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Riverton will forever burn

March 21, 2014, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

The recent fire at the Riverton solid waste disposal site was inevitable, and similar fires are likely at any of the other seven disposal sites around the island, regardless under which political administration the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) operates, or who heads that government agency for that matter.

This is because the necessary financial support has not been provided, from all accounts, for that agency to carry out its function of the collection and safe disposal of solid waste islandwide.

The respective administrations continue to ignore the fact that the NSWMA was set up to be a regulatory body of solid waste in Jamaica. They have dumped the operational responsibility for the collection and disposal of solid waste on it.

Let us accept that governments in democracies worldwide fail to provide efficient amenities, such as garbage collection services. Efficient operations, especially those dependent on mechanical services, cannot be bogged down with slow, bureaucratic processes or the under-funding that the public service in Jamaica has continued to face and yet harbour expectation of at least satisfactory service.

Planning is difficult, and the end result is execution of tasks in a reactive fashion. Because there has always been a shortfall in the budgetary requirements for the tasks given to the NSWMA, this organisation has incorrectly but understandably involved itself in commercial activity, charging fees for those services.

There has always been the boast of just how much revenue the agency was able to make, but what is never disclosed is the cost to the public purse for providing those services. In other words, in providing these commercial services, human and other resources are diverted from the primary function.

I also question just how fair it is to compete with private garbage collection companies and landscape companies using taxpayers' money. This certainly presents an unfair advantage and, despite the financial gymnastics associated with this policy, it is wrong and should be ended.

We must set the NSWMA as a regulatory agency and privatise garbage collection and disposal to include the disposal sites or we will have to put up with inefficiencies in solid waste services, not to mention the annual and costly fires.

Colonel Allan Douglas

Kingston 10

alldouglas@aol.com

Riverton will forever burn

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Stay the course, Commish Ellington

March 24, 2014, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

I wish to express sincere gratitude to our Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington who, in my opinion, has displayed a level of maturity, professionalism and stick-to-itiveness to his position. He has made us as Jamaicans proud to say that our local home-grown professionals can more than do the jobs that we sometimes feel can only be handled by foreigners.

In my humble opinion, Commissioner Ellington has proven to be the best commissioner of police that we have had in my 50 years of living in Jamaica.

I appeal to the Ministry of National Security Peter Bunting and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to give this commissioner the tools necessary to do his job and reap the rewards that we all so badly need in Jamaica.

I also appeal to the Minister of Justice Mark Golding to quickly enact the legislation that will also help this commissioner down the road to provide us with a safer place to live.

Commissioner Ellington, I know it must be a hard road to travel but stay the course, Jamaica needs you.

Metry Seaga

Kingston 11

metrys.jfp@cwjamaica.com

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Our pundits have become village lawyers overnight

March 24, 2014, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

There are many problems plaguing our country at this point in time, however we should be grateful that a handful of dissenters still exist in this country.

Can you imagine how successful Jamaica would be if we had more people like Michael Dingwall, Mark Clarke, and new kids on the block like Keiran King and Orville Higgins, who would actually use their brains? But then again, most people get their information from the media, so we shouldn't expect high-quality discourse.

These days you can't even make a distinction between a newsman and an entertainer. For many years Cliff Hughes presented himself as a serious journalist, and we believed him, until he started to discuss political sound bites on his evening radio show. Who really cares about the episodes of the Warmingtons or Roger Clarkes?

The matter became even worse when dancehall artistes started to appear frequently on his televised programme Impact, previously known for producing quality work. Now, how is a feud between Lady Saw and Macka Diamond important to any of his viewers?

It became apparent that Cliff wanted to win entertainerof the year when he invited two charismatic preachers on his show to discuss obeah. Well, at least he didn't do an exposé on bleaching.

In a society like Jamaica, where cheap commentary sells, we can't be too surprised that our leading pundits have become village lawyers overnight. However, those who know better must uplift the masses and not imitate them; subcultures of vulgarity and crassness are not symbols of national pride. This is why we need to praise those who have refused to engage in cheap commentary, maybe Jamaicans would think more if they weren't fed a diet of garbage by jokers posing as serious intellectuals.

