Jamaica Observer

Dear Editor,

Many Jamaicans are void of the power of independent thought. Their minds are clouded completely by partisan politics. This imbecilic behaviour has set the country back more than the days of slavery.

Now that the IMF has approved the loan of US$2 billion to a country that has leaders who are bereft of ideas of how to increase production, how will the taxpayers be able to even pay the interest rate on a loan of this size? The Jamaican dollar is now trading for almost $100 to US$1 and poverty is on the rise.

There are 2.7 million people living in this country and most of them are living in absolute poverty unable to provide their children with proper nutrition and the Government expects to put the majority of the burden on the poor. This is ludicrous.

On a practical level, if this money was distributed evenly among the 2.7 million Jamaicans, regardless of their political affiliation, every person in Jamaica would receive J$74,000, which would be enough for a small business.

With the amount of corruption plaguing our island — on both sides of the political fence — one has to wonder how many individuals will benefit from this loan? History has proven that ordinary Jamaicans often do not benefit from these loans and persons are forced to leave the country or become victims of the unjust system.

Rev Tanasha Buchanan

tanashabuchanan@yahoo.com

Now that we have the IMF loan...

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Dear Editor,

Though the call for a commission of enquiry into the 2010 Tivoli operation may be correct, it is rather curious that the Government of the day is, without hesitation, willing to facilitate such an enquiry but quite unwilling to provide the money necessary to allow the Finsac Commission to reveal its findings.

Could it be, a cynic may wonder, that the Finsac report, though useful to provide answers on factors that led to the financial sector crisis of the 1990s, may likely prove politically embarrassing to the People's National Party that formed the Government then, whereas the proposed Tivoli Commission of Enquiry, though needed to answer some very important questions, would likely prove, as was the Manatt Commission of Enquiry, politically harmful to the Jamaica Labour Party under whose watch the Tivoli operation occurred?

Former Finance Minister Audley Shaw, in his recent contribution to the 2013 Budget Debate, advised that it will take only $10 million to $15 million to facilitate the publication of the Finsac Enquiry report. He has pledged to press on with his 'campaign' to get the Government to release funds to complete the Finsac report.

Noted political analyst and attorney-at-law Patrick Bailey recently suggested that the Government and the Finsac commissioners should meet to determine some compromise on the completion of the report. However, it remains to be seen if the Government will yield.

Should there be no reasonable move by the Government, I wonder if it would be possible and appropriate for Mr Shaw, or any other concerned individual, to lead the campaign towards the establishment of an independent fund to raise the money necessary to allow the Finsac commissioners to complete their report?

Although I was not a direct victim of Finsac, for the love of country and in sympathy for the many Finsac victims I stand ready to contribute to such a fund so that the truth behind the financial sector meltdown of the 1990s can be revealed and the corrective measures taken.

I am sure many other Jamaicans would so similarly stand.

Kevin KO Sangster

sangstek@msn.com

I'm ready to help fund the Finsac report

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Dear Editor,

The recent announcement by the National Water Commission (NWC) to apply for a rate increase has elicited various responses from the public. I feel compelled to add a few words to this raging debate based on my experiences with this State agency.

I am still uncertain if the NWC has within its mandate a platform for development or production, as in many instances the commission has been guilty of inept management and non or slow responses to issues concerning water or the lack thereof.

In 2003, I made public, through the media, an issue affecting me which had escalated into a crisis and to which the NWC responded in writing.

However, 10 years later, this problem remains unresolved and, in fact, has deteriorated to a point where I have had to abandon my livestock farm due to the unavailability of a regular and consistent water supply and subsequent disconnection by the NWC.

In 2011, seeing my dreams of expanding my farm literally being dried up by the NWC, along with the inability of meeting the increased demands for my produce, I decided that I would now write the regional manager in Mandeville highlighting my plight.

While acknowledging that my complaints were legitimate, he offered a "very near future" solution which is yet to materialise. Please note this was February 2011. Also, note that by his own admission my farm is located only 2.1 km from the water treatment plant.

I have since ceased virtually all operations on the farm, as acquiring trucked water at $20,000 per load has proved to be both unsustainable and uneconomical.

The ineptitude of the NWC has spawned an industry of water truckers supplying water at exorbitant prices. To add insult to injury, in many instances this water is pilfered from the very NWC system which should be providing the commodity to its paying customers.

As I drove through the community of Lowe River in Trelawny over the Mothers' Day weekend, I stopped to observe pick-up trucks and community members obtaining water from a black tank located at the side of the road. (Black tanks now epitomise the failure of the NWC.) Lowe River and adjoining communities had been plagued for years by the absence of potable water until independent Councillor Paul Patmore came to their assistance.

