Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Portland Jamaica Rising from the rubble

Devon Richards attempts to salvage items from what was his house in Sandshore, Manchioneal. - Ricardo Makyn photo
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121031/lead/lead1.html
  Click above on mobile or at end on PC to see full report and more heart-rending photos by Ricardo Makyn

by Anastasia Cunningham, News Coordinator | The Gleaner | 31 October 2012
Portlanders struggle to recover after hurricane
Hurricane Sandy reduced the community of Manchioneal in Portland almost to rubble. A week later, tears still stained the faces of many of the residents who were in disbelief that in such hard times, fate would be so cruel.
They have been hit hard by several natural disasters over the years, but many agreed that last Wednesday's Category One hurricane, which they admit to underestimating, was the worst.
"Gilbert couldn't compare. Sandy a di boss. Who fi move, she just move. She just come without warning and siddung pon we fi 'bout six hours and tear down everything flat," 43-year-old Donovan Marriott told The Gleaner.
The seaside community of Sandshore in Manchioneal was a picture of disaster. Some residents didn't know where or how to begin putting their lives back together.
Devon Richards, his common-law-wife, Donna Withworth, and her five children have nothing left but the foundation on which their three-bedroom house once stood and whatever few belongings Sandy was gracious enough to leave behind.
"This one worse than the others, believe you me," said Withworth.
HOUSE VIBRATES VIOLENTLY
Richards said last Wednesday afternoon, they were inside the house when the hurricane made landfall. Suddenly, the house began to vibrate violently.
"Me neva like how it feel, so mi seh to har, 'Come go over next door'. 'Bout 15 minutes after we leave, mi look out and see the house flat and everything a blow wey," he said.
They tried to save their furniture and belongings, but everything was destroyed and several items, including pieces of the board and zinc house, were blown away.
Withworth's children are now taking refuge with their grandfather, while herself and her partner 'kotch' in a board structure on their premises, pondering how to rebuild.
"Manchioneal was devastated. There was so much wind, things were flying like kite. People were running to other people house in the hurricane after their roof blow off," said 68-year-old Elaine Burnett.
"Gilbert was bad, but it wasn't as bad as Sandy. Gilbert came with the sea, but Sandy came for house and housetop. Sandy took your zinc and anything else and carry it miles away."
Burnett was forced to seek refuge with a neighbour after her roof was blown off.
"When I came back and look at my house, I had to cry," she said.
 anastasia.cunningham@gleanerjm.com

Read more - click on link:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121031/lead/lead1.html

Yet Another Super Millionaire in Jamaica! Is it You?

 
Kingston, Jamaica: Wednesday, October 31, 2012: Super Lotto, the first jackpot game to be offered simultaneously in multiple countries across the Caribbean, has created yet another Super Millionaire in Jamaica.

The lucky winner, who has not yet come forward to claim the mega prize, hit the jackpot on October 2. The player won the SPLIT PRICE AMOUNT OF J$171,600,000 or the USD equivalent of $1,920,000, with the winning numbers 15, 17, 24, 30, 31 and Super Ball 03.

"We are urging all Super Lotto players to check their tickets dated October 2," said Sonia Davidson, Vice President of Group Corporate Communications atSupreme Ventures. She added, "We know that the winning ticket was purchased in Montego Bay -- so anyone who buys Super Lotto in that city should be especially alert!

"This prize will have a life changing effect on the holder of the winning ticket, and it would really be a shame for the winner to lose out on it! Super Lotto winners have 90 days within which to collect their prizes – and for this winner, nearly a third of that time has already passed!"

Apart from the jackpot winners, thousands of other lucky Super Lotto winners have received a variety of prizes below the jackpot level ranging from thousands to millions of dollars. Super Lotto players in Jamaica have won over $660 Million since the game was launched.

