Jamaica Observer

Dear Editor,

I'm appalled that China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) is proposing to build a coal-fired plant for the trans-shipment port on Goat Island. What audacity and hypocrisy. China is the world's largest manufacturer of solar panels — a technology they is lighting up their cities and towns. They should be talking about building a solar campus on the island for local, regional and North American markets.

We already have the Riverton Landfill. We don't want our small and beautiful island to be polluted like Beijing with heavy smog; having the adverse health effects on its inhabitants. The Jamaican Government and people should have none of it.

We are in an era of clean, green energy. What is worrisome is the fact that these companies are aware of the negative effects of this dangerous fossil fuel has on the environment. But in spite of this, every chance they get they're promoting coal.

Of note, in early February in Eden, North Carolina, a waste disposal pipe was fractured from a coal plant owned and operated by Duke Energy, the country's largest utility company. It contaminated and polluted the Dan River with 39,000 tons of coal ash. It affected drinking water and aquatic life. Since then the Federal Government has launched an investigation into the spill.

When Digicel was building its corporate headquarters in downtown Kingston they didn't propose building a coal-fired plant, they went with clean energy — solar and wind.

There's nothing to rationalise about coal in my opinion. Coal should remain where it belongs — in those countries that produce it. They are far better and cleaner alternatives.

Noel Mitchell

Westchester, New York

nlmworld@yahoo.com

Coal, coal go away

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Dear Editor,

It is ironic how we have failed to tame the crime monster, having so many bright minds sitting at the head of our decision tables.

Something seems to be wrong with our thinking or in the way we go about putting things in place to put the brakes on crime, instead of solving it. Truth is, if we keep running after crime we will never catch up with it and it doesn't seem to be going away any time soon.

I am not here professing to be any expert on how to tame this monster; however, it is my humble belief that we are nowhere near getting there. The way we go about doing things here in Jamaica seems, to me, the unorthodox way. We are doing very little in prevention.

Jamaica is among the leading countries in this hemisphere overloaded with young, bright and educated people. They can be found in all departments of government and the private sector across the length and breadth of this blessed little island, Jamaica. Why, why then can't we get it right?

One of our main problems is that we are quick to jump when some foreigner tells us what we should or should not do, and we pay scant regard to our own people's ideas. Although many don't possess university degrees, we know what truly goes on at the community level, and if we don't tell the relevant authorities, they will not know. We are the ones facing the hostile music day and night.

Just the other day a proposal was sent to the police high command requesting dialogue with the police, the public utility companies, the ministers' fraternity, the chamber of commerce, service clubs, among others. The aim is to go into some of the troubled communities and have an open community public forum. Through these community forums, residents could get the chance to openly express themselves about what goes on in their respective communities. Having done so, they would be more relieved going forward without fear and intimidation. On completion of these open forums, the residents, the police, and the utility establishments would better understand what goes on behind those once fenced communities. All the parties would be in a much better position to share information on any wrongdoing.

A phone call is all it takes sometimes to prevent mayhem and anarchy, or solve some crime mysteries. We the people can help to prevent any further hostilities. I am saddened when my request was ignored, but such if life. He who plays by the rules gets shafted.

Luther A Irving

Montego Bay

St James

We keep running after crime

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Dear Editor,

In the 1930s it was not a popular sight to see a woman on the front line of civil unrest, workers' strike or even being too vocal, but Gladys Longbridge did not seems to notice or cared much. When the great Sir Alexander Bustamante was travelling the island in the quest of getting better wages, improved working conditions, and fair treatment for the Jamaican workers, she was right there with him. She was a fearless warrior, walking the front line where all the action took place. She wanted to be there to witness what the workers were facing. She wanted to offer her service in a quest to bring about changes to the plight of the Jamaican workers.

The Bustamante Industrial Trade Union began operation in 1938, the Trade Union Act was passed into law in 1939, and by this time Gladys Longbridge was the female face of courage and dominance within the Caribbean, championing the rights of workers. Needless to say women taking back seats to their male counterpart was the order of the day, but that was not the modus operandi of Miss Longbridge.

While Patsy Montana was breaking the proverbial glass ceiling in the US musical scene, Gladys Longbridge was making strides for Jamaican workers. She was a beacon of hope, a ray of light, someone young girls wanted to emulate. She became the torch bearer.

