The Editor, Sir:

Please permit me to share with your readers my thoughts about paying a Hurricane Ivan recovery charge to Jamaica Public Service (JPS) at this time when there is the threat of another hurricane. I am still bewildered. I have to look back at my electricity bill over and over again in an effort to allow the reality of the unthinkable to sink in.

It is my reasoned opinion that any human being who gives permission to any individual, group or entity to charge customers for an act of God will be comfortable encouraging the Government to charge Jamaicans a breathing tax. Each household may be required to pay for each family member that dares to breathe fresh air. Does this seem far-fetched? Think again. If consumers have to pay for hurricane damages, what is to stop the powers that be from charging us for the air we breathe?

No electricity after ivan

During and after Hurricane Ivan many of us were without electricity. We had to work out our own salvation. Electricity was restored on a phased basis. Some of us received no assistance to put our lives back together after the hurricane. In my district, we had to hire someone with a power saw to assist us in removing fallen trees that created problems for us. We helped ourselves as was expected. Now that the precedent of charging customers for an act of God has been set, Jamaicans need to pray that we are not hit by another disaster.

The most painful part of this whole scenario is that there are some of us who have not fully recovered from Ivan, and we have to pay JPS for damage they suffered during Ivan, while we have to pay for our own recovery from Ivan.

May God save us from another hurricane and from further oppression from our utility companies.

I am, etc.,

WINNIE ANDERSON-BROWN

winab@cwjamaica.com