Jamaica Observer

Dear Editor,

Old Harbour continues to be one of the fastest-growing towns in St Catherine. But, while this town is growing in numbers, it is certainly not being developed at an acceptable pace.

Hampered by severe traffic congestion for several years, the main road passing through the town was rehabilitated and traffic lights installed. These lights, however, aren't effective as they don't allow pedestrians to cross safely.

Taxi and bus operators continue to occupy plazas, no parking/stopping zones, and 'side' road instead of using the two bus parks allotted to them. The police officers who should be ensuring that none of this happens are too busy having a jolly time.

The market continues to be a waste as it is not used by most of the vendors. Instead, they take their wares to the adjacent parking lots and sidewalks. God bless the few that remain. Where is the parish council while all this takes place?

Minor roads are in dire need of repair. If these roads were fixed then there would be a reduction in the flow of traffic going directly through the town. The last road to be fixed was the one passing the MP's constituency office.

The clinic needs to be upgraded and possibly expanded as it serves thousands of people and will deter them from travelling far distances for health care.

A fire station needs to be built as the previous one was burnt down a few years ago.

A few weeks ago it came to my attention that there was a development committee in place for quite a while now. This was surprising to me as nothing development-wise has been happening.

The Member of Parliament Everald Warmington and the councillor continue to hold back the development of the community. There are no community classes for high school dropouts and those who face challenges with CXC examinations. There are no community sporting events to improve the unity among residents; no yearly back-to-school fairs for students in need. One wonders what is the Community Development Fund being spent on.

The residents of Old Harbour need to know how government funds are being allocated and call on the auditor general to intervene. The Member of Parliament and the relevant authorities must do something about it or step aside.

Shemar Barnes

shem_scb@yahoo.com

Old Harbour needs development

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Dear Editor,

"I promise to stand up for justice, brotherhood and peace..." This statement forms a critical part of my oath to country. Justice, I believe, is a human right. It is like the Caribbean sea in which we float, and, like the sea, it is seemingly calm at times, but at others, like the onset of a hurricane, it is tumultuous and it is uncertain. Like the sea, the permutations of possibilities are endless.

There are some who suggest that justice and the justice system should be overseen by "an oligarchy of gods", and as such should not gyrate itself amongst the hoi polloi. It is my view that justice and the justice system deserves nothing less than the reverence that is bestowed upon our gods.

However, those who participate in it are servants of the system. In large part this system is paid for by us — the people of Jamaica — who understand that it is the guardian of our society, our humanity. It is the rules of this system that help us to navigate it. They take us through various interpretations and outcomes. The system, by its design, has created its own intellectual discretion. It does not abide the strict confines of its borders. For, if it were to do so, it would find itself confined and confused and would inevitably destroy the very reason for which it was created.

Our justice system does not operate in a vacuum. It is dependent on a number of factors which need for attention; resources, financing, etc. The resources on which we rely are largely inherited. Many of the institutions were built in the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of the legislations were also enacted then. What has allowed it to last is that it is not insusceptible to change. For the only thing constant in life is change.

We have increased the supply of entrants to the system. The number of cases being served by the system has increased without a consummate increase in the number of judges or court houses or staff. If we continue along this path what will be the end of it?

Justice is a human right and so the system which protects it, protects humanity. Everyone, therefore, has a duty to protect its preserve. It must work.

Lisamae Gordon

lisamae@malcolmgordonlaw.com

Is justice being served?

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Dear Editor,

As a concerned citizen I am worried about our future. When I listen to the news these days all I hear about are more murders and more failure.

I believe this is directly due to how we have prioritised in the past and at present.

A few things come to mind.

Between the London Olympics and the travels of Cabinet members, including the prime minister, taxpayers spent nearly $300 million. What benefit could have been derived from spending over $100 million in London? Bolt and Shelly and the rest of the athletes did all the marketing and networking that Jamaica needed by their stellar performances on the track. And, as far as I am concerned, the prime minister and her Cabinet are yet to display value for money in the other travels.

