On January 14, 2007 a letter was penned, literally, and not e-mailed, to our representative and copied to the then mayor and the city engineer. This letter referred to the broken pavements on Broome Street, St Clair. Since then a high-rise of sorts at the corner of Broome St and St Clair Avenue, has resorted to building their own pavement, which is now much higher than the broken pieces of pavement left.
Subsequently, an e-mail was sent recently, as in this year, 2014, to the Deputy Mayor, who has advised that this is on the list, which list is yet to be verified.It is passing strange that there are building code violations on this street, as there are on many others across the island, however, due to lack of overseeing, nothing has been done to alleviate this huge problem.
We do hope that the building currently being built next to the Hoop of Life building does not block out the right to light, and that building codes are in effect for this new business entity, and that a car park is being considered on the compound.
The inconsistencies that exist in our Local Government offices speak volumes of poor management. It is not any one administration by any means. These inconsistencies have been allowed to exist for decades. Some of us have resorted to burning tyres. The onus is on Local Government to manage problems within our areas.Alas, everyone wants to dress in fancy wigs, eyelashes, business suits and have photographs taken for publicity, and not do the proper job.
One issue was sorted and that was a street sign. We are really missing former mayor Louis Lee Sing; he certainly got many jobs done. The parking restrictions are working well, the wrecker is working. And for all the big businesses who are complaining of losing customers, build your own car parks or we'll just have to continue renting out valuable space, as in downtown, Port-of-Spain, and other towns around the island, and having each town resemble a shanty.
Just to say, seven years later, the sidewalks are still in a mess, as many others probably are around. Do we have to appear on television for each job that is not properly done?Right now, King George V Park is being upgraded with lights, for which we are so happy and the playground, some order in our area, but seven years and the pavements are still screaming, not to mention the streets, (except Elizabeth Street which appears fine, as there are a high commission and couple consulates there).
Some questions that have been asked by the few residents who live along some streets–why are Havelock and Elizabeth streets blocked off whenever there are events at the Oval? Is it legal to block off access streets to residents? Why do some entities abuse residents' rights? Again, this may never be answered as in our pavement issue.Do hope our new Mayor continues to be as pro-active as our former Mayor.
CL Kong
via e-mail