LaTonya Linton, Gleaner Writer
Trevor A. Samuels (right), Gleaner Silver Pen recipient for September 2005, receives his award from Editor-in-Chief Garfield Grandison at The Gleaner's boardroom yesterday. - ANDREW SMITH/PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
TREVOR SAMUELS is the Gleaner's Silver Pen Award recipient for September 2005 for his Letter of the Day 'Focus on Mt. Diablo, Flat Bridge and the railway'.
In his article, published on September 17, Mr. Samuels focused on the lack of suitable alternatives leading into Kingston from the Spanish Town end of Nelson Mandela Highway, as well as the need to replace the Flat Bridge. He also said the reintroduction of the railway would reduce traffic congestion.
"The number of times that the Flat Bridge has to be closed, the age of the bridge, the looks of vehicles, especially heavy vehicles trying to use that bridge ..." he lamented while speaking yesterday about the need for suitable alternatives into Kingston.
"The fact that you only have one main mode of entry from the rural areas, especially west of Kingston, into Kingston without alternatives I think is dangerous."
PLEASANT SURPRISE
Mr. Samuels said he was surprised to hear he was the recipient of the Silver Pen.
"It is a pleasant surprise, didn't expect that, as a matter of a fact I didn't expect it to be published, much more as Letter of the Day," he told The Gleaner. "I am not a grand writer, I have done some courses in writing but that's not my profession."
Mr. Samuels also feels passionately about other issues, such as the education system.
An educator by profession, he is a former principal of Clan Carthy Comprehensive High School and is now retired from active teaching.
"That's (education) the way somebody can move from one stage, upward mobility is very important," he said. "I am concerned with the status of education, especially in some areas of the society."
SHIFT SYSTEM
He said his former school was upgraded and has done well under the circumstances.
"I had also done a survey of the schools which have a shift system - the shift system robs the child of probably half of his education as you go to school half of the day," he added.
Arguing that a child left
unsupervised after leaving school at midday was a recipe for trouble, Mr. Samuels proposed the shift system be ended as soon as possible.
Mr. Samuels also said that, unless teachers develop a more positive attitude to work, children will suffer.
The Gleaner's Silver Pen Award is presented on a monthly basis. At the end of each month, the best 'Letter of the Day' is chosen and the writer honoured.
