**************************************************** **************************************************** *** *** *** THE PORTMORE WEBSITE NEWSLETTER *** *** *** **************************************************** **************************************************** Newsletter: Number 16 for 2005 Publication Date: June 04, 2005 Title: The 1st half of this year Editor: Kennedy Reid Subscribers: 268 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. Update - Kennedy Reid 2. Municipal Consultation Notes - Kennedy 3. JNBS Foundation Family Wellness Programme - Judith Wilson 4. Love the Site.... YOUR LETTERS 5. Naked Bottoms Sticking Out - Cynthia Vaughan 6. Caribbean Housing Finance - Veronica Tucker 7. Braeton football - Raimford Martin 8. Mount Royal - Francine Bennett 9. Rapes and Robberies - Basil Fletcher 10. Portmore Seventh Day Church - 11. Municipal Council information 12. Jamaican Memories ############################################################ 1. Update - Kennedy Reid ############################################################ Hello everyone, how are you all doing? I have been having a good time researching Portmore's history for my book (and CD). It's going to be gooooood. Fi I say so myself. For example... I finally definitively know how Portmore came to be called PORTMORE! I also know that in one year the most expensive movie in the world was made at Fort Augusta! Of interest too is the fact that I got to interview the Hon. Edward Seaga and His Worship Mayor George Lee. Next week I should be interviewing Joseph A. Matalon. I believe that those who know their past walk with pride and try harder to succeed! Ever notice the Chinese? Think of the Jamaican Maroons. The English almost destroyed them, but the brutes fought so hard that the English didn't realise they were on the brink of victory. Instead, they reached a peace agreement with the Maroons that may not have been necessary! This should make us proud of the Maroons. We must learn not to repeat the mistakes of the past. For example, do you know that near-shore fishing in Portmore was destroyed in 1943? Over 50 years later and we are still feeling the effect. How can we prevent a repeat of this if we do not know what went wrong in the first place? Think of Columbus and the Indians (Taino). The Tainos should have learnt from Columbus's 1st visit 9 years earlier to kill him on sight! The Caribs did exactly that to outsiders and eventually became the first native group to reach a "settlement" with the English and the French! History is the "what" of the past informing the "where" of the future. On another matter... I went to the Digicel Jamacia Derby (the horse race) to take photos of the biggest race day of the year at Caymanas Park. Have you ever been to the track?.. it's quite interesting (even if you don't gamble). I found it bemusing that although the favourite horse won the Derby, so few of the patrons looked happy. It seems that returns are low on a favourite. Anyway, the pageantry, music, dress, media, live entertainment and VIPs add to "specialness" of the occasion. There are even swings for the kids. The Derby was won by Miracle Man (3 year colt) mounted by rider Allan "Bungo John" Maragh. See the race at http://www.portmore.org/album/album195.html Portmore Week was low key this year. Here are pictures from some of the events.. ahttp://www.portmore.org/lbum/album196.html Ms. Portmore Festival Queen is also on the site. Anakaye Anderson is Miss Portmore have a look. http://www.portmore.org/album/album193.html Labour Day was May 23. The rain stopped part of the day. Interestingly, the Municipality set up a Labour Day command center. All though the day residents could get plants, metal signs, garbage bins, garbage bags, and a tractor to aid their efforts. Good idea Mayor Lee! See Labour Day 2005... http://www.portmore.org/album/album194.html Enjoy the rest of this newsletter. And do remember to pass this newsletter on to other Portmorians!!!! ############################################################ 2. Municipal Consultation Notes - Kennedy ############################################################ Below are notes from a consultation held by the municipality of Portmore. FUNCTION: Municipality of Portmore Stakeholders Consultation on May 10, 2006 at Caymanas Golf Club ATTENDEES: * Guest Host - Dr. Henley Morgan * Elected Representatives - Mayor George Lee, Dept. Deputy Mayor Colin Fagan, Councillors * Secretary Managers - David Parks (Prtmr), Michael Morris (Sp.Twn) * Special Quest. Prof. Rex Nettleford, Rev'd. Garnette Roper PURPOSE: * Assess progress and future of the Municipality. * To advance the cause of Local Gov. Reform. GENERAL LAWS: * Municipality was established on June 22, 2003 * Minister Simpson-Miller signed the Municipal Charter May 22, 2003 * Municipal Courts are to start in Portmore on June 16, 2005 * There is a 2 Million Gallon shortfall of water in Portmore * The municipality can prosecute violators but is unable to offer solution alternatives to them. * Funding