With a few metres of pipes, water was harnessed from a treated spring to the community. While this may not be regarded as a major engineering feat, Mr Patmore and the community, without the resources of the NWC, have managed to provide a much-needed basic commodity. Perhaps Mr Patmore should be recommended to chair the board of the NWC.

While the NWC seeks to justify a rate increase on the basis of maintaining viability, there needs to be a fundamental mind change in the way this agency operates. The NWC needs to realise, and quickly, that it is a catalyst for growth and sustainable development and not only a water provider.

So, as my investment languishes, I now ponder my next move. I find comfort in the fact that I had not mortgaged my house or sought a loan from a financial institution to maintain my farm.

Our first 50 years of Independence have been a failure. If we choose to spend the next 50 years with State agencies exhibiting this level of service, the boats heading from Haiti to Jamaica may soon be travelling in reverse.

As to whether I believe the NWC should receive a rate increase? I leave you to judge.

Andrew Sinclair

Engineering Unit

North East Regional Health Authority

The NWC's ineptitude

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Dear Editor,

It is really unfortunate that the minister of youth and culture, the Hon Lisa Hanna MP, is getting so much flak from the public about the poor performance of her ministry. If we are to be true to ourselves we would admit that this minister is one of the most accessible. She spends an awful amount of time meeting with different groups, including youth and civil groups, and lends support to almost all who request it.

Minister Hanna may not be one of those ministers who requests coverage for every single meeting she hosts, nor is she the one to send out a release on every initiative of the ministry, but she is certainly the one getting very important things done behind the scenes.

Minister Hanna is a true leader who believes in building the ministry from the ground up by ensuring that the internal structures are put in place. When last have you heard any complaint from any of the 13 agencies/departments that fall under her ministry? That is because they are pleased with her performance.

The programmes that the ministry will be taking on for the 2013/2014 fiscal year are remarkable. If she gets the support that she needs, Jamaica is poised for great success. Development will be at an all-time high.

Also, with a notable increase in the budget for her ministry, I am confident that the children, youth and the culture of this nation are in great hands.

Walk good, Miss Hanna. A true leader you are.

Tasha Smith

Youth Advocate

purple_rain4u2@yahoo.com

Minister Hanna doing a good job

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Dear Editor,

Under the direction of a police corporal and a social worker in Hanover, Jamaica, the year 1954 saw the birth of a movement that has withstood the test of time. It has produced some very well-respected and productive men and women who have contributed significantly to Jamaica.

Lawyers, doctors, teachers, nurses and just about every profession in the world have been produced by the Police Youth Club Movement of Jamaica. This organisation is the most, if not the only well-organised youth movement in Jamaica and, I dare say, the Caribbean.

In recent times we have had ups and downs with the parent organisation -- the Jamaica Constabulary Force -- and the Island Special Constabulary Force, but notwithstanding, we remained faithful to that bond between us.

Members of the Police Youth Club, for the most part, have been labelled as police informers and just about all things negatively associated with the work of the police in some communities. It is on this basis that I write this letter, as in recent days many of our members who have served five to 10 years are not being given the opportunity to become police officers.

The police youth club has an approximate membership of just over 10,000, many with professional backgrounds, eight or more cxc subjects, degrees and other qualifications, so I found it rather ridiculous and insensitive of a certain senior police official, saying in a private discussion that he would rather look outside of the police youth club to fill the gaps of the constabulary.

The police youth club, of course, is not a recruitment centre for the police force, but we are already familiar with police procedures. Why not look within your own household first?

We are qualified, even more qualified than the degree applicants you want, Mr senior official. This is called service to country, not self.

Kemar Brown

Kemar.a.brown@hotmail.com

Why block police youth club members from joining the constabulary?

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Dear Editor,

Has the time come for a code of political ethics in the evolution of Jamaican politics? Would the country stand to benefit from an ethically sensitised cadre of politicians? Might governance, accountability, and anti-corruption agendas be enhanced by an upheld bastion of ethics?

Just imagine the acceptance of clear guidelines for all who would seek to represent the people of Jamaica, in constituencies, ministries, Parliament, local government and the international stage. Then it would not be necessary to have a quarrel, if for example, a member of parliament authorised a self-loan.

Commentators and civil society could keep their mouths shut! Talk-show hosts could focus more on environmental issues, and political activists could spend less time and phone credit on calling several programmes per day.

A political code of ethics provides everyone, bar none, with an opportunity to be free from the shackles of the tribal code. Party leaders are free from the burden of quick accusations in relation to their decisions concerning personnel matters since the Jamaican political code is widely understood.

