http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Treasure-Beach-torment_8403230

This whole thing makes me sick. Has any watch-dog agency ever asked to see the books for all the millions spent on digging what really is just a big ditch? Seems like a lot of money compared to the amount of work!

I do not mean this in any bad way but now that Jason Henzell is feeling financial loss from the disgusting canal, maybe something will happen. After all he has more clout than most of us put together.

For something that affects such a large part of the TB community, I'm surprised that turey's post has drawn so little attention. If there were to be a devastating flood today, would the Government not mobilize its resources, even the military, in rescuing residents? Wouldn't this cost a lot of money to accomplish. So why not spend this money to PREVENT a potential distaster rather than doing it after? I know the report says they have to allocate the funds but doesn't the Government have emergency funds, and shouldn't this be treated as one? It seems like we are always putting the cart in front of the horse.
I know these good people mentioned in the piece and it makes me so angry to see the injustice.

The canal seems to be directing pond overflow to the sea. Hopefuly it will keep out water from any high seas. Is the fact that it is overgrown with bush which makes it an eyesore to some? The said plants may be the very things that stabilise the soil around the canal and calms the flow of water either way. Water will make it's path, meandering is it's way. Why is the canal threatening some properties? Has the bush not done it's stabilising work? Is the flow seeking news shapes and threatening private lands? Or are some steep banks relaxing to a suitable slope?

The owners of the properties at risk and those not payed for their land are the ones that should be negotiating with those responsible.

Khus Khus grass planted correctly will help to stabilise the banksides. I know a few that could get the rootstock, plant and maintain for 'a money'.

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/factsheets/pdf/land/l34.pdf

Dear all,
after Tropical storm Nicole,the pond in front of Marblue was and is now filled with mud-swimming like it was before is not possible any more.
The mud is now in the reef,and with more rain,the mud will drift to Calabash Bay-a nice mud beach!!!
2.the water was washing out the banksides-remember this is not a naturally river-nothing can hinder the water to wash out dirt even behind the concrete walls from the culverts-

3. with a high storm surge the Seawater will be pressed towards the pond and will salten the pond-poss. the lawns of Great bay,too.
When it happens we all have to ask Mr.turey-possible he has another answer on hold

You got my tureypossiblity turned on AOH. It would be possible to re-establish the original flow of the water. Great Bay would become the island or peninsula that it was. Pipes under the road and 100% community agreement with those that lost land etc reimbursed fairly. Ponds to canoe and paths to treck. The Bluff having a set of gazebos ..........

Blame this on cabin fever and AOH.

Could you or someone post some pictures of the effects of the canal?

No, run out of possibilities. Suggest you take pictures and share with the right people.

The canal is now inside Mr Taylor's fence so I don't see how planting grass will help him. I see the Honourable M.P. on this site on a constant basis glad-handing and passing out awards. Does he not know of this creeping natural disaster to man, fish, and animals, or has no one told him? It is all nice to have a Sports Park and literary this and that, and fishing tournament, and triathlon and everythign. No problem with that, but there is a natural disaster in the making and Nero is fiddleing. Stop the music and see what's going on. There is a hurricane season on the way!

I'm sorry if I'm beating a dead horse, but the Government is negligent in the welfare of the citizens of Treasure Beach and it needs to be pointed out. And please don't tell me that the ordinary citizen is responsible to fix the canal.

TO: By p' off on Thursday, February 24, 2011 - 09:16 am:

"For something that affects such a large part of the TB community, I'm surprised that turey's post has drawn so little attention. If there were to be a devastating flood today, would the Government not mobilize its resources, even the military, in rescuing residents? Wouldn't this cost a lot of money to accomplish. So why not spend this money to PREVENT a potential distaster rather than doing it after? I know the report says they have to allocate the funds but doesn't the Government have emergency funds, and shouldn't this be treated as one? It seems like we are always putting the cart in front of the horse."

What makes you think the Jamaican Government would mobilize its forces if there was a devastating flood? In my experience the groups that did the most to help the residents were TreasureBeach.net, Treasure Beach Foundation, and BREDS. Anything the Government did was too little and too late.

Y'know P'd Off, it's not our resposibilty but it is our opportunity. Turn the p'd off energy into action. Sensible action. I'm on the Sustainability 2030 path. Community involvement is a part of this.

It is the path that our Government has chosen. Check it out. I wish Mr Hutchinson would open a forum on his site.

http://www.pioj.gov.jm/CitizenCharter/tabid/58/Default.aspx


Then dialogue could begin. The canal could have it's own section. Simple. No whole heapa meetings and subcommitess. Minutes would be generated automatically. Democracy, I'm starting to see that it's possible.

tureypossiblity or wild imagining?

Just FYI, the other major assistance providers in our times of crisis were The Treasure Beach Women's Group, Food for the Poor, The United Way, USAID, and most importantly private donations from all over the world which allowed the above groups to pass it on.

These are some wonderful Organizations all mentioned here, and I would not for a New York second minimize their herculean efforts. Please understand that. But the good people of Treasure Beach pay taxes, and they deserve a REPRESENTATIVE Government. I mean why pay taxes if everytime we need help we are supposed to do it ourselves or rely on charity? I believe you are an original New Englander Rebecca, so you must have heard of a little party they had in Boston Harbor a "few" years ago. I believe it had something to do with tea.

Come on, please keep the tea bagging out of this. While it is a shame that the canal has been been a work in process for 6 or so years, the present govt. simply cannot produce the money to fix everything that ails this country at this moment. The original money to do the canal was used to dig a hole which just stood there gaping for years.THAT was representative govt. in 2006. The way forward is to pressure the current MP to make a commitment so that funding for the canal can rise to the top of the list of things to do. Taylor, I symphatize with you man, keep up the fight.

Or another way to look at it is if more persons who shirk paying taxes did indeed pay what they are supposed to then maybe the country would have enough money to fix the canal, the roads, improve the schools, etc.

Rebecca is so right about the non payment of taxes by people in Treasure Beach though I believe this may apply to Jamaica as a country. I suspect the big exception is people who work for the government or for employers who make the required payroll deductions. Face it--how many fishermen and farmers and waiters and laborers even bother to pay taxes? How many guest houses and villas file returns for their employees? Except for property taxes my guess is the government gets their money from the very high GCT. Even though I know people are hurting, that GCT does not provide enough revenue to run the government correctly. I have heard countless people say something to the effect of as long as they believe the government does not help them and their families and wastes money, they have no intention of paying taxes.

Percieved wastage of our taxes is one reason given by some not to pay taxes.

The complexity of the procedure and the difficulty and time wasting to fill out papers and travel to the collectorate, another. Many times one has to return because of the wrong form or other mistakes. Our time does not seem to count as VALUE.

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/eco_ent_pay_tax_ind_ran-entrepreneurship-payin g-taxes-index-ranking

Jamaica is 141 out of 154 countries for the difficulty in paying taxes. Simplify and more will pay. Our servants must be attached to the current formula for a good reason? Or a really bad one!

Fascinating graph. I know tax paying in Jamaica is cumbersome, but I cannot believe it is that much more difficult than in the US. These statistics seem to be for businesses, not individuals. Most of the people in Treasure Beach I know who do not pay taxes are individuals.

Taxpayer you foh pa,If you know so much about TB and these non paying taxes why don't you report them.

Bowl, I am not about to report them any more than you are. If I knew a big company or a rich person who didn't pay taxes, I would report them. How many boat drivers or fishermen do you know who pay taxes on their income?

How does someone that does not read prepare their returns? Some literates have a hard time. Threats of imprisonment or fines are loved by the public servants. It's easier than making the needed changes.

This has turned into a debate about taxes. Mea culpa turey. June is just around the corner and I just hope that in a few months we won't be posting here about the next flood and what coulda shoulda been done.

You are right ED, so no tea then. I was attempting a friendly dig at Rebecca with my Boston Harbour comment. No worries. (I'm wondering if you are the ED from Great Bay that went to Munro?). I agree with you that "The way forward is to pressure the current MP..." Let's focus on that instead of how much more money politicos need to boondoggle.