Moontown

Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter

THE SENATE yesterday passed the credit reporting bill setting the stage for the establishment of a credit bureau in Jamaica.

The bill, which sets out strict guidelines as to how the information is to be treated, proposes tough penalties for the misuse of information or the disclosure of false information.

Attorney General Dorothy Lightbourne, who piloted the bill, hailed it as a landmark legislation.

“Given the problems of poor credit decisions and the high levels of non-performing loans which plague the financial sector during the time of the financial sector crisis, it is believed that a system that will provide better credit information will be beneficial to financial institutions in their loan decision-making process,” Lightbourne argued.

The bill allows for the sharing of information between financial institutions and other specified bodies and the licensing of credit bureau. Lightbourne said that once enacted, the credit reporting bill would benefit consumers seeking to access loans.

It was a view shared by Opposition Senator Mark Golding who said that it would allow new and existing businesses to access credit.

The setting up of credit bureau involves the collection and storage of credit information on the users of credit.

Better position to purchase

Golding said consumers who were not in a position to hire consumer durables would be in a better position to purchase these goods.

New government senator Kamina Johnson has urged the need for a public education campaign to inform Jamaicans of the effect the legislation would have on their lives.

In her first address to the Senate, Johnson said it was important that the Consumer Affairs Commission develop a campaign to “ensure that consumers at all levels of society understand how the legislation may affect them, its benefits, the responsibilities it places on them and not least of all, their rights,” Johnson said. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Steve Martin

LOS ANGELES (AP):

With no introduction or celebrity fanfare, Steve Martin steps onstage with the Steep Canyon Rangers bluegrass band, a banjo strapped to his chest.

He’s not there to tell jokes, though he manages to squeeze in a few. He’s there to play music - songs from his Grammy-winning bluegrass album, The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo.

Martin tells the crowd he met the band at a party in North Carolina, “But when we’re in California, I tell people we met in rehab.”

With that, he begins to play, with such conviction and skill that he’s clearly not joking. A banjo player for 45 years, Martin says he wrote every song in the hourlong set, just as he did all 15 tracks on his album, which spent a year atop Billboard’s bluegrass charts. He toured the country playing banjo last year and is embarking on a second nationwide tour on April 19. The Steep Canyon Rangers serve as his backup band.

The 64-year-old actor-writer-musician says he fell in love with the banjo the first time he heard it during the 1960s folk-music craze.

“It was just the sound of it,” Martin said in an interview before taking the stage. “It was like my ears were trying to part away the other instruments and focus on what is that instrument, and I’ve always loved it.”

He told the audience inside the 250-seat Largo theatre that he appreciates the banjo’s “elements of sadness and melancholy - like the expression on my agent’s face when I told him I wanted to do a banjo tour”.

No jokes

When Martin talks about music with a reporter, though, there are no jokes. He approaches the subject with the same earnestness and focus that he does his writing and acting projects, pausing intermittently to pick away on the banjo in his lap.

After spending two months on the road with the Steep Canyon Rangers last year and winning a Grammy in January, Martin has become an accidental ambassador for the banjo and bluegrass music.

He speculates that only half the crowd at any of his concerts are there for the bluegrass and banjo music, “but they all go away very happy”.

Martin’s success with the banjo has boosted bluegrass, says Rangers leader Woody Platt.

“Steve’s notoriety as a person, as a comedian, as an actor, I think is really wonderful for bluegrass music,” Platt says. “We’re a niche market and we need as many things as we can get to broaden the spectrum of listeners.”

While Martin plans to keep up with writing (he has a novel coming out in November) and acting (his next film is The Big Year with Jack Black and Owen Wilson), it seems his heart is in his music.

Heart set on music

“I like it all, but I’m finding that certainly music introduces me to a whole new group of people that I really, really like,” he says. “It uses another part of my brain and it’s just another experience for me, another discipline that’s really fun and unusual.”

Touring is nothing new for Martin, who used to play the stand-up circuit. But playing music on the road is different from telling jokes.

