Questions for M&CC, Caricom

Dear Editor,
The City Council is on a campaign removing illegal signs and other encumbrances blocking and hindering free passage and movement along roadways and pavements. A good initiative.
But what of the many vehicles parked on pavements, forcing pedestrians onto the roadside into moving iron? Or the many vendors sprouting up on already congested pavements, with the Christmas season here?
These are encumbrances and nuisances that also need addressing.
The parking of vehicles on pavements is done with impunity, no regard for pavement users and is now out of control.
The vendors…well, that is an ongoing crisis to which only band-aid, short-term fixes are found.
City Hall needs to be more proactive in its campaign to rid the city of encumbrances and not appear to be selective in its campaign rollout.
Caricom at crossroads?
Recent events and statements would lead one to believe Caricom, the bedrock of Caribbean integration and unity, is floundering, with one PM of a founder nation of the Community declaring Caricom no longer a reliable partner.  That same PM was also declared persona non grata by a perceived rogue state.
The founding fathers of the Community must be shaking their heads in disbelief.
Further, there are differing views, positions and stances from leaders on the military build-up and imposition in the South Caribbean, with some openly in favour, some against and others straddling a position of both sides with the zone of peace central.  Some others have signed a trade treaty with the perceived rogue nation, pledging support (SN October 30).
So is Caricom at the crossroads?  Can it survive and overcome these hurdles and remain the strong integrationist, the hallmark of its foundation?

Yours sincerely,
Shamshun Mohamed