It is in this light that I would love to express my deepest heartfelt thoughts of her on what would have been her 102nd birthday, which is also International Women's Day, March 8, 2014. I am thankful that our fertile Jamaican soil has produced such a strong woman. She always exhibited such grace and dignity -- traits lacking among many females of today -- and was indeed a lady in every sense of the word, not just in title. Her humble upbringing might have made her a champion of the people, but it was her skills that helped bring her to prominence, catapulting her into an iconic fixture on the landscape of our minds. She has been given many awards and honours by various world leaders, but I am sure she would have been proudest of what she got done on behalf of the Jamaican workers.

Happy 102nd birthday, Lady Bustamante. Though you are no longer with us, your work as a Jamaican woman will stand the test of time. You played the same game as the men but never once lost your dignity, grace and class.

Wayne White

wayne2white@gmail.com

Happy 102nd birthday, Lady Bustamante

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Dear Editor,

It does not take a lot to excite some sections of the public or get schoolchildren kicking up trees on the playground. In recent months the issue of the decriminalisation of marijuana has created a groundswell which is, in my opinion, unfounded and misguided.

Firstly, it is clear to me that there is a misunderstanding of what is really being suggested by the Government of Jamaica and the states in America. To the layman, decriminalising and legalisation means the same thing. However, to the legal faternity and governments they take different and separate meanings.

Decriminalising means to cease being treated as criminal. As far as the common users of marijuana is concerned, the decriminalising of the taking of the drug in any form is no longer an offence, and therefore they are free to use it where and when they choose. Of course this is not the case, but little is being done to convey the real situation. This is lost in the calmer and misguided sense of liberation. This is being promoted by those ready to exploit the opening for huge financial gain. Government has some explaining to do.

On the other hand, legalising means making something lawful. Again, to the common users of the drug if it is lawful for them to use it, therefore, doing so will bring no criminal offence. However, to the lawyers and enforcers of the law there exists a major difference in the application of the terms.

What is of primary concern to me is the possibility — and it's a real one too — for international gangsters to extend and expand their criminal activities at the disadvantage of the legitimate businesses, and thereby limit the revenue potential of the Government and by extension the people of Jamaica.

There should be no doubt that marijuana is big business and that the liberalisation brings inherent dangers to those involved. So far I have heard of no organisation or body led by the Government or the business sector talking about mechanisms for control and management of the marketplace. Laws, international and local, are needed to ensure that the product and proceeds get into the right hands and that the criminal gangs are marginalised, if not totally eliminated.

P G Kaba

kaba2k@hotmail.co.uk

'Wi need fi ovastan di weed ting'

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Dear Editor,

Not so long ago, the Jamaican people learned about the existence of a set of signed and undated resignation letters. These letters were in the possession of no less a person than the leader of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Andrew Holness. The signees were senators from his camp.

Based on recent pronouncements by Government Senator Lambert Brown, it would appear that the "brilliance" displayed by the JLP senators transcends political parties. Senator Brown is reported to have made a call for the name of the Jamaica Constabulary Force to be changed, replacing the word force with the word service. I have one question for him. Did changing the name of Jamaican secondary schools to high school have any significant positive effect on the academic performance of these schools?

Had Senator Brown used the opportunity to call for a cessation of what appears to be an increase in extrajudicial killings by the police, his time, and by extension taxpayers' money, would have been better spent.

I recall, too, a call from Member of Parliament Raymond Pryce for the name of the Throne Speech to be changed to the People's Speech. If we were to take the suggestions of Messrs Brown and Pryce seriously — and while at it I guess we could also change the name of Jamaica to Singapore 2 — sit back and watch Jamaica's economy take off. Brilliant gentlemen!!!

Robert Mitchell

Christiana PO

Manchester

mitcib@yahoo.ca

Flashes of brilliance from our lawmakers

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Dear Editor,

I heartily endorse your editorial of Sunday, March 9, 2014, noting the pragmatism which informed National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante's famous "We are with the West" declaration of Jamaica's foreign policy.

