By Ken Jones, ContributorI MAY be a lone voice pleading in the cacophonous wilderness of parochial politics, yet even at the risk of offending some friends I beg to state that at this time municipal status for Portmore or any other new district, is not among the best of ideas. It might seem advantageous to practising politicians and others seeking the power and the glory of public office, but under the present system of governance, benefits for the community and its residents will continue to be as elusive as ever. In short, what is being made to look like the will of the people might be no more than a will-o-the-wisp.
EXEMPLARY COMMUNITY
Without a doubt, Portmore is an exemplary community. It has the distinct advantages of being a planned community, dominated by large numbers of young, progressive persons with the stable incomes and households that tend to attract increasing commercial activity. It is also blessed with a cadre of civic-minded residents who are doing a fine job; and it would be a pity if the fruit of their efforts were to be spoilt by the distractions of political rivalry or the urge to separate their aspirations from those of other residents of St. Catherine.
Elevation to the rank of a municipality, with a robed mayor, chains of authority and other cosmetic trappings of political office may seem attractive at first glance. However, the real question is: Will these things satisfy the people's yearning for better amenities; or will it be just another costly forum for voicing concerns now being audibly expressed by existing community organisations? Already, we have 13 mayors and more than 200 councillors, costing the country over $200-million a year in salaries and allowances alone; each mayor without the power and funding necessary for satisfactory development of the area under his jurisdiction. It is worth noting that voter interest in these elections has diminished dramatically, because people are less concerned with the structure of government than with the services they are supposed to provide.
Central Government is severely strapped for funds these days; and even in better times, mismanagement, waste and lack of vision have caused legitimate local needs to perish for want of financing. Where then, in the impecunious pockets of government, will there be found the resources to construct the magnificent municipality envisaged for Portmore? And if the Government backs away, will the residents there be fully prepared for the burden of additional rates and taxes to meet the cost of maintaining a new political enclave? You don't need an expensive referendum to settle such basic questions.
Among the stated priorities of the proposed Portmore municipality are a City Hall to house offices and a debating chamber; a courthouse and jail to improve the justice system; a public works department to build and maintain municipal property; a proper garbage dump, a cemetery, a medical facility, better water supplies and a department to ensure the collection of revenue. Add to the need to establish new legal municipal boundaries and to enact rules and regulations to make Portmore residents officially responsible to a new department of local government. All of these involve substantial expenditures, which other Jamaicans might argue, should be borne exclusively by the citizens of Portmore who, incidentally, derive the bulk of their incomes from outside the borders of their community.
BETTER OFF
Not surprisingly, most of Portmore's municipal and other public needs are similar to those of communities throughout Jamaica. In fact, Portmore, by its geographical location, is by far better off than others when we come to consider proximity to schools, public hospitals, entertainment facilities, beaches, commercial and industrial opportunities, public utilities, the Conference Centre, garbage disposal points, police stations, airports and road transportation. Access to these, I submit, can be improved substantially by local efforts, without having to spend time, money and intellectual energy in establishing and running yet another cumbersome political entity.
There is another thing. St. Catherine would be the poorer for losing one of its most prosperous and vibrant communities. On the other hand a larger more active involvement of Portmore and its people could enhance parish development, which after all is the true and primary purpose of a Parish Council, working hand in hand with community councils, citizens' associations, commodity groups and social institutions.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
One great obstacle to Jamaica's progress is the persistent belief that our problems are best solved by re-inventing the wheel, setting up new organisations to deal with old objectives, forming a new political party or simply alternating between those we already have. What we have not given a fair trial is the power of a well-organised civil society that demands good governance and proper representation from those we elect and pay to serve us.
What Portmore and other local communities should be demanding is, not another piece of government machinery, but greater and more powerful citizen involvement. Active and enlightened citizen participation is the cornerstone of local government. And so the drive should not be for more government, but for more people power to identify and service local needs; to move from passive consultation to active participation, and to have the right to do so without the divisive influence of political parties vying for power. I suggest that this is better than relying on councillors and mayors nominated by political parties.
I don't know who is listening, but I'll still say that we'd all be better off if Parish Councils were re-designed to allow for a greater input from citizens associations, business groups and other non-government organisations. They should have on their agendas a place for citizens and their organisations to bring matters of concern directly to their attention and to address the Councils on any relevant topic. The Councils could also encourage the spirit of volunteerism by co-opting qualified citizens to serve through the committee system.
Finally, I fear that the Portmore dream may well become a nightmare when the good community leaders begin lining up against each other in a contest for the role of Mayor. If and when that decision is called, tradition says the winner will take orders from his political party, the defeated contender will be isolated from the process of community development and the real losers will be - guess who! The people of Portmore.
