'Spare the rod, spoil the child' - Falmouth mayor calls for resumption of corporal punishment in schools

WESTERN BUREAU:

Mayor of Falmouth and Chairman of the Trelawny Parish Council, Garth Wilkinson, is calling for a resumption of corporal punishment in Jamaican schools.
According to Wilkinson, the Ministry of Education made a grave error when it suspended corporal punishment in schools.
"We have reached the stage where we have made the major mistake of saying no more flogging in schools. No longer can a teacher correct our children. It is a sad day when we can no longer punish our children. I am one of them that say no to sparing the rod and spoiling the child," Wilkinson said.

Mayor of Falmouth: Garth Wilkinson

The mayor made his comments during his address at the Kiwanis Club of New Falmouth's Family Forum held at the council's chambers last week Thursday.
He said it was painful that Jamaica had reached the stage where practices from other countries were adopted for use in Jamaica despite the fact that sometimes they did not apply to the local situation. He said corporal punishment, which was used in the past, was effective in curbing unruly behavior.
"We have adopted principles and qualities from other countries, which have built prisons where 70 per cent of the persons in prison are people looking like you and me. Why is it that we are taking things from other countries and just throwing them down on our country when they are not relevant to us? We must stop this practice," Wilkinson said.
The Falmouth mayor said the country had failed to effectively parent children as statistics painted a grim picture, placing children at the heart of the crimes which are being committed across the country.
"The simple fact is that 40 per cent of the crimes committed are by youth 13 to 18 years old, which means that we are failing in our ability to raise children. We, therefore, need to be the eyes and ears for the parents as all persons who children meet with have an influence on them," he said.
Wilkinson said children who were ignored today could become "assassins of the future", while those who were nurtured and guided would contribute to areas vital to national development. He added that children were vulnerable to the influence of various people in the society, including entertainers, who become role models for them.
"We cannot surrender to the secular artistes to teach them the way of youth - to be young and restless for all the days of their lives. God said train up a child in the way he should go, and we must take this as a serious responsibility," he said.

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Kartel trial for November

Adijah Vybz Kartel Palmer

THE TRIAL of dancehall entertainer Vybz Kartel and the five other men charged jointly with him for the murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams is to start in the Home Circuit Court on November 18.
Williams was allegedly beaten to death on August 16, 2011, over the disappearance of an illegal gun.
Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, along with fellow entertainer Shawn Campbell, popularly known as Shawn Storm, fashion designer Calvin Haye, André St John, carpenter Shane Williams and Kahira Jones are accused of murdering Williams at Kartel's home in Havendale, St Andrew.
Yesterday, attorney-at-law Michael Lorne, who is representing Campbell, made another bail application for him.
Justice Sarah Thompson James said she saw no change of circumstances to warrant granting him bail.
Attorney-at-law Tom Tavares-Finson, who is representing Kartel, in commenting on the long delay in having a trial and the outstanding issues of disclosure, had asked the prosecution to do the right thing and ask the judge to grant Kartel bail.
Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jeremy Taylor, in opposing bail, referred to the seriousness of the offence in respect to both Kartel and Campbell.
Taylor said in respect to Tavares-Finson's suggestion, he was not opposing bail for 23-year-old Shane Williams.
Attorney-at-law Tamika Harris, who is representing Williams, asked the judge to be lenient with the amount being offered for bail.
The judge then offered Williams bail in the sum of $500,000 with one to five sureties. He is to report to the Waterford Police Station every day and must be home between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Calvin Haye is on bail and his bail was extended.
Bail application will be made in chambers later this month for the other accused men, including Kartel.
WITNESS ALLEGEDLY CONTACTED
Taylor, in refusing the request from Tavares-Finson for the prosecution to ask the judge to grant Kartel bail, had referred to allegations that from August 2011, after Williams was murdered, attempts were made by Kartel to get the witness to leave the island, and up to now, the witness' passport was not returned.
Taylor also told the court that up to January this year, attempts were allegedly made from behind bars to pay off the witness with $3 million, and the telephone conversation was witnessed by a senior police officer.
Taylor said the Crown was suggesting that entertainment was not the only business for Kartel, but there was some kind of trade or trafficking in weapons and it was out of that Williams lost his life. He said that sections of the house were burnt after the incident, but representatives from the forensic laboratory found what appeared to be human blood in a section of the house.
Kartel is facing another murder charge for which he has been granted bail.

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Welcoming home our Olympians
published: Sunday | October 5, 2008



Gleaner photographers Norman Grindley and Peta-Gaye Clachar captured scenes from the motorcade which paraded Jamaican Olympians who participated in the recent Beijing Games through the streets of the Corporate Area on Friday, as well as from the sports gala held in their honour at the National Stadium yesterday. At that event, several athletes and sports administrators were conferred with national honours.

The events formed part of Government's 11-day homecoming celebrations for the Olympic heroes. The Jamaican contingent won 11 medals at the Games.

Awardees:


Order of Distinction
(Commander rank):

Howard Aris

Usain Bolt

Veronica Campbell-Brown

Glen Mills

Asafa Powell

Donald Quarrie

Order of Distinction
(Officer rank):

Shelly-Ann Fraser

Nesta Carter

Bridgette Foster-Hylton

Michael Frater

Danny McFarlane

Dwight Thomas

Melaine Walker
FROM LEFT:

(1) Prime Minister Bruce Golding (left) greets the fastest man on Earth, Usain Bolt, during Friday's welcome celebrations.

(2) Olympic 100 metres gold medallist, Shelly-Ann Fraser, is being conferred with the Order of Distinction, officer rank, by Governor General Professor Sir Kenneth Hall.

(3) Prime Minister Bruce Golding (left) greets Dwight Thomas, Olympic sprint relay gold medallist, while Minister of Information, Culture and Sports Olivia Grange looks on.

(4) Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie presents the key to the city and other gifts to Olympic 200-metres champion Veronica Campbell-Brown.

