FREE | PAGES: 12 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com SIGN UP FOR OUR EPAPER @ epaper.jamaica-gleaner.com/na Members of Ashe perform during the launch of the CanGive Initiative at the International Seabed Authority in Kingston on Friday, January 13. IAN ALLEN/PHOTOGRAPHER DIASPORA WARY OF SSL BURN – Jamaican expatriates with investments in their homeland have been cautious about liquidating their securities in the wake of the $3-billion Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) fraud. P3: Ja’s police, army could be part of international delegation to help Haiti P5: J’can Dr Sharon Burey appointed to Canadian Senate P5: Highland Park , NJ, gets newmayor >P3 TRANS-CONTINENTAL ECONOCARIBE 147-46 176 STREET, JAMAICA, NEW YORK 11434 TEL: 718-244-7447, 718-341-2900 • BARRELS • CRATES • CARTONS • FURNITURE • APPLIANCES • BUILDING SUPPLIES • MEDICAL SUPPLIES • CARS KINGSTON, MONTEGO BAY, PORT OF SPAIN - TRINIDAD, GUYANA & OTHER ISLANDS WE SHIP DIRECTLY TO: SPECIALIZING IN RETURNING RESIDENTS FEBRUARY 5 - MARCH 2, 2023 | VOL 2038 HOLNESS
JAMAICA’SWILLINGNESS to send police and soldiers to be part of a multinational force to help return public order and security to Haiti has the general support of this newspaper. BUT JAMAICA must not merely be an appendage to another Great Power initiative on its neighbour. Rather, as should have happened months ago, this must be a project in which Jamaica and its partners in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) exer t leadership, in a coordinated effort with the Organization of American States (OAS). And having taken the public on the matter, and as of a close neighbour that could bear the spill effect from Haiti’s instability, Prime Minister Andrew Holness should be CARICOM’s point man on the programme. And if necessary, appropriate a role akin thereto. Even before the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, Haiti faced one of its not infrequent periods of political instability. There were disputes over when President Moïse’s term should actually have ended, and the absence of an elected Assembly was not in place, essentially meaning president rule by decree. President Moïse’s killing, however, pushed the country deeper into crisis, teetering on becoming a failed state. The government of Mr Moïse’s unelected successor, Ariel Henry, has, at best, a tenuous grip on the country. Armed gangs behave with impunity. Law and order in Haiti have almost completely broken down. Nearly 80 police officers have been murdered since Mr Moïse’s assassination, including 15 in the last fortnight of January. Police and their civilian, paramilitary-type supporters of ex-cops have taken to the streets to complain about the state of affairs. There are fears that the police might drop their hands all together, worsening the crisis. IDEAS FLOATED As Haiti ’s security situation deteriorated, ideas have been floated at the United Nations and the OAS on how to cauterise the crisis. Nothing has been agreed upon, in part because of lingering memories of how badly wrong previous interventions in Haiti have gone, including the one after the 2010 earthquake when billions of dollars flowed into the country, with little to show in development. Internal corruption notwithstanding, much of the money flowed out via foreign NGOs and the consultants and companies of the countries that provided much of the aid. Yet, it is clear that Hait needs help with a reset. Last October, Prime Minister Henry wrote to CARICOM’s leaders, requesting, according to the community, “assistance to alleviate the deepening humanitarian, security, political, and economic crises” in his country. CARICOMwas sympathetic, but said its heads of government “recognise that these initiatives could not be effectively realised until the security situation is addressed”. “In that regard, heads of government take note of the appeal by Prime Minister Henry for the urgent assistance of Haiti’s international partners for short-term assistance to address the security and humanitarian crises,” CARICOM said at the time. What CARICOM ought to have done, as we argued then, was not “take note”, but aggressively take leadership of efforts to fashion a credible coalition in support of Haiti. As a hemispheric problem, initiatives to help Haiti rightside itself are better grounded in CARICOM, of which Haiti is a member, and the OAS, rather the UN’s Security Council, from which a resolution of condemnation emerged last October when gang leader Jimmy Chérizier sealed off the main port and blocked the movement of petrol. WIDER ROOTS The fact is, while Haiti’s problem currently manifests largely in terms of security, its roots are much wider and far more complex, demanding fixes that are not likely to be in the immediate competence of the United Nations, especially its Security Council. These institutions, as well as the powerful countries that command vital resources needed for the enterprises, have important roles to play in the project, but cannot credibly front its leadership. Their track record in Haiti causes suspicion and adds credence to those who feel that a new approach, with new faces at the helm – especially of people who better appreciate, and are more empathetic to the nuances of Haiti’s social, political history – makes sense. According to Prime Minister Holness, Jamaica “would be willing to participate in a multinational security assistance deployment to Haiti under the appropriate jurisdictional parameters” in support of a return to a level of stability in which democracy can take root. Jamaica and CARICOM should be forcefully articulating what those parameters should be and working with the Haitians and other partners on the initiatives that will help the revival of democracy. 2 Daniel Carthy, grade two student of Homestead Primary and Infant School, prays for Education and Youth Minister Fayval Williams during a visit to the institution on Tuesday. Daniel also gave a vote of thanks to the minister. Williams met with administrators, teachers, and others to assess a monthslong dispute that sparked protests at the school. IAN ALLEN/PHOTOGRAPHER Christopher Barnes - General Manager Moya Thomas - Editor-in-Chief moya.thomas@gleanerjm.com Christopher.Barnes@gleanerjm.com Take lead on Haiti, PM THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 5 - MARCH 2, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS MEMPHIS, TENN. (AP): TYRE NICHOLS’ family and friends remembered him with songs of faith and heartfelt tributes Wednesday, blending a celebration of his life with outraged calls for police reform after the brutal beating he endured at the hands of Memphis police. Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, fought back tears as she spoke lovingly of her son. “The only thing that’s keeping me going is that I truly believe that my son was sent here on assignment from God. And I guess now his assignment is done. He’s gone home,”she said, urging Congress to pass police reform. The Rev Al Sharpton and Vice President Kamala Harris both delivered impassioned speeches calling on lawmakers to approve the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a broad package of reforms that includes a national registry for police officers disciplined for misconduct, a ban on no-knock warrants and other measures. Harris said the beating of Nichols, a 29-year-old black man, by five black police officers was a violent act that violated the stated mission of police to ensure public safety. “It was not in the interest of keeping the public safe, because one must ask, was not it in the interest of keeping the public safe that Tyre Nichols would be with us today? Was he not also entitled to the right to be safe? So when we talk about public safety, let us understand what it means in its truest form. Tyre Nichols should have been safe,”she said. Nichols was beaten after police stopped him for an alleged traffic violation January 7. Video released after pressure from Nichols’ family shows officers holding himdown and repeatedly punching, kicking and striking himwith a baton as he screamed for his mother. Sharpton said the officers who beat Nichols might have acted differently if there were real accountability for their actions. He also said he believes that if Nichols had been white, “you wouldn’t have beat him like that”. “We understand that there are concerns about public safety. We understand that there are needs that deal with crime. But you don’t fight crime by becoming criminals yourself. You don’t stand up to thugs in the street becoming thugs yourself. You don’t fight gangs by becoming five armed men against an unarmed man. That ain’t the police. That’s punks,” he said. Family of other black men and women killed by police – including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Botham Jean and Eric Garner – also attended the funeral and Nichols’ mother called on officials to prevent more tragedies. “We need to take some action because there should be no other child that should suffer the way my son – and all the other parents here have lost their children – we need to get that bill passed,”Wells said. “Because if we don’t, that blood – the next child that dies, that blood is going to be on their hands.” Attorneys for two of the charged officers, Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr, said they will plead not guilty. Blake Ballin, the lawyer for Mills, told AP that the videos “produced as many questions as they have answers”. Lawyers for the three other officers have not provided comment to the AP. Nichols’death was the latest in a string of early accounts by police about their use of force that were later shown to have minimised or omitted mention of violent encounters. Calls for police reform at Tyre Nichols’ funeral Flanked by Rev Al Sharpton (left) and her husband Rodney Wells, RowVaughn Wells speaks during the funeral service for her son Tyre Nichols at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn, on Wednesday, Feb 1, 2023. AP Christopher Barnes - General Manager Moya Thomas - Editor-in-Chief moya.thomas@gleanerjm.com Christopher.Barnes@gleanerjm.com EDITORIAL
3 ELIJAH – SPIRITUAL ADVISOR My name is Elijah, I have been doing spiritual work for the past 14 years across the world. No voodoo! Spiritual work only! Readings, Baths, Sore Foot, Court Cases, Relationships and much more! Call ELIJAH at, 959-710-0671…… Lester Hinds/Gleaner Writer JAMAICAN EXPATRIATES with investments in their homeland have been cautious about liquidating their securities in the wake of the $3-billion Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) fraud. MEMBERS OF the diaspora said, however, that they were awaiting specifics on the raft of reforms announced by Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke to tighten legislation and impose tougher penalties. David Mullings, chief executive officer of the United States-based Blue Mahoe Capital, which invests clients’ funds in both the public and private sectors, said many Jamaican investors have adopted“a wait-and-see attitude”. Mullings said, however, that reduced local appetite has been offset by new non-Jamaican investors who are seeking to tap opportunities here. He is not aware of any demand internationally for the withdrawal existing investments. “Confidence is the biggest concern,” said Mullings, who noted that some investors are seeking to use United States-based entities as go-betweens for business engagements in Jamaica. “That way, they are assured of recovery of funds should something go wrong.” Mullings said that while there is general confidence in the fundamentals of Jamaica’s financial system, investors are wary of a trend developing in the Caribbean. But such events are not unique to the region. The alleged billion-dollar scam involving former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried is evidence that such risks cross many borders. Mullings said that Blue Mahoe has checks and balances in its system, adding that clients receive regular updates on their investments and may access their accounts at any time. “Jamaicans who went through the FINSAC experience, and now seeing what is happening at SSL, are more leery about the present happenings in the Jamaican financial sector,”he said, referencing the 1990s financial sector collapse in Jamaica. Sandra Graham, an Atlanta-based businesswoman with investments in Jamaica, told The Gleaner that she would not be pulling her investments but wants to see what actions the Government will take to shore up the industry and give comfort to expatriates. “I was shaken by the SSL news. It was very shocking the amount of money that went missing. It shook my confidence, but I still have confidence in the Jamaican financial sector,” she told The Gleaner. BETTER OVERSIGHT, SAFEGUARDS NEEDED Graham, who said that she has both private- and