Dear Editor,

As we speak of municipalities and parish councils, there is one public opinion that has been constant through varying parishes and towns: Parish councils are at best ineffective and at worst a giant waste of public resources. Unfortunately, despite the fever-pitched recent parish council elections, the respective parish organisations have done little to nothing to shake the negative associations. One municipality I fear has succumbed to a bulk of nothingness is the Portmore Municipal Corporation.

Despite being one of the larger councils here on the island, the PMC seems to lack either the teeth or general interest in doing anything worthwhile to propel and regulate the Portmore community. Like a few other communities across the island, Portmore has exploded in recent years, welcoming new businesses, schools, and thousands of new residents. While the expansion speaks well for people investing in home, education, etc, it has also given light to some less-desirable elements.

The pace of the expansion highlights the best and worst of Jamaica. While bringing new conveniences with planned economic spaces, our cultural habit of “try a ting” has also raised its ugly head through many unplanned ‘businesses’ that have popped up in residential communities. While some of them operate without significant strain and inconvenience to residents, many pose significant challenges linked to their locations. Haphazard parking, blaring noise nuisances, sale of drugs, and unwelcome visitors posed as possible patrons are only a few of many solid negatives. The residents of Portmore have been left at the mercy of these proprietors, with cries to the municipality for regulation left unanswered and completely ignored. This is unacceptable.

This brazen disregard for residents is disappointing, disheartening, and truly despicable on the part of ‘leaders’. For years we have sought the intervention of the council to regulate businesses that operate in residential areas, to no avail. Due to their lack of response, these kinds of activities have more than doubled, with the unscrupulous becoming even more daring.

Now that the fanfare of the recent elections have passed and the billboards are now stale, will we be able to see positive action from our councillors? Will there be anything more than the patching of the occasional pothole to appease the already politically committed? Will they prove to us that council meetings are being held to streamline positive change for our community and not just provide entertainment for aspirants seeking a career in politics? Will we continue along this path of discomfort and inhospitality?

Where is our mayor?

Kimmone Dacres

kimonesbridalshower@gmail.com