Quite apart from being a rare instance when a leader has reduced foreign policy to words that the man-in-a-rum-shop could understand, it also spoke to the geographical imperative which, sadly, did not inform Michael Manley's unnecessary anti-US rhetoric. A small island, 90 minutes away from the US, with so many of its nationals living and studying there, linked by trade, language and culture could hardly afford to have any other policy, especially during the cold war. Now that remittances account for so much of our foreign currency reserves, one shudders to think what would have happened had we chosen some other course of attaining Independence.

But Bustamante was also prescient. His equally pithy observation that the European Economic Community (now the European Union) was "a dagger thrust at the heart of the Commonwealth" has sadly become reality.He foresaw the disappearance of all those Commonwealth trade preferences on bananas and sugar we once enjoyed. The Commonwealth is now little more than an increasingly irrelevant talking shop.

As for the current controversy about whether we would have been better off had he joined with Norman Manley in a pro-Independence party, this 'what if' is so far-fetched it hardly merits serious discussion.

Bustamante ("The Chief" ) was a populist and an autocrat who gave his name to a labour union and was effectively its president for life. Manley was an Oxford-educated barrister and democrat. One political party would not have been a pen large enough to contain these two bulls for longer than five minutes.

Errol W A Townshend

Scarborough, Ontario

Canada

ewat@rogers.com

Busta and Manley -- no one pen could hold these two bulls

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Dear Editor,

In a country where good customer service has become a rare commodity, I feel almost obligated to give praise when I come across a small local entity that holds a high standard for itself.

Recently, I travelled to Westmoreland and came across a small hotel called Sunny Side Resort on Farm Road in Savanna-la-Mar, which is just about 30 minutes from Negril.

My friends and I were apprehensive about this place at first because there was no beach in the immediate vicinity, but we soon realised we had missed out on nothing.

We had such an enjoyable experience. The staff was friendly and courteous. They attended to whatever we needed in a timely manner and with an attitude that said they were genuinely pleased to be helping us. We are so grateful to our new friends, Managing Director Sharon Bahadur as well as David Quarrie, an exceptionally disciplined and well-mannered young man.

I travel a lot across the island and often stay at small locally managed hotels, but it is not often I come across a team that understands the significance of treating their guests with respect and kindness.

We enjoyed our time there. We had great food and enjoyed the tranquillity of the atmosphere. The bar was well stacked and quite affordable and the pool was clean. It's a pleasure to see that all hope is not lost for customer service in these small establishments. I urge other small businesses to spend the time to make the necessary changes and improve basic customer service skills that can make a mountain of difference to the individuals who walks through their doors.

Robert Daye

robert_daye@yahoo.com

A trip on the Sunny Side

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Dear Editor,

I recently visited a high school in my neck of the woods, I needed a snack and so I ventured to one of the vendors at the school's gate to purchase it. I bought a Tea biscuit and a small soda for $100. As this is an often purchase it suddenly hit me that I just paid $35 more than I would normally pay.

Maybe I knew before and didn't remember, but I suddenly realised that schoolchildren pay more for basic foods and snacks than everybody else.

I don't know where the vendors purchase their stock, and I am not going to be critical of their mark-up. I will say, though, it is not fair for students to pay so much for simple snacks.

And it is not just at the gates, I have also come to the realisation that many schools set up snack counters or tuck shops and charge the same expensive prices as the vendors.

One must be mindful of the fact that children are confined within school premises until dismissal and so have no choice but to purchase these expensive snacks.

Many will argue that parents should make provisions for their children to bring snacks to school, but can all parents afford this luxury? Further, do children have the requisite discipline to only eat what their parents give them or not eat until they really need it?

I believe that school administrations should look into this matter with a view to finding a way to ensure that students can get these products to purchase at the same prices that they are sold everywhere else.

Gary Rowe

Manchester

magnett0072004@yahoo.com

Don't rob the children

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Dear Editor,

The Jamaica Labour Party 'mussi tek people fi eediat' with their desperate theatrical dramatics trying to bar Velma Hylton, QC, from the pending Tivoli commission of enquiry.

This is almost a repeat of the 'Dudus' enquiry, where the JLP made a fuss before consenting to participate after they found no way of escaping it.

So many years have passed since she made these comments during a similar enquiry about West Kingston, the same JLP constitutency, after an operation resulted in 27 deaths.

