There is the overworked quote credited to Albert Einstein that the definition of insanity “is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result“. There is another popular saying that “the difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits” attributed to an unknown author.
For the second consecutive year schools in the environ of Staple Grove Estate have had to be closed because of a cow itch problem. One may reasonably accept that last year it was an unfortunate occurrence and those charged with the responsibility for guarding the public space- and our children- should have offered redress.
That it has taken a public outcry in the traditional and social media for the Ministry of Environment and National Beautification to emerge to address the issue exposes a fault line in our governance apparatus. Some Barbadians would have been appeased by Minister Trevor Prescod’s two hour walkabout and obligatory press conference. Others, rightly so, continue to be concerned about the inability of the authority to proactively remediate issues of national concern.
The blogmaster was reminded recently by a note from sirFuzzy about the lack of a strategic focus as a country on ‘preening’ our physical space. Barbados continues to promote itself as a service destination, yet, the value proposition has been ignored to become compromised. Is anybody counting the growing number of abandon and derelict buildings littering the gem of the Caribbean sea? Of the 26 ministers who is responsible for tackling this matter? Surely it is a priority for one of those ministers? There must be a positive to having assigned the largest Cabinet in the world based on per square mile?
The rainy season is quickly drawing near. With some accuracy it can be predicted that flooding will occur in all the usual locations and a few others because of the inability of those responsible to get ahead of known and perennial challenge. We can blame the lack of physical planning or cleaning of wells. A flooding problem feeds a potential health issue from the vector-borne diseases.
There will be time for another blog about the lack of an adequate fleet of garbage trucks to collect the piles of stinking garbage from all across Barbados. There will be time for another blog about our inability to develop a process to develop waste to energy. There is time …
The flip side to the worry about public health is the disregard average citizens have for the environment. Should it be a surprise this poor attitude mirrors the deer in headlights approach shown by successive government? We litter and dump garbage to expose a high level ignorance how we should NOT abuse the ecosystem. We wantonly dump garbage in gullies, cart roads even into the sewage system.
The blogmaster is prepared to give the government 9 out of 10 for talking a good talk about tackling the issue of the environment and protecting public health.
We need to switch from talking to execution.
If we continue to do the same thing over and over …
@DAVID
After all your years living in BARBADOS you still do not understand the words MAINTENANCE and PLANNING are NOT in the BAJAN vocabulary. These two mundane and obnoxious words are the FUNDEMENTAL foundation to a sound society. The lack of a foundation leads to what Barbados is experiencing, FAILED STATE.
Well before May 24 2018
The Bees had all the answers to picking up the garbage across Barbados.
Sad to say since May 25, 2018…..the said Bees drop more garbage across Barbados.
A set BERT jokers !
WHY DONT THE BEES GET ENUFF TO GO AROUND AND PICK UP THE GARBAGE INSTEAD OF JUST TALKING GARBAGE ON BU
I recently visited several “small islands” and was ashamed of my island home when compared to these islands. The general infrastructure, including roads was amazing. Not one pot hole. Streets were impeccable. No garbage pile up. Clean, modern, affordable, accessible, and available public transportation which I used. Buildings were not dilapidated, unpainted or in general disrepair. And to think that this island was once a leader is unfathomable. A gem? I think not.
All the while we keep boasting of how much education we have and where we went to school. Truly, education/knowledge does not equal wisdom.. I am appalled.
The funny thing is right beside that big pile of garbage will be a rum shop with everyone laughing without a care in the world. The skiff at dover for one. Its an attitude on the island that has come about because of privilege and quite frankly I see two items that can be laid right at the feet of the white class from years ago.
First the garbage problem they just dropped everything everywhere because the slaves or servants will pick it up now that everyone is equal. everyone is droping stuff everywhere and nobody is picking it up. You have to start realizing it is home and your business and you are all in this together.
Then the car issue ..used to be only the rich had cars so when someone is walking usually black they just drive out in front of the person blocking his way , totally rude you would never see that in canada unless you wanted a boot in your door panel . But now everyone does it thinking its okay, or maybe pay back but I can tell you its the rich that are walking today keep pissing off tourists and you all will be walking as well because you wont be able to afford gas for those lawnmowers you drive.
