**************************************************** **************************************************** *** *** *** THE PORTMORE WEBSITE NEWSLETTER *** *** *** **************************************************** **************************************************** Newsletter: Number 09 for 2005 Publication Date: March 01, 2005 Title: Time to listen and Negotiate Editor: Kennedy Reid Subscribers: 206 (up from 195) 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. Minister Robert Pickergill comes to Portmore 2. GPJC Environment Programme - Wallen-Bryan, Heather 3. St. Catherine Division One Standings 4. Greater Portmore and Hellshire weigh in - Kennedy Reid 5. PCAC gets a lawyer - Carrol McLean 6. Portmore Joint Citizens Association’s Notice 7. Is Portmore part of Kingston? - Baria Razzaq 8. Get people out! - Jullia Fisher 9. Puppets teaching values - Jean Small 10. Bridgeport (and thier web site) - Shakara Samuels 11. Mobile Vet in Portmore - Millicent Lynch 12. "Braeton Seven" - Yvonne McCalla Sobers 13. Newsletter Subscription - Dawn White 14. Tax Reform & Electronic Transactions Act - Millicent Lynch 15. Freezone and wharf workers and the highway - Junior Virgo 16. Strategy To Mobilise People for Toll - Clayton Moore 17. I would some information - Jason Dennis ############################################################ 1. Minister Robert Pickergill comes to Portmore ############################################################ Please tell everyone... Minister Robert Pickergill comes to Portmore on Wednesday 7:00 p.m. at the Portmore Heart Academy. Everyone is invited to come and to hear what the minister and his team have to say to have their apprehensions answered. I am proud of those ordinary citizens who have been protesting. They have showed that Portmore people should not be taken for granted and that the authorities must justify their decisions. Particularly if they are taking away a road to build a toll road. If the people had not make noise there would be no "behind the scene" scrambling to see what can be worked out. On the other side of the coin. I genuinely don't believe that the government had 'cash' in mind when they negotiated to re- route Highway 2000 through Portmore. They wanted to bring a solution to Portmore. It was, and remains a good! Certainly the government has no money to build anything like that for us! What I think is that they give up too much in order to attract the investor! On Wednesday, the Minister must show an understanding of what the citizens are upset about and be sympathetic. He must come with true, logical and verifiable facts. On the other hand Pormorians must be open to the benefits that could be theirs and try to be reasonable. I suspect that most people will appreciate the highway if the benefits touted really do come. certainly I will be happy to get out of the 2 hour September traffic! The time for negotiation has come! And everyone must be prepared to win some and lose some... the investors, the government and the Portmorians. Otherwise, all will lose. Let us be there and let us see. ############################################################ 2. GPJC Environment Programme - Wallen-Bryan, Heather ############################################################ From: "Wallen-Bryan, Heather" To: "'portmore_newsletter-owner@yahoogroups.com'" Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 12:43:22 -0500 Hi Kennedy, In response to Andrea's (NEPA)concern re GPJC Environment Programme. Please see attached for placement on the web site. The Programme has experienced some setback due to my recent accident but should resume in a few weeks (keeping my fingers crossed). Thanks Heather PS. Let me know if I can send the presentation at a later date... the file is huge...with pictures. Also, the GPJC meetings are held every other month on the third Saturdays at Kensington Basic School beginning at 7pm. ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Dear Heather, The project will be posted soon for everyone to see. Nuh mek mi figet! duh. Please make a quick and complete recovery! ############################################################ 3. St. Catherine Division One Standings ############################################################ Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 19:06:56 EST Subject: St. Catherine Division One Standings: Condensed To: kennedyreid@yahoo.com Kennedy, Here is a condensed version of the Candon Enterprised Division One standings Won - Lost- Tied (points) goal difference ZONE A: Police 5-1-3 (18) + 8 Independence City 4-0-5 (17) + 7 Braeton 2-0-7 (14) + 2 Bodles 2-3-4 (10) + 1 Bouyges 2-6-2 (10) - 6 Creation 0-7-2 (2) - 15 ZONE B: South Boro 6-0-3 (21) + 13; Tru Juice 4-3-2 (14) + 2 McCook's Pen 4-3-2 (14) + 1 De La Vega 2-5-2 (8) - 7 Racing 1-4-4 (7) - 8 ############################################################ 4. Greater Portmore and Hellshire weigh in - Kennedy Reid ############################################################ Last week the All Hellshire Leadership Council and the Greater Portmore Joint Council stated their positions on the Toll Road. These organisations consist of the Citizens Association leaders of both communities. On Saturday the Greater Portmore group passed resolutions accepting the loss of the Causeway on the conditional that the government negotiates for: 1) A bike lane on the Portmore Leg of Highway 2000 2) The expansion of Mandela Highway from 6 miles to where the highway exits 3) A "one way charge" system on the Portmore leg of Highway 20000 4) That the Portmore Municipality gets a percentage of profits 5) That the developers ensure that the distribution roads leaving the highway are adequate. So that a bottleneck does not occur leaving the highway. 