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Dear Dreamer, I Hope You’ll Be Okay

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Friends

Michael Nattoo

“You may say I’m a dreamer,

But I’m not the only one,

I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will live as one.” – Imagine, John Lennon.

Before anything else, I’m a dreamer. Many of you can hardly tell right now it seems, but it’s Christmastime and for some, this used to be the most wonderful time of the year. Now, though, it’s just another period to push through, to overcome and to breathe a sigh of relief at the end of it all. That’s because some of you have lost loved ones, some of you can’t seem to find your bearings, and some of you have simply lost hope that things will get better, at least not until the New Year rolls in.

No, this isn’t an unrealistic, over-the-top fluff piece about you finding your strength and joy in life again. If anything, this is some unsolicited storytelling, and if you’ll have it, advice… I think. Even so, you shouldn’t take advice from a stranger (most times), so here, let’s be friends for a minute, at least until you’re done reading this. I’m Michael Nattoo. I grew up in the small community of John’s Hall, St. James, and though I didn’t have much, the fact that I’m now an unapologetic dreamer well into adulthood means that a lot of things about my upbringing were right, more than they were wrong.

BEST MEMORIES

For instance, we didn’t have a Christmas tree most times, and friend, you know we didn’t have snow, at least the American version of it. What we had though were the pink blossoms that fell from the apple trees in our yard, and that was enough. My cousins – Trevesa, BanJam, Sanchez, and I used to play for hours on end in those blossoms, we’d sing carols, and we did any little thing that our hearts led us to do, because there was just something about this time of year. Or was there? The adult me has a different version of why those moments still stand out to me as some of the best moments I’ve ever had, but I’ll get to that.

I’ve just shared one of my dearest memories with you, so that means we aren’t so much strangers anymore, right? Good. That means you could humour me a little now – whatever advice I give, as your friend in this moment, you wouldn’t be opposed to taking it, right? Pinky promise? Good. So about you – I know things have been challenging. You’ve seen it too, right? I remember a few years back, by now, whenever I’d take a bus to head back home to the country, the road sides would’ve been swept clean, certain houses would be alight with those beautiful ‘pepper lights’ we’ve come to associate with Christmas, and somewhere, whether in the bus or in the distance, you could hear Christmas carols playing. We haven’t seen much of that these days, huh? Instead, what I’ve observed are people who, I imagine would have wanted to show their ‘Christmas Spirit’ but, are not in any real position to do so.

MY GIFT TO YOU

There are only but a few decorated houses around now, not many carols are playing, and people just wanting to survive the ‘Festive Season’. Has that been your reality too, friend? If it is, that sucks, and though you’re only reading this right now, here’s a nice, warm hug. I’m right here in that with you. I’m not rich by any stretch of the imagination, and while I would rather just give you all the money in the world, the only valuable thing I can realistically give you right now is my unfiltered humanity. I’m not sure how much that is worth right now, but it’s the thing that has me believing that regardless of how bad things are, they can get better… and they will. That’s got to count for something, right? Even beyond Christmas, that’s what I can assure you I’ll have in abundance.

I won’t get mad at you for stepping on my shoe if you pass me in the street, I won’t lose my patience at you for spending waaaay to long in the ATM, and I won’t yell at you if you so happen to offend me. That’s less about turning the other cheek, and more about understanding that we’re all going through some stuff, and sometimes, we are not sure how to deal with that.

UNSOLICITED ADVICE

Remember how I told you the adult me has a different perspective on why it is that I remember those days of my childhood so fondly now, even though we didn’t have much? That’s because, as cliché as it sounds, I had people who loved me, even if they were much too young to understand what that means. And that kinda sums up the unsolicited advice, my friend. If you can’t afford all the bells and whistles of the Christmas period, that’s fine. You really don’t need it. Put yourself around people who make your heart happy, and everything else will follow.

I won’t do much this Christmas, but if I see you, considering now that we’re friends, I’ll have a hug on standby. Things are tough, I know, but if that’s something I can do help make your day even a little better, you can better your nonexistent dollars that I’ll do it. I know I’m a dreamer, and I know it’s weird to be all caught up in all this touchy feely stuff, but do understand: that touchy feely stuff is the spice of life. Merry Christmas, even if it doesn’t feel like it. I really really like you, and Dear Dreamer, I hope you’ll be OK.