Loyal supporters of a politician can still admire that politician while accepting that he or she has breached the vital ethics code. Any breach thereof is followed by understood consequences.

Accountability would be sacred. The lines of communication, authority, and matters of protocol are without blur. Political sophistry disappears; and there is no doubt about what is truth.

Which would be preferred? A new political order where transparency is the order of the day and all are clear through the common use of this instrument of political ethics, or a preservation of the old way, where matters of national ethical concern roll for the nine-day wonder?

Any takers for open knowledge on the next round of political campaign financing? Or should we just say, "Jamaica, no problem?"

We are a democracy, and so a vote might be a good idea. Which of the following would you choose?

A) People need jobs, so forget ethical considerations for the time being.

B) Politicians are people too, and man haffi eat a food.

C) Civil society can always beat up dem mouth. Dem no have no job fi nobody.

D) The Parliament is the highest court in the land and anything the leaders want should be respected.

E) As long as whatever happens help people get a work, we should try to understand.

F) People can always talk. Let them call their favourite call-in programmes and complain.

Would holding our political stakeholders to a higher level of scrutiny have anything to do with enhancing our fight against corruption? Might the human rights concern for every Jamaican be safeguarded by a more accountable and professionally ethical political praxis? Choose this day where you would have Jamaica be.

Father Sean Major-Campbell

seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com

Time for a code of political ethics

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Dear Editor,

The president and CEO of the Jamaica Public Service Co Mrs Kelly Tomblin has been in the news recently expressing concern about the financial state of the company. She was on the front page of the Daily Observer with the headline: 'JPS Facing Death'.

Kelly Tomblin is a breath of fresh air to the company. Appointed to the CEO position in 2012, she knew she was entering a hostile environment with JPS being public enemy number one. In that context, she faced the challenge head-on and has done some remarkable things in a short time.

She is changing the company culture. She is seen out among her troops with a power saw, setting up an energy shop, on income-generating runs, publicly assigning her troops to the parishes, urging better customer relations and tackling the stealing of electricity and the freeness mentality of many Jamaicans.

But we need to be concerned about the health of the JPS as Jamaica owns nearly a 20 per cent share of the company. Kelly Tomblin staked out the company's problem of debt -- with some lender covenants being broken by the company -- and the huge theft of electricity by both small and big.

Add a huge fine by the OUR, the organisation that owes its financing to a cess from the JPS and the other utilities. The irony is that when people who have been having 'free light' for years lose that benefit, they describe the company as being "wicked".

This is the cultural problem the company and Jamaica, for its own moral health and national integrity, face. The public has been fed a number of myths from various sources. Here are some of them.

Myth Number One: JPS rates are among the highest in the region. The Caribbean rate schedules, published (mid-2011) by the Caribbean Electric Utility Service Corporation which serves the regional territories, shows the JPS rates as being midway on the scale.

Myth Number Two: Lower electricity rates are on the immediate horizon. This is not true, and whether it is stated by the minister or the head of the PSOJ makes no difference. Greater efficiency can help, but a new power plant -- some years away -- is a key element in that equation.

Myth Number Three: Breaking up the JPS monoply will be good for Jamaica. Cure's court victory is a pipe dream and when the lead attorney suggests that the Government sell its shares and take over the distribution lines, we need our heads examined. Furthermore, one government minister is for a split-up, while another senior advisor argues that a monopoly is necessary for a small market like Jamaica. Who do we believe?

Myth Number Four: We can be fully independent of the JPS. For the average householder or business operation, such attempts will cost the proverbial arm and a leg. Yes, it may be possible to reduce the bill and be largely independent for daytime operations, but there will come a time when a utility back-up is necessary.

One concern is the fact that storage systems (mainly the common battery) are at a technological plateau, so that the power generated in sunlight or with wind has to be stored for darkness or stillness. In addition, solar systems have their problems too.

Myth Number Five: We have to recognise that any reduction of our light bill will require expenditure, two critical personal action initiatives and lifestyle changes:

* Expenditure will have to be made on more efficient lighting devices -- fluorescent bulbs, energy-efficient equipment, or even solar or wind systems; and

* Conscious effort will have to be made to adopt a more disciplined social and operational lifestyle.

It is clear that Kelly Tomblin is a determined, innovative and tough JPS CEO. She is committed to partnering with Jamaica in making energy more efficient and less costly. We need to wish her well. I, for one, do so.

