National Heroes Sunday: October 20, 2013

It’s been a warm, sleepy Sunday. Tomorrow is National Heroes Day and some of our neighbors are out of town, leaving the street to us and the birds.

A PR job: The Jamaica Constabulary Force pulled all the stops out over the past week or so to let us know that they are tackling (“fighting”) crime with determination, through their “Operation Resilience.” They held a press conference, informing us that murders have increased by 6 per cent over last year (yet the Minister of National Security told us that major crimes were down by 14 per cent, recently). They seem to be most concerned about West Kingston, where they killed three alleged gangsters recently (Fitzroy Gaynor, Demar Cameron and Troy Vassell, all “wanted” for various murders). They seized guns that were “linked” to several other murders. Is this the way to solve crime? We know that a gun is often rented/borrowed. So the person in whose possession it is found is not necessarily responsible for all the activities that the gun itself engaged in. And anyway, the person is dead. Read more here: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=48751 and http://rjrnewsonline.com/local/success-in-fight-to-recover-illegal-weapons-in-west-kingston and http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/M16-assault-rifle-seized–8-arrested

Perhaps Commissioner Ellington should read the letters from community worker Horace Levy, again. Levy suggests, “Why not discuss a PREVENTIVE strategy – its methods, advantages, costs?” Shootouts, raids in which thirty-odd young men are scooped up, curfews etc. have been done over and over again to no effect. We know the police are overwhelmed; but this is not the way to solve crime – not even short-term. Here’s Mr. Levy’s letter of August 31: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130831/letters/letters1.html

And we are told that the lotto scam is abating due to the efforts of local officials; while former scammers are reportedly turning to armed robbery instead, so that they can keep themselves in the style they have become accustomed to. Read here: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20131020/lead/lead1.html

Everything’s hunky dory, right? Because the preferred bidder for the 360MW power project, Energy World International (EWI) has come up with the required security bond on time, as a precursor to all the negotiations that still lie ahead: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20131019/lead/lead1.html But why do I feel that we have a long way to go? There is a lot of work to be done, and time is short. I agree with Minister Phillip Paulwell, who says: “Jamaica needs cheaper energy, and we need it urgently.” You’re telling me!

Efficiency: The public sector is the place to start if the Government is serious about energy efficiency and conservation. It is apparently “accelerating” its plans to do so. Again, time is of the essence! Read the JIS report here: http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads-111/35364

I have never been convinced by the Simpson Miller administration’s emphasis on local government reform – or local government in general. Judging from the performances of some of our local officials in recent times, I am even less impressed. But new legislation is before Cabinet, and the Canadians are pumping good money into the Local Economic Development program, intended to strengthen small businesses at the community level. (Read more about it here: http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads/35371) I hope that this is something sustainable and worthwhile. But God, now please send us some local officials with integrity, who can (at least) tell right from wrong…

Rampant Jamaican farm workers: An article in today’s Gleaner disturbed me somewhat. http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20131020/news/news2.html It appears that Canadian officials feel that some Jamaican farm workers (of the male variety) are “serial sexual harassers.” The Canadians are trying not to appear racially prejudiced etc. when asserting that downtown Leamington, Ontario has become hazardous for women because of the Jamaican workers, who walk four or five abreast – and “won’t get out of the way like Mexican workers do.” Humph. The Gleaner seems to think the Government should intervene and defend these farm workers. Why should they? What say you, my dear readers? This is a sensitive one.

My favorite church man: Once again, the head of the Anglican Church in Jamaica is making perfect sense, and raising some difficult issues which in many ways are the cause of considerable conflict in our society. The government agency, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has decided to stop members of the public from entering a place called Little Dunn’s River, effectively shutting down a favorite hangout spot because some people are behaving badly there. I share Archbishop Howard Gregory’s concern – it is an uncomfortable feeling that not only “the poor,” but the Jamaican people in general are being pushed away. Read the column here: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/Why-deprive-the-poor-of-our-resources-_15274229 It is a vexed issue. And a chicken and egg situation that just creates more resentment, illegal behavior etc…

Broadband: Disappointingly, only eight per cent of Jamaicans have access to broadband Internet. And even more disappointingly the Government is holding the the two 700 MHz band licenses that it had up for sale to itself, demanding a high price. There have been no offers. I may be missing something but how is this in the interest of the Jamaican people, please? Observer article here: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/Jamaica–growing-to-full-broadband-pentration_15282049

Childish: It seems that youth isn’t always an asset in politics. I am so sick of the silly nonsense coming out of the Opposition Leader’s mouth that… OK. Just grow up. OK?

