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The spirit of nationalism stirs
Thursday, September 27, 2007
We are extremely heartened by two items on this week's national news menu.
First, the organisers of the national clean-up project have reported significant community support for the planned two-day activity, aimed at restoring Jamaica at least to its pre-Hurricane Dean, or pre-August 19, 2007 state.
Second, new minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Finance, Senator Don Wehby has indictated that since his appointment, many young persons in the private sector have been calling to say they would like to serve the public sector.
We, naturally, rejoice at every sign of nationalism that provides evidence that patriotism is not dead. For that reason we were happy to hear from Mr Kingsley Thomas, a co-coordinator of the clean-up project that his office had been inundated with offers of support from private sector entities, community-based organisations, churches and individuals for the two-day project.
Many persons had come forward and volunteered equipment and time for at least one of the two days and more people, especially from the business community, were expected to follow suit, Mr Thomas told the post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday.
"We are very happy at the level of response we have received for a national effort to clean up Jamaica of the debris left by Hurricane Dean," he was quoted as saying in yesterday's edition of our newspaper.
Mr Thomas who is in charge of the Office of National Reconstruction created by the previous administration, noted that in the Corporate Area alone there was requirement for more than 150 trucks, and of that number 58 would be contributed by the private sector. The remainder would be regular contractors of the National Solid Waste Management Authority.
Importantly, several of those regular contractors who would normally accept payment had agreed to "forego payment," according to Mr Thomas.
What is especially good about the national clean-up project and the widespread support it has engendered is, in our view, the underlying acceptance of the view that Jamaicans must take charge of our destiny. It will do us no good to sit back and wait for others to come and clean up our home for us.
That is the very spirit that inspired Don Wehby to take a big salary cut in order to give of himself in service to his country. In yesterday's edition of the Observer, Mr Wehby said he was motivated by his desire to see his children grow up in a more prosperous Jamaica.
It was pleasing to hear that his action has been inspiring others to want to serve the public sector. According to Mr Wehby, he has been receiving several phone calls from young people in the private sector who have been commending him and offering help.
"They want to volunteer," said Wehby. "Many of them have said that if anything comes up in the public sector I should let them know because they want to offer their services," he told the Observer.
If nothing else, we can draw hope for our country from these two developments.
We urge all who can to do all you can to ensure that this weekend's clean-up project succeeds in giving us a cleaner, healthier environment in which our children have a real chance to grow and prosper.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
We are extremely heartened by two items on this week's national news menu.
First, the organisers of the national clean-up project have reported significant community support for the planned two-day activity, aimed at restoring Jamaica at least to its pre-Hurricane Dean, or pre-August 19, 2007 state.
Second, new minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Finance, Senator Don Wehby has indictated that since his appointment, many young persons in the private sector have been calling to say they would like to serve the public sector.
We, naturally, rejoice at every sign of nationalism that provides evidence that patriotism is not dead. For that reason we were happy to hear from Mr Kingsley Thomas, a co-coordinator of the clean-up project that his office had been inundated with offers of support from private sector entities, community-based organisations, churches and individuals for the two-day project.
Many persons had come forward and volunteered equipment and time for at least one of the two days and more people, especially from the business community, were expected to follow suit, Mr Thomas told the post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday.
"We are very happy at the level of response we have received for a national effort to clean up Jamaica of the debris left by Hurricane Dean," he was quoted as saying in yesterday's edition of our newspaper.
Mr Thomas who is in charge of the Office of National Reconstruction created by the previous administration, noted that in the Corporate Area alone there was requirement for more than 150 trucks, and of that number 58 would be contributed by the private sector. The remainder would be regular contractors of the National Solid Waste Management Authority.
Importantly, several of those regular contractors who would normally accept payment had agreed to "forego payment," according to Mr Thomas.
What is especially good about the national clean-up project and the widespread support it has engendered is, in our view, the underlying acceptance of the view that Jamaicans must take charge of our destiny. It will do us no good to sit back and wait for others to come and clean up our home for us.
That is the very spirit that inspired Don Wehby to take a big salary cut in order to give of himself in service to his country. In yesterday's edition of the Observer, Mr Wehby said he was motivated by his desire to see his children grow up in a more prosperous Jamaica.
It was pleasing to hear that his action has been inspiring others to want to serve the public sector. According to Mr Wehby, he has been receiving several phone calls from young people in the private sector who have been commending him and offering help.
"They want to volunteer," said Wehby. "Many of them have said that if anything comes up in the public sector I should let them know because they want to offer their services," he told the Observer.
If nothing else, we can draw hope for our country from these two developments.
We urge all who can to do all you can to ensure that this weekend's clean-up project succeeds in giving us a cleaner, healthier environment in which our children have a real chance to grow and prosper.