Heather Robinson, Contributor
YES, IT is that time of year again when we plan and prepare for the New Year. But it seems like only yesterday that we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new millennium, and here we are today on the eve of the fifth year.
There are many things that have happened during this year that have provided us as a nation with a great sense of pride and accomplishment, while there are others that have been very painful and at times brought even tears. But amidst all of these differing emotions we still have to hope that 2005 will be a far better year, and there are some things that we can try and do better at. So here now is my wish list for Jamaica in 2005.
Donovan Bennett, otherwise called 'Bulpie', has been wanted for the murder of Derrick Eccleston and the shooting of Anthony Clarke since April 1995. During the nine years and eight months that the police have been looking for this most wanted man, they have not been successful. It is my hope that the decent police will be assisted by decent God-fearing Jamaicans to bring this man to justice. Anthony Clarke was subsequently murdered in Spanish Town in 2002, and is therefore unavailable to go to court, but the evidence he gave in a previous trial still exists and can be used.
A CLEANSING FOR SPANISH TOWN
Spanish Town needs to rid itself of all the supporters of criminality, whether they are persons who actively commit crimes, or are persons who see and have knowledge of the criminal act, but do and say nothing. During 2005, Spanish Town will become a town that many Jamaicans will be able to happily state that "I have not been there since last year", as Highway 2000 has effectively removed the need to drive through that place at all. It is therefore my hope that persons who continue to consort with criminal gang members in Spanish Town, indeed in the entire Jamaica, will finally begin to understand how important it is to turn their backs on such persons, and hope that we will be able to forgive them after all legal channels have been exhausted.
The year 2005 will see Edward Seaga retiring as leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, and the election of a new leader. However, it is my hope that this election the first real leadership election of the JLP will provide Jamaica with a leader that can lead a reputable opposition. One of the candidates for this post is now only a member of the Senate, and is therefore ineligible for the position of Leader of the Opposition. In fact, he cannot truly be likened to Norman Manley who as president of the PNP was not a member of the House of Representatives in 1944. Norman Manley had actually contested the election and lost, so he had a constituency base, but Bruce Golding's political base at the moment is non-existent. Does Jamaica really need such a leader of our opposition party?
FILLING SEAGA'S SHOES
On Wednesday, Edward Seaga announced that he would be retiring as Member of Parliament for Western Kingston in January. This means that he will effectively retire from political life, and all Jamaica should wish him a healthy, peaceful and productive retirement.
There has been a lot of talk about who will replace him as MP, and since Bruce Golding has no representational base, some believe that he should. But who the people want to represent them is another matter. Bruce Golding should think long and clearly as to whether he wishes to succeed Mr. Seaga on two counts. Looking at both men's feet, there is a noticeable size differential. To suitably attire himself for both posts is a tall order for Bruce Golding, and if indeed he does succeed Mr. Seaga in Western Kingston, then Jamaica can only pray and hope that he will lead that constituency based on his new found political ideals, and not in the way he led Central St. Catherine.
May your 2005 be filled with hard work, good national leadership and the absence of all of those who would seek to subject us to their criminal acts.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former member of Parliament.