In addition to Jamaica, the Super Lotto game can be accessed by some 13 million persons across seven other Caribbean countries:-the Dominican Republic, Barbados, St. Kitts & Nevis, Anguilla, Antigua, St. Maarten and the US Virgin Islands. The Super Lotto game has created many happy winners across the participating Caribbean countries, bringing the total amount of prizes won to date to over US$22,000,000.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

YB Afraid Foundation and Food For The Poor Assist Hurricane Sandy Victims in Jamaica

Staff members and volunteers from Food For The Poor (FFP)-Jamaica, wearing YB Afraid Foundation and Food For The Poor shirts, worked assiduously on Sunday, October 28, to distribute hurricane relief packages to residents in Portland that were badly affected by Hurricane Sandy.
YB Afraid, Olympic medal winner Yohan Blake's foundation, made a monetary donation that was matched by Food For The Poor to assist families that were affected by Hurricane Sandy in Fruitful Vale and Norwich, in Portland.
The children were all smiles as they received nutritional items during the hurricane relief distribution in the community of Norwich courtesy of Food For The Poor (FFP)-Jamaica and YB Afraid Foundation.
Kedine White, 25, firmly grips the mattress she received from Food For The Poor (FFP)-Jamaica and the YB Afraid Foundation during the distribution of relief items in Fruitful Vale, Portland.

FOOD FOR THE POOR,
6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073 • (954) 427-2222 • Fax: (954) 426-6500• www.foodforthepoor.org

   
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Oct. 30, 2012) – Hurricane Sandy victims in Fruitful Vale and Norwich in Portland, Jamaica, were relieved when a caravan of containers and trucks maneuvered past downed power lines and debris to bring them emergency relief assistance on Sunday, Oct. 28. YB Afraid Foundation and Food For The Poor partnered to bring the critically needed supplies to approximately 700 people in urgent need of assistance.
YB Afraid, Yohan Blake's foundation, made a monetary donation that was matched by Food For The Poor, and assisted in the delivery of food, WATA brand water bottles, mattresses, blankets, and shoes to soaked Hurricane Sandy victims. In November, Blake will lead Food For The Poor's 5K Walk/Run For Hunger in Deerfield Beach, Fla. Proceeds from the 5K Walk/Run will raise money to purchase food to feed destitute families in the Caribbean and Latin America.
The presence of the 28 Food For The Poor staff members and volunteers wearing the charity's and YB Afraid Foundation shirts offered residents comfort and hope.
"No other organization has come in to help since the passage of the hurricane," said Kedine White, a Fruitful Vale resident. "This is the first form of help we are getting, I am truly appreciative and I know the other residents are too."
In Portland, many residents reported having the roofs of their homes ripped off, and creeping ocean flood waters seeping in around windows and doors, filling homes with mud. The hurricane strength wind gusts and merciless rain bands have magnified the need for safe, permanent housing in Jamaica.
"My daughter and I were badly affected by the Hurricane," said White. "I am so thankful to Food For The Poor for the help, especially the mattress, because we have been sleeping on a damp bed since the hurricane and my daughter's asthma has been acting up ever since. Now we have somewhere dry to sleep at night."
The storm's aftermath will be difficult for the island's farmers who report that ripe fruit was stripped from trees, banana trees were flattened, and pepper plants submerged in mud. Many impoverished Jamaicans rely on the land for food, as they cannot afford to purchase food items.
"The storm did a lot of damage in Portland," said Blake. "A lot of people are suffering without shelter or even food to eat. I am glad to be in a position to help. Through my foundation's partnership with Food For The Poor and WATA on this project we are able to make a positive difference in the lives of those suffering."
Storm relief items from Food For The Poor-Jamaica's warehouse in Kingston are being distributed and additional containers are expected to arrive soon. The most urgent need now is for cash donations so that food supplies can be replenished, and new homes can be built to prevent any more deaths from landslides.
You can also help by signing up online to fight hunger alongside Jamaican Olympic medal winner Blake on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 7 a.m. at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, Fla.
Register to participate in the charity's 5K Walk/Run online at www.FoodForThePoor.org/walk. While on the website, take advantage of free fundraising tips designed to help you reach your fundraising goal by sharing your ideas with family, friends, co-workers and contacts.
Cost of registration is $20 for adults and $15 for children ages 6-10. There's no fee for children 5 and under. The registration cost includes a T-shirt for the first 1,500 who sign up. There will be refreshments, live music, balloon artists, face painters and more at this family event. Registration starts at 6:30 a.m., the walk/run begins at 7 a.m. and the awards ceremony is at 8 a.m.
Food For The Poor, named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.


