| Councillors from the Linden Mayor and Town Council, and IMC Chairman, Orrin Gordon, on Thursday met with residents of Christianburg, in the second forum held in Linden over the last two weeks to afford citizens the opportunity to highlight issues affecting them.These issues were municipal related and had to be of the nature that could be immediately addressed, or addressed through the 2012 subvention.The Town Clerk was absent, unlike the previous forum held in Watooka, where he was present to deal with issues highlighted.High on the list of issues raised were the recent road works executed in Christianburg.Two residents of Gardenia Street were particularly vocal and condemned the recent rehabilitative works carried out on this thoroughfare.They noted that Gardenia Street has four drains, where initially there were only two. The two old drains were not covered over after the new ones were constructed.The old drains now collect water which stagnates and provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which ‘bite night and day’, the residents complained.When it rains, the ‘stagnant water’ overflows into residents’ yards.Several yards, which had never flooded, now do because of the poor infrastructural works, the residents contended.Compounding the matter is the fact that the new drains are higher than the road, resulting in poor water runoff, thus water collects in depressions in the road. Gardenia Street was completed about six weeks ago, according to the residents.Other Christianburg residents complained about the unreliability of the garbage truck, which serves the community. According to them, sometimes the truck don’t ‘pick up’ for weeks, resulting in a garbage pile up.Some residents also accused the truck operators of showing ‘favouritism’ and of working areas where they collect incentives from residents.Gordon stressed that garbage collection should not be an issue,Wholesale China Jerseys, as Council has three enclosed garbage trucks, and a compactor truck. He also emphasized that residents should not be paying monies to the collectors for a job that Council already pays them for.He however pointed to the current ‘dirt’ cheap rates and taxes coupled with the fact that some areas in Linden are not included on the tax roll. Those not on the tax roll do not pay taxes and severely hamper the role of the council, in that sufficient funds are not garnered to execute works across the community.He said that some persons are still paying $80 per year, when the cost for garbage collection and drainage has risen considerably over the years.As regards the poor road works recently executed in Linden, Gordon said that both the Council and the RDC were only told about the amount of money to be expended on the roads, but were ‘never consulted, never involved and never asked anything.“The roads were just done without proper consultation with the local authorities. But as residents we are concerned because we want value for money.”Gordon said that the road and drainage contracts are not done through the RDC- the RDC only identifies projects, so there is very little that could be done.Gordon told residents that they have the authority to demand the scope of work from contractors working in their community, so that they would be in a position to determine whether they are getting the kind of work for which the contractors are paid to execute. He added that if contractors refuse to have residents peruse the scope of work, these residents have the right to stop the project.Concerning the mosquito nuisance, Gordon promised residents to have the dormant drains filled up with ‘overburden’ to eliminate the stagnant water. He also promised to initiate collaboration with the RDC to begin fogging and spraying exercises.Residents also drew attention to massive erosion of alleyways in Section B, which is caused by the torrents of water that runs off the Blue Berry Hill.The recent heavy rainfall has resulted in the early deterioration of almost all the alleyways that were recently done, it was noted.Lack of proper drainage was cited as the primary cause of the erosion currently taking place. When residents queried why the drains were not done, they were told by the contractors that drains were not included in the scope of work.The Christianburg cemetery was also another area of concern to residents, who pointed out that the deplorable condition of the facility, which was occasioned through poor drainage, has resulted in persons burying their dead at the Bamia cemetery.It was suggested that the main drain from the Katabulli creek to the burial ground be cleared to help alleviate the problem.Gordon then pointed out that after the cemetery was extended by some 14 acres a drain was dug, and some main drains were cleared, however ‘subsidiary’ drains were not dug he confirmed.Residents were also concerned about persons who keep ‘giant trees’ in their yards and affect their neighbours.And a resident of Stewart Path complained of heavy flooding of his yard whenever it rains. The man pointed out that the flooding started after another resident put in a 14-inch pipe to facilitate water flow. The heavy flow of water coming down the hill cannot be ‘taken off’ by the pipe and thus flows over into yards.The present condition of the community centre grounds was also another concern of the residents, who requested that council assist in filling swampy spots, and putting in place proper drainage.Of particular concern to one resident is the insanitary condition prevailing at two shops on Poker Street(Water Lily Road)According to the resident, owners of these two ‘establishments’ dump feces and other refuse indiscriminately around their premises.After Gordon told the residents that council has five environmental officers, residents suggested that ‘they were not doing their jobs’ and urged that they begin visiting areas and implementing corrective measures to enhance the environment. |
