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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>The Baxter Sinclair formula is worth trying</SPAN>
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Thursday, January 25, 2007
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<P class=StoryText align=justify>We are moved by the story of Jamaican businessman Mr Baxter Sinclair in today's edition of our sister title, the Observer West.<P class=StoryText align=justify>For more than anything else, Mr Sinclair's success in stemming the 1980s crime wave in Los Angeles, California by giving some of the most notorious gangsters in that city a job with decent wages, illustrates the miracles that can occur if we move beyond the rhetoric of the many crime plans that have, so far, proved ineffective.<P class=StoryText align=justify>According to the story, which topped America's national news agenda in its day, Mr Sinclair's firm had won a large contract to establish a natural gas replacement system in a gang-infested community in Los Angeles where gang murders were basically the order of the day.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The firm was approached by some gangsters seeking work, and within three months, more than 20 - among them members of the feared Cripps, Bloods and Rolling 60s gangs - were gainfully employed.<P class=StoryText align=justify>After the story was broken by the Los Angeles Times, it mushroomed in media across America and the Los Angeles legislators moved to set up a supportive framework in an attempt to replicate Mr Sinclair's solution in other crime-ridden areas across the country.<P class=StoryText align=justify>But like most effective solutions, the workability was dependent on the tenacity of ordinary, or rather extraordinary people like Mr Sinclair to do the hard, unselfish part, namely risking a relationship with people regarded as less than desirable elements and foregoing some of their profits in order to give a more equitable slice of the pie to those in need.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Sadly, Mr Sinclair's concept, simple as it seems, is paradoxically difficult to execute, as far from paying decent wages, many an employer strive to pay out the lowest possible salary in an attempt to preserve a bottomline that often gets compromised anyway by discontented criminal elements.<P class=StoryText align=justify>We expect that the cynical among us will argue that in a world governed by the forces of supply and demand, it is unreasonable to expect those who have worked hard to build successful businesses not to reap the full financial rewards of their labour.<P class=StoryText align=justify>While that argument may be theoretically sound, it rings hollow against the background of a hungry, angry and now murderous generation that perceives itself as being unable to make a good living by honest means.<P class=StoryText align=justify>True, there are those who will embrace or reject crime whether or not they can get a good job, but we don't believe either category is in the majority.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Assuming we're right, it's up to every last one of us to be a little less selfish, a little less mercenary and yes, give up some of what we consider is rightfully ours so that our children and children's children may enjoy the peace and stability that they deserve.
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Thursday, January 25, 2007
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<P class=StoryText align=justify>We are moved by the story of Jamaican businessman Mr Baxter Sinclair in today's edition of our sister title, the Observer West.<P class=StoryText align=justify>For more than anything else, Mr Sinclair's success in stemming the 1980s crime wave in Los Angeles, California by giving some of the most notorious gangsters in that city a job with decent wages, illustrates the miracles that can occur if we move beyond the rhetoric of the many crime plans that have, so far, proved ineffective.<P class=StoryText align=justify>According to the story, which topped America's national news agenda in its day, Mr Sinclair's firm had won a large contract to establish a natural gas replacement system in a gang-infested community in Los Angeles where gang murders were basically the order of the day.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The firm was approached by some gangsters seeking work, and within three months, more than 20 - among them members of the feared Cripps, Bloods and Rolling 60s gangs - were gainfully employed.<P class=StoryText align=justify>After the story was broken by the Los Angeles Times, it mushroomed in media across America and the Los Angeles legislators moved to set up a supportive framework in an attempt to replicate Mr Sinclair's solution in other crime-ridden areas across the country.<P class=StoryText align=justify>But like most effective solutions, the workability was dependent on the tenacity of ordinary, or rather extraordinary people like Mr Sinclair to do the hard, unselfish part, namely risking a relationship with people regarded as less than desirable elements and foregoing some of their profits in order to give a more equitable slice of the pie to those in need.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Sadly, Mr Sinclair's concept, simple as it seems, is paradoxically difficult to execute, as far from paying decent wages, many an employer strive to pay out the lowest possible salary in an attempt to preserve a bottomline that often gets compromised anyway by discontented criminal elements.<P class=StoryText align=justify>We expect that the cynical among us will argue that in a world governed by the forces of supply and demand, it is unreasonable to expect those who have worked hard to build successful businesses not to reap the full financial rewards of their labour.<P class=StoryText align=justify>While that argument may be theoretically sound, it rings hollow against the background of a hungry, angry and now murderous generation that perceives itself as being unable to make a good living by honest means.<P class=StoryText align=justify>True, there are those who will embrace or reject crime whether or not they can get a good job, but we don't believe either category is in the majority.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Assuming we're right, it's up to every last one of us to be a little less selfish, a little less mercenary and yes, give up some of what we consider is rightfully ours so that our children and children's children may enjoy the peace and stability that they deserve.
</TD></TR><TR><TD><SPAN class=Description>Henley Morgan</SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P class=StoryText align=justify>The crippling effect of crime and violence on Jamaica's economy has been well researched and documented. Far more graphic than that though is a drive across the island, starting in Negril just after dusk and travelling via Ocho Rios and Port Maria to Kingston, and noticing that few businesses along the way are open to receive customers at that hour. In most countries a gas station or grocery store will enjoy opening hours of about 14 hours (9:00 am. to 11:00 pm.) to turn a profit. In Jamaica, that is reduced to about nine hours.
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