**************************************************** **************************************************** *** *** *** THE PORTMORE WEBSITE NEWSLETTER *** *** *** **************************************************** **************************************************** Newsletter: Number 15 for 2005 Publication Date: May 03, 2005 Title: Voices from the Past Editor: Kennedy Reid Subscribers: 267 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. Municipal Notes - Kennedy 2. Hailstones fall in Portmore - Shakka Zullu 3. PJCA and Portmore Week - Andrea Lawrence 4. Toll Road Madness! - Uken Campbell 5. Worried about the Causeway 1968 - HAYMOND L. BURGHER 6. Bruce's comment was entirely in order - Errol Williamson 7. Portmore - Let's Face It - Robert Roache 8. Football 9. Final Comment! ############################################################ 1. Municipal Notes - Kennedy ############################################################ Below are notes from the Disaster Preparedness & Public Health Committee of the municipality of Portmore. Meeting May 02, 2005 10:02 a.m. NoteS * The Municipality is thinking of joining with Harbour View to Sue the NWC on the poor conditions at the sewage plants. The municipality is particularly upset about the Greater Portmore Sewage Plant. JET (Jamaica Environmental Trust) is playing a role in this matter. Mayor Lee proposes that a formal complaint needs to go to the OUR (office of Utilities regular) first. * Naggo Head Square sewage system is of concern and will be reinvigorated from the with the "new" Liftup Jamaica project abandon. A major company wants to assist. * On the 10th of May 2005 there will be a municipal Council Conference on the Environment. Community leaders need to contact the Council for more information. * Communities need to send in schedules and information on their Labour Day activities in order to get assistance. The municipality will be focusing on cleaning (Solid waste) projects. Particularly the collection of old appliances (stoves, sinks, machines). Send your list in by Thursday 6th May. Flyers will be distributed stating the time and nature of the cleanup. * Please encourage Councillors to send in a list of "Critical Drains" in your communities. The Mayor needs this to submit this week to the Ministry. Councillors must submit estimates of cost for cleaning. * The Building Plan for the Municipal Disaster Management Center was presented to the committee [it is just as Kennedy Reid designed it with a section for command and control and for conferences]. It is to be approved by the building committee today. Later an MOU will be signed with the Greater Portmore Joint Council. ADV. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Lees Fifth Avenue 'Visit us online at' http://www.leesfifthavenue.com/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ############################################################ 2. Hailstones fall in Portmore - Shakka Zullu ############################################################ Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2005 11:28:26 -0400 (EDT) To: webmaster@portmore.org Subject: Message from Front page hailstones fall in Portmore, is that true? do you have the article along wiht the pictrues of the stones? if yes, can u email me? Shakka Zullu ******************* Webmasters Reply ******************* Yes! It is true. It occurred one afternoon in April. Many of us were at work so we did not see it. However, I am told that in some places they were as big as ice cubes! Others say they melted on contact with the earth. At other places they were collected as snow. There were no injuries but I observed a few wild flowers a little shriveled a few days later. I have no pictures. If there is anyone out there that has the pictures please do us a favour and send for me to post them. On the matter of pictures, I hate to beg but ... is there anyone out there willing to send me a 10X optical zoom camera? I need it to get close to some scenes (Fauna) etc. and I surely can not afford such a camera at this time. Kennedy ############################################################ 3. PJCA and Portmore Week - Andrea Lawrence ############################################################ From: "Andrea Lawrence" Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2005 07:39:11 -0500 Hi Kennedy: Haven't heard from you for some time now. Anyway, is the PJCA involved in the Portmore week activities?? Are they a part of the planning process?? Andrea ******************* Webmasters Reply ******************* Dear Andrea, I have no idea. Someone whispered to me that they had boycotted Portmore Week because of the toll thing, but I was later told that that was NOT SO. I hope someone on the newsletter audience can shed light. Their meetings are the 1st Sundays at Edgewater Community Center. I was planning to attend but I was babysitting last 1st Sunday... so Kennedy 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 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ############################################################ 4. Toll Road Madness! - Uken Campbell ############################################################ From: "Uken Campbell (Linstead)" Subject: Toll Road Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2005 10:52:15 -0500 I have never written before but I felt I had to respond to your latest bit on the Toll Road issue and first let me say I appreciate your candor and honesty. I am AGAINST taking anybody to court and they could not get a cent from me to support this stupidness, last week it took me a half hour to move from my gate in Independence City and we are still trying to maintain that the Causeway still be used we seem like a set of Jokers trying to hang on to the past. As a resident of Portmore since the 70's we have outgrown the Causeway from in the 