Neighborhood walk-through planned for Friday
Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry of VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake met Wednesday with representatives from the Belvedere Community Foundation Jessica Richardson and Beverly Bandin regarding a number of community issues in the Belvedere area.
Minister Lake along with representatives from GEBE and Ministry VROMI will be doing a walk-through in the neighborhood Friday afternoon.
The community representatives brought forward a number of issues related to the septic system; streetlights; basketball court; cleaning of sidewalks; Happy Estate; pedestrian crossings; and the environment.
The community activist would like to see the Septic Belvedere System made more secure and that something should be done to minimize the strong odor emanating from the system.
Other concerns brought forward was inadequately and unsecure placed electricity breaker boxes, some with missing covers and exposed to the elements; and street lights not working.
The community has a Basketball Court that was donated by your partner in progress Windward Islands Bank. Since it has been in use, some of the lights are not working the foundation has limited funds to upkeep the facility for the neighborhood youth.
The Belvedere Community Foundation reps wanted to know who is responsible for cleaning sidewalks in the neighborhood, and maintenance of the playground. The Minister made several phone calls to address these issues that were presented.
The foundation requested the placement of two utility light poles at Happy Estate in the vicinity of the playground, and has also requested a pedestrian crossing close to the Round-About which is a gathering area for school children waiting on the school bus.
The foundation provided information to the Minister about its recycling project which it sees as a pilot project for other community organizations and councils. The project entails the recycling of cans, oil, plastic and in the future glass.
Minister Hon. Maurice Lake commended the two Belvedere community activists for their initiative and at the same time informed them about the Solid Waste Facility for the country that will go on bid in November.
"I promised the two community activist that a plan of action will be drafted on what needs to be done and to be executed by the various stakeholders. A walk-through in Belvedere has already been set for Friday afternoon.
"This is what the back to basics approach is all about. Once the problems are brought forward by the community, a plan of action is immediately drafted and those who need to carry out the job are informed so action can be taken at the latest the next day.
"The people of this country want immediate action. These issues have been brought forward before I was informed and nothing was done. My approach is if it’s broken, fix it within the shortest time possible and seek a sustainable solution for the future. This is how we need to run the country and the people want to see action and that is what I am all about," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Thursday.
PHOTO CUTLINE: L to R, Belvedere community activist, Minister Hon. Maurice Lake (3rd from left) and Joe Richardson, senior policy advisor in the Minister’s Cabinet. DCOMM Photo