THE EDITOR, Sir:
DOREEN MCLEOD-Bramwell, in her letter titled "The respectable poor" appearing in your issue of Saturday, August 24, 2002, "took the words right out of my mouth". I must confess that I kept hesitating to write on this particular issue.
First, I would like to modify the title to read "The forgotten poor". The average "poor" person in Jamaica, to my knowledge, is an honest, law-abiding citizen, who has fallen on hard times due to circumstances mostly beyond his or her control.
As a government pensioner of the "vintage" age described by the writer, I totally agree with the concerns she mentioned. Recently I informed the Accountant General of a pending change of address, effective, April 1 of this year, due to the fact that my relatives, who are assisting me, thought it more convenient that I reside overseas for a period. This change was deemed more convenient and less worrying for them.
However, this has resulted in the non-payment of the small monthly pension due to me since April 1, 2002. In spite of letters to the appropriate Jamaican Consulate and the Accountant General's Department, I have not even been afforded the common courtesy of a reply.
Property tax has to be paid, as well as deductions made for Income Tax and Widows and Orphans contribution.
Personally I have no objections to the so-called "street people" or any other person being paid $20,000 per month. However, not at my expense. I too served my country faithfully and with dedication!
I invite all "poor" pensioners, retired MPs etc. to hang out with me in Montego Bay for the next unscheduled "pick up". This seems to be the way to go.
I am etc,
HUGHART H. BROWN
Miramar, Floida
Via Go-Jamaica
