Heather Robinson
ONE OF the most calming influences in the life of human beings is to be found in the beauty of the environment in which we live. Most homeowners plant some type of plant that blooms and adds colour to their homes. Some are good at this, and others are not very successful, but continue to try. Whenever we drive through our countryside, and indeed towns, we always look for pretty landscapes.
In the middle of New Kingston is Emancipation Park that sees thousands of visitors passing through it on a weekly basis. This immaculately kept gem is never the site of garbage all over its walkways and grassed areas. The National Housing Trust is to be commended for its development and maintenance.
Along Trafalgar Road, a determined effort has been made by several private sector com-panies to landscape the median strips and open areas. These areas were not just landscaped and left on their own to grow, but are maintained and watered by a dedicated group of workers. So, while driving in bumper to bumper traffic on Trafalgar Road, one can enjoy the green palm trees or the flowering bougainvillaea.
However, on reaching the Waterloo-Hope Road intersection, we see where Devon House is screaming out with the hope that something good will one day happen there. When was the last time you took the time to look at the condition of the Devon House grounds? What did you notice there?
DIRTY AND FILTHY
Devon House was built by a black Jamaican in the late 19th century. Government acquired the house and it is now open to the public, with various commercial shops located there. The original entrance is on Hope Road, but this has been relocated to Waterloo Road, with an exit on Kings Way.
I do not know how many persons are employed to keep the grounds clean and tidy, and at times wonder if these persons are being paid to keep the place in the condition that it is currently in. Someone there - who is being paid, or a member of the board of directors - should explain to Jamaica why the place is so dirty and filthy. Why is there garbage always strewn on the grass, even in the mornings when one assumes that the place would have just been swept? And why is the area where the garbage is stored so open and near to the Kings Way exit, and so nasty? Isn't this a place where food is sold in many of the shops?
Explain to me why - even with a limited budget - two employed sweepers cannot keep those grounds clean. Sometimes we make simple situations develop into huge, unmanageable reasons for explanations best known to those who are responsible.
A CASE OF NOT CARING
The men who wipe windows at the Trafalgar, Hope and Waterloo roads intersection use the Devon House grounds as their source of water and general headquarters, as they are constantly seen squeezing through the wrought iron fence (a space that appears to have been man-made). The wall that supports the black wrought iron fence, in some places is of similar colour. What a shame!
Perhaps if we never had Emancipation Park to compare Devon House with we would not complain so much. There are larger compounds, like the University of the West Indies, that are kept clean, so why not Devon House? Perhaps it is a case of not caring, or is it that there is some sick plan to have the place deteriorate to the point where someone else will have to take it over?
Some of us are old enough to remember when Devon House was a pristine place. May that day return soon as it moves from shame, back to beauty.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
