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THIS WEEKS NEW SUMMARY
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TOURISM ADVERTISING SPENDING INCREASED
One-point-six billion dollars has been allocated to the JTB for spending this year nearly the same amount spent by the agency during the just ended 2002 to 2003 financial year. The allocation represents an increase over the 962 million dollars spent on advertising by the Jamaica Tourist Board, JTB, during the last financial year. The money will be used to carry out destination advertising on cable television, in newspapers, trade and consumer magazines as well as for the production of advertising material. Despite the fall out in visitor arrival associated with the war in the middle east and a weak US economy , the Government is projecting a four percent increase in gross earnings this financial year. The 2003 to 2004 Estimates of Expenditure says the sector is expecting to earn one-point-two billion dollars or a (3.8 %) three-point-eight percent more than was collected last year. Total visitor arrivals are projected to be in the region of two-point-two million representing an eight percent increase over the figure reported in 2002 to 2003.
JAMAICA COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME SLASHED
In a bid to keep within the limits of what is being described as Jamaica lean budget for 2003-2004, Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies has abandoned the “lift up Jamaica” programme. “There is no explicit provision for it,”Dr. Davies said in response to questions raised in parliament by Olivia “Babsy” Grange, the JLP MP. Dr. Davies said that approved projects, which were carried over from last year would be funded but left little doubt that the “Lift-Up Jamaica” programme was one of the casualties of sharp budget cuts. Prime Minister P.J. Patterson launched the Lift-Up Jamaica programme in 1999 to restore the social and physical infrastructure of communities throughout Jamaica. The programme provide employment for well over 40,000 Jamaicans. The cut in funds will drastically limit the completion of 480 projects scattered across the country.
THREE FOUND GUILTY IN PLAYFAIR MURDER
The three persons accused of the murder of 60 year old attorney-at-law Shirley Playfair have been found guilty. A 12 member mixed jury deliberated for three hours and 40 minutes before handing down its verdict on the evening of Wednesday April 15, 2003. On trial were 42 year old Annette Livingston who was Mrs. Playfair’s secretary for 17 years, 48 year old taxi operator Ashley Rickets and 25 year old Ramon Drysdale. At the trial prosecutors led evidence that Mrs. Livingston plotted the murder of her employer. The prosecution further claimed that Mr. Drysdale and another man Dwayne Williams entered Mrs. Playfair’s office on April 13 2000 and cut her throat. Mr. Ricketts is accused of driving the men to and from the murder scene, while Mr. Williams escaped custody last year and is now on the run. Presiding Judge Kay Beckford is expected to hand down a life imprisonment sentence for non-capital murder for the three later this afternoon.
2 DIE TRAGICALLY DURING HEAVY RAINS
General manager of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), was one of the two persons who died in a tragic accident in the Cassia Park Gully, St Andrew. On the afternoon of Saturday April 5, 2003. Mrs. Gray and Lawson E. Calderon, a consultant to the SAJ from castries St. Lucia, were travelling together in her Honda Civic motor car when heavy afternoon showers swept away the vehicle in the gully. Mrs. Gray had returned to the island last Thursday after being away on business in the eastern caribbean. The double tragedy has left colleagues at the SAJ still trying to come to grips with the loss. Mrs Gray was the first female general manager of the 64-year-old SAJ and was formerly the executive director of the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA).
BIRD POPULATION TO BE CHECKED FOR WEST NILE VIRUS
In an effort to ensure that the lethal West Nile Virus has not reached the island, Health Minister, John Junor, disclosed that further tests will be done on the local bird population in the new few weeks. Experts from overseas will conduct these tests.
JAMAICAN-BORN MARINE TO BE BURIED IN JAMAICA
Twenty Two year old, Jamaican born, Corpral Bernard Gooden who was killed in an ambush in Iraq, will be buried in White Cane, St. Ann, Jamaica some time in late April. He will receive full U.S. military honors.
