Fi Wi Concerns 20160418 - Michael Spence

GCT

According to news reports Jamaicans could see an increase in general consumption tax (GCT) and or be required to pay taxes on items now zero rated as the Andrew Holness administration projects to collect $16 billion more in GCT for the new financial year. Regarding the General Consumption Tax (GCT) now at 16.5 %, I hope will be lowered to a round figure like 10% easy to calculate then put it on all things in sight exempting only books just to keep education and that dying industry alive. If there is concern about the politics of poverty and love for the poor just sell the idea as a partner plan where every citizen should contribute to this partner and you get your draw when your child goes to school, when you call the police, when you drive or walk on the road or when you access any services is provided by from your GCT and other tax dollar. I guarantee you would collect more GCT due to increased buying, selling and production. As a matter of common sense dictates that every cent of that tax forgone from that $1.5 million threshold would be back in government coffers faster than you can think because more money in circulation mean more GCT everybody happy. I would like to hear from an actuary or actuaries out there to provide some kind of enlightenment us on this matter. We do not need to hear any more arguments from partisan people or book bright Tax and Borrow Economists.15/04/16

Slow Learners

There are persons in the society who want Government to put an end to streaming, a process wherein students are placed in a class based on their 'presumed' capabilities. Slow learners in a class tend to slow down the progress of fast learners and make life harder for a teacher to accomplish the relevant curricula, so what do you do? Put speed bumps on the highway to slow down the faster cars so that the slow cars look like they are up to par? No, you fix up the slow cars that they can keep up with the pace. In the case of students if they are streamed special arrangements can be made with special teachers who would target the challenges fix that then when they are up to par transferred appropriately.15/04/16

Those Murders

Last year 2015 the number of murders recorded by the police stood at 1,207, which was 202, more than the 1,005 reported the previous year. What is the figure for those missing because criminals are very creative getting rid of bodies without a trace. For example are the St Ann’s Bay police still trying to locate a family of four who went missing since November 2015 after their house was destroyed by fire? Fifty-seven-year-old Joseph Lynch, 43-year-old Lascelle Lynch, 50-year-old Ruth Lawrence, and seven-year-old Rimeka Haynes, all of Authurs Mount, Lime Hall, St Ann. recommend that the numbers of missing annually must be published alongside the murder figures to give a more holistic view.14/04/16

It’s a long time the tables have not turned where it is the criminal/duppy running and hiding even in a church perhaps looking for Divine intervention. The intensity must be sustained where decent people are not running, hiding, traumatized and cowering in fear. We must stop pet and powder criminals in Jamaica we must bring them in or bring them down from Morant point to Negril point.14/04/16

Mr. Bunting? 

Did Former National Security Minister Peter Bunting exceed his authority when he issued a certificate in January this year that shielded members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) from prosecution for the use of mortars in Tivoli during the May 2010 operation.  Is this form of demonstrating government against justice, the people and the constitution? What a pity as he hopes to be Prime Minister one day the top man is that an example of top behaviour? Well Mr.  Do you recall the second state of emergency in Jamaica's history June 20,1976 to end of February 1977 or Green Bay atrocities in January 1978 where 10 men promised jobs were lured to that area of Helshire 5 of them shot dead by our/their own Jamaica Defence Force soldiers. It is possible that some of those architects are even revered today. Could it be that what Mr. Bunting has done is mild in comparison and is on his way to be revered one day? 13/04/16

That Coconut Oil 

Amazing isn’t it? The once vilified COCONUT OIL is now taking centre stage in helping with Alzheimer's disease also called brain diabetes, dementia and general improvement in brain function. Guess what there is now difficulty getting adequate supplies of coconut oil at a reasonable price and it could get worse as global demand increases. I stick with boiled oil as this is the old tradition don't know what the scientists are saying about that one. COCONUT OIL has a specific smell but I notice some in retail establishments have no smell for me that's not it. Check IT. 12/04/16

I sympathize with both sides of this story and needs immediate intervention as the environment and the law has to be taken seriously. In all of this though it is Jamaica that is suffering in all of this losing and have lost millions of hard currency and if we recall that society is a whole individuals ,families, communities and the attendant problems that arise like crime and other social ills. Therein lay the problems. 09/04/16

King Sugar Dethroned?

