THE EDITOR, Sir:

RESPONDING TO the editorial of Saturday, February17, in my view greater analysis of thought needed to have been put into its preparation.

The editorial suggests that it is the sole responsibility of Mayor McKenzie and the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) to keep the city clean. Be reminded of the existing local government structure. While the KSAC has some power to earn revenue they are still dependent on central government, to a great extent, which is presently controlled by the ruling party. Therein lies an inherent problem, as political jostling often times results in severe underfunding of critical projects such as the one to clean up the city.

While it is true that keeping the city clean under normal conditions should not be expensive, that scenario simply does not apply in this instance for the very same characteristics you outlined about Mr. McKenzie's predecessor. The fact is the city has been neglected for upwards of 15 years and it's going to be challenging at best for $28 million to undo that. Added to this is the limping garbage collection system that presently exists under the NSWMA.

In the broader scheme of things, the current administration needs to show more commitment as opposed to the constant lip service about the redevelopment of downtown Kingston. One only needs to look at the state of disarray of the city leading up to the World Cup. This is within the context of grand announcements made by P.J. Patterson a few years ago about the city's redevelopment. A collective national effort is what is needed by citizens, private enterprise, local and central government, in keeping the city clean on a permanent basis.

I am, etc.,

CHRISTOPHER GAYLE

christez3@yahoo.com

Kingston 8

Via Go-Jamaica