As we look at the flurry of activity around resignations and new appointments, we understand the far reach of a political change of weather. Those of us who have watched the "musical chairs" of government over many decades have grown philosophical.We, the taxpayers, know that while our hard work funds the chairs, we have no say in who gets to sit in them.

The past week saw us with mixed feelings. We welcomed the announcement that the dynamic Aloun Assamba would become our new high commissioner to the UK, even as we noted with a pang of regret that the excellent Audrey Marks would be demitting office. The names being called for the big DC post - Stephen Vasciannie and Delano Franklyn - are excellent choices, but we should probably watch our timing in this, the US election year.

Marks is a successful entrepreneur and former president of the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (Amcham), whose US business connections were strong long before she took up office in May 2010. She has established a working relationship with the US State Department, and travelled extensively to meet members of the Jamaican diaspora.

Last Thursday, the ever-professional Ambassador Marks was on Capitol Hill, testifying before the United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics control hearing on US-Caribbean Security Cooperation. The South Florida Caribbean News carried an extensive report from which I quote: "Our chief recommendation to you today," said the ambassador, "is to place social and economic development at the forefront of co-operation with the Caribbean in the area of security. Let us not ignore the umbilical relationship between an under-developed economy, social vacuums and narco-trafficking."

She continued, "I would suggest that Jamaica's effectiveness as a partner in the fight against drug trafficking can be sustained only by a clear policy alignment for Jamaica's socio-economic development. I ask that the US take steps to ensure that its positions in the IMF, World Bank and IDB are consistent and are focused on supporting socio-economic development as an effective weapon in the fight against drug-trafficking."

Let all Jamaicans take a leaf from Audrey Marks's book: whatever the political weather, put country first. The clear-eyed Marks has assured us that she is quite aware of the protocol concerning her appointment and is ready to move forward with no regrets.

Recently, members of the Consultative Monitoring Group for Public Sector Transformation, led by banking guru Peter Moses, met with Prime Minister Simpson Miller to brief her on the group's work over the past two years. Moses is one of those altruistic Jamaicans who have willingly answered the call of both administrations to serve the national good. Mutual respect was evident in their discussions.

As we look at the challenges facing us, like so many countries around the globe, we should understand how important it is to ensure that we tap into the talents of our best. We understand the political sensitivities, but should be careful that we balance these with practical considerations. This is where it is important to give a listening ear to party veterans: they know who the faithful Jamaicans are. They can guide their younger colleagues on how to identify and gain the support of those bedrock nationalists.

Wise leaders know that once you utilise not only your best party talent, but also trustworthy members of civil society, you can achieve the balance needed to make significant progress. Vision 2030 wants us to be the place of choice to live, work and do business. In the 18 short years we have left to achieve this, we must be careful not to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

Lyew-Ayee on road safety at UWI Cobb lecture

Dr Parris Lyew-Ayee gave a strong Cobb Family Lecture this year at the annual UWI Research Day. Lyew-Ayee, managing director of the Mona GeoInformatics Institute, is the genius behind JamNav, our local GPS system. Speaking on "Addressing Road Safety Through Innovative Thinking and Technologies", he made revealing observations from data on 75,000 crashes between 2000 and 2009. Here are some telling points:

o Fatal crashes accounted for only 3.3 per cent of crashes. This means in the majority of incidents, persons suffer injuries, sometimes life-long injuries as a result of crashes

o The major reason for driver-caused crashes was tailgating - following too closely behind vehicles. This accounted for 22.2 per cent of driver-caused crashes

o Most crashes occurred on main roads.

CCRP celebrating patriots, lobbying for pensioners

This Wednesday, the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP), with a membership of over 600, will honour 62 of Jamaica's trailblazers nominated by our members to mark Jamaica's Golden Jubilee of Independence.

CCRP is our company's "labour of love" which aims at empowering our fast-growing senior population. Recently, fellow director Mike Fraser and I met with representatives of WINDALCO pensioners after they received a disturbing notice rescinding their health and life benefits. Our chairman, Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer, has written to Mr Leonid Staviskiy, managing director of the company, expressing our concern, and requesting a meeting. "When employers make a commitment that they will provide medical coverage to employees after they retire, they view this as one they can trust," she wrote.

lowriechin@aim.com

www.ccrponline.org

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