Though $300 million may be considered a tiny drop in the bucket in the affairs of a country, would it not be better for the Government to have used those resources more efficiently?

Here are a few suggestions:

How about using $300 million to install solar units at all our hospitals. Remove the hospitals from the JPS grid with the exception of the Intensive Care Units. If not, then use $300 million to set up wind turbines on the three main universities -- UWI, UTech and NCU.

Since they have already wasted approximately $300 million why not spend the next $300 million on something that will add long-term value?

Why not spend $300 million adding staff, technology and whatever else is necessary to help judges to reduce the case backlog so that some confidence may be restored in the justice system?

Better yet, why not use $300 million to plant trees and help reverse deforestation — a major problem in Jamaica, especially in years past.

Best yet, give it to a group of successful business people and charge them with the duty to find young people in the inner city and/or rural communities and lend them money to finance their business ideas at 3 per cent interest. How much more could these ideas hurt?

The Government needs to do a better job at prioritising.

Damion Heslop

damionheslop@yahoo.com

Our priorities have been wrong

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Dear Editor,

I think the Government has a responsibility to address the rampant theft [of electricity] that is going on in these communities. The church also has a huge part to play in helping to improve the moral of people in these communities.

What is going on in these communities is serious cause for concern for the wider society. JPS is really at their wits end and are really running out of ideas to address this situation. It's not an easy situation to handle.

Removing throw ups is an act in futility in these communities because as soon as the JPS team leaves the throw ups are back up again. There is not enough police or resources to patrol these communities to look for those who are stealing electricity from the JPS. Cutting off power to entire communities for that length of time is not a solution, nor is allowing these communities to pay a flat rate.

Electricity theft is a crime and the Government must lead in tackling this crime monster. I suggest the Government announces a six-month amnesty period for all those stealing electricity to get regularized. After that amnesty all home owners/tenants/proprietors caught stealing electricity will be imprisoned for six months.

If you are really sick and poor and need electricity to run you life-support machines/pumps then you sign up for PATH and the government will offset the electricity cost for this purpose.

If you are poor then you burn a candle or oil lamps and use a coal iron. Being poor is not an excuse to steal electricity or for Government to cover your electricity cost.

Government will have to take firm action, and the church, schools and civil society must also do their part to help by improving the moral and values of people living in these communities.

Brad_Ja

Dear Editor,

As we scan the current affairs scene it becomes very obvious that many of us are trading our moral values for mythical progress. We have been slowly bowing to various self-seeking lobbyist groups in fear of losing some financial support.

The homosexual ‘movement’ still pursues pride of place, when it is not debatable that if our ancestors were themselves strict homosexuals we would not have known existence.

Further, ganja is a suspect for infertility. And, while our local drug abuse council is not in full support of general ganja usage, many of us are clamouring for it to be legalised/decriminalised.

It is therefore obvious that we need to be more cautious in how we proceed with our acceptance of ganja. I will not bore you by reminding you of the long list of other breaches that we have committed.

However, before the ripple effect of the implosion does any further damage it is time for us to stop following foreigners and take a good look at our heritage.

And by so doing we will realise that it is our disregard for law and order that brought us to the substandard position that many of us are in.

Concerned

St Andrew

Dear Editor,

One of the most outrageous, if not the most outrageous news items to have emerged recently was the Jamaica Public Service Company's new anti-theft strategy. According to the company, it has now embarked on a policy whereby the company will be cutting the number of hours of electricity it provides to communities where more than 70 per cent of the electricity supply is stolen.

While it is a well known fact the power and light company has struggled over the years to reduce the incidence of theft, certainly this discriminatory policy is not the way to move forward. This misguided policy also seeks to punish those customers who are up-to-date with their accounts by providing them with only 12 hours daily supply of electricity.

This cannot be right, ethical or fair. What are the rights of the paying customers of the Jamaica Public Service Company? Aren't these rights being infringed upon by reducing power to these customers to 12 hours daily? What about the schools and places of business which are located in these areas? It is clear that the long-term implications of this extreme policy have not been thought through properly. What about the morgues, hospitals, health centres, and police stations?

