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As promised I said I would address the subject of Portland after the election. As a youth going to Titchfield in my first year I saw every ship passing my classroom going through the channel. I remember many JUTA owners lining up for tourist. Most had a comfortable living working two or 3 days a week and then doing other part time jobs or businesses. I remember the banana truck loading up in Boundbrook and so many of us getting a ride back home. I remember the talent and level of education. East Portland boasting top talent in many fields and providing job for people from St. Thomas to South East St. Mary.
I remember Portlanders thinking they were the best in tourism boasting more attraction at the time than St. Ann and been friendly.
AT the same time I remember how the coconut industry died, I remember the banana industry getting a lot of hits I remember How Blue Mountain Coffee getting a big hit. I remember the ship all stop coming. Economic activity in terms of tourism, and farming falling more than 50 percent. I can remember as a youth hearing ships going to Ochi and how Leo Windman (a name I will never forget) and his Ochi crew shipping association having meeting with crew ship. I wondered at the time if we had no shipping association in Port, never heard of one and was told the ships were now too big come to Port Antonio.
Now in opinion East Portland may have had very good people representing it, but not aggressive enough to pressure the government of the day and come up with independent ideas. They fell in line with the massive saying our glory day will return and a few promises from Kingston and a few investors walking around was enough for us to think things will happen soon.
What about Portlanders? They are very independent, most will build house, and most will do anything to make sure their kids are educated and will work for their family but where we are lacking is at the community level. Where is the Portland Chamber of Commerce? Where is Community Development Associations, Where are they youth clubs (not sports club)? Where is our shipping association? Now that we know ships are not too large. I also take note of the floating Pier for Port Royal?
In closing I will say Congrats to Ann Marie Vaz and wish her well. She seems like a hard worker but until we give some of that education, wealth, and what my grandmother call “studyration” to think of our post vital need, think of how we can contribute and then make sure it is addressed by our MP in a timely manner, we will remain at this junction and MP will serve a few with scarce benefit. In Jamaica today there are a lot of foundations and quasi government organization giving assistance, do your homework with a plan, approach them, have your MP assist. Promote Portland, Think of the type of tourism we need and sell it and hopefully the next election both candidates will be saying “Portland we done well but we can do better, and that hope the people who don’t understand will realize although man people in Portland may have low income we are really not poor or less educated than any other parish in Jamaica, but we just need opportunities and to challenge our comfort level and provide more of an economic growth agenda and demand better political representation from our beloved representative and Kingston.
I remember Portlanders thinking they were the best in tourism boasting more attraction at the time than St. Ann and been friendly.
AT the same time I remember how the coconut industry died, I remember the banana industry getting a lot of hits I remember How Blue Mountain Coffee getting a big hit. I remember the ship all stop coming. Economic activity in terms of tourism, and farming falling more than 50 percent. I can remember as a youth hearing ships going to Ochi and how Leo Windman (a name I will never forget) and his Ochi crew shipping association having meeting with crew ship. I wondered at the time if we had no shipping association in Port, never heard of one and was told the ships were now too big come to Port Antonio.
Now in opinion East Portland may have had very good people representing it, but not aggressive enough to pressure the government of the day and come up with independent ideas. They fell in line with the massive saying our glory day will return and a few promises from Kingston and a few investors walking around was enough for us to think things will happen soon.
What about Portlanders? They are very independent, most will build house, and most will do anything to make sure their kids are educated and will work for their family but where we are lacking is at the community level. Where is the Portland Chamber of Commerce? Where is Community Development Associations, Where are they youth clubs (not sports club)? Where is our shipping association? Now that we know ships are not too large. I also take note of the floating Pier for Port Royal?
In closing I will say Congrats to Ann Marie Vaz and wish her well. She seems like a hard worker but until we give some of that education, wealth, and what my grandmother call “studyration” to think of our post vital need, think of how we can contribute and then make sure it is addressed by our MP in a timely manner, we will remain at this junction and MP will serve a few with scarce benefit. In Jamaica today there are a lot of foundations and quasi government organization giving assistance, do your homework with a plan, approach them, have your MP assist. Promote Portland, Think of the type of tourism we need and sell it and hopefully the next election both candidates will be saying “Portland we done well but we can do better, and that hope the people who don’t understand will realize although man people in Portland may have low income we are really not poor or less educated than any other parish in Jamaica, but we just need opportunities and to challenge our comfort level and provide more of an economic growth agenda and demand better political representation from our beloved representative and Kingston.
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