By Leonardo Blair, Staff ReporterSEVERAL WRECKERS under the command of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) rumbled through a sprawling makeshift garage in Patrick Gardens, St. Andrew yesterday, clearing old vehicles to mark the start of the Corporation's clampdown on illegal street garages.
The resolute KSAC entourage of health and legal experts, along with Kingston Mayor Desmond McKenzie, began their shakedown of the garage shortly after 10:00 yesterday morning, citing breaches of the Public Health Act to the operator, Paul Witter.
Despite pleas from Mr. Witter for time to have some of the vehicles removed from the lot, the KSAC team went ahead with the clean-up, which Mayor McKenzie expects to cost some $2 million.
"We are moving everything under the Public Health Act. We are not prepared to accept situations like this any longer," said the Mayor.
"This is disgraceful," Dr. Herb Elliot, Chief Public Health Officer, said of Mr. Witter's garage. "This is a place for rodents, this is like a garbage dump." Pointing to car batteries which littered the compound, Dr. Elliot explained that the operations of the garage posed serious risks of lead poisoning to children living in proximity of the property and nearby businesses as well.
Mr. Witter's mother-in-law, Winnifred Gordon, who watched passively like most of the 10 casual workers at the garage, explained that the KSAC's action will mean a loss of income to her family and dependents of the business but there was nothing she could do about it. "Mi feel bad but what mi fi do. We have to stand it. We can't go over the government. Mi never know anything 'bout clampdown, is country me come from and see this," she said.
Others at the garage, however, were not so laid-back. "All wha' you see a go on round yah so is just a man a try eat a food. Right yah now a war a go bruk out," said one man who did not wish to be identified. Others explained that there were legitimate garages which were likely to suffer from the clampdown, because a number of the operators contracted jobs to illegal garages on a regular basis.
Mayor McKenzie pointed out that checks in the area revealed that most of the other street mechanics had co-operated with previous warnings issued by the KSAC and closed down operations or removed from the area before the KSAC arrived.
"This is not only an illegal garage, it is an illegal dump and we are committed to do what is necessary under the Public Health Act. I believe that at the end of the day it can only enhance the municipality," said the Mayor.
Several weeks ago, Mayor McKenzie had announced plans to go after the illegal garages but had postponed the clampdown from late May to yesterday pending legal counsel on the move.
Areas troubled by illegal garages include Patrick City, Cassia Park, Eastwood Park Gardens and Richmond Park.