(5) Olympic record holder in the 100 metres, Usain Bolt (right), chats with Olympic sprint relay gold medallist, Asafa Powell, before the start of the gala national awards at the National Stadium, yesterday.

(6) These fans went to great lengths to get a view of the Olympians.

(7) Enthusiastic fans greet the Olympians along motorcade route.

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Housing fallout - Jamaicans overseas lose homes amid US crisis, crash of local investment schemes

published: Tuesday | October 7, 2008

Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter


A NUMBER of Jamaicans living in the United States (US) have lost their homes after mortgaging properties and investing the money in risky Jamaican alternative investment schemes, several of which have gone bust.

Some have since resorted to paying rent, while others have returned home.

Audrey Wilson, a Jamaican living in Florida, was sad yesterday as she told stories of her country folk who have lost their homes.

Compounded problems

Wilson, who is from Kingston, has been living in the US for 19 years. She owns a mortgage-brokerage business and is a licensed real-estate broker. She told The Gleaner that Jamaicans living there, who had invested in unregistered schemes which have failed, had their problems compounded because of the financial crisis now gripping the US.

"It is a shame. Many persons are embarrassed because they have lost their homes and investment. Oh God! It's just sad and unbelievable!" she said.

Great loss

A female friend of Wilson's lost her Pembroke Pines, Florida, home after mortgaging her property for US$120,000 (J$8.64 million) and investing the money in the once-popular Cash Plus, which is now bankrupt. She now lives in a rented home.

To make matters worse, the friend lost her accounting job shortly after the 10 per cent monthly returns on her Cash Plus investment dried up.

"So, she had mortgage plus payments and the US$12,000 (the monthly returns) stopped. She then realised that she could not meet her financial obligations, so she had to sell her home," said Wilson.

Another friend of Wilson's is currently facing foreclosure on his home. He met a similar fate, having taken out a mortgage on his property and investing the money in Cash Plus.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Les Green, head of the Major Investigations Task force which is spearheading the enquiry into the operation of the failed investment scheme, said foreigners with Jamaican ties ranked among the top investors of such entities.

Green could not state how many people were affected or the sum involved, but said a number of foreign-based Jamaicans had made complaints to the investigative team.

"It's a real tragedy for these people," said Green, adding "there are certainly people who have invested heavily, several who invested over US$1 million."

A study conducted by the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CaPRI) last November, showed that 21 per cent of 402 local investors in alternative schemes had borrowed from financial institutions to obtain their deposits.

Kim-Marie Spence, a consultant at CaPRI, said while conducting the study, anecdotal evidence showed that a number of US residents, with ties to Jamaica, had mortgaged their properties to invest in the schemes.

"The study was conducted locally, so we don't have figures pertaining to the number of foreign investments, but we did get anecdotal evidence of Jamaicans who had mortgaged homes to invest," said Spence.

The study also showed that of the hundreds of respondents, 13.6 per cent had sold assets and another 44.5 per cent had used their savings to invest in the unregulated schemes.

The financial crisis in the US is already affecting many Jamaicans, said Wilson.

For some Jamaicans working in the US, the situation has become worse as they are among the 750,000 people who have lost their jobs since the start of the year. Wilson said four of her friends who lost their jobs have since returned to Jamaica.

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Billions in arms - Police say lottery scam funding weapons purchase in St James

published: Friday | October 3, 2008

Nagra Plunkett, Assignment Coordinator


Assistant Commissioner of Police Denver Frater, officer in charge of the Area One Police Division. - Photo by Noel Thompson

WESTERN BUREAU:

DESPITE POLICE efforts to break the back of the lottery scam in St James, the scheme remains vibrant and is reportedly pumping billions of dollars into the criminal underworld.

"If you look in recent times at the calibre weapons that are recovered by the police, the amount of rounds, ammunition being expended and recovered at crime scenes and the motives, investigations point to the lotto scam," Assistant Commissioner of Police Denver Frater, officer in charge of the Area One Police Division, told The Gleaner during a visit to its Western Bureau offices in Montego Bay yesterday.

Frater, who has responsibility for the parishes of Trelawny, St James, Hanover and Westmoreland, described the scam as a "unique challenge to law enforcement".

"It is a clear indication that billions of dollars are in circulation coming from this scheme."

He further stated: "If you look at some communities, the sudden rise to fame in terms of assets (such as) houses and motor cars, these are not cheap. The lifestyles of some persons clearly demonstrate the volume of cash that is being circulated."

The lotto scam involves fleecing unsuspecting Americans of large sums of money. Local scam artists use illicitly obtained personal information on potential victims, particularly retirees, to con them into sending them money on the pretext that they have won a lottery and need to send a processing fee to claim their winnings.

Police information indicates that players, who also include schoolchildren, make US$4,000 (J$288,000) to US$10,000 (J$720,000) on average weekly.

The lotto scam has also been linked to several murders, kidnappings and robberies in St James, which accounts for 12 per cent of the country's crime rate.

Frater, who managed the Criminal Investigation Branch portfolio before his transfer to Area One last month, noted that despite some disappointment with the cooperation of potential complainants, investigators will be using the Proceeds of Crime and Money Laundering Acts to counter lotto players.

"Investigation of this sort is not a one slam thing. It is going to take some time to get our case together. We have some success, we have had persons' properties forfeited, persons have gone to prison, and there are a number of other persons from St James in the waiting gallery to go to prison," the Frater said.

nagra.plunkett@gleanerjm.com

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Bail for cop charged with colleague's rape

published: Saturday | September 27, 2008

A policeman who is accused of raping a policewoman at her home on August 18, appeared in the Home Circuit Court yesterday.

He is 22-year-old Detective Constable Adrian Johnson.

He has been granted bail in the sum of $400,000 with a surety to return to court on October 24.

It is being alleged that, on August 18, the policewoman asked the accused to transport her home. While he was at the policewoman's house, the accused allegedly committed the offences of rape and indecent assault. A report was made to the police that same day.

Statements were collected and submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who ruled that the policeman must be charged with rape and indecent assault.

