The destruction of the Sir Everton Weekes bust in Wanstead, St Michael, drew the ire of online readers this past week.
The bust was one of three erected to acknowledge the contribution made by the cricketing greats Sir Everton, Sir Frank Worrell and Sir Clyde Walcott, well known as the 3Ws. Many wanted to know why someone would destroy the bust, which is lying in pieces next to the base of the monument.
Here’s what they had to say on that issue.
Sharon Woolley: There are some total morons on the island who obviously lack a single brain cell.
Christine Flem-Mills: I hope this was not an act of vandalism.
Pam Matilda Knight: It does not matter if it was man, child or the devil, it shows a lack of respect. If the person had any sense they would know what contribution these three men made to the country and its history.
Renny Johnson: Typical example of what this country has turned into: drunks smashing monuments of people who actually did something for this country.
Meanwhile, the dismissal of workers from the Drainage Unit was also a big topic of discussion.
Many were sympathetic to the plight of the workers, who they acknowledged had financial commitments and children.
However, it also put the work ethic of the public sector into the spotlight. Several people pointed out that public sector workers had a very casual approach to employment, because they believed they were untouchable. They accused some workers of going to work late, leaving early, getting paid for overtime and myriad other infractions which would not be tolerated in the private sector. They also said politicians were largely responsible, swelling the public sector with large numbers.
Teacher Angela Maria rushed to the defence of her profession. She said many of them had to pull their pockets when children came to school without lunch, to take them to the doctor or even buy prizes at the end of the term.
Nariba Daniel: This is years of mismanagement now being rectified at the expense of the employees. Both parties hire people for votes and it was made to be believed that no one in Government is ever fired . . . . What is sad is the short notice of it all.
Winston Forde: Politicians must stop giving jobs for votes. That’s one of the reasons why they now have to cut jobs.
Pam Bourne: Why are there unions? Seems like we might be better off without them.
Mad Rat: One of the biggest problems in the public service is time. We put more emphasis on time rather than productivity. Â
Levi Mayers: I am a public sector employee and I find it very unfortunate that these are the views of others towards my colleagues. Not all Government workers are like that.
Cardinal Hinds: Failing grade for Governments (both Bee and Dee) when it came to managing the civil service. What is happening now should have never been allowed to escalate to what it is.
• Sherrylyn Toppin is THE NATION’S Online Editor.