Contact information: Jennifer Oates, Food for the Poor, Inc., 6401 Lyons Road , 33073, FL Coconut Creek

Monday, October 29, 2012

VOTE FOR LAURA FACEY NOW!

Vote for the Emancipation Park monument artist Laura Facey, for Art Takes Miami People's Choice Award.  
CLICK LINK HERE:  http://laurafacey.see.me/atm2012   The deadline is OCTOBER 30th!


When the http:// link is opened, see a black & White photo of Laura and see 'button' to vote in the black band above photo.


!!!!!Thank you for voting for Laura!!!!!

‘We must remain awake’

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales - 'This is democracy' (photo by Jean Lowrie-Chin)
by Jean Lowrie-Chin
Jamaica Observer column | Monday 29 October 2012

After the passing of Hurricane Sandy, we should pause to commend the Office of Disaster Preparedness for their warnings and the network of volunteers islandwide who prepared shelters to protect at-risk citizens. There is a reason why ODPEM is one of Jamaica’s most efficiently run agencies – continuity. The head does not change every time there is a change of government.

Perhaps if the organisation did not have a volunteer network, it would have attracted more attention from the wrong people. The big-budget government ministries and agencies are the prize and so every time the government changes, the people’s business is disrupted. All the signage, stationery, business cards, brochures and posters produced with our hard-earned taxpayers’ money must now be dumped, personnel must be relocated to accommodate the party faithful, some of whom indulge in post-campaign bickering.

Civil society should insist that Government and Opposition get together and agree on basic ministries, adding special units where necessary, so we are not constantly subject to these wasteful changes.

As a group of Jamaican women leaders sat with our global colleagues listening to the courageous and inspiring presentations of new thinkers and achievers, we discerned that we do have the power to ensure that vain political whims are not entertained. We were attending a world leadership conference of the International Women’s Forum (http://iwforum.org/) in San Francisco themed, “Ideas remaking the world in a new age of discovery”, at which Jamaica’s own Pat Ramsay was honoured as an outstanding leader.

We heard about the role of social media in the Tunisian revolution, the democratisation of information through Wikipedia, “a time of scrutiny” as described by Laura Garcia-Cannon who said that information technology has led to the “decentralisation and disaggregation of power”.

It was heady to be in the same room with Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia which has long overtaken the most popular print encyclopedia, and is created by the global community. When Italy contemplated a law to ban Wikipedia, the Italian people called a strike and Wikipedia shut down the site for a day, giving information on how protest could be registered. In one day, over 10 million voters contacted their congress representatives to voice their support for Wikipedia. Commenting on this groundswell, Wales said the protesters were speaking for democracy. I have been a Wikipedian for several years and hope that more Jamaicans will participate in a community that gets 11 million views per hour.

We were fascinated by Ellen Miller’s inspiration to start the Sunlight Foundation based in Washington DC. Noting that the internet was enabling folks to do business online, in real time, she decided, why not apply this to government to promote accountability and expose the influence of big money on politics? She named her organisation “Sunlight” because, in her words, “sunlight is the best disinfectant …” We hope CAFFE will be inspired to follow suit.

A resolute Mehrizia Labidi spoke on “The abolition of hierarchy in a radically open world”. Ms Labidi, who is the deputy speaker of the Tunisian Legislative Assembly, is regarded as “the highest ranking female political figure in the Arab World”. She hailed “the force of social media”, and said the revolution in her country was motivated by a longing for freedom and dignity. According to Wikipedia, “The protests were sparked by the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Bouazizi on December 17, 2010 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17_December#Events and led to the ousting of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali 28 days later on January 14, 2011, when he officially resigned after fleeing to Saudi Arabia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia, ending 23 years in power.”