The policeman was charged yesterday morning and taken before the court.

Attorney-at-law Carolyn Reid-Cameron, in making the bail application, said the accused did not rape the policewoman. She said the complainant and the accused were lovers.

Justice Carol Beswick granted the policeman bail and ordered him to report to the Constant Spring Police Station on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

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Drug conspiracy - Security personnel, customs, port officials in narco trade

published: Thursday | September 25, 2008

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

A recent narcotics intelligence report has linked a number of police personnel, customs officials and employees at the seaports to the growing illegal drug trade.

Head of the Narcotics Police Division, Senior Superintendent Carlton Wilson, said the personnel were playing an integral part in the illegal drug trade.

He did not disclose the identities of the persons implicated, but revealed that on many occasions police personnel have tipped off drug smugglers when the security forces were pursuing them.

"A number of these police personnel are under our microscope," the narcotics chief said.

Yesterday, Commissioner of Customs Danville Walker said while he had not received the report, he would not rule out the possibility of customs officials being involved in the illicit activity.

"I have been focusing on revenue," Walker said.

No report

A spokesperson at the Port Authority of Jamaica said he, too, had not seen or heard of any such report.

But he stressed that security systems are in place at the ports to detect ganja canisters fitted to the hull of ships.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force's Anti-Corruption Unit has arrested more than 50 police personnel since January.

The majority were arrested for collecting bribes from motorists who committed traffic offences.Police intelligence has also revealed that drug smugglers are using wreckers, ambulances and established company vehicles to move illegal substances from one point to another.

This was the case on Tuesday night when the police intercepted a yellow courier Hiace van, which belongs to a prominent Kingston-based company.

The narcotics police said 1,050 lb of compressed ganja was found in the van. The driver, who has been with the courier company for the last 13 years, was arrested and charged.

Also on Tuesday, the Narcotics Police found 1,650 lb of compressed ganja in Slipe district, St Elizabeth.

The police said they have now arrested 4,645 persons since the start of the year on drug-related charges. The figure for last year was 5,496.

A prominent St Ann businessman is among the persons arrested. He has been described as one of the major players in the drug trade, and is now awaiting extradition to the United States.

The police said he was picked up in Clarendon last week, shortly after he collected more $2 million from a businessman.

Wilson said recent drug seizures have started to affect the finances of drug dealers.

"Because they are hurting, they have made several threats against us," he said.

While there has been a lull in cocaine seizure, the police said ganja production continues to increase.

Narco seizures January-August

19,080 kilograms of ganja

39 motor vehicles

Two boats

One shipping container

Last year, the police seized 37,439 kilograms of ganja and 37,196 kilograms in 2006.

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Cop arrested for rape of colleague

published: Wednesday | September 24, 2008

A policeman has been taken into custody for the alleged rape of a woman colleague.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Les Green told The Gleaner that the policeman was interviewed yesterday and a ruling from the director of public prosecutions is now pending.

Raped on duty

The Gleaner reported last Tuesday that the woman constable was raped while on duty.

The woman has since been reassigned, The Gleaner understands, and is receiving full support from the constabulary.

The incident had drawn outrage from several quarters, with senior members of the police force condemning the act.

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Powell won't change coach

published: Tuesday | September 23, 2008

Anthony Foster, Gleaner Writer



Olivia 'Babsy' Grange (left), minister of information, youth, culture and sports, escorts Olympians Asafa Powell (right) and Rosemarie White after they arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday. Powell, 4x100-metre gold medallist, and White, 1,600m relay bronze medal winner, were greeted by other dignitaries. "I am glad to be back home and even after the races, I am happy for the overwhelming support," Powell told journalists. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Despite public comments from his parents suggesting that he should part company with his coach, Stephen Francis, Asafa Powell, the world's second fastest man, said that will not happen.

His parents, Reverend William Powell, his father and mother Cislyn, said in an interview on local television, CVM, said it was time for their 25-year-old son to make a change.

"Change the coach. Try somebody else," Reverend Powell said. "He should have changed the coach long time. If it was me, I would have changed coach long time ago."

Not an option

Asafa, though, said that's not an option.

"My mother loves me very much, and she has the right to say whatever she wants to say. But that's an issue I have to deal with, with her ... There is not going to be any change of coach," said Powell, who along with fellow Olympian Rosemarie White, returned to the island yesterday.

Cislyn Powell, the athlete's mother, said Asafa like all her other sons, when they believe in someone, it's hard to change their mind.

She said if Asafa had a problem with major events, it needed to be identified.

"As a coach, he (Francis) should be able to identify the problem," Cislyn said.

The parents' comments follow the fifth place finish in 9.95 seconds at the Beijing Olympics by Powell, a huge medal favourite. At the 2004 Olympics, in Athens, Powell also finished fifth in 9.94 seconds, having started as the favourite.

After the Olympic finals, Powell returned to run personal bests, lowering his 9.91 to 9.89 in 2004, then 9.72 after Beijing, which bettered his previous high standard of 9.74 less than a month ago.

In between, he held the then world record at different marks - 9.77, which he recorded on several occasions, and 9.74.

However, Powell, who had earlier said he is better suited for Grand Prix meets, said he have some explaining to do with his parents.

Powell, who helped Jamaica to win the sprint relay gold medal in a world record 37.10 in Beijing, noted his problem to deliver on the big stage is not with coach Francis.

"I just have to talk to her and explain all the details. My coach is not liked by a lot of people very much, but I have no problem with him, so there is not going to be any change," added Powell.

Great experience

Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, minister of information, youth, culture and sports, Jamaica Olympic Association president, Mike Fennell, Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association boss Howard Aris, Sports Development Foundation chairman David Mais, and several of Powell's MVP club teammates, were on hand to welcome their star at the Norman Manley International Airport.

Grange told Powell, "You are the trailblazer" and "Rosemarie, you are going to be a great athlete".

