Editor-in-Chief, Wyvolyn Gager (left), helps winner of the Gleaner's Silver Pen Award for September, Oren Cousins, to unwrap his award during yesterday's presentation at the Gleaner's Offices, North Street, Kingston. - Rudolph Brown RETIRED SCHOOL principal and avid storyteller, Oren Cousins, has emerged winner of The Gleaner's Silver Pen Award for September. He produced a satirical tale of how he believed Jamaicans would react to the recommendation from the recently-concluded Commission of Enquiry into the forced removal of homeless people from St. James to St. Elizabeth last year.
The 68-year-old grandfather of two, detailed his dismay at the decision which awarded the victims $20,000 per month for the rest of their lives, in a letter published on September 18, entitled, "In the Country of Nuttiness."
Mr. Cousins outlined how he felt the commission's decision was regarded by clerks in Government and pensioners who were asking, "What about us? We get less than $20,000," as well as the minimum wage earner.
In addition, he looked at the unemployed youth on the corner, who scoffed, "Ah wha' Nutty do fi get pay? Look like Nutty lucrative."
Mr. Cousins finished off with the reaction of a Gleaner reader, himself, who felt that the money should be spent on administering a home for street people.
The veteran storyteller, who has been writing for nearly two decades, was educated at the Mico Teachers' College and the University of the West Indies, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish. He taught mathematics and Latin and capped his career as an educator by serving Bog Walk Secondary School as principal for 20 years.
He is now retired and lives in Linstead, St. Catherine.