Ms Labidi noted that the mother of Bouazizi said that what pushed her son to rebel was “not the lack of bread, but the lack of dignity”. She is engaged in the historic drafting of her country’s new constitution, and told us that there are 30 articles in the chapter on rights and liberties, declaring that there is “no going back on women’s rights and liberties”.
Journalist and blogger Quinn Norton reminded us that there are now two billion people using the internet and social media. She regards this as a “scaling point” in a world of failing institutions.

Even in our Jamaica, we should now be at 700,000 internet users and I am seeing a boldness on Twitter and Facebook as never before in Jamaica, with significant sharing. No inept or corrupt government will be given a pass as the numbers swell and the discontent grows.Some months ago my colleague Deacon Peter Espeut wrote a column headlined, “They have no shame”, pointing out an unsettling brazenness about the manner in which the nation’s business is being conducted. Rest assured, Peter, they will be named and shamed.

We were comforted by IWF President Deedee Corradini’s reminder that “we are on the cusp of change”. She said the new technology was empowering do-it-yourself citizens working for “a stronger world, a better life and better ethics”.

She quoted Dr Martin Luther King Jr, urging that “we must remain awake through a great revolution”. She called for sisterhood and brotherhood in this new neighbourhood we have made of the world, reminding us that we are bound together in “an inescapable network of mutuality”.

And so, we have come away from this conference, deeply aware of the power of the individual and the global neighbourhood. The call is for those of high ethics and strong values to use the sunlight of the internet as a powerful local and global disinfectant. The Arab spring has taught the world a good lesson, one that all genuine leaders will take to heart.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

'Take this storm seriously!' pleads Gary Szatkowski

 From Huffington Post:

Meteorologist Pleads With Residents Of Low-Lying Areas
In a briefing presented this evening by the National Weather Service's Philadelphia/Mount Holly station, meteorologist Gary Szatkowski pleaded with residents of low-lying areas of New Jersey and Delaware -- likely to be close to the eye of Hurricane Sandy when it makes landfall sometime tomorrow -- to take the storm seriously. Szatkowski even provided his office number and email, should residents have questions.
"If you think the storm is over-hyped and exaggerated, please err on the side of caution," he wrote, imploring residents in his area to think about their loved ones. "You can call me up on Friday … and yell at me all you want."
Options for the storm to miss the area were rapidly dwindling, Szatkowski added. "Confidence on the storm having a major impact on our region continues to increase. The focus of efforts should be on when Sandy hits our region, not if Sandy hits our region."
From a list of bullet points in the very personal briefing:
• If you are being asked to evacuate a coastal location by state and local officials, please do so.
• If you are reluctant to evacuate, and you know someone who rode out the ‘62 storm on the barrier islands, ask them if they would do it again.
• If you are still reluctant, think about your loved ones, think about the emergency responders who will be unable to reach you when you make the panicked phone call to be rescued, think about the rescue/recovery teams who will rescue you if you are injured or recover your remains if you do not survive.
• Sandy is an extremely dangerous storm. There will be major property damage, injuries are probably unavoidable, but the goal is zero fatalities.
• If you think the storm is over-hyped and exaggerated, please err on the side of caution. You can call me up on Friday (contact information is at the end of this briefing) and yell at me all you want.
• I will listen to your concerns and comments, but I will tell you in advance, I will be very happy that you are alive & well, no matter how much you yell at me.
• Thanks for listening.
Readers who want to reach Szatkowski can do so at Gary.Szatkowski@noaa.gov, or by phoning his office at 609-261-6602 x222. -Tom Zeller, HuffPost

San Fran is a heart stealer!

Had an inspiring few days in San Francisco - what a fabulous city! I attended the Int'l Women's Forum (IWF) Conference and met courageous, visionary women who are changing the world.
What made it special was that my daughter Anita was with me - we have so little time together even though we work at the same place.
Here are a few photos including Anita enjoying famous Pink Berry ice cream.
Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel

Damage at Morgan's Pier

Took these photos at Morgan's Harbour today. The boat on the side was blown loose by Hurricane Sandy and tore off a part of the pier. The other boat standing was damaged at the bow.
The hotel property is quite intact, thank goodness.

Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Sandy set to strike! 66 MILLION in path of the hurricane | Mail Online

Check this account and telling photos - our prayers are with family and friends on US East Coast!

Sandy set to strike! 66 MILLION in path of the hurricane as states told to evacuate after deadly 'superstorm' targets East Coast | Mail Online

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2223907/Sandy-set-strike-66-MILLION-path-hurricane-states-told-evacuate-deadly-superstorm-targets-East-Coast.html

Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Colin Powell Endorses Obama, Again

CBS This Morning  - Video



Colin Powell Endorses Barack Obama
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57539893/colin-powell-endorses-barack-obama-for-president/
25 October 2012
8 Minutes

"I voted for him in 2008 and I plan to stick with him in 2012"


Powell -- again -- Backs Obama  (links/reports courtesy of Rob Mullally)

On CBS this morning, Colin Powell endorsed Obama.

The endorsement isn't a surprise – after all, Powell backed Obama in '08 – but it would have been a blow to Obama had Powell picked Romney this time around (or even decided against endorsing).

The AP: "Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, a longtime Republican, is sticking with President Barack Obama in this year's election. He tells 'CBS This Morning' he respects Mitt Romney but thinks he's been vague on many issues.

Speaking of Obama, Powell said the president got the United States out of Iraq and has laid out a plan for leaving Afghanistan 'and didn't get us into any new wars.' He praises Obama's economic performance, saying that while difficult choices are ahead on taxes, spending and budgetary policies, 'steadily, I think we've begun to come out of the dive and we're gaining attitude.'"


Reuters - 25 October 2012


Colin Powell endorses Obama for second term

Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on Thursday endorsed Barack Obama's bid for re-election, citing the Democratic president's efforts to wind down the war in Afghanistan and tackle terrorism.


"I think we ought to keep on the track that we are on," the Republican, who also backed Obama in 2008, told "CBS This Morning," adding, "I voted for him in 2008 and I plan to stick with him in 2012."


The move comes just days after Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney clashed over foreign policy in the third and last presidential debate ahead of the November 6 election.


Polls show Obama and Romney neck and neck. A Reuters/Ipsos online tracking poll gave Romney a 1-point edge on Wednesday, 47 percent to Obama's 46 percent.


Obama's campaign was quick to promote the endorsement in a video statement released about 30 minutes after Powell's appearance.


Powell criticized Romney's foreign policy as inconsistent and questioned the former Massachusetts governor's ability to tackle the deficit and looming defense cuts.


"I'm not quite sure which Governor Romney we'd be getting with respect to foreign policy," Powell said, calling Romney's foreign policy "a moving target."


As for the U.S. budget, he added: "It's essentially, let's cut taxes and compensate for that with other things, but that compensation does not cover all the cuts intended or the expenses associated with defense."


Powell has been critical of Romney's foreign policy advisers and has taken issue with the former business executive's stance on countries such as Russia.


A moderate Republican, Powell served under President George W. Bush. Some of Romney's advisers are more conservative veterans of the Bush administration.


"There's some very, very strong neo-conservative views that are presented by the governor that I have some trouble with," Powell said on CBS. He added that other issues such as the economy and education also loomed large in his continued support for a second term for Obama.


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

DIGICEL READY FOR TROPICAL STORM SANDY

 Tuesday 23rd October, 2012 – Kingston, Jamaica. With the potential threat of Tropical Storm Sandy bearing down on Jamaica over the next couple of days, Digicel would like to inform its customers, its staff and Jamaica as a whole that its hurricane contingency plan is in high gear and it has everything in place to best manage the events of the coming days.
 
Digicel's Crisis Management Team, headed by Donovan Betancourt, Head of Facilities and Emergency Management, will continue to monitor and track the tropical storm as it forms and gathers strength over the Caribbean Sea.
 