The policy is discriminatory in principle since it targets specific geographical areas, such as Trench Town, Denham Town, Olympic Court off Waltham Park Road, sections of Spanish Town Road and Maxfield Avenue. The flawed policy appears not to have much legal footing and should be challenged in the courts if the company does not withdraw it immediately.

The Jamaica Public Service Company needs to be reminded that electricity theft also occurs in uptown in gated communities as well. Discrimination is alive and well in the 21st century

in Jamaica.

It is clear the Jamaica Public Service Company is at the frustration level. However, their customers should not be penalised nor called upon to bear the brunt of their lack of vision.

A significant part of the problem is the freeness mentality which has been cultivated over the years and which has found support from the political directorate. We are clearly in a crisis mode and this calls for leadership.

If ever there were a policy that is indefensible this is it. This anti-theft strategy needs to be revisited and alternative measures found to deal with and reduce the incidence of electricity theft.

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com

www.wayaine.blogspot.com

12 hours of 'darkness' outrageous

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Dear Editor,

The latest scandal in this beautiful country of ours is the cutting off of electrify by the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) to some of their legal, legitimate customers who are unfortunate enough to reside in some of the light-stealing communities.

Among the comments you hear from those trying to justify JPS's actions is that most people who live in those communities are freeloaders who take what they cannot pay for as they figure society owes it to them. This may be true to a certain extent, but who are the real freeloaders?

In my book, it is not so much residents in those areas, but the members of parliament who do not live in the areas they "represent" but who are the the real beneficiaries of garrison politics. For, in these garrisons, although most residents may get free water, free light and free homes, they have to give up a great deal of their personal freedoms for these benefits, which may be free to them but not to us the taxpayers and consumers of electricity.

The real freeloaders get to enjoy the great benefits that come with being a representative in Parliament without ever having to do a day of campaigning; for the party support has been solidified over time and constantly maintained by the strongmen aligned to the parties. Because of the structure of these constituencies, the representatives have to do absolutely nothing to improve the lot of the residents. And, although from time to time you are assaulted by some pompous pronouncements about the many decades they "have spent serving the people", when you visit these areas, you often see people living in conditions not fit for humans.

As far as the JLP and PNP are concerned, the seats of these garrison constituencies are top prizes to be awarded to the senior and elite of their parties for years of service to their particular political club, with no concern about what the maintenance of these garrisons is doing to the country and the future of our children.

In fact, it is totally disgraceful that, in 2014, while we profile about being a democratic county, almost 25 per cent of the constituencies can be described as garrisons or near-garrisons. Unfortunately for the JPS, they are the only private company that has to deal with the officially endorsed and encouraged theft that comes with garrison politics as the "free" houses and water comes straight out of taxpayers' pockets. I wonder how this outrageous action that the JPS felt forced to take, thus exposing to the world the illegal nature of a large segment of our "democracy", so the blessed ones can sit in Parliament and become our representatives on the world stage, will reflect on our reputation when those who compile the "ease of doing business" figures do their next survey?

Joan E Williams

Kingston 10

gratestj@gmail.com

No, JPS! Let's go after the real freeloaders

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Dear Editor,

The prime minister was right to remove the energy project from Minister Phillip Paulwell's hands. I believe that he was, and is, a passionate advocate for lower energy costs. That, though, is too low a hurdle for praise. All Jamaicans are advocates for lower energy prices. If that were the qualification for the job of minister of energy, hundreds of thousands would qualify.

In his zeal, Paulwell seems to have abandonded expected standards of prudence, diligence and care. Why persist with EWI in the face of obvious questions of credibility? Why proceed if EWI refused to provide audited financials? Why change the terms of the licence given by the OUR? Why seek to interfere with the work of the Office of the Contractor General?

As Mr Aubyn Hill has said, Paulwell seemed to think that the "announcement of US12.88 cents" would, in itself, make it doable. As a result the minister seemed willing to make a mockery of established procedures to facilitate EWI. This led to the worrying state about whether Paulwell was advancing the cause of EWI or the cause of Jamaica.

