Mayor Andrew Swaby on The Ball Dealing With Richmond Park Area Challenges

Mayor Andrew Swaby

Mr. Preston Tabois

I sent a blog this afternoon with a video of a discussion with Mr. Preston Tabois, Chairman of the CDC concerning the commercialization of the Richmond Park area. Major Swaby was quick on the draw. I heard from him today at 1730 EST. 

Other political leaders and public servants need to follow that lead. Thank you, Mayor Swaby. He will be discussing the challenge with the councillor for the area. A meeting will be arranged to look into the matter.

Citizens working together can get action. There should be no need to block the roads or burn tyres in the road consequently damaging our roads.

More Information:

Richmond Park Citizens and Commercialization.

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DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT

Dennis Archer, a businessman and a board member of the JCDC, has lost his father, Levi Archer, who passed away in Philadelphia, USA, today.

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Is The Police Improving In How They Deal With Citizens?

I have been getting some excellent feedback about the police officers these days. If they behave unprofessionally, we should say that, but when they do well, we should also say it. Encouragement does sweeten labour. The following was sent to me by a well-known musician, Rosina Christina Moder, the wife of another well-known musician, Peter Ashbourne.

This is the message:

As a postlude to this year's Valentine's Day, I wish to tell you about the wonderful experience I had yesterday with a police officer downtown, as my prelude to celebrating St. Valentine! I drove three very special ladies visiting from Germany to see the Ward Theatre and the Kingston Parish Church. 

When turning left into King Street, I encountered a police officer on a motorcycle behind us. So I thought, of course, dear Lord I'm driving too slowly and will get a warning about obstruction of traffic. And sure enough, the officer asked me to stop and roll down the window just to tell me to please follow him, because we have to see the murals on Water Lane! 

What? I thought I was dreaming!? So he rode in front of us slowly and directed us to the new murals near King Street. He waited until we finished walking up and down; he even offered to take our group photo. Then he mentioned to be sure to visit the National Gallery but to be sure to park the car at the UDC parking lot to be safe. Again he offered to lead us, and when we were about to drive into the parking lot, he very friendly waved to us and rode off! Well, I must state that I will never forget how he personified the slogan from my home country Austria when I was a child: "The Police—your friend and assistant!"

The name of this amazing officer is Dean Graham, from the Traffic Enforcement Division, at Elletson Road. 

I'm still in amazement! So refreshing in the week of the 40th anniversary of my first landing here on this "Island in the Sun!"

 

Editor's Note

Remember that encouragement sweetens labour. Bad news can become sensational, but good news can lift the spirit of the nation.

 

Solutions Coming For JUTC SmartFare

JUTC Press Release - 20250212:

Spanish Town, St. Catherine – The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) understands the frustration some of our valued commuters have experienced since the soft launch of the SmartFare card system. Our team is committed to fixing these issues and making your travel experience smoother and more convenient in the shortest possible time. 

The transition from the Smarter Cards to the new SmartFare Cards is a major system upgrade designed to enhance efficiency for our commuters. As with any major upgrade, we acknowledge that there are adjustments to be made, and the team is actively working to improve your experience. 

We know how important it is for you to check your card balance easily. For this reason, we designed the following solutions: 

1. Kiosks at All Ticket Offices – You will soon be able to check your SmartFare balance quickly and easily at kiosks installed at the JUTC ticket offices. 
2. SmartFare Mobile App – A mobile app is on the way! This will allow you to check your balance anytime, anywhere, right from your phone. 
3. Balance Check at Top-Up Locations – When you visit any authorized SmartFare top-up merchant, you will be able to check your balance before adding funds. 

Our mandate is to provide seamless transportation from one point to the next, ensuring that no passenger is ever left behind. With the account-based SmartFare card, you can still board the bus even if your balance is low. The system will record the fare, and once you top up, the amount will be deducted automatically. 

JUTC is committed to continuously improve the SmartFare system, to ensure a better customer experience. We will provide updates to keep you informed of these improvements as we work diligently to refine the system. 

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Richmond Park Citizens Calling On the KSAMC To Act Now!!!

The citizens of Richmond Park in Kingston are adamant that the KSAMC must take action to deal with the commercialization of the area and shut down those illegally constructed commercial places.

Click on the icon below to watch the video:

Click here to view the video.

Share this video with residents in the Richmond Park area and all councillors in the KSAMC. We must demand that our elected officials act in our interest. That is what they were elected and paid to do. 

Encourage Jamaicans to support the people's blog, Bark Di Trute. We are giving power to the people.

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What's Happening - February 15, 2025

Another Fire, In Spanish Town

The Brunswick Early Childhood Development Centre was destroyed by fire recently. This school is on Brunswick Avenue in Spanish Town, which caters to approximately 100 students, one parent said. 