‘Take better care of our musicians’

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Tropical Energy in action at one of their recent shows.

Rollo of Tropical Energy speaks up on injustice in the industry

Michael Nattoo – Staff Reporter

The year was 1974. Montego Bay, Jamaica, had a void to be filled on the entertainment scene, and Rollo and the Hurlock brothers knew this. That’s why when they joined forces, they would go on to become one of Western Jamaica’s more popular bands, cementing their names in the rich musical legacy associated with the West.

In the summer of 1976, the newly formed band journeyed to Negril, and describing a scene that’s not often seen these days, if any at all, Rollo, who became the band manager, explained that 17 bands – to include legendary names like Fab 5 and Third World, all branched off along a stretch of sandy beaches in the Negril area, and did what they did best – entertain. That day would become forever etched in the memories of all those who attended that unique gathering, and it was there that Rollo and company, being the only band from Western Jamaica at the time, decided to carry on that mantle for the West, just so until others could catch on. So began the journey of the band called Free Will, who later became known as Middle Earth, which ultimately became Tropical Energy.

Rollo revealed that the gathering of the 17 bands, while for the purpose of entertaining, was also a competition in and of itself, and to the then newly formed band’s credit, they placed second in that competition behind the legendary Third World. Nothing to be ashamed of there.

Free Will got a taste of the life they could have had with a full-time pursuit of band entertainment, and before they knew it, their reputation had preceded them. They were pretty soon booked by the Negril Beach Village hotel, today known as Hedonism, and for a creditable amount of time, they played and flourished there. The band was gaining valuable experience, and despite the challenges, they were handling business as they needed to. Not long after, they relocated to Montego Bay, all in the interest of keeping the blossoming band together. Rollo revealed that a number of the band members were youngsters, whose parents were never comfortable with them living too far from home. The move to St. James was expected to dissolve those concerns, and despite the band landing a gig at the Casa Montego Hotel – which went on for six months, they unfortunately broke up.

Though that tumultuous period wasn’t the only one experienced by Rollo and the band, he had always maintained his love for the music, and in a climate now that is not as conducive to local band talents in the hotel industry, the vet has his eyes set on a revival.

Today, after years of experience in the field as a vocalist and manager, Rollo’s revelation that he has since bought equipment for the purpose of re-energizing Middle Earth, has breathed life back into a dying industry, but has equally reacquainted him with many of the challenges that began around the band’s earlier years of prominence. While finances have always been a challenge for aspiring bands, Rollo has now found that almost systematically, local talents are being pushed out of the tourism band entertainment industry, in favour of international bands which are which play a version of reggae, that Rollo believes is not truly representative of the culture of reggae. This, he believes, is an injustice. That’s why Middle Earth’s revival stands, to Rollo, as a direct opposition to what he’s coining as the ‘Spanish Invasion’. What this is, he explains, is the proliferation of Spanish talents in the hotel industry, brought on primarily by the increasing number of Spanish-owned hotels, which are excluding local talents from making a reasonable living in an industry that owes its popularity to the ingenuity of local acts. “There is no authentic Jamaican reggae music being played in these hotels, so win or lose, I’m here to advocate for that – for authentic reggae music to be played for our tourists. What is happening now is just a hustling of the tourism dollars from tourists, and it’s not right.”

The passionate Rollo explained that musicians today, local musicians in fact, are getting pennies for their worth, and the first step to addressing the ‘Spanish Invasion’ is to ensure that we properly pay our musicians, so they can better take care of their families, and take the music business more seriously.

With Tropical Energy in full swing, Rollo aims to inject authenticity back into the local entertainment industry, and he seems poised to do just that.

Fire razes Impack Auto Sales

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The scene of the fire that destroyed the offices of Impack Auto, a restaurant and a mechanic shop -Shamir Brown photo

Business operators are counting their losses after fire of unknown origin razed a commercial building housing the offices of Impack Auto Sales and some other businesses in Westgreen, Montego Bay yesterday.

Reports from the Montego Bay Fire Department are that the fire ripped through the building, which was mostly constructed of board, within a matter of minutes, gutting the sales office for Impack, a restaurant and a mechanic shop.

Four cars that were in the vicinity were also damaged, while a Toyota Starlet was completely burnt out before anyone could make an attempt to remove it.