Zeal and passion are good, but blind zeal and passion are dangerous, especially when the minister who displays these characteristics is vested with so much power. Paulwell was reckless with Jamaica's future and has shown poor judgement in this matter. Left to him, he could have plunged Jamaica into a mountain of trouble. Thank God the prime minister has stepped in. Decisive leadership is what Jamaica needs. I just wish she would be as decisive in other matters.

Matthew Ebanks

matthewebanks714@gmail.com

Good move, PM, Paulwell was reckless

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Dear Editor,

While it is very unfortunate that the United Nations (UN) has been linked to the outbreak of cholera that has been afflicting Haiti since the earthquake a few years ago, I think that the efforts currently underway in Haiti to sue the UN for the outbreak are misplaced.

When the cholera outbreak started soon after the Nepalese contingent of the UN forces arrived to assist Haiti with the earthquake, the UN rejected claims that it was responsible. One can understand why, initially, the UN found it hard to believe that it was the cause of the outbreak.

If the cholera outbreak is indeed linked to the Nepalese troops, then that would be more of an indication of the poor infrastructure that existed in Haiti than anything else. It certainly could not be said that the UN or the West deliberately started the outbreak as part of some grand plan.

Seeing that the UN's involvement in Haiti after the earthquake represents efforts to help, the attempt to sue it is very much in poor taste.

There are many of us in the Caribbean, including so-called black nationalists, who want to punish the UN for the outbreak. It must be remembered that when the earthquake struck, our black nations offered very little real assistance. Strong black nations like Nigeria and South Africa ignored Haiti. Even Caricom, of which Haiti is a member and is mostly black, initially did very little.

Indeed, it took the non-black powers of Brazil, France, the United States, and Nepal through the UN to offer any real assistance. Haiti should instead be grateful to these powers and not angry at them.

Even though it is not completely certain that the UN is responsible for the outbreak, it is not ignoring it. Some time ago, the UN offered support and over US$23 million to both Haiti and the Dominican Republic to help combat the outbreak. The UN is still one of the major backers of efforts to fight cholera in Haiti today.

We must realise that had the UN ignored Haiti in its time of great need after the earthquake, things would have been much worse today. Those pressing this lawsuit should stop being so ungrateful and drop it.

Michael A Dingwall

michael_a_dingwall@hotmail.com

Haiti must not be ungrateful

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On Sunday, May 11, 2014, after reading an article in your newspaper highlighting the arrest of 22 persons in lotto scam raids, I reflected on the fact that some communities in St James and other western parishes are literally owned by scammers.

The list includes Rhyne Park, Flanker, John’s Hall, Anchovy, Bethel Town, Cambridge, Belvedere, Cornwall Mountain, Newmills, Barneyside, to name a few, and going further up in the very deep rural areas where roads, reliable running water and extreme poverty is a challenge all the way though to St Elizabeth and Manchester.

My point is, it is an epidemic that cannot be arrested away. Against this background, scamming has become a very attractive economic activity.

So now, hundreds, if not thousands of people are involved actively/passively to make a living. All the jails cannot hold them.

I can recall a youngster that was killed and, as the mother mourned, the reporter asked what type of job this "good, hard-working youth" did.

She replied, in tears, "a scamming him do". This practice has become an institutionalised job activity to many and is no longer seen as a crime. That is the danger.

The old and very young accept it as they would a carpenter or a plumber.

Where do we go from here?

Yes, there have been a few arrests, but it is getting worse.

We have to grow the economy to absorb all these bright youths graduates or else we are sitting on a crime bomb primed to explode.

Arresting is not a long-term solution, we have a crisis. We need to think our way out of this socio-economic-induced scamming epidemic.

Michael Spence

Kingston 6

micspen2@hotmail.com

Dear Editor,

The JPS by its recent actions has played into the hands of the lawless among us; no entity local or foreign can claim to be upholding the law by breaking law. There is no doubt that the theft of electricity negatively impacts the bottom line of JPS. Therefore, like any corporation, the JPS must take all reasonable steps to stem the loss of revenue.

