by Jerome R. Pinder

ZNS evening news has reported on the deplorable state of Cemeteries in the Country that are becoming overgrown with weeds and vegetation.  No doubt this will lead to an abundance of trash being littered over the graves, seeing how nasty some people can be.  The report claims that the current state of the Cemeteries is the result of a lack of maintenance contracts, no doubt a result of the current economic times in which we live.

I wish to propose a simple solution to the Minister of National Security.  Seeing that the Country (TAXPAYERS) is providing housing and three meals a day to prisoners, I would suggest that we put these same prisoners on Chain Gangs and have them keep our Cemeteries clean.  And while they are at it, they could clean our streets, parks, playgrounds, and give Bay Street a wash down every couple of days.

Cost of labour provided by the Prisoners?  No additional charge to the country. 

Cost of transporting the Prisoners to the work site?  Minimal. 

Seeing prisoners working on a Chain Gang!  Priceless.

Now obviously, given the Minister's performance to date, I do not expect this to happen.  However, I propose to the Minister that should he accomplish this task and the average citizen were to see the Chain Gangs in action, he would be an overnight hero.  But then again, Amnesty International or the UN would come banging on our door and tell us that we are inhumane.

Mr Adrian Gibson, in his annual report card on the performance of Cabinet Ministers, recently gave the Minister of National Security an F-plus.  I am convinced that should the Minister organize and put into action the above recommendation, his grade performance would drastically improve overnight.