Dear Editor,

I WOULD like to draw to the attention of the relevant authority (Mayor and City Council) a situation that is causing discomfort to the residents of Albouystown, Charlestown, Middle Road and all surrounding areas of the Le Repentir Cemetery.On a daily basis, residents are made to endure constant smoke emanating from the cemetery as a result of burning of bushes and other remnants that are cleaned up from the cemetery. Further, at times it was noticed that not just the cut bushes and trees which would have dried up are being burnt, but also the green plants that haven’t even been cut down. This constant burning and smoke has been going on since last year, and it’s affecting children, the elderly and everybody in the above mentioned communities.

It’s not the first time this cemetery is being cleaned, but it’s the first time people have been made to endure this smoke on a daily basis. Most of the times you got to keep your house locked up, and it’s worse for people like me, who suffer from smoke allergies and also those that have babies. This is unacceptable, and I’m calling on the relevant authorities to look into this occurrence because people’s health is at risk. If this cemetery is to be cleaned throughout the year, is this what we are supposed to endure?

Why can’t the cleared bushes be taken to the dump site, as I have seen done before, and burnt there?
Further, I would like for the Ministry of Health to advise the persons that are in charge of cleaning the cemetery about the dangers of inhaling constant smoke, especially children and babies.

Looking forward to some action being taken, because people are suffering daily.
Regards,
MICHAEL DANIELS