However, impatience has imbued the JPS CEO and her team with an almost Jamaican penchant for disregarding the rule of law. We have a national tendency to resort to law-breaking in our efforts to 'uphold the law'; hence mob and extrajudicial killings are common features of our society, now accepted by many otherwise well-thinking Jamaicans.

The JPS should stay the course in its present drive to regularise all customers; however, the sooner JPS realises that this is a process the better. This started from as far back as the 1970s concept of "social light and water", and it is embedded in the psyche of inner-city Jamaica.

Going in and removing illegal connections, then putting in place a legal tamper-proof metering system, community by community, along with a public-education campaign is the most sensible approach. To punish paying customers for the actions of others is not only draconian, but seriously contemptuous of the many law-abiding residents of Jamaica's inner cities. Alas, the wanton disregard for the rule of law is par for the course in Jamaica, so in this regard Ms Tomblin and her team may just be falling in line.

The JPS must find ways to more efficiently manage its distribution network. While it is costly, the technology is available to isolate individual connections to the grid. The present operators of JPS must come to grips with the realities of doing business here, dealing with the theft of electricity is certainly not 'pioneering costs' for the present board.

While "locking off the power" is the easiest option for an impatient board, it is certainly the most costly, since the JPS loses considerable revenue each hour the power is out as overheads almost certainly remain fixed, if not increasing.

The theft of electricity is a symptom of a general malaise that plagues not only the inner city but Jamaica in general. Other symptoms are high levels of unemployment, poverty and crime, compounded by low levels of education. Until we begin to address these issues then the scourge of theft of electricity will always be with us. And with each round of daily devaluation of the Jamaican dollar the situation gets even more dire. Today it's 70 per cent theft, but what will it be in a year's time if the economy doesn't improve and inner-city residents cannot be gainfully employed.

Phillip A Chambers

phillipdcchambers@gmail.com

'Law-breaking' not the answer, JPS

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Dear Editor,

The guilty verdict of Senior Superintendent of Police James Forbes on perverting the course of justice charges has been heartbreaking to many who yearn to have an abundance of trusted public officials.

While SSP Forbes still remains a man of dignity, and one who must be part of the reshaping of our beloved country, we must be careful not to promote the idea of persons too important to obey the rule of law. Any acquiescing to such fallacy will pave more avenues for the uninsightful and corrupt to be foisted into leadership.

After the legal processes have been settled, whether in Forbes' favour or against, the goodly law officer will have much reflection to do. And, a positive that must come out the fiasco is that members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and men and women of goodwill in other sections of the society, can use this case to strengthen their capacity not to interfere with the law, even when you believe you have a good cause.

In 1998, during a presentation of the then security minister, K D Knight, in the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, I had an almost one-hour candid discussion with Forbes, covering many social issues. I left the Parliament that day confirming that he was no fake. What was seen of him, through the media, was the real

James Forbes.

A decade later, I sat with him at the Lennon High School, in Clarendon, and on both occasions, he told me (at my asking) that he did not want to be commissioner of police. On the day at Lennon High I stood in awe as he convinced a number of final-year university students to join the JCF after they stated their wish not to be involved in what they saw as a polluted organisation.

Another occasion when I came to once again experience the man's sincere mission of making needed change in his country was the year 2012. A Manchester-based group that is engaged with the mentoring of young people had planned a Father's Day dinner. A very high-profile individual who had agreed to be the guest speaker pulled out at the last minute. A request went to James Forbes and, without hesitation, he consented, stating that once it had to do with young people or community safety the late notice was not important.

You remain my hero, SSP Forbes.

Garfield L Angus

Mandeville PO, Manchester

garigus@yahoo.co.uk

SSP James Forbes

is still my hero

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Dear Editor,

China has been making impressive strides in economic development and political influence. My current sojourn here has afforded me more acute lenses to examine their culture. Although it has only been a little over a week since my arrival, I have noted a number of practices that could be adapted in Jamaica.

First, production is very high. Most supermarkets are shelved with an extensive array of local products. Consequently, food is very affordable.

