Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Home Blog Page 28

Tax Office workers strike

By
admin
-
275
This was the scene outside the Tax Admnistration Jamaica Jamaica (TAJ) Howard Cooke Boulevard office, as workers protested the unsanitary conditions under which they had to work, bringing the facility’s operations to a halt recently. KT Photo

Barrington Flemming – Staff Reporter

Operations at the Western Regional Office of Tax Administration Jamaica, TAJ, Howard Cooke Boulevard, Montego Bay, grounded to a halt on Tuesday as workers took industrial action to press home their demands for the management to immediately take steps to deal with long standing air quality issues, sparked by mold infestation of the building.

The workers withdrew their service on Tuesday, citing that despite their protestations to management, nothing has been done to correct what is a worsening situation.

It left many taxpayers stranded in long queues waiting to be served, but no one to assist them.

One medical practitioner, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that he has had to treat several workers from the TAJ presenting with respiratory issues in recent months and based on the frequency and severity of the cases, had written to the TAJ administration urging that the matter be addressed urgently.

A taxpayer who went to the office on Tuesday to pay property taxes said while she had to curtail the transaction because the workers were not available based on what she was hearing, she sided with the workers and is also calling on the management to remedy the issue.

“I came to pay taxes for my property and saw workers on the outside and went in and saw that the line was not moving. I subsequently heard that there are air quality issues in the building. This is serious matter; why are they allowed to work in such conditions with so many diseases around, especially corona now? They should address the matter now, put up signs at all entry points to warn the public,” she said.

Another potential client who came to renew his driver’s license said he was disgruntled because some notice should have been given. However, he was critical of the administration.

“This place is making millions of dollars a day and the management should do much better. They should ensure that the workers are properly taken care of. Whatever the issue is, they need to address it so the workers can be comfortable to serve the public.”

Up to press time, the TAJ management and workers were locked in a meeting seeking to hammer out an agreement as to whether the workers would resume duties today, pending investigation and remedial action to address the vexed issue.

The workers have vowed not to return to the building until the issues have been addressed.

MoBay #1 Post Office reopens

By
admin
-
27
New Look: The new-look Montego Bay Number One Post Office on Meagre Bay Road

Alan Lewin

The long wait for the reopening of the Montego Bay Number One Post Office, located along Meagre Bay Road, is now over. The post office reopened on Monday, March 2, after closing for more than a year for refurbishing.

The closure of the post office made it inconvenient for some, especially the elderly, to collect their pensions. Jean, who uses the post office regularly, was glad for the reopening. “I was so disappointed to walk go all the way up to Clock at the Number Two Post Office to collect a mail, so I’m so glad for the reopening of the Number One Post Office. The place is clean and have air condition, and stairs for the disabled. I want to thank the people who all came together and fix up this place so nice,” said Jean.

Branch Manager for the Number One Post Office, Simone Grant Durrant, was on hand to open the doors to the public. “Well, as you can see, the people are congratulating us as staff for the wonderful job we have done to bring this post office to a top-class one. It can be more convenient to the pensioners now, who usually have to go all the way to the Number Two Post Office to do their business, which is about a mile away. Many people can also have easy access to pay their utility bills at the post office.”

Deadly Robbery

By
admin
-
764
Kenny Li
  • Chinese businessman, guard killed

The Chinese business community in Montego Bay was shaken again on Monday when gunmen struck in a brazen daylight robbery, killing a popular businessman and his security guard at the intersection of King and Church Streets in the Western City. Another man, who was wounded in the attack has been admitted for treatment at hospital.

The dead men have been identified as 44-year-old Kenneth Li, popularly known as ‘Kenny’, operator of Cash Smart Trading Limited (Supermarket and Grocers – Retail) on Barnett Street, and his security guard Carl Reid.

The Montego Bay police, who are probing the incident, have so far taken one suspect into custody in connection with the double murder.

According to the police, about 10:55 a.m., Li and Reid, along with another man, were in a Hiace mini bus, at the intersection of King and Church Streets, intending to go to the bank to make a deposit, when they were pounced upon by three armed men travelling in a motorcar, who opened fire hitting them several times.

