EASTERN ST ANDREW - Different people, similar problems

Dr. St. Aubyn Bartlett - photo by JLP

Prof. Trevor Munroe

Published in the Jamaica Gleaner: Wednesday | August 22, 2007

Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter

Crime, unemployment, bad roads and poor drainage are the pressing issues residents of St. Andrew Eastern would like their new Member of Parliament to address after the general election.

According to the people of the constituency, which comprises a mixture of upper-and lower-class communities, these are the major issues affecting the area.

Dennis Hamilton, a resident of Hope Pastures, an upscale community near Hope Gardens, said crime was the number one problem in his neighbourhood.

"They (thieves) usually target persons living by themselves," he told The Gleaner.

Tasman Taylor, a retiree who is also from Hope Pastures, agreed with Mr. Hamilton.

"Every now and then you have a break-in or stolen car. And out the backyard in some of the houses facing Hope Gardens … you have the thieves coming across," he said.

Crime concern

It was obvious that crime was of concern to the people of the community, as there was a sign on almost every gate, warning that the premises were protected by a private security company.

Meanwhile, in the community of Kintyre, crime was lower on the pyramid of issues that residents wanted the new MP to address.

At the top was unemployment. "Unemployment is a big issue. That is why you have the young boys sit down and beg because nobody not employing them because they come from a garrison area," said Prudence Thompson.

"Once you are from a garrison, dem believe seh yuh a thief and nobody not employing you," she pointed out.

But Miss Thompson insisted that this has to change.

"That isa system (begging) that must come out completely. There must be work for the young people. When dem leave school, dem must have something to do," she said.

Twenty-seven-year-old Ann Marie, also from Kintyre, said job creation, better road conditions and the creation of youth clubs are some of the things she wants her new Member of Parliament (MP) to address.

"The MP must unite with the community. They need to help the senior citizens who not receiving much for their pension," she said.

Education major issue

Meanwhile, Dennis Burke, who runs a cook shop in the community, believes education is a major issue.

"We have heaps of problems. The people dem need more education and dem need more jobs," he said as he dished out rice and peas with ackee and saltfish, and callaloo for one of his customers.

The constituency is made up of lower-class communities, such as Jarrett Lane, Back Bush and August Town - all political enclaves - and middle/upper middle-class communities like Mona, Hope Pastures and Beverley Hills.

The candidates vying for the seat are the Jamaica Labour Party's Dr. St. Aubyn Bartlett and People's National Party (PNP) candidate, Prof. Trevor Munroe.

Bartlett won the seat with a 502-vote margin over the PNP's Colin Campbell in the 2002 general election with a 55 per cent voter turnout. There are some 18,045 registered voters in the constituency.