public-sector investments, has called for improved transparency. “I want to see better oversight and safeguards so that Jamaica is not seen as a country of scammers,” she said. Dozens of SSL account holders were allegedly fleeced of billions of dollars over a decade in a scheme reportedly perpetrated by a now-fired employee. But there have been damning disclosures of a culture of noncompliance and mismanagement at the brokerage house, with suggestions that SSL may have commingled clients’ funds with its own money to run its operations. State regulator, the Financial Services Commission (FSC), said it was aware of public concern arising from the disclosure of a letter dated April 3, 2020, to the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service accompanying the examination reports for six securities dealers, including SSL. But the FSC sought to clarify that the other entities referenced in the letter – JMMB Securities Limited, BPM Financial, NCB Capital Markets, NCB Capital Markets (Collective Investment Schemes), and Sygnus Capital Markets were adequately capitalised and above the benchmark capital adequacy ratio. Those entities present no concerns regarding their solvency, the regulator said. That declaration is in line with the assurance given by Finance and the Public Service Minister Dr Nigel Clarke that the SSL fraud saga was not reflective of larger contagion. Clarke has acknowledged that the scale of the alleged fraud was a “body blow” to Jamaica, but he emphasised that SSL represented two per cent of a $1.45-trillion sector. Steadman Shearer, who had an account in amajor bank in Jamaica, said that the last time he visited the island and went to check on his account, he was told that it had been closed. “My account does not exist anymore, and I was not informed about this. I only found out when I went on a trip to Jamaica and went to the bank to see about my account,” he told The Gleaner. Shearer, who has a fishing business in Jamaica, said that he is sceptical about the state of Jamaica’s financial services sector. Rupert Allan, who also has investments in Jamaica, said that he would be withdrawing his investments. Allan said that when he called to check on his investments after noticing apparent irregularities, he could not get clear answers from his financial institution. “I asked who was handling my investment and was given a name, but when I asked for a phone number to speak directly with that individual, after getting a runaround, I was told I could not be given the person’s phone number. “How can that person be handling my funds and I cannot get a phone number to speak with that person?” he questioned. Allan said that the SSL saga has caused him to lose faith in the securities industry. He is demanding greater access to account information, including the authorisation protocols on transactions. Jamaican Garth Vickers, a financial adviser who manages investments in annuities and insurance, said that there are basic safeguards that can be implemented to assure investors. Among those listed interventions are the generating of automatic reports each month to clients, client access to the investment company’s quarterly and annual audited reports, the disclosure of funds under management at investment entities, and the filing of public quarterly reports. editorial@gleanerjm.com SSL crisis sparks investment concern in diaspora PRIMEMINISTER AndrewHolness signalled on Tuesday that Jamaica’s security forces could be part of a regional delegation to support efforts by the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) bloc to stabilise gang-ravaged Haiti. Holness told the House of Representatives that the descent into political and economic chaos of Jamaica’s neighbour was a source of worry for his administration and the entire region. “The Government of Jamaica and indeed the people of Jamaica, even with our own challenges and concerns, are deeply concerned about the humanitarian and security crisis being experienced by our Caribbean neighbour and sister nation Haiti. “The people of Haiti continue to have their human rights threatened by powerful gangs and militias which perpetrate heinous crimes including killings, kidnappings and acts of violence against women and children ... ,” said Holness in opening comments. He told the House of Representatives that the situation had escalated to dangerous proportions with the killing of several policemen recently. The prime minister reiterated the condemnation by CARICOM and extended condolences to the families of the fallen officers. He said the recent round of violence has left Haiti’s five million population facing acute hunger. Violent deaths and cholera-related fatalities continue to pose challenges to Haiti’s fragile health sector, which Holness said have triggered several emergency crises in a country that has been crippled by political instability for decades. Jamaica, he said, restated its preparedness to support a united international effort in response to the crisis, which deteriorated in the wake of the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Holness said that he endorsed efforts being contemplated by the Organisation of American States (OAS) towards a solution. Outside of that collective, specific bilateral support has been discussed, including electoral reform, capacity building, and logistics. Jamaica is prepared to host Haitian representatives in that regard. “In addition, Jamaica would be willing to participate in a multinational security assistance deployment to Haiti under the appropriate jurisdictional parameters to support a return to a reasonable level of stability and peace which would be necessary ... for any democratic process to take root,” the prime minister told colleague lawmakers. “Both the Jamaica Constabulary Force and Jamaica Defence Force have been alerted to this possible course of support and they would have started to plan for such eventuality as part of their routine situational awareness and response readiness,” he stated. According to the prime minister, thousands of Haitian children, especially those living in gang-dominated areas, have yet to return to school, and there are increasing reports of minors being recruited by criminal organisations. Against that backdrop, Holness said Jamaica reaffirmed its commitment to working with CARICOM and bilateral partners such as Canada and the USA, as well as Latin American and African nations, towards