You might feel your organization has been wrongly “attacked” in this forum, especially lately. Please allow me to explain, at least from my viewpoint.
First, there is no doubt you have done much good in Treasure Beach over the years. I can’t imagine anyone thinking otherwise.
The kinds of things you have been criticized for in the past seem (again from my viewpoint) to be based on people’s expectations of you. When you promise something, people expect you to follow through and do what you have promised or what they THINK you have promised. Here is an example. We have an ambulance in TB, something very necessary. BREDS made this happen. BREDS got people trained to drive it and to perform life-saving things such as CPR. This is all wonderful. But the ambulance is often out of service. Or someone cannot reach it when it is very necessary. So people get upset. (If a BREDS board member had to be rushed to the hospital and couldn’t reach the ambulance and didn’t have another way to get there, you would probably get upset TOO.) At the same time, you often seem to big-up yourself on the ambulance. But you do not bother to let people know when it is not available. You have admitted there have been communications problems in reaching the ambulance, but we do not know if these have been fixed. If you step back and look at the situation, maybe you can understand the confusion. If there is an ambulance, people EXPECT it to be available. People EXPECT to be able to have their call for the ambulance answered promptly. People EXPECT the ambulance to show up quickly, complete with a good driver plus one or two people trained to help the patient. If these expectations are incorrect, then I suggest you let people know what they CAN expect.
What is happening now with the sports park is probably causing the most “attacks.” It would be hard to find anyone in Treasure Beach who is not in favor of a nice safe place for our youth to enjoy sports. THAT is not the problem. In my opinion, a big problem is the attitude you show in public about the sports park. Just because it IS going to happen doesn’t mean people do not deserve to have their viewpoints heard. You can certainly not please everyone, but no one should be made to feel their voice is unimportant. People should not be afraid to say what is on their mind. Last and I think the very most important, I see no reason for the sports park to be about “us” against “them”. For the first time I can ever remember in Treasure Beach, there seems to now be such a division. It’s like all of Treasure Beach is divided into teams who are against each other. By calling a lot of good and caring people outsiders, you have made many people feel hurt. You have made many people feel angry. This might have been a good way to keep people from speaking out at the meeting about the sports park, but I believe it has hurt the community, and I believe it has hurt BREDS in the eyes of all who look at you, whether you call these people insiders or outsiders. We all need to be playing on the same team, and I think BREDS can go a long way to make that happen.

Thanks to Does My Voice Count for taking the time to write all these words. Someone had to say this. Lets stop with the foolishness and nastyness of insiders and outsiders. Lets all be on the same team.

The matter of the Sports Park and how BREDS has responded (or rather NOT responded) to what so many people have regarded as serious insults has become a PR crisis in Treasure Beach. BREDS has seemed to be utterly blindsided by the reaction to their definition of “insiders” and “outsiders.” I will gave BREDS the benefit of the doubt and assume they did not realize their remarks at the Sports Park meeting would produce such unintended and long-lasting consequences. Mr. Henzell may not realize it, but HIS Katrina Moment has now arrived. This situation has presented Mr. Henzell with an enormous responsibility. Is he going to continue to sit silently in the background, allowing unnamed BREDS representatives to provide incomplete answers (whenever it seems convenient) to important questions? Or is he going to step up to the plate and apologize on behalf of BREDS and act like a true community leader?

Is BREDS going to continue to imply that “outsiders” such as Rebecca, Karen Kennedy, and Janet Nichols have no right to raise questions and express their opinions on something as important to Treasure Beach as the Sports Park? Are the citizens of Treasure Beach going to tolerate having so many people being told not to interfere AT THE SAME TIME they seem to have no problem accepting the hard work and money of people like this? I respectfully suggest the community cannot have it both ways; they cannot call people outsiders from one side of their face and ask them to provide services and money from the other side. This is plain wrong. This is rude. This is not how the people of Treasure Beach should be acting.

