Long Mountain disaster
published: Friday | March 18, 2005

THE EDITOR, Sir: I TAKE the opportunity to jog along the road leading up to the new Long Mountain housing development early in the mornings. The view of the Blue Mountains and the city of Kingston is spectacular, and the residents of Long Mountain are truly blessed.

One would think that blessed with such a beautiful view, the residents would make some effort at keeping their surroundings clean. Instead, every imaginable kind of garbage is strewn along the entire roadside, from empty plastic bottles and used styrofoam lunch boxes to discarded appliance packing materials, leftover building materials etc.

I seem to remember that when this location was chosen as the alternative to Hope Gardens, the environmentalists voiced their concerns about its suitability, in relation to water, sewage, bird habitat etc.

As I walked this morning, I noticed two protected Jamaican parrots in the trees, and wondered about their continued existence given the ongoing degradation of their environment by their new neighbours.

I urge the Long Mountain residents to adapt better environmental practices, and to launch a massive clean-up campaign of the area as soon as possible.

I am, etc.,

CHRISTOPHER GOODEN

c_gooden@hotmail.com

9 Cactus Way, Kingston 6