Linstead lauds the pothole saviour
Published:Saturday | March 10, 2012 | 12:00 AM
LINSTEAD, St Catherine:
FOR MORE than 24 years, Nathan 'Jack' Lynch has taken on the task of repairing a number of potholes in several communities across Jamaica.
Now, the ex-soldier believes the time has come for him to assume another responsibility: that of representation at the local government level.
"I would run as an independent pothole councillor and people encourage me to run and they say they would vote for me," he chuckled when The Gleaner caught up with him while he was patching a pothole on Victoria Street in Linstead, St Catherine, recently.
Out of recognition for his work, the 65-year-old former corporal has been given the name 'Jack The Pothole Expert' by his admirers.
"The reason I fix potholes is because it stop accident and stop people front-end from lick out. Potholes create havoc on the road because Government don't fix them regular. Right now, I fix them more than the Government - People's National Party or Labour. I go around and search for the potholes, and when I locate them, I come back and fix them," he explained.
Not making a lot of money
The native of Cedar Valley, St Thomas, now living in Charlemont, St Catherine, said he is not perturbed by the amount of money he has generated from his sole job for more than two decades.
"Sometimes I make a $2,000, sometimes $3,000, sometimes $1,000, and sometimes $500 for the day. Fixing the potholes gives me food, gives me tea, dinner, clothes. Fixing potholes is part of my life. I enjoy doing it," the Happy Grove High School graduate said laughing, as he kept his eyes fixed on approaching motorists.
It is from the contribution he solicits that the energetic senior buys some of the materials needed to carry out his job.
"I buy cement and I ask people for little sand and gravel and water. Sometimes I buy the sand. Depends on where I go," explained Lynch.
Peter Thomas, manager of Thomas Woodwork, lauded the work Lynch has been doing for many years.
"He is very useful and I think that he serves the purpose because a lot of time, the Government doesn't get around to fix potholes. He is the one who is really doing it over the years for us. When he patches the pothole, it's less hassle on the vehicle," Thomas explained.
Operators of public transportation are grateful to the dedicated stalwart.
"Him a do a good job because him a full out the pothole dem weh di Government nah do," Junior, a taxi operator who plies the Linstead to Ewarton route, told The Gleaner.
Generally, motorists are supportive of Lynch's efforts as they benefit in the long run from his services.
"Jack is one of the best pothole men in Jamaica ... in and around the Linstead area, and whenever he does a pothole, it's well done. Every motorist look forward to see him fixing the potholes. Some of them don't want to give him anything, while some give." Audrey Bravo noted.
Though he has no regrets under-taking a job, which was propelled by a dream, the father of 19 children said the time has come for retirement.
"I want to go into music now because I am a good singer. I sing at dead yard and all around. I want to go into tourism now and change the pothole thing because I'm training some people now to take up this work because I'm exhausted," he smiled.