Specifically, Digicel has ensured that all of its over 1,000 cell sites across the island have plenty of fuel and that back-up generators are in good order and ready to go in the event of a failure of the power grid. Digicel has also made available into the market a significant amount of extra credit in order to ensure that customers can stay connected.
 
Commenting on Digicel's readiness for the storm, Donovan Betancourt, comments; "We have done everything possible to ensure that we are ready and able to ensure that from our point of view, Sandy passes without incident. Our cell sites are checked, stocked and ready and our technical teams and field engineers have been mobilised across the island.
 
"Our primary concern is the safety of our customers and our staff and that we keep people connected to friends and family no matter what. We would like to take this opportunity to remind people to stay safe, keep their phones charged and ensure they have credit on their phones so that they can communicate with their loved ones."
  
MEDIA ALERT
Digicel would like to advise members of the media that for any comments, queries or interviews that may be needed during the potential passing of Tropical Storm Sandy, they are welcome to contact the following people at any time 24/7 via phone or email:
 
Jacqueline Burrell Clarke, Public Relations Manager on
876 470 9131 or jacqueline.burrell@digicelgroup.com
 
Tamiann Young, Public Relations Executive on
876 470 9105 or Tamiann.young@digicecgroup.com
 
Shelly-Ann Harris, Snr. Communications Manager on
876 470-9147 or shelly-ann.harris@digicelgroup.com
 
Digicel would like to urge all Jamaicans to stay safe and to ensure that their phones are charged and topped up at all times in case they need to make that all-important call.
Take good care.
 
 
ENDS
Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel

Monday, October 22, 2012

'If we take your advice Gov...'

Obama reminds Romney who outsourced jobs to China
Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel

Joe - did you hear that?

Obama's face as Romney trashes China. I mean!
Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel

Last Presidential Debate

Ding dong battle! Pres Obama has the edge - but Mitt Romney is no easy pushover! Great power game being played out on world stage!

Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel

For me, Tappa can do no wrong!

Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore - 'The only person born in Jamaica to ever score a goal in World Cup football' - RealTime Magazine http://realtimemagazine.com/2012/04/19/theodore-whitmore-the-first-jamaican-born-footballer-to-score-a-world-cup-goal/

We are delighted that our Reggae Boyz made it to the final round after beating Antigua & Barbuda 4-1 last Tuesday as they vie for a place in the World Cup in Brazil. Even when folks were quarrelling with Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore over choices he had made in the Guatemala match-up, I could not bring myself to say a word against Jamaica's World Cup hero.  



Tappa is embraced by Ian 'Pepe' Goodison and Ricardo 'Bibi' Gardner during the Reggae Boyz triumph against Japan in the 1998 World Cup
Whenever I hear Tappa's name, all I remember is the utter joy we felt when his long legs scored those two brilliant goals against Japan in the 1998 World Cup played in France. What a match that was! And to this day, for me Tappa can do no wrong. He further endeared himself when we saw the tears in his eyes after our recent sparkling victory.

The final round for the CONCACAF teams will be tough for Jamaica as we are in the company of traditional high achievers like Mexico and a particularly talented Panama team. Then there is the very strong USA, the tough Honduras and the striving Costa Rica. That campaign, to emerge as one of the chosen three, begins in February which gives us very little time to sharpen our game.

Here is what I want the Reggae Boyz to remember: Jamaica has the fastest man and woman in the world, and they trained right here on our blessed soil. There is nothing Jamaicans cannot do if we make up our minds. We have made it to the World Cup before and we can do it again. We know how Jamaicans love their Christmas, but our Reggae Boyz can't get too carried away this time. February is just around the corner. Be brave, Reggae Boyz, we are with you!

Burning issues for PM's town-hall meetings



 by Jean Lowrie-Chin | from Jamaica Observer | 22 OCT 2012

President Barack Obama worked hard in last Tuesday's second presidential debate to reclaim ground lost to an impressive Governor Mitt Romney in the polls. He was quick to point out inaccuracies in Mr Romney's offerings and scored a coup when Candy Crowley confirmed that he had indeed termed the deadly attack on the Benghazi “an act of terror”. We appreciated the sheer theatre of the encounter, a celebration of democracy.