White said: "The experience was very great, knowing it was my first time at a major championships. I am very proud of myself to finish seventh in the Olympic 400m final and return to get a bronze medal in the 1600m relay," said White, a student at G.C. Foster College.


Jamaica's Olympics sprint relay gold medallist, Asafa Powell, is flanked by his mom, Cislyn and dad, William, as well as an ardent female fan upon his arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

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Children's advocate probes 13-y-o model contest winner

published: Tuesday | September 23, 2008

The Office of the Children's Advocate has launched a full investigation into the awarding of a 13-year-old girl as the winner of a fashion model competition.

Henderson Downer, acting children's advocate, told The Gleaner yesterday that a team of investigators has been assigned to probe the matter involving Shermonique Ivey, who, earlier this month, won the Pulse Fashion Model Search.

"We have also written to other relevant government departments in investigating the matter, if there is any criminal prosecution or whether anybody is liable to compensation," said Downer.

She declined to comment further, stating that the case was under enquiry.

Real work after high school

Concerns were raised in several quarters, including Letters to the Editor of this newspaper, after Ivey modelled in swimsuits and was adjudged winner of the competition on September 7.

Romae Gordon, general manager at Pulse, said Ivey would not start modelling internationally until she completed high school, as in the case of other underage winners.

"Samantha Re-Crowal won the petite competition some years ago at age 13. She remained in school and for the next couple of years only appeared in odd fashion shows," said Gordon.

At the same time, public officials have called for parents to be more vigilant in light of recent attacks.

Aakim Scott, an 11-year-old boy of Sandside, St Mary, was brutally killed last week. During that same week, another 11-year-old, Ananda Dean of Whitehall Avenue in the Corporate Area, went missing.

Plagued by monsters

Olivia Grange, minister of information, culture, youth and sports, said unfortunately, the society was plagued by "monsters" who were prepared to carry out nefarious acts against children.

"Parents, I ask you to look out for your children. Make sure you know where they are at all times," said Grange last Friday during an awards luncheon, hosted by the Urban Development Corporation, for staff members' children who were successful in the Grade Six Achievement Test.

Police statistics show that last month, three children were murdered.

In August, there were 17 reported cases of carnal abuse.

Rashida St Juste, public relations manager at the Child Development Agency, said more must be done to educate guardians about their responsibilities for the care and protection of their charges.

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PNP fallout begins - Two Phillips supporters quit, another targeted

published: Tuesday | September 23, 2008

Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter

The casualtIES from last Saturday's presidential elec-tion in the People's National Party (PNP) have started with a senior member of parliament (MP) relinquishing his position as an opposition spokesman while a caretaker has resigned.

At the same time, a sitting MP is to be challenged for the leadership of her constituency.

News surfaced late yesterday that Opposition Spokesman on Local Government, Dean Peart, has resigned from that position.

Rosemarie Shaw, a vocal sup-porter of Dr Peter Phillips, spent yesterday speaking with supporters in Western St Thomas before handing in her resignation as caretaker and chairman for the constituency.

Challenge for henry-wilson

Another key Phillips backer, Maxine Henry-Wilson, seems set to face a challenge for the job as chairman of the PNP's organisation in South East St Andrew, where she has been the MP since 2002.

Shaw told The Gleaner that her decision to resign was directly linked to the election result, which saw Portia Simpson Miller beating Phillips by 373 votes.

"I think I should do the right thing by resigning so that the Comrade leader can put in place someone who she has full confidence in," Shaw said.

Matter of principle

Shaw said she had previously told the party's leadership in Region Two that she was unlikely to contest another general election after her 2007 defeat by the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) James Robertson, but decided to delay her resignation after Phillips announced his challenge for the leadership.

"I resigned as a matter of principle. If Peter Phillips had won, I think I would have stayed on," Shaw told The Gleaner.

She said she had taken a similar decision after the 2006 presidential contest, but was persuaded by the general secretary to remain in the post and contest the 2007 election.

Shaw, a former JLP activist, resigned from that party after a public fallout with the then Edward Seaga-led party in 1995.

She joined the PNP after JLP councillors passed a no-confidence motion removing her as mayor of Morant Bay.

In the meantime, PNP sources in South East St Andrew told The Gleaner that they are eagerly awaiting the constituency conference to oust Henry-Wilson as chairman.

The conference was initially scheduled for early August, but was called off following a meeting in Nannyville, St Andrew, where Comrades called for a return of former MP Easton Douglas who had walked away from the constituency paving the way for Henry-Wilson.

Douglas, who led the Simpson Miller campaign team, has not yet indicated if he would be willing to return to representational politics and efforts to contact him yesterday were unsuccessful.

However, the sources say if Douglas is not interested, every effort will be made to entice vice-president Angela Brown-Burke to take charge of the constituency.

That should come as no surprise to political watchers as Brown-Burke was among those who influenced Comrades in South East St Andrew to back Simpson Miller although their MP, Henry Wilson was supporting Phillips.

Andrew Swaby, the only sitting councillor in the constituency was also among refused to side with Henry-Wilson .

Efforts to contact Henry-Wilson yesterday were unsuccessful, but she had earlier indicated that a defeat for Phillips would cause her to examine her role in the party.

"If the candidate loses, we continue to be members of the People's National Party, but we would probably operate from a different level. We do not intend to divide the party because the party is much larger than any of us," Henry-Wilson told The Gleaner nine days ago.

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Oraine dominates New York Fashion Week

published: Sunday | September 21, 2008


Oraine reps for Liz Claiborne in a 35-page spread in 'The Claiborne Book'. - Contributed photos

New York Fashion Week is now history, but Pulse and the Caribbean's top-male model, Oraine Barrett, will remember it for some time to come.

It was the season when his star shone brighter than ever and, in fact, took a big new upward trajectory. While he was walking the runway for the world's top designers, his image was popping up all over New York City - indeed all over the world. His new Liz Claiborne, Baby Phat and John Bartlett campaigns are now out in fashion magazines, billboards and point-of-sale locations in fashion cities across the globe.


Pulse model Oraine Barrett on the cover of 'OUT' magazine.

