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THIS WEEK’S NEWS SUMMARY
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BUS FARE HIKE HITS ALL BUT FEW—8/20/05
The state-owned Jamaica Urban Transit Company, JUTC, will incorporate a 38% increase in fares for traveling on buses. The fare remains unchanged for children, pensioners and the disabled, but for the rest, the cost for a bus ride will be $50. Route taxi rates have also increased by 25% as have rates for rural stage carriers. According to the Ministry of Transport and Works, the increases are necessary to make JUTC a viable company, able to pay its debt and provide more predictable service. Opposition members say the increase is not sufficient, given competition from private carriers that operate on the same or similar routes. JUTC is subsidized at $1.24 billion by the government, which leaves a shortfall of $1.27 billion.
OVERSEAS JOBS OFTEN DON’T MATERIALIZE—8/21/05
Jamaican women desperate for employment are often conned out of their money and left with nothing to show for it but trouble. Overseas job opportunities promise higher wages and better benefits than the women can obtain in Jamaica and promise a better future for the women and their children. They pay upfront fees upon being promised these jobs, then find out the work is not really available to them and they must return home, minus the upfront costs they have incurred. Foreign jobs are sometimes available, cut often cost dearly in application fees and meals, accommodations and transportation, costs which are non-refundable whether the job materializes or not.
PEOPLE’S NATIONAL PARTY PREDICTS LARGE CONFERENCE—8/21/05
The PNP says they will have a large annual conference next month, given that their delegate list has more than doubled in the past year. According to one source, more than 5000 delegates will attend, up from 2000 last year. A group rebuilding program has been credited with the growth over the past two years. More than 20 new groups were added last year, and the party stresses they all meet the provisions of the party’s constitution, contrary to some critics who have alleged the new groups are fake.
PHILLIPS LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN—8/22/05
People’s National Party presidential contender Dr. Peter Phillips launched his bid for the presidency and promised yesterday to provide opportunity for all Jamaicans equally. Speaking to hundreds of supporters at a rally, he spoke of economic challenges that marginalize many and stressed he will create economic growth that benefits them, not just major corporations. While speaking in favor of profit for larger companies, he added that everyone should have opportunities to work and be paid. He emphasized his support of small and medium businesses in order to provide the growth needed to benefit Jamaicans at all economic levels. Phillips also conveyed his plans to change the education system for the better and to promote family issues.
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, SLATED TO TESTIFY IS KILLED—8/23/05
Shortly after residents saw two men running from the Boscobel Primary School, they found the dead body of principal Manning Marsh lying in a pool of blood. Marsh, who was principal at the school for 25 years, was to serve as a witness for the prosecution in a murder case, which possibly resulted in his murder. A search was organized by police but the killer or killers were not found. Teachers have reacted with considerable dismay and surprise, while residents say he had received numerous death threats in letters and phone calls, all of which had been reported to police. Marsh was at the school conducting registration for the new school year.
JAMAICA TO BUY OIL FROM VENEZUELA—8/24/05
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez met with Prime Minister P.J. Patterson in Montego Bay on Tuesday and finalized an agreement between the two countries regarding the sale of oil to Jamaica at a reduced cost. The agreement was first signed in June of this year, but was finalized at the meetings this week. Depending on the US price per barrel, Jamaica will receive a discount off that given price, with a grace period for repaying the subsidy. Security was especially tight following televangelist Pat Robertson’s call for Chavez’ assassination, a statement he later apologized for making.
JAMAICA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY RECOVERS PORTION OF CLAIM—8/25/05
The Office of Utilities Regulation approved the recovery of $458 million by the JPS through billing its customers, a loss sustained following damage by Hurricane Ivan. The amount approved is one-third the amount requested by the JPS. Their $1.5 billion damage claim resulted from the lack of insurance coverage available for the country’s transmission and distribution systems. Company officials now warn the viability of the company may be threatened. The storm caused damage to power lines, utility poles and the infrastructure of the power system throughout the country. A self-insurance fund that was created last year and financed by a two percent tariff increase had not built up enough money to offset these losses.
JLP LEADS PROTEST OVER RATE INCREASES--8/26/05
The Jamaica Labour Party led a protest regarding increases instituted by the Jamaica Public Service Company saying the hikes are not justified. According to a protester, JPS made plenty of profit in the past quarter, making the increase in rates look as if they are being incorporated due to JPS’ parent company filing bankruptcy. The JLP is urging customers to not pay the increase or their power bills until an investigation is started into the billing practices. A JPS spokesperson commented that if bills are not paid on time, the power supply will be cut off. According to JPS, oil costs have been behind the increases.
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SPORTS
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WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM HAS ONE GOAL—8/21/05
The national female volleyball team has one reason for traveling this week to the Dominican Republic---qualifying for the World Volleyball Championships to be held in Japan next year. This is the second round of qualifying for the women, who will compete as one of five teams who all seek the spot. Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Guatemala all hope to move forward to the next rounds, Jamaica’s team needs to defeat two contenders in order to go on to the championships, a feat their coach is confident they can achieve. While experience against their competitors is slim, they have studied tape and feel they are well-prepared to best the two needed rivals in order to further their goal. Games will be held Wednesday and Saturday.
VERONICA CAMPBELL WINS AGAIN—8/22/05
Once again Olympic gold medalist sprinter has brought home a victory with a 10.89 second run in the 100 meter held at the British Grand Prix. Jamaican runners Aleen Bailey and Sherone Simpson placed sixth and seventh respectively, in the same race. Campbell felt good about the win, expressing her wish that she was in as good form at the recently held World Championships in Helsinki. In the 200 meter race, her rival Allyson Felix won comfortably, with Campbell placing second.
WORLD’S NUMBER ONE SPRINTER: CAMPBELL—8/25/05
Olympic champion Veronica Campbell is now ranked the world’s number one sprinter according to the IAAF rankings released this week. Her personal best performance in Zurich last Friday helped her rise above competitor Christine Arron of France for the top of the 100 meter rankings. In the 200 meter, Campbell has slipped from the number one spot after her fourth place finish at the World Championships in Helsinki. American Allyson Felix has taken over that spot. Jamaican Asafa Powell is at the top of the standings for the men’s 100 meter ranking.
SHELTON DENIED WORK PERMIT—8/26/05
Luton Shelton will have to put his desire to play for Burnley, the English Championship division team, on hold. He was denied a work permit by Great Britain’s Home Office on Thursday. Steve Cotterill, Burnley’s manager, formed a favorable impression of Shelton. Shelton hoped to join the club, already four games into their season, but his problem lies in the fact that he is below the 75% participation requirement for a two-season period in Jamaica’s matches that is stipulated by the U.K. Overseas Labour Service. Shelton’s agent has advised him to keep playing for the National Premier League until he can reapply in January.
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CREDITS/SOURCES
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The weekly news is compilation of new articles from top Caribbean and Jamaican news sources.
