Developer woos support for the environment THE EDITOR, Sir: OH FOR a time when journalists report facts, write well and stay off bandwagons. I write in the hope of discouraging those who continue to flog the dead horse and to encourage all brave and free-thinking persons to embrace something positive and non-political for a change. Long Mountain Country Club is a done deal and it seems to me that the University of the West Indies and other concerned parties are doing the right thing by trying to save the rest of the mountain instead of wasting time badmouthing the development. I went with a friend to Mr. Cartade's cocktail party held on October 4 to introduce the private sector to the Long Mountain Conservation Trust (LMCT) and their plans. At that party I saw environmentalists, academics and developers talking and joking in a civilised manner, with Mr. Cartade often being the butt of their jokes while they squeezed in their disapproval of his development. I listened to the plans for the mountain and left the party with a feeling of hope for Jamaica. That blissful bubble was burst, however, by Naomi Francis's article published in The Gleaner of October 16, which brought me right back to the mediocrity and tribalism which has become our culture and which continues to suffocate us. The headline cast a negative slant on a positive project and the opening sentence makes her sound like a Chester Francis Jackson wannabe. Some of the sentences in the article left me with a grimace rather than a grin. Brochures were handed out at the party. I believe the members of the LMCT should send a copy of this brochure to the media for proper representation. For me, it was refreshing to hear people talking passionately and intelligently about a project which did not include fast food, video games and speakers the size of the now destroyed Twin Towers. I have visions of a place which will not attract drug pushers, noise makers, window wipers, gate crashers and fans. A place where a query will be met with an intelligent answer instead of a blank stare or a rehearsed reply in a fake American accent; a place where I can take my child or a visitor and feel relaxed and proud. The only hope for Jamaica is education and exposure, especially to something which has become invisible to most of us - nature. It will be too late for the over 20s but let's hope the Long Mountain Conservation Trust will be able to make their plans a reality in the short run so that our two to five-year-olds can benefit and we may breed a better generation for the future. I hope the private sector will be motivated by the plans for Long Mountain and put some of the sports dollars into the environment. I know it is not as popular and does not make as much money or as many friends, but please, dare to be different and leave your mark. Long Mountain will be there (hopefully) in all its original splendour long after, and in testament to, your contribution. I am, etc., CLAUDINE NAAR Kingston 6
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