Oraine rocked the fashion fraternity, which was buzzing with excitement as they previewed the Spring 2009 trends at the first fashion week in a series which takes the fashion jet set crowd from New York to London, then Milan and finally Paris.

in the best shape ever

The incredibly built Pulse star, who affirms that he is in the best shape ever, was vetted and selected by casting directors for six collections, including Nautica, John Bartlett, Michael Bastion, Baby Phat, June Ambrose and Gilded Age. Considering that this is not the season for the male collections, this is a huge accomplishment.

Oraine has done remarkably well this season and is now one of the top male models in the world. He heads to Select in London later this month to launch an assault on the European market. His agencies in Paris and Milan are also anticipating action from Oraine in the upcoming seasons, including the big men's collections in January.

Oraine has worked with a veritable list of who's who in the industry, including Pepe Jeans, Target, Phat Farm, Lord and Taylor's, Liz Claiborne, Abercrombie & Fitch, and John Bartlet.

Barrett is a two-time winner of Models.com World Model of the Week. He has also been selected by I-D as one of five new stars in modelling.


Oraine reps another outfir for Liz Clairborne


Pulse model Oraine Barrett for John Bartlett.

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Score settled: Portia whips Peter again in PNP leadership contest

published: Sunday | September 21, 2008

Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter


- ian allen/staff photographer

DELEGATES OF the People's National Party (PNP) reaffirmed Portia Simpson Miller as the party's president in yesterday's elections at the National Arena.

Simpson Miller polled 2,332 votes to Dr Peter Phillips' 1,959 in an election in which 4,291 of the 4,438 delegates of the party voted. The result left Simpson Miller with 54.8 per cent of the votes amd a victory margin of 373 votes.

"The delegates today have spoken," Simpson Miller said in her victory speech. "The delegates today elected one leader of this noble movement and I am prepared to work with anyone who wants to ensure the unity of this noble movement," Simpson Miller said.

Simpson Miller has already extended the olive branch to the defeated team, stating that she is willing to work with anyone who is prepared to help in the renewal of the PNP.

However, for some of her delegates and supporters, the healing will mean axing some opposing persons from her core group.

Simpson Miller told her jubilant supporters that her victory meant that she had smashed the glass ceiling in the country and added that she had not contested the elections for personal reasons. The PNP leader gave a very strong indication that she would not hesitate to boot from the party those persons whom she believed were not doing their best to help the PNP move forward.

different from the last time

"This is going to be different from the last time. I am going to be very impatient of anyone who would want to drag the People's National Party down," Simpson Miller said.

She implored the members and supporters of the party to ensure that the party remained united. She underscored that the victory yesterday meant that "there can be no more argument," adding that party members should now fall in line.

"It is now time for all of us to unite, and it is time for us to get the party united," Simpson Miller said. She added that she should have done this differently in 2006 when she won, remarking, "I think I wasted too much time fighting for unity."

In a statement late last night, Phillips congratulated Simpson Miller on her victory, adding that he accepted the verdict of the delegates.

Stated Phillips: "My decision to accept the mandate of party members islandwide to place on the party's agenda a renewal of its core values and its role in national development is a responsibility which I undertook with conviction and sincerity."

Dr Fenton Ferguson, a member of Phillips' Arise and Renew campaign, said Simpson Miller scored a "decisive victory". He said he accepted the will of the delegates and that he would readily fall in line. "There is no doubt she has, at this time, settled the leadership question," said Ferguson, who was relected a vice-president. "This is the moment to put forward the platform for unity in a real way," he added.

Supporters of Simpson Miller erupted in jubilation when it became clear that Phillips had failed to reach the magic number of 2,220 votes. They could not contain themselves when party chairman Robert Pickersgill announced Simpson Miller as the winner.

The few Arise and Renew Comrades in the hall of the arena looked dejected, astonished and overwhelmed by the outcome. A St Thomas woman wept bitterly, accusing her counterparts of betraying Phillips, while others swore never to vote PNP again.

According to political analysts, the ensuing days could be interesting in the party. Yesterday's defeat could mean the final curtain call for Phillips, who now suffers his second loss at the hands of Simpson Miller. He suffered a 247-vote to Simpson Miller in 2006 when P.J. Patterson ceased to be party president.

Phillips is no longer an officer of the party as he was not nominated for a vice-presidential post. For the time being, he remains the leader of opposition business in the House of Representatives.

Simpson Miller became the first leader of the 70-year-old PNP who was called upon to defend her presidency when Phillips announced his challenge on July 13. He responded with a resounding yes to thousands of Jamaicans whom, he claimed, had called on him to lead the PNP.

Daraine.Luton@gleanerjm.com

Martin Henry, Communications Consultant

No surprise. We expected that the grass-roots delegates would have voted in favour of the candidate, Simpson Miller. With a 373 differential it is apparent that Peter Phillips is still a power faction of the PNP.

Robert Wynter, Management consultant

It is a reconfirmation from the people ... . I am glad that democracy held sway.

Mrs Simpson Miller has a lot to accomplish. She first has to heal the wounds, which will take a little while, and after that she has a lot of rebuilding to do.

Dicky Crawford, Political lecturer

I think the results are very good for Jamaica from the point of view that this discriminatory approach to working-class people has taken place. It's also good for the women of Jamaica - I notice that Angela Brown-Burke received the highest vice-presidential votes. That is the confirmation for another woman leader of the party.

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New Air Jamaica CEO fails to take up job

published: Tuesday | September 16, 2008

Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Two weeks after Air Jamaica's new CEO, Edward Wegel, was scheduled to report for work, he is yet to turn up.

The CEO did not turn up for work on September 1, the date in his contract, nor was he at his desk on September 3, the revised date and up to yesterday, 14 days later, he had still not taken up the position.

Airline sources said this is the second time that the former vice-president of corporate planning at Mesa Air Group has reneged on Air Jamaica. The source said more than two years ago, Wegel accepted an offer to be the chief financial officer but failed to report for duties.

