Tuesday, August 21st, 2007...8:55 am
Gleaner hurricane news, Tuesday August 21
Election postponed
Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall is expected today to announce a new date for the holding of the general election, following the unanimous recommendation by the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) yesterday, to postpone the August 27 poll.
Prime Minister of Jamaica defends emergency call
The State of public emergency declared by Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall on the advice of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller might be shortlived if electricity is restored before the end of the week.
EDITORIAL - Lift the State of Emergency now
We must express serious concern with the undue haste with which the Government has declared a period of public emergency. The decision to advise the Governor-General to make such a proclamation was made without consultation with the leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). We believe that a step of such enormous magnitude in the midst of a fiercely contested general election required some consultation. The Prime Minister’s justification for taking this step is presented after the fact and is completely unconvincing.
Canadian, US embassies suspend activities
The Canadian High Commission and the United States Embassy have suspended their services owing to Hurricane Dean.
The west all but escaped - Minimal damage to homes, farms
Except for damage to plant life and low-income homes, Hurricane Dean passed through western Jamaica on Sunday night without leaving behind the type of destruction many persons had feared.
One lane of road to airport cleared
OWING to extensive damage to the Palisadoes main road, in Kingston, caused by the onslaught of Hurricane Dean, only one lane of the highway leading to the Norman Manley International Airport was cleared up to press time last night.
Clean-up under way in Jamaica
The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) began cleaning up the Corporate Area and major towns across the island yesterday in the aftermath of Hurricane Dean, which battered the island on Sunday into Monday morning.
It could take weeks - JPS
Most of the country remained without electricity and water yesterday, following Hurricane Dean, which wreaked havoc upon the island, on Sunday.
Islandwide road update
An early assessment regarding the island’s road network shows that many have been blocked by fallen trees, utility poles and other debris. Yesterday, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management reported that the following roads were blocked:
Crime dampened during ‘Dean’
THE RISE in crime that usually accompanies a natural disaster did not materialise during the passage of Hurricane Dean, according to the police.
Courts overruled by ‘Dean’
With Hurricane Dean battering the island on Sunday, several persons who turned up yesterday to hear their cases in the various courts sitting in St. Catherine, were told to return later this week as none of the courts were in session.
No ‘Olive’ branch from ‘Dean’ - Tamarind Tree family stripped of possessions
Six-year-old Sarah Johnson was looking forward to attending the Gordon Town All-Age School for the first time when school re-opens September 3, but now her books and bag for the new term have all been destroyed.
Man dies in stormy accident
Hurricane Dean has reportedly claimed the life of at least one person in Manchester.
‘Dean’ takes down hospital fence - Staff afraid to walk grounds
The perimeter fence at the Spanish Town hospital was torn down by the heavy winds associated with Hurricane Dean on Sunday, leaving hospital staff scared to walk the compound to carry out their duties.
Massive numbers in St Ann shelters
Strong winds and heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Dean forced almost 1,000 residents of St. Ann to seek refuge in the 25 shelters now in operation across the parish.
Farmers hit hard
While it is too early to determine the extent of the loss suffered by the island’s agricultural sector, following the passage of Hurricane Dean, farmers will need substantial aid to recover.
Registration centres to open islandwide today
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security will today open registration centres across the island for persons affected by Hurricane Dean.
‘Dean’ destroys Rodney’s Arm
SCORES OF curious onlookers turned up along the Port Henderson Road in Portmore, St. Catherine, yesterday, not for the usual fish, lobster and other goodies usually on offer, but rather to see the devastation of Rodney’s Arm, a popular dining and entertainment location.
Mixed bag at Sabina Park - North stand fends off ‘Dean’ - Kingston club bowled over
The historic Kingston Cricket Club, located at Sabina Park, in central Kingston, had its entire roof destroyed by Hurricane Dean, on Sunday.
… Trelawny stadium stands up
While the uprooted trees to the side showed signs of the impact of the hurricane, except for a few broken decorative lights, the US$30 Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium in Falmouth was left unscathed by Hurricane Dean.
4 Comments
August 21st, 2007 at 11:49 am
I totally think that being that parliament was dissolved for the upcoming general elections, it is wrong for the PNP Minister to recommend to the Governor General to postpone the elections.
This arrangement should have been discussed with all elligible candidates of all parties and their leaders. We definately not changing no course.
Jamaica needed showers to purge some of the corruption on the land. I believe that amidst the loss of material things (personal property, houses, crops, etc) that majority of Jamaicans have decided to that Bruce will be the Prime Minister of Jamaica for the remainder of the year and for a couple of years.
I would like for the Electorial Office, Polictial Ombudsman, Governor General and other key personel, to make it known and to make it an offence that trying to distribute aid for damages from Dean to secure votes or use public funds to the advantage to benefit only those who are affiliated with the PNP and trying to intimidate and violate the rights of others who definatelty need a change in government. This is an illegal practice which many have know that the PNP wins elections on the distribution of public funds for votes.
Finally, I wish all Jamaicans who are registered to vote will go out and vote this election. No one have to really know who you are voting for. We can all wear colors that are not assigned to any particular party.
August 21st, 2007 at 2:18 pm
I will definitely miss Rodney’s Arms.I have had some good times at this establishment. Memories by the score.Wishing the owners the best.
August 21st, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Excellent editorial on the part of the Gleaner with respect to the State of Emergency.KUDOS GLEANER!!
August 21st, 2007 at 2:24 pm
How can you trust someone to run your country or lead and or take you forward in to the future that don’t even know himself where he stands on policies and or what ever. I mean, was it not him who is now the leader of the JLP, that went away to form another party, which means that he was totally against the JLP and PNP, now he comes back which I take it, that he is totally against the PNP and the UDM, where does this man stand.
When it was him that started the other party. what does this man believe in, how can I put my future in his hand. Time and time again we see this evil happen in the white man’s land and they call it democrocy, yes it is, but for selected few and friends that are close to them.
Which policy will he stand on PNP, JLP, UDM or who ever, when will he change is mind or course if you like, on what he is. Be seareous, because for years many people have died because of these parties, was it all in vain, are men just seeking power and fame, does not the people who you stand for means nothing to you, all your political life what have you been fighting for. Next thing you gonna tell me that you’re PNP, (see), how are we to know what you are, you taken people life for joke.
How can I trust you. (I say), go away and come back with someone that knows where he/she stands, live and die for, because Jamaica means a lot to you. not because I am PNP or JLP but because your plight means a lot to me, that’s why I stand for what is right, for you Jamaican of many colours.
And to end this, when will you sell Jamaica out to forces out side of Jamaica, for you knows not what you do. You saw what happen when Jamaica refuse outside power to intervien in our country back in the seventies, am sure you remember.
ps people knows not themself, cannot be a good leader
pps I don’t expect anyone in Jamaica to take those view as sereous, but some of us are in pain here and still crying and dying because of those things they call JLP, PNP, UDM.
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