By Farah Johnson
fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
RESIDENTS of Pinewood will host a coin drive Saturday to help raise funds to address the community’s chronic flooding issue.
The initiative, spearheaded by long-time resident and farmer Jerad Darville, is geared towards inspiring the community to come together to achieve a “communal good” and improve an “otherwise condemned subdivision.”
“We’re trying to raise money for a water truck as a temporary solution for the flooding issues that have plagued Pinewood for many years under every government,” Mr Darville told The Tribune.
“Even though we understand that this is not the permanent fix, we also understand that we have hurricane season fastly approaching and the government has already stressed that there is no money inside the budget for them to be able to assist us.”
Mr Darville said instead of complaining, the community has decided to take a “solution-based approach” and come together to raise funds for a water truck.
He explained that the vehicle would allow residents to “re-route” water that settles in the community after heavy rainfalls.
“Once the waters rise, we’re going to dispatch the pump truck, suck out the water and displace it so that we could alleviate the environmental issues with the water settling,” he explained.
“The water would then be re-channeled and utilized to irrigate small Pinewood community farms, provide public access to free water and the like.”
According to Mr Darville, Pinewood struggles with flooding because the drains in the area are not “properly maintained.”
He said he believed the water pump truck would help to remove settled water and stop it from seeping into people’s homes.
“Every time it rains the water level rises,” he said. “And when the cars drive through the area, they often push water back into the homes.
“So we are looking to eliminate that problem, as well as (to address) damage to the structures of the home due to water settling for so long.”
Explaining how the coin drive will work, he added: “The Central Bank has officially made its position that it’s going to disband the use of the one cent.
“So we’re asking persons to donate their one cents and their small change to us so that we could be able to raise funds for a water truck.
“We’re looking to do this initiative to actually bring the community together and let everybody be a part owner inside the Pinewood community.”
The coin drive will begin on February 29, but the initiative will continue until the community reaches its $120,000 goal.
Pinewood residents are calling on the public to “help add to their pool of pennies.” They are also encouraging schools, churches and civic groups to donate.
Comments
bogart 4 years, 1 month ago
Excellent efforts Jerad Darville to build up the community. Very good repeated efforts despite past public episodes with the MP telling you to stand down on previous issue. Keep up the good works. .....one of the flooding problems needs to keep the draining system clean of dirt in the meantime.
hrysippus 4 years, 1 month ago
I expect that Mr. Darville is genuinely looking to improve the neighbourhood in which he lives and has no ambitions to use a reputation as a community activist as a stepping stone for self advancement into the political arena however I cannot see a single pump truck making any appreciable difference to the flooding issues that have plagued the area since it was first developed on woefully low-lying land. I suppose it could be used to pump some water out of some flooded houses after the water levels have receded, but this assumes that the truck and pumps are properly stored and maintained.
realitycheck242 4 years, 1 month ago
Hrysippus…... your assumption has hit the nail on the head. There is no dought about his political ambitions.
proudloudandfnm 4 years, 1 month ago
Instead of worrying about moving Marsh Harbor and Freeport airport move Pinewood. If you smell rain Pinewood floods. That place has been flooding since the first house was built it is a basin, you don't build in a basin. Moving Pinewood makes way more sense than moving Marsh Harbour or Freeport Airport...
realitycheck242 4 years, 1 month ago
Great idea. and let Sir Snake and his companies foot the bill for the pain and misery he has caused pinewood residents for decades
BONEFISH 4 years, 1 month ago
The young man is attempting to enter politics under the guise of being a community activist.
He is hoping to gain a nomination through his so called activism.
Many of the problems that afflict the day to day lives of the residents of the island of New Providence are dealt with in the real world by local government officials.Both major political parties oppose any attempt to put in any strong government on this island.This will take away from them the political patronage system which lies under this political system.This did not start with Pindling,this goes back to the Bay Street Boys.
Ask Sir Snake,who is one of his main business partners in his many businesses.His name is Sir Orville Alton Turnquest. That business combination was suggested and put together by one Sir Lynden Pindling. Like some one said to me,there is plenty things,you will never be taught in this backward country.That was rhe view of a person who has a major role under this FNM government.
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