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| No Politics, Just Garbage |
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"Swannie, I like to read your
articles but they too political."
Too political! Well, tell me what's happening in Nevis
now that isn't political so that I can write about it.
Even the churches all seem to be political institutions.
"I don't know but I challenge you to write something
that has nothing to do with politics next time."
Well Sir, I've tried. I did not write for three weeks
hoping to find something worthwhile that would satisfy
your suggestion. I believe the garbage situation at
Bath is the closest thing to being what my friend might
be expecting, or is it?
Some people know him as a passionate speaker that needs
no microphone. Others know him as the man who wants
his village to be always clean. Most people call him
Keebo but I refer to him as the Mayor of Bath Village.
Keith Barzey is from Bath and has always taken it upon
himself to ensure the village is clean. His passion
for the cleanliness of his village and the entire island
is profound. You say Keebo and you refer to Mr. Clean
himself and the gentleman now has serious issues and
concerns about the cleanliness and state of Bath Village,
surrounding areas and Nevis in general.
A mechanic by trade and former employee of the Nevis
Solid Waste department, Keebo has made a name for himself
and his reputation in that field cannot be erased. Taking
a drive with him through the village that I'm from as
well was painful. Let me say now that the road improvement
through the village has been evidently noticeable and
one must give credit to those responsible for ensuring
better roads through the village.
One still cannot understand why our governments have
neglected paving the distance where paving ends, to
carry on and meet VON Radio, our champion radio station.
Yes! Quite noticeable at the start of our journey were
some piles of dirt sitting at the side of the main paved
road just after the turn-around heading west. The dirt
was dug from the trenches alongside the road and just
left there for in about two weeks.
It's my understanding that the Mayor of Bath Village
was the one instrumental in getting Public Works to
remove the dirt from the block drains. Alas! The dirt
remained sitting there until the heavy rains on the
weekend washed most of it back into the drain.
Next, through the village we witnessed numerous areas
with excessive amounts of garbage on display to the
general public and nothing seems to be done to remove
them. Apart from being unsightly and unhealthy, the
hazardous threat is alive and real especially during
dry seasons.
Further over on the road towards the landfill presented
the most disturbing reality as loads of garbage, discarded
appliances, building material, concrete slabs and more
have been dumped at sides of the road and areas very
close to the landfill site. My question to the Mayor
was, why would someone reach so close to the landfill
and dump their garbage here? The mayor's eyes opened
wide as he explained. The cost of dumping garbage he
said is excessive. He stated that he frequently picked
up garbage from off the streets on his own initiative,
time and in his own vehicle, only to be charged at the
site for doing a charitable service. I suppose others
make that illegal dump as well for the same purpose
and the authorities might be encouraged to address that
situation in order to remedy that particular problem.
A drive through the dumpsite revealed the most hazardous
time-bomb ticking. Thousands of tires awaiting proper
disposal before the worst fears are realized at the
site.
The recent fire there only a few months ago is a reminder
that when solid waste starts to burn, the results can
be devastating. The space available at the site is acutely
limited and the area seems to be overfilled
Management, Keebo says is the problem. He is convinced
that lack of proper management is the reason why the
situation with garbage and the entire operations of
the landfill are as they are at present. His concerns
about the ventilation pipes around the landfill are
no longer visible and possibly, not functional. His
disgust that the Solid Waste jeep overturned recently
was also visible.
The million dollar garbage truck recently purchased
by Social Security is also unable to traverse the rural
areas where it is mostly needed. The size, he explained,
has hampered its access to the villages and other narrow
areas. Solis Waste, he explained, is his passion and
he is hoping we do not lose it. The addition space there
that is fenced and not utilized is of great concern
and he is hoping that those responsible will address
that concern.
Next was a visit to the playing field at Bath and it
has been many years since that field was organized and
prepared to host football matches, a move many thought
was ideal for sports in the village and for easing some
of the pressure off the then Grove Park. Now the Elquemedo
Willett Park is still over utilized while nothing much
takes place at the playground in Bath Village.
The pavilion there is allegedly used regularly for gambling,
dog fighting and a host of other illegal and unsavory
activities. The filth and thrash compiled in the under
section of the pavilion is evidence of wasted money,
time and efforts by those who ensured the facility was
erected for the purposes intended. Who is responsible
for that playing field at Bath Village anyway? The Mayor
says that he does not know, and that is sad.
With those matters realized we embarked on discussion
as to why the situation is as it is and possible solutions
to the problems. Further investigations and discussions
could result in another article addressing the garbage
and Solid Waste Department. Meanwhile, the situation
should not be taken lightly. |
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