Sorry, people. The next couple of news posts may be a little curtailed. We have a house guest and will be somewhat distracted. So, forgive me if I miss something vital. I hope I won’t. My blog will be back to something like normal on January 12!
Agricultural mess: I am starting to wonder if anyone knows anything about agriculture in this country – let alone how to develop and manage it. The Auditor General’s (AG) report is always pretty alarming when it is tabled in Parliament, setting several cats among many pigeons. One naughty cat is the AG’s report on the operations of a government agency called the Agro-Investment Corporation (AIC). Trouble afoot. The AIC apparently implements special projects related to the much-touted agro-parks. But it seems that within a year or so something has gone very badly wrong. An unauthorized person has been signing millions of dollars’ worth of cheques; and the AIC is spending way above its income. Who is suffering as a result of all this? The farmers, of course. See Ingrid Brown’s article (“Agro-park mess” in the Jamaica Observer). Minister of Agriculture Roger Clarke told the press today that he finds charges of abandoning farmers “very upsetting” (he described them as “some guys” who were “informal settlers”). The Minister says, “People don’t understand what is agriculture.” Too right. But isn’t your ministry in the business of guiding/training these poor, misguided “guys”? My issue is: What, if anything, can be done to rectify all this? Minister Clarke, though claiming to be upset, seemed very laid-back about it at the press briefing today.
The murder of a Canadian woman was briefly mentioned in the local media over the New Year holiday (when everyone was asleep anyway, or partying). But it has been widely reported overseas, including the Huffington Post. 53-year-old Shirley Lewis-McFarlane of Aurora, Ontario was not a tourist and had just settled in Jamaica after traveling back and forth for years. People will immediately say “Oh, very bad publicity for the island,” but I am just so saddened by the needless violence, which affects us all, Jamaicans included.
This is my “get on with it” section:
Mr. Adijah Palmer (otherwise known as Vybz Kartel, noted dancehall entertainer) has just spent his third consecutive Christmas/New Year behind bars. He and four others are charged with a murder in 2011. He was acquitted of another murder. Mr. Kartel has spent too long in jail and it seems as if the trial is getting bogged down. Data from electronic devices may or may not be considered as evidence. And the dismal, endless corruption trial of a former junior politician, Kern Spencer and his assistant continues. Both these “high profile” trials are symptomatic of the many cases, on which the media spotlight does not shine, that are just endless. We know what is said about “justice delayed”…
And isn’t it about time the police and the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) got to the bottom of the mysterious shooting of a trainee policeman during an exercise at the police academy, one year ago? The family has also not received any compensation for 20-year-old Constable Ricardo McKenzie’s death. INDECOM is working on it and will hopefully finalize their report soon.
Girls behind bars: In a worrying report by Tyrone Reid in the Sunday Gleaner an unnamed source said the majority of warders in the “juvenile facility” (a euphemism for prison) are male! I am afraid that many of the concerns regarding juvenile offenders (both male and female) are not going to go away in 2014. Jamaicans for Justice says that an unusually high number of girls are also on suicide watch at the new “facility” on South Camp Road, the location of an all-male prison. But the Commissioner of Corrections, Jevene Bent, has responded quickly, noting that of the 128 members of staff, 59 are female, 52 are male and 17 are female civilian staff. The males are mainly responsible for the security of the compound. Let’s keep an eye on these issues.
A “cock-up”? Really? I’m puzzled at the use of this expression by some local reporters. I don’t find it really acceptable language for a newspaper like the Gleaner – in the very first sentence of a report. For me, “cock-up” is equivalent to “screw-up” or “f…..up” and yet Mr. Reid and others have used it as if it is quite normal. Well, for a start it is slang, and not very pleasant slang either. What do you think, my readers?
What’s happening with the smaller hotels in Montego Bay, especially on its well-known “Hip Strip”? The Coral Cliff Hotel, which has been around for many years, has just closed its doors. The former Breezes (a really nice small property, where we have stayed) is still closed. Why is this happening? Are the huge all-inclusives (like the gigantic one I stayed at last year) taking away their business?
I find Mr. Ian Boyne – Sunday Gleaner columnist and TV host – long-winded at best, but this week I agree with his simple comment on “the crime monster” as it is frequently called: “Technology is no panacea. Social intervention is not [well, it’s important though]. Certainly, changing ministers is not. The police need to earn our respect, honor and support, then we can ‘unite to fight crime’…”
Omar update: The Minister of Transport and Works Omar Davies has finally returned to work after a hip operation. But he is not back in office. Why? Because the elevator in his Ministry is not working and he cannot yet climb the stairs. I wonder what happens to Jamaicans with disabilities? How many government offices are disabled-friendly? Very few, I suspect.
