Upgrading forestry

I am very pleased to see such a step, to upgrade the forest department to an executive agency. Jamaica has limited land resources and with a growing population, there will be density and environmental pressures to consider. Physical environment is integrally linked to social and economical well being. Conservation, planning and personal responsibility have to be strategically planned in the interest of Jamaica's long-term security. In a few decades not oil but water will be the most sought after natural resource; protecting the watersheds and biodiversity should be of high priority. I would like to see a professional forestry department with knowledgeable officers working closely with the communities, educating citizens.

- Damion Ricketts, damrick2000@msn.com, Miami, Florida,Via Go-Jamaica

Seeking father

I am looking for my father whom I have not seen for 50 years. I know of two children that he has in Jamaica, Merlene and Tony Brown. His name is Irvin Brown and I believe he came to England in 1960. What I want is for either of the children to contact me in order to find out if Irvin is still alive and where he is. Contact me via my email address for now.

- Noel Brown, BROWN-N@sky.com, Birmingham, England, Via Go-Jamaica

Stop-crime plan?

This is a suggestion to fight crime. Looking at America and England once you a are citizen if you are not working or not working enough to look after your family, the government gives you enough money to eat and pay bills. I know the government can support this to the fullest to curb the crime situation. Stop spending the money on guns and SUVs in the force; that does not help, it's wasting of money. Try creating jobs for the people, as most robbers and murderers have their family to feed. Government, take care of your people, it's not hard to do.

- Ralph Lalor, rgralph@msn.com, Via Go-Jamaica

Missing-person alert

I would like to propose that there should be some changes in procedures with regards to missing persons, especially children. It cannot be that the authorities delay their response and action until 24 hours have passed. This I understand is the most crucial aspect of the search where the possibility for recovery is high. I would like to suggest also that the 'Ananda Alert' or a 'Yellow Alert' be declared once a child is reported missing, that a nationwide alert is given back-up by neighbourhood and community searches across the country. This in honour of the little girl who was so brutally killed and tossed aside. The children are our future, if we don't act now, who will act on their behalf. Let's be proactive in the way we see things and stop being reactive. It's time we stop paying lip service and do something that will save lives.

- Garfield Murray, nightwind365@yahoo.com, Via Go-Jamaica