Lipton Matthews

lo_matthews@yahoo.com

Our pundits have become village lawyers overnight

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The Jamaican take on British systems

March 24, 2014, 2:06 am
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Dear Editor,

Jamaica will never experience meaningful and sustainable economic growth until it is able to address the problem of corruption, particularly in governance.

We will have to adopt the form of separation of powers practised by the United States, where there is substantial separation between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. We practise the British form, where there is too much comingling of the three and not even the judiciary is truly independent.

The British structure works for Britain, because the British has a tradition grounded in honour, and Shakespeare underlines this tradition through one of his English characters saying, “My honour is my life, both grow in one, take my honour and my life is done.” Further in this context, in English Law, only a limited amount of agreements are required to be evidenced in writing, and so most do not, relying on parties honouring agreements. We certainly do not have this tradition to make the British form work for us as it does for them.

Another area of British culture that we have not adapted well is the value of time. Most of our people certainly do not know the value, mostly disregarding it and speaking of ‘Jamaica time’, meaning never on time. Here, we need to practise British culture, which is underpinned by the respect for time. The British movie, Around the world in 80 days, where the Englishman went around the world and came back for his board meeting on time is an example. The lack of respect for time, particularly since Independence, is reflected in existing and increasing bureaucracy that inhibits economic growth to too great an extent.

It is not only bureaucracy, it is the lack of management in the public sector, where too many public servants say that they do not do today what they can do tomorrow, and then tomorrow never comes. They go to work late, take extended lunch times, and sometimes even leave early for the day. This is not the case in the private sector, but the government service suffers so much from poor management.

Owen S Crosbie

Mandeville, Manchester

oss@cwjamaica.com
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Kudos, Tracy Robinson

March 24, 2014, 2:09 am
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Dear Editor,

I was happy to read of the appointment of Tracy Robinson as chair of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organisation of American States.

This is indeed an outstanding achievement for Ms Robinson and Jamaica, as the first female Caribbean woman to be appointed to this position and the second Jamaican, following in the footsteps of her father, the esteemed Justice Patrick Robinson.

In this month of March, when we commemorated International Women's Day, I wish to salute Ms Robinson on her outstanding achievement and wish for her continued success as she represents her country with excellence.

Phillipa Lawrence

phillipa.lawrence@gmail.com
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They have us by the... kidneys

March 24, 2014, 2:06 am
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Dear Editor,

I recently had occasion to take my father, who is diabetic and hypertensive, to the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) for treatment of complications related to his end stage renal disease. My father’s condition had progressed to the point where he needed haemodialysis at least twice weekly.

After meeting with the nephrology team, I was amazed to discover that the waiting list for haemodialysis at the UHWI and Kingston Public Hospital is now over a year. By that time, without dialysis, my father will be dead.

We were advised that emergency hemodialysis could be done on an “as needed” basis, but that for ongoing, regular dialysis we needed to seek care at a private facility. I immediately began to wonder why the UHWI, supposedly the pinnacle of medical care in the Caribbean, has such grossly limited facilities, especially when taking into account our population of almost three million. It was not until I began to investigate the ownership of these private dialysis units that the matter became clearer.

Your readers may be astonished to discover that a large number of these private units are owned and operated by the same kidney specialists who work at the public hospitals. This puts the modus operandi of these specialists in question. They first encounter patients at the public hospitals where they counsel them about the importance of haemodialysis several times per week indefinitely (or at least until an elusive kidney transplant is performed). They advise of the futility of having haemodialysis done publicly as the waiting list is too long to make that a viable option. The next step is to direct the patients to private dialysis centres where they are charged up to $60,000 per month.

The unethical nature of this practice is mind-numbing. Furthermore, it raises an important practical question. What incentive is there for these kidney specialists to expand and improve access to dialysis at the public hospitals when they know that there are millions of dollars to be earned with public dialysis capacity inadequate so that patients will have no choice but to choose private care?

