Let's talk, Jesus - JamaicaObserver.com

Sunday, November 08, 2009 2:30 AM

Western News

Let's talk, Jesus

Thursday, July 02, 2009

MONTEGO BAY, St James
In a swift comeback, Mayor of Montego Bay, Charles Sinclair, has invited Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva to communicate his concerns regarding the St James Parish Council's handling of tourist harassment to his office in order to arrive at practical solutions, as opposed to triggering unnecessary public debate.

At the same time the mayor is demanding that Silva apologise for his comments at the opening of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry's 13th annual trade expo last Friday.

"(His) statements were most "unfortunate as at no time" has the ambassador or anyone on his behalf ever written or orally communicated any concerns to my office or other departments at the St James Parish Council," said Sinclair pointing out that the manner in which the comments were made was "unfortunate, uninformed, unstatesman-like and disingenuous."

Silva warned that Jamaica's tourist industry would get hurt if the issue of harassment was not addressed and expressed disappointment that Sinclair was not present to hear his comments as his department was taking the wrong approach to the problem which included the proliferation of illegal jet ski operators and the peddling of illegal drugs on the beach.

His comments came against the background of a disruptive protest - which the police intervened to quell - by craft vendors in front of the Iberostar hotel over the right to hustle at a nearby beach. According to the vendors they had been given permission by the owner to occupy the beach.

However, the mayor disputed the claim, pointing out that the Council had already demolished the illegal operations on two separate occasions after the proper procedures and processes were followed as provided for under the Town and Country Planning Act, the Public Health Act and the National Solid Waste Management Authority Act.

"The operations were carried out on February 10 and June 13, 2009, and will continue if the demolished shacks are replaced," he said.

As far as the illegal jet skis and drug sales were concerned, the major pointed out that these issues did not fall under his jurisdiction.

"These constitute a breach of the Dangerous Drugs Act and Tourism Board Act. Those Acts require enforcement which is the responsibility of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF)," he said.

What the ambassador could do, the mayor said, was ask the hotel management to impress on their guests not to trespass beyond the boundaries of the hotel onto the adjoining property where they intentionally patronise the illegal activities of vendors.

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