THE EDITOR:
THE recent public attacks on FIFA Vice-President and Special Advisor to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, Jack Warner, were both unprecedented and unwarranted.

In fact, it reeks of latent discrimination and I am appealing to the powers-that-be to cease and desist this attempt.

The questioning and subsequent objection to Warner’s ownership of Simpaul’s Travel Agency and its exclusive right to sell World Cup tickets in Trinidad and Tobago and throughout the West Indies is not only a virulent attack on his person, but represents the tip of a wider conspiracy designed to keep certain people down.

This act on Warner’s part was not only a prudent business decision, but it demonstrates the ingenuity of a simple man trying to make it in a rough world, a world that is at times prejudiced against him.

This is one such occasion.

The entire negotiations were conducted above board and to insinuate ulterior motives is to impugn the character and integrity of a man who has already given much to this country.

Why should people question those motives?

Is it because he is a man of colour?

Those who draw their guns at Warner should investigate why banks and other financial institutions recommend particular legal firms (thereby keeping business within particular clique) when conducting negotiations for mortgages and other major financial transactions.

They should also investigate why TSTT was allowed to operate in a monopolistic environment for so long and why Spectacular Promotions were criticised for operating Carnival shows on the foreshore.

Now we have Marriot and MovieTowne in the same location and not a word from detractors.

It seems in this country, justice and fair play vary from race to race and from class to class.

What is good for one should be good for all and in this case, Warner, a simple Black man is trying to make it in legitimate business.

Why then should the issue of monopoly of the sale of World Cup tickets be controversial?

If it wasn’t for Jack Warner, this country would never have made it to the World Cup.

If he sees an opportunity to enhance his portfolio while providing a service, I believe that he should be given the chance to utilise this moment and make the best of it.

Fair is fair.

Why don’t these said people investigate all the other monopolies that exist within this country before they offer Warner up as a sacrificial lamb?

THE EDITOR:
MAYOR Murchison’s New Year exhortation is to my mind the epitome of evasion of responsibility on the part of his government.

He claims that there is too much finger pointing at those in authority and exhorts us to take civic pride in our country.

At whom would you have us point our fingers, Sir, if not those delegated the job? -- ourselves perhaps for putting, and keeping, them there!

Pride in what Murchison?

A crime toll that is rivalling that of Columbia and Jamaica and all the tall stories that Manning has promised us while the flooding problem endemic to Central (and now nearly everywhere else!) is cited as one of the reasons for a request for a change of venue for a murder trial!

If this be the case, why is Manning spending millions on a sports stadium/tsunami shelter in South before addressing that problem?

Manning’s tall buildings (in North) would, of course, make his surveillance and camera free eyes in the sky more obsolete than they were from inception, falsely touted as the latest and hottest equipment (after SAUTT, or whatever it is called) being put into the fight against crime.

Now that that blatant dishonesty and contempt for the taxpayers $3 million has been unveiled, no one is expecting anything more from the blimp/blimps, beyond further exorbitant expenditure of our hard earned money while the nation goes to pot.

Now, rumour has it that we are going to have Israeli combat helicopters added to the arsenal of “tools”, obviously in the fight against crime since we are not “at war” with anyone else!

Where are the FBI and Scotland Yard in all of this?

Further, how can anyone be expected to exhibit civic pride in a Fire Services still replete with non-functional defective or deficient equipment, a Police Force with morale at its lowest ebb and an abysmal record of crime detection, an unacceptable number living in abject poverty and a government that insists they are succeeding when they have clearly failed, with corruption (present, not past) viewed as a serious problem both locally and internationally?

We have been fed the rhetoric that Opposition’s non co-operation was the fly in the ointment in the fight against crime.

Since passage of the famous “no bail” legislation (on which a small fortune was expended in advertising earlier) things have gotten worse instead of better.

It’s as though the criminals are taunting and mocking the powers-that-be -- who maintain a deafening silence!

