A street unfit for our Queen Penny

THE EDITOR: I am reading that a street in New York was dedicated to a former Carnival queen, one Joyce Quamina. While I can't claim that I know her too well, I congratulate her, since any dedication of public works is a great achievement.

Compare this now to our very own beauty queen Janelle "Penny' Commissiong, who became the first black Miss Universe back in 1977.

She is the epitome of Caribbean beauty, flair, grace and poise and the nation is proud of her up to today, as she continues to age gracefully. She is an accomplished woman, carving her own niche way beyond beauty pageants.

And so, some years ago, the Port of Spain Corporation renamed Queen Street in Penny's honour, based on the principles of recognition, highest esteem and so on.

The National Library, an iconic structure, is also on the corner, as well as many businesses. But when last did you have to walk or drive along Queen Street? Well, let me tell you: I've stopped using that street, because it is an utter shame and an absolute disgrace!

This street is pockmarked with potholes – some of them quite deep. If I was Ms Commissiong, I would be highly embarrassed to drive along this street named in her honour.

When it rains, these potholes become filled with brown water and when uncaring or unaware drivers go into them at speed, the water splashes whoever is unlucky enough to be walking or standing nearby on the pavement.

It's just one of the streets where there are parking chaos, vendors and potholes, potholes, potholes. Apart from potholes, the street named after our very own beauty queen is festooned on either side with unsightly makeshift shacks for vendors, sleeping or cursing vagrants, poor signage, no lights. It is just a horror.

And to think this is a major road in our nation's capital!

The Ministry of Works will say it gave the city corporation money to fix roads, and the mayor will say there isn't enough money to repair roads, including the one renamed in tribute to national heroine.

But take heart, Queen Penny, the mistreatment meted out to your legacy is systemic: all edifices named after our heroes have become national disgraces, be it the Brian Lara Stadium, which is now a fete venue, or the Brian Lara Promenade, which is now is a dilapidated path serving as the playground for vagrants.

The Hasely Crawford Stadium is so woeful, it needs millions and millions of dollars to be refurbished. The same for the Dwight Yorke, Ato Boldon and Larry Gomes stadiums.

Let's see what they will rename in honour of the gold-medal-winning Olympic relay team (eh, Shamfa? Lol).

LINDA CAPILDEO

Port of Spain