Has anyone picked up the trend?

Didn't she, as commissioner, have a right to represent a view which shows the difficulty with which the police have to operate to maintain law and order? I see Ms Hylton's views as only fair.

Every time something happens in West Kingston the JLP kicks up a ruckus and point fingers at everybody but themselves. Even when the public knows some of the truth, they try to pull a fast one with antics.

Now here's a question: Were the police so unoccupied that they would lock down the whole of Kingston and wage 'war' with themselves? They must have been shooting for fun then. Or were they shooting at duppies?

Why would anyone, even Ms Hylton, intentionally and maliciously concoct such statements in a very serious situation if there wasn't a grain of truth in it. What purpose would they achieve?

Hasn't everyone realised that gunmen will do anything and always get the support of those they supposedly 'protect', whether forcibly or cooperatively.

Inner city dwellers are still people and deserve sympathy for their condition. But if persons and politicians always defend them when some do wrong Jamaica is in for trouble. We should just have to put up zinc fences ourselves.

Seeking to remove Ms Hylton on the basis of what was said donkey years ago and because the Opposition has visible and open wounds will prove no point.

Also, there is really no point to this commission of enquiry. It is only reinventing the wheel. How many more wake-up calls does Jamaica need? Why should we wait on someone else, the IMF or the same politicians to make changes when we can?

The JLP need to go do some introspection, 'kibba', and find something else to poke holes into.

Colette Campbell

rastarjamaica@yahoo.com

It's political theatrics

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Dear Editor,

In recent times we have been seeing and hearing the emergence of anti-Chinese sentiments. This is a most unfortunate development and it appears to be grounded in a combination of envy, political sabotage and rank ignorance. The persons up in arms against foreign investors from China have no problem with white foreign investors from the USA and the UK.

The opposition to Chinese the investors should therefore be viewed with suspicion as it might be a sign of inherent insecurity and racism.

It is accepted that a country must have standards, rules and regulations regarding foreign investments they are prepared to accept. From this there should be developed a means of determining whether the foreign investment to be accepted is compliant with the set stipulations. Only foreign investments not compliant with the desire of the country should be rejected.

None of the persons questioning and opposing foreign investments from China have shown that these investors will breach any of our rules and regulations governing foreign investments. There is therefore no proper basis to support the opposition. We are yet to hear these persons opposing investment from European and North American countries. These persons seem willing to see the country open its doors to foreign investors who are white people, while closing the door in the face of the Chinese.

Those opposing investments by Chinese should be told that most European countries have flung their doors open to Chinese investors. In the case of Britain, the chancellor of the exchequer (their minister of finance) visited China last year and, in a speech to students and investors at a university, extended an open invitation for the Chinese to invest in Britain. Subsequent to that, Britain removed visa requirements for Chinese investors and put regulations in place making it easier for Chinese investors to invest in the UK.

In the scheme of things Jamaica is a little dot on the map of the world. We therefore have to be careful that we do not "cut off wi nose fi spite wi face". Our national motto is "Out of Many One People" and reflects the multiplicity of ethnic groups in this country. It is a commitment to treat all races equal. We have a vibrant and well-established Chinese community. We celebrate the success of Bryon Lee and Tessanne Chin, both of whom are descendants of Chinese who have been in Jamaica for years.

The leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, Mr Andrew Holness needs to rein in the members of his party who are making open and veiled attacks on Chinese investors. He needs to take steps to remove any impression being given that the JLP is on an anti-Chinese campaign.

For its part, the Government should continue to pursue a policy of opening the doors of Jamaica to all foreign investors, irrespective of their race. The only issue that should be on the table is that the foreign investor is prepared to comply with our rules, our laws and our regulations.

Racism has no place in policy decision on investments.

Linton P Gordon

Attorney-at-law

lpgordon@cwjamaica.com

Seems like racism against the Chinese

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Dear Editor,

It is common knowledge that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in fostering job creation, economic growth and innovation in free market economies. According to the European Commission, small businesses provide over 20 million jobs in the European Union, and it was also estimated that 85 per cent of net new jobs in the EU between 2002 and 2010 were created by small businesses.