@ Jean,
You stated that on your visits to other small islands that you found them to be clean in comparison to Barbados. Could it be that these islands are less commercial than ours? Perhaps their food retailers are less numerous than ours. They may place more of an emphasis on road side sellers and smaller style traditional food retailers who generally require minimal packaging for their produce.
Over the last few years in the UK there has been a growing trend for consumers to remove their packaging at the point of sale and to leave the large retailers to deal with their packaging themselves. How many times have you returned home after doing your weekly shopping and removed the packaging from your purchased goods only to be left with a mountain of rubbish.
Food retailers should be asked to reduce their packaging by a minimum of at least two thirds. We must recognise that they are the primary source of all the pollution that we face in this country.
We should also ban the concept of cooked take-away food. If you want to have a cooked meal you should be obliged to sit on a chair at the food establishment and to consume your meal on a traditional ceramic plate with non disposable cutlery.
Barbadians are an indiscipline people. Why should we assume that they will make the right choice when disposing of their rubbish. They lack the were withal to act in a responsible manner. I would recommend that the government passes legislation that bans the concept of take-away food and should also limit the use of packaging used by our irresponsible food retailers. Such measures will go a long way in maintaining a pristine environment to match our cleaner neighbours in the Caribbean.
Government policy mirrors the values of a nation, or should. In our everyday participation as citizens to what extent have we made environmental and public health concerns a priority?
@ Talking Loud,
In the 1940s and 50s we had public urinals in Barbados. Like the UK, they steadily got rid of them. The assumption was that people would not need to go to the toilets any more. The end result (both in London and Barbados) is people urinating in side streets. Whatever happened to public health?
@ Jean February 25, 2019 11:13 PM
Couldn’t agree with you more, Jean!
The once boastful gem of the Caribbean is now nothing but an old broken-(down) whore who cannot even buy lipstick to make her look like a pig in a palace.
If the arrogantly educated Piggies in the poke called Barbadoes cannot even keep the sty of a palace clean for overseas snow-birds how in hot hell or cool heaven could BERT ever be a success in ‘lost’ little Bim?
Bajans have lost their souls when it comes to the moral injunction of public hygiene; whether Jew or gentile:
‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’.
@ David February 26, 2019 7:57 AM
I would not say Govt. policy mirrors the nation values; To me is more that govt’s action(s) mirrors the values of the nation in-spite of the stated policies.
@sirFuzzy
An important intervention:
Jean, I’m curious………were these “several small island” you visited located in the Caribbean?
David
We have to encourage our fellow Barbadian to take pride in their country … it starts from one person … Everytime I eat a pack of gum … instead of throwing the rappers on the street I put it in my pocket until I can find a trash can to dispose of it … and this is the spirit we must encourage in our fellow Barbadian …
Artax
I visited Antigua several years ago and I found certain parts of that country to be clearer than Park Road Bush Hall which I visited last years, and saw loads of garage up against the back of District A Police Station Wall … I could believe it because when I migrated three-decades ago the garbage situation in Park Road was much better than what I saw last year on my visited to Barbados..
David
When will the Sanitation Department of Barbados get organized to the point where people are educated on how to separate their trash? On my visited to Barbados last I saw all kind of garbage mixed together … I saw no effort to separate Cans, Cardboard, pastic etc …
@Lexicon
The issue is much bigger than an efficient SSA.
David
The island of Barbados is 166 square miles with a population of some three- hundred thousand people … And Jamaica on the other hand has population of some two- million people and an island some four-thousand square miles … and it has an efficient sanitation system … What is Barbados problem?
Lets say we can fine or imprison a citizen for breaking sanitation rules and regulations? Now when its the the govt itself breaking the rules and regulations can we fine the Ministry and thus the Min responsible? After all under the West Minster model the Minister is the sole person responsible for the actions or inactions of the ministry.