Alfred Sangster

sangsteralfred@yahoo.com

Kelly Tomblin a breath of fresh air

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Dear Editor,

Smoking marijuana or cigarettes just for fun or as a stress reliever has the potential to become an addiction. Most people begin this dangerous life relationship from a young age, when their brains are not fully developed.

Cigarette smoking is not only dangerous to the health of the smoker, but also extremely dangerous to persons inhaling the smoke. Exposure to smoking can also lead to the development of certain cancers that can reduce the quality of life of those affected and place a burden on the already burdened public health sector.

The management of smoking is a critical public health issue. It was therefore encouraging to hear the health minister Dr Fenton Ferguson, in a Jamaica Information Service report on May 13, 2013, say: "I have a responsibility to protect the health of the people of Jamaica" and, therefore, he plans to ban smoking in public spaces.

The Government's move is a step in the right direction. The real problem with smoking in general is not casual smoking at home; it is smoking as an addiction and non-smokers being exposed repeatedly to second-hand smoke in confined and public spaces.

The proposed Tobacco Control Act must be designed to protect citizens from exposure to tobacco and cigarette smoke, prevent smoking by young people and seek to ban smoking in public areas such as public transportation areas, workplaces, sports facilities, among many other areas. Laws that will result in a healthier society should not have to be debated amongst citizens before the Government takes aggressive action towards the promulgating of such laws. If the majority of the population were against the banning of smoking, which is certainly not the case, it would not change the fact that public smoking is detrimental to the nation's health.

Any such banning will only serve to contribute to the development of Jamaica, with or without public approval.

Andrew King

abking020@gmail.com

Exposure to smoking reduces quality of life

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Dear Editor,

I note with interest the editorial in the Sunday Observer of May 12, headlined 'Paucity of Caribbean citizens in the top echelons', in which you make certain assertions about Jamaicans and Caribbean nationals in international organisations.

It is good that you have raised this important topic, but I would be grateful if you would allow me to correct one aspect of your editorial, and to offer a brief comment on the situation concerning the Inter-American system and at the International Trade Centre of the United Nations.

Specifically, your editorial refers to senior positions held, inter alia, by highly accomplished Caribbean nationals Richard Fletcher at the Inter-American Development Bank, and Gladstone Bonnick at the World Bank (both of Jamaica), as well as Ewart Williams (Trinidad and Tobago) and Sam Stephens (Jamaica) at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). These Caribbean nationals have indeed given us reasons to be proud. Your implication, however, that Jamaicans and other Caribbean nationals are not now similarly placed in senior positions is not correct as far as the IMF is concerned.

At the IMF today, there are four Jamaicans in senior positions, the highest in the history of the institution. David Marston is the deputy director of the Strategy, Policy and Review Department; Jennifer Lester is an assistant general counsel of the Legal Department; Trevor Alleyne is an adviser in the African Department; and Calvin McDonald is a deputy secretary of the IMF.

For the record, David Marston and Calvin McDonald are at the same grade as Ewart Williams was at the time of his retirement from the IMF, while Jennifer Lester and Trevor Alleyne are at the same level as that achieved by Sam Stephens. So, with respect to the IMF, the premise of your editorial is vulnerable to challenge on factual grounds.

With respect to the Inter-American system, your editorial has correctly noted that the recently elected Dr Carissa Etienne of Dominica now heads the Pan-American Health Organisation and Ambassador Albert Ramdin of Suriname is the assistant secretary general of the Organisation of American States.

Jamaica has, in recent years, also supported the election of two members of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (out of seven members), and the country is in the midst of public and private efforts to bring about an increase in the members of the Secretariat of the Commission from Caricom: here, we are significantly under-represented, and we hope that Jamaican and Caricom efforts will bring about change in this area in the very near future.

In closing, please permit me to note also that Jamaica's own Patricia Francis has been the executive director of the International Trade Centre (ITC) since 2006. The ITC serves as the focal point for trade-related technical assistance within the United Nations system. This, I believe, is precisely the kind of Caribbean leadership that your editorial wishes to promote.

Stephen Vasciannie

Jamaican Ambassador to the United States of America and Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States

Not quite so, Observer

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Dear Editor,

The Jamaica Institute of Management (JIM) joins the many other groups who have paid tribute to the sad passing of Dr the Hon Joyce Robinson, OJ, FJIM.

As a Fellow of JIM, Dr Robinson played an important role as a member of the Interim Management Committee appointed by then president of JIM the Most Hon Sir Howard Cooke, to oversee the activities and programmes of JIM, which at the time was going through difficulties. She served on that committee with distinction and saw some important developments taking place.

