Kristen Gyles | The Portmore parish ‘problem’

In a country plagued with actual problems, it’s interesting how our leaders often fabricate issues where there are absolutely none, only to provide the ‘solutions’ we never needed. Of course, it is then easy for them to brand themselves as the heroes of the day, having solved a myriad of oh-so-dreadful (yet totally contrived) problems.

The government has been seeking to establish Portmore as Jamaica’s 15th parish for some time now. It has touted numerous benefits including the prospect of greater infrastructural development, increased police presence and greater autonomy over internal local affairs for Portmore residents, upon the conferment of parish status. Several long-awaited developments in Portmore including the building of a public hospital and the creation of the new ‘Portmore Resilience Park’ have been cited in the explanation as to why Portmore needs to become a parish.

None of the wonderful things being planned for Portmore necessitate it being made into a parish. These initiatives can all be executed, as things currently are. In fact, perhaps what should happen is that these amenities be put in place before talks of parish status begin. Either way, whether Portmore is made a parish or not is about as important as the name that will be given to Jamaica’s next highway or major thoroughfare.

UNNECESSARY UNDERTAKING

There is nothing wrong with Portmore being recognised as a parish, but given that it is a wholly unnecessary undertaking, which will be characterised by activities that cost both time and money that could be better directed towards other pressing initiatives, one must wonder why this issue has been given the priority it has. Furthermore, the entire discussion surrounding Portmore’s status as a municipality has been fraught with controversy.

First, the government’s proposed geographical borders for the new Portmore parish have been opposed by the opposition, which say the government is gerrymandering. The opposition says the proposed borders were an attempt to gain political advantage and will only favour the government in the upcoming local government elections. The prime minister then responded to say the government will wait until after the elections to have the bill to establish Portmore as a parish approved in Parliament.

The argument now is over parish boundaries. Next, it will be over what colours the new ‘Welcome to Portmore’ sign should be painted in, and which politician the next newly refurbished road should be named after, and chances are both arguments will be characterised by political finger-pointing.

The second point of controversy regarding Portmore is that residents have been complaining for some time now that they were not consulted in the process which led to the decision for Portmore to be named a parish. You would think that this issue would have been addressed by now, since it can easily be fixed, but it has not. Rather than simply putting the matter to the people both for discussion and decision, the powers that be have held their heads straight and put on their blinkers and have decided to go forward, full speed ahead, with their plans for Portmore.

WHY IS IT HARD TO ASK?

It may very well be that most Portmore residents are open to the government’s proposal. Just ask them. Why is that hard? Is it hard because there is a fear that the residents will say they don’t want Portmore to be named a parish, thereby leaving the government with no problem to fix?

However advantageous it could be to establish Portmore as a parish, the benefits being touted will largely accrue to the residents of Portmore anyway. So, if they do not want Portmore to be named a parish, there is absolutely no point in pushing for it.

Fortunately, local government elections are coming. And the elections present a good opportunity for the people to be asked the question they have been waiting to opine on. The deputy mayor of Portmore has suggested that the residents be allowed to vote on the issue and there is hardly a better way to settle the matter once and for all. The government shouldn’t waste a good opportunity for genuine consultation.

A news article recently published in The Gleaner and titled ‘Deputy mayor leads Portmore parish referendum call after Gov’t change to timeline’ details the deputy mayor’s call for secret ballot voting to be used in the upcoming elections to gauge the sentiments of residents regarding Portmore being named Jamaica’s 15th parish. While the government is yet to respond to the suggestion, a comment published under the article seems to capture quite succinctly what appears to have been the government’s position so far.

The comment suggests that people with “this flawed premise that a plebiscite is a substitute for visionary leadership and ambition are not only missing the point, but they are also not learning from history regarding the greatness that man have achieved during history despite (not using) what they call a ‘referendum’… Visionless ‘leaders’, however, will always find all sort of excuses to shy away from making bold decisions…”

Sadly, this person sees bold leadership as totalitarianism. Apparently, the government would be exhibiting a sign of weakness by considering the residents’ opinions regarding a matter that relates to their own area of residence. In a democratic society such as Jamaica, there is no place for this or any other government to impose its unilaterally formulated plans, however great, on to an unwilling population. Surely, the people of Portmore should have a say in the big plans for their city.

Kristen Gyles is a free-thinking public affairs opinionator. Send feedback to kristengyles@gmail.com