THE EDITOR, Sir:I AM most disturbed by the mayor's continual lambasting of the activities of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, and their efforts to declare a section of downtown Kingston an historic district.
In a recently published article the mayor demonstrated his ability to research the budget of the JNHT, as well as his ignorance of the JNHT's mandate, a mandate which clearly speaks to the preservation of Jamaica's rich heritage, and one, which as mayor, he should be cognisant of.
The mayor needs to understand that issues of declaration with respect to the preservation of heritage and on a broader basis, history, do not hinge on development, and that, in his capacity he has a moral obligation to insist that any development respects the findings of all those who are given the legal right to identify and declare issues with which they are concerned.
Futhermore, I am deeply saddened by the mayor's remarks as over the last two years my respect for him was heightened by the level of interest and foresight demonstrated by his campaign to restore the May Pen cemetery. I am now forced to question his motives.
In the article it was reported that the mayor said that the JNHT's efforts, unless curbed, would result in "a beautiful city full of unemployed and homeless people."
I would like to know if the restoration of the cemetery is one of the strategies that the mayor intends to employ in order to alleviate unemployment and homelessness, in his currently beautiful city.
It may serve everyone's interests if Mayor McKenzie extended a hand of welcome and guidance to the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, as they endeavour to assist him in his efforts to protect the city that he alleges to love so much.
I am, etc.,
ANN AMOS
ann_o_n_amos@hotmail.com
Kingston