Does the Government and the administration of these facilities not see the conflict of interest in this? I am exhorting patients and families affected by this injustice to speak up. Furthermore, I am imploring the Ministry of Health, the administrations of the UHWI and the KPH, and investigative journalists in the media to take a closer look at this troubling matter. While we want our medical consultants to live comfortably, the health and well-being of our vulnerable patients with chronic kidney disease cannot be sacrificed.

Simone Curic

simonecuric@gmail.com
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I am no fan

March 25, 2014, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

I have never been a fan of the music commonly referred to as dancehall for a number of reasons.

On the few occasions that I have seen reports on television the music appeals to the lowest form of life. It depreciates values and attitudes such as respect for others and, in fact, leaves the listener with a complete lack of kindness and compassion.

The recent trial of Vybz Kartel showed that side of the music and what it does to thousands of people.

When an individual can say "is not ah uptown or a middle class man him kill so oonu fi let him go", or when someone can conjure up a statement that "mi cut him up fine fine dem will never find him", can't you see something is very wrong with the statements associated with the music.

A lot of support is coming in daily for the relatives of the convicted killers of Clive "Lizard " Williams, but what about his family?

Ken Spencer

Kingston 8

ken3_1999@yahoo.com

I am no fan

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ONLINE READERS COMMENT: Is Imani seeking an easy seat?

March 25, 2014, 10:33 am
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Dear Editor,

One could argue for quotas in Parliament if women had in fact been barred from entry into politics, but that has never been the case.

We have had several distinguished female politicians; Rose Leon, Iris King, Enid Bennett, Mavis Gilmour and now we have a woman prime minister, Portia Simpson.

If we seek the answers for male dominance in politics in sociology, we come up with the nonsense that the lady senator is recommending. (People’s National Party senator Imani Duncan recently called for gender quotas in Parliament)

If we seek the answers in anthropology, it all begins to make sense; man is the hunter, the woman is the nurturer and gatherer, politics is a sublimation of the inclination to war and will be always dominated by men.

The well-meaning attempts of the present generation will go nowhere, and as in the past, only exceptional women will rise to the top. It is the same thing in business; the boardroom is the new jungle and men dominate because they are the hunters. The women will dominate marketing and networking because they are nurturers and gatherers and only exceptional women will become CEOs.

I am not impressed by the references to what the Europeans are doing and what some Third World countries are mimicking; the West is in decline and the advocacy of gay marriage, for instance, shows a civilisation moving from progress into decadence under the tyranny of political correctness. To mandate female quotas is an interference with the free choice of the voters and provides an easy access for ladies who might not have the political skills to campaign on their own. Is that what Imani wants, an easy seat?

openmind48
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A solution to Riverton fires is not rocket science

March 25, 2014, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

There is a massive search on for a missing aircraft in the Indian Ocean. It is taking incredible resources, aircraft, ships, satellite technology, and the reputation of which country will first discover at least some part of the plane. It is a complex operation, but a solution must be found. That is what men use their brains and resources to do, solve complex problems.

Here in the Caribbean, Cahill Energy has signed an agreement with Barbados to build a proposed waste-to-energy plant that will eventually provide as much as 25 per cent of the Caribbean island's power. It will cost US$240 million and will create 650 jobs initially.

Here in the Caribbean, Cahill Energy has signed an agreement with Barbados to build a proposed waste-to-energy plant that will eventually provide as much as 25 per cent of the Caribbean island's power. It will cost US$240 million and will create 650 jobs initially.

In Jamaica, we have the Riverton landfill where every year a fire breaks out there. It spews toxic fumes that spread as far as Spanish Town. A government minsiter's solution to the problem that residents face is encouraging residents who live nearby to simply relocate, even though the Government built a housing scheme to accommodate them right near the same dump. Concievably, we have the Minister of Local Government Noel Arscott, the Minister of Land, Water, Environment, and Climate Change Robert Pickersgill, and the Minister of Science, Technology, Energy, and Mining Phillip Paulwell, and all their staff at the three super-ministries they head, and that's the best we can come up with? These are the people responsible for the problems we face and there needs to be studied discussion on the perennial problem?

Getting a firm to do in Jamaica what Cahill Energy is doing in Barbados could ensure:

1) A cleaner Jamaica.