The citizens meanwhile sink deeper and deeper into despair and, like most people suffering from depression, seem to have lost their initiative, while crime makes deeper and deeper inroads into society.

Carnival may be in the air but 2006 is a decisive year for our nation, if we ever intend to be able to exhibit civic pride, hold our heads high in the Caribbean again and enjoy the fruits of our labour.

The People’s National Movement (PNM’s) greatest effort during their present administration has undoubtedly been expended in attempting to nail the Opposition to the cross -- not yet achieved by any means.

The situation that now exists is that those in authority (from prime minister down) must be held accountable and exhibit control over an ever deteriorating situation -- or we make the decision to remove them.

We cannot afford to continue to just “hope” that things are going to improve after four years of continual decline.

God helps those that help themselves and we too have to accept that responsibility, for the sake of our children and our land, if not ourselves.

THE EDITOR:
AS the parliamentary representative for Nariva, I make an appeal to the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) not to suspend the pipe-laying project aimed at providing pipe-borne water to the thousands of residents of Biche, Ecclesville and Plum Mitan.

The pipe-laying project is now threatened by a small group of persons protesting for job opportunities on the project.

While I understand the concerns of this small group, nothing should be done to prevent the thousands of citizens of Biche, Ecclesville and Plum Mitan from getting a pipe-borne water supply.

I hope this is not a conspiracy to delay or abandon the pipe-laying project by this small group of people led by a known PNM activist.

Since 1996, I have been making representations to WASA and the Ministry of Public Utilities, both under the United National Congress (UNC) and People’s National Movement (PNM), to provide a pipe-borne service to Biche, Ecclesville and Plum Mitan.

Early last year, following a tour by Public Utilities Minister, Pennelope Beckles, WASA agreed to provide pipe-borne water to these affected areas.

I am fully aware of the pain and suffering of the people of Biche, Ecclesville and Plum Mitan who have no water during the dry season.

They depend on the rivers, ponds and springs for water.

In Plum Mitan, residents line up for hours to get one bucket of water from the only spring in the area.

After 10 years of persistent demands for water, I believe it will be unfair to the residents of Biche, Ecclesville and Plum Mitan for WASA to suspend the project.

These people suffered tremendous disadvantage and inconvenience due to the lack of water particularly in the dry season.

I urge WASA to call in the police to deal with those who are intent to disrupt the project, but please do not suspend this vital and important pipe-laying water project.

THE EDITOR:
LESS than three weeks ago (December 21, 2005) the body of Nigel Allen was found at Diamond Village Claxton Bay.

Again, on January 5, 2006, another body, that of Samdaye Rampersad, was found not far from where Nigel Allen was found.

Is this a new trend?

What is happening to Claxton bay?

Why aren’t the authorities doing something?

Conduct intense searches Mister Minister.

Everyone in Diamond Village has guns.

Don’t wait on the national football team to do someone else’s job. Footballers are to play football, not to fight crime!

You really think if a footballer approaches someone and asks whether they have a gun, they will run and bring it for them?

Think again, that only happens in the movies!

Where are the police?

Why aren’t they doing their jobs and finding the “gunmen” themselves? Have we run out of options, of resources that we now have to send innocent footballers to do a policeman’s job or are we waiting for yet another murder in Claxton Bay before something is done?

Commissioner Trevor Paul and Minister Martin Joseph if you cannot connect the dots, get someone who is capable, step down, don’t waste precious time.

People are dying, lives are being lost, and families are being broken down!

What about the after effect?

Are we taking that into consideration, people who lost their loved ones are now seeking revenge?

Claxton Bay is not a safe place anymore, it is fast becoming the graveyard for murderers to bury their victims!

We want police patrol 24 hours, seven days a week.

We the people of Claxton Bay want to feel comfortable again to walk our property without wondering what or who may be buried there.

We need protection from the persons who see fit to use our village as a burial ground for their misdeeds!

Help us minister, protect our little village and the people in it!