National Disgrace - Hype over Sherwood Content

[Mosiah]

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...ews/news8.html

And I hear Bolt canna swim.

[Rudi]

Maybe he should change his name to Ian Flemming all now they would have airport etc. The people who have traditionally been in charge of Jamaica are incapable of seeing the obvious when it comes to people who don't look like them. It's now the 21st century how long unuh pon the rock going put up with this.
The people in charge wouldnt think of going to Sherwood therefore it doesnt deserve certain things hanging out with the wanna be James Bond set thats different let's spend taxpayers money there. The people in charge have to have a certain level of consciosness which they don't have and will never have.

[MdmeX]

So WHAT? Is there nothing that the residents can do? Or them waiting on the Chinese etc. to come in and build it.

Next alternative is wait on the BRUK pocket Government to build it.

We need to know that it is possible to start taking small steps to do things for ourselves.

[Willi]

Or maybe Bolt can dipp inna him soft and help out the situation.

Why make money if its not to help out your loved ones? Is it better to waste money pon gallavanting?

[Don1]

Nice story that will be picked up by the international news wires & blogs

[Don1]

True...but why should a private citizen have to fix a government project?

[Mosiah]

Perhaps, but why did the govt hurry up and start something, only to leave it undone as soon as the hype subsided?

[MdmeX]

Perhaps, but why did the govt hurry up and start something, only to leave it undone as soon as the hype subsided?

Is that anything NEW

[TDowl]

Bolt's community lies in neglect

Published: Saturday | October 1, 2011 8 Comments


Sherwood Content in Trelawny.




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... Sherwood Content residents not content with lack of development
Mark Titus, Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Despite being the home community of the world's [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]fastest [COLOR=blue !important]man[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR], Usain Bolt, Sherwood Content in Trelawny continues to be ignored as the residents' pleas for the remote village to be developed into a [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]tourist [COLOR=blue !important]attraction[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] seemingly are ignored.
Bolt first proved his credentials on the world stage by winning the 200 metres before a home crowd in Kingston at the [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]IAAF[/COLOR][/COLOR] World Junior Championships. He later rose to prominence after shattering the 100-metre and 200-metre world records at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, in 2008. He repeated the feat at the World Championships in Berlin, Germany, the following year, becoming one of the world's most popular athletes in the process.
"It is a disgrace. Nothing has been done to symbolise his achievements in his hometown, not even a monument or a piece of stick to say this is the hometown of the world's fastest man," said the track star's aunt, Lillian 'Aunt Lilly' Bolt.
"So many [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]tourists[/COLOR][/COLOR] come here on a daily basis to find out more about Bolt, but the authorities have failed to capitalise on his success. They are missing a grand opportunity for [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Jamaica[/COLOR][/COLOR] and for the economy of Sherwood Content to grow."
Opportunity being missed
Mayor Collen Gager, chairman of the Trelawny Parish Council, agrees that the opportunity is being missed to capitalise on Bolt's fame, but believes that the community can still benefit.
"I do agree that it can be one of the biggest drawing cards in the parish, but it would have to be a community-driven exercise," he said.
Gager was unable to say why, with all the development in the parish capital - including the region's newest cruise-ship pier in Falmouth - Sherwood Content was not included.
"The council has been discussing it. We must take advantage of our position."
According to Aunt Lilly, some improvements to the area, except for the patching of the road for his arrival, were done or spearheaded by Bolt. These include underwriting the $120,000 bill to rewire the Sherwood Content Basic School, and contributing $1.4 million of the $3.5 million used to refurbish the Sherwood Content Health Centre. He also donated fire-safety equipment to five basic schools in and around his community.
She also disclosed that Bolt would be renovating the community centre, but his dream project for the area is to build a multi-purpose complex, including a museum for visitors. This would provide employment opportunities for some residents in the community.
Even as she spoke, a vehicle with a group of tourists passed her home heading in the direction of the dwelling of Bolt's parents.
"That is Lillian Bolt's house, aunt of Usain," an announcer with the group said over a loudspeaker.
Kingsley Titer, a senior community member, told Western Focus that the development opportunities were a no-brainer.
"Many are curious about the yam and come to sample what it is that is said to make Usain go so fast, but there is no such facility in place to satisfy the curiosity," said Titer.
"Some of the biggest dignitaries in this country, both in govern-ment and the private sector, were eager to rub shoulders with the young man when he and the other athletes put Jamaica on a high, but when it comes to the community, not even a monument or a piece of stick with a sign to say this is Bolt's country."
He is also disappointed that there has been no attempt to give Waldensia Primary School a proper playing field.
Attempts to contact Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett were unsuccessful, and the acting executive director of the Tourism Product Development Company did not return our calls as requested.
Rich history
Bolt aside, the community has strong ecotourism or heritage-tourism potential having a rich post-colonial history and several dilapidated 19th-century houses dating back to the days of William Knibb.
"All it really takes is smart governance. Everyone would benefit and our economy would improve," offered Wellesley Bolt, the track star's father.
Aunt Lilly is questioning why the chunk of Berlin Wall given to her nephew by the people of the German capital has been placed at the Jamaica Defence Force headquarters in St Andrew.
"That piece of wall should have been taken to Sherwood Content and placed among us as an attraction for our visitors. For me, there is no doubt that they do not care about us."
mark.titus@gleanerjm.com

[Mosiah]

it's not! but some of think we really got the CHANGE we voted for!

not a damn difference! this govt. came to power talking about all those projects that overran costs and time. well, what has changed since?

[Muadib]

'we' voted for ?

hmmm....

is what yuh telling us !?

as for change... guh read di Economist since yuh cyaan si what right in front of yuh toe...

[Muadib]

change is good !!

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/weste...supply_9704398

read em and weep..

Next.

[Mosiah]

I did: "...despite himself..."

[Sickko]

Wonder if it is because this is seen as JLP area? Titer is a loud mouthed pro JLP activist and it is said the Bolts vote green as well.

But regardless of Usain having to go three miles to get a shower, what about the people who have no choice and have no Kingston house to go back to and have to live there every day, arent they more important than Usain?

[Muadib]

stap di lying.

that is NOT what the article said...