Observers watch as police personnel cordon off the scene of brazen daylight attack

The men are reported to have made off with millions of dollars, which were being held in the back of the bus.

The police were alerted and they were taken to the hospital, where Li and Reid were pronounced dead and the other man admitted for treatment.

The Montego Bay Police were swift in their response to the scene of the killing, and are utilizing CCTV and other technologies to pursue several leads.

Meanwhile, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is once again urging business persons to utilize the services of private security firms and/or the JCF when seeking to make large deposits to their respective banks.

Head of the JCF’s Corporate Communication Unit, Senior Superintendent of Police, Stephanie Lindsay, is again imploring members of the business community to make use of the services of reputable security firms.

“We want to take this opportunity to encourage them that where possible, they are to utilize security firms and reputable companies to assist them when they are transporting large sums of cash to and from financial institutions.”

SSP Lindsay also reminded small business persons that, if they find the cost of these services too onerous, the local police are more than capable of assisting. “We want to remind them that the Jamaica Constabulary Force will support them. This is an area that you can actually make arrangements with your local police, who will provide you with escort services to and from financial institution.”

Round the rugged road

By
admin
-
1264
What was once considered a road in the Pearlene Stream community is now a jagged pathway

“We can’t take this any longer, it is extremely bad!” These are the words of a disgruntled Dianne Dixon of Pearlene Stream in East Central St. James, who is just one of many residents taking Member of Parliament, Edmund Bartlett, and Councillor Uvel Graham to task for what they say is the dreadful condition of the roads in the community.

“This has been ongoing for decades, nobody seems to care about us. Despite our numerous appeals, we are neglected and not on the radar of either the Member of Parliament or the councillor, the works agency or anybody, we simply don’t matter, or seem to exist,” Dixon said. 

The residents bemoaned the fact that taxi operators have flatly refused to ply that route, arguing that they do not have roads to drive on and chancing to drive on this rugged pathway would mean extreme damage to their vehicles. 

“We don’t have roads. If there was any road, it does not exist anymore. What we have now is a rugged, jagged track that has large stones jutting out, that make it difficult for the elderly and very young to use. It is affecting every aspect of life – people going to work, people coming home and children going to school all have problems,” she explained.

Miss Dixon says concerns continue to heighten as residents fear that should there be a medical emergency in the area, no ambulance or any other emergency vehicle would be able to travel to the community to deal with that urgent matter.

MAJOR DETERRENT

Kaye Brown, who recently convened the Pearlene Stream Citizens’ Association, echoed similar sentiments, adding that the deplorable road conditions continue to be a major deterrent to other infrastructure improvement that the community so desperately needs.

“We have an aging population here and no ambulance or any other vehicle would come here should there be a medical emergency. The nearest health centre is at Adelphi, which is more than seven miles away; this is not good. The road has not been fixed now for more than 30 years.”

She says while she has been in contact with some residents living overseas, who would want to return home to retire, they are wary because of the concerns being expressed by those who are living there now.

 “I personally made contact with the Councillor for the area, Mr. Graham, and he has not responded to the concerns.  We would like to undertake some projects; we need a health centre and a community centre where we can organize activities to engage the youth and also the elderly. We would like to do this with assistance from the politicians and others, but they are not responding to us.”

 She says they are having a crisis and no one seems to care.

“This is an infrastructure issue not a political one. We cannot have prosperity with these bad roads, people need ease of travel to get to and from work and that is not possible under the present circumstances. This has gone on for far too long. Please, please fix the road, that is what we ask and then we can work on the other matters,” pleads Miss Brown.

Myrtle’s undying commitment to the craft business

By
admin
-
876
Myrtle stands at her shop located at the Harbour Street craft market in Montego Bay. She was born at 13 Hart Street in Montego Bay. Alan Lewin photos


MGN/Alan Lewin

“I will not leave the craft business for any other work, even if it’s paying big money. I just love my craft business and the pleasure of meeting and greeting tourists,” shared Myrtle Cargill – a craft trader with more than 50 years of experience in that field. With the self-given moniker, ‘Myrtle The Turtle’, she recalled quite vividly to the Western Mirror how she began that journey. “My uncle gave me 10 pounds in the early 60’s to look at a shop to buy. I bought the shop at Strand Street behind the then Civic Centre where the old Craft Market was. From those same funds I got from my uncle, I was able to stock up the shop, and from then, it was pretty much smooth sailing, as my business began to boom and I got to save a lot of money from my earnings.”

DISASTER STRUCK

In all great stories of resilience, there are trials to be found, and for Cargill, no other moment proved more trying than when disaster unexpectedly struck. A fire of unknown origin swept through the area, damaging the old courthouse, and, unfortunately for Cargill, completely incinerating shop and her stocks in the process.

Bankro: These are some of the baskets that Myrtle has for sale.

Forced to start over, Cargill relocated to Creek Street, and from there, built her craft business from the ground up. Though a number of challenges were expected – and even encountered, during that period, Cargill ultimately saw her fortunes change rather swiftly. She reaped a lot of success, and was once again able to save a lot of her earnings as a number of tourists still found and flocked to her shop for all the unique items she sold.

TO THE HARBOUR STREET CRAFT VILLAGE

The Harbour Street Craft Village soon came on stream following a lengthy construction period, and proved to be next grounds Cargill would set her sights on to continue her success. She relocated to the area – and has been there since, to this day. The move, Cargill recalls, was only another in her many business exploits across the city. Cargill shared that one point, she rented a shop at the City Centre Plaza where she reaped just as much success being the only black persons among the Indians selling souvenir items. But that was not without its struggles. Cargill was held up and robbed by gunmen on three occasions, but remained undeterred. That resilience paid off. Cargill soon had the privilege of selling items to former President of the United States of America, Ronald Reagan and his family, as well as legendary boxers Lennox Lewis and Sugar Ray Leonard, and international footballer, Roger Miller.

For the long-serving craft vendor, the challenges have been worth it. Just last year, she was recognized by Minister of Tourism, Ed Bartlett, for her over 50 years serving the industry, receiving a plaque to mark the occasion.

With her vast catalogue of items – to include straw caps, bags, Bankro baskets, T-shirts, dresses, jewelry, and others, Cargill continues to be a trailblazer in the craft vending world. Considering that the industry has been struggling in recent times, Cargill believes the Bottom Road Carnival should be revived, and that restrictions should be stripped regarding craft vendors selling to a number of stores.

Cargill has already done 50 years, and shows no sign of letting up now.

TRAVELERS’ ROUNDUP

Craft War

By
admin
-
1
The craft market

Barrington Flemming – Staff Reporter

Battle lines have been drawn between first Vice President of the Harbour Street Craft Traders Association, Baldwin Dulston, and longstanding President, Melody Haughton, over the administration of the Montego Bay-based organization, which leads the craft traders at the 254- shop facility.

Dulston is calling for Haughton to step down, citing poor leadership and nepotism; but Haughton has fired back saying no way, and says it is all false.

At a meeting called by Dulston on Monday, a group of disgruntled craft traders said that Haughton, who has led the association for more than two decades, has not been representing their interests, and they would like to see the back of her now.

“It has reached a boiling point; we want a change in leadership. This lady has been in office for over 23 years and it is evident that members of the market not growing in terms of economics. Only a dictator can lead for 23 years without anything tangible to show so we have taken that executive decision that she must go, because she has overstayed her time,” Dulston declared.

 He also cited financial impropriety, a sentiment echoed by the members present, as he argued that neither written nor verbal communication has been had about monies collected on behalf of the association. He said the Tourism Product Development Company requested financial and other statements from her, but none has been forthcoming.

NO FINANCIAL REPORT

“In my opinion, if you can’t give a financial report, it means that something chicanery is happening. You must be equipped enough to submit a financial report to the people who have entrusted their money into your keeping. This is another reason why the people are rising up and calling for her to go,” Dulston said. 

He further argued that there is no management or organization as it is all dictatorship as Haughton believes no one is willing to come up against her.

“Well, I am willing going up against her. Members have ideas, and all they need is the leader to help. It is obvious the lady is sick – she should do the noble thing or call the election. We are not giving up.”

He said an election which, was due on January 27, was not held.

The craft traders also argued that only a select group of persons generally get the opportunity to go to the cruise port to promote and sell their products.

“We are cross, angry and miserable. She does not mean us any good, she must go!”, one craft trader echoed.

DISSIDENT GROUP

Haughton, however, fired back, countering the claims as all false, saying it was small faction of dissidents who have rejected the rules of the association and after being punished for their rude and outrageous behaviour, have formed themselves into a group to oppose her.

“These allegations are all false. TPDCO did not request any document from me. I invited TPDCo to the meeting as I always do and no representative of that body requested any such document.”

However, it was during that meeting the members requested an election.

She further pointed out that: “Most of these persons are not acquainted with the association’s rules and guidelines, as they are not registered members and they are the ones who are making a fuss and creating problems. They do not attend meetings to learn what is happening so they go about with the wrong impression.”

Haughton sought to explain that persons who go to the port are those who have their licenses which are issued by TPDCo after they have undergone the required training. 

“We have divided the market into seven regions and each region has a captain, so two persons from each region will go along with an executive member. The ones who have not been to the port do not have the required documents,” she said.

Regarding the election, Haughton noted: “They cannot bully the system. We had an election on the 27th of January, but because Mr. Dulston was a no show for 26 consecutive meetings according to the rules, he automatically dismissed himself. They are saying that they are not honouring the election because he, Mr. Dulston, was not elected.”

Haughton said she has had an excellent record of advocating for the craft traders and it was under her tenure that the craft market was upgraded.

Killed in robbery attempt

By
admin
-
920
Sydele Malcolm, otherwise called 'Syble'
  • Attacker in hospital under police guard

Barrington Flemming – Staff Reporter

A woman who bravely attempted to foil a robbery attempt at her home at St. Lucia Avenue in Cornwall Court, Montego Bay, on Saturday, was shot and killed by the assailant, who was reportedly admitted in hospital under police guard nursing stab wounds sustained during the attack.

The victim has been identified as, 58-year-old Sydele Malcolm, otherwise called ‘Syble’.

Reports indicate that about 3:58, Malcolm and other family members were asleep in the house when they were awoken by strange sounds and went to investigate.

It was discovered that a group of armed men had broken into the house. Malcolm reportedly became engaged in a tussle with one of the robbers and inflicted several stab wounds to his body. 

The man, who was armed with a gun, retaliated by opening fire at Malcolm hitting her several times including in her head. 

She was subsequently taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

However, a short time later, a man suspected to be her attacker, turned up at hospital nursing several stab wounds.  He was subsequently placed under police guard.    

Meanwhile, this latest murder has triggered a call from residents of Cornwall Court to the authorities to erect a major security wall between Cornwall Court and the neighbouring Salt Spring community, as it has been purported that the men who attempted to rob Malcolm’s house were from that area. 

Fear grips Hopewell

By
admin
-
0
Sheldon Hines
  • Second man killed in three days

Barrington Flemming – Staff Reporter

Fear now grips the community of Hopewell in Hanover as gunmen breached the State of Emergency, killing two men in three days forcing the Police High Command to up the ante in its continuous war on crime.

The latest homicide occurred on Wednesday night, leaving 29-year-old Sheldon Hinds, otherwise called ‘Breed’ of Rock Top in the community, dead.

The Lucea Police, who are investigating, report that about 9:05 p.m., Hinds was at a bar socializing with friends,following a candle light vigil along the roadway, which was done by friends of 28-year-old Damion Buchanan, otherwise called ‘Cheetos’, who was shot and killed in the Hopewell Square Sunday night, when he was approached by a lone man, reportedly wearing a hoodie, who opened fire hitting him several times.

Patrons at the bar and passers-by were sent scampering for cover as the gunman escaped on foot.

The police were called to the scene by residents and Hinds was subsequently taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Buchanan was killed in a similar fashion on Sunday whilst at the same bar, reportedly by a man wearing a hoodie.

CRACKDOWN ON HOT SPOT

Commanding officer of the Hanover Police, Superintendent Sharon Beeput, in response to the killings, said the Hopewell area was a trouble spot by way of murders last year and the security forces will not allow a repeat this year.

“Last year that space gave me the most murders in this division, and we cannot afford for it to happen this year,” she explained.

She said as a result, the police will not be permitting any event in Hopewell for a while and the bar, which has been the focal point for both murders, has been order closed (temporarily) by the police.

“We are now enforcing the lockdown policy more stringently so all persons must get off the streets, no gathering; everyone should disperse and go to their respective homes. In the meantime, we are carrying out some thorough investigations and are hoping to get the cooperation of the citizens.”

She said both murders were unfortunate, citing that while police officers were in the area on both occasions, they were rerouted to other areas to deal with urgent matters and it was after they left that the killings took place.

“We are suffering from a shortfall in numbers so this is what has affected us,” she disclosed. 

That beautiful Tucker to Spring Mount roadway!

By
admin
-
1093
This portion of the roadway needs no introduction, but for those unfamiliar with it, this one-of-a-kind intersection is located just at the exit of the St. John main road, at the entrance to Hurlock, and just before venturing into John’s Hall.

A special feature by Western Mirror Staff Writer – Michael Nattoo

For years, we have complained about our roadways needing work, and finally, I am happy to declare – those complaints are no more!If you have never travelled or if you don’t travel the Tucker to Spring Mount main road in South St. James daily, you are missing out on an exciting and luxurious life! While the rest of Jamaica awaits Vision 2030, we there up in the “bush” are living that life! We invite every man, woman and child to take a drive on our state-of-the-art roadways, starting the moment you turn off Fairfield Avenue to head up into the country!

You may think this is a joke, but hear me out: can you recall the last time you heard of a strike/roadblock on that particular stretch of roadway? Exactly! And sure, you cynics may argue that our road users are just simply too tired to protest, but I assure you that’s not the case. I can further assure you that the constant migraines we get as a result of traversing those roadways have nothing to do with the roads themselves, but from our constant guilt that we are the only ones who get to enjoy roads like these in all of South St. James.

This truck driver, at a section of the roadway after passing the entrance to Irwin, made sure that I pictured him on a joyride through one of the many “potholes” located along this stretch.

Take, for instance, our taxi operators – buses and all. They love that beautifully designed and maintained roadway so much, that they refuse to disrespect it by driving on it with old car parts! That’s whynearly every week, they engage in the sacred practice of replacing their front end parts, simply because they know that that roadway deserves better. Sure, it’s expensive, but when you have roads like we do, only then will you understand these rituals.

ENGINEERING MARVELS

Coming onto our roadways, you are to drive with care and please, be educated. What we mean by that is this: though you may see things at every point along the roadway that you would call craters or, to use a more slanderous term – potholes, you’d be mistaken to think of them as such. Those things that you see our drivers carefully navigating through are not potholes, but are thoughtful engineering marvels that serve a number of purposes on those roadways. For one, they negate speeding, and ought to be considered as a new sophisticated design for speed bumps. That’s why our drivers are among the most skilled and disciplined. Secondly, given prevailing drought conditions across the island, those craters store water anytime it rains, becoming safe havens for our much-hunted and persecuted Aedes aegypti mosquitoes – proving once again just how much our councillors care about the health and welfare of ALL things.

Here, drivers are pictured on a slow drive along the Tucker main road, through the craters, being careful to savour every unplanned contact of their front ends with the pavement.