Among these was the establishment of the UTech/JIM School of Advanced Management at 47 Hope Road, which took over the academic programmes of JIM. It also resulted in the establishment of the professional company, Jamaica Institute of Management (2009) Limited, which deals with professional programmes, Fellows and membership activities and the Manager of the Year programme.

Dr Joyce always brought to JIM's activities her own professional bearing and her outgoing, warm and generous spirit even in the last days of her hospitalisation. Her friends and family could see the strength of her character, which had been demonstrated in the many pivotal activities she embraced in her rich and generous life of 'service above self'.

JIM joins with the Jamaica Library Service, HEART Trust/NTA, St Elizabeth Foundation, JAMAL Movement, Soroptimist clubs of Jamaica and many others in her rich programme of national service.

She also gave strong support to her late husband, Leslie, who served as principal of the Mona, UWI campus and as chairman of the College of Arts, Science and Technology's (CAST) Council.

Her Order of Jamaica was richly deserved and Fellows and members of JIM and the JIM Council express our condolences to her family.

Sandra Shirley,

Chairman

Jamaica Institute of Management (2009) Limited

JIM pays tribute to Dr the Hon Joyce Robinson

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Dear Editor,

Dr Kermit Gosnell, an abortion doctor who was convicted of three counts of murder in the USA recently, brings to mind a book called Nazi Doctors by Jay Lifton.

It recounts for its readers the gradual slide of doctors in Nazi Germany into depravity. In this book, eyewitness and personal testimony is given of how persons were able to talk themselves into doing the most barbaric acts. The fact that the state made these acts legal no doubt made it easier to kill, but gave no excuse.

The eugenic-abortion movement, which was in its heyday just prior to and during the period of Nazi dominance of Europe, originated in the United States and contributed in no small way to the atrocities that were committed in that period. One hopes that we are not once again in that slide towards state-sanctioned barbarism and 'might makes right' totalitarianism.

Kay Bailey

glowilone@yahoo.com

Doctors who kill

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Dear Editor,

I'm responding to the question that was asked on TVJ's Prime Time News: "Should condoms be distributed in school?"

My answer to this idle and trouble-making question, is no.

If condoms are made available, children will engage in sex when the slightest opportunity arises. This can cloud their minds to the real objective of school, which is education.

There are so many places where 'schoolers' can obtain condoms; so why should they be handed out in schools? That's the last place you could and should ever think of.

When they have finished with school, then they can think about condoms, love and babies.

Furthermore, if condoms are distributed in schools and students are caught having sex, the greater blame should be laid on those who handed them out, and not on the 'schoolers'.

Donald J Mckoy

donaldmckoy2010@yahoo.com

No condoms in school!

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Dear Editor,

Are we serious about guiding our beloved country out of this current economic recession? I think not!

Free education and free medical care are only two of the things that we cannot afford, yet we continue to offer them, to the detriment of our small nation.

My biggest pet peeve, however, is the fact that after we pay our teachers to stay home for four to six weeks during the summer break, we turn around and send them on paid vacation leave during the school term.

Public school teachers qualify for four months' vacation leave with pay after serving for five continuous years. Those who have spent 10 years in the classroom qualify for eight months' paid leave per calendar year.

This confirmation came by way of a pronouncement by our then minister of education Andrew Holness at the beginning of the 2010 school year. His statement was that "Over 2,500 teachers would be going on vacation at the start of the new school year". He also said that his ministry was having difficulty "finding the money to pay substitute teachers to fill these positions".

How can we afford to send our teachers on paid vacation during the school term, after they have been away from the classroom for the duration of the long summer holidays with pay? To make matters worse, we now have to find more tax dollars to pay substitute teachers to fill these positions for upwards of four months.

What if the ministry cannot find the money to pay these substitute teachers? Will our children be deprived of having quality teachers in the classroom at these times?

Another point of concern is the fact that some of these teachers, having requested and been granted vacation leave during the school term, remain in the classroom and are paid differently to work as their own "substitute" teacher (locum tenens).

This is absolutely ridiculous!

Our politicians are not serious about making decisions that will be for the good of this country. I submit that they are more concerned with staying in power and will do whatever is necessary to see to that.

I have no doubt that if they make this necessary and prudent move to have all teachers put on mandatory vacation leave at the end of each school year, the country would save millions of dollars, which could then be used to better furnish and run some of these Government schools operated by the ministry.

Would that be too much to ask? Then again, having done that, I am sure they would not see another term in Government. But what are they elected to do? Is it to retain power or is it to make prudent and necessary decisions that will benefit the country as a whole?