Secondly, classrooms are properly equipped, instructional sessions are short, English is taught within meaningful contexts, and educators are motivated. All classrooms have a multimedia projector and an interactive whiteboard. These can be activated with the simple press of a button. In light of these resources, audio-visuals can be easily incorporated in any lesson, thereby increasing student engagement.

Additionally, teachers have lapel microphones which mitigate the possibility of vocal strain. Each instructional session lasts for 45 minutes and is followed by a 10-minute respite. This allows teachers to recuperate from what could have been an exhausting session and prepare for the next class.

English is taught in purposeful communicative contexts, which prepares students for real-life discourses. All the language modes (reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing) are equally emphasised for the holistic development of the second-language learner.

Teachers receive special bonuses when their students excel. Indubitably, this is a desirable incentive for many educators.

Thirdly, family planning is paramount to nation-building. Each family is therefore allowed to have only one child. This practice helps to control the population and avert social and economic strain.

With this said, if we are going to recover from a declining economy and combat our social woes, we may need to explore and adapt some best practices like the aforementioned. We cannot perpetuate methods that bear us little to no fortune.

Shawna Kay Williams

shawna201@gmail.com

Lessons from China

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Dear Editor,

Recently a grandmother driving along with her granddaughter was asked by the small child why the man was pointing a gun at her. She was staring at the larger-than-life image of an armed guard which has been appearing in an advertisement on revolving billboards across the city.

Adults seem to have forgotten that their world is also the world of children. In fact, the adults who created this particular advertisement were fortunate enough to grow up in a setting where images of this kind were not inflicted on them daily.

No one is dismissing the seriousness of crime in our nation, but when all is said and done, the country is not at war.

I am calling, therefore, upon all agencies responsible for the protection of children in Jamaica to support this request that guard companies take a more responsible approach to the messages which they project on the public.

Marguerite Curtin

curtin@cwjamaica.com

Let's be careful how we shape messages

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Dear Editor,

A reliable and efficient garbage and refuse collection system is a hallmark of any civilised and modern society. Recently, the frequency of garbage collection in and around the city of Kingston and its environs has been greatly reduced. As a result piles and piles of garbage can be seen all across the city. In fact, some citizens have resorted to the burning of their uncollected garbage which creates yet another layer of environmental problems.

The silence from the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has been deafening regarding an explanation for the inconsistent collection of garbage. This is unacceptable.

It is very much unhealthy to have so much uncollected garbage in and around the Corporate Area and elsewhere. There are many diseases which thrive in an unhealthy environment. Diseases such as the rodent-borne leptospirosis, as well as the mosquito-borne viral diseases of dengue, malaria and Chikungunya all flourish in unsanitary conditions.

It should be very clear that the unreliable and inconsistent collection of garbage is a public health emergency and the authorities need to seriously address the matter with a sense of urgency.

As a developing society aspiring to achieve First World status, we clearly need to revisit the management, collection and disposal of garbage and refuse. Why is it that the National Solid Waste Management Authority cannot operate on a schedule? The current system employed is too haphazard and allows for chaos and confusion since as citizens we do not know which day the garbage will be collected. There needs to be a designated collection day, whereby working members of the society can confidently put out their garbage for collection. Maybe we should look at the possibility of removing the collection of garbage from local to central government to give the process more attention.

One thing is certain, we cannot continue along this path. The time has come for the Government to have a national policy on waste management.

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com

www.wayaine.blogspot.com

Garbage all around

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Dear Editor,

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) seems to be at the crux of frustration. A recent news article quoted Gary Barrow, the company's senior vice-president for energy delivery, saying: "We have tried everything to reduce electricity theft." The article further states that: "The company, which some years ago launched a compliance campaign with the tag line 'How Come?', explained that in 2013 it removed more than 197,000 illegal lines, carried out more than 113,000 account audits and meter investigations, and facilitated the arrest of more than 1,200 persons for electricity theft." With all that effort, they are still unable to prevent people from stealing electricity.