Are the citizens of Treasure Beach going to ask for additional people on the BREDS Board, people who are truly representative of the FULL community, even though some of these people may have differing opinions and may challenge some of BREDS ideas and plans?

Mr. Henzell, wherever you are, I ask you to step forward and unite our dear community again. You will not lose face by saying you made a mistake. Instead, doing so will make you look like more of a man.

I agree with everything Katrina Moment said, except the last paragraph concerned me.
"Mr. Henzell....I ask you to step forward and unite our ...community again".
At this point, or at any point for that matter, it would be a scary thought for one man to have the influence to unite a community. And with all due respect, the man is not Jesus.
And the last person I know of who had the carisma to unite communities was Mr. Marley.

mnken, is it too much to ask for an apology? I think not.

Ok, let me clarify..
I should have said the first sentence in the last paragraph. I think what Katrina Moment said is great. If true, I think it is really sad that one controvercial person has the power to either unite or divide a community. I said that 'concerned me'. I don't think he does. I sure hope not.
One Voice, please do not look too deeply into something I did not even say.
But since you brought up the subject of apologies, I pesonally would rather have none than a hallow one. Anyone can apologize. And it usually means more if someone comes up with the idea of apologizing on their own rather than being 'encouraged'.

mnnken, now that I am thinking about what you have said I believe you are perfectly correct. An apology only counts when it comes from the heart. If not it is like when you tell a misbehaving child to say "I'm sorry" and they do so but they do not truly mean it. I also agree with your words about one person not being able to unite or divide a community. That would only be possible if members of the community do not have a mind of their own. From what I have seen of the people in Treasure Beach, they are perfectly capable of making up their own minds as long as they have access to the facts.

Lets forget about any form of apology because it probably wouldn't mean anything much. Instead what would be of much importance is knowing about the communications problems in reaching the ambulance. Have they been solved? If so, I would like to know how we can be ASSURED the ambulance can be reached in case of an emergency.

Does anyone know if Mr. Henzell is behind this because he really cares about the community and all the kids and sees this as a real good thing, or because he sees dollar signs? The answer to this question is important.

To biglife, only Jason can answer this question. Any other answers would be speculation which will not be allowed.

Mr. Henzell does not seem inclined to answer ANY questions in writing. I don't recall ever seeing a posting from him on TB.net though I could be wrong.

As a reminder, this is a public forum and as such no one has an obligation to answer questions posted here. We certainly appreciate those who do reply, but no one is required to do so.

-TBNet

Much can be inferred from one's silence..problem is it isn't always accurate. Which is why open communication is usually best.

100% correct, TB.net. IMHO it would merely be polite. But Mr. Henzell is under no obligation to do or say anything he doesn't want. That is his right.

Yes 100% Correct, it is also his conundrum.

Obligations: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obligation

It is difficult for me to imagine that Jason and the Directors of BREDS care more for having their wishes fulfilled than for seeking the guidance of the community, both for and against any project, and then proceeding in directions that cause least disturbance.

Having watched Jakes grow and benefit so many and having enjoyed times with old and new friends there, I wish this and their other initiatives continued success and hope they are emulated by others. I wish the same continued progress and success for BREDS.

I assume the Directors are all respected and responsible people that would not be coerced by anyone and seek to have the best results for their community.

Why any division?

1. Are others behind this project that pull strings but remain invisible?

2. Are Jason and Co convinced that the scale, location & etc of this project are right for the community and those against it in it's currently proposed form are mistaken and are to be ignored?

3. Has the organisation taken on more than it can handle and delays etc are a symptom of system overload?

4. Are the majority of those objecting to the proposed Park design Outsiders seeking to have their way to the exclusion of Insiders? Does Jason continue to encourage this perspective?

5. Was the community really threatened with a housing development if the Park did not happen? If so who uttered the threat, where and when?

