Patriots backing incumbent PNP VPs

THE Patriots, the caucus of young professionals within the ruling People’s National Party (PNP), says its members will be voting to return the current slate of vice-presidents en bloc.

The group, in a statement yesterday, said it was satisfied with the work of the four incumbents – Peter Phillips, Portia Simpson Miller, Karl Blythe and Paul Robertson – in the management and governance of the party.

“.Therefore, we see no need for any changes within the slate of vice-presidents,” the group said.

Paul Burke’s last-minute nomination for vice-president at the party’s abbreviated annual conference last month forced the planning of a special delegates’ conference this Saturday to elect four vice-presidents.

Committee recommends payment per credit for some students

THE Finance and General Purposes Committee at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) has recommended that the University Council permit full-time as well as part-time students in the faculties of Humanities and Education, Pure and Applied Sciences and Social Sciences to pay per credit for all courses taken as part of the degree programme.

The committee also recommended that the council review the policy governing the relationship between full- or part-time registration and the calculation of fees.

A statement from the university said the decision was taken at the regular meeting of the committee, held on Monday, January 17.

Bruce gets green light

The Standing Committee of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) on Monday ratified the recommendation of the Selection Committee for Senator Bruce Golding to be the caretaker for the constituency of Western Kingston.

The party said, in a statement, that it was now looking forward to an early by-election to fill the vacant seat created by the retirement from representational politics of Edward Seaga.

Absent Braeton witness arrested, taken to court

DELROY Laidley, one of the two witnesses for whom a bench warrant was issued on Monday after failing to show up for the murder trial of six policemen charged with the March 2001 murder of seven men in Braeton, St Catherine, was arrested and taken before the court yesterday.

Trial judge Justice Donald McIntosh vacated the bench warrant for Laidley, who later gave testimony in the murder trial.

An arrest warrant is still out for another witness, Golford Thompson, who did not report for court on Monday.

JTA alarmed at brutal slaying of children

THE Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) says it is alarmed about the number of children being slain by criminals.

“When criminal elements in a country attack children and massacre them in such a horrible way, it ought to shock us all.

“Every child has a right to life and should be assured of a safe and healthy environment. The spate of violence against them is seriously affecting their lives and well-being. Many of our children have lost brothers and sisters, parents, friends and other relatives but all have lost the innocence of youth and the trust and confidence in the society to protect them,” the JTA said in a statement.