Today is the last day in January 2007 and the residents of Treasure Beach were promised that road work would be starting today. Funny, I live in Treasure Beach and I have not seen any indications that work will be starting today. No material, no equiptment, no workmen. Is this just another pretty promise?
Gee, I noticed the same thing. I keep looking around for that equipment, but see none yet. I wonder what the excuse is this time.
Has anyone heard anything?
Maybe they got lost in one of the CRATERS between the Police Station and Mr.Fred Ward's house. It's really not at all funny. How much more can we take? Front end parts for motor vehicles are very costly, but I guess when it's not costing the politician's anything then to hell with all of us huh?
This is utterly discouraging. Please don't misunderstand: I never truly believed the road work would begin anywhere near the time promised, but I so very much wanted to be proved wrong. I want the government to surprise me rather than living down to my low expectations.
What do we do, Treasure Beach?
Tone
By One Son on Thursday ,Febuary 01 ,2007
Everyone should know by now that it wont happen until near to election .
Thanks to Huggie and bandit .
one son
this is really a disgrace and no one seems to care about the people of treasure beach and other soroundings the people in government is all for them self and what they can get shame on you.
Here is a little tip for you, call the President of the JHTA, Horace Peterkin, as at the last meeting - that is the JHTA South Coast Chapter's meeting - was held right there in the heart of Treasure Beach and one of the main issues discussed was the dreadful condition of those roads...we heard HP was taking this issue straight to the top, he even took pictures...
Give him a call!!
Sorry but i would have to say this is one for the history books lets continue counting the days until d day ps. anyone keeping an official record of all these fake and false promises from our ever fake and false do nothing politician also public works dept. remember they are accountable to us the little people . We vote just remember that,also we pay taxes.
What is there to discuss? Take to what top? The money has already been allocated to fix the road. Why not just start the work and stop the talking.. talking. Talk is cheap.
Sounds like the rods to TB must now compare with the road to Little Bay and Roaring River. I haven't been to TB since 2003, pre-Ivan, and they were fine then.
I did go to Little Bay this year, on a dirt bike, and boy was that ever the right transportation to use, a scooter or car needs one heck of a skillful driver to do it without serious damage...
I happen to see a copy of the north american edition of the Jamaican Gleaner and on the front page it says the prime minister has spent ten million dollars of tax payers money in 7 months on travelling on air fare also hotels oversees and no one sees it fit to spend some of the countrys resources on roads for the citizens to be able to get by with ease this is just such a shame i wonder how long this will continue.
There have been some recent posts (which were deleted) arguing over which politician is more corrupt. This is not the place for that argument. Regardless of past history or who currently holds power, it is the responsibility of government to meet people's living needs, including providing proper roads for the transport of commerce and people. Let's join forces to pressure those currently in power to live up to their responsibilities.
From all the years growing up in Treasure Beach, this is the worse I have ever seen the roads. I was home for the Christmas holidays to spend time with Mom and Dad, Mr.& Mrs. Ward, and trust me I was tired of dusting because of all the dust that is coming over to our house from the roadway. I am truly sorry for my poor Mom & Dad breathing all that dust in, already they are elderly and of poor health and breating all this dust in is not helping the matter. They are not able to even sit in their yard and to enjoy the outside because of this condition. It is a down right shame and disgrace. I know the government is dragging their feet on getting this fixed, so what about the manpower of the community? The many guest houses that are receiving all these foreign visitors can you all pool together and do someting about it? Do some thing for the beautification of the comminity, Treasure Beach has a lot to offer and much more, let the road way be inviting to one and all, and not to be a health hazzard to its citizens.
Carolyn, I have to agree with Rebecca that it is the responsibility of GOVERNMENT to fix the roads. Yes, the villa owners could put together money and there would be a "quick fix" but this will only make matters worse by showing government officials that they can get away with being lazy and not addressing the needs of the community. The villa owners and tourists have, over the years, contributed in countless ways to improving the quality of life for our local citizens. It's time for GOVERNMENT to do their part.
I do agree with you guys, that its the government's duty to fix the problem and please do not get me wrong, when I ask about the villa owners, pooling together. I do applaud the villa owners and all the other citizens of Treasure Beach for all they have been doing to the improvement of the community. I do feel your frustrations as well so stay stong and keep up the good work. We have come a far way.
You guys are absoltely right. If the government were to see the villa owners fix the road, then they would soon be putting the blame on them for future road issues. Also, it is not the owners job to fix the roads, their job is to attract and host tourist which they have been doing a good job of in the last couple of years.
Carolyn,
Love you dearly, but this time you are a bit off the mark.
Even if the villa owners were to pool some resources their best efforts would fall far short of the mark.
Properly fixing the problem will require far more resources than they could muster. Adequate drains must be established before the road is resurfaced; and that resurfacing must be of a particular standard, never before seen in Treasure Beach.
It will cost tens of millions to do it properly.
Only after that is done, can we begin to talk of a beautification programme, by the way.
Further to Robin's post on the prime minister's spending 10 million tax payers dollars, it is so amazing to see that the MP with responsibility for Treasure Beach could get up and defend the Prime Minister spending, but has yet to comment on the dangerous road conditions in Treasure Beach. I wonder how is the MP going to conduct his campaign for the up coming elections - as he will have no roads to access his people.
Just to add to what Fed-Up said, the MP has a brand spanking new Toyota Prado so he will have no problem getting through what's left of the road. Has anyone that uses the road daily seen the way the sides are just falling off, especially between Mr. Lenny Moxam's gate and the side to Mr.Forrest? The big trucks that have to come through are not making it any better either. BUT they have no other road to use. Carolyn, I really feel bad for your parents. Let me tell you something, we have been having a little sprinkle of rain a few evenings and then when the marl dries and the traffic comes through, all there is a cloud of dust, especially by your father's gate. Another problem is ROAD COURTESY, there is none here. The roads are so bad and still you will find the drivers who just do not care. What ever happened to love thy neighbour as thyself?
