The following is an open letter to Prime Minister Bruce Golding and is published as part of the ongoing debate on how best to revitalise the capital city.

Dear Sir:

I write this letter as a hopeful member of the downtown Kingston community. I use the word hopeful because I am already encouraged by some of the things I have heard regarding plans for the city, and also a few things I see happening that give hope.

I am very happy for the refurbishing of the St William Grant Park and for the building of that grand monument with the names of our victimised children established on Church Street.

Another reason for my hope is that I see in you, sir, an honest desire to do well and to bring our country back on a path of good governance, leadership, economic growth, high academic standards and good morals. I would like to offer some suggestions as someone who has lived in the city all my life and have observed many things.

IMPORTANCE

A city, using the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia's definition, is "an urban area with a high population density and a particular administrative, legal, or historical status, cities generally have advanced systems for sanitation, utilities, land usage, housing, and transportation and more. This close proximity greatly facilitates interaction between people and firms, benefiting both parties in the process".

This definition highlights some of the very issues of interest to me, and also speaks to some of the city's underlying problems.

The capital is usually the first place of interest for most persons wishing to visit or learn about a particular country, and from the time they step off the plane in the capital, what they see helps to shape their opinion of the place, people and government of the land.

No sensible government wants a run down city. Kingston is the capital of Jamaica, not St Andrew and not Portmore. Yet, the latter two look aesthetically far more appealing than the capital; and are far more urban in their development, housing, sanitation, administrative and even transportation (with the new modern transport centre in Half-Way Tree). The streets are also cleaner, and this is no small point.

From East Kingston to West Kingston there are abandoned, dilapidated, ugly and outmoded buildings - both residential and commercial properties.

Historically, there are many narrow lanes and streets which tourists would find quaint in a place like Venice.

Here in Kingston, these lanes are filled with garbage, sewage, dead animals, broken pavements and walkways (a living hazard for the disabled). Some have forgotten what asphalt paving looks like.

should not be 'given up on'

As far as cities go, Kingston proper would rate as one of the smallest in this hemisphere and should not be 'given up on' by moving Parliament and other government offices uptown or other such nonsensical plans. What are we saying, that the city is unmanageable? Why can't downtown look just as good as, and even better than, New Kingston?

All my life I have observed that no government in my time seems to care about downtown Kingston which, through its rich history, business and commercial districts and people, add as much value to this country as anywhere else.

I put it to you, sir, that where government over the years have neglected and failed in the proper administration of the city, so have we failed as a country to progress in many areas. If we fail in the city, the country fails, so it means if we can succeed in the city, the same format can be used as a microcosm for the development of the rest of the country.

I firmly believe that no effort should be spared to ensure that the problems of the city be tirelessly challenged and solutions found. Of course, no government can accomplish this task by itself, but a collaborative effort is needed by all sectors of society, including the private sector, the Church and the members of the communities themselves to ensure success. Here are some of my ideas, which I also hope that you would seriously consider.

A CITY CENSUS

A census is overdue if the last one was done more than 10 years ago.

POPULATION CENSUS: How many persons actually live within the borders of Kingston? What are the most concentrated age groups? Who are these people? What is their lifestyle? How many are working and in what fields? Is there a way to track the activities of these people through the Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN)?

In order to tackle crime, overpopulation and other serious issues in the city, these and other relevant questions must be asked so that proper planning can be done to address the issues.

The schools, business and Church all have a role to play in this respect as far as acquiring information about their own members and clients are concerned, and also disseminating information, gathering volunteers and becoming centres for community participation and awareness.

BUSINESS CENSUS: There are so many businesses in Kingston both on and off the radar, it would astound you to realise how much money and commercial activity flow in Kingston proper (i.e., below Cross Roads) and the many persons who benefit across the island.

This includes businesses like wholesale, retail, distribution, sole traders, skilled persons and professionals, many of whom do exceptionally good business, otherwise they would not be in the city.

issue guidelines

These businesses and people are integral to the process of rebuilding the capital and smart incentives and guidelines must be given to them to get on board the process, to grow their businesses, and improve the look of their surroundings.

This can be done by sales and marketing agents and strategists, who will make the calls and do the foot soldiering work to teach these persons about the options and expertise available to them, along with long- and short-term loans, technological training and equipment.

These Kingston businesses contribute a lot to the garbage, rodent and sanitation problems in the city, with dumping in gullies and other inappropriate areas constituting a major portion of the capital's problem. As I mention this, I am also speaking of one of the biggest market areas in the Caribbean which sells produce, meat, fish, dry goods and clothing right here in the city but is really under-regulated, poorly managed and designed to perpetuate every major issue that the country has.

redesign market area

The whole market area needs to be redesigned with a more defined and modern focus with better facilities for space, parking, restrooms, eating, policing, etc., that takes the large numbers of users into account. More stringent measures need to be put in place to enforce the Anti-Litter Act, as also more trained and better-paid manpower is needed.

Where are the city's sanitation inspectors and district constables and persons trained to spot and address these problems? If there aren't enough of them, then here's an opportunity to gainfully employ some people.

PROPERTY CENSUS: Here I speak of real property, i.e., land and building. For proper future planning and development to occur, some property needs to be bought by the Government and used to help facilitate this development. Other property may simply need to be acquired for a more aesthetic and urban appeal to be established, based on your new model of the city which properly set out the structure for commercial and residential areas.

There are far too many dilapidated, burnt-out, abandoned or captured buildings and property within the city. Is Kingston an urban centre or a post-modern ghetto? If the true owners have abandoned it or cannot afford to maintain it at a set standard, then it needs to be acquired for a housing and business development plan that is strategic and comprehensive.

I can tell you that a lot of these properties, 'captured' and legitimate and found on every corner of Kingston, constitute a large part of the warehousing for the crime, drugs and guns trade along with a myriad of other illegal activities. Taking back these properties will help you to take back the city, and will flush out many small criminals and destabilise some of the gangs whose family and support network is tied up in these same run down rented and tenement spaces.

DIRECTION AND LEADERSHIP

The people themselves living in much of Kingston are decent and law-abiding persons, many of whom may be undereducated and unskilled doing menial or labouring jobs. A few are illiterate and unemployable. There are, however, a large number of reasonably educated, skilled, highly gifted and trained persons who would like to see improvement in their communities, and are just awaiting the opportunity to help make a difference if asked. We need both proper direction and leadership.

As far as housing for Kingstonians is concerned, I believe the solution probably lies with building tasteful and modern apartments for low-income persons who demonstrate that they work and are useful members of society and can be trained to properly maintain and appreciate their new homes.

Living in Central Kingston, where there is a hodgepodge of people thrown together in between commercial buildings, I have never had a sense of what a community really is.

We are just here! I've never met an MP or been called to a community or town meeting to discuss plans for the city. If these meetings have been called for the general public, then the advertising has been too poor, and better use of the urban centres for gathering, including churches, bars, salons, restaurants and retail shops, and even the gambling shops, need to be utilised for disseminating information.

communication

Communicating with us, the people, on a down-to-earth level and having us share your vision, Mr Prime Minister, is going to be a vital step to getting our participation and cooperation.

You, as Government, and also the Opposition, are among us when you are in Parliament making decisions about our future, for which we have never been consulted. Please do not think that we are so ignorant or naive that we cannot understand how we are being affected or neglected as a people in the city.

Remember that if we go forward, we go forward together or not at all, and the latter will spell disaster for this entire country.

Thank you for hearing me out and all the very best.

I am, etc.,

SHAWN THOMAS

abop.info@gmail.com

KINGSTON