6) The the toll charge be reasonable and stable for 3 years. The Greater Portmore leaders were influenced by Mayor Lee who told the gathering that Bouygues Travaux Publics, the Developer and Concessionaire of highway 2000 will not compromise on the matter of the removal of the Causeway. He said that they would rather leave Jamaica and recover millions in expenditure and profit projections via a law suit. Everyone would lose. He said that the developer were anxious for a settlement and were willing to negotiate on other demands that the people may make...though the government. This the majority present, including myself, felt that they could live with a compromise. The minority dissented. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Lees Fifth Avenue 'Visit us online at' http://www.leesfifthavenue.com/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ############################################################ 5. PCAC gets a lawyer - Carrol McLean ############################################################ Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 10:15:44 -0800 (PST) From: "Carrol McLean" Subject: legal action and meetin for 2nd March To: webmaster@portmore.org Hi Kennedy [Name Deleted] has agreed to take the case but we have to give him a retainer of $100,000 we believe (PCAC) we are going to work with him. [Rest of e-mail deleted as it is dated] Catch you later. ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Carol, The PCAC may wish to await the Citizens' instructions after the meeting this Wednesday. I understand that the JLP may not yet have submitted their proposed injunction as this has the risk of costing them millions of dollars if they lose the case. I do think that negotiation is needed now. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The Jade Vine We have a wide assortment of gifts for your loved ones in Jamaica. Call 876-939-1656 or 876-704-9723 to place an order. jadevine@anngel.com.jm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ############################################################ 6. Portmore Joint Citizens Associatin's Notice ############################################################ From: Portmore Citizen Sent: Friday, February 25, 2005 1:59 PM To: portmore_tollinfo@yahoo.com Subject: NOTICE OF MEETING Hello, The meeting has been set. Please see attached notice. Make as many copies and distribute. Regards, CitiZen for more informatioin, visti www.portmore.org <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Important PUBLIC MEETING On Highway 2000 (Portmore Leg) at the Portmore HEART Academy Wednesday, March 2, 2004 7:00 P.M. Minister Robert Pickersgill is scheduled to address the residents. For further information: portmore_tollinfo@yahoo.com To support the legal effort, please make your contribution to BNS AC # 300116 Portmore Joint Citizen Association <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< ############################################################ 7. Is Portmore part of Kingston? - Baria Razzaq ############################################################ Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2005 Kennedy Hi, Kennedy. I wanted to know if Portmore is considered part of Kingston? On the map it appears that it is not. Is Portmore a city in Jamaica or is it considered a district? Thanks! Baria Vibe Magazine 212-448-7429 ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* The answer is no, we are no longer seen as part of Kingston. In fact we are closer to Spanish Town. Since 2003, Portmore has been a Municipality. This means that there is a local administrative body in charge...just as in Kingston (and St. Andrew) (the capital). Although Portmore is 2/3 the size of Kingston, most Portmorians work in Kingston. Gradually more businesses are moving into the community so that it will one day be more than un Barrio de la cuidad. ############################################################ 8. Get people out! - Jullia Fisher ############################################################ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2005 To: webmaster@portmore.org More need to be done to get people out in their numbers. Some suggestions are:- 1. Have buses available for intersted persons to and from the protest site which would be centrally located. 2. More advertisements via the radio, loudspeakers and the distribution of flyers in the newspapers. 3. On the day of the protest, have protesters colour cordinated and uniformed if possible i.e. all protesters wear the same colour tee shirts etc., 4. Have protesters all along the causeway with placards outlining concerns rather than being in a bunched up in a crowd.I think the effect would be more dramatic. 5.Have placards showing the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly costs of using the toll and the impact/burden on the citizens of Portmore and their children. 6. Be vigilant and consistent. Protests should be sustained. 