The Editor, Sir:

I must take this opportunity to commend Dr Patricia Holness on the tremendous and excellent work she and her staff have been doing since taking the reins of the Registrar General's Department (RGD) as chief executive officer.

The RGD has come a long way in terms of customer service. I recall the days when you had to make several early morning trips to Spanish Town, and had to deal with the pimps and hangers-on demanding fees to buy food, only to receive a ticket to join the lines.

Currently, from the comfort of one's living room, car, offices, cafés, one can apply for the services at the RGD.

Professional manner

In my experience dealing with the RGD, I must commend Marilyn Bell, customer services manager, for the professional and efficient manner in which she expedited my applications for death certificate for my father and marriage certificate for my mother who married in 1935.

My father died in 1972 and I did not have all the relevant information when applying online. Surprisingly, in eight days, all certificates applied for were at my front door in Atlanta, Georgia, via FedEx Express.

I would encourage Jamaicans in foreign countries, when applying for certificates at the RGD, to use the Internet online services.

I must use this medium to address the alarming declaration by Dr Holness in her letter to the Gleaner in reference to broken telephone switchboard at the agency and why after over 10 months the switchboard was not replaced or repaired.

I am requesting Dr Holness to post promptly, all the relevant cellphone numbers for contacting the RGD on their website and in The Gleaner.

I am, etc.,

A.S. MYERS Sr

Atlanta, Georgia