Jamaica’s inner city communities are plagued with many problems. Many believe that the root of the troubles stem from the ‘gang leaders’ and ‘Dons’ that control these communities. These persons ‘run things’. Even though most of them work nowhere and have no businesses they are the ones that help the members of the community. With what, you ask, and at what price?
Daily we hear the cries of the residents for more job opportunities, better road conditions, safer and more reliable transportation, more educational and recreational facilities and overall protection from crime and violence. But how do you help someone when they are the very ones blocking any form of progress.

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Yesterday, October 30, 2005 the security forces shot and killed Donovan ‘Bulbie’ Bennett, Jamaica’s most wanted man. Bennett the leader of the ‘Clansman’ gang of Spanish Town, St. Catherine has been on the police most wanted list for over 10 years. Also shot and killed is Bennett’s driver known only as Nathan.
The two were killed in a joint police military operation outside the Clarendon community Tanaky near Rock River.
Based on intelligence that the gang leader and other criminals were hiding at the premises in Tanaky District the security forces conducted a raid at 5:00am Sunday morning. Reports are that on their approach they were fired on and a shoot-out ensued. Both Bennett and Nathan were shot and killed.

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Broadgate, St. Mary

Yesterday my husband and I were invited to the country by friends. It was one of ‘the guys’ birthday, not that we need an excuse to get together and enjoy good food and fellowship. So after doing our regular Saturday chores we headed out about midday.
Our destination was Ensfield, St. Mary. We drove via Stony Hill, pass New Castle and through Junction. The view on route was simple breathtaking. It was as if the rains had washed the earth clean and bright.

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Sunday October 23, 2005
 On Thursday night three men drove up to a Greenwich Town Bar on First Street, Newport West, pulled out guns and held up the patrons. They then wanted to know who owned a car parked outside the bar. One of the gunmen then stabbed the car owner in the stomach and took his car keys. They then abducted three young women in there twenties and drove off. The women were taken to an area beyond the Tinson Pen Aerodrome where they were joined by other men and boys some as young as 10 years old. The gang of men proceeded to beat, rape and shoot the women then threw their bodies into the sewage main. Miraculously one of the women survived and lived to tell the horrific encounter. The man who was stabbed in the stomach is in hospital in critical condition.
 ‘To hang or not to hang’, that is the debate now on in Jamaica. The European Union (EU) urges Jamaica to abolish the death penalty immediately. The Government wants to initiate further discussions with the opposition to get a bi-partisan consensus on resuming hanging. Most of the Jamaican public feels it’s the only way to send a meaningful message to the criminals. There should be dire consequences to their actions.

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Quadrille Dancing at Heritagefest

Heritagefest was held at the Ranny Williams Center in Kingston on Sunday, October 23, 2005. It was originally to be held on Heroes weekend, however, due to heavy rains the event was postponed.

Heritagefest is a showcase of Jamaica's heritage. There was drama celebrating the lives of our National Heroes, Jamaican music, dance, food and much more. Showcased during the celebration were Maroon dancers, demonstrations of cooking techniques and 'old time' appliances and utensils such as tinning lamps and coal irons.

To view more pictures that show a bit of our culture, our foods and 'old time' things Jamaican visit Jamaican Culture Photos.

Today Father Richard Holung and the Missionaries of the Corpus Christi premises at 3 North Street, downtown Kingston are in morning. Two of their brothers’ young trainee priests Suresh Barwa from India and Marco Laspuna from the Philippines were shot and killed.
Reports are that a single bullet hit both men in the head passing first through one then the other as they stood in the kitchen cleaning up after supper. One priest died on the spot while the other died later in hospital. The bullet came from beyond the walls surrounding the grounds and through the kitchen window.

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Officially we are still in the hurricane season. Usually by this time the hurricane kits are packed away. Not so this year. It’s the end of October and still we must comb the weather channels and web sites to see what’s new on the horizon. We have completed the normal alphabet and are now on to Greek alphabet.
The hurricane season started 01st June. Since then the island has been suffering from continuous bad weather. Although we have so far been spared a direct hit we have felt the fury of several of these hurricanes. The heavy rainfalls from these systems have left the earth so waterlogged that even a drizzle can prove fatal at this time.

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Yesterday October 25, 2005 the Prime Minister P. J. Patterson disclosed in Parliament plans to eventually close two of the five Government owned sugar plants, Long Pond and Bernard Lodge. This decision is based on the pending cuts in sugar prices proposed by the European Union (EU) on sugar imported from Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries over the next four years. About 4000 sugar workers will be affected.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the closure will be done on a phased basis starting next year 2006. The Government also indicated plans to introduce suitable alternatives. Steps are to be taken to establish training programs to retrain workers. Job opportunities are expected to be created from the expansion of the tourism sector, the introduction of the production of ethanol as a substitute for chemical MTBE in gasoline and the increased production of molasses for rum manufacture.

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As the crime situation continues to deteriorate in Jamaica the incidents of abduction, rape and murders seem to have become the order of the day. Not only have these monsters targeted our women but incidents of attacks on our children have also escalated. No, this is not new however the frequency is very alarming.
Early July 2005, Shanna-Kay Legister, 9, and Sheneka Shakes, 8, both grade three students of the Town Head Primary School, were found in canfields a mile apart, a day after they went missing. The girls had been both been abducted, raped and murdered.

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Sunday October 16, 2005
Rain, Rain and more rain has caused the cancellation of most outdoor activities planned to celebrate Heroes Weekend across Jamaica. However, Tempo’s combined Caribbean Rising II show braved the rains and gave patrons a treat at James Bond Beach, Oracabessa, St. Mary.

Monday October 17, 2005
*Jamaica’s National Heroes Days. and once again most outdoor activities cancelled as a result of the persistent rains from a system southwest of Montego Bay.

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