I would again like to express my sincerest thanks and gratitude to residents for electing me to represent Constituency 11 in the parishes of Devonshire and Smith’s. Over the past year, we have met with several residents, small businesses and members of the community to address concerns that affect the economic and social welfare of residents.

It has been a delight and pleasure to work with, and for, the people to address these issues and to find workable solutions for the betterment of our community and, more importantly, for our country.

One of the growing concerns of residents is the excess vegetation along several public roads, namely in the parishes of Devonshire and Smith’s. Numerous residents, along with myself, other MPs and members of the wider community have partnered on weekends to clear and clean up these areas in a spirit of “Parish Pride”.

With warm summer temperatures, grass will always grow, so this initiative will continue.

To this end, we are looking for residents, small businesses and other members of the community who are willing to participate in biweekly clean-ups to ensure we keep Bermuda beautiful.

To fulfil this mandate, we are in need of the following:

• Volunteers for short, two to three-hour jobs. Clean-up times can vary, depending on the number of volunteers available

• Tools and equipment (borrowed, gently used)

On Saturday, September 15, we will resume our scheduled clean-ups. If you can assist in any way possible, please confirm your availability by contacting myself. Here are dates and locations of upcoming projects:

• September 15: Vesey Street

• September 29: Jubilee Road

• October 13: Orange Valley

Areas to be maintained:

• Devon Springs Lane

• Devon Springs Road

• Devonshire Post Office

• Green Acres

• Jubilee Road

• Loyal Hill

• Orange Valley

• South Road (beginning at the junction of Tee Street to Collector’s Hill Apothecary)

• Vesey Street

• Watlington Road East

Tools and equipment needed

• Safety cones

• Safety goggles

• Safety gloves

• Trash bags

• Lawnmowers

• Hedge trimmer

• Weedwhackers

• Trucking (for collection and dropping off waste)

If you are a small or large business based in Devonshire or Smith’s, please contact me directly for more specific information.

In closing, we all have different perspectives in relation to sports, politics and our Cup Match teams. However, what we do have in common is the desire to have our respective parishes and our island looking as pristine as possible.

As importantly, we must keep major and minor roads clear of vegetation to ensure safety for all vehicular traffic.

Going out on a limb, no pun intended, we also have a desperate need to be more neighbourly on a consistent basis. These small parish pride projects will serve as an avenue for the community to work together on a consistent basis.

We look forward to hearing from you and working with you. Thank you in advance.

• Christopher Famous is the government MP for Devonshire East (Constituency 11). You can reach him at WhatsApp on 599-0901 or e-mail at cfamous@plp.bm