“I much prefer playing music,” Martin says. “Because comedy, you’re onstage, it never stops. It never stops being worrying. But a song lasts three minutes.”

And it’s “comforting” to look out into the crowd and see people happily humming along to the music, Martin says.

His latest tour begins in Detroit and includes stops at the New Orleans Jazz Fest and the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tennessee. He’s also planning to pen a second banjo album.

Just as he can’t keep comedy out of his concerts, a laugh or two might also sneak on to the new album.

“I’m going to write a song called Women Like to Slow Dance,” Martin says, “but we’re going to make it really fast.”

Back onstage at Largo, Martin keeps the crowd smiling with his special mix of finger-picked five-string comedy.

“I try to write songs based on personal experience,” he says. “This next one is called I Think My Masseuse is Too Chatty.”

Athletes Asafa Powell (right) and Usain Bolt.

Andre Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

All is set for today’s third staging of the University of Technology (UTech) Track and Field Classics at the National Stadium, with athletes from the island’s two major clubs - Racers and MVP - getting ready to square off.

It is expected that all of MVP’s medallists from last year’s IAAF World Championships in Athletics will be present, while all of Racers’ top charges, except Olympic and world sprint double world record holder, Usain Bolt, will also be on show.

When contacted yesterday, Anthony Davis, director of the Department of Sports at UTech, was happy with the level of participation going into the meet, citing that everything was in place and that organisers were simply waiting on the start of the meet.

“We are pretty much ready at this point, it’s just a case of waiting on the time to execute. Everything is in place and we are expecting a very good meet tomorrow (today),” said Davis.

Powell to run the 200m

Former 100m world record holder and Commonwealth champion, Asafa Powell (MVP), will run in the 200m, while World and Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser, and World and Olympic 400m silver medal winner Shericka Williams are both expected to participate in the 200m.

Clubmate Melaine Walker, who claimed gold in the 400m hurdles at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the World Championships in Athletics a year later, is down to participate in the flat 400m, with sprint hurdler Brigitte Foster-Hylton and Beijing Olympics 100m silver medallist Sherone Simpson down to compete in the 100m.

The 100m for men will feature Olympic sprint relay gold medallists Nesta Carter and Michael Frater, along with Trinidzadian Darrel Brown.

Despite Bolt’s absence, Racers will be well represented by the likes of young sprinting sensation Yohan Blake, Marvin Anderson, Jermaine Gonzales and Antiguan Daniel Bailey.

“All the local athletes from the MVP and Racers camps, except Usain (Bolt), have been confirmed and are all looking forward to compete so we are anticipating a great matchup between the clubs,” Davis pointed out.

A batch of US-based collegiate athletes will also be adding to the competition. The last set was scheduled to arrive in the island midday yesterday.

More than 35 events, including four in the field, will be contested today with the first one scheduled to start after the 4 p.m. opening ceremony.

Tickets for the grandstand will cost patrons $500, while admission to the bleachers section will cost $100.

The ticket office, which is located across the road from the National Stadium, will be opened at 10 a.m. and Davis is hoping that athletics enthusiasts will make the most of the prices and support the meet.

“There seems to be a lot of enthusiasm and we have been getting a lot of calls. We are looking to get somewhere in the region of 3,000 fans in the grandstand and another 5,000 in the bleachers,” said Davis. “If we realise these numbers we would consider it a successful meet because Jamaica is essentially a high school-oriented country when it comes to track and field.” (Jamaica Gleaner)

Commander Kenneth Douglas speaks to the security forces from 15 countries who are in Jamaica for the 2010 Tradewinds exercise currently under way in Port Royal. - Contributed

Approximately 450 security force personnel from the United States, Jamaica, the United Kingdom, and 14 other Caribbean nations are currently in the historic town of Port Royal conducting an international military cooperation exercise called Tradewinds 2010.

