Heather Robinson
IT IS the mid-70s, and the People's National Party (PNP) is in its first term of government under the leadership of Michael Manley. Included in that group of leaders in the PNP are men like P.J. Patterson and Anthony Spaulding. Mr. Patterson was a rural Member of Parliament representing the constituency of South Eastern Westmoreland, while Anthony Spaulding represented South St Andrew. Mr. Spaulding was the vice-president of the PNP who had responsibility for the PNP Youth Organisation (PNPYO).
Under Mr. Spaulding's leadership the PNPYO grew into an organisation that played a major role in the party. So important was this role that after the 1976 election, a special youth rally was held to thank the PNPYO for the role it played in the election victory.
Mr. Spaulding spent many hours in the communities of South St Andrew. He ate there. He slept there, and he did some of his ministerial work there. The people loved and respected him. The children knew him and looked forward to seeing him. He believed that sports was one of the best ways of keeping the constituency together, and under his leadership he started the Arnett Gardens Sports Complex. He had great dreams for the sports complex and envisioned the construction of tennis courts in the community.
CENTRE STAGE
Today, South St Andrew occupies centre stage in Jamaica. One does not have to be a resident of Jones Town, Arnett Gardens, Craig Town or Rema to hear the gunshots as they break and shatter one's sleep. On one occasion, the sound of the bullets was so intense that, as a resident of New Kingston, I was obliged to call 119. I never slept for the remainder of the night. If I can feel so uncomfortable living so far away, one can only imagine what the children and adults are being subjected to on a daily basis.
These criminals no longer restrict their gun shooting exercises to the dead of night, but do it under the full glare of the sun and citizens alike. They have no respect for their parents, brothers, sisters, teachers and political leadership. Those who can leave, are leaving on a daily basis.
POLICE RESPONSIBILITY
The MP has repeatedly stated that the solution to the criminal activity there is the responsibility of the police. He has commercials that speak about him playing dominoes and bringing peace and unity to the community. If this is peace and unity in South St Andrew, what will happen when there is 'war' in the community? On what corner will he play dominoes, and will he ever be able to walk there in peace or will he have to maintain a constant jog?
Deputy Commissioner Mark Shields and Deputy Superintendent Delroy Hewitt with 100 or more police cannot do it alone, Dr Davies. You must acknowledge and accept that part of your political responsibility as the elected representative of the people includes doing real work to provide peace and unity in the community. It includes working with the police and providing moral support to those of your constituents who have had to be burying their children.
No one can dictate how an MP should operate in a situation where murders have become the norm, but what the people can demand is the respect that is due to those who took the trouble to put their X beside your name.
And while we pray that the murders will come to an end in South St Andrew, and indeed in Jamaica, let us re-instate the bust of the person in whose honour the sports complex in Arnett Gardens is named, Anthony Spaulding. Perhaps one day all MPs can occupy some place of pride in their constituency.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
