is no way that I, or perhaps anyone else in his right mind, would stop on Grenada Crescent to use the machines, as there is often an army of men hanging out or lounging, seemingly aimlessly, along Grenada Crescent.

Some of them sit or stand in the well-maintained green space close to VMBS. Others sit along the steps of FirstCaribbean, or on walls that are part of the FirstCaribbean and Jamaica National buildings.

Owners and occupants of buildings and land are responsible for their property 24/7. The hordes of men in the vicinity of these buildings spill over on to sidewalks, which is public property; but they also linger directly on property used by some of these businesses.

In some ways, a band of men hanging out on streets at nights is a police matter; but it is also part of the companies' responsibility to help maintain a safe environment for their customers, their neighbours and all other users of that street.

Tell us about the positives and negatives affecting your community, school or any other social space. Email submissions to letters@gleanerjm.com.