Public opinion a great force

THE EDITOR: I used to believe that writing letters to the Editor achieved some purpose, in that they are monitored by elected officials and decision-makers. Research shows that the letters you publish reach a large audience, and generally act as a gauge to show which way the wind of public opinion is blowing.

Of late, I realise that letters to the Editor, for the most part, are a source of literary enjoyment for those who appreciate a dose of cutting edge sarcasm now and again. Some letters emphasise the “you are not alone” syndrome... we realise that many other Trinbagonians are suffering like ourselves, having substandard telephone service, or no water,  and we take solace in this mutual and shared desolation. I am more than convinced that our letters are discarded and dismissed by those in authority, without any form of recognition that the letter writer’s opinion may represent a larger cross section of the society.

I say this, because various agencies such as TSTT, EMA, Pensions Department, TTEC among others, are the subject of frequent written complaint by members of the public. Apparently the decision-makers at these institutions have no absolutely no shame. Because shame would prompt action and prevent recurrence of these issues. I have worked in various Government offices where letters to the Editor are clipped and filed, and given to the appropriate officer to deal with immediately. We should, as employees of Government, be concerned to maintain our image, in the same way private sector organisations strive to do.

I have written countless letters to the Editor concerning the EMA and noise pollution. The EMA is yet to contact me, never mind that I phone regularly begging for an update on my matter. I make the following statement with no apologies: Any person employed with the EMA’s Noise Pollution Complaint Department should be ashamed of himself. None of you have what it takes to work on behalf of members of the public. If you were a private sector organisation, heads would roll with each publication of such letters. My greatest hope is that decision-makers understand the effort and time spent behind penning these letters. It is not for fame, no one stops us on the street and asks for our autographs. No one knows who we are. But we continue to try as best we can, only because we believe that public opinion is the greatest force.

A SANKAR
Port-of-Spain