THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE BAGATELLE and Environs Citizens' Association was born out of the necessity for citizens of Rock, Darlow, Bagatelle, Ashley, Amity Hall and Eden to unite to build one of the most neglected areas in Jamaica. After 10 years of trying it is now abundantly clear that our main problem is political and we are the victims of gerrymandering which took place some years ago.
We need help from the powers that be. Our votes don't even count. I will go as far as saying that the polling stations in this area can be closed. To vote in this area is to perpetuate the farce that we have democratic rights like other Jamaicans.
We are on the border of two constituencies, North Central and South West Clarendon. The road between Rock and Bagatelle divides the constituencies and the Parish Council divisions of Mocho and Toll Gate. This sounds like we are in good stead. We have two Members of Parliament and two Councillors. This could not be further from the truth. The only elected individual who pays any attention to this area is the Member of Parliament for North Central Clarendon. The other elected representatives do not seem to care. Both Councillors have been derelict in their duty.
The late Michael Manley would turn in his grave to see the condition of the road that he travelled on to break ground for the Darlow Basic School. His mission then was to put work into Labour Day. I am inviting the Prime Minister and the members of the Cabinet to take a trip to this area and assess the work of the two Members of Parliament and the Councillor for the People's National Party. The road from Rock to Bagatelle speaks of solid neglect and encourages us to "log off" the political process, but what can we "log on" to? If we are suffering so much when we have to deal with three of the four elected representatives belonging to the ruling party how can we hope for better?
The cruel, cold reality is that each elected representative can win his or her seat or division by concentrating on other areas of his or her constituency or division. We are crying foul. We have been marginalised because of gerrymandering, and I challenge anyone who dares to deny this to visit the area in question and show me otherwise. Sheer speculation cannot help. We feel it. We know it. Who can we turn to for help? As Jamaicans we deserve better.
I am etc.,
WINNIE ANDERSON-BROWN
President
Bagatelle & Environs Citizens' Association
Bagatelle District
Ashley P.A.,Clarendon