One challenge in saving King Sugar from being totally dethroned is that most drinks, ice cream, pharmaceuticals and pastry on the market use sweeteners to keep down prices so we consume them unknowingly. Let us say therefore we do not knowingly consume artificial sweeteners and what the package says I know does not lie in many cases that sugar added but many use a blend. The ones that are very clear are the very sweet items that say "no sugar added" they may as well say "artificial sweeteners added" but that would not be creative marketing. To save oneself a little self help is good make your own daily drinks from in season fruits /vegetables and travel with them in a small cooler save money and save your health.09/04/16

Michael Spence 

        

Support Vernon Derby To Support The People

Satisfying Year Helping Others

Last year was another year that I was able to use my time and talent to assist others. In helping others I found out that I was helping myself also. I have my own problems but when I see the other problems others are facing I gave thanks my small ones. I used the social pages, radio and other media to help many who are having challenges. Sometimes I wonder how much more I could have achieved if I had funding and the support of more persons. One supporter has suggested that I set up a Foundation which could assist to cover the cost of helping others.

Over 5000 Emails and Text Messages Last Year

In 2015, approximately 5000 text messages, emails, and numerous calls were dealt with in helping others. The messages kept coming even during the Christmas holidays.

During an outside broadcast with my producer Antoinette Shakespeare-Dubidad.

Organizations Benefited

Many organizations worked with me to deal with some dificult challenges that they were facing. I also assisted them in achieving some of their objectives.

Lady Prevented From Committing Suicide

There are numerous others things that I have been able to deal with such as assisting to organize persons to get their roads fixed, getting broken NWC mains fixed, getting street lights replaced and making contact with MPs to have them give us information about the challenges in their constituencies.

One lady told me that because of something that I highighted,, she had her busband check with the doctor and that action probably saved his life. I can't forget that lady who text me and told me that she was feeling depressed and that she was about to commit suicide. With the help of the police and persons from Bellview that suicide was prevented.

Guest Speaker at a Lions Club meeting.

Helping Workers

I have been able to assist workers who were having challenges with management and I believe that my intervention helped to prevent unrest at these work places.

Bullying

There are the sad stories of for example, the child who was constantly being bullied at school and his problems being ignored by the teachers and administration at the school. I worked hard to get him transfered to another school and he is now doing better.

The Influence Is Growing

One person said to me that she threated a business man that she was going to report a matter to me and the business man had the matter resolved immediately.

We really need to have a powerful organization which can stand up and defend citizens and consumers. My supporters have suggested that now is the time that form that organization. Your help and support will be needed.

I also felt honoured when I was asked by Cabinet Office to act as a Judge for the Public Sector Customer Service Competition last year.

I Need Your Continued Support

You can give your support by inviting at least twenty of your friends to like my PAGE and also to join my group of supporters by clicking on SUPPORTERS.

All the best for 2016. I love you all. Walk Gook.

With Kelly Tomlin before heading to Goat Islant

With International Singer and former member of the backing group for Bob Marley , Marcia Griffits

American Ambassor Moreno.

Michael Penix on the left and Chief US Consular Officer Mike Shimmel on the right.

Electricity Theft Arrests Now at 304 since start of 2015

JPS is reporting that operations carried out in collaboration with members of the security forces, has resulted in the arrest of 304 persons for the illegal abstraction of electricity - since the start of the year, to July 15.  JPS crews have also pulled down 9,512 throw-up lines for the same period. 

This, as crews have been relentlessy pursuing the perpetrators of electricity theft.  On Tuesday July 14, the teams’ latest move saw the St. Catherine community of Windsor Heights in Central Village, being rid of 850 throw-up lines.  One man was arrested, but several others fled from their residences to avoid being associated with the illegal connections. 

On June 30, nine persons were brought before the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate’s Court, for the illegal abstraction of electricity.  Six of them pleaded guilty and were fined an average of $150,000 each or six months in prison.  Following that, on July 1, five persons were brought before the Linstead Resident Magistrate’s Court, with the same charge.  Four pleaded guilty and were also fined an average of $150,000 each. 

JPS is reminding non-paying users of electricity, that regularization is a straight forward process.  The Company is also anticipating that its Community Renewal programme in 7 communities in Kingston, will assist in creating sustained regularization, through public education and practical assistance (such as house wiring), among other measures.  

When Honesty Does Not Pay - Vernon Derby

JPSCo Charge

Now we know, the honest ones pay for the dishonest ones. It really does not pay to be honest. Look out for the the Eletricity Efficiency Improvement Fund - EEIF which is the line item charge you will see on your April JPS bill.