has been received from Canadian Development Agency for development of the Portmore Development Plan * IN Portmore over $220 million property tax is due. Persons are encouraged to pay it since 10% to come to municipality. MAYOR LEE’S COMMENTS: * Welcomed guests and friends * There is a need for a discussion on issues of centralization or decentralization of: - Solid waste regulatory or operational agencies. - Poor relief * We must Demand - More funding for local government, - Upgrading of the Local Gov. Act, - The entrenchment of local government in the national constitution, - Greater autonomy to manage local affairs (less power for minister of local gov.) - Work on the NEPA Act - National Environment and Planning Act * We also need to consider - MOU with St. Catherine Parish Council - The Municipality Act and Charter MAYOR BROWN’S GREETINGS * He suggest that - The term of local government should be 5 Years, - Councillors should be limited to 3 terms of office - Councillors should trained before and after elections. * There is a $150,000 fund for Portmore to help with the reform process PROF. REX NETTLEFORD’S PRESENTATION * He is prod of the Portmore Experience as in the 1960s there was only a plan for a hospital, but today: - There is a sense of Community developed - The people did not just see houses but homes. * He encourages us to: - Getting the participation of citizens, - Resistance to autocracy. - Care for the endangered environment - Invest in human resources, demand excellence. - Write and design a paper on Local Government reform (best practice) - Be sanative to issues in a non-partisan way. - A “Youth Policy” is needed – Youth as seeking place and purpose - Unify and support the family, church, school, political parties - Encourage sports, performing arts, uniformed organisation * We must convince our people that the municipality must be fit to rule and govern. - you must meet basic needs. MR. KEITH MILLER’S PRESENTATION * Local Gov Reform Plan is about how we see ourselves and where we want to go. It is about how to build a community that citizens would be satisfied with. How do we overcome inhibitions to the local goals. * Minister Simpson wants the local authorities to come up with their own reform plan. Any demands the local authorities make need to be justified in their proposals. * Items that need to be in a local gov. reform plan: - milestones, goals, timelines, long and short term plans - Structures and functions needed to support objectives, - Define responsibilities, cooperation and links - Answers to Issues of self governance, finance, and building consensus. ADV. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Lees Fifth Avenue 'Visit us online at' http://www.leesfifthavenue.com/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ############################################################ 3. JNBS Foundation Family Wellness Programme - Judith Wilson ############################################################ From: "Judith Wilson(Communications)" To: "'webmaster@portmore.org'" Subject: JNBS Foundation Family Wellness Programme Launch in Portmore Date: Sat, 4 Jun 2005 15:41:18 -0500 Everone is invited to attend the launch of the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation’s Family Wellness Programme on Wednesday June 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Faith Temple New Testament Church of God, Bayside, Portmore, St. Catherine. Admission is free. FAMILY WELLNESS PROGRAMME TO BE LAUNCHED IN PORTMORE Over 2,000 residents from communities in Portmore and Spanish Town, St. Catherine, are expected to attend the launch of the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation’s Family Wellness Programme and “The Bonding-The-Hearts-For-Home” family series on Wednesday June 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Faith Temple New Testament Church of God, Bayside, Portmore. The Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of National Security, will be guest speaker. The programme will also include messages from Earl Jarrett, General Manager, JNBS and Elder Anthony Gordon, family educator and author of the series. The series will focus on the following areas - “Principles of Family Wellness”, “The 4 Stages of Parenting”, “A Couples Connection – Possibility or Utopian?”, “Bonding the Hearts for Home”, and “Principles of Dating & Courtship for Youth – [part deleted]”. Mary Allen, JNBS Executive in charge of Special Projects, said the wellness programme was being launched in an effort “to return the central focus of Jamaicans to the important role of the family in determining how individuals and communities make good choices, which enable wellness to thrive in our homes, schools, communities and country.” “The JN Foundation realizes that there is a need to alleviate the prevalence of crime, unhealthy lifestyles, immorality and despondency that seek to overwhelm our nation, by educating Jamaicans about wellness through the promotion of positive family life,” she indicated. Under the JNBS Foundation Wellness Programme, various activities and projects on intellectual, financial, emotional and spiritual wellness, are being merged to promote the overall wellness of families, schools and communities in Jamaica. Judy Mowatt and the Kencot Seventh-day Adventist Youth Choir are also slated to perform at the event. 