80's, remember when the Causeway was built there were very few communities there now it is more than REDUNDANT I know persons who do not now attempt to use the causeway although it is much shorter to get to Kingston. The problems and solutions you propose is what we should be trying to work out -I.e. lower toll fees etc and I am also adding to the mix the need for a bicycle lane and automatic toll booths to make the passage easier and quicker. Something also has got to be done about the roundabout to get to Mandela as is even further headaches now I suggest a bypass overhead that leads to Portmore or easier still access to the highway for Portmore Residents as a means of getting on the Mandela or off as the case may be. We need to stop this madness of trying to live in the PAST ############################################################ 5. Worried about the Causeway 1968 - HAYMOND L. BURGHER ############################################################ THE EDITOR, Sir:- I shall appreciate it if you find it possible to give this early publication and prominence. The new housing development at Independence City is currently being given massive publicity, the main feature being the proposed 4 1/2 mile access to the city via the new causeway. I think the public - particularly prospective home purchasers at Independence City - are entitled to certain safeguards NOW. and I list them hereunder:- (1) Will the causeway be ready for safe and normal traffic simultaneously with the handing over by promoter to purchaser of the first house? (2) Is it proposed to levy a toll on all traffic using the causeway? (3) If the answer to the question (2) is in the affirmative, how will be the toll? I ask these questions as the sewage disposal fiasco at Harbour View is fresh in my mind, but for the kindness of Sir Alexander Bustamante, many owners there might have lost their homes in the face of the phenomenal and recurrent cost of sewage disposal. Heavens knows how much this service is costing taxpayers. There has never been any precise statement by either of the Minister of Planning or Communications regarding the questions I have raised, and this causeway is of such importance that a statement as regards to final commitment should not be left to promoters, however reputable. It would be disastrous to purchasers at Independence City to hear that due to some unforeseen seismographic phenomenon, completion of the causeway must be delayed for 3 to 5 years. It will be hardly less disastrous to purchase on the strength of there dramatic advertisements (which say nothing of a toll) only to be charged one later for using the causeway, I am, etc., HAYMOND L. BURGHER Box 302 Kingston 8, March 17, 1968 ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* The above was taken verbatim from a letter to the Gleaner Newspaper's editor in 1968! Isn't it interesting? Out of historic curiosity... does anyone know where to find Mr. Burgher? Interestingly, I recently interviewed a 97 year old "portmorian" who was born and grown in Passage Fort. You see I am in the process of writing the 'History of Portmore'... so you can all must get ready to purchase this wonderful book and CD collection! Portmore has a very interesting 500 year history! Not to mention that I have over 500 pictures to edit! Is there anyone out there you think I should interview? Do any of you have pictures of Gilbert or the early days in Portmore? I am currently writing to Mr. Seaga for an interview. He was the Minister who announce the Modern Portmore development in the late 1960s. I am more than willing to team up with others to complete this important project... The History of Portmore. More later! Kennedy ADV. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Lees Fifth Avenue 'Visit us online at' http://www.leesfifthavenue.com/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ############################################################ 6. Bruce's comment was entirely in order - Errol Williamson ############################################################ Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2005 12:17:04 -0700 (PDT) From: "Errol Williamson" Hi there Kennedy-reid. Errol Williamson here! Good Newsletter as usual, However I will not let the Jab at our new Leader Bruce Golding go unanswered.I ask that You publish this reply. Make no secret of the fact that I was the former caretaker of South St> Catherine. Bruce's comment was entirely in order. Just think of the action of the Police, Spanish Town is bleeding,all areas infested by thugs calling themselves this name or the other name yet only in the area Known for its JLP leanings,do they invade and proceed with their 30 year old tactics. Only when the Leader speaks out, do they belatedly invade another area. this is not good enough, the JLP want to see to see police activities that target crime and criminals not political supporters. Remember Tivoli Gardens! we still have no explanation for that slaughter. 