Yesterday, calls to Air Jamaica Chairperson Shirley Williams went unanswered, as she was said to be off the island and Paul Pennicook, a senior vice-president at the airline, declined to comment on the matter.

Looking for buyer

The country's financially troubled airline has been looking for a private sector buyer, but one airline specialist, John T. Gilmore, believes it will have a hard time attracting offers.

Wegel, who served as president and CEO of BWIA International Airways and was co-founder of Atlantic Coast Airlines, was selected for the job over David Banmiller, former Aloha Airlines CEO.

In a news report, Banmiller was quoted as saying, "It was clear that there was a significant difference of opinion on key corporate governance issues and the authority level of the CEO." In a statement, he continued: "We were simply not aligned and my experience told me to stand by my position in order to attempt a successful turnaround."

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'I had to train hard'

published: Tuesday | September 16, 2008


Anthony Foster, Gleaner Writer


Olympic 100m champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser waves as she sits in a BMW convertible at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday evening. Fraser, the first Jamaican woman to win an Olympic 100m title when she stormed home in 10.78 seconds in Beijing, was greeted by hundreds of Jamaica, many with the national flag, at the airport. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Olympic 100m champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser, got a welcoming reception fit for a heroine upon her return to Jamaica yesterday.

Fraser, the first Jamaican female to win the Olympic 100m title, when she sped to victory in Beijing in 10.78 seconds, arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport just after 6p.m.

It was the second fastest 100m clocking ever by a Jamaican woman behind Merlene Ottey's 10.74 national record.

Sports Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange led a welcome reception for Fraser and Markino Buckley, a finalist in the men's 400m hurdles. The welcoming team also included Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) president, Howard Aris, Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) chief, Mike Fennell, Member of Parliament Anthony Hylton.

The athletes were taken away in a convertible BMW, provided by Stewart Motors, to Vale Royal where they met with Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

Fraser, who gave a touching speech as she reminisced her early days in Waterhouse and "cleaning her shoe on the way to school", was met outside the airport by a huge gathering from her community and UTech/MVP.

Key to her success

She told the function, which was held in the Airport VIP Lounge that hard work was key to her success.

"I had to train hard because no one knew that I had the talent ... and I was like behind the scene and no one was noticing me," she said.

"That made me even more confident to work harder and achieve what I wanted," added Fraser, who said she always wanted to take care of her mother.

She also hailed the support of her family, but made special mention of Asafa Powell, her MVP teammate.

"I am close to Asafa, very close to Asafa. He is the one that has been pushing me a lot," added Fraser, who won the IAAF World Athletics Final.

Buckley, however, sang a different song.

He first thanked God for taking him throughout the season and spoke of his dream to one day champion the world.

"From I was small I always wanted to be on top and to be the greatest athlete in the world. I am not there as yet, but one of those days," he promised

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Raped on duty - Constable sexually assaulted by her colleague searches for justice

published: Tuesday | September 16, 2008

Mark Titus, Enterprise Reporter


A woman constable who was allegedly raped by another cop is facing an uncertain future, as she has had to be dealing with the ordeal, all by herself.

Some of her colleagues are advising her not to take any action against the culprit and are doing everything in their power to slow the process. She is, however, adamant that the accused must be brought to justice.

"To sweep this under the carpet would be a complete injustice not only to me, but to other women police who have to be dealing with this kind of thing on a daily basis," she said. "I could not live with myself if I was to keep my mouth shut."

Completely isolated

"But since making an official report, I have been completely isolated. I am now the villain," she laments. "It's like I have done something wrong. No one remembers that this man violated me."

It was about nine years ago that a friend who was also a police officer encouraged her to join the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). From her first visit to the recruitment centre, she got a preview of what she would be up against. The recruiting officer summoned her to inform her that he could make the process easier for her. But this would be in exchange for sexual favours. She refused. Despite excelling in the recruitment exercises, she was not called until two and a half years later.

Pressure

It was then that she first heard stories of the pressure on females at the training academy. Said the victim: "A lot of female cops told of the pressure that female student constables had to go through, but I always had my stance that if I came under any pressure and the situation was overwhelming, I would take up my little suitcase and leave."

It was clear from day one that there should not have been any form of intimate interaction - be it recruit and recruit or instructor and recruit - you were warned that once you were in breach, you would be sent home - but that never really happened as some of those who lay down the rules themselves break the rules."

The pressure was more than she could imagine. On more than one occasion she wanted to quit, but was encouraged to 'dig in and maintain her standard'.

According to her, at training school, if anyone dared to report the involvement of an instructor in sexual wrongdoings, the informant's squad would eventually be punished. "Other instructors would fight for the right to teach you a lesson; it is just a part of the esprit de corp code," she said.

The woman was, however, quick to point out that there were very good instructors at the Twickenham Park, St Catherine-based, police training school. "There were a few res-pectable officers who stood by the principles of the force, but they were outnumbered by those who were willing to abuse their authority."

The jokes

She successfully completed her eight-month training programme, but her "hard-to-get" stance made her an even bigger target for many of her male counterparts. Some jokingly told her that they were going to rape her. "At first I never took their threats seriously as some of them were senior policemen; but a friend of mine, who was an ex-police, advised me not to take their utterances lightly ... but I did not listen; I thought he was just saying so because of his personal issues with the JCF."

On the eve of Tropical Storm Gustav, the woman cop said that she was on 'grave yard' patrol duty with two male detectives; the driver was one of those who had jokingly threatened to rape her; she was seated in the passenger front seat of the police unit, while the other man was seated in the rear.

During their second beat, about 3 a.m., the men were engaged in a sexually-oriented conversation, while daring her to indulge in some of the suggested acts that they were talking about. On reaching a makeshift airstrip, suspected of being used for drug trafficking, they turned on to the premises.

On entering the property, the driver parked the vehicle under a tree while the other cop came out, informing them he was going to look around. Finding it a bit strange that he would want to go alone, she offered to accompany him, but he told her that he 'had everything covered'; the driver reclined his seat as if going to rest.