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. Love the Site.... YOUR LETTERS ############################################################ Date: Wed, 18 May 2005 10:31:02 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Message from Front page I love this site oits very informative keep it up. How can i advertise on your site? Tricia Gavin ****************************** Date: Sun, 29 May 2005 13:21:38 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Message from Front page I just found this site today. Thanks i can now participate in Portmore Via this site A-PLUS DRIVING SCHOOL ****************************** Date: Wed, 11 May 2005 From: portmo@portmore.org To: webmaster@portmore.org Subject: Message from Front page i was trying to send the portmore college an email but the email info that you guys have there is completely sh_t [word modified] sorry to say but this is public info we are talking about here, change there contact email to "portmorecc@cybervale.com" please do so before anyone else who is of more importance than me finds out, contact your web designer and have them change that silly mistake [Name signed as "not relevant"] ############################################################ 5. Naked Bottoms Sticking Out - Cynthia Vaughan ############################################################ Date: Wed, 4 May 2005 06:35:43 -0700 (PDT) From: "cynthia vaughan" To: portmore_newsletter-owner@yahoogroups.com Hi Kennedy, I note that a few weeks ago a lady wrote about an advertisement with naked bottoms sticking out at you just after passing the Petcom Gas Station at the Portmore Town Centre. It seems to me that you , and members of the Parish Council do not drive that way. In other words, you all seem to use Port Henderson Road or Mandela. The Ad is so prominent that you can't turn the corner without seeing it. Can you contact the relevant persons to have it taken down or defaced,since they apparently do not read your newsletter?. We need to start lifting up our morals . Let's begin now! Cynthia Vaughan ******************* Webmasters Reply ******************* I keep forgetting to look! Sorry I hope the authorities see it. Kennedy ############################################################ 6. Caribbean Housing Finance - Veronica Tucker ############################################################ vtucker Kennedy, I am Veronica Tucker , I spoke with you today about the phone number for Caribbean Housing Finance Corp. I will greatly appreciate you getting it to me. Thanks ***************** Webmaster's Reply ***************** Dear VTucker As you discovered, the Caribbean Housing Finance merged with National Housing Development Corp (NHDC). The Old number was 968-2968 (but that phone gives a computer tone!). The NHDC numbers are 926-5855 Kennedy ADV. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Lees Fifth Avenue 'Visit us online at' http://www.leesfifthavenue.com/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ############################################################ 7. Braeton football - Raimford Martin ############################################################ Subject: RE: Braeton football Date: Tue, 10 May 2005 05:09:23 -0500 From: "Raimford Martin " To: "kennedy Reid" 6538 N. 49TH. CT. MILWAUKEE, WI 53223 - RAINFORD MARTIN OR E-MAIL RRMARTIN@FMLH.EDU -----Original Message----- From: kennedy Reid Sent: Monday, May 09, 2005 9:56 PM To: Raimford Martin Subject: Re: Braeton football I would like to get in touch with someone from the "old braeton' football club as I would like to help anyway I can. I am the founder of the playfield now Ferdi Neita complex. The older folks will remember me as 'maragh' as I started footbal in braeton and surrounding areas. Please contact me by e-mail. 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 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ############################################################ 8. Mount Royal - Francine Bennett ############################################################ Subject: Availability in Mount Royal Date: Wed, 25 May 2005 13:59:44 -0500 From: "Francine Bennett" Hi Team, I currently live in Waterford and I wanted some information about the developers of the new scheme Mount Royal and how I would go about getting one of the detached units. If this is possible could you forward information and or contact number to the above email address or Thanks in advance. Francine Bennett ******************* Webmasters Reply ******************* Francine, Mr. Ransford White informs me that ALL the homes are sold. Sorry. However Mrs Judy Bruce of WIHCON wants to show everyone the new "stand alone" homes near Old Harbour!... the Aviary. Call