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. Portmore - Let's Face It - Robert Roache ############################################################ Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2005 10:24:09 +0100 (BST) From: "robert roache" Subject: Re: Portmore - Let's Face It " To: portmore_newsletter-owner@yahoogroups.com Mr. Reid, I am encouraged by your response to the article titled "Lets get to the root of our development" published in the last news letter of April 22, 2005. Which has inspired this article "Lets Face it " Resulting from your response I am interested in pointing out the following - The Greater Portmore Joint Council responsibilities include but not limited : ->to unite 19 – 24 Citizen Association ->to speak & act in unity for development of the community ->to monitor each citizen association under it's charge - The Joint Council has a constitution - Citizen must request help where there are difficulties with it's local association. Fundamental to the Joint council's effectiveness to perform their functions is an active citizen association with active members. In my humble opinion therefore, the mandate, guidelines, constitution or plans of the Joint Council should include activities, which enhances a healthy citizen association. I feel it is reasonable that the citizen association should have the following - No less than 50% active support of residents living in that sector (and we are not there yet). - Providing sensitive community information to members e.g. I would want to know the number of reported break ins, cars thefts or even rapes that has taken place in my community monthly;. And most importantly I feel the Joint Council should play their part in keeping the product "Citizen association" attractive. The word is that a number of associations in Portmore only have an active executive body. A citizen will not know if help is need if the .03% active attendance to the association meeting is an accepted practice. In closing please, may I ask the following: - Where can I view the constitution of the Greater Portmore Joint Council. - Why are the association not encouraged to make long , medium and short term plans which is supported by a Mission and vision statement. - Is there a Mission and Vision For the Joint Council. I would surely be interested in hearing other views of persons who are closely linked to Joint council. I thank you for your efforts Mr. Reid and dont you forget to remember to Continue to do the Great work you have started. Readers home and abraad.., Big Up because this would not be good without your input. Write A piece today. ******************* Webmasters Reply ******************* Robert, Thanks for your encouragement. I hope others will listen and contribute to this newsletter as you do. My mail box has been empty! I think we need more news from all sections of Portmore. Well, the constitution of the Joint Council can be read at the portmore site under the topic 'Greater Portmore'. Recently posted is the latest Environment Plan by the Council. I would rather that most of your questions are answered by the current Chairperson of the Council; Mrs. Heather Wallen-Bryan. I would be happy to furnish you with her contact numbers. I think she reads this newsletter. One comment... Citizens Associations are voluntary association of very busy members of any community. There are no laws legitimizing this movement and like most Jamaican organisations (including our families) there are few traditions and resources to sustain them. Associations are "staffed" by volunteers. Indeed, if you attend a meeting you will see that Jamaicans often have difficulty coming to a 'GROUP" decisions. The common thing is for leaders to do all the talking at meetings, all the decision making, and eventually all the work! If they succeed at any effort they even take all the praise too (laugh). Another problem is the high suspicion we have of any money collection. There are too many stories of lack of accountability. Robert, you see the challenge of being as effective as you outline. I am still proud of what the few residents have achieved so far. ############################################################ 8. Football ############################################################ From: RamGolfr57@aol.com Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2005 14:10:49 EDT Subject: Football - St. Catherine Division One Finals SouthBoro and Independence City advanced to the championship match of the Candon Enterprises St. Catherine Division One League. SouthBoro defeated Police 1-0 in extra time; and Independence City beat McCook's Pen 2-0 on penalty kicks after playing to a scoreless draw. The championship match will be held April 28 at Prison Oval. Regardless of the winner, both South Boro and Independence City will be promoted to Major League next season. EDITORIAL: With Portmore Week, one would think St. Catherine Parish Football Association would have moved the game to Portmore. From: RamGolfr57@aol.com Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2005 11:51:29 EDT Subject: Indy City Wins Division One Title Kennedy, Independence City won the St. Catherine Division One championship, beating South Boro 4-2 on penalty kicks after playing to a 2-2 draw Thursday at Prison Oval. Independence City and South Boro will be promoted to the St. Catherine Major League next season. For Independence City, it is the second promotion in two years. They were promoted to Division One after winning the Portmore city championship last year. ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* Friend, please sign your name to your e-mails! Please keep us informed. ############################################################ 9. Final Comment! ############################################################ Dear readers, don't get hot under the collar when I do not reply to your comments posted in the newsletters. The reason for this is that I want YOU to have the last word where possible (unless you require my further comment). When I write a "webmaster's comment" it is my ADDITion to what you have said. When I state a "webmasters reply" I am making a direct response to answer what you have said.... Ok? Also note that I have made a number of request in this newsletter. PLEASE answer where you can! Duh! Finally, do remember to pass this newsletter on to others... particularly other Jamaicans. Kennedy ADV. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Lees Fifth Avenue 'Visit us online at' http://www.leesfifthavenue.com/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ [--------------------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--------------------------------]