Although these enterprises are expected to rescue Jamaica from its economic abyss, successive administrations have not promoted an environment to facilitate the growth of dynamic SMEs. Limited access to credit is usually given as a reason for the failure rate among small businesses, but as one commentator remarked recently: "I would suggest that while Government is seeking venture development and job creation they focus on entrepreneurial development before building a venture capital infrastructure. Putting financial development ahead of entrepreneurial growth is likely to result in mediocre results at best, and a waste of scarce resources at worst."

Many factors, including inadequate government support, exorbitant interest rates and even the questionable managerial capabilities of small business owners have also been blamed for the dismal performance of SMEs, but we cannot rely on anecdotal evidence.

Developed countries are known for commissioning studies to examine the nature of an ever-changing SME sector, and we should follow suit if we are serious about the prosperity of Jamaican businesses.

We must also be realistic, Jamaica needs smart entrepreneurs who will discover niche sectors and tap into the global market, not hustlers. Therefore, the importance of technology in creating competitive SMEs cannot be overstated. A recent study conducted by Boston Consulting Group showed that, regardless of their country, entrepreneurs who were early technology adopters increased their annual revenues 15 per cent faster than competitors. They were also able to create jobs twice as fast as other small businesses.

Grants could also be provided to offset the cost of upgrading technology for small businesses, the World Bank and the IDB are possible sources of financing for such a project.

This Administration could prove to Jamaicans that it is serious about creating wealth and not just populist social programmes by lobbying for this programme.

Lipton Matthews

lo_matthews@yahoo.com

Successful small enterprises a big part of the solution

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Dear Editor,

It has always been said that teaching is a noble profession, but lately I have to wonder if it is still as noble as it was years ago. Historically, teachers were persons the entire country respected and loved because of the job they performed. People of all ages and rank showed respect to teachers, but that has stopped.

Many teachers are now jumping ship because they are tired. They have lost all the zeal they had for the profession and no longer see it as a worthy one. Teachers now question why they get up every day and go to school. The Government accuses them of not doing a good job, parents blame them when their children fail, and students could care less. We blame teachers for everything; from students' academic failures to their discipline problems. Every man, woman and child, when asked who is to be blamed for students' behaviour, is quick to say blame the teachers. And, of course, they are right.

The teacher is to be blamed for staying up late at nights writing lesson plans and making charts. The teacher is to be blamed for getting to school early to supervise the children who arrive at 6:30 am. The teacher is to be blamed for trying to keep the parents informed about the children's progress. It is the teachers' fault that the parents do not attend seminars or PTA meetings. How dare a teacher take money out of his or her pocket to buy lunch for the student whose parent did not give him any? Who gave the teacher permission to reprimand students when they are misbehaving? Who does that teacher think she is going into a classroom with 40 boys trying to teach them amidst cat calls and lewd comments?

Teachers do not only teach. They are mothers, fathers, mediators, motivators, friends, counsellors, and so much more, yet they are now being treated as if they are nothing. No one is perfect, and yes, there are teachers out there who are not doing what they should, but to condemn everyone because of the actions of a few is just not fair. Teachers are being slaughtered on a daily basis and no one seems to care. They are no longer appreciated. Are we for real?

I would love to see even one person out there who was not taught by a teacher. We seem to forget that we all went through the hands of numerous teachers in our lifetimes. Teachers who, despite how badly we behaved or how much we fought them, still came day after day just so we could learn something.

How is it that we have reached the point of trying to bully and put down our teachers? What is going to happen to our children when we do that? Please do not be the one who causes our teachers to become discouraged because our children are going to suffer for our actions.

I am one of the few remaining persons who still believe in our teachers. I will forever love and respect them. Thank you, teachers, for continuing to be true heroes despite the fight you receive on a daily basis.

Kenisha Williams

kenishawilliams499@gmail.com

Fight the good fight, teachers

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Dear Editor,

It was with mixed feelings of joy and trepidation that I read the news report of the impending merger of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) to take effect during the 2014/2015 financial year, according to Minister of National Security Peter Bunting.

Ever since I was a child I have been puzzled over the difference between the "blue seam" and "red seam" policemen. My uncle was a "red seam" policeman and tried unsuccessfully to communicate to me how superior the "red seam" was to the "blue seam". As far as I could see they were the same except for the different colour stripe down their uniforms.

