THE EDITOR, Sir:I HOPE you will allow me to allay the concerns of Mr. D. Anthony Williams, the author of the 'Letter of the Day', of Sunday, December 19, 2004, and of others who might have similar concerns with regard to the new facilities to be constructed at 35 Grant's Pen Road. The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), via its Economic Development Foundation of Jamaica (EDFJ), has rallied resources and will oversee the construction of two new buildings at that location, one of which will be a newly-constructed, expanded, and enhanced Edna Manley Health Centre, representing an increase in the size of the clinic from its current 5,100 sq. ft., to 13,976 sq. ft. Construction is to begin on January 3, 2005.
The additional building to be constructed on that site, will house a Model Community Policing Centre, as well as a Social Services Desk; a Postal Corp./Paymaster agency; a 24-hour banking facility; an Internet cafe; and community meeting rooms, with total square footage of approx. 10,000 sq. ft.
ORIGINAL COMMITMENT
The new Health Centre and the facilities for the latter six services mentioned above, were not part of our original commitment. Instead, they were added to the project in our efforts to meet the specific requests by the citizens of Grant's Pen, which came to our attention during extensive consensus-building exercises undertaken by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), AMCHAM and others, of over a year.
We have worked diligently over the past year with those at the Ministry of Health, and the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA), in the design of the health centre to ensure that the needs of the citizens are not only met, but exceeded, and will be relevant for years to come.
We feel this project and last week's ground-breaking ceremony is in fact an "occasion for applause" as it represents the efforts of two governments the U.S. government, through USAID, which is funding the training of the JCF and the citizens in community policing by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), and the Jamaican government which is making contributions to this effort in a variety of ways through the Ministries of Health and National Security, the JCF, the Postal Corp, etc.
In addition, we have witnessed the unwavering commitment of Member of Parliament Delroy Chuck, and PNP Caretaker, Leonard Green, throughout the planning process and a pro-active business community.
We would welcome contributions in cash and kind from those who are concerned about these issues, and would like to offer assistance to this noble effort.
I am, etc.,
BECKY STOCKHAUSEN
Executive Director
The American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica
