Campion College pays tribute to 'Butch' Stewart's philanthropy - JamaicaObserver.com

By Al Edwards

Friday, September 25, 2009

On Wednesday night, the chairman of Campion College's Vision 20/20 Plan, Andrew Mahfood, paid tribute to Charmain of the Sandals Group, the Jamaica Observer and Appliance Traders Limited (ATL), Gordon 'Butch' Stewart's philanthropic deeds over the years.

One of the island's top high schools, Campion College has outlined a plan to upgrade its infrastructure, add a new science laboratory, a new auditorium, a new library and new classrooms over the next ten years.

Addressing an audience of around 250 people, including past alumni Peter Bunting and Christopher Berry, at the esteemed academy, Mahfood said: "Tonight I do not want to take up too much time reviewing his business accomplishments. I want to speak more about the philanthropic side of 'Butch' and what Jamaica and its people mean to him." Mahfood pointed to the business mogul's early days when he would help the fisherman at Whitehouse Fish Fry in Montego Bay.

He recalled the Sandals boss renowned Butch Stewart Initiative, back in 1993, when his group of companies sold foreign exchange at below market rates every week for months, in an effort to stabalise the local dollar and keep inflation down.

"I want to speak about a man who was quoted as saying, after his group returned Air Jamaica to the Government, " If I were called upon again, I would assist the airline. It is Jamaica's and there is nothing I wouldn't do for my country."

Stewart attended Campion College and so did his son, Sandals CEO, Adam Stewart. Campion has announced plans to construct a new library, which is expected to come in at a cost of US$700,000. It will be named after the chairman of the Jamaica Observer's deceased son Jonathan Stewart, who also attended Campion College.

The Stewart family will be putting up US$350,000, half the total cost of the new library, with the remainder expected to come from the school's alumni.

'Butch' Stewart continues to give active support to over 100 projects and to many other organisations throughout Jamaica. His philanthropic efforts recall those noble efforts by some of the United States'great families of business the Carnegies, the Melons and the Rockefellers.

Over the last three years, Sandals has given away over US$11 million in charitable donations throughout the Caribbean. Early this year, the Sandals Foundation was launched and it has already raised just under US$1 million in charitable contributions. The Sandals Foundation is headed by Heidi Clarke, and focuses on three main areas: education, the environment and local communities.

'Butch' Stewart's largesse has been recognised through several awards. In 1992 he received the Martin Luther King Humanitarian award. He has been designated as a Paul Harris Fellow (Rotary International's highest award) and he has received two national awards, namely the Order of Jamaica and Commander of the Order of Distinction.

Speaking with Caribbean Business Report last night, Mahfood said: "I'd like to thank 'Butch' Stewart and his family for the graciousness they have shown.

'Butch' Stewart sees the needs of the country and always responds. He was not hesitant in coming forward in helping Campion College. He is an amazing Jamaican.

I sincerely hope that our alumni, who number some of the country's leading business personalities, will follow Butch Stewart's lead and come to the aid of Campion College."

NYTimes.com: Trevor Rhone, a Writer of 'The Harder They Come,' Dies at 69

Our own Trevor Rhone's obituary in the New York Times

MOVIES   | September 21, 2009
Trevor Rhone, a Writer of 'The Harder They Come,' Dies at 69
By ROB KENNER
Mr. Rhone was an award-winning Jamaican playwright, director and actor who brought his island's culture to the world as a writer of the film "The Harder They Come."

Genesis – a space to grow

David Hall, Genesis volunteer discusses plans with Board Chairman Donna Lowe.


Pauline Beaumont (right) meets with her caring Genesis team as they prepare for the new school year.

Jamaica Observer | MON 14 Sep 09 | by Jean Lowrie-Chin

I wondered why David Hall sounded so out of breath when he invited us to visit the new home of the Genesis Academy. Once we got there, we saw why. In eight short months, he and the dedicated school board had transformed a ramshackle building on a scrubby location at 38 South Camp Road, to a beautiful school, retrofitted to serve the needs of its intellectually challenged students, some of whom are in wheelchairs.

So last Monday on back-to-school day, 50 children who could not be accommodated in our regular school system were able to don their uniforms and head to classes. “You cannot imagine how much dignity a child feels when he knows he also has a school, a space to grow in,” says Maureen Webber whose 17-year-old son Brian attends the school.

Genesis Academy has been a blessing for Maureen who herself has been a tireless campaigner for children with disabilities. “My son is at the level of a two-year-old and is not yet potty-trained, so without a school like this, he would be locked up at home,” she says. “This is why I have been spending my birthdays each year, walking to raise funds so that other parents who cannot afford it, may get scholarships for their children.”

Webber who is the owner of Development Options, says her staff members have also been contributing to the school. “We realise that without this school, I would not be able to run a business!” says Maureen.

The Chairman of the Genesis Board, Donna Lowe has seen her son Jonathan grow and learn at the school to the point where he became Head boy and was able to graduate last year. She remembers when the founder of the school Pauline Beaumont approached her to say she would be starting a school for the intellectually challenged because she was not satisfied with the progress of her daughter at another school with a limited programme.

“Six years ago, my son was among the first five children attending school in Pauline’s living room,” she remembers. “I immediately saw an improvement in his self-confidence. Pauline taught the children math, language, comprehension and important life skills. They would prepare lunch in her kitchen and then eat together.”

Now Donna’s son has been able to obtain a drivers’ license after his second attempt, and is working at Suzie’s Bakery. “Our approach at the school is that each child is very different and when they reach the age of 16, they need to be part of the discussion on their future. It was then that my son expressed his love for cooking and baking, and I was able to get lessons for him.”

Now at the new location, home economics will be offered as a well equipped kitchen is being put in place. “When we decided last year that we would have to find a bigger location, we hardly knew where to start,” says Donna. “Thank God David Hall came on the scene as we would have had no school this September to accommodate the kids. He came here with the winner of a Fame & Fortune Game Show, said he wanted to help and attached himself to us!”

Donna describes the effort that went into obtaining the lease, gutting the old building, renovating and expanding it. “We have weekly meetings and David has driven the process. We are always wondering how this very busy man finds the time to do so much for us as well as donate to the project. He lives and breathes Genesis.”

Irish-Jamaican (he has his Jamaican citizenship) David Hall explains that his Godchild has Down syndrome so he was drawn to Genesis. Then earlier this year the first child of his sister in Ireland was also born with the syndrome. “That made me all the more committed,” he says.

The issue now is sustainability as the capacity for the school is 80 and there are now only 50 on the roll. The school is seeking help with funding for scholarships since there are many families who would dearly want to place their challenged children at Genesis.

“Even if companies don’t have the funds to donate, there are many ways they can help,” says David. “They could hire our graduates, they could donate services, for example deliveries, or in-kind items.” He disclosed that the school is getting the assistance of Information Minister Daryl Vaz in having some land cleared so they can begin a vegetable garden. “We want the school to become self-sufficient,” he says, “and this is a great way for the students to learn an important skill.”

Genesis is aptly named. My friend Faith Linton says the biblical book of Genesis reminds us, "We are God's masterpieces, made in His image and likeness. We are fit to be loved and to show God's character in our lives." How does Brian, with the mind of a two-year-old, stop throwing tantrums and begin to learn basic life skills, like feeding himself? Through the relentless search of his loving mother for the best solution for her child’s future, through the care of nurse’s aide Aunt Sally who must help him to the bathroom, and through the clean, cheerful surroundings of Genesis, conceived by Pauline Beaumont, a mother who created a school so that her child could have a better life.

David Hall says these ladies and chairman Donna Lowe inspire him to keep working at the school, as there is still much to be done. The passion to give the children the chance at being the best they can be, fires up these volunteers. To see the joy on their faces as they show the media through the building, one understands how important it is to discover in ourselves this heart for giving, the manifestation of the divine in all of us. From their benevolence comes a school that will empower the weak and preserve the livelihood of many parents.

It is difficult to believe that this school exists in the same country as the unspeakable Armadale Juvenile Correctional Centre. The findings of the enquiry into the fire that took six young lives is a judgment not only on staff and security, but also on a society that could have spawned such hard hearts. Genesis gives us hope that eventually, good can overcome evil if ordinary Jamaicans decide to show the courage of their avowed faith.

Rest in Peace John Terry

To the world, he was the British Consul and excellent resort manager. To his friends, John Terry was a sparkle in our lives. As we tried to absorb the news of his tragic death, we harked back to the good times and his hilarious jokes. We were all young and happy together - whenever he came in to Kingston, he would stay with our friend the late Susan Campbell who was like a sister to him. We would hang out together and laugh sometimes till the tears rolled down our cheeks. Now we have tears of sadness for a kind man who truly loved Jamaica. His warm spirit will never fade - we'll remember him not for the sad way he died, but for the great way he lived.

PM - 'A' for audacity

Observer Column | JEAN LOWRIE-CHIN | Monday, September 07, 2009

Two years after their victory at the polls, the honeymoon of the Bruce Golding-led JLP administration is but a faint memory. But we shouldn't be surprised - even the hugely popular Barack Obama is down in the polls after a mere eight months in power. Such is the reward of ascending to power in a world wracked by financial crises.Both leaders have performed rescues of one sort or the other, and it is ironic that what Bruce Golding was able to accomplish virtually overnight has dragged Barack Obama and his colleagues from town hall to town hall, facing some of the most cynical, virulent tirades.

My friend George Graham who now lives in Florida spares a good word for Golding's effort: "As Lee Ann Womack put it: 'And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance. I hope you dance.'

And little Jamaica has joined the dance, while mighty America sits timidly on the sidelines pondering the risks involved. What on earth am I talking about? Why, health care, of course.

Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding is forging ahead with plans to abolish hospital user fees, despite a torrent of criticism and the head-scratching conundrum of paying for the plan... The US is imagining the worst, too scared to take a chance, defeated before the game has even started." (http://blogs.jamaicans.com/gwgraeme)

But there are many more rivers that the Golding administration must cross: budget cuts, salary increases and unrelenting crime. I think Mr Golding and Minister Shaw should have a huddle with Dr Henley Morgan and Dr Leahcim Semaj.

These visionaries have come up with innovative solutions for redeployment of labour and empowerment of the workforce. They can explain to unions that redundancies may actually open a better way of life for workers if training and counselling are a part of the separation plan. They will reveal opportunities that are knocking, if only we would listen.

Big government for a small country can actually rob people of their dignity, as they trip over each other, 10 doing the job of one. Large agencies incur unnecessary costs and drain productivity with unwieldy human resource issues. I heard a statistic the other day that gave me pause: the average population of a political constituency in India is 1.3 million in contrast to the electorate quota of 25,000 per constituency for Jamaica. Since there are constitutional guidelines for this, as explained by ECJ Chairman Professor Errol Miller, let us accept this reality and lean more heavily on our members of parliament to discharge their duties as representatives of the people. The technology exists to make the necessary appeals, keep track of projects, and ensure accountability.

To keep our public service lean and efficient, let us merge agencies with the parent ministries wherever possible. These times demand from us a willingness to break from the status quo and to use the brilliant new tools that promote efficiency and probity.

If we look beyond our tiny fiefdoms, we will see a nation brimming with opportunities. We will see that we are actually making our future less secure by this stubborn adherence to our tiny piece of dried-up turf when there are indeed greener pastures for us. We should look to those leaders who continue to strive for better, compete vigorously and see opportunities in every crisis. Henley "The Watchman" Morgan says if we want to discover the gold mine, we should have a "goal mind". That's how our athletes got their gold - now we need to work for ours.

I continue to bat for our nurses, whose requests are modest and whose patience has been virtually endless. However, I have to join the appeal of the Ministry of Education for our teachers to agree to the proposed schedule for the payment of retroactive salary increases. We know they are deserving, but at least they are far ahead of the nurses in terms of compensation.
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Lorna Goodison appointed collegiate professor at University of Michigan

I am so proud of my friend Lorna!

Sunday Gleaner | 6 Sept 09

Internationally acclaimed Jamaican literary artist/poet/ novelist, Lorna Goodison has been named Lemuel A Johnson collegiate professor of literature and Afro-American and African studies at the University of Michigan.

A release from the University of Michigan reads as follows:

With the endorsement of executive committee of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, we are pleased to recommend the appointment of Lorna Goodison as the Lemuel A. Johnson collegiate professor of English and Afro-American and African studies, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, for a five-year renewable term, effective September 1, 2009 through August 31, 2014.

Most celebrated voice

Professor Goodison has emerged as the most celebrated voice among her generation of West Indian poets with nine books of poetry, two works of fiction and a memoir. Her work can be situated within the context of the global developments in English language poetry over the last half-century, wherein the focus of creative energy has expanded from the former colonial centre to reside in what were once its colonial outposts. Her poems deal with post-colonial and feminist issues while evoking events of experiences through vivid imagery and the speech rhythms of her native Jamaican English.

Professor Goodison's individual poems and short stories have appeared in a broad range of literary journals, and her literary status has been attested to by her inclusion in The Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry (2003), the most prestigious canonising collection in the field, as well as The Longman Anthology of British Literature (2006) and The Longman Anthology of Poetry (2007). Her most recent book, From Harvey River: A Memoir of My Mother and Her People, which won the 2008 British Columbia award for Canadian non-fiction, Canada's largest non-fiction prize. She has also received the Commonwealth Poetry Prize (1986), the Gold Musgrave Medal (for poetry) from the Institute of Jamaica (1999) and Michigan's Henry Russet award for exceptional creative work (2004), among others. She is frequently invited to appear at major international literary festivals and events from England to Europe to South Africa.

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Dudley Ball - real 'stain' power!

by Robert Lalah, Assistant Editor - Features | Sunday Gleaner

As he reaches into a wooden cupboard inside his small workshop/kitchen, it's hard not to marvel at the man's dexterity. He's 83 after all, yet moves with the agility of an 18-year-old. He seems to just keep going (all day long), and exhibits signs that he's unaware of his own age.

But that's not what makes Dudley Ball stand out. The retiree is one of only a handful of locals who are experts in the art of staining glass. For those not hip to the staining scene, it's a delicate art that involves cutting different kinds of glass in various colours and fusing them all together into beautiful patterns. The best known examples of these creations are the stained glass windows at many churches across the country.

It was 18 years ago that Ball retired from years of travelling the world as a regional representative of a pharmaceutical company. He suddenly found himself with a whole lot of time on his hands and an urge to finally take seriously a hobby he has had since he was a teenager.

"I've always been somewhat artistic, but it wasn't something I was able to spend much time on. It was always in the back of my mind though," he said, wiping dust from a lamp shade he created some years ago.

Ball was standing inside his kitchen, which doubles as his workshop at his home in New Kingston. His eyes focused on his latest project, a window for a local church, as jazz musician Duke Ellington's Take it Easy blared through speakers all over the house. "The music helps me work," he said, going on to explain how he chooses the glass he works with.

