The one who made his name, not by financial wizardy but with 'dead-lef' money, is dying with envy. The Observer achieving 20 years where no other could has sent the green-eyed monster over the edge. He can only succeed where there's no competition. What's making it worse is that failed escapade in the motherland that has silenced the already weakened voice that used to sing his praise.

FYAH DEH A MUSS-MUSS TAIL

Word on the street is that the radio stations are desperately hanging onto their best talent. The heat is on!

LOTTERY SCAMPS

Must the United States fight all of Jamaica's criminal battles for us? The latest is the lottery scam. It's right that ministers Peter Bunting and Julian Robinson go to the States to plead our cause. But isn't it too little too late? And Andrew Holness needs to stop his politicking with the lottery scam. It's a disgrace.

GAS STATION OWNER RESPONDS TO PEPPER POT'S AIR PUMP CAMPAIGN

Dear Ms Eva-Jean,

In response to your Pepper Pot as published Fri 08/ Mar 13. I have to admit that it would appear as if one of the 'peppers in di pot bun mi'. Let me explain.

Since 2005, I have had the distinct privilege of operating one of the Corporate Area service stations. I have always been uniquely aware of the diversity of clients, sensitivity of sales, and the absolute essential nature of having a fully functional air pump on site. All are correlated and dependent on each other. I have also lost count of the amount of times that I had to:

1. Repair the air pump

2. Replace the air pump

3. Review the CCTV in total amazement to see the identity of the persons who have wilfully damaged or stolen parts thereof, and/or the entire unit.

In one specific case, I followed the trail to a well-established car dealership. They, however, had a different type of 'pepper' in their possession and so I decided on the spot to let the matter be.

I can speak for myself, and probably some of my colleagues in stating that it is our full desire, fervent intention, and constant effort to provide 'quality customer service' through the provision of a working air pump.

For me, I am now at the point of repairing, replacing/or maintaining my air pump on a minimum of three days per seven-day week. (A reduction from daily up to last year). The costs of doing so have quadrupled but that's another matter; bearing in mind that the compressor is electrical, and, that's where JPS comes in!

At present, I'm proudly observing a client using my air pump, which was repaired 3:00 pm today. It is now 3:55 pm and I'm hoping that it remains functional through to closing. In fact, I've invited the visiting technician for a 'one drink' before he rushes off to another site as a ploy to keep him around a little longer (just in case).

In closing, therefore, I feel that to advocate as stated in the paper to "Don't forget to boycott those gas stations without air pumps" seems a bit harsh.

You would probably view it another way if you knew the individual's situation in that regard. For over two weeks, the mighty mega-bank branch that I use was without deposit books until today, and I did not see a reason to boycott it, although my account was hit with all the applicable fees during the same period.

Anyway, madam, one love.

— Pepper Pot/Observer Reader

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Was that fishing expedition worth it?

Send your best suss to pepperpot@jamaicaobserver.com