JPS then took a decision, as part of a strategy to get more people in communities where more than 70 per cent of the power is stolen to pay for the electricity they use, and reduce the overall cost to paying customers. The company said that it "will make an effort to provide electricity for not less than 12 hours per day, and will remain sensitive to the safety concerns of the residents."

The OUR states that if the company does that, then that will be in breach of their contractual agreement, what are they to do? The company is targeting specific communities. However, of a population of 2.7 million people, over 1 million are living below the poverty line. So, is it that they genuinely cannot afford it, or is it that they can pay but refuse to do so because the option of stealing is available?

The OUR states that if the company does that, then that will be in breach of their contractual agreement, what are they to do? The company is targeting specific communities. However, of a population of 2.7 million people, over 1 million are living below the poverty line. So, is it that they genuinely cannot afford it, or is it that they can pay but refuse to do so because the option of stealing is available?

Some are saying that the 'good cannot suffer for the bad,' while others are saying JPS needs to follow through because they have to be paying for what others are getting free. The company is losing billions of dollars in revenue, and, if that trajectory continues, the company will be left with two options, either they stop providing the service or they increase the tax rate. Either way, they will come under heavy criticism by the public and interest groups. How can they mitigate the problem? What are the other alternatives? Having tried everything and failed, what are they left to do?

JPS has become weary of trying and has run out of ideas. Minister Paulwell proposed that those who are stealing electricity should pay a minimum of $2,000 per month, and over time, it will gradually increase. This idea landed him, 'the stupid idea of the year award'. But are there any merits to that proposal? I think before we judge it, let us examine it. I think Minister Paulwell's intention was to get people into the 'mentality' of paying. This, in theory, is classified as "classical conditioning".

The philosophical question still stands, though, if we stop people from stealing, will that make them pay? And, if they pay, will that stop them from stealing?

Kenroy Davis

Clark's Town, Trelawny

The JPS conundrum

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Dear Editor,

The latest move by the Jamaica Public Service Company to disconnect the electricity of the communities in which the majority of the residents are stealing electricity — punishing even those who are paying in the area — has been condemned by many Jamaicans, me included. However, I have not heard many people attempting to offer solutions to this problem.

Like most, if not all paying customers this problem is of great concern to me, as I see the problem of electricity theft is more a police problem than it is a JPS problem. It is natural, however, that the JPS would be concerned and lead the charge, because this how they earn revenue and they are losing money because of this illegal activity.

Stealing electricity is a crime, and it is the mandate of the police to see to crime prevention as well as to investigate, gather evidence, arrest and ensure the prosecution of those who are offenders of the law.

It is my view that the police force should set up a special branch with its sole responsibility to reduce the occurrence of electricity theft and to arrest and charge those who commit this offence.

Stealing electricity is no different from stealing a car, a farmer's produce or a bandit holding up a person and taking away his hard-earned money.

The flip side is that one could suggest that the JPS employ special people to do this instead of the police. The distinct disadvantage is that this, in itself, would not do much to prevent electricity theft and furthermore they — the JPS — do not possess the power of arrest.

I am also of the view that the company, initially, should give everyone the opportunity to become regularised by making the process of applying easier; reducing the (red tape) excessive formality and routine required before officially making them customers and ensuring that the process becomes more customer-friendly.

Let us look into creating a special branch, be it in the police force or a combination of the persons employed to the JPS and members of the police. Forming a special branch to specifically police this offence, with the view to first prevent it, should be the avenue pursued. It would then bring to book those who are still brave enough to steal electricity after its implementation.

Gary Rowe

Magnett0072004@yahoo.com

Start a special police branch for electricity theft

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Dear Editor,

Your photo on the front page of the Jamaica Observer on Friday, May 16, was fantastic from many points of view.

Your caption brought attention to the fact that the children at the Bob Marley Primary and Junior High School in St Ann were improvising by using a stone to play football. This, of course, emphasised the love of the game and the obvious determination to play, no matter what. Of course, this is an islandwide phenomenon.

But more touching and revealing to me was the involvement of a girl in the game of four. And indeed, if my eyes are correct, she had possession of the ball!

