Dear Editor,

I note the

Jamaica Observer report of the current mayor of Kingston saying that local government remains relevant.

I had no idea.

I wish to report to the mayor that, based on the councillors’ performance, their presence as administrators is not visible, except at the Ministry of Finance that pays them to operate the pantomime they call the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation.

From my observation — and I doubt many people close to Kingston will disagree — whether they were in office or on Mars, the sitting councillors have not improved the state of the capital city, nor seem to have any idea of how to go about improving it.

Relevance is measured by having the effect on and ability to change. No action by the mayor or council has improved the city of Kingston. There is not even a stated vision for its improvement.

The registration of handcarts cannot be considered relevant. This is a Band-Aid on a severe wound called lack of vision and poor management.

In my opinion, the mayor and all the councillors might as well have been on vacation, in retirement, or on Mars. I have concluded that the people we need in Government are those with vision and capacity to achieve the objectives of a well-planned and forward-thinking country.

In the meantime, local government is a waste of my taxes, and their continued existence is a drain on my resources.

So, in my opinion, local government in Jamaica is irrelevant, not based on the intent that formed the system of local government created by the colonial powers, but based on the current personnel holding the offices.

Hugh M Dunbar

hmdenergy@gmail.com