Dennie Quill, Contributor
OH THE devastation! Hurricane Katrina surely delivered a knockout punch to the people of the United States Gulf Coast. The television images were mind-blowing. They conveyed a stark message: poverty is not limited to developing countries and looting abounds whenever there is disaster. My heart goes out to the victims.
But Mother Nature is not done yet. Before November 30, the prediction was that we would have seen between 18 and 21 tropical storms for the hurricane season, with seven of them major hurricanes. People who live in hurricane-prone areas must understand that the 21st century doesn't look good, especially for those who live near to fragile coastlines. The other factor to consider is those storm surges can wreak more havoc than wind.
The intensity of Ivan last year caused me to express worry about the Palisadoes road. The ferocity of 'Katrina' has only heightened that worry. I feel all interests must now be merged into one focused effort to have the necessary measures put in place to protect this important thoroughfare.
FOOT-DRAGGING, WORK
After some foot-dragging, work is apparently going on to offer some protection to the spit of land. We can do nothing to turn back hurricanes, neither can we predict the intensity with which they make landfall, but we can protect ourselves against the fury. It is a matter of public interest.
Money is always a problem but it would be foolhardy to turn a blind eye to potential disaster. Let's not think of the dollar value to fix the problem but of the enormous savings if we plan ahead. So here's my plan. The government should impose a one-time special tax on the wealthy to garner funds to do whatever is necessary to protect the Palisadoes roadway. Yes, we are paying lots of taxes, but is the load being shared equally? There is no published list of Jamaican millionaires although a few have made the list in Europe and the United States, but conspicuous spending and lavish lifestyles suggest that we have quite a few in our midst. And what share of the tax burden do they bear? The answer to that question would be very interesting. So this is not a tax meant for those on PAYE; they are already taxed to the hilt.
GRUMBLING PROMOTER
On another note, last week I railed against the police for not enforcing the law as it related to night noise. One reader in eastern Kingston shared my ire because she had been affected by weekly sessions. To my delight, I read where the police pulled the plug on a major show at the Mas Camp Village on Saturday night. This was after 2 a.m. and the grumbling promoter and irate fans must understand that the people who live in and around this area are entitled to a restful night. I used to enjoy the Heineken Star Time shows at this venue, but now I have started to view these shows differently, for I now know how the residents must suffer when these shows are put on.
So I received Sunday's report with absolute glee. Let us loudly applaud the police for this effort. The gap between the law and enforcement is frustratingly wide and if we do not encourage these attempts at enforcement the police will drop their hands.
The reader in eastern Kingston reports that she has seen a change in her area too. Let's hope this is a sustained effort.
Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist who may be reached at denniequill@hotmail.com.