This is the democracy we have preserved well in Jamaica. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has embarked on a series of town-hall meetings throughout the island, giving the public and the media opportunities to get answers to some burning national issues. We need to find out why anti-gang legislation is not being fast-tracked and must agree with fellow columnist Franklin Johnston that we are wasting too much productive time on those drawn-out parliamentary tributes. We are not seeing the deep concern our leaders should be having with crime spiralling and the dollar sliding.

May we suggest that PM Simpson Miller introduce a series of themes for her town-hall meetings and invite some of the experts in the various ministries to give us hard facts? We need to hear the steps her government is taking to fight the monstrous crimes that are making headlines here and via the internet around the world. We are disturbed by attacks on our innocent children  – imagine, the body of a teenager found bound and burning in bushes and so many missing!

We have been warned that a food security crisis is on the horizon.  How is the nation preparing for this? What are the various government ministries doing to protect the Jamaican people, especially the very young and the elderly? Tell us, not in long speeches, but in what you have delivered and what you will deliver within a stated timeline. In the private sector, this is our daily drill and we should expect the same from the public sector funded by our hard-earned taxes.

Could some of the town-hall meetings take the form of debates? Sachin Mitra, the bright son of my friend Rita Mitra, is part of a group of graduates from the London School of Economics (LSE) who have embarked on a worldwide programme called “Debate Mate” involving high school students in various countries, including Jamaica.

Rita sent me a link to YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk_CEp0JEYU&feature=youtu.be&hd=1  – which shows a young inner-city Jamaican boy, Rockwell, finding his peace in debating. The children learn a reasonable way to air their opinions and settle their differences. LSE grads travel a long way from England to reach out in Jamaica. Surely, the Social Development Commission should show the young British volunteers that Jamaicans care as deeply about our own as they do.  

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Digicel Foundation takes back the night in Downtown Kingston

Lorna Bell, President of Jamaica Special Olympics Association lends support
Valerie Juggan-Brown, Guardsman Group CEO was on hand to ensure that security was optimal - and it was!
The Wray & Nephew Bar gets ready to greet thirsty runners!
Miss Kitty, Simon Croskill and Digicel team member keep 5K enthusiasts entertained
Prof Maureen Samms-Vaughan and Sarah Newland-Martin of the Jamaica Autism Support Association were on hand to tell 5K participants that their contributions are well spent
The Lime team gave their support - Jamaica's special needs projects are bigger than any competition!
Kandi and Paddy King show that fitness runs in the family!
My two best guys - Hubie and Noel - represented well!!
Gloria Palomino's tennis keeps her fit - the 5K was a breeze
Cecile and Leahcim Semaj show the glow of country life at Asante Adonai
Lovely smiles - Gleaner Public Affairs Editor Barbara Ellington and Stewart's Camille Fenton feel the Digicel 5K vibe
'Don't take my picture Mom!'  - but had to show off that Anita also represented the Chin family well at the 5K
Dominic Bell chills after a brisk 5K - well done Team PROComm!
Over 5,000 Jamaicans from every walk of life headed downtown this evening to participate in the Digicel Foundation Run/Walk. The race started and ended at the new Digicel Regional Headquarters right next to some of the toughest parts of the city.
What a wonderful feeling to park good distance away and walk feeling absolutely safe. It's a revolution - a reclamation of parts of Jamaica that we used to avoid. This is the exciting 'Kingston Town' Belafonte sang about - let's keep the joy alive!
It took a fearless Denis O'Brien, Founder and Chairman of Digicel to help us see the potential of these open lots facing our beautiful waterfront.
Not only did this event help hundreds of special needs children - it also gave us back the city our parents had enjoyed. What a success! Certainly, Digicel 'Set the night on fire'.

Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Uh-oh - now The New Yorker takes on Mitt!

