**************************************************** **************************************************** *** *** *** THE PORTMORE WEBSITE NEWSLETTER *** *** *** **************************************************** **************************************************** Newsletter: Number 10 for 2005 Publication Date: March 10, 2005 Title: A Hospital for Portmore Editor: Kennedy Reid Subscribers: 209 (up from 206) 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. A Hospital for Portmore 2. Site Update - See the pictures and more! 3. Report on Minister Robert Pickergill's meeting in Portmore 4. Unfortunate Piece - Mayor George Lee 5. Information on any hotel in Portmore 6. From Africa - Jassette Francis 7. Thanks Mrs. McCalla Sobers! - Cynthia Vaughan 8. Adult Education Classed - Pricilla Chambers 9. St. Catherine Division One Football 10. Highway2000 Users Association - Kennedy & Conliffe 11. Portmorians paying should not be an issue - Andrea 12. Recommendations to Ministry of Transport - Morris Thompson 13. Legal Action - I. J. Miller ############################################################ 1. A Hospital for Portmore ############################################################ Finally, after many years of fuss the people of Portmore will be getting a hospital. I congratulate Mayor Lee for pulling it off and signing the deal. Unfortunately all the furor over the toll road overshadowed this great achievement for our municipality. No longer will we have to drive all the way to town for private attention. I will be seeking more information about the hospital from the Municipal office. The news paper reports that it will be a private hospital run my a Cayman company. It will be located on land between 2 North and the Police HQ. (This land is adjacent to my home). I call upon the Municipality to hold MANY public meetings to discuss the private hospital BEFORE any issues should arise. For example, they need to ensure that the public knows all the agreements, incentives, and guarantees that were used to attract this foreign investor! We do not want another toll road problem! Hold these meetings BEFORE a block is placed. Good work Mayor Lee! ############################################################ 2. Site Update - See the pictures and more! ############################################################ Please have a look at the latest site updates to see some activities in Portmore... Accidents 2005 http://www.portmore.org/album/album192.html Meeting with Minister http://www.portmore.org/album/album191.html Street Protest http://www.portmore.org/album/album190.html Bridgeport Citizens http://www.portmore.org/album/album185.html PJC Assn. http://www.portmore.org/album/album189.html Church construction http://www.portmore.org/album/album186.html GP Football Club http://www.portmore.org/album/album187.html Protest in Council http://www.portmore.org/album/album188.html Ocho Rios http://www.portmore.org/album/album530.html ############################################################ 3. Report on Minister Robert Pickergill meeting in Portmore ############################################################ Minister Robert Pickergill came to Portmore on Wednesday March 2 at the Portmore Heart Academy Auditorium. The place was full with people. many were angry, many were political, but he stood his ground for over 4 hours answering questions. Mayor Lee chaired the meeting and present were 3 Portmore MPs, Portmore Councillors (PNP, JLP), Ministry Officials, Highway2000 stake holders, community leaders. Before the minister spoke the views of the community were presented by a representative of the Portmore Joint Citizens Association. He got a standing ovation from the audience. The Minister started his presentation by saying he felt like Daniel in the Lion's den. The audience laughed. He then went on to declare his unapologetic conviction that the highway would be good for Portmore and he was so confident he was putting his political future on it! He stated that: 1) There was no truth to many of the statements he saw in the media and that he had not been invited to many meetings 2) Contrary to statements he has seen the government is allowed to improve Mandela and would do so once and if the traffic flow studies show there is a problem. They would take another look at the roundabout. 3) Senior representatives are going to (or in) France to meet with Board Directors and Bankers and they will be seeing if there are ways to meet the desires of the Portmore people. 4) Many things are still to be worked out and are negotiable. There has been no application for a toll rate yet and so there can be no discussion about the level of toll. 5) The Developers are just as concerned that there is a flow of traffic once persons leave the highway. They will address the matter. 