Old Harbour is being ‘neglected’, says Finnikin |Mayor accuses community activist of ‘grandstanding’

Finnikin, a wearer of many community portfolio hats, ruffled feathers by accusing the local governing authority of failing to present a proposed plan of action that speaks to developing the south west St Catherine town.

Speaking in the presence of Mayor Norman Scott and members of the municipality executive at a town hall meeting at Old Harbour High School on February 26, Finnikin charged that the town is on the brink of anarchy.

Citing a 2007 joint report by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the United Nations, he said “Old Harbour is at risk of urban blight”.

“When urban blight happens in any city across the world, in any town, crime tek ova. In any city, any town (where there is urban blight) our people become demoralise,” said Finnikin, who is head of the Old Harbour Development Area Committee (OHDAC), an umbrella community group.

A Hanovarian by birth, Finnikin said there are close similarities between the western parish and the St Catherine town of approximately 50,000 residents.

“Hanover, when I was growing up was neglected by the central and local authority,” he said. “Old Harbour is neglected by the central and local authorities.”

He added: “I put it to you that we need some plans, some programmes, some projects that would outline strategies and the participating engagement of everyone who are among the 60,000 of us in the DAs (development areas).”

His concerns were raised following presentations from the mayor who is also chairman of the St Catherine Municipal Corporation, the police, and the Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers (JACAP).

In his opening remarks Mayor Scott focused primarily on the lack of revenue being generated from the town’s two transportation centres and the traffic congestion that is further complicated by the indiscipline behaviour of public passenger vehicle (PPV) operators.

But Finnikin wanted to hear more. In commending the parish council for convening the meeting, he says the Old Harbour community is facing real problems that are in need of immediate attention.

“I, in addition to calling to this meeting, expect to hear plans, projects, proposals,” he said to huge applause. “It is not too late. But I don’t want to leave this meeting without hearing the plans for the beautification of our town, the cleaning up of our town, improving the water supply to our town. Those are critical.”

In further chastising the local body, which he claims is too inconsistent in their approach, he suggests that Gobourne Lane and Lafe Street be transformed alternately into one-way traffic.

“Clamping vehicle once per month will not solve anything. They need to be seen every day of the week, every month of the year. There must be some enforcement of what it is that we are upholding to change the mess that we are living in,” said Finnikin who is a founding member of recently established Old Harbour lobby group Citizen’s Action Against Crime.

“Who is leading this town? Are we on auto pilot? I don’t think so. I think these people need to work harder and smarter so that our town can look like a modern place,” he said, noting that the development of Old Harbour and other locales like Gutters is being done in an ad hoc manner.

In his response, the mayor defended his stewardship and that of the corporation, while claiming Finnikin is seeking attention.

“I am a realist Mr Finnikin,” said the mayor. “You know, part of my upbringing is to never ever to be grandstanding.

“This town of Old Harbour, the municipal corporation that is led by me, we have built car parks, we have put the necessary signs throughout the town… but I don’t want it to appear (that the municipal corporation is not doing anything to develop Old Harbour).

“Of course Old Harbour is one of the fastest growing towns in Jamaica. There is a plan for Old Harbour to be its own police division, which would give St Catherine three police divisions. It is fast in the making. I know that.

“We are looking for lands to build a proper modern market and to move that one out of the centre of the town. Those are plans that are in the making, but they don’t happen overnight.

“Certainly the municipal car parks might not have been the best locations, but where else can you find to build municipal car parks.

“So please don’t come here and try grandstand. If we come here and try have a discussion that’s affecting the people then let us sit down and talk about them.”

According to the mayor there are currently 26 officers within its employ and like every other state agency the St Catherine Municipal Corporation has resource constraints that require prudent management.