If you believe that the “buck stop here” (quoted by President Harry Truman) then the minister is on the shooting range;
If you believe that the “buck stop with everyone” (quoted by President DJ Trump) then the entire ministry is on the shooting range.
just asking
@ David BU at 8:57 AM
Is it mere coincidence that Barbados’ tidiness and the efficiency of SSA declined simultaneously?
How about promoting public urination on the garbage heaps? Ammonia kills bacteria – this way we would make good use of an abundant byproduct of the alcohol industry !! I wish we could recycle the rubbish that some Bajans write !!
@ Wily Coyote February 25, 2019 8:40 PM
You are so right. The most evil and vile word in the bajan “lingua franca” is not longer “Rh” or “Johnee” or “wutless”. It has been superseded by “MAINTAIN” and all its derivatives and the most hated of them is “MAINTENANCE”.
political parties in Barbados “Tax ; Spend; and Build – but Never Maintain” -TSBNM
It is so hated that we as a society actively and mentally “WILLED” it out of existence. We dont accept any formal dictionary definition of the word. Political parties and their followers(political poultry) have completely different definitions depending on whether there are in Govt. or out of Govt.. At the GOB level we have gone as far as to change the spelling of the actual word.
The GoB of the day some how manages to spell that word as follows “PUBLIC-RELATIONS-EVENT” or “PHOTO OPPORTUNITY” this is not the be anyway conflated with “JOB OPPORTUNITY/VACANCY”
JUST SMILING/asking
@ poorpeacefulandpolite February 26, 2019 9:42 AM
Maybe we can also look into the virtues of communal composting.
Those heaps of garbage piling up maybe should not be seen as “an eyesore” but as attempts at greening Barbados with the careful location of “ad-hoc” communal/community composting activities? 🙂
just asking/smiling
@Lexicon
You do realise you just showed that Barbados is more densely populated than Jamaica.
Maybe you should compare us to say Bermuda, as their population density exceeds ours
RE Those heaps of garbage piling up maybe should not be seen as “an eyesore” but as attempts at greening Barbados with the careful location of “ad-hoc” communal/community composting activities?
THIS IS A WORTHY SUGGESTION
LONG BEFORE GARBAGE BECAME A PROBLEM, THIS WAS SUGGESTED WAY BACK IN 1994 TO THE NEW DEPT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
@ Georgie Porgie February 26, 2019 10:17 AM
So is Barbados leading the Caribbean with its sophisticated eco-friendly lifestyle? or are as some would say’ we just nasty? 😉
I DID NOT SAY THAT THE IDEA WAS ADOPTED
REMEMBER THE FIRST MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT WAS A LAWYER, WHO I AM TOLD WAS MORE SUCESSFUL AT RUNNING A BROTHREL
I DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, SIR
The government of Barbados need to establish an effective recycling program as well as to designate days within specific communities when trash is to be pick up, and fine those persons who put out their trash out on days not schedule for regular pick up. In order to get a better handle on this accumulation of trash in and about the island … right Georgie Porgie?😁😁😁😁😁
Wouldn’t it be great if people knew it’s a bad idea to throw Coke cans out the windows of the bus? This is surely the responsibility of the UN or the World Bank, or someone who isn’t Bajan.
Parents, for example. Fathers. Fathers to children they love. Just saying.
Face it. Bajans have absolutely no concept of what constitutes an eyesore. That I learnt the very hard way. It is not only the uneducated. It is not only the poor.
I find myself outnumbered and shamed as being miserable for suggesting that I find eyesores depressing.
That pile of garbage was removed from Long Beach. I spent one morning with a bunch of children cleaning up that same beach years ago. I see things haven’t changed.
Bajans are just nasty. Their ancestors swept their yards daily and cleaned and weeded around them on a regular basis. Bajans know better. They are just lazy and nasty.
Why not have your prisoners clean up the litter and garbage I would think most people would have a second thought about throwing stuff all over the place if they think the guy that had to pick it up may come looking for them when he gets out or is standing beside them when they decide to litter.
Lexicon, you don’t have to respond, you know. This person is just looking for somebody to belittle.. They have chosen you today.