6) Portmore will benefit from a 6 lane highway and this means quicker access to Kingston, Employment from an expanded Sea port, Fort Augusta is to be developed. There is to be a major free zone in the area and the general investments in the expansion is over $500 million US. That level of investment will increase property values in Portmore. He appealed to persons not to sell their homes and to consider the advantages! The audience might not have accepted what the minister had to say, but the important thing is that they heard it from the minister himself! This is the first step in the process of reconciling the various stance. Coming to Portmore and facing the angry persons was the RIGHT THING TO DO! Unfortunately, all the ministers good work was overshadowed by his disgraceful side comment to a heckler in the audience. The JLP leaders in the audience started a walk out as a result, but this did not work. (On the other hand, they earlier complained that there were PNP 'thugs' outside.) The atmosphere of the meeting was charged with politics, anger, and laughter, but there was discussion and this is good for Jamaica and politics in Jamaica. ############################################################ 4. Unfortunate Piece - Mayor George Lee ############################################################ Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2005 12:45:45 -0800 (PST) Your newsletter report that the GPJC leaders were influenced by me I find unfortunate and is totally incorrect. Both Rev. Soares and myself made presentations. I made the point that whilst I support the citizens demand for a proper alternate route and also the action by the PCAC in going to Court, I differ with the leadership of the struggle because I see us dealing with the alternate route and other issues including an affordable toll etc. and putting all of them on the table for a negotiation. I would like to think that the leaders in the Greater Portmre community possess the necessary intelligence to come to their own decisions. The reference to Bouygues was made at the end of my presentation when I was tryng to explain to the audience what we were up against because I had heard earlier last year those comments from a representative of Bouygues. I look forward to my response receiving the same circulation as the unfortunate piece you wrote. George Lee-Mayor ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Mayor Lee, I am pleased and honoured that you are a part of the Newsletter audience! Please feel free to contribute at any time. Kennedy ############################################################ 5. information on any hotel in Portmore ############################################################ Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2005 Subject: Message from Front page I am a Jamaican living in florida, trying to get information on any hotel in Portmore is dificult. Now I got 3 listing Arizon, Bogues, and Jewels with to find a local number and no website.....is there anyone that might be able to assist I would like to book two rooms. A website and or a tollfree number would be excellent. Sincerely Marshalee Francis misfrancis@hotmail.com ############################################################ 6. From Africa - Jassette Francis ############################################################ Edutech CEC Private Bag 221 Gaborone, Botswana. Africa. March 3rd, 2005 Hi Kennedy, I want to take the time out to commend you and all the residents of Portmore who have been doing a tremendous job over the years in making our " Sunshine City Portmore" a household name around the world. My name is Jassette Blake-Francis, a Jamaican and resident of the Sunshine City since November 1980. That makes me a" Naturalized Portmorian", so to speak. I am now working in Botswana, Africa, since May 2004, having been transferred from my office in Kingston. There are several Jamaicans here in Botswana and more so, with Portmore connection. Seems to me that one never get taken up by the things around then, until they've traveled, they wants to be enlightened with the happenings back home. I have been on the website trying to get the correct e-mail address for COK Portmore Branch where I am a member. To this I was successful, but the address I find on the web, when I use it, the mail keeps coming back undelivered. I really want to be in touch with my Credit Union and would appreciate you giving them my e-mail address. My address in Jamaica is: 327 Charles Drive in Bridge Port. St. Catherine. I would also like for you to say in your reply mail, how close to completion is the new road, the one coming from the ferry end through Portmore. How is my Mayor and the Sunshine City doing? I have been selling our lovely beaches and resorts, even the University, to the folks I meet here, and is hoping that one day to come, our Island can benefit from this gesture. Please keep me posted on the happenings in Portmore, the others will be delighted to hear. Keep up the good work and may the good Lord continue to shine over our wonderful Island "Jamaica" land we love, most of all the Sunshine City " Portmore". The place I have grown to love so dearly. Our Music is not