Dear Editor,
To paraphrase Jose Marti, “In the world there must be a certain amount of decorum as there must be a certain amount of light…” Sadly today, in Linden, there is an extreme lack of decorum, and the light is dimming fast.
The IMC of the Linden Mayor and Town Council recently voted to authorize the construction of a bar/ restaurant in the Wisrock/Amelia’s Ward bus park, in front of the Mackenzie Market. The exact location is just along the southern perimeter within 10 feet of the major garbage dump.
This garbage dump is a source of concern to many residents and certainly a source of discomfort to the shoemakers and other occupants at that part of the market. The area literally stinks, the stray dogs and rats and cows congregate there to feast nightly. Many people use the adjacent area aback the market to urinate and defecate at night.
Please note, Editor, that there has been no commensurate move to address the waste management crisis at that location and at the market in general.
The Mackenzie Market area is the most environmentally stressed
section in Linden – a community with a frightening level of environmental and social challenges. The water quality of the river and creeks is a good indicator of the environmental health of the community: almost all of the springs and creeks are contaminated with coli-form bacteria and other pollutants. The highest levels are observed in the river close to the Mackenzie Market.
This action of the IMC suggests a pretension that these conditions do not exist, that there is no threat to the health and well-being of the residents, that somehow erecting a wall (as proposed) between the proposed bar and the dump will insulate the patrons.
The recent decision is not an ‘orphan.’ The IMC has made many similar decisions; ones that have left the populace wondering about its (IMC) sanity, level of collective intelligence, and/or decency.
The decision was near unanimous, suggesting perhaps some sort of collusion among the councillors, a shared narrative about what a healthy community values, about what serves the common good. The decision was in support of a popular bar owner who has lost his lease. It is then a damning combination of nepotism and reckless disregard for community health and process. How does this decision really serve anyone or the community’s real interest?
What has Linden done to deserve such a council? The council reflects the prevailing posture in populating the Linden IMC– loyalty is most valued; more than competence, more than integrity, more than healthy engagement in the community.
This IMC must be disbanded: Replace fifty (50%) per cent of the councillors immediately; the remainder should be replaced in three months if there are no local government elections.
Yours faithfully,
Samuel Wright