I write in response to the letter dated July 31, titled 'Disgrace to Hellshire Beach'. I find it most important that I should respond to this letter as the mayor of the municipality of Portmore.

As a resident of Hellshire myself, it is one of the most heartbreaking situations, to see one of our most beautiful and prized possession go to waste. Now, Hellshire is a part of the tourism product that I would want to promote for the municipality of Portmore. I have tried, even before becoming mayor, to highlight the problems we have on the Hellshire beach - the harassment of the patrons as they drive on to the beach, the squatting that is taking place, the unsightly and unsanitary situation that exists as we speak; and the fact that the Jamaica Public Service can be allowed to give meters to squatters.

To prepare and present

My greatest desire is to prepare and present to our Jamaican people one of the most beautiful spots for recreation, entertainment and fabulous food. To do this, the political will and capacity to stop the fooling around with the notion about the late Prime Minister Michael Manley handing over the beach to a group of persons must come to a halt. I was not aware that any prime minister would just arbitrarily hand over government property to anyone; and if that is the case, I would really like the present prime minister to hand me Fort Clarence beach, also located in Hellshire.

I have the political will to take on the challenges of regularising and creating for Portmore, a decent and friendly environment for all to come and enjoy. I have sent a letter to Mrs Elizabeth Stair of the National Land Agency, copied to the Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Robert Montague, asking that the Hellshire beach lands that are held in trust by the National Land Agency be handed over to the Portmore Municipal Council for proper development and management.

Hellshire beach is a total disgrace and it is a matter that I believe the National Land Agency should deal with in a most urgent manner. I am prepared to take on any element to have this matter resolved and I know the council is fully behind me on this one.

I am, etc.,

Mayor Keith O. Hinds

Keithhinds251@hotmail.com