her at 922-6670-9 (Mrs. Bruce now owes me for this free ad!) Kennedy Reid ############################################################ 9. Rapes and Robberies - Basil Fletcher ############################################################ Dear Sir/Madam; It has been brought to my attention as Vice President of the Aintree Citizen Assn, by the vendors who ply their wares next to the Greater Portmore Sports Complex/open land, that there has been a sharp and dramatic increase in the number of rapes and robberies ,taking place near and around the stands/change rooms on the Greater Portmore Sports Complex/open land. This information has been confirmed by both the security guards at the Greater Portmore Post Office and the security guards at the Greater Portmore Shoppers Fair Super Market. This area is used by both students on their way from the Greater Portmore Library and shoppers on their way to and from the shopping centre/supermarket. It is also important to rember that , it was at this same location less than a year ago a young man from the community of 8 West was shot dead. There is an urgent need for nightly police patrols and searches of the stand area of this Sports Complex ,between the hours of 7.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m..Their is an urgent need for better co-operation between the police and security guards working near to this open land/Sports Complex. Yours truly, Basil Fletcher, Vice President, Aintree Citizens' Assn ******************* Webmasters Comment ******************* I hope the authorities see this. Could any reader pass this on to Mr. Lee or the Police for me? One problem with the Police force is that it has no Organisational Memory.... all activity depends on the temporary interest of the officers. When these officers are moved or are distracted there are no system structures to continue the process. So, today they start a plan and tomorrow it is forgotten! So I doubt if your appeals for long term patrols make any sense. Councillors Wint and Thomas are supposed to be getting lights for the Complex. many persons have written proposals asking donor agencies to help us fence the area but to no avail. What we really need is a moral Jamaica. Kennedy ############################################################ 10. Portmore Seventh Day Church - ############################################################ From: "Portmore Seventh - day Adventist Church" To: webmaster@portmore.org Subject: submitting our link... Date: Sun, 22 May 2005 17:37:08 -0500 I just learnt about the portmore site and have been browsing. I will visit some more in the future. I am requesting to have our church website address http://portmoresda.org listed on the Church and Religion page. We are still completing our site upgrade but there is enough content online for visitors to see. Please let me know if this is okay. Christian Regards, Portmore Seventh-Day Adventist Church Communication Department meet@portmoresda.org http://portmoresda.org ******************* Webmasters Reply ******************* The "Links" page has been updated with the web site. Is that OK? Kennnedy ############################################################ 11. Municipal Council information ############################################################ Good Day I would like contact information on the Municipal Council's Office please. Thanks in advance Farrah Lumbley ******************* Webmasters Reply ******************* The Office is in Portmore Pines Plaza Call 740-7440-1 Kennnedy ############################################################ 12. Jamaican Memories ############################################################ From: "Rashida Knight" & the Net Subject: Jamaican Memories Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 14:12:48 +0000 JAMAICA MEMORIES!! Let your mind take you back to those days .. At primary school - an icy mint was 1 cent a fudge was 5 cents free vegetable patties free cows milk, cherry milk free uniform material Walking through the Malls in Constant Spring at Christmas, lighting sparkles.. The song "Arlene a mus'e dream yu deh dream" Far less crime and poverty Ring Ding when it was in black and white, or Colgate Cavity Fighters club. Sunday Matinee in black and white. Running between the roller-coaster, tilt-a-whirl, scrambler and bumpercars at Coconut Park. J.O.S. buses. Paper fifty cents. Hello, my name is Tamara Dobson.. even though you may know me as Cleopatra Jones." The radio soap opera "Dulcemina". CeeBert Toppsi and Epiphany night clubs. A.P.I. TV programming, shortly followed by JAMAL - Into the Light. When splinter was called grass bottle and mirror was looking glass. When travelling after SIX the only thing to be afraid of was DUPPY When people went to parties to dance with each other and not to cut pose. When school children looked like scholars. The Fortunes of Floralee" radio soap opera. Please ah beggin u sumting for my two children dem mam" ... 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--------------------------------]