WHEN last have you ventured out from Kingston into what some of us call “country”? Some people — like me — still revere that part of our environment which we associate with peace and tranquility, the memory of simpler times which we naively assumed would always be there.

Time continues to change and change at a brutal pace. Worse of all, the wicked have found their way into country; defacing and disrespecting the environment as they go along.

Despite our moaning and decrying, much is being done to roads across the nation, but that is not enough. Everybody wants high-grade roadways and if “di Govament” cannot provide it, then we will have to block something or other.

Part of the new phenomenon is the growing number of car lots everywhere. The more cars there are, the more roads have to be created to facilitate them. And, with increased access to once-tranquil, small villages, they have gradually been suffering at the hands — and guns — of intruders.

A visit to country can evoke memories of good times past and the shock of where we’re going. When we talk about the battle between past and present, we are faced with another dilemma. What must stay and what must go?

The emergence of the ongoing highway projects are occasions for mixed feelings. Yes, we want easier access to country. It shouldn’t have to take slow, torturous crawling up Spur Tree Hill as it used to be. We shouldn’t need to be trapped on Mount Diablo when trucks break down in the path of traffic and so on.

We want to reach Kingston in short time to bring things to sell in town, benefiting farmers and others with produce to be sold and taking back home items needed in country. Instead of commerce and industry, being a one-way trade, we can multiply opportunities for town and country folk.

It has been some time now since I headed for the north coast via the St Catherine into St Ann leg of the highway. The vistas of the St Catherine plains, in particular, are quite mind-boggling, especially if you love the hills. On the other hand, you might find your heart beating too fast for comfort when you look ahead and see what must be climbed.

Come to think of it, it is a bit of relief when the heights are eventually conquered and you decide to use the Chalky Hill route to get over to the coast. Chalky Hill has always been a place of challenge, as the slopes and corners test the courage of the motorists. Yet, there is something special about the area. In some places, there used to be really verdant pastures where fat, contented-looking cattle grazed. There were branches of sturdy trees, intertwined overhead, creating a thick canopy. Never mind that the road surface can be brutal sometimes, including potholes that devour two car tyres at a time, or that the corners, one after the other, make you realise who is the boss of Chalky Hill.

I’ve always loved the mixture of quaint little houses and modern structures. What I fear is that there is little or no interest in finding how yesterday and today can accommodate each other. Does that mean that because a new road is being introduced to an old neighbourhood there cannot be some accommodation for the present and the past?

As it is now, the environment seems ready to lose out. Clouds of dust are choking sections of the old road. There is no replacement of the trees which have been displaced or destroyed to facilitate the modern roads spitting white dust, ripping its way through the valley. The residents in the area are eating clouds of dust everyday.

Quite recently, there were demonstrations by residents who expressed their dissatisfaction at being smothered by the chalk dust. Meanwhile, the machinery of the new road continues to do what it has to do. We the people want roads and more roads, but what about the distinctive features of the area? Is there no way, no foresight, no use of modern technology to save some of the past, which provided a unique and distinctive environment? Why must it be one or the other? As development spreads around the island, it seems there is only one way, “Chop it down to build it up”.

The massacre of ancient trees, the plunder of rivers and streams are nothing, so long as we make it easier for travellers. Yes, we need that, but nothing else. It reminds me of the motto of those employed to trim tree branches. As their machetes are put into action, the workmen will announce with great pride, “Chop-i mek-i spring”. So, branches are hacked down until they look like a bad haircut.

Yes, let us have as many new roads as we can, but what about giving thought to what we eventually want our country to look like. Will it always be “Chop-i mek it spring”? Chalky Hill is eating dust at the moment. There will be more to swallow, not only in Chalky but elsewhere that more roads are to come, making journey easier.

But what of history? What of whom we could be if we had the humility to save and preserve nature’s gifts to the next generation? Save Country! We need it.

Here we are in 2015, drought is upon us. Ahead lies complaints and complaining, calls for Government to strike the rocks and bring on the water. As we complete another road, where will the water for the next one come from? There is no way to build it up so that we don’t have to mash-i-down. Could we ever return to country, even as we build the roads?

ON THE ROAD

Travelling to MoBay, the roadside litter was more than I have seen in a long time. The morons continue to throw all their garbage out of the cars along the roadway where it is spread by the wheels of vehicles speeding by. This is evidence of how we lack shame.

By the time we reached the outskirts of “The Bay” darkness had arrived. Would you believe not one light had come on along the ridiculously named Elegant Corridor? How can it be elegant when you can’t see in the dark and some motorists are driving as if they were on assignment for the undertaker? Somebody, explain it, please.

HOW MUCH LONGER?

Is this Tivoli Enquiry going to continue forever? It seems to be wearing out its welcome. The Jamaica Defence and Constabulary forces have been giving interesting evidence, but when it requires people to have to give up night-sleep to keep up, then it is time to be more practical. Isn’t it time to get it over and done with?

gloudonb@yahoo.com