I know I am not alone in my thinking. I posit that if a survey were to be carried out, less than 50 per cent of the populace would be able to articulate the difference between both entities. When my uncle tried to explain it to me, I understood it to mean that the ISCF had no jurisdictional power to make arrests and were, in essence, only "walk foot" policemen, who at the time had no gun. My confusion to the roles of both organizations did not diminish as I grew older, as I saw the work of both the JCF and ISCF frequently coinciding.

Since the days of my uncle I have seen members of the ISCF making arrests and driving up and down with big guns. So it seems to me that not only are we wasting valuable resources on overhead expenses, but also, as the Commissioner rightly pointed out, the merging of these two entities would eliminate "the duplication in administrative services," along with duplication in operational services, I would add.

Experience dictates that this will be far from a smooth transition, as there will be "fallouts" between those who believe the JCF is superior to the ISCF and those who wish to retain perceived power as an "independent" unit.

I won't even want to mention the usual snail's pace of "the powers that be" to get anything done that is worth doing, wasting valuable resources in the process. However, 2014 being a year of "deliverance" -- I leave this one for those wishing to study numbers -- as well as the fact that it is my personal belief that this merger is a good thing that will see a reduction of crime in Jamaica have given me some confidence in believing a change in administration is coming soon for the greater good. But that's just my opinion. If for no other reason but to save money, I would say to these powers that be, hurry up! Mek dis happen quick! We have waited for over 20 years for this marriage. It's time the Jamaican public gets to cut the wedding cake.

Minister J Gumbs

How Ya Livin Now Deliverance Outreach Ministry

eldergumbs@howyalivinnow.org

Blue seam, red

seam -- one force

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Dear Editor,

Cemeteries have been around since time immemorial. Our cemeteries serve varied purposes, including being a final resting place or burial area for the dead. In addition, cemeteries yield significant information about our society's social, religious, artistic, and cultural heritage. Our cemeteries also serve as outdoor museums and monuments to the past. Additionally, our cemeteries can provide many exciting career opportunities; careers in archaeology, specifically bio-archaeology should be explored by our students.

The May Pen Cemetery in Kingston is one of the oldest public cemeteries in the English-speaking Caribbean.However, over the years, under successive governments, the May Pen Cemetery continues to be in a state of disrepair.

In recent times, the chapel and other parts of the cemetery have become a haven for many homeless individuals. An entire generation of Jamaicans do not appreciate and respect the space of the dead. It's not unusual to see young children playing on or even eating on graves. Obviously, we need to be reminded that cemeteries represent sacred spaces in any society and as such our children must be socialised to observe this sacredness.

The continued deplorable state of the May Pen Cemetery does not augur well for us a society. The constant eyesore of the May Pen Cemetery serves only to reinforce the economic divide that is present in the society. While it can be argued that the rich in the society no longer bury their dead in the May Pen Cemetery, many notable Jamaicans are interred there.

Let's us commit to restoring May Pen Cemetery. Maybe the powers that be should include the May Pen Cemetery among the major projects this Labour Day. We all have a collective responsibility in ensuring that the May Pen Cemetery is restored to a burial site of dignity.

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com

www.wayaine.blogspot.com

Resurrect May Pen Cemetery

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Dear Editor,

The announced Tivoli inquiry appears to be already mired in controversy and has only served to deepen and aggravate the existing scepticism among Jamaicans regarding such inquiries.

I was beginning to yield to the advice given to me as a young man by my granny, that "wha gawn bad a maanin, cyan come gud a evelin," but I am too much a believer in democracy and the future of Jamaica to give up on the usefulness of this inquiry.

I believe, however, that we should start over, both with the appointments and the terms of reference, the two obvious areas of contention. In the interest of Jamaica -- not some idle political aims -- the Government should set out in good faith to meet with the Opposition and come to an agreement as soon as possible regarding the terms of reference and composition of the inquiry.

Both sides should understand that what caused the public concern and the need for this inquiry is the fact that 76 Jamaicans were killed allegedly by the security forces in that operation in Tivoli Gardens. The purpose of the inquiry should be to get all the facts and learn lessons for the future -- nothing more and nothing less. It is further suggested that the terms of reference ought to be to inquire into the events over that period in connection with security forces' operation in Tivoli Gardens that led to the loss of life. The terms of reference need to be that precise.