lacking in these parts, as a matter of fact, they are aired on the Radio Stations and on Television every day. Best Regards, Jassette. ************************************************************ Portmore News Letter Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2005 From: "Jassette Francis" To: kennedyreid@yahoo.com Hi Kennedy, Thanks for the information on Portmore. It is good to know that the community is making progress. I hope that been aired on the Cliff Hughes programme "Nationwide", would have done a lot by setting the stage of bringing everyone together to make this Sunshine City we have grown to love so dearly worthwhile living in. I will pass the information to my fellow Jamaicans from Portmore who are now based in Botswana, Africa. As for me, I will be ever so happy to serve my community as I did in the past on my return. I am a former member of the Steering Committee in South Borough also a former president of the Citizen Association. I lived in the new scheme for one (1) year without electricity, so you would know where I am coming from and why I would like the best for Potmore. I spent 22 years in South Borough then moved on to Bridge Port where I now reside. Keep up the good work and my regards to the Mayor. He will remember me as the representative of Caribbean Education Company in Kingston. Regards, Jassette ############################################################ 7. Thanks Mrs. McCalla Sobers! - Cynthia Vaughan ############################################################ Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2005 From: "cynthia vaughan" Subject: Re: Portmore E-newsletter : Time to listen and Negotiate To: portmore_newsletter-owner@yahoogroups.com Dear Kennedy, I would like to thank Mrs. McCalla Sobers for enlightening us on the Braeton situation, and I hope that she continues to let us know the issues involved in other controversial killings and events. Secondly, people need to know that many of cross the Causeway several times per day,especially for taking children to school, attending meetings, visiting family, entertainment, shopping etc, so its not just about going across two times for the day. In addition, if there should be a bus strike do we walk along Mandela? We need to mobilise more people, because many of them don't realize the impact this thing will have on them, so I welcome the suggestions from those persons who sent them in. Also, each one needs to tell one. Let us all unite! Finally, we appreciate your website, but the notices take too long to reach us, so we don't pick them up until after the events. Regards, Cynthia Vaughan ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Dear Cybthia, I have changed my policy... from now on, once I get a notice I pass it on as "NOTICE" to the readers. I will not wait for a NEWSLETTER to be created. I hope that helps. I too thank Mrs. McCalla Sobers! Do you subscribe to her newsletter? Kennedy ############################################################ 8. Adult Eduacation Classed - Pricilla Chambers ############################################################ Date: Tue, 8 Mar From: "Pricilla Chambers" Subject: JAMAL Classes To: "Kennedy Reid" Hello Mr. Reid, I would like to advise you that the Greater Portmore Baptist Church offers JAMAL classes for adults who need special assistance. The areas of focus are Reading, Maths and English. Classes are held Monday-Thursday at the Greater Portmore High School between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Material is available at a cost of $ 1,000.00. For further information you may contact the Pastor, Rev. Michael Shim-Hue at 926-8272/960-5658 (w) or 420-4424 (c). Thank you. Pricilla Chambers ############################################################ 9. St. Catherine Division One Football ############################################################ From: RamGolfr57@aol.com Add to Address Book Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2005 14:37:57 EST Subject: St. Catherine Division One Football To: kennedyreid@yahoo.com Kennedy, Here are the standings after Round 11 of the Candon Enterprises St. Catherine Divison One League. I do not have the individual match results. ZONE A: Police 5-1-4 (19 points); Independence City 4-0-6 (18); Braeton 3-0-7 (16); Bodles 2-4-4 (10) Bouyges 2-6-2 (8); Creation 0-7-3 (3) ZONE B: Southboro 6-0-4 (22 points); Tru Juice 5-3-2 (17); McCook's Pen 4-3-3 (15) De La Vega 2-6-2 (8); Racing 1-4-5 (8) ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Bruce, Have you seen pictures of Greater Portmore Football Club on the site? http://www.portmore.org/album/album187.html Kennedy ############################################################ 10. Highway2000 Users Association - Kennedy (Conliffe) ############################################################ Date: Wed, 2 Mar From: "Conliffe Wilmot-Simpson" Subject: Re: Portmore E-newsletter : Time to listen and Negotiate To: portmore_newsletter-owner@yahoogroups.com Kennedy, A few comments 1. You say you are not a leader, but you must acknowlwedge your great influence on the views of the community. I hope that you will assist in making the meeting with the minister a true and democratic meeting and not an AMBUSH 2. I was impressed with the mature approach of the Greater Portmore Joint Council and the All Hellshire Leadership group. It may be a matter of perspective as they speak for the persons who now bear the burden and suffering imposed by the presence of the Causeway. 