Firefighters from Freeport reported that they received the call about 3:33pm and responded with two units. Upon arrival, they saw the building completely engulfed in flames, with persons attempting to remove the cars and other contents from the vicinity of the fire.

Firefighters sprang into action and subsequently brought the fire under control.

Damage is estimated at twenty-five million dollars and it is not known whether the building or contents were insured.

S.B.

Crash claims two

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The ill-fated Toyota Corolla motor car in which Johnson and Parkinson met their untimely end and four other men were injured.

Shamir Brown

With just days before Christmas, two families are left to grapple with the loss of their loved ones following a motor vehicle crash along the Sandy Bay main road.

Two men died after the Toyota Corolla in which they were traveling veered off the roadway, after what seemed to be an attempted overtake, and crashed into the wall of the Grand Palladium Hotel in Point, Hanover on Tuesday night.

The driver, 22-year-old Rashard Johnson and 19-year-old Brandon Parkinson, suffered fatal wounds during the incident. Parkinson, it is said, was a student of HEART Trust NTA and was reportedly coming from school when the accident occurred.

Johnson is of a Frome address and Parkinson of Orange Hill district, both in Westmoreland.

Reports are that about 6 p.m., Johnson was driving a Toyota Corolla motor car along the point main rod in Hanover, heading towards Montego Bay, St. James, with five men aboard. Johnson, it is alleged, was attempting to overtake a vehicle when he lost control of the Toyota Corolla which veered off the road, ripping down a heritage sign before crashing into the wall of the Grand Palladium Resort.

All six men received multiple injuries. 

Blood stains and fluids from the car showed how the impact was represented against the wall.

The fire department, which was contacted, was quick on the scene and responded with one fire unit and an ambulance.

A number of the injured men were assisted into the ambulance and others into another vehicle and rushed to hospital, where they were all admitted for treatment.

 Johnson and Parkinson, however, were later pronounced dead.

Jilted lover fires back

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Nigel Williams
  • Shoots dead one, seriously wounds another

Gunshots rang out Friday night, shattering the relative calm in the Glendevon community of St. James when an estranged lover, in an apparent fit of jealousy, allegedly opened fire on a car parked along Leonie Avenue.

The targets, his ex-girlfriend and a male companion, who was killed on the spot. The 40-year-old ex-girlfriend was shot several times and has been admitted to hospital in serious condition.

The dead man has been identified as 41-year-old contractor, Nigel Williams of Whitehouse district, Westmoreland.

Reports reaching the Western Mirror are that about 8:10 p.m., Mr. Williams was sitting in his silver Nissan Station Wagon in the company of the female when a man, said to be the father of her child, approached the vehicle armed with a gun and fired several shots through the window then walked away.

The female managed to run from the car to a nearby dwelling,where she was found suffering from gunshot wounds, including to her chest, and was rushed to hospital by the police, who were quick on the scene.

The police found Mr. Williams slumped around the steering wheel of the car with gunshot wounds to the face and upper body.

The suspect, a 35-year-old man of a Cambridge, St. James address, later turned himself over to the police.

The Western Mirror has since been informed that Williams’ female companion had ended a relationship with her ex-boyfriend with whom she shares a child, but he has refused to accept that the relationship is over.

He reportedly made overtures to her to take him back, but she had spurned his attempts and moved on with Williams.

The suspect is alleged to have trailed William’s vehicle on Friday to Glendevon, where the woman is said to have been staying with relatives and carried out the shooting. 


SOPE woes ‘pile’ up

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ATTORNEYS JOIN FORCES FOR THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS: Moderator of the Human Rights Town Hall Meeting, Mr. Clayton Morgan (third from left) sits on the panel with (from left) Attorneys-at-Law Michael Hemmings, Mr. Hugh Small, QC, and Miss Nancy Anderson.–Sashane Shakes photo

Sashane Shakes – Staff Reporter

As the battle between the Public Defender and the security forces rages, a recent report that a man suffering from hemorrhoids (pile) was denied the right to seek medical attention, has only added to the woes blitzing the security forces, especially as they have come under scrutiny for certain human rights violations under SOPE in St. James.

