Beautification project admirable!
Dear Editor:
In the 1960’s in the US, when Lyndon Baines Johnson was President, then First Lady “Lady Bird” Johnson undertook an extensive beautification drive throughout the country, in a effort to provide a more pleasing environment and to rid of the nation’s interstate highways of its countless junkyards that was frequent along its length. It is through her efforts the now famous bluebonnets of Texas bloom in abundance throughout the length and breath of the state. In fact, this has become her lasting legacy.
A couple of months back, on my drive from San Fernando to Port-of-Spain, I noticed that there was a project to line the highway from Chaguanas to Caroni with bougainvilleas. It caused traffic during the time and I remember being a bit frustrated being stuck in it. However, with the rains over the last month, I have noticed that the plants are beginning to grow and sprout along the entire length of highway. I cannot wait for these plants to mature, as a fully blooming bougainvillea is a sight to behold. The plants a hardy and required little maintenance, so I expect that the highways would be a kaleidoscope of colour in the years to come. Could this become one of the PM’s legacy in time?
Valerie Samuels
via email