The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

A RESIDENT of the Kool Air Subdivision in eastern New Providence said the community has been trying for four and half years to have a “loud, stinking truck business” removed from their “once quiet” neighbourhood.

According to an email sent to The Tribune by a resident who wished to remain anonymous, another resident of the neighbourhood has reportedly turned the area into an eyesore.

The resident said the matter has been brought to the attention of area MP Ryan Pinder, but claimed nothing has been done to address the problem.

According to the woman, another resident allegedly began storing “big Mac trucks, flatbeds, paving equipment” as well as a portable office in his yard, all of which she said creates a lot of noise and an “unbearable stench of fuel”.

The residents first began complaining about the situation to Mr Pinder in 2010 while he was still running for MP of Elizabeth Estates, the woman said.

“This last (2012) election, our MP (Ryan Pinder) stood at our front door and promised if they (PLP) got back into power that (trucking business) would be gone,” she said.

“Since winning, he does not respond to our emails anymore.

“. . .(Complaining) is a futile task and will only upset you and make you sick. No one really cares about your well being.”

Mr Pinder, according to an email The Tribune obtained, had reportedly notified then Minister of Environment Earl Deveaux about the complaints.

It was then suggested to the complainants that they email the respective government agencies about their concerns, The Tribune was told.

The residents contacted the Department of Environmental Health who allegedly determined that the area was unfit for the storage of such large equipment, but “nothing happened”.

The resident said police were also contacted to assist in removing the business from the neighbourhood, but this proved futile.

Since then, the resident said that when the residents complain about the “noise and stench of the fuel,” the business owner would start all of his trucks and leave them running, especially on Sundays which is “his favourite day to make noise”.

“Over the past four and a half years, we have made at least over a hundred phone calls, letters, faxes, emails, and the man still operates from our quiet residential area,” she said.

“I see small children playing around these large trucks,” the resident added. “I watched as a fire from the nearby Haitian slum burned and worried about this equipment catching fire and blowing up, possibly destroying my home and others around it. But we are being patient. Some day, a disaster may happen that will cause the authorities to seriously move this out of our neighbourhood.

“Until then, we hold our breath, not expecting anyone in authority to care or follow the law, but hold our breath because of the stench of the fuel from the convoy of trucks.”

Mr Pinder could not be reached for comment when contacted by The Tribune.

Last week, Sea Breeze residents complained of a recently constructed food stall that was a “nuisance” and wrote a letter to their MP, Ms Hope Strachan to deal with the situation.

Ms Strachan said she had received the letter and intends to “ensure that it is properly addressed”.