Oh this is a wonderful sight as just the photo alone reveals what we are experiencing at the JFF which is the growing interest in the game by girls and their utter determination to 'play ball' and 'strike hard' just as the boys.

I don't think your photographer Karl McLarty understands the power of the photo. You can imagine how many other girls will note the fact of this girl in the football game and the confidence she is displaying.

The JFF and indeed our Reggae Girlz will be in touch with the school and I am sure the ambassador of the JFF women's programme, Cedella Marley, will be pleased that we do.

Janice Rose-Brown

Director of Operations, PR & Events

Jamaica Football Federation

20 St Lucia Crescent

Kingston 5

You go, girl!

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Dear Editor,

I have heard a very forceful Dr Carolyn Gomes, formerly of JFJ, referring to the buggery law as discriminatory and that Prof Bain had spoken in support of its retention in Belize.

These laws, as I know it, discriminate between wrong behaviour and right behaviour and apply sanctions to the former.

The issue, therefore, is not about discriminatory laws, but one's view of right or wrong. As long as we are prepared to abandon absolute standards of right and wrong then it is possible for special interests groups to bully the society into submission to their particular vice.

If we accept Gomes' logic then what arguments are we going to proffer against incest and beastiality, etc? God help us!

Omar Kenyata

Kingston

hardcore.kenyata53@gmail.com

Laws discriminate against wrong

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Dear Editor,

I have listened to and read many responses to the dismissal of Professor Brendan Bain as the head of CHART and I am deeply saddened. Therefore, I would like to address some folks.

To my Christian brothers and sisters: Please remember the other sexual sins of fornication and adultery that the Bible speaks against. The problems that having sex before marriage and adultery have caused in Jamaica are great. Over 80 per cent of Jamaican babies are born out of wedlock, putting a burden on our health and education systems, our economy, and even our crime rate. Other trying matters such as poverty, child abuse, corruption, homelessness, and so many others have not received as much zeal from the Christian community. Let us not be the blind guides who strain out the gnat but swallow the camel.

I believe we should support Professor Bain, but we should not use this as just an opportunity to underpin an agenda at all costs. Remember, as Christians we should be known by our love. Some of the words used by many Christians this past week have been unloving and unkind. Life and death is in the power of the tongue. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Jesus tells us to love our neighbour, even those who do not share our beliefs.

To those who are not Christians, but are against homosexuality: Since you have used Biblical principles to support your point of view of not agreeing with homosexuality, I would like to invite you to follow the Bible in its entirety and to have an intimate relationship with Christ. When you do so, your opinion of homosexuality may not change, but your heart towards the homosexual will. In turn, your speech will too, as out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

To the LGBT community and supporters: I have seen the face of HIV/AIDS on underprivileged women and children who also need a voice. I understand that you see a conflict of interest in Prof Bain's words, but I would see more of a conflict of interest if he did not tell what he believes to save lives, in spite of research and opinions to the contrary. I have heard and read that he has worked tirelessly to help those who have HIV/AIDS, discriminating no one. The Caribbean's prevalence of HIV/AIDS is second only to Sub-Saharan Africa. How can we lose a leading expert in the field when we need an army of skilled soldiers to help chart the course to battle this disease?

To my fellow Jamaicans who wish that some of the energy could be diverted to myriad other issues we face as a nation: Don't give up hope. Continue to fight the good fight of faith. I say to you as I say to myself: "...in the service of my fellow citizens. I promise to stand up for justice, brotherhood and peace, to work diligently and creatively, To think generously and honestly, so that, Jamaica may, under God, increase in beauty, fellowship and prosperity, and play her part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race."

Nicola Carara

ncar2009@aol.com

To the Christian and the no so Christian

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Old Harbour needs development

Is justice being served?

Our priorities have been wrong

ONLINE READERS COMMENT: Govt should address electricity theft not the JPS

Stop the trading values

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No, JPS! Let's go after the real freeloaders

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Lessons from China

Let's be careful how we shape messages

Garbage all around

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Start a special police branch for electricity theft

You go, girl!

Laws discriminate against wrongdoers

To the Christian and the no so Christian