7. Highlight the negative impact not having an adequate alternate will have on communities in Spanish Town. 9. Get internationalinvolvement if possible via media coverage and the like. 10. When one thnk about it, forced use of the toll is utter madness and wickedness and it needs to be highlighted. so don't give up and don't give in. Jullia Fisher ############################################################ 9. Puppets teaching values - Jean Small ############################################################ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2005 From: "jean small" Subject: Puppet Workshop and Show To: webmaster@portmore.org Dear Kennedy, I was sorry that the Puupet Show could not have been advertised. More children would have been able to enjoy it. It went very well. The interaction was good and since the project is tied to the government's programme on values and attitudes,it taught important lessons.I'm sorry your children missed it. There will be a puppet workshop on Friday February 25,2005 at the Edgewater Community Centre from 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.The children will have an opportunity to make their own puppets and at a lkater workshop make a little show of their own. There is a participation fee of $50. The Puppet Show will be repeated at the Socila Development Commission in Spanish Town on Saturday February 26,2005 at 11.00 a.m. Entrance fee is $50. Jean Small ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Mrs. Small How badly I have treated you... I publish your e-mail to my true disgrace! The next time you send me a notice I promise to send it out by itself and immediately. Until then, I at the mercy of your Christian charity. I am also sorry the Kids miss the shows! I know they would have loved it, but I get so side tracked! Kennedy ############################################################ 10. Bridgeport (and thier web site) - Shakara Samuels ############################################################ ate: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 13:09:06 -0800 (PST) From: "Shakara Samuels" < Subject: Re: Statistics To: kennedyreid@yahoo.com Hi Mr. Reid I am a student doing a research on Bridgeport, St. Catherine. Mainly to assertain the community's impact on youth development. What I noticed the Portmore website doesn't have are statistics. I love to have some statistics on the number of schools available at a community level, youth organisation, resources available, etc. All at a community level since Portmore is a city now and all the communities are different. I dont know how much you can help, but I would greatly appreciate any form of help you give. Thank You Very Much Shakara Samuels ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Shakara, I was the guest speaker at the Bridgeport Citizens Association recently and encouraged them to get on the net... now there is a committee seeking to establish a website! You may be interested in being a part of that. I will be addressing the statistics issue by the end of March. Kennedy ############################################################ 11. Mobile Vet in Portmore - Millicent Lynch ############################################################ From: "Millicent Lynch" To: portmore_newsletter Subject: JSPCA Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 09:22:12 -0500 Portmore Chamber of Commerce & Industries Hi Karen, The JSPCA has a mobile unit at the Gregory Park gate of Caymanas Park. all who which to take their animals to see the Vet can do so on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Millicent Lynch ############################################################ 12. "Braeton Seven" - Yvonne McCalla Sobers ############################################################ From: "Yvonne McCalla Sobers" Subject: FAST Forward #34: Justice According to Donald McIntosh Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 18:34:39 -0800 FAST Forward no. 34 Justice according to Donald McIntosh A study of some of Justice Donald McIntosh’s rulings is enlightening, especially given the number of his judgments that have been overturned in the Court of Appeal. Justice McIntosh on February 11 2005 instructed the jury to return a not guilty verdict with respect to the six policemen charged with the Braeton Seven murders. He told the jury: "There was no evidence that the crown had brought to the trial that could leave you in a state of mind where you could feel sure that the killings were not lawful self-defence." Others following the case may still have had questions about evidence inconsistent with self-defence. For example, the seven deceased had 46 gunshots to their bodies of the seven men, with six of the seven men shot to the head, when the evidence was that the police were shooting from outside the house in pitch-black conditions. Civilian witnesses were agreed that they heard the young men crying out from the house and calling the name of a neighbour - Corpie. Justice McIntosh on February 10 turned down an application from the prosecution to have the policemen’s statements admitted in evidence. Those statements would have proved the presence of the policemen inside the Braeton house and would have linked the policemen to the weapons they were assigned that day. Justice McIntosh made the curious comment that admitting the statements would have been “tantamount to persecuting the police”. His judgment in the Braeton Seven trial could be perceived as consistent with judgments he has made in other cases. [section deleted] Justice McIntosh was one of the judges referred to in a Gleaner article “Concern mounts over judges' errors”. Barbara Gayle wrote in a report published on January 25, 2004. [Section deleted] Justice McIntosh has a disturbing history of errors of judgment. The situation becomes more serious where he has the final word, as the prosecution attorneys cannot appeal an acquittal. [Section Deleted] Yvonne McCalla Sobers February 15 2005 From: "Yvonne McCalla Sobers" To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;@zeus1.cwjamaica.com Subject: FAST Forward #35: Who were the Braeton Seven? Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2005 23:44:38 -0800 Who were the Braeton Seven? The prosecution objected during the Braeton trial when defence counsel sought to show the deceased as criminals and villains. But Justice Donald McIntosh allowed the deceased to be tried with evidence that was at times triple hearsay. The judge said defence counsel had a right to show the propensity of the seven men to have fired on the police. As the prosecution pointed out, to no avail, the court is required to protect the deceased no less than the accused. All are presumed innocent till proved guilty in a court of law. “Those seven boys were criminals,” a retired judge told me two weeks ago, echoing large numbers of persons anxious to speak evil of the dead. The retired judge offered no evidence to support his claim. Mark Wignall wrote a February 17 Observer column titled “Dealing with the bad boys”. He said his probes had convinced him that the Braeton Seven “were no angels”. I have written to Mark asking for specifics on those probes so I can add his information to the facts available to me about the seven men. Tamayo Wilson was born in January 1981 and was named after a Cuban astronaut. [section deleted] Some weeks after Tamayo’s death, his family received news that he was accepted to a Canadian as well as an American university. Early March 2001, Tamayo had a dispute with his father about some missing funds. He then left the house when he expected his father to be home, and his mother last saw him on March 13 when he ate and bathed at home, and then went away at 7.30 pm. Dane Whyte, born in 1981, was Tamayo Wilson’s neighbour on 1st Seal Way. [Section deleted] At the time of his death, Dane was studying to be an air-conditioning technician. He had worked in his father’s firm in the summer of 2000 while he awaited a call from HEART, the national training agency. Dane had not slept at home for a few days before his death because he had a dispute with his father because of a complaint that Dane was involved in an altercation with a former schoolmate.The last time his father saw him alive was on March 8. Lancebert Clarke lived close to Seal Way at 1st Whale Way. [Section deleted] His father worked on a ship, and his mother migrated to the US in 1994. [Section deleted] Reagon Beckford lived on 4th Seal Way, a house directly in line with Lot 1088 on 5th Seal Way. He was 15 years old when he was killed, and was the fifth of six children. His parents were Valdene and Langhin Beckford. His father has lived in the US since 1994. [Section Deleted] Andre Virgo was born in 1981. He lived all his life with his mother Dorothy Lawrence at 2nd Seal Way. His father, John Virgo was a constant presence in Andre’s life. Andre was a carpenter and skilled woodworker. He was trained at the HEART Academy, national training agency. He had two older brothers, one a soldier and one a policeman. He was not permanently employed, but worked contractually on building sites. He spent some time in police lock-up in relation to suspected illegal possession of a gun. The case was ultimately dismissed on a no-case submission that cleared his name. Curtis Smith was born in 1980. His father, Dennis Smith, was killed by gunmen in 1986. His mother, Cynthia Polack, migrated to the US when he was 10 years old. Almost all of the seven suffered separation from one parent or the other (or both) by death or migration or domestic dispute. However, none of the seven had a criminal record. On March 14 2001, the police said they had a warrant with respect to Christopher Grant and the killing of Constable Gibson at Above Rocks. However, police who gave evidence at the inquest and at the trial did NOT testify to any other substantiated complaints or investigations related to the young men singly or as a group. Yvonne McCalla Sobers February 17, 2005 ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Ms. Sobers, While I too am convinced that the boys were no angels I am very doubtful that those who killed them were angels either. It is a shame if the courts can not help to assure us that I am wrong. Our courts seem to reflect the poverty of principles rocking this nation. Now that the police officers are free. I suppose we all have to wait for judgment day to learn the truth. God is a just judge of all. Readers who want to receive and read the full text of the Human Rights newsletter should write to Ms. McCalla Sobers at sobersy@cwjamaica.com. The newsletters are too long to be published unedited herein. Kennedy ############################################################ 13. Newsletter Subscription - Dawn White ############################################################ Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2005 From: "Dawn White" Subject: Request for information To: kennedyreid@yahoo.com I was informed of your newsletter publication. Kindly let me know of the procedure to be a subscriber. I am also interested in the history of your newsletter and if I can receive back issues. ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Go to www.portmore.org and click on the Newsletter ad seen on the front page. Follow the instructions that come up! If you are having difficulties then I can place you on the system myself... just ask. Kennedy ############################################################ 14. Tax Reform & Electronic Transactions Act - Millicent Lynch, ############################################################ From: "Jamaica Chamber of Commerce" To: "Lynch, Millicent at Portmore Chamber of Commerce" Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 10:57 AM Subject: Tax Reform Proposal & Electronic Transactions Act Wednesday, February 16, 2005 Ms. Millicent Lynch President Portmore Chamber of Commerce Dear Ms. Lynch, Please find attached two documents that are likely to be of considerable importance to business persons. (1) The Report of the Tax Policy Review Committee (Tax Reform Proposal)...... which encapsules proposals for the reform of the nation's tax structure. (2) The Electronic Transactions Act of 2005...... which is designed to primarily facilitate electronic transactions. The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce will be consulting its membership on these and other proposals on an on-going basis. We expect through the Jamaica Conference Board to stage a seminar on the tax proposals within the next several weeks. In the interim, please forward any comments you may have to the above e-mail address or you may contact me at the numbers 922-0150~1. You may also fax your comments to the number 927-9935. Sincerely, Jamaica Chamber of Commerce Trevor Fearon Executive Director ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* I can not publish these acts as they are long, but interested persons need to contact Ms. Lynch. If you own a business in Portmore, do consider joining the Portmore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. ############################################################ 15. Freezone and wharf workers and the highway - Junior Virgo ############################################################ Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2005 From: "junior virgo" Ken! I've been following the mutterings on the toll rd in your news letter and have not senn anyone address the issue of those Freezone and wharf workers who ride a bicycle or even walk to work from, say Port Henderson. How will they get to work when the Toll Rd is in place..via Mandella highway? your views please junior Indp. City ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* If I could convince anyone to take it seriously I would demand a walking lane! but most people dismiss this idea when I dare to raise it. ############################################################ 16. Strategy To Mobilise People for Toll - Clayton Moore ############################################################ From: "Clayton Moore" To: webmaster@portmore.org Subject: Strategy To Mobilise People for Toll (Alternative Route) Protest Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2005 22:48:06 +0000 Kennedy, I must first commend you through this medium of the good job you're doing and for your commitment. Just want to add my views on how to go about mobilising portmorians for the protests and achieving our goal/s. To begin with, we must define what it is we want. I know that there should have been a meeting (yesterday) where citizens were to be updated and consulted about what is happening and to say where they think things should progress to but I just want to bring certain things into focus. I read that Minister Pickersgill said that for us to ask for the Causeway to remain and the Toll road be constructed alongside it is a "tall order." Is it then that our position is that the Causeway should remain? That needs to be made clear. My opion on it is that that should be our position. There is no way that the government should be able to take away an existing road and replace it with a toll road. We have paid our taxes for the causeway - the goverment has a responsibility to maintain and improve the existing infrastructure. We should not be forced to pay extra for something that is our right in the first place - so it is indeed correct to also look at from a legal angle. But I think for now we need to drum up more support. We need the taximen, helpers, gardners, housewives, barmen, everybody. To do this we need a strategy. Do we go door to door, circulate much more leaflets, advertise on cable (even national tv), etc. I think to be truly successful all these will have to be considered and the popluation of Portmore mobilised. Of course this will take money - so how do we get some? Through individuals, businesses, civic society, concerts, etc. Speaking of money, I would be willing to contribute to the fund in regards to the legal costs of carrying the matter to court, but only if there is total transparency. The verified figures would have to be published through a public medium. Food for thought. I am willing to give some assistance to these things. Get up, stand up - stand for your right! Clayton ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Thanks for your comments Clayton, Do remember that I am NOT a leader of the protest, though I do support the protesters. Some leaders of the protest do read this newsletter and I am sure your ideas will be considered. You would be surprised how difficult it is to mobilize Jamaicans. I once got 50 volunteers for a labour day project and on the day 5 turned out.. 2 women and 3 kids! (laugh) Kennedy ############################################################ 17. I would some information - Jason Dennis ############################################################ Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2005 1 To: webmaster@portmore.org Subject: Message from Front page I would some information on the latest on the toll for highway 2000. Jason Dennis ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Join the newsletter group and come to the meeting on Wednesday. [--------------------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--------------------------------]