Colonel Allan Douglas

Kingston 10

alldouglas@aol.com

The Tivoli inquiry can still be salvaged

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It is absolutely amazing that the Member of Parliament for Western Kingston Desmond McKenzie can be accusing Velma Hylton -- former counsel to the 2002 commission of inquiry into events at Tivoli Gardens in 2002 that led to the death of some 27 persons -- of only bias.

This arose from Hylton saying, in 2002, "In my respectful submission, if the women and children deliberately put themselves between the law and order forces... to enable those gunmen behind them to fire at the security forces and to fire at civilians, I for one, do not understand why, in all circumstances, they cannot return the fire."

Now that Hylton has been appointed one of the commissioners to look into events in 2010, in that same area, though this time the death toll is significantly higher, there is no doubt in my mind that Hylton is far too cold to be considered for this commission.

In this situatioin the public defender has questioned how some of the people died. It was reported that some of the dead included kids ranging from ages 6 to 12. Do kids of that age fully understand the implications of life and death? And, even if they do, did they have a say in whether they were to become human shields or not? As to the women, has Hylton ever heard of excessive force? Quite frankly, I think Hylton's comments would have made the blood of the British in 1865 run cold. For, as history tells us, they did not take kindly to Governor Eyre's excessive force in the Morant Bay Rebellion, especially after a soldier admitted, "we slaughtered all before us... man or woman or child".

On the other hand, George Zimmerman was recently invited to a gun show to sign autographs. Maybe Hylton will be similarly celebrated one day.

Joan E Williams

Kingston 10

gratestj@gmail.com

Hylton too cold for Commission

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Dear Editor,

I believe we are in a unique position to address the situation with the Jamaican Government allowing the Chinese to build a coal-powered plant on Goats.

My husband and I have been land and villa owners in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, since the 1980s and have seen first hand the permanent damage to the environment caused by lax rules and even more lax enforcement of these rules. Moreover, when reprimands are given, and these are infrequent, the fines are so paltry they are hardly a deterrent.

We live in North Carolina and are now witnessing what happens when a huge and powerful company with high-level friends and incredible profits fouls the environment, even after repeated (but unenforced) government warnings and long-term citizen protests. A collapsed pipe caused a massive spill of coal ash -- a byproduct of coal-fired power plants that contains toxins including arsenic -- water in the Dan River is unsafe to touch, and the toxic coal ash in it is burying aquatic animals and their food. This was not the first such toxic spill. After extraordinary public pressure, attempts are now being made to correct the deadly mess they have caused, though it is impossible to fix all the destruction.

Meanwhile, if anyone is so naïve as to believe the Chinese will care more about Jamaica's environment than their own, they are deluding themselves. Our son and his family have lived in Beijing, China, and he still travels to China on business for several months out of the year. He has been doing so for in excess of two decades. He was forced to move his family back to the United States because they had difficulty breathing in China's polluted air. China's toxic air pollution is now so bad that it resembles a nuclear winter, slowing photosynthesis in plants and potentially wreaking havoc on the country's food supply. It has also exacted a significant economic toll, grounding flights, closing highways, and keeping tourists away. China has an exceedingly poor record for caring about toxins to humans.

The ongoing environmental disasters in Jamaica, North Carolina, and China have something in common: the failure of government officials to care sufficiently about their citizens and instead just look for short-term revenues while ignoring longer-term deadly consequences.

Karen S Kennedy

Asheville, NC

karen@kennedy101.com

Look around us... while we still can

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Dear Editor,

The late Cecil Charlton, former mayor of Manchester, along with his fellow councillors of the Manchester Parish Council showed the critical role of the mayor in the economic and social development of a parish and its main town.

Cecil Charlton was able to achieve what he did because of his deep respect for the people and his willingness to go the extra mile in the interest of the residents of Manchester; even if this meant taking on giant bauxite companies or the central government itself.

The Municipality of Portmore was promised in this calendar year 300 palm trees, along with an unspecified number of other trees, to replace the trees lost as a result of ongoing development. This number of trees, correctly spaced, is a welcome addition to restoring ecological balance and would beautify that stretch of road from the Bridgeport roundabout to the Pathfinder's Bar at the stoplight by West Henderson Boulevard, thus increasing the values of both residential and commercial properties along the route. Nothing yet.