Surprised

The driver then stepped out of the car and came around to her door, and suggested that she recline her seat and relax until the other cop returned. She refused. He then forcefully reclined the seat.

"I was caught by surprise. Suddenly, he was over me and I had my knee in his chest. I told him to stop or I would report it, but he ignored my pleas, telling me that 'me a gwaan like mi a virgin, like mi nuh want give him some.' I had no strength to fight him, he was big and strong."

Disregarding any sense of reasoning, he remained on top of her, thrusting violently, until he satisfied himself. He then got up and walked away. "It was a nightmare," she said.

The three drove back to the station without another word being exchanged. She telephoned the divisional inspector and told him what happened. He told her to call him back later.

Not daunted

She went to the station officer and related the experience, indicating that she would like to make an entry in the station diary. She was told to wait. She walked away, but as she did, the station officer related the conversation to a junior constable. She would not be daunted.

She left the police station and went to the doctor. She was surprised that while at the facility, a cop she has had friendly exchanges with, came to see her. "He told me that nothing would come of it, it's my word against theirs, furthermore, a we squaddy."

Those words sank in and realising that it was a criminal act that was committed against her, she said that she assured him that she was going to press the case, so she remained for her examination.

"I am a no-nonsense person and at times get angry at even some of the parents who, through their negligence at times, cause these things to happen to their children," said the cop who is also responsible for investigating sexual offence cases, including buggery, rape, carnal abuse and incest.

"It's ironic that all this time I would try to assure the alleged victims that I share their pain, yet, I never realised the magnitude of the emotional hurt that they had to endure. Now, as a victim myself, I have no one to lean on."

11-page statement

Said the victim: "I gave an 11-page statement. The policeman is still at work, I see him every day. His friends continue to jeer me, passing remarks each time they pass where I am."

"The detective inspector is his boss and the file must pass through his hands at one point or another. Furthermore, the inspector has been using intimidatory tactics. Every day since the incident he will come to my work area, stand up and stare at me for about a minute then walk away. I am not sure of the status of the file. I would not be surprised if he has been showing my statement to others."

To make matters worse, the incident is all over the town, many have seen the female cop and expressed their sympathy, while she is now viewed as the 'whore' of the police division. There are friends who are concerned for her safety, fearing for her life, but she is determined that it will go to trial.

"The matter will go before the court no matter what they do. I have heard many stories of corruption in the JCF, but I never dreamt that I would be a victim of it."

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Bolt for US talk shows

published: Friday | September 12, 2008

Brian Bonitto, Acting Entertainment Editor



DOUBLE world-record holder Usain Bolt has no intention of slowing down. After conquering the Beijing Olympics, the 22-year-old sprinter is poised for another circuit: the US talk shows.

According to the CBS website, the sprint sensation is scheduled for 'The Late Show' with David Letterman this month, marking his first US talk-show appearance.

Bolt's manager, Norman Peart, confirmed that he would appear on the popular show on Wednesday, September 24, and that there were similar requests from rival programmes.

Peart, who has mentored Bolt since he was 15, named the other high-profile US television appear-ances, scheduled this month for the triple Olympic gold medallist.

"He's to be on the 'Daily Show' with Jon Stewart on the 25th; and, Regis and Kelly on the 26th," he said.

Asked whether the sprint star's management team had got bigger to deal with the new demands since Bolt's Olympic triumphs, Peart said there was no reason to.

"We have had the same team since 2003 ... and there are no immediate plans to expand," he said.

Bolt, nicknamed 'Lightning Bolt', won the 100 and 200 metres in Beijing, China, in world-record times of 9.69 seconds, and 19.30 seconds, respectively. His third gold medal came in the 4x100m relay which was also done in a record time of 37.10 seconds.

Bolt became the first man since American Carl Lewis in 1984, in Los Angeles, to win three gold medals in track and field at an Olympics.

Hero's welcome

He was given a hero's welcome on his return to Jamaica on Monday.

Asked if Spanish football champions Real Madrid had also invited the track star to visit their Santiago Bernabeu Stadium as reported by The Associated Press, Peart could not confirm.

"I know he's a Manchester United fan," he said. "But, as I said, we have a lot of requests."

Yesterday, Bolt and 200m Olympic gold medallist Veronica Campbell-Brown were appointed UNESCO champions for sport.

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'I am a US citizen because of Obama'

published: Thursday | September 11, 2008

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer


Pastor Ed Goldson - Contributed

AS A youngster travelling around Jamaica with his father, a pastor, Ed Goldson was inspired to follow in his footsteps and preach from a church pulpit.

Last year, another inspirational figure altered his life.

Goldson said Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate for United States president, influenced his decision to become an American citizen.

Citizenship application

"Once he declared himself for the presidency I applied for citizenship," Reverend Goldson told The Gleaner by telephone from his home in Seattle, Washington.

The 63-year-old Goldson is pastor at the Renton First United Methodist Church in Seattle. He became a US citizen on July 31.

Along with another Jamaican and 74 immigrants from 36 countries, the Kingston-born preacher swore allegiance to the country he has lived in since 1965, at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services in Seattle.

In February, he attended Obama's rally in that city which drew a crowd of evangelic proportions. Goldson believes Obama, son of an African father and white American mother, has the right ingredients to become the next president of the United States.

Obama's vision

"He has a vision not just for America but for a new world, and I want to be part of that world," Goldson said.

Obama announced his candidacy in February, 2007. He not only won handsomely in state primaries where there is a large black base, but in predominantly white states.

Goldson said friends, parishioners and neighbours have long known which candidate is going to get his vote. Not only does he discuss Obama's policies, his home is adorned with campaign merchandise supporting the charismatic Illinois Senator.

He believes given America's checkered racial history, it would be good if Obama wins.

"It would speak loudly not only for America, but the world," he said.

Goldson has been a pastor with the United Church for over 35 years. He has served that time in the Pacific Northwest, a region that does not have a large black population.

