By Angelo Laurence, Freelance Writer
Eric Sanderman at his Petcom Service Station on Main Street, Mandeville.
CONSIDERED MANDEVILLE'S unofficial statesman, businessman Eric Sanderman is also respected for his wealth of knowledge on the parish's history.
Possessing a sharp mind and a sense of humour, Mr. Sanderman, the owner and operator of Mandeville's only Petcom Service Station is a former Mayor of the town and is the recipient of the Order of Distinction.
A Justice of the Peace and Lay Magistrate, the former student of Albion and Bethabara All Age, and Manchester College, believes education is the 'food of growth and the medium for understanding.'
Mr. Sanderman has been in business at the same location on main street since 1950. The Gleaner made its debut at the station in 1954 and is the oldest known Gleaner agent in the town.
A devoted community worker, Mr. Sanderman has mixed feelings about the direction the parish and the country have taken over the years.
He is particularly displeased with the lack of discipline among the people, across all age groups.
"Discipline," he said, has "gone to France" and the blame, he adds, should not be put on Government's shoulders as "good up-bringing starts at home."
While the good old days were tough, he said, there were principles that people could draw on. Today, there are too many parents who are not mothers or fathers, he said.
As bad as some things seem today and there is plenty of room for improvement, said Mr. Sanderman, an assessment of past delivery of health care, transport and other services years ago, will show that Jamaica is much better off than it was then.
Leadership, he said, must ensure that the "small man" whom he described as the foundation of the country, is not left out of the scheme of things.
Turning his attention to Mandeville, he said the town needs better traffic control and a centre where large functions such as international conferences and sports events can be held.
The 38-acre Brooks Park which sits idle, should be refurbished and kept in good order, he said.
Noting that Mandeville was destined to be a city, Mr. Sanderson said the leadership ought to ensure that the appropriate infrastructure is in place.
In relation to his own business, he says the sale of Gleaner publications is part of the station's expected service by its customer.
For Mr. Sanderman, The Gleaner "compares favourably with any newspaper in the world" and remains the most reliable source of information for the Jamaican public. He adds however, that its coverage of rural issues needed some boosting.
Contributed
