Drainage, main concern for Hope Hill residents!
Eight District Representative Hon. Marlon Penn held his first community meeting with residents on July 11, 2012 at the Kingdom Praise Centre where residents poured out their concerns for the community which also included the issue of inconsistent water supply and the location of garbage bins.
The drainage issue in the community is said to be evident in the area before Neville Smith residence and below the wall that supports his home. According to Penn, the Engineers at Public Works are working out a plan to fix the matter.
Residents recommended that the particular section of the road should be concrete and not asphalted. Another resident of the area pointed out to the corner just before the area needs to be widened. He further explained that it is very difficult for two cars to pass at the same time.
While those projects are costly, Hon. Penn announced that they are on the to-do list once funds are available.
Another concern raised by residents was the water issue faced by the community. Residents expressed concern regarding the limited supply of water and have asked that water be on at least in the early morning to get ready for work or school like 5 am-9am and in the evenings from 5pm-8pm.
Meanwhile, Hon. Penn informed them that he was not aware that the water issue in the area was so severe and said he would speak with Minister of Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool to have the matter addressed. He added that Hon. Vanterpool was looking into the water issue that exists throughout the Territory.
The issue of the location of garbage bins in Hope Hill was another concern by residents who stated that they are not in a good location and garbage collectors did not replace the bins in their appropriate positions after emptying them. They also called for reflectors to be placed on the bins.
In light of their concerns, the district representative said the bins can be removed all together if there is nowhere else to place it. However, he said they will have to designate specific days and time for pickups in the community. He further noted that it is something many Caribbean Islands larger than the VI have moved to and government is looking at a holistic approach to the garbage problem in our territory that is one method that is being discussed.
Several other concerns were also brought up by residents, including the lack of transportation for persons attending the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College to which Hon. Penn mentioned about the government transportation system that is being looked at. They also expressed concern regarding seniors not having the relevant caregivers. In that regard, the representative said government is also looking into a Hospice Programme for the seniors to get the right care they deserve. Hon. Penn said this is something that can be a business opportunity for the residents of the community.
Residents were also informed that a resource center will be opened in the 8th District –District Office in Long Swamp. Transportation would be provided from Hope Hill to East End and back if one needs to use any services provided. It was also disclosed to them by Hon. Penn that a smaller branch of the resource center would be available to Hope Hill residents at the Church of God Prophecy /Kingdom Praise Center downstairs which hosts many meetings and more for the community and is something to work out with the Church and the residents.
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