The manoeuvres are conducted annually by Caribbean Basin Partner Nations sponsored by the US Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) to improve cooperation and interoperability of partner nations in responding to regional security threats.

Miami-based US Marine Corps Forces, South, is the executive agent for the exercise.

Tradewinds is primarily a maritime operations exercise that also supports USSOUTHCOM’s security cooperation objectives and exercises the assets and capability provided under the Enduring Friendship programme.

Enduring Friendship, a USSOUTHCOM-sponsored programme to build maritime security capabilities throughout the Caribbean, is now marking its 26th year of operation.

In Jamaica, Tradewinds 2010 will focus on regional defence, highlighting maritime interdiction and search-and-rescue operations with an emphasis on command and control.

The programme also includes the provision of high-speed interceptor boats with extensive communication and surveillance capacity, as well as a command, control and communication package that links the US Joint Interagency Task Force-South with partner nations’ operations centres to track and coordinate the seizure of illicit maritime traffic.

“The exercise will also help to improve key tactical skills in marksmanship, search-and-rescue, and maritime interdiction operations,” said Major Eric Dominijanni, exercise coordinator, US Marine Corps Forces, South.

“The US and the Caribbean share common interests and regional challenges require cooperative solutions. We are committed to building lasting partnerships that will enhance our ability to work effectively together,” he added.

Countries participating in Tradewinds 2010 are Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti

, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, United Kingdom and the United States. (Jamaica Gleaner)

GREEN PEAS AND RICE; VEGETABLE CHOWMEIN;

MACARONI PIE; CORN MEAL COU COU;

BAKED CHICKEN GLAZED WITH ORANGE SAUCE;

BAKED PORK; BBQ SPARERIBS;

BBQ PIG TAIL; SEA CAT;

FRIED STEAK FISH; GRILLED STEAK FISH;

LAMB STEW; STEAMED FLYING FISH;

STEAMED VEGETABLES; TOSSED SALAD; COLE SLAW

A musical presentation from members of the Devon Sparks and Friends group as they sing ‘This is Jamaica’ at the Institute of Jamaica lecture hall in Kingston yesterday. The occasion was the official launch of Child Month 2010, under the theme ‘All I Want is a Chance to Grow Up’. - Norman Grindley /Chief Photographer

Nadisha Hunter, Staff Reporter

STARTLING FIGURES showing a dramatic increase in child abuse last year have once again placed the issue squarely on the national agenda for debate.

Statistics from the Office of the Children’s Registry (OCR) show that since 2007 little more than 12,000 reports of child abuse were recorded by the registry. Of this number, 6,000 reports were received in 2009.

Since the start of the year, the office has already received more than 1,600 reports.

But despite the huge figures, registrar at the OCR Carla Francis Edie said a more significant number of the incidents go unreported.

“Our ‘informer fi dead’ culture has prevented many persons from coming forward to report child abuse for fear of their lives,” she said while speaking at the official launch of Child Month 2010 at the Institute of Jamaica, downtown Kingston, under the theme ‘All I Want is a Chance to Grow Up’.

“Yet, so many of our children are still silently suffering from the cruelty of abuse and many of them are afraid to speak out,” she added.

Alluding to the many negative effects that child abuse has on children’s lives such as physical and emotional damages, Edie said it was evident that when an abused child did not receive the needed interventions to recover, it poses a significant threat to his development.

Offer opportunities

Executive Director of Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) Dr Carolyn Gomes said the society had to build itself around the principle of offering to every child an opportunity to fulfil his potential.

She said society should take responsibility in securing the nation’s children’s future.

“While we have made impressive strides with access to health, nutrition, education and social welfare, even if all our millennium development goals are met, of the 977,000 children under the age of 18 years, thousands will be left out,” she said.

“These are the most in need, the most vulnerable and the abused, we need to change that, we need to ensure that instead of declining allocation to children’s budget we have increasing allocations to children’s programme in the Budget,” Gomes added.

The JFJ head added that the prevalence of antisocial activities could be as a result of how the children were treated in society.

