JAMAICA NEWSWEEKLY For the week ending June 2nd, 2006

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THIS WEEK’S NEWS SUMMARY
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MAYOR PROPOSING GUN BAN AT MEETINGS—5/27/2006
Milton Brown, the Mayor of May Pen has proposed a gun ban for parish councilors. If Brown’s proposal is approved the Clarendon parish councilors will no longer be allowed to attend council meetings while carrying a licensed firearm. Brown announced the proposed plan after two PNP councilors were involved in a heated verbal argument during a road and work committee meeting. Brown wants to pass this ban to ensure everyone’s safety while attending meetings. Reports indicate several council members left the meeting when the argument started and the police were called to restore order.

PORT DELAYS MEAN HIGHER SURCHARGE—5/28/2006
Several international shipping companies are beginning to charge high surcharges to local importers due to congestion and delays at Port Bustamante in Kingston. Reports from the shipping companies indicate the rise in delays at Kingston’s port is causing disruption to their schedules. According to Graham McAllen, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Limited, they are continuously making port changes or deleting scheduled stops to make up time caused from delays. McAllen went on to explain goods shipped to Jamaica are being brought to the country by feeders ships while the majority of other goods are put on hold. In a statement by the CEO of the Port Authority of Jamaica, they are not in support of the surcharge to importers.

CAMPBELL NAMED PNP GENERAL SECRETARY—5/29/2006
Senator Colin Campbell was nominated to become the new General Secretary of the People’s National Party. Campbell, seconded in his nomination by Agriculture Minister, Roger Clarke and Education Minister, Maxine Henry-Wilson, was then elected to his new position yesterday. In statement by Campbell yesterday, he stated his main goal will be to direct the party’s technology and management systems to a more modern system. Campbell was elected after Burchell Whiteman resigned from the position.

STUDY SHOWS TOO MANY UNLICENSED DOCTORS—5/30/2006
According to recent reports by the Medical Council of Jamaica, there are more than 1,600 doctors in Jamaica practicing without the proper licensing. Dr. John McHardy, Registrar of the MCJ, says all doctors on the island must pay a fee for practicing every year. This fee was to be paid by January 31, however the deadline was extended to February. Additionally, doctors are to complete a minimum of 10 continuing education hours in the medical field each year. If a doctor fails to pay the annual fee by the deadline the fee is then doubled in amount. Fees for doctors range from $1200 to $3600 annually.

MILLER ARRESTED BY POLICE—5/31/2006
Christopher Miller, the man suspected in shooting and killing two policemen in 2005, has been arrested by police. Miller, well-known in west Kingston, was wanted by police after he allegedly shot Inspector Lascelles Walsh and District Constable Canute Brown. Miller was arrested in a bar on Red Hills Road in St. Andrew and taken to Half-Way Tree Police Station. Miller, along with six other people, is wanted in connection to a string of cop killings on the island. Walsh was shot and killed on May 4 near Church and Port Royal Streets in Kingston. Brown was shot while sitting outside the Cross Road Police Station by gunmen in the same car used in the previous shooting.

GANG LEADER SENTENCED TO LIFE—5/31/2006
Donald “Zekes” Phipps was sentenced to 30 years in prison before being eligible for parole after he was found guilty stemming from a 2005 murder. Phipps will be eligible for parole after 30 years. The 49-year-old gang leader is best known for ruling sections of downtown Kingston for the last ten years before being convicted for the murders of Rodney Leroy Farquharson and Dayton Williams of east Kingston. The bodies of the two men were found last April. K. Churchill Neita, Phipps attorney, made a plea that this father of 15 children not serve a long sentence. However, Judge Marsh carried out the sentence.

POPULAR MUSICIAN FOUND MURDERED—6/1/2006
Delroy Reid, a popular musician and teacher in Montego Bay, was found dead Tuesday night. According to reports, 24-year-old Sheldon Thomas, a distant relative of Reid, is suspected of the brutal murder. Police reports indicate Thomas was at the home of Reid around 8pm Tuesday. Reid had accused Thomas of stealing his wallet, and after an argument, Thomas stabbed Reid several times with a machete. Reid served as the organist of Mount Carey Church and the secretary of the Men’s Department. Reid was also a music teacher and a representative to eh Jamaica Baptist Union Youth Department.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING ISSUES NOT ADDRESSED—6/2/2006
Senator A.J. Nicholson, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, addressed the audience at the National Task Force Against Human Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP) meeting on Wednesday, voicing his concerns that Jamaicans are not addressing the human trafficking issues. According to Nicholson, while people know this problem exists, most are unaware that human trafficking is a career for many on the island. Nicholson further commented reports from the JCF can substantiate is claim and that children from poor homes and poor families are the victims of this crime, in most cases. According to the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center, this is one of the fastest growing international crimes. In a 2005 U.S. State Department report, Jamaica, along with 14 other countries was given a 3-tier ranking. It was also noted the Jamaican government did not have the political force to tackle this issue and made no further efforts to eliminate this problem.

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SPORTS
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RAVENS, SPEG WIN NETBALL TITLES—5/28/2006
The Ravens A team was awarded the first-ever Supreme Ventures A League title after defeating the Molynes United A team at the Leila Robinson Courts. The same day the Molynes United C team lost to the Speg C team in the Supreme Ventures C League title game. Speg B beat Molynes United 23-15 and the Ravens won their game by two with a score of 37-35. In the Division C final is was Ayesha Dobson who led Speg C with 17 goals. Molynes C was led by Dhamika While with 13 goals from 18 attempts. In the A League final, Corealett McDonald scored 31 goals in 35 attempts and Philis Thompson rounded out the win with six goals.

SPANISH TOWN CAPTURES FOURTH TITLE—5/29/2006
Spanish Town was able to hold off St. Catherine to win their fourth consecutive title in the INSPORTS/Swizzle Primary Athletic Championships. The game was held at National Stadium on Saturday. Spanish Town clinched the victory with a combined, 178 points, just three ahead of second-place finishers, St. Catherine. Naggo Head, St. Benedicts and Angels complete the top five. In the girl’s division, Spanish Town led the way again, taking the championship with a 38.5 point lead over second-place finishers St. Catherine. The Swizzle Primary Championships is open to all schools throughout Jamaica.

REGGAE BOYZ TOO LATE FOR GHANA—5/30/2006
After the Jamaican team showed up to Walkers Stadium 30 minutes late, they could not get their game in order against the Ghana national team. The Reggae Boyz were defeated 4-1 by the World-Cup bound team. At the half, Ghana had a 2-0 lead and came out too strong for the Jamaican team after the break. The Jamaicans were not able to keep up with the ability of this team. Ghana’s goals were scored by Sulley Muntari, Stephen Appiah and Asanoah Gyan. The Reggae Boys only goal was scored by Crawford in the 56th minute.

JAMALCO AND TIVOLI MEET IN FINALS—6/2/2006
The best-of-three finals at Robinson Courts starts today between Jamalco and rivals Tivoli A. If Jamalco is victorious, this will be the team’s fourth consecutive title in the Berger Paints Super League Netball association. Tivoli A is the only team to beat the Jamalco team in more than two years. Jamalco has dominated the courts for more than twenty years. Jamalco advanced to the finals after defeating former-rival Waulgrovians A in Tuesday’s semi-final match. There are many player match-ups that should prove to be exciting to watch according to reports. The most noted match-up is that of Jamalco’s Romelda Aiken and Tivoli’s Kasey Evering and Nicole Henry.

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CREDITS/SOURCES
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The weekly news is compilation of new articles from top Caribbean and Jamaican news sources.