3. Pedestrian/Bike Lane I think there are many other persons who would benefit from a Ferry Service from Edgewater to the Port. A pedestrian or bike lane may not be an answer. 4. One correspondent wanted banners witht he daily and weekly cost of using the Toll. I would like to see a banner with the daily and weekly cost of using the causeway. It is not free. Start with the cost of waking at 5 AM...... Regards, Conliffe ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Conliffe While the Prime Minister and his team consider the reasonable demands of the people of Portmore, might I make two suggestions. Firstly, If the Causeway has to go, then I believe Portmore will only be happy if he provides a suitable alternative to the crowded Mandela Highway. Might I suggest to the Prime Minister that he consider a special $20 toll lane for the Toll Booth placed by Fort Augusta. The special rate would run between 6 and 8 each morning and evening. This ‘solution’ would ensure that residents pay for the improvement to their ‘causeway’ while still getting to work on time… and not being forced to use the crowded ‘alternative’. Persons who are in a rush would take the other full-payment lanes of Highway 2000; which undoubtedly would not be as congested as the $20 lane. Obviously we would want a free lane instead, but this would put paying customers who are delayed at the toll booth at a disadvantage. Secondly, we here in Portmore will need to form a strong and permanent lobby team to watch the government and hold the investors to their promises. We must realize the benefits that it is said justified the taking of an established road! The citizens lobby group would ensure that the concerns of Highway 2000 users are heard and that toll rates remain reasonable. As soon as talks break down with the authorities, then the group would have the community back out on the road! How about calling it "Highway2000 Users Association" (HUA)? What do you say Portmore? Kennedy ############################################################ 11. Portmorians paying should not be an issue - Andrea ############################################################ From: "Andrea " Subject: RE: Portmore E-newsletter : Time to listen and Negotiate Date: Wed, 02 Mar 2005 Re item #4 where the Hellshire Leadership Council and the Greater Portmore Joint Council stated their position on the Toll. My question is what percentage of Portmorians agreed to these decisions? Re the "one way charge" system. Why not propose a "no charge" to Portmorians and "other charge for non-Portmorians? And to add insult to injury that the "toll be stable for three years"? You all just take us for fools!! What's to prevent a 100% mark up after 3 years? . Anyway I should not have dignified that aspect of it with a response because Portmorians paying should not be an issue - we need a non paying alternative. Currently, two 'free' routes exists i.e. Mandela and Causeway. After the development of the highway is over - we should have two non paying routes in and out of Portmore. Paying a toll isn't the issue. The issue at hand is an ALTERNATIVE ROUTE. Mandela is a longer route - Causeway a shorter route. We need an alternative shorter route!! So if the Causeway has been 'sold out', similar alternative is the issue. I really do hope that the decisions posted is not what is going to be brought to the table ON BEHALF OF PORTMORIANS. I understand that there has to be a compromise...but not at the expense of Portmorians..and quite frankly, that is how it now appears to me. What does "the expansion of Mandela Highway from 6 miles to where the highway exits" have to do with the scheme of things? My understanding from this, maybe I'm daft, is now that the Causeway will be factored into Highway 2000, we now have to use (as originally stated by Government) Mandela. Alternative?...PAY! In this regard, you are now advocating for more expansion of Mandela to accommodate Portmorians who do not wish to pay any toll. The more things change, the more they remain the same. The way I see it...frankly I don't care that Bouygues would sue if the Causeway is not factored into the scheme of things. Because in the first instance, Causeway should not have been factored into Highway 2000. Now suddenly the big word seems to be COMPROMISE. Someone should have had the INTEREST of Portmore citizens at heart and it should NEVER have come to this. Absolutely NO CONTRACT should have been signed to include the Causeway. So I just don't care - one way or the other - about the Developers and their stance. To the PJCA...I say we still proceed through the courts... taking it all the way to the Privy Council!! In view of item 4...It appears to me that a decision has already been taken and it is just mere formality to have the Minister there - and it's called psyching the Portmore people into thinking that they will be a part of this decision - when, in fact they are just sending the fools a little further. How dare they negotiate or should I diplomatically say "compromise" a "one way charge" and propose "expansion of Mandela Highway from 6 miles to where the highway exits" as an alternative... Is this a SELL OUT or what?? It should be rather interesting to hear PJCA's stance, after tonight's meeting... ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Andrea, I know your pain... but in a compromise no one wins all and no one loses all! Let us hold the government to the benefits they claim we will receive. Let's form the HUA What do you say? Kennedy ############################################################ 12. Recommendations to Ministry of Transport - Morris Thompson ############################################################ From: "morris thompson" < To: webmaster@portmore.org CC: kennedyreid@yahoo.com Subject: Re: Recommendation regarding the Portmore Causeway Date: Wed, 09 Mar 2005 16:38:23 +0000 Dear Sir/Madam, I am a former Portmore resident, and have been monitoring the recent spat between the Government and the People of Portmore rearding the Causeway Bridge. Here is a copy of the letter I sent to the Tranport Ministry in Jamaica. Recommendation regarding the Portmore Causeway One of the latest philosophy in development studies is call indigenous development, which is development with the consultation of all stakeholders involved in the process. This actually came out of Europeans many Faux Pas, in going to lesser developed countries pouring in aid, giving people what they think they want, without consultation of indigenous stakeholders. There is an imminent mess lying before the Government, especially at a time when the issue of CCJ is before them and if not handle well can be detrimental. I make humble recommendation to the government, as follow as an option to sort out the Causeway Bridge mess. One possible recommendation would be, in the interim before the Portmore section of Highway 2000 route is open, issue cards to all the residents with motor vehicles living in Portmore. These cards are like automated bus tickets, or electronic tickets, which gives 10 free passes to these holders, per week. These pass if not used, are accumulative i.e. if not used in one month, rolls over to the other, but not carried through to the next year. These cards must be used with a valid identification. The Portmore Municipality, under the authorization from the Ministry of Transportation can issue these cards. A cost of say, Fifty Jamaican dollar ($50J) (a processing fee), drivers license, proof of residency in Portmore, will give a vehicular resident a card for a year. Annual renewal cost can be set at less than the $50 Jamaican dollar. License plate for each car must be noted, to ensure one vehicle, one card. Using the various Engineer Scholars working with the government, a system of this nature can be put together. A solution must be found and going the route of the 1990’s oil riot or Privy Council (as tooted by many), should be seen as last resort in order to find a win-win solution to the Causeway issue. I am Morris Thompson former Portmore resident P.S: Please note that the figure of $50 Jamaican dollar, is just a suggested figure, and a negotiated figure can be arrived between both party; this goes as well for the number of free passes per week. ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* The administrative overhead of identifying who are residents is a lot. Plus, so many persons rent and "cotch" in Portmore. Additionally, with so many liars and cheats around.... Simpler solution such as special rates and concessions are good. I still love the $20 toll booth idea. Kennedy ############################################################ 13. Legal Action - I. J. Miller ############################################################ Date: Sat, 5 Mar 2005 10:22:55 -0500 (EST) From: portmo@portmore.org To: webmaster@portmore.org Subject: Message from Front page Suggestion, Since the Government will be using the acquisition clause in any court action and knowing that they will be presenting the development of the Port as their main focus. I am thinking that we could present a case where we ask that they leave us with the section of the Causeway from the Portmore Mall to the other side of the Bridge. Then we ask that from the Bridge to Marcusgarvey Drive be relocate to the outer boundry of the land for development. I will be making my donation towards the legal action later. Thank you I. J. Miller [--------------------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--------------------------------]