Kudos for Hon Ferdinand Mahfood OJ, Founder, Food for the Poor

MOVEABLE MOMENT WITH HON. FERDINAND MAHFOOD, OJ

Family and friends at the reception for Hon Ferdinand Mahfood (front, centre):  Hosts Andrew Mahfood (2nd left – back row), FFP Ja Chairman and his wife Caroline (left-back row). With them were (from left – front row): Jake Mahfood, Kathleen Mahfood, Very Rev. Monsignor the Hon. Gregory Ramkissoon, Patricia Mahfood (wife of Ferdinand), Mia Mahfood, Sandra Ramsay, Jean Lowrie-Chin, Monsignor Michael Lewis, Rosie Mahfood and Timothy Mahfood. In the back row were (from 3rd left): Francs Mahfood, Gerald Mahfood, Father Garvin Augustine, Robert Ramsay and William Mahfood. Ferdinand Mahfood established Food For The Poor in Jamaica 30 years ago and since then it has expanded to 16 other countries in the Caribbean and Latin America. The inter-denominational Christian agency provides food, clothing, housing, emergency relief assistance, and other social programmes for the less fortunate. Food For The Poor Jamaica is the largest charity in the country while Food For The Poor Inc., located in Florida, USA, was named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the US

 

CELEBRATING FOUNDER OF FOOD FOR THE POOR

Family and friends celebrated with philanthropist Hon. Ferdinand Mahfood (centre), Founder of Food for the Poor (FFP), following his appointment as a member of the Order of Jamaica on Heroes Day at King's House. He was lauded at a private function on the Monday evening at the home of FFP Jamaica Chair Andrew Mahfood (2nd left) and his charming wife Caroline.  Members of the FFP Jamaica Board sharing in the occasion were (from left): William Mahfood, Debbie-Ann Gordon Crawford, Pokar Chandiram, Jean Lowrie-Chin, Gerald Mahfood and Monsignor Michael Lewis. 
 


SHARING PLESANTRIES WITH A PHILANTHROPIST
Kathleen Mahfood (left) and Sati Chandiram exchanged pleasantries with the guest of honour, Hon. Ferdinand Mahfood, at the reception.

 
CONGRATULATIONS HON. FERDINAND MAHFOOD, OJ
Sati Chandiram gives philanthropist, Hon. Ferdinand Mahfood a congratulatory hug.


COMPLIMENTS FOR FOOD FOR THE POOR FOUNDER
Eric Crawford, Partner, PriceWaterHouseCoopers, congratulates Hon. Ferdinand Mahfood at the reception while  FFP Jamaica Chair host Andrew Mahfood listens in.



CHARMING SMILES
The charming smiles of (from right) Patricia Mahfood, wife of philanthropist, Hon. Ferdinand Mahfood; and Sati Chandiram, wife of business entrepreneur, Pokar Chandiram, set the tone of the reception.

COMMENDATION FOR HON. FERDINAND MAHFOOD, OJ
FFP Chair Andrew Mahfood (left) and Debbie-Ann Gordon Crawford (right), Board Member congratulate Hon. Ferdinand Mahfood.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

STGC Triumphs over Mona in U16 ISSA Schoolboy Football

U16 ISSA Schoolboy Football--StGC(6) v Mona(1)

It was an action packed match and it showed the superior skill and team work of the Georgians. We beat Mona High 6-1 on their home turf scoring the first goal just seconds after the game begun. It was 5-0 at half time and in the second half the boys became a bit lazy and allowed Mona to score otherwise the score should have been more. Coach Gayle made a few changes as well in this half .

This team will be going to Cayman at the invitation of the Cayman Football Academy, started by Jamaican coach Winston Chung Fah, for a competition starting on November 1st. They are sure to pick up some fine points and experience. We wish Manager Ms. Doreen Thompson and coach, Marcel Gayle  lots of luck.

In an earlier game The StGC U14 beat Mona 1-0.

This is a great start to our season so congrats to our  senior manager, Clarence Chin Fatt for the hard work paying off.

Lloyd Tenn
Tony Wong photos