As a result, Attorneys-at-Law, in a joint effort with the Independent Jamaica Council for Human Rights (1998) Ltd., moved into high gear last Thursday, December 6, to educate the public on their rights as citizens while currently being under the State of Public Emergency. To that end, a townhall meeting was staged at the Mount Alvernia High School Auditorium, where,among other things, Attorney-at-Law, Michael Hemmings, outlined a particular individual’s experience while under police lockup, and used the opportunity to sensitize citizens on the violations which may occur.

Attorney Hemmings outlined that on the grounds of SOPE,which was declared in St. James in January this year, the fundamental human rights of citizens of St. James were, in some cases, unlawfully and severely breached by law enforcers. Given prior consent, he delved into the unsettling details of the hemorrhoid-affected individual.

Maintaining the man’s anonymity, Attorney Hemmings explained that the man in question was suffering from hemorrhoids (pile) when he was taken into custody. So severe was his condition that in a week’s time, he was expected to undergo a surgical operation, which was subsequently missed because of his detainment. Despite bringing this to his lawyer’s attention, who was then able to secure another surgery date, he again missed his appointment again. The reason given, that time, was that there were no vehicles available at the lockup to transport him.

Hemmings revealed that such negligence was in complete contravention of the rights afforded under the State of Emergency, which stipulate that any person who is arrested or detained shall have the right to communicate that he wants a visit by a spouse, a partner, a family member, a pastor, a religious councillor, a medical practitioner of his choice and he also must be given the opportunity to communicate with and retain an attorney.

Hemmings further explained that the law also outlined that any person deprived of his liberty shall be treated humanely and with respect.The inherent dignity of the person, he continued, was brazenly disregarded, as he was only allowed to use the bathroom only once per day. This was compounded by the fact that his condition required a certain application to his anus and no one would assist him with same. Additionally, the facility where he was being kept was unsanitary for that to be done. Yet, he was still there.

NOT CONSIDERED FOR BAIL

To add insult to injury, the individual was not considered for bail, despite the fact that presently, our law states that where a person is arrested, he ought to be charged for an offence within 24 hours and the issue of bail ought to be dealt with. However, he was detained for more than seven (7) days, with an extension of seven (7) additional days, and was still held, despite the absence of a detention order served to keep him detained.

Under the SOPE, you can be detained initially for seven (7)days and by way of an extension, granted by a Deputy Superintendent of a Police, an additional 7 days can be added. You can be held for 3 months without a charge being proffered against you, provided that there is a detention order that is served.

Other breaches of the individual’s rights were that he was not charged for any offence whatsoever when he was taken into custody on the 14th of February, when he was being held under the SOPE. “Now imagine being in custody for 3 months, no charge, no question and answer, no identification parade whatsoever. This particular individual, we made an objection to his detention,” said Hemmings.

He continued: “The application to be heard with regards to his objection was not heard until June 11. To make matters worse, his objection was heard in June and the tribunal ruled that he was to be released. He was not released until September,and at the end of the day, he was released without as much as a charge against him because they didn’t have a scintilla of evidence to charge this man and put him before the court.”

Hemmings, who has secured the release of over 100 persons locked up under the SOPE, was addressing citizens of St. James at a Human Rights Town Hall Meeting held at the Mt Alvernia High School Auditorium on Thursday, December 6, 2018. The town hall was held in anticipation of the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is being celebrated today.

Other panelists were Hugh Small, who presented on ‘The Right to a Healthy Environment’ and Miss Nancy Anderson, Attorney-at-Law and member of the Independent Jamaican Council for Human Rights, who delivered a piece entitled ‘Every Baddy a Smaddy.’

Boy butchers mom

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  • Patrina McDonald (centre), in happier times, is surrounded by family members, inclusive of her two sons, one of whom would go on to take her life

    Barrington Flemming – Staff Reporter

    It was another case of a Biblical prophecy coming true (Matthew 10:21) when a 13-year-old boy savagely ended the life of his mother in Berkshire district in Westmoreland, Wednesday evening, shattering what the police described as relative calm in the parish.

    The deceased has been identified as 42-year-old farmer Patrina McDonald; while her 13-year-old son is now in police custody facing the capital charge of murder.

    The Bethel Town police, who are probing the incident, reported that about 7:20 p.m., McDonald was in her room watching TV, when her son, armed with a knife, entered the room and used it to stab her several times and cut her throat.

    The police were alerted and on arrival, they discovered McDonald’s body with multiple stab wounds. Its throat was slashed, and she was lying on her back on the floor, eyes opened, in a blood-soaked sheet. McDonald’s body was later taken to hospital, while her son was taken into police custody.

