LIZ GOES ON CRYING SPREE AGAIN AFTER BEING A DISGUSTING FAILURE

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liz writes letter to constituents appealing for their consideration and assistance. Look forward to more of this from Government Ministers. LOL. See letter below

Dear Residents,

I am writing on the suggestion of members of the community who contacted my office last week when I was off island to say that it had been suggested that I had refused to help residents with the play park and they wanted to know what was going on, since on the two occasions it had been raised with me my response had been very positive and accommodating. I was very concerned and decided to use my community contact list so that I should communicate with you directly on this matter and on all other issues of concern to the community or to you as Barbadians, or on matters of government policy. As others did last week please feel free to contact me directly via this address. A frank and direct response from me is guaranteed.

This is in my view a good way of communicating with a large constituency of 9000 highly mobile people and having a ministerial portfolio which is very demanding at this time. I want to thank those residents who made contact and who sent the addresses. IF ANY OF YOU DO NOT WISH TO RECEIVE OCCASIONAL EMAILS FROM ME PLEASE SAY SO AND YOUR REQUEST WILL BE RESPECTED.

On every occasion that I have been invited to attend Husbands Heights community functions I have done so (except the Farley Hill picnic when I was sick), the last being Christmas/New Year’s. Since then, I have also visited every home in the area speaking with all the residents who were at home and leaving my call card in mail boxes and homes which were accessible. My telephone numbers are all listed. It seems that there are is an issue about which there is some confusion or uncertainty which I have been asked about and now will explain to all of you.

PLAY PARK
As all the residents are aware, except for those who are new, the community wants to develop a play park. At the Ministry of Environment I started a programme which develops community parks, landscaping of open areas in residential districts, beautification along highways and a number of related activities. Through this programme and others under my portfolio play parks and community landscape and sports facilities have been developed across the island and at several areas in the constituency, these include Husbands Gardens, Crystal Heights, West Terrace, to name just a few.

When I was housing Minister your community asked if I would have clearly identified the open area in the development since they wanted to develop a play park. I did this and since the area was full of bush, I had that cleared with heavy duty equipment. No further requests were made of me but the committee/ residents did not proceed with the work they said they would do, which they said would be good exercise for them and a way of getting together. The area has since become totally overgrown again. At Christmas/New Year’s I promised to have it cleared a second time. It was my intention then that I should have the park developed rather than waiting on the community but our departments’ commitments for world cup put community programmes on hold, so we were not able to carry out the work until after CWC. Community programmes have now been restarted and the work identified to be done on your area can proceed. I am concerned that residents, even though they have the desire do not have the time or resources to develop a play park and this is why the community has not been able, despite the very best intentions to take the project any further.

My instructions to the appropriate unit in the Ministry was that a community park should be developed. This will include developing proper drainage and contouring of the land, intstallation of benches and other furniture including furniture on which children will be able to play, plants, trees and shrubbery. It would be beautiful. Each park that has been developed has been tailored to meet the needs and wishes of the residential community where it was going.

In an effort to avoid miscommunication and uncertainty I will liaise with Michael Jones, Robert Gill or any other person nominated by the residents’ committee. I have however suggested Michael Jones since I am aware that he has training in project management and might perhaps be avery effective liaison with the appropriate government agencies. I will keep everyone else informed as to progress.

I hope that this communication now brings certainty to the way forward and removes any responsibility from the community for what is really a major undertaking. Had this been done before when I had the land cleared early last year or year before, the park would have been developed at the same time but I was respecting the wishes of the community as expressed to me, to do it yourselves.

SLEEPING POLICEMEN
Residents requested that sleeping policemen be placed along streets to stop non residents from racing though the community as a shortcut at times of peak traffic. This matter was referred to the traffic engineers at the Ministry of Public Works and follow up letters have been written to them. I have also raised it with the relevant Minister. As soon as I have a clear communication on how they propose to address the matter I will email you. They have indicated that a number of communities across the island have made similar requests and that they are reviewing and costing them with a view to making a final decision.

Have a great week.

Sincerely,
liz

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