Is there room for a Green Party in Barbados? At the minimum it would create tension on what is a important issue. The sexy issues are there to feed the political talking heads but what differentiates Barbados – or use to – was our sense of order; timely collection of garbage etc.
Mr. Lexicon
Whereas you “visited Antigua several years ago,” I lived and worked there……..and also visit that island often….. as recently as last month.
But, having “visited Antigua several years ago,” do you believe it is wise to compare Barbados, now……with Antigua at that time?
In total agreement with all the above comments.
Sorting is a must as is reliable collection on specific days which people should know beforehand.
But this is Barbados, God loves Bim-he would not let anything happen to us. People all over the island sit in “Stinking Splendour” eating, littering, spitting, urinating and getting on with whatever. This is nothing new. I recall when Billie Miller was Minister of Health, someone passed my door and drop paper. I asked the person to pick it up. I was told “let Billie Miller pick it up-that is she job-she is D Minister.” See the level of ignorance?
While in St. Phillip for over a year back and forth, no collection was made for as much as three weeks! Up to yesterday that was the current situation. I Went to Bayland and the beach recently- same situation. Laws must be taken off the books and action taken.
I have seen outside of Barbados that one of our sister Islands Governments collects $1000.00 weekly from those who are caught urinating in public. Barbados could collect 30 times that!!
A Barbadian was called to task for littering within the Caribbean by an officer whose job was to issue a warning and a fine to anyone so doing. The officer told the offender to pick the litter up and asked “Aren’t you from Barbados?” The Barbadian said “Yes.” The response was “Then you should know better.”
Until such time as offenders are fined on the spot or sent to Jail for failure to pay immediately, kept there no longer than one day and then released to do community cleanup for the number of hours equivalent to the fine, the nastiness will continue. When Barbadians walk about repeating the Gem myth, the response will be- “Gem, what Gem? Please,don’t make me laugh.”
Lets all do our part in preserving our island home; let Pride and Industry
rise from the grave.
Blessings.
@Peggy Green
Supporting your concern a dump site was discovered at Long Beach today. You cannot make this stuff up.
gang warfare, littering, civil service improvement, civics, self improvement and general manners.
these are the social issues Ministers should be addressing day in and day out. instead of walking around and looking for every PR opportunity to show their mugs on TV and the print media.
these are the said issues for which i mark the last iteration of the DLP really hard. even if they couldnt arrest the economic slide they should have tried to solve or speak in earnest to these issues.
the BLP is following suit.
“There are multiple reports reaching NATIONNEWS of gunshots at London Road, Brittons Hill.
..
Police are currently on the scene.”
One man dead Hants.
this is getting so stupid
Artax
If I think that it is wise to compare Barbados now with Antigua several years ago … probably not, but I have many Antiguans friends who visits that island as often as you do, and they give me information as it relates to the conditions of that island. And having visited Barbados last year I was saden by the conditions of the island I left behind 30 years ago … the garbage I saw next to District A Police Station Wall was unacceptable ….
@ Lawson,
It is a society in crisis.
Hants
Gun business in Barbados is child’s play when compared to the inner-cities of the US … you haven’t seen gun violence until you have lived in the US … I have seen it all particular with its association with the drug and gang culture here in the 1980s as a youth … it is nothing to boast about …because it is senseless …
thats your answer ???? its worse over there……I never want barbados to be baltimore or toronto for that matter, but you should be able to get a handle on an island 13×26 or so…..even if you have to suspend some rights
David
The one senseless killing is one killing too many … and we therefore… have to inculcate to the youths of the value, importance and sanctity of human life… If there is to be some change in this senseless waste of human life David
…
Of course you should be able to get a handle on a little rock like this! So the question remains – why aren’t they getting a handle on a little rock like this?
You have met the standard Bajan answer.
Comment on one negative aspect of Barbados and they will point out similar elsewhere.
Wonder what rat-infested hole he is living in. Been here ‘nuff’ years and have not seen gun violence.
And yes, there is gun violence
I AM BEGINNING NOT TO FEEL SORRY FOR THESE YOUNGSTERS ANY MORE. EVEN A MONKEY TROOP WOULD HAVE REALIZED BY NOW THAT THEIR ACTIONS AREN’T GETTING THEM WHERE THEY WANT TO GO.
