**************************************************** **************************************************** *** *** *** THE PORTMORE WEBSITE NEWSLETTER *** *** *** **************************************************** **************************************************** Newsletter: Number 03 for 2005 - Edition 1 Publication Date: January 14, 2005 Title: We got the address (KR) Editor: Kennedy Reid Subscribers: 164 Sign up: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/portmore_newsletter/ Reply to: webmaster@portmore.org Web site: http://www.portmore.org Phone: 876-320-7343 CONTENTS ======== 1. Hearing from the Member of Parliaments 2. Notes from the Portmore Municipal Council meeting - K Reid 3. No tears for the Causeway - Conliffe Wilmot-Simpson 4. one way system back lash - whycke-andre spence 5. "How to Defeat Willie Lynch before 2012" - Mrs. McNish ############################################################ 1. Hearing from the Member of Parliaments. ############################################################ Hello readers. I have good news. I spoke with Minister Fitz Jackson yesterday and he was more than willing for you all to have his e-mail address. So here it is.... "Fitz Jackson" "Hon, Fitz Jackson" I am still attempting to get the address for Dr. Robertson. I hope you all hear from them. Below are notes from the last Municipal Council meeting. I am sorry that they have failed to have the meetings aired on Cable since this would add public pressure to the deliberations. Please try to attend the meetings. They are held on the 2nd Wednesday nights of the month. ############################################################ 2. Notes from the Portmore Municipal Council meeting - K Reid ############################################################ Notes from the Portmore Municipal Council meeting Jan 12, 2005 - 7:00 pm * the meeting was chaired by the Mayor Lee. He stated that 2005 would be a "year of action" in which many items not acted on in 2004 would executed. He lamented that only one person was before the courts last year and that this year the Council will seek to execute "Enforcement". Top priority for 2005 would be the "Better Neighbourhood" program designed to 'green' the Green areas. This year an agreement would be signed with an international agency to create a development program for Portmore. Also, by the end of the month an Animal Pound agreement would be signed with a private company. There are 4 housing developments on the books for this year in Portmore. Next Council meeting will debate on the Toll road; additionally, the meeting times of the Council will be revisited. * The Council will be looking at Road Numbering this year. * There are 10 staff members at the Municipal Office. The Ministry of Local Gov. is questioning the hiring practices in light of government limitations. The municipality contends that the staff is needed to function effectively and the Council is able to pay for the temporary staff and municipal police for itself. * There is a "stop order" on the building in front of La Roose. * Councillors forcefully questioned the conditions at Hellshire beach and restated the need to act on the garbage, sewage, water, and other beaches at that location. * The land between 2 North and the Police Station is slated for small businesses, The Mayor bemoaned the tardiness of the Ministry of Housing (who owns the land) in surveying the land. A 'Letter of position' is being solicited from the same ministry so that the lands allocated to the Municipality can be developed. * Questions were asked, and concerns raised, about the raw sewage and lilies in the gully by Waterford and Portsmouth. The mosquitoes in this area are significant. The pot holes on the Old Braeton road are to be a priority once money is in place for road repairs. The Drain behind Monza is also to be looked at. There are 800 persons in Naggo Head area looking for Hurricane Ivan relief. * The Health and Fire Services appealed for resources in order to be effective. The Police wanted motor vehicles. * There were 144 killings in South St. Catherine in 2004. 50% were resolved. The Fire Service checked 1024 hydrants and 58% are in good working order. there is continuous mosquito spraying in Portmore. **************************************************** ***AdVT.******************************************** *** *** *** Lees Fifth Avenue *** *** *** *** 'Visit us online at' *** *** http://www.leesfifthavenue.com/ *** *** *** *** *** ********************************************ADVT.*** **************************************************** **************************************************** ############################################################ 3. No tears for the Causeway - Conliffe Wilmot-Simpson ############################################################ Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 05:02:29 -0800 (PST) From: "Conliffe Wilmot-Simpson" Subject: Re: Need More Leadeship and Light on the Toll issue To: "kennedy Reid" Kennedy, Thanks for publishing my note. I compose all of my letters solely on my behalf. I do not attempt to speak for any of the organisations that I support. I speak for myself as a resident of Portmore for 19 years. I have had 19 years of poor communication with my community via the Causeway. Before I was driving, I spent a lot of time walking to the T junction to catch Suzette, or cramped in the Concord. Whether driving myself or in public transport, it was the same often overcrowded, very often poorly maintained and at times very unsafe road that I had to contend with. I cannot reagin all of that lost time, but now I will have a choice as to whether or not to continue wasting so much time! I believe that the Causeway road has been strangling rather than nurturing Portmore over the past 10 years, and limiting us to be a Dormitory. I support your effort to be involved in the protest. But I will nto be joining you. I will not be shedding a tear for the Causeway road. I have been