Patria-Kaye Aarons | Portia and potholes

The upcoming local government elections have sparked activity in crevices I never knew could come alive.

I have lived in Duhaney Park for six months now, and only since the local government elections were called have I seen signs of life in the PNP constituency office there. Now that a vote is being sought, scores of persons are toiling upwards through the night, an activity very foreign to the whole lot of them.

Too little, too late, folks.

According to the website of the Ministry of Local Government, these are your councillor's responsibilities.

- Minor water supplies and social water.

- Municipal parks and beautification.

- Cemeteries.

- Markets.

- Abattoirs.

- Pounds.

- Parking facilities.

- Parochial roads.

- Local sustainable development planning.

- Drains and gullies.

- Street lights.

- Infirmaries and other welfare services.

The parochial roads bit jumped out at me. I drove around the community taking pictures of the streets and avenues. Not one road in Duhaney Park is pothole-free. Not a single one. Some potholes are as deep as a foot and wide enough to nestle a sleeping dog. And you think you deserve re-election. Why?

We all need to take a clinical look at the persons currently serving our communities and ask how good a job are they doing in the areas highlighted. Do you have good roads to drive on? Does your community look presentable? Cemeteries bushed? Stray mongrel dog numbers low? Street lights working? Drains been cleaned? Have you seen your councillor before last week?

If you've answered no to some or all of these questions, time for a shake-up. These things aren't a favour to you. It's their job.

 

DON GORGON PORTIA

 

On another note, let's talk about 'Front-Teeth, Side-Teeth' Sister P. Seriously.

The local government elections and disagreements in the Claremont division saw Mama heading to the area to quash some tensions caused by a still missing-in-action Lisa Hanna.

Her attempt at peace:

"Nobody chubble me and get away with it ... . Don't play with me. Cyaan mash up nothing ... . I will come back here for another meeting and I know who I will bring."

The delivery of these words was backed by the fire of Lucifer in her eyes and the wrath of God when his temper flares. I believed her.

Seeking clarity, I asked Doting Dayton who was she going for, and to do what. His response: "She would be going for canvassers to canvass."

Turns out that's the story the PNP is sticking to. Pardon me while I reach for the dunce cap. Either I am gonna wear it if I believe that rubbish or the author of that spin should wear it permanently.

Less than a month shy of her 71st birthday, as a former prime minister, as a woman, that behaviour is just not right.

Something is fundamentally wrong when you can't say sorry. When you can't recognise that your behaviour is unbecoming and apologise for losing your cool.

Something is also wrong when your inner circle can't see when you have erred. Can't fess up that what you did was inexcusable and ask that people forgive your actions.

Mama P, you need new fiends and a better Olivia Pope. The behaviour in Claremont last week was not the representation of your best self. It's on the Internet. World leaders who you once interacted with and who you hope to interact with again can watch it. No bueno.

It's also concerning when the future leaders you are training consider that display acceptable behaviour. Behaviour the people deserved. The argument that you must meet your audience where they are is shameful. As a leader, you have a responsibility, a duty, to raise them up. Learn a little from Mrs Michelle O. When they go low, we go high.

I would much rather remember you for being the first female prime minister. For the insurmountable challenges you overcame to rise. The tremendous work you did in sports and labour. For running everywhere. For kissing babies. For the very unique way you pronounce "Jumayku".

Let not tyranny be part of your legacy at this stage.

- Patria-Kaye Aarons is a television presenter and confectioner. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and findpatria@yahoo.com, or tweet @findpatria.