Bystanders were quick to blame JPSCo for the fire, but fires don't just start like that. We have had a few market fires, and my understanding is that these fires are due to the stealing of electricity. Minister Desmond McKenzie alluded to this while speaking on a visit to the Buff Bay market, which was destroyed by fire. The market is now being rebuilt.

There is a danger to those who make illegal connections and those who might accidentally touch electrical wires illegally connected to JPSCo lines. JPSCo mains can become overloaded due to numerous illegal connections, and that can cause fires.

Our leaders and our people will continue to blame JPSCo for unstabel power supply, electrical fires, and injury to citizens rather than deal with the challenge of illegal connections. If we cannot hear, then we must be prepared to feel it.

The government must work out a plan with JPSCo and the people in the various communities to reduce the incidence of electricity theft and the danger resulting from this.

Live and Work in Snow!

My brother Gregory Smith sent me this picture showing outside his home in Canada. We talk about working conditions in Jamaica, and if it rains, we cannot go to work. I wonder what we would do if we had winter in Jamaica.

KSAMC Getting Ready For Carnival

Richmond Park Needs KSAMC's Attention

The KSAMC now needs to take a serious look at the commercialization of Richmond Park and what some residents claim are illegal businesses going on in the community. We must support our council in ensuring that the laws are maintained, especially in areas like Richmond Park.

The traffic is horrendous in the area, especially in the mornings and the afternoons. The elderly residents cannot sleep in peace. Dr. Peter Phillips, are you still the MP? I understand that the new councillor is not sure which division she won in and apparently she cannot locate the area.

Cars are parked on the sidewalk, impeding pedestrians from using it and cars are parked on both sides of the road, reducing the road to one lane.

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Subscribe Now!

• Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe to my Emergency News Advice Service.
• Make a financial donation now.

Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar so you can see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles.

Click on the icon below to see the calendar:

Click to view the calendar.

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JCF Members From Duhaney Park Police Station and Others Spread Love on Valentine's Day

Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) from the Duhaney Park police station spread the love this Valentine's Day by visiting the TLC Home and the Total Care Nursing Home at 41 Hampton Crescent in Washington Gardens.

The initiative was spearheaded by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) D. Gardener, along with Inspector F. Powell, Territorial Officer Inspector N. Walters, and Sgt. T. Layne. Additional staff members joined in the effort, as did members of the Police Consultative Committee, including Pastor Jordan-Chairman, Marie Margon, Mr. C. Jackson, and La Nishka. Community members, including Justices of the Peace, also participated in the heartwarming event.

In addition to spending quality time and pampering the residents, the officers delighted them with gifts, showcasing their dedication to community outreach and support.

The officers and all participants agreed that the day's activities were a resounding success. The police have assured the community that they can look forward to more outreach initiatives like this in the future.

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Subscribe Now!

• Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe to my Emergency News Advice Service.
• Make a financial donation now.

Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar so you can see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles.

Click on the icon below to see the calendar:

Click to view the calendar.

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Happy Valentine's Day My Friend

That Love Poem

Happy Valentine's Day to all my friends and supporters of the Bark Di Trute Blog and the Bark Di Trute YouTube channel. Share the knowledge, she the love, share the bogs with your friends and relatives. I love you all. 

Click on the link below to listen to a poem written by Louise Bennett.

Click to listen to the video.

The NWA

Someone sent me a picture of a pothole representing the NWA's love for road users. I used the picture in the gif file below. I hope you like it because NWA will not find it funny.

Share your love verse with my supporters by adding it as a comment to this blog. Thanks.

Editor's Note:

There are speculations and confusion in Jamaica about whether the well-known lead singer for Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, Keith Lyn has died. Bark Di Trute will get the information to you as soon as I get an update from the family.

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Damaged Water Main Affecting Residents in Harbour View

Below is an article which was sent to me by a frustrated lady in Harbour View. Maintenance work is taking place there and they end up damaging the water main.

Who is working on the road? Do they have a map of where the NWC water mains are? Do we have carpenters working on the roads, or mechanics, or lawyers? If you are going to work on the road, did you inform other agencies, such as the NWC?

Gm. Im a resident of Harbour Drive in Harbour View.  There is a road rehabilitation going on for which we r excited and thankful,but a water main has been broken from last Friday and it has made commuting this área miserable,especially for pedestrians.Water has been running  from the foot of Tank Hill across from the Methodist Church straight down to the Drive. This has put a halt on the road work. My main concern is that pedestrians have a HELL of a time commuting this área. The heavy equipment used on the road are parked on both sides of the road,2 large craters filled with water  are in the middle  of the toad,plus the water runs continuously. Can u give a shout out to NWC to rectify please?

Note:

The NWC is dealing with this issue. Residents please keep me abreast of developments and you can send me pictures to 876 816-5216. 

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