Concerned tax-paying Jamaican

myviews50@hotmail.com

Teachers should take vacation during the summer

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Dear Editor,

Having read Danny Roberts' edited address: 'Leaders can no longer think outside the box, you have to think there's no box' in the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday, May 14, 2013, and having previously listened to the frustration of three prominent industrial relations practitioners on This Morning on Nationwide (April 2-3, 2013), it seems reasonable to conclude that the industrial relations climate in Jamaica is in a state of rapid decline.

One of the emerging themes from the many discourses relates to the blatant disregard for upholding industrial relations agreements and protocols, and this appears to be creating a massive deficit in trust between 'management' and 'workers'.

If we are serious about a Vision 2030 for Jamaica, then one recommendation is that industrial relations training should be mandatory for all managers across all disciplines in both the public and private sectors. It is untenable to have managers who seem clueless about basic industrial relations issues supervising staff.

Industrial relations stalwarts such as George Kirkaldy (Industrial Relations Law and Practice In Jamaica), George J Phillip and Benthan H Hussey (A to Z of Industrial Relations in the Caribbean Workplace), and Ashwell E Thomas (Industrial Relations Process and Practices: A Caribbean Perspective) have left strong legacies, but it seems they are not being harnessed.

Many managers whho are trained, however, don't seem to care. The Ministry of Labour, the Jamaica Employers' Federation and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions must have an expanded role in addressing these issues if we are really serious about improving the industrial relations climate and, ultimately, productivity.

To this end, these critical stakeholders should work with the Hugh Lawson Shearer Trade Union Education Institute to pool their scarce resources and produce more journals and papers geared at strengthening the legislative framework.

While they are it, the disciplinary aspects of the grievance procedure should be reviewed, for it makes no sense for it to be applicable only to lower-level employees but not to management.

To quote from Danny Roberts: "This is where your training must lead you, for if you are unable to create that vision that provides the link between today and tomorrow, serve to energise and motivate employees, and garner commitment towards the future, then your organisation would have nowhere going."

To the trade union movement, of which I was once a part: the paradigm in industrial relations has to be more than 'interest-based bargaining'. How can there be 'win-win' in the absence of equity and justice?

Joan Francis

francisj16@yahoo.com

Make Industrial Relations training for managers mandatory

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Dear Editor,

This is an open letter to Ms Merris Haughton of Tax Administration Jamaica

Good day Ms Haughton,

I would like to take you through what I call the harrowing experience of renewing my driver's licence on May 3rd, 2013, my birthday.

The Journey

I arrived at the tax office on King Street at approximately 8:50 am. The security guard told me to pay the fee in line one and then proceed to the first floor" I proceeded to where the cashiers were, was promptly attended to (where I paid $6,000), and then made my way to the first floor. I was very impressed with the speed at which this was going and breathed a sigh of relief, thinking this should not take me more than 45 minutes max, and I would be back at work by at least 10:00 am.

The horror

As I stepped into the room on the first floor I read the sign as to where individuals dealing with licensing should go and proceeded to join the line.

I noticed a number of persons who were sitting and standing and waiting (of course to my mind I had no clue what for). The young lady instructed me to fill out a form, which I did and returned it.

I was told to "have a seat and wait for your name". So, as directed, I took a "standing seat" as that was all that was available, and based on the number of persons standing I practically had to "rent-a-tile".

It was now approximately 9:00 am. I waited for nearly an hour (standing) for my name to be called. This was after I went back to the young lady and asked if she had indeed submitted my documents. Within approximately two minutes of making the enquiry my name was called

I went into the photography room where there were three attendants, had my picture taken and came out in less than five minutes. I then went back to my "standing seat" and again waited another half-hour to receive the finished product.

Questions

1. Why is it, in the year 2013, I have to wait three hours to renew (not take out a new) driver's licence?

2. After paying $6,000.00 and having to wait, wouldn't it have been better to have done so comfortably?

3. Is it prudent to assume if you are renewing your driver's licence you have to take a vacation day from work?

Suggestion

Seeing that the wait to take the picture is what took up most of the time, I suggest that the Tax Administration Department should give the public the specifications for their picture size, background, etc. The customer can then take the photograph and email it to the tax office of choice and pay by credit card at the time of emailing.

The customer would then need to only go in with a printed receipt and collect his/her driver's licence. I would hope that something like this could be instituted (after you have examined the finer details) soon, so that in the next five years (and I am sure more money) I will not have to encounter such a nightmare again.

Eileen Stewart

my_marj1@yahoo.com

A suggestion for TAJ

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Dear Editor,

I pen this letter to express my frustration at what I believe is an extremely long period for a decision to be made on qualifications pursued through distance learning/online.