6. Are residents that have reservations about this project hesitant to speak as they have family or friend connection/s whose livelyhood could be threatened by perceived opposition? This has been suggested here.

I can visualise many other possibilities. Most are unpleasant and unpalatable the rest ridiculous.

As I've posted before, I support the creation of exercise and recreation areas in a park setting for the community and within the community. I do not support the current plan.

I recognise my fortune to have been born and raised in a society in which free speech is a given. Can anyone tell me any questions that should NOT be asked here and anytime about anything or anyone? Within reason, law and common sense natch.

Anyone listen to what President Obama said in Ghana?

Turey:

What did President Obama say in Ghana that you are asking if anyone listened to?

Hello Nate, I found it interesting that it took an Outsider, even though he is considered kin by many in Africa, to talk about things that many consider off limits.

Did you listen/read? Any comments?

I admit I did not hear every speech and every word. What I did hear was needed to be said. I hope deeds match words.

As a person who often reads this forum but hardly ever contributes to it, I must say the postings for roughly the past month have been most interesting. I have visited Treasure Beach annually for the last three years, and I plan to go again no matter what is being said about controversial subjects such as the sports park. Anyone who's ever been in Treasure Beach understands it is the real world, not Disneyland. People in the real world have honest disagreements about the best way to accomplish things. Personally, I think it is better to question things while there is still time to make changes, assuming changes would make something better. I recall looking at the canal and wondering how people could have been so accepting of something so ugly in such a beautiful place. When I asked about it people seemed to have the same story line - that it was the right thing to be done and it would solve the problems. From what I can gather, Treasure Beach would have been better off without the canal, or they would have been better off with a smaller canal or a totally different solution. By the time I saw the criticism the damage was already done.

So to those who feel all the sports park discussion will be scaring tourists away I would say this is not true. What would scare people like me away is to have something else that could be even worse than the canal built without anyone raising any objections in advance. Am I saying I think the sports park would be bad? I'm not because I don't have all the facts. What I think would be bad is to not have the questions asked and answered in an honest fashion.

You are right. TB is not Disneyland. It is better because we have real live people who breathe and think and love and shed tears and have honest disagreements. I continue to think TB is one of the best places on earth no matter what honest disagreements people have.

I agree with you 100% Better Than Disneyland!

I too, agree with Better Than Disneyland and Rebecca...TB is simply the Best.

I too, agree with Better Than Disneyland and Rebecca...TB is simply the Best.

Turey -

Did not hear Obama's speech to the Ghanians. What did he say that needed saying, that might have otherwise been "off limits"? Don't mean to press - just one thing, if you recall? Thanks

Hi Nate A, My comp was not showing TBNet for a while.

Here is a link to President Obama's speech.

http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2009/July/20090711110050abretnuh0.10 79783.html

Thank you, Turey. I have chosen to lift a portion of Mr. Obama's speech:

"The world will be what you make of it. You have the power to hold your leaders accountable, and to build institutions that serve the people. You can serve in your communities, and harness your energy and education to create new wealth and build new connections to the world. You can conquer disease, and end conflicts, and make change from the bottom up. You can do that. Yes you can -- because in this moment, history is on the move.

But these things can only be done if all of you take responsibility for your future. And it won't be easy. It will take time and effort. There will be suffering and setbacks. Opportunity ... must come from the decisions that all of you make, the things that you do, the hope that you hold in your heart."

A lovely portion ...

We'd like to remind people our policy on politics: We don't accept messages that promote a particular candidate or his/her views.

As an example, saying "Did you see Mr. Jones' speech?" is OK. Saying "Mr. Jones' speech makes him the greatest politician ever" is not.

This is an admittedly tricky line to draw, and I'm sure some would say we've been on the wrong side of it before, but we do the best we can to apply it consistently.