    The suspected murder weapon, a chef knife, was reportedly found on the body.

    The boy initially contradicted the police report, when questioned by the lawmen, relating that an unknown male who entered the family’s Berkshire home used a knife to stab his mother all over her body and attempted to run from the house,when he held onto the knife which cut him in his palm.

    The boy said he managed to wrest the knife from the man before he escaped.  

    CONFESSED

    He, however, subsequently recanted that initial story and confessed to carrying out the gruesome act.

    The Western Mirror has since received reports that McDonald is reported to have scolded her 13-year-old son after he was involved in a dispute with an older brother.

    The boy, in a fit of rage, retaliated, using the knife to stab his mother all over her body, before cutting her throat.

    Gary McKenzie, Superintendent in charge of Westmoreland, says while the gruesome death of McDonald had shaken up the parish, outside of that, the division remains relatively quiet at this time.

    He says, however, that there are several serious hot spots, which are receiving specialized attention, especially with the deployment of additional Jamaica Defence Force personnel to the parish to complement the efforts of the police.

    The areas include Savanna-la-Mar, Negril, Whitehall, sections of Frome, Morgan’s Bridge,Grange Hill, Bethel Town and Little London.

    Westmoreland’s top cop says the police will be relentless in their efforts to crack down on criminal acts and violence.

    The deployment of the additional military personnel is part of a massive island-wide security operation aimed at reducing the level of murder and violent crimes heading into the festive season and breaking and dismantling the gangs and gang activities which have persisted in the targeted communities.

    Dalton and Tessanne – Have we seen this before?

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    The moment Harris was announced as winner of the competition, with his coach Louis clearly over the moon about it. Photo source: DailyMail Online photo

    Michael Nattoo – Staff Reporter

    If I asked you to remember something significant from 2013, what would it be? Perhaps you’ll remember something about Christmas, with it being that time of the year now and all, or perhaps you’ll remember your birthday, or your anniversary. But, how many of you will recall that in that year, in historic fashion, Tessanne Chin won The Voice? Yup, five years ago, Jamaica’s songbird won the US-based competition, and many felt like that feat would have been Tessanne’s boost to international stardom. Alas, it wasn’t. Chin’s talent is undeniable, and certainly warrants worldwide recognition, but for one reason or another, despite dominating the competition and knocking heads with the likes of Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Ceelo Green and Blake Shelton, she remains, in large part, a local talent. Enter Dalton Harris, the 24-year-old Jamaican signing sensation, who on Sunday won the UK-based X-Factor competition.

    Harris is the second Jamaican to enter ‘No Man’s Land’ and return bearing the ultimate prize. In other words, while Jamaicans are abundantly talented, it is always a spectacle to behold when a Jamaican enters such a space of top-notch talent, and unequivocally dominates right up and through to the end. Dalton convincingly won. Now what? As far as it extends to the perks of winning, you must have heard the many reports that Harris has secured over $160-million-Jamaican-dollars. That’s not quite accurate, and in some sense, borders false information.

    The moment Tessanne found out she had won The Voice 2013. Billboard photo

    Dalton could make that much money, but it’s all dependent upon a few things. Instead of receiving the 1-million-pound past contestants to the competition have, Harris will instead be offered “…an initial advance of 150, 000 pounds for his first album [being that he has signed a record deal with Simon Cowell’s Syco label], according to the Sun. A third album could see the winner bag an advance of 315,000 pounds, and upwards of 400,000 for a fourth,” – The UK Sun. What this means is that Dalton could most certainly make that much-publicized 1-million-pound [which was only used as a clever marketing tool] but only if his expected albums under the label perform well enough. Those fine prints aside, there’s a lingering question to be asked – what will be Dalton Harris’ fate from this point forward? Granted, only he and his work can sufficiently give an answer to that question, but that doesn’t mean we can’t speculate.