I PROPOSE A BAD MAN COMPETITION. SOME RICH MAN COULD PUT UP A MILLION DOLLAR PRIZE AND HOLD THE COMPETITION IN THE BUSHES. THE LAST MAN STANDING WOULD GET THE PRIZE. THE POLICE COULD THEN ARREST HIM FOR MURDER.
PROBLEM SOLVED FOR A WHILE.
A bad man competition may rid the country of some of them but it will not address why we continue to breed them.
It would give us a little breathing space to figure that out, work on the solution whilst keeping any bad man left under control.
Two police vehicles have reportedly been involved in a collision at Norman Niles roundabout
The officers were responding to the shooting incident at Brittons Hill.
IF WE HAVE MORE GUN VIOLENCE WE WILL SOON HAVE LESS POLICE VEHICLES…….AND MAYBE MORE POLICE KILLED IN ROAD ACCIDENTS RESPONDING THERETO
SEEMS AUSTIN IS RIGHT! WE HAVE A FAILED STATE
POLICE OFFICERS CANT EVEN RESPOND SAFELY TO AN INCIDENT
SUCH IS LIFE UNDER THE REGIME OF MIA MAO MUTTLEY DICTATOR AND PRIMEWICKER
LET US GATHER TO WATCH HER INEPTITUDE AND LET US SING OH HOW WE LOVE MIA
DICTATOR AND PRIMEWICKER
David BU
Is there any truth to the rumour the youngster who died in Britton’s Hill shoot at the police, they returned fire and he was shot and killed in the process?
@Artax
This is the report.
It is sad how political operatives try to politicize the matter of gun crime.
DOES NOT MATTER
WHAT EVER HAPPENED ITS THE FAULT OF MIA MAO MUGABE MUTTLEY OUR PRIMEWICKER AND DICTATOR
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/238659/update-shooting-victim-identified
Artax
The police confronted two men with guns … the two men started to run and the police came under attack … what am I to extrapolate from this report…?
That the police shot the fleeing man in the back?
The fleeing men shot at the police and the police returned fire killing one of the men?
“The police confronted two men with guns … the two men started to run and the police came under attack … what am I to extrapolate from this report…?”
Mr. Lexicon
You should ask Police Public Relations Officer Inspector (ag) Rodney Inniss those questions………,NOT me. He may be in a better position to give you the appropriate answers.
NEXT MIA MAO MUGABE MUTLEY THE PRIMEWICKER WILL BE PROMOTING INFANTICIDE!
IF IT IS THE THING IN VOGUE IN THE USA WE WILL BE COPYING IT IN BIM
RESIST AND OBSTRUCT MIA MAO MUGABE MUTLEY THE PRIMEWICKER AND DEVELOPING DICTATOR JUST LIKE THEY DO TRUMP IN THE USA
BAJANS IN THE DIASPORA STAY PUT WHEREVER YOU ARE
PEOPLE IN ALMOST EVERY PARISH should start bracing for water outages or low supply at certain periods, as the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) is reporting low levels at some pumping stations.
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/238661/bwa-brace-outages
RFLMAO wunna still think the Tipping Fee was the reason person like littering? The MOH and police refuse to prosecute while the politicians talk all over their faces!
Last year was the last time for coordinating the clean up of any gullies and sorting what is collected for recycling. #IDoneWidThat
@Kammie
Thanks for reminding us about the point of penalty fining. The minister of the environment (and Estwick before him) has been warning people abusing the South Coast sewage plant as well. Why warn people who are abusing the system creating significant financial cost to the country?
You have met the standard Bajan answer.
Comment on one negative aspect of Barbados and they will point out similar elsewhere.(Quote)
Good observation.
Police intentionally shooting an escaping suspect in the back is a crime in most jurisdictions. In any case there should be an investigation and the officer involved should be put on paid leave until the investigation is complete.
Theogazerts
Been here nuff years and have seen gun violence … father brought me to the White suburbs in the 1980s … but have been associated with basketball in Barbados in the early 80s …
But I had was to venture into the inner-cities where the real ball players were at the time, to get the good competition and there I saw the Hispanic gang called Latin Kings, and the Black gang called the 20 Love warring in the late 80s to the early 90s… Plus I worked in the black inner-cities for the state government for many years…
So I never lived in any rat infested place … don’t know that part of life in America brother… I have always lived in the suburbs with the White folks …🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
You shoot at a cop, you have given up any rights to have a say in the way you exit this world. Pretty simple ISIS defeated because trump let the guys on the ground do their job without being second guessed by people from the comfort of home.
You shoot at a cop in America you are heading right to the morgue … especially if you are Black or Hispanic … the cops have a right to meet such a threat with deadly force …
@Lexicon:
“You shoot at a cop in America you are heading right to the morgue … ” …. and it don’t matter if you Black, Hispanic, White, Yellow, or Green …. or if the Cop is Black, Hispanic, White, Yellow, or Green………. got the message ‘bad boys’??
Are there any wins?
Are there any quick wins in sight?
It seems as if we are documenting the failure of our society in a number of different areas.
There may be a need to change the narrative.
In addition we may have to abandon words/phrases such as failed, failing, Animal Farm, Alice in Wonderland, …..
How do we right the good ship Barbados
We need a quick win …..
A reasonable explanation – it calls for a plan with discrete steps that are clearly communicated to all the stakeholders? There is the talk which always precede execution.
Change the law so that the images captured on your phone’s camera can be used to prosecute those who litter. First offense $100, second offense $500, third offense $1000 fourth offense $5000 and every offense thereafter. Pay a commission of 50% to anyone supplying photographic evidence leading to successful conviction. With so many people being laid off, there could be an army of recruits waiting to be the eyes and ears of the Ministry and the courts. Fines paid within fourteen day on notification would be settled at face value. Fines paid outside of the allowed period for settlement would incur a 10% penalty per month. If photographic evidence is challenged in court, a 50% surcharge will be added upon conviction.
great idea all tips are confidential like crime stoppers
Anyone carrying an unlicensed gun is looking to kill or be killed.
@GEORGIE PORGIE February 26, 2019 11:09 PM “BAJANS IN THE DIASPORA STAY PUT WHEREVER YOU ARE.”
I have friends and family, in the diaspora [and paid guests too] who visit all of the time. Some of the younger ones, those born over in away, who do not yet have heavy family responsibilities sometimes visit twice per year. They are young, well educated, working for good money, can afford to spend on recreations. We treat them well and they visit again and again. We are always happy to see them.
A good friend just returned from Barbados. Special hotel room levy $11.00 per day. Airport departure fee $150.00 bbs. She stayed six nights and had to pay $77. as she was told it was per day and not night even though she used the room for six nights. It does not matter one iota how much you earn, what your assets are. That room levy is on top of the VAT. Talk about robbery. I will not be joining the gathering.
I REPEAT “BAJANS IN THE DIASPORA STAY PUT WHEREVER YOU ARE.”
LETS DO ALL WE CAN SO THAT DICTATOR MUTTLEYS GATHERING TO FLEECE US WILL FAIL. LET US NOT GATHER!
Dear Barbados wuh happen doah
All this time i belive you were the Gem of the Carribbean until recently when i took a walk on Bay street and saw all those run down houses and empty delipidated govt buildings
Wasnt Bay street to have a much needed facelift having a spanking new state of the art building called the Hyatt
Barbados i am asking you to take a look in the mirror and see what the image reflects
Never mind the self interest bastards who have taken foothold having an interest unto themselves
But Barbados you are better than “that” you must step out from among the vermin and cesspool of deceit and step on a path of decency and moral persuasion
Barbados first and foremost to tjy own self be True
These people are frauds , business people . A prime example is a man called Joel who works in the van stand , a fraud and a thief , conned people out of their life savings.
Unfortunately lack of proper planning seems to be rampant all over the Caribbean as it’s the same in Jamaica too. Our governments are far too reactive and seldom proactive.