Dear Editor,
I am beginning to wonder if our government officials are listening to and considering some of the good, free advice I see in the print media, hear on call-in programmes and read online through comments.
While many may be considered to be verbal debris, or just plain partisan, some Jamaicans are genuine in their desire to put forth ideas towards problem-solving for our country.
Some private sector companies respond immediately to customer concerns. They have staff whose job it is to scour the print media, listen to the radio, and keep abreast of customer concerns. Recently, I saw two immediate apologies and redesign of systems to make things better for their paying customers. Private companies, whose bottom line could be hit, pay attention when clients talk. They also want to give the appearance that they care; that is good public relations.
To give the appearance that our Government cares, people must feel that someone is listening. If you listen and don't respond to suffering, hardships and concerns, that is as good as being deaf. Much of the advice given to Government through media is invaluable. They don't have to pay consultancy fees. I am led to wonder about many of the officials that are getting huge salaries or contract arrangements to present big reports and take care of the country's business. I wonder about their effectiveness when I look around and see that many of our problems are uncomplicated and would need only easy fixes. This makes me wonder about the will and sincerity for resolution.
To give the appearance that our Government cares, people must feel that someone is listening. If you listen and don't respond to suffering, hardships and concerns, that is as good as being deaf. Much of the advice given to Government through media is invaluable. They don't have to pay consultancy fees. I am led to wonder about many of the officials that are getting huge salaries or contract arrangements to present big reports and take care of the country's business. I wonder about their effectiveness when I look around and see that many of our problems are uncomplicated and would need only easy fixes. This makes me wonder about the will and sincerity for resolution.
What has happened to "Recycle Now Jamaica"? This is a good initiative, but seems a drop in the bucket for the amount of garbage we have in Jamaica. What about cans, bottles, newspapers, plastic, and cardboard? How many calls have there been for us to have a serious incentivised islandwide recycling programme? Let's do this! Something like this could pay for itself in a short while.
While recognising that some of our issues are deep-rooted, complex, and may take even a generation to fix, other problems can be fixed. Let's just do it!
Sandra M Taylor Wiggan
sandra_wiggan@yahoo.co.uk
Are our leaders listening?
-->
I am beginning to wonder if our government officials are listening to and considering some of the good, free advice I see in the print media, hear on call-in programmes and read online through comments.
While many may be considered to be verbal debris, or just plain partisan, some Jamaicans are genuine in their desire to put forth ideas towards problem-solving for our country.
Some private sector companies respond immediately to customer concerns. They have staff whose job it is to scour the print media, listen to the radio, and keep abreast of customer concerns. Recently, I saw two immediate apologies and redesign of systems to make things better for their paying customers. Private companies, whose bottom line could be hit, pay attention when clients talk. They also want to give the appearance that they care; that is good public relations.
To give the appearance that our Government cares, people must feel that someone is listening. If you listen and don't respond to suffering, hardships and concerns, that is as good as being deaf. Much of the advice given to Government through media is invaluable. They don't have to pay consultancy fees. I am led to wonder about many of the officials that are getting huge salaries or contract arrangements to present big reports and take care of the country's business. I wonder about their effectiveness when I look around and see that many of our problems are uncomplicated and would need only easy fixes. This makes me wonder about the will and sincerity for resolution.
To give the appearance that our Government cares, people must feel that someone is listening. If you listen and don't respond to suffering, hardships and concerns, that is as good as being deaf. Much of the advice given to Government through media is invaluable. They don't have to pay consultancy fees. I am led to wonder about many of the officials that are getting huge salaries or contract arrangements to present big reports and take care of the country's business. I wonder about their effectiveness when I look around and see that many of our problems are uncomplicated and would need only easy fixes. This makes me wonder about the will and sincerity for resolution.
What has happened to "Recycle Now Jamaica"? This is a good initiative, but seems a drop in the bucket for the amount of garbage we have in Jamaica. What about cans, bottles, newspapers, plastic, and cardboard? How many calls have there been for us to have a serious incentivised islandwide recycling programme? Let's do this! Something like this could pay for itself in a short while.
While recognising that some of our issues are deep-rooted, complex, and may take even a generation to fix, other problems can be fixed. Let's just do it!
Sandra M Taylor Wiggan
sandra_wiggan@yahoo.co.uk
Are our leaders listening?
-->