I read this piece in the Gleaner in total disbelief. The response from the Parish Council left me lost for words.Whenever I read about 'development' in the Jamaican context I think of the wanton destruction of our country and this just proves it.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110604/business/business1.html

Stop orders ignored. Who is going to do anything about it?

No one.

This is totally sick.

I would say something much stronger but it wouldn't get printed.

It is a sin what the St. Elizabeth Parish Council is or is not doing to St. Elizabeth. I think they would like to see it off the map.

I hear the roads are going to be fixed after the rainy season. That could be anytime within the next 10 years when there are no roads left. They are not God to predict the weather. It rains today and then the hurricane season comes. So when is the end of the rainy season?

St Elizabeth is the bread basket of Jamaica. All the farmers need is water. they cannot afford green houses and secondly they would have to be taught all over again as growing in a green house is very different to growing on the land. Why fix what is working. ALl they need is water and roads to get their produce out.

It seems to me that neither the roads or the water is dropping enough money to get it done. It is a pity that we have got to that stage.

The ministry of agriculture's emphasis on this
greenhouse technology being the wave of the future shows the absolute IGNORANCE and disregard
for the vast majority of the farming population.

Which farmer has $10,000 US to invest in a new venture? I dare say which farmer has $10,000 J to set up their pickney for school next year?

ROADS AND WATER AND MARKET ACCESS. THAT IS WHAT IS NEEDED.

So much idle land and idle hands and these [edited by TB.Net] are talking about a few farmers building a few greenhouses. A joke.

This is how things are done in JAMAICA !!
This should not be a surprise to anyone that knows Jamaica !!
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

There seems to be a disconnect with the theme of this thread and the last three comments. Could someone give a background comment on the Greenhouse issue?

Minolikeit
Are you aware that "pickney" is an offensive, derogatory and racist term and should not be used to refer to someone's child.?

Is their any way folks can help ?? like by way of preassurising the government as this is not on! A petition or everyone writing them letters from ja and afar? Or any ideas?You NEED decent roads and water, no question! This is just dreadfull :-( the greenhouse idea would be good if the government were providing them free along with good roads! Even if you spent money on a greenhouse it would be smashed by the time it arrived in treasure beach, like the pringles do! The goverment are soo backward at comming forward.......

Sounds to me like the Parish Council wants the citizens to do their job for them. What esle is new in JA? Every man for himself.....sad.

The term pickney is commonly used in patois, but there are some who believe the term is offensive. If you feel the need to comment, please respect the other's opinions and do so politely.

Letters? Are you kidding me? Yes, they will get letters and a petition and gasp! They will say "Oh my goodness, look at this! We need to do something now!" Get realastic. Expectations should remain low. History...

I have often heard the term "pickney" used by many Jamaicans when referring to a child, and it never seem to be used in an "offensive" manner.
And I have never heard any Jamaicans refer to it as an offensive word. I always thought it was just another Patois term.
Am I missing something here ? Please enlighten me if I am wrong.
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

If Pickney were an offensive derogatory and racist term, do you think TBnet would let it be printed on this site many times over? [edited by TB.Net]

This situation is not something new,Why haven"t you people spoken about it before. The major part of the problem is the fact that the road was built, cutting off the drainage from the pond to the sea. It was built without proper planing and engineering,out of political expediency by the previous government. There is also a political repercussion, when you try to prevent people from building on their own land The best thing the council can do is to erect a large warning sign to alert people of the dangers of building on these lands.

Two of my three pickneys have university degrees
my daughter a BA and my son a BSc.

Is it that the development has interfered with the water running off into the sea or pond? If so, that seems to be a recurring them in most of these coastal areas. Person set up a dream house and promptly alter the original watercourses mostly by building brick walls. Is this sustainable tourism?

US PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN OF THIS BEFORE, MANY MANY TIMES! CHECK THE ARCHIVES! TAKES UP ALOT OF ROOM AND TIME THERE!!!

I know this situation is by far something new!

Glen- it was an offering! Sometimes if you make enough noise things get done , its not what you know its who. And on a web site you can generate global awareness and attention unlike in days gone by in history.plus its better than not trying at all as that most certainly wont make change happen. Im not suggesting nobody has done anything...just saying people are willing to help in any way they possibly can and this is good for you to know -your not alone!
One love

good ole parish council. :>