Madden's is a nation builder

Neville Atkinson, JP

In 1972, the then government morgue situated at Producers Road, behind the Jamaica Railway Corporation building, in west Kingston, was in a horrible state. As a consequence, there were significant pile-ups of decomposing bodies, which generated an odour that was unbearable to the staff of the then JRC, as well as the people of west Kingston. Given the proximity of the abattoir to the morgue, it posed a great threat of an outbreak of incalculable proportions.

It was Madden's Funeral Supplies that stepped in and repaired the refrigerators. The morgue was subsequently closed in 1976. Others in the funeral industry at the time had turned a blind eye to a potentially explosive situation.

The company has suffered immensely from persons who continue to paint a negative picture in that Madden's is incapable of handling bodies properly. This is a most unfounded and baseless allegation. As a matter of fact, new persons coming into the funeral industry who were employees of that company have acquired substantial experience. Madden's is a like a mortuary university.

Let me make it abundantly clear that Madden's has not only given more than 80 years of dedicated and professional service to the funeral industry but has also played an essential and integral role in the education of inner-city children, as well as advancing the welfare of more than 200 senior citizens from various sections of the city.

Let me 'big up' the Madden's family for its contribution to nation building.

Gordon Town roads, street lights in disrepair

THE EDITOR, Sir:

For as long as I have been living in Gordon Town, St Andrew, the roads have only been patched when elections or other big events are scheduled.

The section from Industry Village into Gordon Town square and beyond is in need of dire repairs. A lot of well-known people come from this little community, and I don't think they have done enough to let us all drive in comfort.

The section of road from Gordon Town square going towards Dean Peart's residence is in need of major repairs. Continuing beyond Mr Peart's residence are several other districts whose roads are in a dilapidated state. It's dangerous when taxis traverse it.

On another matter, the street lights have been malfunctioning for some time now. Some have no bulbs, while others go on and off at regular intervals. The one right below my house has been out for eight months now, and I have made repeated calls to the Jamaica Public Service Company.

Up to the writing of this letter on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, no one has come to look, much less repair it. My mom has been scared to walk at night because of how dark the road is in the vicinity.

Please help us.

Jermaine Ferguson
marceldon@digicel.blackberry.com

Health centre nightmare

Derrick simon
President, Golden Spring Citizens' Association
derrickdsimon@yahoo.com

The need to construct a proper health centre befitting human dignity for residents of Golden Spring and its environs in West Rural St Andrew long outdates the first formal request for funding made to the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) in 2004.

Indeed, the existing facility, a Type One clinker board, infested hovel of a clinic, needed overhaul soon after its creation in the early 1970s.

JSIF has now demonstrated that it has all in place under a Basic Needs Programme to, along with the residents, fund a new facility. This offer for funding by JSIF has been on the table for some time now but the organisation has indicated that if there is no execution of the project by year end 2012, the funds will be redirected.

In the meantime, a bureaucratic mire has developed between the Kingston and St Andrew Health Department, South East Regional Health Authority, and the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation, the latter indicating a no-go until it gets a formal agreement to collect land rental for the government-owned land on which the existing facility is located.

While time slips perilously by and the JSIF ultimatum looms, the mostly female residents of the 12 adjoining communities which the facility serves sucks salt in a building defined by squalor.

Will some kind person bring this letter to the attention of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller?

Clean Mile Gully rubbish

anonymous

The Mile Gully community is located in the North West Manchester constituency. Mikael Phillips is the member of parliament and the councillor is a Mr Maxwell.

The community has many returning residents and professsionals. It is indeed a nice little community to reside in. However, the garbage collection bin at the community centre is in a deplorable state. The garbage has not been collected for more than three weeks.

Rats and dogs feast on the garbage on a daily basis. This is really not good for our community.

Could the political representatives assist us?

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