Marlie Mount residents lament prolonged ‘unaddressed’ issues

The residents, led by citizen’s association president Marilyn Myers, once again highlighted the non-removal of old vehicles along the commercial strip of the community that is not only an eye sore but poses a security risk for individuals. For close to two decades residents have to be contending with a dilapidated shell of a bus and a disabled truck that have only served to defaced the area. 

Other members of the community point to an illegal roadside garage on Begonia Crescent that has contributed to accidents in the community. They argued that with several disabled vehicles parked along the road side on a corner, motorists are forced to drive in the opposite lane facing oncoming vehicles. 

 In addition to those concerns raised, residents of the upscale community are demanding urgent attention to their roads, some in such deplorable state taxi drivers refuse to use them.

In response, chairman of the St Catherine Municipal Corporation, Councillor Norman Scott, urge the residents to write formally to the council, arguing that notice must be served on those in breach before further action can be taken. 

Councillor Scott, who is also Mayor of Spanish Town in the parish capital, said persons found in breach of this law after notice is served, can be fined up to $250,000. 

However, Myers contend that this has been a prolonged issue for more than a decade that remains unresolved despite submitting numerous letters to the municipal authorities. Notice have been served on the owner of the disabled vehicles residents claimed but the situation remains the same.

Noting that the issues raised were never brought to his attention officially, Mayor Scott urged the complainants to repeat the process but this time to make sure he’s copied on said communication. 

“Once it gets to my desk, I will ensure that action is taken. I want the members to know that the municipality has teeth,” he said. 

The town hall meeting was organized by the South St Catherine Chamber of Commerce on October 8, 2025 and held at the Old Harbour High School.