The Editor, Sir:

Here is a question for budding mathematicians and CXC exam-takers: "How long will it take one man with a jackhammer to destroy a very large river boulder?" I can't provide you with the weight or size of the massive boulder, or the penetrative scope of the jackhammer, or the endurance of the man who is standing on top of the rock day in and day out; but I can assure you that the noise generated, if it has not already deafened the jackhammer operator, has certainly deafened me.

My fortune to work at home has turned into misfortune since the terribly urgent need to replace the quaint, one-lane bridge in Gordon Town with a modern and progressive two-lane bridge has gone into overdrive. To replace the bridge, apparently, requires engineering feats akin to the Three Gorges project in China. The once-lovely stream is being 'trained' into a civilised, straight and narrow waterway. The naturally occurring boulders are being attacked.

Pollution, disturbance or noise

This before the temporary bridge is put up and before the old bridge is taken down and new one put in place. Not sure why all this is necessary to replace a bridge, but I had been assured by a leading member of the 'team' that it would not lead to any pollution, disturbance or noise. I was also assured that this being a Canadian-sponsored project, with a Canadian engineering firm, there would be daily environmental reports, and the National Environment Planning Agency would also be monitoring the project daily. To this information I burst out laughing!

Jamaican officials are so charming when they deliver their bold-face lies. I hope that this project is a gift of the taxpayers of Canada (many of whom, of course, are Jamaican and some my relatives) and not another loan to put us in further debt, and I hope that the taxpayers of Canada are pleased that they are dispersing monies to the very top-priority need of a new bridge in Gordon Town. I was told that I must suffer for progress.

I am not sure what progress I am suffering for, but I can assure you I am suffering greatly everyday, being unable to live or work in my home during daytime hours, and I request that someone in charge of the bridge replacement in Gordon Town explain to me the particular engineering necessities of this project, since I expect to have my life completely disturbed for the year it will take to complete this mind-boggling project. (Yes, they said it would take a few months but we know better). I am desperate to return to the relatively peaceful life that Gordon Town usually represents.

I am, etc.,

ESTHER FIGUEROA

mediavagabond@gmail.com

Gordon Town