achieving sustainable solutions in Haiti. In a press statement issued last Saturday, CARICOM said the bloc was deeply concerned about the severity of the challenges being faced by police in Haiti. “CARICOM strongly condemns the killing of police officers and expresses its condolences to the families of the officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The anger and dismay of the police at the gruesome killings of their colleagues, 78 killed since July 2021 and 14 to date this January, are shared by all,” the secretariat said. The regional grouping, however, urged the security forces not to abandon their role of maintaining public order, cautioning that that action would further destabilise the country. PM Holness pledges help for Haiti Police, army could be part of international delegation Prime Minister Andrew Holness delivers a statement on Haiti’s security situation during Tuesday’s sitting of the House of Representatives. IAN ALLEN/ PHOTOGRAPHER Students walk past a burning barricade that was set up by members of the police protesting bad police governance in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Thursday, January. 26, 2023. AP THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 5 - MARCH 2, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS
THE HOUSE of Representatives has approved a further 60day extension of the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) in seven areas across Jamaica. They are DenhamTown,West Kingston; Norwood and Mount Salem, St. James; Greenwich Town, Parade Gardens and August Town in St. Andrew, and Savanna-la-Mar, in Westmoreland. According to statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, as of January 27, for the period prior to and during the declaration of the respective ZOSOs, all areas under the ZOSO recorded reductions in all major crimes, including murder. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Horace Chang, informed that the first ZOSO was declared in Mount Salem in September 2017, while noting that this Zone is currently in the Build Phase. Dr. Chang pointed out that the data confirm that ZOSOs are contributing to a reduction of risk factors, increasing the capacity and competencies of the residents, and improving the prospects of the beneficiaries. “The Zones of Special Operations have demonstrated their utility in improving the overall social welfare and safety of the residents of these challenged communities. To stop now would be premature. We must, therefore, continue, so that the safety and security of these residents can be truly and fully realised,” he emphasised. PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD, CMC: PRIME MINISTER Dr Keith Rowley described as“disturbing” the circumstances surrounding the High Court’s decision to compensate nine men, who were acquitted of the 2016 murder of a businesswoman, TT$2.1 million (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) each. On Monday, High Court Master Martha Alexander, awarded the men a total of TT$19,168,917.56 for malicious prosecution and exemplary damages; costs amounting to $200,917.56; and the cost of an expert witness of $68,000. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Prime Minister Rowley said, “As you know, the Cabinet has no role whatsoever in proceedings in the court, but we all follow it as it goes along and elements of it made public. “I am in the same position that you are in. I’ve seen the news. It is very disturbing and as a result of that, I, too, I’m waiting to hear what the Office of the Attorney General has to say tomorrow (Thursday), but clearly, this is an unsatisfactory situation and I amwaiting to hear what the facts are, but this is not what one expects in situations like these.” The damages awarded to the nine men also have interest attached, at a rate of 2.5 per cent, fromMay 29, 2020, to January 30 this year. The nine men – Shervon Peters, Devon Peters, Anthony Gloster, Joel Fraser, Ronald Armstrong, Keida Garcia, Jameel Garcia, Marlon Trimmingham and Antonio Charles – were among 10 people who had gone on trial in 2016 for the murder of Vindra Naipaul-Coolman. The 52-year-old former chief executive of the supermarket chain, Naipaul’s Xtra Foods, was kidnapped from the driveway of her residence in Lange Park, Chaguanas in west central Trinidad on the night of December 19, 2016. Her body was never found. Her kidnappers had demanded a $3million ransom for her release. The nine men had filed a malicious prosecution claim in May 2020 which the State did not defend, despite having entered an appearance. THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 5 - MARCH 2, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 4 [NEWS BRIEFS] Assassinated Haitian President Jovenel Moise Dr Horace Chang, Minister of National Security Four people charged in connection with plot to kill Haitian president FLORIDA, CMC: FOUR MEN detained in Haiti in connection with the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise in July 2021 were due to appear in a court here on Wednesday after they were transferred to the US to face criminal charges related to their alleged involvement in the July 7 killing of the Haitian leader. US authorities said that a criminal complaint charges dual HaitianAmerican citizens James Solages, 37; JosephVincent, 57; and Colombian citizen German Alejandro Rivera Garcia, 44, with conspiring to commit murder or kidnapping outside the United States and providing material support and resources resulting in death, and conspiring to do so, knowing or intending that such support and resources would be used to prepare for or carry out the conspiracy to kill or kidnap. In addition, a separate criminal complaint charges dual HaitianAmerican citizen Christian Sanon, 54, with conspiring to smuggle goods from The United States and cause export information not to be filed, as well as with smuggling goods fromThe United States and providing unlawful export information. Solages, Vincent, Rivera and Sanon were scheduled to make their initial federal court appearances in the Southern District of Florida on Wednesday before US Magistrate Judge Alicia Otazo-Reyes. US law enforcement authorities have now charged seven individuals, including the four new defendants for their roles in the assassination plot. The other men charged are Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios, 43; Rodolphe Jaar, 49; and Joseph Joel John, 51, who were arrested last year. Solages, Vincent and Rivera face up to life imprisonment if convicted. Sanon faces up to 20 years if convicted. TRINIDAD Prime Minister Rowley disturbed by multimillion-dollar compensation for former murder accused JAMAICA’S FOREIGN Trade Action Plan, which outlines general policy direction, implementation priorities and strategies, is to be reviewed. This was disclosed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, who said the private sector will be an“indispensable part”of this process, “mindful of the importance of partnerships in pursuing a transformational trade policy agenda”. “So even as we will explain to you (the private sector) more about how these arrangements can work, we need you to tell us of the opportunities that you believe can be seized, so that we can work through how we can help you achieve your goals,” she added. Senator Johnson Smith further advised that the Ministry will be seeking a“new and dynamic approach to the development of a regional trade policy”. This, the Minister said, within the context of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). She was speaking during Wednesday’s meeting of the Jamaica Trade Policy Advisory Group (JAMTRADE) at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in downtown Kingston. The meeting provided the framework for fostering a more comprehensive understanding of Jamaica’s current national trade policy landscape and approaches for implementation in the future. Meanwhile, Senator Johnson Smith said private-sector businesses involved in the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) have the opportunity to expand their markets and boost revenues. She informed that a major benefit of COTED is the processes in place, which allow the Ministry to work with private-sector organisations to“remove apparent or existing trade barriers and obstacles between Jamaica and the rest of the region”. “We can affirm [and] we have seen the results [that] where companies attend and seek to examine opportunities through these formal structures they make more money. They sell … [and] distribute more products, because there are structures that work, once we look beyond some of the barriers,” the Minister stated. Senator Johnson Smith indicated that several countries are providing trading opportunities for Jamaican businesses. Zones of Special Operations extended Jamaica’s foreign trade action plan to be reviewed Senator Kamina Johnson Smith. FILE
5 Neil Armstrong/Gleaner Writer TORONTO: WHEN JAMAICAN Canadian Sharon Burey attended her swearing-in ceremony at the Senate of Canada in December, she was accompanied by another Jamaican, Senator Rosemary Moodie, and Senator Marc Gold. In November, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the appointment of Burey, a paediatrician, who has long been recognised as a leader for the health and well-being of children in Ontario. She has dedicated her career to equality and to justice for those living in poverty, visible minorities, and other marginalised communities. Dr Burey emigrated from Jamaica in 1976 and has practised as a behavioural paediatrician in Ontario for over 30 years. She has been an adjunct professor of paediatrics atWestern University since 2009. As a health advocacy and policy leader, Dr Burey founded AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness Windsor and serves as a member of the Paediatricians of Ontario Executive Council and the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) Health Policy Committee. She was also a paediatrics delegate to the OMA Council and member of the OMA Women Committee. Dr Burey was the first woman of colour to hold the position of president of the Paediatricians Alliance of Ontario, which also serves as the Ontario Chapter of the American Academy of Paediatrics. Her work as a health advocate has been recognised with numerous honours and awards, including the Ontario Chapter Excellence Award and the Special Achievement Award from the American Academy of Paediatrics, and the Excellence in Health Care Award from the North American Black Historical Museum and Cultural Centre. She attended Western University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She completed her medical degree and specialty training in paediatrics at Dalhousie University, and she recently graduated with a mini-MBA in Physician Business Leadership at York University. In the history of the senate, there have only been three Jamaica-born senators: Dr Burey; Dr Rosemary Moodie, who was appointed on December 12, 2018, by Prime Minister Trudeau; and Don Meredith, who was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on December 18, 2010. He resigned in May 2017 after the Senate’s ethics committee recommended that he be expelled from the Red Chamber due to a sexual-misconduct scandal. JAMAICA-BORN Elsie Foster is the new mayor of the borough of Highland Park, in Middlesex County, New Jersey. She was elected during a special council meeting on Tuesday, January 24. Foster, who hails from Deeside in Trelawny, has some 22 years of service on the borough council, most recently as borough council president for eight years and acting mayor for several months. She has been acting mayor since the start of the year, replacing former Mayor Gayle Brill Mittler, who resigned on December 31. Now elected mayor, she will serve in the position until the end of 2023. Foster was one of three candidates the Highland Park Democratic Committee nominated to fill the remaining year of the mayor’s term. The other two nominees were Councilmen Phil George and Matthew Hersh. The new Highland Park Mayor has identified safety, affordability, and downtown development as among her priorities in her tenure. Following her election, Mayor Foster said: “I’m complimented by the confidence my colleagues on the Council have placed in me. I look forward to working with them and with the residents to improve on the affordability, sense of community, and opportunities in our town.” Mayor Elsie Foster is the president and CEO of Aunt Elsie’s Homestays, an international student-housing organisation. She is also the legislative liaison to the State of New Jersey Civil Service Commission and a founding partner of JamPhil Consultants, LLC. Hersh was elected to serve as Borough Council president, which was vacated when Foster was elected as mayor. Foster and Hersh were sworn into their respective new roles by borough attorney Ed Schmierer. J’ca-born Elsie Foster is new mayor of Highland Park, NJ Mayor Elsie Foster Dr. Sharon Burey appointed to Canadian senate Dr. Burey THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 5 - MARCH 2, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS
6 Lennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer MUNRO COLLEGE old boy Robert Hale and his wife, Monica, are spearheading a major venture that has been formulated to beautify the 166-year-old institution. Hale, a former Jamaica and Munro College tennis player, is also undertaking a major overhaul of the school’s tennis programme. However, the urgent need to spruce up the school grounds and landscape has taken priority for the Cayman-based couple. “We, as Munro old boys, realised that the school was not in good shape at the moment and it is sad for us to see. We wanted to do our part in trying to change the course of history and bring the school back up to a certain level that we can all be proud of,”Hale said. Hale and his wife have been flying to Jamaica every month to oversee the project, which will see over 100 coconut trees, 150 Bromeliad plants, five palms trees and over 50 other plants being put in all around the school, from the entrance to the tennis courts, as well as the game areas and dorms. Already, tremendous work has been done, with up to five trucks employed to clear away old furniture, trash and debris that were lying around the St Elizabeth-based institution. After gathering feedback from the students themselves and the school’s administration, the Hales even flew in a specially skilled stone cutter from Cayman to assist with some of the stonework that will be displayed around the new-look tennis court, which will feature a newly installed sitting area. “The aim is to beautify the school, which will allow the kids to come out of their dorms. One of the feedbacks we got from the students was that they didn’t have anywhere to sit, hence we created a lot of sitting areas, with a lot of vegetation around to make the experience more pleasant,” said Monica. The kind gesture has also been supported by the Munro College old boys in Cayman, USA and England, as well as a number of past students who are currently in Jamaica. The initiative has been wildly received by the board of governors at Munro College, and their chairman, Murphy Greg, is pleased that the effort was organised by the Hales. “The boys are the centre of everything we do and, for me, this initiative will go a far. The end game is breeding better boys leaving Munro College; and with improved facilities, that can only help them to achieve their goals even better.” The Hales have also secured three scholarships this calendar year for some students, with the aim to increase that number to six next year. The next phase of the project will also see urgent work being done on the dormitories, and the historic cathedral also on the agenda for future projects. Cayman couple helping to spruce up Munro College Robert Hale (left) and his wife Monica on the refurbished lawn tennis court at Munro College. IAN ALLEN Jordache Deuce (left) lawn tennis coach, Munro College, Murphy Greg (centre) chairman, Board of Governors, Munro College, and Robert Hale (right) Munro College old boy, pose for pictures on the refurbished tennis court at the school. IAN ALLEN Munro College in Malvern, St. Elizabeth. IAN ALLEN Hubert Lawrence/ Gleaner Writer IMMACULATE CONCEPTION High School got its 2023 track season off to a fine start at Jamaica College in January, thanks to the hard work by its student-athletes and expert guidance by the team’s coaching staff. IN ADDITION, the Immaculate team had a moment of inspiration during the Christmas break from Camille CoatesClark, a girls’ Championships gold medal winner from the 1980s. Winner of the Class Three 100 metres in 1981, Coates-Clark shared with the team her vast experience, on the track and off it. “I felt a lot of pride and just seeing the school and seeing the students and seeing their dedication,” said Coates-Clark who won silver medals for Jamaica at the 1981 Carifta Games and the 1986 CAC Games. “I just told them they can do it too and it was important for me to let them identify with someone who started just right where they were, from, you know, a small beginning,” she said. She went into 1987 with the 1986 national 100-metre title in her pocket, and with the World Championships looming as the big international target. Unfortunately, she injured her hamstring outdoors. The former Abilene Christian University sprinter is now a top orthopaedic surgeon in the United States and was delighted that some of the girls want to be doctors. “Not only did we talk about their athletics, but what they wanted to do in life, what they wanted to become, and there were about three of the student-athletes who wanted to become doctors, one or two who wanted to be orthopaedic surgeons. So, of course, you know, that piquedmy interest, and I just gave themgood pointers to what they need to do,” she said. With memories of her days at Immaculate flooding her mind, the SpanishTown native toured the school, including the gym. “I got excited. I did some push-ups with some of the girls, and I did some squats and some lunges. Yes, I got excited. I couldn’t help myself,” she said with a giggle. She recommended that the whole team adopt a positive attitude. “Not giving up, you know, and not letting anything stand in the way of their success and holding on to something positive each day. For me, that’s prayer, and whatever it is that gets them going, to just not give up, and to share and to encourage each other because, you know, they’re all going to the same place,” she said. During her visit, she was able to visit legendary Immaculate educator Sister Maureen Clare Hall. “It was a really meaningful, touching, emotional time,” Coates-Clark explained, “and she toldme that she talks about me all the time.” Immaculate head coach Franz Forde said the visit was a source of motivation. “We encourage our alumnae (girls) coming out and just going ahead you know and continue to motivate our girls we have there. So, it was really good to see Dr Coates,” said Forde. Champs star inspires Immaculate ambitions Immaculate coach Franz Ford. RICARDO MAKYN Dr Coates-Clark CONTRIBUTED THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 5 - MARCH 2, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS
7 [ NEWSYOU MAY HAVE MISSED ] EVERALD WARMINGTON has rebuked former Prime Minister Bruce Golding for suggesting that the Government has not been blameless in the Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) saga as it issues licences to investment houses, indicating to the public that it is safe to conduct business with these entities. The private-investment firm is now the centre of an investigation as dozens of clients’ accounts at the entity were reportedly defrauded of billions of dollars. “ The Government has a responsibility. They are the ones that issue licences to these investment houses, and [with] the issuing of the licence, what they are saying to the public is that I am satisfied that these are good people to do business with, so you can go do business with them. Well that is what Usain Bolt did, and look what happened to him,” Golding, a former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader, said during a radio programme. The remarks infuriatedWarmington, a minister without portfolio in the current JLP administration. “This is not a civil war. It’s a guy (Golding) who has lost his relevance and is trying to be relevant by attacking your own party. That don’t make you relevant,”Warmington told journalists during a tour in St Elizabeth. “I want to say, ‘Bruce, you need to stop it and stop it now. Back off! Stop it now!’,”he continued, labelling Golding, who resigned in 2011 in the wake of the 2010 Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke extradition saga and the deadly Tivoli Gardens operation as a “failed” prime minister. ‘Back off!’Warmington slams Golding as failed leader after former PM weighs in on state role in SSL saga Gov’t, Opposition support 45-year minimum murder sentence The Government’s proposal to increase the mandatory minimum sentence for noncapital murder from 15 to 45 years will not face any objection from the Opposition. Mark Golding, the leader of the Opposition, said the consensus would make a statement to society about the heinous crime. While indicating that his philosophy was to leave sentencing to judges, Golding asked Justice Minister Delroy Chuck on Tuesday whether he was also inclined to impose mandatory sentences for gang-related crimes and lottery scamming which give rise to many murders. Chuck, in a statement to Parliament moments earlier, said that for sentences of life imprisonment for non-capital murder, it is proposed that convicts not be eligible for parole before serving 40 years, up from 15. The minister said that he would shortly take a bill to Parliament that reflects the Government’s position on the proposed increased penalties. Chuck told parliamentary colleagues that with the recent passage of the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act, 2022, which stipulates a mandatory minimum sentence with a range of 15 years, there was need to adjust the minimum penalty for murder under the Offences Against the Person Act. Late last year, Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn, KC, recommended to the justice ministry 30- to 40-year imprisonment as the starting point for a life sentence for all murder convictions before eligibility for parole. Llewellyn’s suggestion came after the Court of Appeal ruled to reduce convicted killer Quacie Hart’s prison sentence before eligibility for parole from 31 years to 20 years. Hart is serving a life sentence for the stabbing death of 14-year-old Jamaica College student Nicholas Francis during an altercation on a bus on October 26, 2016. AGONY, ANGER as new traffic era begins Faces of frustration bobbed in a sea of bodies that flooded the periphery of the Kingston and St Andrew Traffic Court on Tuesday as motorists made a last-ditch grasp at the month-end lifeline. There have been traffic jams at courthouses islandwide in the lead-up to the February 1 activation of the new Road Traffic Act – legislation passed more than four years ago but which has been parked because of regulatory and logistical delays. The Government framed the 48-day window, announced last December, as a reprieve of sorts – amnestying motorists from all tickets prior to February 1, 2018, but mandating that they face a judge to pay fines or challenge the allegations of other outstanding penalty notices. Compliant motorists would also have all demerit points expunged by the January 31, 2023, deadline. Holness succeeded Golding as leader of the JLP and as prime minister THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 5 - MARCH 2, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS
8 “AS WE celebrate the beginning of Black History Month, we reflect on the rich history of black communities in Canada and commit to building an equitable future for all. This is a time for Canadians to honour the legacy of black communities from coast to coast and celebrate the contributions they have made across the country. From scientists to artists, from business owners to philanthropists, Canadians from black communities continue to shape our country each and every day. “One of the many stories we celebrate this February, as part of this year’s Black History Month theme, ‘Ours to tell’, is that of the Honourable Jean Augustine. Thirty years ago, she made history as the first black Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons and later when she became the first black Canadian woman to be appointed to the federal Cabinet. Her advocacy led to the national recognition of Black History Month, and she continues to be a beacon of excellence for communities across Canada and for others to follow in her footsteps. From Jean Augustine tomedical pioneers like Dr June Marion James, athletes-turned-successful entrepreneurs like Donovan Bailey, scientists and comedians like Boucar Diouf, and artists like Dionne Brand, this year’s Black History Month theme celebrates stories that are worth telling. “Last year, the Government of Canada committed $1.5 million to support the ongoing activities of the Jean Augustine chair in education, community, and diaspora at York University, which works to address systemic barriers to improve educational outcomes for black students. We also provided funding through the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative to support black community organisations across Canada, while the Black Entrepreneurship Program continues to offer black-led businesses, organisations, and financial institutions across