-TBNet

I understand what you are saying but you're not implying that Turey was somehow promoting President Obama, are you? I think Turey felt there were some important points made in his speech. It had nothing to do with the points being made by President Obama; they could have been made by anyone who is generally admired throughout the world. Or they could even have been made by someone who is not admired throughout the world. Same difference. Turey is from Canada, so he doesn't even get to vote in a U.S. election. Also, the election was last November.

Right, it was the content I was pointing out.

Also, he could have been talking to us for the most part.

One doesn't have to be an American to admire a truly great leader. It's a good thing to listen, learn and apply what we have learned from others such as Mr. Obama. When Mr. Obama speaks, he speaks to the universe, not only Americans. WE ARE THE WORLD.

I agree with Aha and with Turey. And Turey, I thank you and Speechlifter for pointing out to us what Obama said to the Ghanians.

Webmaster: Again I ask: if it was my reference to Obama that you didn't approve, can you now post my previous messages, given the fact that you have posted three messages all saying the same thing: that Obama's words are worth repeating, no matter who said them?

I would hate to think that you are not open to a reasoned argument against your arbitrary censorship, because in all other respects, I think you do a fine job with this site.

In response to Obama Question, Turey's post was approved and therefore in the guidelines.

Other posts which have gone outside of the guidelines were not approved.

-TBNet

Could we please put 'a handle' to Mr. Obama's name? Afterall, he is the President of the U.S.A. and not just Obama. Mi granny always sey wi should always show respect.

Hope I have not offended anyone because this topic has been Arguable. Thanks.

Please. Give the webmasters a break, get off their backs about this. This is all redundant. They do the best they can. And this comes from a guy who only gets about 1/2 of his comments posted! Yes, us opinionated and highly vocal folks tend to have more posts censured I am sure. But let's move on. Some things in life are what they are. Direct this energy towards less trivial things such as what this post stared at. We went from Breds letter to Obama speech

Yes Ken back to the main point.

Not a peep to any of my questions above or to any of the questions others have posted.

It's actually a good diplomatic strategy to ignore whoever is seen as the opponent. If that is being operated here.

My opponents are my own ignorance and sometimes foolishness and anyone promoting these vices. I try to stay clear of all.

Anyone well versed in the 'politics' of Jamaican conversational language can tell you that naming names is a no-no. "So and So" said....." reminds me of the signs posted in many local establishments: "what you see here, what you hear here should stay here, or don't come back here". Better you allude to the situation or your post will not be approved.

Why any division?

1. Are others behind this project that pull strings but remain invisible?

2. Are Jason and Co convinced that the scale, location & etc of this project are right for the community and those against it in it's currently proposed form are mistaken and are to be ignored?

3. Has the organisation taken on more than it can handle and delays etc are a symptom of system overload?

4. Are the majority of those objecting to the proposed Park design Outsiders seeking to have their way to the exclusion of Insiders? Does Jason continue to encourage this perspective?

5. Was the community really threatened with a housing development if the Park did not happen? If so who uttered the threat, where and when?

6. Are residents that have reservations about this project hesitant to speak as they have family or friend connection/s whose livelyhood could be threatened by perceived opposition? This has been suggested here.

About the housing scheme - and this is not a complete answer.

The 15 acres were privately owned by the family of Darrin James. These 15 acres were not considered especially valuable; they would not have been to much interest to tourists looking to buy a property for a rental villa. They were not considered all that valuable to residents because they had a propensity to flood. In addition, 15 acres is a very large-sized purchase. Once this land was sold to the government, the government COULD have done virtually anything it wished with the land including putting a housing scheme on it. (This would not necessarily be a positive thing for a community like TB.) However, when the purchase was made by the government, there was a clear understanding BREDS was to get a peppercorn lease on the property, so in my opinion this was an IDLE threat. It's not like the government bought the land and put it up for bids from interested parties. Nevertheless, people can truthfully say -- well, it COULD have been a housing scheme, and a sports park is better for the community than that (which even objectors to the sports park would agree upon).

Thanks OPA, one small step.....