Flipping trouble: Now a so-called “dancehall entertainer” with an apparently flamboyant lifestyle has got himself into trouble in the United States. He now has the dubious distinction of being an alleged “drug kingpin.” His name is Flippa Mafia, Moggala or something like that. aka plain Andrew Davis. http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20131019/lead/lead21.html

Just words: At an event last week, I watched Environment Minister Robert Pickersgill read out a speech urging us all to be good stewards of our environment. How about the government being good stewards, and not selling off a protected area like Goat Islands? http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Citizens-need-to-be-stewards-of-environment–says-Pickersgill

I love chocolate: So I was really happy to read that there has been a considerable increase in cocoa production in Jamaica. I know huge efforts have been made to revive the industry from various quarters, including some overseas support. Read more: http://rjrnewsonline.com/local/cocoa-industry-board-reports-increase-in-production

Muchos kudos to all:

This year’s eight Musgrave Medal winners. It struck me, though: don’t most of these cultural achievers live permanently overseas? http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads/35354
JET’s Program Manager, the young and dynamic environmentalist Suzanne Stanley was a guest on Young Power (Power 106 FM) – a good Saturday morning program, by the way.
Saturday’s Gleaner highlighted the aspirations of two lovely Jamaican girls. Ms. Kayann Boucher wants to make her mark in the area of mental health – a much neglected issue. And Kostya Brooks is committed to community development in deep rural Portland (Ginger Hut and surrounding communities really are off the beaten track). I wish them both the best as they pursue their dreams. Here are the articles about them: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20131019/news/news2.html (Kayann Boucher), and http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20131019/news/news21.html (Kostya Brooks).
Paul H Williams wrote a very interesting report on the Seville Heritage Park in yesterday’s Gleaner, and took some great photos too. We need more focus on our heritage – all year round, not just this week.
To the Spanish Embassy in Jamaica (very belatedly) for the truly beautiful restoration of Kingston’s Holy Trinity Cathedral. The last time I visited, it was so dilapidated. Thank you! I’m also glad to see that the old Ocho Rios Courthouse, a lovely building, is to be restored. If we fixed these buildings one by one, we might get somewhere in preserving our heritage.
Taming the jet ski riders: I am glad to hear that the import of jet skis has been banned for six months, and that other regulatory measures will be put in place. Things should have never reached the level of lawlessness (resulting in deaths and injuries) that I have described in previous posts. I really hope that this will be the start of a new, properly regulated activity in Jamaica’s sensitive tourism sector, before there are any more accidents.
Music stalwart Monty Blake and the Merritone family did a fabulous clean-up of the graves of the Blues Busters, two pioneer singers, in Montego Bay. It’s important to respect the dead. Good for them. http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Merritone-family-leads-clean-up-of-Blues-Busters–graves_15288495
Ms. Shanique Myrie: The Jamaican woman who endured a humiliating search at the Barbados airport (and recently won her case against the Barbadian government) says she wants to become an activist for human rights and justice, and is considering a partnership with a local community-based organization that I know is quite forward-looking in this respect. I hope something comes of this. Good for her. Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Ambassador-against-injustice-_15277157
Parris Lyew-Ayee: The new Eisenhower Fellow for Jamaica. He joins a very select group (there are actually only two other Fellows still alive; two died tragically, in fact). Read more about here: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Parris-Lyew-Ayee-is-Jamaica-s-newest-Eisenhower-Fellow_15274036

Overseas… This report brought back happy childhood memories of English schooldays. “Conkers” are the seed of the magnificent horse chestnut tree that fall in the autumn. I remember looking under the trees for those with the smoothest mahogany-brown skin. The game of conkers consists of trying to knock and break the conker of your opponent, suspended on a string. Sounds a bit silly, but there is some skill and strength involved. When I was a child, schools never asked parents’ permission for children to play it! Read more here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-24578863

I talk quite a bit about the weather, and the fact is that not one single tropical storm or hurricane has truly entered the Caribbean this season – which is extraordinary. This article from Climate Central explains some of the factors: http://www.climatecentral.org/news/what-happened-to-the-2013-atlantic-hurricane-season-16616 Of course, the season doesn’t end until November 30, but at this point…we might be totally in the clear. Fingers crossed.

The following Jamaicans lost their lives violently in the past four days. My deepest condolences as always to the families and friends who are grieving:

Fabian Campbell, 33, Ocho Rios, St. Ann

Unidentified teen, Boulevard Baptist Church/HEART NTA Training Centre, Kingston 20

Unidentified man, Phil’s Hardware, Twickenham Park, St. Catherine

Zachariah Angus, 81, Fontabelle, St. Mary (reported as unidentified in last blog)

Canute Thompson, 28, Retirement, St. James

Romaine Baker, 24, Adelphi, St. James

Olivia Dacres, 54, Prospect, St. Thomas

Here are a few more articles/topics of interest:

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20131017/cleisure/cleisure3.html The Girl Declaration: Let’s protect our girls: Jaevion Nelson column/Gleaner

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/27-juveniles-attempt-suicide-in-four-years_15284139 27 juveniles attempt suicide in four years: Jamaica Observer

http://rjrnewsonline.com/local/more-than-2000-jamaicans-living-in-modern-day-slavery-report More than 2,000 Jamaicans living in modern-day slavery – report: RJR News

http://rjrnewsonline.com/local/shaw-presents-policy-framework-weighs-in-on-360-megawatt-controversy Shaw presents policy framework, weighs in on 360 megawatt controversy: RJR