Canada the financial resources to succeed now and into the future. These investments are key pieces to making sure we’re building an equitable Canada. “Canada has a history of anti-black racism, and communities continue to face the impact of systemic racism today. It is our collective responsibility to end it by listening, learning, and taking action. That is why in 2018, Canada officially recognised the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, which provides a global framework for recognition, justice, and development for people of African descent. Building on this framework, our government will continue to address the unique challenges that black communities face. “We know that more work still needs to be done, and the Government of Canada will continue to support the advancement of black communities. This includes our ongoing efforts, working closely with provinces, territories, and black communities, to develop Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, which will help address systemic discrimination and the over-representation of members of black communities in our criminal justice system. And through Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, we will continue fighting anti-black racism, eliminating inequities, empowering communities, and changing attitudes by building awareness. “This month, I invite everyone to take part in community events for Black History Month and to listen to and actively share the stories black communities have to tell. Let’s continue to celebrate their many past and ongoing contributions. Together, we will continue to build a stronger and more resilient country, where all Canadians can succeed, thrive, and have their voices heard.” Justin Trudeau Prime Minister of Canada Let’s continue to celebrate their many contributions - PM Trudeau LAST WEEK, in Queens – the borough I grew up in – I reported to New Yorkers on the state of our city. I outlined what we have accomplished in the year since I took office andmy vision for the future.We are going to build a city for working people, one that is more affordable, safer, cleaner, and more liveable. WE FOCUSED on four essential pillars: jobs, safety, housing, and care. Because without a strong working class, this city cannot survive. Working people need good jobs and pathways to get those jobs. And those jobs need to be able to support a home for New Yorkers and their families. That is why we are reimagining our workforce system, connecting 30,000 NewYorkers to apprenticeships through a new Apprenticeship Accelerator. It’s also why we are creating the jobs for the future, through our first-of-itskind biotech start up incubator that will be home to the next generation of transformative companies, and our Kips Bay life sciences hub, which will help create jobs and train NewYorkers for high-demand careers in the life sciences, healthcare, and public health. And we are ensuring that more city dollars go to minority and womenowned businesses as well as creating a new Nursing Education Initiative to support 30,000 current and aspiring nurses over the next five years. And while we are finally seeing crime begin to decline in New York City, we must continue to make our streets safe, and it starts with getting New York City’s MostWanted off our streets. We are going to get the roughly 1,700 known offenders responsible for a disproportionate amount of the city’s violent crime off the streets. And we are going to keep our streets safe by holding reckless drivers accountable. We are going to go to Albany to get legislation passed that increases the penalties for serious crashes, running red lights, and impaired driving. Our city cannot be liveable unless it is clean and sustainable. So we are investing millions to make our city cleaner and greener. Last year, we launched the country’s largest curbside composting program in Queens in order to Get Stuff Clean, and by the end of 2024, composting will be citywide and year-round. We are electrifying our city vehicles, and we have reached a deal with Uber and Lyft to have a zero-emissions fleet by 2030. And we are going to build on the success of our Open Streets and Open Restaurants programs by creating permanent community spaces in each borough. We must have homes for working people. We are working to add 500,000 more homes across all five boroughs so that everyone has an affordable place to live. We are going to build in every borough and every neighborhood. And that means creating housing in areas that currently only allowmanufacturing and office uses while protecting good jobs in the center of our city’s economy. We are going to make mid-town Manhattan a true live-work community. And we are building more housing in high-opportunity neighborhoods and near-transit hubs. I recently announced plans for 6,000 new homes and 10,000 new jobs around four new metro stations in the Bronx. And at Willets Point, we’re working to build the largest new 100 per cent affordable housing development in 40 years – that’s 2,500 new, affordable homes for NewYorkers. Building new houses is essential for our future, but we also need to address the housing crisis today. So we are going to protect tenants and help New Yorkers stay in their homes by investing over $22 million in tenantprotection programmes. We must also ensure that the social safety net is there for working people, so we are expanding it, making it easier for NewYorkers to access public benefits and healthcare. This is an agenda for working people. As we pursue these programs, we want to keep New Yorkers up to date on the very latest. That’s why we’re launching a new initiative to talk directly to New Yorkers about the issues you care most about. You can sign up for this email newsletter at nyc.gov/hearfromEric to receive breaking news and updates on city initiatives – all tailored to your personal interests. Whether it’s a new park opening, or a new Open Streets in your neighborhood, you’ll be the first to know. Eric Adams Mayor, New York City A working people’s agenda THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 5 - MARCH 2, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS The opinions on this page, except for The Editorial, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Gleaner. Read the full columns at our special diaspora site at www.gleanerextra.com and at www.jamaica-gleaner.com.
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