crying those tears for 19 years. Now I see a better way (both for myself and the community), and ultimately when I factor the cost of my time, A cheaper way. Let us continue the debate. Regards, Conliffe ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Conliffe, The reason I asked if the first letter was YOUR letter, was because you had two distinct sections to your e-mail. It made me wondering if you were quoting someone else. I stand corrected. Interesting point of view you express that the Causeway has strangled Portmore! I never looked at it that way... and indeed it has! Pity that the taxes we pay could not have solved the problem of a broader road. Kennedy ############################################################ 4. one way system back lash - whycke-andre spence ############################################################ Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 08:46:18 -0800 (PST) From: "whycke-andre spence" Subject: one way system back lash Hi Kenedy, The route out of Portmore Via 'I95' / Mandella Highway is a real headache and timewaster. I had to use it on a num,ber of evenings after the one way was in effect. The 'booring' and undertaking going on along that route as we approach the roundabout and ackee village needs to be dealt with through some police presence. I wonder though how the planners created a round about at that point after realizing that a roundabout did not work at three miles and had to be removed. a lignt controlled four way would have been more effective. I agree with the writer who asked that some analysis be done and figures be put to the govt. if we are serious about getting movement on the plan for a tool road and rate with alternative route. sentiments will not sway policy ...... me vex bout how the toll and highway being forced on us and the arrogance of the leaders in presenting it to the people how ever the essence of it is good, so build proper and sustainable argument road block and placard naw do it no more... ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Well Whycke-andre let us be clear.... NO ONE IS ASKING FOR BLOCKING OF THE ROADs. So many people seem to fear public protest, yet it is a very effective means of drawing attention to an issue and getting the parties to the table. When I was leader of the Greater Portmore group, we used public protest very effectively on many occasions. You would be shocked what a hand full of 'loud mouth' people bearing legible placards can achieve! Indeed, most street protest in Jamaica are law abiding. It is the media that loves to highlight the ugly ones and have people believe that this is the norm. On the matter of "a sustainable argument"... Each time you build a good argument someone changes the facts! (laugh). Sometimes the only fact you can be sure of is your discomfort. Another thing people like to say is .... "have you explored ALL the alternatives FIRST!" My answer to that is... "Are all alternatives ever exhausted before you get fed up?" The truth is that protests have various objectives... The proposed protest about the Causeway is not to get rid of the road, nor to ask for "no toll". The purpose of the protest is to say... we nuh pleased, wi want an practical alternate route, or make an offer we can’t refuse. Nuhting tried, Nothing done! **************************************************** ***AdVT.******************************************** *** *** *** Lees Fifth Avenue *** *** *** *** 'Visit us online at' *** *** http://www.leesfifthavenue.com/ *** *** *** *** *** ********************************************ADVT.*** **************************************************** **************************************************** ############################################################ 5. "How to Defeat Willie Lynch before 2012" - Mrs. McNish ############################################################ JAMAICA FOUNDATION FOR "HEADUCATION" FOR EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE P. O. Box 393, Kingston 10, Jamaica, West Indies Telephone: 9685347 Email: jfhsc@yahoo.com INVITES YOU TO... Event: Seminar inspired by Eric "Macko" McNish Theme: "How to Defeat Willie Lynch before 2012" Date : Sunday January 30, 2005, Time: 10:30 AM to 4 PM Speakers: Sam Clayton, Robert Gregory, Joshua Higgins, Miguel Lorne, Helen Davis-Whyte, Professor Rupert Lewis, Cecil Gutzmore, Louis Moyston, Professor Verene Shepherd, Yasus Afari, Tony Rebel, Dr. Clinton Hutton, Items: Mystic Revelation of Rastafari, Cherry Natural, Marsha Hall, Colah-Colah, Adigun Where: Ashanti Oasis Restaurant, Hope Gardens Admission: One Love (i.e. free) Refreshment will be on sale at the restaurant. [--------------------THE END OF ENTRIES-------------------] Legal Notices - Please read 1. This newsletter makes NO guarantees of accuracy nor authorship. 2. The contents of this newsletter do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher, and do NOT represent the views of any Political Party or Community Organisation. 3. Commercial publication of this newsletter needs the express consent of the webmaster in writing. 4. Copy Rights are owned by Kennedy Reid General Notes - Please read 1. Please copy this newsletter to as many persons as you may, However, please do not alter the contents. 2. To read our past newsletters go to http://www.portmore.org/newsletters/index.html 3. This newsletter is an open forum so please feel free to send us your contributions. We do NOT edit your letters, but may delete sections that can not be published. Deleted sections will be noted. Private e-mail addresses are deleted from letters and, if you ask, we will delete your name also! The Webmaster may comment on your contribution, but reserves the last word for you. Write to webmaster@portmore.org or rhouse@cybervale.com 4. Comments made in this newsletter should be taken in a light manner as the style of this newsletter attempts to be humourous. "Why be ordinary?" - KR [--------------------------THE END--------------------------------]