"You have all different kinds. The cost will range according to the quality. For friends, I try to use the best," he said, smiling.

Ball has made close to 100 shades since he retired, each one taking a few weeks to complete. Really detailed, complex designs will take much longer.

"But, hey, I have time," he laughed.


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Brilliant 3 in Brussels!

click on title above for BBC report


Jamaica's sprint phenomenon Usain Bolt celebrates after winning the 200-metre event at the Golden League Memorial Van Damme athletics meeting here yesterday. (Photo: AP)


Brigitte Foster-Hylton (left) of Jamaica wins the 100 metres hurdles at the Golden League Memorial Van Damme athletics meeting here yesterday. (Photo: AP)


Powell (left) made an explosive start to beat Gay (right)

The Big Man again!!!

Shadow-boxing before the start, hamming it up and then coasting on a wet track to a Meet record for the 200m- 19.57 - the quintessential Usain Bolt thrills the crowd in Brussels!
'We love Bolt!' says a huge banner bearing his figure in 'to the World' pose!

Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel

Safa is back!!

9.9 to beat Gay in Brussels!!
Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel

Isiah Parnell - New Chargé d’Affaires assumes post at U.S. Embassy

Kingston, Jamaica - September 02, 2009: The Embassy of the United States of America in Kingston announces the arrival of Isiah Parnell as its new Chargé d’Affaires. He replaced James Heg, who departed Kingston in June 2009.

Mr. Parnell is a career Foreign Service Officer who joined the U.S. Department of State in August 1984. He is a member of the Senior Foreign Service and holds the rank of Minister Counselor.

He has served in eight overseas posts in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs and Africa including in Accra, Ghana; Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Panama City, Panama and Asuncion, Paraguay. His most recent post was in Mexico City, where he was the Minister Counselor of Management Affairs.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, double-majoring in Government and Economics. He received a Master of Arts degree in Government from the same institution. In addition, he holds a Master of Arts degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.

Mr. Parnell served in the United States Army from 1981-1984. He is married and has four children.

Megabucks for Bolt

Bolt... has been labelled the greatest sprinter of all time

...J'can star set to rake in US$500,000 for South Korea race

CMC

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

MONTE-CARLO, Monaco (CMC) - Jamaica's phenomenal World and Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt is set to enjoy a whopping US$500,000 payday for competing in the 100 metres in South Korea later this month.


Bolt is expected to tackle the shorter sprint on September 25 at the Daegu Pre-Championships Meeting.

Moon Dong-hoo, vice-president of the organising committee for the 2011 Daegu IAAF World Championships in Athletics, said Bolt confirmed that he will race in Daegu and the details are now being worked out for his 100-metre appearance.

In Berlin, Bolt shattered his own world record by 0.11 seconds with a time of 9.58 seconds.

The Daegu organising committee did not disclose his payment, but media reports suggest Bolt is likely to receive US$500,000 for the race.

The Daegu Meeting is expected to attract 200 athletes from 30 nations competing in 16 track and field events.
Meanwhile, Bolt has confirmed that he will also be racing at the IAAF World Athletics Final in Greece this month.

Bolt, who brilliantly won the sprint double - both in world record times - at the IAAF World Championship in Germany last month, is set to run the 200 metres at the September 12-13 World of Athletics Final in Thessaloniki.

Organisers of the IAAF World Athletics Final confirmed Monday that the sprint giant will race in the half-lap sprint on the second day of the final on Sunday, September 13.

Bolt has contested only three 200-metre events so far this year including his Berlin World Championship run last month in an astounding 19.19 seconds, erasing his own world mark of 19.30 he posted in his Olympic victory in Beijing a year earlier.

Bolt last competed in the World Athletics Final in 2006 when he came third in 20.10 seconds in Stuttgart, Germany.

Already being labelled the greatest sprinter of all time, the 23-year-old Bolt is expected to compete in Shanghai after the World Athletics Final before travelling to Daegu.

In the meantime, the projected clash between Bolt and the American Tyson Gay at the Brussels Golden League Meeting on Friday will no longer happen.

Bolt has decided to run the 200 metres and Gay is booked for the 100 metres at the last Golden League meet of the season.

Heed the tried and true

Stewart... "we have to put more people to work"

JEAN LOWRIE-CHIN | Jamaica Observer | Monday, August 31, 2009

It is beyond me, why we are struggling so hard as a nation, when we are sitting on a veritable gold mine.
We are the homeland of Usain 'Lightning' Bolt, immortalised on a huge chunk of the Berlin wall, venerated by China, one of the most celebrated citizens of the planet. Puma has estimated his media value to be euro238m or J$35.7 billion. We are the undisputed sprint factory of the world with stars like Shelly-Ann 'Pocket Rocket' Fraser, Melaine Walker, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Veronica Campbell-Brown and Asafa Powell.

Legendary entrepreneur Gordon 'Butch' Stewart suggested on CVM's Direct last week that the Jamaica Tourist Board should ask Usain to be the spokesman in a commercial about Jamaica, showing off his beautiful country. How hard is that? Let's do it! Well do we remember Usain's remark to Bryant Gumbel on HBO's Real Sports. When asked if he wanted to live abroad, Bolt gestured at the Trelawny seacoast and asked, "Why would I want to leave this?"

In a discussion on RJR's Beyond the Headlines with Dionne Jackson-Miller, we explored the power of Brand Jamaica. Mark Wignall had suggested over a year ago that the Trelawny Stadium should be renamed in honour of Usain, and I asked if Puma had been approached to sponsor a running track there. Zachary Harding had the excellent idea of a Negril Beach Sprint when he was at the Tourist Board - we hope it has not been shelved.

We heard the prime minister's plea to public servants to hold strain, but we would also like him to tell the young entrepreneurs in YEP (Young Entrepreneurs Programme) to give full rein to their creativity. I believe there must be a reason why our Maker chose to plant on our tiny Jamaica, such extraordinary talent in the arts, athletics and business.

We know that the road to the successful implementation of any project is fraught with corruption, petty-mindedness, and incompetence. This is why we remain the most studied and least productive country in the Caribbean. I have seen good ideas shunned because people would not allow anyone to look brighter than them. I have seen ideas stolen and given to inept friends and relatives. I have seen ideas mocked by people who were not competent enough to judge or activate them.

The most important thing our leaders can do right now is to listen to those persons who have shown the courage of their convictions, who have invested where no one else has dared to go, and who themselves have earned the respect of the world for their brand. 'Butch' Stewart has the credentials, so let's heed him. In the CVM interview with Garfield Burford, he said we should give credit to the Government for "the mere fact that we are still standing". He observed that over the years, "Jamaica has sold or mortgaged everything we have" and that Government now has to be bold and creative.

Mr Stewart said that the most urgent task was to encourage the expansion of existing businesses and the starting of new ones, so that employment can be created. He is also asking the authorities to find ways for taxation to be added "at the back end rather than the front end". He suggested that this system was harming our competitiveness, and explained, "People don't want to buy taxes, they want to buy products," giving the example of vacation destinations that cost less because of a more thoughtful system. The world renowned mogul said that he believed the Government to be business-friendly but that they had found themselves in a "terrible position".

"A country is no more than a multiple of businesses, big and small; they generate the taxes for the government to collect," he opined, "so we have to put more people to work." Mr Stewart expressed the hope that as a nation we would place less emphasis on borrowing, and more on productivity.

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COMMENTS (7)

RasBenji
8/30/2009 10:02 PM
Jean; Jamaica will have to stop being "the place where good ideas go to die". The idea of business creation is one thing, realising them amid the mind-bogeling beauracracy is another.

One Love!

Alvin L.
8/31/2009 2:40 AM

Jamaica is slowly becoming a mirror image of African nations which choose to live and die with the old ways rather than allow the young and talented to shine!

If you look across the political landscape in most positive thinking countries you will notice that there is a high turnover within the political sector. In Jamaica, observe that the same people from 40 yrs ago when a lot of us were in High School are still there and refuse to move on so that the younger , brighter minds can flourish!

Jamaica is ripe for fresh minds and positive improvement, however that will only be a figment of our imagination until the worn out rhetoric and failed tired old Politicians retire and allow the youth to take a stand!

Jamaica, Land we love!

Aubyn
8/31/2009 5:58 AM
Jamaica has to think globally due to the limited resourses of the Island. Our bauxite industry has died, sugar has died, banana...died and I could continue. We need to take Jamaica to the world and stop relying on the world to come to Jamaica. Just like we did in the recent sporting activities we need to do the same in business. Rather than trying to attract investors to our troubled Island, why not take things Jamaican to them. No only do we have the best sprinters but our food his highly appreciated also. Not one Jamaican food chain franchise exist outside of Jamaica. Island Delight attempted but for some reason recinded. It high time we take a look at the various nationalities that has chosen to migrate to our Island and do business and reverse the situation. The Chinese are here, The Koreans are here, the Pakistanis, the Indians and the list goes on. Wise up Jamaica its time we attack the world and stop waiting on them to saturate us. Can you imagine what a Jamaican fast food franchise could do in China or India. For every American food franchise in Jamaica we should have a corresponding parallel over there. Granted there are a lot of individually owned entitities in the US, but nothing stands out notionwide. Come on Jamaica let us connect the success of our athletes to our food. We can run with it.

Lloyd
8/31/2009 6:29 AM
Now everybody and their granma are on the Boltmobile.Why not go furher uncle Butchie and call the ouster of Bruce Golding and instate Bolt as prime minister?That's just our problem,we're a nation of "wagonists",waiting for some miracle to happen or manna falling from heaven,rather to channel our energies in building a nation that is prosperous,and does not depend on "things of the moment",then wilt away once the "high" is gone.
Rev. Dr. Joan Porteous
8/31/2009 7:33 AM
Jamaica worship two dead men, one in music and the other in politics. If I take the Air Jamaica Plane five times for the month I see both The Late Hon Michael Manley and The late Hon Robert Nesta Marley on the monitor of the airplanes. 'Can a dead man praise GOD?' (Psalm Holy Bible KJV). No wonder so many funeral homes in Jamaica, Jamaica only worship the dead. Gives no promotion to the living artists and men and women of good will. Is it that Jamaicans worship the dead? Is there no vision beyond the lives of these dead men?. It is time to use living beings to advertise Jamaica. A living musician or athlete, A living Prime Minister.
Be transformational in your leadership and create an environ through the change process that embrace innovation. With respect to the dead, dead men cannot be creative nor innovative, only living men can have vision

RLDavis
8/31/2009 8:03 AM
Our present goverment need to take a look at this aspect of Thailand. Inward investment is encouraged and rewarded, but the Thai do not sell off the land, the earth to these inward investors. As I understand it, no individual or group of individuals from abroad can own a piece of Thailand out right. You may part own a part of it for a period of time, that is all. In other words Thailand belongs to the Thai people. Jamaica now belongs to the British, Americans, Russians, the Spanish everybody owns a piece of Jamaica except for the Jamaicans. What are we leaving for the babes in arms? For future generations? As far as I can see, only a ghetto. The same apply to businesses, Every inbound investor should in my opinion be made to partner with a Jamaican business no matter how small a percentage, to stop all the profit leaving the island. As the dollars are earned, so are they transferred out, it is like cutting your main vein and allowing your life blood to seep out. That is what is happening to Jamaica right now. Just like in the days of manual slavery, only this time it is more effective, and it is done with the blessing of our governments. Some will say we do ot have Jamaican business people capable of partenering with the inward investor from Germany or Chaina, I say this is a lie. They are there but they are prevented from being seen to be successful. That is why some of them go to USA, Canada and other parts of the world to managed theirs and other nations affairs. We have the talent, skills and drive, what we lack is the decipline and the support of our people's government, a thing that we can develop. One last note, is it time to dismantle the All-inclusive, or atleast limit their growth. All-inclusive is the death of Jamaica. Other country of the world successfully entertain tourist without all-inclusives, again Thailand, USA, England, Spain spring to mind. Are we so different, or is this the way our government want it. What would be nicer that to see visitors walking along our streets, frequenting our bars, restaurant, shops, churches on a daily basis and spreading their hard earned cash among the common people. Can you not see the face of Jamaica changing? I can and I'm not a business man.

Romalo
8/31/2009 9:05 AM
I wonder if Rev.Porteous read what she had written.Is it not a fact that she along with other followers support and worship a dead man.Please stop your hypocrosy.every day you preach that we should all follow this dead man and we all will be saved and all things will be added unto us.One of our greatest downfall is that we talk through two sides of our mouth so we live in squalorinside a sixty million dollar house.

At Least Jamaica is Willing to Join the Dance

Date: 08/30/09 Posted by: George Graham

I’ve always wondered about the Parable of the Talents. The parable tells of a master who was leaving home for a while, and before setting out, gave his three servants different amounts of money. The first servant got five talents, the second got two talents and the third got one. The first two invested their talents (which in those days was a lot of money) and had a nice fat profit for the boss. The third servant didn’t take any chances; he buried his cash in the ground so it would be safe and sound when the master came home.talents

I’m sure you know how the master reacted. He praised the first two servants and dumped all over the third. I can’t help feeling the third guy got a raw deal. But the message is clear: the Lord wants us to go for it… to take a chance on the future … to get in the game with whatever stakes we have, not to sit on the sidelines. Or, as Lee Ann Womack put it:

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance… I hope you dance.

And, little Jamaica has joined the dance, while mighty America sits timidly on the sidelines pondering the risks involved.

What on earth am I talking about? Why, health care, of course.

Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding is forging ahead with plans to abolish hospital user fees, despite a torrent of criticism and the head-scratching conundrum of paying for the plan. He is suggesting that Jamaicans who can afford to pay should contribute whatever they can afford. But to quote from a Jamaica Information Service press release:

The problem has always been that the country was never able to develop an appropriate means to determine whether a person can afford to pay and, if so, how much.

“It is an administrative nightmare,” Mr. Golding said, noting that studies done over the years indicate that the vast majority of people could not afford to pay, and when they do, they do so at tremendous sacrifice. He said that in light of this, the decision the Government took was necessary and must be sustained.

Admitting that it is not a perfect arrangement, the Prime Minister said that one of the weaknesses is in the area of health insurance, which should be covering some of the costs.

Sound familiar? Of course, Golding could just as easily be talking about the good ol’ USA. Nobody pretends that creating an equitable health care system is easy. There are swarms of problems involved. Especially in figuring out how to pay for it. But governments all over the world have accepted the challenge, and are in the game. The U.S. is imagining the worst, too scared to take a chance, defeated before the game has even started.