It has been well over six months since I visited the University Council of Jamaica's (UCJ's) office to have an evaluation done for an Associate Degree I pursued at an accredited US college. This is a college through which I previously earned a diploma, which the UCJ evaluated as being equivalent to that under the Caribbean Community Free Movement of Skills Act.

I am being told that there is a review concerning online programmes. With the increase in the number of diploma mills, it is pertinent for a policy to be developed as it relates to distance learning, but in my opinion, it should not affect the evaluation of credible degree programmes. Most, if not all, universities/colleges in the United States offer at least one programme/course online, to include top schools such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The UCJ has access to the various accrediting agencies worldwide, so establishing the authenticity of a distance learning programme shouldn't be that difficult. I am losing increment payment by the month because of the UCJ's slow, unacceptable pace of coming to a conclusion.

Distance learning is no easier than studying at a brick-and-mortar school because the curricula are identical. Distance learning is the fastest growing component of higher education; hence, it should not be met with scepticism.

DD Christian

denchris25@gmail.com

UCJ pace slow, unacceptable

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Dear Editor,

I read with great concern and amusement the letter written by Alfred Sangster, which seemed to have been sent to clearly sing the praises of JPS on the basis of a number of so-called myths inspired by the Jamaica Observer's recent headline 'JPS facing death'.

The irony is that Jamaica is facing death, partly from the years of abuse by an illegal monopoly power provider which has been allowed to ravage consumers and the economy through the inactivity of a weak and compliant OUR and the misguided pronouncements and positions of some government officials, your newspaper and people like Alfred Sangster.

Sangster is a reputed scientist and educator, who certainly should be guided by facts and empirical evidence. At the same time, I suppose, we must see his diatribe as a sad reflection and reminder of the colonial powerhouse which is still generating anti-Jamaica sentiments in favour of the colonial overlords.

Fact # 1: The government issued an illegal exclusive monopoly licence to JPS, which finances the OUR, and gives them extraordinary power over consumers and guaranteed rates of profit. This is what brought CURE into existence, to challenge this abberation. Mrs Kelly Tomblin says that's what they bought and must have, hence the appeal against the Supreme Court judgement scheduled to be heard in December 2013.

Fact # 2: Each time the JPS faces the inevitability of dismantling its monopoly, it becomes broke and owes money which their creditors want immediately. At the present time, there are four entities bidding to supply new generation capacity for Jamaica's needs.

Fact # 3: The entire world, including oil-rich countries, is moving towards renewable and alternate sources of energy and electricity generation. So Sangster's attempted ridicule of Jamaica's attempts to do likewise are just that -- ridiculous assertions of the non-viability of renewable energy for a cleaner, safer and more sustainable environment, with reduced costs for energy, and increased & safer levels of production.

Fact # 4: Legal JPS customers have historically paid for a significant portion of electricity theft. Consumers have also paid for damage to JPS property from storms and hurricanes and the 27 per cent power leakage in the distribution system enabling JPS to make unprecedented profits from a dilapidated and run-down electricity generation, distribution and supply system.

Fact # 5: Despite the cost of oil, which is a great burden and is always singled out by JPS as the sole reason for having one of the world's highest costs of electricity (US$0.42 per kwh), former owners Mirant Corporation were able to export huge profits from their Jamaican operation to their head offices after significant increases in electricity costs at that time.

Fact # 6: Jamaica Energy Partners currently sells 30 per cent of Jamaica's electricity supply to JPS at US$0.21 per kwh, which is then sold to consumers at US$0.42 per kwh. Yet, JPS says they are broke. CURE has recommended that this US$0.21 supply be dedicated to the manufacturers and most needy public institutions to help turn around the economy.

Fact # 7: Once again, some Jamaican people -- like Alfred Sangster -- continue to show this great appreciation for every thing from abroad and seem to derive some great pleasure from denigrating the Jamaican people who suffer from things from abroad.

I agree that Mrs Tomblin is out with her troops and their power saws disconnecting illegal power supplies and has been using a new PR strategy which has mystified and fooled some people. However, JPS is still fighting to try and retain an illegal monopoly licence and resisting numerous proposals from CURE and other citizens to stop the theft of electricity and work towards a new, national energy industry which has the greatest potential for developing a competitive, productive economy.

Dickie Crawford,

CURE co-founder

PO Box 1823

Kingston 8

Jamaica, not JPS, facing death

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Dear Editor,

In the 1970s, then Prime Minister, the late Michael Manley, said on public television: "If you do not like my policies, there are five flights a day to Miami, and you can get out of Jamaica". A number of the middle class, especially the management class, reportedly left and depleted Jamaica of cash and some expertise.