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SPORTS
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JUNIOR BOYZ GO DOWN 3-0 TO US
Jamaica’s under 17 footballers lost again to their United States counterparts. In the final game of their three match practice series in Florida. The Junior Reggae Boyz went down 3-0. The Jamaicans who were beaten 4-0 and 5-0 in the previous games, used the series to prepare for Sunday’s first leg of their CONCACAF World under 17 qualifying playoff against Mexico at the Tony Spaulding complex.
BOYS AND GIRLS CHAMPS 2003
HOLMWOOD TECHNICAL High’s girls and Kingston College’s boys took the major titles at the 2003 Boys and Girls Championships at the National Stadium for 2003. In a historic win Holmwood, out of Christiana in Manchester, coached by Maurice Wilson, captured the prestigious title for the first time holding off a persistent challenge from St. Jago High throughout the four-day meet. The new champions had amassed 258 points, 34.5 clear of St. Jago on 223.5. Edwin Allen 177, defending champions Vere Technical 168.5 and St. Andrew High 135 completed the top five. The boys from north street who took charge of the boys’ race from the second day were winning their third such title in as many years. Jamaica college, St Jago and Calabar finished well behind the overwhelming favourites. The final day of the championships was highlighted by two magical record runs by World Junior Champion at 200metres, gold medallist Usain Bolt. The young 16 year old star representing William Knibb High school, won the 200m in a record time of 20.25 and the 400 m in 45.35. This was the first sub 46′ 400m in the history of Jamaica’s boys championships.
BARBADOS WINS THE CARIB BEER SHIELD
The best in the Caribbean, Cup champions Barbados created history Sunday after crushing Jamaica by seven wickets in the final of the Carib Beer International Challenge for 2003. Set just 35 for victory following another capitulation by Jamaica, Coutney Browne’s ruthless combination of experience and youth triumphed in 7.1 overs, twenty minutes after lunch on the fourth and final day at the Kensington Oval. Starting the day on 166 for three in their second innings, still needing 19 more runs to avoid an innings defeat, Jamaica scored freely in the first 25 minutes before losing their last seven wickets for 32 runs in 18 overs as they were fired out by blistering pace for 219. Leon Garrick, who resumed on 56, made 75 to follow his opening partner Parchment’s topscore of 82 on Saturday. West Indies fast bowler Vasbert Drakes was the top wicket-taker with three for 44. Jamaica captain Robert Samuels was gracious in defeat, saying Barbados displayed more professionalism throughout. Samuels said Jamaica’s undoing was a result of indifferent batting.
JAMAICA ALIVE IN THE 2003 DAVIS CUP
Jamaica stretched their winning run to three matches when they defeated Guatemala to end the first round of their American Zone Group 3 Davis Cup tennis play-offs with a 100 per cent record at the Jean Pierre Complex on Wednesday. With Dustin Brown and Ryan Russell, two players with Grand Slam junior play experience, Jamaica topped Guatemala 2-1 in their latest tie. For Jamaica, Brown was beaten 6-4, 7-6 by Jorge Tejada and Russell levelled with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Cristian Paiz in the singles. Brown and Russell teamed to land the doubles match over Paiz and Walter Barahana 7-5, 6-7, 6-1 to secure a semi-final meeting Thursday against El Salvador.
WEST INDIES HOPE TO REGAIN WORREL TROPHY
The West Indies began the challenge of regaining the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy which they lost in 1995 to Australia. Saddled with unsettling issues of the past week, Captain Brian Lara is brushing thepast aside and believes the Windies has more than just a chance. Carl Hooper’s withdrawal from the team, the surprising omission of opening batsman Chris Gayle, and Australian Bennett King turning down the West Indies coaching job after being named by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) are just some of the problems that plague the start of the Test series. Lara says “The team is a very young team and seem to be unperturbed by what’s happening,”
***Before we sent out this email the score in the first test in Guyana is West Indies batting were 236 for eight.
