PORTMORE WEBSITE NEWSLETTER Web site http://www.portmore.org Reply to webmaster@portmore.org Newsletter Number 10/2001 September 11, 2001 Number of Subscribers - 300+
Hello everyone,
Does any one of you know what is a "political agenda" ? Why are so many persons accusing others of having this condition.
I'm puzzled! ..... Is it contagious?
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------------ Card Launch ------------ You are invited to attend the Greater Portmore Joint Council Meeting on Saturday September 15, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. sharp!
On the agenda... is the launch of our Beautiful Souvenir Card fundraising.
We are going to be selling a high quality card to residents for $50 each. On the card is a picture of the Greater Portmore Sports Complex. The major part of the funds collected will go towards this Sports Complex.
Have you seen the progress on the grounds? Along with the Grand Stand built years ago, we now have water and sprinklers, a field measured out, tanks, security guard, etc.
Any resident who buys a ticket will have a chance to win $10,000 shopping from MegaMart, $5,000 shopping from SuperPlus, $3,000 car care from Portmore Motors, and $700 computer software from Computer Genie.
Also on the agenda is a discussion of what's the next step with the $80 million owed to Greater Portmore!!!!!!!!!
If you have been following the matter, the Auditor General's reports said that $80 million in "surplus" sewage charge was collected from Greater Portmore mortgagers. We want that money back in the community! Do you? We have NOT heard from the Minister of Housing and Water lately. Many phone calls have been made, but none answered! It's now time to take to the streets on this matter! If the Auditor General's report is wrong then let the Department write a retraction report to Parliament and to the people of Greater Portmore!
Come to the meeting and lets plan what to do on this matter.
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-------------- Municipality -------------- Since last month there have been consultations on Municipality though out Portmore. People have been making their points most forcefully.
A formal report from the Secretariat will be up soon!
My own observation is that people want 1) Direct election of the Mayor 2) A greater role for "civil society" 3) Accountability, transparency, responsiveness 4) Better provision of amenities and services; Such as a hospital, maintenance of Parks etc.
Not to be confused with municipality is the Idea of Local Government Reform in which parishes As we know them will not exist and larger groupings Designated. As I listen to Mr. Miller speak on The matter, I am still to decide if the reform Is just another ploy to save money or a true Desire for efficiency. Are we shopping black Dog (a Parish Council) for Monkey? Say tuned
Another issue is the Municipal rated. In this, the government wants to charge you For municipal services ... garbage collection, etc. They say that in spite of our many taxes, we don't Pay for these service (or not enough). With the minister of Local Government behind it As its main champion, Portmore was selected as The first area for these new charges! The issue of our borders was settled in a wink!
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------ Census ------ Today, Sept. 11, was Census Day in Jamaica.
This means that census takers will be visiting You to determine the nature of the population As it was on this day. For example, if you are dead AFTER that date you will still be counted!
In Portmore, we will finally know the level of our population!
Why do we need to know?
Because no one will be able to tell us we don't need a hospital because there is no "information". As they did once! But better yet, we could better plan for our future!
Support the census.
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-------------- House for sale -------------- 2 North Greater Portmore.
3 bed rooms, 1 bathroom, A/C Unit, Grilled, Ceramic Tiles, Walk-in-closet, Fenced, room for expansion.
$2.8M Contact No. 740-0698 (After 5pm) 829-3532 (cell)
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---------- Final Word ----------
On the matter of having a political agenda.... I think it means that the poor creatures don't understand that in a democracy contrary ideas are accommodated from friends and foes.
Who cares what your motive is!
It is time to judge arguments on their merits and STOP wondering if the person is a supporter of a political Party.
Let's grow up!
Kennedy Reid
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