THE EDITOR, Sir:

I wish to make a public complaint about the poor performance of Portmore's mayor, Keith Hinds. His predecessor was George Lee and during his tenure, we had approximately five storm systems affecting the island. Four of them, Ivan, Dennis, Emily and Dean had significant impact on the island.

It is safe to say, that Portmore has had its fair share of watery baptisms but never like this. I have never seen the gullies filled to road level before. Mayor Hinds, like all of us, knew that Gustav was on its way, yet there is little evidence that much preparation was done ahead of its arrival.

The day after the disaster, he was captured by the media alongside a tractor peering over into gullies with the waters several feet deep and reportedly teeming with crocodiles. This mayor is not doing his job.

Another matter of grave concern is the growing nomadic behaviour of the crocodiles. I gather that one chased a woman one night as she walked to the Greater Portmore Shopping Centre. Now if these reptiles are endangered and should not be killed then what does that make of us their would-be prey? The authorities who protect those reptiles have not thought it prudent to have the areas in the vicinity of the Greater Post Office and Mall properly lit and it appears this is a path which the crocs frequent. Said authorities have not sought to fence in these reptiles and to hear Mayor Hinds speak on it, one gets the distinct impression that one should learn to have a cordial relationship with these reptiles. He went on to mention the cost, something to the tune of $14 million to install a fenced area.

I have children and god-children living in Portmore. I stay there quite often and I have investments there. I will not sit idly by and watch mayors lick butter for nothing.

Poor Prime Minister Golding - realising that he has no real worker in his party except for Holness, he has to be putting out fires here, there and every where. I was so glad to hear him take a few days leave, he needs it. I believe some of his own chosen has made life harder for him than it needs to be.

I am, etc.,

JM FLETCHER

Irish Town