ZJB News 11th, & 12th, October 2001
The Civil Service Association is more pleased with recent efforts to integrate the Civil Service Pension scheme with Social Security.
President of the CSA Easton Farrell says new proposals now being put forward are more in line with what the union supports.
According to reports consultants hired by the British Government are proposing radical changes to the government pension programming such as extending the age of retirement from 55 to sixty years.
Workers with at least ten years services would also be transferred to the Social Security Scheme.
Staff with less than ten years service would be transferred as well but with a contribution equivalent to their past service liability being transferred, while those over the age of fifty would remain as members of the Civil Service Pension scheme.
Mister Farrell says the CSA is studying the matter closely.
While admitting that progress is being made in negotiations, the CSA boss says the Union still has some concerns.
The government is improving the facilities at Little Bay.
Minister with responsibility for ports Lowel Lewis says the improvements are facilitate an increasing number of tourists visiting the island on day tours.
Since the start of the Tuesday Day Tours, facilitated by Wall Trading and Montserrat Aviation services, and average of thirty tourists have been entered at the port.
To accommodate them the government is enlarging the car park at the back of the passenger terminal to provide more room for the busses that pick up and discharge the tourists.
Mr. Lewis says donations have come from a number of sources including Wall Trading, the Barbados-based firm Edgehill Enterprises, Selsie Limited, Galways Hardware, Bitter End Bar.
In addition plans are being made to improve the facilities at the passengers terminal.
This will include providing cover for passengers who have to wait on the outside before being processed by Immigration, a VIP area and a first aid area.
Montserrat is sending one representative to an upcoming meeting of Trade Ministers from the OECS.
Development Officer Jackie Yearwood will attend the two-day meeting St. Lucia.
She will join the Ministers and senior officials to review the work being done on an OECS Development Charter.
Next week’s meeting will also engage in preliminary discussions on the move towards an OECS Economic Union with the Ministers deciding on possible areas of emphasis and further work.
The Dominica based PECS Export Development Unit will also report to the meeting on its progress with a new USIAD financed project for the development of Small and Medium size Enterprises in the OECS.
The Ministers meeting will be preceded by a meeting that will focus in updating national and regional trade policies and preparing strategies for implementing the policies.
The Chief Medical Officer is full of praise for those employers who have included people with poor mental health on their staff and are seeing to it that they live productive lives.
The Community Services Department is hailing last week’s activity for the elderly a tremendous success.
The activities for the week included a luncheon hosted by His Excellency the Governor, an island bus tour, a day at the beach, Horticultural activities, and a dinner among other activities,
The idea for the week of activities was the brainchild of Community Development Officer Bernadine Collins and UN volunteer occupational therapist Tammy Foote.
Miss Collins says the support from the community was overwhelming and the elderly appreciated every moment of the Week of the Elderly.
She says although International Day of the Elderly was on the department’s calendar it was felt the island’s elderly deserved more than just one day of fellowship due to the hardships they have been facing since the onset of the volcanic crisis
Occupational Therapist Tammy Foote says the week was a great experience although it was a very hectic one.
She feels that the participation of the many volunteers also made the job even more rewarding.
Montserrat has a new Speaker of the Legislative Council.
Former Head Teacher Joseph Meade was sworn in at the start today’s siting.
He takes over the Speakership from Doctor Howard Fergus who retired last month.
Mister Meade who is a member of the ruling New Peoples Liberation Movement spent the past six months understudying the veteran parliamentarian and participating several training exercises.
During his acceptance speech Mister Meade acknowledged that the job will be a challenging one, but assured members that he will maintain and improve the standards.
The family of revered national here W.H. Bramble is pleased with the public' response to the centenary symposium on Monday.
Veteran journalist Howel Bramble, one of the surviving children of W. H. Bramble, says the family is extremely honoured that his work is considered worthy of a footnote in the history of Montserrat.
The symposium was organized by the University Centre to mark the 100th anniversary of W.H. Bramble's birth.
Howel Bramble, who publishes the Leeward Times says his father notes that one of the elder Bramble's revealing qualities was his ability to make peace with his political enemies.
A feature he says not common in modern day politics.
Sir Howard Fergus, one of Montserrat's most recognised academics, will be honoured for his contribution to Montserrat.
A four-member committee has been established to organise activities in recognition of Sir Howard's achievements.
The University lecturer served for 25 years as Speaker of the Montserrat Legislative Council, in the process becoming the longest serving speaker in the Commonwealth.
He is also Montserrat's most prolific scribe, having written many books on Montserrat's history and poetry.
The activities, which will run from October 21st to 27th, include two awards ceremonies.
The first is organised by the local branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the second by the government of Montserrat.
There would be a Thanksgiving service, a cultural evening and an exhibition of his work at the National Trust and the Public Library.
The Planning is also organising a panel discussion to focus attention on Sir Howard's contribution to the University of the West Indies.
Sir Howard Fergus is approaching another significant milestone.
The historian, who was made a Knight Commander, Order of the British Empire in June will receive his award at Buckingham Palace on Monday.
This is in his recognition of his outstanding service to Montserrat, the Caribbean and the Commonwealth.
Sir Howard recently retired as Speaker of the Legislative Council after a record twenty five years.
He has also given yeoman to the University of the West Indies and has served on many Commonwealth Commissions.
The newly formed Look Out Parent Teachers Association wants to make an early mark on the school.
Teacher in Charge Deloris Dubbery says the PTA, which elected its first executive recently, hopes to have a positive impact on the students.
She says high on the list of key issues is discipline.
The executive is Claudette Farrell - president, Edith Dubbery - vice president, Delcia Fenton - secretary, Donna Mae Tuitt - treasurer, and Christianna Weekes - public relations officer.
Two floor members - Bernadine Collins and Ralston White - make up the rest of the executive.
The victorious Montserrat Golf team has been honoured by the government.
A luncheon hosted by the Office of the Chief Minister was held at Tropical Mansions Suite the golfers.
The Montserrat Golf Team – Iavn Pocket Hixon, Wilston Piket Johnson, Leory Jawanza Daley and Kingsley Howe placed first in the Men’s net at the Eastern Caribbean Golf Championship in Barbados last weekend.
Among those attending today’s luncheon was Sports Officer Fitzroy Buffonge, family members and other sports and Government officials.
Permanent Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office Sarita Francis praised the golfers for their hard work and determination and pledged Government’s support to re-establishing a golf course on Montserrat.
Speaking on behalf of the team Ivan Pocket Hixon thanked the supporters whom he said gave them full support although the odds were against them.
Hixon is however calling for more support so that Montserrat can field a full team at next year’s championship.
After the formal welcome to the new Speaker legislators got down to the business of passing three bills - the Firearms Amendment Act 2000, the Securities Act and the Insurance Act.
Attorney General Brian Cottle explains the amendment that was made to the Firearms act.
Member of Parliament Claude Hogan says the law which previously mandated the judge to impose sentence was unfair to collectors.
Among the other speakers who spoke on the bill was leader of the Opposition Rueben Meade who raised some questions about the bill.
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