The authorities are not addressing the health hazards in Linden

Dear Editor,

Residents of 606 Retrieve are not happy, for there is a situation which if it is not soon attended to could develop into a major health hazard. The housing here is laid out in an oval shape with the central area which once was used as a playfield, reserved. However, it has been neglected for an extended period, and grass and tall bushes are rapidly taking over. Worst of all is the presence of an oval pond, which continues to accumulate water, more so now with the regular rainfall. The problem is that the water is stagnant and a thin green coating covers some sections; this is accompanied by a stench which is emitted from time to time, poisoning the atmosphere and which residents find very objectionable.

What seems to anger them further is that reports have been made to the Mayor and Town Council, and they have also had discussions with top functionaries from the Regional Democratic Council who were in the area and have seen the pond. They were also told about an existing drain which came with it, but which over the years has become blocked up. According to one peeved senior resident, Ms Godett, who has lived there for most of her adult life the “Regional Officers promised to return but never did”.   And need I say that this area actually comprises two sections in a unique form of a back to back U ‒ one in front, one behind. In the case of the one at the front, residents are making an effort to take care of it against great odds.  However, it is the back section which has been in a deplorable state for years; the circular road is a mud track, and please note that Linden Town/Region 10 has been under the same administration for ages and still has a councillor assigned to each area with the responsibility of seeing after its welfare.

But could someone explain why the health authorities don’t move around to have on-the-spot checks so they can vet situations themselves? What of their field workers? Where community health is concerned for the most part the work is very physical and practical evaluations are a necessity.  If they had inspected the area in question, they would have seen the need to have this potential hazard rectified forthwith.  How do you explain admonishing residents to clean their drains, get rid of old tyres and containers that hold water, cover garbage bins in order to prevent mosquitoes breeding, yet leave a large pond of stagnant, stench-filled water covered with a green veil of an unknown kind in the centre of a community?  This is what I guess they mean by the term straining a fly out of the drink but swallowing a camel.

What would it take for the RDC and the M&TC, our two leading authorities and servants to clear that oval and open up the blocked drain so that the water can drain off? What about having it filled up and restored to a healthy reserve and playfield so that the children can play?  Is that too much?

But then there is another large, low plot of empty land in that very 606 nearer to the front between the Barker and the Parris residents, which I was informed accumulates water and also emits a foul smell – you see why the health authorities have to move about? Residents are willing to do some work for their own sake, but they definitely need assistance.

Here is yet another reason for concern which I can’t let pass.  During a torrential downpour not so long ago, I stood sheltering under a business with others and witnessed what I had never seen before, ever:  I would say one million roaches of all sizes and colours emerged from under a gutter and had everyone on their toes, fidgeting and scampering.  I was told that there were many other places where exactly the same thing occurred, and it tells a story about the insanitary state of the Town which the authorities should quickly move to address.  And again I ask, how come they don’t know, don’t see, don’t hear ‒ or could it be they simply don’t care?

Yours faithfully,

Frank Fyffe