Well done…
19-year -old Ms. Angelique Bateau, who has supported her studies at Seaforth High School, St. Thomas by selling her pastries. She recently received an award from the Association of Principals and Vice Principals for outstanding performance in last year’s Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). I hope her work will enable her to finance studies at the University of the West Indies. If anyone can help her along the way…
I love Daniel Thwaites’ column in the Sunday Gleaner this week, including his wicked digs at the antics that took place at the dancehall extravaganza “Sting” on Boxing Day. He thinks that the “clash” between Lady Saw and Macka Diamond (two female DJs) has “revolutionary potential,” because “nothing will move us away from the patriarchal ordering of society faster than women calling each other whores and sluts for the amusement of an audience.” Touché!
And all those who made the huge, sold-out fundraiser for the Shaggy Foundation to benefit the Bustamante Hospital for Children a success. I watched most of the live stream, but sadly did not stay awake to see the Damian Marley/Sean Paul performance right at the end. Kudos to all, especially Mr. Shaggy. Tessanne Chin sang beautifully (laughing excitedly in between songs) – and she is a beautiful person too, of whom all Jamaicans can be very proud. All the entertainers who performed free for this great cause are to be commended.
Another piece of clever PR work was the invitation to one of Tessanne’s rivals in the U.S. talent show “The Voice,” Matthew Schuler, to come to Jamaica with his family for a holiday and to perform at the show. Mr. Schuler was delightful and did some good work on behalf of “Brand Jamaica,” as our politicians like to call it.
Recommended website: If you want thought-provoking short videos (of the non-musical kind) on a wide variety of topics, you can’t do better than upworthy.com. Some of it is rather U.S.-oriented, but posts like this simply make my day… (and I had to wipe away a tear or two). http://www.upworthy.com/clear-your-next-10-minutes-because-this-video-could-change-how-happy-you-are-with-your-entire-week?c=ufb2 This website is guaranteed to make you sit up and take notice.
A teacher at Mona Heights Primary School in Kingston was killed over the weekend as he played dominoes. A fourteen-year-old boy stabbed his thirteen-year-old friend to death during an argument, plunging two families who know each other well into grief. Every name, every statistic is a tragedy for those left behind. I offer my condolences, as always..
Paul Watson, 26, Harbour View, Kingston
Omar Campbell, 27, Harbour View, Kingston
Unidentified, Darling Street, Kingston
Richard Thomas, 27, Shooter’s Hill/Bull Bay, St. Andrew
Sewan Palmer, 33, Shooter’s Hill/Bull Bay, St. Andrew
Jevaughnie Gordon, 13, Clarks Town, Trelawny
Orville Smith, May Pen, Clarendon
David Allen, 45, Lilliput, St. James
Gregory Burke, 29, Top Lincoln/Grange Hill, Westmoreland
Killed by police:
Lakwana Miller, 22, Llandilo, Westmoreland
Omar McLeish, Racecourse, Trelawny
Petchary's Blog 
The murder of Shirley Lewis-McFarlane was big news here, her hometown is only an hour away from me. I normally don’t pay attention to murders in other countries but when someone from my own country is murdered overseas, I question whether or not I should visit that country.
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Of course… I would do the same, certainly. Whether that person was a “tourist” or not. It’s incredibly sad and disturbing.
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It would be nice if the government find it in them assist these farmers with local work shops. I am sure they can find professionals who are willing to donate their time to better s good cause.
Canadian Death
It really is a tragedy that the lady was murdered on the island where she choose to settle. One should be able to live in any land with terror at their front door. Its even worst that the story was only flashed on the news and not given an indebt review.
School scholar
Angelique seems to be a very focused student and I hope receives the financial assistance to attend college.
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Yes, exactly that was my point about the farmers. Give them the support and training they need. Don’t just say “People don’t know anything about farming,” as the Minister said the other night, dismissively. How does that help?
I think if the media had really picked up on the Canadian woman’s story, they could have treated it in a sensitive and thoughtful way. But hardly seemed to notice it, while it was being reported in different ways in overseas media. It is very sad.
Yes, I wish Angelique all the best, too!
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