“Yes man! A full time unu show dem! Dem need fi see di road dem weh affi drive pon everyday! Yes, missa Mirror, show dem!” was the cry of one bus driver as I stopped to take pictures of our ‘holy’ roadways. He was no doubt thrilled that finally, I could ease his guilt by allowing others a peak into our well-kept secret. “Show dem all a it missa Mirror, every single one a dem! Dem need fi know how wi a live up ya suh!” shared another impassioned taxi operator. He, however, seemed angry that yet another crater had been placed on the roadway without much of a notification given. Seems you can’t please everyone, right Councillor Uvel Graham?

  • At this particular section of the road leading to St. John/Retirement, we can see the variety being provided, as one side of the road offers road users a rugged, off-road experience, while the other, for a short stretch, offers a more relaxing one.
  • Another section of the impeccable roadway

CLEANER, SUPERIOR ROADS

“And what of the constant clouds of dust?” you may ask. Well, there’s a simple explanation for that. If the dust isn’t in the air, where would it be? On our roads! Exactly! So, to keep those superior roads cleaner than most (if you ignore the garbage placed along strategic points of the road), the roads are kept as is, so as to ensure a delicate system we have remains intact. Now don’t go copying this, but that delicate and intricate system ensures that most of the dust is stuck to vehicles – which are usually washed daily, travelling those roadways. These vehicles then have to be transported to a car wash multiple times per week, ensuring that car wash operators make a lucrative living, while motor vehicle operators ensure their cars’ hygiene is well-kept. Yet again, another flawless modern marvel.

Ultimately, should you visit our roads, you may be tempted to walk instead of drive given the state of the roadways, but I implore you to ignore such temptations. Otherwise, you won’t get to partake of the weekly car parts replacement ritual we so thoroughly enjoy. And finally, we can’t take credit for this. Huge thanks must go to Councillor Uvel Graham and our local government officials! You guys are the real superstars!

Double success

By
admin
-
274
GLIDING: Michael Schloss of Falmouth Saints goes for an effortless floater against Spanish Town Spartans during their National Basketball League match played at the Montego Bay Cricket Club on Saturday. – Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts photos

Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts

Western teams enjoyed successful outings on the weekend with Falmouth Saints being the more dominant as play continued in the 12-team National Basketball League with a double header played at the Montego Bay Cricket Cub.

Saints rocketed to a 100-77 victory over Spanish Town Spartans before Montego Bay Cricket Club Knights (MBCCK) cooled Portmore Flames 68-60 in a less than spectacular affair.

Saints with the win, a second in a row, shot to the top of the zone with maximum points.

Saints who saw their first three point attempt connecting midway the second quarter, rallied from behind to clinch the win, quieting their visitors in sensational fashion, as Michael Schloss led the charge with 26 points, the same as Danny Powell, who also grabbed 12 rebounds.

Dave Black, who struggled to get his shots falling, added 13 and snatched 8 boards, while Michael Johnson also had 13 and collected 5 boards.

Levar Rose came off the bench to add 9 points in 10 seconds, including a clutch three pointer on a fast break.

Falmouth-based Saints trailed by 11 at the close of the opening quarter, but produced  superb second and fourth quarter displays, 33/38, on their way to claiming the emphatic victory.

They had given their opponents a late chance when they allowed an 8-2 run, which managed to level the contest at 62-62, before the Saints powered away.

KNIGHTS DEFIANT

Meanwhile Knights, who suffered defeat in their first outing, turned in a spirited performance on their way to a first win of the season, coming from behind.

It was close going between the teams early on with Knights recovering from yet another dreadful start, which saw them down by 7, before edging ahead 32-29 at the halfway point.

The scrappy affair, which saw a host of turnovers by both teams and uncontrolled dribbles and missed shots on the fast breaks, failed to spark, but the Knights proved plucky in the end, after several self-inflicted attempts at giving up the victory.

Rayon Gardener and Mikhail Smith, with 15 points each, did the business for the Jhuan Bryan-captained team, as they moved into second position in their group with three points.

The League continues on Sunday.

1...272829...101Page 28 of 101

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

Newspaper is your news, entertainment, music fashion website. We provide you with the latest breaking news and videos straight from the entertainment industry.

Contact us: contact@yoursite.com

FOLLOW US

© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv