Youths on the block to be part of community initiative
PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry of VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake is assisting the St. Peters Community Council with a general community clean-up among other community improvement initiatives.
This collaborative effort also includes the input of the following stakeholders, Community Police Officer (CPO Felix), Topxic, Edwin Hodge Company, Ministry VROMI and Meadowlands Waste Hauler.
The community clean-up as well as other community-oriented improvement actions are a result of a meeting with the St. Peters Community Council and a walk-through in the neighbourhood with Rene 'Koto' Wilson and the stakeholders.
Minister Lake will be utilizing the so-called boys on the block in the area to help paint the basketball court and the main entrance into St. Peters, the latter in removing the graffiti in this particular area.
"We have to have pride in our communities. You have to give a good impression. As a co-founder of the St. Peters Community Council, we need to start going back to basics and instilling pride in our neighbourhood, respect for each other, and togetherness, so we can all build a healthy clean community for all.
"The youngsters need to take pride in the basketball court that was built for them to use on a daily basis. If we don't take pride and take care of what we have in our district, nobody will do it for us.
"By using our youth and the boys from the block and local contractors, we can all make a difference by collaborating and working together for the interests of our community," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Thursday.
Minister Lake added that he had very positive discussions with Rene 'Koto' Wilson with respect to working together and taking St. Peters up to another level where community innovation and development is concerned.
Minister Lake said he would like to see a solution found to the running water on the streets; add additional speed bumps to enhance safety of pedestrians and children where it concerns the inner streets; and the removal of car wrecks in collaboration with residents.
Minister Lake pointed out that his Ministry is working with Meadowlands Waste Hauler, and the Fire Department to remove coconut tree stumps that have dried out throughout the community and in some of the yards of senior citizens.
"I am a community minded person and work very close with the residents to find ways to improve our district. This is our area where we have to take pride and improve it. This is my childhood district and I am looking forward to being part of the change in St. Peters working together and along with the residents," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake concluded.