He started out at the Mallory Avenue Christian Church in Portland, Oregon in 1972. Six years later, he moved to Seattle in neighbouring Washington state to become pastor at the Grace United Methodist Church.

America was not receptive to blacks when Ed Goldson arrived in New York City in 1965. The Civil Rights movement, led by Martin Luther King, was in full cry and militant groups like the Black Panthers prowled urban centres.

Goldson began his theological studies at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri, a largely white area.

"There wasn't a lot of riots in the town where I went to school but there was certainly a lot of racism," he recalled. "There had been another Jamaican there before me, Carmen Lyons. I thought to myself, 'if she can survive, so can I'," he added.

Served Jamaica well

Goldson is the eldest of the Reverend Selvin Sydney Goldson's four children. Goldson senior served the United Church in Jamaica throughout St Mary for many years.

In over 40 years living in the US, he has seen token runs for president by black activists like Julian Bond and Eldridge Cleaver. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton put in spirited showings in 1984, 1988 and 2004, respectively.

None of them, however, compares to the 47-year-old Obama whose message of change has gone beyond the US. In Jamaica, reggae singer Coco Tea has done a song in tribute to him, so too dancehall star Mavado.

Goldson, who is married to an African-American and father of one son, is confident Obama will create history in November.

"Up to recently I thought he would win a landslide, but there's a category I'm concerned about (white women for Hillary Clinton) who could have a big say. But I think he's going to definitely win," he said.

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700-pound Clarendon ganja haul

published: Monday | September 8, 2008

Dwight Nelson, Gleaner Writer

Operation Kingfish put another dent in the illicit drugs-for-guns trade yesterday, hauling in more than 700lb of compressed ganja and two 45-gallon drums of fuel along the island's south coast.

A Toyota Probox motor car, loaded with the drugs, was also seized during the 3 a.m. operation in the Jackson Bay area of Portland Cottage, Clarendon.

According to police reports, on arrival near the Jackson Bay Gun Club, a man on a go-fast boat and others on the beach fired on law enforcement officers, including members of the Area Three Flying Squad. The boater was shot and injured by the cops. The others fled the scene.

The injured man was taken to the Lionel Town Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The police have withheld his name pending further investigations.

Well known

The police said the driver of the Probox motor car is well known to them and was yesterday being sought for questioning.

"This is part of the drugs-for-guns trade with criminals in Jamaica and their counterparts in Haiti and other Caribbean territories," said Detective Sergeant Jubert Llewellyn, spokesman for Operation Kingfish.

He added: "We will be continuing operations of this nature to ensure that the drugs and guns, as well as wanted men, are removed from the streets as well as the communities."

The police have called on residents of communities plagued by drug-running to partner with them in flushing out criminals.

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Arms broker violated US law

published: Sunday | September 7, 2008

Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter

A PRESS release found on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) website said that Lance Brooks, who operates Taylor and Associates, an arms- brokering business in Lauder-hill, Florida, was charged with being an unlicensed broker of defence articles, in violation of the Arms Export Act.

The release explained that Brooks was charged with knowingly and wilfully brokering the sale of 150,000 rounds of .38 Jacketed Soft Point ammunition; 20,000 rounds of .380 Jacketed Soft Point ammunition, and 100,000 rounds of .223 55 grain Jacketed Soft Point ammunition to Jamaica, without first having registered with and obtaining a licence from the United States Department of State, Directorate of Defence Trade Controls.

The FBI was careful to point out that this was the second time Brooks had been charged with an arms-export violation.

"Brooks, the owner-operator of Taylor and Associates, an arms-brokering business in Lauderhill, Florida, was indicted on November 6, 2007, for violations of the Arms Export Act and other offences," read a section of the release.

arrested last year

On December 20, 2007, Brooks pleaded guilty to exporting defence services from the United States to the United Arab Emirates without a licence, and was on bond pending sentencing in that case. A report on sun-sentinel.com said Brooks was arrested last year as he attempted to board a flight to Abu Dhabi and pleaded guilty in December to export-related and other charges.

On March 30, 2008, while Brooks was awaiting sentencing, a search warrant was issued for the search of a DHL package addressed to Lance Brooks, Taylor and Associates.

The package was coming from the Jamaica Constabulary Force's (JCF) Firearms Coastal Security Branch and it had Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Paul Robinson's name on it.

"A search of the package revealed an end-user certificate from the Ministry of National Security, Kingston, Jamaica, dated February 26, 2008, regarding the purchase of 150,000 rounds of .38 Jacketed Soft Point ammunition, 20,000 rounds of .380 Jacketed Soft Point ammunition, and 100,000 rounds of Jacketed Soft Point ammunition from Taylor and Associates," the release stated further.

no details given on deal

When contacted, ACP Robinson refused to divulge any details about the deal. "I will have to direct you to Mr Scott." When pressed, ACP Robinson insisted that our news team speak to the permanent secretary.

The FBI added that further investigation confirmed that from as early as October 2007 to March 5, 2008, Brooks was brokering the sale of defence articles to the JCF.

This indicated that the JCF had been dealing with Brooks prior to his initial indictment and continued to do so after he was arrested, charged, pleaded guilty to the charges and was out on bond awaiting sentencing.

The FBI also revealed that on March 3, 2008, the JCF wire- transferred US$81,100.00 (J$5.8-million) to Taylor and Associates to pay for the purchase of the more than 250,000 rounds of ammunition.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Michael Walleisa.

DCP Bent tried to give the assurance that such a blunder would never be allowed to reoccur. "Steps are being taken to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again. I view it very seriously and we have to make sure that we cover all the bases, and even if we are in situations where we need items, we are going to make sure that the due diligence is completed before we place orders," she said.

David S. Weinstein, acting public information officer in the US Department of Justice, said that Brooks is to be sentenced on September 25 for the first offence, to which he pleaded guilty. He was arraigned on June 4, for the case involving the arms deal with Jamaica. However, no further court dates have been set by the district court.

tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com

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