Director of the National Child Month Committee, Dr Pauline Mullings, made a passionate plea for parents to take responsibility in helping their children to have a chance to grow up.

“I call on the parents and caregivers love your children, make time to talk with them, strengthen their weaknesses,” she said.

Dr Mullings noted that child abuse must be addressed as it had caused many of the nation’s children to be transformed into little bodies with adult minds and attitudes. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Aretha Welch awelch@trinidadexpress.com

The business community is breathing a sigh of relief following the announcement of the election date, May 24, by Prime Minister Patrick Manning.

Here’s what business leaders had to say:

Catherine Kumar

CEO of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce:

’The Chamber is very pleased that the election date was called, as uncertainty deferred investment decisions.

VERY PLEASED: Catherine Kumar

Those contesting must show us what they intend to do differently about crime. While we didn’t have an economic crisis here, we did have fallout from the crisis and we need a plan to stimulate the business environment. We have to see that the basic necessities are there for everyone, proper health care and water.

More must be done to boost productivity.

Transparency in government and the public sector must not just be words spoken.

The country needs to begin to hold up a party’s manifestos and when they get in Government say to them ’look this is your score card.’ We as a people need to hold the Government in power accountable for their actions or lack thereof.’

Greig Laughlin

President of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association:

’We are relieved, it ends the uncertainty.

Now we are just hoping for a free and fair election.

Let’s get this resolved quickly and tackle problems like crime and increasing our country’s level of competitiveness.’

Gregory Aboud

President of the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA):

’I think there is a certain element of relief that the date has been announced.

Without an election date or a parliament there was an environment of uncertainty.

Now the parties have to let the country know what kind of strategies they will employ to treat with our reduction of activity in the energy industry and how they will stimulate local investment, which has fallen drastically.’

Imtiaz Ali

President of the San Juan Business Association:

’I’m very relieved and glad to get it over with. We don’t like the uncertainty.

They have to tell us now how they are going to spend our resources.

We’ve had a period where we made huge capital investments and people could not get basic necessities.

We also need a focus on increased transparency in Government and public sector efficiency. People should not have to spend all day at the licensing office.’ (Trinidad Express)

Joel Julien joel.julien@trinidadexpress.com

PENNELOPE Beckles and Anthony Roberts will not be contesting the forthcoming general election for the People’s National Movement (PNM), Prime Minister Patrick Manning confirmed yesterday.

Beckles and Roberts won their respective constituencies-Arima and St Ann’s East-for the PNM in the 2007 General Election.

However, the PNM’s Screening Committee has decided not to have either candidate represent the party in this year’s general election, Manning said yesterday.

Manning told of the committee’s decision to have Beckles and Roberts replaced, in the midst of loud protests by aggrieved residents from the St Ann’s East constituency, their counterparts from Arima having left before Manning spoke to the media.

Dozens of PNM supporters from both St Ann’s East and Arima had earlier gathered outside Balisier House, Port of Spain, to voice their displeasure over the party’s removal of their candidates. It was the second consecutive day of protests by the aggrieved supporters outside the PNM’s headquarters.

‘no penny, no vote’: A vocal supporter of Arima MP Pennelope Beckles voices her displeasure outside the PNM headquarters, Balisier House, Port of Spain, yesterday. -Photo: ANISTO ALVES

Around 3.49 p.m. yesterday, Manning arrived at Balisier House for the sixth day of candidate screening for the May 24 general election, a date given only yesterday by press release from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Arima residents, walking to the sound of ’When the Saints go Marching in’, gathered with posters and signs pledging support for Beckles arrived five minutes later. The noisy crowd caught the attention of several members of the party hierarchy, including general secretary Martin Joseph and Ambassador Joan Yuille-Williams, who were seen peeping out the windows of the room used for candidate screening.

