THE EDITOR, Sir:
LAST THURSDAY, November 8, 2001, The Gleaner in its Cornwall AM Edition, carried an article captioned "Municipal building needs urgent repairs". The article noted that the building which houses the Parish Council, town hall and Resident Magistrate's court needed urgent repairs.. "especially the board on the interior that is rotting away"; and that two years ago attempts were made by the Council to do the work but was told by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) that their plans needed amendments.
The JNHT has always worked closely with the Parish Council. In fact, staff members from our Estate Management Division often attend the Council's monthly meeting in the same municipal building and offered the Council the benefit of their expert advice.
The Falmouth municipal building, as stated, is a national monument and as such the Council is indeed required to send any plans for repairs to the monument to the JNHT, the regulatory body, for approval. However, to date, the only application for alterations to the building that has come to the JNHT was in 1998 for repairs to the windows. Nothing else. Conditional approval was given to the Council to fix the windows in November 1998 following the inclusion of five simple amendments to the plan. This response was hand-delivered to the Council. To date, the amendments have not reached the JNHT.
Last month, Falmouth was placed on the list of 100 most endangered heritage sites in the world. It is in all of Jamaica's best interest that everything possible is done to protect, develop and maintain the historic district. However, any alterations/development in the historic district should adhere to the guidelines that are designed to maintain architectural authenticity and historical integrity. It is this that makes the area so special in the eyes of the world.
The JNHT is ready to facilitate the Parish Council in its effort to repair the building. However, the required plans must be submitted in full to the JNHT for approval.
We look forward to a continued spirit of co-operation and goodwill as we work to preserve, promote, maintain, develop and restore our nation's heritage.
I am, etc.,
RODERICK EBANKS
Acting Executive Director
JNHT