(George was my boss - brilliant, iconoclastic features editor at the Jamaica Daily News in the seventies - Jean Anita)

JAMAICA'S WORLD CHAMPS MEDALS

GOLD
M Bolt Usain 200 Metres
W Walker Melaine 400 Metres Hurdles
W Foster-Hylton Brigitte 100 Metres Hurdles
M Jamaica 4x100 Metres Relay
W Jamaica 4x100 Metres Relay
M Bolt Usain 100 Metres
W Fraser Shelly-Ann 100 Metres

SILVER
W Stewart Kerron 100 Metres
W Williams Shericka 400 Metres
W Jamaica 4x400 Metres Relay
W Campbell-Brown Veronica 200 Metres

BRONZE
W Ennis-London Delloreen 100 Metres Hurdles
M Powell Asafa 100 Metres

Stars deserve a peaceful JA

Residents of Maxfield Avenue celebrate Melaine - make them 'free from evil powers'.

JEAN LOWRIE-CHIN | Jamaica Observer | Monday, August 24, 2009

As we watched our athletes, and heard the testimony of their parents, we realised that these amazing performers were raised in God-centred households.

Indeed, our beloved superstar Usain Bolt paused after breaking the world record in the 200-metre event in Berlin to bow his head, say a prayer and make the sign of the cross, his well-known pre-race ritual.

Primrose Palmer, the mother of Brigitte Foster-Hylton, could not watch her daughter triumph in the 110-metre hurdles because she was busy cooking for a church event.

Shelly-Ann Fraser's mother, Maxine Simpson, shouted "Thank you Jesus!" when her daughter flew to finish in the 100-metre event, and related how she counselled her to "put God before and I know He will bring you through".

I had the pleasure of an inspiring conversation, walking the streets of Beijing last year with Rev William Powell, the father of Asafa Powell. Rev Powell and his wife Cislyn are both pastors of the Redemption National Church of God in Linstead. I have also met the warm and godly mother of Melaine Walker, Jenefer Wilson.

Clearly, their faith in God and the example of their devout parents have played a role in the confidence of our athletes. As they mounted the winners' podium, received their medals and stood at attention, we reflected on the prayer that is our Anthem:

"Eternal Father, bless our land
Guard us with Thy mighty hand
Keep us free from evil powers
Be our light through countless hours."

In trying to figure out where we got our winning ways, I looked back at Malcolm Gladwell's bestseller, Outliers. Gladwell analysed the circumstances around the success of such achievers as Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Amadeus Mozart and The Beatles. They may have been gifted, but they all worked long and hard.
"What's more," observes Gladwell, "the people at the top don't work just harder or even much harder than everyone else. They work much, much harder."

Before we go bashing the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA), we should know that it is made up of volunteers who work much, much harder than most. Only individuals who have represented the country in athletics are eligible to be members. Their leadership has included legends and fine individuals, among them the late great Herb McKenley, Mel Spence, Teddy McCook, Patrick Anderson, Donald Quarrie, Bertland Cameron, Brian Smith, Don Anderson, John Leiba, Denis Johnson, Adrian Wallace, Vilma Charlton and Headley Forbes.

These volunteers make up the most disciplined group I have ever seen, arriving on time for meetings, making meticulous preparations for meets, transparent in their actions and accountable in their results.

And so, beginning with the JAAA-JTA Primary and Prep School Championships, Jamaican children are burning up the stadium track from the age of six, in well-planned events that demand hard work and discipline.

These children are prepared by the unsung heroes of Jamaica, our coaches. The tough training means long, sometimes painful hours for coaches and athletes alike. It is only recently with the emergence of our golden superstars that we are hearing such names as Glen Mills and Stephen Francis. Delano Franklyn in his book, Sprinting into History reminds us that the G C Foster College of Physical Education and Sport, donated in 1977 by the Cuban Government to the people of Jamaica, has provided Jamaica with many excellent homegrown coaches. These include Michael Clarke, Fitzalbert Coleman, Edward Hector and Maurice Wilson.

Our volunteers of the JAAA and the Jamaica Association for Sports Medicine, committed coaches, steadfast corporate sponsors, public training and administrative facilities have given the country a strong foundation for sporting achievement. Franklyn also quotes Jamaica's Anti-Doping Sports Act (2008), born out of several revisions of the country's Policy against Doping in Sport.

One thing that has been clear about Jamaican sport, and in particular athletics, is that there has been no tolerance for indiscipline and unethical behaviour. It is regrettable that a genius like Stephen Francis has become so publicly conflicted with the JAAA. We all know that there will be trouble in the best of regulated families, but one should try to keep it in the family, not play it out in the press.

Norman Peart, manager of Usain Bolt, said in our phone conversation last Thursday morning, "I don't want to comment on that. There is good camaraderie in the camp. This is the athletes' work, their living - it is very important for them. Right now, it has to be about them."

However, there is an even more serious national issue. How could we have an attack on police officers last Thursday in the same hour that the country stopped to watch Usain Bolt and Melaine Walker? While they were running their hearts out for Jamaica, heartless gunmen were running down our good name! Clearly, the politicians and some in the private sector who have been arming and mollycoddling these gunmen have not been subject to the scrutiny of a disciplined, objective body like the JAAA.