    Firstly, though the two competitions are managed by different companies, Tessanne Chin and Dalton Harris winning The Voice and X-Factor, respectively, does have some interesting parallels, and if those are anything to go by, it would be a hard sell to say that we are optimistic he will blow on the international scene, notwithstanding our intentions of wanting him to. He is signed to Syco, Simon Cowell’s record label. In fact, almost all recent winners of the competition have signed to that label upon winning. That’s good and all, but here’s a real question: how many of these names do you know? Matt Cardle, Joe McElderry, Leon Jackson, and Steve Brooksteinx. None? I thought so. All those names mentioned are past winners of the X-Factor, who have all fallen into oblivion of some sort. Though they aren’t completely removed from the public eye, they more or less do not have thriving musical careers. With the exception of James Arthur (Say You Won’t Let Go), the other winners of the competition have succumbed to what many are referring to as the X-Factor Winners’ Curse’, where winners of the competition pretty much fade from relevancy. Interestingly, there’s a flip side to that dynamic.

    What do these names – One Direction, Olly Murs, and JLS – have in common? They all entered the X-Factor, didn’t win, yet reaped immense success. Save for One Direction, the other names may not strike that much of a chord, but their successes have somewhat created a perception that aside from publicity, winning the UK-based competition is not all it’s chopped up to be. Dalton seems to be somewhat aware of this. In an exclusive interview with DailyMail Online, Dalton said: “I don’t think winning guarantees anything and I also don’t think winning marks you with an ‘X’, which means, ‘Because you win, you will be successful or because you win, you will not be successful… I could leave here and never get a record deal and go back to cruise ships, fine. You honestly never know.” He’s right. You never do. Like Tessanne, Dalton had a few hits on the iTunes Top 100 charts, and even breached the Top 5. ‘The Power Of Love’, Harris’ winner’s single, which featured James Arthur, cracked the Top 5, and it pretty soon out-paced Ariana Grande’s ‘Thank You, Next’, Halsey and Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, and catapulted to number one.

    In much the same way, Tessanne Chin, though not through her winner’s single (which was performed with Ryan Tedder of One Republic), still managed to top the chart. Her rendition of Whitney Houston’s ‘I Have Nothing’ shot to the iTunes Singles Chart at number one, but only stayed there for 4 hours. Her other hit, ‘Let It Be’, which she performed with her then coach and Maroon 5 lead singer, Adam Levine, also cracked the Top 3. Even more importantly, Tessanne was generating the numbers. She was pulling in between 24,000 and 60,000 digital sales for those singles, despite being relatively new to the international scene. When she was crowned, all that was supposed to have translated into the success many were expecting. But it didn’t. Does the same fate await Dalton? In both artistes’ case, their talents were undeniable, but somewhere along the line, something went missing. The evidence supporting and the euphoria aside, Jamaican artistes who accomplish this most impressive feat of outlasting competitors perceived to be superior in the singing department is certainly cause for celebration, but if we’re being honest, there is a missing link and a cloud of uncertainty that looms over their futures the moment the euphoria dissipates.

    Tessanne Chin and Dalton Harris have proved to be two of our island’s most capable vocalists, and while it is a whole other matter as to why they have to be approved by international bodies first before our people recognize their value, they ought to be celebrated. More importantly, however, their careers are to be carefully observed. Dalton won’t be the last Jamaican to pull off that feat, just like Tessanne wasn’t the only one. There are lessons to be taken away, all in the hopes that we won’t just celebrate their short-term victories, but also that we will celebrate their illustrious careers. Harris’ story is still unfolding, and Tessanne’s has the potential to be revived any time she so chooses, but we have work to do.

    For Harris, he is quoted as saying: “Every single decision I’ve made in the last seven, almost eight years, has been for this show. I went to cruise ships to finance it.”

    Hopefully, he won’t have to go back.

     

    FLOW plagued by thieves, vandals

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    Vandalized JPS metre which provides power to Flow Nodes at Meadows of Irwin
    • Hundreds without service in Western Jamaica

    Several communities in St. James are among those frequently impacted by incidents of theft and vandalism of Flow Jamaica’s network infrastructure and elements. The vandalism of primarily fibre cables in Western Jamaica has resulted in frequent disruption in video, internet and voice services to hundreds of customers.

    The affected communities include Tucker, Irwin, Fairfield, Meadows of Irwin, Porto Bello, Dollar View and John’s Hall.

    Since January 2018, Flow says it has spent in excess of J$4 million to replace and restore its network infrastructure in Western Jamaica.