Mr.Buchanan is not running again. He has nothing
to lose by ignoring problems in his home district, and everything to gain by praising the PM.
Buckle up Mr. Politican, and get the job done because there is an election coming up soon. Yuh want votes, don't you?
A decent and concerned representitive would be looking at all this posting and addressing the issues here anyone notice how absent they are not even common courtesy to the poor and suffering TB.residents who is feeling the pinch and neglect if Mr. D.B, isnt running again his position is understandable there should be demands made of the new rep. not to come around just seeking votes for his or her future then dissapear until its time for re election we need continous support and servive from all of them not just election time.
I can tell you that the current PM heard all about the disgusting and unacceptable conditions of the roads to Treasure Beach, and she promised to take care of it right away, that was at least seven to eight months ago.
So, maybe it is time to kick some butt. If you want your roads fixed, let's get this thing in gear and march the streets! Can someone call up CVM and all the Press and get this thing going?
This is a travesity! The people of Treasure Beach demand that the the roads be fixed NOW! Placards should be made up people should be marching in the streets! - if I lived in T. Beach and had anything to do with tourism (or not) I would have long ago done this. There comes a time, when there is nowhere else to turn, noone wants to help - this is the time now.
Treasure Beach people need to stand-up as one and let our voices be heard ,let us send a strong message to the Goverment .We share the same common problem .The last time they protest about the road condition only a few people show-up ,we are too politcally divided .Mr. D.B is a no show Joe and Huggie and the bandits are full of promises.
We have blocked the roads, we have called CVM and TVJ, until the last road block when they said it was old news and they couldn't bother to come down and cover the story. We have written the letters and spoke with the PM - one letter mentioning how poor Mr. and Mrs. Ward have to breath that awful marl dust every day when they deserve so much better after giving so much of their lives to the betterment of this community.
We've done all we can. Now it is time for action of the government. The funds have been allocated, what is the reason for the delay?!?!?
If you can't bring reporters to news, you can bring news to reporters. As suggested a year ago,bring the issue with a 'new' NEWS slant to Kingston, to Devon House/to the PM's residence
with a dignified, quiet but image-powerful for the news demonstration:2 or 3 busloads -- or a flotilla of private vans -=- of TB parents and children, with signs. Earl Moxam is your conduit to alerting the media in advance. It's pre-election time and since the local MP is not running for office again, the shift of representation, unless a serious local TB candidate steps up to the plate, is going to be to Black River, with its own concerns and its own politicians already jousting for position.
@ Mand.girl....
one would need to block the roads in KINGSTON to make the problem more visible THERE, and one would have to march the streets and show the placards right in front of the government building...
Protests that are supposed to be effective must take place in the capital of a country, not in a rural area, even if it is there, where there is the problem. Politicians tend to regard rural areas as not important enough...
Many people would have to take a day off and drive to Kingston for that. Who has the time and money to do that ? However, I think one could get this organized...
Hopefully someone would in advance inform the press,tv and radio, so that they could report on it. And one would have to go on and on with this kind of actions...
hoping for fast improvements...
Yes, Yes - that is what I meant - to block roads and hold the placards in front of govt. offices to boot!
I would help to organise!
I think I have a very, very good contact who could help...
This was in today's Observer...
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20070211T180000-0500_118997_OBS_AZAN_PR OMISES_REPAIRS_TO_ST_ELIZABETH_ROADS_IN_TWO_WEEKS_.asp
people,... donīt believe this article. Itīs just one of many articles.... ONLY BELIEVE WHAT YOU CAN SEE WITH YOUR OWN TWO EYES... !
There are always many promises in pre- election times...
So,Phase 1 is under constuction.Must be so,saw it in the Observer...
"One major road project in the parish now is phase one of the Round Hill to Treasure Beach road, which is being constructed at a cost of $20 million." Taken from the article in the observer.
Phase one? Thought I had seen where a lot more money was allocated last year. What happened to it? Looks like phase one is marl patchwork, but hope i'm wrong.
Should the government fail to properly fix the roads( improve drainage, use cement(instead of what looks like limestone)which will not crumble with the first flood; then protest is an effective vehicle for bringing about change and accountability. Absolutely, make the necessary sacrifice to take it to the PM's residence and the appropriate Ministry office. Take residents along with any visiting tourist who cares to let the government know that Ja's primary economic export(tourism) stands to suffer. Are there foreign news agency offices located in Kingston? Invite the foreign press to cover this as a humanitarian/health/government failure issue. I am certain that local and foreign press coverage would get the PM and Ministries' attention and positive action. I was in TB for December and January and the roads have definitely deteriorated since the summer/autumn. If they deteriorate further there will be nothing left on that bend between the police station and TB.
At this point sunny_island54 is so right....there have been so many atricles printed about road repairs and yet nothing has been done.
that is not t/beach cos we are south west and they are talking about south east
@ Mand.girl
can you get it organized ?? Or can you find people who could organize ? Organize it !! sure many people would support... I would donate some money to buy gaz for the busdrivers.... to drive the people to Kingston... :-)
Agree with you Trev ,i did see where more money were allocated for this project ,look like we are going to be short- change .Think about it ,if HUGGIE can spend $10.000.000 in seven months for travelling expense,$20.000.000 dont seem enough ,remember the canal to help stop the flooding in Treasure Beach it still not finish as yet ,but for everyone sake i hope they are right this time ,because we need the road ,and alot more to be done.