We should not accept that our politicians can no longer control the monsters that they have created by omission or commission; they must be man and woman enough to deal with it once and for all. Look at the environment where some of our stars live! These communities will not see better days if the criminals (from uptown and downtown) are allowed to stay in charge of these hapless people who cannot cross from one street to the next, for fear that they are stepping into forbidden territory.

Let the discipline and values that helped to mould our athletes become the watchwords of our nation. We are sharing in their glory, but have we played by their rules? Could we run, in the light of day with no props or bribes, and win on our own steam?

Forget the fleeting razzle-dazzle of a grand welcome - instead, use the resources to make us "free from evil powers" so that our precious champions can have a homecoming to communities of peace and good order.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is the author of Souldance, a collection of poetry and commentary.

'Relays are more fun' - Usain

From IAAF website -

Usain Bolt: "If I am getting used to win? Oh, you cannot get used to win. The relay was really very much fun. It is always more fun than to run alone. Winning three gold medals in Berlin is wonderful, I am proud of myself."

So far - Asafa in

Patrick Anderson - TVJ says Asafa should be in for the Men's Sprint Relay.

Also said he saw Veronica and she looked very upset!
Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel

Peart - the man who groomed Bolt

Usain Bolt with Mentor and Manager Norman Peart

JEAN LOWRIE-CHIN | Jamaica Observer column | 29 June 2009

Much has been written about the emergence of young Usain Bolt as the phenomenal powerhouse of the track and from all indications, a lot more is to come. In a meeting last week, the athlete's manager Norman Peart reflected on the deliberate steps taken to groom Bolt for greatness. "As a William Knibb old boy who did athletics, I was called in February 2002 by then principal Margaret Lee who said she wanted me to help with 'this one little one that I think will do big things'," he recalled. "After work, I went to see him and then coach Dwight Barnett at the school and I was immediately impressed by his stature - this 15-year-old was taller than me, a six-footer!"

The next day Peart went to see Usain's parents, Mr and Mrs Wellesley Bolt. "Daddy Bolt was very much in charge," said Peart. "His parents and I have the same values and since then, there is hardly a day that we have not been in touch. For me, it has been the support of his parents that has made Usain what he is today. There is a very close relationship between that family, parents, brother and sister. That's where Usain's strength is."

But Usain Bolt's strength also lies with the calm, focused management of the mild-mannered accountant Norman Peart who has kept the Bolt enterprise humming like a well-oiled machine.

Peart says that by 2003, Usain Bolt had come to the attention of world athletics, running the third fastest time in the world at the National High School Championships: 20.25 seconds in the 200-metre event, as well as 45.35 in the 400-metre.

“We looked down the road and made a decision,” said Peart. “At the time, sprinting was at a low and we thought, ‘he is the next generation, this is the time’.”

“Under the guidance of Hon Teddy McCook, we decided to make the transition to the High Performance Centre at Utech that would take him to a professional level. I got a job transfer to Kingston, set up house for both of us and he lived with me for three years. The adjustment was a challenge at the start, as I had no experience as a father.” Then Peart jokes, “After I got married, I figured it was time I threw him out.”

During that time, Peart was ensuring that Usain kept up with his studies, enrolling him at Quality Academics so that he could gain the five CXC subjects to qualify for UTECH, the manager’s alma mater. “You’re going to college through the front door,” he told the fun-loving athlete. He also engaged Paula-Ann Porter to give Usain speech training and we saw the result when he acquitted himself well in those Beijing interviews.

Bolt did one term at UTECH 2005, but then came more laurels at the Commonwealth Games and he had to turn athletics into what Peart describes as “a full time job”.

“He will not be 22 again,” says a realistic Peart. “So he must do the sponsors’ tours, the photo shoots and of course, the constant training to stay on form.” So how are Usain’s finances being handled? “We have been planning every step of the way,” says Norman. “We have in place an attorney, a financial advisor, a competition agent and his great coach Glen Mills.”

Norman has also encouraged Usain’s spirit of philanthropy. Recently, they reached out to the children with HIV-AIDS at Mustard Seed’s ‘Dare to Care’, and give ongoing support to several community projects.

Peart describes a day in Usain’s life. There is gym in the morning, interviews, meals, afternoon rest followed by three hours of intense training in the afternoon to evening. “He also has to have time for himself, time for his friends.” The athlete’s relationship continues with his childhood sweetheart, Mizicann.

Peart refuses to become paranoid over Usain’s driving even after his April car crash. “Yes, he’s driving himself,” says the cool manager. “We have very good relations with Stewart’s Auto and Usain now has a BMW X5.”

Jamaica-based Peart keeps tabs on all aspects of Bolt’s business as the athlete travels with his coach, sports manager and masseuse. “He never stops training and when he goes off to Europe, they’ll have to set up home in the various locations, find a good gym and training facilities.”

...

"Usain is very tough, very positive and undaunted by the competition. He will have a great tour," says Peart of the upcoming season. Such confidence comes from the grooming of a world superstar, by an honest and diligent man. With more nurturing by citizens like Norman Peart, imagine the great heights that our children could achieve.

OBSERVER IN BERLIN