The late Carl Stone wrote that Manley had squandered so much political capital (and by extension, economic opportunity) that it would take generations to recover.

Fast-forward to 2013. The wife of the Governor General, Lady Allen, in a recent emotional rant, stated: "Yesterday morning when I woke up I didn't want to be a Jamaican; I must be honest with you: I didn't want to be in Jamaica anymore." This, after her former bodyguard was brutally murdered at his home in Harbour View.

Then we have the now former President of the Senate, Rev Redwood, who is scheduled to leave with his family to reside in Canada by the end of the month, making what can be the most profound statement made by a politician. He said: "No other Jamaican should be forced or feel forced to make the choice I have to make this month."

The choice Redwood has made is one several Jamaicans would love to make for the betterment of their families. But what does it say about the Government officials of this country? Are they willing to put in the work needed that Jamaica will be the place that their kids and grandkids can live and work? How many politicians' kids and immediate family members reside overseas? More importantly, when will they get the tenacity to ensure that Jamaica is going to be a safe and viable place to live, work and raise our families?

You did what you had to Rev Redwood. To quote from imprisoned reggae artiste Buju Banton, "Those who can afford to run will run, but what about those who can't? They will have to stay."

Hopefully, I can catch one of those five flights out soon. Bon voyage!

CE Senior

frenne17@hotmail.com

Those who can afford to run will

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Dear Editor,

A few days ago, I had an unpleasant incident involving criminals at my gate. I phoned Matilda's Corner Police Station — the phone was answered before the third ring — and I reported the incident to Constable Evans .

With the details I was able to give him, I was later called and informed that the vehicle involved had been traced. I subsequently went to the station to give a statement and it was Constable Evans who attended to me.

I sat and watched this pleasant, efficient young man as he attended to me 'by the book', exactly as he had been taught [and yes, he folded the notepaper to make that famous margin], before writing my statement.

Constable Evans easily multi-tasked, answering the phone and also answering queries from people coming into the station — all while accurately recording my statement.

As I watched, my spirits lifted from the depths to which they had descended earlier in the day. Surely, Jamaica is producing more decent, hard-working citizens like Constable Evans than the degenerates I had encountered earlier.

While speaking to Inspector Anderson afterwards, my thoughts shifted to the importance of good leadership. I suspect that it is Inspector Anderson's leadership that has helped to keep Matilda's Corner Police a shining example of what our police force can be.

Unbelievably, I was informed that the perpetrators were apprehended later that night.

I would therefore like to commend the hard-working members of the JCF and hope that with support from the public, Jamaica will once again regain its status as a truly wonderful place.

My waning faith has been restored by my most recent interaction with my local station.

Sonia King, JP

avao2005@yahoo.com

Faith restored in the police

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Dear Editor,

Giving me an R6 motorcycle and telling me not to speed on highway 2000 but to obey the 50 miles per hour speed limit is setting me up for a traffic ticket.

In much the same way, giving condoms to the children in schools is detrimental to their proper social and academic development. Our policymakers should consider the following:

Children respond to incentives and increased moral degradation. , Granting an incentive towards sexual immorality among our adolescents cannot be one of the contributing factors to our aspiration of a better future.

Early sexual activity among children holds high risks. A study done by Dr Jennings Bryant, a distinguished professor at the University of Alabama, revealed that "more than 66 per cent of boys and 40 per cent of girls reported wanting to try some of the sexual behaviours they saw in the media (and by high school, many had done so), which increases the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies".

Early sexual activity among children holds high risks. A study done by Dr Jennings Bryant, a distinguished professor at the University of Alabama, revealed that "more than 66 per cent of boys and 40 per cent of girls reported wanting to try some of the sexual behaviours they saw in the media (and by high school, many had done so), which increases the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies".

Now, the distribution of condoms in schools, along with the explicit sexual material that children are already exposed to through various media, are not very conducive to the message of abstinence we are trying to promote.

According to heritage.org, children who abstain from sex are less likely to:

* get depressed,

* attempt suicide,

* contract STDs,

* have children out of wedlock,

* be impoverished, or

* depend on welfare programmes.

Instead, they enjoy stable and long lasting marriages. It is now clear to us that the messages we give to the children are, to an extent, inconsistent, because while we promote abstinence we are also attempting to have condoms distributed in the schools.

I suggest that, as much as possible, we teach the children about sex and sexuality through the school curriculum, but do not promote casual sexual activity..

Shane Brown

shanebrownpm@gmail.com

Don't allow condoms in school

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