~ Blocked waterways, no street lights, and pending post office are of concern.~
FRENCH QUARTER/ MARIGOT:--- The President of the French Quartier Conseil de Quartier (Community Council) has issued a strong call to the RSMA government led by President Loui Mussington to maintain the promises made to the people of the French Quarter during the March 2022 Territorial Election.
Gumbs is very much concerned about the blocked waterways that can cause flooding in the event of heavy rainfall and hurricane. He said it has been a routine for the government to clean the waterways every year in the area to ensure there is a free flow of water.
On Rue Coralita Gumbs took SMN News to some key areas to show that there are overgrown mangroves in the trenches and even garbage that has since blocked the flow of water. He said that it has been three years now that the trenches have not been cleaned even though the COM embarked on a clean-up campaign to prepare for the 2022 hurricane season.
Gumbs pointed out that the Saur has a sewage plant with a not working pump while the trench is blocked. He said that the sewage water is draining in the trench but because it is blocked with weeds, and garbage the sewage water remains stagnant in the vicinity of homes.
“This is the largest district that politicians depend on when they are on the campaign trail, but they are the first to be forgotten by the government whenever they take office.”
Post Office still not opened, while Gendarmerie works 3 days a week in French Quarter.
The State and Collectivity air marked a unit in the projects for the installation of a Post Office in French Quartier, according to information provided to SMN News earlier it states that the Post Office would open to the general public as of September 1st, 2022. However, today September 7th, 2022, the location for the Post Office is still under construction but no one is working on the project. Gumbs said some five months ago he was present when the location was allotted for the Post Office and the Gendarmerie outpost and to date, the Post Office cannot open to the public. He said he has checked on the progress of the construction but most days the contractor is not there working. Once he said he met the contractor at the location and materials were outside. On Wednesday as SMN News visited the location with Gumbs the materials are seen on the ground while the unit is boarded up and no construction work is being done.
Gumbs said he personally did not get a date from anyone when the Post Office will open however, he made clear that it has been five years since Hurricane Irma ravaged the island and the French Quarter Post Office closed its operations. “There are elderly people that have to take a bus to Grand Case or Marigot for simple transactions, this is very inconveniencing for the elderly and all others. Gumbs said the RSMA government should keep its promises and make sure that they work on the things that they promised that will help to make life easier and less stressful.
During the campaign and prior after several roadblocks by the people of French Quartier, the Prefet promised that a Gendarmerie outpost will be installed in French Quarter as it is indeed the largest district. That outpost was opened in the projects, but they are only open to the public 3 days a week which are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. However, today Wednesday when SMN News visited the outpost during its opening hours there was no one at the outpost. Gumbs said units 6 and 7 were allocated by Semsamar for the Post Office and the Gendarmerie outpost.
Another concern Gumbs raised is the lack of streetlights throughout the district. He said lights are on in some areas during the day and off at night leaving the place in total darkness.
The President of the Conseil de Quartier said that he has informed the government about the amount of old vehicles on the roads and on private properties that has since become an eyesore for everyone. “All over there are old cars parked up, they blocked the roadways and government kept saying that its on private property but he wants them to know that the law does allow them to clean private property. All they have to do is ask and they will get the assistance they need to clean the area up.