2) Employment in the short and long terms

3) A reduction in our fossil fuel energy bill.

4) Less damage to the environment and the release of toxic fumes.

It is unbelievable that we cannot come up with a workable solution to such a simple problem. This isn't a lost aircraft that failed to navigate or communicate. This is not rocket science. Can any of these ministers tell us why we haven't already implemented a similar project ahead of Barbados? There has to be an explanation, and we as a people must demand one. Instead of these people talking, talking, talking and flying all over the globe enjoying our tax dollars, they need to be made to explain why we cannot solve a problem that doesn't take 26 countries and massive resources. They need to use their brains.

Mark Clarke

Siloah PO, St Elizabeth

A solution to Riverton fires is not rocket science

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Break the silence, shine a light

March 25, 2014, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

I wish to commend the newspaper on the front page piece on AIDS carried in the Sunday Observer of March 23, 2014. Specifically, may I address the fact that Jamaica's laws are largely silent on the spreading of AIDS. This is one of the greatest "silent" problems in the country. Silent, because to talk about it or report offenders could reveal one's status.

Chief among the offenders are the practitioners of a certain craft that make them very attractive to young people. Teenage girls, especially, entertain fantasies of being in relationships and on the arms of these people, which is particularly worrying.

Sometimes, the first sure step in this direction -- they think -- is to have a baby for them. The fact that there is a multitude of others before them who were left by the wayside does not seem to make them pause and think. Despite the fact that they are aware of their status, these men knowingly pass on this infection to any and all who make themselves available. And they are many.

It cannot be said too often that many of our ills stem from the fact that the country is suffering from a woeful shortage of "proper" parents. People with the right values who will guide and protect children through what I call the "foolish years". These loveless, rudderless young girls see having a "baby fada" who is popular as an enormous status symbol. They would be the envy of all their friends.

This problem is an open secret. It has not gained the prominence it deserves because the victims do not want to reveal their status and many still entertain the hope that the "fada" will one day wade through the sea of other victims to settle down with them. So they remain silent, some infecting others in search of love and financial support.

Truth be told, there are others, sometimes mature women, committed to a monogamous relationship, who fall victim to this selfish recklessness. It is therefore surprising that nothing has been done by our lawmakers to address it. They would not be breaking new ground as there are laws dealing with this matter in most well-thinking jurisdictions. But we know that nothing will happen unless some powerful voice continues to pursue it on behalf of present and prospective victims.

Thank you for shedding more light, Observer.

Glenn Tucker

St Andrew

glenntucker2011@gmail.com

Break the silence, shine a light

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Jamaican female referees to di World...Cup!!

March 25, 2014, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

It has long been argued that anything a man does, a woman can do it equally well. In sport, the same principle applies. The recent announcement that three Jamaican female referees, namely the veteran Cardella Samuels, the industrious Stacey-Ann Greyson, and the princess of St Elizabeth Princess Brown, were selected to officiate in the same international football tournament — 2014 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Costa Rica — has had tongues wagging all for the right reasons.

It is undeniable that this revelation has continued the legacy of pioneering Jamaican sporting personalities who have left indelible marks in their various disciplines. From the Reggae Boyz' historic qualification for the FIFA World Cup in France '98, to our trailblazing athletics exploits at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, our sporting stars have stood atop many award stands.

Now the stage is set for yet another historic Jamaican moment, however this time the microscope is not on the players but on the officials. This is unprecedented in the Jamaican football landscape as this is the first time that all of three referees have been selected (male or female) for a major world tournament. This is a clear indication that the hard work done by referees has not gone unnoticed. To have all of three female referees from this our small island in the sun speaks volumes of our local referees and instructors, who, despite many challenges, continue to raise the standards and strive for success.

This is undoubtedly a step in the right direction for our local officials. I sincerely hope that this can be the catalyst for opening doors of opportunity for other local referees (male and female) who possess the prerequisites and are desirous of showcasing their abilities on the international scene.

