On Sunday afternoon, I happened to be driving along Argyle Road when, on reaching a spanking new apartment complex, I saw a man diligently watering a patch of beautiful green grass that was growing inside the kerb wall.

I introduced myself to the man and we started talking. I said to him, "Boy, this place is beautiful." He pushed out his chest, obviously feeling very proud of himself and the project and replied, "Well we just get power from the JPS and everything nice."

I then said to him, "But Mayor McKenzie say this thing no right." At the mention of the name Mayor McKenzie, the man's face became disfigured with rage. He then made some uncomplimentary comments about him.

I am wondering why the mayor attracts this level of animosity at the mere mention of his name. Is it because he is doing too good a job or is it that he needs to convey his message in a more palatable fashion?

Abrasive tone

I suspect that it is a bit of both. Mayor McKenzie's tone, by nature, is abrasive and the very people he is trying to help will misunderstand him.

When he closed down that site at Argyle Road I am sure that most of us did not realise that the KSAC had approved a project for studios and one-bedroom apartments and that these same apartments were converted to one- and two-bedrooms. So the unsuspecting purchaser may end up paying much more for the same apartment that had been previously approved as a studio or one-bedroom unit. When the mayor spoke on the matter, he never mentioned anything about this and, if he had, he possibly would have won the support of even the man watering the grass.

From past experience, with the case of two buildings in New Kingston and South Avenue, the citizens of Jamaica would be better served if, instead of grandstanding, the mayor negotiated with the developers to rectify the alleged problems. Surely, the KSAC should be inspecting building sites as they proceed and insisting on compliance during the construction period.

Mr Mayor, remember, "a teaspoon of honey catches many flies, a pool of vinegar catches none."

I am, etc.,

KEN SPENCER

PO Box 537

Kingston 8