The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

CHESAPEAKE residents participated in a walkathon in support of the Wilchcombe family and to heighten awareness of the environmental and health concerns in the Grand Bahama subdivision which they believe are related to a nearby sewerage plant.

Michael Wilchcombe, a local resident, died on June 5 after being rushed to hospital with breathing problems. Residents were wearing t-shirts with a photo of Mr Wilchcombe on the front as they walked.

The walkathon started at 7am on Saturday, near the entrance of the sewerage plant, which is operated by the Grand Bahama Utility Company.

While there is no evidence that the plant has contributed in any way to Mr Wilchcombe’s death, residents strongly believe that it is the source of ongoing foul odours in the area which are making them sick.

Shuffel Hepburn, a long time resident, said walkers attended a prayer service at 6.15am before the event. “We wanted to pray … because we need the hand of God to aid us in fixing and resolving this (ongoing) problem in our community, and to pray for the Wilchcombe family because we feel their pain as they mourn the loss of their (loved one),” he said.

Mr Hepburn said residents want to keep the issue in the public’s eye. “What surprised me this morning was that … there was no odour in the area. I saw four vehicles at the sewerage plant around 5.45am and the wind was from the south east and we would not normally smell an odour when it is blowing from the southeast. It tells me that they can control the odour at this plant if they would spend the money for the manpower because there is was no significant odour detected, just a bit on the northwest side.”

Betty Bethel, director of the Ministry of Tourism in Freeport, also supported Saturday’s walkathon. “I am a part of the community and there is an environmental concern, and the only way you can bring attention to things of this nature where there are governing agencies in place we need to send a message, but a united message; and so that’s what this walkathon is all about. We had several people in the community who have fallen ill and we just simply want to rule out some things that may, or may not have played a role in that.”

Central Church of God Pastor Stephen Dean said that several of the residents are members of the church and he felt the need to support their cause. “The community has been enduring odours for quite some time and a sewerage plant is located there. This morning we prayed for the community, and we pray that this walkathon will heighten awareness of what is happening in this area,” he said.

Sandra Gow, a resident, believes that a sewerage plant should not have been built in a residential neighbourhood. “When the wind blows the smell is all over (in this neighbourhood) - they can do better. They should put this plant in a place where nobody lives,” she said.

Officials at the Utility Company have claimed that the odour is coming from a nearby pond, but residents do not agree. The plant handles raw sewerage from the hotels on the Lucaya strip, including the Grand Lucayan Resort properties and Memories Resort.

“It’s not the pond; you know difference between a pond scent and sewerage,” said Tupence Wilchcombe, the wife of Mr Wilchcombe. The family’s home is located nearest the plant.

“If it is a pond then do us a favour and fill it in and get rid of it, then we will see if the problem is resolved. I don’t think people should have to endure this settling (odour) in their homes. I have been here five years and it is really awful. I feel they should do something about it, and the best thing is to relocate it.”

Jackie Smith, an elderly resident who also lives near the plant, said although she was not able to participate in the walkathon, she felt it was important to come out and show her support. “For what I have been going through, I needed to be out here for my husband and myself - I can’t breathe,”

Mrs Smith, who claims that her husband passed away last year after being rushed to hospital with breathing problems, said no one from the company has come to speak with her. “I was told that there was going to be a shopping mall here … and that’s the shopping mall I got,” she said, pointing in the direction of the sewerage plant. “I am very disappointed that no one has ever come to check on what I am saying.”

It is claimed that residents have been experiencing various illnesses, including the flu, breathing/respiratory problems and eye irritations. “I think the plant should be moved, something has to be done,” Mrs Smith said.