I am extremely elated for the three women on their significant milestone. Even though Jamaica will not be among the 16 competing nations at the World Cup, there will be more than enough black green and gold to warm our hearts here at home. If dreams were made to come true, then my dream (as a referee) is to see all three women officiating in the championship game in the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica (San Jose) on Friday, April 4. Can you imagine what a day of rejoicing that would be?

Let us give them our unwavering support and hope that they will, through their hard work, confidence and will to succeed, be able to represent themselves with pride and make the local and international football fraternity see the true collective strength and quality that Jamaican female referees have to offer...to di world!

Andre R Smith

St Mary

ceoandre@aol.com

Jamaican female referees to di World...Cup!!

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Why was the case dismissed?

March 26, 2014, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

Every accused deserves a fair trial and should have his/her day in court to answer charges, and this is how the justice system should always work.

It is puzzling from many angles, however, to understand the logic behind the recent dismissal of charges in the Kern Spencer/Coleen Wright case. It's one thing to be found not guilty, but a dismissal of a case is another matter. It could mean many things, among the reasons could be a lack of firm evidence or failure by the prosecution to make a strong enough case against the accused.

Fraud, corruption, and money laundering cases aren't supposed to be as complex as violent crimes. Investigators aren't looking for fingerprints or DNA or an alibi or weapon(s). Somewhere along the lines, with corruption, there will be hard evidence, a trail, usually a paper trail, and hard evidence, and/or conspiracy. The accused in this case must have had enough links, in the first place, to be arrested and initally slapped with seven charges. If there were no clear evidence, or if the evidence was vague, why were they arrested? And why did the case have to take as long as six years to arrive at this state?

Regardless of the outcome, the questions remain. We now have to take what the former state minister Kern Spencer says: I am a decent, honest, law-abiding, and God-fearing person.

But, explain how four million free light bulbs accumulated expenditure of up to $276 million? Why was so much spent, and where did all this money come from, and where did it go? And what about the company, Universal Management and Development Limited (UMD), which was formed around the same time the light bulb distribution project began. Is this to be forgotten? And what about the indirect ties of the company's directors to Spencer and family? Why did the Government need a private company to distribute free bulbs? And what happened to all the evidence and witnesses that the prosecution thought they had? What about Mr Chin, Managing Director of UMD, who was initially accused, but later became a witness for the prosecution? What was he supposed to testify against Kern to say? Shouldn't someone else be responsible for the occurrences? Where is the transparency? Everything cannot just be dismissed quietly? No case?

P Chin

chin_p@yahoo.com

Why was the case dismissed?

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Kern was never on trial

March 26, 2014, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

The affirmation of a no-case submission by Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey has been met with mixed reactions from the populace.

The general perception was that a trial was taking place. What the media had not made clear to its audience was that all that occurred was a preliminary hearing, best described as a "trial before the trial". This iis where the judge decides whether there is enough evidence to force the defendant to stand trial. In making this determination, the judge uses the 'probable cause' presented as evidence by the prosecutorial authorities (DPP) to convince a reasonable jury if the defendant committed the crime(s) charged.

In the Kern Spencer case, the judge was not to determine guilt or innocence, but to decide whether there is probable cause to prosecute Spencer et al. In the no-case submission, the judge ruled that there was no charge to answer by the defendant.

Sadly, we have spent the past six (6) years under the illusion that it was a trial.

Dudley C McLean

Mandeville, Manchester

dm15094@gmail.com

Kern was never on trial

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Blame bureaucrats for failed governance

March 26, 2014, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

We tend to blame our politicians for our failed government(s) but I think it is time we stop and put most of the blame where it should go, and that is at the feet of the bureaucrats in government.

We see them in all the ministries and some of the executive agencies. Politicians come and go, and whenever they get into office they are guided, advised and counselled by these bureaucrats. They are usually not forward-thinking professionals, they are paper pushers that subscribe to the same old archaic status quo. They and the incoming politicians quickly form a bond that benefits and enriches them from the chronic failure in our government. The old politicians, the 'lifers', and the bureaucrats make this failure in government an art form.

A forward thinking arm of government would already be reviewing the structures that allowed the light bulb project to have been managed the way it was, costing taxpayers millions without equal benefit.

