**************************************************** **************************************************** *** *** *** THE PORTMORE WEBSITE NEWSLETTER *** *** *** **************************************************** **************************************************** Newsletter: Number 13 for 2005 Publication Date: April 7, 2005 Title: Portmore Week 2005 Editor: Kennedy Reid Subscribers: 261 (up from 259) 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. Air Pollution and Smog a kill wi! - Kennedy 2. Portmore History Notes - Kennedy 3. Portmore Week Agenda for 2005 4. $123,125 Legal Fees collected - Curn Harding 5. service of appreciation for Pastor Cole - April 10 - MV 6. Children's Expo - Englebert Davis 7. Contacting C.O.K from England - Laverne Bailey 8. Toll Road on BBC - Charlie 9. Disgraceful billboard - Karen Henry 10. My support is here - Rebecca Gonez 11. Thanks - asedlus ############################################################ 1. Air Pollution and Smog a kill wi! - Kennedy ############################################################ Yesterday, April 5, half of Portmore was covered in thick air pollution. It was the Riverton City Dump on fire again!~~~ visibility was low and the air was filled with poisonous gassing. The city dump is resting place for tires, plastics, strange containers, batteries, household and industrial chemicals. We dump everything there in typical 3rd world style so it is no wonder that our CANCER rate is so high? Not to mention respiratory problems... We need to demand that the authorities and the government manage solid waste in a 1st class manner. I see helicopters carrying water to save the homes of rich people perched way up on the hills.. which were known to be fire prone long BEFORE they built their homes. Yet the fires at Riverton City burn for days affection thousands! This fire thing must stop! Next week when the Municipal Council meets, I encourage residents to be present and to ensure that the Council passes a resolution deploring the air quality. The Council must insist that central government do something!.. NOW. Enough is enough.... wi a dead slowly. ############################################################ 2. Portmore History Notes - Kennedy ############################################################ This week I took the risk of registering for the Gleaner Company's online Archives. "with over 770,000 pages since 1834" it's a historian's dream! It cost $50+ US dollars per year but I am VERY happy I did! I spent 4 hours on the site at the first sitting! And Of course you can imagine that "portmore" was one of the first things I searched for(smile). Below are some of the things I learned... *) Miss Lou may not have been the first person to publish Jamaican talk on a regular basis. It may have been Leandro the Gleaner cartoonist for many year. I saw one of his cartoons from 50 years ago with a street vender complaining in Jamaican English that Booby eggs were competing with her patties for sale. ( Now, If you don't know booby eggs,... well, it's part of our lost heritage! As lost as the sprat, duhcunuh and toetuh) *) The name "Portmore" comes from a property of the same name in the independence City area. By common practice the name has engulfed other properties and villages of what was called the Salt Pond District of lower St. Catherine. In 1880-1890s, the Portmore Pen (Estate running from Passage Fort south to Port Henderson Hills) was being offered for lease as good 'sheep run'. In 1890s the Rio Cobre hotel was built in Spanish Town and it used mutton and fish from the Salt Pond District. *) In the 1940s the Portmore Property was to be the location of a Cement Factory. There were debates about the "liberal" concessions being granted to foreign investors and the short time to raise local funds. Does this sound familiar? *)In 1943, the Central Housing Authority declared Portmore to be "housing area"... I suppose in preparation for relocation of settlers as in 1940s the first real "scheme" was called the "Portmore Scheme". It was, or was to be, a relocation scheme for settlers in the flood prone Passage Fort area. I don't know if it came to realisation. *) In 1950s there was an experiment in rice growing. 75 acres of Portmore property was planted and if successful over 500 acres were to go into production. *) Modern Portmore's development started in 1966/67 with infrastructure development - The Rio Cobre Flood Control project, by the Government and the Construction and Dredging Ltd (a Matalon interest). A plans was placed before government to dredge the Dawkins Pond area. 300 acres in all. Further, a causeway was proposed. Based on the Ministry Paper of June 1967 the project should see "construction of new houses ,service industries and shopping, resort areas, hotels, a marina... schools and/or the deep water pier facilities. An access road to the Hellshire hills was being considered. The idea of major development of the lower St. Catherine area was part of a campaign led by Mr.James Gore. The idea was to use the "barren unused" land in Hellshire. A private company, Portmore Land Development Ltd had plans for schemes in Portmore property. In December 1967 minister of Finance and Planning, Hon Edward Seaga, announced the Hellshire Hills Development Project. I will have more for you when more comes up. In the last issue I said that pollution was coming from the local redi-mix company... I should have said the "Pre-Mix" company! ADV. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Lees Fifth Avenue 'Visit us online at' http://www.leesfifthavenue.com/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ############################################################ 3. Portmore Week Agenda for 2005 ############################################################ The following list is not final. Please make plans to participate this year! Sunday April 24 ==================================== 10:30 a.m. Opening Church Service - Braeton Methodist 08:00 a.m. Finals Domino League - Twyn Citi Restaurant Monday April 25 (Environment Day) ===================================== 05:00 p.m. Official Opening of Josh Morgan Municipal Park 08:00 a.m. Clean-Up Portmore Campaign Waterford & Gregory Park Tuesday April 26 (Education Day) ===================================== 10:00 a.m. Rally of Schools - Southborough Primary School 07:30 p.m. Shirley Whylie Lecture - Portmore HEART Academy Wednesday April 27 (Economic Development Day) ============================================= 10:00 a.m. Seminar - PCCI at the Portmore Missionary Church 10:00 a.m. Media Broadcast - Hot Line at Municipal Office 10:00 a.m. Horse Race - Portmore Stakes at Caymanas Park 07:00 p.m. Community Forum - Lions Civic Centre Thursday April 28 ============================================= 10:00 a.m.+ Community Expo - Portmore Mall 02:30 p.m. Media Broadcast - Laing & Co. at Municipal Office 06:00 p.m. Concert - Portmore Mall Friday April 29 ============================================= 07:00 p.m. Gospel Concert - Southborough Primary School Saturday April 30 ============================================= 09:00 a.m. Sports Extravaganza - Ascot High School 10:00 a.m. Health Fair - PJC at Waterford Health Centre 05:00 p.m. Unveiling of plaque - SDC at the Gr. Prtmr Library 08:00 p.m. Appreciation Dinner - Jewels Hotel 10:00 p.m. Fete - Caymanas Race Track ############################################################ 4. $123,125 Legal Fees collected - Curn Harding ############################################################ From: "Curn Harding" To: kreid Date: Wednesday, April 06, 2005 09:49AM Subject: Release re Contributions Kennedy: Please publish the following in yournewsletter. Curn RELEASE The Portmore Joint Citizens’ Association wishes to advise Portmore Residents and the Jamaican Public that the amount of $123,125 was contributed by Portmore Residents on Saturday 2nd April 2005 in support of the Legal Action being undertaken by the Portmore Citizens’ Advisory Council (PCAC). The contributions have been lodged to the PCAC’s account at the BNS Portmore Pines Branch. The targeted amount to be raised for legal fees is $3.0million, which should be sufficient to take the case to the Appeal Court. However, more will be required if the legal suit has to go all the way to the Privy Council. The PCAC’s legal action seeks to persuade the Government of Jamaica to provide a Suitable Alternative Route to the Portmore Causeway. Lord Anthony Gifford, Q.C., is handling the legal affairs on behalf of the Portmore Citizens’ Advisory Council. Persons wishing to contribute are asked to make deposits to any BNS branch for the account of the Portmore Citizens’ Advisory Council, account # 0300116. Portmore Joint Citizens’ Association 5 April 2005 The fundraising drive for Saturday 9th April 2005 will be concentrated in the following areas: Port Henderson Road/Causeway Intersection Portmore Mall Area I-95 Round-a-Bout (Near Mandela) Old Braeton Intersection (By JUTC Bus Depot and Texaco Station) Naggo Head Depending on the turnout, some community collections may also be done. Persons wishing to participate are asked to meet at the Portmore Mall Roundabout at 7:30 a.m. where they will be issued with official vests and collection tins. Persons intending to participate are asked to advise the organizing committee at Portmore_tollinfo@yahoo.com ############################################################ 5. service of appreciation for Pastor Cole - April 10 - MV ############################################################ From: MV To: KReid Date: Thursday, March 31, 2005 09:54PM Subject: Service for Pastor Cole at Portmore Gospel Assembly Dear Kennedy, Passing on information of a service of appreciation for Pastor Cole at Portmore Gospel Assembly the second Sunday in April (just over a week). Could you post it. mv ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* "Most heroes go unnoticed and often unrewarded, but nothing stirs a hero on than work appreciated" Good going Rev'd. Cole, go going! ############################################################ 6. Children's Expo - Englebert Davis ############################################################ From: "Jamaica Foundation for Children" To: "a" Date: Tuesday, April 05, 2005 09:06PM Subject: Advisory: CHILDREN'S EXPO 2005 THE JAMAICA FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN & KFC Present - CHILDREN'S EXPO 2005 In Association With Tang, Nestle Jamaica, C & W Jamaica Foundation At The National Arena May 12, 2005 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. May 13, 2005 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. May 14, 2005 10:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M. May 15, 2005 10:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M. Theme: "Instilling Positive Values, Securing Our Children's Future" Admission: Children: $100 (3-12 Years Old) Adults: $200 Special: Students In Uniform $50 On Thursday May 12 & 13 Attractions: KFC's-Chicky & Chicky Land, Cyber Centre, Book Fair, Story Telling, Kingston Drummers, C-Sharpe Band, Katalys Crew, Alpha Boys Band, Play Area & Much More! Contact: Englebert Davis 977-0040/977-6394 jfc@cwjamaica.com The Foundation is offering pre-sold tickets to schools from Monday, April 04 to Monday, May 09, 2005. Schools in Kingston & St. Andrew, St. Catherine and St. Thomas are invited to attend on Thursday, May 12 & schools from the other parishes are invited to attend on Friday. May 13, 2005. ADV. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 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 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ############################################################ 7. Contacting C.O.K from England - Laverne Bailey ############################################################ From: "Laverne Bailey To: "'kennedyreid@yahoo.com'" Subject: C.O.K Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2005 17:01:58 +0100 Dear Mr Reid Would it be possible to forward me the email address of C.O.K as I am unable to find them on a normal site search? Your help is much appreciated. Yours sincerely Laverne Bailey AMD Administrator Tel: 0208 537 4449 Oaklands House Old Oak Common lane NW10 6DU laverne.bailey@pcha.org.uk ******************* Webmasters Answer ******************* cok@colis.com www.cok.com 1888-225-5265 876-920-6501 876-920-6503 876-906-4757 ############################################################ 8. Toll Road on BBC - Charlie ############################################################ Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2005 14:17:11 -0400 (EDT) From: Charlie To: webmaster@portmore.org Subject: Message from Front page A report was done on BBC world / outlook. It is available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/outlook.shtml You will need real player (download from real.com) to listen to it. Jamaican toll A PhD student at the University of the West Indies tells us his worries about plans for a new expensive toll road in his area and, with Outlook's help, he takes his concerns to Jamaica's Minister for Transport. ############################################################ 9. Disgraceful billboard - Karen Henry ############################################################ From: "Karen Henry" To: kennedyreid@yahoo.com Subject: Disgraceful billboard Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2005 22:03:43 -0500 Dear Sirs The following is an open letter which was published in the Gleaner on Monday, yet nothing has been done about the disgraceful billboard welcoming us into our community I know that as a community we are under pressure with the pending toll road, night noises, crime and other issues, but that does not mean that obscenity must go unchecked. I therefore urge the mayor of Portmore and his team to remove the obscene billboard at the T-junction beside the Petcom Portmore station immediately. I have no desire to stare at women's naked buttocks each evening on my way home. This billboard is absolutely outrageous and must be removed and those responsible penalized. I am Karen Henry ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Dear Karen, Thanks for your concern. I am sure that if you persist in highlighting issues the "officials" must take notice. In fact, I understand now that even the Mayor reads our little e-newsletter and I know he cares about the image of Portmore. I often feel guilty too when I raise what might seem like a "small" issue, but all concerns still need to be raised even if they affect one person! I will look out for the board when on the way home. Regards, Kennedy ADV. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Lees Fifth Avenue 'Visit us online at' http://www.leesfifthavenue.com/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ############################################################ 10. My support is here - Rebecca Gonez ############################################################ Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2005 16:30:40 -0500 (EST) From: Rebecca Gonez To: webmaster@portmore.org Subject: Message from Front page I admire the effort of the organising committee and must let you know that my support is here to; pretty soon my financial contribution will be done. There is so much more I have to say and I feel very strongly, as so many others are, about this act of indiscretion by our government. I'm out of time so I will continue to express my feelings at another time. My contact is [number deleted]. Please forward this letter to the relevant persons. Thank you. Do not publish my email address. ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Contact information is never published unless needed, and we will delete your name if you ask. I will pass your information on to the organising committee. Frankly, I am still hoping the sides can work things out. Kennedy Reid ############################################################ 10. Beautify & Create a Portmore Park - AC ############################################################ Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2005 20:39:26 -0800 (PST) From: AC Subject: Beautify & Create a Portmore Park To: webmaster@portmore.org (Please do not print my name or e-mail. Thanks) Thank you for inviting me to join the newsgroup. It's been real informative. I've received one newsletter so far and enjoyed and would like to add my bit. Who controls the open land between Passage Fort and the Portmore Mall? If it is in our powers (or allowed by those whose powers it is in) it would be really nice if we all chipped in to beautify it. My dream for it is similar to Emancipation Park, a nice clean area with no vending where we can sit and enjoy the breeze (and waterfalls :-) ). I've been living in Passage Fort from about 1984 and the few bushes and unoccupied land has encouraged some unscrupulous men to attack innocent girls (including myself) & women . It would also be nice to see some of the little land we have left not be turned into housing schemes or plazas. Thank you. ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Dear AC, Yuh touch mi heart string..... So many of us have the exact same desire! We need more parks and forested areas just as they do in other modern cities. Some years ago plans were unveiled by UDC to develop the lands in front of the Mall as a grand park area... (see it on the site under maps), but little by little they are selling pieces to businesses. A 3rd building is being built on the spot! The former casting yard of WIHCON would be a wonderful botanical garden. I wish I could convince them to create a future of a greener Portmore. Kennedy Reid ############################################################ 11. Thanks - asedlus ############################################################ Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2005 21:22:59 -0400 (EDT) From: portmo@portmore.org Add to Address Book To: webmaster@portmore.org Subject: Message from Front page Andre Harris I really enjoyed the website. It is very informative. It has given me vital information in completeing my assignment. Thank you very much ADV. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 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 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ [--------------------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--------------------------------]