Dear Editor,

I made a trip to St Elizabeth last week, stood by the bridge in Black River, and there I wept when I remembered the town of my childhood.

Black River is now in ruins. It’s mind-boggling to see.

In previous articles via this medium I highlighted the rich historical significance of this hidden, neglected town and appealed to the political directorate and town fathers to elevate it to a place of prominence, and to now see it fall to the ravages of Hurricane Melissa pains my heart.

Black River, one of the most historic areas in the Caribbean — the first in the western hemisphere to have hydro-electricity, the first to export dye and logwood, the first to have a telephone exchange system, the first place to have an automobile, and the first to have an organised water system — has been given a deadly blow by Melissa and is now hospiced.

I wept because those things that brought me back to my roots have been uprooted. I no longer see Barakot store; Ambersleys Shields; the old Bata and Vandel stores; courts; the cocoa bread shop; Sunrise bakery; the drug store; the library; the parish church; the Waterloo guest house, the only motel/hotel; the courthouse; or the hospital. All great heritage sights now lay in rubble.

My emotional outburst, my unsolicited tears cascaded like the gentle flow of the Black River into sea at the ‘bridge foot’ where they kiss each other and seem to be in solidarity for aiding and abetting such chaos.

The big question that must be pondered is where do we go from here? I suggest that since the destruction is so catastrophic that the town remains in ruin as a tourist attraction named ‘The Ruins of Black River’. This could be a great income-generator. People from everywhere would surely want to see relics of the past and see first-hand the result of nature’s fury. Guides could be trained in the history of the town to facilitate tours.

I would also suggest that the township be relocated away from the waterfront to places like Luanna, Fullerswood, or Brampton/Fyfe’s Pen and that the city planners try to replicate some of the historical buildings in the reconstruction. It also comes to mind that a pier could be erected in the New Black River. After all, it once was a robust shipping port. If this were to be established it could facilitate cargo ships and cruise ships. There is much on the south coast for tourists to revel in. Besides, it could take pressure off the Kingston wharf and minimise the wear and tear on our roads from transporting goods via trucks across the island.

This is perhaps the time for the prime minister to fulfil his own prophecy of making this capital the next city. It’s time for him to stamp his mark on expansionism. The time has come for him to no longer allow all things to remain as they were before. The time has come for Black River to be recognised as the hub, more than the breadbasket of the nation. Its potential is extensive and it could become the Silicon Valley of Jamaica.

As a son of St Elizabeth, I trust the technocrats will have expanded vision to restore better and rebuild bigger.

Dr Burnett Robinson

blpprob@aol.com