Bad politicians are hiding behind these bureaucrats; others becoming the scapegoats. That is how I see it.

Politicians come and go, the bureaucrats we have forever, blame them.

Authnel Reid

authnelreid@optonline.net

Blame bureaucrats for failed governance

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Church could benefit from flexi-workweek

March 26, 2014, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

I don't believe that the main reason the church is so opposed to this flexi-workweek has anything to do with the rights of workers in respect of their desired working hours and when they would want to worship. I think the church's real reason has to do with what it thinks it will lose. If this is the case, then the church just needs to think a bit more.

While we would not want to see workers being forced to work on their worship days, the simple truth is that if we want to raise our productivity levels, some workers will have to work on that special day. Companies should not be prevented from hiring new workers on account of having flexi-workweek schemes, and then having prospective workers refusing to work on account of their religion.

Even though our churches won't publicly admit this, it is true that flexi-workweek is a threat to them. With reduced congregations come reduced revenues. We all know that these revenues are vital to our churches. However, our churches should see flexi-workweek as an opportunity and not a problem.

When one listens to the typical church sermon, one cannot help but wonder where these pastors get the energy to shout out their lungs. It is understandable that they would want the rest of the week to recuperate. I know that many of our pastors will find it very difficult to work more than once a week. I think this is another reason they oppose flexi-week so much -- they may need to have additional worship days and shout more.

If our churches adapt to flexi-week then they should benefit. Instead of having one main worship day, our churches should consider having three or even more. Sure, they may get less people on each of those days, but they should end up getting more when all of those days are combined. More attendance should mean more money; shouldn't it?

Also, our churchgoers will have more reasons to accept flexi-week. They will not have to worry about missing their "day in church" as they will have other days from which to choose.

Some will say that flexi-workweek will clash with that day which is ordained in church doctrine and it must be obeyed. However, this should not be a problem as church doctrines can always be changed. If our churches can "reinterpret" their doctrine to accept women priests and common-law unions, then they can do so to have more than one main worship day.

Also, as an added incentive, if the god that these Christians worship is as powerful as he is always made out to be, then he shouldn't have a problem adopting a flexi-workweek either.

Our churches have been losing relevance with the times. For their sake, I would hope that they don't drive more nails into their coffin by resisting flexi-workweek. Goodness knows we need it.

Michael A Dingwall

michael_a_dingwall@hotmail.com

Church could benefit from flexi-workweek

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In the event of emergency

March 26, 2014, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

I would like to bring to the public's attention that there are many schools which do not have a proper safety and security plan in place. Parents be wary and check with your child's school administration.

If the school does not have a proper plan in place, as outlined by the Ministry of Education (MOE), your child could be at great risk. School administrators should be very cautious about how to proceed should a mishap occur and they are brought into a legal battle. These so-called disaster preparedness drills that are designed to prepare the students for the real thing are only done as a way of documenting that a drill was carried out.

What if there are children with mobility concerns, children wearing casts, in wheelchairs, what is the plan for them? Are the administrators and emergency chiefs actually training students how not to leave anyone behind? Are these emergency chiefs in the schools even trained? There is a section in the MOE which oversees this aspect of the schools in Jamaica. Please take charge.

Many schools are not prepared or equipped to handle incidents or trained to manage them. Educators and staff put themselves at risk and also our children. Telling the students what to do in the event of a real emergency but not practising what is said is a serious failing of the disaster preparation. It is a very critical issue and cause for concern.

The MOE publishes the relevant manuals online and many shcools are not even aware that these exist. Parents do not take accidents at school lightly. School Insurance policies only cover certain things. Do not be comforted by them. Please check your rates for school insurance premiums and review what is actually covered. A word to the wise.

Concerned

vuzefrmtheafktd@gmail.com

In the event of emergency

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Justice done, congratulate

March 27, 2014, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

The ruling by Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey in the Kern Spencer case (preliminary inquiry) cannot be appealed. So all the naysayers need to just move on.

I am just grateful that Jamaica possesses officials of unquestionable character.