There were only two screenings yesterday. Darryl Mahabir-the owner of popular fast food restaurant, Japs Fried Chicken-and Shivan Ojah-Maharaj were chosen as the party’s candidates for Cumuto/ Manzanilla and La Horquetta/Talparo respectively.

St Ann’s East is the only constituency the screening committee has not decided on a candidate, Manning said. The executive council of St Ann’s East is expected to return with another candidate, he said.

The area’s executive council has, however, given their ’full support’ for Roberts. ’No Roberts, no vote,’ the protesters chanted yesterday.

Senator Laurel Lezama is the prospective candidate for Arima, Manning said.

’No Penny, no vote,’ the Arima residents shouted in support of Beckles.

Manning dismissed their protest action.

’How many of them are there? How many of them are there? Not volume (noise level), numbers. How many of them are there? Watch the size of the electorate,’ Manning said.

’There is a process in the PNM that we are following and protests of that nature are not part of the process,’ he added.

Manning described both Beckles and Roberts as ’loyal’ party members and said he believed they would stay that way.

Vocal PNM supporter, Christine ’Twiggy’ Levia, who voiced her support of the protest in favour of Beckles on Thursday, was given the cold shoulder by Manning when he entered his car to leave Balisier House yesterday. (Trinidad Express)

South Bureau

The May 24 general election date has come as no surprise to former United National Congress leader Basdeo Panday. ’I had told you it will be a birthday gift to me, and the day I will be giving Jack Warner something to think about,’ Panday said yesterday.

Panday said ’the day after the election (May 25) will be my 77th birthday’.

’The announcement by Manning does not give the Opposition parties sufficient time to complete their unity talks, so they need to hasten their discussions,’ he said.

He added, ’For me personally, I am ready for the fight between myself and Jack Warner. I have no other responsibilities for the election except the removal of Warner from Chaguanas West.’ (Trinidad Express)

Anna Ramdass anna.ramdass@trinidadexpress.com

The United National Congress (UNC) and the Congress of the People (COP) have finally reached an agreement and will join forces to battle the People’s National Movement (PNM) in the May 24 general election.

The political accord was, however, not signed yesterday by leaders Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Winston Dookeran, but they both stressed unity was definite.

After three hours of discussions at the Double Dragon restaurant in Couva, Dookeran and Persad-Bissessar held a joint news conference.

’I am very happy to say that after discussions with our various parties and Mr Dookeran and myself, that we have reached an agreement on the way forward for both our parties,’ Persad-Bissessar said.

When pressed with questions as to what accommodation or arrangements were reached with respect to who and how many seats would be contested by each party, Persad-Bissessar said they did not want to ’reveal their strategy to the enemy (PNM)’.

TAKING CHARGE NOW: A wave and a smile from UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar at Rienzi Complex, Couva, yesterday after the date was announced. -Photo: Dave Persad

’What I wish to say is that I give the assurance that we are committed to working together,’ she said.

Sources told the Express it was agreed that the UNC will contest its safe seats, with the exception of the St Augustine seat, which was handed to Dookeran on a silver platter if he wishes to contest it.

Dookeran, under the COP, was defeated by UNC’s Vasant Bharath in St Augustine in the 2007 general election.

Sources further told the Express that under the agreement, which is still being finalised, the COP will have the opportunity to fight for some of the marginal seats, such as Tunapuna and San Fernando West.

Persad-Bissessar said both parties will continue their screening processes.

By next week, there will be joint platforms and teams from the both parties will be working on a common manifesto, she said. A united slate of candidates comprising COP, UNC and TOP members will also be presented to the public.

Said Dookeran, ’Once we come to a firm understanding as to how we proceed with the campaign itself, we shall move in that direction with a force and a determination and a passion that this country has never seen before, because the moment of history is upon us and we must rise as a people.’

Persad-Bissessar added, ’May 24 is exactly the date I wanted for the general election. On January 24 I was elected as the leader of the United National Congress, on February 24 I was inaugurated as the Opposition Leader, and on May 24 we will face the grandmother of all elections.’ (Trinidad Express)