Additionally, the municipality was promised that the main sewage treatment plant by Waterford would be repaired and upgraded, removing the offensive stench which blankets that neighbourhood. The net impact on property values would run into the millions of dollars and the possibility of boating on the canal would be revived. Still nothing yet.

With the Students' Loan Bureau faced with major funding challenges, many students residing in Portmore will be faced with higher hurdles in financing their tertiary education. Here the municipality has a duty, through its own efforts, to provide scholarships to those students most deserving and with the greatest need. It is my view that the deputy mayor, in the absence of an elected mayor, needs to recognise that the people of Portmore require no less from him than the people of Manchester expected from the late Cecil Charlton in the seat he currently occupies. Citizens are expecting more. A mayor acts. A mayor improves.

Basil Fletcher

Greater Portmore

basilaksumite@hotmail.com

A mayor is what a mayor does

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Dear Editor,

The Kartel trial was closely followed by many. The guilty verdict didn't come as a big surprise to most of us who followed the case over the 60-odd days. What the verdict did, however, was reinforce the point that most Jamaicans will not be threatened by attempts to distort justice or have any part of this 'gangsta' culture which has wrecked havoc in our society.

The news that a juror was also arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe the foreman of the panel also speaks volumes about this case. That the foreman not only rejected the offer, but reported the matter immediately must be highly commended.

Hip hop artiste Busta Rhymes, who attended court in a show of support for the accused, expressed disappointment to the media that more of our local artistes didn't show up to give support. He should read between the lines.

Crime has been destructive and a hindrance to progress in this country for far too long. What many Jamaicans are really saying now is, enough is enough. The fact that the jury so easily came back with a verdict sends a strong message.

I commend the judge, the jury, the prosecution, the security forces and the investigators for the professionalism displayed. The defence team also did well under the circumstances. The police force must now be vigilant to maintain law and order and support justice, and this is how it should always be. The justice system was tested and justice was served. There is hope for Jamaica. We must not give up.

P Chin

chin_p@yahoo.com

A true test of justice

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Dear Editor,

Any verdict other than guilty in the recently concluded case with Adidja "Vybz Kartel" Palmer and other accused would have made the justice system the laughing stock of even the people who were chanting "Free Worl' Boss" and embolden those with criminal minds to continue with their heinous activities.

The jury, in large part, reflected the general sentiment among the populace. And, with all its flaws, the duty of jurors to justice remains an essential part of maintaining a vibrant democracy.

Big up to both the defence and the prosecution, and I hope a lot has been learned by you all as well as the police. This case is a landmark one and we should all learn from it. The application of aspects of new technology in the justice system must be making criminals shake in their boots and reconsider what they do and how they do things.

Now people are looking to see how other persons in the upper echelons of society will be treated by the same system.

This case brought out quite a bit of sloppiness and carelessness by the police investigators and may -- if this case goes all the way on appeal to the privy council -- cause those judges to "cuss badwud" for the first time in dismay.

When the prosecution loses cases it has a lot to do with the quality of the police investigation and evidence gathered. We have seen many a sad result based on the quality of evidence given to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Like at Coronation Market, or any other market, if the goods are soiled, damaged, or of poor quality it will not sell. So, too, in the courtroom. If the quality of investigation and evidence 'farmed' is of poor quality, the judges and/or jurors will not buy it. So that area needs constant improvement.

The allegation of an attempted bribe by one of the jurors is an absolute disgrace. It borders on treason. And, if those implicated are found guilty they should get a greater punishment than the accused men for attempting to pervert the course of justice. This is a crime without bounds. It has implications for all Jamaicans, even those yet born.

The greatest deterrent for crime is the certainty of being caught and convicted. I hope the trend develops for the good of Jamaica and the message sent that crime does not pay, the guilty must pay. You do the crime, expect to do the time, whether you are Mr Big Man, famous man, celebrity, or a little tear-up shorts man or woman.

Michael Spence

Kingston 6

micspen2@Hotmail.com

I hope we learn from the Kartel case

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A true test of justice

I hope we learn from the Kartel case