If nothing else, it gave us a chance to know Mr Spencer a little better. In his own words, he is "a decent, honest, law-abiding, God-fearing" person. And we have to believe him -- he said so, and politicians never lie. Jamaica needs many more of these people.

As it relates to the eminent jurist, the senior magistrate, I am not sure why some people are saying that she should have recused herself. Utter nonsense! Why would anyone even dare to think that she would use her unchallengeable position to settle a personal score?

After all, the director of public prosecution had only bested her twice in what, at times, seemed to be a case that was more about whether the judge or the DPP would have to remove themselves from the case.

I feel certain that many Jamaicans would have felt more at ease with this same verdict if another judge had taken over the case, but we should not worry about that because, as we know, the character of all judges in this country are devoid of hubris.

In my view, both Mr Spencer and Ms Pusey deserve nothing less than our country's admiration.

Stephen Harrison

St Mary

Justice done, congratulate

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Good work, MP Azan

March 27, 2014, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

I wish to commend junior minister Richard Azan for the awesome work he is doing in the Sligoville, Bog Walk, James Mountain, Stanbury Grove areas.

I had the pleasure of driving on those roads over the last couple of weeks. What is significant is the fact that this minister of government is so involved in the work he has been assigned to do and is responsive to the people of Jamaica.

We really appreciate him.

Rosemarie Greene, JP

Stanbury Grove,

St Catherine

rosie_08@cwjamaica.com

Good work, MP Azan

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Longville Park needs a health centre

March 27, 2014, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

I am a very concerned resident of the Longville Park housing scheme. I think the relevant authority should put it as their first priority that the community gets a health centre.

I could use my mother as an example, but she died one year ago. It was a very hard task for her, especially when she fell ill late at night, to get medical help. It was only with the assistance from motorists who live close to her that she was able to travel to May Pen Hospital, which is a bit of a distance away, but the closest to the scheme.

There are quite a number of persons with the same complaint, especially the older residents. I think that for the next budget Minister Fenton Ferguson should put it on his agenda. I know he is a very generous person and he will consider our concern.

Mark Bell

mark.bellphoto@hotmail.com

Longville Park needs a health centre

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Empower the disabled community

March 27, 2014, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

Gone are the days when members of the disabled community would be locked away from the wider society. Disability affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Research shows that between 10 and 15 per cent of the world's population lives with some form of disability. Interestingly, the disabled community is the largest minority grouping in the world.

Having a physical disability does not mean one is unproductive. In fact, there are many individuals who live rather enriched and productive lives. Recently, while driving through the parking lot of a major shopping mall in Half-Way-Tree I saw a young male struggling to get a wheelchair-bound, middle-aged-looking woman from the paved area to the elevated passageway of the shopping mall. After a few failed attempts, two men came to her rescue and joined in the effort. As I drove along further, I realised that there are no ramps for the physically challenged in many of the shopping malls. The problem is even more widespread since, in many instances, several places of commerce, education and other public institutions are also inaccessible to the physically challenged. The society can and indeed need to do more to give ready access to all public institutions. Our building codes need to be revisited to cater to the special needs of the disabled community. It is inexcusable that we continue to build public structures without the required support facilities necessary for the disabled community to gain access. The disabled community also faces many forms of discrimination. A 2004 International Labour Organisation-funded study found that only 35 per cent of working-age Americans with disabilities are in fact working, compared to 78 per cent of those without disabilities.

Our trade unions need to become more involved in the return to work of those with disabilities by using specially designed disability management programmes in the workplace. As the Government moves forward with the introduction of the flexi-workweek, we hope that the special needs of the disabled community are taken into consideration.

Our Special Olympians and Paralympians, for example, have brought much pride and joy to Jamaica over the years as they have competed and medalled on numerous occasions. We need to look out for their interests.

Those who lobby on behalf of the disabled community must become more vocal and increase their advocacy. We must remember at all times that those who are able-bodied are just one incident away from losing their sense of mobility. Our disabled community must be empowered with a renewed sense of independence which will allow them to feel an active part of the mainstream society.

We need to change how the society views members of the disabled community.

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com

www.wayaine.blogspot.com

Empower the disabled community

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