    “Each time we have these incidents, hundreds of customers are left without service.  When one considers how integral access to telecommunication services is to our daily lives and businesses, the impact is immeasurable as communities are at risk with compromised access to emergency services.  Businesses, schools and students are without services and even the providers of the emergency services are impacted as they are unable to function efficiently and effectively,” said Kayon Mitchell, Director of Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Management at Flow. “We have put several measures in place to protect our network and curtail these incidents but this scourge requires the support of the residents and the wider community,” she added.

    Flow currently spends around US$2 million annually for replacement and restoration costs in communities impacted by theft and vandalism across the island. The major hotspots are located in St. James, St. Catherine, Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Mary, Portland, St. Ann, Hanover, Trelawny, Manchester and St. Elizabeth.

    In its effort to curb the incidents of vandalism and theft, the company has implemented several measures under its Asset Protection Strategy. The measures, which are reaping results, include:

    Relocation and protection of at-risk infrastructure to make it harder for vandals to gain access

    Lobbying the Government for stiffer laws and penalties and engaging the relevant stakeholders

    Engaging the media to raise awareness of vandalism and theft and the challenges presented

    Encouraging members of at-risk communities to alert the police where they see suspicious activity taking place near our cable lines

    Flow is encouraging residents to call CRIME Stop at 311 if they notice any suspicious activity near Flow’s equipment or infrastructure. A reward is offered for each arrest and up to J$1 million for every conviction. All calls are confidential.

    Make Shearer’s house National monument

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    The birth home of the late Rt. Hon Hugh Lawson Shearer at Martha Brae in Trelawny. – CWP photo

    Clinton Pickering – Freelance Writer

    Mayor of Falmouth and Chairman of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation, Colin Gager wants the childhood home of The Most Hon. Hugh Lawson Shearer declared a national monument.

    Mr. Shearer, Jamaica’s third Prime Minister, was born in the legendary community of Martha Brae, the first capital of the parish that has also given birth to several other legendary figures in sports, academia, medicine, other professions and vocations.

    In a recent interview with Mayor Gager, he disclosed as far back as when Minister Robert Montague had portfolio responsibility for Local Government and Community Development, representation was made regarding Mr. Shearer’s house, but that seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.

    “We have applied and asked for some funding to see if it could be restored to its former (state) but that met some hold up,” Mayor Gager told this reporter.

    Recognized as the most flamboyant of Jamaica’s eight prime ministers since gaining independence in 1962, young Shearer’s boyhood years in Martha Brae began with his birth on May 18, 1923 to a dressmaker mother an ex-serviceman from World War One.

    His early education was achieved at the Falmouth Primary School where his brilliance earned him a coveted parish scholarship St Simon’s College, a privately-owned high school in Kingston.

    Starting off his professional life in the field of journalism, from a trainee reporter, Mr. Shearer became editor of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union’s (BITU) weekly newspaper, the “Jamaica Worker”. Concurrently, he honed his skill as a trade union organizer aside union leader Alexander Bustamante.

    COMMITTED TO BITU

    Although he subsequently campaigned successfully for Bustamante in the Jamaica Labour Party, Mr. Shearer remained committed to the BITU and became its general secretary, Island Supervisor and Vice President, subsequently succeeding Sir Alexander Bustamante as its leader.

    Mr. Shearer’s own political career started with him being elected a councillor for the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC). He failed in his first bid to enter Gordon House in 1949 but success came in 1955 followed by defeat in 1959.

    However, he was back serving as a Senator and Leader of Government Business post-independence in 1962 and with politics now seeped into his veins, he won the hearts of the people of Clarendon who returned him to Parliament as their Member of Parliament, still following in the footsteps of Sir Alexander Bustamante.

    Mr. Shearer became Prime Minister in 1967 upon the passing of Sir Donald Sangster whose tenure in that office was cut short by illness. Mr. Shearer himself narrowly escaped death when while on a motorcade passing through Falmouth, he was injured in the forehead by a spearfishing gun fired at him.

    Among Mr. Shearer’s many achievements at home and internationally, was his success in getting the United Nations to declare 1968 “International Year of Human Rights.

    Mr. Shearer died in 2004 and with the development of Falmouth by the Port Authority as a major cruise ship port and expansion of the town to include Martha Brae, Mayor Gager hopes that one of the high points of next year’s 250th anniversary of Falmouth as the parish capital will be official recognition of Rt Hon Hugh Lawson Shearer’s birthplace as a national monument.

     

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