Dear Editor,

I listened with interest as the JLP recently celebrated its third year in office with its spin doctors and supporters enunciating its achievements in three years. Noticeably absent was any mention of the commitments to the community of Portmore and any intention to honour any of the commitments made to our Sunshine Community – the largest in the English-speaking Caribbean.

From the promises to reduce the toll rates, the much-touted city/parish status, the Fort Augusta Freeport development to the basic issues of solid-waste management and vector control: none of these promises have been fulfilled. What is most galling is the absence of a JLP presence anywhere in the community; which leads me to the question: Has the JLP given up on Portmore and why?

Since September 2007, all JLP constituency offices in the municipality have been closed; there are no caretakers or candidates in any constituency, and of the 11 parish council divisions, seven are without JLP representation.

I wish to remind the JLP that Portmore is not only the largest community in Jamaica but also the community with the highest level of educational attainment. Portmore has more tertiary students, graduates, academics and professionals than any other community islandwide. Conversely, the community has registered the lowest voter participation islandwide.

Old-style pork-barrel politics will not capture the imagination of the residents, neither will high-profile non-resident candidates. We the people of Portmore must be engaged in meaningful dialogue on community development and other pertinent issues.

As we come to an impending election, the JLP will be making a fatal error if they truly believe they can abandon the community for four years to engage us in three months. Nothing, except the opening of two clubs along the “back road” strip, has been done in Portmore in three years. While crime is down in other areas, Portmore is seeing an increase, especially in the area of property crimes with car-stealing figuring prominently.

As a community, Portmore’s contribution to national development is unmatched by any other community. I therefore urge the JLP to show themselves in Portmore, for the day of reckoning is at hand. Wake up and smell the coffee: your grace period has ended.

Bridgette Hyman

bridgettehyman@gmail.com