In an apparent bid to show a good face during Cricket World Cup 2007, authorities began to execute a massive clean-up drive of the historic town of Falmouth earlier this week.

The exercise, which will undoubtedly intensify as the date for the opening ceremony draws closer involved:

. the weeding of sidewalks;

. the cutting of hedges;

. the cleaning of drains;

. the removal of derelict vehicles from the roadway; and

. the removal of zinc fences along Duke and Market Streets.

The various projects form part of a $635-million beautification programme announced by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller last year, as well as funds from the coffers of the Trelawny Parish Council and Lift Up Jamaica.

Several communities on the outskirts of Falmouth, as well as the popular Burwood Beach will also get much-needed attention over the next few weeks.

In fact, work has already started at Burwood Beach. The Trelawny Parish Council, probably influenced by the numerous criticism of the dilapidated state of the facility and the thousands of expected visitors to the parish over the next few weeks, has now realised that it makes good sense to get the beach ingood shape.

According to chairman of that local authority, Jonathan Bartley, the upgrading of the broken-down sanitary facilities has started. Plans are also in place to erect a perimeter fencing at the beach.

Work is also moving full speed ahead on the construction of what will be the Trelawny Police Divisional Headquarters and a court house; a building to house the town’s fire brigade and the much-needed upgrading of the Falmouth General Hospital.

But while there seems to be a certain level of uncertainty and anxiety over whether or not those projects will be completed in time for the opening ceremony of Cricket World Cup 2007, and the quality of work that is being done under the beautification projects, the town unquestionably will look much more attractive within another few weeks.

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) general secretary and caretaker/ candidate for North Trelawny, Dennis Meadows, while welcoming the clean-up drive, believes that the bulk of the work should be contracted to professional landscaping companies who would then supervise the scores of residents, now employed to the various beautification projects.

This he believes would ensure value for money.

He further argues that if there was a sustainable beautification programme in the first instance, the authorities would not be now scurrying around to barely clean up the town for tourists.

Meadows seems to be right on this. Too often we implement projects without putting in the necessary mechanisms to sustain them. Several attempts have been made in the past to beautify Falmouth and other towns and communities, but lack of maintenance and sustainability have rendered them futile.

So what will happen this time around after millions of dollars is spent to prepare Falmouth for Cricket World Cup 2007?

Will the town revert to its filthy and unsightly state?

Or will programmes be put in place to maintain and protect what will be achieved over the next few weeks?

The ball is in your court, Mr Bartley, MP Patrick Harris and the various civic groups in the historic town. The residents, too, also have a duty to protect what will be achieved over the next few weeks.

Let’s not just put on a good face for Cricket World Cup 2007 but for all year-round.

Together we can achieve.